Alice Springs-based organisation Children's Ground has criticised the Northern Territory's public transport dress code, calling it another move by the CLP government that dehumanises First Nations people and those experiencing poverty.
In recent days, it has been revealed signage on Darwin buses warns passengers they may be removed if wearing stained clothing. The NT Government website supports this, stating: "People with soiled clothing or items that may soil the bus or clothing of any passenger will not be allowed on the bus."
Defending the policy on ABC Radio Darwin, NT Minister for Infrastructure and Logistics Bill Yan said: "There has to be a level of hygiene and a level of dress to be able to get on that network. It's as simple as that."
In response, a spokesperson for Children's Ground — a First Nations-led organisation driving long-term change through culture and community leadership — said they were "deeply concerned" by the signage.
"Public transport is a basic service. It should be safe, inclusive and available to everyone. Policies or practices that allow for discretionary exclusion based on appearance or perceived hygiene risk reinforcing harmful stereotypes and creating barriers to essential services," the spokesperson said.
"For many in First Nations communities, especially those living rough and without access to basic washing facilities or adequate clothing resources, they are at risk of being penalised and excluded from basic public services.
"Punishing and excluding people due to the impact of systemic neglect and disadvantage is discrimination."
They added that the government has a responsibility to ensure public services are non-discriminatory and allow people to access them with "dignity and without fear of being turned away".
"We see what happens when families are denied access to support or when young people feel they are not welcome in public spaces. Decisions about transport, policing and public safety must reflect the realities and rights of all people," the spokesperson said.
Mr Yan told ABC that drivers and transit officers have discretion to decide "who gets on or who stays on the bus."
"If they're reasonably clean and tidy and not dirty and messy and going to stain the seats or have stuff that's going to break the seats or cut the seats, then they can get on the bus. There's no issue there," he said.
One in five Aboriginal people in the NT is experiencing homelessness. The Territory also has nearly 6,000 people on the public housing waitlist and the highest rate of rough sleeping in the country — 13 times the national average.
AMSANT Chief Executive Dr John Paterson warned the policy may breach anti-discrimination laws and disproportionately affect people with intellectual disabilities, neurodivergence, and mental health conditions.
"We should be supporting people — not making life harder with punitive dress codes that entrench disadvantage," Dr Paterson said.
"This is yet another example of the NT Government choosing punitive, divisive responses over real investment in the supports we actually need — safe housing, disability support, and culturally safe, community-led services that strengthen our communities and keep all people safe."
Children's Ground also criticised the government's broader public safety approach, noting the dress code comes alongside a 12-month trial allowing the public to carry pepper spray, and the decision to arm public safety officers by integrating them into NT Police.
"These actions reflect an increasing reliance on surveillance and force," the spokesperson said.
"They do not address the structural conditions that lead to hardship and inequality. They create fear rather than safety and drive people further to the margins of public life."
The organisation called on the government to ensure public transport, as well as other essential services, are "safe, non-discriminatory and inclusive".
"Equity and justice must guide every decision that affects our communities," they added.
