Comments by the Northern Territory's police commissioner that he was too "busy" to order an investigation into racist behaviour among elite police officers shows an "entrenched disregard for Aboriginal people," the Central Land Council says.
Appearing at the coronial inquest into the death of Kumanjayi Walker in May, who was fatally shot three times by a police officer in 2019, Commissioner Michael Murphy admitted he did nothing when allegations of racism within the Territory Response Group (TRG) - including racist awards - were brought to his attention.
The Central Land Council's executive committee met with Mr Murphy and Arrernte police officer Brad Wallace in Mparntwe (Alice Springs) on Wednesday, to express their disappointment at the comments, with the expectation of a public apology from the commissioner. However, none was forthcoming.
Deputy chair Warren Williams expressed his disappointment, noting that while Mr Murphy "expressed concern and understood our urgent call for an investigation into racism in the NT police force, the refusal to make a public apology shows the entrenched disregard for Aboriginal people".
It follows claims by NT Police Minister Brent Potter, who denied the existence of systemic racism in the NT Police Force.
The CLC said the inaction by Mr Murphy to report racism was "particularly egregious" as there had been "no response to APO [Aboriginal Peak Organisations] NT's request for an apology from Police Minister Brent Potter", arguing his denial of claims of racism "blatantly disregards the lived experiences of Aboriginal people".
"The rejection of an independent review called for by APO NT is another devastating blow to Aboriginal people throughout the Northern Territory. This refusal highlights the systemic resistance to accountability within the police force," the CLC said.
Mr Williams said the CLC was pleased to hear Arrernte woman Leanne Liddle had been brought in to "fix problems in the force".
"She has said that she will be at the end of the phone to hear from us when police behave badly, don't respect local knowledge, or treat Aboriginal people differently when they are called to an incident," Mr Williams said.
"We will take her up on that offer."
CLC executive member Valerie Martin, noted people in the community were still hurting after Kumanjayi Walker's death, with the pain only exacerbated during the record-long coronial inquest.
"There are families in Yuendumu that need more support and are still traumatised," Ms Martin said. We can see there is goodwill, but we will wait and see."
"The proof will be in the outcomes."
The CLC agreed, arguing that the "time for vague promises and delayed actions is over".
"The NT police force must take immediate, transparent steps to eradicate racism and rebuild the shattered trust with Aboriginal people."
Commissioner Murphy's stated goal for Aboriginal employment in the NT police is to reach 30 percent - mirroring the percentage of First Nations people in the Territory.
However, it currently sits at only 12 per cent, and the Central Land Council noted this will need a "sustained and concerted effort far beyond token gestures".
In reference to the recruitment of more police to support local communities, as well as the establishment of a new police station and women's shelter in Alpurrurulam, Mr Williams said the actions were needed, "but the issues of racism go very deep", with "big and lasting changes in the NT police force" needed before the commissioner would be given the trust to work together with Aboriginal communities.
"So many communities still have empty police stations and no police. We are forced to call triple zero to get help when serious incidents happen, and we don't know how the police will behave towards us when they get here," he said.
"We understand commissioner Murphy wants our trust and to work together…Once we see his plan for fixing the police and he starts acting on that plan, we can begin to rebuild trust."
