Aborigines in the News! - "racism or genetics?"

[BB-Leo]

Updates On Palm Island

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/

Police threaten strikes over Palm Island death charges

Friday, January 26, 2007-01-26

QUEENSLAND police are threatening mass strikes over the state government's pursuit of manslaughter charges against the officer at the centre of the Palm Island death in custody case.

Attorney-General Kerry Shine today said he had instructed the crown solicitor to initiate charges against Senior Sergeant Chris Hurley, after a report found there was enough evidence to prove he was responsible for the death of Mulrunji Doomadgee in November 2004.

Former NSW chief justice Sir Laurence Street, who was appointed by the government to review a decision not to charge the policeman, found there was enough evidence to charge him with manslaughter - and to possibly warrant a conviction.

His findings were in direct contrast with those of Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Leanne Clare who found Mulrunji's death in the island's watch house was “a terrible accident”�”�.

Her ruling came despite a coroner finding Snr Sgt Hurley was responsible for 36-year-old Mulrunji's death.

“Sir Laurence has advised me that he believes sufficient admissible evidence exists to support the institution of criminal proceedings against Senior Sergeant Chris Hurley for manslaughter of Mulrunji,”�”� Mr Shine said.

“Furthermore, Sir Laurence believes there is a reasonable prospect of a conviction.”�”�

Aborigines who marched on Queensland's Parliament House today as part of Australia Day protests erupted in cheers on hearing the news, describing it as a “landmark”�”� decision.

However, the Queensland Police Union (QPU) said officers were “furious”�”� and warned the state's 9,200-strong force could strike.

“Police right across the state are incensed at this political interference and over the next few days we'll consult with them about what actions they will like to take,”�”� QPU vice president Denis Fitzpatrick said.

“At this stage we'll rule nothing out. It's not just noisy minority groups who can march on to parliament.”�”�

Mr Fitzpatrick said Snr Sgt Hurley, who has been suspended until after the matter goes through court, was “absolutely shocked”�”� and would vigorously defend the charges.

Premier Peter Beattie today urged all parties to accept the outcome but continued to stand by the controversial DPP amid concerns about her competence.

Ms Clare has previously come under fire for other high profile decisions, including one concerning Pauline Hanson, whose conviction on electoral fraud was overturned.

“There is no reason ... for (Ms Clare) to take a decision relating to her future,”�”� Mr Beattie said.

A spokesman for Ms Clare said the DPP would not comment.

Sir Laurence, who spent about three weeks reviewing the decision, also refused to comment on how he came to his decision, saying only he addressed the case “quickly in view of its importance”�”�.

The Mulrunji family lawyer Andrew Boe described the report and the government's reaction as a “landmark”�”� decision.

“This is the first time that a criminal charge has followed a death in custody in Australia's history,”�”� he said.

“For the Palm Island community, which is beleaguered with so much disharmony and distress, this is really their first ray of hope that the course of justice will actually flow when it involves indigenous issues.”�”�

Mr Shine said for legal reasons, the government would not table Sir Laurence's report in state parliament until after the matter goes to court.

“We will do so as soon as it is legally appropriate, but it is likely this will not be until after the court case to ensure the fairness of the prosecution is not compromised,”�”� he said.

However, opposition justice spokesman Mark McArdle said Ms Clare should be allowed to review her report in light of Sir Laurence's findings.

“Ms Clare is the appropriate person to lay charges in criminal matters in Queensland,”�”� he said.


http://statements.cabinet.qld.gov.au/MMS/StatementDisplaySingle.aspx?id=50039

Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister Assisting the Premier in Western Queensland

the Honorable Kerry Shine

Friday, January 26, 2007

POLICE OFFICER TO FACE LEGAL ACTION IN RELATION TO PALM ISLAND DEATH
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Kerry Shine, today confirmed he had received Sir Laurence Street’s legal opinion in relation to possible charges resulting from the death of Mulrunji on Palm Island in 2004.
Mr. Shine said Sir Laurence, a former New South Wales Chief Justice, had considered the brief of evidence provided by the Director of Public Prosecution Leanne Clare.
Sir Laurence was asked to consider (1) whether sufficient admissible evidence exists to support the institution of criminal proceedings against any person with respect to the death of Mulrunji; and (2) whether a reasonable prospect of a conviction before a reasonable jury exists in the event a prosecution is brought against any person.
“Sir Laurence has advised me that he believes there is sufficient admissible evidence exists to support the institution of criminal proceedings against Senior Sergeant Chris Hurley for manslaughter of Mulrunji,”�”� Mr. Shine said.
“Furthermore, Sir Laurence believes there is a reasonable prospect of a conviction.”�”�
Mr. Shine said Sir Laurence had emphasized that his role was not to determine whether Senior Sergeant Hurley was guilty of an offence, but rather to determine whether he should be put on trial.
“In light of Sir Laurence’s opinion, and having given very careful consideration to the matter myself, I have decided it is in the public interest that this matter should be resolved in a court,”�”� he said.
“I have today instructed the Crown Solicitor to take the necessary steps to initiate a prosecution as soon as possible.”�”�
“I ask that, given the pending legal proceedings, the media show restraint in their reporting of this matter so that Senior Sergeant Hurley can be assured of a fair trial.”�”�
Mr. Shine said the fact that Sir Laurence had formed a different opinion to that of Ms Clare was in no way a slight on her.
“The best legal minds often differ on matters of law – even in the High Court of Australia it is common for differing judgments to be recorded,”�”� he said.
“In my view, Ms Clare has acted within the scope of her duty and her authority.”�”�
Mr. Shine said the Government’s intention remained to table Sir Laurence’s opinion in State Parliament.
“We will do so as soon as it is legally appropriate, but it is likely this will not be until after the court case to ensure the fairness of the prosecution is not compromised,”�”� Mr. Shine said.



Sergeant suspended pending charges

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/printpage/0,5942,21121976,00.html

January 26, 2007

THE policeman at the centre of the Palm Island death in custody case will be suspended from his job as the Queensland government pursues manslaughter charges against him.
Attorney-General Kerry Shine today said he would pursue charges against Senior Sergeant Chris Hurley over Mulrunji Doomadgee's death in the island's watch house in November 2004.

It came after a report by former NSW chief justice Sir Laurence Street found there was enough evidence to charge the officer with manslaughter - and to warrant a conviction.

Queensland's Director of Public Prosecutions Leanne Clare last year ruled there was not enough evidence to warrant any charges.

Police Commissioner Bob Atkinson said Snr Sgt Hurley, who was put on desk duties after a coroner found he was responsible for landing the fatal blows which caused Mulrunji's death, would now be suspended.

