Mulrunji: statement of support

Statement of Support from ANTaR National Director, Gary Highland.

Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation or ANTaR is proud to support the stand for justice, equity and truth being taken by Indigenous people on Palm Island, in Townsville and around Australia.

Justice has not been done in the case of Mulrunji. Aboriginal people have told ANTaR that they believe there are still two laws in Queensland – one for black and one for white.

They find it inconceivable that someone found by the Coroner to have violently caused the death of a person in his custody, and then to have lied about it, should escape criminal charges.

As a non-Indigenous man from Townsville I am also outraged at the denial of justice in my home city and state. Too many questions remain unanswered in relation to the decision not to press charges.

Does anyone seriously think that if the position was reversed and an Aboriginal man caused the death of a white police officer in those circumstances that no charges would be laid?

The Coroner said the initial police investigation of the death was ‘inadequate and undermined the integrity of the investigation’. Did this contribute to the lack of evidence to press charges? If so, what action is being taken against those police officers responsible?

ANTaR urges members of the Beattie Government not to allow Queensland to slip back to the bad old days when there was no public confidence in the police or judiciary.

We need our elected representatives to tackle this injustice, but so far only Parliamentary Speaker, Mike Reynolds has taken a stand.