Aboriginal Law Bulletin --- "Riot? Brewarrina and Geraldton" [1988] AboriginalLawB 42; (1988) 1(33) Aboriginal Law Bulletin 15

• Riot?
• Brewarrina
• Geraldton

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Riot?

Brewarrina

Lloyd James Boney 28, was found hanging in a police cell on August 6,1987.

Lloyd Boney's death -one of 23 deaths in 1987- precipitated the announcement of the Muirhead Royal Commission into Aboriginal deaths in custody.

On 15 August 1987 a gathering of mourners in Memorial Park, Brewarrina were confronted by local police and conflict ensued. The Brewarrina hotel was damaged and 4 policemen and a number of Aborigines were injured.

For a couple of days preceding this event peaceful gatherings for the purpose of mourning had taken place in the park.

There is record of an arrangement made a day prior to the gathering between at least two Aborigines and two members of the Police Aboriginal Liaison Unit in Brewarrina to allow Aborigines to gather in peace without police interference.

Nevertheless police anticipated confrontation with mourners on this day. The Brewarrina Police Station Running Sheet entry of 14 August 1987, headed "Anticipated Trouble with Aboriginals" reads "Rumours have been circulating throughout Brewarrina and Bourke amongst the Aboriginals suggesting they have a quantity of fire bombs prepared to carry out an attack in Brewarrina and that they are going to hang a police officer."

In committal proceedings which began at the end of July 1988 a number of civilian witnesses have given evidence. The civilian evidence confirms that the gathering on August 15 of approximately 80 people, including men, women and children, had been noisy but peaceful. With the arrival of police dressed in riot gear at about 10 o'clock, the police anticipation of conflict was realised.

Mr Kevin Martin, the licensee of the Brewarrina Hotel, admitted having contacted the police three days before the riot because he was worried about trouble.

Mr Bill Purves, Counsel for Sonny Bates, charged with conspiring to murder a police constable, suggested there had been 2 shotguns and 5 or 6 rifles on the verandah at least an hour before the riot began. It has been established there were 2 shotguns: One on the verandah owned by the licensee's father Mr Thomas Martin and one inside the hotel owned by the licensee's brother, Mr Geoffrey Martin.

Detective Inspector Peter had found no evidence to support allegations that the media had bought drinks for Aborigines and given them money. Mr Bill Purves said there would be allegations of an ABC reporter supplying a case of alcohol.

Mr Kevin Coorey, Counsel for Mr Arthur Murray, also charged with conspiracy to murder a police officer, questioned why statements had been taken from 14 police officers and only one Aborigine.

All 16 defendants are charged with the common law offence of riotous assembly. The charge of riotous assembly has been used against a number of Aborigines in the Bourke region within the past 18 months.

The committal proceedings are still in progress.

Geraldton

Following the funeral of Edward Charles Cameron conflict occurred between police and Aboriginal mourners - also widely reported as an Aboriginal "riot". Cameron, 23, was found hanged in Geraldton lockup on 8 July 1988.

West Australian premier, Mr Peter Dowding, blamed the so-called riot on "professional agitators".

Aborigines had presented the WA Government with a series of demands over black deaths in custody. The rejection of this list of demands fueled the anger of the mourners.

In regard to the concern over Aboriginal deaths in custody Mr Dowding stated that he had increased the numbers in the police force and was improving the police force.