Australia is once again confronted with the devastating reality of another Aboriginal death in custody. On May 27, the start of Reconciliation week, a 24-year-old Aboriginal man died after being restrained by police at a Coles supermarket in Alice Springs.
On the very same day, our organisation was hosting the largest Reconciliation Breakfast in Australia, a gathering meant to reflect on our collective journey toward justice and equity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Instead of marking progress, we are forced to grapple with yet another painful reminder of the urgent need for systemic change.
Since the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody delivered its findings in 1991, at least 582 Indigenous people have died in custody. These are not isolated incidents. They are symptoms of a system that continues to disproportionately criminalise, incarcerate, and endanger First Nations people.
Despite the Royal Commission making 339 recommendations over three decades ago, the majority remain either unimplemented or inadequately actioned. This continued inaction undermines the very purpose of reconciliation, reducing it to hollow symbolism in the face of persistent injustice.
This young man’s death is not just a statistic. It is a devastating loss for his family, his community, and for all Australians who believe in fairness and human rights.
Coles has a STRETCH Reconciliation Action Plan which acknowledges the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (the Declaration) is an international human rights framework that recognises and protects the unique and collective rights of Indigenous peoples across the world. The RAP Vision is “is to create an environment where Coles and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander colleagues, customers and communities can Win Together.”
Reconciliation must be more than a word. It must be backed by justice, accountability, and real structural change. As we gather to reflect and look forward, First Nations peoples are once again demanding answers.
Australia must do better. We must activate this year's theme, Bridging Now to Next, and find a better way.