STATE WILL BACK INQUIRY ON DEATHS
13.08.1987

State will back open inquiry on custody deaths From TONY KOCH at Coen THE Queensland Government will co-operate in the royal commission into Aboriginal deaths in custody.
However, the Community Services Minister, Mr Katter, yesterday described it as ""a complete waste of time''.
The Federal Aboriginal Affairs Minister, Mr Hand, contacted Mr Katter late yesterday at Musgrave Station on Cape York, and arranged a meeting next week.
Mr Katter told Mr Hand the best course for the Federal Government was to implement the recommendations of the Powder-Law report.
Aboriginal leaders Mr Pearce Powder and Mr Eric Law investigated the seven deaths in Queensland jails since last November and released their findings two weeks ago.
They found that most of the deaths were alcohol related, and recommended structural changes to community jails.
Aboriginal and Islander leaders in far north Queensland yesterday unanimously welcomed the royal commission.
They claimed the only way it could succeed was with black community support for the ""white lawyers''.
The Edward River Aboriginal Council chairman, Mr Jackson Shortjoe, said the real solution to Aboriginal problems, including the suicides, was to allow complete self management.
He said there had been no suicides at Edward River because his community had appointed a full-time watchhouse keeper who stayed in the cell block at all times when a person was imprisoned.
The Bamaga community chairman, former Anglican priest Mr Jawaic Waiaka, said: ""Community people must assist the commission to see that the views of the Aboriginal people are listened to, and the cultures and traditions must be understood.''
Mr Daniel Ropeyarn, the Cowal Creek community chairman, said Aborigines and Islanders needed their own people represented.
""We could speak our own lingo with our own people there on the inquiry and questions would be answered,'' he said.
Despite Aboriginal community support, Mr Katter said the royal commission would be a waste of time, effort and money.
""It is an insult to people of Aboriginal descent because in Queensland the commission would be inquiring into the community councils and the Aboriginal police employed by those councils.
""Up here in Queensland we are giving ownership to the Aborigines of their own land _ private ownership under perpetual title.
""Those with the knowledge and understanding of these matters will tell you that what Aboriginal and Islander people need is management of their own affairs and unfettered private ownership rather than to be treated like objects of some anthropological study.''
There was speculation among Aboriginal people that Jesuit priest Fr Frank Brennan could be appointed to the commission.
Fr Brennan, a barrister, is the legal adviser to the Aboriginal Co-ordinating Council.
Most State governments yesterday supported the royal commission.
Mr Hand had received support from all States except Tasmania.