“As a result of today's advice by Sir Laurence Street and the attorney-general's decision to proceed with legal action, Senior Sergeant Chris Hurley will be suspended from further duties until the matter is resolved through the judicial process,”�”� he said in a statement.

“Given this status it would not be appropriate to comment further about the case at this



http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/printpage/0,5942,21122667,00.html

'Doomadgee sister 'hopes for justice'

January 26, 2007-01-26

THE sister of Mulrunji Doomadgee, who died in police custody on Palm Island, says a decision to charge a policeman over his death gives her hope that justice will be served.
Queensland's Attorney-General Kerry Shine today said he would pursue manslaughter charges against Senior Sergeant Chris Hurley over Mulrunji's death in the island's watch house in November 2004.
A report by former NSW chief justice Sir Laurence Street, released earlier today, found there was enough evidence to charge the officer with manslaughter – and to warrant a conviction.
Queensland's Director of Public Prosecutions Leanne Clare last year ruled there was not enough evidence to warrant any charges, despite a coroner's finding that the policeman was responsible for Mulrunji's death.
Mulrunji's sister Elizabeth today said the family was “satisfied and relieved”�”� at the developments.
“The tables have turned and at last we have hope and can start to move on, and on Survival Day (Australia Day) too,”�”� Ms Doomadgee said.
“I pray that we will have justice for the death of my brother and that this case will provide our peoples with hope as it's the first time in Australia someone will be charged for the death of a black man while in police custody.”�”�
The family's legal representative Stewart Levitt, from the Errol Wyles Justice Foundation, said while it was a positive result for the Doomadgee family, Ms Clare should be held accountable for her ruling that Mulrunji's death was a “terrible accident”�”�.
“The foundation has called for the Queensland Director of Public Prosecutions Leanne Clare to be suspended from her role and for an investigation to be made into the `new evidence' and `new lines of enquiry' she relied on for her decision,”�”� he said.
State Member for Townsville Mike Reynolds, who last month broke ranks with his own party when he criticised the Government's handling of the case, said this was one of the most important days in Australia's history when it came to indigenous justice.
He said there should now be an investigation into the initial police probe into Mulrunji's death, which the coroner found had lacked objectivity and independence.
“I see the investigation as an absolute sham, one that I feel ashamed of,”�”� he said.
“And I see it not being in any way shape or form in accordance with the recommendations of the royal commission into Aboriginal deaths in custody, which came down in 1991.”�”�
Federal Indigenous Affairs Minister Mal Brough, who urged the State Government to seek a review into Ms Clare's decision, also welcomed the developments but said the time for public debate was over.
Australian Democrats Leader Bob Brown, who was on Palm Island to address a “survival”�”� rally, said the decision would “return a sense of justice”�”� for all Australians.
“This nation could have no pride in the system which laid no charges over an indigenous death in police custody,”�”� he said.


http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/printpage/0,5942,21122667,00.html

Police 'furious' over Palm Island review

January 26, 2007

POLICE in Queensland are "furious" over a decision to pursue charges against a fellow officer over a death in custody and have threatened strikes by the entire police force.
Attorney-General Kerry Shine today said he had instructed the crown solicitor to initiate charges against Senior Sergeant Chris Hurley, after a review found there was enough evidence to prove he was responsible for the death of Mulrunji Doomadgee in November 2004.
Former NSW chief justice Sir Laurence Street, who was appointed by the government to review a decision not to charge the policeman, found there was enough evidence to charge him with manslaughter - and to possibly secure a conviction.
His findings were in direct contrast with those of Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Leanne Clare who found Mulrunji's death in the island's watch house was "a terrible accident".
Her ruling came despite a coroner's finding that Sen-Sgt Hurley was responsible for 36-year-old Mulrunji's death.
The Queensland Police Union (QPU) said today that officers were furious and warned the state's 9200-strong force could strike.
"Police right across the state are incensed at this political interference and over the next few days we'll consult with them about what actions they will like to take," QPU vice president Denis Fitzpatrick said.
"At this stage we'll rule nothing out. It's not just noisy minority groups who can march on to parliament."
Mr. Fitzpatrick said Sen-Sgt Hurley, who will be suspended throughout the judicial process, was "absolutely shocked" and would vigorously defend the charges.
Premier Peter Beattie today urged all parties to accept the outcome but continued to stand by the controversial DPP amid concerns about her competence.
Ms Clare has previously come under fire for other high-profile decisions.
"There is no reason ... for (Ms Clare) to take a decision relating to her future," Mr. Beattie said.
A spokesman for Ms Clare said the DPP would not comment.
Opposition justice spokesman Mark McArdle said Ms Clare should be allowed to review her report in light of Sir Laurence's findings.
"Ms Clare is the appropriate person to lay charges in criminal matters in Queensland," he said.

 

[BB-Leo]

'Palm Island' update

http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,21124538-1248,00.html

Key events in Mulrunji Doomadgee's death

January 27, 2007 12:00am

November 19, 2004: Mulrunji Doomadgee, 36, dies in custody at Palm Island Police Station after being arrested for being drunk and causing a nuisance.

November 26, 2004: Palm Islanders riot. Twenty police officers seek refuge at the island's hospital and airlifted to safety when reinforcements arrive. About 1000 rioter’s burn down the police station, courthouse and the home of officer-in-charge Senior-Sergeant Chris Hurley.

December 3, 2004: A private investigator hired to carry out an independent investigation into Mulrunji's death.

February 28, 2005: Coronial inquiry into Mulrunji's death begins.

March 4, 2005: State coroner Michael Barnes stands himself down from the inquiry due to a perception of bias.

March 30, 2005: Second inquiry begins.

September 27, 2005: Deputy Coroner Christine Clements finds Sen-Sgt Hurley responsible for Mulrunji's fatal injuries.

December 14, 2006: Director of Public Prosecutions Leanne Clare determines Sen-Sgt Hurley has no case to answer.

January 4, 2007: Former New South Wales Chief Justice Sir Laurence Street to review Clare's decision.

January 16, 2007: Patrick Bramwell, a witness labeled as "not indispensable" by Sir Laurence, hangs himself on Palm Island.

January 26, 2007: Sir Laurence Street advises there is enough evidence to prosecute Sen-Sgt Hurley, who is officially suspended.

 

[BB-Leo]

'Palm Island still on hot seat!

