Northern Territory Police Commissioner Michael Murphy quits union after it criticises his Garma racism apology

A messy public stoush has erupted between the Northern Territory’s top cop and the association that represents 98 per cent of his force’s members after the union criticised an apology he delivered at the Garma Festival on the weekend.

On Saturday afternoon, NT Police Commissioner Michael Murphy, delivered a formal apology to all Aboriginal Territorians at the annual festival at Arnhem Land.

“The statements I make today are likely to make some of you feel uncomfortable or trigger strong emotions,” he said.

“But truth-telling is critical for the Northern Territory Police to own its part in the challenging history many Aboriginal people have experienced over many decades.

“So today, as Commissioner of the Northern Territory Police, I unequivocally say; I am deeply sorry to all Aboriginal Territorians, for the past harms and the injustices caused by members of the Northern Territory Police.”

Commissioner Murphy cited examples of police injustice over 154 years, from massacres in the settler days to the federal government’s Emergency Response in 2007, and committed to the “elimination of all forms of racism within the NT police through an anti-racism strategy”.

“The community should never fear their police and the police should never fear their community,” Mr Murphy said.

“So, from today, we must, and it will change under my leadership.

“I stand here today to publicly commit to lead that change, to transform relations between police and Aboriginal people.

“I intend to develop a new relationship built on mutual respect, trust and human rights.

“I ask you to walk with us to establish a new relationship.”

The commissioner’s speech — delivered three weeks before an NT election — quickly came under fire from its Police Association, which represents almost all NT cops, and the opposition.

On Saturday night NTPA Acting President Lisa Bayliss released a statement saying it was “disappointing” the Commissioner did not communicate the content, and intent, of the apology directly with the membership in advance of delivering it.

“In fact, the speech in its entirety was sent to the media before the membership,” she said.

“It is also not the role of police to assess the success or otherwise of Federal Government-directed policies of Closing the Gap, the Stolen Generation and the Intervention, as the Commissioner has done.

“Our members deserve the backing of the senior police executive, ensuring they are not unfairly overburdened with blame but rather empowered to continue their vital work for the benefit of all Territorians.”

Commissioner Murphy on Monday cancelled his membership with the NTPA, saying he was “incredibly disappointed” by its stance.

“I have a vision for the future of NT Police and in order to achieve that future, we need to be able to understand and acknowledge our history,” he said in a media release.

“Our shared mission is to serve and protect all Territorians.”

Alice Springs MLA Robyn Lambley labelled the apology “a croc”.

“Garma has become a ridiculous display of patronising political rhetoric and pantomime,” she wrote on social media.

“Politicians and political apparatchiks lining up in their droves pledging their commitment (and apologies) to Aboriginal people.

“With the situation on the ground getting worse for Territory Aboriginal people, it is hard to take any of this very seriously.”NT Opposition Leader Lia Finocchiaro criticised the timing of the commissioner’s apology.

“It’s certainly had a very profound impact on the front line,” she told radio station Mix 104.9 on Tuesday.

“We’ve certainly received a lot of feedback from members feeling like this is just more blame being shifted onto them.

“We have men and women out there on the frontline dealing with the greatest crime crisis we’ve ever had.”

Chief Minister Eva Lawler said the government was not involved in Mr Murphy’s decision to make the speech.

“I don’t think it’s got anything to do with politics at all,” Ms Lawler said.

“I think it’s the actual opposite — I think it would be seen as politicised if I’d been in Garma and I’d been standing beside the Commissioner.

Police Minister Brent Potter said he knew of the commissioner’s planned apology “about a week” before it was delivered but said on local radio he was not aware of where or when he wanted to do it.

“That’s completely his decision. He thought it was the right location to do it,” Mr Potter said.

“There will be people in the police force who disagree with it … but there will be a silent group of people in the police force who agree with what he’s saying.”

Minister Potter also backed the commissioner’s decision to cancel his union membership.

“I’m not (surprised by it). Leadership takes intestinal fortitude,” he said.

“It’s his own personal decision about whether he has a membership with the union or not.”

Tensions between NT police and the territory’s Aboriginal community have been high since the fatal police shooting of Kumanjayi Walker at Yuendumu in 2019.

The Commissioner also announced at Garma a plan to deliver a separate apology to the Yuendumu community at an appropriate time.