The Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance Northern Territory (AMSANT) has welcomed the Northern Territory Police Force's anti-racism strategy as an important step towards addressing systemic racism and rebuilding trust with Aboriginal communities.
The strategy contains several promising commitments, including trauma-informed policing, improved racism complaint handling, co-designed cultural training, and stronger recruitment, retention and leadership pathways for Aboriginal staff.
AMSANT Chair Rob McPhee says the success of the strategy will depend on strong accountability, clear consequences for racism, and genuine partnership with communities.
"This strategy is an important step, recognising that racism does exist and that it must be confronted directly. That honesty matters," he said. "Aboriginal Territorians deserve policing that protects them and treats them with dignity, respect and equality. We had hoped for the inclusion of Aboriginal community representatives in the oversight of implementation of the strategy, as well as an independent mechanism to investigate complaints against police, but this is a good first step."
"But the success of this strategy will depend on what happens next, including ensuring that its implementation is properly resourced. There must be real powers, transparent processes and consequences to investigate and act on racism when it occurs. Without that, this will become yet another wasted opportunity for critical reform—and that would be unacceptable."
To improve safety and strengthen relationships with Aboriginal people, the NT Police must not only commit to eliminating racism, but demonstrate every day that it applies the law without fear, favour or racism.
"Trust will only be rebuilt through action," Mr McPhee said. "In this respect, AMSANT acknowledges the positive way that consultation on the strategy was undertaken with Aboriginal organisations and how it was led by the NT Police's Executive Director, Community Resilience and Engagement Command, Leanne Liddle."
The Aboriginal health sector looks forward to working in partnership with the NT Police to implement the strategy. Protecting the safety of all Territorians contributes to closing the gap and improving health outcomes.
