Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner Katie Kiss and National Children’s Commissioner Deb Tsorbaris have warned that the human rights of children in the Northern Territory are at greater risk following the passage of laws this week that weaken the Child Placement Principle.
They join dozens of other advocates and experts in raising concerns that the changes undermine children’s rights, risk repeating past harms of the Stolen Generations and moves the NT further away from evidence-based child protection reform.
The NT Government passed the Care and Protection of Children Legislation Amendment (Every Child Matters) Bill 2026 (the Bill) on Wednesday.
Commissioner Katie Kiss said, ‘First Peoples want our kids growing up strong in community and culture, which is the key to a brighter future. But this Bill will not keep our children safe. The Child Placement Principle, which has been in place for a long time now, exists because generations of our children have already paid the price of being separated from family, culture and community. Weakening that safeguard is a step backwards.’
The Child Placement Principle is a framework that protects the safety, wellbeing, identity and cultural rights of First Peoples children by ensuring culture, family, community and Country are central to decisions affecting their welfare.
Commissioner Kiss said, ‘If the NT Government is serious about child safety, it should invest in First Peoples-led solutions, family support and culturally safe care.’
National Children’s Commissioner Deb Tsorbaris said the legislation weakens protections that support children’s identity and sense of belonging.
‘These changes undermine the safeguards designed to protect children’s identity and sense of belonging.
‘The government should focus on evidence-based reform that upholds children’s rights, strengthens families and supports communities to keep children safe,’ Commissioner Tsorbaris said.
