Letters
Letters to
the editor
Constructive intervention
George Floyd died in Minneapolis from a police officer’s knee on his neck. Kumanjayi White died in Alice Springs, restrained by two officers, one of whom has been filmed with his knee on the upper back or neck of an Aboriginal person. Northern Territory Coroner Elisabeth Armitage identified that the NT police have “hallmarks of institutional racism” and there “is currently no plan for any in-depth independent inquiry into racism in the NT Police” (Russell Marks, “Rogue force”, July 12-18). Yet the inquiry into Kumanjayi White’s death is being conducted by Northern Territory Police Force behind closed doors. The prime minister was dismissive of the need for external scrutiny. The deaths of Aboriginal Australians will continue unless the federal government intervenes by at least appointing a national police ombudsman and attaching accountability provisions to federal funding to the NT. Another positive action would be implementing in full the recommendations of the 1991 Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody.
– Wendy Caird, Kangaroo Valley, NSW
Urgent actions
After the coronial findings into Kumanjayi Walker’s horrific death, these urgent and immediate steps need to be taken by the Northern Territory police commissioner: remove all assault rifles from police in First Nations communities; hold police accountable for violence, racism and deaths in custody; return power to Yuendumu and other Aboriginal communities.
– Sue Cory, Torquay, Qld
Mushroom killer
I just read “ ‘Now their mother is a convicted murderer … How do you cope with that?’ ” (Lucie Morris-Marr, July 12-18). I just wanted to thank you for writing the best, most insightful and reflective piece on the mushroom trials. I felt quite moved and saddened to think about the impact this whole situation has had on the local community, which I hadn’t previously considered. I’ve recently come to the observation that society is increasingly getting caught up in vicious circles of trauma, vicarious trauma and increased estrangement and embitterment, and it’s gratifying to see that reflected.
– Felix Bloomfield, Southport, Qld
Learn from crime
While the mainstream media is quick to jump to labels such as “evil”, The Saturday Paper’s reporting of the cases of Erin Patterson (“ ‘Now their mother is a convicted murderer … How do you cope with that?’ ”) and Zachary Rolfe (“Rogue force”) explore the complex people behind these crimes. Patterson is described as having “loner tendencies” stretching from childhood into adulthood, with reports of an alcoholic mother. Rolfe has a history of military deployment in Afghanistan, drug use, racist and sexist views, and “declining mental health”. While these do not excuse the horrendous nature of their actions, if as a society we do not acknowledge, analyse and discuss these factors, then we will not learn from these cases to prevent such tragedies happening in the future.
– Glenn Membrey, Tullamarine, Vic
Ghoulish coverage
No, not everyone in the nation has been captivated by the so-called mushroom murders. The Saturday Paper indulging in more ghoulish and unnecessary sensationalism is disappointing. Enough already.
– Simon Tatz, Newport, Vic
The money trail
Congratulations to Gerard Mazza for his courage in standing up to Woodside Energy over its North West Shelf gas export project and for the article about his false arrest (“The wrong hat”, July 12-18). Protesters such as Mazza put their freedom on the line to stand for their principles against large corporations like Woodside, whose sole reason for being is to add value to their shares on behalf of their shareholders. They have holds over governments, state and federal, because they provide money to finance elections, and they make friends with politicians and the media. The new gas is literally adding fuel to the fires that are driving global warming, even if it is exported. The corporations don’t care while the money keeps coming in, but a whole lot of us care a great deal about the damage done to the world of future generations.
– Jock Churchman, Campbelltown, SA
Letters are welcome: [email protected]
Please include your full name and address and a daytime telephone number.
Letters may be edited for length and content, and may be published in print and online. Letters should not exceed 150 words.
This article was first published in the print edition of The Saturday Paper on July 19, 2025.
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