"Listen to the families at Yuendumu" - Marion Scrymgour

LABOR’S candidate for Lingiari, Marion Scrymgour, responds to calls for No Guns in remote communities.

After Constable Rolfe was cleared over the shooting death of Kwementye  Walker at Yuendumu, family and community members from Yuendumu have made the clear call for police weapons to be banned in communities.

This reform would bring the NT into the ranks of nations like England, Ireland and New Zealand, where police do not carry deadly weapons as a routine matter of course.

Speaking from the Lingiari electorate today, Ms Scrymgour reflected on the pain of the breaved.

“We saw on Friday two families, one whose son walked free and has the  opportunity to make so much of his life ... but another family who are  still deeply traumatised ... I would remind all of those people still  making comments ... to reflect on the fact that there is deep hurt and  trauma for the families of Yuendumu.”

But Ms Scrymgour said police played a vital role in keeping communities safe.

“I’ve  worked with police across many of these communities and police play a  critical role with communities, particularly dealing with family and  domestic violence. We can’t say police get out of these communities we  need police in those communities.

“It’s  like we need health staff, they need protection but so do these  communities so it’s critical as Government we work with everybody to try  and not have the same issue that’s happened in the past two years for  that community.”

Asked if she supported a ban on weapons in communities, she said people in power should listen to calls from the community.

“I would certainly encourage everyone, please listen to the families at Yuendumu, and listen and act,” she said