Remote health workers fear for their lives and want reinforced vehicles and police escorts
Healthcare workers in Far North Queensland are being attacked with rocks by youths using slingshots, as staff call for armoured vehicles to take them to and from work.
Cairns
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Healthcare workers in Far North Queensland are being attacked with rocks by youths using slingshots, as staff call for armoured vehicles to take them to and from work.
Teens have been targeting vehicles travelling in and out of Yarrabah, 60km from Cairns, with Indigenous leaders and corporations condemning the attacks.
A bus transports workers to and from Yarrabah’s hospital but it’s understood it has now become the target.
The hospital says they have taken a number of measures to protect staff including roster changes, on-site accommodation for staff and are considering adjusting the hours of the emergency service.
One healthcare worker was also reportedly injured after windows were smashed in April. Another is reportedly refusing to return to Yarrabah in fear of their safety.
Benjamin Charles, whose husband is a healthcare worker in Yarrabah, said when he goes to work each day, he doesn’t know if he would come back unharmed.
“My partner has a right to go to work and come home alive and safe,” he said.
Mr Charles said teens wait by the side of the road near a bridge with slingshots, launching rocks at the cars “like weapons”.
“After an attack on April 23, a bus was pelted with rocks and every window was smashed, staff were still made to go to work,” Mr Charles said.
“This has to stop before someone dies.”
Last month Gurriny Yealamucka Health Services Aboriginal Corporation confirmed there had been a rise in rock throwing at vehicles in Yarrabah, with emergency vehicles targeted.
“We’re seeing a rise in rock throwing at vehicles — including ambulances and emergency service vehicles,” a post to social media on April 30 read.
GYHSAC added rock throwing was “extremely dangerous” and emergency services must be able to do their job without fear of harm.
“Our emergency services are here to save lives — every second counts,” they said.
The service said urgent attention from parents and carers was needed, and offenders should be spoken to about the dangers of rock throwing.
“Help us put a stop to this now — before someone gets hurt,” the post reads.
Former Yarrabah Aboriginal Shire Council Mayor Percy Neal said a regular police presence could prevent the attacks.
“Even if they just sit there for 10 minutes when the bus is due — just someone there to keep these kids in check,” he said.
“Those workers are coming here to help. All we’re asking is for the police to meet the bus or patrol the bridge. That’s not too much.”
Cairns and Hinterland Hospital chief executive Leena Singh said the hospital was continuing to meet regularly with key partners in Yarrabah.
“If these incidents continue, despite our best efforts and those of our partners, we may have to look at alternative opening hours for the Yarrabah Emergency Service,” she said.
“We continue to urge community leaders and our partners to collaborate with us to resolve this issue so health staff can travel safely to and from work at the Health Centre and continue to provide care to the Yarrabah community.”
A spokesman for Yarrabah Aboriginal Shire Council said they supported any action which ensures the safety of community members and services.
“These incidents that may impact on service delivery of essential services are of a major concern. We are aware of police staffing issues in community and are actively lobbying to have these issues addressed,” he said.
The spokesman said council would continue to work with stakeholders and community groups to explore better ways to use youth engagement funding and prevent similar incidents.
“This will include discussions with community organisations that receive specific funding for youth engagement with a view of identifying options to better utilize these resources,” he said.
According to reports from multiple workers, the violence is escalating and organised.
“Kids stand out in the open with these slingshots, and they’re organised. They’ve got younger kids as lookouts, some even have phones — they’re calling to warn when the bus is leaving the hospital,” one source said.
“These slingshots are not toys. They’re being used to cause serious harm,” Mr Charles said.
“The kids run off under the bridge or into the bush, that’s it. No one gets caught. There are no consequences.”
Far North District chief superintendent Kevin Fitzgibbon said for operational and safety reasons, police were unable to provide the exact number of police at any given
station.
“There are more than 900 police officers across the Far North District,” he said.
“The true reflection of staffing resources cannot be assessed by the number of general duties staff at one station.”
He said QPS were committed to keeping Yarrabah safe and would always ensure a strong police presence, particularly in large public and community areas.
“Police Liaison Officers (PLOs) also frequently work with First Nations people in Yarrabah to address issues and foster communication,” he said.
The State Flying Squad was recently deployed to Yarrabah, leading to several arrests.
The Cairns Post launched Operation Safe Zone earlier this month, calling for safer working conditions for staff travelling to and from Cairns Hospital.
Cairns Charter Bus Company was contacted for comment but did not respond.
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Originally published as Remote health workers fear for their lives and want reinforced vehicles and police escorts
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