The anniversary of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody is recognised on 15 April, marking 34 years since the final report was signed.

The Royal Commission was established by the Hawke Labor Government in 1987 in response to growing public concern about the number of Aboriginal people dying in custody. It investigated 99 deaths that occurred between 1 January 1980 and 31 May 1989. The final report, released on 15 April 1991, made 339 recommendations to address the structural and systemic inequalities Aboriginal people face within the justice system.

These recommendations spanned a wide range of reforms, from improving procedures for persons in custody to encouraging liaison with Aboriginal communities to increasing cultural awareness and training among law enforcement and custodial staff. Despite these recommendations, there have been 590 Aboriginal deaths in custody since the Royal Commission, with five already recorded in 2025 alone. A 2018 review found that while 78 per cent of the recommendations had been fully or mostly implemented, 16 per cent were only partially implemented, and six per cent were not implemented at all. These findings underscore the ongoing need for action and the importance of working in genuine partnership with the Aboriginal Community Controlled Sector to ensure that incarceration is culturally safe and that the underlying causes of incarceration are addressed.

In Western Australia, the case of 16-year-old Cleveland Dodd in 2023 demonstrated the urgency of implementing reforms to address Aboriginal deaths in custody. Cleveland was the first child to die in youth detention in WA while being held in a youth wing within the adult Casuarina Prison. His death has brought national attention to the treatment of young Aboriginal people in custody. The ongoing inquest into his death has revealed systemic failings, including claims of institutional racism and a toxic custodial culture. Cleveland’s story represents the broader issues the Royal Commission sought to address over three decades ago.

Meaningful change requires structural reform. This includes genuine collaboration and partnerships with the Aboriginal Community Controlled Sector, which is best placed to lead culturally safe, community-informed solutions. As we reflect on this anniversary, we are reminded that justice cannot be measured only in policies or inquiries but in the lived experiences and outcomes of those most affected. The legacy of the Royal Commission is ongoing—and so is the responsibility to act.