Right across this country, we are witnessing a horrifying escalation in police violence. In just the past few weeks, two Aboriginal men have been killed by police, another man has been placed in a coma after a brutal attack, and now — a child, a 17-year-old girl, has been shot in the abdomen by police in Townsville.
‘This shooting of a child by police is not an isolated incident. It is not a matter of “procedures gone wrong.” It is a cultural crisis,’ said Debbie Kilroy. ‘The institution of policing in this country is one built on control, fear, and violence — not care, safety, or peacekeeping,’ said Debbie Kilroy.
‘Time and time again, police demonstrate a complete inability to deescalate situations. They arrive, armed and ready for conflict, and escalate until someone is dead, maimed, or traumatised,’ said Debbie Kilroy.
‘This is not about “bad apples.” It is about a system that protects itself, investigates itself, and justifies its own violence through language like “allegedly charged” and “ethical standards review.” Every time, we are told to wait for investigations — and every time, the outcome is the same: impunity,’ said Debbie Kilroy.
‘Police are not keeping our communities safe. They are acting as a militarised gang, disproportionately targeting Aboriginal people, young people, poor communities, and people with disabilities. The violence is not accidental — it is the result of a system that is not built for care but for control,’ said Tabitha Lean.
‘As a National Network of Incarcerated and Formerly Incarcerated Women and Girls, we reject the idea that policing equals safety. We reject the notion that this violence is unfortunate but necessary. No child should be met with bullets. No community should be met with terror,’ said Tabitha Lean.
The National Network call for immediate divestment from policing and reinvestment in the programs, services, and community-led supports that actually keep people safe. ‘Every dollar spent on police is a dollar taken from housing, health, education, and healing,’ said Tabitha Lean.
We keep us safe.
We cannot afford to wait.
We must divest from police — before anyone else is killed.
For further comment, please contact Debbie Kilroy on 0419 762 474 or Tabitha Lean on 0499 780 226.
