Lex Wotton has been portrayed by the Queensland police, government and mainstream media as the ringleader of the so-called riot that occurred on Palm Island on November 26, 2004. A police station and residence were destroyed after a police report on the death of community member Mulrunji Doomadgee that concluded that his death was an accident was read at a public meeting. Wotton will face court in April 2008. He continues to be vilified in the media. He spoke to Green Left Weeklys Hamish Chitts.
Hamish Chitts
On October 5, 350 union members and their supporters marched through Fortitude Valley to rally at a park in the north Brisbane suburb of New Farm to protest the refusal of Fosters Yatala brewery to negotiate with unions over the latest pay agreement.
Around 30 workers and supporters rallied outside Fosters Queensland marketing headquarters in Fortitude Valley on August 9. Fosters is still refusing to accept a union-backed collective agreement despite it being the choice of the majority of workers at the Yatala Brewery.
Justice for the Innocent: A Benefit Gig for the Doomadgee Family of Palm Island
The Arena, Fortitude Valley, Brisbane, August 11
Tickets $42 + booking fee available from music shops and <http://www.oztix.com.au>
<http://www.myspace.com/justicefortheinnocent07>
The Arena, Fortitude Valley, Brisbane, August 11
Tickets $42 + booking fee available from music shops and <http://www.oztix.com.au>
<http://www.myspace.com/justicefortheinnocent07>
On June 1, around 150 people, including elders, family members, Noonuccal people of North Stradbroke Island and supporters of Aboriginal rights, gathered at Queensland University of Technology to pay tribute to Oodgeroo Noonuccal. This warrior womans life as poet, political activist, artist and educator was honoured with the inaugural public lecture and awarding of scholarships in her name.
In a Brisbane court on May 25, Palm Island resident Lex Wotton was allowed to withdraw his guilty plea in relation to riot charges, after Judge Phil Nase found that Wotton had been asked to plead illegally.
On April 2 the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation and Oxfam Australia published Close the Gap, a report highlighting the shameful state of Indigenous health in Australia. The report ranked Australia as the worst at improving the health of indigenous people compared with other wealthy nations.
Scenes of joy and relief erupted outside the Brisbane courts complex on March 21 after a Supreme Court jury cleared four Palm Islanders of charges of rioting causing destruction.
The Mack
Written by Sam Watson
Directed by Ian Brown
Judith Wright Centre for the Performing Arts, Brisbane
Until March 31
For tickets & information phone (07) 3872 9000
Written by Sam Watson
Directed by Ian Brown
Judith Wright Centre for the Performing Arts, Brisbane
Until March 31
For tickets & information phone (07) 3872 9000
On March 2, the day that Guantanamo Bay prisoner David Hicks was finally charged, activists in Geelong led a shackled and hooded figure through the city streets chanting “Free David Hicks!”
One-hundred people gathered at Brisbanes Riverside Centre on January 27 to discuss Indigenous self-determination and the United Nations draft Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which is expected to be ratified this year.