Publican to foot tab for
refusing Aborigines drinks

A western New South Wales hotel owner has been ordered to pay $32,000 compensation to three Aboriginal men he was found to have discriminated against.

The publican of the Royal Hotel at Mendooran near Dubbo, denied he refused to serve the three men.

The Administrative Decisions Tribunal heard the incident occurred in March 1997 as the three men, who had been to a football match at nearby Binnaway, passed through Mendooran on their way home to Gilgandra.

Paul West told the tribunal, publican Tim Van Kooten told him he was not allowed to use the hotel's toilets, and then refused to sell him beer because he was Aboriginal.

Two other men with him were also refused service.

Mr Van Kooten, his wife, and a number of drinkers in the bar denied the men's version of events.

The tribunal rejected that evidence and found in favour of the three men, awarding them a total of $32,000.

ABC

Despite a complaint that described blatant racism against Aboriginal people in the NT - the NT ADC refused to accept it.

Two other complaints placed by Aboriginal people were similarily ignored. There was no question that the dress-code introduced at the Mandorah Hotel was for the purpose, (as the Publican stated) "To keep the blackfellas out."

Since then, PARIAH have had about 30 visits by the NT Police and the detrimental involvement of over twenty Government departments in our lives.

The NT ADC still refuse to accept complaints from PARIAH and have worked with local bigots and NT Police to silence us.

This political conspiracy is blatant, with the NT ADC simply refusing to acknowledge a complaint laid in 1999 against Respondents under S110(c) "misleading the Commission".

A Public meeting between Police and Respondents was held in Klandorah three days after a complaint against the NT Police was laid. My arrival put a damper on proceedings.

Racism in the NT must be challenged and the government institutions that nurture it 'cleansed' and restructured.