By Kim Stephens
Queensland's Aboriginal Affairs Minister will fly to the remote gulf community Aurukun on Friday in the wake of ongoing civil unrest that prompted the evacuation of teachers earlier in the week.
Two female teachers were allegedly threatened and the principal allegedly assaulted last weekend, according to local MP Billy Cook, after alcohol was smuggled into the dry community, causing widespread unrest.
It prompted Education Queensland to temporarily evacuate 25 staff to Cairns, amid fears for their safety.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs Minister Curtis Pitt, also the state's treasurer, will fly to the community on Friday, saying discussions about a change in governance in the community were at the top of the agenda in a bid to restore calm.
Treasurer Curtis Pitt said will fly to Aurukun for emergency talks after more civil unrest.Credit: Bradley Kanaris
"Throwing more money at the problem is not the solution, positive outcomes will rely heavily on the resolve of local leaders and improved community engagement," he said.
"Last visit I promised local leaders that we would explore potential alternative models of governance for Indigenous communities and I stand by that commitment.
"Today I will be asking them to commit to meaningful strategies to tackle the complex and pervasive issues behind the kinds of violence we saw earlier this week, which forced the town's school to close."
Member for Cook Billy Gordon and Queensland Police Northern Region Assistant Commissioner Paul Taylor will also be attending a community meeting.
The far north Queensland community of Aurukun.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen
Mr Gordon said this week it was his understanding "sly grog" smuggled into the community led to three boys attempting to break into the home of two female teachers.
When the school principal came to their aid, he was allegedly assaulted. The trio is then alleged to have stolen his car.
Public Works and Housing staff were sent to the western Cape York town on Tuesday to review security of the teachers accommodation and further community engagement measures were being planned.
An additional five police officers were sent to the community to deal with the unrest.
The school remains closed.
"It was the right move to take the extraordinary step of temporarily relocating Aurukun-based staff at the Cape York Aboriginal Australian Academy to Cairns to ensure their safety," Mr Pitt said.
"Those staff have been provided with counselling and professional development to support their return to the community."
Mr Pitt said he would report to Annastacia Palaszczuk before a "whole-of-government response" was developed.
On Wednesday, however, Indigenous leader Noel Pearson, the founder of the Aurukun school, said "intermediate term solutions" were needed to protect school staff in the far north Queensland community.
"I urge the leaders and families of Aurukun to step up and help tackle the problems that are driving these incidents," he said.
- with Amy Remeikis