Dion Creek removed from Cape York Land Council after string of serious DV charges

An emerging Cape York leader has stripped of his position on the Cape York Land Council after being denied bail in a Cairns Court on a slew of domestic violence charges.

Chief executive of the Cape York Land Council Dion Creek has been denied bail in the Cairns Magistrates Court.

An emerging Cape York leader has stripped of his position on the Cape York Land Council after being denied bail in a Cairns Court on a slew of domestic violence charges.

Coen-based Dion Reece Creek fronted the Cairns Magistrates Court on Monday August 12 where he applied for bail after being charged with one count of domestic violence common assault and three counts of assault occasioning bodily harm.

He was also charged with unlawful stalking, intimidation, harassing or abuse in a domestic violence relationship.

Mr Creek is the chief executive officer of the powerful Cape York Land Council and in April was appointed to the board of Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service.

It’s understood he was arrested at the weekend and held in the Cairns watch house until the Monday court appearance.

Chief executive officer of the Cape York Land Council Dion Creek and chair Richie Ah Mat. Picture: CYLC

Touted as the new generation of indigenous Cape York leaders Mr Creek has been heavily involved in native title and land rights, and has been a lead voice in the Cape York United #1 claim covering large swathes of the Peninsula, he also sat on the Kaantju Traditional Owner Negotiating Committee in 2018 that resulted in a native title determination covering more than 2000sq/km.

The 38-year-old has also been a strong supporter of a state and federal push for areas of Cape York to be included in a World Heritage listing.

The father of four was remanded in custody after the brief court appearance on Monday and has since been suspended from his position on the board of the Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service by Queensland Health Minister Shannon Fentiman.

Following a meeting of the Cape York Land Council board chair Richie Ah Mat when contacted by the Cairns Post declined to comment directly but moved to distance the organisation from Mr Creek in a statement.

“Mr Creek’s tenure is terminated due to the serious nature of charges he is facing.” the statement read.

“The board expressed its unequivocal support for state and federal government policies to stamp out domestic and family violence.

“The Cape York Land Council adopts a zero-tolerance approach, nor does it condone such behaviour.”

Mr Creek is the second Indigenous leader on Cape York to be arrested for alleged domestic violence in recent months.

Wayne Butcher is the Mayor of Lockhart River. Picture: Brendan Radke

Lockhart River Mayor Wayne Butcher was arrested on serious domestic violence matters in July relating to an alleged assault of a woman at the Lockhart River Social Club and a historic charge of grievous bodily harm from December 2022 when the complainant received surgery for a blood clot in her brain and a ruptured artery.

Mr Butcher was released on bail to return to Cairns Magistrates Court on September 13.

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Originally published as Dion Creek removed from Cape York Land Council after string of serious DV charges