Call for federal cash to address ‘systemic racism’ in the NT

The NT’s Aboriginal Justice Unit director says more money from the Commonwealth is ‘the only way to make a difference’.

Aboriginal Justice Unit director Leanne Liddle says more money from the Commonwealth is ‘the only way we’re going to make a difference’. Picture: Katrina Bridgeford.

THE director of the Territory’s Aboriginal Justice Unit is calling on the Federal Government to cough up the cash needed to address the “institutionalised, systemic racism” denying Aboriginal Territorians a fair go.

Leanne Liddle said it would take “a lot of money” to implement the recently released draft Aboriginal Justice Agreement and the Territory Government needed the Commonwealth to “play ball”.

• HOW the NT’s justice system is failing indigenous Territorians

Ms Liddle said she wouldn’t be able to put an exact dollar figure on the amount required before the AJA is finalised but it would take “a lot of money”.

“From what I can see and what the history is telling us and what Aboriginal people told us during the consultation is that the Territory Government can deliver what needs to be delivered but we need more money to do that and at the end of the day, we need that commitment from the Commonwealth,” she said.

“We can only do so much here as a government but really there needs to be an investment from the Commonwealth into this space, we can’t do this alone, a lot of the areas we’re looking to reform need the Commonwealth to come and play ball with us and we need them to be at the table.

“That’s the only way we’re going to make a difference, not only in the justice space but those high levels of disadvantage because we just can’t keep going the way we’re going.”

The draft AJA contains 23 strategies aimed at reducing offending and imprisonment rates while improving access to justice for indigenous Territorians and supporting Aboriginal leadership.

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A spokesman for Federal Indigenous Affairs Minister Minister Ken Wyatt said the government was committed to working with states and territories to reduce indigenous incarceration rates and improve justice services.

“Through the national partnership on NT remote Aboriginal investment, the Morrison Government is providing over $975 million over the period 2015-2022, including $370 million towards community safety to improve remote policing, support the safety and wellbeing of children, youth and families and reduce alcohol related harm in the NT,” he said.