Content Warning: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised the following includes the names of First Nations people who have passed away.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Nothing in this statement should be taken as suggesting that criminal charges have actually been laid against any individual or that anyone is criminally responsible for the death, as that is a matter for the DPP and the court.
Today, the Northern Territory Police announced that NT police investigators have officially forwarded a brief of evidence to the Northern Territory Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in relation to Kumanjayi White’s death on 27 May 2025.
The NT Police Commissioner has explained that “It is the Director of Public Prosecutions who will now determine whether criminal charges are to be laid against any officer or officers involved.”
This development comes after months of investigation and repeated demands from the family for transparency about the process.
Despite this headway, the family remains deeply distressed by the ongoing delays, the lack of communication from police investigators, and the absence of independent oversight. They are particularly concerned that, even after the brief has been submitted, the police officers involved have not been suspended.
Warlpiri Elder Ned Jampijinpa Hargraves, Kumanjayi White’s grandfather, said:
“We are right now still in the midst of parumpurru — justice. We want parumpurru. It is sacred. Kardiya — white people — don’t respect it, but we respect it, because parumpurru is the truth. We’re not getting any truth from the colonial system.
We are still fighting a bunch of rlinjirrpa — aggressive bullies. In October, we will go up to Darwin to stand against the racist CLP government. The colonial system is not fair for First Nations people. We are suffering. It doesn’t recognise our rights. We want the government to listen to us, but they don’t. So, we want justice, we want independent oversight and we need a change of government in the NT.
We can only hope that justice prevails.”
George Newhouse, Principal Solicitor of the National Justice Project, said:
“The ongoing delays and uncertainty are eroding what little faith the family has in our legal system. The family continues to demand that the officers be stood down immediately now that a brief has been sent to the DPP.
How the police have handled this situation is another example of how the colonial justice system fails First Nations people. An independent investigation is still urgently needed.”
The National Justice Project continues to support Kumanjayi White’s family in their call for truth, justice, and accountability
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The National Justice Project is a human rights legal and civil rights service using strategic legal action, education, advocacy and innovation to fight systemic discrimination.
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Coverage In the Media:
No truth from the ‘colonial system’: Family distressed by delay in Kumanjayi White case as investigation handed to DPP – National Indigenous Times, 22 September
