For Proper Justice On Palm Island

20 December 2006

Mr Peter Beattie

Premier of Queensland

PO Box 15185

City East

Queensland

4002

Dear Premier Beattie,

On behalf of ANTaR Victoria I wish to express outrage over the recent decision by Queensland's Director of Public Prosecutions to not charge Sergeant Chris Hurley over Mr Doomadgee's death, despite a coronial finding against the police officer. The decision only adds to the perception that in Queensland justice is only for whites. It is clear that the coroner has raised the question as to whether the Sergeant had needlessly arrested Mr Doomadgee. It is clear that the coroner has raised the question as to whether the Sergeants' actions led to Mr Doomadgee being fatally injured. What isn't clear is why this Sergeant is not being held to account for his actions and continues to be employed by the Queensland police force.

The lack of justice for Indigenous people in Queensland is appalling. It is shameful that there is no longer a Minister for Indigenous Affairs in Queensland. It is shameful that crimes against Indigenous people in Queensland continue to be ignored by their so-called justice system.

ANTaR Victoria, along with many other respected public figures including Tom Calma, Warren Mundine and Colin Dillon, not to mention the Australian public we urge your government to act.

We urge your Government to:

1. Refer the case to the Director of Public Prosecutions from another state to obtain an independent, second opinion on whether there is enough evidence to lay criminal charges;
2. Conduct an urgent audit of the extent to which the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody are being implemented in both policy and practice in Queensland; and
3. Commission an independent, public inquiry into the relations between police and Indigenous people in Queensland and how these can be improved."

Yours sincerely

Jill Webb

Chair

ANTaR Victoria

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