The Coroner's inquest into the death of Kumanjayi Walker is concluding

SBS Australia

a day ago

In this bulletin;
Findings due in the coronial inquest into the death of Kumanjayi Walker;
Calls for funding for a strategy to help Australians living with Motor Neurone Disease;
And in cycling, Dutch rider Mathieu van der Poel wins stage two of the Tour de France. The final report of a coronial inquest is due to be handed down five years after Warlpiri man Kumanjayi Walker died during a bungled arrest in the Northern Territory. The 19-year-old was shot three times at close range by then-constable Zachary Rolfe at a home in the Northern Territory town of Yuendumu, in November 2019. Speaking ahead of the delivery of the coroner's report, the family of Kumanjayi Walker say Northern Territory Police must be held accountable. Mr Walker's cousin, Samara Fernandez-Brown, says the inquest has been a gruelling, shocking and devastating process for family and the community - and they are seeking justice. Listeners seeking support can contact the Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islanders crisis support line on 13YARN - that's 13 92 76 - or Lifeline on 13 11 14. Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan says the state government's new anti-hate taskforce will aim to put a stop to hateful behaviour, after a spate of antisemitic attacks over the weekend. Twenty people were forced to flee the East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation, after a man allegedly poured flammable liquid on the front door and set it on fire during a Shabbat meal. A 34-year-old man from Sydney has been charged over the incident, briefly appearing in Melbourne Magistrates Court on Sunday. He has been remanded in custody until later this month. Police are investigating a number of other incidents over the weekend in Melbourne, as Premier Allan says her government will work with the Jewish community and the police force to put a stop to this behaviour. "I'll continue to stand with a strong, proud Jewish community here in Victoria every single day. Every single day. They're a big and important part of our community. They demand our support at this most difficult time. They demand our action, which is why alongside Strengthening Laws the response of Victoria Police. We will continue to work to build a stronger place where everyone can be who they are, practice their faith safe, free from hate." Premier Allan says the government are also bolstering mental health support services for the community, in response to these incidents. Health advocates are calling for the federal government to fund a national registry and strategy to help Australians living with Motor Neurone Disease or MND. It's estimated that it affects about one in 10,000 people with about 2,700 people in the country battling the degenerative condition, which robs individuals of the ability to walk, talk, swallow, and eventually breathe. The average life expectancy for a person diagnosed with MND is between two to three years. The CEO of MND Australia, Clare Sullivan, says a data registry - costed at $12 million - is needed to know the extent of the illness nationwide and target specific support to affected patients. "Lack of centralised data hinders care, delays research; weakens policy and funding decisions. A national registry would improve patient care, accelerate clinical trials, enable better treatment planning; and support targeted timely research. People living with MND deserve better. Better access, better data and better support. Time is something the MND community simply does not have." Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he believes his meeting with United States President Donald Trump will help advance talks on a Gaza Strip hostage release and ceasefire deal. Mr Netanyahu has departed for Washington for talks with Mr Trump set for the coming hours. It comes as delegations from Israel and Hamas begin an indirect round of ceasefire talks in Qatar. Mr Netayahu says he has given the Israeli delegation instructions. "We are working to achieve the deal that has been discussed, under the conditions we have agreed to. I have sent a team to negotiate with clear instructions. I believe that the conversation with President Trump can definitely help advance this outcome, which we all hope for, thank you." In cycling, the Netherlands' Mathieu van der Poel has won stage two of the Tour de France - the longest stage of the Tour at 209.1 kilometres. The Dutch rider also took the lead in the overall standings after depriving Tadej Pogacar of his 100th career win in a tense hilltop finale. Van der Poel says it was a gruelling stage.
"Yeah, it was super difficult. The final was actually harder than I thought. I was really motivated. Finally after...it's been four years I think since I won my first stage on the Tour de France so it was about time I won a second one."