Overview

• Coroner Elisabeth Armitage concluded Constable Zachary Rolfe held racist attitudes and could not exclude that they contributed to 19-year-old Kumanjayi Walker’s fatal shooting in November 2019.
• Armitage found the Northern Territory Police Force exhibited the hallmarks of institutional racism, with racist language and behaviours normalised among officers.
• The 600-page inquest report, delivered after nearly three years of hearings, issues 32 recommendations covering anti-racism strategies, firearms protocols in remote communities and strengthened community-led health services.
• Walker’s family and Warlpiri community leaders pressed for independent oversight, full disclosure of evidence and a commitment that police will not enter Yuendumu with firearms.
• Acting Commissioner Martin Dole said NT Police will carefully review the coroner’s recommendations and work with government and Aboriginal leadership to implement changes.