Aurukun riots: Displaced people flee to Cairns

More than 100 displaced people from Aurukun are fighting for bed space in Cairns after a mass exodus from Coen and Weipa in the aftermath of the New Year’s Day riots.

Over a hundred refugees who fled the riots in Aurukun are fighting for bed space in Cairns. Supplied by Queensland Police Service

• National disgrace: FNQ’s refugee crisis
• Coen in danger of overcrowding after riots

MORE than 100 displaced people from Aurukun are fighting for bed space in Cairns after a mass exodus from Coen and Weipa in the aftermath of the New Year’s Day riot.

It is understood at least 123 Aurukun residents are being accommodated in assorted crisis housing and shelters.

The Department of Housing is doing its best to handle the wave of new arrivals.

Many of those travelling south were crammed in cars and four-wheel drives that did not survive the journey.

“We saw a lot of vehicles in various state of broken down on the road to Cairns,” operations director of Kapani Warrior Dr Tim White said.

A supplied undated image obtained Friday, January 10, 2020 shows people gathered for a meal at a makeshift camp established by the Kapani Warrior group about 80km outside the town of Aurukun, Queensland. Concern is growing for hundreds of people who fled a riot sparked by an alleged murder in an isolated community of Far North Queensland. (AAP Image/Supplied by Kapani Warrior)

Kapani set up and ran an ad hoc displaced person’s camp outside Aurukun as women, children and the elderly fled riots in the wake of an alleged murder on New Year’s Day.

Many of those were left homeless after at least eight houses were destroyed by arson and vandalism by a vengeful mob.

Aurukun has been largely abandoned, with dogs left roaming the streets.

“The streets are dead at the moment, completely dead. There is just no one around Aurukun at all,” Dr White said.

“There were three people to register their work for the dole, normally there would be 400.

“They are mostly in Cairns now.”

Kapani director Dr Tim White said the battle that was being fought in Aurukun is now being fought in Cairns.

The tensions between the warring factions have continued to simmer despite the appointment of State Government recovery co-ordinator and former Aurukun council CEO Gary Kleidon and Aurukun Wik leader Bruce Martin as clan mediator.

Cairns police responded to one outbreak of violence on Grove Street when a man, understood to be the father of the deceased 37-year-old male killed on New Year’s Day in Aurukun, was allegedly set upon by five other men on January 14.

Two men – a 36-year-old from Manunda and a 32-year-old from Aurukun, were charged with public nuisance over the incident.

“The battle that was being fought in Aurukun is now being fought in Cairns,” Dr White said.

Some of those with access to working cars have allegedly profiteered from the crisis, charging passengers who were desperate to leave what has resembled a refugee flight from persecution.

“There were people who were assisting the evacuation by offering a price to a seat. But it was a means to an end,” Dr White said.

“People needed to get out and there were a number of people assisting with that.”

The Department of Housing has been asked for comment.

Originally published as Aurukun riots: Displaced people flee to Cairns