'Genocide must stop': Elder's message to the PM
Visiting the annual Garma Festival at Gulkula in northeast Arnhem Land, Ned Hargraves said his community of Yuendumu had lost trust in the police after the deaths of his grandson Kumanjayi White in May, and Kumanjayi Walker in 2019.
Kumanjayi Walker was 19 when he was shot by then-constable Zachary Rolfe at close range at a home in Yuendumu.
A coronial inquest found Mr Walker's death was preventable, and coroner Elisabeth Armitage said she could not rule out that racism may have played a part in the teenager's death.
The Northern Territory government is yet to commit to any of the coroner's recommendations, handed down in Yuendumu in July.
In May, the community was left reeling after the death of Kumanjayi White at a supermarket in Alice Springs.
The 24-year-old, who had a disability, died after being forcibly restrained by two plainclothes officers.
"Kumanjayi Walker was murdered in broad daylight," Mr Hargraves said.
"In the same way my jaja, my grandson, was done, he was killed by the law.
"The police has done enough. Enough is enough. We have to put a stop to it somewhere."
Reading from a letter he penned to the prime minister Mr Hargraves said Anthony Albanese had the power to turn around the outcomes for his community.
"This genocide must stop," he said.
"We are asking you, the prime minister, to do something about it."
Mr Albanese visited Garma for a few hours on Saturday, making a speech and meeting with senior Yolngu leaders.
He announced an economic partnership with Indigenous organisations, which he said would allow Traditional Owners to advocate for infrastructure, housing and energy projects on their land, with millions promised for First Nations clean energy projects and for native title reform.
While Opposition Leader Sussan Ley did not attend Garma, she continued the Liberal Party's post-election defeat listening tour through engagements with First Nations community groups in Western Australia.
"The first thing we have to do is listen, be present in regional communities, and talk to Indigenous Australians," she told ABC Weekend Breakfast on Sunday.
"I don't think it is good enough for the prime minister to stand there, deliver a speech with nice words, but not followed with any demonstration of real action."
Since the death of Kumanjayi White in May, the community of Yuendumu has maintained calls for CCTV footage of the incident to be released, and an independent investigation into what occurred.
Mr Hargraves reiterated those calls when he spoke to media on Sunday.
"We cannot trust them because they, the government and the police, deny what we ask for, they don't help us," he said.
"All they want to do is destroy, kill our lives, kill our children, kill our people. It's not right."
13YARN 13 92 76
Lifeline 13 11 14
A Warlpiri Elder has delivered a powerful message for the prime minister following the deaths of two young men from his remote community.
Visiting the annual Garma Festival at Gulkula in northeast Arnhem Land, Ned Hargraves said his community of Yuendumu had lost trust in the police after the deaths of his grandson Kumanjayi White in May, and Kumanjayi Walker in 2019.
Kumanjayi Walker was 19 when he was shot by then-constable Zachary Rolfe at close range at a home in Yuendumu.
A coronial inquest found Mr Walker's death was preventable, and coroner Elisabeth Armitage said she could not rule out that racism may have played a part in the teenager's death.
The Northern Territory government is yet to commit to any of the coroner's recommendations, handed down in Yuendumu in July.
In May, the community was left reeling after the death of Kumanjayi White at a supermarket in Alice Springs.
The 24-year-old, who had a disability, died after being forcibly restrained by two plainclothes officers.
"Kumanjayi Walker was murdered in broad daylight," Mr Hargraves said.
"In the same way my jaja, my grandson, was done, he was killed by the law.
"The police has done enough. Enough is enough. We have to put a stop to it somewhere."
Reading from a letter he penned to the prime minister Mr Hargraves said Anthony Albanese had the power to turn around the outcomes for his community.
"This genocide must stop," he said.
"We are asking you, the prime minister, to do something about it."
Mr Albanese visited Garma for a few hours on Saturday, making a speech and meeting with senior Yolngu leaders.
He announced an economic partnership with Indigenous organisations, which he said would allow Traditional Owners to advocate for infrastructure, housing and energy projects on their land, with millions promised for First Nations clean energy projects and for native title reform.
While Opposition Leader Sussan Ley did not attend Garma, she continued the Liberal Party's post-election defeat listening tour through engagements with First Nations community groups in Western Australia.
"The first thing we have to do is listen, be present in regional communities, and talk to Indigenous Australians," she told ABC Weekend Breakfast on Sunday.
"I don't think it is good enough for the prime minister to stand there, deliver a speech with nice words, but not followed with any demonstration of real action."
Since the death of Kumanjayi White in May, the community of Yuendumu has maintained calls for CCTV footage of the incident to be released, and an independent investigation into what occurred.
Mr Hargraves reiterated those calls when he spoke to media on Sunday.
"We cannot trust them because they, the government and the police, deny what we ask for, they don't help us," he said.
"All they want to do is destroy, kill our lives, kill our children, kill our people. It's not right."
13YARN 13 92 76
Lifeline 13 11 14
A Warlpiri Elder has delivered a powerful message for the prime minister following the deaths of two young men from his remote community.
