Ms SYLVIA HALE: I direct my question without notice to the Minister for Corrective Services. On 10 March 2009 Veronica Baxter, a transgender Aboriginal woman, was arrested at her Sydney home and charged with supplying a prohibited drug. Ms Baxter died in Silverwater Metropolitan Reception and Remand Centre on 16 March 2009—six days later. Why was Ms Baxter remanded to a male-only prison in breach of departmental guidelines? Has a formal inquiry into the circumstances of her death been initiated? If so, when will the report of any such inquiry be made public?

The Hon. JOHN ROBERTSON: I thank the honourable member for her question. The department treats seriously every death in custody. A proper review is undertaken and an assessment made of the processes in regard to any fatality. Over many years the department has implemented a series of initiatives to remove things such as hanging points and to ensure it can reduce—

The Hon. Melinda Pavey: Did you know about this?

The Hon. JOHN ROBERTSON: This is a very serious matter and if the Hon. Melinda Pavey wants to hear about it, I am happy to deal with it. The department undertakes inquiries into every single death in custody. The Coroner also undertakes inquiries into deaths in custody. I undertake to obtain the relevant information and get back to Ms Sylvia Hale with the details.