The Circuit (2007–2010): Season 1, Episode 2 - In Country - full transcript
- [Narrator] Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander viewers
are warned that this
program may contain images
and sounds that relate
to deceased persons.
Previously on The Circuit.
- You come up here to get your
degree in Aboriginality eh?
I'm too happy to help you.
(upbeat rock music)
- Mr. Ellis, I can assure
you that in the Kimberley
cattle-duffing is
not taken lightly.
- Well you didn't really think
it was gonna be
easy here did ya?
- I just feel like I'm drowning.
Who's gonna look after your
kids if you go to jail?
Think about your children.
- She is therefore ordered
to serve 18 months in prison.
(sobbing)
- No mommy no, don't go.
(sobbing)
(upbeat Aboriginal music)
- Don't go.
- And you have people to meet
and I have a plane to catch.
- Call in sick.
- For which bit?
- For both.
(laughs)
- Come on, I'm
gonna take a shower
(laughing)
- Has he told you
how rubbish he was?
- I wasn't that bad.
- Yeah, that's not
how I heard it.
- Bros, you and I both know
that if law doesn't
work out for you
you have no future
in stock work.
That was the world's
quietest horse you were on
and you still look like you
were ready to dump a load.
- Hey!
- Oh, that's nice Clarry.
- Oh, I bet you
looked sexy though.
(laughing)
- He went pale.
The Whitest Black
boy you ever did see.
- When are you moving up Dianne?
- Soon as work lets up a little.
- Yeah well, hurry up girl.
Haven't seen this bloke
look so happy for weeks.
- Now you know what I'm
like when you're away.
- Yeah.
- Well don't worry,
we'll take good care
of him until you get here.
- We gotta go, Dianne's
got a plane to catch.
- Yeah.
- See ya Drew.
- See ya.
- Safe flight you.
- Thanks.
- You sure you can't stay?
- Don't make it harder than
it has to be, baby please.
- Only 20 more sleeps.
We'll get through it.
If I need some company I
can call on one of my girls.
- You're not funny.
- I am a little bit funny.
(sobbing)
(acoustic music)
- You're not gonna believe this.
What kind of place is this?
- Origami practice?
- No they--
- I know what they are.
- An apology from the
Australian people.
- I've got a small load
today, what's going on?
- Sorry for giving you
tens of thousand of dollars
each year from tax
payers pockets every year
so that you can sit
around and drink.
I'm sorry for giving you money
for free air travel,
funerals, car payments.
Can you believe this shit?
- No.
- And of course, nothings
being done about it.
- [Bob] There on to it.
- Isn't he one of my clients?
- Oh yeah, sorry about that.
He just asked me
to represent him.
- Did you know about this?
- Know about what?
Yeah I knew.
- Well what's going on?
- What do you think?
- Well I don't
know what to think.
- Whatever.
- I've got some buyers
flying in on Tuesday
and they'll be gone
by Wednesday night.
When are you back?
- Thursday.
- So I'll tell Philippa
we can make the party.
Peter, you don't have to
go if you don't want to.
I just thought it would be nice.
- Thursday, party fine.
I'm sorry, I'm just tired.
- Tell me about it.
- Sorry, your
intercom's on the fritz.
There's a call on line one.
I believe it's about your wife.
- You're not exactly
invisible, you know?
- As long as Peter's in
there and I'm out here.
- Why don't you just
smoke in front of him?
- Something you want?
- A ticket home.
- Can't be that bad.
- Can't it?
- Just be patient.
Your clients 'll
come back to ya.
- You know too?
- It's just a phase,
things filter through.
They're testing ya.
- I've been here a month Bella.
When am I gonna pass that test?
- They'll come around.
So, do you think I should
do what the flyer says
and marry Savvy off
young, get a free wedding?
It's so hard to decide between
that and the free funerals.
- That's not funny.
- We're dealing with it.
I've got some people lined up
to do some talk-back radio.
And at the end of the day,
it'll be the guy who wrote it
who ends up looking
like the fool.
Come on, cheer up.
- Thanks Bella.
- See ya, bye.
Piss off.
- Who's that?
- The owner of Pristine Pearls,
Megan Chong, Broome aristocracy.
- And you don't
like her because?
- She's Peter's girlfriend.
- Problem?
- He's already got a wife.
- Oh.
- She lives in Perth.
You know, if less women were
getting their knickers off
for married men, we'd
all be a lot better off.
Man can't stray if he's
got no one to stray to.
We're late.
- You may sit down.
- Is it our turn yet?
- No not yet, I'll tell
you when it is, alright?
Have you seen James Nangle?
- No, I can't help
you with that.
Have you seen a doctor
lately, old man?
- No.
- Hey listen, I'm not sure
what's wrong with this old man
but, I think he's got like
a septic foot or something.
He smells like a sewer.
- If he's not well, tell
him to go to the hospital
he shouldn't be here.
- Mr. Chance was subsequently
charged with fraud.
This charge is on the
grounds that Mr. Chance
regularly took tourists on a
tour of supposedly sacred sites
of the Wunballa people.
- Wunballa?
- I've been told that
Wunballa is a saying
for one fella, Your Honour.
(laughing)
However, it has been
revealed by the Land Council
that the locations Mr.
Chance took the tourists to
are not sacred sites.
(laughing)
The fraud also pertains
to receiving money
under false pretenses,
Your Honour.
The prison charge is preferred.
There is a record.
- Your Honour, the
tourists were treated
to an interesting
and informative tour.
- With bush teller and all.
(laughing)
- And everything that
was described to them
in the tour brochure
was delivered.
Except for the
actual sacred sites.
(laughing)
However, the tourists received
an adequate service
for their fees.
- They got some good yarns
and a few good laughs too.
- Mr. Chance believed
that if he too tourists
to the fabricated
sites, he was actually
protecting the real ones.
- Well our sites
get buggered up.
- That our client?
- B and E.
He's gonna plead innocent,
so he'll be remanded over.
- What's going on Sam?
- Nothin', I'm
just doing my job.
- Yeah, without me.
We're supposed to be a team.
- The client wanted to
talk to me, not you.
- I'm their lawyer.
- What do you expect mate?
Word gets around.
- What's that supposed to mean?
- The community has got
no confidence in ya.
- And what do you think, Sam?
Well if you got no
confidence in me,
why don't you take over?
What, no piece of paper?
I'm a blood good lawyer Sam
and you're damn
lucky to have me.
- Good lawyer my ass.
You can't even sit next
to some our clients
without wanting to
spew your guts out.
You insulted that
old man in there.
You think he didn't notice.
You got no idea.
Here, we got work to do.
I don't think that one smells.
- It's time to
stop playing games.
We got a job to do.
You need a lawyer here.
- I need a lawyer who
can do the job properly.
- And all I need is your help
to get a handle on things.
Now are you gonna give
it or are we gonna have
a pissing contest for the rest
of the time that I'm here?
'Cause if we are,
you're wasting my time
and frankly, you're
wasting their time as well.
- We're due back in.
- Did you hear me?
- We'll talk about this later.
- Mr. Chance, how much
money did you make
from this particular tour?
- Just over $3,000, sir.
- Your Honour, the figure
Mr. Chance speaks of
is actually before costs.
- Thank you, Mrs. Zdybicka.
Mr. Chance, I'm gonna put
your hard earned money
to some good use.
I fine you $3,000 plus costs.
- Hey?
(laughing)
- You heard.
The money will go
to the Land Council
for the specific
purpose of maintaining
the real sacred sites.
And Mr. Chance, there better
not be anymore sightings
of these types of tours
or the Wunballa people.
- Yes, Your Majesty.
(laughing)
- Thank you, Your Honour.
(laughing)
Okay Ray, once we've
got the paperwork sorted
you're gonna head off right?
- We should celebrate.
Can I take you out to dinner?
- There's nothing to
celebrate, we lost.
- Can I take you to dinner
for all your good hard work?
- Thank you, but no.
- [Court Officer] The court
calls, Miss Rebecca Franklin.
- Sergeant Temple.
