Solidarity with Palm Island Community over old wounds reopened

Amnesty International Australia expresses solidarity with the community of Palm Island as they react to news the Queensland Government will pay the legal costs of the police officer acquitted over the manslaughter of Mulrunji Doomadgee.

Amnesty International’s Indigenous Rights Campaigner Rodney Dillon says he understands why the latest news reports have inflamed concerns at Palm Island.

“We stand alongside the residents of Palm Island in expressing hope, that at some stage, there is peace and a way forward for this community.

“We support the communities’ sentiment that the latest details about the case and the payment of Sergeant Hurley’s legal fees have opened old wounds.

“We stand alongside the residents of Palm Island in expressing hope, that at some stage, there is peace and a way forward for this community.

“We will continue to support the Island on its journey to reconcile the death of a much loved family member and friend”, said Mr Dillon.

There must be justice

Amnesty International has previously expressed outrage at the Queensland Police Service’s failure to secure justice for the death in custody, of Mr Doomadgee, who died in a police cell on the Island in 2004.

The Queensland Police Service last year rejected the Crime and Misconduct Commission’s recommendation to bring disciplinary action against the officers involved in the flawed investigation that followed Mr Doomadgee’s death.

In 2010 the Crime and Misconduct Commission found that investigations into Mr Doomadgee’s death were neither impartial nor thorough. Several inquests and legal proceedings have not resulted in accountability for Mr Doomadgee’s tragic death.