Comments on: Palm Island: Tallying the injuries between black and white

By: Helen Evans

Helen Evans — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000

It’s hard to fathom any media story emanating from Queensland these days as being scripted without fear or favour. I know two journo’s hauled in by state ministers wanting an explanation for ‘unfavourable’ stories. One journo in particular had a tough time after an article uncovered major flaws in Queensland’s social justice system leading to a full review of Disability Services in that State. The current police Minister Judy Spence who has presided throughout the Palm Island fiasco had just moved on from DSQ. The Carter Report produced gob-smacking results similar to the veneering of Palm Island and left disability advocates horrified. But did the hopelessly depleted Queensland media give full bottle on that? Don’t assume all Australians black or white enjoy equal access to social or civil justice. Up in Queensland they’re on the back foot.

By: Brett

Brett — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000

How many Australians look at other countries and tut-tut their human rights records with condescending superiority? Are we really any better than a brutal Saudi Arabia or apartheid South Africa? I remember a comedy sketch more than two decades ago where the joke was about an aboriginal prisoner that managed to hang himself with a toothbrush. The sad thing was the joke basically accepted the situation and almost excused people from thinking about the shameful situation. Now 25 years later not a whole lot has changed in either the shameful situation of our indigenous population, or the lack of concern by the general population. Lucky for us there is a “too hard basket”.

By: Chris Graham

Chris Graham — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000

Before anyone adds comment, I should note that my criticisms of the author of the story from the Oz (Michael McKenna), on reflection, are not fair. McKenna was simply reporting what a police officer told him. I guess we should all know better than to trust a Queensland copper. It would also be unfair not to note that The Australian’s reporting generally on this issue has been outstanding, and that McKenna has long been a part of that.

By: jane

jane — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000