'Senseless violence': boy attack fast-tracks law reform
But the Northern Territory's proposed law changes have come under fire, with an advocacy group claiming they will likely increase offending.
The Country Liberal Party government has vowed to table legislation "on urgency" to overhaul the Youth Justice Act when parliament sits from Tuesday.
It comes just days after a 15-year-old was stabbed in front of stunned onlookers at the Royal Darwin Show on Saturday.
The teenager remains in hospital in a serious condition.
A 15-year-old has been charged, with police alleging the teen knew the victim and the alleged attack was not random.
Deputy Chief Minister Gerard Maley on Monday said the law changes would "put victims first, protect frontline staff and hold serious youth offenders to account".
Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro said she expected the "usual offender apologists" to criticise the crackdown.
"But they should look Territorians in the eye and say that kids witnessing senseless violence at a family show is okay," she posted on social media on Sunday.
"This is not normal. It is not acceptable. And under my government, it will not be tolerated."
The alleged offender was charged with recklessly endangering life along with the possession, carry or use of a controlled weapon and remains in custody awaiting a bail review.
Proposed legislative changes include considering a youth's full criminal history when sentencing for adult offences and removing detention as a last resort.
Youth justice officers will have greater powers to use anti-spit guards and reasonable force to "maintain safety and prevent escapes".
Powers for the territory's commissioner to manage emergencies will be expanded when legislation is passed in parliament.
Advocacy group Justice Reform Initiative on Monday said removing detention as a last resort for children would increase the likelihood of future reoffending.
It urged the government to instead address crime rates by tackling issues such as drug and alcohol dependency, mental health conditions, unemployment, domestic violence and homelessness.
"If tougher laws and punitive approaches to detention were going to build a safer community, the NT would already be the safest place in Australia," the initiative's Mindy Sotiri said.
Opposition leader Selena Uibo described the proposed overhaul as "rushed, knee-jerk laws".
"This law-and-order agenda is not a strategy, it's a stunt," she said.
Tough youth justice reforms have been introduced across Australia, with the NT's approach mirroring that of Queensland.
Queensland's Liberal National government introduced controversial "adult crime, adult time" laws after a successful 2024 election campaign.
Victoria and NSW have also introduced tougher bail laws.
But the NT has what have been billed as the nation's harshest bail laws following 71-year-old Darwin grocer Linford Feick's fatal stabbing in April.
Under the laws, to grant bail a court must have "a high degree of confidence" an offender is not going to pose a risk to the community.
The NT government committed a record $1.5 billion towards law-and-order spending in its May budget.
A shocking showground stabbing of a teenager has fast-tracked a crime-hit territory's youth justice crackdown.
But the Northern Territory's proposed law changes have come under fire, with an advocacy group claiming they will likely increase offending.
The Country Liberal Party government has vowed to table legislation "on urgency" to overhaul the Youth Justice Act when parliament sits from Tuesday.
It comes just days after a 15-year-old was stabbed in front of stunned onlookers at the Royal Darwin Show on Saturday.
The teenager remains in hospital in a serious condition.
A 15-year-old has been charged, with police alleging the teen knew the victim and the alleged attack was not random.
Deputy Chief Minister Gerard Maley on Monday said the law changes would "put victims first, protect frontline staff and hold serious youth offenders to account".
Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro said she expected the "usual offender apologists" to criticise the crackdown.
"But they should look Territorians in the eye and say that kids witnessing senseless violence at a family show is okay," she posted on social media on Sunday.
"This is not normal. It is not acceptable. And under my government, it will not be tolerated."
The alleged offender was charged with recklessly endangering life along with the possession, carry or use of a controlled weapon and remains in custody awaiting a bail review.
Proposed legislative changes include considering a youth's full criminal history when sentencing for adult offences and removing detention as a last resort.
Youth justice officers will have greater powers to use anti-spit guards and reasonable force to "maintain safety and prevent escapes".
Powers for the territory's commissioner to manage emergencies will be expanded when legislation is passed in parliament.
Advocacy group Justice Reform Initiative on Monday said removing detention as a last resort for children would increase the likelihood of future reoffending.
It urged the government to instead address crime rates by tackling issues such as drug and alcohol dependency, mental health conditions, unemployment, domestic violence and homelessness.
"If tougher laws and punitive approaches to detention were going to build a safer community, the NT would already be the safest place in Australia," the initiative's Mindy Sotiri said.
Opposition leader Selena Uibo described the proposed overhaul as "rushed, knee-jerk laws".
