Preamble
This article responds to a vile, racist comment left on my website by a self-described white supremacist using the pseudonym “Don’t Like Abos.” Highly original.
The comment read:
“Look, you troublesome Abo cunt, we’re coming for you. I’ve got friends in the AFP. We got you once, we can get you again, Abo cunt.”
Oddly reminiscent of the racist tirade Angel Marina directed at the Chief Executive of ACT Treasury on May 9, 2002 – a topic explored further below.
While there’s no evidence linking Mr. Marina to the comment on my site, it’s worth noting that if the AFP had fulfilled its duties properly back then, opting not to shield their white supremacist allies, these issues could have been addressed two decades ago.
Abstract
This paper investigates systemic issues within the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and the Australian Labor Party (ALP), particularly regarding allegations of systemic racism, abuse of power, and institutional corruption. Using historical and contemporary examples – including the racist assertions of individuals like Angel Marina and the inadequate responses by law enforcement – this analysis sheds light on the repeated failures of these institutions to protect marginalised groups, especially Indigenous Australians. By examining the broader implications of such failures, this paper aims to contribute to ongoing discussions about justice, accountability, and the role of law enforcement in perpetuating systemic discrimination.
“Through all the Employments of Life Each Neighbour abuses his Brother;
Whore and Rogue they call Husband and Wife:
All Professions be-rogue one another:
The Priest calls the Lawyer a Cheat, The Lawyer be-knaves the Divine:
And the Statesman, because he’s so great, Thinks his Trade as honest as mine.
A Lawyer is an honest Employment, so is mine. Like me too he acts in a double Capacity, both against Rogues and for ’em; for ’tis but fitting that we should protect and encourage Cheats, since we live by them.”
The Beggar’s Opera* by John Gay, 1765
Introduction
The enduring hypocrisy and moral failings captured in John Gay’s ‘The Beggar’s Opera’ (1765) resonate all too well in today’s Australia, particularly within the Australian Federal Police and the political framework led by the Australian Labor Party. This paper examines the intersection of systemic racism and institutional collapse through specific incidents of misconduct, particularly focusing on the treatment of Indigenous Australians.
Historical Context
The Role of the Australian Federal Police
The AFP was originally established to uphold justice and enforce the law equally. However, ongoing allegations suggest that its officers have sometimes protected individuals connected to political elites, including those with white supremacist ideologies. This raises critical concerns about the police force’s integrity and its commitment to fair and impartial justice.
Historical in Australian Society
Racism directed at Indigenous Australians is entrenched in the country’s history. The lingering effects of colonisation have led to significant systemic inequalities that remain unresolved. Institutional unwillingness to hold individuals accountable for racist acts only deepens societal divisions. Comments such as those made by figures like Angel Marina epitomise the hostile environment Indigenous Australians endure daily.
Case Study: The Angel Marina Incident
Background
“Friends within the Australian Federal Police have advised me that Mr Mullins’ cousin, Ms Isabell Coe of the Aboriginal Tent Embassy, has a criminal record, as do other members of his family. This confirms my experience that Aborigines are compulsive liars and criminals, unsuitable for management positions. Mir Mullins is no exception.”
Letter from an ACT Public Servant to the ACT Treasury Chief Executive, dated May 9, 2002
The racist remarks made by Angel Marina toward Indigenous Australians provide a compelling illustration of institutional failures within both the AFP and the ALP. Marina’s comments reflect a broader societal bias, which law enforcement reportedly ignored, demonstrating their unwillingness to take hate crimes seriously.
The Response from Law Enforcement
Despite numerous complaints about Marina’s actions, the AFP repeatedly failed to act appropriately. Witness statements, including those of Mark Mullins and Philip Hart, suggest police responses were undermined by political interference, pointing to a troubling alliance between law enforcement and political power brokers.
In 2002, the AFP refused to pursue a complaint regarding Marina’s racist and criminal behavior, as detailed in his letter dated May 9, 2002. This refusal was echoed in 2005 when the AFP again declined to investigate further allegations against him.
An eyewitness recounted an incident at the Waldorf Café in Civic during late 2005:
“In late November or early December 2005, I was walking past the café around lunchtime when I heard a loud verbal exchange and these words: ‘…you’re nothing but a fucking boong cunt…’
Shortly after the same voice yelled: ‘…you’re a whore who fucks boongs…’,
Curious, as an Aboriginal rights activist, I approached to see what was happening. At the table, I saw three people seated—two men and one woman. Nearby stood an aggressive man making derogatory comments and provocative gestures. I later learned that the individuals at the table were Mark Mullins, Janet Masters, and Philip Hart, while the man screaming was Angel Marina.
When I approached, Marina turned and shouted at me: ‘…look, another dumb boong cunt, come to join the losers…’
Mr. Hart eventually intervened and threatened to call the police if Marina didn’t leave. Before walking away, Marina directed another comment to Mr. Mullins:
‘…I fitted you up, you dumb boong cunt. Quinlan, Pham, and Harris all know and back me. I guess you weren’t expecting Tanya Taylor to have altered your application. I have friends and connections…’”
When Mullins, Masters, Hart, and Bloomfield later approached the Civic Police Station to file a complaint, the officer on duty refused to take any action. The Commonwealth Ombudsman’s office was subsequently contacted, but a staff member named Maureen reported back that the AFP had declined to investigate. She explained that this decision reportedly stemmed from orders issued by ACT Police Minister Ted Quinlan to avoid pursuing complaints against Marina.
Philip Hart later swore to a statutory declaration:
“During a subsequent visit to Canberra, I called the office of then-ACT Treasurer Ted Quinlan to raise concerns regarding racist behaviour documented earlier. A male staffer, Jeff House, answered the call and launched into a cascade of racist invective about Mr. Mullins. Even more troubling, House admitted that the AFP was taking instructions from him on how to handle their investigations into Mr. Mullins. I promptly relayed this information to Mr. Mullins after the conversation.”
The refusal of the AFP to investigate Marina’s actions, allegedly influenced by the ACT Police Minister, highlights a disturbing trend where institutional racism is not only tolerated but actively protected. This undermines public trust in law enforcement and perpetuates a cycle of abuse and discrimination.
The Broader Implications
The Impact on Indigenous Communities
The failure of the AFP to address racism has profound implications for Indigenous Australians. The systemic denial of justice contributes to a culture of fear and vulnerability, leading to further marginalisation. The ongoing attacks against Indigenous rights activists and the lack of protective measures reflect a broader societal disregard for Indigenous lives.
Corruption and Accountability
The allegations of corruption within the ALP, particularly concerning the misappropriation of funds and the laundering of money through illicit means, raise critical questions about accountability. The reluctance of the AFP to investigate these matters suggests a complicity that undermines the rule of law and erodes public confidence in democratic institutions.
Politicisation of law enforcement
Involvement of members of parliament and their chief of staff undermines the rule of law and reinforces institutional racism. Such interference is a hallmark of fascism, stripping an individual of their right to freedom of identity, association and expression.
Conclusion
The systemic issues highlighted in this paper underscore the urgent need for reform within the AFP and the ALP. It is essential to address the culture of racism and corruption that permeates these institutions to restore faith in the justice system. Acknowledging and confronting these failures is crucial for ensuring that all Australians, particularly Indigenous communities, receive the justice and protection they deserve.
References
1. Gay, J. (1765). The Beggar’s Opera.
2. Australian Federal Police. (n.d.). Official website.
3. Australian Labor Party. (n.d.). Official website.