Indigenous organisations in Australia are warning proposed changes to Northern Territory child protection laws could place more First Nations children at risk of being separated from their families, culture and communities.
The concerns follow the Northern Territory Government’s announcement of a major review into the child protection system after the death of five-year-old Kumanjayi Little Baby in Alice Springs.
The government has introduced new legislation aimed at making child safety the top priority in care decisions, while also launching an independent review led by former New South Wales police commissioner Karen Webb and senior public servant Greg Shanahan.
However, Aboriginal peak bodies and Indigenous advocacy groups say the proposed reforms weaken the Aboriginal Child Placement Principle, which prioritises keeping Indigenous children connected to whānau, culture, language and country.
Critics argue the changes could make it easier for Indigenous children to be permanently placed outside their communities and warn the reforms risk repeating harms linked to the Stolen Generations.
The Northern Territory Government says safety must come first and insists cultural identity will still be considered when children are placed into care.
The debate has intensified after figures showed around 90 per cent of children in out-of-home care in the Northern Territory are Aboriginal, while only a small percentage are placed with relatives or kin.
Indigenous organisations say broader issues including poverty, housing shortages, family violence and under-resourced services must also be addressed rather than placing blame solely on Aboriginal families and communities.
The proposed legislation has now been referred to a parliamentary inquiry as pressure grows for greater consultation with First Nations communities before any reforms become law.
