New Games threat

Press, 5 June 1982, Page 1

New Games threat

NZPA Brisbane Aboriginal, leaders ~ have given the Queensland Government a deadline for land rights and'yesterday-warned of "the/mdst dramatic protests Queensland has* ever seen,” during the Com-! monwealth Games if the demands were riot met. The new threat of disruption during the sAustBo million Games, due to start on September 30, sturihed the authorities; The warnings came from the National Aboriginal Conference . (Queensland) 'chairman, Mr Stephen Mam. ,7. "If the state Government does not alter its racist atti-

tude by September 26, theN.A.C. will be unable and unwilling to hold Aboriginals and islanders to an earlier promise of low-key protests,” he said. The general manager of the Commonwealth Games Foundation, ..Mr Daniel Whitehead, said that he was deeply, concerned about . the N.A.C. stand, after reaching agreement with ‘its leaders three weeks ago that no violent Aboriginal protests would be held during the Games. , A conference member,' Mr Ray Robinson, denied that dis organisation had. made any deal. “The N.A.C. executive has decided to • hold a ' full, national meeting in Brisbane

during the Games to highlight, racist discrimination before the international press,” he said. . The state Premier, Mr Joh Bjeike-Petersen, said that his’ Government did riot respond to threats of intimidation or Violence from any group,: Mr Bjeike-Petersen said that his Government would ensure, adequate security for spectators and competitors at the Games. Mr Mam said that Aboriginals and islanders wanted freehold title to land, which gave security of tenure. “I will do my utmost to keep the peace but the state Government must be seen to be working towards the demands of the people,” he said.