Apology to Palm Island Residents

In relation to the broadcast on 18 May 2020 of a television news piece which was advertised as a "major investigation" into the spending of monies paid under the settlement scheme approved by the Federal Court of Australia in Wotton v State of Queensland (No 10) [2018] FCA 915 (Settlement Scheme), the promotional video for that news piece and the publication of an article on 18 May 2020 entitled 'Palm Island riot compensation spent on luxury boats, sports cars and motorbikes' (together, the Publications) Channel Nine makes the following statement by way of apology and correction.

Channel Nine acknowledges that it would be incorrect to suggest that:

a. There were "holes in the payment process" or that "around $3 million" of monies in the Settlement Scheme was "destined for dodgy claimants".

b. Compensation being paid to persons who were not on Palm Island on the relevant days in November 2004 was wrong or inappropriate. Channel Nine accepts that group members who were not on Palm Island were appropriately compensated for being prevented from travelling to and from Palm Island.

c. Any compensation monies from the Settlement Scheme had been paid to any person who was dead or in gaol in November 2004.

d. There was any person who was aged three years old in 2004 and had received approximately $380,000 in compensation, which they had spent immediately on three Landcruiser vehicles.

e. The boat pictured in the Publications was purchased with money paid out under the Settlement Scheme.

Channel Nine acknowledges that it would be incorrect to suggest, and that Mr Levitt did not represent to it:

a. that a sum of approximately $3 million was in any way ever allocated to prospective claimants for compensation and then re-diverted from those claimants; or

b. that any claimants were rejected as "fraudulent" or "dodgy".

Further, Channel Nine accepts and acknowledges that the recipients of funds under the Settlement Scheme were entitled to the compensation which they were paid and the recipients were entitled to spend their compensation as they saw fit.

Channel Nine understands and accepts that the Publications have caused significant distress to members of the Palm Island community and apologises to members of the Palm Island community for the hurt and distress they may have suffered.