http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-05-11/aurukun-school-staff-asked-to-leave-town-series-of-incidents/7402962
Aurukun teachers evacuated over safety fears, 'slow' police response probed
Related Story: Aurukun teachers evacuated due to violence in Indigenous community
Twenty-five teachers and staff are leaving Aurukun after the principal of Noel Pearson's Cape York Academy had his car stolen by a group of youths, one who was brandishing an axe.
Youths tried to break into the home of two teachers early on Sunday morning, when police did not respond immediately, the principal intervened, Education Queensland's regional director Deborah Dunstone said.
As the principal was getting into this car, he was approached by a group of teenagers, including one brandishing an axe, Ms Dunstone said.
"He chose to just hand over the car to the youths," she said.
"There was certainly a scuffle and he has some minor bruising.
"The principal [went] above and beyond the call of duty."
Nine teachers were flown out of Aurukun last night and 16 are leaving today, agreeing to return in a week once their safety concerns are addressed.
Investigation ordered into police response
Independent MP Billy Gordon, whose electorate includes Aurukun, said he had been told by Queensland Teachers Union (QTU) that staff were concerned that police took too long to respond.
"That they were preoccupied with other matters in the community, which is understandable when there is an influx of sly grog into the community that opens up a can of worms," he said.
Six people have been charged over the incident, with four remanded in custody.
Police Commissioner Ian Stewart said extra officers had been sent to Aurukun.
An investigation has also been launched into the police response.
"I'm not saying police didn't respond," Mr Stewart said.
"I'm saying I'm having the facts of what occurred that night checked by our senior officers."
There are eight permanent officers in Aurukun and five more have been dispatched to stay in the community for as long as they need.
Treasurer Curtis Pitt said unrest had spiked in the past six months.
"It is not uncommon to see this unrest," he said. "We want to see that this community calms down, settles.
"Investing more money is not always the answer. We have to find what the local community wants."
Long history of violence in disadvantaged community
Aurukun struggles with entrenched disadvantage, violence, sexual abuse and other problems.
There have been improvements in Aurukun School's attendance and results since its partnership with Noel Pearson's Cape York Academy.
Aurukun Council's chief executive Bernie McCarthy said CCTV cameras would be installed tomorrow and a community radio program would start next month.
"We just want to reinforce messages through local language," he said.
"You know, good feel about the people, what they should be doing for their community, how they can be engaged in work activities, how they can have better health, how they should look after their countrymen, that's the type of message we'd be sending out."
A community meeting is expected to be called on Friday.
The school will remain closed for a week, and is expected to reopen on Thursday next week.
Aurukun teachers evacuated over safety fears, 'slow' police response probed
Related Story: Aurukun teachers evacuated due to violence in Indigenous community
Twenty-five teachers and staff are leaving Aurukun after the principal of Noel Pearson's Cape York Academy had his car stolen by a group of youths, one who was brandishing an axe.
Youths tried to break into the home of two teachers early on Sunday morning, when police did not respond immediately, the principal intervened, Education Queensland's regional director Deborah Dunstone said.
As the principal was getting into this car, he was approached by a group of teenagers, including one brandishing an axe, Ms Dunstone said.
"He chose to just hand over the car to the youths," she said.
"There was certainly a scuffle and he has some minor bruising.
"The principal [went] above and beyond the call of duty."
Nine teachers were flown out of Aurukun last night and 16 are leaving today, agreeing to return in a week once their safety concerns are addressed.
Investigation ordered into police response
Independent MP Billy Gordon, whose electorate includes Aurukun, said he had been told by Queensland Teachers Union (QTU) that staff were concerned that police took too long to respond.
"That they were preoccupied with other matters in the community, which is understandable when there is an influx of sly grog into the community that opens up a can of worms," he said.
Six people have been charged over the incident, with four remanded in custody.
Police Commissioner Ian Stewart said extra officers had been sent to Aurukun.
An investigation has also been launched into the police response.
"I'm not saying police didn't respond," Mr Stewart said.
"I'm saying I'm having the facts of what occurred that night checked by our senior officers."
There are eight permanent officers in Aurukun and five more have been dispatched to stay in the community for as long as they need.
Treasurer Curtis Pitt said unrest had spiked in the past six months.
"It is not uncommon to see this unrest," he said. "We want to see that this community calms down, settles.
"Investing more money is not always the answer. We have to find what the local community wants."
Long history of violence in disadvantaged community
Aurukun struggles with entrenched disadvantage, violence, sexual abuse and other problems.
There have been improvements in Aurukun School's attendance and results since its partnership with Noel Pearson's Cape York Academy.
Aurukun Council's chief executive Bernie McCarthy said CCTV cameras would be installed tomorrow and a community radio program would start next month.
"We just want to reinforce messages through local language," he said.
"You know, good feel about the people, what they should be doing for their community, how they can be engaged in work activities, how they can have better health, how they should look after their countrymen, that's the type of message we'd be sending out."
A community meeting is expected to be called on Friday.
The school will remain closed for a week, and is expected to reopen on Thursday next week.
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