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Indigenous Leaders Demand External Inquiry as NT Police Criminal Probe Advances

The decision to pause the coroner’s inquiry during an ongoing criminal investigation has eroded trust among Indigenous communities in Northern Territory policing

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Overview

  • NT Police Major Crime Section is leading a criminal investigation into Kumanjayi White’s death after the NT coroner agreed to pause the inquest pending its outcome.
  • Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro has rejected calls for an independent probe, insisting that internal police inquiries coupled with a coroner’s review provide appropriate oversight.
  • Warren Williams, chair of the Central Land Council and White’s uncle, is urging the federal government to withhold NT funding until an independent police conduct commission is established.
  • Lingiari MP Marion Scrymgour has proposed that Australian Federal Police detectives take over the investigation to ensure impartiality in examining NT police actions.
  • Hundreds attended a candle-lit vigil in Darwin on the fifth anniversary of George Floyd’s death as Justice Not Jails launched a national week of action against Indigenous deaths in custody.