Evacuees from flooded remote Indigenous areas in NT housed in compound likened to ‘a prison camp’
Hundreds of Indigenous evacuees from flood-affected remote communities in the Northern Territory have been housed at Batchelor Institute, where they face strict security measures and restricted access, prompting comparisons to a 'prison camp.' Despite government claims of providing a stable and culturally appropriate environment, residents and community leaders report trauma, lack of autonomy, and exclusion of Aboriginal organizations from the response. Many are being pressured to return to damaged homes without power, clean water, or adequate services. The situation has raised concerns about systemic inequities in disaster management for remote Aboriginal communities.
- ▪Evacuees from Palumpa and Nauiyu were moved to Batchelor Institute, where they are subject to security checks, restricted visitation, and must sign in and out at a guarded gate.
- ▪Traditional owners and Aboriginal organizations, including the Northern Land Council and NAAJA, were denied access to the site without prior approval, sparking criticism.
- ▪Despite government assurances, evacuees continue to be charged rent and have emergency payments quarantined, while living in fenced temporary accommodation.
- ▪Residents were returned to Palumpa despite unsafe conditions, including a boil-water alert, no power, and 19 of 50 homes still uninhabitable.
- ▪The NT government stated evacuation centers are controlled for safety, but critics argue the treatment would not be applied to non-Indigenous flood victims.
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The NT government moved families from an evacuation shelter in Darwin to student accommodation and temporary dongas at the Batchelor Institute after the scale of flooding became clear. Photograph: (A)manda Parkinson/The GuardianView image in fullscreenThe NT government moved families from an evacuation shelter in Darwin to student accommodation and temporary dongas at the Batchelor Institute after the scale of flooding became clear. Photograph: (A)manda Parkinson/The GuardianIndigenous AustraliansEvacuees from flooded remote Indigenous areas in NT housed in compound likened to ‘a prison camp’Residents must sign in and out at a security gate, and vehicles and bags are routinely searched Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast Reporting and photography by (A)manda…
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