The Northern Territory government's inquiry into child safety will not allow for a proper examination of the system, Aboriginal leaders say, and has been implemented without Indigenous representation or voices.
Last week, the CLP government announced an investigation into the NT's child protection system in the lead-up to the death of Kumanjayi Little Baby. The inquiry will be led by former NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb — who previously stated Closing the Gap commitments could not come at the expense of police work — alongside Territory public servant Greg Shanahan.
Five-year-old Kumanjayi Little Baby disappeared from the Old Timers Town Camp outside Mparntwe / Alice Springs on April 25, with her body found five days later. Forty-seven-year-old Jefferson Lewis — who is not related to Kumanjayi Little Baby and had no role in her care — has been charged with her murder and two other offences.
Earlier this month, NT Child Protection Minister Robyn Cahill said three child protection workers had been stood down after concerns were raised about circumstances in the weeks leading up to Kumanjayi Little Baby's disappearance and death.
It has been reported there were six notifications regarding Kumanjayi Little Baby's welfare, although there is no evidence any of those notifications were substantiated.
Two of the workers were reportedly reinstated the following day.
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Failing to listen
SNAICC - National Voice for our Children CEO, Catherine Liddle, said the terms of reference for the inquiry are too narrow to properly examine child protection and the "interconnected issues that continue to shape poor outcomes for children and families across the Northern Territory".
"Changes to the child protection system in the NT are urgently needed, with advocates, community-led organisations, multiple reports, and people with lived experience of the Territory's system calling for action and investment for decades," Ms Liddle said.
"Given the overwhelming calls for a genuine inquiry into the system, these narrow Terms of Reference could reasonably be viewed as an attempt to avoid scrutiny of a failing child protection system and a government unwilling to undertake the work, reflection, and partnership necessary to ensure the wellbeing of the children in its care."
Despite initially flagging a "wide-ranging" investigation into all processes within the Department of Children and Families, last week Ms Cahill said the review would instead "look at the processes that were undertaken specific to Kumanjayi Little Baby's situation".
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Speaking to ABC Breakfast on Friday, Australia's national commissioner for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, Sue-Anne Hunter, said neither Ms Webb — whose appointment was highly criticised by Senator Lidia Thorpe — nor Mr Shanahan has the expertise to investigate the system.
"Coming at a child protection issue from a law and order lens just doesn't cut it," Ms Hunter said.
"A lived experience of Aboriginal people need to be part of this review."
Despite more than 90 per cent of child protection notifications in the NT involving Indigenous children, Ms Liddle said the Aboriginal Community Controlled sector, Ms Hunter and her NT counterpart, Shahleena Musk, as well as Indigenous community leaders and experts, had not been consulted on the terms of the inquiry.
"SNAICC, and Aboriginal community-controlled organisations across the country, remain ready to work with the Northern Territory Government on a serious, independent inquiry into child protection - one that is capable of delivering the reform children and families deserve," she said.
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'Leaks' not being investigated
Ms Liddle also expressed alarm that the scope of the inquiry will not examine the leaking of private and confidential information related to Kumanjayi Little Baby and her family.
"The leaking of this information is incredibly serious and has the potential to place families, particularly those fleeing domestic and family violence, at further risk of harm," she said.
"The fact that this breach occurred in the first place undermines trust in the very system designed to keep children safe."
