Death in custody: Coronial inquest into the death of Aboriginal woman, Veronica Nelson, continues
The inquest into the death in custody of proud Gunditjmara, Dja Dja Wurrung, Wiradjuri and Yorta Yorta woman Veronica Nelson will continue tomorrow, with its second directions hearing in the Coroners Court of Victoria.
The coronial inquest will examine the circumstances and causes of Veronica Nelson’s death. At tomorrow’s hearing the Court will consider the scope of the inquest, and barristers for all of the parties will make submissions.
On 30 December 2019, Veronica was arrested and taken into custody for low-level wrongdoing. After appearing without a lawyer, she was refused bail and locked up in pre-trial detention at Victoria’s maximum security women’s prison - the Dame Phyllis Frost Centre. While in custody, Veronica was in pain, she was distressed and she cried out for help on a number of occasions. Three days after being locked up, Veronica was found dead, alone in a prison cell.
The Human Rights Law Centre is representing Veronica’s mother, Donna Nelson. Veronica was Donna Nelson’s eldest daughter and would have turned 38 years old in March 2020.
During their time in power, the Andrews’ Government has made punitive changes to Victoria’s bail laws. The changes have created a discriminatory system for granting bail in Victoria, which makes it too hard for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women to get bail in too many circumstances. This has led to a massive increase in the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women being sent to pre-trial detention for very low level wrongdoing.
Monique Hurley, Senior Lawyer at the Human Rights Law Centre, said:
“For years now, the Andrews Government has been on notice that the changes they made to the bail laws have resulted in an onerous, dangerous and discriminatory bail system. The reforms – although intended to target very violent men – have in practice targeted women experiencing poverty and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women the most. The Andrews Government must commit to fixing Victoria’s broken bail laws and end the needless imprisonment of women.”
To access virtual hearings please contact, courtadmin@coronerscourt.vic.gov.au or 1300 309 519.
Contact:
Michelle Bennett, Communications Director: 0419 100 519
The Human Rights Law Centre will be not be doing interviews at this point in the proceeding.