Organisers reveal what's next after Zachary Rolfe speech cancelled by protests
Organisers of an event where a NT former cop acquitted of murder was due to speak have lashed out at protesters, describing their 'intolerance and animosity' as 'deeply troubling'.
They also refuted claims that Zachary Rolfe, the police officer who was acquitted of murder in 2022 for the shooting death of Kumanjayi Walker, was offered or requested payment to appear at the invite-only gathering and said a reported $10,000 speaking fee was 'fabricated'.
'The Black Lives Matter protesters believe they stopped the summit from going ahead, but they did not,' a spokeswoman for the organisers told news.com.au.
'The decision to change the course of the event was made due to the intolerance and animosity displayed by a select group of protesters. That hostility was not only directed at the event and its speakers but at the broader emergency services community it represents.'
The Frontline Summit: Purpose in Service and Beyond, to be held in Parramatta, was designed to support current and former emergency services personnel in transitioning to post-service careers. Mr Rolfe was one of seven speakers invited to share his experiences.
Organisers said the backlash from protesters was 'an attack on freedom of speech and the right for professionals within the emergency services community to gather in a closed and private setting'.
'The planned disruption aimed at silencing those who have dedicated their lives to serving and protecting the public is deeply troubling,' the spokeswoman said
'If we, as a community, cannot come together without facing attempted disruption to honour and support those who serve, that is highly concerning.'
The organisers rescheduled the event when they were notified by police that a protest was being planned.
'While those who are still bound by general orders and media policies are constrained in expressing their frustration, as organisers of this event, we who have served and are no longer subject to such restrictive policies feel compelled to address this reprehensible behaviour publicly,' the organisers said.
'It is our duty to stand where others cannot, and to speak truth where silence is mandated.'
They also emphasised the irony of protesters targeting emergency services workers, many of whom they say would be the first to respond in a crisis.
'We are confident that the same individuals who protested would not hesitate to call emergency services if they were injured, in danger, or if their house was burning down. Yet they choose to disrupt and undermine those who have dedicated their lives to serving them.
'Emergency services lives matter too.'
Mr Rolfe was acquitted of murder and manslaughter after a five-week trial in Darwin, during which the court heard he shot Mr Walker, a 19-year-old Warlpiri man, while attempting to arrest him in the remote community of Yuendumu.
A coronial inquest into Mr Walker's death is due to deliver its findings on July 7.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Telegraph
an hour ago
- Daily Telegraph
AFL 2025; Tom Lynch to face tribunal for striking
Don't miss out on the headlines from AFL. Followed categories will be added to My News. Richmond star Tom Lynch was fined twice and faces up to five weeks on the sidelines for his MCG tantrum after being sent straight to the tribunal. Lynch was reported for striking Adelaide defender Jordan Butts off the ball following a contest between the pair during which he made contact with the head of the Crows defender after a wild swing with his arm. But while the blow glanced off Butts' head, Lynch could still face a hefty ban after being charged with intentional conduct, with severe impact and high contact. The premiership winner also was handed two fines totalling more than $4600, one for engaging in a melee and another for striking. Tom Lynch gets heated. Picture: Mark Stewart Lynch apologised to his teammates and had some sympathy from his coach, Adem Yze, but he was also told there were few excuses for his behaviour. 'He apologised to the group because he knew he let them down just by letting it spill over,' Yze said. '... he's been such a good player at this footy club for a long time. 'He's got white-line fever, and he wants to win.' 'I was going to address it, a couple of reverse free kicks, which was just pure frustration and showing that he cares,' Yze said. 'For him to talk to the group before I even had a chance to talk to them, and then almost put his heart on his sleeve in front of the group, was exactly why he's been the player that he is.' Lynch said the incident was the result of 'frustration' after being manhandled by Adelaide defenders in the mammoth loss. 'I didn't want to cause harm or anything like that. I was just trying to get free or whatever and frustration came out,' Lynch told Seven. 'Clearly … I gave away too many free kicks and it is not good enough as a leader. I thought we were playing pretty well in that second quarter and I pretty much stopped the momentum. Originally published as Richmond forward Tom Lynch has been sent straight to the tribunal for his haymaker at the MCG on Sunday
News.com.au
an hour ago
- News.com.au
One Nation leader Pauline Hanson ‘disgusted' by Sussan Ley's Acknowledged of Country speech
