Alison Whittaker – The Conversation

There have been 474 deaths in custody since the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody. AAP

April 15, 2021

Indigenous deaths in custody: inquests can be sites of justice or administrative violence

Alison Whittaker, University of Technology Sydney

Investigations and inquests that follow a death in custody can offer insight into what happened. But much work is still needed to make these processes transparent and effective.

JAMES GOURLEY/AAP

June 3, 2020

Despite 432 Indigenous deaths in custody since 1991, no one has ever been convicted. Racist silence and complicity are to blame

Alison Whittaker, University of Technology Sydney

Australia has a mandatory legal review of every death in custody. But the system itself often prevents families from speaking out – a significant barrier to getting justice.

Family members of Tanya Day march to the Coroners Court after a smoking ceremony. Day’s inquest will consider if systemic racism was a factor in her death in custody. David Crosling/AAP

August 28, 2019

Aboriginal woman Tanya Day died in custody. Now an inquest is investigating if systemic racism played a role

Alison Whittaker, University of Technology Sydney

Systemic racism creates the architecture around which other forms of racism are enabled, supported and justified.

The family of Rebecca Maher, an Aboriginal woman who died in custody in 2016, believed access to a custody notification service would have been an important check in the absence of police care. Bianca De Marchi/AAP

August 27, 2019

Legal and welfare checks should be extended to save Aboriginal lives in custody

Thalia Anthony, University of Technology Sydney and Alison Whittaker, University of Technology Sydney

Tanya Day, Ms Dhu and Rebecca Maher are among the 400 people who have died in custody more than 25 years since the Royal Commission. How could those deaths have been avoided?

The Queensland treaty process is still in the early stages and negotiations will not begin for several years. But it’s still a historic step forward for Indigenous communities. Tracey Nearmy/AAP

July 16, 2019

As the federal government debates an Indigenous Voice, state and territories are pressing ahead

Harry Hobbs, University of Technology Sydney; Alison Whittaker, University of Technology Sydney, and Lindon Coombes, University of Technology Sydney

Queensland has become the latest state or territory to embark on an Indigenous treaty process. But for lasting progress to be made, the federal government cannot shirk its responsibility.

The most commonly criticised feature of the bill is the arbitrary maximum period of two years within which a decision about permanent placement has to be made. Shutterstock

November 13, 2018

Why controversial child protection reforms in NSW could lead to another Stolen Generation

Alison Whittaker, University of Technology Sydney and Terri Libesman, University of Technology Sydney

One of the state’s most significant powers is the ability to remove children from their families. Potential reforms in NSW could expand this already racialised power in frightening ways.

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