Content Warning: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised the following includes the names of First Nations people who have passed away.
Welcome to this month’s Justice Brief
On September 22, police investigators handed evidence on Kumanjayi White’s death in custody to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). The family now faces another wait, as the DPP reviews the evidence of the case. While this marks a step forward, the family remains deeply distressed by continued delays, poor communication from police investigators, and a lack of independent oversight.
As Warlpiri Elder Ned Jampijinpa Hargraves, Kumanjayi White’s grandfather, reminds us, “The colonial system is not fair for First Nations people. We are suffering. It doesn’t recognise our rights. We want the government to listen to us, but they don’t.”
The National Justice Project continues to support Kumanjayi White’s family in their pursuit of truth, justice, and accountability.
Looking ahead, in just over two weeks, our Alternative First Responders team will host a national online symposium: Policy, People, and Practice for Building a Response Beyond Police.
Across the nation, voices are urgently calling for change to the police-first default for when people need assistance and support.
Join us on Thursday 16 October 2025, as we centre human rights, care, choice, and dignity in our first response. We hope you’ll be part of this important conversation.
More updates from the National Justice Project below.
REMINDING | 2 Weeks Left to Grab Your Tickets!
International and national advocates will be taking over the microphone to share why we need to re-think the response and choose care over force. We’ll also hear about alternatives already in action and explore what we need to keep investing in to ensure we strengthen the ecosystem for change and commit to true community safety.
RECEIVING | Human Rights Legal Service of the Year!
We are thrilled to announce that the National Justice Project has been awarded Human Rights Legal Service of the Year 2025 by the Legal Insider Awards. We extend our deepest gratitude to our clients, communities, and supporters, who entrust us to stand alongside them in the fight for justice.
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DEMANDING | Justice by Family as Brief of Evidence Sent to Prosecutor
The Northern Territory Police announced that police investigators have officially forwarded a brief of evidence to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in relation to Kumanjayi White’s death on 27 May 2025.This development comes after months of investigation and repeated demands from the family for transparency about the process.
SWEEPING | New Laws Threaten Refugee Rights
The Government has rammed through a Bill that strips the right to fairness from deportation decisions and gives power to block ongoing appeals from people seeking asylum.
WELCOMING | Passage of ‘Cindy’s Law’
For almost four decades, the families of Mona and Cindy Smith have carried the unbearable weight of grief and injustice. This month we welcomed the passage of vital legislative changes in the NSW Parliament that close a long-standing loophole in the Crimes Act 1900.
ADVOCATING | Housing not Hyper-Policing
Our Alternative First Responders team have collaborated with The Justice and Equity Centre to spotlight how people failed by policy and pushed into homelessness are too often met with policing as the first response.
HIGHLIGHTING | In the Media
The National Justice Project advocates for our clients in the courts as well as in the news media, especially around issues on human rights, discrimination and justice reform.
Here are some highlights from the past month:
- No truth from the 'colonial system': Family distressed by delay in Kumanjayi White case as investigation handed to DPP via National Indigenous Times, 22 September
- The Offence of Indecently Interfering with a Body in New South Wales via Sydney Criminal Lawyers, 17 September 2025
- Cindy’s Law closes legal loophole after 37 years of effort via Law Society Journal, 15 September 2025
- Passage of ‘Cindy’s Law’ welcomed amidst legal reform in NSW via National Indigenous Times, 12 September 2025
- Alternative First Responders’ radio interview with campaign lead about the upcoming national symposium via 3CR Radio, 10 September 2025
- Why Australia Is Failing on Nazi-Looted Art? Interview with George Newhouse about Portrait of a Lady - ABC Radio, 4 September 2025
- Professor Daniel Ghezelbash was recognised as Innovator of the Year at the Australian Law Awards via The National Tribune, 18 August
SUPPORTING | Ongoing Work
The National Justice Project is funded by people like you committed to the fight for social justice.
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The National Justice Project is a Public Benevolent Institution endorsed as a Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) covered by Item 1 of the table in section 30-15 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997. Donations of $2.00 or more are tax deductible.
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National Justice Project (NJP)
Address: PO Box 123, Broadway NSW 2007
Tel: +61 2 9514 4440
We acknowledge that we live and work on the lands of First Nations Peoples, and we pay our respects to their Elders past and present. Our Sydney office is located on the lands of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation, whose sovereignty was never ceded. This land always was, and always will be, Aboriginal land.