Death in custody case under scrutiny as ministers meet
An Indigenous death in custody case is being closely watched by the federal government after a territory leader vigorously opposed an independent inquiry.
Senator Malarndirri McCarthy said ahead of a meeting of the Joint Council on Closing the Gap in Darwin that deaths in custody had to end and the Commonwealth was deeply concerned about the issue.
The federal minister for Indigenous Australians said there could be heated debate over deaths in custody and harsher youth crime laws as she met with state and territory counterparts and Coalition of Peaks members on Friday.
The coalition represents more than 80 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community bodies comprising about 800 organisations and is a formal partner with Australian governments on Closing the Gap.
Friday's meeting follows the death in custody of Kumanjayi White on May 27 after being forcibly restrained by two plain clothes officers inside a supermarket in Alice Springs.
Police allege the 24-year-old, who had a mental disability and was in care, was shoplifting and assaulted a security guard.
Despite multiple calls for an independent inquiry, NT Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro and acting police commissioner Martin Dole rejected the proposal, saying NT Police were the best to investigate the death.
Senator McCarthy has been among those calling for an independent inquiry.
When asked on Friday if the federal government might intervene and convene a national cabinet on the issue, she said "we are watching very closely".
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese would be briefed on the Closing the Gap meeting and its debates on deaths in custody, high Indigenous incarceration rates and tougher youth crime laws, she said.
Federal Attorney-General Michelle Rowland was also deeply concerned about deaths in custody and would discuss the issue at an upcoming meeting with state and territory counterparts, the senator said.
Scott Wilson, the acting lead convenor of the Coalition of Peaks, said outcomes for Indigenous people were improved when Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations were properly resourced.
"On the issue of youth justice and child protection, our kids are harmed by the system that should protect them," he said.
The coalition wants a national strategy to address the drivers of youth detention and high number of Indigenous children in out-of-home care.
"That is poverty, unstable housing, racism and lack of access to services," Mr Wilson said.
"Locking up 10-year-old kids isn't justice, it's a failure of policy and compassion."
Deaths in custody and high incarceration rates were not accidents but outcomes of a system that needed deep systemic change, including eliminating racism in police, courts and corrections, he said.
All states and territories have introduced crime crackdowns after spates of violence and lawlessness, largely involving young people.
In Queensland, children as young as 10 will face adult jail time for a range of new offences after the state government in May passed its second tranche of controversial youth crime laws.
The NT government recently passed tougher bail laws, which are expected to lead to a surge in the territory's prison population, including more Indigenous youth inmates.
13YARN 13 92 76
Lifeline 13 11 14
An Indigenous death in custody case is being closely watched by the federal government after a territory leader vigorously opposed an independent inquiry.
Senator Malarndirri McCarthy said ahead of a meeting of the Joint Council on Closing the Gap in Darwin that deaths in custody had to end and the Commonwealth was deeply concerned about the issue.
The federal minister for Indigenous Australians said there could be heated debate over deaths in custody and harsher youth crime laws as she met with state and territory counterparts and Coalition of Peaks members on Friday.
The coalition represents more than 80 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community bodies comprising about 800 organisations and is a formal partner with Australian governments on Closing the Gap.
Friday's meeting follows the death in custody of Kumanjayi White on May 27 after being forcibly restrained by two plain clothes officers inside a supermarket in Alice Springs.
Police allege the 24-year-old, who had a mental disability and was in care, was shoplifting and assaulted a security guard.
Despite multiple calls for an independent inquiry, NT Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro and acting police commissioner Martin Dole rejected the proposal, saying NT Police were the best to investigate the death.
Senator McCarthy has been among those calling for an independent inquiry.
When asked on Friday if the federal government might intervene and convene a national cabinet on the issue, she said "we are watching very closely".
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese would be briefed on the Closing the Gap meeting and its debates on deaths in custody, high Indigenous incarceration rates and tougher youth crime laws, she said.
Federal Attorney-General Michelle Rowland was also deeply concerned about deaths in custody and would discuss the issue at an upcoming meeting with state and territory counterparts, the senator said.
Scott Wilson, the acting lead convenor of the Coalition of Peaks, said outcomes for Indigenous people were improved when Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations were properly resourced.
