Mrs Roberts questions the Minister for Police about the release of CCTV footage related to Julieka Dhu's death in custody. The Minister states the footage is in the coroner's possession and denies opposing its release.

AnsweredQoN 791Legislative Assembly
Asked
13 October 2016
Portfolio
Police

QuestionView source ↗

JULIEKA IVANNA DHU — DEATH IN CUSTODY —
CCTV FOOTAGE RELEASE
791. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS to the Minister for
Police:
I have a supplementary question.
Given that the Coroner's Court proceedings are not criminal
proceedings, there are no jurors involved and the media have publicly reported
on the contents of the footage and given that the police effectively own the
footage, what will the minister do to ensure that the police release it? The coroner
has not said that they cannot release it. It is theirs.

AnswerView source ↗

To explain the process a little more
clearly, at present the coroner is still engaged in the inquest into the death
of Ms Dhu and the coroner —
Several members interjected.
The
SPEAKER : That is enough!
Mrs
L.M. HARVEY : This is a really important issue and I would have thought you
would want an answer.
Several members interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Right.
Point of Order
Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : I believe the
minister is misleading the Parliament because the police opposed the release of
this footage in court last week.
The SPEAKER : That is not a point
of order.
Questions without Notice Resumed
Mrs
M.H. Roberts interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Member for Midland, I see that you have been called twice today. I
would like to hear this answer. Let us hear the answer. Let us move on.
Mrs
L.M. HARVEY : The only copy of the CCTV footage is evidence to the inquest
and is currently in the possession of the coroner. We do not have it. The
member for Midland should get her facts straight before she starts stirring up
a very sensitive issue.
Mr J.R. Quigley interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Member for Butler, I call you to order for the first time.
Mr
W.J. Johnston interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I call you for the first time.
Several members interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Member for Butler, I call you for the second time.
Mrs
L.M. HARVEY : The police did not oppose the release of the footage.
Mr
J.R. Quigley interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Member for Butler!
Mrs
L.M. HARVEY : I have not given any indication with respect to my view on
whether that should be released. I am awaiting the ruling of the coroner. I would
not circumvent a ruling of the coroner. In any case, we do not have the
footage. It is in the custody of the coroner. We have no capacity to release it
at this point in time.

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