Townsville Greens The Greens Listen

Elders from Palm Island say the way the Queensland government is treating them and their issues reminds them of the way they were treated by the superintendent who ruled their lives with an iron fist under the Aboriginal and opium act drawn up at the beginning of the last century.

Bethel Smallwood still remembers the day she cut her forehead badly and was forbidden by a policeman to go by the quickest route to the hospital, down Mango Lane, because of apartheid laws.

In a similar way, in 2008, Palm Island children seeking refuge from neglect and abuse were stopped from going to "Safe Haven": a refuge for children set up by the women at Kootana, "because of bureaucratic laws that overrode the good sense and compassion of local women looking after children in trouble," said Delina Oui Foster, Independent candidate for the state seat of Townsville and former Mayor of Palm Island.

Another former mayor of Palm Island, Erykah Kyle, believes her people drink to deaden the pain of the past- a practice which has resulted in alcohol abuse. "I can remember a time when any amount of cans of beer bought was opened all at once by the publican - meaning that we had to drink it quickly otherwise it would have been gone flat and been wasted. No-one talks about this practice and how it has contributed to the way we are today."

The practices of the past continue today with government policies such as the alcohol management programme which the Elder's believe undermines Palm Islanders' basic human rights to self determination. "These laws make criminals of law abiding people, expose them to exploitation by sly groggers and once again generate that feeling that Palm Islanders don't have the same rights as people on the mainland," said Ms Kyle.

Elders also believe that people from Palm who are sent to jail for minor offenses, such as non-payment of fines, should be allowed to serve their time on the island. That way, it is argued, the prisoners would feel less alienation and dispair with their families being able to visit more often and they would be able to contribute to much needed community service projects. At present, it is estimated that Palm Islanders make up almost ½ of the total population of Stuart Ck Correctional Centre- many because of minor offenses. Eyrkah Kyle says, "We believe there is one law for white people and one law for black people."

In discussions with Jenny Stirling, Greens candidate for Townsville, Delina Oui Foster and the women from Kootana, it emerged that their concerns are for the future of the children: their well-being and education: "But how can there be a good future if our children feel as we did: that they are living under the Act, said Bethel Smallwood? How indeed? asks Jenny Stirling.

For further details please contact: Jenny Stirling  0417012311

Elders from Palm Island say the way the Queensland government is treating them and their issues reminds them of the way they were treated by the superintendent who ruled their lives with an iron fist under the Aboriginal and opium act drawn up at the beginning of the last century.

Bethel Smallwood still remembers the day she cut her forehead badly and was forbidden by a policeman to go by the quickest route to the hospital, down Mango Lane, because of apartheid laws.

In a similar way, in 2008, Palm Island children seeking refuge from neglect and abuse were stopped from going to “Safe Haven”: a refuge for children set up by the women at Kootana, “because of bureaucratic laws that overrode the good sense and compassion of local women looking after children in trouble,” said Delina Oui Foster, Independent candidate for the state seat of Townsville and former Mayor of Palm Island.

Another former mayor of Palm Island, Erykah Kyle, believes her people drink to deaden the pain of the past- a practice which has resulted in alcohol abuse. “I can remember a time when any amount of cans of beer bought was opened all at once by the publican – meaning that we had to drink it quickly otherwise it would have been gone flat and been wasted. No-one talks about this practice and how it has contributed to the way we are today.”

The practices of the past continue today with government policies such as the alcohol management programme which the Elder’s believe undermines Palm Islanders’ basic human rights to self determination. “These laws make criminals of law abiding people, expose them to exploitation by sly groggers and once again generate that feeling that Palm Islanders don’t have the same rights as people on the mainland,” said Ms Kyle.

Elders also believe that people from Palm who are sent to jail for minor offenses, such as non-payment of fines, should be allowed to serve their time on the island. That way, it is argued, the prisoners would feel less alienation and dispair with their families being able to visit more often and they would be able to contribute to much needed community service projects. At present, it is estimated that Palm Islanders make up almost ½ of the total population of Stuart Ck Correctional Centre- many because of minor offenses. Eyrkah Kyle says, “We believe there is one law for white people and one law for black people.”

In discussions with Jenny Stirling, Greens candidate for Townsville, Delina Oui Foster and the women from Kootana, it emerged that their concerns are for the future of the children: their well-being and education: “But how can there be a good future if our children feel as we did: that they are living under the Act, said Bethel Smallwood? How indeed? asks Jenny Stirling.

For further details please contact: Jenny Stirling  0417012311