After Little Baby's death, Canavan demands government stop 'running scared'
The death of five-year-old Kumanjayi Little Baby in an Alice Springs town camp has reignited debate over Indigenous policy in Australia. Nationals leader Matt Canavan criticized the federal government for avoiding Indigenous affairs since the 2023 Voice to Parliament referendum defeat and urged renewed engagement. He called for a royal commission into sexual abuse in Indigenous communities, a move opposed by Indigenous peak groups and not supported by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
- ▪Kumanjayi Little Baby, a five-year-old child, went missing from the Old Timers/Ilyperenye town camp near Alice Springs and later died under alleged violent circumstances.
- ▪Nationals leader Matt Canavan accused the government of avoiding Indigenous policy since the 2023 Voice to Parliament referendum failed and urged practical action.
- ▪Canavan called for a royal commission into sexual abuse in Indigenous communities, a proposal previously opposed by Indigenous organizations as politicizing vulnerable children.
- ▪Prime Minister Anthony Albanese acknowledged poor conditions in town camps but did not support a royal commission, citing a $4 billion housing investment in the Northern Territory.
- ▪The government attributes town camp residency to a lack of housing in remote communities and emphasizes housing investment as the primary solution.
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After Kumanjayi Little Baby's death, Coalition demands government re-engage on Indigenous debateBy senior political correspondent Jake EvansTopic:Indigenous Policy3h ago3 hours agoSun 3 May 2026 at 1:00amNationals Leader Matt Canavan urged the prime minister to "dust himself off" and re-engage on Indigenous policy debate. (ABC News: Callum Flinn)In short:Nationals leader Matthew Canavan has demanded the federal government "move on" from its loss at the 2023 Voice to Parliament referendum and re-engage on Indigenous policy debate.Senator Canavan says government ministers should spend more time in Indigenous communities and work out ways to develop an economic base for them to support themselves.What's next?Senator Canavan has urged a royal commission into sexual abuse in Indigenous…
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