NT government says no more ‘coddling criminals’ or ‘identity politics’ after experts walk out over ignored advice

Independent experts and organisations tasked with improving justice outcomes for First Nations people say Territorian government is not entering into ‘genuine partnership’Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe Northern Territory government has hit back after a panel of independent experts tasked with improving justice outcomes for First Nations people stood down over what they described as a “facade of scrutiny, dialogue and collaboration”, with the territory’s attorney general saying there would be “no more coddling criminals, no more talk-fests, and no more identity politics”.In a formal letter on Thursday night, seven members of the Northern Territory Justice Policy Partnership (NTJPP) – a non-government panel of independent justice experts and representatives of Aboriginal community-controlled organisations – announced they would suspend their participation for a period of six months due to “a breakdown in genuine dialogue, partnership and shared decision-making”. Continue reading...