I am Aboriginal and I work in the field of cultural heritage. I have helped different indigenous communities here and overseas in the collection and recording of cultural information before it's lost forever.Happy said:Wisdom of vision only to be applauded, didn’t we all have to move forward.
From ABC, January 2, 2007
WITNESSES COOPERATING WITH INDIGENOUS ABUSE TASK FORCE: ACC
The Australian Crime Commission (ACC) says the national task force looking into violence and child abuse in Indigenous communities has not yet had to compel any witnesses to give evidence.
The commission - which set up its headquarters in Alice Springs in September last year - is leading the investigation, but is supported by officers from the federal, state and territory police force, as well as various agencies.
The commission's director of intelligence, Kevin Kitson, says the task force has been working with agencies who may have information about child abuse and violence.
He says so far they have been cooperative.
"One of the major things that we're trying to understand is the different level of interventions and the different levels of reporting," he said.
"So if that there are rates of violence and abuse that go unreported to police but which are known to health and education sectors, that's the kind of data that we want to sweep up with the first major phase of the task force."
Mr Kitson says the task force has been meeting with Indigenous people to gain an understanding of crime in communities.
"The first part is to get out there, to understand, to observe," he said.
"Understanding will be built over a period of time and we're grateful for those who have given us the time, who have welcomed us to their land, to their country, to have the opportunity to sit with them for a while.
"We hope to be able to take up the invitations to return."
Happy,Happy said:A lot of finger pointing, but no cooperation
"The first part is to get out there, to understand, to observe," he said.
"Understanding will be built over a period of time and we're grateful for those who have given us the time, who have welcomed us to their land, to their country, to have the opportunity to sit with them for a while.
I'm sure the price of eggs will crop up soon!Happy said:What is there to understand?
Talk is cheap, crime is crime
From ABC , January 7, 2007
CONVICTED MURDERER GIVEN DAY RELEASE: REPORT
A man who brutally killed a northern Tasmanian pensioner has reportedly been released from prison on day leave.
Ivan John Jones was sentenced to 20 years in jail for murdering 72-year-old David Crawford at Lefroy in 2000.
A newspaper has reported that six years into his sentence, Jones has been moved from Risdon Prison to the minimum security Hayes Prison Farm, and has been granted day release on several occasions.
Prison director Graeme Barber has refused to comment on individual cases, but says the Corrections Act allows inmates with Aboriginal heritage to apply for day release to attend culturally significant events.
He says the purpose of such leave is to assist in rehabilitation.
the Corrections Act allows inmates with Aboriginal heritage to apply for day release to attend culturally significant events.
From ABC, January 10, 2007
ARREST SPARKS RIOT IN CAPE YORK COMMUNITY
Police say they have restored calm to the streets of the Cape York Aboriginal community of Aurukun after an overnight riot involving up to 300 people.
Police have declared the town an emergency zone.
The riot started after a man was arrested over an assault and fell ill while in police custody.
The rioters damaged shops, a tavern and the police station, smashing the glass doors and windows.
Sergeant Kim McCoomb says the riots began outside a medical clinic where the man was taken.
"The crowds rioted and both police vehicles were extensively damaged and the Aurukun police station was also damaged when the crowd attempted to gain entry," she said.
Sergeant McCoomb says extra police have been flown into the community and a major incident room has been set up in Cairns.
"The current situation appears to be under control and the streets are reported to be quiet," she said.
"Most people have returned to their homes at the moment.
"There have been some additional police brought in to support the officers that are in the area and they'll continue their investigations today to determine what started the unrest."
BREAKDOWN IN TRUST
Aboriginal activist Sam Watson says the Aurukun riot is similar to what happened on Palm Island two years ago, when locals rioted after the death of a man in police custody.
He says there has been a breakdown in trust between police and the Indigenous community, and has called on Queensland Premier Peter Beattie to act.
