Jim McIlroy, Brisbane
He was the "minister for black-outs, now he's the minister for out-Blacks", Aboriginal leader Sam Watson told Green Left Weekly on March 4, describing the new Queensland minister for Aboriginal policy, John Mickel.
Mickel had just been appointed by Queensland Labor Premier Peter Beattie after the resignation of Liddy Clark from the portfolio, following criticism of her office by the Criminal Justice Commission.
At the same time, the inquest into the November death in custody of Mulrunji Doomadgee on Palm Island has been delayed by the withdrawal of coroner Michael Barnes. Mickel stepped down over a possible perception of bias in the case, due to his previous dealings with the main police officer involved in Doomadgee's death.
Watson said Aboriginal leaders were furious that they had not been consulted over the appointment of a new Aboriginal policy minister. North Queensland Aboriginal activist Murrandoo Yanner said he would personally kick Mickel out of the Gulf of Carpentaria if he ever dropped in for a visit.
"Peter Beattie is now reduced to formulating Aboriginal affairs policy on the run", Watson told GLW. "He had no business stepping into the Palm Island death in custody. It should have been left to the judicial officials responsible.
"Beattie just keeps repeating his mantra of 'alcohol management', in regard to solving the problems of the Aboriginal community. Queensland Aborigines now refer to him as 'Peter Bottle'.
"The Palm Island people are bleeding spiritually. Until true and effective justice is delivered, they will continue to bleed.
"Our people have 85% unemployment, appalling homelessness, our families need better access to education and health care. This is unacceptable!
"We need protection from racist police and courts. Across Australia, from Redfern, to Palm Island, to Macquarie Fields, entire communities now have no faith in the capacity of the criminal justice system to rein in police violence and harassment. Communities are defending themselves.
"Aboriginal people in Queensland are planning to run candidates against key members of the Beattie government in the next state elections in 2007", Watson concluded.
From Green Left Weekly, March 9, 2005.
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