ROYAL PERTH INCIDENT RAISES RACISM CONCERNS AS CALL IT OUT DEADLINE APPROACHES

East Metropolitan Health Service FB page

By TANGIORA HINAKI

Concerns about racism in public institutions have been raised after an incident involving an Aboriginal woman on the roof of Royal Perth Hospital.

Eyewitness Donovan Yarran told Ngaarda Media he watched police remove the woman after what he described as a two-hour standoff.

Mr Yarran said walkways were blocked and the hospital was surrounded by police when he arrived.

“She had her own sister in the crowd, and she could not even speak to her,” he said.

He said negotiators later approached the woman before officers restrained her.

“One cop gave her a phone, grabbed her by the ankle, dropped her to the ground,” he said.

Mr Yarran said people in the crowd called for Aboriginal community members, particularly women, to speak with the woman.

“A woman should be doing that woman business,” he said.

Ngaarda Media has contacted WA Police for comment.

REPORTING RACISM

The incident comes as First Nations people are being reminded there is still time to report experiences of racism through the Call It Out register.

The national platform, run by the Jumbunna Institute for Indigenous Education and Research, collects reports of racism against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to document patterns and push for reform.

Independent Senator Lidia Thorpe has previously backed the initiative, saying racism experienced by First Nations people often goes unreported and unheard.

Recent reporting has also highlighted concerns about rising racism directed at Indigenous people, with Thorpe warning the level of abuse — particularly online — has intensified.

Mob have until March 20 to submit experiences for inclusion in the next report.

Advocates say documenting these incidents helps build evidence about the scale of racism across Australia and strengthens calls for accountability.