"Beattie has totally marginalised Aboriginal people by removing the department of Aboriginal affairs and sacking our minister," he said.
"Aboriginal people feel so much more vulnerable.
"This latest incident on Aurukun is a direct result of this, because Aboriginal people feel they have no voice in government, they have no power, no capacity to attract government attention unless they do take direct action."
The riot started after a man was arrested over an assault and fell ill while in police custody.
From ABC, January 10, 2007
AURUKUN MAN CLAIMS ASSAULT IN CUSTODY
A man whose arrest sparked a riot at Aurukun overnight has complained of being assaulted while in police custody.
It has also been revealed a police officer used his private hand gun to fire a warning shot during the melee.
About 300 people were involved in the riot and damaged the tavern, a shop and the police station.
The unrest happened after a local man arrested for an assault fell ill while in police custody.
He was flown to the Cairns Hospital for treatment and is now in the Cairns watch-house.
Officers from the Ethical Standards Command and the Crime and Misconduct Commission are on their way to Cairns to investigate the man's complaint.
Acting Queensland Premier Anna Bligh says the man was examined twice by doctors, but she says it appears his injuries occurred before he was arrested.
She says the medical assessments will be part of the investigation into the incident.
"I need to be very cautious because these matters need to be investigated," she said.
"But I understand there was some minor injuries to the person that appear to be some 48-hours-old and may have occurred to him prior to his arrest.
"But this is preliminary information that requires full investigation and confirmation."
Queensland's Communities Minister, Warren Pitt, agrees there has been a breakdown in the relationship between police and the Indigenous community.
Aboriginal activists say the Aurukun incident has echoes of the death in custody and riot on Palm Island two years ago.
They want the Government to reinstate the Aboriginal Affairs portfolio.
Mr Pitt rejects the call but says the Government is working hard to rebuild its relationship with Indigenous people.
"That behoves all of us to work closely together with police, the local community and anyone else who can bring anything positive to the table to help rebuild that trust," he said.
"That's not something that happens overnight, these circumstances do leave scars."
"But I understand there was some minor injuries to the person that appear to be some 48-hours-old and may have occurred to him prior to his arrest.
A man dies in police custody with bruised liver/spleen etc. Meanwhile an aboriginal protester who later threw a stone is serving 18 months in jailAboriginal leaders have welcomed the appointment former New South Wales chief justice Sir Laurence Street to lead a review into the decision not to charge a policeman over a death in custody on Palm Island.
The death of the man known as Mulrunji led to riots in November 2004, and a Coroner's inquiry that found the officer responsible for the death.
But there was widespread outrage when Queensland's Director of Public Prosecutions announced that no charges would be laid.
Sir Laurence Street, who starts work (last monday), spoke to ABC's Conor Duffy about his new job. etc etc
From ABC, January 11, 2007
ARREST SPARKS DISTURBANCE IN INDIGENOUS COMMUNITY
Police at Maningrida, 500km east of Darwin, required the assistance of traditional owners to help quell a disturbance in the town last night.
The trouble was sparked by the arrest of a man who had allegedly assaulted a police officer while they were searching a house.
Another man from the house allegedly smashed the windows of a police van.
A short time later police say around 100 people converged on the station, some of them armed with star pickets and iron bars.
Several windows at the police station were smashed and rocks were thrown onto the roof.
Traditional owners were called in to help placate the group and peace was restored to the community.
banjo_pete said:Im sick of the word sorry! Australia should not feel guilty anymore. The chip on the shoulder will never ever go away, this is why in 80 years time their will be no change to this problem. I have run a pub in aboriginal area and let me tell you, that everytime i kick one of them out due to mny reasons ranging from drunken behavior thru to scabing money, the same thing has come out of each and everyone of their mouths "are you rich white fella, because im going take you to court and take all your money". I know i am a racist, because i steriotype every aboridginal person i meet and that is they are a danger to me and my family. Now shoot me down if you like but, this is the way i feel.
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?