Northern Territory Children's Commissioner Resigns Citing Government Lack of Transparency

The Northern Territory's children's commissioner, Shahleena Musk, has resigned, citing "growing concerns" about transparency and consultation in the NT government's decision-making processes. Musk, appointed in late 2023, stated she could not support "substantial and wide-reaching changes to child protection laws" and felt "effectively sidelined" during the legislative process. Her resignation came just days after a parliamentary committee approved amendments to the Territory's child protection laws, despite widespread criticism. Sue-Anne Hunter, the National Commissioner for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People, described Musk's resignation as a "tragedy" and the circumstances surrounding child protection in the NT as "dire." Hunter argued that the commissioner's departure highlights the government's "lack of care and accountability" towards Aboriginal people and urged the government to "listen to the experts" and pause the proposed bill. During her two-and-a-half years in the role, Musk was a vocal critic of policy changes affecting young people, including the lowering of the age of criminal responsibility and changes to youth justice laws. She previously expressed frustration over a lack of consultation, stating, "There's an unwillingness to work with me and others." An earlier report from the Office of the Children's Commissioner NT documented over 400 notifications of alleged harm against children in care between 2024 and 2025, underscoring the urgency of the situation.

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Her decision had "not been made lightly" and reflected her "growing concerns" around transparency and consultation in the NT government's decision-making.