Former bar association president tells Garma panel ‘there is no due process’ for Aboriginal people in NT courts, and derided Albanese’s pledge for more engagement
Northern Territory barrister John Lawrence SC told the Garma audience Michael Murphy’s apology was not enough and police officers who engaged in racist behaviour should be sacked.Northern Territory barrister John Lawrence SC told the Garma audience Michael Murphy’s apology was not enough and police officers who engaged in racist behaviour should be sacked.
Sign up for Guardian Australia’s free morning and afternoon email newsletters for your daily news roundup Murphy also revealed he will issue a separate apology to the people of Yuendumu, the community in which Warlpiri-Luritja man Kumanjayi Walker was shot dead by police while resisting arrest in November 2019. Evidence to a coronial inquiry into the case has exposedNT police commissioner apologises for 'injustices' to Indigenous community at Garma 2024 – video
Lawrence was speaking in a panel session on truth-telling. Another panellist, former NT Grants Commission chairman Bob Beadman, called the evidence of racist police behaviour “just appalling”.“You know, the apology was desperately needed,” Beadman said, speaking ahead of Lawrence. “There’ll be lots of cynics about whether it will be carried through but there was no alternative but to take that step. And he was brave enough to take it. Now the challenge is to carry the police force with him.
Lawrence also highlighted the level of rheumatic heart disease in remote NT communities and its impact on life, and death.
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