WA: WA senator opposes tribal punishment as part of state law

AAP General News (Australia)
04-29-2001
WA: WA senator opposes tribal punishment as part of state law

A WA Liberal senator says moves to incorporate Aboriginal tribal punishment into the
Western Australian legal system could compromise human rights.

Senator ALAN EGGLESTON says aspects of tribal law are incompatible with existing Australian
and WA law.

The senator's comments follow state Attorney-General JIM MCGINTY's remarks on Thursday
that tribal punishment should be incorporated into law so it can be a recognised form
of punishment when dealing with tribal Aborigines.

Mr MCGINTY'S suggestion came in the wake of an incident last week in the WA Goldfields
town of Kalgoorlie, where tribal Aborigines speared an Aboriginal teenager in both thighs
for allegedly killing a 21-year-old man.

Senator EGGLESTON says all West Australians have the right to be protected by Commonwealth
and State law.

AAP RTV lt/jmt

KEYWORD: SPEAR (PERTH)

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