Shonga

I would go further, lets put the whole of Palm Island under video surveillance.

Put it under the same level of surveillance as many parts of Sydney and Melbourne that are as troubled as Palm Island.

After all, if the police know that there are always being watched in and around their station, then they could just use violence elsewhere.

Cover the whole island, its the only safe way.

Shonga,

There is video surveillance footage of Mulrunji lying lifeless on the cement cell floor, not beds or bunks. Hurley watched on, assumed he was asleep because Hurley thought he was drunk. He was not.

IH, I will accept the ruling if it concurs with the DPP ruling. It is all I can do. It won't be the first time I've witness injustice done. It will merely toughen my resolve. See my last post.

But will you 'accept' if Street and Davis find that there are grounds to charge Hurley? Of course not. So why bother asking me?

Hamlet,

Coffee please, black with one.

I welcome the appointment of the Honourable Sir Laurence to review the evidence concerning Hurley's responsibility for Mulrunji's death. In my opinion, any consideration of the acceptance or otherwise of his findings must ultimately depend on their content, as opposed to their context. Obviously, it is premature to discuss the Street review's findings at this stage.

It is important to note that Street has not been appointed to be the referee, or final arbiter, in this matter. His review is best regarded as another, albeit hopefully more objective, investigative aparatus into the circumstances of Mulrunji's death in custody. As His Beattiness says, a 'second opinion' of the available evidence.

Oh... Hamlet, I'll have a strong flat white, no sugar thanks :)

Murrandoo Yanner (cousin of Mr Doomadgee ) said: (http://www.smh.com.au/news/National/Palm-Island-fallout-Premier-calls-for-calm/2004/11/30/1101577467810.html)

"If we're not going to get it through white law, we will take it through our own means, through Aboriginal law which has payback,'' Mr Yanner said.

"When someone's killed, someone must be killed in return.

"If this policeman isn't punished, jailed or charged with murder, under the law, if you can't get one policeman you get another."

http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/exjudge-tests-palm-island-ruling/2007/01/04/1167777218774.html

THE Queensland Government has asked the former chief justice of NSW, Sir Laurence Street, to review the decision not to charge a policeman blamed for a death in custody on Palm Island.

The Mayor of Palm Island, Delena Oui-Foster, had not been informed of the appointment when contacted by the Herald, but conditionally welcomed it. "At the end of the day, we want justice done," she said, indicating that a second opinion that supported Ms Clare's view would not be welcomed on the island.

- - -

I still say the solution is simple, if the Qld police service cannot fairly deal with Palm Island, withdraw the police completely.

Could be an interesting social experiment.

Rainer, are you sure that you and CJ wouldn't prefer a nice glass of sherry to coffee?

Mulrunji Blues’

Poor bugger me, Mulrunji,
Young man called Doomadgee,
Arrested for public nuisance, he.
His singing offended Chris Hurley
Poor bugger me, Mulrunji.

Poor bugger blackfella, Mulrunji.
Fatally injured in custody
Subject of 2 autopsies
Coroner switched for objectivity
Hoped for JUSTICE, you & me,
Justice for Aborigines.....

Poor bugger me, Doomadgee's
You’s bin sit down this country
Long time before that DPP,
They hungry 4 votes for the ALP
Oh poor bugger me, Doomadgee’s

Poor bugger me; Mulrunji
2 more losses to his family
Son & grandmother, now join He.
More devastation to community
Waiting for coronial enquiry
Oh poor bugger me.

Poor bugger whitefella Chris Hurley
13 jailed for Palm Melee
Whilst He was flown to Big City
Long time Leave with Pay, for he.
That poor bugger, he, Chris Hurley.
Poor bugger me, in this Country

No charges from the DPP
Hurley not responsible, criminally.
Not even charged for perjury .
Oh Poor bugger me.

Poor bugger blackfella, this Country
The white-man laws for Equality
Maintain the political hypocrisy.
We scream for Justice, you and me
Beattie says listen to the referee - The DPP.

Poor bugger me, Mulrunji
Locked up by Sgnt Chris Hurley
Sworn to protect our Community,
Non-operational desk duties
For his crime against humanity.
Poor bugger blackfellas in this country.

Adapted from Gurindji Blues.

“In 1962, Aboriginal stockmen at Wave Hill Station in NT went on strike. This was a strike for land. It wasn't until 1975 that the Prime Minister, Gough Whitlam poured Gurindji sand through Lingiari's hands that title was partially won. A whitefella country singer Ted Egan had cause to write the Gurindji Blues. Galarrwuy Yunupingu sang the song, it was recorded by RCA in 1971. It kicked off Ted Egan’s career. Even though it wasn’t a hit it had an impact for its sales funded the establishment of the Aboriginal Tent Embassy on the lawns of Parliament House in Canberra in early 1972. It is now an Australian classic.”

Source: Buried Country – The Story of Aboriginal Country Music Soundtrack

AbSolve,
that is good.
Can you send it to the Townsville Bulletin, and or Australian. I know a few people who would appreciate it. Maybe a copy could be emailed to Beattie :)

I would like to know why other police involved in this tragic and sordid murder of Mulrunji are not being held accountable.

Why havent the investigating officers been repremanded for their innapropriate relationship to Hurley. They should have refused to investigate if they knew they were mates.

What about the head of the police in Townsville, surely they must bear some responsibility for the investigation fiasco. As the regional head they should bear some culpability.

As the buck passes up the chain of command, surely the police commissioner should be facing some hard questions as this sort of behaviour has occured on his watch.