Garma 2026: Lia Finocchiaro promises land and fuel security amid child protection overhaul backlash
Northern Territory Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro spoke at the 2026 Garma Festival on Friday, where her government’s recent child protection reforms remained a contentious issue.
The festival, hosted by the Yothu Yindi Foundation, brings together Indigenous leaders, community members, politicians and business representatives for discussions on culture, policy and the future of First Nations peoples.
Despite significant backlash and overwhelming opposition from Aboriginal organisations, human rights bodies, child protection experts and legal groups, the Northern Territory’s CLP government passed its child protection legislation (in late July).
The NT government says its ‘Every Child Matters’ bill is the most significant overhaul of the child protection system in a generation.
The new law abolishes the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children placement principle, which accords that First Nations people who are removed from their homes are kept within their own culture.
The changes have prompted a broad coalition of opposition, including Aboriginal community-controlled organisations, legal groups, children’s advocates and human rights experts.
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