An independent member of the Northern Territory (NT) parliament has criticized past and present governments for their inaction following the violent death of a 26-year-old man in an Arnhem Land community earlier this week. Yingiya Guyula, a Yolŋu elder and independent MLA, believes that both the Country Liberal Party (CLP) and the Labor Party share responsibility for failing to implement community-driven strategies to combat violence.
The incident occurred in the Milingimbi community, where a meeting addressing familial tensions escalated into significant violence. Reports emerged of large-scale fighting, reportedly involving individuals wielding knives, between approximately 2 PM and 4 PM on Tuesday.
In the aftermath, Guyula expressed that both the CLP and Labor have overlooked his persistent requests for adequate resources to establish local solutions for violence. He advocates for improved housing options on remote homelands rather than in densely populated areas like Milingimbi, where multiple clans coexist in close proximity.
“For the past decade, I have implored both government parties to support local initiatives,” Guyula stated. “We can relocate our people back to their traditional homelands, allowing each clan to maintain focus and discipline within their specific groups while enabling others to manage their own.” He emphasized the importance of returning to traditional practices to ensure community harmony.
Furthermore, Guyula proposed that offenders should serve time in their communities instead of conventional prisons. He highlighted the alarming rise in the NT’s prison population, which has surged from 1,648 to over 2,800 in nine years, with Indigenous individuals making up approximately 90% of inmates. He suggested the establishment of raypirri camps, where young offenders can learn respect and self-discipline through traditional teachings.
“Such initiatives would empower our youth to become future leaders,” he remarked. Guyula accused the government of neglect, stating they have not heeded the concerns raised by him and other community elders regarding justice and autonomy.
He also called for broader implementation of Aboriginal peacemaking programs to resolve conflicts within communities. “The response from the government has consistently been that they know what is best for us, yet this sentiment has persisted for over a decade, regardless of the political party in power,” he asserted.
Guyula further noted a disparity in governmental responses to violent incidents involving Indigenous and non-Indigenous individuals. He referenced a recent case in Darwin, where a supermarket owner’s death led to an urgent parliamentary session to enact stronger bail laws, contrasting it with the lack of action following deaths in Indigenous communities.
“The reaction to a non-Indigenous death triggers immediate legislative action, whereas our community’s tragedies receive minimal attention and support for necessary safety measures,” he lamented.
NT Treasurer Bill Yan remarked on the tragic nature of the incident in Milingimbi, acknowledging Guyula’s dedication to his constituents. He emphasized the need for community solidarity to prevent further violence.
A Labor spokesperson responded to the situation by attributing responsibility to the CLP for dismantling community safety programs. They criticized the CLP for neglecting local decision-making processes, cutting support for law and justice groups, and failing to invest in preventative measures at a critical time for communities.
The police investigation into the young man’s death remains ongoing.
