ASU Calls on NT Government to Withdraw Care and Protection of Children Law Changes
13 May 2026
The Australian Services Union SA + NT Branch is deeply concerned by the Northern Territory Government’s move to amend the Care and Protection of Children Act 2007 (NT) without meaningful consultation with Aboriginal organisations, the community sector and frontline workers.
We echo concerns that pursuing major legislative change while simultaneously beginning an inquiry into the child protection system risks undermining efforts to understand what is failing children and families.
We are also concerned the proposed inquiry appears heavily weighted toward policing and compliance perspectives rather than expertise in child safety, prevention and family support.
The proposed legislative amendments are not supported by evidence about what improves long-term outcomes for children. Research and frontline experience show that removing children from family, community and culture can itself cause lifelong harm, particularly when governments fail to invest in prevention, early intervention, housing and family support services.
Keeping children safe requires evidence-based responses that strengthen families and address the drivers of harm. Rushed legislative changes focused on permanent removal, without adequate investment in prevention and support services, risk repeating the very failures the Government says it wants to address.
Successive inquiries and reviews have already identified many systemic failures affecting children and families in the Northern Territory, yet key recommendations around prevention, housing and community-led supports remain under-implemented.
As the union representing workers across the legal, social and community services sector, we know children and families achieve better outcomes when governments invest in culturally safe supports, stable housing and properly resourced community services.
The Government cannot continue responding to systemic failure with rushed legislative change while failing to invest in the services and early intervention supports children and families need. We call on the NT Government to withdraw any amendments until genuine consultation and evidence-based reform can occur.