"On the issue of youth justice and child protection, our kids are harmed by the system that should protect them," he said.
The coalition wants a national strategy to address the drivers of youth detention and high number of Indigenous children in out-of-home care.
"That is poverty, unstable housing, racism and lack of access to services," Mr Wilson said.
"Locking up 10-year-old kids isn't justice, it's a failure of policy and compassion."
Deaths in custody and high incarceration rates were not accidents but outcomes of a system that needed deep systemic change, including eliminating racism in police, courts and corrections, he said.
All states and territories have introduced crime crackdowns after spates of violence and lawlessness, largely involving young people.
In Queensland, children as young as 10 will face adult jail time for a range of new offences after the state government in May passed its second tranche of controversial youth crime laws.
The NT government recently passed tougher bail laws, which are expected to lead to a surge in the territory's prison population, including more Indigenous youth inmates.
13YARN 13 92 76
Lifeline 13 11 14
An Indigenous death in custody case is being closely watched by the federal government after a territory leader vigorously opposed an independent inquiry.
Senator Malarndirri McCarthy said ahead of a meeting of the Joint Council on Closing the Gap in Darwin that deaths in custody had to end and the Commonwealth was deeply concerned about the issue.
The federal minister for Indigenous Australians said there could be heated debate over deaths in custody and harsher youth crime laws as she met with state and territory counterparts and Coalition of Peaks members on Friday.
The coalition represents more than 80 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community bodies comprising about 800 organisations and is a formal partner with Australian governments on Closing the Gap.
Friday's meeting follows the death in custody of Kumanjayi White on May 27 after being forcibly restrained by two plain clothes officers inside a supermarket in Alice Springs.
Police allege the 24-year-old, who had a mental disability and was in care, was shoplifting and assaulted a security guard.
Despite multiple calls for an independent inquiry, NT Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro and acting police commissioner Martin Dole rejected the proposal, saying NT Police were the best to investigate the death.
Senator McCarthy has been among those calling for an independent inquiry.
When asked on Friday if the federal government might intervene and convene a national cabinet on the issue, she said "we are watching very closely".
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese would be briefed on the Closing the Gap meeting and its debates on deaths in custody, high Indigenous incarceration rates and tougher youth crime laws, she said.
Federal Attorney-General Michelle Rowland was also deeply concerned about deaths in custody and would discuss the issue at an upcoming meeting with state and territory counterparts, the senator said.
Scott Wilson, the acting lead convenor of the Coalition of Peaks, said outcomes for Indigenous people were improved when Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations were properly resourced.
"On the issue of youth justice and child protection, our kids are harmed by the system that should protect them," he said.
The coalition wants a national strategy to address the drivers of youth detention and high number of Indigenous children in out-of-home care.
"That is poverty, unstable housing, racism and lack of access to services," Mr Wilson said.
"Locking up 10-year-old kids isn't justice, it's a failure of policy and compassion."
Deaths in custody and high incarceration rates were not accidents but outcomes of a system that needed deep systemic change, including eliminating racism in police, courts and corrections, he said.
All states and territories have introduced crime crackdowns after spates of violence and lawlessness, largely involving young people.
In Queensland, children as young as 10 will face adult jail time for a range of new offences after the state government in May passed its second tranche of controversial youth crime laws.
The NT government recently passed tougher bail laws, which are expected to lead to a surge in the territory's prison population, including more Indigenous youth inmates.
13YARN 13 92 76
Lifeline 13 11 14
An Indigenous death in custody case is being closely watched by the federal government after a territory leader vigorously opposed an independent inquiry.
Senator Malarndirri McCarthy said ahead of a meeting of the Joint Council on Closing the Gap in Darwin that deaths in custody had to end and the Commonwealth was deeply concerned about the issue.
The federal minister for Indigenous Australians said there could be heated debate over deaths in custody and harsher youth crime laws as she met with state and territory counterparts and Coalition of Peaks members on Friday.
The coalition represents more than 80 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community bodies comprising about 800 organisations and is a formal partner with Australian governments on Closing the Gap.
Friday's meeting follows the death in custody of Kumanjayi White on May 27 after being forcibly restrained by two plain clothes officers inside a supermarket in Alice Springs.
Police allege the 24-year-old, who had a mental disability and was in care, was shoplifting and assaulted a security guard.