Who cares - we watch 'Football' wild game

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,21126393-5005961,00.html

Custody death decision hailed as historic

January 27, 2007 12:00pm

THE decision to charge a police officer over the death in custody of a Palm Island man has been described by a local MP as one of the most significant events in Aboriginal history.
Queensland's Attorney-General Kerry Shine yesterday said he would pursue manslaughter charges against Senior Sergeant Chris Hurley over Mulrunji Doomadgee's death in the island's watch house in November 2004.
It came after a report by former NSW chief justice Sir Laurence Street found there was enough evidence to charge the officer with manslaughter – and to warrant a conviction.
The state member for Townsville Mike Reynolds said today the decision was one of major significance to indigenous people.
“It is one of the most important days in the 219 years (history) in regards to justice for the indigenous people,”�”� Mr. Reynolds told ABC Radio.
Queensland's Director of Public Prosecutions Leanne Clare last year ruled there was there was not enough evidence to warrant any charges, despite a corner finding the policeman was responsible for Mulrunji's death

 

[BB-Leo]

Police in fear of from Abpriginal tribes

http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,21128628-2,00.html


Revert to tribal law, says union

January 28, 2007 12:00am

POLICE should immediately pull out of Aboriginal communities where the local people did not want them, the Queensland Police Union said yesterday.Those communities should be left to run by tribal or Aboriginal law, and police numbers doubled in communities where they were wanted, the union said.
"If the communities don't want them there, I'm calling on the Government and the (Police) Commissioner of this state to get them out and deploy them elsewhere," union vice-president Denis Fitzpatrick said. The call came as Queensland's Director of Public Prosecutions Leanne Clare refused to resign after a review overturned her decision not to prosecute the officer at the centre of the Palm Island Aboriginal death-in-custody case.
As part of an angry reaction to the decision to charge Senior Sergeant Chris Hurley, Mr. Fitzpatrick said: "There's no point in trying to police communities that aren't interested in law and order.
"Valuable police resources can, and quite properly should, be deployed in other places that want safe and viable communities."
Mr. Fitzpatrick said no Aboriginal community watch-house complied with Aboriginal Deaths in Custody Royal Commission guidelines, because of insufficient staff and electronic surveillance equipment.
Premier Peter Beattie said removing police resources from Aboriginal communities was not an option.
"We have a duty to uphold law and order throughout Queensland," he said.
Mr. Fitzpatrick said police were ready to stage a massive protest over Friday's announcement that Sen-Sgt Hurley, now suspended, was expected to be charged with manslaughter over Mulrunji Doomadgee's death in the Palm Island watch house in 2004.
"They all know that this sort of thing could happen to them on any given day," he said.
Thousands of off-duty and working police could take to the streets in protest rallies and marches as early as this week, Mr. Fitzpatrick said.
While members would not strike, the union would not rule out police working to rule or refusing to write tickets as part of the state-wide protest.
Mr. Beattie said police had the right to march, but should not "abandon their posts" to do so.
Ms Clare yesterday ruled out standing down. "Of course I won't resign," she said.
Ms Clare, who has been holidaying with her children in Sydney, would not comment on former New South Wales chief justice Sir Laurence Street's review, which found there was a "reasonable prospect" of a conviction over the death of Mr. Doomadgee.
She said that as the matter was going to trial, she could not comment further.
Last year, Ms Clare said Mr. Doomadgee's death was "a terrible accident" and decided not to prosecute.
A senior barrister said Ms Clare would have to "think long and hard about her future" because there was now a question of public confidence in her and in the position of the DPP.
There have been calls from members of the Aboriginal community for Ms Clare to be sacked over her decision and questions about the independence of her office.
Mr. Fitzpatrick said the union did not think Ms Clare should resign, but if the Government was going to override her decisions, the office should be abolished.
Sen-Sgt Hurley is expected to be charged with manslaughter this week.
Attorney-General Kerry Shine will seek advice from the Crown Solicitor on whether police should charge the officer, or if Mr. Shine, as Attorney-General, should present an indictment against Sen-Sgt Hurley.

 

[3 Ks]

Re: Police in fear of from Abpriginal tribes

"There's no point in trying to police communities that aren't interested in law and order.
"Valuable police resources can, and quite properly should, be deployed in other places that want safe and viable communities."

Sounds like the Whites are waking up!

While members would not strike, the union would not rule out police working to rule or refusing to write tickets as part of the state-wide protest.

They did this in Cincinnati after the niggers rioted there. I don't know if that accomplished much. Whites aren't any safer in that nig hell hole.
But, this is good news nonetheless.

 

[BB-Leo]

'Australian' and 'Aboriginal' flags alcohol-fuelled

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,21129876-5006787,00.html

Attack on flag fires drunken mob rampage

January 28, 2007

AN Australian flag was ripped, stomped and spat on in an attack which is believed to have sparked an alcohol-fuelled mob rampage that destroyed Australia Day celebrations at the seaside Adelaide suburb of Semaphore.
About 60 police officers descended on the Semaphore foreshore after a mass brawl broke out among 150 drunken revelers about 10.30pm on Friday.
Bottles were thrown and shop fronts were trashed in the all-in-brawl that some witnesses say was racially motivated.
Police arrested 17 people, aged from 15 to 34, including eight adults and nine juveniles. They have been released on bail.
The violence erupted shortly after a fireworks display at the Semaphore Summer Festival, a school holiday event that was attended by a 1000-strong crowd.
Families fled and amusement ride businesses closed early as bottles were thrown by the angry mob, which had earlier ignored the council dry-zone.
Witnesses reported youths of different backgrounds antagonizing each other and youths draped in Australian flags chanting, "Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, Oi, Oi, Oi". One ride operator believed the violence started after a youth wearing an Australian flag had it pulled off his back, ripped up and spat on.
"A couple of ethnic blokes went up to a guy wearing an Australian flag and ripped the flag off him and ripped it in half and started spitting on it and it went from there," he said.
"This guy lost the plot and started punching one guy in the head."
Jane Jenkins, 49, who was selling glow sticks to the public, believed the violence was racially motivated.
She said she saw a teenager wearing an Australian flag and an Aboriginal youth taunting each other before a fight broke out between the pair.
"You could see earlier in the night that trouble was going to break out," she said.
"There were no police officers there until after the event (the fighting)."
Port Adelaide Police Acting Superintendent Linda Fellows confirmed police had an "anecdotal report" of a flag being stomped and spat on before the violence flared.
But she said it would be speculation to link it to the "mass violence" that gripped the popular seaside suburb.
"It would be irresponsible to suggest we are in the midst of ethnic-related violence," she said.
"The observation of the police officers that attended is that this was not ethnic-based fighting.
"Whether or not there was a flag-related incident remains to be seen, but what followed was not about ethnic groups. It was more about alcohol-fuelled juveniles."
The festival, which features amusement rides and games, continues today until 9pm.

 

[BB-Leo]

Waste of money to watch 'Aboriginals' in police custory

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,21131316-5006786,00.html


Police cell surveillance needed: Mundine

January 28, 2007

A RIFT has developed within the Labor party over Queensland Premier Peter Beattie's claim that increasing funding to police stations in Aboriginal communities was a "waste of money".
Mr. Beattie said today that 24-hour surveillance in police cells was too expensive to implement in remote communities.

