Richard Fejo quits as Chair of Darwin Waterfront in protest of CLP lowering the age

The respected Larrakia elder has resigned from the plum role effective immediately, saying ‘I will not play any part of this’.

Larrakia elder Richard Fejo has resigned as Chair of the Darwin Waterfront Corporation, in protest of the CLP lowering the age of criminal responsibility. Picture: Fia Walsh.

Respected Larrakia elder Richard Fejo has sensationally quit as Chair of the Darwin Waterfront in a stand against the CLP lowering the age of criminal responsibility.

Dr Fejo said “I have to stand with my people” as he handed in his resignation on Monday, effective immediately.

“Today I’ve resigned as the Chairman of Darwin Waterfront Corporation in protest because I will refuse to work for a government who is responsible for locking up 10 year old children,” he said.

“Everyone knows very well Don Dale is full of Aboriginal children.

“I’ll take my place with my people, and am here to make a very clear statement that I will not play any part of this, not in any way, shape or form.”

Dr Richard Fejo and Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro on Anzac Day. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Darwin Waterfront Corporation is a commercial entity of the Department of Tourism and Hospitality, working closely with government under an independent governance structure – including Lia Finocchiaro’s husband, Sam Burke, as deputy chief executive.

The government last month passed legislation that lowered the age of criminal responsibility in the Northern Territory from 12 to 10.

The move reversed changes implemented in late 2022 on the recommendation of the Royal Commission into the Protection and Detention of Children in the NT.

Dr Fejo was appointed Waterfront Chair four years ago. He said he loved the job and had no issue with its staff, Board or management.

“I do consider myself a gentleman, so I’m not going to be doing outrageous things and yelling at politicians and things like that … I’m purely doing this as a passive protest to say, this is not good enough,” Dr Fejo said.

“Everyone knows the statistics, putting our kids in prison is not a solution, in fact it’s going to have the opposite effect – you’re going to turn good kids into bad.

Hospitality Minister Marie-Clare Boothby. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

“This is not good enough for our people, not good for the community.

“We need our community cared for, and my role as a traditional owner is first to my people.”

Indigenous children made up 94 per cent of the NT’s youth prison population in 2022-23, according to the Australia Institute of Health and Welfare.

Tourism and Hospitality Minister Marie-Clare Boothby said “our new laws apply equally to everyone”.

“We make no apologies for introducing stronger laws to make the Territory a safer place,” she said.

“It’s what Territorians voted for in August. If people aren’t doing the wrong thing, they have nothing to worry about.

“Racism has no place in our society.”

Darwin Waterfront Corporation thanked Dr Fejo for his contribution as Chair.

“We wish Richard well for his future endeavours. Darwin Waterfront Corporation Board Members are appointed by the Minister for Tourism and Hospitality,” chief executive Alastair Shields said.