STATEMENTS BY SENATORS

Senator THORPE (Victoria—Independent VIC Whip) (13:48): Another day in the colony, another police bashing of an Aboriginal person—this time in a Canberra police watchhouse. An AFP officer beat an Aboriginal man while he was naked and handcuffed. He was subjected to an illegal strip search.

The cop's accusation that the victim resisted arrest was thrown out by the court. An internal AFP investigation found that the cop used excessive force and engaged in corrupt conduct trying to cover it up, yet no charges were laid—again, no accountability. This week I met with staunch Wiradjuri woman and CEO of Winnunga Health Service Julie Tongs, who says this must be the last straw, that the officers involved must face the law's full force, and that there must be an inquiry into the ACT cops.

But how likely is that while cops are still allowed to investigate themselves? We need an independent body to investigate police misconduct and refer officers for prosecution, just like in the UK and Canada. I called for this after Kumanjayi White's death.

Now we see a federal Labor MP's assault case referred from the NT DPP to the Commonwealth DPP because of a possible conflict of interest. But for Kumanjayi White, this safeguard was refused—what a double standard! A Labor MP accused of assault is offered a fairer process than an Aboriginal man dying in custody.

For First Peoples this is about life and death. Why are cops investigating themselves? Where is the transparency and accountability?

They have a licence to kill and they are not held accountable. We need to stop cops investigating themselves. (Time expired)