The Lawler Government and NT Police Commissioner Michael Murphy have shown little interest in fixing the “growing disease” of racism in the NT Police force, Member for Mulka Yingiya Mark Guyula has said in a blistering statement, calling for real action to “change a culture that normalises racism and dehumanises people”.
The rare statement from the respected Yolngu leader follows revelations from the coronial inquest into the death of Kumanjayi Walker that police handed out racist award certificates for years until 2022 and regularly used racist language and slurs against Aboriginal people.
It was also revealed this week that Mr Murphy knew about the racist awards last year but took no action and later lied to the public about when he first became aware of them. Mr Murphy was also forced to explain to the inquest why he unilaterally overturned disciplinary action against an acting senior sergeant who shared a picture of a topless Indigenous woman in a group chat that included racist and misogynistic language.
“The fact that the Police Commissioner was informed of these highly offensive and racist awards long ago and did nothing about it, is clearly a sign of how completely normalised racism has become in the police force,” Mr Guyula said.
“The fact that officers can share naked pictures and offensive and racist conversations in a chat and have the Police Commissioner overturn the associated disciplinary action shows that within the top leadership there is not a good understanding of the damage caused by racism or how to properly address and stop a culture of racism.”
Mr Murphy has been supported to stay in the role of Police Commissioner by Police Minister Brent Potter – who was caught up in his own racism scandal earlier this year for sharing racist material on social media before being elected – and by Chief Minister Eva Lawler who said on Thursday that she supported Mr Murphy “100 per cent”.
“He’s provided an explanation around what occurred,” she said.
“But I’ve also stood by the Commissioner where he’s spoken very strongly about making sure that if there is any racism in the police force, that it’s stamped out.”
It was unclear why Ms Lawler said “if” there is racism in the police force.
“Some of the things that we’re talking about happened in 2007. I think we need to look forward with the police force. I think all of the police force are, very, very willing to get on board and to move the police force forward rather than looking back to stories from the early 2000s.”
That was not accurate, as Mr Murphy took no action when he was made aware of the racist awards last August, which had been ongoing until 2022, and the following month made the determination to overturn the disciplinary action against the officer who shared the naked picture.
Mr Murphy said it was “regrettable” he did not report the racist awards to Professional Standards Command and that he “probably” would have upheld the disciplinary action if he could do it over again.
Mr Guyula said the government and Mr Murphy have failed to show real leadership in cleaning up the police force and called for change.
“We now need to see strong action taken to change a culture that normalises racism and dehumanises people,” he said.
“The Commissioner and the Government need to outline a clear path forward that attempts to rebuild trust with communities or risk maintaining a reputation as the most racist police force in Australia.
“On Yolŋu country I’ve called for resources for peacekeepers. Our elders can work with police – but we want to be treated as equals and we want to be recognised for our authority on our country.
“Strong action is needed now for cleaning out racism and creating partnerships that are genuine.”
Perhaps we could see some action from these so called Elders to address the appalling criminal behaviour of Aboriginals.
Spot on.
Agree.
Nelson Mclean, what action are you aware of?
Billions of dollars handed to these people with no results, you can’t help somebody who will not help themselves.
Bleeding heart hand wringers like you are not part of the answer you are part of the problem.
The softly softly approach pushed by the likes of you over the last 30 odd years has got us nowhere.
My suggestion, with respect, Member for Mulka Yingiya Mark Guyula – change teams, you’re too good for these self serving nutters, your people and other communities need the like of yourself and Jacinta to move forward to a better and healthier life….
Mr Guyula, please choose to be independent. Speak loud and true forevermore.
Gee I have never been called a white C for just refusing to give money, but thousands have.
F I had a dollar for every time I’d been called a white c#@t over my lifetime in the NT…..and now I’ll be labelled a racist also.
sticks and stones may break my bones but names can never hurt me. But racist jokes, pictures and discriminatory decisions, systematically oppress. Those who devolve the issues to being called a C U in the NT by a beggar, begs the question, “Is that the extent of your understanding of who Aboriginal People are?” Do you characterize entire nations of indigenous people by your limited experience of alcohol addicts outside mega profeiting grog running supermarkets? In which case, you are demonstrating the very dumb, numb-scull, racism that is being spoken about by the Honourable Yolngu Gentleman. Willful ignorance is the refuge of moral cowards.
With respect. What is the extent of understanding of the people using words like White C##T? Do they characterize the entire white nation as C##Ts or just the ones that don’t give grog money? Yes, my experience is based on what happens to me outside of a supermarket, Parap markets, The Esplanade and various other spots in Darwin but its a valuable insight into a culture in disarray. How do you expect White C##Ts to fix the issues? Willful ignorance is the refuge of moral cowards and that can be applied to the very dumb, numb-scull, intoxicated racism on display outside of every major supermarket, public park, beach and bus in the Northern Territory and to those who defend that behavior.
Maybe a case of ‘the pot calling the kettle black’, yet the crime statistics would show that the crime problem that we face is extremely and disproportionately caused by indigenous. Time to clean your own house.