Visiting the annual Garma Festival at Gulkula in northeast Arnhem Land, Ned Hargraves said his community of Yuendumu had lost trust in the police after the deaths of his grandson Kumanjayi White in May, and Kumanjayi Walker in 2019.
Kumanjayi Walker was 19 when he was shot by then-constable Zachary Rolfe at close range at a home in Yuendumu.
A coronial inquest found Mr Walker's death was preventable, and coroner Elisabeth Armitage said she could not rule out that racism may have played a part in the teenager's death.
The Northern Territory government is yet to commit to any of the coroner's recommendations, handed down in Yuendumu in July.
In May, the community was left reeling after the death of Kumanjayi White at a supermarket in Alice Springs.
The 24-year-old, who had a disability, died after being forcibly restrained by two plainclothes officers.
"Kumanjayi Walker was murdered in broad daylight," Mr Hargraves said.
"In the same way my jaja, my grandson, was done, he was killed by the law.
"The police has done enough. Enough is enough. We have to put a stop to it somewhere."
Reading from a letter he penned to the prime minister Mr Hargraves said Anthony Albanese had the power to turn around the outcomes for his community.
"This genocide must stop," he said.
"We are asking you, the prime minister, to do something about it."
Mr Albanese visited Garma for a few hours on Saturday, making a speech and meeting with senior Yolngu leaders.
He announced an economic partnership with Indigenous organisations, which he said would allow Traditional Owners to advocate for infrastructure, housing and energy projects on their land, with millions promised for First Nations clean energy projects and for native title reform.
While Opposition Leader Sussan Ley did not attend Garma, she continued the Liberal Party's post-election defeat listening tour through engagements with First Nations community groups in Western Australia.
"The first thing we have to do is listen, be present in regional communities, and talk to Indigenous Australians," she told ABC Weekend Breakfast on Sunday.
"I don't think it is good enough for the prime minister to stand there, deliver a speech with nice words, but not followed with any demonstration of real action."
Since the death of Kumanjayi White in May, the community of Yuendumu has maintained calls for CCTV footage of the incident to be released, and an independent investigation into what occurred.
Mr Hargraves reiterated those calls when he spoke to media on Sunday.
"We cannot trust them because they, the government and the police, deny what we ask for, they don't help us," he said.
"All they want to do is destroy, kill our lives, kill our children, kill our people. It's not right."
13YARN 13 92 76
Lifeline 13 11 14
A Warlpiri Elder has delivered a powerful message for the prime minister following the deaths of two young men from his remote community.
Visiting the annual Garma Festival at Gulkula in northeast Arnhem Land, Ned Hargraves said his community of Yuendumu had lost trust in the police after the deaths of his grandson Kumanjayi White in May, and Kumanjayi Walker in 2019.
Kumanjayi Walker was 19 when he was shot by then-constable Zachary Rolfe at close range at a home in Yuendumu.
A coronial inquest found Mr Walker's death was preventable, and coroner Elisabeth Armitage said she could not rule out that racism may have played a part in the teenager's death.
The Northern Territory government is yet to commit to any of the coroner's recommendations, handed down in Yuendumu in July.
In May, the community was left reeling after the death of Kumanjayi White at a supermarket in Alice Springs.
The 24-year-old, who had a disability, died after being forcibly restrained by two plainclothes officers.
"Kumanjayi Walker was murdered in broad daylight," Mr Hargraves said.
"In the same way my jaja, my grandson, was done, he was killed by the law.
"The police has done enough. Enough is enough. We have to put a stop to it somewhere."
Reading from a letter he penned to the prime minister Mr Hargraves said Anthony Albanese had the power to turn around the outcomes for his community.
"This genocide must stop," he said.
"We are asking you, the prime minister, to do something about it."
Mr Albanese visited Garma for a few hours on Saturday, making a speech and meeting with senior Yolngu leaders.
He announced an economic partnership with Indigenous organisations, which he said would allow Traditional Owners to advocate for infrastructure, housing and energy projects on their land, with millions promised for First Nations clean energy projects and for native title reform.
While Opposition Leader Sussan Ley did not attend Garma, she continued the Liberal Party's post-election defeat listening tour through engagements with First Nations community groups in Western Australia.
"The first thing we have to do is listen, be present in regional communities, and talk to Indigenous Australians," she told ABC Weekend Breakfast on Sunday.
"I don't think it is good enough for the prime minister to stand there, deliver a speech with nice words, but not followed with any demonstration of real action."
Since the death of Kumanjayi White in May, the community of Yuendumu has maintained calls for CCTV footage of the incident to be released, and an independent investigation into what occurred.
Mr Hargraves reiterated those calls when he spoke to media on Sunday.
"We cannot trust them because they, the government and the police, deny what we ask for, they don't help us," he said.
"All they want to do is destroy, kill our lives, kill our children, kill our people. It's not right."
