PALM ISLAND - FROM DEATH IN CUSTODY RIOTS TO $30 MILLION PAYOUT
2004
- Cameron Doomadgee, 36, dies in custody at Palm Island police station after being arrested for being drunk and causing a nuisance.
- A riot erupts during which the police station and the house of Sen Sgt Chris Hurley, who would later be found responsible for Doomadgee's fatal injuries, are set alight. Resident Lex Wotton takes microphone and vows "things gunna burn". A state of emergency is declared.
2006
- Director of Public Prosecutions Leanne Clare determines Sen Sgt Hurley has no case to answer and the death was a tragic accident.
2007
- A review finds there is enough evidence to prosecute Sen Sgt Hurley, who is suspended. He faces Supreme Court charged with manslaughter and assault but is acquitted by a jury.
- Doomadgee's widow Tracey Twaddle and his five sisters launch a $900,000 civil lawsuit against Sen Sgt Hurley and Queensland police.
2008
- Wotton faces court on rioting charges before being found guilty and sentenced to six years jail.
2010
- Wotton is released on parole after serving 20 months. He is released on condition he not talk to media or attend public meetings while on parole.
2015
- Wotton brings a class action on behalf of Palm Islanders to determine whether Queensland police actions were racially discriminatory after Doomadgee's death. The class action alleged their actions after the death wouldn't have happened in a community that wasn't predominantly Aboriginal.
2016
- Justice Debbie Mortimer rules Queensland police breached the racial discrimination act during their response to the death.
2017
- Attorney-General Yvette D'Ath instructs the Director of Public Prosecutions to lodge an appeal on behalf of Queensland police.
- The Queensland government pays $220,000 in damages to Wotton and two of his relations despite the appeal.
- The government decides not to go ahead with its appeal.
2018
- The state government reaches a $30 million settlement scheme with the 447 claimants and will apologise to Palm Island community.
