Aurukun crisis: Sly grog runners leave dry community awash with alcohol

SLY grog runners are becoming increasingly cunning as they seek new ways to traffic rivers of alcohol into Aurukun, and frustrated police admit there is only one thing that can stop them.

SLY grog runners are becoming increasingly cunning as they seek new ways to outsmart police and traffic alcohol into the vulnerable community of Aurukun.

Officers have uncovered bottles of spirits gaffer-taped together and hidden inside packets of nappies in recent weeks. They say that despite their best efforts, the only time the town is truly dry is during the wet when rain cuts the roads.

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Even then it arrives intermittently, with runners bringing it in by sea and by air.

“It’s really a black market, a very profitable black ­market,” Cape York patrol group police Inspector Paul James said.

“It’s very difficult legislation to enforce, really. We have some good relationships with the other hoteliers, particularly at Weipa … most of the grog (in Aurukun) does come from Weipa.

“But ultimately it’s very easy for people to drive from here up to Weipa and drive it back.”

In Aurukun, a bottle of spirits will fetch the same price as a box of wine – between $150 and $250, depending on the buyer.

Aurukun police set up a night-time road block on the only road into Aurukun in an action to apprehend sly groggers. Picture: Brian Cassey

Cannabis too fetches a higher price, with police estimating a fivefold increase.

Alcohol restrictions have been in place in Queensland indigenous communities since 2009 but that seems set to change soon, with applications made under a State Government review of alcohol management plans showing only Aurukun and the eastern Cape town of Wujal Wujal supporting a continuation.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk (inset) said yesterday a review of the school situation at Aurukun would be conducted by Education Minister Kate Jones.

“We are not going to rush this, we are going to get it right,” she said.

“We know how important it is to ensure that all children get a good, decent education in this state.

“However, we will ensure that education is being ­delivered on the ground by Tuesday.

“The Education Minister and representatives of her department will be meeting with reps from Cape York Partnerships this week to discuss the best way forward.”

Ms Palaszczuk said she would consider initiating programs to send troubled youths to work on the land.

“It is about connectivity between young people and their culture and their land,” she said. “And if it is something that is being driven by the community, then it is more than something as a government we would consider supporting.”