The Kumarangk Legal Defence Fund has announced its formation, and the establishment of a new web site with information on the campaign to save Kumarangk (Hindmarsh Island), and its sites of significance to people of the Aboriginal Ngarrindjeri nation, and related legal cases.
Civil suits have been taken out against a number of people and organisations opposed to the building of the Hindmarsh Island bridge. The KLDF will help organise financial, moral and legal support for the people and organisations who are being sued in connection with the campaign.
South Australian defamation actions have been brought by Tom, Wendy and/or Andrew Chapman against alleged opponents of the Hindmarsh Island bridge:
vs Dean Whittaker (District Court Action No. 310 of 1997);
vs Margaret Allen (Green Left Weekly) and Neale Draper (District Court Action No. 533);
vs John Coulter, Australian Democrats (SA) (District Court Action No. 1333/1997);
vs Conservation Council of SA Inc., Friends of Goolwa Kumarangk Inc., Kumarangk Coalition, Gregory Lundstrom, and Chris Lundstrom (District Court Action No. 1366/1997); and
vs Conservation Council of SA Inc., Margaret Bolster, David Shearman, Richard Owen (Supreme Court Action 81/1998)
Many of the cases are about alleged defamations where the defendants criticised planning processes related to the bridge, which the developers of Marina Goolwa claim inferred a defamation of them. One case began after a "letter to the editor" of a local newspaper commenting on consultation with Aboriginal people. Another is against former Democrats Senator John Coulter after he demanded an investigation into allegations of police irregularity at an anti-bridge protest.
Some media organisations are being sued over their reporting of comments made in interviews with Ngarrindjeri women, or as a result of their reporting of other issues related to the bridge controversy.
In the Hindmarsh Island cases, the defendants claim that their statements were justified, but fighting legal cases is expensive and time consuming.
Unfortunately, legal aid is not available for civil cases. The KLDF is asking for financial assistance for legal research, court and legal fees. The fund is providing support only for those individuals and community organisations who oppose the building of the bridge (not commercial media organisations which are also being sued). It welcomes donations from those undecided or who are in favour of the bridge, but who are concerned about civil liberties.
Donations to support the defence of these cases can be sent to the Kumarangk Legal Defence Fund Inc., PO Box 3168, Rundle Mall SA 5000. Cheques should be made payable to the "Kumarangk Legal Defence Fund". For more information on the cases, visit the web site <http://www.denarius.demon.co.uk/> or e-mail <thekldf@yahoo.com>.