Kumanjayi White: Family Calls for Federal Support
- ned Jampijinpa Hargraves, a respected elder in the Northern Territory, is appealing to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to intervene in what he describes as a "justice crisis" following...
- Kumanjayi White, 24, a Warlpiri man with disabilities, died last month after being restrained by police at a supermarket in Alice Springs.
- In an open letter, Hargraves implored Albanese to take action, asserting that the Northern Territory's criminal justice system is failing.
Following the tragic deaths of Kumanjayi white and another Aboriginal man in custody, a prominent Northern Territory elder is demanding immediate action and federal support. Ned Jampijinpa Hargraves is urging prime Minister Albanese to address the escalating justice crisis and intervene in the matter.The family of Kumanjayi White is calling for an independent investigation and the release of CCTV footage, highlighting a deep-seated distrust within the community. News Directory 3 is closely following the developments as pressure mounts on the government. Hargraves also references historical injustices, further emphasizing the need for systemic change within the Northern Territory’s criminal justice system, while others are also calling into question punitive justice laws.Discover what’s next with the upcoming coroner’s findings and other developments.
NT Elder Urges PM to Act After Aboriginal Custody Deaths
Updated June 23, 2025
ned Jampijinpa Hargraves, a respected elder in the Northern Territory, is appealing to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to intervene in what he describes as a “justice crisis” following the death of his grandson and another aboriginal man in police custody.
Kumanjayi White, 24, a Warlpiri man with disabilities, died last month after being restrained by police at a supermarket in Alice Springs. His death triggered protests across the Northern Territory and other Australian cities.
In an open letter, Hargraves implored Albanese to take action, asserting that the Northern Territory’s criminal justice system is failing. The letter was released ahead of planned demonstrations in Sydney and Alice springs.
“This madness must stop. You must step in now,” Hargraves wrote, highlighting the deep distrust between the Yuendumu community and the Northern Territory police.
White’s death comes after the 2019 shooting of Kumanjayi Walker by NT police officer Zachary Rolfe in Yuendumu. Rolfe was acquitted of all charges related to Walker’s death. The inquest into walker’s death revealed allegations of racism within the NT police force.
Hargraves also referenced the 18th anniversary of the Northern Territory intervention, a controversial policy that saw the government take control of Aboriginal-owned land and impose restrictions on communities.
“Our communities were devastated and we have not recovered,” he wrote, urging the federal government to restore the rights taken away during the intervention.
The family is reiterating its demands for an independent investigation into White’s death, the release of CCTV footage, and the suspension of the officers involved.
Hargraves also expressed solidarity with the family of another Aboriginal man who died in custody in Darwin a week after White’s death. The 68-year-old Wadeye elder died in intensive care after being arrested for being intoxicated and unable to board a flight. The cause of death is pending a postmortem examination.
The prime minister’s office, the minister for Indigenous Australians, and the Northern Territory government have been contacted for comment.
What’s next
The coroner’s findings regarding the Kumanjayi Walker inquest are expected next month, potentially shedding further light on issues within the NT police force and the broader justice system. The outcome of investigations into the recent custody deaths will be closely watched by communities and advocates seeking systemic change.