The Finocchiaro CLP Government is amending the Care and Protection of Children Act putting the safety of all Territorian children at the heart of the Northern Territory Child Protection framework.
Under the sweeping reform, a new Universal Principle for the first time lists child safety as the primary consideration, placing the best interests of every child first regardless of background.
The sweeping reform includes additional requirements for Aboriginal children conditional upon the Universal Principle being met.
In addition:
Short-term protection orders will be slashed to a maximum of two years to provide long term certaintyA strict structure of measures must be met and upheld for children assessed at risk of being removed.Children will be guaranteed access to Independent legal representation.
The Department of Children and Families will be required to take active, practical steps to reunify children with their family within a tighter time-frame - prioritising family preservation while keeping the safety and best interests of the child at the forefront of child risk assessments.
Minister Cahill said the amendments are designed to protect children from on-going harm, minimise the extensive number of placements vulnerable children are currently exposed to and provide stability and permanency.
"The on-going cycle of harm, risk and uncertainty needs to be addressed and the only way to achieve that is to put the basic human rights of a child's safety before anything else.
"Under these amendments there will be more consistent support and better outcomes for both children and their families.
"Every child matters regardless of where they come from, their race or religion, I am not prepared to turn a blind eye and abandon another generation of families and children."
Family Responsibility Agreements will be strengthened and expanded to encourage parents and families to remain responsible and accountable, with court orders enforced to encourage families to engage or face consequences.
"This is a legislated framework for early but reasonable intervention after every effort is made to keep families together.
"Where it is safe to do so we want children with their families, but where it is not, we will act decisively to give children the permanency, stability and care they deserve."
Children involved with child protection services are at least nine times more likely to enter the youth justice system (Australian Institute of Criminology, 2019).
"Early intervention breaks that cycle.'
An independent investigation into the conduct of the Department of Children and Families in relation to the case of Kumanjayi Little Baby will commence next week.
The investigation will be run by two leads.
Former NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb APM who has over three decades of experience in criminal investigations including years working in child protection and domestic violence.
Mr Greg Shanahan PSM who is a highly experienced and respected leader with more than 25 years' experience in the public sector.
