Ms SYLVIA HALE: I address my question to the Minister for Corrective Services. On 17 June this year I asked the Minister a question without notice relating to the death of a transgender Aboriginal woman in Silverwater Metropolitan Reception and Remand Centre six days after her arrest. Despite the Minister's undertaking to provide details, and despite repeated requests to his office, no answer has been provided in the 10 weeks since I asked the question. Will the Minister now answer the following questions: Why was Ms Veronica 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: Firstly I extend my sympathies to the family and friends of Ms Baxter for their loss. Again I make it clear that any death in custody is a tragedy and something that the Government and I take very seriously. Every death in custody is appropriately investigated by the New South Wales Police Force and the New South Wales Coroner. Corrective Services New South Wales' investigation into the death in custody of Veronica Baxter has been completed and has been submitted to the Coroner for a coronial inquest. Therefore it would be inappropriate for me at this time to make any further comment until the inquest is complete.