An emotional Lidia Thorpe says she, and thousands of other First Nations people, are "sick of being angry and devastated" at the lack of accountability over Indigenous deaths in custody.
On Tuesday, a day before the one-year anniversary of his death, Northern Territory Police announced no charges would be laid against the two police officers who restrained 24-year-old Warlpiri man Kumanjayi White inside a Coles supermarket in Alice Springs last year.
Mr White — who was under state guardianship and living in supported accommodation — died on May 27, with his death sparking outrage and protests across the country.
A sense of hopelessness
At a snap press conference in Federal Parliament on Tuesday afternoon, Senator Thorpe wiped away tears as she lamented that once again, an Indigenous death in custody had resulted in "no justice".
"I'm angry, I'm devastated, and I'm sick of being angry and devastated when I get these stories, and no accountability, no justice for my people ever," she told reporters. "And where there is no justice, there is no peace. We don't have peace in our lives, we're dealing with this every day."
The Victorian senator said Aboriginal people across the country felt "hopelessness" when people aren't held accountable for deaths in custody.
"It's been over 600 [Indigenous deaths in custody]," she said. "Not one police officer has ever been held accountable ever. Why isn't that a national crisis?
"No wonder people feel hopelessness; I'm starting to feel that hopelessness. He was a young man with a disability in a Coles supermarket. Why is it okay that this is happening?"
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Where is the justice
Kumanjayi White's family — who are also in sorry business for the death of five-year-old Kumanjayi Little Baby — said they were told of the outcome of the death in custody investigation and subsequent use-of-force inquiry by senior police, who flew to Mr White's mother's community of Lajamanu to inform them of the news.
In a statement reported by the ABC, the family said: "We have got no hope. When will we have our justice? How can we keep living like this?"
"Today the police turned up in Lajamanu with the acting director of public prosecutions and told the family that they are not proceeding with any charges.
"With hardly any notice, without asking permission, they just turned up in Lajamanu with their police plane.
"There was not time for anybody else to get here, as far as we know, they didn't tell the father's family — who are all in Alice Springs for sorry business for Kumanjayi Little Baby.
"We're heartbroken, we're angry.
"We are going into blackout for a week — media, stay away from us, we're [not] giving you anything more. We are sick of being treated unequally — Wajumpa."
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Writing on social media, the federal Minister for Indigenous Australians, Malarndirri McCarthy, said that "immense grief and pain is being felt by Warlpiri families, Central Australians, and people around the country today".
"I share in that grief."
The minister, who, along with NT MP Marion Scrymgour, last year unsuccessfully urged NT Police and the Chief Minister to establish an independent inquiry into Kumanjayi White's death to ensure justice and transparency, acknowledged that people would have "many questions about how this decision was reached".
"Transparency is paramount. The coronial inquest continues," she said.
"The family of Kumanjayi White are pursuing an unlawful death civil case through the courts. Emotions are high. Please wrap your arms around each other and reach out for support if you need it."
In a press conference, Northern Territory Police said they had received advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions that there were "no reasonable prospects of a successful prosecution".
Police Commissioner Martin Dole said every effort had been made to ensure the investigation was "appropriately resourced and conducted in a thorough and fair manner".
"I acknowledge immediately that this outcome will cause significant distress, pain and anger for Kumanjayi White's family and for many Aboriginal people across Central Australia and the territory," he said.
"A man lost his life. That fact remains at the centre of this matter, and it must never be lost in legal or procedural discussions."
