This week marks 34 years since the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody, and still First Nations people remain overrepresented in Australia’s justice system.
Since the report at least 590 Indigenous people have lost their lives in custody.
The Commission made calls to increase access to bail, and for Indigenous people to be incarcerated as a last resort.
But as a ‘tough on crime’ stance emerges across the country, advocates say the justice policies conflict with the Commission’s report.
The latest state to implement tougher policies is Victoria, who recently tightened their bail laws.
The Wire spoke with Independent Victorian Senator Lidia Thorpe about her reactions across national justice policies ahead of the Federal election.
Image: Image CC0 1.0 Universal Deed
Produced By: Emma Wotzke, and Eduardo Jordan
Featured In Story: Lidia Thorpe – Gunnai, Gunditjmara and Djab Wurring Independent Senator for Victoria, and
First aired on The Wire, Thursday 17 April 2025