Monday 9th August 2021 marked a milestone for justice in the Northern Territory with the launch of the first Aboriginal Justice Agreement in Darwin. 

‘The Aboriginal Justice Agreement paves the way forward to right wrongs and also to bring healing to our community. It will be a transformational document that will improve justice outcomes for Aboriginal people’ said Priscilla Atkins, Chief Executive Officer. 

‘This Agreement promises to change the continued unacceptable rates at which Aboriginal people are incarcerated in the NT and empower our communities and Elders to address justice issues at the local level including through Law and Justice Groups and community courts. NAAJA has long advocated for community-based solutions that empower Aboriginal people including on-country alternatives to custody.’ 

‘We have a monumental job ahead to ensure the Aboriginal Justice Agreement is meaningfully implemented. With Aboriginal leadership and bipartisan support, we can get this done. We look forward to continued support and investment in the AJA by the NT Government over the course of the seven year Agreement’ said David Woodroffe, Principal Legal Officer. 

Further launches will be held in Alice Springs on Tuesday 24 August and at Freedom Day in Kalkarindji on Friday 27 August.