Letter

In response to Is the NT Government knowingly endangering First Nations children?

We must act on Northern Territory outrage

The Northern Territory, like the past to which it belongs, is indeed another country. The barbarity with which children are treated there — incarcerated in large numbers from as young as 10 years old, tortured with spit-hoods and solitary confinement — shames us all. The Gooda/White Royal Commission called for the closure of the Don Dale youth detention centre by 2018 – yet it remains open to this day. The abominations simply continue.

It is a waste of time for “do-gooders from the South” to importune the Territory authorities. I have previously written to all doctor and nurse federal MPs, begging them to find common cause to take action federally – no response.

Apparently, we are powerless to intervene in the affairs of the Territory. Bunkum. If the Territory had an Aboriginal government which was incarcerating and torturing white kids, we would have no difficulty finding a way to intervene.

Many readers of P&I have influence in high places; I implore them to get influencing.

— Richard Barnes from Melbourne