This image of Cape Barren was taken in 2006, showing bushfires. Michael Mansell fears a human conflagration …
I am taking the extraordinary step of making public the chaos that exists on Cape Barren Island among its 60 or so Aboriginal residents.
For its size, Cape Barren is one of the most drug and alcohol fuelled and violent Aboriginal communities in the country.
It has had:
• a murder and a near murder;
• a serious assault when two men took to each other with a poker;
• two men have died on motor cycle crashes;
• 3 youths recently were flown to Launceston General Hospital with motorcycle injuries;
• On New Year’s Eve a young woman was dragged by the hair by a male in front of a crowd too fearful to help;
• The same night a woman’s house window was smashed;
• On another occasion a woman’s car windows were smashed when she left the island;
• Women are regularly bashed by men.
There is an atmosphere of intimidation that leads to women dropping charges when police do seek to prosecute domestic violence. Families are in daily dispute, often leading to violence.
Families are seeking revenge against other families. It has now spilled over to involve families outside Cape Barren.
I hate to admit it, but Cape Barren is completely lawless. It is an island of anarchy.
All that is required is the immediate stationing of a police officer on the island as a trial. That would calm the situation and give residents a feeling of relief. The police officer would have to work in with the local Cape Barren Council.
The second stage is to amend the Aboriginal Lands Act with a set of local bylaws dealing with social behaviour, including the power of removal from the island. A person should be paid by the State over the next year to enforce the bylaws. Preferably that person is Aboriginal. Then a review could take place.
I contacted David O’Byrne on January 2nd, the Police Commissioner Darren Hine on 7th January, Commander Richard Cowling and Inspector John King, and local police on Flinders Island. I was told there is no money, as if the cost of a single police officer for a few months outweighs people living in constant fear of assault, damage to property and intimidation.
Flinders Island has two full-time police officers for an island with nowhere near the serious lawless state of Cape Barren yet no police can be based on Cape Barren.
I contacted the Aboriginal Legal Service (TAC), Land Council (ALCT) and specialist counsellors without much, if any, interest. Nothing was done.
If nothing is done, there is a real chance someone will be killed on Cape Barren. Then they’ll all want to help.
Background
Ownership of Cape Barren was returned to Aboriginal people in 2005. The State gave financial aid for roadworks. The Commonwealth aided with houses and electricity generation for an increasing population. Paula Wriedt, then Minister for Education, established a high school on the island so children could stay with their families and not be separated.
