Larrakia Nation Aboriginal Corporation calls for ‘systemic change’ and partnership, as Chief Minister discusses further bail changes

The Chief Minister has told Territorians ‘everything is on the table’ following the tragic killing of a Nightcliff store owner, as community leaders call for a ‘systemic’ shift in approach to crime crisis.

Community leaders have demanded a ‘systemic change’ to address the growing crime crisis in the Northern Territory in the wake of a horrific alleged workplace stabbing in Darwin.

Aboriginal leaders have called for urgent funding for youth and family support services, safe and secure housing, and on-Country programs after an 18-year-old man was arrested over the fatal stabbing of 71-year-old Nightcliff Friendly Grocer Owner Linford Feick on Wednesday evening.

On Thursday, Larrakia Nation Aboriginal Corporation chief executive Michael Rotumah shared his condolences with Mr Feick’s family and loved ones, saying “(we) stand in solidarity with those affected by this heartbreaking loss”.

“Those responsible must be held accountable, there is no excuse for violence, and it must be met with clear consequences,” he said.

“However, this tragedy again highlights the urgent need for systemic change.”

Mr Rotumah said the Territory’s history of crime reform and legislation had continuously failed to address core drivers of offending — poverty, homelessness, intergenerational trauma, and social exclusion.

“For too long, governments are only responding to complex social issues with punitive measures, while failing to adequately invest in addressing the root causes,” he said.

Larrakia Nation Aboriginal Corporation Chief Executive Michael Rotumah.

Mr Rotumah called for all levels of government to partner with Aboriginal communities “to build a future based on prevention” and to empower senior Aboriginal lore men and women in remote communities to “ lead culturally appropriate responses to this growing crisis”.

“The time for words has passed. We need real investment in our solutions—led by our people, on our terms,” he said.

He called for culturally grounded, long-term investment in youth and family support, access to safe and secure housing, On-Country programs that reconnect young people with culture, identity, and lore and community-led justice approaches that prevent crime before it occurs.

“Larrakia Nation is also calling on senior Aboriginal lore men and women from remote communities supported by the Northern, Central, Tiwi and Anindilyakwa Land Councils to work alongside us in restoring community discipline and cultural authority.”

The North Australian Aboriginal Family Legal Service has supported Larrakia Nation’s calls for urgent, long-term investment in prevention and community-led solutions.

It comes as Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro has told Territorians “everything is on the table”.

The circumstances of the fatal alleged stabbing shares similarities with the murder of bottleshop worker Declan Laverty, 19, who was murdered by a 20-year-old man on bail on March 19, 2023.

Declan Laverty, left, and his murderer Keith Kerinauia. Picture: Zizi Averill

Ms Finocchiaro told ABC Darwin Declan’s Law — a suite of bail and knife crime reforms named in memory of the young bottleship worker — were “working well”.

“Obviously it has not saved (Mr Feick’s) life,” Ms Finocchiaro said.

“And that’s why we must revisit it urgently.

“I just want to assure Territorians that today there will be a very high visible policing.

Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro in the Northern Territory Parliament on March 27, 2025. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

“The police will make sure that they are out, particularly in retail.

“I imagine people are waking up questioning whether or not they wanted to go to work today.”

Ms Finocchiaro said her government would be “looking very closely at continuing to reform bail laws”, describing the work as “urgent”.

“I will have more to say later today about the reform package we have to move urgently to do,” she said.

Emergency services rushed to Nightcliff Supermarket after a male worker was allegedly stabbed on Wednesday evening, April 23, 2025. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

“I have asked the Attorney-General today to reach out to the chief justice today and plea to the judiciary to be really exercising great caution in the decision making that they undertake on a daily basis, while respecting the separation of powers.

“It’s about asking (judges) to be really careful on behalf of the safety of the community.”

Shadow Attorney-General and Corrections spokesman Chansey Paech has urged against reactive policies in the wake of the “deeply shocking and heartbreaking” tragedy.

“While we await further details, one thing remains clear: senseless violence like this has no place in our community,” Mr Paech said.

“(But) we cannot rely solely on legislation to prevent such horrific incidents.

“Instead, we need to work together on smarter, more effective solutions.”

Mr Paech called the ‘tough on crime’ reforms “draconian”, saying the legislative changes had not made the community safer.

Chansey Paech in the Northern Territory Parliament on March 27, 2025. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

The latest NT Police data shows in the six months following the election, both property crime and violence has increased compared to the six months prior.

The police data states there were 5847 assaults recorded across the Territory between September to February — an average of 32 a day — with the number expected to rise as more cases are formally logged into the SerPro system.

This is 363 more assault cases compared to the previous six months between March and August, with 5484 recorded attacks.

Of the 839 assaults recorded in February alone, 72 per cent were associated with domestic violence.

At the same time Corrections has confirmed more than 2817 Territorians were being held in prison as of Thursday, half of whom were on remand and awaiting a sentence.

This is a 24 per cent increase to the prison population since September, with an additional 549 people behind bars.

Corrections data also shows the remand population has spiked, with an additional 400 unsentenced people currently locked up compared to September.

Mr Paech said despite promises ‘tougher’ laws would keep Territorians safe, the reality was “the crime stats are continuing to rise”.

“It is time to come together to explore new and collaborative approaches that truly make a difference and address the confronting issues,” he said.

“This includes looking at stronger community-based monitoring and finding meaningful ways to divert people away from the wrong ways and supported into positive programs and pathways.”

The Chief Minister has defended these reforms, telling presenter Adam Steer her government had “tried their best” to address the courts challenges.

“We’ve built 500 more beds,” Ms Finocchiaro said.

“We’ve tried our best in the last eight months to address the court situation — we funded legal aid.

“So a lot of work has done, and I know we’ve always said that it’s just the beginning — there’s more to do.”

The 71-year-old man died at the scene. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

The violent killing occurred meters away from a police station that local shop owners said had not made them safer. 

The union representing retail workers, the SDA, called on authorities to do more to keep workers safe.

“Two violent deaths in the retail sector in the Northern Territory in the last two years shows that more must be done to keep workers safe,” SDA secretary Josh Peak said.

“The SDA reiterates our calls for the NT Government, NT WorkSafe and employers across the territory to ensure all measures are taken to keep workers safe.”