News
NAAJA concerned about deteriorating prison conditions
The North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency (NAAJA) has called on the NT Government to provide urgent independent oversight of conditions in NT prisons and youth detention centres, and to take steps to address the increased risks of harm. The numbers of prisoners...
Keep Aboriginal children out of jail
The North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency (NAAJA) has called on the Northern Territory Government to do more to keep Aboriginal children out of jails and watchhouses. The government this week in Parliament rushed through legislation lowering the age of criminal...
Stop the politics around youth offending and invest in programs that divert and tackle causes of crime
The North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency (NAAJA) has called for the next NT Government to prioritise improved access to diversion programs– aiming for a target of at least 80 per cent of youth matters diverted – as part of a broad appeal for smarter policies to...
2024 Northern Territory election – NAAJA’s key recommendations
The Northern Territory has a justice problem. While the national incarceration rate declined 2 per cent between 2018 and 2023, in the Territory it soared 22 per cent1. Almost 9 out of 10 people in prison are Aboriginal.2 The upcoming election presents a landmark...
NAAJA on track to resume intake of new clients as legal workforce strengthened
The North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency (NAAJA) is on track to reopen its youth legal practice to new clients within weeks as it boosts its Central Australian workforce. The organisation is in the process of finalising specialist staffing arrangements...
Mass incarceration is the real story
NAAJA says the real story that undermines the justice system in the NT is the mass incarceration of Aboriginal people in over-crowded, hot prisons that contributed to yesterday’s riot at Alice Springs prison. Mr. Pearce said the riot showed there was an urgent need...
No adverse findings in NAAJA investigation
North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency (NAAJA) has been informed by NT Police that investigations into allegations made against the Chief Financial Officer, Madhur Evans, have concluded, with no adverse findings or further action warranted against her or the...
NAAJA Board responds to video of Tennant Creek incident
Statement attributable to Acting CEO, Olga Havnen: The North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency is deeply disturbed by the images contained in video clips of an incident involving two adult males and an Aboriginal child that occurred in Tennant Creek. No one has...
Allegations against NAAJA board members not substantiated: NT Police
NAAJA has been advised by NT Police that investigations into allegations made by the former CEO, Ms Priscilla Atkins against Chairperson, Mrs Colleen Rosas, and Board members have not been substantiated. NT Police have cleared the Chairperson and Board members of any...
NAAJA Board responds to media reporting into its governance
In the wake of recent media coverage regarding allegations of improper conduct by NAAJA, the NAAJA Board confirms that it categorically refutes these allegations. In November 2022, the NAAJA Board initiated two separate independent investigations. The first...
First steps towards a better future
For the past two decades the tough on crime approach has failed our communities and our most vulnerable children. Yesterday the Northern Territory Labor government took the momentous step towards changing the direction of a system that is failing by raising the age of...
Youth detention in Australia is an abuse of human rights
As one of the leading legal services representing the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (Aboriginal) community in the Northern Territory, the North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency (NAAJA) has been witnessing the steady decline of the youth justice system...