Aboriginal boy 'put in noose'

Australian police are investigating claims that an Aboriginal boy was dragged around by a noose during an attempted farm robbery in Queensland.

The boy is being treated in hospital for injuries to his head, chest and upper body, ABC broadcaster reported.

The incident comes amid heightened tensions between Australia's white and indigenous communities, following violent Aboriginal protests last month.

Aboriginal leaders are reported to have called for a "Day of Action" next week.

Relations between the two communities are likely to be inflamed by the latest incident at a farmhouse near Goondiwindi, 280km (175 miles) west of Brisbane, Queensland on Tuesday.

It is claimed that four Aboriginals - two men and two boys - attempted to break in to the property, and were chased by the owners.

Three of them escaped, but one 16-year-old boy was caught.

According to a local Aboriginal leader, Bertie Button, the boy had a rope tied around his neck, with which he was dragged up and down a river bank.

"This was very sadistic," Mr Button told the Sydney Morning Herald.

"They pulled [him] around on the ground for 45 minutes. We are not condoning what these young boys have done and everyone has the right to detain someone if they've been stealing, but not in this manner," he said.

Police said that the property owner had admitted both chasing the boy and his son scuffling with him.

Queensland's Premier, Peter Beattie, said he expected charges to be laid regarding both the alleged robbery and the alleged assault.

The incident came as police brace for another potential flashpoint among the Aboriginal community - the funeral of Cameron Doomagee, whose death in custody sparked violent protests on Palm Island, off the coast of Queensland, last week.