I heard the Australian Cultural Attache say on BBC Radio 4's Broadcasting House this morning that spearing is a traditional tribal Aboriginal punishment, and has been a big issue in Australia for the last 30 years because of the double jeopardy incurred by people who offend Australian and aboriginal law. She cited a particular case of someone who was released from prison and was then speared on returning home. That's just what I heard on the radio, so if anyone with direct knowledge would like to comment, I'd be interested to hear.

Kitty