Arabic version: استقالة قادة من السكان الأصليين بسبب سياسات حكومة الإقليم الشمالي

According to ABC News, a series of Aboriginal leaders and representatives in the Northern Territory have resigned from roles in recent months, citing concerns about the Country Liberal Party government’s laws, policies and engagement with Aboriginal leadership.

Leeanne Caton resigned this week as chief executive of Aboriginal Housing Northern Territory. She said legislation introduced by the CLP government had a negative impact on Aboriginal people and said she felt Aboriginal leaders were not being heard. Caton said the planned relocation of a Darwin homeless shelter to Batchelor was the final factor in her decision.

Other departures identified by ABC News include NT Children’s Commissioner Shahleena Musk, independent chair of the NT Children and Families Tripartite Forum Rob McPhee, Darwin Waterfront Corporation chairman Richard Fejo, members of the NT Justice Policy Partnership and independent Arnhem Land parliamentarian Yiŋiya Guyula. Their decisions were made for different reasons, but they publicly expressed opposition to government laws or policies.

Guyula said the government’s approach was creating division and criticised the proposed shelter relocation. Former NT Labor politician and First Nations advocate Scott McConnell said he was concerned that reduced trust between Aboriginal groups and the government could harm the territory’s future prospects.

Acting Chief Minister Gerard Maley rejected claims that the government was not listening to Aboriginal people. He said the government worked with many Aboriginal organisations and remained focused on safety and reducing crime. The CLP was elected in 2024 and has since changed laws on bail, youth criminal responsibility and child protection, while granting police additional powers. NT Police say crime rates have fallen following the changes.