Northern Territory Senator Malarndirri McCarthy has called on warring families in the Northern Territory’s largest Aboriginal community to put aside their differences and find lasting peace.
The senator’s plea comes as Elders from the Yuendumu community have condemned a major funding boost for the Northern Territory Police force in the wake of the unrest.
Weeks of unrest in Wadeye, 250 kilometres southwest of Darwin, has damaged thirty-seven homes and displaced up to four hundred people.
Many of those fleeing the violence have sought refuge in bushland around the community or moved to neighbouring communities and outstations.
Some have fled to the major centres of Katherine or Darwin.
Senator Malarndirri McCarthy was invited to the community recently to talk with Elders and listen to distressed families.
“This violence has got to stop, there are deep wounds, but this only makes things worse,” Senator McCarthy told NITV.
“Basic humanitarian needs are not being met, and we need a huge step up in services to deal with people who have been forced into desperate situations because of this violence. This means shelter, food, sanitation and medication.”
Senator McCarthy said it was unacceptable that hundreds of people are being forced out of town and into surrounding homelands and bush camps.
“I encourage family groups, leaders, and government to keep trying to find a peaceful resolution in Wadeye."
Labor Senator Malarndirri McCarthy has called for peace between feuding groups. Source: AAP
Old feuds, systemic issues at play
More than 3000 people live in Wadeye, a former Catholic mission established in the 1930s.
Two dozen different clan groups call the community home and tensions between these rival groups boil over regularly.
The death earlier this year of a 32-year-old man in a brawl, and the arrest of an 18-year-old who has been charged with manslaughter, have fuelled the unrest.
But the Northern Land Council says poor living conditions and overcrowding are also to blame, which governments on all sides have failed to fix.
A recent commonwealth audit report found that half the homes in Northern Territory Remote communities are overcrowded - the worst in the country.
The same report found the Territory government had met less than twenty per cent of its targets to build new homes under a $550 million dollar national partnership with the federal government.
The five-year deal runs out next year.
Yuendumu Elders condemn extra police funding
This latest unrest has prompted the Northern Territory government to announce a major funding boost for Northern Territory police.
Police Minister Nicole Manison has promised an extra 6.5 million dollars for police in next week’s Territory budget.
The cash splash has sparked an outcry from community Elders in Yuendumu.
The Central Australian community is still reeling from the death of 19-year-old Warlpiri teenager Kumanjayi Walker, who was shot and killed by former police constable Zachary Rolfe three years ago.
Since Mr Rolfe was acquitted of the murder of the teenager the community has been calling for armed police to be banned from communities.
"The NT government has no shame increasing the police budget after the fatal police shooting of our loved one, Kumanjayi Walker," said Elder Ned Jampijinpa Hargraves.
"This funding increase is a direct threat to our lives in our community.”
Warlpiri Elders also launched a Karrinjarla Muwajarri, or ceasefire campaign, calling for NT police to be disarmed and defunded, and the money directed to self-determined Aboriginal governance instead of more police.
Warlpiri Elder Ned Jampijinpa Hargraves called for guns to be banned from his community after the acquittal of Zachary Rolfe. Source: AAP
“More funding for police means more police violence against our people," said Mr Hargraves.
"Karrinjarla muwajarri! This must stop! We demand a police ceasefire! No more police guns."
Yuendumu Elders have called for a national day of action on June 18 to protest against armed police in remote communities and "demand an end to racism in the justice system."
While anger brews in the Centre, an uneasy calm remains in place at Wadeye as government agencies continue repairing homes and providing residents with food, generators for power, water and tents for shelter.
