The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation Northern Territory released and then retracted a statement on Thursday that sought to provide an explanation about why it had evacuated its services from the remote community of Yuendumu days prior to the fatal shooting of Kumanjayi Walker.
The press release began by extending the foundation's condolences to the family of Mr Walker who was fatally shot by a police officer in the town at around 7pm on Saturday.
The statement went on to say the foundation understood the community's frustration and sympathised with the local Indigenous people, before stating that nurses and midwives working in Yuendumu and the neighbouring township of Yuelumu were concerned about returning to work in these communities.
The tone and timing of the statement attracted a swift backlash from First Nations health workers and Aboriginal rights advocates on social media.
Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation Press Release Source: Supplied
After the Federal ANMF were notified on via twitter, the press release was then pulled from their website.
