Kennedy’s Federal Member Bob Katter believes they are, as indicated by his speech at the Palm Island Indigenous Leaders’ Forum on Wednesday.

He believed the country’s future identity was at jeopardy if double-standards between Aborigines and non-indigenous Australians remained.

“Every person in this room whether they’re black or white or pink in colour, should never accept the proposition that one group of people have a separate set of laws put upon them on racial grounds,” Mr Katter said.

In one town it was legal to have a beer but then in another it was not.

“There’s no explanation for that except one is a black fella community and one is a white fella community,” Mr Katter said.

The Queensland Government lists 15 indigenous communities with alcohol restrictions of various limitations, including two in the Gulf of Carpentaria.

In Doomadgee a person can have 60 cans of light or mid-strength beer but are not allowed wine or spirits.

The 23 islands in the Mornington Shire have tougher restrictions and are officially labelled a “dry community.”

Alcohol is permitted but only in licensed premises Birri Fishing Lodge and Sweers Island Resort, which can only sell alcohol to their residents and their guests.

Queensland Senator Barry O’Sullivan visited Mornington Island recently, and said drinking caused huge social problems in the community such as crime and diabetes.

 “It’s meant to be a dry island but it’s anything but a dry island,” Mr O’Sullivan said.

“There were 200 charges through court this week. Weed out those that weren’t related to alcohol and the charges will be reduced by 70 to 80 per cent.”

People were making their own “sly grog” which had about 20 times the recommended sugar dose, the Senator said.

“This community is 16 times more likely than the national average to have diabetes, it will affect your kidney functioning.

“Lots of families are being separated with people having to go to Mount Isa or Townsville for dialysis treatment.”