Queensland First Nations justice officer’s powers ‘concerning and inadequate’, advocates say

New role created to address over-incarceration of Indigenous people but critics say it lacks power and independenceSign up for the Rural Network email newsletterJoin the Rural Network group on Facebook to be part of the communityQueensland’s new First Nations justice officer lacks the independence and power to effectively reduce incarceration rates, justice campaigners say.Torres Strait man Stephen Tillett, a former NRL player who spent 20 years working for Queensland police across far north Queensland before working with the justice, health and housing departments, was announced as the inaugural First Nations justice officer last week.Sign up to receive Guardian Australia’s fortnightly Rural Network email newsletter