Northern Territory police say a 16-year-old has died in the remote community of Alpurrurulam after allegedly being physically assaulted.
Police say the death in the community, close to the border with Queensland and 1200km from Darwin, is being treated as suspicious. Having initially described the victim as a woman, police clarified she was 16 on Monday afternoon.
"Around 5:30 am this morning, police received a report from the local clinic that a [teenage girl] had died after allegedly being physically assaulted," NT Police said in a statement.
"Local police, with assistance from Avon Downs police, are currently responding to the incident with detectives from the Crime Command and Forensics travelling to the community."
NT Police Acting Commander Mark Grieve said an autopsy will be undertaken to find out the cause of death.
He told reporters on Monday the 16-year-old presented herself to the local clinic, where she suffered a cardiac arrest and later died.
"It was at that time that the clinic staff also noticed that she had various number of injuries to her body," he said, as reported by the ABC.
Acting Commander Grieve said it was believed the teenage girl was from Mt Isa but that she was "quite transient between here and there".
A 26-year-old male, believed to be in a relationship with the victim, is in custody assisting police with inquiries, he said.
"We believe at this point in time there was some form of domestic relationship between the two," Acting Commander Grieve added, but noted they were unable, at this time, to confirm how long they had been together.
Writing on social media, Labor MLA and Arrente, Arabana and Gurindji man Chansey Paech said he was "deeply saddened to hear reports this morning of a tragic loss of life in Alpurrurulam, a community that has been desperately calling out for more help, resources and support in recent months".
"My thoughts are with the family, loved ones and the entire community at this difficult time," he said.
There has not been a permanent police station in Alpurrurulam since 2018, while the local health clinic was evacuated after unrest in the town. However, the clinic was staffed when the teenage girl arrived, with health personnel having returned to the community.
The closest police officers are stationed in Avon Downs, 170km away.
Although it is a dry community, it is understood that black market alcohol has been brought across the border from Queensland, less than 20km from Alpurrurulam, in the past.
Mr Paech argued that "serious questions need to be asked about what is being done to support this community and respond to the concerns residents have been raising".
He accused the CLP government of "ignoring the bush".
"Where are the additional interim police resources?" he asked.
"Where are the peacekeepers? Where is the action to address secondary alcohol supply and grog running? And where is the urgent, coordinated response to support families and restore community safety?"
Members of the public with information are urged to contact police on 131 444 and quote reference P26290651
1800 Respect (1800 737 732)
Lifeline (13 11 14)
13YARN (13 92 76)
Yarning Safe'N'Strong (1800 959 563)
Beyond Blue (1300 22 46 36)
