NT agreement settles community healthcare lawsuit

Residents of a remote Northern Territory community have settled a class action with the Territory government over discriminatory healthcare policies.

The Aboriginal community of Wadeye started the action in 2019 after local man Patrick Cumaiyi claimed he did not receive appropriate treatment after an incident involving police.

Mr Cumaiyi filed the lawsuit after he was allegedly taken to a health clinic where he was deemed to be “fit to be detained in police custody” after the incident.

Mr Cumaiyi claimed the consultation lasted just 10 minutes and there were no interpreters available for him to give his opinion on the treatment.

After being handcuffed and placed ins a police wagon, Mr Mr Cumaiyi jumped out of the vehicle while travelling at about 60kph and subsequently a fractured skull.

He claimed unlawful racial discrimination.

Another class action in 2021 was filed by Wadeye residents claiming they were receiving a lower level of healthcare compared to other remote communities.

The class actions were withdrawn after the government publicly stated it would improve health services and provide an interpreter.