On Friday, the Commonwealth Government released its response to the recommendations of the Royal Commission into the Protection and Detention of Children in the Northern Territory. Whilst the Commonwealth Government has not guaranteed any additional money for implementation, NAAJA is encouraged by the Government’s commitment to working in partnership with Aboriginal people and communities to address the over-representation of Aboriginal children in the youth justice and child protection systems. Partnerships with Aboriginal communities are critical to ensuring implementation of the Royal Commission recommendations secure the best outcomes for children and their families. 

Investment must be directed towards services in communities that have an immediate and direct impact on reducing contact with the youth justice and child protection systems. ‘Lessons learnt from past reports and inquiries shows that money is far too often consumed by consultants, bureaucrats and administrative processes. The priority needs to be ensuring vulnerable Aboriginal young people and families in communities across the Territory have access to the services they need’, said Priscilla Atkins, Chief Executive Officer of NAAJA. 

NAAJA looks forward to hearing bold and brave solutions in the Northern Territory Government’s response to the recommendations, including how it will work in partnership with Aboriginal people, and how it will reinvest Commonwealth and Territory money directly to communities and Aboriginal-led solutions.