Mother tells inquest into 1987 deaths of Aboriginal cousins near Bourke she felt discriminated against
The teenagers' bodies were found beside the wreckage of a ute 34 kilometres south of Enngonia. (ABC Central West: Joanna Woodburn)
An Aboriginal mother has spoken of the racist treatment she felt because there was no justice following her daughter's death in north west New South Wales 35 years ago.
Key points:
- A mother tells an inquest into the 1987 deaths of two Aboriginal girls the lack of justice felt "very racist"
- Non-Indigenous man Alexander Ian Grant was acquitted of driving-related charges
- The counsel assisting the coroner said there was a litany of failures in the initial investigation
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised this article contains the names and images of people who have died. This story contains graphic details.
Iona Dawn Smith, 81, had her family statement read to an inquest that has been examining the deaths of her daughter Jacinta Smith, 15, who was known as "Cindy", and her 16-year-old cousin Mona Lisa Smith in 1987.
Their bodies were found next to the wreckage of a white ute on the Mitchell Highway between Bourke and Enngonia.
An inquest into the deaths of Mona Lisa and Jacinta Smith began on Monday in Bourke. (Supplied: Chan Woo Park)
Non-Indigenous man Alexander Ian Grant, aged 40 at the time, was also in the vehicle and was not injured.
Aunty Dawn told the last day of the inquest at Bourke Court House that she had become aware of her daughter's death after being told by a relative.
"That's something I will never forget. There was my daughter's injured, lifeless body lying there [in the hospital]," the inquest heard.
She spoke of the acquittal of Mr Grant in 1990 who was tried for driving-related offences following the crash.
"The fact that nothing was done and [there was] no justice made it more painful," Aunty Dawn told the inquest.
"This made me feel discriminated against … and it felt very racist."
'He got to lie and walk away'
Aunty Dawn said she had learnt in court that a charge against Mr Grant, of indecently interfering with her daughter after she had died, had been withdrawn.
"These disgusting, evil charges. How could this happen?" she said.
"He got to lie and walk away. This was my baby.
"I felt like they [the jury] weren't even looking at us as humans, but as blacks."
Aunty June Smith said she had been left with a "void" in her heart since her daughter died in 1987. (ABC Central West: Joanna Woodburn)
Mona Lisa's mother, June Smith, also read her statement before State Coroner Teresa O'Sullivan.
"All I want is justice and truth. That is all I am hoping for and then we can let Mona and Cindy rest and my family can have peace of mind," she said.
"I have no hate in my heart. I just want the truth."
Aunty June told the inquest that, after Mona Lisa died, she helped look after about 100 children so they did not end up in the care of the Department of Community Services.
"I wanted to protect them because I couldn't protect her," she said.
A litany of failures
Counsel assisting the coroner Peggy Dwyer SC delivered her closing submission on the inquest's final day.
Dr Dwyer said the family's concerns had been vindicated by the inquest. (ABC News: Samantha Jonscher)
She said the evidence showed that the girls died from injuries suffered in the road accident, that Mr Grant was driving the ute, and that he "was a liar".
Dr Dwyer read to the coroner an excerpt of a letter dated March 2, 1990, from former NSW police commissioner Mick Fuller to then attorney-general Mark Speakman.
She said Mr Fuller explained that the brief of evidence had been subject to thorough independent reviews in 2004 and 2018 and found an adequate investigation was done at the time.
Family and friends of Mona Lisa and Jacinta Smith have attended every day of the inquest in Bourke. (ABC Western Plains: Zaarkacha Marlan)
She said the letter stated he did not believe an inquest would adduce new information.
"[It was] very worrying that that was said," Dr Dwyer told the inquest.
"The family and community have been thoroughly vindicated in the holding of this inquest."
Dr Dwyer said there was a litany of failures in the first police investigation and evidence of racism in Bourke because of certain words used to describe the two girls.
The coroner has been asked to consider a recommendation for NSW Police to examine a range of factors, including the methodology and transparency of the review process, and consultation with experts and families when deciding whether inquests should be held.
The coroner is due to deliver her findings in April.