"This is not Sydney, we have very isolated and remote parts of this state where there may be one or two police officers, where it is absolutely impossible to have 24 hour surveillance 7 days a week,'' Mr. Beattie said.

"Why would we waste money on an obscure position in relation to isolated parts of Queensland where it's not necessary?''

National president of the Australian Labor Party, Warren Mundine, a noted Aboriginal leader, hit out at the premier's claim saying the extra money and resources could save lives. "Everything comes at a cost ... in looking at the costs you've got to look at the results of those costs and if those results are saving lives, building better police relations and the rule of law being carried out, then that's a dollar well spent,'' he said.

He said it was time the State Government implemented the recommendations of the 1991
Aboriginal Deaths in Custody Royal Commission by ensuring 24 hour surveillance of cells in police watch houses.

"I think it's about time governments, of all political persuasions, at all levels, started getting their act together,'' he said.


"We're now in 2007 and we're still dealing with inquiries in black deaths in custody that we were dealing with in 1992 for gods sake, so how far have we moved forward?''

Mr. Beattie said the Government had complied with most of the recommendations of the royal commission.

The Queensland police union has also called for more resources in aboriginal communities following the revelation an officer will be charged with the manslaughter of a Palm Island man who died in custody in 2004.

Senior Sergeant Chris Hurley is expected to be charged with the manslaughter of Mulrunji
Doomadgee this week following an independent review of the case by former NSW chief justice Sir Lawrence Street who recommended charges on Friday.

"The police in remote aboriginal communities struggle with regard to the compliance of black deaths in custody,'' union vice president Denis Fitzpatrick said.

"They struggle on a day to day basis to maintain the safety of these people in custody simply because there is insufficient police numbers on the ground to do it.''

Mr. Fitzpatrick said officers across the state would meet over the next week to discuss possible industrial action in protest over the decision to charge Senior Sergeant Hurley.

However he assured Queenslanders the action would not see police abandon their responsibilities.

 

[BB-Leo]

UPDATE: 'Palm Island' paradise of boozers

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,21133332-5006786,00.html

No strike on Palm charge, top cop tells force

January 29, 2007

QUEENSLAND'S police commissioner, Bob Atkinson, has moved to head off strike action by the militant police union over the recommendation that Senior Sergeant Chris Hurley be charged with manslaughter over the death in custody of Mulrunji Doomadgee.
State Attorney-General Kerry Shine said on Friday that retired NSW chief justice Laurence Street - called in to review the evidence given to a coronial inquiry into the 2004 death of Doomadgee on Palm Island - had recommended Sergeant Hurley be charged, saying there was enough evidence to convict.
Police union vice-president Denis Fitzpatrick said yesterday meetings of the state's 9200 police would be held across Queensland today to decide what action to adopt after Sergeant Hurley was suspended on full pay. Asked after Sir Laurence's opinion was made public whether striking was an option, Mr. Fitzpatrick said: "We are not ruling out a march, protests, rallies or any form of industrial action.
"Police are incensed at this political interference."
Mr. Atkinson has sent an email to all sworn officers, explaining the decision to suspend Sergeant Hurley and reminding officers of their "duty and responsibility" to protect all Queenslanders.
Sir Laurence's recommendation, which was welcomed by Aboriginal leaders, contradicts the finding of Queensland Director of Public Prosecutions Leanne Clare SC, who ruled last year that there was not enough evidence to charge Sergeant Hurley. Her decision was at odds with the original coronial inquest, which found Sergeant Hurley was responsible for the death of Doomadgee in the Palm Island watch house in November 2004.
In his efforts to convince police, Mr. Atkinson instructed all officers to remember their oath to protect all citizens, including aggressive, drunk and violent people in remote communities.
The memo said that given Sir Laurence's findings, it was not viable for Sergeant Hurley to remain on duty. "Deputy Commissioner (Dick) Conder and I appreciate and are grateful for the work performed daily across the state and acknowledge that you are often involved with persons who are alcohol- or drug-affected, aggressive, violent, armed and also at times suicidal and/or suffering mental health issues," Mr. Atkinson wrote.
"We have all taken an oath of service and our primary role is to provide for the safety and security of people in Queensland - (and) that includes all people everywhere in Queensland.
"We must continue to do that. It is our duty and responsibility. In discharging that responsibility, we must, of course, act lawfully and in good faith."
It is illegal in Queensland for police to go on strike.
Police Minister Judy Spence, who has a close relationship with the police union, said she could understand the union's desire "to stand up for its members".
"After all, we mustn't lose sight of the fact that police in Aboriginal communities have to deal with the highest levels of violence of any community in Australia," Ms Spence said.
"Just because a person has been charged does not mean they are guilty. I ask the police union to let this process take its course and then we will deal with these matters."
Doomadgee, 36, was arrested by Sergeant Hurley for swearing. When taken from the police vehicle outside the watch house, Doomadgee struck Sergeant Hurley in the face. A tussle ensued inside the building, resulting in the Aboriginal man being found dead 20 minutes later in his cell, having suffered four broken ribs and bleeding to death from his liver being torn in half.
The findings of a subsequent coronial inquiry included that Sergeant Hurley was responsible for the death of Doomadgee, but that was rejected by Ms Clare, who said there was not evidence to charge the police officer with anything, and that Doomadgee had died as the result of "a tragic accident".
Indigenous leaders, lawyers and politicians had voiced loud objection to Ms Clare's findings and the Queensland Government then sought an independent review of the evidence, appointing Sir Laurence to do the job.

 

[BB-Leo]

Police are hiding themselves from 'Aboriginals

http://au.news.yahoo.com/070128/23/127yq.html

Sunday January 28, 04:54 PM

Union angry over lack of police resources

The Queensland Police Union is furious that the State Government is not providing officers in Aboriginal communities with enough resources.
It says finding officers willing to work in remote communities is becoming increasingly difficult and the existing police should go where they are wanted.
'If there are Aboriginal communities who want to revert to tribal law, who don't want police in their communities, we're saying to the government, we're saying to the commissioner, get those police out of those communities, ' said the Union's Denis Fitzpatrick.
The union says it is impossible to comply with the Aboriginal deaths in custody recommendations with resources already stretched to a maximum.

 

[BB-Leo]

Grab the 'Cop' - before 'ABO'S' get him

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,21135919-601,00.html


Govt 'rushing' Palm is prosecution

January 29, 2007

THE Queensland government has been accused of trying to rush the prosecution of a police officer facing manslaughter charges over the death in custody of a Palm Island man.

