Warlpiri call for Kumanjayi Walker murder charge to be heard in Central Australia amid planned protests

Constable Zachary Rolfe’s lawyers are expected to make an application in the Alice Springs Local Court on Thursday morning to have the proceedings shifted to Darwin.

NT Police constable Zachary Rolfe’s lawyers will apply to have a court appearance in Alice Springs next week shifted to Darwin.

CENTRAL Australia’s Warlpiri people have called for a murder charge against NT Police constable Zachary Rolfe to be heard in Yuendumu or Alice Springs ahead of an application to shift the matter to Darwin on Thursday.

Rolfe was charged over the shooting death of 19-year-old Kumanjayi Walker during a scuffle with police in Yuendumu last month and is due to face court on December 19.

His lawyers are expected to make an application in the Alice Springs Local Court on Thursday morning to have those proceedings shifted to Darwin.

But a statement issued by the Warlpiri Parumpurru Yuendumu Select Committee on Wednesday said any concerns that locals would disrupt the hearings were misguided.

“Warlpiri are only planning a peaceful sit down on Alice Springs court lawns, not big protests as speculated,” it reads.

“Since this tragic event happened, the Yuendumu community have respected the police officer’s right to a fair trial and the leaders and elders strongly encouraged their community and the wider community to do so as well.

“No-one has speculated about any evidence.”

Warlpiri Parumpurru chairman Ned Hargraves said a decision to move the hearings to Darwin would make it impossible for community members to attend and leave them feeling “disrespected”.

“We already feel left out — as it is, moving the trial to Alice Springs, when it happened in Yuendumu, already places a heavy burden on community members,” he said.

“We are always left out of things, Kardiya (white people) are always making decisions for us.

“Darwin is too far away from country for people to travel to and does not respect Warlpiri’s wishes.”

Mr Walker’s death was met with widespread protests throughout the nation and the committee’s statement said “No matter where the court is held, there will be protests across the country”.

Rolfe, now on bail in Canberra and suspended with pay, has previously indicated he will “vigorously” defend himself against the murder charge.

The matter is due to be mentioned in the Local Court at 10am on Thursday.