Dhu’s family demands answers over ‘secret’ investigation

THE family of an Aboriginal woman who died in custody in WA has accused the Barnett government of secrecy over the investigation.

THE family of a young Aboriginal woman who died in custody in Western Australia has accused the Barnett government of secrecy over the internal police investigation into her death after being jailed for unpaid fines.

On the eve of nationwide marches in protest at the death on August 4 of the 22-year-old — known for cultural reasons as Miss Dhu — her grandmother Carol Roe has renewed calls for an independent investigation in the absence of “meaningful ­contact’’ from West Australian authorities.

Ms Roe has demanded a meeting with the Premier, Colin Barnett.

Police are yet to deliver a report into the woman’s death after she was locked up for three days in the South Hedland Police Station watch-house for unpaid fines of $1000.

“There still has been no independent inquiry into her death,’’ Ms Roe said. “The government refuses to step in. There’s been no commitment to fix the system that led to her preventable death. Nothing.’’

An investigation by The Australian revealed that according to two witnesses, Miss Dhu had vomited day and night and complained of fever and paralysis in her lower body, and later her face, in the days she was jailed.

Some police allegedly mocked her and dismissed her cries as those of a “druggie”. On two occasions when police took her to the South Hedland Health Campus, she was sent back to jail, allegedly without seeing a doctor. When police took her to the hospital for the third time in 48 hours, on August 4, she was pronounced dead.

Miss Dhu’s autopsy was inconclusive, but showed old fractures of two ribs, with a “possible refracture’’ of one rib and bleeding in and around the lungs.

Deaths in Custody Watch Committee (WA) spokesman Marc Newhouse said marches would be held tomorrow in Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, South Hedland and Geraldton calling for an independent inquiry into Miss Dhu’s death.

“We are sceptical of the police investigating themselves in these matters given the historically poor record of any individual being held to account for deaths in custody,” he said.

A letter to Mr Barnett, written by Mr Newhouse on behalf of Miss Dhu’s extended family, expressed frustration about the government’s handling of the tragedy.

“The family appreciates your assurance to keep them informed; however, they have not received any meaningful contact from any government agency,’’ the letter said.

Miss Dhu’s family is also calling for an end to imprisonment for non-payment of fines; a 24-hour mandatory custody notification service; 24-hour medical coverage at all lockups; and independent oversight of all lockups in the state.

An online petition, on Change.org, supporting the calls has attracted 25,000 signatures.