“This is a solemn day, marking the start of the landmark NT Coronial inquiry into the deaths of four of our Aboriginal women, killed by their former partners.
“We sincerely hope the process will be respectful and inclusive of all who loved and cared for these women and all living with their loss” said Cassandra Carolin, NAAFLS CEO.
“The hearing starting today in Alice Springs reflects that two of these women lost their lives in Central Australia. This will be followed on Monday 26 June by two hearing weeks in Darwin about the deaths of Ms Ragurrk and Ms Yunipingu who were killed in Darwin.
“In October there will be further hearings, about lessons to be learned from the four deaths, systemic issues and improvements that could happen” she Cassandra said.
The Education Document, which can be downloaded here (education document) has been prepared by Counsel Assisting the Coroner to let next of kin and others know what’s happening.
NAAFLS is very grateful for help from the National Justice Project, the ANU College of Law and the Aurora Foundation. This is represented in the photo of our team flying to West Arnhem on 8 June 2023 to take instructions from a number of family members.
From left to right, James Lowrey (NAAFLS Deputy Principal Solicitor), Sid Goram-Aitkin (NAAFLS Lawyer), Lily Pederick (Australian National University Law Intern) and Tiffany Philpott (NAAFLS Case Worker whose people are Gurindji mob from Kalkarindji). Not in the photo, Kathy Lin, Aurora Intern – who stayed in the office continuing to work on material.
“Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations and other community-based efforts are strongly encouraged to let the Coroner know what is needed from here. NAAFLS has done so many submissions over the years, we hope this will be a turning point.”
“For example, we hope the NT Government will step up and agree that there must be a NT Aboriginal Family Violence Prevention Strategy and more backing for efforts by our people and our leaders in communities day-by-day across the NT.
Support for a NT Aboriginal Family Violence Prevention Peak, which would join in the Aboriginal Peak Organisation NT (APONT), is also on our list to back up all the efforts by our people and our Aboriginal organisations. said Cassandra Carolin.
