$1.25 Thursday 22 March 2012 Issue 100 Local councils call for independent AMP review Controversial Alcohol Management Plans affecting Indigenous communities should be reviewed so an independent judgement can be made on their effectiveness, says the Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ). LGAQ President Cr Paul have been increased rates of know the extent of any issues, Bell said member councils homelessness.’’ as well as what will work and across Queensland had Palm Island Aboriginal Council what won’t work to fix any called for a review last year, Mayor and LGAQ Policy problems,’’ he said. citing increased evidence Executive member Alf Lacey “Imposing AMPs from outside of unintended social and said Aboriginal and Torres is not the solution.’’ economic consequences arising Strait Island councils stood “Let’s work together and fix out of the alcohol restrictions. ready to work in a genuine an issue that has been seen “These restrictions are more partnership with whichever too much as a political football than a decade old and an party formed government, and not enough as a problem independent call has to be to address alcohol abuse that stands in the way of made on whether the benefits problems besetting their sustainable improvements for outweigh the problems they communities. Aboriginal communities.” have caused,’’ he said. Cr Bell said Indigenous Palm Island Voice has asked the “We know that since the councillors lived in the question and has material on AMPs have been introduced, community, saw first hand AMPs from all local candidates incarceration rates for young the problems caused by standing in the State election people have increased in some alcohol and dealt daily with its except Jenny Stirling (Greens) communities, people have consequences. & Michael Punshon (Family First been dislocated and there “They are ideally positioned to Party). See page 2 for more... Palm Island Footy Carnival PICS INSIDE SHEER EFFORT shows on their faces (right) of Barracudas Malcolm Larry, Shae Palmer, Josh Landers, Billo Wotton & Owen Marpoondin. Descendants, above, were narrow victors on the day. See pp 6-7... AMPs – what they say... Sitting Member Mandy Johnstone LNP candidate Member for Townsville Mandy John Hathaway Johnstone has condemned the LNP candidate for Townsville for not LNP candidate for the seat of sticking up for women and children Townsville, John Hathaway, believes Katter’s Australian Party in Indigenous communities. Alcohol Management Plans (AMPs) candidate Ray Grigg Ms Johnstone said the LNP candidate are just one method to deal with one had revealed his true colours of the symptoms of disadvantage Alcohol management plans by back flipping on comments in a number of Indigenous have been in place in 19 remote he made during an ABC radio communities. Aboriginal communities now for interview in January when he said “They are not a long-term solution almost 10 years. Campbell Newman and the LNP to that disadvantage, which These plans were developed by would undertake a ‘very detailed ultimately requires breaking the community justice groups and were review of the AMPs and engage the cycle of welfare that traps too many originally put in place in response stakeholders.’* Aboriginal Queenslanders,” he said. to the high level of alcohol fuelled “If this is the LNP’s idea of a ‘very “For that reason, AMPs are a short- violence towards women and detailed review’ then I would hate term band-aid solution at best.” children. to think what they would be like in Mr Hathaway said he was There has been discussion recently government,” Ms Johnstone said. disappointed that the Labor Party for the removal of some or all of “Campbell Newman’s off-the- had chosen to use this serious issue these restrictions to be removed to cuff policy to abandon alcohol as a political football for election bring into line these communities management plans is reckless and purposes. with the rest of Queensland. puts at risk the safety of women “I intend to work with Aboriginal Before any changes are made to and children in our indigenous people in my electorate to deal with the management plans there needs communities. the real issue which is providing jobs to be a review of the success or “It is not a human right to be able and economic opportunity,” he said. otherwise of these management to drink alcohol. However it is a “We all know that AMPs are not plans with extensive input from human right for women, children perfect, but I believe they are elders, community leaders, women, and elders to feel safe in their own necessary in the short term. and other stake holders. communities. “We need to continue to monitor A review of the effectiveness of “The electorate of Townsville takes the AMPs to ensure we don’t just the management plans need to be in Palm Island which has in place shift the problems elsewhere or