A 'disgusted' Pauline Hanson has hit out at Sussan Ley after she acknowledged traditional owners during a major speech to national media last week. The One Nation leader has accused Ms Ley of double standards after the opposition leader performed an Acknowledgment to Country during her first major speech at National Press Club on Wednesday. 'I was disgusted. Absolutely disgusted with it,' Senator Hanson said. 'Because the Liberals, they were the ones that actually opposed the Voice to parliament. 'It wasn't just the Liberals that opposed it. It was a lot of people like myself, like Gary Johns, and then you had Barnaby Joyce and you had Jacinta Price. 'Once the public were informed about what it meant and changed in the Constitution, people were better informed and made their decisions about it.' The senator told Sky News' Danica and James that Ms Ley wasn't the right person for the Liberal Party's top job, adding a 'true conservative' needs to replace her. 'It's going to be very interesting what happens the next three years under Sussan Ley,' she said. 'I think she will be overthrown before the next election.' It comes after Ms Ley announced there is a 'time and place' for the declaration while her acknowledgment a stood as a far cry from the staunch stance held by her predecessor Peter Dutton. Under Mr Dutton, acknowledgement of country addresses were missing from a number of major Liberal Party events and speeches. Ms Ley perviously told ABC Radio it wasn't a 'boxing ticking' exercise. 'Look I think Acknowledgements of Country have their place, but in significant moments like yesterday was one of those places,' the Opposition Leader said. 'And as Environment Minister and Health Minister, I listened carefully and I participated in what I would describe as meaningful Welcome to Country ceremonies that involved the circumstances of Indigenous Australians with respect to our natural environment and their own health that were relevant and important. 'I don't think it should be at every work meeting, because I think that actually diminishes the value of what it is. 'So there is a time and a place, and it's about striking the right balance.' A survey of 1005 Australians conducted by independent marketing research firm Dynata on behalf of the conservative Institute of Public Affairs last month found that more than half (56 per cent) of participants agreed Welcome to Country ceremonies have 'become divisive'. IPA deputy executive director Daniel Wild said the survey results were proof 'Australians have had an absolute gutful' of the 'divisive and pointless' tradition. Mr Wild argued Ms Ley's stance at the National Press Club was also 'at odds with modern Australia', and accused her of '[failing] to state who the purported traditional owners of the National Press Club are'. Only 17 per cent disagreed with the statement, while 27 per cent said they were unsure. Surprisingly, 48 per cent of those aged 18 to 24 — a demographic often thought to be more progressive than generations past — did not believe the ritual to be a unifying one. Sentiment around the performance of Welcome to Country before major events like Anzac Day or sporting matches was more mixed — 46 per cent and 49 per cent respectively said they should no longer be performed before either event, versus 34 per cent and 30 per cent who said they should continue.
Courier-Mail
an hour ago
- Courier-Mail
Anthony Albanese rejects call for US to be more transparent about Australian military presence
Don't miss out on the headlines from Breaking News. Followed categories will be added to My News. Anthony Albanese has rejected Coalition's front bencher Andrew Hastie's call for more 'transparency' from the United States in relation to their operations on Australian bases. Mr Hastie, a former SAS commander, has previously called for 'greater transparency' on how the US is using its Australian bases like Pine Gap near Alice Springs, and the Naval Communication Station on Western Australia's North West Cape, in order to bolster military posture in the Indo Pacific. The Coalition's home affairs spokesman urged for more 'mature' discussions on operationalising the alliance, guard rails for combat operations and clearer definitions for Australian sovereignty. Responding to the suggestion on the ABC, the Prime Minister said: 'I'm not sure what he means by that,' and rejected the idea of Australia using defence as a bargaining chip to secure a tariff exemption. Andrew Hastie has said the government should press the US to be more transparent on its Australian military operations. Picture: Richard Dobson/ NewsWire 'He belongs to a political party that during the election campaign, when President Trump announced tariffs on what he called the Liberation Day, they drew into question, said 'we should be bargaining with our defence relationship,'' Mr Albanese said. 'That was something that I rejected on that day.' Asked if US' military footprint would make Australia more vulnerable in the event of intensified conflict with China, Mr Albanese said it was his goal to 'avoid conflict,' and backed Australia's alliance with the US. 'I think it is in Australia's interest and the United States' interest and the interests of other partners we have to have interoperability, to have the AUKUS arrangements in place,' he continued. 'If Mr Hastie is questioning that, then he should say that. It's why I've been very clear on that.' Anthony Albanese rejected Mr Hastie's calls and backed the Australia-US alliance. Picture: NewsWire/ Martin Ollman Mr Albanese also said despite the 'laser-like focus' on when he would secure a meeting with US President Donald Trump, he was more concerned with 'supporting Australia's national interests'. He also noted that while he was prepared to meet with Mr Trump 'when a suitable time could be organised,' he flagged the yet-to-be-finalised Quad meeting between the US, Japan, India and Australia which will occur in the 'coming months'. 'We also have the Quad meeting coming up, which we are finalising as well,' he said. To date Mr Albanese has had three phone conversations with Mr Trump, and also met with US treasury secretary Scott Bessent, US trade representative, Jamieson Greer and US National Economic Council director, Kevin Hassett while he was in Kanamaskis for the G7. Originally published as Anthony Albanese rejects call for US to be more transparent about its military presence in Australia
