Mr Gary Wilkinson’s apology for contempt

Queensland Police Union of Employees General President Gary Wilkinson’s public apology today repaired the damage done to the State’s justice system, Attorney-General Kerry Shine said.

Last year, Mr Shine initiated legal proceedings in the Supreme Court for contempt against Mr Wilkinson for his public comments about the findings handed down by the Acting State Coroner Christine Clements of the inquest into the death of Mulrunji – Cameron Francis Doomadgee - on Palm Island.

“On advice I have accepted that Mr Wilkinson’s public apology for his comments as well as his admission of contempt and his payment of legal costs is sufficient in this case,” Mr Shine said.

“I welcome Mr Wilkinson’s apology to Ms Clements on behalf of the Queensland Police Union and himself.”

“As Mr Wilkinson says in his apology, he was ‘wrong and insulting’ in making the comments.”

“Mr Wilkinson has also promised not say ‘anything contemptuous of the judiciary again’.”

“As Attorney-General, I have a responsibility to maintain public confidence in and respect for our justice system and to defend our courts and the officers of the court against wrongful attacks. I take these responsibilities seriously and that is why I initiated legal action against Mr Wilkinson.”

Mr Wilkinson’s public apology is attached.

Media contact: Kirby Anderson (Mr Shine’s office) 3239 6400 or kirby.anderson@ministerial.qld.gov.au

APOLOGY

On 27 September 2006, in my capacity as General President of the Queensland Police Union of Employees, I held a press conference regarding the Acting State Coroner Christine Clements and her conduct of the inquest into the death of Cameron Francis Doomadgee.

At the press conference, I said that Ms Clements was biased against the police and that she had prejudged the issues before hearing the evidence and abused her office in order to pander to the residents of Palm Island.

It was wrong and insulting for me to accuse Ms Clements of bias and prejudgment and I now realise I should not have done so. I will not say anything contemptuous of the judiciary again.

On behalf of the Queensland Police Union of Employees and myself, I apologise without reservation to Ms Clements for making the allegations of bias and prejudgment and express my confidence in the proper administration of justice.

Gary Wilkinson
General President of the Queensland Police Union of Employees