Senator Lidia Thorpe has called on federal Minister for Indigenous Australians, Malarndirri McCarthy, to reaffirm her support for an independent investigation into the death of 24-year-old disabled Warlpiri man Kumanjayi White, who died in police custody in Mparntwe/Alice Springs last week.
Mr White, who was under state guardianship and reportedly living in supported accommodation, died after being restrained by two plain-clothed officers following an alleged altercation with a security guard.
Vigils have taken place in Mparntwe and Sydney, with Mr White's death further highlighting a national concern over the treatment of First Nations people by police, as well as the criminalisation of disability in the country.
Senator Thorpe said the Northern Territory Police's handling of the case has been "disrespectful and predictable" and accused the force of "spinning a narrative that blames Kumanjayi while refusing to release the footage that could help the family better understand his death".
Her comments echo those of Warlpiri Elder Ned Jampijinpa Hargraves, Mr White's grandfather, who last week said he was "angry and frustrated that yet another one of our young men has lost his life at the hands of the police".
"We are demanding answers and justice. We know that he was held down by two police until he lost consciousness and perished. But at the moment, we are in the dark about what really happened," he said.
"What are the police doing using such force on a vulnerable young man in a supermarket? Did they even try to de-escalate?"
View this post on Instagram
Police have not explained how restraining somebody can lead to their death, what restraint they used, or what the meaning of "placed on the ground" means.
Furthermore, they have not responded to questions about the role Police Prosecutor Steven Haig played in the arrest and eventual death of Mr White and if he will be working as a prosecutor while an investigation is underway.
Senator McCarthy has said that an independent investigation may be warranted given the significant trauma the Yuendumu community has endured. She added it "may be an opportune time to have something different, to provide that separation and clarity".
Despite longstanding concerns from Indigenous communities over systemic racism and excessive policing in the NT, Acting Police Commissioner Martin Dole "respectfully" rejected calls for an external inquiry last week, asserting his "complete confidence in the systems of oversight in place".
Senator Thorpe, a long-time advocate against police violence, said this response was inadequate and ignored the family's right to truth and accountability.
She backed Senator McCarthy's earlier statements and urged her not to "back down under pressure from the Acting Commissioner", arguing "it is her responsibility to intervene and push back" on Mr Dole.
"My heart is with the Warlpiri people, with the Yuendumu community, and with Kumanjayi White's family," Senator Thorpe said. "They are grieving — and now they're forced to fight again, not just for answers, but for basic respect and dignity."
"What happened to Kumanjayi White is part of a violent system; one that treats First Peoples — particularly those who are disabled — as threats, not humans to be cared for."
The Senator added: "I'm calling on Minister McCarthy to publicly reaffirm her support for an independent investigation, and for the Prime Minister and Attorney-General to back that call and ensure it happens."
On Monday, National Indigenous Times joined a growing list of organisations urging an independent inquiry, stating the principle of open justice — that justice must not only be done, but seen to be done — is essential.
However, Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro has dismissed the need for an independent investigation, telling Mix 104.9 critics should "quite frankly, get out of the way and let police do their job".
"I responded to her [Senator McCarthy's] calls for an independent investigation by saying she can have full confidence in the police and also that she needs to be using her voice to continue to call for calm, to explain the process that has to take place, and to reinforce confidence in our police to be able to do that work," she said.
Ms Finocchiaro also claimed she had tried to contact the family but had not succeeded, stating she would not be "parachuting into any community like previous politicians".
However, following the alleged fatal stabbing of 71-year-old grocer Linford Feick, the Chief Minister made multiple public statements and attended his funeral.
National Indigenous Times has asked Ms Finocchiaro to explain why the government's response to Mr White's death differed and whether she was avoiding Yuendumu due to fears of a hostile reception.
More to come.
