Trial of NT police officer delayed again

The trial of a Northern Territory police officer charged over the death of an Indigenous man will be further delayed after the High Court agreed to hear a challenge from prosecutors.

Zachary Rolfe is accused of murdering Kumanjayi Walker in the remote Aboriginal community of Yuendumu near Alice Springs in 2019.

His defence want to argue he acted in "good faith" in his role as a police officer while trying to arrest Mr Walker.

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But prosecutors want to strike out that defence, arguing Mr Rolfe could potentially avoid criminal liability without any consideration being given to whether his actions were reasonable under the circumstances.

The prosecution claims the use of the "good faith" defence would "erode" protections provided to the community against the use of police force.

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The High Court has agreed to hear the challenge, meaning the trial will be further delayed. It was due to start last month.

Mr Rolfe and his parents were inside the High Court in Canberra for the hearing but didn't comment when asked by 9News if they were disappointed by the outcome.