LISA MILLAR, ABC NEWS: Let's return to our top story this morning, the rallies and vigils across Australia following the death of Perth teen Cassius Turvey. Assistant Minister for Indigenous Australians Malarndirri McCarthy joins us now from Watarrka in the Northern Territory. Good morning to you. You are pretty remote coming to us, aren't you? About 300 kilometres from Alice Springs?
SENATOR MALARNDIRRI MCCARTHY: That's correct. We were at Mutitjulu yesterday, and Minister Linda Burney is with me, and also Marion Scrymgour, the Member for Lingiari.
MILLAR: It's such an important subject to be talking about. How were you able to mark the vigils last night, given that you were so remote.
MCCARTHY: We were able to have a very quiet moment here at Watarrka, out on country and just pay our respects to Mechelle and her family, thinking of Cassius. I think that without a doubt, as you see the images right across the country, what came out was love. In amidst a moment of terror and hate, it's important that hearts come together in love. And it's clearly what we could see resonate throughout Australia and certainly here at Watarrka. I'm here with the Central Land Council and there was no doubt, traditional owners here are feeling very much for Mechelle and her family. And also for the boys, the friends of Cassius and his school. We need to all come together in a moment of love and that's what the vigil was about.
MILLAR: Yeah, we've been remarking this morning, Mechelle Turvey’s strength and the message, the grace with which she has managed to get through the last 10 days and beyond that we just would not comprehend how a mum can do that.
MCCARTHY: Yes, and, you know, this was about giving strength to Mechelle and her families, but also to one another as well that violence is certainly not the way to go, anywhere in the world. And our children are important. We need to care for and protect our children wherever they are, and that is a shared human feeling. And that's what was seen throughout the country last night. And certainly, that's what we were feeling here at Watarrka. We no doubt felt it, from the moment we heard the news around the country. And showing love and compassion and respect was really important and still is important as we go forward.
MILLAR: Do you think Senator McCarthy, that this is something of a moment, something of a tipping point for who we are as a country?
MCCARTHY: I believe that what we've seen and what we've witnessed in the last few days and hopefully going forward, is showing that love does overcome hate. You know, whatever people wish to call what has happened. But it's also about recognising that we need to have more kindness, love and compassion in our lives, at every moment, at every turn. And I am deeply grateful as well to see so many Australians, and in particular here in the Northern Territory, in Darwin. So many people turned out in Alice Springs. We know only too well that feeling of sadness. But it's good to know that people can come together.
MILLAR: Senator McCarthy, we’re reporting this morning an Indigenous serving police officer in WA has called on the police commissioner to offer a formal apology over his choice of words when he said early on, that Cassius had been in the wrong place at the wrong time. Commissioner Col Blanche then later said he'd regretted the impact that those words had had. But would you like to see him offer a formal apology?
MCCARTHY: Well, there's no doubt there's been a lot of regrets all around on many occasions for different people. I certainly think that for the commissioner, he would no doubt be looking at what's happened across the country. And I'm sure in his own time and in his own way, he'll be able to approach the family. Clearly those words were completely inappropriate. The rest of the country has shown that what's needed at this time is love and compassion and understanding.
MILLAR: And I understand he has actually had a conversation with Mechelle Turvey. We're not aware if an apology was offered, but certainly language counts right now doesn't it?
MCCARTHY: It does but also you know, I think understanding as well, Lisa. You know, people are in positions and sometimes we all say things that perhaps we shouldn't have. And I'll leave that to the commissioner and the family to resolve.