Media barred from gang rape case
22.05.2008

MOUNT Isa magistrate Howard Osborne yesterday excluded all media from the court where eight Mornington Island men and youths faced charges of gang- raping and seriously assaulting a woman.
The three-day committal hearing began yesterday in the Children's Court, even though two of the accused are adult men.
Journalists were told that because six of the accused were juveniles aged between 13 and 17, all evidence would be heard in a closed court.
Police escorted reporters from the courtroom.
Under the Queensland Children's Court Act, all people without a direct interest in a matter are excluded from any Children's Court, but Section q20 2(c) provides that a magistrate may allow media to attend if they make an application -- usually on the grounds of public interest.
The alleged victim is a 22-year-old woman.
Police and Mornington Island residents have compared the alleged rape to that which occurred in nearby Aurukun Aboriginal community, where nine youthsand men faced charges of raping a 10-year-old girl.
In the Mornington Island case, the allegation is that severe violence was used on the victim.
A welfare officer from the Mount Isa region said suppression of information about violent sex attacks on indigenous communities was common in Queensland and was a reason for the conduct continuing.
``In the Aurukun case, no announcement was made by any government person in authority about the rape charges, the court case or the subsequent sentences they received,'' she said.
``It was only when local women elders let their disquiet be known to The Australian that the matter was revealed.
``Even people on the community did not know about it, and what sort of message does that give to perpetrators?
``And now we appear to have a similar situation developing in Mount Isa.
``What protection is our justice system giving to Aboriginal women and girls?''
The eight accused who appeared in court yesterday face a total of 34 offences including rape, deprivation of liberty, assault with intent to rape, sexual assault while armed and in company, and obstructing police.
Police confirmed that the complainant was a 22-year-old Mornington Island woman who had serious external and internal injuries as a result of the alleged gang rape and physical assault.
It is alleged the assault occurred on February 28 on Lardil Street in Mornington Island Aboriginal community in the Gulf of Carpentaria.
Those charged are aged between 13 and 20.
The Australian understands the alleged attack on the woman occurred in little more than an hour. She was allegedly bashed and raped with objects such as sticks.
The Mornington Island community is beset with child abuse and neglect, domestic violence and violence against women.
Alcoholism has been identified as a serious issue in the island community of about 1000 people.
Over the past three years, the Queensland Government and the local council have fought over alcohol restrictions and the forced closure of the canteen.
Special legislation was introduced in the Queensland parliament last year banning the sale of home-brew kits after locals, defiant at having access to the liquor canteen curtailed, began making their own alcoholic beverages.
At any one time, more than 40 children are in care on the mainland because of the neglect and abuse they receive on the island from parents who are unable or unwilling to look after them as a result of their alcohol addiction.
Mr Osborne was appointed as a magistrate in August 2006 after a career in Legal Aid Queensland and as an occasional lecturer at Cairns TAFE college.