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The Northern Territory government has announced the appointment of retired New South Wales police commissioner Karen Webb and long-time NT public servant Greg Shanahan to lead a review into the territory's child protection system, a move that has drawn criticism from Australia's national commissioner for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.

The review was prompted by the death of five-year-old Kumanjayi Little Baby, whose body was found in bushland near Alice Springs last week after she went missing from a town camp. Jefferson Lewis, 47, has been arrested and charged with her murder.

Coverage comparison

Reports from ABC News indicate that Minister for Child Protection Robyn Cahill made the announcement on [date], describing the pair as a "really cohesive team" with the experience to "get to the heart of what has gone on in this particular situation." The review, initially flagged as "wide ranging," has since been narrowed to focus on the processes specific to Kumanjayi Little Baby's case, according to multiple reports.

However, national commissioner Sue-Anne Hunter has publicly questioned the appointments, arguing that Webb and Shanahan lack the necessary expertise in child protection. "Coming at a child protection issue from a law and order lens just doesn't cut it," Hunter told ABC Breakfast. She added that "lived experience of Aboriginal people needs to be part of this review."

The NT government also moved to introduce new child protection legislation under the Care and Protection of Children Act on the same day as the announcement. Cahill called it "an incredibly important day for territory kids," stating that the legislation places "safety above all other consideration" for the first time. She said the bill was the result of over a year of consultation with people working on the ground with at-risk children.

Hunter has described the legislative changes as "devastating," warning they would fail to reduce the over-representation of Aboriginal children in out-of-home care. The NT Children's Commissioner, Shahleena Musk, has also called for a halt to any changes until a board of inquiry can be established to examine broader systems including corrections, education, and health.

Key claims

  • Review leadership: Retired NSW police commissioner Karen Webb and NT public servant Greg Shanahan will co-lead the review into the NT child protection system, as announced by Minister Robyn Cahill.
  • Trigger for review: The review was prompted by the death of Kumanjayi Little Baby, a five-year-old Alice Springs girl whose body was found after she went missing from a town camp in late April.
  • Scope of review: While initially described by Minister Cahill as "wide ranging," the review's scope was later narrowed to examine the processes undertaken in Kumanjayi Little Baby's case specifically.
  • Criticism of appointments: National commissioner Sue-Anne Hunter said Webb and Shanahan do not have the right expertise, advocating for a review that includes Aboriginal lived experience.
  • Legislation changes: New child protection legislation has been introduced in the NT Parliament, which Hunter said would be "devastating" and fail to address the over-representation of Aboriginal children in care.
  • Staff stood down: Three child protection department staffers were stood down following an internal investigation into the circumstances of Kumanjayi Little Baby prior to her abduction and alleged murder.
  • Separate incident: A separate investigation is underway by NT Police into an infant who suffered unexplained physical injuries, as confirmed by Minister Cahill's office.
  • Calls for broader inquiry: Marion Scrymgour, the Commonwealth's Special Envoy for Remote Communities, said "nothing was off the table" in responses to Kumanjayi Little Baby's death and that "uncomfortable truths" need to be addressed.

Perspectives

Government perspective: Minister Cahill emphasized the review's importance in ensuring child safety, stating "every Territory child deserves to be safe." She framed the review and new legislation as necessary steps to address systemic failures and prevent future tragedies.

Critics' perspective: Commissioners Hunter and Musk, along with other advocates, argue that the review's scope is too narrow and that the appointed leaders lack expertise in child protection. They have called for a broader inquiry that includes Aboriginal voices and addresses underlying systemic issues across multiple sectors.

Community perspective: Marion Scrymgour's comments reflect a broader call for truth-telling and acknowledgment of uncomfortable truths about the historical and ongoing failures in protecting Aboriginal children, including the legacy of the Stolen Generations.

This article contains information from ABC News reports. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised that this article contains the image of an Indigenous person who has died, used with the permission of her family.