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A lawyer says there were "glaring absences" at a bail hearing where Veronica Nelson represented herself two days before she died in custody.
The family of Veronica Nelson have granted permission to use her image.
- The inquest into Veronica Nelson's death is expected to last for five weeks
- The 37-year-old faced a bail hearing without legal representation after being arrested for alleged shoplifting
- She died in a locked cell two days after the hearing
Jill Prior from the Law and Advocacy Centre for Women, who had been representing the Gunditjmara, Dja Dja Wurrung, Wiradjuri and Yorta Yorta woman for other matters earlier in 2019, gave the evidence on the third day of a coronial inquest.
Veronica, 37, was arrested for alleged shoplifting, denied bail and died from complications associated with her withdrawal from heroin in a locked cell inside the Dame Phyllis Frost women's prison in Melbourne's west in the early hours of January 2, 2020.
Despite attempts by Ms Prior to arrange legal representation in her absence, Veronica faced Magistrate Cathy Lamble alone on December 31, and was unsuccessful in her bid for bail.
Ms Prior described to the court her assessment after listening to recordings from the hearing in the wake of Veronica's death.
"There were glaring absences of information, including health information, particularly reference to custody management issues which would ordinarily be canvassed if somebody were to be remanded in custody," she said.
She described the Aboriginal community as "over-policed".
"There are the highest numbers of Aboriginal women in custody than ever before, and so it continues to be an issue," she said.
While giving evidence, Ms Prior broke down when asked about the impact Veronica's death had on her.
"It's profound," she said.
Yesterday the inquest heard how mistakes by police on Veronica's bail documents incorrectly said she posed a threat to the safety of others.
Concerns about how changes to Victoria's bail laws in 2018 may have affected Veronica's case have also been raised.
Veronica's mother, Aunty Donna Nelson and long-term partner Percy Lovett, who were both in court supporting her the day she was denied bail, described how "deeply loved" she was.
The family released a statement describing her "fighting spirit" as well as her "big personality and beautiful laugh".
The inquest continues.