NT government announces independent review into child protection system

Friday, 8 May 2026 19:29

The Northern Territory government is set to launch an independent review into its child protection system in the wake of the death of five-year-old Kumanjayi Little Baby.

WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised this story contains the image of a person who is deceased.

The Northern Territory government is set to launch an independent review into its child protection system in the wake of the death of five-year-old Kumanjayi Little Baby.

Minister for Child Protection Robyn Cahill said today the government was "not prepared to accept the status quo" and would announce the scope of the review on Monday.

"Every Territory child deserves to be safe, that is not negotiable," Cahill said.

Northern Territory Minister for Child Protection Robyn Cahill OAM.

"We need to get to the bottom of what's broken and what needs to change."

Cahill said the review would focus on the whole system including the culture, resources, practices and laws.

"Protecting children is central to our plan for a safer, stronger Territory, and there is more work to do," she said.

The announcement comes after three child protection staff members were stood down as the government investigates the circumstances before the discovery of the five-year-old's body.

Vigils were held across Australia last night, including in Alice Springs, to honour the life of the child.

Northern Territory Police executive director of cultural reform Leanne Liddle read out a statement on behalf of the family, which reiterated calls not to politicise Kumanjayi Little Baby's death.

"My baby was special to me, to our family," the family statement said.

"She loved cuddling puppies. She loved playing games on my phone. She loved watching Bluey and Masha and the Bear.

"She loved listening to Rose and Bruno Mars' APT, and Golden by K-Pop Demon Hunters.

"And she loved playing Minecraft with her big brother.

"When she was a little baby, she would smile when she watched Cocomelon.

"She was my little princess, my princess who loved the colour pink.

"She also loved all the colours of the rainbow and when she was older, she loved going to kindy.

"For all these reasons, I ask that her short life not be used by politicians for reasons that do not honour and respect her.

"It is wrong for people to use my pain and sorrow from my loss to cause violence or damage to property or cause injury to police or paramedics like they did last week in Alice Springs.

"We must remember that it was the police and other first responders who searched hard to find my little baby.

"Instead I want my little baby to be remembered as a pretty girl in pink."

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