Lex Wotton political gag without precedent, says lawyer

Sue Bolton
Naarm/Melbourne
July 22, 2011
Issue 
888
News
Lex Wotton.

August will mark one year since Palm Island Aboriginal leader Lex Wotton was released on parole.

Unlike the police officer charged with the 2004 murder of Palm Island resident Mulrunji Doomadgee, Wotton was jailed for taking part in the protests against Doomadgee’s death. No one was jailed for Doomadgee’s death in police custody.

Despite his release, Wotton is muzzled by parole conditions aimed to silence him. He is subject to a four-year political gag, which bans him from speaking to the media or attending meetings.

Wotton has launched a High Court challenge against the gag order.

An action was organised in front of the Bank of Queensland on July 20, calling for the lifting of the political gag on Wotton.

Civil liberties lawyer Rob Stary told the protesters: “In my 30 years as a lawyer, I never remember a gag order being a condition of parole. This is completely unprecedented.

“This couldn’t happen in Victoria because we have a charter of human rights here, which recognises freedom of assembly.”

A petition with 1000 signatures calling for the gag to be lifted has been sent to Queensland Premier Anna Bligh. It can be signed at: http://bit.ly/kUXAbt

Indigenous
Democracy
Australia

Comments

Anonymous replied on

When is the matter expected to come before the High Court?

Anonymous replied on

It's due to start on Monday 1st August as far as I know although as we all know dates sometimes change.

Anonymous replied on

the police,government and all involved will be shamed, even if it take 4 years. where are the supporters of free speech now? they must only support racist free speech. and these people claim to be civil and high in morals, well ations speak louder than words and they act like animals, sorry animals wouldnt act that disgusting, we can see who the devil is. This is a racist country

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