The latest chapter in the sorry saga of Palm Island is just as disgusting as the previous chapters of death in custody, riots, the destruction of the police office and convictions of purported riot ringleaders, and many years of chronic discontent.

The decision by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Leanne Clare, not to charge police officer Chris Hurley over the death of Aboriginal man Mulrunji Doomadgee on Palm Island is deplorable in the highest order.

It flies in the face of Acting Coroner Christine Clements’ conclusion that Hurley was responsible for the death.

No matter how little chance Ms Clare thought there was of Hurley being convicted in a court of law, she should have let this process play out. It was imperative that the whole business be resolved in an open court.

The police are being seen to be protected. Respect for the law and for rigorous transparent legal process has gone out the window completely for the indigenous community and for a lot of ‘mainstream’ society as well.

The Palm Island community, which was severely disaffected by the original event, is now probably irreconcilably alienated. And the whole indigenous community across Australia has been dragged down to varying degrees along with it.

Condemnation of this decision has been overwhelming. And if there is anyone who actually agrees with it, they are remaining very quiet.

This cannot be allowed to be the end of it. Premier Beatty has the power to step past this decision and order an independent inquiry. This simply MUST happen….and quickly.

Yes, I agree completely, Ludwig.

On the face of it, this seems to be a case of injustice not only being done, but also being seen to be done.

What is Beattie thinking? I think he's turning into Joh.

I read the Deputy State Coroner report- it was made publicly available. She penned it herself.
Last week I would have thought Leanne Clare’s legal analysis would have also been made accessible. Instead all I read was a press release and nothing more.
For such a controversial determination and in the interest of public confidence in the law one would have though a much more detailed analysis would have been made available.
But no, Beattie has now said he would have the Solicitor-General, Walter Sofronoff, explain why Ms Clare had come to a different conclusion from that of Ms Clements.
The cries from Beattie and the President of the Qld Police Union Judy Spence about independence is ludicrous. Clare was appointed on the basis of political choice, not professional merit.
I could say so much more but it’s just too hard to come up with words to express this deep ache inside me.
Come to the rally this Wednesday at 12 noon.- Queens Park (Corner of George & Elizabeth Streets, opposite the casino)

Evidence showed that the physical action taken by the police officer against the thug did not cause his death.

End of story. You can ignore the evidence if you wish. The magistrate cannot.

Perhaps Leigh can explain how a "simple fall" can break four ribs and split a vital organ in half and result in a black eye. 200+ years of political interference has failed to further the integration of aborigines in white society.

Leigh, twisted and bitter as you are I doubt even you would find it difficult to understand why Leanne Clare's call on the matter was contrary to the medical evidence.

The State Coroner stated that:

"All the expert medical evidence also concurred that a fall together, side-by-side, of the two men onto a flat surface was unlikely to have caused the injury that occurred. I accept that evidence".

But apparently you do, which leads me to simply conclude that your toxic racism is once again clouding any sensible and objective analysis