Media release - Kumanjayi Walker Inquest: A reckoning with racism in NT Policing

Media Release – 8 July 2025

Kumanjayi Walker Inquest: A Reckoning with Racism in NT Policing

The Northern Territory Anti-Discrimination Commission acknowledge the weight of the findings from the Coronial Inquest into the death of Kumanjayi Walker. The 683-page report by Her Honour Justice Elisabeth Armitage on 7 July 2025 names what communities have long known: racism, both interpersonal and institutional, is entrenched within the Northern Territory Police Force.

The Coroner’s findings are unambiguous. Although not uniform, there was a “work environment that tolerated or normalised racism…”.

Her Honour observed that: “Institutional or structural racism... is harder to identify and address because it is embedded in processes, decision-making and culture.”

Her Honour acknowledges, as does the Commission, that there are many officers in the NT, especially those working in remote areas, who are “curious and culturally sensitive officers who [have] dedicated their working lives to service the largely Aboriginal Communities that [are] tasked to police.”

These findings echo calls made by many across the Territory, including Aboriginal communities, legal services, and oversight bodies, for a systemic response to racism in policing. The Northern Territory Police Review (March 2024) and the ICAC’s Operation Beaufort similarly acknowledged cultural issues within the force and the need for a cultural reset.

Despite this, in 2024 the NT Government withdrew $300,000 previously allocated to the NT Anti-Discrimination Commission to conduct an independent Racism Review into the NT Police Force. This decision effectively silenced the very inquiry communities called for, and that the NT Aboriginal Justice Agreement (Item 3) requires: to address racism in government agencies.

The Coronial findings are not just a moment of reckoning; it is a national directive. The Australian Human Rights Commission rightly described it as a “powerful call for justice and reform.”

Responding to this call demands coordinated leadership. It is now essential that anti-discrimination bodies, both Territory and Federal, work collaboratively to dismantle systemic racism in our public institutions. Anything less risks repeating the failures that led us here.

Her Honour provides a pathway forward with 33 recommendations, which we implore NT Government to implement immediately. One of those recommendations is that the Northern Territory Police Force set up a working group with representatives from the main relevant agencies (including a senior member of the Cultural Reform Command, a senior member of the PSC, NAAJA, NT Legal Aid, the Ombudsman, and the Anti-Discrimination Commission) to develop and implement improved procedures for addressing complaints made by Aboriginal people about police use of force and/or allegations of racism, including time frames and communication protocols.

As Anti-Discrimination Commissioner, I reaffirm the Commission’s readiness to work with NT Police, to support and guide reform through a structured review process, one that centres cultural safety, legal compliance, systems-reform and long-term accountability.

I also confirm that moving forward, the Commission will triage and prioritise complaints made about Police regarding use of force, racism, or race discrimination.

The path forward is clear:
✔ Implement the Coroner's 33 recommendations without delay.
✔ Honour the NT Aboriginal Justice Agreement through action.

Jeswynn Yogaratnam
Anti-Discrimination Commissioner & Principal Community Visitor

Media contact: antidiscrimination@nt.gov.au