Warlpiri elder Ned Jampijinpa Hargraves has made an urgent appeal to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for federal intervention in law and justice policies in the Northern Territory. His call comes amid rising concerns regarding the impact of the Country Liberal Party’s (CLP) tough-on-crime approach, which Hargraves argues is detrimental to Indigenous communities.
During a speech at the Garma Festival on August 6, 2023, Hargraves expressed the deep suffering of his community in Yuendemu, citing recent traumatic losses, including the police shooting death of Kumunjayi Walker and the death in custody of his grandson earlier this year. He described the new laws implemented by the CLP government as having “ripped the guts out of us.”
Hargraves read a letter addressed to Prime Minister Albanese, criticizing the NT government’s actions. He stated, “The NT government is acting from a criminal mindset — like an illegal occupying foreign power.” His remarks highlight the significant increase in Indigenous incarceration rates under recent reforms, which he described as archaic and reminiscent of policies from the 1950s and 60s.
In his letter, Hargraves urged the Prime Minister to act decisively, stating, “They are using their power to destroy us, to take away our rights.” He emphasized the need for immediate action to prevent further oppression of First Nations people. Hargraves also criticized the government’s response to his previous correspondence in June, which went unanswered. He intends to travel to Canberra to speak directly with Albanese.
Anthony Albanese announced funding for a new economic empowerment plan for Indigenous communities during the festival, but Hargraves remains skeptical about the government’s commitment to real change. “Our children and their children’s children cannot be living in fear,” he remarked.
In a related development, Hargraves reiterated his demand for the police to release CCTV footage of Kumunjayi Walker’s death, which has not been made publicly available. The NT Police have previously faced scrutiny regarding their handling of this case.
In response to the growing criticism, Steve Edgington, the NT Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, defended the CLP government’s policies at the Garma Festival. He stated that the tough-on-crime agenda does not disproportionately impact Aboriginal people, claiming the government’s focus is on reducing crime and improving economic conditions. “What we’re trying to do is get on top of the issues that we’re being faced with coming into government,” Edgington said.
Despite these assurances, many leaders voiced their discontent with the CLP’s approach, arguing that it exacerbates existing problems. The Northern Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency (NAAJA) has previously called for a reevaluation of the justice policies that have led to record incarceration rates among First Nations people.
The criticism of the CLP government’s stance on crime reduction has gained momentum, especially as Lia Finocchiaro, the NT Chief Minister, was notably absent from the Garma Festival. Albanese criticized such “cheap politics of division,” asserting that they would not lead to constructive solutions.
The Prime Minister’s remarks during the festival underscored the privilege of government as a chance to serve the nation and effect meaningful change. As the call for intervention continues to grow, the future of law and justice policies in the Northern Territory remains a pressing issue for Indigenous communities.