- It was alleged that on
the 13th of last month
the defendant was seen
by several shop keepers
trying the doors of
several closed stores
in the Chinatown region.
- Listen, I managed to
get your case put off
'til later on in the month.
But in the mean time I've
called the medical service
and they're gonna send
someone down to pick you up
and you can go and
see a doctor, okay?
I'll come and wait with ya.
You do know, if you keep coming
back on these DV charges,
eventually you're gonna
end up in the big house?
- We got a recess.
- Probably best
you left now, Ray.
I'm sure you've got
things to do, eh?
- No dear, I've got
nowhere better to be.
I'm actually enjoying myself.
- Look, you can't
stay here, Ray.
You know it's not legal
for you to hang around.
You could get into trouble.
- Drew.
- Just stay here, I'll
be back in a minute.
Not legal?
- I'd like you to
meet my mom, Rose.
Mom, this is Drew Ellis,
the new ALS lawyer.
- Nice to meet you Rose.
- I've heard a lot about you.
How are you finding the place?
- Oh yeah, you
know, slowly slowly.
Excuse me for a minute, I need
to catch up with my client.
It's nice to meet ya Rose.
- Mom!
(upbeat music)
- Where's that file for Gracie?
- I don't know.
- You're like a bloody
five-year-old sometimes.
I don't know what it
is that Peter finds
so admirable about that guy.
- The bearer.
Aunties, this is Drew.
He's gonna be talking
in court for Gina.
He's our new lawyer.
We're really lucky to have him.
- She's really a good girl.
And she get more scatterbrain
with her mom ain't being here.
- She's been getting
into a lot of trouble
even before her
mother went away.
- Yeah true, but she
got even more worse.
She been camping
down at the well.
We don't know what's
been going on.
She reckons she was hungry,
that's why she broke
into the store.
- Gina, you know it's against
the law to steal, even food.
Why didn't you get
food from your family
if you were that hungry?
- I don't know.
- Well you know you're in a
lot of trouble now, don't you?
Why haven't you been
staying at home?
- Too many people.
She better off with her
cousin on the outstation,
but the cousin not here.
She'll be back
after pension week.
- Pension week's next week.
Auntie, that's the only
reason, not enough beds?
- What for?
- Okay, thank you.
Come on.
- But I need to tell
the magistrate something
if he asks the question.
- I been telling you
my boy, that's enough.
- Thank you, sorry.
Come on.
- You've been heading down
this path for quite some time.
Am I right, Gina?
You seem to get into
trouble over and over again.
You must remember
what I said to you
the last time you were here.
I told you then, if I
saw you back in here
then you'd better be
prepared to go to Perth,
because you're all
out of chances.
So, you must be looking
forward to going to Perth?
Have you come to
court all prepared?
Have you said goodbye
to your family?
Goodbye to your mother?
- Doesn't Your Honour remember.
You sent her mother to
jail at the last circuit.
- Please excuse my
colleague, Your Honour.
My client's mother and
father are currently in jail.
- Peter, she can live with
me and I'll look after her.
- You are a very
lucky young girl.
Your grandfather here has agreed
to take you into his care.
He'll take care of you and
take you under his wing.
I therefore release Gina
into the care of Mr. Pope
with a supervision order.
Gina,
if you get into anymore trouble
you'd better be
prepared to go to Perth,
because you will be going.
Thank you.
- Just be nice, Gina.
- It was a good result.
At least she's not
going to Perth,
she can stay here
in the community.
- It's friggin' hopeless.
- He was just trying
to scare the kid.
- What, by telling her to
say goodbye to her mother?
- Yeah, maybe.
By reminding her that she's
heading in the same direction
as her parents have gone.
- Siding with him?
Surprise, surprise.
- Oh, Sam's pissed off again,
surprise, surprise to that.
That's a pot calling
the kettle black.
Look, how much longer
are we gonna do this, eh?
We might as well grab our spears
and we'll stand at 50 paces.
I know it's been a
while, but I reckon
I can remember which
is the pointy end.
- Have you ever handled a spear?
- Well, more like
a barbecue skewer,
but they can
inflict some damage.
(intense music)
- You know my boy, this
is my country, my home.
- Yeah, but old man, you
know you're not allowed
to drink grog in the park.
- Gudiya come in the
park with their esky,
they bring their own
grog in the park.
- Yeah, but them police,
they been catch you, old man.
Then never been
catched them gudiyas.
- Look, we'll see what
we can do for you Jack.
But I wouldn't hold out
too much hope, right?
- I know you, my boy.
I know your family.
- I don't think so, old man.
Television crew.
What do you suppose
we've done now?
- I'm giving you a
three month sentence,
converted to a $1500.00 fine.
That means, if you so
much as lovetap your woman
and the police come around,
you will go to jail.
Do you understand?
- Yeah.
- You're also
ordered to complete
30 hours of anger
management counseling
and to pay costs of $58.00.
That is all.
- Thank you, Your Honour.
- [Court Officer] The court
now calls Jack Stallion.
- No, we have every right,
so we'll just stay
here five minutes.
- Is your name Jack Stallion?
- Yes.
- You're charged with
drinking in a public place.
Do you understand the charges?
- Yes, Your Honour.
- You may sit down.
Mr. Ellis.
- Your Honour, the
policy of this town
is apparently to discourage
drinking in public places.
- Yes, that is true.
- But why does my
client here tell me that
on a number of occasions he's
seen non-Aboriginal people
sitting in the same
park with their esky
and their bottles of wine
and feeling no threat at all
whatsoever of being arrested
as they sit there and
sip their alcohol?
- Well I'm afraid I can't
answer that question, Mr. Ellis.
Perhaps the constabulary
can enlighten us
as to who the choose to
arrest and who they don't.
In the mean time I
suggest you client
restrict his drinking to his
home or to licensed premises.
- In mitigation, Your Honour,
as far as Jack Stallion
is concerned, when he
is drinking in that park
he is drinking at home.
This country is his home,
his traditional home.
- Mr. Ellis, there are
pubs for drinking alcohol.
- Well according to my
client, they don't want him
drinking in the pub.
So where do they
expect him to go?
Maybe they expect Jack Stallion
to go and drink in
the bushes somewhere,
away from the tourist's eyes.
Out of sight, out of mind.
- Sergeant Miller,
could you please tell me
how many people you've
booked for drinking
in that park since
the last circuit?
- I don't have the exact
figures, Your Honour.
- Well, an
approximation will do.
- Around 25.
- And how many of
those were White?
Five, 10?
- One, Your Honour.
- [Courtroom Gallery] Oh.
- Stand up please, Jack.
I'm gonna let you off,
but this can't continue.
There is a law in
place which sadly,
discriminates in your case.
And that means that you
can continue to be arrested
and brought before me.
I would ask that you try
and bear that law in mind.
- Thank you, Your Honour.
- I would also ask this
community, once again,
to seriously look at
itself and work out a way
to cater for all it's citizens.
- [Court Officer] The court
now calls, Martha Boskill.
- Thank you, my boy.
I say hello to your mom.
- What's going on?
Someone get shot?
- No, they've got that
guy with the leaflets.
They caught him red-handed
papering cars here.
He's up in court today.
- Who's representing him?
- He won't have any lawyers.
He wants to defend himself.
- [Drew] Well, who
tipped the press off?
We don't usually get
television here, do we?
- No, no, no, no, they come,
if they think they're going
to get something juicy.
- Maybe one of the
coppers tipped them off.
- Well maybe if you've
got a drum to bang
you want a bigger
audience to play to.
- I wonder whose
side are they on?
- Mr. Jones, I would ask that
you reconsider your decision.
- I'm quite capable of speaking
my own behalf, Your Honour.
- Very well then.
Are you Kenneth Jones
of Melbourne, Victoria?
- Yes, I am.
- You are charged with
distributing material
designed to insight
racial hatred
and one charge of littering.
Do you understand the charges?
- I understand the charges,
but I've done nothing wrong.
- Mr. Jones, if you
understand the charges
are you guilty or not guilty?
- I suppose I'm...
I plead guilty of exercising
the right to free speech
in my own country, Your Honour.
