The Northern Territory government has responded to the suspension of seven independent experts from the Northern Territory Justice Policy Partnership (NTJPP) by stating there will be "no more coddling criminals, no more talk-fests, and no more identity politics." Attorney general Marie-Clare Boothby made the remarks on Friday, defending the Country Liberal Party (CLP) government's approach to justice reform.
Justice experts suspend participation over ignored advice
In a formal letter sent on Thursday night, seven members of the NTJPP announced they would suspend their participation for six months, citing "a breakdown in genuine dialogue, partnership and shared decision-making." The panel, established in 2023 under the Closing the Gap agreement, was tasked with developing practical, evidence-based solutions to address the over-representation of First Nations adults and young people in the justice system.
An eighth member resigned independently on Thursday, and a ninth resigned in July, leaving only one member remaining. The decision follows two weeks after the resignation of Yolgnu independent MP Yiŋiya Guyula, the fourth high-profile resignation since the CLP swept into government in 2024.
Government accused of ignoring advice and breaking partnership commitments
The non-governmental members said they had yet to receive an adequate response to letters sent in October 2024 and May 2025, which raised serious concerns about progress toward Closing the Gap targets. They alleged that their input had "repeatedly been set aside" and that the NT government had shown a departure from its shared decision-making commitments with other Indigenous-led independent panels.
Matthew Connop, co-chair of the NTJPP, said the government had been ignoring members' advice on crucial policy reform. "We don't want to walk away from the table," he said. "But we cannot keep sitting at the table if our advice is ignored and our presence is then used to suggest we agree with decisions we don't support. That isn't partnership."
The members stated that the six-month suspension is not a withdrawal from the work and invited the NT government to use the period to "restore genuine partnership and focus on what works to reduce crime."
Attorney general defends government's record
In her public statement on Friday, Boothby said the CLP was elected to reduce crime. "What these organisations – funded by taxpayers – choose to do is a matter for them, but Territorians have demanded loudly and clearly: no more coddling criminals, no more talk-fests, and no more identity politics," she said. "That's why we're getting on with the job Territorians elected us to do: to reduce crime, rebuild the economy, and restore our unique Territory lifestyle."
The NTJPP was created to develop practical, evidence-based solutions to address the over-representation of First Nations adults and young people in the justice system. The government's response comes amid a series of resignations from Indigenous leaders and independent bodies.
Senior Larrakia and Warramunga man Dr Richard Fejo resigned from the Darwin Waterfront Corporation in late 2024 in protest against the new NT government lowering the age of criminal responsibility to 10 years old. He told Guardian Australia he had appealed to the CLP not to make the change before his resignation, but was ignored. "When it comes to Closing the Gap, the CLP are running the race in the wrong direction," Fejo said. "The feeling on the ground in the community is one of fear, because while we don't blame the police, who are doing their jobs, it's the way the police are being directed. It appears to me the CLP strategy is to remove anyone who opposes them, and that includes myself."
In July, the NT children's commissioner, Shahleena Musk, resigned over changes to child protection laws. That same month, Rob McPhee, CEO of Danila Dilba Aboriginal Health Services, resigned as independent Aboriginal chair of the NT children and families tripartite forum. The NTJPP's suspension will last for six months, during which the government has been invited to restore genuine partnership and focus on what works to reduce crime.