The government last week announced that Senior Sergeant Chris Hurley would face legal action over the death of Mulrunji Doomadgee in November 2004.
It had appointed retired NSW chief justice Sir Laurence Street to review an original decision by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) not to charge Sgt Hurley.
Attorney-General Kerry Shine said Sir Laurence had found enough evidence to charge the officer with manslaughter - and to possibly warrant a conviction.
Sgt Hurley's lawyer, Glen Cranny, urged the government to slow down and not rush the case.
"There seems to be an element of unseemly haste in this effort to prosecute Sgt Hurley," he told ABC radio.
"The report from Sir Laurence only came down a matter of days ago and the media reports, at least, suggest there is a clamoring of activity to have an indictment lodged in the Supreme Court immediately."
Queensland Police Union Vice President Denis Fitzpatrick warned that only politicians had actually seen what was in the Street report.
"'(The government) are proceeding hastily," he told ABC radio.
"It seems the attorney and indeed the government is intent on having this member charged and placing them before a tribunal at the next available opportunity."
Mr. Cranny said he wanted an opportunity to make submissions to the attorney-general, particularly as he didn't have a chance to do the same with Sir Laurence.
"We're just asking the attorney to sit back a little bit, just for a while, give us a chance to look at Sir Laurence's reasoning, make further submissions and the matter can proceed properly from there if it has to," he said.
He described what had happened to his client as unprecedented.
"We have to bear in mind that not only did the independent DPP decide there was no case for Snr Sgt Hurley to answer (but) the CMC, the Crime and Misconduct Commission, which traditionally has been no great friend of Queensland police officers, formed exactly the same view," Mr. Cranny said.
"Sir Laurence's formed a different view, but it seems just on the basis of his view, it's not necessarily the right thing to be launching into this urgent prosecution before we get a chance to make submissions."
But Queensland Premier Peter Beattie denied it was at all unusual.
"The reality is that inevitably there are appeals on a regular basis from decisions of, if you like, lower courts," he told ABC radio.
"Lower courts ... make decisions every day and higher courts sometimes overturn them."

 

[BB-Leo]

Are 'ABO'S' crooks ?????

http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,21141104-2,00.html

Aborigines misuse cash - Brough

January 30, 2007 10:31am

ROYALTIES worth millions of dollars paid to Aborigines by the private sector are being squandered, Indigenous Affairs Minister Mal Brough says.
Mr. Brough today cited the case of an Aboriginal man who blew an entire $250,000 royalty payment within weeks on new cars and gambling.
The man could have bought a home for his family, as there was a housing shortage in their area, but he was unable to because the land was owned collectively, Mr. Brough said on ABC radio.
He said he wanted better agreements between private sector interests and indigenous groups.
His comments followed a report today those 15 years after the High Court's historic Mambo decision, an explosion of land-use agreements between Aborigines, mining companies and governments had failed to deliver significant outcomes for many of the indigenous people who signed them.

A five-year detailed examination of 45 contracts by Griffith University academic CIA ran O'Faircheallaigh found that half the agreements were either "basket cases that should never have been entered into" or had delivered few cultural and monetary benefits to Aborigines.

Many agreements were poorly constructed deals that deprived Aborigines of a share in the unprecedented opportunity flowing from the resources boom, the study found.
But Mr. Brough today said the squandering of payments to indigenous communities without lasting benefits was a worse problem.
"I am having discussions with the Minerals Council in regard to those issues. But of course it's not only the Minerals Council," he said.
"It is the other side of the equation that worries me most, and that is where the money is going to, who is benefiting from it, and why isn't it being put to better use in improving the lives of Aboriginal Australians. The money has to be used better.
"Whilst land use was hailed as being the savior for Australia's Aboriginal people, the reality is that it won't deliver while the land is owned collectively," he said.
Mr. Brough there was examples of money being used properly to benefit communities.
Indigenous people on Groote Eylandt, off Arnhem Land, were investing $7 million in a tourism venture that would employ local people.
"We can look at both sides ... and ensure that the best deals are done but that real benefits can flow to Aboriginal people that have long-term benefits, not a four-wheel drive that last for a few months and then we are back to poverty on unemployment benefits," he said.
"We are talking here in terms of millions of dollars in specific communities coming in on a regular basis," he said.
"You wouldn't think, under those circumstances, people would still be living in over-crowded housing and having poor health outcomes."
Prof O'Faircheallaigh said his study was done in conjunction with Aboriginal land councils since 1977 in all major resource regions.
He said there were "enormous variations with about a quarter of agreements delivering very substantial outcomes.
"At the other extreme, we found that about half of the agreements have little by way of substantial benefits," he said on ABC radio.
Prof O'Faircheallaigh said that up to a quarter of agreements should not have been signed.
In one agreement, Aboriginal people receive less than $100,000 in financial benefits over the life of a substantial resource project, he said.
He said the weaker agreements were all negotiated under the Native Title Act.
"At the end of a six-month negotiating period, if they haven't reached an agreement with the mining company, the company can go to the National Native Title Tribunal and request that the mining lease be issued and the project go ahead," he said.

 

[BB-Leo]

'Cops' soup is boiling - up

. http://au.news.yahoo.com//070129/23/128ma.html

Tuesday January 30, 10:51 AM

Qld cops meet to plan strike

Queensland police officers are meeting to plan industrial action following the recommendation to charge an officer over the Palm Island death in custody.
Police are considering a ban on traffic tickets and overtime.
They are also refusing to pass on reports to the Police Minister and Premier Peter Beattie.
Some police have threatened to withdraw protection services from politicians.
Senior Sergeant Chris Hurley is expected to be charged this week with the manslaughter of Mulrunji Doomadgee in 2004


http://au.news.yahoo.com//070129/23/128ec.html

Monday January 29, 07:49 PM

Police strike likely in Queensland
Police across Queensland are threatening industrial action as early as tomorrow, after last week's decision to charge Senior Sergeant Chris Hurley over the Palm Island death in custody.
Police officers will meet on the Gold Coast tomorrow, to plan their first round of action.
"Any form of industrial action is possible at this stage, certainly no form of action has been ruled out," Dennis Fitzgerald of the Police Union said.
Union members are considering bans on traffic tickets and overtime as part of their campaign.
The state's 9500 police want the government to urgently spend $30 million to upgrade every watch house, to prevent a repeat of the Palm Island case.
They want constant video surveillance and cells that prevent prisoners taking their own lives.
"Basically the whole police service feels this type of incident could happen to them on any given day," Mr. Fitzgerald said.

