Call for convictions following coroner’s report into Palm island death
Around 300 protesters marched on the Queensland Parliament today, demanding the immediate sacking of the policeman accused of fatally injuring Palm Island man Mulrunji Doomadgee. The report handed down last week by Queensland coroner Christine Clements found that Senior Sergeant Chris Hurley had punched Mulrunji several times whilst he was detained in police custody, and that the man subsequently died of his injuries. Hurley has been suspended from duty on full pay however the Director of Public Prosecutions is yet to recommend the commencement of any criminal charges against the sergeant. Two years on from the death of Mulrunji , the indigenous community remains concerned that the culture that lead to his death in custody has not been addressed. Freelance journalist and former Wire reporter Kerry Klimm spoke to the Wire from the protest along with the cousin of the deceased man, Alec Doomadgee.