Police culture ‘must shift’ after apology to Indigenous

A historical apology for police injustices inflicted on First Nations people will lose its significance if not matched by a cultural shift within the NT force.

Race Discrimination Commissioner Giridharan Sivaraman made that claim after Police Commissioner Michael Murphy said sorry for the harm caused by officers throughout history.

The apology came on Saturday at Australia’s largest Indigenous gathering, the Garma Festival in northeast Arnhem Land.

Mr Sivaraman acknowledged it was a vital step towards improving police relations in the territory, but added “words can only go so far”.

“Change must now be embedded throughout the entire police force and the structures set up within it… I hope this cultural shift is being driven by the very top of the police force,” he said.

A commitment must be made to independent investigations of recent actions by serving members of the NT Police, such as the coming review into systemic racism by the NT’s Anti-Discrimination Commission, Mr Sivaraman said.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner Katie Kiss agreed the apology was “necessary and symbolic”, but said the force also needed to reckon with the injustices that have continued “to this day”.

Ms Kiss said no officer had been convicted over the death of Kumanjayi Walker, who was shot by then-constable Zachary Rolfe in November 2019 during an attempted arrest.

An inquest uncovered evidence of racism within the force.

“If the apology’s promise to never again repeat the mistakes of the past is to be realized, then it must be underpinned by honesty and accountability about what is still happening in the NT today,” Ms Kiss said.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also addressed the Garma Festival, for the first time since the failed referendum on an Indigenous voice to parliament.

He said he was focused on finding “new ambition, energy and determination” to work with the Indigenous community, rather than “rake through the ashes” of the failed vote.

“We do this understanding that the change so many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have been seeking and advocating for years, decades, even lifetimes was not defined or determined by one day,” he said.

“It has always been about positive, practical and lasting change in people’s lives and in the life of our nation.”