13YARN 13 92 76
Lifeline 13 11 14
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Australia's stance on Palestinian statehood has been labelled as "shameful" by Israel's prime minister, as a former world leader warns the federal government is lagging on a global push for recognition. Benjamin Netanyahu singled out Australia and other European countries for signalling they could formally recognise Palestinian statehood during a United Nations General Assembly in New York in September. He warned recognition of Palestine would not bring about peace in the Middle East. "To have European countries and Australia march into that rabbit hole ... this canard, is disappointing and I think it's actually shameful," he said. "(Australia) know what they would do if right next to Melbourne or right next to Sydney you had these horrific attacks." Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has not laid out a timeline for recognition but has repeatedly said it was a matter of "when, not if". Allies such as France, the UK and Canada plan to recognise Palestine at the UN gathering, so long as certain conditions, including that Hamas has no role in any government and the return of Israeli hospitals, are met. While Australia has given thought to recognition in the context of a two-state solution that includes Israel, former New Zealand prime minister Helen Clark said the government has lagged other western nations. Australia and New Zealand were among the signatories of a joint statement condemning Israel's plan to expand the war in Gaza and take control of all of the Gaza Strip. "The most Australia and New Zealand have been able to stir themselves to do is to strongly reject the decision as well," Ms Clark told ABC radio on Monday. "Australia and New Zealand are now beginning to lag behind key partners in the recognition of the state of Palestine." The former NZ leader also said the fact that Israel was singling out Australia for criticism meant there was growing international pressure on the issue. "Statements like that from Prime Minister Netanyahu indicate to me that some pressure is starting to tell on him," she said. "The fact he's lashing out in this way suggests to me that even more pressure might start to get more results." But Liberal senator and former ambassador to Israel Dave Sharma said recognising Palestine would make a ceasefire in the region even more difficult "It's made Hamas less likely to reach a ceasefire," he told ABC radio. "It's made Hamas be able to portray itself as making political progress because of its military action "That is actually pushing back the resolution of this conflict, which I think has been a deeply unfortunate consequence." After a shift in Australia's rhetoric in recent weeks on Palestine, international law expert from the Australian National University Donald Rothwell said Australia would likely join western nations in recognising Palestine. "Everything at the moment is pointing towards Australia positioning itself to make an announcement of the recognition of Palestine by the time of the (meeting)," Prof Rothwell told AAP. "The prime minister is also actually going to the United Nations General Assembly and it's a very long time since the Australian prime minister has gone there." The Israeli government wants total victory in its war with Hamas, which attacked the nation's south in October 2023, killing about 1200 people and taking 251 hostages. Israel's retaliatory assault on Gaza has killed more than 61,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza health ministry. Australia's stance on Palestinian statehood has been labelled as "shameful" by Israel's prime minister, as a former world leader warns the federal government is lagging on a global push for recognition. Benjamin Netanyahu singled out Australia and other European countries for signalling they could formally recognise Palestinian statehood during a United Nations General Assembly in New York in September. He warned recognition of Palestine would not bring about peace in the Middle East. "To have European countries and Australia march into that rabbit hole ... this canard, is disappointing and I think it's actually shameful," he said. "(Australia) know what they would do if right next to Melbourne or right next to Sydney you had these horrific attacks." Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has not laid out a timeline for recognition but has repeatedly said it was a matter of "when, not if". Allies such as France, the UK and Canada plan to recognise Palestine at the UN gathering, so long as certain conditions, including that Hamas has no role in any government and the return of Israeli hospitals, are met. While Australia has given thought to recognition in the context of a two-state solution that includes Israel, former New Zealand prime minister Helen Clark said the government has lagged other western nations. Australia and New Zealand were among the signatories of a joint statement condemning Israel's plan to expand the war in Gaza and take control of all of the Gaza Strip. "The most Australia and New Zealand have been able to stir themselves to do is to strongly reject the decision as well," Ms Clark told ABC radio on Monday. "Australia and New Zealand are now beginning to lag behind key partners in the recognition of the state of Palestine." The former NZ leader also said the fact that Israel was singling out Australia for criticism meant there was growing international pressure on the issue. "Statements like that from Prime Minister Netanyahu indicate to me that some pressure is starting to tell on him," she said. "The fact he's lashing out in this way suggests to me that even more pressure might start to get more results." But Liberal senator and former ambassador to Israel Dave Sharma said recognising Palestine would make a ceasefire in the region even more difficult "It's made Hamas less likely to reach a ceasefire," he told ABC radio. "It's made Hamas be able to portray itself as making political progress because of its military action "That is actually pushing back the resolution of this conflict, which I think has been a deeply unfortunate consequence." After a shift in Australia's rhetoric in recent weeks on Palestine, international law expert from the Australian National University Donald Rothwell said Australia would likely join western nations in recognising Palestine. "Everything at the moment is pointing towards Australia positioning itself to make an announcement of the recognition of Palestine by the time of the (meeting)," Prof Rothwell told AAP. "The prime minister is also actually going to the United Nations General Assembly and it's a very long time since the Australian prime minister has gone there." The Israeli government wants total victory in its war with Hamas, which attacked the nation's south in October 2023, killing about 1200 people and taking 251 hostages. Israel's retaliatory assault on Gaza has killed more than 61,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza health ministry.
