Police admit Tennant Creek child sexual assault probe after MLA blows transparency whistle

A Red Centre politician has forced police to release details of a child sexual assault probe in Tennant Creek. Read how she did it.

Northern Territory independent politician Robyn Lambley has forced police to release details of a child rape investigation.

The independent member for Araluen released a statement to media on Tuesday reflecting the “deep concern” of Central Australia residents worried at the information void around two incidents over the past 10 days.

One involved an alleged sexual assault in Araluen on December 4 which police announced in a media release that day.

The second involved allegations of the rape of a young child in Tennant Creek in recent days.

“I am informed the child was transferred to the Alice Springs Hospital for treatment,” Ms Lambley said.

There has been no public information provided by the NT Police on this alleged sexual assault on a child.

Araluen MLA Robyn Lambley.Photograph: Che Chorley

“The Alice Springs and Tennant Creek communities have a right to be informed of the current status of these alleged sexual assault investigations and most critically if (any) sexual predators are still at large in the community.”

Ms Lambley said NT Police were required under police transparency guidelines to provide information in the interests of public safety for serious incidents such as sexual assaults.

“The two sexual assaults I allude to clearly involve extremely dangerous (alleged) sexual predators,” she said.

“The public has not been informed of whether these (alleged) sexual predators - rapists - have been identified, charged or detained. This is not acceptable in any circumstance.

“I consider withholding information to the public on these cases is in breach of the Police Transparency Guidelines and has the high potentially of placing others at risk.

“Due to the very serious nature of these alleged sexual assaults I am advising the media of my concerns.”

Several hours after Ms Lambley raised her concerns, police issued a media statement confirming both incidents.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull arrives at Tennant Creek airport in 2018.

They confirmed an arrest in relation to the alleged Araluen rape.

A 28-year-old man was arrested by detectives on Tuesday and remains in custody.

He was expected to be charged Tuesday evening with sexual assault, burglary and other offences.

Detective Senior Sergeant Michael Schumacher said the arrest was the result of extensive team work from the Criminal Investigation Branch, Forensics Unit, Community Resilience and Engagement Officer’s and General Duties members.

Police also confirmed an investigation was underway into a child sexual assault in Tennant Creek.

“NT Police are aware of allegations of a child sexual assault,” a spokesman said.

“The matter remains under investigation and no further information will be provided. There is no risk to public safety.”

In 2018, Malcolm Turnbull became the first Prime Minister since 1982 to visit Tennant Creek after a two-year-old girl was raped in the town.

A man was sentenced to 13-years jail for the attack.

It is the second time in three months police transparency has been under the spotlight after accusations by Alice Springs anti-crime campaigner Darren Clarke they failed to disclose details of an alleged domestic violence incident in Alice Springs hospital’s emergency department not long before a woman was killed in a hit-and-run accident.

While the deceased woman had not been involved in a domestic violence incident, Mr Clarke’s intervention exposed that she had been inside the hospital drinking hand sanitiser before being struck by the vehicle.