Inquest for Pilbara jail death
An inquest and internal police investigation will be held into the death of an Aboriginal woman who died while jailed over unpaid fines of $1000.
Julieka Dhu, 22, died after being locked up for three days in Port Hedland last month.
Before her death, she had been released back into custody from hospital several times after saying she felt unwell.
Her death sparked MPs and Aboriginal law experts to demand answers and the WA Coroner has confirmed an inquest which will consider a report from the internal police investigation.
The WA Deaths in Custody Watch Committee said it could be two years before the inquest is held. "If you consider the human side of this, then that is an unreasonable length of time," chairman Marc Newhouse said.
"The delays can lead to conflict as conflicting or incorrect information can spread around communities and various departments will not answer questions until the hearing."
Greens MP Robin Chapple plans to demand an independent judicial inquiry in Parliament.
"The account of Ms Dhu's partner on the days leading up to her death is simply horrifying," Mr Chapple said. "The police officers and medical staff involved have a lot to answer for.
"Incarcerating Aboriginal people, and indeed anyone, for such minor offences as an unpaid fine solves absolutely nothing."
