Australia set for Aborigine march

By Phil Mercer BBC correspondent in Sydney

Aborigines across Australia complain of prejudice and lack of opportunity

Thousands of Australians are expected to take part in a march on Thursday to protest at the treatment of Aborigines.

Rally organisers said the protest aims to highlight the oppression and racism suffered by the country's indigenous communities.

The protest in Townsville, in northern Queensland, is a response to the death of 36-year-old Cameron Doomagee.

Mr Doomagee died in police custody in Palm Island last month, sparking violent disturbances on the island.

'Loathsome'

Many locals have insisted that he died after being attacked by the police.

Senior officers have strongly denied these allegations and an independent investigation has begun.

The march through the northern city on Thursday (2330GMT, Wednesday) is expected to attract a large crowd.

Aboriginal activists will be joined by representatives from trade unions, political parties, women's groups and human rights organisations.

Organisers want to highlight the disadvantage and discrimination that many of Australia's 400,000 Aborigines suffer.

Racist graffiti has appeared in Townsville ahead of the march, including threats to kill black people.

The city's mayor told the local newspaper that such behaviour was loathsome.

Earlier this week, 19 men, who allegedly took part in the violent disturbances on Palm Island after the death of Mr Doomagee, were released on bail.

During the unrest, the island's police station and courthouse were destroyed.

This week in Canberra, the government's new national indigenous council met for the first time.

Its aim is to help shape Aboriginal policy, while critics have accused its members of being government lackeys.