Peter Dutton calls for royal commission into sexual abuse in Aboriginal communities

Northern Territory Chief Minister accuses Peter Dutton of using Aboriginal children as a ‘political football’ amid Royal Commission calls over ‘rampant’ sex abuse of children.

The Federal Opposition leader has been accused of using “Aboriginal children as a political football” amid new calls for a royal commission.

Peter Dutton has called for a royal commission to examine child sexual abuse in Indigenous communities.

It comes a week after his visit to Alice Springs in the Northern Territory.

“Women and mothers despairingly told us about rampant child sexual abuse,” Mr Dutton told parliament on Thursday.

“What’s happening on the fringe of communities is abominable.

“Children are sleeping during the day and missing out on classes to avoid being at home during the hours of darkness in fear of being sexually abused or assaulted.”

Mr Dutton said the proposal to specifically investigate Indigenous communities was “not about creating another Stolen Generation”.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton delivered his budget reply speech in the House of Representatives in Parliament House in Canberra. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

“The absolute tragedy of the Stolen Generations is that children were taken from safe and loving homes,” he said.

“Today, conversely, authorities are not removing children from homes where they are being harmed and abused.

“It’s about preventing a new generation from having their lives and aspirations stolen.”

Mr Dutton said the Coalition would support “immediate action” from both the federal and Northern Territory governments.

Indigenous Australians Minister Linda Burney said Labor had committed to $1.7bn in “concrete actions” to address violence against women and children.

“As a First Nations woman with decades of experience in education and child protection, I know the best way to protect children is to work with communities,” Ms Burney said in a tweet.

As a First Nations woman with decades of experience in education and child protection, I know the best way to protect children is to work with communities.

No matter where you live, our children have the right to grow up safe and healthy.

— Linda Burney MP (@LindaBurneyMP) October 27, 2022

The number of child abuse allegations has increased since the 2017 Royal Commission into the Protection and Detention of Children in the Northern Territory.

The latest Territory Families annual report said there were 28,304 child protection notifications received in 2020-21, an 11 per cent increase compared to the previous year.

Investigators confirmed 1799 Territory children had suffered harm, which includes neglect and emotional, physical or sexual abuse.

Northern Territory Chief Minister Natasha Fyles dismissed Mr Dutton’s new Royal Commission calls as a political stunt.

Northern Territory Chief Minister Natasha Fyles dismissed Mr Dutton’s Royal Commission calls as a political stunt. Picture: Floss Adams.

“It is disappointing to see the Federal Opposition leader stoop so low to use Aboriginal children as a political football,” Ms Fyles said.

She said the Territory had carried the weight of child protection reforms following the 2017 Royal Commission.

“That inquiry included our child protection system which has undergone significant reform since 2017 with absolutely no support from Mr Dutton or the previous Coalition government,” Ms Fyles said.

“While the Territory has spent $229m to implement the Royal Commission’s recommendations, the previous federal government – including Peter Dutton – contributed nothing.

“They wiped their hands of responsibility and walked away.

“Mr Dutton did not care about Aboriginal children when he was in government and could have helped make a difference – now he’s in opposition, it’s too late.”