It still has not held a single prisoner, because it does not meet standards set in 1991 by the report into black deaths in custody.
Among the options for police: a ban on traffic tickets and overtime, and refusing to pass on reports to the Minister and Premier.
State Police Minister Judy Spence asked police to wait.
"I would encourage police not to take this kind of action," Ms Spence said. "I'm certainly talking to the union, the premier and the treasurer about these issues."
The union says police are prepared to continue industrial action indefinitely. The only factor that will make them back off will be if their tactics start to adversely impact Senior Sergeant Hurley's court action.
"I'm hoping they won't take action, but I certainly understand their sentiments," Ms Spence said.
Despite recommending charges, prosecutors still have not begun legal action against Sgt Hurley.
"He knows in his heart of hearts he's done nothing wrong and he's convinced that will be borne out in due course," defense solicitor Glen Crannie said today.
Police will still respond to calls for help even if they take industrial action, but the first sanctions could begin tomorrow afternoon.
to them on any given day," Mr. Fitzgerald said.
Premier Peter Beattie opened the Hopevale police complex north of Cooktown in 2005, but the union says it is only suitable for meetings to them on any given day," Mr. Fitzgerald said.

 

[BB-Leo]

UPDATE-'Palm Island'

http://au.news.yahoo.com/070130/23/128up.html

Tuesday January 30, 07:41 PM

QLD police back down over Palm Island protest

Queensland Police have backed down over plans to strike in protest at the recommendation one of their officers be charged in connection with the death of an Aboriginal man in custody.
Senior Sergeant Chris Hurley is expected to face manslaughter charges later this week over the death of Mulrunji Doomadgee on Palm Island in 2004.
Doomadgee was arrested for being drunk in public, but died shortly afterwards, having suffered broken ribs and a ruptured liver. His death sparked riots on the island.

Last year the coroner, Christine Clements, found Doomadgee's injuries had been caused by Sgt Hurley.
Her ruling provoked widespread controversy, and prompted a review of the decision not to press charges over his death.
About 600 of Sgt Hurley's colleagues met on the Gold Coast on Tuesday to discuss possible industrial action.
But they voted against the strike, and also decided to drop a threat not to protect politicians in response to the decision.
Officers say they will march on Parliament House to make their feelings known. They will hold another meeting in Townsville on Wednesday.

 

[BB-Leo]

Niggers are taking ’Aboriginals’ jobs - big concern for ’ABO’S’

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,21145787-5006784,00.html

Nationalist group 'nuts' to court the Aboriginal vote

January 31, 2007

A NATIONALIST, anti-immigration group must be "completely nuts" if it believes it can count on the votes of Aboriginal people.The dismissal, by indigenous leader and ALP national president Warren Mundine, followed the announcement that Australia First hopes to court Aboriginal voters by suggesting refugees are taking their jobs.
The claims will be central to the group's campaign at future state and local government elections.
Australia First founder Jim Saleam said the party would "love to" field an Aboriginal candidate if one was willing to run under the group's banner.
"Aboriginals are special people, we look forward to courting Aboriginal people and Aboriginal votes," he said.
But Mr. Mundine dismissed the suggestion.
"It's an idiotic viewpoint," he said. "We've always been welcoming, sometimes a little too welcoming, if you think back to 1788," he joked, "but we see immigration and refugees as a positive for Australia." Yesterday, Tamworth Mayor James Treloar was under siege from both sides in the debate surrounding plans for Sudanese refugees to move to the northern NSW town, with Australia First announcing it would try to oust him at next year's local government election for folding to community pressure.
The party's announcement comes as a newly formed group, Uniting Care Migrant Resource Tamworth, prepares to welcome four young Sudanese men to the town on February 16.
"This country town thing is probably to prevent ghettoisation of this group, but that will probably break down too," Mr. Saleam said.

 

[BB-Leo]

'ABO'S cry; where is our money - ’G. Clark’ come back and help us

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,21151282-5006784,00.html

http://www.theage.com.au/news/National/Govt-abolishes-ATSICs/2005/03/16/1110913668427.html

Fraud squad studies Defence land deal

February 01, 2007

Fraud squad studies Defence land deal
February 01, 2007

THE Department of Defence has been snared in a fraud investigation after allegations that $1.5million of taxpayer funds disappeared in an Aboriginal land-use agreement on the NSW south coast.NSW Native Title Service head Warren Mundine confirmed that he was contacted yesterday by federal fraud investigators investigating the alleged disappearance of the money, after comments he made about the case in The Australian.
The land-use agreement in question is believed to involve the department approaching a south coast indigenous community in a bid to negotiate access to land at Twofold Bay, near Eden, to build a wharf facility for vessels from the Royal Australian Navy.
The department completed the naval munitions wharf and storage facility in 2004.
The plan also involved the construction of access roads and an aquaculture facility.
Mr. Mundine said the NSW Native Title Service was hired to negotiate the agreement in 2002, but was unexpectedly sacked shortly before the deal was due to be signed between native title claimants and federal officials representing the Department.
"Several weeks later, our office was getting phone calls from the Aboriginal community saying, 'what's happening with the money'?" Mr. Mundine said.
"I was shocked and not very happy, and we decided to make a submission to ATSIC raising serious doubts about the way the whole matter was handled. We were worried fraud may be involved," Mr. Mundine said.
But ATSIC did not respond to their request for an investigation. "As far as I know, it disappeared into the ether," he said.
He said it was still unknown if any of the money had reached any Aboriginal native title claimants in the community.
"I believe the Defence Department acted in good faith, they said they wanted to do the right thing," Mr. Mundine said. "But the issue for us was there was zilch for the community. Benefits should not just go to a group of king bellies."
He said he had been contacted by a fraud investigator from the Department of Family and Community Services and Indigenous Affairs yesterday and told that the matter would be investigated. He was asked to hand over files relating to the case.
The Australian on Tuesday revealed findings from a five-year Griffith University study showing that many agreements between indigenous communities, mining companies and governments were "basket cases" that delivered few cultural, environmental or monetary benefits to Aboriginal people.
Mr. Mundine said there were "rogue lawyers" who shopped around to find compliant Aborigines willing to sign agreements for personal gain and cut out their communities.

 

[BB-Leo]

’ABO’S' in mourning, who will do that to them

http://au.news.yahoo.com/070201/23/129sf.html


Thursday February 1, 05:31 PM

Valuable Aboriginal paintings stolen from gallery


Aboriginal paintings worth almost $50,000 have been stolen from a Melbourne gallery.
It is the second time the art exhibition space, on the city's Spring Street, has been targeted in the past year.
The thieves threw bricks and kicked their way through the gallery's glass door carying stacks of expensive artworks to a car parked nearby.
They were disturbed by a witness, and drove off leaving an $18,000 painting behind.
Their actions were caught on security cameras, and it is hoped the CCTV footage will help police track down those responsible.

