NT Treasurer Eva Lawler responds to Peter Dutton abuse comments

A top Territory politician has blasted Peter Dutton and the Voice’s No Campaign in an escalating war of words over child abuse rates in the Top End.

The Northern Territory’s Treasurer has downplayed the issue of child sex abuse in the NT saying children have been sexually abused in Australia since the country was settled.

Eva Lawler was speaking during a panel segment on Darwin radio station Mix FM.

While the panel was discussing Opposition Leader Peter Dutton’s visit to Alice Springs and Mr Dutton’s claim there was widespread child abuse of Indigenous children, Ms Lawler said:

“You know, children have been sexually abused in Australia - we can talk about the Catholic Church - since bloody the place was probably settled.”

Mr Lawler’s comment followed a press conference held by NT Minister for Police and Territory Families Kate Worden where she accused Mr Dutton of engaging in a “dog act” for raising the issue while in Alice Springs.

“It’s a complete dog act to use the most vulnerable people for a political agenda which we know and we can call out as the start of the No Campaign for the Voice,” she said.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton and Senator Jacinta Price in Alice Springs. Picture: Liam Mendes / The Australian

Country Liberal Party Senator Jacinta Price said the minister’s comments were out of line.

“To attempt to downplay it, to call people like our leader Peter Dutton names and suggest it’s a dog act when he’s actually investing time to listen to people on the ground … In order that he might actually be able to work in a bipartisan way with our Prime Minister to overcome some of these issues, is just beyond me,” she told Sky News host Peta Credlin.

Labor Federal MP Marion Scrymgour said Ms Worden should concentrate on doing her job.

“I think that Kate Worden and her department need to do their work,” she told the ABC.

“I think Kate Worden needs to look at her department, at herself, then look at the Act, and to deal with this issue and to deal with it now.”

When contacted about her comments, Ms Lawler said:

“This is an issue that impacts every community around the world, not just the Territory and it’s not just something that developed overnight.

It is incredibly frustrating when Southern politicians who have never cared about the Territory fly in, throw around these criticisms and fly out.

As a government, the care and protection of children is our absolute priority.

If only Peter Dutton cared about Alice Springs when he was in power”.

Matt Cunningham is the Sky News Northern Australia Correspondent.

Originally published as NT Treasurer Eva Lawler responds to Peter Dutton abuse comments