Three words glaringly missing from this piece.

'Death in Custody!'

Lindsay is right in suggesting a more radical solution must be found, but I have major concerns with his suggestion that granting freehold title is part of that solution. With full ownership must also come the ability to use the land as security for loans etc. Without that ability, it is not full ownership. If Palm Islanders are to be granted freehold title then there are at least two major difficulties, if not many others.

First, most of the inhabitants are not tradfitional owners, & one all mighty shit fight will break out regarding who gets what.

Secondly, financiers & other carpetbaggers will offer loans secured by mortgage, there will be default & the land will end up being acquired by others, who are not Palm Islanders. This is a scenario that is strongly supported by many recent experiences in Nth Qld & elsewhere I imagine. Those who have defaulted will again end up on welfare.

Financiers will not lend against Palm Island land unless they are certain the land will be available for development. Development of that land will undoubtedly be skewed towards tourist projects & the like.

Restricting the identity of potential mortgagees to aboriginal owned or focused players will diminish the notion of unfettered ownership & similar problems will arise anyway. ATSIC advances secured by mortgage have not provided any real solution in other parts of NQ. Money raised from ATSIC loan moneys have been squandered or stolen, inevitably resulting in the appointment of adimistrators to the assets of such communities.

The solution needs to be radical, but is probably too politically dangerous & distastefull for the palates of those who hold the power to make change.

It is clear that the Liberal governments' Naziist policies are working. I find it interesting that the Government can attempt to usurp authority over Aboriginal Australians given there is no treaty nor other agreement nor document whereby we (the true Australians) can be eveidenced to have acquiesced to British nor "Australian (British)" law(s).

It is unconstitutional for any judge or magistrate to order that an Aboriginal person can not attend the funeral of a community member - regardless of the circumstances.

True reconciliation will not be possible until there is either a treaty in place or the back rent is paid - along with the return of the income from OUR Natural Wealth.

And while we are on the subject, can someone please telll me, EXACTLY WHO is the "Queen of Australia" - constitutionally speaking that is ?

They should all consider how they and their families would react if they were being oppressed by thugs serving a person masquerading illegally as some sort of Monarch who can't prove her authority (or theirs for that matter)

Lindsay is presenting a flawed argument. There are traditional owners of Palm Island. The traditional owners have the same legal rights as all other indigenous Australians currently negotiating native title.
I believe the Liberal Government needs to work closely with the State Labor Government to address the issues of education and health.
Educational improvement is the key to the advancement of the Palm Island Peoples.
A solution on Palm could be a victory for other smaller communities in the North. Spend some time on Palm Mr Lindsay and get a feel for this community. Forget about your political goals, Canberra is a long way from Palm.
You could achieve greatness for yourself by working with Mike Reynolds in a common, united political force. His office is just around the street from yours.
Regards,
Peter F. Hughes
Waurn Ponds