The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, Katie Kiss, and the Race Discrimination Commissioner, Giridharan Sivaraman, have welcomed an apology by Northern Territory Police for historic injustices inflicted on First Nations communities.
NT Police Commissioner Michael Murphy delivered the apology on the lands of the Gumatj people at the 2024 Garma Festival on Saturday, vowing to change the culture of the Territory's police force and eliminate all forms of racism within its structure. He also said NT Police would provide better services for victims, witnesses, and families, and reduce the over-representation of First Nations Peoples in the justice system.
"This apology was a necessary and symbolic moment. The relationship between First Nations Peoples and police in this country has been a difficult one for generations and is a root cause of the ongoing pain and suffering for our people," Commissioner Kiss said.
"I welcome this act of truth-telling of more than 150 years of injustice since the Northern Territory police force was established. Some of these injustices were specifically referenced by the Police Commissioner; from the Coniston Massacre of 1928 to the Stolen Generations policy.
"But any commitment to end the failures of the past must acknowledge that injustices continue to this day. No police officer in the Territory has ever been convicted for the role they played in the death of First Nations Peoples, including the 2019 shooting death of Warlpiri man Kumanjayi Walker in Yuendumu.
"If the apology's promise to never again repeat the mistakes of the past is to be realised, then it must be under-pinned by honesty and accountability about what is still happening in the Northern Territory today.
"This stance sets the example for other police services and government agencies around the country, as it is not only in the Northern Territory or on the frontline where these harms are being perpetrated against First Nations Peoples.
"I look forward to seeing this healing process deepen and offer my support in any way possible."
Commissioner Sivaraman, who is also attending Garma with Ms Kiss, agreed that the apology is a necessary starting point to rectifying injustices.
"Making true progress towards ending racism begins with first accepting it exists. So, the impact of this apology is profound. However, words can only go so far." Commissioner Sivaraman said.
"Change must now be embedded throughout the entire police force and the structures set up within it. I hope that this cultural shift is being driven by the very top of the police force.
"As part of this promise, I believe there must be a commitment to independent investigations of recent actions by serving members of Northern Territory Police, such as the upcoming review into systemic racism by the Northern Territory Anti-Discrimination Commission."