Despite multiple calls for an independent inquiry, NT Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro and acting police commissioner Martin Dole rejected the proposal, saying NT Police were the best to investigate the death.
Senator McCarthy has been among those calling for an independent inquiry.
When asked on Friday if the federal government might intervene and convene a national cabinet on the issue, she said "we are watching very closely".
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese would be briefed on the Closing the Gap meeting and its debates on deaths in custody, high Indigenous incarceration rates and tougher youth crime laws, she said.
Federal Attorney-General Michelle Rowland was also deeply concerned about deaths in custody and would discuss the issue at an upcoming meeting with state and territory counterparts, the senator said.
Scott Wilson, the acting lead convenor of the Coalition of Peaks, said outcomes for Indigenous people were improved when Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations were properly resourced.
"On the issue of youth justice and child protection, our kids are harmed by the system that should protect them," he said.
The coalition wants a national strategy to address the drivers of youth detention and high number of Indigenous children in out-of-home care.
"That is poverty, unstable housing, racism and lack of access to services," Mr Wilson said.
"Locking up 10-year-old kids isn't justice, it's a failure of policy and compassion."
Deaths in custody and high incarceration rates were not accidents but outcomes of a system that needed deep systemic change, including eliminating racism in police, courts and corrections, he said.
All states and territories have introduced crime crackdowns after spates of violence and lawlessness, largely involving young people.
In Queensland, children as young as 10 will face adult jail time for a range of new offences after the state government in May passed its second tranche of controversial youth crime laws.
The NT government recently passed tougher bail laws, which are expected to lead to a surge in the territory's prison population, including more Indigenous youth inmates.
13YARN 13 92 76
Lifeline 13 11 14
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Advertiser
14 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Anniversary of agony: families never give up the search for missing Australians
People go missing in Australia every day, and while many return home, some families continue to wait for their lost loved one. As each year passes, anniversaries act as agonising reminders of missing friends or family members. The National Missing Persons Coordination Centre said "the anniversary of the date someone went missing is an opportunity to remember them and raise awareness of their case". Around 50,000 people are reported missing in Australia every year, the centre said. That equates to more than 130 people being reported missing each day. The coordination centre, operated by the Australian Federal Police (AFP), said that 99 per cent of people reported missing are found. But some never return home. Police urge anyone who may have information about a missing person to contact investigators. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are warned that this article may contain images of deceased persons. The search for NSW missing man Andrew Olphert, 41, has entered its sixth year, in June 2025 The stay-at-home dad left his Little Bay home in Sydney on June 17, 2019, without his wallet or any other personal items. He has not accessed his bank accounts or mobile phone. The New Zealand-born man has not seen or contacted family or friends since that day and police hold concerns for his welfare. Friends and family saw Tasmanian woman Angela Jeffrey for the last time on June 1, 2016, before she disappeared. Two days later, on June 3, investigators found her car in remote bush in the Bakers Beach area of Tasmania's north. Ms Jeffrey's disappearance was reported to the Coroner, who in 2019, found that the 62-year-old was dead. For many years, she had received extensive support from psychologists, psychiatrists, general practitioners and her loving family, the Coroner said. Despite intensive searching and ongoing investigations, Ms Jeffrey has not been found. Family and friends of Western Australian man Tremaine Reid have been searching for the 39-year-old for two years as of June 2025. Mr Reid was reported missing on June 24, 2023, after he was last seen a week and a half earlier, on June 12 in Lockyer, WA. Despite extensive searches, Mr Reid has never been located, police said. He is known to frequent the Perth metropolitan area, as well as regional locations of Kalgoorlie, Esperance and Albany His family said the disappearance was "out of character". Russell Wright was reported missing on June 26, 2024 after family members and friends hadn't seen the 56-year-old in 18 months. Mr Wright had no fixed address at the time of his disappearance but was known to frequent Penrith, Lithgow, Katoomba, the Illawarra and south coast areas. He was last seen on CCTV at Mount Druitt railway station on January 20, 2023. He's described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 180 centimetres tall, of medium build, with white hair and brown eyes. Do you know the whereabouts of these people? Reach out to investigators through Crime Stoppers Australia