STATEMENT SHADOW ATTORNEY- GENERAL - CLP PUBERTY BLOCKER BAN LEAVES CHILDREN AND FAMILIES IN LIMBO

Thursday, 5 February 2026 Parliament exists for scrutiny, not silence, but that’s what the CLP has dished up this week. For the past three days in Parliament, the CLP has blocked questions and shut down debate, avoiding accountability for the Chief Minister’s poor choice appointing the Northern Territory Administrator. For three days, questions have been asked on behalf of Territorians about the vetting of this appointment and offensive public comments about women, First Nations people and LGBTIQ+ Territorians. These questions go to whether the Chief Minister’s choice for Administrator meets the most basic standards of integrity expected by the community. The CLP needs to stop avoiding scrutiny, admit this is a bad call, and answer up.  This role belongs to the Territory, not the government of the day. It must stand up to scrutiny, not be hidden from it. Territorians deserve answers.

Wednesday, 4 February 2026 Territorians are under real pressure right now, with rising bills, record-high rents and everyday costs making it harder to get by.  Households across the Northern Territory are being forced to make tough choices just to cover the basics. Which is why the Labor Opposition will be fighting for: Cost of living relief Safe affordable housing A health system that works Education training and local jobs Stronger outcomes for Aboriginal Territorians After more than 520 days in Government, Territorians are still waiting to see real cost of living relief, with fuel prices, airfares and new fees on nursing students adding to the pressure on households. Costs are also being pushed onto local councils, which means more pressure on ratepayers and fewer resources for local services. The housing crisis is hitting communities from Darwin to Alice Springs, Katherine, Tennant Creek and remote communities, with fewer new homes and the CLP walking away from national housing targets. Failures to properly invest in public housing are leaving too many people without safe, secure and affordable places to live. The health system is under serious strain, with longer emergency wait times, growing surgery backlogs and worsening staff shortages, leaving families waiting longer and frontline workers under even more pressure. While these health strains are impacting all Territorians, the CLP has prioritised spending on prisons over hospitals, clinics and maternity services, and that is a clear choice that is hurting Territorians. Territorians deserve lower bills, more homes being built, shorter waits in hospitals and real relief from rising living costs. That is what will be fought for and that is what Territorians should expect to see delivered.

Thursday, 29 January 2026 The latest findings of the NT Children’s Commissioner lay bare a system that is failing Territory children and the Territory community. Too many children are being funnelled from trauma and family violence into the youth justice system instead of receiving care, protection and support. Recent reporting from the Commissioner clearly exposes the direct links between child protection involvement, family and domestic violence, poor mental health and youth detention. This confirms what families and communities have been saying for years - there is little protection or justice for children in our systems. The report shows a clear pipeline from family violence, trauma and child protection into youth detention. Most children in detention are Aboriginal, with many being held on remand. Many have already been in care and exposed to serious harm. The Commissioner has also warned that removing children from their communities and detaining them far from family and culture undermines rehabilitation and deepens trauma, particularly for Aboriginal children. This is not about bad kids. It is about a system that steps in too late and responds with punishment instead of providing support when it matters most. The CLP Government’s tough on crime approach is not fixing the problem. It is making it worse by locking up traumatised children instead of investing early in families, mental health and community-led support. Real reform means shifting from punishment to prevention. The CLP Government must change course now and invest in what we know actually works to protect children and make safer communities for everyone. Early family-based support Culturally safe Aboriginal-led services Proper mental health care for children Keeping kids connected to family, culture and Country Increased support for the Children's Commissioner to investigate, report and make recommendations Quotes attributable to Shadow Minister for the Attorney General Chansey Paech “What we are seeing is a system that steps in too late and then relies on detention instead of support. When children miss out on help early, they are far more likely to end up in the youth justice system, and that is exactly what this report shows.” “The CLP’s tough on crime approach is not delivering better outcomes for kids or for the community. Locking up traumatised children instead of investing in early intervention and family support is not solving the problem, it is entrenching it.”  “Kids are not the problem, the system is, and while the CLP refuses to change course, Territory children will keep paying the price."