"This law-and-order agenda is not a strategy, it's a stunt," she said.
Tough youth justice reforms have been introduced across Australia, with the NT's approach mirroring that of Queensland.
Queensland's Liberal National government introduced controversial "adult crime, adult time" laws after a successful 2024 election campaign.
Victoria and NSW have also introduced tougher bail laws.
But the NT has what have been billed as the nation's harshest bail laws following 71-year-old Darwin grocer Linford Feick's fatal stabbing in April.
Under the laws, to grant bail a court must have "a high degree of confidence" an offender is not going to pose a risk to the community.
The NT government committed a record $1.5 billion towards law-and-order spending in its May budget.
A shocking showground stabbing of a teenager has fast-tracked a crime-hit territory's youth justice crackdown.
But the Northern Territory's proposed law changes have come under fire, with an advocacy group claiming they will likely increase offending.
The Country Liberal Party government has vowed to table legislation "on urgency" to overhaul the Youth Justice Act when parliament sits from Tuesday.
It comes just days after a 15-year-old was stabbed in front of stunned onlookers at the Royal Darwin Show on Saturday.
The teenager remains in hospital in a serious condition.
A 15-year-old has been charged, with police alleging the teen knew the victim and the alleged attack was not random.
Deputy Chief Minister Gerard Maley on Monday said the law changes would "put victims first, protect frontline staff and hold serious youth offenders to account".
Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro said she expected the "usual offender apologists" to criticise the crackdown.
"But they should look Territorians in the eye and say that kids witnessing senseless violence at a family show is okay," she posted on social media on Sunday.
"This is not normal. It is not acceptable. And under my government, it will not be tolerated."
The alleged offender was charged with recklessly endangering life along with the possession, carry or use of a controlled weapon and remains in custody awaiting a bail review.
Proposed legislative changes include considering a youth's full criminal history when sentencing for adult offences and removing detention as a last resort.
Youth justice officers will have greater powers to use anti-spit guards and reasonable force to "maintain safety and prevent escapes".
Powers for the territory's commissioner to manage emergencies will be expanded when legislation is passed in parliament.
Advocacy group Justice Reform Initiative on Monday said removing detention as a last resort for children would increase the likelihood of future reoffending.
It urged the government to instead address crime rates by tackling issues such as drug and alcohol dependency, mental health conditions, unemployment, domestic violence and homelessness.
"If tougher laws and punitive approaches to detention were going to build a safer community, the NT would already be the safest place in Australia," the initiative's Mindy Sotiri said.
Opposition leader Selena Uibo described the proposed overhaul as "rushed, knee-jerk laws".
"This law-and-order agenda is not a strategy, it's a stunt," she said.
Tough youth justice reforms have been introduced across Australia, with the NT's approach mirroring that of Queensland.
Queensland's Liberal National government introduced controversial "adult crime, adult time" laws after a successful 2024 election campaign.
Victoria and NSW have also introduced tougher bail laws.
But the NT has what have been billed as the nation's harshest bail laws following 71-year-old Darwin grocer Linford Feick's fatal stabbing in April.
Under the laws, to grant bail a court must have "a high degree of confidence" an offender is not going to pose a risk to the community.
The NT government committed a record $1.5 billion towards law-and-order spending in its May budget.
A shocking showground stabbing of a teenager has fast-tracked a crime-hit territory's youth justice crackdown.
But the Northern Territory's proposed law changes have come under fire, with an advocacy group claiming they will likely increase offending.
The Country Liberal Party government has vowed to table legislation "on urgency" to overhaul the Youth Justice Act when parliament sits from Tuesday.
It comes just days after a 15-year-old was stabbed in front of stunned onlookers at the Royal Darwin Show on Saturday.
The teenager remains in hospital in a serious condition.
A 15-year-old has been charged, with police alleging the teen knew the victim and the alleged attack was not random.
Deputy Chief Minister Gerard Maley on Monday said the law changes would "put victims first, protect frontline staff and hold serious youth offenders to account".
Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro said she expected the "usual offender apologists" to criticise the crackdown.
"But they should look Territorians in the eye and say that kids witnessing senseless violence at a family show is okay," she posted on social media on Sunday.
"This is not normal. It is not acceptable. And under my government, it will not be tolerated."
The alleged offender was charged with recklessly endangering life along with the possession, carry or use of a controlled weapon and remains in custody awaiting a bail review.
Proposed legislative changes include considering a youth's full criminal history when sentencing for adult offences and removing detention as a last resort.