on 1800 333 000. People go missing in Australia every day, and while many return home, some families continue to wait for their lost loved one. As each year passes, anniversaries act as agonising reminders of missing friends or family members. The National Missing Persons Coordination Centre said "the anniversary of the date someone went missing is an opportunity to remember them and raise awareness of their case". Around 50,000 people are reported missing in Australia every year, the centre said. That equates to more than 130 people being reported missing each day. The coordination centre, operated by the Australian Federal Police (AFP), said that 99 per cent of people reported missing are found. But some never return home. Police urge anyone who may have information about a missing person to contact investigators. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are warned that this article may contain images of deceased persons. The search for NSW missing man Andrew Olphert, 41, has entered its sixth year, in June 2025 The stay-at-home dad left his Little Bay home in Sydney on June 17, 2019, without his wallet or any other personal items. He has not accessed his bank accounts or mobile phone. The New Zealand-born man has not seen or contacted family or friends since that day and police hold concerns for his welfare. Friends and family saw Tasmanian woman Angela Jeffrey for the last time on June 1, 2016, before she disappeared. Two days later, on June 3, investigators found her car in remote bush in the Bakers Beach area of Tasmania's north. Ms Jeffrey's disappearance was reported to the Coroner, who in 2019, found that the 62-year-old was dead. For many years, she had received extensive support from psychologists, psychiatrists, general practitioners and her loving family, the Coroner said. Despite intensive searching and ongoing investigations, Ms Jeffrey has not been found. Family and friends of Western Australian man Tremaine Reid have been searching for the 39-year-old for two years as of June 2025. Mr Reid was reported missing on June 24, 2023, after he was last seen a week and a half earlier, on June 12 in Lockyer, WA. Despite extensive searches, Mr Reid has never been located, police said. He is known to frequent the Perth metropolitan area, as well as regional locations of Kalgoorlie, Esperance and Albany His family said the disappearance was "out of character". Russell Wright was reported missing on June 26, 2024 after family members and friends hadn't seen the 56-year-old in 18 months. Mr Wright had no fixed address at the time of his disappearance but was known to frequent Penrith, Lithgow, Katoomba, the Illawarra and south coast areas. He was last seen on CCTV at Mount Druitt railway station on January 20, 2023. He's described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 180 centimetres tall, of medium build, with white hair and brown eyes. Do you know the whereabouts of these people? Reach out to investigators through Crime Stoppers Australia on 1800 333 000. People go missing in Australia every day, and while many return home, some families continue to wait for their lost loved one. As each year passes, anniversaries act as agonising reminders of missing friends or family members. The National Missing Persons Coordination Centre said "the anniversary of the date someone went missing is an opportunity to remember them and raise awareness of their case". Around 50,000 people are reported missing in Australia every year, the centre said. That equates to more than 130 people being reported missing each day. The coordination centre, operated by the Australian Federal Police (AFP), said that 99 per cent of people reported missing are found. But some never return home. Police urge anyone who may have information about a missing person to contact investigators. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are warned that this article may contain images of deceased persons. The search for NSW missing man Andrew Olphert, 41, has entered its sixth year, in June 2025 The stay-at-home dad left his Little Bay home in Sydney on June 17, 2019, without his wallet or any other personal items. He has not accessed his bank accounts or mobile phone. The New Zealand-born man has not seen or contacted family or friends since that day and police hold concerns for his welfare. Friends and family saw Tasmanian woman Angela Jeffrey for the last time on June 1, 2016, before she disappeared. Two days later, on June 3, investigators found her car in remote bush in the Bakers Beach area of Tasmania's north. Ms Jeffrey's disappearance was reported to the Coroner, who in 2019, found that the 62-year-old was dead. For many years, she had received extensive support from psychologists, psychiatrists, general practitioners and her loving family, the Coroner said. Despite intensive searching and ongoing investigations, Ms Jeffrey has not been found. Family and friends of Western Australian man Tremaine Reid have been searching for the 39-year-old for two years as of June 2025. Mr Reid was reported missing on June 24, 2023, after he was last seen a week and a half earlier, on June 12 in Lockyer, WA. Despite extensive searches, Mr Reid has never been located, police said. He is known to frequent the Perth metropolitan area, as well as regional locations of Kalgoorlie, Esperance and Albany His family said the disappearance was "out of character". Russell Wright