Minister praises compensation, apology plan

INDIGENOUS Affairs Minister Nigel Scullion said the State Government’s decision to compensate claimants on Palm Island and offer an apology was a “historic moment” and set a precedent for the treatment of aboriginal people.

“You can’t treat people differently in terms of a process if you are part of the Australian Government or Queensland Government or in fact local government,” he said. “Don’t treat people dif- ferently… If you’re found to treat groups of people differently, this will be the sort of penalty that will apply to the Queensland or other governments.” Mr Scullion said he did not believe people’s pain could be quantified by money.

“This has been a process that’s actually been looked quite specifically at, and a lot of energy and resources to actually look at the emotional detriment that was found in all of those people who are now being compensated,” he said.

State Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington said the settlement was still being worked on and reiterated the important role played by the police.

“Across Queensland each and every day our police officers men and women, really are working very hard to keep our community safe,” she said.

Kennedy MP Bob Katter said he was disgusted at the decision to spend $ 30 million of taxpayers’ money for compensation.

“The taxpayers are being punished for the … incompetence of the Government and that is sickening,” Mr Katter said.