Guilty of an unjust law.
- Just guilty or not guilty.
- Guilty.
- It was noted that Mr.
Jones became quite agitated
when questioned by police.
He was arrested and the
present charges are preferred.
I tender the leaflet as
evidence, Your Honour.
- Mr. Jones.
- Your Honour.
Look, the average
Australian is sick and tired
of seeing billions of dollars
going into the
Aboriginal coffers
only to be pissed up against
the wall, you know that?
So I decided to come north,
take a bit of a look around
and spread the truth about
what's really going
on in our country.
I mean, is that a crime?
- Mr. Jones!
- Three billion dollars
a year, Your Honour,
in the Aboriginal budget.
I mean, for Christ
sake, that's ridiculous.
That's seven and a
half thousand dollars
for every single
man, woman and child.
- Mr Jones, you will confine--
- And what do we get?
What do we get, Your Honour?
We get drunks.
- Mr. Jones!
I have absolutely no
intention of allowing you
to stand on your soapbox
whilst in this courtroom.
Do you understand?
- Yes, Your Honour.
Let me ask you a
question, Your Honour, eh?
You like seeing your
hard earned money
going to waste to 'em?
Does that make you
happy, does it?
- Mr Jones, I do not
share your views.
Don't include me
in your arguments.
If you continue along this path,
I will find you in contempt.
Do you understand?
- Your Honour.
- I fine you $2,000.00
for the distribution
and a further $250.00
for littering.
Please take a seat
in the front row
while we organize
your paperwork.
Who have we got next?
- [Court Officer] Mary Warrens.
- I said take a seat
in the front row.
(laughing)
- Come.
(laughing)
- Well obviously the
magistrates gone native.
I mean, the only
people talking about
racism in there is Aborigines.
I mean, I'm talking about a
fair go for all Australians.
- Somebody should
sort that fella out.
- A claim down there in the
central business district
and that's only after
we've improved it.
I mean, you know, Australians
have had a gut full.
- Mr. Jones, I'm afraid
you're deeply misguided.
Of the $3 billion they allocated
to the Aboriginal budget
last year, 80% of
the areas funded
are taken for granted
by White Australians.
Schooling, housing,
health, justice,
social security,
family services,
the same services
available to White people
under a Black label.
- Yeah, well that's
assuming that White people
use all these services.
- Many White people use
all of these services.
But the difference is, that
they don't have the difficulties
of delivering these
services to remote areas
which costs more money.
- Yeah, well even
if that was true,
there's still hundreds
of thousands of dollars
going down the bloody
gurgler isn't there.
- Oh, I agree.
In some areas of expenditure,
two thirds goes to monitoring
and delivering the money
and not to the programs
that they're actually
earmarked for.
And that's before it
gets into the hands
of the Black fellows.
- I wasn't talking
about that, was I?
I was talking about
the grog, wasn't I?
- Oh, and there's a
far greater percentage
of Aboriginal people
who are nondrinkers
compared to White Australians.
Past records show that 22% of
Aboriginals no longer drink
compared to 9% of the
general population.
- Where is he getting this from?
- So do you want me to
keep going on Mr. Jones?
Because I think it's
important that you understand
that you and the
rest of the country
have been fed a lot of
crap for a long time
and you've never
really thought about
getting to the actual truth.
- Yeah, well what about
ATSIC, eh?
We give youse that,
you govern yourselves
and that was crooked.
- Yeah, in some ways, yes.
- You see that, even
one of their own agrees.
- But then
self-determination takes
a long time to get right.
Now, if you can
give me an example
of a large corporation,
Black or White,
that doesn't have any
element of corruption in it,
I'd like to see it.
- Yeah, of course
you can twist the figures
to suit yourself, can't you?
You're one of them.
- Well, I hope so.
Well you have a
good day, Mr. Jones.
It was lovely talking to you.
- So, pollie emerges, huh?
- Yeah, but you sent
that dickhead packing.
Doubt he'll be back.
- Yeah, but the problem
is, you send one packing
and another one springs up in
their place, just like weeds.
- Come on Drew, let's go.
(intense music)
- What's going on?
- We need to settle some things.
(melancholy music)
- What's the cemetery
got to do with anything?
- These places hold
a lot of history.
You did well with
that reporter today.
So if you're gonna
be a spokesperson,
there's a few things
that you need to know.
(concerning music)
So many old fellas in their
graves before their time.
Bloody equal wages killed 'em.
Sacked, for costing the
same as the White man.
Do-gooders thought that
that was the best way, eh?
Get the Black fellas paid
the same as the White men.
They didn't intend on every
single station owner going,
"Hey, if we gotta pay the same,
we want one of us instead."
I'm not saying it wasn't
a worthy thing they did.
But all that well meaning stuff,
can come back and
kick you in the teeth.
Fools like Kenneth
Jones, need to learn
some real history
about this country.
That's something
you'll never learn
from that piece of paper
you've got there, Drew.
I'm sorry I haven't helped
you the way I should have.
- Nah, that's done.
Let's move forward.
- I sometimes forget,
that you're still learning
what it's like to
really be a Black man
in the Kimberleys, eh?
- What the fuck's
that supposed to mean?
- Well just--
- Well, you act as if
you're the only one who
still has your culture, Sam.
What, you and your mob?
What, 'cause you're still here?
- Where is your country, Drew?
Hey, what language do you speak?
Fuck all.
- You're an
upper-class Black man
who looks down on
people like me.
- You're the one with
the flash car, Drew.
And a flash wife.
- Yeah, but in
your eyes, eh Sam,
I'm not a real Black man, am I?
(concerning music)
(car horn blowing)
- You're quiet.
You and Sam playing
no speakies still?
- Yeah.
- It's just his way, Drew.
- You know that client
of mine, Jack Stallion?
He reckons he knows
some of my family.
- Yeah, how?
- I don't know.
I thought he was a
bit loopy at first,
but I recognized a familiar name
on one of the
headstones in Newtown.
My grandmother's.
- I thought you knew where
your family was from.
- All I knew I was from up
north, but I wasn't sure where.
- You've never met
any of your mob?
- I met some of my family
when I was younger,
but I'd never recognize them
even if I ran into them.
And I never really
new whether they were
really his mob or
community family, you know?
- Well it sounds like you
should check it out, eh?
- Maybe.
- Maybe?
They're your family.
- Now is not a good time.
- Drew it's really important,
knowing where you come from.
Here you are.
- Yeah, well just, keep it
to yourself, will ya please?
- Sure.
But Drew don't let this slide.
It's too important, eh.
- Drew,
this is Ringer John.
Old man, this is that one,
he's gonna be talking to you
along in that court.
His name Drew.
- Pleased to meet you.
- He knocked down Old Creek
Station's fence with his Toyota.
See, the station owner--
- I'll take it from here, Sam.
- Are you sure?
Whatever.
- But even but a man,
you lock him up
for a damn fence.
- You just take
your time, old man.
You just slow down.
- Even land.
Mine's better, too long now.
- Who for too long?
- Hey?
- He's made a statement
admitting to the facts
of this case, Your Honour.
- In mitigation, Your Honour.
And Mr. Ringer
John and his people
have always had free
access to these lands
and these sacred
sites on the lease
up until about a month ago
when the management changed
hands at the station.
Now, Mr. John has tried
on several occasions
to make contact with the new
manager, but to no avail.
The new manager's
answer was to put a lock
and a chain on the gates.
Mr. John's responsible
of taking care
of these people's sacred sites
and he can't do that
if he's denied access.
- Thank you, Mr. Ellis.
Mr. John.
- Yes, boss.
- Whilst I'm not
without sympathy,
you can not go around
destroying property.
You understand that don't you?
- Yes.
- But given the circumstances
presented before me today,
I've decided to dismiss
the charges against you.
As for the station
owner, Mr. Crisp,
I suggest you meet
with the Land Council
about access and
management issues
regarding the use of the land
by their traditional owners,
as provided for in
cultural heritage law.
- [Drew] Thank you, Your Honour.
(airy music)
(knocking on door)
(airy music)
- Hey.
- Something's come up.
