The recent deaths of two Indigenous men in the Northern Territory are not isolated tragedies but the result of systemic over-criminalisation of Aboriginal people, according to the Coalition of Peaks.
The recent deaths of 24-year-old Warlpiri man Kumanjayi White — who had a disability and was living in supported accommodation — and of a 68-year-old Wadeye Elder, known as TN, have sparked a national outcry.
Both men died in custody within a fortnight of each other.
Their deaths have renewed scrutiny of the NT justice system, which has long been condemned by human rights, legal and Indigenous groups for its disproportionate impact on First Nations people and a dramatic rise in incarceration rates.
In a statement this week Coalition of Peaks lead convenor, Pat Turner AM, expressed "full solidarity" with the Aboriginal Peak Organisations Northern Territory (APONT) and said the deaths were not "isolated" events.
Rather, she said they are "the outcome of a system that continues to criminalise, rather than care for, our people".
Mr White's death has led to protests and vigils across the country, with increasing calls — including from Indigenous Australians Minister Malarndirri McCarthy and Labor MP Marion Scrymgour — for an independent investigation.
Ms Turner echoed those calls, stating the Coalition of Peaks is "demanding immediate police reform and an independent investigation".
"Enough is enough," she said.
Earlier in the week, APONT Chair Dr John Paterson said: "Every time an Aboriginal person dies in custody, the Government says, 'never again'. But here we are again. This is a national shame, and it has to stop."
Australian Human Rights Commission President Hugh de Kretser added his voice to the chorus of criticism on Friday, calling for all governments to end the practice of police investigating deaths in custody.
"When police investigate themselves, it breeds mistrust," he told ABC News Breakfast, urging states and territories to establish independent oversight bodies with powers to investigate police conduct.
"Communities around the country need to have confidence that when a death in custody happens, that there is a proper, impartial, independent investigation."
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Despite growing national pressure, NT Police and Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro continue to reject the calls for an independent investigation.
On Tuesday, Ms Finocchiaro — who previously described Senator McCarthy's comments as "uneducated" and "unhelpful" — intensified her criticism of the two senior Labor figures.
"The comments being made by federal members of parliament are quite frankly appalling," she said.
"This is a sad time for the community; our police have an incredibly important job to do, and the politicisation of this issue helps no one. It does not support our police or the Coroner to do their work, or the families who are grieving and communities who want answers."
Ms Finocchiaro has not answered questions posed by National Indigenous Times, including for clarification on who she means by "no one".
Despite admitting to not having spoken to any family member in Yundemu — where Mr White had cultural ties — she argued on Thursday that calls for an independent investigation were "further upsetting a community who is mourning the loss of a loved one".
However, many of those calling for such an inquiry — including Mr White's grandfather, Warlpiri Elder Ned Jampijinpa Hargraves — are from the community itself.
In her statement, Ms Turner supported the position of the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services (NATSILS), which on Thursday called for federal funding to be tied to reform.
"We don't want more blank cheques to state governments," she said.
"We want funding tied to outcomes that serve our people. Invest in us so we can lead the change in the areas that affect our lives."
Her comments align with those of Independent Senator Lidia Thorpe, who this week said: "Instead of vague targets, the federal government could implement hard consequences when states and territories fail to make progress."
"The federal government could tie state and territory funding to compliance with national standards and international human rights obligations — including OPCAT, the Mandela Rules, and the Convention on the Rights of the Child. But [Mr] Albanese refuses to take any responsibility," Senator Thorpe said.
Unlike the states, the Commonwealth has broad constitutional power to intervene in the Northern Territory. When asked earlier this week if his government would act, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese declined.
Despite having a strong working relationship with the Labor government, Ms Turner said the time for patience had passed.
"The time for polite inaction is over," she said.
"Our people are dying. The Northern Territory Government must act now – on police reform, on justice, and on the calls from our communities."
