A peak Aboriginal health organisation is demanding urgent action to end Aboriginal deaths in custody following last Sunday’s death of an Aboriginal man at Castlemaine’s Loddon Prison
Mr Austin, a 38-year-old Gunditjmara and Wiradjuri man, died at Loddon prison near Castlemaine in Victoria on Sunday, prompting the call from the Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation.
VACCHO has issued a statement calling for “urgent action to address the completely avoidable loss of lives that continues to shatter the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community in Victoria”.
Corrections Victoria had earlier this week confirmed Mr Austin had died at the prison on Sunday September 11 and that the matter has been referred to the coroner.
In a statement, a Department of Justice and Community Safety spokesperson confirmed there were no more details surrounding the death at this time.
“As with all deaths in custody, the matter has been referred to the coroner, who will formally determine the cause of death,” they said.
There have been 24 Indigenous deaths in custody across Australia in the 12 months up to June this year.
In its statement the Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation said it was deeply saddened by Mr Austin’s death and extend their most sincere condolences to the family, friends, and loved ones of the deceased.
The organisation also noted that “this latest tragedy is the second Aboriginal death in custody in the state in five weeks”.