Northern Territory MP Gerard Maley introduced draft amendments to the NT Youth Justice Act that would give police the power to charge, detain and question young people for up to 48 hours without a legal guardian. The proposed changes would allow young people charged with an offence to be held for up to 48 hours in police watch houses and to be interviewed if they have knowledge in relation to an offence. Under the draft laws, police would also be permitted to question young people without an adult present if it is in relation to a serious and urgent matter concerning public safety.

A spokesperson for the NT police said the provision would be used sparingly and with safeguards. "We do not anticipate frequent utilisation of this provision." The spokesperson said watch houses were appropriate facilities for young detainees, stating, "Police watch houses provide adequate care and supervision for youth detainees."

The spokesperson said procedural protections had been built into the draft. "The amendment was structured to preserve the fundamental right to silence." "Police must inform the young person of their right to silence before an urgent protected interview takes place and if exercised the interview cannot proceed." The spokesperson said anything said by a young person during such an interview would not be admissible in any subsequent criminal or civil proceedings against them, and that any such interaction would be recorded on body-worn camera.

Maggie Munn, First Nations justice director at the Human Rights Law Centre, said the proposed changes would discriminate against Indigenous children and jeopardise their safety and wellbeing. "Police watch houses are not safe places for children, and detaining children in watch houses for up to 48 hours is inhumane." "The NT government knows these laws will expose more children to these barbaric conditions in police cells. Our children deserve care, not cages."

Munn said removing the requirement for an adult to be present during questioning would undermine the rights of children. "Allowing police to question children without an adult present contravenes their basic rights. Children need an adult present during police interviews to protect their rights and wellbeing, and to ensure they're not coerced or treated unfairly by police."

The draft youth justice laws were introduced the day after child protection changes that would replace the Aboriginal Child Placement Principle. Child Protection Minister Robyn Cahill announced a review into the child protection sector. A final report will be handed to Cahill within three months.