Friday, 23 January 2026 It has been several days since Territorians have heard from Lia Finocchiaro, despite growing concerns surrounding the appointment of Mr David Connolly as Administrator of the Northern Territory. Community leaders and Territorians remain deeply concerned about whether he can represent all people with the respect and bi-partisanship the Office of the Administrator is expected to fulfil. For one of the most significant appointments in the Territory, the Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro saying she was unaware of these issues is simply not good enough. This is no longer just about one individual. It is about the Chief Minister’s flawed judgment and whether proper processes were followed. I have requested a full briefing with the Chief Minister on how this appointment was vetted, what checks were undertaken, and how his past public comments were missed in the vetting process. Territorians are entitled to know whether this was a failure of process or a failure of leadership – or both. The role of Administrator is meant to reflect the values of the whole Territory. It requires deep understanding and respect of our communities, our diversity and the lived experiences of people right across the Northern Territory. Territorians are entitled to ask whether Lia Finocchiaro properly considered what level of experience and understanding of the broader Territory is required for this important role. Finocchiaro’s silence is not leadership. Territorians deserve answers, accountability and transparency. There is a clear pattern growing when concerns from the community are expressed about the CLP Government, Lia Finocchiaro is no where to be seen.  Confidence in this appointment has been badly damaged. Lia Finocchiaro must front up, explain how this was allowed to happen, and take responsibility for restoring trust in the integrity of the Administrator’s office.

Sunday, 18 January 2026 The Chief Minister must immediately reconsider her decision to appoint David Connolly as Administrator of the Northern Territory. Mr Connolly is undoubtedly a strong advocate for our cattle industry. However, the role of Administrator is to bring the Territory together and represent all Territorians with integrity, respect and political neutrality. Public comments attributed to Mr Connolly have raised serious questions about whether he can meet those standards and carry out the role in a way that unites the community. Lia Finocchiaro says she was unaware of these matters at the time of appointment. If that is the case, it raises serious concerns about the due diligence undertaken before this decision was made. The Chief Minister is certainly aware now of these public comments and must act. The responsible course of action is clear. This appointment should be put on hold and reviewed. I have written to the Governor-General outlining these concerns and requesting that further advice be sought in light of recent reports.  The Northern Territory’s greatest strength is our diversity and our inclusiveness, our ability to stand together and support each other. Territorians deserve an Administrator who brings people together and reflects the values of respect and inclusion.

Thursday, 27 November 2025 The Labor Opposition is calling on the CLP Government to release full details of its Banned Drinkers Register Review and provide a clear timeline for action on the Taskforce’s recommendations. A motion moved in Parliament today highlights that the Review undertaken by the CLP’s own Alcohol Policy Taskforce made up of NT Health, Licensing NT, the Department of the Attorney-General and Justice and NT Police has recommended a number of significant changes, including: Enforceable undertakings requiring on-premises ID scanning for licensees who repeatedly breach liquor licence conditions. An opt-in ID-scanning system for clubs choosing to participate.  Broader data-sharing arrangements between agencies and increased training for authorised personnel. The CLP went to the 2024 election promising this review. More than a year on, Territorians have no idea if the Government intends to implement its own recommendations. The motion calls on the Minister for Alcohol Policy to table a Ministerial Report by 12 March 2026, outlining: Progress on implementing all recommendations arising from the Review; and A timeline for any legislation needed to give effect to the Taskforce’s work. Territorians deserve transparency. If the CLP is serious about tackling alcohol-fuelled harm, it must show how and when it plans to act on the findings of its own review.

Thursday, 27 November 2025 Territorians deserve to feel safe in their homes, on our buses and in every part of our community. This rushed Bill runs the risk of making the community less safe and creating a second, cheaper class of Constable, who will be denied the same training, support, pay and conditions as other police officers. The CLP is pushing barely trained officers into volatile situations with guns and tasers. This model is not safe enough for our community, and it is not responsible enough to support. Frontline workers and Territorians carry the greatest risk when governments chase headlines. Key concerns include: • Training that is dangerously short, officers will be armed with guns after only 18 weeks. • No clarity on pay and conditions, raising real concerns about how these officers will be supported. • High-risk powers in inexperienced hands, officers will face volatile incidents without constable-level training. • Greater risk in mental health emergencies, people in crisis will encounter armed officers instead of clinicians. • Serious gaps in body-worn camera protections, sensitive footage could be shared without firm safeguards. • Weakened vetting standards, people previously ruled out could now be recruited. • No transparency on cost, Territorians still do not know what this will cost or how it will be funded. • A rushed and chaotic rollout, stakeholders were sidelined, and critical safety details are unresolved. Territorians deserve evidence-based solutions that tackle the causes of crime. Mental health co-responders, domestic violence teams, stable housing and strong alcohol policy make communities safer. These programs prevent violence before it happens and reduce pressure on police. They deliver real safety and real stability where it matters.  The CLP has ignored these solutions and chosen the fastest headline instead of the safest plan. This Bill is unsafe, unprepared and the under resourced for the Territory.