I need someone to cover
calls for me tonight.
- What do you need done?
- Nah, don't worry about it.
- No, no,
what do you need done, Sam?
I can do it, no big deal.
- Just the usual call out stuff.
Kids getting arrested.
People just needing
help, that sort of thing.
- Yeah, no worries.
- Well, there's some
numbers in the diary there
you're gonna need to know.
The hospital, woman's refuge.
There's my phone.
It shouldn't be too long.
- Take your time, I'll be fine.
(smooth music)
(laughing)
(smooth music)
- I thought I lost
you there for second.
You okay?
- Yeah, hard trip.
- You want to talk about it?
- Not really.
- So, how's Bernadette?
Okay, we don't talk
about your wife.
How about a 100%,
sympathetic ear
for the rest of your troubles.
- Well you mightn't be 100%
supportive when I finish.
- Try me.
- Ah, so here you are.
Did you see the news
the other night?
Apparently, your new lawyer
said, ATSIC is crooked.
- I wouldn't believe
everything you see on the news.
- [Drew] I think he thinks
he's breaking me in.
- Breaking you in?
- Well he's testing me then.
He thinks I can't
handle what he handles.
I mean, he gives me the
phone so he can set me up.
- He's setting you up?
- Well yeah, except
I'm not gonna give him
the satisfaction of failing.
- Drew, he's not that bad.
- You want to bet?
- You mob seen Billy?
- [Boys] Yeah, he went that way.
(racy music)
(phone ringing)
- Hello Sam's phone,
Drew Ellis speaking.
Hang on, hang on,
slow down, slow down.
(racy music)
(phone ringing)
Hello, Drew Ellis.
(racy music)
- Shame on you.
Shame on you.
Get in the car and
wait for me there.
Thank you, young man.
- You're welcome.
- And where are you from?
- Down south, Perth way.
- From Nyoongar country?
- Yeah.
- You got a wife?
- Ah, Yes.
(phone ringing)
Oh, excuse me.
Okay, and thank you very much.
No worries, you
have a good night.
See you.
Hello, Drew Ellis.
(racy music)
(phone ringing)
Hello, Sam's phone,
Drew Ellis speaking.
I'll be about five, bye.
- Thanks.
- Your mom rang.
She said you were
running a muck.
- Here you go and now I
heard your name's Andrew
is that right?
That's my name too.
What, people call you Drew?
- Hey.
- Okay, listen you know
you can't wonder around
in the middle of the
night getting yourself
into trouble all the time.
- What's he matter
with you Billy?
Why couldn't you come to me?
You knew where I was.
But nah, you had
to play up until
the cops got hold of ya, eh?
Billy, you're my son.
I worry about ya.
Look.
Well, what are we gonna
do with ya then, eh?
- Just get me off.
- How'd it go?
- Alright.
Just need a bit
more time with him.
- He's certainly in the
shit, that's for sure.
- Yeah.
Of course, wondering maybe
we could work out a
deal or something.
- So, a favor for old time sake.
I could turn a blind eye
to this, just this once.
No harm in doing a favor
for an old workmate.
- Just book him.
- Suit yourself.
(melancholy music)
- It's not your fault.
- Well the stuff
at Jalwarra was.
Sam was right.
He called me on it.
I made a fool of myself.
- I'm sure you didn't.
- I sat up there pontificating,
asking her if she was ready
to say goodbye to her family
and she already
had, and I forgot.
Not about her mother
just, just the connection.
- Peter, don't beat
yourself up about it.
You did the best thing
by that little girl.
Her grandfather will
take care of her.
- Thank you.
- [Man] Hey look, there's
a fire on the beach.
(intense music)
- Where'd you come from?
- We were fishing up there.
- You?
- We were at a party.
- Does this have something
to do with Easter?
- No, not really.
- I'll explain later bubba.
- Hey Peter.
- Any clue who did this?
- No, but Drew was right.
They're like weeds.
- Another thing that won't
appear on the nightly news.
(sirens)
- They're finally down.
Savvy's freaked out.
Brendan still doesn't
know what it's all about.
What am I supposed to say?
Sorry bub, but some rednecks
think that Black fellas
should be strung up.
- It's the truth.
How many times has this
stuff happened, eh?
He'll know sooner or later.
- Yeah, well he doesn't
need to know about it now.
- The kids have
been acting strange
in the last couple of days.
Not just about this.
They don't like it
when you're away.
- Well I've got no
choice, now do I?
I've got bills to pay.
A house to pay off.
- I know it's a good job but--
- Mom, please.
It's been a rotten
week and it's been
topped of by all this shit.
- So how was the trip?
- Tough, especially at the mish.
This kid was up on charges
and Peter went in real hard.
I felt sorry for her.
- What kid?
- Gina Pope.
- He send her to
the little house?
- She was lucky this time.
Supervision order and put in
the care of her grandfather.
- Not Harry Pope.
- Yeah, why?
- That man shouldn't
be anywhere near kids.
- What's the matter?
- He can't be trusted near
young girls, that's for sure.
- Come on.
Where's your mom and
dad, are they at home?
- I don't know.
- Wait up a minute.
- Piss off.
If you wanna play father,
go do it with someone else.
I couldn't give a shit.
- Wait a minute.
- Bugger off!
You're fucking useless.
Couldn't even get me
off, so what good are ya?
- You want a lift somewhere?
What about a feed?
Do you want to come back
to the hotel with me?
(knocking on door)
- Bella.
- Sorry, I um--
- Peter's inside.
Peter, you've got a visitor.
- Bella.
- I'll leave you two alone.
- What's wrong?
- We've made a mistake.
- What mistake?
Please, sit down.
Tell me what's wrong.
- You know my mom
works with them women
who support victims of abuse.
- Tell me.
- They've had Harry Pope in
their sights for a while.
He abuses children, young girls.
- Are there charges?
Has anyone come forward?
- I don't know,
I don't think so.
But, Harry's got a
lot of power up there
and them women they, they know.
- Well, If no one's
actually saying anything.
- You know how hard it is to
get people to come forward.
I need to ask you,
can you reverse this?
- Not without some
kind of proof.
Bella, call family
and children services.
Get them to get
someone up there.
- That could take days.
What do you reckon's
happening while we wait?
- I don't know.
That's the best I can do.
- I can't believe you can't just
make a phone call, reverse this.
- I can't.
- So what about
that little girl?
We're supposed to
be protecting her.
- I know.
But we can't just take
things into our own hands,
that's not the
way the law works.
- That's a cop-out.
- No, that's the way it is.
Now you, you call the
children services.
Bella,
are they sure, I know Harry?
I can't believe he'd
do those things.
- Why, because he's an elder?
- Because the man I
know is a decent man.
- They're sure.
- I'm sorry.
(melancholy music)
- I just come to
pick up my stuff, eh.
- How is everything?
- Okay, how was your night?
- Over here, a bit stuffed.
It's been in and
out for most of it.
Is it normally like this?
- Sometimes she gets busy.
- I had to pick this kid
up from the police station.
He needed a bed.
- That's young Andy.
I know his parents, I'll
take him home for ya.
(melancholy music)
- So how was everything
for you tonight?
- As well as could be expected.
(melancholy music)
Thanks Drew.
- Any time.
- And goodnight.
- Goodnight.
(melancholy music)
- I can't reach the aunties.
I'll drive up and see
what help I can be.
- Drew it's Bella,
can you call me
on my mobile when you get this?
I need you to cover for me.
♪ I get my truth
through the vision ♪
♪ My bottom line ♪
We'll drop the kids
off on the way.
♪ I here stand for change ♪
♪ Came home to
face it all alone ♪
♪ Can't keep it in soggy
proof will come out ♪
♪ Bring it on on
and show clean air ♪
♪ But you can put me down,
but you won't break me ♪
♪ Trying to trap me in,
but I won't be fooled ♪
♪ Play your silly games,
but I won't be played ♪
♪ 'Cause I've done
nothing to you ♪
♪ Whad wrong with
you, with you ♪
♪ Whad wrong with
you, with you ♪
♪ Whad wrong with
you, you, you ♪
♪ What wrong with you ♪
Torres Strait Islander viewers
are warned that this
program may contain images
and sounds that relate
to deceased persons.
