Cape Leaders welcome Fitzgerald Review of Aboriginal Community Justice

Cape York Partnerships 20/12/01

Today Aboriginal leaders from around the Cape York Peninsula have come out in support of the Premiers' announcement of a Review into Community Justice Practices on Cape York, to be lead by Justice Tony Fitzgerald.

Premier Peter Beattie has announced that the review will also investigate the causes of crime including alcohol and substance abuse.

I welcome the Premiers announcement of the review into Community Justice Practices in Cape York, especially the emphasis on community-based responses to wide spread Alcohol and drug abuse.

You can't get away from the fact that it's the grog and the drugs that are central to nearly all our problems, making us powerless to deal with other issues. We have to get on top of the substance abuse problems.
Noel Pearson, Cape York Partnerships

I urge Justice Fitzgerald to consider the recommendations handed down in the Indigenous Women's Task Force Report. This report drafts a comprehensive view of the devastating violent situation in Indigenous communities in Queensland.

Alcohol and Drug abuse is a major contributing factor to the violence in our communities. This inquiry should also consider very thoughtfully the detrimental effects canteens and other money- making ventures have on life.
Daphne Naden, Coordinator, Family Violence Advocacy Project