About the Board of Inquiry
How a Board of Inquiry (BOI) works in the ACT
A Board of Inquiry is appointed by the government to investigate a matter, gather evidence, and make recommendations under the Inquiries Act 1991.
The ACT Government can appoint one or more people to a Board of Inquiry to investigate a specific issue.
How a BOI is conducted
The Board decides how to conduct the inquiry but must follow the rules of natural justice (fairness). They aren't bound by strict court rules of evidence and can gather information as they see fit.
The Board can arrange for public servants to help them. They can also appoint a lawyer to assist them with the inquiry.
The Board can hold public or private hearings to gather information. They can control who attends hearings and what evidence is made public. They have the power to call witnesses to give evidence under oath.
Powers of the BOI
The chairperson can issue search warrants under specific rules and it is an offence to be in contempt of the Board. It will be up to the Board on when and how it chooses to use these powers, but it must be within the scope of the terms of reference for the Inquiry.
Findings from the BOI
The Board must prepare a report of their findings and give it to the Chief Minister. The Chief Minister may present this report to the Legislative Assembly and/or make it public. If the report isn't shared within a set timeframe, the Chief Minister must explain why.
Adverse comments
If the Board plans to make negative comments about someone in their report, they must give that person a chance to respond. The Board must then include that person’s response in the final report.
About the Board of Inquiry into Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander deaths in custody in the Alexander Maconochie Centre
The Board of Inquiry is expected to start in February 2027 with a report due to the Government by the end of August 2027.
Members of the Board of Inquiry
We held an expression of interest (EOI) process to identify suitable candidates that closed on 8 May 2026.
Board members are expected to be formally appointed by the end of 2026. The final terms of reference will be published when the board members are appointed.
How participants will be supported
A legal financial assistance scheme will be established for those required to participate in the Board of Inquiry and counselling and support services will also be available.
Additional support will also be available for the broader Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community that may be impacted by the BOI through:
- increasing opportunities to offer the ACT Corrective Services Elder and Community Leader Visitation Program, recognising its importance as culturally appropriate support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander detainees throughout the duration of the BOI
- funding for justice Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Organisations to increase their capacity to support the broader Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community that may be impacted by the BOI.
How Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are involved
The Minister for Corrections, Marisa Paterson, has held multiple meetings with individuals and groups from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community to understand their perspectives. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body has been engaged.
In December 2025, the government formed a Community Advisory Committee. The committee was formed following an expression of interest process involving the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community. The Committee met in January 2026. Read about the Community Advisory Committee and the communique they issued.
How the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body has been engaged
Maurice Walker, Chair of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body, has given the following statement:
'The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body (ATSIEB) welcomes the ACT Government’s commitment to establishing a Board of Inquiry into the treatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people at the Alexander Maconochie Centre (AMC). We acknowledge the Government’s recognition of the ongoing grief experienced by families and communities following recent deaths in custody, and we support the call for answers, justice, and meaningful change.
ATSIEB is encouraged by the Government’s approach to ensure the Board of Inquiry will proceed in parallel with coronial processes, focusing on systemic issues rather than individual cases. We appreciate the commitment to genuine community consultation, including the formation of an Advisory Committee comprised of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members to help shape the Terms of Reference and ensure culturally appropriate support and engagement throughout the process.
We look forward to working closely with the Government to ensure the Board of Inquiry is trauma-informed, adequately resourced, and responsive to the needs and voices of our community. This is a vital step towards accountability, transparency, and the creation of a safer, more just system for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the ACT.'
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body is the only Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voice to government in Australia. Learn more about the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body.
Other reviews underway
Review into over-representation of First Nations people in the ACT justice system
Chapter 10 of the Review into over-representation of First Nations people in the ACT justice system is on Imprisonment and the AMC. The report refers to the increase in deaths in custody and recommends the establishment of an Independent Inquiry into the recent deaths with particular attention to systemic issues.
You can view the full report and updates on the Government’s response on the Review into over-representation of First Nations people in the ACT justice system page.
2025 Healthy Prison Review
The ACT Inspector of Custodial Services delivered the 2025 Healthy Prison Review in December 2025, it has 30 recommendations and 60 findings.
The review examines all aspects of treatment and care for detained people, staff, and visitors within the correctional environment. It includes a focus on culturally appropriate care of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
You can view the 2025 Healthy Prison Review on the ACT Inspector of Custodial Services website.
The report also includes the status of the implementation of the previous Healthy Prison Review 2022 and related coronial recommendations (See Appendix 1, page 268 of the report).