Arabic version: ترفض الجماعات الأصلية خطط إصلاح حماية الأطفال في الإقليم الشمالي

According to SBS News,

The Northern Territory Government has announced plans for sweeping reforms to child protection laws that some organisations argue will remove the principle that ensures connection to culture and family are at the heart of decision making.

NT Child Protection Minister Robyn Cahill announced the changes on Wednesday morning, saying it was the culmination of more than a year of work. The reforms prioritize child safety as the primary consideration when assessing whether to remove children from their families “regardless of background”, prompting backlash from more than 330 organisations.

Critics argue that these changes will undermine the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Placement Principle, which aims to prevent unnecessary child removals and promote family reunification when separations occur. A scathing joint statement from Aboriginal Peak Organisations Northern Territory (APONT) and SNAICC – Voice for our Children condemned the changes, asserting that they represent a harmful narrative blaming Aboriginal families for systemic issues.

The announcement comes in the wake of the alleged murder of five-year-old girl Kumanjayi Little Baby near Alice Springs, with Minister Cahill also announcing a review into the conduct of the Department of Children and Families in the lead up to her death. The review is expected to take three months and aims to address failures that have led to ongoing concerns within child protection services.

Minister Cahill defended the reforms, stating that the priority is to ensure children’s safety while also recognizing the importance of cultural considerations. However, APONT has expressed outrage, calling the government’s portrayal of Aboriginal families as a threat to children’s safety “dangerous, ignorant, and wrong.”