Document Type

Article

Publication Date

12-1-2004

Abstract

Colonisation in Australia entailed the establishment of legal institutions, but very often lagging the extension of the boundaries of settlement. As a common-law institution of ancient lineage the inquest was an important means of exploring reasons for unexplained deaths, even leading to prosecutions. Yet the protections afforded by rule of law institutions were nugatory where they affected Aboriginal people in conflict with settler society, as shown in this study of the many inquiries in which deaths were attributed to the actions of the police in colonial Queensland.

Publication Source (Journal or Book title)

Australian Historical Studies

First Page

84

Last Page

105

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