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Queensland racial abuse claims resurface

Story from AAP

5 January 2005 - More claims of racial abuse have emerged in far north Queensland following the arrest of one of the accused Palm Island rioters yesterday.

David Shane Shepherd, 27, was arrested for breaching strict bail conditions imposed following the riot on November 26 last year on the island.

Shepherd, given bail on the grounds he stay in Townsville, was arrested in Cairns after failing to report to police.

However, Shepherd's lawyers argued at the bail hearing in Cairns Magistrates Court that he left Townsville to escape racial abuse and prejudice.

The court was told abuse and bottles were thrown at a house in Vincent in Townsville where he stayed with his family, including a young niece and nephew.

Townsville police are attempting to revoke the bail conditions, which include daily reporting to police, a ban on leaving the boundaries of the city and a night time curfew.

Cairns Magistrate Tina Previtera adjourned the bail application toallow Townsville police time to investigate Shepherd's claim that he called police to notify them of his move.

Shepherd was one of 19 men arrested over the riot on the island off Townsville which followed the death in custody of Aboriginal man Cameron Doomadgee.

Mr Doomadgee's death will be the subject of an inquest this year.

Sourse: Sydney Morning Herald

More on Palm Island

Key figure to snub CMC air fare probe

By Margaret Wenham

5 January 2005 - One of the indigenous activists embroiled in the Palm Island airfare row said yesterday the Crime and Misconduct Commission would have to subpoena him if they wanted to interview him about the matter.

Brad Foster, whose fares between Brisbane and Palm Island, and those of Murrandoo Yanner, were paid by indigenous affairs minister Liddy Clark, said the real issue was the November 19 death in police custody of Palm Island man Cameron Doomadgee.

"The CMC rang me just before Christmas about the ticket issue and I said I didn't want to get caught up in a political witch hunt - just where are their priorities?" Mr Foster said.

"I said if you subpoena me, I'll come and talk to you."

News that Ms Clark had paid the pair's airfares to Palm Island to facilitate her December 17 discussions with the local community enraged the Queensland Police Union, as it came within weeks of Mr Yanner allegedly inciting violence against police after Mr Doomadgee's death.

The matter was referred to the CMC by the Opposition after Mr Foster and Mr Yanner claimed Ms Clark's office had asked them to publicly state they would reimburse the fares.

Mr Foster, chief executive officer of the Carpentaria Land Council and spokesman for the Doomadgee family, said he had returned to Palm Island two days ago to find 20 to 30 more police there than before angry islanders burned down the courthouse, police station and police residence on November 26.

He said he had sent a letter to Police Commissioner Bob Atkinson on Christmas Eve raising "serious concerns" about policing practices on Palm Island since Mr Doomadgee's death, and calling for reconciliation between police and islanders.

But little had changed, he said. He told The Courier-Mail that balaclava-clad police had raided his brother's house at Christmas allegedly looking for drugs and alcohol.

"Another man, Winston Seaton, was walking back to his caravan on New Year's Day with a plate of food and a couple of coppers looking for another person pointed a gun at his face," he said. "This has got to stop, fair dinkum."

A police spokesman confirmed the letter had been received and the Commissioner would deal with it on his return from leave next week.

The spokesman said he had asked for a report on Mr Foster's more recent allegations.

A spokesman for the CMC said three investigators would return to Palm Island today to continue to probe complaints made against police after Mr Doomadgee's death.

An examination of the airfare controversy was also continuing. Ms Clark - on leave until January 17 - has not yet been interviewed.

Mr Foster said he did not have a date for the release of the second autopsy performed on Mr Doomadgee.

The family have not heard whether they would receive financial assistance for representation at the inquest, a date for which has not yet been set.

Source: The Courier Mail

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