Linda Burney recalls the poignant moment when she comforted the family of a woman who bled to death after she was reportedly stabbed outside the politician’s luxury hotel.
The federal minister for Indigenous Australians says her staff desperately tried to save the 51-year-old woman’s life shortly after she stumbled into the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel to seek help in Darwin on Friday night.
A man, 56, believed to be the victim’s partner, has since been charged with murder.
It is clear that the woman was in Darwin at the time to visit her son in prison.
It’s the latest tragedy in the Northern Territory, which has been gripped by a crime spree with carjackings, ram raids, burglaries and attacks on police rampant in and around the capital.
Ms Burney was in the NT for two days when the alleged attack took place outside her hotel.
Indigenous Australians Minister Linda Burney (pictured centre) said her staff tried to help a 51-year-old woman after she entered the hotel to seek help on Friday evening
The minister stayed at the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel in Darwin on Friday evening
“Last night in Darwin, a woman tragically died after she was reportedly stabbed outside a hotel where I was staying,” Ms Burney said in a statement on Saturday.
“Together with hotel staff, my staff helped the woman and I comforted her family.”
The victim had driven into the ground floor reception of the hotel after allegedly stabbing across the road on The Esplanade at 6pm Friday, NT police said.
Ms Burney said staff from her office and the hotel rushed to the aid of the woman who was bleeding profusely before the ambulance arrived.
The woman was taken to Royal Darwin Hospital with life-threatening injuries and later died.
Part of The Esplanade was closed off after the alleged fatal stabbing.
“Police and paramedics were called to the scene just before 6pm (pictured) after receiving information that an injured woman had entered the hotel seeking help,” NT police said.
A 56-year-old man, believed to be the woman’s partner, has been charged with murder after being arrested at the scene.
He remains in custody to appear in court on Monday.
“Police and paramedics were called to the scene just before 6 p.m. after receiving information that an injured woman had entered the hotel seeking help,” NT police said.
“Camera guards were able to direct police to the man, who was still nearby, and he was arrested without incident.”
The suspect will appear in court on Monday.
“My sincere condolences go out to the woman’s family and her loved ones,” said Ms Burney.
“I would like to thank the hotel staff, the Northern Territory Police and the paramedics who attended.
“As this matter is being investigated by the Northern Territory Police, it would be inappropriate for me to comment further at this time.”
Meanwhile, the day after the alleged stabbing, 300 fed-up local residents took to the streets in an anti-crime rally, the NT News reported.
NT opposition leader Lia Finocchiaro (pictured) says every violent attack costs more lives
The area’s opposition leader, Lia Finocchiaro, said every violent attack costs more lives.
Their lives have changed. The city we know and love has changed. The territory we know and love has changed,” she said.
It comes after the alleged fatal stabbing of 20-year-old Declan Laverty at a bottle shop in Darwin last month sparked protests.
Thousands took to the streets in Darwin calling on the Northern Territory government to take action. News Corp reported.
The government then passed legislative changes on bail in an effort to stop violent crime using knives.
So those charged with serious crimes involving certain weapons are held in custody until their case is heard.
Chief Minister said the changes to the bail law sent a strong message to the community
Prime Minister Natasha Fyles said the changes to bail law sent a strong message to the community.
“If you are charged with a violent crime involving a weapon, it is expected that you will be held in prison until your case is decided,” Ms Fyles said.
But Ms Finocchiaro said the changes were just window dressing measures.
“Criminals never get a second chance under Labour, and they know it,” she said.
She called on the government to give the police back the power to deal with “drunkards” and to introduce minimum mandatory sentences for attacks on frontline workers.