examined ie: an Alcohol Management plan, and ignore the core issue of breaking the • Has there been an increase in the LNP candidate needs to come welfare trap,” he said. school attendances? clean and say whether he supports Mr Hathaway said the LNP, if elected • Has there been a reduction in Campbell Newman’s rash policy on March 24, would move quickly to assaults against women and decision.” review the effectiveness of the policy children? Ms Johnstone said alcohol in consultation with indigenous • Has there been a reduction in management plans had been put in Queenslanders. criminal activity? place in these communities because “The LNP believes indigenous voters Katter’s Australian Party would of unacceptably high levels of harm, should have every opportunity to encourage communities under and exit strategy plans were in place enjoy the same rights, opportunities alcohol management plans to based on a range of conditions. and obligations as other work together to have greater self * ABC North Queensland, 31 January Queenslanders,” he said. determination on issues such as this 2012 2 that affect their communities. Winners are swimmers, with more rewards to come Bwgcolman Community School students were recently rewarded for their hard work, great attendance and appropriate behaviour with boat rides around the Island. The School’s newsletter congratulated the The school has appealed to parents and the students who qualified from years 1-10, who got community to continue to encourage their kids to spend a day swimming and socialising at one of to attend school after overall attendance rates the many beautiful swimming areas around Palm. fell slightly in early March. More than 100 students have enjoyed this reward Pictured above & below are students on a recent to date and these trips will continue throughout rewards trip as well as the latest crop of Start and the year, so there will be more! Bronze Card holders, and Students of the Week. Here is the list of players who have been nominated for the Palm Island Legends of League team in 2012: Vern Daisy Billy Barnes Greg Santo (dec) Obe Geia jnr Jacob Baira Alec Santo Josh Geia Sam Conway jnr Ron Geia John Baira (dec) Kenny Watson Russell Parker Lennie Malone Eddie Cooktown (dec) Gary Doolan Tony Camenzuli Phillip Bengaroo Vernon Noble Pat Walsh (dec) Raymond Burns Vince Thimble Steve Walsh (dec) Wayne Chookie Jason Thimble Algon Walsh Roy Baira snr Tabua Oui Hector Poynter (dec) Bill Blackley David Baira Roy Nallajar Ezra Langlo David Geia Harry ‘Bomber’ Johnson Ronny Hero Sam Conway jnr (dec) (dec) Raynard Baira Cooper Kerr snr (dec) Cedric Harvey Ray Georgetown Peter Cannon (dec) Too many for one team? What would your line-up be if you had to choose one team?!! Best forward? Best back? Captain? If you’re game enough to choose we’d love to hear from you! MEANWHILE Vince Thimble said he has hundreds of old Barracudas pics and has agreed to allow the Palm Island Voice to publish some in coming editions - watch this space for more!!! 3 4 Dennis names Palm’s biggest and best TO coincide with the 100th edition of the Palm Island Voice we asked Palm Island’s Ray Dennis to name the best boxers he has trained since arriving here in 1999. Mr Dennis has and also Charlie Gibson trained 41 Australian who had a lot of speed League champions, and ability,” he said. 60 Queensland State “Craig Desatge was champions and 86 very unlucky not to Queensland Golden win an Australian Gloves champions. Title in 2001 and He started with Ted performed well at Nona, Thomas Bonner many tournaments. and Ingai Geia (all “Assan Sam could have Australian Title winner been a top boxer if he in 1999). had kept training. “Eleven Palm boxers “Assan fought Mark took part in the State Flanagan, now a top of Origin tournament professional, three held in Mackay that times and won once.” year,” he said. Assan Sam defeated “Of the 33 bouts our defeated now quality world ranked Will Tomlinson, who boxers won 10. professional boxer Fred Mundraby has just won a World Title, at “Robert Haines defeated a NSW on four occasions. Gordonvale, opponent and was judged best Pita also defeated Tom Clarke “David Clarke almost beat Fred senior and Ted Nona best junior. three times and Clarke is now an Mundraby and was unlucky to lose “Ingai Geia was the only Palm Australian professional champion. the Australian Title at Tasmania in boxer defeated but by the end of Clinton Palmer and Alec Dennis 2006,” he said. the year won the Australian Title.” both won Australian Titles twice. “Noby Clay was the best female Mr Dennis said that Telstan Sibley Luke Lenoy started boxing as boxer and she always gave away and Robert Johnson were unlucky a 10-year-old and won three weight and won an Australian to lose at National Titles held at Australian Titles and was judged Titles in 2009, Patrick Clarke and Dandenong in Victoria.