Family seek inquest close to home

On April 30, 2001 a little baby died in Doomadgee in tragic 
circumstances. He was just 25 days old at the time of his death. His family 
is now making an urgent plea to the State Government to have the Inquest 
held in their traditional homeland.

His mother is a member of the Gungalidda people and has lived all her life 
in Doomadgee, a remote town in far north-west Queensland. His father is a 
member of the Wanyi people and has lived all his life in Doomadgee.

The baby was born in Mount Isa, but came home shortly after birth and lived 
the rest of his short life in Doomadgee.

There is to be a Coronial Inquest into the death of the baby and the 
Coroner, "for Convenience", has determined that the Inquest will be held in 
Mount Isa, which is some 500km away from Doomadgee.

The extended families of both the mother and father wish to have the 
Inquest held in Doomadgee, which is their home and was the home of the 
baby. They believe that they need to be available to find out what happened 
and also to give support to the parents.

They also believe that it is culturally appropriate that the inquest into 
the death of the baby be held in the baby's traditional homeland.

There is a large Courthouse in Doomadgee, which cost about $2.5 million to 
build. It was built with money granted after the Royal Commission into 
Aboriginal Deaths in Custody.

It was specifically built for the purpose of allowing Courts to be held in 
the community, as this is deemed to be appropriate.

It is used on a monthly basis as a Magistrates Court and two or three times 
a year as a District Court. It has all the facilities needed for the 
holding of a Coronial Inquest.

There is no reason why it could not be used as a Coroner's Court.

The family asks your assistance in persuading the authorities that this 
Inquest be held in Doomadgee.

Please write letters to the following:

Rod Welford MP
Attorney-General
GPO Box 149
BRISBANE QLD 4001

Chief Magistrate
Magistrate's Court
GPO Box 1649
BRISBANE QLD 4001

The Coroner
Coroner's Court
PO Box 1660
MOUNT ISA QLD 4825

Tony McGrady MP
PO Box 2332
MOUNT ISA QLD 4825

For further information contact:
Patricia Trezise
West Qld ATSIC Legal Aid
Ph: (07) 4743 6133
email: ablegal@tpg.com.au