Northern Territory child protection system under scrutiny following child death; ex-minister calls for end to 'culture of silence'
Former Northern Territory government minister Bess Nungarrayi Price has spoken publicly about child neglect in remote Aboriginal communities, describing a 'culture of silence' that prevents open discussion of abuse and safety issues. Her comments come as the NT government conducts a review into the death of five-year-old Kumanjayi Little Baby, who had prior child protection notifications before disappearing from an Alice Springs town camp in April. The case has prompted renewed scrutiny of the NT's child protection system and sparked debate over proposed legislative amendments.
Former Northern Territory government minister Bess Nungarrayi Price has raised concerns about child neglect in Central Australian Aboriginal communities, telling ABC's 7.30 program that children are sometimes left unsupervised and that there is a 'culture of silence' preventing open discussion of abuse and neglect. Her comments are framed within the context of the alleged murder of five-year-old Kumanjayi Little Baby, who disappeared from an Alice Springs town camp in April and was the subject of prior child protection notifications. The NT government has commissioned a review led by former NSW police commissioner Karen Webb, with a three-month timeline to investigate. The NT Child Protection Minister acknowledged the issue is not unique to the territory, citing national reluctance to discuss Aboriginal child abuse due to fear of reprisal. The Country Liberal Party government has been developing amendments to child protection laws that would prioritize child safety and introduce a two-year limit on short-term protection orders, though the article indicates debate over these changes has intensified following the child's death.
What's missing
The article does not provide details on the specific nature of the child protection notifications that preceded Kumanjayi Little Baby's disappearance, the current status of any criminal investigation, or the outcomes of previous child protection reviews in the NT. Additionally, the article is truncated and does not include the full response from non-government organizations mentioned at the end.
What different sources said
- ABC AustraliaCenter
Child neglect being 'hushed up' in outback communities, says ex-minister
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