First Nations Barrister Appointed to Lead ACT Custody Inquiry
Joshua Creamer will chair a six-month investigation into systemic deaths in Canberra's prison.
1Inquiry Leadership Appointment
Prominent First Nations barrister Joshua Creamer has been appointed to lead a board of inquiry into deaths in custody at the Alexander Maconochie Centre. A Waanyi and Kalkadoon man, Creamer brings extensive experience from his previous work with the Queensland Child Safety Commission and the state's former Truth-Telling and Healing Inquiry.
2Scope of Investigation
The six-month inquiry will examine systemic issues contributing to the deaths of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander detainees since 2016. Key focus areas include institutional racism, healthcare standards, substance misuse, and cultural safety. The board aims to provide actionable recommendations to the ACT government to prevent future custody-related fatalities.
3Legislative and Political Context
The inquiry was established following a May 2025 Legislative Assembly vote, prompted by three deaths within three months. While the government previously resisted calls for a royal commission, it eventually supported an amended motion. The board operates under the Inquiries Act 1991, granting it significant powers like issuing search warrants.
4Timeline and Deliverables
The board of inquiry is scheduled to commence its formal proceedings on February 25, 2027. Following a comprehensive six-month investigation, the panel must submit its final report to Chief Minister Andrew Barr by August 25, 2027. This report will outline systemic failures and suggest necessary policy reforms for the territory.
5Commitment to Truth-Telling
Minister Caitlin Tough emphasized that the appointment reflects a commitment to a trauma-informed, culturally sensitive process. Creamer has previously advocated for truth-telling as a foundational act of justice. In his 2024 Charles Perkins Oration, he argued that ethical societies must confront past wrongs to establish genuine reconciliation and address underlying injustices.
6Historical Precedents in ACT
The ACT has utilized boards of inquiry for significant public interest matters in the past. Notable examples include the 2023 investigation into the Parliament House rape trial and the probe into family violence responses following the 2016 murder of Bradyn Dillon. These precedents demonstrate the territory's established mechanism for independent oversight.
7Systemic Review Foundation
The decision to launch this inquiry follows recommendations from the Jumbunna Institute, which conducted an independent review into the over-representation of First Nations people in the local criminal justice system. Their findings highlighted the urgent need for an independent examination of custody deaths to address the disproportionate impact on Indigenous communities.
8Future Policy Implications
The inquiry represents a critical juncture for the ACT government's justice policy. By identifying common themes in recent deaths, the board intends to force structural changes within the prison system. The success of this process will be measured by the government's willingness to implement the board's final recommendations regarding systemic reform.
Original article: Canberra Times — First Nations Barrister Appointed to Lead ACT Custody Inquiry