The Northern Territory Government is facing a class action in the Federal Court, with current and former Aboriginal Community Police Officers (ACPOs) alleging decades of systemic racial discrimination and racial vilification within the Northern Territory Police Force.
Launched by Gordon Legal on behalf of the plaintiffs, the proceeding alleges Aboriginal officers were regularly subjected to racist abuse, denied equal career opportunities, and required to perform the duties of sworn constables while being paid significantly less and receiving fewer workplace entitlements.
Lead applicant Shawn Lewfatt, who has served as an Aboriginal Community Police Officer since 1998, said he joined the force hoping to serve his community. Instead, he said he experienced discrimination that left him demoralised.
"When I started my career with NT Police, I was a proud Aboriginal man who thought I could make a difference working with my community as a valued member of NT Police," he said.
"Instead, the racial discrimination and vilification I have experienced while working with NT Police has left me feeling completely demoralised and dehumanised."
He said the class action "gives my fellow brothers and sisters the opportunity to stand together, side by side and in unity, to share our lived experiences within NT Police".
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Gordon Legal partner Seb O'Meara said the proceeding seeks to hold the Northern Territory Government accountable for almost three decades of alleged racial discrimination and secure compensation for affected officers. He noted that while Gordon Legal's clients took "no joy" in being involved in the case, "they feel very strongly that it is important that their concerns are considered in Court".
"The allegations in this proceeding are deeply concerning. They concern almost three decades of unchecked racist abuse and unequal terms and conditions of employment," he said.
"Our clients allege they were underpaid, provided fewer opportunities for career advancement and subjected to persistent racist conduct while serving communities across the Northern Territory."
The class action follows a representative complaint lodged with the Australian Human Rights Commission in 2024, which was terminated in May 2026, enabling the matter to proceed in court.
Mr O'Meara said the case also aims to achieve meaningful workplace change and ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees receive equal treatment.
"No one should be disadvantaged or targeted because of their race," he said. "Our clients have dedicated themselves to serving their communities, and they deserve the same level of respect and treatment as every other member of the Northern Territory Police Force."
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The filing comes after NT Police last year admitted racism continues to exist within its ranks, with the inquest into Kumanjayi Walker — who died after being shot by then-police officer Zachary Rolfe in 2019 — revealing evidence of racist "games" and "awards" within the force.
During the inquest, Coroner Elisabeth Armitage found racist attitudes were entrenched within sections of NT Police, stating: "Mr Rolfe was racist, and he worked in and benefited from an organisation with the hallmarks of institutional racism."
"This was not a case of one bad apple... racist behaviour or language, although not uniform, was normalised within the Alice Springs police station during Mr Rolfe's time there."
Northern Territory Police Cultural Reform Command Director Leanne Liddle said at the time there were "lots of cases of racial profiling" involving Aboriginal people by serving officers, and noted: "Racism exists in our police force, and we need to fix it."
She said the "degrading" and "demoralising" behaviour of racism could no longer be tolerated.
"The old police force that once allowed this behaviour perhaps to go unaddressed and for people not to be held accountable for it, is no longer the police force that we have moving forward," Ms Liddle said.
Following the Walker inquest, Police Commissioner Martin Dole admitted "all forms of racism have existed within the NT Police Force," and pledged to stamp it out.
"What was tolerated in the past will no longer be acceptable. We are committed to stamping out racism in all its forms and making this a safer, fairer organisation for everybody," he said.
In November last year, NT Police launched its first anti-racism strategy.
"It is about accepting that racism has informed the structures that have shaped policing for generations," Ms Liddle said at the time.
"This strategy is about confronting that reality, with honesty and courage. And the time for courageous conversations is now."
Chief Minister and Police Minister Lia Finocchiaro has repeatedly dismissed claims of systemic racism within NT Police, telling reporters last year she did not accept "the premise" of a question when asked about its prevalence in the force.
