Fed: White man s legal system Kinnear Ngingali

AAP General News (Australia)
08-11-2000
Fed: White man s legal system Kinnear Ngingali

An Aboriginal leader says the Federal Court's rejection of a landmark stolen generation
case shows indigenous people face an unworkable white man's legal system.

But AUDREY KINNEAR NGINGALI, who was separated from her family as a child, says Aboriginal
people will fight on.

Justice MAURICE O'LOUGHLIN today dismissed compensation claims by stolen generation
members LORNA CUBILLO, aged 62, and 53-year-old PETER GUNNER.

The judge says there's no evidence of why government officials took Mrs CUBILLO away
from her traditional Aboriginal family.

And he says there's evidence Mr GUNNER'S mother put her thumb print on a document approving
his removal.

Ms KINNEAR NGINGALI says there's some consolation with the judge's acceptance of the
existence of the stolen generation.

She says parliament must now show compassion.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs Minister JOHN HERRON says the government
understands the feelings of Mrs CUBILLO and Mr GUNNER, but a clear court decision has
been made.

He says the judgement is long and complex and the commonwealth legal team will examine
it and its implications in coming days.

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KEYWORD: STOLEN REACT (CANBERRA)

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