Previously on The Circuit.
- You come up here to get your
degree in Aboriginality eh?
I'm too happy to help you.
(upbeat rock music)
- Mr. Ellis, I can assure
you that in the Kimberley
cattle-duffing is
not taken lightly.
- Well you didn't really think
it was gonna be
easy here did ya?
- I just feel like I'm drowning.
Who's gonna look after your
kids if you go to jail?
Think about your children.
- She is therefore ordered
to serve 18 months in prison.
(sobbing)
- No mommy no, don't go.
(sobbing)
(upbeat Aboriginal music)
- Don't go.
- And you have people to meet
and I have a plane to catch.
- Call in sick.
- For which bit?
- For both.
(laughs)
- Come on, I'm
gonna take a shower
(laughing)
- Has he told you
how rubbish he was?
- I wasn't that bad.
- Yeah, that's not
how I heard it.
- Bros, you and I both know
that if law doesn't
work out for you
you have no future
in stock work.
That was the world's
quietest horse you were on
and you still look like you
were ready to dump a load.
- Hey!
- Oh, that's nice Clarry.
- Oh, I bet you
looked sexy though.
(laughing)
- He went pale.
The Whitest Black
boy you ever did see.
- When are you moving up Dianne?
- Soon as work lets up a little.
- Yeah well, hurry up girl.
Haven't seen this bloke
look so happy for weeks.
- Now you know what I'm
like when you're away.
- Yeah.
- Well don't worry,
we'll take good care
of him until you get here.
- We gotta go, Dianne's
got a plane to catch.
- Yeah.
- See ya Drew.
- See ya.
- Safe flight you.
- Thanks.
- You sure you can't stay?
- Don't make it harder than
it has to be, baby please.
- Only 20 more sleeps.
We'll get through it.
If I need some company I
can call on one of my girls.
- You're not funny.
- I am a little bit funny.
(sobbing)
(acoustic music)
- You're not gonna believe this.
What kind of place is this?
- Origami practice?
- No they--
- I know what they are.
- An apology from the
Australian people.
- I've got a small load
today, what's going on?
- Sorry for giving you
tens of thousand of dollars
each year from tax
payers pockets every year
so that you can sit
around and drink.
I'm sorry for giving you money
for free air travel,
funerals, car payments.
Can you believe this shit?
- No.
- And of course, nothings
being done about it.
- [Bob] There on to it.
- Isn't he one of my clients?
- Oh yeah, sorry about that.
He just asked me
to represent him.
- Did you know about this?
- Know about what?
Yeah I knew.
- Well what's going on?
- What do you think?
- Well I don't
know what to think.
- Whatever.
- I've got some buyers
flying in on Tuesday
and they'll be gone
by Wednesday night.
When are you back?
- Thursday.
- So I'll tell Philippa
we can make the party.
Peter, you don't have to
go if you don't want to.
I just thought it would be nice.
- Thursday, party fine.
I'm sorry, I'm just tired.
- Tell me about it.
- Sorry, your
intercom's on the fritz.
There's a call on line one.
I believe it's about your wife.
- You're not exactly
invisible, you know?
- As long as Peter's in
there and I'm out here.
- Why don't you just
smoke in front of him?
- Something you want?
- A ticket home.
- Can't be that bad.
- Can't it?
- Just be patient.
Your clients 'll
come back to ya.
- You know too?
- It's just a phase,
things filter through.
They're testing ya.
- I've been here a month Bella.
When am I gonna pass that test?
- They'll come around.
So, do you think I should
do what the flyer says
and marry Savvy off
young, get a free wedding?
It's so hard to decide between
that and the free funerals.
- That's not funny.
- We're dealing with it.
I've got some people lined up
to do some talk-back radio.
And at the end of the day,
it'll be the guy who wrote it
who ends up looking
like the fool.
Come on, cheer up.
- Thanks Bella.
- See ya, bye.
Piss off.
- Who's that?
- The owner of Pristine Pearls,
Megan Chong, Broome aristocracy.
- And you don't
like her because?
- She's Peter's girlfriend.
- Problem?
- He's already got a wife.
- Oh.
- She lives in Perth.
You know, if less women were
getting their knickers off
for married men, we'd
all be a lot better off.
Man can't stray if he's
got no one to stray to.
We're late.
- You may sit down.
- Is it our turn yet?
- No not yet, I'll tell
you when it is, alright?
Have you seen James Nangle?
- No, I can't help
you with that.
Have you seen a doctor
lately, old man?
- No.
- Hey listen, I'm not sure
what's wrong with this old man
but, I think he's got like
a septic foot or something.
He smells like a sewer.
- If he's not well, tell
him to go to the hospital
he shouldn't be here.
- Mr. Chance was subsequently
charged with fraud.
This charge is on the
grounds that Mr. Chance
regularly took tourists on a
tour of supposedly sacred sites
of the Wunballa people.
- Wunballa?
- I've been told that
Wunballa is a saying
for one fella, Your Honour.
(laughing)
However, it has been
revealed by the Land Council
that the locations Mr.
Chance took the tourists to
are not sacred sites.
(laughing)
The fraud also pertains
to receiving money
under false pretenses,
Your Honour.
The prison charge is preferred.
There is a record.
- Your Honour, the
tourists were treated
to an interesting
and informative tour.
- With bush teller and all.
(laughing)
- And everything that
was described to them
in the tour brochure
was delivered.
Except for the
actual sacred sites.
(laughing)
However, the tourists received
an adequate service
for their fees.
- They got some good yarns
and a few good laughs too.
- Mr. Chance believed
that if he too tourists
to the fabricated
sites, he was actually
protecting the real ones.
- Well our sites
get buggered up.
- That our client?
- B and E.
He's gonna plead innocent,
so he'll be remanded over.
- What's going on Sam?
- Nothin', I'm
just doing my job.
- Yeah, without me.
We're supposed to be a team.
- The client wanted to
talk to me, not you.
- I'm their lawyer.
- What do you expect mate?
Word gets around.
- What's that supposed to mean?
- The community has got
no confidence in ya.
- And what do you think, Sam?
Well if you got no
confidence in me,
why don't you take over?
What, no piece of paper?
I'm a blood good lawyer Sam
and you're damn
lucky to have me.
- Good lawyer my ass.
You can't even sit next
to some our clients
without wanting to
spew your guts out.
You insulted that
old man in there.
You think he didn't notice.
You got no idea.
Here, we got work to do.
I don't think that one smells.
- It's time to
stop playing games.
We got a job to do.
You need a lawyer here.
- I need a lawyer who
can do the job properly.
- And all I need is your help
to get a handle on things.
Now are you gonna give
it or are we gonna have
a pissing contest for the rest
of the time that I'm here?
'Cause if we are,
you're wasting my time
and frankly, you're
wasting their time as well.
- We're due back in.
- Did you hear me?
- We'll talk about this later.
- Mr. Chance, how much
money did you make
from this particular tour?
- Just over $3,000, sir.
- Your Honour, the figure
Mr. Chance speaks of
is actually before costs.
- Thank you, Mrs. Zdybicka.
Mr. Chance, I'm gonna put
your hard earned money
to some good use.
I fine you $3,000 plus costs.
- Hey?
(laughing)
- You heard.
The money will go
to the Land Council
for the specific
purpose of maintaining
the real sacred sites.
And Mr. Chance, there better
not be anymore sightings
of these types of tours
or the Wunballa people.
- Yes, Your Majesty.
(laughing)
- Thank you, Your Honour.
(laughing)
Okay Ray, once we've
got the paperwork sorted
you're gonna head off right?
- We should celebrate.
Can I take you out to dinner?
- There's nothing to
celebrate, we lost.
- Can I take you to dinner
for all your good hard work?
- Thank you, but no.
- [Court Officer] The court
calls, Miss Rebecca Franklin.
- Sergeant Temple.
- It was alleged that on
the 13th of last month
the defendant was seen
by several shop keepers
trying the doors of
several closed stores
in the Chinatown region.