The gallery's owner says none of the stolen art was insured

Good for 'Insurance' - catch me if you can! :tongue:

 

[BB-Leo]

Cops will March

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,21151122-5006786,00.html

Police to march for Palm officer

February 01, 2007

QUEENSLAND'S police union yesterday brushed aside an olive branch from Premier Peter Beattie, vowing to march on state parliament over the charging of Senior Sergeant Chris Hurley with the manslaughter of Palm Islander Mulrunji Doomadgee.
Union vice-president Denis Fitzpatrick rejected as "a waste of time" a Crime and Misconduct Commission review, called by Mr. Beattie, to assess the need for cameras in police watch houses in indigenous communities.
And some ministers are questioning the wisdom of Police Minister Judy Spence continuing her uncritical association with the police union, which has been described by her colleagues as "very cozy".
Union officials are demanding the immediate installation of around-the-clock surveillance of cells "to prevent a repeat of the Palm Island case", but Mr. Beattie indicated yesterday that the CMC inquiry would not be finished until the end of the year.
"It's a waste of time," Mr. Fitzpatrick said. "It's just another report with more recommendations and more stalling by this Government."
Yesterday, 450 police attended a union meeting in Townsville, the mainland city closest to Palm Island. The branch, to which Sergeant Hurley belonged, backed moves by the Gold Coast branch to march on Parliament House in Brisbane to protest against what they see as political interference in the administration of justice. A similar meeting is to be held in Brisbane today.
The prospect of Queensland police marching against political interference and in support of the recommendations of the 1991 Royal Commission into Black Deaths in Custody was ridiculed by leading Aboriginal activist Gracelyn Smallwood. Ms Smallwood said it was "cute" that the police union was talking for the first time in 16 years about the recommendations of the Black Deaths in Custody inquiry. "We have not heard one word in all that time from the police union, and it is a handy diversion for them to come up with now - when one of their own is charged over the death of Mulrunji," she said.
"It will be good to see them march. They will appreciate then what Aboriginal people have had to do for 207 years.
"Perhaps we will line the path of the march and photograph them individually and get their numbers - like they have been doing to Aboriginal people and other protest groups in this state all these years."
Mr. Beattie yesterday called a meeting of Ms Spence, Police Commissioner Bob Atkinson, Crime and Misconduct chairman Robert Needham, union representatives and Attorney-General Kerry Shine to stop the police union threats of industrial action.
Mr. Beattie announced that $250,000 had been allocated for the CMC to review policing in remote indigenous communities and to see if fixed watch house cameras would help.
He said the CMC would look at the installation of cameras in watch houses on remote communities, but said the big cost question was who would monitor them. "Whether it is done by police, members of indigenous justice groups or a public servant - these are the issues the CMC will look at," he said.
Sergeant Hurley was charged last week on the recommendation of retired NSW chief justice Laurence Street. Sir Laurence had reviewed the decision by Director of Public Prosecutions Leanne Clare SC not to charge Sergeant Hurley, despite coroner Christine Clements finding him responsible for Doomadgee's death in the Palm Island watch house in November 2004.
Police Union officials have accused the Government of starving them of resources. The Palm Island row comes in the lead-up to police enterprise bargaining negotiations next month.

 

[BB-Leo]

’Aboriginals’ to represent and defend themselves

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,21158418-5006786,00.html

Accused Palm Island rioter wins own trial

February 02, 2007

A PALM Island man accused of being among rioters when violence broke out following the death of a man in custody has been granted a separate trial from one of his five co-accused.
Brisbane District Court Judge Milton Griffin today ordered that Lex Wotton, 38, should have a separate trial from that of 21-year-old Terrence Kidner.
Mr. Wotton will stand trial with the rest of the accused rioters - William Neville Blackman, 36, Dwayne Daniel Blanket, 26, John Major Clumpoint, 40, and Lance Gabriel Poynter, 34.
All six are defending themselves against a charge of rioting with destruction on Palm Island in November 2004.
Judge Griffin said it would be unfair and unjust to force Mr. Wotton to stand trial with Mr. Kidner because the allegations in the prosecution case against Mr. Kidner were prejudicial to Mr. Wotton's case.
He said the trial judge could give the jury a direction to ignore the prejudicial evidence, but this would be artificial and unjust.
"It would lead in reality to a trial which would be unfair for the defendant and unfair for the interests of justice as a whole," Judge Griffin said.
The riots erupted after a public meeting on Palm Island where autopsy results were released into the death in custody a week earlier of Mulrunji Doomadgee.
It is alleged Mr. Wotton incited and led a mob to the police station, and with others, set fire to the police station and court house which were completely destroyed.
Nineteen police officers on the island were forced to flee to the local hospital and were eventually airlifted out.
The trial has been set down for five weeks in Brisbane District Court on March 5.

 

[BB-Leo]

Serenading on ’Palm Island’

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,21160268-5006786,00.html

Cheap shot by police union will fail

February 03, 2007

IT is curious that 16 years after the comprehensive report of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody, the Queensland Police Union suddenly feels compelled to support it publicly.
However, the union's rush of compassion for Aboriginal prisoners does not seem to have produced the desired response.
This latest unseemly contretemps has arisen because the union professes heartfelt concern for one of its members, Senior Sergeant Chris Hurley, who, it was announced last week, will face manslaughter charges over the death of Mulrunji Doomadgee, who died in a police cell on Palm Island in November 2004.
It is difficult for the union to argue in public that a police officer should not face charges in the same way as any other citizen confronted with sufficient evidence to put them before a court.
So it has chosen instead to put pressure on the Beattie Government through the back door: by asserting that claims of ill-treatment of indigenous prisoners would cease only if the entire watch-house area was under constant video surveillance.
That, of course, has an element of truth; indeed it was a recommendation of the deaths-in-custody report, but it has not been comprehensively introduced.
The police union went so far as to tell members at a Gold Coast rally on Tuesday that Hurley would not be in the situation in which he finds himself had cameras been operating at Palm Island when he arrested and incarcerated Doomadgee.
The union knows - and Premier Peter Beattie acknowledged earlier in the week - that it would be expensive to install so many cameras, and very hard to find enough staff to monitor them.
Most remote communities have two or three police carrying a heavy workload under stressful and often unrewarding conditions.
However, it is duplicitous and cheap of the police union to take the charging of a police officer over a violent death in custody, and turn it on the Government as a kind of industrial wedge on the eve of three-yearly enterprise bargaining negotiations (due in March).
The Queensland Police Union has a sorry history of arrogance, political interference and general stand over tactics that this latest farce has done little to counter.
In the 1970s and '80s, it was little more than the compliant servant of a corrupt government. In the '90s it, infamously, was signatory to a memorandum of understanding with the Nationals whereby, in return for the Nationals' support if they won government, the union was prepared to campaign against the Goss Labor government.
However, the price the union demanded was the sacking of senior police, including Commissioner Jim O'Sullivan, and the right to a say in who replaced them.
It was political manipulation at its most naked and shameful, and it was forestalled because copies of the memorandum of understanding were leaked as the police union boasted about its success.
Beattie knows he won't lose any votes by standing up to the police union, because of its reputation.
He managed his own counter-punch, announcing that the Crime and Misconduct Commission would report urgently on whether use of the surveillance cameras was feasible in remote communities.
The commission will also report on the way government funds are being spent on remote area policing, and whether taxpayers are getting value for their dollar.
The police union claims to speak for all or most of the service's 9200 members, but that is poppycock.
There are thousands of hard-working, diligent police in Queensland who don't support its bully-boy tactics, and equal numbers who feel the law should be applied to anybody who allegedly commits a crime, even if it happens to be a serving police officer.
The police union can huff and puff all it likes; it will not garner either public or government support on an issue about which it is wrong.
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,21161969-5006786,00.html

