Likely new Aurukun mayor Barbara Sue Bandicootcha apologises over drink driving charge in dry community

The woman leading the vote count in the race to become mayor of Aurukun has apologised and taken “full responsibility” for her actions after being charged with mid-range drink driving.

Barbara Bandicootcha, Aurukun mayoral frontrunner.

The woman leading the vote count in the race to become mayor of Aurukun has apologised and taken “full responsibility” for her actions after being charged with mid-range drink driving.

“I want to acknowledge my mistake and take full responsibility for my actions,” Barbara Bandicootcha said.

“I am cooperating with the court proceedings and have been transparent with the Aurukun community throughout this process.

“If my actions have caused any embarrassment or distress, I sincerely apologize and assure that such behavior will not be repeated.”

Ms Bandicootcha, 49, an independent candidate for mayor of Aurukun, was leading the voting count on 43 per cent of the vote as of Thursday afternoon.

She is ahead of incumbent mayor Keri Tamwoy at 34 per cent, with nearly 60 per cent of the vote counted.

Ms Bandicootcha appeared in Aurukun Magistrates Court on Thursday, March 14, charged with driving a motor vehicle while over the middle alcohol limit.

If someone is caught driving with an alcohol reading of 0.1 per cent or more, they will be charged with driving over the “middle alcohol limit”.

The high alcohol limit is 0.15 per cent.

Aurukun is a “dry community” under the Queensland State Government Alcohol Management Plan, so possessing alcohol (liquor) in the Aurukun Shire is an offence.

Ms Bandicootcha is listed online as chair of the Ngan Aak Kunch, Aboriginal Corporation, which represents and manages the Native Title Holders the Wik, Wik Waya and Kugu people of West Cape York.

Aerial image of Aurukun, an Indigenous community on the Gulf of Carpentaria, 800 kilometres north west of Cairns on Cape York in Far North Queensland. PICTURE: BRENDAN RADKE.

Ms Bandicootcha, who identifies as a Wik woman, also ran for Aurukun mayor in the 2020 elections when she received 24 per cent of the vote.

Then, Ms Tamwoy was elected with 55 per cent of the vote.

Ms Bandicootcha received national attention in 2016 when she helped launch a legal fight for native title rights over mining land after Queensland Government accepted a bid by Swiss mining company Glencore to mine $20bn worth of bauxite deposit around Aurukun.

The case against the Queensland Government was subsequently dismissed with costs.

The alcohol trade remains an issue in Aurukun despite repeated efforts to clamp down on it.

A booze haul with a street value of $30,000 was stopped entering Aurukun with the use of a tyre deflation device in April 2023.

Ms Bandicootcha’s matter has been adjourned until April 11, 2024 at Aurukun Magistrates Court.

Aurukun Shire Council said it had no comment as Council can not speak on her behalf until she is declared mayor.

“I am grateful for the overwhelming support from the majority of the community who have endorsed my candidacy for mayor. This support underscores the desire for change, renewed energy, and improved leadership to address the challenges facing Aurukun,” Ms Bandicootcha said.

Originally published as Likely new Aurukun mayor Barbara Sue Bandicootcha apologises over drink driving charge in dry community