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Crisis of First Nations children in care will worsen under NT child protection reforms, advocates warn

13 May 2026 at 02:53

Legal and child advocates have criticised the changes, which include eroding the Aboriginal child placement principle, as ‘dangerous, ignorant and wrong’

The Northern Territory government is removing a protection introduced to avoid a repeat of the Stolen Generation as part of sweeping reforms to the child protection system.

The draft legislation was revealed alongside details of a major review into the Territory’s child protection system, announced in the wake of the high-profile death of five-year-old Kumanjayi Little Baby in Alice Springs.

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© Photograph: Rhett Hammerton/EPA

© Photograph: Rhett Hammerton/EPA

© Photograph: Rhett Hammerton/EPA

Mother of Kumanjayi Little Baby asks politicians not to leverage child’s death: ‘My heart is broken into a million pieces’

Labor introduced condolence motions in parliament on Tuesday to honour the five-year-old who was allegedly murdered in Alice Springs last month

The mother of Kumanjayi Little Baby has directly asked politicians not to use the death of her daughter for “reasons that do not honour and respect my baby girl”.

In a statement read out by the minister for Indigenous Australians, Malarndirri McCarthy, in a condolence motion for the five-year-old Warlpiri girl in the Senate on Tuesday, the girl’s mother, who has not been named for her own safety, asked that her child not be used for political gain.

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© Photograph: Lukas Coch/AAP

© Photograph: Lukas Coch/AAP

© Photograph: Lukas Coch/AAP

Kumanjayi Little Baby: Advocates say five-year-old’s death ‘should not be politicised’ as hundreds gather at vigils

7 May 2026 at 10:42

Crowds were invited to stand in silent solidarity with the family of the Warlpiri girl who was allegedly murdered in Alice Springs last week

The national body representing First Nations children has called for an end to the politicisation of the death of Kumanjayi Little Baby, as hundreds of people gathered around the country to mourn her passing.

Community vigils were held across Australia on Thursday to honour the five-year-old Warlpiri girl, whose body was found one week ago after a frantic five-day search.

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© Photograph: Rhett Hammerton/AAP

© Photograph: Rhett Hammerton/AAP

© Photograph: Rhett Hammerton/AAP

Jefferson Lewis excused from appearing in court over alleged murder of Kumanjayi Little Baby

5 May 2026 at 07:53

Lewis, 47, did not appear at first hearing since being charged over death of girl, 5, who was allegedly abducted from an Alice Springs town camp

  • Warning: This article contains references to Indigenous Australians who have died

Jefferson Lewis, the man accused of murdering five-year-old Kumanjayi Little Baby near a town camp on the outskirts of Alice Springs in the Northern Territory last week, has been excused from his first court appearance.

Lewis, 47, was expected to appear in the Alice Springs local court via video link on Tuesday morning, charged with murder and two other charges that cannot be published for legal reasons.

Indigenous Australians can call 13YARN on 13 92 76 for information and crisis support; or call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Mensline on 1300 789 978

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© Photograph: Darren England/AAP

© Photograph: Darren England/AAP

© Photograph: Darren England/AAP

Unrest in Alice Springs after Jefferson Lewis arrested over death of Kumanjayi Little Baby

30 April 2026 at 21:23

Dozens of people gather outside hospital where 47-year-old was being treated five days after the five-year-old girl disappeared

Warning: This article contains references to and images of Indigenous Australians who have died

An angry crowd has clashed with police outside a hospital in Alice Springs where a 47-year-old man arrested by police in connection with the death of five-year-old Kumanjayi Little Baby was being treated.

Council workers were assessing the damage on Friday morning, as fires smouldered in skip bins and a nearby service station had been pulled apart.

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© Photograph: Rhett Hammerton/AAP

© Photograph: Rhett Hammerton/AAP

© Photograph: Rhett Hammerton/AAP

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