Northern Territory Police Minister Kate Worden and prominent Aboriginal Territorians have expressed outrage over Opposition Leader Peter Dutton’s allegations that Indigenous children in Alice Springs face regular sexual assault. They urged Dutton to report any evidence of wrongdoing to the police for investigation.
Worden accused Dutton of political opportunism, using vulnerable people as pawns in a political game. Dutton, on his second day visiting Alice Springs, called the town’s law and order issues a “travesty” and demanded federal police intervention. He claimed that nothing had changed since his visit in October, citing break-ins, stolen cars, risks to human life, and sexual assault of young boys and girls.
Worden responded by saying Dutton had shown no interest in Alice Springs for a decade and called on him to provide evidence to support his claims. Mandatory reporting is in place for child sexual abuse in the Northern Territory. Labor Senator Malarndirri McCarthy also called for the allegations to be reported to the police.
McCarthy mentioned a significant drop in alcohol-related family violence, assault, and hospital attendance since the NT government reinstated alcohol restrictions in January. She urged Dutton not to use Alice Springs as a political football.
Lhere Artepe, representing the Arrernte traditional owners of Alice Springs, was not consulted during Dutton’s visits. Lhere Artepe CEO Graeme Smith found Dutton’s comments “insulting” and demanded proof. Smith questioned Dutton’s visit, noting that Lhere Artepe contributes over $20 million annually to Alice Springs’ economy and employs over 200 staff across its enterprises.
Smith emphasized that as an Arrernte man, he wants a voice to prevent further failed policies affecting Indigenous people’s lives.
