What were the Palm Island riots?
When Palm Island residents won their legal fight against the Queensland police service over the infamous 2004 riots, they were awarded $30 million compensation money. A week earlier Mulrunji Doomadgee died in custody at Palm Island police station after being arrested for being drunk and causing a nuisance.
What happened on Palm Island?
Cameron Doomadgee, an Aboriginal Australian, was aged 36 when he died, at about 11:20am on Palm Island, one hour after being picked up for allegedly causing a public nuisance. This was the 147th death of an Aboriginal person in custody since the handing down of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody.
What happened Lex Wotton?
Approximately four years after the riot, Wotton was found guilty of inciting a riot and sentenced to seven years in prison. He later successfully sued the Queensland Police Service for unlawful racial discrimination.
What happened Cameron Doomadgee?
Aboriginal man Cameron ‘Mulrunji’ Doomadgee died in police custody on Palm Island in 2004. His memorial rock has been moved from the Palm Island police station to his sister’s front yard. The relocation has brought a sense of healing for the family.
Who owns Palm Island?
In 1999 the hotel was purchased by the current owners, James Lane, an Englishman, and Rob Barrett, an American. Extensive renovations followed to create forty-one luxurious rooms and suites, a sumptuous Spa and beautiful facilities for hotel guests.
Who killed Doomadgee?
He took time out with three months’ paid leave and upon return was appointed a Duty Officer on the Gold Coast. In September 2006, Coroner Christine Clements found Mulrunji died of the punches inflicted by Hurley.
Is the Palm sinking?
Hotels line the trunk of the palm tree, while villas and homes sit on the sixteen fronds of the island. Shutterstock In 2009, the New York Times reported that NASA satellites had found that the Palm Jumeirah island was sinking at a rate of 0.20 inches per year, a claim that Nakheel denies is true.
Is Palm Island safe to visit?
It’s the most dangerous place you could possibly visit, apart from a war zone. The 1999 edition the Guinness Book of World records controversially named Palm as the most violent place on earth, outside a combat zone. The title is denied by Palm Island Aboriginal shire council and the Queensland government.
What is the population of Palm Island?
2,455 people
In the 2016 Census, there were 2,455 people in Palm Island (State Suburbs). Of these 49.6% were male and 50.4% were female. Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people made up 93.8% of the population. The median age of people in Palm Island (State Suburbs) was 24 years.
What happened to Chris Hurley?
He suffered broken ribs, a ruptured spleen and his liver was so damaged it was almost split in two across his spine. In June 2007, Chris Hurley was acquitted by an all-white jury of the manslaughter of Cameron Doomadgee.
How much does it cost to live on Palm Island Dubai?
How much does it cost to live on Palm Island Dubai? If you are looking at a rental apartment in Palm Jumeirah, the prices start at AED 60,000 for a studio apartment. A 1-bedroom apartment will cost you anywhere from AED 70,000 to AED 195,000. The Palm Islands also have a selection of apartments and villas for sale.
Who is mulrunji?
On the morning of 19 November 2004, Mulrunji, then a 36 year old Aboriginal man and resident of Palm Island, was arrested after a confrontation with SS Hurley who was arresting another Aboriginal person, and died in custody approximately 44 minutes later from injuries he did not have prior to his arrest.
Who was the riot ringleader in Palm Island?
Now one officer, former detective Kathy Richardson, who charged the riot ringleader Lex Wotton 14 years ago, has gone back to Palm Island. Her intention: to see if Wotton will apologise for his role in the conflict that followed the death of Mulrunji Doomagee. When you arrive at the Island, it’s clear Doomagee’s death still hangs over it.
What was the cost of the Palm Island riots?
The damage bill was estimated at more than $4 million. Wotton quickly became the face of the riots, especially after being filmed telling a rally in the town square: “things gonna burn” and “let’s do something”. Detective Kathy Richardson, sent over to help keep the peace after Doomadgee’s death, had a feeling it was about to get ugly.
Why was police denied access to Palm Island?
Complaints were made that Aboriginal Legal Aid had been denied access to the Island. Queensland Police Union President Denis Fitzpatrick demanded the rioters be charged with attempted murder of 12 police. The police who had been stationed on the island indicated through the Union that they did not wish to return to Island duties.
Where did Cameron Doomadgee die in police custody?
Last Friday, residents of Palm Island, 65 kilometres north of Townsville in Queensland, stormed the island’s police station, barracks and courthouse after the death in police custody of Cameron Doomadgee, 36.
