Something is seriously wrong in the Northern Territory
Sep 14, 2026 •
One by one, the Aboriginal leaders, organisations and watchdogs the Northern Territory government is supposed to work with are walking away.
The Children’s Commissioner has resigned. An Indigenous MP has left parliament after more than a decade. And now almost the entire Aboriginal side of the Territory’s Justice Policy Partnership has suspended its involvement.
They’re all making a remarkably similar complaint – that the government isn’t listening, and that the structures supposedly designed to give Aboriginal people a say have become meaningless.
Today, National Indigenous Times journalist Dechlan Brennan, on how relations got this bad – and whether a government can tackle the Territory’s enormous problems if the people most affected no longer believe there’s any point in sitting at the table.
If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at 7ampodcast.com.au/support.
Something is seriously wrong in the Northern Territory
2044 • Sep 14, 2026
Something is seriously wrong in the Northern Territory
One by one, the Aboriginal leaders, organisations and watchdogs the Northern Territory government is supposed to work with are walking away.
The Children’s Commissioner has resigned. An Indigenous MP has left parliament after more than a decade. And now almost the entire Aboriginal side of the Territory’s Justice Policy Partnership has suspended its involvement.
They’re all making a remarkably similar complaint – that the government isn’t listening, and that the structures supposedly designed to give Aboriginal people a say have become meaningless.
Today, National Indigenous Times journalist Dechlan Brennan, on how relations got this bad – and whether a government can tackle the Territory’s enormous problems if the people most affected no longer believe there’s any point in sitting at the table.
If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at 7ampodcast.com.au/support.
Guest: National Indigenous Times journalist, Dechlan Brennan
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7am is a daily show from Solstice Media.
It’s made by Atticus Bastow, Chris Dengate, Daniel James, Krystal Keller, Ranee Orklin, Ruby Jones, Travis Evans and Zoltan Fecso.
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