By Cindy Trinh
Impunity Watch Reporter, Oceania

SYDNEY, Australia – The West Australian government has decided not to terminate the contract of a private company which transports prisoners. Despite the suggestions of the coroner, who found that the transportation services of the private company posed serious human rights violations, the government will continue to contract with the company.

Mr. Ward, an Aboriginal elder, died of heatstroke during a transportation in a vehicle owned by the private company G4S. The coroner conducted investigations of the vehicle, and concluded that transporting Mr. Ward in the searing desert heat “was a disgrace,” and the van was “not fit for humans.”

The Government states that it supports the coroner’s recommendations, and agrees that there should be more training and monitoring of staff. The Government also agrees that prisoners should not be transported over long distances. However, Attorney-General Christian Porter says that the government will continue to contract with G4S.

Porter stated that the service could be brought back into the public sector. However, if it does stay in the private sector, Porter stated that, “the contract that governs the process will be a completely different type of contract to the one that presently exists.”

The Deaths in Custody Watch Committee says that G4S has caused the death of six people in Australia. Marc Newhouse, a representative from the Committee, says that the contract should have been terminated. He expressed outrage at the West Australian government’s inaction to terminate the contract.

Newhouse emphasized that G4S has been “subject to critical reports by the Australian Human Rights Commission” and is “not fit to operate in this country.”

Noongar elder Ben Taylor, an Aboriginal, contends that the racism in the system is causing Aboriginal people to suffer. Taylor is a member of the Watch Committee, and is determined to end the discrimination against the Aboriginal people.

Opposition Leader Eric Ripper argues that the government cannot simply terminate the contract so easily. By terminating the contract, Ripper argues that there could be financial consequences to the taxpayers. He further contends that this matter “needs careful examination rather than a kneejerk reaction.”

For more information, please see:

Deaths in Custody Watch Committee WA – Ward Campaign for Justice

ABC News – Van death: WA to keep prisoner transport contract – 30 September, 2009

Perth Independent Media Centre – Deaths in custody: WA to keep prisoner transport contract – 30 September, 2009