Youth justice officers will have greater powers to use anti-spit guards and reasonable force to "maintain safety and prevent escapes".
Powers for the territory's commissioner to manage emergencies will be expanded when legislation is passed in parliament.
Advocacy group Justice Reform Initiative on Monday said removing detention as a last resort for children would increase the likelihood of future reoffending.
It urged the government to instead address crime rates by tackling issues such as drug and alcohol dependency, mental health conditions, unemployment, domestic violence and homelessness.
"If tougher laws and punitive approaches to detention were going to build a safer community, the NT would already be the safest place in Australia," the initiative's Mindy Sotiri said.
Opposition leader Selena Uibo described the proposed overhaul as "rushed, knee-jerk laws".
"This law-and-order agenda is not a strategy, it's a stunt," she said.
Tough youth justice reforms have been introduced across Australia, with the NT's approach mirroring that of Queensland.
Queensland's Liberal National government introduced controversial "adult crime, adult time" laws after a successful 2024 election campaign.
Victoria and NSW have also introduced tougher bail laws.
But the NT has what have been billed as the nation's harshest bail laws following 71-year-old Darwin grocer Linford Feick's fatal stabbing in April.
Under the laws, to grant bail a court must have "a high degree of confidence" an offender is not going to pose a risk to the community.
The NT government committed a record $1.5 billion towards law-and-order spending in its May budget.
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ABC News
an hour ago
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NT government responds to landmark domestic violence inquest into killings of four Indigenous women
The Northern Territory government says more than two-thirds of recommendations from a landmark domestic violence inquest "are already in place" in the territory, with a minister saying the report has failed "dismally to hit the mark". WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised that this article contains the names of Indigenous people who have died, used with the permission of their families. The Country Liberal Party handed down its response to NT Coroner Elisabeth Armitage's report in NT parliament on Tuesday, more than eight months after it was handed down. Judge Armitage made 35 recommendations, after spending more than a year investigating the domestic violence killings of four Aboriginal women — Kumarn Rubuntja, Kumanjayi Haywood, Ngeygo Ragurrk and Miss Yunupiŋu. They were among more than 80 Indigenous women killed in domestic violence attacks in the NT since the year 2000. The coroner's recommendations included calls for increased funding for frontline emergency service responses, women's shelters and men's behavioural change programs. In NT parliament on Tuesday, Prevention of Domestic Violence Minister Robyn Cahill said the government would support 21 of the recommendations in full and accept 11 in principle. The government did not support three of the recommendations: In handing down the government's response, Ms Cahill said "overall" the recommendations from the coroner were "uninspiring" and the report "failed so dismally to hit the mark". She said only a "small proportion" of the recommendations made would lead to the "implementation of a new and innovative approach". She also criticised Judge Armitage's approach to the inquest, calling it "protracted" and resulting in "lengthy reports delivered in a manner seeming to lack the humility one might expect from an officer of the court". "More focused on the reveal rather than the result," she said of Judge Armitage. When handing down her recommendations, Judge Armitage said she did not believe the 35 recommendations were "radical", saying the DFSV sector had been calling for them for many years. In a statement, Ms Cahill said "extensive consultation with government, non-government agencies, advocacy groups and experts found that 24 of the 35 recommendations related to programs or processes already in place". "Some of these measures have been in place for years without delivering the results we need," she said. Ms Cahill said the government was developing a DFSV roadmap to address domestic violence in the territory, which would set "strategic priorities" for the government's $36 million a year funding for the sector. In response to Ms Cahill's comments, opposition MLA Chansey Paech said it was "absolutely appalling" for the minister to "take aim at the Northern Territory coroner". "It was a long inquest, absolutely," he said. "It was four families, four unique circumstances that absolutely deserved the right to be comprehensively reviewed." Mr Paech said all 35 recommendations could "absolutely be accepted", despite government concerns over funding limitations. "The coroner designed all of these in a way that they could absolutely be supported," he said. In a joint statement, a coalition of NT DSFV services said the government's response was "underwhelming in the face of the Northern Territory's biggest criminal issue". "This is about more than programs. It's about a system that is currently failing women and children, and the urgent need to redesign it alongside the people who know what works," the statement said. "The government's ongoing lack of genuine consultation with the specialist DFSV sector is creating missed opportunities, poor coordination and unsafe outcomes." The NT has the highest rates of family and domestic violence in Australia, with a rate of intimate partner homicide seven times the national average. Recommendation 3: Amend the DFSV workforce