was reported missing on June 26, 2024 after family members and friends hadn't seen the 56-year-old in 18 months. Mr Wright had no fixed address at the time of his disappearance but was known to frequent Penrith, Lithgow, Katoomba, the Illawarra and south coast areas. He was last seen on CCTV at Mount Druitt railway station on January 20, 2023. He's described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 180 centimetres tall, of medium build, with white hair and brown eyes. Do you know the whereabouts of these people? Reach out to investigators through Crime Stoppers Australia on 1800 333 000. People go missing in Australia every day, and while many return home, some families continue to wait for their lost loved one. As each year passes, anniversaries act as agonising reminders of missing friends or family members. The National Missing Persons Coordination Centre said "the anniversary of the date someone went missing is an opportunity to remember them and raise awareness of their case". Around 50,000 people are reported missing in Australia every year, the centre said. That equates to more than 130 people being reported missing each day. The coordination centre, operated by the Australian Federal Police (AFP), said that 99 per cent of people reported missing are found. But some never return home. Police urge anyone who may have information about a missing person to contact investigators. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are warned that this article may contain images of deceased persons. The search for NSW missing man Andrew Olphert, 41, has entered its sixth year, in June 2025 The stay-at-home dad left his Little Bay home in Sydney on June 17, 2019, without his wallet or any other personal items. He has not accessed his bank accounts or mobile phone. The New Zealand-born man has not seen or contacted family or friends since that day and police hold concerns for his welfare. Friends and family saw Tasmanian woman Angela Jeffrey for the last time on June 1, 2016, before she disappeared. Two days later, on June 3, investigators found her car in remote bush in the Bakers Beach area of Tasmania's north. Ms Jeffrey's disappearance was reported to the Coroner, who in 2019, found that the 62-year-old was dead. For many years, she had received extensive support from psychologists, psychiatrists, general practitioners and her loving family, the Coroner said. Despite intensive searching and ongoing investigations, Ms Jeffrey has not been found. Family and friends of Western Australian man Tremaine Reid have been searching for the 39-year-old for two years as of June 2025. Mr Reid was reported missing on June 24, 2023, after he was last seen a week and a half earlier, on June 12 in Lockyer, WA. Despite extensive searches, Mr Reid has never been located, police said. He is known to frequent the Perth metropolitan area, as well as regional locations of Kalgoorlie, Esperance and Albany His family said the disappearance was "out of character". Russell Wright was reported missing on June 26, 2024 after family members and friends hadn't seen the 56-year-old in 18 months. Mr Wright had no fixed address at the time of his disappearance but was known to frequent Penrith, Lithgow, Katoomba, the Illawarra and south coast areas. He was last seen on CCTV at Mount Druitt railway station on January 20, 2023. He's described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 180 centimetres tall, of medium build, with white hair and brown eyes. Do you know the whereabouts of these people? Reach out to investigators through Crime Stoppers Australia on 1800 333 000.
The Advertiser
18 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Death in custody case under scrutiny as ministers meet
An Indigenous death in custody case is being closely watched by the federal government after a territory leader vigorously opposed an independent inquiry. Senator Malarndirri McCarthy said ahead of a meeting of the Joint Council on Closing the Gap in Darwin that deaths in custody had to end and the Commonwealth was deeply concerned about the issue. The federal minister for Indigenous Australians said there could be heated debate over deaths in custody and harsher youth crime laws as she met with state and territory counterparts and Coalition of Peaks members on Friday. The coalition represents more than 80 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community bodies comprising about 800 organisations and is a formal partner with Australian governments on Closing the Gap. Friday's meeting follows the death in custody of Kumanjayi White on May 27 after being forcibly restrained by two plain clothes officers inside a supermarket in Alice Springs. Police allege the 24-year-old, who had a mental disability and was in care, was shoplifting and assaulted a security guard. Despite multiple calls for an independent inquiry, NT Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro and acting police commissioner Martin Dole rejected the proposal, saying NT Police were the best to investigate the death. Senator McCarthy has been among those calling for an independent inquiry. When asked on Friday if the federal government might intervene and convene a national cabinet on the issue, she said "we are watching very closely". Prime Minister Anthony Albanese would be briefed on the Closing the Gap meeting and its debates on deaths in custody, high Indigenous incarceration