- Listen, I managed to
get your case put off
'til later on in the month.
But in the mean time I've
called the medical service
and they're gonna send
someone down to pick you up
and you can go and
see a doctor, okay?
I'll come and wait with ya.
You do know, if you keep coming
back on these DV charges,
eventually you're gonna
end up in the big house?
- We got a recess.
- Probably best
you left now, Ray.
I'm sure you've got
things to do, eh?
- No dear, I've got
nowhere better to be.
I'm actually enjoying myself.
- Look, you can't
stay here, Ray.
You know it's not legal
for you to hang around.
You could get into trouble.
- Drew.
- Just stay here, I'll
be back in a minute.
Not legal?
- I'd like you to
meet my mom, Rose.
Mom, this is Drew Ellis,
the new ALS lawyer.
- Nice to meet you Rose.
- I've heard a lot about you.
How are you finding the place?
- Oh yeah, you
know, slowly slowly.
Excuse me for a minute, I need
to catch up with my client.
It's nice to meet ya Rose.
- Mom!
(upbeat music)
- Where's that file for Gracie?
- I don't know.
- You're like a bloody
five-year-old sometimes.
I don't know what it
is that Peter finds
so admirable about that guy.
- The bearer.
Aunties, this is Drew.
He's gonna be talking
in court for Gina.
He's our new lawyer.
We're really lucky to have him.
- She's really a good girl.
And she get more scatterbrain
with her mom ain't being here.
- She's been getting
into a lot of trouble
even before her
mother went away.
- Yeah true, but she
got even more worse.
She been camping
down at the well.
We don't know what's
been going on.
She reckons she was hungry,
that's why she broke
into the store.
- Gina, you know it's against
the law to steal, even food.
Why didn't you get
food from your family
if you were that hungry?
- I don't know.
- Well you know you're in a
lot of trouble now, don't you?
Why haven't you been
staying at home?
- Too many people.
She better off with her
cousin on the outstation,
but the cousin not here.
She'll be back
after pension week.
- Pension week's next week.
Auntie, that's the only
reason, not enough beds?
- What for?
- Okay, thank you.
Come on.
- But I need to tell
the magistrate something
if he asks the question.
- I been telling you
my boy, that's enough.
- Thank you, sorry.
Come on.
- You've been heading down
this path for quite some time.
Am I right, Gina?
You seem to get into
trouble over and over again.
You must remember
what I said to you
the last time you were here.
I told you then, if I
saw you back in here
then you'd better be
prepared to go to Perth,
because you're all
out of chances.
So, you must be looking
forward to going to Perth?
Have you come to
court all prepared?
Have you said goodbye
to your family?
Goodbye to your mother?
- Doesn't Your Honour remember.
You sent her mother to
jail at the last circuit.
- Please excuse my
colleague, Your Honour.
My client's mother and
father are currently in jail.
- Peter, she can live with
me and I'll look after her.
- You are a very
lucky young girl.
Your grandfather here has agreed
to take you into his care.
He'll take care of you and
take you under his wing.
I therefore release Gina
into the care of Mr. Pope
with a supervision order.
Gina,
if you get into anymore trouble
you'd better be
prepared to go to Perth,
because you will be going.
Thank you.
- Just be nice, Gina.
- It was a good result.
At least she's not
going to Perth,
she can stay here
in the community.
- It's friggin' hopeless.
- He was just trying
to scare the kid.
- What, by telling her to
say goodbye to her mother?
- Yeah, maybe.
By reminding her that she's
heading in the same direction
as her parents have gone.
- Siding with him?
Surprise, surprise.
- Oh, Sam's pissed off again,
surprise, surprise to that.
That's a pot calling
the kettle black.
Look, how much longer
are we gonna do this, eh?
We might as well grab our spears
and we'll stand at 50 paces.
I know it's been a
while, but I reckon
I can remember which
is the pointy end.
- Have you ever handled a spear?
- Well, more like
a barbecue skewer,
but they can
inflict some damage.
(intense music)
- You know my boy, this
is my country, my home.
- Yeah, but old man, you
know you're not allowed
to drink grog in the park.
- Gudiya come in the
park with their esky,
they bring their own
grog in the park.
- Yeah, but them police,
they been catch you, old man.
Then never been
catched them gudiyas.
- Look, we'll see what
we can do for you Jack.
But I wouldn't hold out
too much hope, right?
- I know you, my boy.
I know your family.
- I don't think so, old man.
Television crew.
What do you suppose
we've done now?
- I'm giving you a
three month sentence,
converted to a $1500.00 fine.
That means, if you so
much as lovetap your woman
and the police come around,
you will go to jail.
Do you understand?
- Yeah.
- You're also
ordered to complete
30 hours of anger
management counseling
and to pay costs of $58.00.
That is all.
- Thank you, Your Honour.
- [Court Officer] The court
now calls Jack Stallion.
- No, we have every right,
so we'll just stay
here five minutes.
- Is your name Jack Stallion?
- Yes.
- You're charged with
drinking in a public place.
Do you understand the charges?
- Yes, Your Honour.
- You may sit down.
Mr. Ellis.
- Your Honour, the
policy of this town
is apparently to discourage
drinking in public places.
- Yes, that is true.
- But why does my
client here tell me that
on a number of occasions he's
seen non-Aboriginal people
sitting in the same
park with their esky
and their bottles of wine
and feeling no threat at all
whatsoever of being arrested
as they sit there and
sip their alcohol?
- Well I'm afraid I can't
answer that question, Mr. Ellis.
Perhaps the constabulary
can enlighten us
as to who the choose to
arrest and who they don't.
In the mean time I
suggest you client
restrict his drinking to his
home or to licensed premises.
- In mitigation, Your Honour,
as far as Jack Stallion
is concerned, when he
is drinking in that park
he is drinking at home.
This country is his home,
his traditional home.
- Mr. Ellis, there are
pubs for drinking alcohol.
- Well according to my
client, they don't want him
drinking in the pub.
So where do they
expect him to go?
Maybe they expect Jack Stallion
to go and drink in
the bushes somewhere,
away from the tourist's eyes.
Out of sight, out of mind.
- Sergeant Miller,
could you please tell me
how many people you've
booked for drinking
in that park since
the last circuit?
- I don't have the exact
figures, Your Honour.
- Well, an
approximation will do.
- Around 25.
- And how many of
those were White?
Five, 10?
- One, Your Honour.
- [Courtroom Gallery] Oh.
- Stand up please, Jack.
I'm gonna let you off,
but this can't continue.
There is a law in
place which sadly,
discriminates in your case.
And that means that you
can continue to be arrested
and brought before me.
I would ask that you try
and bear that law in mind.
- Thank you, Your Honour.
- I would also ask this
community, once again,
to seriously look at
itself and work out a way
to cater for all it's citizens.
- [Court Officer] The court
now calls, Martha Boskill.
- Thank you, my boy.
I say hello to your mom.
- What's going on?
Someone get shot?
- No, they've got that
guy with the leaflets.
They caught him red-handed
papering cars here.
He's up in court today.
- Who's representing him?
- He won't have any lawyers.
He wants to defend himself.
- [Drew] Well, who
tipped the press off?
We don't usually get
television here, do we?
- No, no, no, no, they come,
if they think they're going
to get something juicy.
- Maybe one of the
coppers tipped them off.
- Well maybe if you've
got a drum to bang
you want a bigger
audience to play to.
- I wonder whose
side are they on?
- Mr. Jones, I would ask that
you reconsider your decision.
- I'm quite capable of speaking
my own behalf, Your Honour.
- Very well then.
Are you Kenneth Jones
of Melbourne, Victoria?
- Yes, I am.
- You are charged with
distributing material
designed to insight
racial hatred
and one charge of littering.
Do you understand the charges?
- I understand the charges,
but I've done nothing wrong.
- Mr. Jones, if you
understand the charges
are you guilty or not guilty?
- I suppose I'm...
I plead guilty of exercising
the right to free speech
in my own country, Your Honour.
Guilty of an unjust law.
- Just guilty or not guilty.
