NT Government Criticized for Not Attending Racism Inquiry

The article was written by Oliver Chaseling.

The topic is racism.

It was published on Thu 16 Jul 2026 at 7:37pm.

A federal inquiry into racism against Aboriginal people was held in Darwin.

In short, the inquiry looked at racism against Aboriginal people.

The inquiry heard about systemic racism in the Northern Territory.

The NT government was criticized for not attending the inquiry.

What's next is that the committee will go to Alice Springs tomorrow.

The inquiry heard about systemic racism in Northern Territory courts and hospitals.

The federal inquiry was started after an alleged terror attack on First Nations people in Perth.

The NT government did not attend the inquiry, which was criticized by many.

Jana Stewart said the NT government did not give a reason for not attending.

All state and territory governments were invited to attend, but the NT government did not.

The NT government was led by Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro and was criticized for not attending.

Committee member Andrew Gee said the NT government's absence showed contempt for the federal parliament.

Gee said the Australian parliament's processes need to be taken seriously.

Many witnesses criticized the NT government's absence, including Matthew Ryan, who called it 'ignorant and racist'.

Matt Ryan said the NT government's absence showed it was 'ignorant and racist'.

The NT government was asked to comment but did not respond.

There has been an increase in online hate since the Voice to Parliament referendum.

Larrakia Nation chair Michael Rotumah said he saw more racial hatred on social media.

Rotumah said people do not say racist things to his face, but they do online.

The inquiry heard similar stories when it was in Perth.

The alleged terrorist attack in Perth led to the inquiry into racism.

NLC representatives said social media posts about Aboriginal people get many racist comments.

NLC chief executive Yuseph Deen said racist comments hurt young Aboriginal people's sense of identity.

Yuseph Deen said seeing racist comments online damages Aboriginal children's sense of belonging.

Michael Rotumah said social media companies need to do more to stop racial vilification.

Rotumah suggested a similar approach to the social media ban for under-16s.

Rotumah asked the government to implement something to stop racism on social media.

There were calls for an independent body to tackle institutional racism.

Witnesses spoke about examples of institutional racism in the Northern Territory.

Examples included the sentencing of Jake Danby and the slow flood recovery in the Daly River region.

Jake Danby's sentence was extended on appeal, and he will serve two years in home detention.

Rob McPhee said the NT government's policy of fining parents for their children's non-attendance at school was an example of 'subtle structural racism'.

McPhee said laws that affect only Aboriginal people are considered okay, but they are not.

Many witnesses recommended an independent statutory body to eliminate racism.

The NT government was criticized for its response to the flooding in Daly River.

Rob McPhee said the independent body could help health services by setting standards and penalties.

McPhee said hospitals should be required to show they are delivering cultural competency training.

There is no way to measure if hospitals are doing this, and there are no consequences if they do not.

Larrakia elder Eric Fejo called on the committee to take action.

Fejo said the committee members need to do their job and help Aboriginal people.

Fejo said he has been to many inquiries, but nothing has changed.

It was published on Thu 16 Jul 2026 at 7:37pm.

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