Doubts cast on plan to charge Palm cop
February 03, 2007
QUEENSLAND Attorney-General Kerry Shine is reviewing the initial written advice of Crown Solicitor Conrad Lohe over a strategy to charge a police officer with Mulrunji Doomadgee's manslaughter.
In a December 18 advice from Mr. Lohe to Premier Peter Beattie, obtained by The Weekend Australian, the Crown Solicitor raises a concern that Mr. Shine's preferred strategy for the charging of Senior Sergeant Chris Hurley - by ex officio indictment - could fail.
Mr. Lohe advised Mr. Shine that while it was possible "for either the Attorney-General or the DPP to present an ex officio indictment in the relevant court, most likely the Supreme Court", the absence of committal proceedings made such a course problematic.
He said that he believed it "very likely that if the Attorney-General (or anyone else) presented an ex officio indictment, the court would stay the indictment until committal proceedings are held and the defendant is committed for trial", adding that committal proceedings would require that the charges be laid by a police officer.
"The inquest into the death of Mulrunji was not a substitute for committal proceedings; the Coroner was not considering whether someone should go to trial," Mr. Lohe added.
The prosecution team, led by a leading criminal lawyer, Peter Davis SC, who assisted in the review by former NSW chief justice Laurence Street, has indicated a preference to go to trial without a committal proceeding.
Police sources told The Weekend Australian that it would be difficult if not impossible to find an officer prepared to charge Sergeant Hurley.
Mr. Lohe has told Mr. Shine that the "the Attorney-General cannot direct a police officer to charge a person with a criminal offence".
"And a police officer asked by the commissioner to consider whether to charge someone would be faced with something of a dilemma because the officer would be aware that the DPP has already concluded that the evidence does not warrant charges," Mr. Lohe stated in his December 18 advice.
"A police officer who is considering whether to charge a person with a criminal offence must be personally satisfied that a charge is justified."
More than 300 police met in Cairns yesterday as part of a continuing police union-organized series of protests at the decision to overturn the DPP Leanne Clare SC's finding that Sergeant Hurley should not be charged.
Doomadgee, 36, died from massive internal injuries in the Palm Island police station in November 2004 after being arrested by Sergeant Hurley.
Deputy Coroner Christine Clements found Sergeant Hurley responsible for Doomadgee's death. Ms Clare sparked a furor when she decided not to charge Sergeant Hurley, leading to the review of her decision by Sir Laurence, who recommended he be charged with manslaughter.

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,21160266-5006790,00.html

Dysfunctional councils forced to merge

February 03, 2007

SOMETHING had to give. In March 2002, John Ah Kit, the then Northern Territory local government minister, told parliament it was "almost impossible" to find a functioning Aboriginal community anywhere in the community.
Four years later, the Territory Government has moved to improve governance and service delivery to the bush by merging dysfunctional local governments into large regional bodies.
In an attempt to lift the "quality of life" in remote communities, Local Government Minister Elliot McAdam this week said 63 administrations would be merged into 13councils.
He said the reforms - foreshadowed on this page last September - were vital after a review last year found half of the 56 councils surveyed were considered high risk or dysfunctional.
"The current system isn't working and change is needed," McAdam said.
McAdam also recruited Aboriginal leader Pat Dodson as chairman of the Local Government Advisory Board to work out the details - such as where each head office will be located - before the introduction of the new boundaries in July 2008.
The move has been designed to reduce the administrative burden for the dozens of small councils across the territory and to lead to efficiencies for funding and services.
The president of the Local Government Association of the Northern Territory, Kerry Moir, welcomed the changes but said: "There's going to be firecrackers going off all around the territory."
Although McAdam denied it would dilute the power of the two largest Aboriginal land councils, the new local government structure is expected to meet resistance from powerful groups in some remote communities.
Pastoralists and some larger council have also expressed concerns about the reforms, even though they offer, at the very least, a better approach to the management of remote communities.
Still, a lot more than a bureaucratic shake-up is needed if anything is to be done about the urgent problems facing Aboriginal communities across the territory.

 

[BB-Leo]

Palm Island’ on the map again

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=163858

Palm Island leak complaint to be lodged

Monday Feb 5 10:05 AEDT

The Queensland Police Union will lodge a complaint with the state's crime watchdog over the leaking of a jurist's confidential report on the Palm Island death-in-custody case.
A 12-page report by Sir Laurence Street, which found there was enough evidence to charge Senior Sergeant Chris Hurley over the 2004 death of Palm Island man Mulrunji Doomadgee, was obtained by the Courier Mail.
The Brisbane daily carried a report revealing the former NSW chief justice's conclusion, that a jury could make the "rational inference" that Sen Sgt Hurley deliberately kneed Mulrunji as he lay on the floor.Queensland Police Union (QPU) vice president Denis Fitzpatrick said the report contained sensitive information, and the union would be lodging a complaint with the Crime and Misconduct Commission. "It's very concerning information and very concerning that this is the way that our member, Sen-Sgt Hurley, finds out the way that he is being proceeded," he told ABC radio.
"No one has any information, certainly the lawyers have never received any of this information ... it's just very, very concerning to us that it's appearing in the media."Sen Sgt Hurley has not yet been charged, but charges are expected to be laid later this week.
The QPU has warned that mass meetings of police officers across the state will continue this week, to protest the state government's handling of the inquiry.
The QPU will on Monday visit officers in Nambour, on the Sunshine Coast, to gather support for a protest march on Brisbane's Parliament House.
Last week's rallies in Brisbane and the Gold Coast were well attended, with hundreds of officers turning out to support Sen Sgt Hurley.
Premier Peter Beattie has vowed to address indigenous issues this year, and has asked indigenous leaders to meet him in Cairns next week to discuss violence and alcohol abuse.