Subjects: Kumanjayi Little Baby
BRENTON WOODS, HOST: Thank you for being here this afternoon, as we pay our deep respects to the families across our community in the wake of the passing of Kumanjayi Little Baby. The Minister for Indigenous Australians and Senator for the Northern Territory, Malarndirri McCarthy is in Alice Springs. She spent the day meeting with grieving families and local organisations including Tangentyere Council and the Central Land Council. And we are joined by her now. Welcome Minister to CAAMA Radio.
MALARNDIRRI McCARTHY, MINISTER FOR INDIGENOUS AUSTRALIANS: Hello Brenton, and just a big hello to everyone listening. My heart is with the families here in Central Australia.
HOST: 100%. And this is an incredibly difficult time for the community with the events of this week. What have you seen and heard from the community today?
MINISTER: I just spent time with members of the community, starting first with our Elder, Mr Robin Granites, expressing deep sympathy to him and his family, and also on behalf of the Prime Minister. I also received a phone call from the Governor-General to express her sympathy and condolences to the families here in Alice Springs and across the Territory. And then I was able to spend some time with Tangentyere staff, Congress staff, Northern Territory Police and Alice Springs residents, when we all came together there at Bunnings this morning. It was a chance to express our sympathy and just console one another, I guess.
HOST: There was an outpouring of support during the search for Kumanjayi Little Baby. How can the community come together to get through this?
MINISTER: We can come together by, firstly, having calm around Alice and respect for the families that are grieving now. We have a person in custody who's been taken to Darwin. And I think that's important for keeping calm in Alice Springs. And I just ask families to remember that.
HOST: And what's your message for all our listeners listening out there?
MINISTER: My message to the listeners out there is that this is a time of sadness and we are with you, and I know that the hearts of Australians are really with the people of Central Australia.
HOST: Thank you Minister for making time to talk to us here at CAAMA Radio. Wish you all the best.
MINISTER: Thank you Brenton.