Mission & Justice

Padraic Murphy; 18/9/08

The Queensland Government is facing a large compensation payout after an Aboriginal man was left in jail for four months longer than he was sentenced because authorities miscalculated his release date. Queensland Police Minister Judy Spence described the extended detention of Aurukun man Jerry Ngakyunkwokka as a dreadful and regrettable mistake. Mr Ngakyunkwokka was released last week after authorities realised their error. “We can only apologise and offer him the compensation he is entitled to,” Ms Spence said.

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Russell Skelton; 23/6/08

Indigenous Affairs Minister Jenny Macklin has offered to spend $50 million on a clean-up of Alice Springs’ town camps, home to some of the worst incidents of domestic violence and alcohol-related crime in the Northern Territory. Ms Macklin said she had offered the Tangentyere Council, the indigenous body overseeing the camps, an immediate injection of $5.3 million, provided the council relinquished control over housing and other essential services. “The situation is shocking. We need to act urgently to house people properly so children can go to school and lead decent, fulfilling lives like all other Australian children,” she told The Age yesterday. Ms Macklin said the Government wanted to overhaul camp infrastructure, including roads and housing. “We are offering $50 million on condition we get to secure tenure over the sites,” she said. “Most of the money will go to housing. We require a minimum sub-lease of 40 years — that is the bottom line, won’t accept anything less.”

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