Those three haunting words
Even if you believe that Michael Gunner meant “consequences will flow” from the coronial, in that moment he appeared to reveal his bias
CONSEQUENCES will flow. Three simple yet catastrophic words. The catchcry to a terrible chapter in our nation’s history.
Just over a week ago, the Supreme Court handed down a verdict that cleared Constable Zach Rolfe of all charges – including murder. This unanimous and swift decision by the jury sent a clear message that Territorians back our police in the difficult circumstances in which they work – and support the confronting and sometimes tragic decisions they have to make in the line of duty.
But how did we get here? How in just four days was Constable Rolfe charged with murder? These are just some of the many questions Territorians have. And they deserve answers.
Two days after the shooting – mid police investigation – Michael Gunner made the “catastrophic” decision to get on a plane with the Police Commissioner and Police Minister Nicole Manison.
They inserted themselves into the emotionally-charged Yuendumu community, and the Chief Minister promised an outcome of the shooting that impugned police wrongdoing and punishment. Constable Rolfe was charged a day later despite senior investigators raising serious concerns around the haste to charge.
Even if you believe that Michael Gunner meant “consequences will flow” from the coronial, in that moment he appeared to reveal his bias.
On Tuesday, the Chief Minister said in an interview on Mix104.9 with Katie Woolf, that the reason he travelled to Yuendumu was to address issues relating to the evacuation of health staff. So why did he take Police Minister, Nicole Manison, and not the Health Minister, Natasha Fyles?
Michael Gunner seemed to be highlighting his bias again, when he said he didn’t visit Palmerston after last week’s shooting involving police because there wasn’t “systemic failure” – reinforcing his belief that there was wrongdoing by police in Yuendumu.
Michael Gunner also admitted he held multiple meetings with police before the murder charge against Constable Rolfe was laid, but denied they had anything “to do with the charging process”.
And while Territorians feel an independent inquiry is necessary to restore confidence – Michael Gunner called them a “conspiracy nut”.
The extraordinary circumstances surrounding the decision to charge and bring Constable Rolfe to trial requires nothing less than a full, independent, inquiry. Michael Gunner and the NT government must have no role in the inquiry’s scope, appointment of the Commissioner(s), investigation or administration.
The Chief Minister is painting a picture that the coronial investigation will answer all of the questions on the minds of police and the broader community.
Put simply, coronial investigations generally look at the events leading up to a death and the immediate aftermath, and make recommendations on how systems can be strengthened to address what went wrong and hopefully stop a future death of similar circumstance.
It would be extraordinary for the coroner to expand its investigation to include all events leading to the charging of Constable Rolfe and the appearance of political influence.
A Commission of Inquiry under the Inquiries Act 1945 (NT) must look specifically, at what happened in the four days between the shooting on November 9, 2019, and the circumstances that led to the murder charge being laid, just days later, on November 13 – including any appearance of political interference. Instead of accepting that an inquiry is the only way to restore confidence so our police and the community can move forward from this ordeal – Gunner does a runner.
Police Minister Nicole Manison also has a lot to answer for. One of her own troops has been dragged through a 2½year murder trial, has been found not guilty on all charges – and she makes no public comment for five days, until providing a brief three-line statement to the NT News.
Michael Gunner has shown a spectacular lack of leadership and has insulted the brave men and women who pull on the blue uniform every day to keep Territorians safe.
As NT Police Association president Paul McCue put it so eloquently, “you’re not fit for the job, Chief Minister”.