Mulrunji Doomadgee questions remain in legal bills

THE Bligh government may only have today to decide a $1 million claim for legal expenses incurred during the Palm Island saga.

THE Bligh government may only have today to decide a contentious $1 million claim for legal expenses incurred defending Chris Hurley and other officers during the Palm Island saga.

More than seven years after the death in custody of Cameron Doomadgee, now known as Mulrunji, the major players are still settling their bills and it appears taxpayers may be the hardest hit.

The government reached a $370,000 civil settlement with Mulrunji's family last year and has now been asked to reimburse the Queensland Police Union for the cost of providing barristers and solicitors in various coronial and court cases.

Given that no police officers were convicted or even disciplined over Mulrunji's death, or any related matters, they may be entitled to have the government pay their legal fees.

The union's application has been considered by a specially convened Queensland Police Service committee, which made a confidential recommendation to Police Minister Neil Roberts.

Given the size of the claim, Mr Roberts is obliged to take the matter to cabinet and has so far declined to comment on his considerations.

A spokesman for the minister last week said it had yet to go to cabinet.

Today's cabinet meeting is the last before the election.

If the Labor ministers do not decide the claim, it may be left to their opposition counterparts, given that polls suggest the Liberal National Party will win the March 24 election.

The QPS continues to pursue Sergeant Hurley over $34,890 in compensation he was found to have double-dipped after the Palm Island riots destroyed his police residence.

The Australian revealed in 2008 that the QPS had given him a $102,955 ex gratia payment for goods he said he lost in the fire, even though he had lodged a claim on a contents insurance policy worth a third that amount.

The Crime and Misconduct Commission found the ex gratia payment breached QPS protocols, was made by an unauthorised official and, given that the insurer paid out the claim, recommended the QPS recover $34,890 from Sergeant Hurley.

Sergeant Hurley has so far refused to pay up and a QPS spokesman said negotiations with his lawyers were continuing.

The Australian used Freedom of Information laws to reveal documents related to the claims but has since been denied access to crucial files and had to lodge several appeals.