rates and tougher youth crime laws, she said. Federal Attorney-General Michelle Rowland was also deeply concerned about deaths in custody and would discuss the issue at an upcoming meeting with state and territory counterparts, the senator said. Scott Wilson, the acting lead convenor of the Coalition of Peaks, said outcomes for Indigenous people were improved when Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations were properly resourced. "On the issue of youth justice and child protection, our kids are harmed by the system that should protect them," he said. The coalition wants a national strategy to address the drivers of youth detention and high number of Indigenous children in out-of-home care. "That is poverty, unstable housing, racism and lack of access to services," Mr Wilson said. "Locking up 10-year-old kids isn't justice, it's a failure of policy and compassion." Deaths in custody and high incarceration rates were not accidents but outcomes of a system that needed deep systemic change, including eliminating racism in police, courts and corrections, he said. All states and territories have introduced crime crackdowns after spates of violence and lawlessness, largely involving young people. In Queensland, children as young as 10 will face adult jail time for a range of new offences after the state government in May passed its second tranche of controversial youth crime laws. The NT government recently passed tougher bail laws, which are expected to lead to a surge in the territory's prison population, including more Indigenous youth inmates. 13YARN 13 92 76 Lifeline 13 11 14 An Indigenous death in custody case is being closely watched by the federal government after a territory leader vigorously opposed an independent inquiry. Senator Malarndirri McCarthy said ahead of a meeting of the Joint Council on Closing the Gap in Darwin that deaths in custody had to end and the Commonwealth was deeply concerned about the issue. The federal minister for Indigenous Australians said there could be heated debate over deaths in custody and harsher youth crime laws as she met with state and territory counterparts and Coalition of Peaks members on Friday. The coalition represents more than 80 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community bodies comprising about 800 organisations and is a formal partner with Australian governments on Closing the Gap. Friday's meeting follows the death in custody of Kumanjayi White on May 27 after being forcibly restrained by two plain clothes officers inside a supermarket in Alice Springs. Police allege the 24-year-old, who had a mental disability and was in care, was shoplifting and assaulted a security guard. Despite multiple calls for an independent inquiry, NT Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro and acting police commissioner Martin Dole rejected the proposal, saying NT Police were the best to investigate the death. Senator McCarthy has been among those calling for an independent inquiry. When asked on Friday if the federal government might intervene and convene a national cabinet on the issue, she said "we are watching very closely". Prime Minister Anthony Albanese would be briefed on the Closing the Gap meeting and its debates on deaths in custody, high Indigenous incarceration rates and tougher youth crime laws, she said. Federal Attorney-General Michelle Rowland was also deeply concerned about deaths in custody and would discuss the issue at an upcoming meeting with state and territory counterparts, the senator said. Scott Wilson, the acting lead convenor of the Coalition of Peaks, said outcomes for Indigenous people were improved when Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations were properly resourced. "On the issue of youth justice and child protection, our kids are harmed by the system that should protect them," he said. The coalition wants a national strategy to address the drivers of youth detention and high number of Indigenous children in out-of-home care. "That is poverty, unstable housing, racism and lack of access to services," Mr Wilson said. "Locking up 10-year-old kids isn't justice, it's a failure of policy and compassion." Deaths in custody and high incarceration rates were not accidents but outcomes of a system that needed deep systemic change, including eliminating racism in police, courts and corrections, he said. All states and territories have introduced crime crackdowns after spates of violence and lawlessness, largely involving young people. In Queensland, children as young as 10 will face adult jail time for a range of new offences after the state government in May passed its second tranche of controversial youth crime laws. The NT government recently passed tougher bail laws, which are expected to lead to a surge in the territory's prison population, including more Indigenous youth inmates. 