Qld: Mayor puts welcome mat out for Beattie

AAP General News (Australia)
12-17-2006
Qld: Mayor puts welcome mat out for Beattie

By Dave Donaghy

PALM ISLAND, Qld, Dec 17 AAP - The new mayor of Palm Island has urged Queensland Premier
Peter Beattie to visit and help ease tensions over the decision not to charge the police
officer involved in a death in custody.

Delena Foster wants the premier to visit this week and explain the decision by Queensland
Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Leanne Clare not to charge Senior Sergeant Chris
Hurley over the death of Mulrunji Doomadgee.

Sgt Hurley had been found by the state coroner to have inflicted fatal blows that killed
36-year-old Mulrunji at the island's police station in 2004.

Earlier today Mr Beattie said he would seek an explanation from the state's Solicitor-General
Walter Sofronoff QC for a report explaining how two very different verdicts could be made.

The report, which would only explain the legal process involved in handing out conflicting
verdicts and not condone one or the other, would first be presented to the Palm Island
people - possibly this week - before being released publicly, Mr Beattie said.

Ms Foster, who was elected mayor yesterday, said she would meet with Mr Beattie this
week but remained hopeful he would visit the island off north Queensland.

"I think it would be good if he did come (to Palm Island)," she said.

"It would show the government cared about Palm Island and wanted to hear the concerns
of residents.

"Too long there's been no one to listen. That's why we get frustrated."

Ms Foster said she would continue to ask for calm among residents angry over the DPP's decision.

A peaceful protest was held yesterday, during which alleged riot ringleader Lex Wotton
shook hands with the island's chief police officer, Senior Sergeant Paul James.

Preparations began today for another protest rally that is expected to be staged in
the island's centre square on Tuesday or Wednesday.

Ms Foster said today she had no problem working with the premier despite previously
being head of a council sacked by the state government in 2003.

Mr Beattie said he was confident of working toward a bright future for Palm Island
with Ms Foster.

"I just say to the mayor, what's gone is gone," he said in Brisbane.

"We can't change yesterday. We've got to move on.

"We need leadership on that island to work with us and the federal government to improve
their lives.

"I say to the mayor we are going to turn the page. I have offered my hand of friendship
and offer a new start."

Ms Foster - a campaigner against domestic violence - was returned to office by residents
after polling 152 votes to Acting Mayor Zac Sam's 128 votes.

About 600 of the island's 1,026 registered voters went to the polls yesterday.

Ms Foster said she would tackle the major problems of housing, unemployment and land
with great vigour.

AAP dd/lc/arb/nf

KEYWORD: MULRUNJI ELECTION NIGHTLEAD

2006 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.