Calls for national action on justice reforms as Joint Council on Closing the Gap meets in Darwin

The commonwealth will ‘remind’ the CLP of its commitment to close the gap on justice outcomes for Aboriginal Territorians, amid calls for funding to be tied to reforms.

Indigenous Australians Minister Malarndirri McCarthy, Coalition of Peaks lead convener Scott Wilson, and members of the Coalition of Peaks at the Darwin Convention Centre on Friday, June 20, 2025, ahead of a meeting of the Joint Council on Closing the Gap. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

The federal Indigenous Australians Minister will “remind” the Northern Territory government of its commitment to close the gap on justice outcomes for Aboriginal Territorians, amid calls for the commonwealth to force reforms around deaths in custody and youth detention.

In the wake of two recent NT Aboriginal deaths in custody, Minister Malarndirri McCarthy said states and territories had to take “full responsibility” for outcomes in areas under their jurisdiction – such as law and order – but did not detail how or if they would be held to account.

Representatives of Indigenous peak bodies from across the country along with Indigenous affairs ministers from each state, territory, and federal government gathered in Darwin on Friday for significant talks on the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.

Coalition of Peaks lead convener Scott Wilson. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Coalition of Peaks acting lead convener Scott Wilson said youth detention and out of home care would be a key focus of the meeting.

He called for more federal leadership in pressuring policymakers to deliver on what they signed up for under the National Agreement, such as by tying commonwealth funding to reforms.

“Our kids are harmed by the system that should protect them,” Mr Wilson said.

“We’re calling for a co-designed national strategy that addresses the drivers of youth detention and out of home care – that is poverty, unstable housing, racism and lack of access to services.

“Governments can’t keep working in silos, progress depends on cross government co-ordinated leadership and suitable investment.

“Locking up 10-year-old kids isn’t justice – it’s a failure of policy and compassion. We expect the commonwealth to lead on this.

“We must acknowledge that deaths in custody and mass incarcerations are not accidents. They’re outcomes of a system that needs deep systemic change.”

The Joint Council on Closing the Gap attend a welcome to country at the start of Friday’s meeting. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Tensions between Minister McCarthy and the NT Chief Minister have risen following the death in custody of Kumanjayi White in Alice Springs last month.

Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro accused Ms McCarthy of politicising the death and disrespecting NT Police through her “frankly appalling” calls for an independent investigation.

Speaking on Friday Ms McCarthy said the Commonwealth saw deaths in custody as a “very serious” issue, and it would also be raised at an upcoming meeting of the nation’s Attorneys-General.

“It is important that we see a reduction and end to deaths in custody. We are looking at what’s happening here in the Northern Territory – it is a concern,” she said.

“Everyone here has signed up to the National Agreement, including the Northern Territory, and the Northern Territory will be reminded of that again today.”

Originally published as Calls for national action on justice reforms as Joint Council on Closing the Gap meets in Darwin