- Guilty.
- It was noted that Mr.
Jones became quite agitated
when questioned by police.
He was arrested and the
present charges are preferred.
I tender the leaflet as
evidence, Your Honour.
- Mr. Jones.
- Your Honour.
Look, the average
Australian is sick and tired
of seeing billions of dollars
going into the
Aboriginal coffers
only to be pissed up against
the wall, you know that?
So I decided to come north,
take a bit of a look around
and spread the truth about
what's really going
on in our country.
I mean, is that a crime?
- Mr. Jones!
- Three billion dollars
a year, Your Honour,
in the Aboriginal budget.
I mean, for Christ
sake, that's ridiculous.
That's seven and a
half thousand dollars
for every single
man, woman and child.
- Mr Jones, you will confine--
- And what do we get?
What do we get, Your Honour?
We get drunks.
- Mr. Jones!
I have absolutely no
intention of allowing you
to stand on your soapbox
whilst in this courtroom.
Do you understand?
- Yes, Your Honour.
Let me ask you a
question, Your Honour, eh?
You like seeing your
hard earned money
going to waste to 'em?
Does that make you
happy, does it?
- Mr Jones, I do not
share your views.
Don't include me
in your arguments.
If you continue along this path,
I will find you in contempt.
Do you understand?
- Your Honour.
- I fine you $2,000.00
for the distribution
and a further $250.00
for littering.
Please take a seat
in the front row
while we organize
your paperwork.
Who have we got next?
- [Court Officer] Mary Warrens.
- I said take a seat
in the front row.
(laughing)
- Come.
(laughing)
- Well obviously the
magistrates gone native.
I mean, the only
people talking about
racism in there is Aborigines.
I mean, I'm talking about a
fair go for all Australians.
- Somebody should
sort that fella out.
- A claim down there in the
central business district
and that's only after
we've improved it.
I mean, you know, Australians
have had a gut full.
- Mr. Jones, I'm afraid
you're deeply misguided.
Of the $3 billion they allocated
to the Aboriginal budget
last year, 80% of
the areas funded
are taken for granted
by White Australians.
Schooling, housing,
health, justice,
social security,
family services,
the same services
available to White people
under a Black label.
- Yeah, well that's
assuming that White people
use all these services.
- Many White people use
all of these services.
But the difference is, that
they don't have the difficulties
of delivering these
services to remote areas
which costs more money.
- Yeah, well even
if that was true,
there's still hundreds
of thousands of dollars
going down the bloody
gurgler isn't there.
- Oh, I agree.
In some areas of expenditure,
two thirds goes to monitoring
and delivering the money
and not to the programs
that they're actually
earmarked for.
And that's before it
gets into the hands
of the Black fellows.
- I wasn't talking
about that, was I?
I was talking about
the grog, wasn't I?
- Oh, and there's a
far greater percentage
of Aboriginal people
who are nondrinkers
compared to White Australians.
Past records show that 22% of
Aboriginals no longer drink
compared to 9% of the
general population.
- Where is he getting this from?
- So do you want me to
keep going on Mr. Jones?
Because I think it's
important that you understand
that you and the
rest of the country
have been fed a lot of
crap for a long time
and you've never
really thought about
getting to the actual truth.
- Yeah, well what about
ATSIC, eh?
We give youse that,
you govern yourselves
and that was crooked.
- Yeah, in some ways, yes.
- You see that, even
one of their own agrees.
- But then
self-determination takes
a long time to get right.
Now, if you can
give me an example
of a large corporation,
Black or White,
that doesn't have any
element of corruption in it,
I'd like to see it.
- Yeah, of course
you can twist the figures
to suit yourself, can't you?
You're one of them.
- Well, I hope so.
Well you have a
good day, Mr. Jones.
It was lovely talking to you.
- So, pollie emerges, huh?
- Yeah, but you sent
that dickhead packing.
Doubt he'll be back.
- Yeah, but the problem
is, you send one packing
and another one springs up in
their place, just like weeds.
- Come on Drew, let's go.
(intense music)
- What's going on?
- We need to settle some things.
(melancholy music)
- What's the cemetery
got to do with anything?
- These places hold
a lot of history.
You did well with
that reporter today.
So if you're gonna
be a spokesperson,
there's a few things
that you need to know.
(concerning music)
So many old fellas in their
graves before their time.
Bloody equal wages killed 'em.
Sacked, for costing the
same as the White man.
Do-gooders thought that
that was the best way, eh?
Get the Black fellas paid
the same as the White men.
They didn't intend on every
single station owner going,
"Hey, if we gotta pay the same,
we want one of us instead."
I'm not saying it wasn't
a worthy thing they did.
But all that well meaning stuff,
can come back and
kick you in the teeth.
Fools like Kenneth
Jones, need to learn
some real history
about this country.
That's something
you'll never learn
from that piece of paper
you've got there, Drew.
I'm sorry I haven't helped
you the way I should have.
- Nah, that's done.
Let's move forward.
- I sometimes forget,
that you're still learning
what it's like to
really be a Black man
in the Kimberleys, eh?
- What the fuck's
that supposed to mean?
- Well just--
- Well, you act as if
you're the only one who
still has your culture, Sam.
What, you and your mob?
What, 'cause you're still here?
- Where is your country, Drew?
Hey, what language do you speak?
Fuck all.
- You're an
upper-class Black man
who looks down on
people like me.
- You're the one with
the flash car, Drew.
And a flash wife.
- Yeah, but in
your eyes, eh Sam,
I'm not a real Black man, am I?
(concerning music)
(car horn blowing)
- You're quiet.
You and Sam playing
no speakies still?
- Yeah.
- It's just his way, Drew.
- You know that client
of mine, Jack Stallion?
He reckons he knows
some of my family.
- Yeah, how?
- I don't know.
I thought he was a
bit loopy at first,
but I recognized a familiar name
on one of the
headstones in Newtown.
My grandmother's.
- I thought you knew where
your family was from.
- All I knew I was from up
north, but I wasn't sure where.
- You've never met
any of your mob?
- I met some of my family
when I was younger,
but I'd never recognize them
even if I ran into them.
And I never really
new whether they were
really his mob or
community family, you know?
- Well it sounds like you
should check it out, eh?
- Maybe.
- Maybe?
They're your family.
- Now is not a good time.
- Drew it's really important,
knowing where you come from.
Here you are.
- Yeah, well just, keep it
to yourself, will ya please?
- Sure.
But Drew don't let this slide.
It's too important, eh.
- Drew,
this is Ringer John.
Old man, this is that one,
he's gonna be talking to you
along in that court.
His name Drew.
- Pleased to meet you.
- He knocked down Old Creek
Station's fence with his Toyota.
See, the station owner--
- I'll take it from here, Sam.
- Are you sure?
Whatever.
- But even but a man,
you lock him up
for a damn fence.
- You just take
your time, old man.
You just slow down.
- Even land.
Mine's better, too long now.
- Who for too long?
- Hey?
- He's made a statement
admitting to the facts
of this case, Your Honour.
- In mitigation, Your Honour.
And Mr. Ringer
John and his people
have always had free
access to these lands
and these sacred
sites on the lease
up until about a month ago
when the management changed
hands at the station.
Now, Mr. John has tried
on several occasions
to make contact with the new
manager, but to no avail.
The new manager's
answer was to put a lock
and a chain on the gates.
Mr. John's responsible
of taking care
of these people's sacred sites
and he can't do that
if he's denied access.
- Thank you, Mr. Ellis.
Mr. John.
- Yes, boss.
- Whilst I'm not
without sympathy,
you can not go around
destroying property.
You understand that don't you?
- Yes.
- But given the circumstances
presented before me today,
I've decided to dismiss
the charges against you.
As for the station
owner, Mr. Crisp,
I suggest you meet
with the Land Council
about access and
management issues
regarding the use of the land
by their traditional owners,
as provided for in
cultural heritage law.
- [Drew] Thank you, Your Honour.
(airy music)
(knocking on door)
(airy music)
- Hey.
- Something's come up.
I need someone to cover
calls for me tonight.
