The Northern Territory's corrections department is facing serious allegations after it was revealed that children are being moved between youth detention centres without their parents or guardians being notified.
This controversial practice, which has been occurring since at least November 2024, came to light during a heated question time in the NT Parliament, where independent member for Johnston Justine Davis challenged Corrections Minister Gerard Maley.
Political Confrontation Reveals Policy Gap
Ms Davis raised concerns after receiving reports of children seemingly 'vanishing' between facilities, particularly following the closure of the school at Alice Springs Youth Detention Centre. Her suspicions were partially confirmed when Minister Maley acknowledged that transfers were happening, though he notably avoided clarifying whether notification policies had changed.
The exchange turned contentious, with Ms Davis noting there was 'laughter from the other side of the chamber' as she pressed the minister for answers. She directly questioned whether the government had altered critical policy regarding transferring young people from Alice Springs to the Holtze Youth Detention Centre in Darwin, specifically regarding parental notification.
Minister Shifts Responsibility to Families
In a response that has drawn criticism, Mr Maley deflected the specific question and instead placed the onus on parents. He insisted that parents have the 'personal responsibility' of knowing where their children are, questioning how they could be unaware of their child's court proceedings and detention status.
'If they did not know about it, maybe it is back to personal responsibility,' the minister told parliament, a statement that has since sparked outrage among affected families and opposition politicians.
Department Confirms Legal Loophole
The Department of Corrections subsequently confirmed to media that while they attempt to notify 'relevant adults' during transfers, there is no legal requirement in the Northern Territory to inform guardians, parents, or direct family members when children are moved between correctional facilities.
However, the department stressed that 'significant effort is made by Youth Justice staff for a detainee's parent or caregiver to be informed' before any such move occurs.
The political fallout continues to grow, with Shadow Attorney-General Chansey Paech revealing he has been 'inundated' with messages from distressed families who don't know where their children are being held. He has called on the government to be honest about its transfer policies regarding youth detainees.
