Commission calls for AMC human rights training following court finding

5 September 2025

(Note that there will be no further media comment or interviews, statement only.)

The ACT Human Rights Commission calls on the ACT government to immediately implement a comprehensive, ongoing human rights education and training package for all employees in the Alexander Maconochie Centre (AMC), following the ACT Supreme Court decision in the Williams’ case.

Yesterday, the court found that actions taken against Ms Julianne Williams while she was detained in the AMC breached her human rights.  These included the use of force against her, an attempted strip search and an actual strip search. These actions were taken against an Aboriginal woman with a background of trauma who was in a state of extreme distress following the AMC’s refusal to allow her to attend her grandmother’s funeral.

The ACT Human Rights Commission intervened as a party in this case. The Commission made extensive written submissions and oral arguments regarding the nature and content of the relevant human rights involved. The Commission concluded that several of Ms William’s human rights had been breached, by denying her request to attend the funeral of her grandmother; by requiring a strip search without reasonable suspicion that it was required; and by using excessive force against a woman who posed no apparent threat.

The rights of detained people are enshrined in the ACT Human Rights Act. The Act says that anyone deprived of liberty must be treated with humanity and with respect for their inherent dignity; and that no-one may be treated or punished in a degrading way. These are not aspirations. They are binding legal obligations to which all public authorities in the ACT must adhere.

The Human Rights Commission has been concerned for many years that the obligation to protect and promote detainees’ human rights has become a secondary concern in the AMC. Breaches of the human rights of those deprived of liberty is concerning not just for detainees but for the whole ACT community. How we treat those in prison reflects on our society, and ill-treatment of detained persons may impede their ability to function as members of our community once they return, as most will, to the community.

The court found that breaches of human rights in Ms Williams’ case were due to a variety of factors, including a misunderstanding of obligations and the policies involved. The court commented that “those who are applying the policies and their requirements daily need all the support they can get from those who lead them, the detainees they manage and the community they protect”.

ACT Human Rights Commissioner, Dr Pene Mathew said: “Given the court’s findings, we now call on the ACT Government to immediately fund and implement a comprehensive, ongoing human rights education and training package for all employees in the AMC, with particular emphasis on regular compulsory human rights training for those in leadership and management positions. ”

ENDS

Media

Christine Kearney M 0466 861 451 humanrightsmedia@act.gov.au

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