- What do you need done?
- Nah, don't worry about it.
- No, no,
what do you need done, Sam?
I can do it, no big deal.
- Just the usual call out stuff.
Kids getting arrested.
People just needing
help, that sort of thing.
- Yeah, no worries.
- Well, there's some
numbers in the diary there
you're gonna need to know.
The hospital, woman's refuge.
There's my phone.
It shouldn't be too long.
- Take your time, I'll be fine.
(smooth music)
(laughing)
(smooth music)
- I thought I lost
you there for second.
You okay?
- Yeah, hard trip.
- You want to talk about it?
- Not really.
- So, how's Bernadette?
Okay, we don't talk
about your wife.
How about a 100%,
sympathetic ear
for the rest of your troubles.
- Well you mightn't be 100%
supportive when I finish.
- Try me.
- Ah, so here you are.
Did you see the news
the other night?
Apparently, your new lawyer
said, ATSIC is crooked.
- I wouldn't believe
everything you see on the news.
- [Drew] I think he thinks
he's breaking me in.
- Breaking you in?
- Well he's testing me then.
He thinks I can't
handle what he handles.
I mean, he gives me the
phone so he can set me up.
- He's setting you up?
- Well yeah, except
I'm not gonna give him
the satisfaction of failing.
- Drew, he's not that bad.
- You want to bet?
- You mob seen Billy?
- [Boys] Yeah, he went that way.
(racy music)
(phone ringing)
- Hello Sam's phone,
Drew Ellis speaking.
Hang on, hang on,
slow down, slow down.
(racy music)
(phone ringing)
Hello, Drew Ellis.
(racy music)
- Shame on you.
Shame on you.
Get in the car and
wait for me there.
Thank you, young man.
- You're welcome.
- And where are you from?
- Down south, Perth way.
- From Nyoongar country?
- Yeah.
- You got a wife?
- Ah, Yes.
(phone ringing)
Oh, excuse me.
Okay, and thank you very much.
No worries, you
have a good night.
See you.
Hello, Drew Ellis.
(racy music)
(phone ringing)
Hello, Sam's phone,
Drew Ellis speaking.
I'll be about five, bye.
- Thanks.
- Your mom rang.
She said you were
running a muck.
- Here you go and now I
heard your name's Andrew
is that right?
That's my name too.
What, people call you Drew?
- Hey.
- Okay, listen you know
you can't wonder around
in the middle of the
night getting yourself
into trouble all the time.
- What's he matter
with you Billy?
Why couldn't you come to me?
You knew where I was.
But nah, you had
to play up until
the cops got hold of ya, eh?
Billy, you're my son.
I worry about ya.
Look.
Well, what are we gonna
do with ya then, eh?
- Just get me off.
- How'd it go?
- Alright.
Just need a bit
more time with him.
- He's certainly in the
shit, that's for sure.
- Yeah.
Of course, wondering maybe
we could work out a
deal or something.
- So, a favor for old time sake.
I could turn a blind eye
to this, just this once.
No harm in doing a favor
for an old workmate.
- Just book him.
- Suit yourself.
(melancholy music)
- It's not your fault.
- Well the stuff
at Jalwarra was.
Sam was right.
He called me on it.
I made a fool of myself.
- I'm sure you didn't.
- I sat up there pontificating,
asking her if she was ready
to say goodbye to her family
and she already
had, and I forgot.
Not about her mother
just, just the connection.
- Peter, don't beat
yourself up about it.
You did the best thing
by that little girl.
Her grandfather will
take care of her.
- Thank you.
- [Man] Hey look, there's
a fire on the beach.
(intense music)
- Where'd you come from?
- We were fishing up there.
- You?
- We were at a party.
- Does this have something
to do with Easter?
- No, not really.
- I'll explain later bubba.
- Hey Peter.
- Any clue who did this?
- No, but Drew was right.
They're like weeds.
- Another thing that won't
appear on the nightly news.
(sirens)
- They're finally down.
Savvy's freaked out.
Brendan still doesn't
know what it's all about.
What am I supposed to say?
Sorry bub, but some rednecks
think that Black fellas
should be strung up.
- It's the truth.
How many times has this
stuff happened, eh?
He'll know sooner or later.
- Yeah, well he doesn't
need to know about it now.
- The kids have
been acting strange
in the last couple of days.
Not just about this.
They don't like it
when you're away.
- Well I've got no
choice, now do I?
I've got bills to pay.
A house to pay off.
- I know it's a good job but--
- Mom, please.
It's been a rotten
week and it's been
topped of by all this shit.
- So how was the trip?
- Tough, especially at the mish.
This kid was up on charges
and Peter went in real hard.
I felt sorry for her.
- What kid?
- Gina Pope.
- He send her to
the little house?
- She was lucky this time.
Supervision order and put in
the care of her grandfather.
- Not Harry Pope.
- Yeah, why?
- That man shouldn't
be anywhere near kids.
- What's the matter?
- He can't be trusted near
young girls, that's for sure.
- Come on.
Where's your mom and
dad, are they at home?
- I don't know.
- Wait up a minute.
- Piss off.
If you wanna play father,
go do it with someone else.
I couldn't give a shit.
- Wait a minute.
- Bugger off!
You're fucking useless.
Couldn't even get me
off, so what good are ya?
- You want a lift somewhere?
What about a feed?
Do you want to come back
to the hotel with me?
(knocking on door)
- Bella.
- Sorry, I um--
- Peter's inside.
Peter, you've got a visitor.
- Bella.
- I'll leave you two alone.
- What's wrong?
- We've made a mistake.
- What mistake?
Please, sit down.
Tell me what's wrong.
- You know my mom
works with them women
who support victims of abuse.
- Tell me.
- They've had Harry Pope in
their sights for a while.
He abuses children, young girls.
- Are there charges?
Has anyone come forward?
- I don't know,
I don't think so.
But, Harry's got a
lot of power up there
and them women they, they know.
- Well, If no one's
actually saying anything.
- You know how hard it is to
get people to come forward.
I need to ask you,
can you reverse this?
- Not without some
kind of proof.
Bella, call family
and children services.
Get them to get
someone up there.
- That could take days.
What do you reckon's
happening while we wait?
- I don't know.
That's the best I can do.
- I can't believe you can't just
make a phone call, reverse this.
- I can't.
- So what about
that little girl?
We're supposed to
be protecting her.
- I know.
But we can't just take
things into our own hands,
that's not the
way the law works.
- That's a cop-out.
- No, that's the way it is.
Now you, you call the
children services.
Bella,
are they sure, I know Harry?
I can't believe he'd
do those things.
- Why, because he's an elder?
- Because the man I
know is a decent man.
- They're sure.
- I'm sorry.
(melancholy music)
- I just come to
pick up my stuff, eh.
- How is everything?
- Okay, how was your night?
- Over here, a bit stuffed.
It's been in and
out for most of it.
Is it normally like this?
- Sometimes she gets busy.
- I had to pick this kid
up from the police station.
He needed a bed.
- That's young Andy.
I know his parents, I'll
take him home for ya.
(melancholy music)
- So how was everything
for you tonight?
- As well as could be expected.
(melancholy music)
Thanks Drew.
- Any time.
- And goodnight.
- Goodnight.
(melancholy music)
- I can't reach the aunties.
I'll drive up and see
what help I can be.
- Drew it's Bella,
can you call me
on my mobile when you get this?
I need you to cover for me.
♪ I get my truth
through the vision ♪
♪ My bottom line ♪
We'll drop the kids
off on the way.
♪ I here stand for change ♪
♪ Came home to
face it all alone ♪
♪ Can't keep it in soggy
proof will come out ♪
♪ Bring it on on
and show clean air ♪
♪ But you can put me down,
but you won't break me ♪
♪ Trying to trap me in,
but I won't be fooled ♪
♪ Play your silly games,
but I won't be played ♪
♪ 'Cause I've done
nothing to you ♪
♪ Whad wrong with
you, with you ♪
♪ Whad wrong with
you, with you ♪
♪ Whad wrong with
you, you, you ♪
♪ What wrong with you ♪