13YARN 13 92 76 Lifeline 13 11 14 An Indigenous death in custody case is being closely watched by the federal government after a territory leader vigorously opposed an independent inquiry. Senator Malarndirri McCarthy said ahead of a meeting of the Joint Council on Closing the Gap in Darwin that deaths in custody had to end and the Commonwealth was deeply concerned about the issue. The federal minister for Indigenous Australians said there could be heated debate over deaths in custody and harsher youth crime laws as she met with state and territory counterparts and Coalition of Peaks members on Friday. The coalition represents more than 80 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community bodies comprising about 800 organisations and is a formal partner with Australian governments on Closing the Gap. Friday's meeting follows the death in custody of Kumanjayi White on May 27 after being forcibly restrained by two plain clothes officers inside a supermarket in Alice Springs. Police allege the 24-year-old, who had a mental disability and was in care, was shoplifting and assaulted a security guard. Despite multiple calls for an independent inquiry, NT Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro and acting police commissioner Martin Dole rejected the proposal, saying NT Police were the best to investigate the death. Senator McCarthy has been among those calling for an independent inquiry. When asked on Friday if the federal government might intervene and convene a national cabinet on the issue, she said "we are watching very closely". Prime Minister Anthony Albanese would be briefed on the Closing the Gap meeting and its debates on deaths in custody, high Indigenous incarceration rates and tougher youth crime laws, she said. Federal Attorney-General Michelle Rowland was also deeply concerned about deaths in custody and would discuss the issue at an upcoming meeting with state and territory counterparts, the senator said. Scott Wilson, the acting lead convenor of the Coalition of Peaks, said outcomes for Indigenous people were improved when Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations were properly resourced. "On the issue of youth justice and child protection, our kids are harmed by the system that should protect them," he said. The coalition wants a national strategy to address the drivers of youth detention and high number of Indigenous children in out-of-home care. "That is poverty, unstable housing, racism and lack of access to services," Mr Wilson said. "Locking up 10-year-old kids isn't justice, it's a failure of policy and compassion." Deaths in custody and high incarceration rates were not accidents but outcomes of a system that needed deep systemic change, including eliminating racism in police, courts and corrections, he said. All states and territories have introduced crime crackdowns after spates of violence and lawlessness, largely involving young people. In Queensland, children as young as 10 will face adult jail time for a range of new offences after the state government in May passed its second tranche of controversial youth crime laws. The NT government recently passed tougher bail laws, which are expected to lead to a surge in the territory's prison population, including more Indigenous youth inmates. 13YARN 13 92 76 Lifeline 13 11 14 An Indigenous death in custody case is being closely watched by the federal government after a territory leader vigorously opposed an independent inquiry. Senator Malarndirri McCarthy said ahead of a meeting of the Joint Council on Closing the Gap in Darwin that deaths in custody had to end and the Commonwealth was deeply concerned about the issue. The federal minister for Indigenous Australians said there could be heated debate over deaths in custody and harsher youth crime laws as she met with state and territory counterparts and Coalition of Peaks members on Friday. The coalition represents more than 80 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community bodies comprising about 800 organisations and is a formal partner with Australian governments on Closing the Gap. Friday's meeting follows the death in custody of Kumanjayi White on May 27 after being forcibly restrained by two plain clothes officers inside a supermarket in Alice Springs. Police allege the 24-year-old, who had a mental disability and was in care, was shoplifting and assaulted a security guard. Despite multiple calls for an independent inquiry, NT Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro and acting police commissioner Martin Dole rejected the proposal, saying NT Police were the best to investigate the death. Senator McCarthy has been among those calling for an independent inquiry. When asked on Friday if the federal government might intervene and convene a national cabinet on the issue, she said "we are watching very closely". Prime Minister Anthony Albanese would be briefed on the Closing the Gap meeting and its debates on deaths in custody, high Indigenous incarceration rates and tougher youth crime laws, she said. Federal Attorney-General Michelle Rowland was also deeply concerned about deaths in custody and would discuss the issue at an upcoming meeting with state and territory counterparts, the senator said. Scott Wilson, the acting lead convenor of the Coalition of Peaks, said outcomes for Indigenous people were improved when Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations were properly resourced. "On the issue of youth justice and child protection, our kids are harmed by the system that should protect them," he said. The coalition wants a national strategy to address the drivers of youth detention and high number of Indigenous children in out-of-home care. "That is poverty, unstable housing, racism and lack of access to services," Mr Wilson said. "Locking up 10-year-old kids isn't justice, it's a failure of policy and compassion." Deaths in custody and high incarceration rates were not accidents but outcomes of a system that needed deep systemic change, including eliminating racism in police, courts and corrections, he said. All states and territories have introduced crime crackdowns after spates of violence and lawlessness, largely involving young people. In Queensland, children as young as 10 will face adult jail time for a range of new offences after the state government in May passed its second tranche of controversial youth crime laws. The NT government recently passed tougher bail laws, which are expected to lead to a surge in the territory's prison population, including more Indigenous youth inmates. 13YARN 13 92 76 Lifeline 13 11 14
