Lingiari candidate Marion Scrymgour backs police presence in remote communities

Labor’s candidate for Lingiari has backed the ‘critical role’ police play in remote communities following the acquittal of Constable Zach Rolfe.

LABOR’S candidate for Lingiari Marion Scrymgour has backed the “critical role” police play in remote communities following the acquittal of Constable Zach Rolfe.

There have been calls for police weapons to be banned in communities after Constable Rolfe was cleared over the shooting death of Kumanjayi Walker at Yuendumu.

But Ms Scrymgour said police played a vital role in keeping communities safe.

“I’ve worked with police across many of these communities and police play a critical role with communities, particularly dealing with family and domestic violence. We can’t say police get out of these communities we need police in those communities.

“It’s like we need health staff, they need protection but so do these communities so it’s critical as Government we work with everybody to try and not have the same issue that’s happened in the past two years for that community.”

Ms Scrymgour, a Tiwi Islander, was the first Aboriginal woman to become deputy chief minister.

Senator Malarndirri McCarthy and Marion Scrymgour. Picture: Floss Adams.

“We’ve got a lot of kids in these communities, they need protection as well. It’s not just doing the knee-jerk reaction because something’s happened, it’s working with the community so they can heal, and respect that they are really hurting and help them to move forward.”

Labor Senator Malarndirri McCarthy urged the Yuendumu community to stay strong.

“We saw on Friday two families, one whose son walked free and has the opportunity to make so much of his life ... but another family who are still deeply traumatised ... I would remind all of those people still making comments ... to reflect on the fact that there is deep hurt and trauma for the families of Yuendumu.”

Asked if she supported a ban on weapons in communities, she said people in power should listen to calls from the community.

“I would certainly encourage everyone, please listen to the families at Yuendumu, and listen and act,” she said