Qld Government to pay damages in Palm Island class action

The state government has agreed to pay $220,000 in damages to three Palm Island residents, despite its appeal of the landmark racial discrimination case.

The state government has agreed to pay $220,000 in damages to Lex Wotton and his family, despite appealing the landmark Palm Island ruling. Source: AAP

Attorney-General Yvette D'Ath confirmed this month the government would appeal over a decision handed down by the Federal Court in December that found police had been racist following the death in custody of Mulrunji Doomadgee in 2004.

But in the Brisbane Federal Court on Tuesday, lawyers for the state government announced it would still pay the damages to Palm Island man Lex Wotton and two of his family members.

The announcement comes amidst widespread criticism of the government's appeal, which has been slammed by Palm Island Mayor Alf Lacey and three north Queensland MPs.

More than 16,000 people have also signed a petition, created three days ago by Indigenous health campaigner Gracelyn Smallwood, demanding the state government drop the appeal. 

The appeal will likely be heard in May.