00:02Walking in with a plan to shake things up.
00:05Today we're introducing legislation that for the first time will place safety above all other consideration
00:12when it comes to the care and protection of children.
00:16The changes put forward weeks after the alleged abduction and murder of a little girl in Alice Springs.
00:23Robyn Carl saying the new laws have been in the works for a year.
00:27There is a universal principle that will be applied to every single child
00:31and in addition to that universal principle there are principles that will relate specifically to Aboriginal children
00:38recognising that for Aboriginal children there is a very special kinship and cultural relationship to country
00:45that needs to be included in the consideration.
00:48Currently an Aboriginal child placement principle applies, meaning if a child needs to be removed from their parents
00:56they are placed with an extended family member, then an Aboriginal person in their community, then any other Aboriginal person.
01:05Under the proposed laws, if not with family, children only have to be placed in close proximity to their family
01:13and community.
01:14Is the Aboriginal child placement principle being removed?
01:18Absolutely not.
01:19If the Minister has any evidence to prove that the Aboriginal child placement principle was being put against safety
01:28then she needs to come out and show Territorians that evidence.
01:32They have always said, yeah, we think we know what's best for you. We think we know what's best for
01:37you.
01:37No, you don't know what is best for me and my children and our families.
01:42Also announced today, former NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb will lead a review into the NT's child protection system
01:50alongside long-time Territory public servant Greg Shanahan.
01:54The review will look specifically at the department's handling of Coomindry Little Baby's case before her death last month.
02:02Thank you so much for your time.
02:03...
02:03...
02:03You
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