Australian Greens: How many more apologies will our Governments need to give First Nations people?

Yesterday, the Western Australian Governement pardoned and apologised to the Yamatji family of a baby who was brutally murdered in 2013. After domestic violence left Tamica Mullaley naked and bleeding in a Broome street, police were called and she was arrested.

Police left baby Mullaley’s 10-month-old baby, Charlie, at the crime scene. The man who assaulted Mullaley returned to the scene and kidnapped the child. Police were told several times that he had threatened to kill the baby, but took nine hours to act on the information.

Baby Charlie was tortured, sexually assaulted and murdered.

In 2015, Tamica Mullaley was charged and convicted of two counts of assaulting a public officer and one count of obstructing officers. Her father, Ted Mullaley, was found guilty of obstructing police for trying to stop them from arresting his daughter.

The following lines are attributable to Yamatji Noongar Senator for WA: Dorinda Cox

“I went to see the Mullaley family yesterday. When I hugged Tamica and Uncle Ted, it was in that moment I knew the pardon they had just receive was a small comfort for the harrowing experience that has been 9 years in the making after losing Charlie Boy.

“This is only the first step in the long line of many reforms required for their justice and healing.

“It is this case and so many others like it across this country why myself and Senator Lidia Thorpe co-signed the motion for the Senate inquiry into Missing and Murdered First Nations Women and children.

“The inquiry will open for submissions in the first six months of the 47th Federal Parliament so we can pursue justice, healing and peace for our people.”

The following lines are attributable to Gunnai, Gunditjmara and DjabWurrung Senator Lidia Thorpe, the Greens spokesperson for First Nations:

“A CCC review found that there was “no serious misconduct” by police. The Greens are calling for independent police and prison oversight through the full implimentation of the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture. “

After such a horrific crime, this family was dragged through the courts and their fight for justice continues to this day. Their calls for an inquest into baby Charlie’s death was rejected by the WA supreme court in 2020.

“The press have spent a week writing about flags, where is the national outrage for this family? Where is the anger for the injustice that First Nations people face everyday? How many more apologies will our governments need to deliver before they change their behaviour?”