The Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance Northern Territory (AMSANT) is deeply disappointed by the NT Government's decision to enforce a "bus dress code" that allows passengers to be refused travel for wearing "dirty or stained clothing", describing it as a cruel and discriminatory policy that unfairly targets people experiencing poverty, homelessness and mental ill health.
AMSANT CEO Dr John Paterson said the policy will disproportionately impact Aboriginal people, particularly those sleeping rough or without access to housing, laundry facilities, or appropriate healthcare.
"This is another example of a government unnecessarily punishing people instead of addressing the root causes of disadvantage in our communities," Dr Paterson said.
"The Infrastructure Minister has justified this level of discrimination in the name of keeping bus seats clean. In a jurisdiction with one of the highest homelessness rates in the country, this decision is not just elitist — it's shameful. This has nothing to do with public safety or hygiene. It's about exclusion."
The Northern Territory has nearly 6,000 people on the public housing waitlist. One in five Aboriginal people are experiencing homelessness, and the NT has 13 times the national rate of people sleeping rough.
Dr Paterson said the new signage sends a clear message to disadvantaged Territorians that they are not welcome on public transport.
"Public transport is a basic right for everyone in our communities — regardless of whether you can access washing facilities or afford stable accommodation," he said.
"Relying on 'common sense' from bus drivers and transit officers to apply this policy fairly is simply not good enough. It opens the door to subjective judgement, racial profiling and further discrimination — and it doesn't pass the fairness test for the public, who expect to use essential services, to catch a bus at the end of the day, without the threat of shame or exclusion."
AMSANT also warns the policy risks breaching anti-discrimination laws and will disproportionately harm people living 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."