plan to better engage Aboriginal workers, communities and universities. Recommendation 5: Create and implement an evidence-based strategy to reduce alcohol availability. Recommendation 6: Increase investment in specialist alcohol and other drugs rehabilitation services. Recommendation 7: Implement the police and children and families department co-responder model — which has been trialled in Alice Springs — on a permanent basis NT-wide. Recommendation 8: NT police to review protocols and improve officer training on information sharing. Recommendation 9: Consider establishing a multi-agency protection service to formalise partnership between police and government departments. Recommendation 10: NT police to embed interpreters and/or Aboriginal liaison officers in the emergency call centre. Recommendation 11: Provide PARt training to all current police officers, auxiliaries and new recruits, including emergency call centre workers. Recommendation 12: NT police to expand the DFSV command in Alice Springs and Darwin. Recommendation 13: Expand NT police's family harm coordination daily auditing program. Recommendation 14: Children and families department to audit and continue its commitment to the Safe and Together framework. Recommendation 15: Fund and implement "timely and intensive" early interventions for young people engaged in violence. Recommendation 16: Extra funding for community-based approaches to child welfare. Recommendation 17: Replicate the specialist DFSV court in Alice Springs in other regions. Recommendation 23: Increase funding for men's prison-based behaviour programs and counselling. Recommendation 24: Improve access to men's prison programs. Recommendation 25: Develop and implement a prison program for men who are 'deniers' of their violence. Recommendation 26: Establish reintegration programs for men leaving prison and returning to community. Recommendation 29: Boost funding for community-based behavioural change and prevention programs. Recommendation 33: Full implementation of the DFSV Action Plan 2, which will require $180 million funding over five years. Recommendation 34: Increase baseline funding for frontline DFSV crisis services by about 10 per cent. Recommendation 1: Establish a permanent, whole-of-government unit to lead DFSV policy and practice. Recommendation 4: Boost funding for Aboriginal interpreter services. Recommendation 18: Fund culturally-appropriate, trauma-informed, mediation/peacekeeping for family and community violence. Recommendation 19: Regulate and fund mediation and peacemaker groups as recognised alternative dispute resolution providers. Recommendation 20: Develop and fund alternatives to custody for DFSV perpetrators. 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Northern Territory to reintroduce ‘dangerous' spit hoods in youth detention centres
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Perth Now
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A plan to reinstate controversial spit hoods in youth detention centres has been defended in the crime-troubled territory. The proposal is part of a suite of measures overhauling youth justice, to be debated in the Northern Territory parliament within days. The Country Liberal Party government has vowed to table the legislation "on urgency" after a 15-year-old was stabbed and seriously injured in front of shocked onlookers at the Royal Darwin Show on Saturday. A 15-year-old has been charged, with police alleging the teen knew the victim. The NT Police Force confirmed in October that spit hoods had been made available to use on youths in police watch houses and cells, with strict protocols in place. The proposed youth justice law changes would extend the use of the hoods to youth detention centres, reversing a ban imposed eight years ago. Aboriginal Affairs Minister Steve Edgington defended anti-spit guards in youth centres, saying they were already being used in adult settings. "When young people come into custody that are spitting, biting their tongue and spitting blood at correctional officers, we want to ensure that our frontline staff are protected," he told reporters on Tuesday. "We're hoping that we will never need to use these." The CLP promised during last year's NT election to reintroduce spit hoods for youth detainees. In 2016, an ABC Four Corners report into the NT's Don Dale Youth Detention Centre prompted outrage over the use of spit hoods and led to then prime minister Malcolm Turnbull announcing a royal commission into juvenile justice in the territory. The NT government subsequently stopped the use of spit hoods and restraint chairs in youth detention centres in 2017, following the federal government's formal endorsement of a United Nations protocol against torture and inhumane punishments. In 2022, the use of spit hoods for youths in police custody was also banned by the then-NT Labor government. NT Children's Commissioner Shahleena Musk said the territory was the only Australian jurisdiction reverting to using spit hoods on children. "This is against international law and is incredibly risky," she told the ABC. "It has actually led to deaths in custody in other jurisdictions." Other proposed legislative changes by the NT government include considering a youth's full criminal history when sentencing for adult offences and removing detention as a last resort. Youth justice officers will have greater powers to use reasonable force to "maintain safety and prevent escapes". Powers for the territory's commissioner to manage emergencies will also be expanded. Opposition Leader Selena Uibo hit out at the youth crime overhaul, describing them as "rushed, knee-jerk laws". The NT government committed a record $1.5 billion towards law and order in its May budget.
