Teachers evacuated from Aurukun again amid fears for safety

UPDATE: Teachers have again been evacuated from Aurukun in far north Queensland, and are likely not to return for the rest of the term, after what police are calling a “targeted attack” overnight.

Aerial photo of Aurukun and surrounds, a remote aboriginal community 800 kilometres north west of Cairns on Cape York. Pic: Brendan Radke.

TEACHERS are once again being evacuated from Aurukun in far north Queensland.

It is understood the Education Department decided to evacuate the teachers following an attempted break-in last night, following weeks of unrest.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said they will not return for six weeks — missing the rest of this term.

It is believed children as young as six allegedly tried to steal a car and also threw rocks at houses and security guards at 3am, in the latest incident.

It will be the second time in two weeks teachers have left the troubled remote indigenous community in far north Queensland.

Police Commissioner Ian Stewart said the latest incidents overnight occurred near where the teachers were staying and appeared to be targeted attacks.

“There were at least two, probably three incidents that caused some concerns,” Mr Stewart said.

“And they revolved around a group of young people trying to steal a motor vehicle and throwing rocks at security guards and throwing rocks at buildings.”

Charges were yet to be laid, he said.

Mr Stewart said principal Scott Fatnowna’s house was either targeted or was nearby.

“It is my clear understanding that the teachers fear for their personal safety and it is that reason why they have decided finally to come out on this occasion and my understanding is they are likely to stay out for several weeks,” he said.

Teachers had been ordered out of Aurukun two weeks ago when the school was temporarily closed for five school days after Mr Fatnowna was carjacked by three teenage boys and assaulted with the blunt end of an axe.

Five teachers chose not to return to work before Mr Fatnowna was again carjacked last weekend — allegedly by two of the same boys.

Ms Palaszczuk today told the House the children affected would be looked after at the local PCYC, with work under way on providing an education program.

A decision made on when teachers may return will likely to be made closer to the start of the next school term in July.

“On Monday this week, my Director-General and other senior government officers met with leaders and community groups in Aurukun to discuss how best to bring about lasting calm to the community,” Ms Palaszczuk told the House.

“There has been further unrest overnight and following this our teachers have again expressed concerns about their safety.

“The incidents overnight were on top of several difficult weeks, during which there have been several alleged offences committed against them.

“Today we have made the serious decision to withdraw the teachers until the end of this school term.

“This will be effective immediately.

“Consideration of when the teachers will return to the community will be made closer to the start of the new school term in July.

“This will be subject to assessment of the situation in the community at that time.

School staff are being relocated out of Aurukun and into Cairns from today, and will return to their own homes from there.

Work is under way on education programs at the PCYC at Aurukun.

“We want these children to have the opportunity to access education at this time, and I will be working with my Minister for Education to make arrangements for distance education to be provided from Cairns,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“We will continue to work with the community to engage children and young people through school and employment pathways.

“The Police will ensure that the PCYC is open, fully staffed and safe for Aurukun’s children to attend.

“We have an enhanced police and security presence in Aurukun, including 17 police officers, and other four additional officers to be deployed in coming days.”

She said a joint action plan was being put together regarding the area.

“Following Monday’s meetings between senior government officers and the community, and given the continued unrest, I am expediting a joint action plan — a co-ordinated government approach to ensure community safety,” she said.

“As part of the action plan, a new position of Senior Government Coordinator is being established.

“This role will co-ordinate collaborative government and community efforts in addressing the problems of disengaged young people, violence and unemployment in Aurukun.

“Senior Sergeant Brendon McMahon has been appointed to this new role of Senior Government Coordinator for six months.

“Senior Sergeant McMahon has extensive experience working with the Aurukun community as the Officer-in-Charge and has been responsible for establishing and co-ordinating multi-agency responses during major events, natural disasters and very serious community unrest.

“This new role will have a whole of government focus, will report directly to the Director-General of the Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships and will support the mayor in his crucial role as community leader.”

EARLIER

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has called an urgent meeting with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Minister Curtis Pitt, Education Minister Kate Jones, Local Government Minister Jackie Trad and directors-generals to discuss the situation.

“It’s very important that we address immediately today the issues that are happening in Aurukun,” Ms Palasczuk said.

“I have been advised that the teachers are feeling unsafe so we are going to get the teachers out.

“I want all of my ministers focused on this.”

Police Commissioner Ian Stewart said there had been three incidents overnight involving juveniles, including an attempt to steal a car.

The juveniles also threw rocks at a security guard and at a building.

“We have reinforced our people up there to try and make sure we have a 24/7 presence and that is occurring today. That has been occurring for the last week and a half,” Mr Stewart said.

“What I know was that overnight there were a number of incidences involving. Young people in the street and children as young as six who are about and about. Not at 8pm of 9pm. This is 3 o’clock in the morning.

“Some of those incidents were close to where the teachers were staying. There were at least two, probably three incidents that caused some concerns. They revolved around a group of young people trying to steal a motor vehicle and throwing rocks at security guards and also throwing rocks at buildings.

“I believe that the principal’s residence was either targeted or near by on one of the incidents.

“It is my clear understanding that the teachers fear for their personal safety and it is that reason why they have decided finally to come out on this occasion and my understanding is they are likely to stay out for several weeks

“I am very much supportive of the mayor’s position on this that the community has to step up, parents have to step up to make Aurukun a safe place for everybody.”

Ms Palaszczuk will fly to Aurukun on Friday with officials to see the issues on the ground.

The school Aurukun will remain closed for the rest of the term while teachers are given time off to recover from weeks of violence and unrest.

More than 20 teachers were ordered to evacuate Aurukun earlier this month after a spate of violent incidents, including an attack by three teenagers on the principal with the blunt end of an axe.

While most staff returned after a security upgrade was carried out, five staff chose not to go back.

Queensland Teachers Union president Kevin Bates said the Aurukun teachers had shown enormous resilience.

“But after last night it was decided enough is enough,” Mr Bates said.

“The key concern here is people’s emotional wellbeing.

“People can’t sustain the pressure they’re under at the moment.”

Ms Palaszczuk said the Government’s No. 1 concern was the safety of staff and the community.

“We need to have a strong presence on the ground to really help build the community capacity,” she said.

“I have had a really lengthy discussion this morning with the mayor and the mayor is very happy to receive us later on this week.

“He is going to call a big community meeting and I will be there listening to what the community has to say.”