Wednesday, 26 November 2025 The Chief Minister owes Territorians an explanation for relief payments that sound good on paper but help almost no one. The one-off Immediate Hardship Grant payments offering $309 per child, $611 per adult and $1537 per family are meant to help people across the Top End impacted by Cyclone Fina with the cost of basic needs including food, transport, medical supplies and clothing. However, the criteria for Immediate Hardship Grant payments are only available to people who were evacuated during the cyclone, which rules out nearly every single person impacted by Fina. People who went to an emergency cyclone shelter are also ineligible. These relief payments have been purposely designed to knock out a majority of Territorians in their biggest time of need. A small number of affected households who have had their power out for 72 hours or more will be able to access a $250 payment, the same amount as was made available following Cyclone Marcus 7 years ago, despite rising cost of living expenses. While the Commonwealth provides funding support towards these relief payments it is the NT Government that determines what assistance measures will be activated, and the areas in which they will be made available. It is beyond belief that the CLP Government made clear decisions around not evacuating people from places like Minjilang and the Tiwi Islands, which were smashed by the cyclone, and then turns around and says only people who were evacuated are eligible for a relief payment. Not a single Territorian was evacuated prior to or during Cyclone Fina as directed by the CLP Government. Member for Arafura, Manuel Brown has been receiving endless calls and emails from constituents on the Tiwi Islands who are confused, distressed and upset about the Government’s lack of care for them in the wake of the cyclone. Darwin residents are feeling the same. NT Police, Fire and Emergency Services, Power and Water and other agencies have done an outstanding job of supporting communities.  It’s a shame the CLP Government have abandoned the very Territorians they are elected to represent.

Tuesday, 25 November 2025 The CLP’s Integrity and Ethics Commissioner Bill is a step backwards for transparency and accountability in the Northern Territory. The Bill collapses four independent oversight bodies the ICAC, Ombudsman, Information Commissioner and Health and Community Services Complaints Commissioner into a single office. The NT Opposition has the following concerns about the proposed new body in Parliament today: A single Commissioner would control investigations, complaints and integrity functions across all four agencies, creating major and unavoidable conflict-of-interest risks. The Government has provided no explanation for how one Commissioner can credibly manage the workload and complexity of four agencies. Each existing integrity body has been found to be under-resourced and under-funded, yet no additional resources are being provided for this new mega-agency. The Chief Minister claims the mega-agency is not a cost-cutting exercise, yet her own review identifies ‘economies of scale’ as the primary benefit, with no detail on budget or costings. The Government refused to send the Bill to its own Scrutiny Committee, providing no opportunity for the Bill to be fully considered by the community or stakeholders. It is not clear what influence or decision-making the new CEO position, to be filled by a public servant, will have over the Commission’s integrity operations. It is not clear whether staff of the Commission report to the Commissioner or the CEO. This is a significant change to the way public sector integrity and accountability is monitored and upheld. The fact that the Chief Minister refused to send this Bill to the Scrutiny Committee is beyond ironic. It is yet another example of this Government refusing to be upfront and honest with Territorians about changes that significantly impact them, and their real motives for making these changes. This Bill reduces oversight and opens up serious conflict of interest concerns at a time when Territorians expect stronger integrity protections, not weaker ones. The Government has failed to demonstrate how its model will maintain independence or improve accountability. Labor is calling for a mandatory 12-month report back to Parliament so Territorians can see the real impact of these changes. Oversight must be robust, independent and open to public scrutiny.  Any appointments to the Commissioner, CEO and Inspector roles must be open, transparent and merit based. Territorians deserve integrity positions filled on competence, not political convenience.