The Prime Minister's office has confirmed that John Howard is seeking
advice on a request for a federal royal commission into a death in
custody on Palm Island in north Queensland.
A coronial inquest into the death of Mulrunji Doomadgee last November
started on the island today.
However, more than 200 of the island's residents have already signed a
petition calling for a royal commission.
Opposition Indigenous affairs spokesman Senator Kim Carr says people on
the island have raised a number of issues, which warrant further
investigation.
"These are matters that do require very serious attention and it may
well be that further action is warranted," he said.
"But I think it's appropriate to wait for the inquest to conclude and
for the coroner to give his final report." |
