The report Ampe akelyernemane meke mekarle: little children are sacred, released in April 2007, has been the trigger for Australian Government action addressing a number of issues in Indigenous communities in the Northern Territory. There have been widespread political and community responses to both the report and the methods that are being put into place to address ongoing Indigenous disadvantage.
Details of the report and and links to a variety of responses are provided below:
Northern Territory Board of Inquiry into the Protection of Aboriginal Children from Sexual Abuse (2007)
Ampe akelyernemane meke mekarle: little children are sacred.
Darwin: Northern Territory Government
View abstract: HealthBulletin
View summary (PDF – 900KB)
View report (PDF – 6.3MB – large file warning!)
View website: Northern Territory Government
- Further information:
News items and media releases
- Child abuse worse in WA: Brough
View news item: ABC NewsRadio (10 July 2007) - Indigenous intervention plan ‘needs a lot more thought’
View news item: ABC NewsRadio (10 July 2007) - NT Taskforce Operational Commander
View media release:The Hon Mal Brough MP (30 June 2007) - A human rights based approach is vital to address the challenges in Indigenous communities
View media release: Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (26 June 2007) - Noel Pearson Politics aside, an end to the tears is our priority
View article: The Australian (23 June 2007) - Indigenous doctors demand real and long term results in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander kids’ health
View media release: The Australian Indigenous Doctors Association (PDF – 26KB) (22 June 2007) - More suicides, more violence predicted under abuse plan
View news item: ABC NewsRadio (22 June 2007) - PMs actions welcomed
View opinion: ABC NewsRadio (22 June 2007) - Prime Minister told of neglect and abuse in the Territory four years ago, says Chair of Peak Indigenous Children’s Services Body
View media release: Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care Inc (PDF – 44KB) (22 June 2007) - Social Justice Commissioner’s statement on the government’s ‘national emergency’ measures
View media release: Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (22 June 2007) - Indigenous abuse crackdown earns mixed response
View news item: ABC NewsRadio (21 June 2007) - Indigenous child abuse ’emergency’ prompts PM action
View news item: ABC NewsRadio (21 June 2007) - Major commitment welcomed – but the national emergency is not confined to child sexual abuse
View media release: National Rural Health Alliance (PDF – 31KB) (21 June 2007) - National emergency response to protect Aboriginal children in the NT
View media release: The Hon Mal Brough MP (21 June 2007) - Statement by Reconciliation Australia in response to national emergency measures to protect Aboriginal children
View media release: Reconciliation Australia (PDF – 29KB) (21 June 2007) - Aboriginal abuse could wipe out generations
View news item: ABC NewsRadio (16 June 2007) - Child sex abuse rife in Indigenous communities: Report
View news item: ABC NewsRadio (15 June 2007) - ‘Coordination needed’ to combat Indigenous child sex abuse
View news item: ABC NewsRadio (15 June 2007) - Indigenous child abuse a national disgrace: says Brough
View news item: ABC NewsRadio (15 June 2007) - Media release from members of the Board of Inquiry
View media release: NT Government (15 June 2007) - NT Child Abuse Inquiry
View media release: The Hon Mal Brough MP (15 June 2007)
Media transcripts
- Child abuse worse in WA: Brough
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- Child abuse inquiry head criticises Government response – Rex Wild QC, the co-chair of the inquiry into the protection of Aboriginal children on Lateline Business
View transcript: ABC Lateline Business (27 June 2007) - Mal Brough talks to Kerry O’Brien about the intervention plan
View transcript: ABC 7:30 report (27 June 2007) - Police, military arrive in NT for intervention plan
View transcript: ABC 7:30 report (27 June 2007) - Indigenous Affairs Minister Mal Brough speaks to Insiders
View transcript: ABC Insiders (24 June 2007) - Interview:Kevin Rudd
View transcript: Nine MSN Sunday (24 June 2007) - Interview with Prime Minister John Howard
View transcript: Ten Meet the Press (24 June 2007) - Fed Government plans radical overhaul of Aboriginal townships
View transcript: ABC 7:30 report (21 June 2007)
Other information - SNAICC’s response to the federal government’s ‘Emergency response to protect Aboriginal children in NT’
View information - Open letter to The Hon. Mal Brough MP
View letter: Australian Council of Social Service (26 June 2007) - Ian Anderson compares the federal government’s response to the Little Children are Sacred report with the authors’ recommendations
View comment: Australian Policy Online (29 June 2007)
- Child abuse inquiry head criticises Government response – Rex Wild QC, the co-chair of the inquiry into the protection of Aboriginal children on Lateline Business
