Media Releases
Australian National Preventive Mechanism Joint Statement on Federal Budget 2025
27 Mar 2025
ANZCCGA Media Statement on action required to address child sexual abuse
03 Mar 2025
OCC Media Release Care and Protection of Children Act 2007 Amendment Bill 2025
20 Jan 2025
ANZCCGA media release on social media ban
02 Dec 2024
Top children’s officials call for a rethink of social media ban
ANZCCGA joint statement on the social media ban for children and young people
02 Dec 2024
Australian NPM joint statement - reintroduction of spit hood use on children in the NT
18 Oct 2024
Proposed Curfew Laws
16 May 2024
NT Children’s Commissioner Shahleena Musk responds to proposed new curfew laws tabled in Parliament.
Responses to Young People in Alice Springs
28 Mar 2024
The Office of the Children’s Commissioner (OCC) holds serious concerns regarding the declaration of an emergency situation in Alice Springs and the announcement of a curfew in the Alice Springs CBD for only children under 18 years old.
Alice Springs Youth Detention Centre Opening
21 Feb 2024
NT Children’s Commissioner Shahleena Musk welcomes the opening of the newly refurbished Alice Springs Youth Detention Centre (ASYDC) in line with recommendations from the 2017 Royal Commission.
Footage of Tennant Creek child restrained and threatened to be killed
07 Oct 2023
Acting Children’s Commissioner Nicole Hucks condemns the unauthorised use of force to restrain children in the Northern Territory. The Commissioner holds grave concerns regarding recent footage released by the NT Independent appearing to show Barkly Regional Council Mayor Jeffery McLaughlin restraining a young child while other adults threaten the child’s life.
WA, SA & NT Children’s Commissioners and Guardians call for united approach to child safety
09 Aug 2023
The WA Commissioner for Children and Young People Jacqueline McGowan-Jones, SA Guardian for Children and Young People, Shona Reid, and A/ Children’s Commissioner of the NT, Nicole Hucks will meet with NPY Women’s Council (NPYWC) this week in Alice Springs.
Northern Territory raise the age of criminal responsibility
01 Aug 2023
The Office of the Children’s Commissioner (OCC) acknowledges that the Northern Territory has today become the first jurisdiction in Australia to raise the age of criminal responsibility to 12 years of age. The OCC calls on the NT Government to go further with this evidence based approach to youth justice as the facts are clear.
OCC Inquiry into transfer of young people from Alice Springs Youth Detention Centre
12 Jul 2023
The A/ Children’s Commissioner, Nicole Hucks has notified NT Government Ministers and relevant agencies of her decision to undertake an inquiry into the adequacy of planning and implementation of the transfer of young people from Alice Springs Youth Detention Centre (ASYDC) to Don Dale Youth Detention Centre (DDYDC).
Safety and wellbeing of Aboriginal children in the Northern Territory
17 Apr 2023
In the Northern Territory (NT), you must report your concerns if you believe a child is being, or has been, harmed or abused. This is a legal responsibility under the Care and Protection of Children Act (2007).