ABC News
a day ago
- ABC News
Murujuga traditional owners 'sidelined' in government's North West Shelf approval
A group of Murujuga traditional custodians is calling on the federal government to immediately release the conditions attached to its 40-year extension of Woodside's North West Shelf gas project. Federal Environment Minister Murray Watt waved through the approval three weeks ago, allowing Australia's largest oil and gas facility to continue operating in Western Australia's Pilbara region until 2070. Ngarluma woman Samantha Walker penned a letter to the government on Tuesday last week, gathering signatures from multiple traditional owners and elders with connections to the landscape. "Our people have not consented to the proposal," she wrote. Mr Watt gave Woodside 10 days to respond to the approval's "strict" conditions, which he indicated focused on the protection of ancient Aboriginal rock art. Last Friday, the gas giant breezed past that deadline and neither Woodside nor Mr Watt could confirm the date negotiations would be finalised when asked by the ABC. Ms Walker said she was "alarmed" that the right of reply was afforded solely to Woodside. "We understand there are statutory requirements, however, the approvals process has sidelined Murujuga Ngurrara-ngarli [Murujuga traditional owners]," she wrote. "They have a process with Woodside and the government, but they don't take into account our cultural processes, which we have as well, which is very saddening." Ms Walker repeated calls for Mr Watt to visit Murujuga — the Aboriginal name for the Burrup Peninsula — where Woodside's main processing plant is located, about 1,500 kilometres north of Perth. The area is home to some of the world's oldest known rock art, the preservation of which became a flashpoint amid the extension decision. The Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation (MAC) administers cultural matters involving the peninsula on behalf of five language groups: the Ngarluma, Mardudhunera, Yaburara, Yindjibarndi, and Wong-Goo-Tt-Oo peoples. The corporation was formed in 2006 and granted joint management of Murujuga National Park in exchange for extinguishing native title rights to land earmarked for industrial development. The chair of MAC, Peter Hicks, flew to Canberra this week to meet with Mr Watt. Mr Hicks said he was confident findings of a two-year rock art monitoring program, carried out by MAC and the WA government, showed the North West Shelf project was not currently harming the ancient petroglyphs. The rock art is central to the organisation's bid to have Murujuga listed by the United Nations as a World Heritage site. This goal was thrown into doubt by a UNESCO draft decision calling for the area's industrialisation to be halted, triggering protests from the federal government. While Ms Walker backed the embattled World Heritage push, she said more consultation on the North West Shelf project and its impact was needed. "Broader consultation means speaking with the whole community, all of the families, the connections who have a connection to the place," Ms Walker explained. "The minister needs to speak to us, according to our cultural protocols," she said. She argued that the violation of traditional owners' informed consent was grounds for a human rights complaint, and current economic arrangements between Woodside and traditional owners had become obsolete. "It is severely remiss of the Commonwealth to consider approving a major project while relying on an outdated agreement that is in urgent need of modernisation," Ms Walker said. Mr Watt did not respond to specific questions put to him by the ABC. Samantha Hepburn, a professor at Deakin Law School, said it was not typical for proponents to miss response deadlines, although this case was "unique" given its magnitude and the extent of public interest. Dr Hepburn believed Mr Watt possessed the legal discretion to make the conditions public and would be "justified" in doing so because the approval was so controversial. "We see a broad range of the community very, very concerned about the impact that this extension is likely to have and wanting to make sure that the conditions are capable of addressing those concerns," she said. The decision to extend the major gas project is currently facing court challenges on several fronts. Dr Hepburn said publicising the conditions would be a show of good faith ahead of federal environmental law reform, the subject of high-level talks hosted by Mr Watt on Thursday. "Showing a preparedness to be responsive to the concerns, I think, is a very, very important thing that the government has the opportunity to [do]," she said. Ms Walker said she had only received a response from WA Senator Dorinda Cox, who could not be reached for comment.
