Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has offered the family of Kumanjayi Little Baby the nation's support during their unbearable grief, while also taking aim at the Northern Territory government.
The five-year-old, known as Kumanjayi Little Baby in line with cultural customs, was found dead in scrubland on April 30. A 47-year-old man has been charged with her murder.
Mr Albanese met with the girl's mother and grandparents in Alice Springs on Wednesday, also visiting Old Timers Camp to lay flowers at her memorial.
'It was mainly an opportunity just to say to the family that the nation stands with them. They are not alone,' Mr Albanese told reporters. 'They are trying to bear their way through this with dignity,' he said.
He also criticised the failure to improve living situations in remote Aboriginal communities. 'Clearly, the Northern Territory government have had responsibility since 2012 for the town camps. Clearly, there's a need to do better to make sure that the living conditions are improved,' he said.
Mr Albanese added: 'I would say to the Northern Territory government that you'll get better outcomes if you have an inclusive approach and you have buy-in to these issues. We'll work constructively with them, but they also need to work respectfully with the local community, with the family, and need to make sure they involve First Nations people as well in this local community to work through these issues in the most constructive way possible.'
The Prime Minister noted the community's support for Kumanjayi Little Baby's family, including messages from Australians nationwide. 'They're proud of their much loved daughter and granddaughter of who she was, but there's also a sense of regret that she won't get to be the young woman and woman that she should have become,' he said.
Mr Albanese thanked the hundreds of workers and volunteers who searched for the girl. He was joined by Indigenous Affairs Minister Malarndirri McCarthy and remote communities special envoy Marion Scrymgour.
Kumanjayi Little Baby's death sparked riots in Alice Springs as hundreds gathered outside the hospital where her accused murderer was being treated. The mob demanded the man be brought out for their own brand of justice. Cars were set alight, projectiles thrown at police, and a convenience store looted. Police evacuated the man to Darwin for his safety. He is yet to enter a plea to the murder charge.
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