Book Club: Louise's Selection

I was really interested to get into this book when Louise announced it as her selection. I don't remember this specific incident occurring but I do remember a number of government forced initiatives introduced that were mentioned toward the end of the book. I was hoping to get a deep insight into the troubled relationship between our peoples, especially of that in the top end of Australia but I was left slightly disappointed.

It is essentially a report and it definitely read as one. The structure of the prose was bland and slightly monotonous which may have been intentional, but left me wanting to feel a deeper connection and understanding to the case. It read very victim-centric but I attain that to Hooper being unable to access Hurley hence limiting her interpretation of him and his view of the incident.

Reading it I struggled to believe that this only occurred in 2004 and found the racism and lack of understanding toward the Indigenous People of Palm Island confronting and upsetting. Furthermore to read of all the promotions offered to so many of the Public Servants involved after the completion of this case that made such incredibly blind and self-serving decisions was mind blowing. Definitely showcasing white privilege at its finest. What rattles me even more is that I struggle to see a different outcome if a similar incident were to occur in 2019. As a country we have much still to learn and unfortunately a large proportion of our people continue to display a strong lack of interest to better our relationship with our Indigenous Communities.