The Royal Commission into the Protection and Detention of Children in the Northern Territory has released its report, bringing together findings about how children and young people were treated in NT detention centres and the welfare system over the last decade. The Commissioners found much wrong with both systems: shocking and systemic failures. In recognition of the grossly disproportionate representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families and the crossover between the two systems, many recommendations are made to the NT and Commonwealth governments. These focus on different aspects and seek to redress the involvement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families in more intensive systems, ensure rights, and meet safety, health, educational, cultural and wellbeing needs. Core to change is shifting investment from tertiary systems into early intervention and prevention, shifting investment to community-controlled organisations and governments working WITH Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The findings and recommendations fit with the building blocks of the Family Matters campaign. It remains to be seen whether the NT and Commonwealth governments’ pledge of ‘serious action’ and not letting the report ‘sit on the shelf like previous reports’ are realised. Similarly, whether the calls from the Prime Minister and Family Matters’ co-chair Natalie Lewis will be heeded by other jurisdictions to recognise the implications and reflect on the operation of their respective systems.
