Justice organisations react to NT Police Commissioner’s apology to Indigenous Territorians at Garma

NT justice organisations say the police commissioner’s apology to Indigenous Territorians is a welcome starting point, but must be backed up by action against ‘injustices that continue to this day’.

Justice organisations in the Territory say the police commissioner’s apology to Indigenous Territorians is a welcome starting point, but must be backed up by action against “injustices that continue to this day”.

NT Police Commissioner Michael Murphy delivered the apology at the Garma Festival on Saturday for harms caused over the past 154 years of Territory policing, vowing to change the culture of the force and eliminate all forms of racism within its structure.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner Katie Kiss. Pic: Interim Truth and Treaty Body

“This apology was a necessary and symbolic moment,” Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner Katie Kiss said.

“The relationship between First Nations Peoples and police in this country has been a difficult one for generations and is a root cause of the ongoing pain and suffering for our people.

“If the apology’s promise to never again repeat the mistakes of the past is to be realised, then it must be underpinned by honesty and accountability about what is still happening in the Northern Territory today.”

Race Discrimination Commissioner Giridharan Sivaraman called for a commitment to independent investigations of recent actions by serving members of NT Police.

One such review launched by the Anti-Discrimination Commission has stalled due to allocated resources and police disengagement.

Australia's Race Discrimination Commissioner, Giridharan Sivaraman. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

“Making true progress towards ending racism begins with first accepting it exists. So, the impact of this apology is profound. However, words can only go so far,” Mr Sivaraman said.

“Change must now be embedded throughout the entire police force and the structures set up within it. I am hope that this cultural shift is being driven by the very top of the police force.”

The North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency said it was committed to working with the Commissioner to make positive progress towards Aboriginal justice.

“This acknowledgment and the pledge to eliminate all forms of racism in the Northern Territory police, at a significant cultural event such as Garma Festival, is an important step towards the healing that needs to take place in the Territory,” a spokeswoman said.

NT Opposition Leader Lia Finocchiaro. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

“We are hopeful that these positive words are a catalyst for positive action to improve justice outcomes in the NT.

“Aboriginal people remain over represented in the criminal justice system and closing the gap targets for both adults and young people are not on track to be met.”

Opposition Leader Lia Finocchiaro acknowledged the apology but said the CLP “understands this is not the focus for frontline police officers who are dealing with ever escalating violent crime and anti-social behaviour on a daily basis”.

“The CLP remains focused on providing real and tangible outcomes for Indigenous Territorians with better health, education, as well as jobs and economic outcomes,” she said.