Indigenous Affairs Minister Nigel Scullion has apologised for the horrific mistreatment of the Northern Territory’s juvenile detainees at Don Dale youth detention centre, which was revealed by Four Corners earlier this week.
Speaking at the Garma Festival, taking place in Arnhem Land and marking forty years of the Aboriginal Land Rights Act, Scullion said “I’m sorry I wasn’t aware of the full circumstances that were exposed this week.”
“I must be better informed about such matters, particularly when the vast majority of youths held in detention in the NT are indigenous…”There can never be any excuse for authorities entrusted with the welfare of children held in custody meting out brutality to these same children.”
Of course, the fact it took an external media investigation to bring this issue to the minister’s attention is also worth considering. Earlier, Scullion said the Northern Territory Commissioner’s review of the Don Dale hadn’t adequately “piqued his interest”, hence his apparent obliviousness.
Amazing scenes in Melbourne, demanding: #handsoffaboriginalkids
(Via @TheRealEwbank) pic.twitter.com/M2Dd1AgeRp— Van Badham (@vanbadham) July 30, 2016
The royal commission is expected to kick off in September.
Source: news.com.au / ABC / The Australian.
Photo: Gaye Demanuele / Twitter.
