Voice Yes campaigner Alwyn Lyall remanded in custody over assault, wilful damage, drug charges
A Far North representative for the Voice to Parliament’s yes campaign has been held in custody after an alleged assault.
Cairns
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Prominent Indigenous Voice campaigner Alwyn Lyall has been remanded in custody over an alleged assault.
Lyall, 55, has been charged with assault occasioning bodily harm and wilful damage, both domestic violence offences, as well as possession of dangerous drugs.
Lyall had been remanded in custody at Lotus Glen Correctional Centre in relation to the charges.
Lyall was involved with the Uluru Dialogue, an entity constituted by Indigenous spokespersons who campaigned for an Indigenous Voice to Parliament to be embedded in the constitution, which will be decided by a referendum on October 14.
In April Mr Lyall told the Cairns Post a Voice would break the cycle of negative outcomes in Indigenous communities.
“We just want government to hear what we at the grassroots are saying about closing the gap, about incarceration … what we think is the way to go and the way to look after our mob,” Mr Lyall said when interviewed in April.
A spokeswoman for the Uluru Dialogue said the entity had other volunteers in FNQ who would lead community engagement activities ahead of the referendum.
“Alwyn Lyall has been a passionate advocate for the Voice and was a valued participant in the FNQ information sessions,” the spokeswoman said.
“He was not involved in any activities for the Voice campaign when the alleged incident occurred.
“We recognise the right of Alwyn and his family to privacy and will not be commenting further.”
Lyall’s case was mentioned in Cairns Magistrates Court on Monday.
The matter was adjourned; the case will return to court on October 2.
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Originally published as Voice Yes campaigner Alwyn Lyall remanded in custody over assault, wilful damage, drug charges
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