Reacting to the death of Thomas "TJ" Hickey, a 17 year old Australian Aborigine, on 14 February, 2004, riots broke out near The Block in Redfern and Darlington, lasting until Monday morning. It was initially suspected that Hickey was chased by police officers while riding his bicycle, when he crashed and was imapaled on a fence. 40 police officers were injured.

Later that year, on November 26, riots broke out on Palm Island, off the Queensland coast, after the death of a 36 year old Aboriginal man in police custody.