STATEMENT FROM THE PREMIER REGARDING THE INQUEST INTO THE DEATH OF MULRUNJI
Published Wednesday, 27 September, 2006 at 04:59 PM
Premier and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Peter Beattie
Premier Peter Beattie said this afternoon that he had established a high level Response Team to provide advice to State Cabinet on the findings by the Acting State Coroner regarding the death of Mulrunji.
“The Attorney-General has this afternoon referred the Coroner’s Report to the Director of Public Prosecutions for an independent assessment of this tragic case,” Mr Beattie said.
“Earlier this afternoon I met with the Police Minister and the Attorney-General to discuss the findings.
“While we have not had the opportunity to peruse the findings in fine detail, we will take immediate action to consider the Coroner’s 40 recommendations.
“The Response Team, headed by the Director-General of Premier and Cabinet, will meet urgently to begin a detailed assessment of each of the recommendations before making a report to Cabinet.
“The Team will include senior representatives from Police, Justice and Communities.
“With regard to the Attorney-General’s referral of the report to the Director of Public Prosecutions this is a matter of due process.
“The question of whether any person should face charges as a result of the death of Mulrunji is one for the independent DPP – and the referral of the report should not be seen as a reflection of the guilt or innocence of any person mentioned in the report.”
The Premier said the Queensland Government continued to work with the Palm Island community to improve the health and well-being of the people living on the island.
“The Government has committed more than $50 Million in funding since late 2004 to improving the health and well-being of the Palm Island Community.
A Government-Coordinator has been working with the Palm Island community since February 2005 to improve services on the Island.
It is planned to have a new officer supporting the Government Coordinator in place by the end of October.
An Alcohol Management Plan for Palm Island was introduced on 19 June 2006. The restrictions include a limit of one carton of light or medium strength beer per person, vehicle, vessel and plane. While there have been a number of charges relating to breaches of the restrictions, both the police and ambulance have noted a significant reduction in the number of call outs since the introduction of the plan.
The State Government has provided funding for arts and cultural initiatives, yarning circles, recreational activities, programs focusing on young parents, and initiatives for young people through the Police Citizens Youth Club and Red Cross.
Funding has also been provided to the Palm Island Men’s Business Group to implement a Cell Visitors Program at the watch house on Palm Island. This has allowed the Men’s Group to employ three staff who work in conjunction with the Police to provide support to people held in the watch house. Initial reports find that the service is well received and achieving its goals.
The Department of Communities is planning the establishment of a Safe Haven and Family Support Hub on the island. Extensive consultations have been undertaken and a community based steering group established.
With regard to the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody, Mr Beattie said successive Queensland Governments had worked to implement the recommendations of the 1991 Commission.
“I understand that the then Government found that 280 of the 339 were applicable to Queensland.
“Today there are 38 recommendations that are on-going in their implementation, they include recommendations such as there should be ‘better self-determination for Aboriginal people’,” the Premier said.
Wednesday September 27, 2006
For more information:
Premier’s Office – 3224 4500
“The Attorney-General has this afternoon referred the Coroner’s Report to the Director of Public Prosecutions for an independent assessment of this tragic case,” Mr Beattie said.
“Earlier this afternoon I met with the Police Minister and the Attorney-General to discuss the findings.
“While we have not had the opportunity to peruse the findings in fine detail, we will take immediate action to consider the Coroner’s 40 recommendations.
“The Response Team, headed by the Director-General of Premier and Cabinet, will meet urgently to begin a detailed assessment of each of the recommendations before making a report to Cabinet.
“The Team will include senior representatives from Police, Justice and Communities.
“With regard to the Attorney-General’s referral of the report to the Director of Public Prosecutions this is a matter of due process.
“The question of whether any person should face charges as a result of the death of Mulrunji is one for the independent DPP – and the referral of the report should not be seen as a reflection of the guilt or innocence of any person mentioned in the report.”
The Premier said the Queensland Government continued to work with the Palm Island community to improve the health and well-being of the people living on the island.
“The Government has committed more than $50 Million in funding since late 2004 to improving the health and well-being of the Palm Island Community.
A Government-Coordinator has been working with the Palm Island community since February 2005 to improve services on the Island.
It is planned to have a new officer supporting the Government Coordinator in place by the end of October.
An Alcohol Management Plan for Palm Island was introduced on 19 June 2006. The restrictions include a limit of one carton of light or medium strength beer per person, vehicle, vessel and plane. While there have been a number of charges relating to breaches of the restrictions, both the police and ambulance have noted a significant reduction in the number of call outs since the introduction of the plan.
The State Government has provided funding for arts and cultural initiatives, yarning circles, recreational activities, programs focusing on young parents, and initiatives for young people through the Police Citizens Youth Club and Red Cross.
Funding has also been provided to the Palm Island Men’s Business Group to implement a Cell Visitors Program at the watch house on Palm Island. This has allowed the Men’s Group to employ three staff who work in conjunction with the Police to provide support to people held in the watch house. Initial reports find that the service is well received and achieving its goals.
The Department of Communities is planning the establishment of a Safe Haven and Family Support Hub on the island. Extensive consultations have been undertaken and a community based steering group established.
With regard to the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody, Mr Beattie said successive Queensland Governments had worked to implement the recommendations of the 1991 Commission.
“I understand that the then Government found that 280 of the 339 were applicable to Queensland.
“Today there are 38 recommendations that are on-going in their implementation, they include recommendations such as there should be ‘better self-determination for Aboriginal people’,” the Premier said.
Wednesday September 27, 2006
For more information:
Premier’s Office – 3224 4500