I have but one thing here to say. Actually its more of a quote. I hope you all have the patience to read through all of this.
NINE males who avoided jail after gang-raping a 10-year-old girl are to face an appeal against their sentences, in a case that has sparked national outrage.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said yesterday he was horrified by the case.
"I'm disgusted and appalled," Mr Rudd said.
"I've noted carefully the statements by the Attorney-General of Queensland on this matter.
"As I understand the Attorney-General's position, he is examining the case further. I await, carefully, his determination on that."
Queensland District Court judge Sarah Bradley did not record convictions against six teens, and gave three other attackers, one aged 26, suspended sentences over the 2005 incident at the Aurukun community on Cape York.
The girl had "probably agreed" to have sex with the youths, Judge Bradley said in her sentencing remarks.
The men come from some of the most powerful Aboriginal families on the Cape.
Queensland Attorney-General Kerry Shine yesterday met state Director of Public Prosecutions Leanne Clare for urgent advice.
Mr Shine said the October sentences would be appealed against, even though the deadline had passed.
"I am truly horrified by the circumstances of these offences," he said yesterday.
Premier Anna Bligh has ordered all Cape York sexual offence sentences be reviewed to ensure there was not a trend of leniency.
"The nature of the sentences in this case are so far from community expectations I have to say I am alarmed, and I am not prepared to just write this off as an unusual one-off case," Ms Bligh said.
Federal Opposition justice spokesman Christopher Pyne said the State Government could not escape blame as it had appointed the judge.
Abused Child Trust chairman David Wood said Cairns-based Judge Bradley's remarks showed lack of empathy for child victims of abuse.
"A 10-year-old child can't agree to have sex with anyone," Dr Wood said. "Failing to impose a jail term on these men, one a repeat sex offender, is just appalling."
The ruling was also condemned by prominent Brisbane Aboriginal academic Boni Robertson, who called for Judge Bradley to quit.
"It's undermined everything we've worked for over the last 10 years to get our women justice," Prof Robertson said.
"I think it's allowed perpetrators to think if you can come up with a defence that she asked for it or she condoned it, then that gives them a sense of leniency."
Ms Bligh said she was not aware of the sentencing until yesterday, but knew of the child involved.
Last year, an officer from the state's Child Safety Department was dismissed after placing the girl into the Aurukun community from foster care.
She is now back in foster care receiving treatment and doing well, Ms Bligh said.
THE mayor of Aurukun yesterday refused to publicly condemn the pack rape of a 10-year-old girl by nine males.
Neville Pootchamunka called the outcry over the refusal of far north Queensland judge Sarah Bradley to jail nine males over the rape "a lot of crap".
Mr Pootchamunka called the case "a media beat-up".
The nine come from some of the most powerful Aboriginal families on the Cape.
But Mr Pootchamunka denied knowledge of any undue influence being exerted on the legal system by well-connected families.
"The most powerful people in the Cape are the indigenous people," he said. "We are the ones with the power."
Asked if he, as the community leader, condemned the pack rape of a 10-year-old girl, Mr Pootchamunka refused to respond.
"I don't want to comment about it," he said.
"If I do my community will read it and they will say the mayor got involved, they will say I had something to do with (the men getting off).
"I am not aware of the rape. Of course I'm the leader; of course I have a strong opinion.
He added: "I think this is all a lot of crap."
Asked why he would not publicly denounce the gang rape of a little girl, Mr Pootchamunka replied: "I can't put myself in the position where I am seen to speak about that.
"I think there is some stuff that goes on like that, but most of it involves a level of confidentiality, and most of the information goes to the health service and police."
Aurukun resident Robert Yunkaporta said the abuse of the girl, and the apparent lack of justice, added to tensions in the 1200-strong township.
"Yes, it causes violence. People want payback," Mr Yunkaporta said.
in_smilie: Touching Rell really touching