NT slammed for harming its children

THE age of criminal responsibility should be increased from 10 to 12 and the notorious Don Dale Youth Justice Centre shut, the NT royal commission has found.

Tabled in Canberra yesterday, the commission’s final report provides a road map for improving the Territory’s broken youth justice system.

Recommendations include a direction to establish a children’s court, increase therapeutic approaches in youth justice, create a new early intervention program and allow children under 14 years to be detained only for serious crimes.

The commission found the Territory detention centre “failed to comply with basic binding human rights standards” in its treatment of children.

Commissioners Margaret White and Mick Gooda said the system had failed.

“Only fundamental change and decisive action will break the seemingly inevitable cycle we have found of many children in care continuing to progress into the youth justice system and detention,” they said.

“Perpetuating a failed system that hardens young people, does not reduce re-offending and fails to rehabilitate young lives and set them on a new course is a step backwards.

“The failures we have identified have cost children and families greatly, they have not made communities safer and they are shocking.”

In response to the report, NT Chief Minister Michael Gunner formally apologised for the system’s failure and the harm done to children.

“It will live as a stain on the reputation of the Northern Territory,” he said.

“I am sorry. I am sorry for the stories that will live on in those children that were in our care.”

Mr Gunner has said he will not sign a “blank cheque” to fulfil the recommendations, though Labor has committed to replacing the centre.

The Territory is hoping the Federal Government will help cover the cost of the bigticket infrastructure items.

The commission was called by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull last year after shocking footage of boys being shackled and and forced to wear spithoods was aired on the ABC in July.

Mr Turnbull has said the Federal Government will consider the recommendations, as many of them will have wider implications for all jurisdictions.