(Transcript from SBS World News Radio)
Ten years ago, Aboriginal man Cameron Doomadgee died from massive internal injuries in the Palm Island police station in far north Queensland.
It led to the first trial in modern Australian history of a police officer for a death in custody, and he was acquitted.
A decade on, the family and the Palm Island community are still seeking justice.
Stefan Armbruster reports.
(Click on the audio tab above to hear the full report)
Palm Island, off the Townsville coast, looks like a tropical paradise.
But the former Aboriginal punishment mission for so-called "troublesome blacks" is haunted by a death in custody 10 years ago.
Cameron Doomagee was arrested by Sergeant Chris Hurley for allegedly being a public nuisance.
Within an hour he was dead in the island's police cells.
His sisters Jane and Valmae are still distraught.
"It's just not fair...he should be here with us." "We was all traumatised, shocked..all in shock."
The 36 year old suffered four broken ribs, his portal vein was ruptured and liver almost split in two.
Suspecting a police cover up, a week later when there was an inconclusive autopsy report, there was a riot on Palm.
The police station and barracks were burnt to the ground.
A state of emergency followed and police riot squad deployed.
Mayor Alf Lacey believes the eruption of anger could have been avoided.
"The responsibility needs to be put in the Government's lap, not the community's lap."
Lex Wotton served two years of a seven year sentence for rioting.
In news footage, he was seen wielding a shovel and yelling as he entered the police station yards, but is restrained by another community member.
"I'd still do what I did then, it was about making a statement you know ⦠and don't regret what ever happened, I don't regret it all."
Sgt Hurley became the first officer in recent Australian history to stand trial over a death in custody.
He was acquitted of manslaughter by a jury, at a trial in Townsville.
Palm Island mayor Alf Lacey sat in the court gallery daily during the trial.
"The judicial system in this country is not controlled by black Australia, it's controlled by white Australia. While it continues to be controlled by white Australia, the pendulum is also going to be on their side and not our side."
The final coroner's and the state anti-corruption agency reports into the case found police colluded to protect Sgt Hurley and their investigation tainted the evidence.
The coroner said because of that, he could not rule if Cameron Doomadgee's injuries were accidentally or deliberately inflicted.
Deaths in custody investigation and police disciplinary procedures were overhauled but the recommendation that seven officers be charged, was never implemented.
After $7 million spent prosecuting the case, some police received compensation and two Palm Islanders were jailed for rioting.
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait island legal service principle lawyer Greg Shadbolt says there are still many issues Cameron Doomadgee's death raised that need to be addressed.
"The top brass of the police, I think things have changed for the better, there's a lot of respect for the commissioner and deputy commissioner, but Palm Island specifically, things haven't improved sadly. Justice reinvestment is the key, government's need to address underlying cases, that will reduce offending rates, making for safer communities, and it's also cheaper. It's far cheaper to address offending behaviour than locking people up."
The Crime and Corruption Commission told SBS âit is working with the Queensland Police and the State Coroner to finalise a Memorandum Of Understanding to ensure transparency and independent oversight of investigations.â
The Queensland police minister was unavailable for comment.
The Police Union also declined to comment.
Lex Wotton is now leading a class action against Queensland on behalf of Palm Islanders.
The community IS moving on, but will not forget.
The Doomagee family still hope for justice - one day.
Professor Gracelyn Smallwood lives in Townsville and is a long time Aboriginal rights advocate.
"It's not about money, it' s about justice and letting the world know that the unresolved trauma is still there on Palm Island."
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