The Queensland Government has rejected claims race had any role to play during the Palm Island riots in 2004.

Three residents, Lex, Agnes and Cecilia Wotton, last year launched a class action against the State over its handling of the death of Cameron Doomadgee.

The 36-year-old died in police custody in 2004, and his death sparked a massive riot with the local police station being burnt down.

Mr Wotton, who was convicted of inciting the riot, claims police discriminated against Palm Island residents in their investigation and response to the riots.

Today in the Federal Court, which sat on Palm Island, he said the memories of the events were still with him.

"Hopefully we can get a good outcome and move on from here," he said.

Lawyers for Mr Wotton told the court the police investigation into Mr Doomadgee's death was tainted and compromised, with the evidence of Aboriginal residents dismissed out of hand.

They also claimed the police response to the riots was an overreaction and would never have happened in an non-indigenous community.

The Queensland Government has rejected the claims.

Lawyers acting for the Government said race played no role in the police's actions and that Mr Wotton's case failed to take into account human error.

Palm Island Mayor Alf Lacey said he hoped the case would help heal old wounds.

"It's really important with the claimants, Lex, Agnes and Cecelia, want some peace of mind," he said.

The trial resumes on Palm Island on Tuesday before moving to Townsville and Brisbane.

It is expected to go for four weeks.