NT minister dumped of Don Dale scandal

Northern Territory Chief Minister Adam Giles is taking over the corrective services portfolio following the Don Dale scandal.

John Elferink

NT Corrections Minister John Elferink has been dumped following the Don Dale youth centre scandal. (AAP)

Northern Territory Corrections Minister John Elferink has been dumped following the outrage of the treatment of teen inmates of the Don Dale youth centre.

Chief Minister Adam Giles is taking over the portfolio.

Mr Giles said he would also be permanently appointing an inspector-general for corrections.

The ABC's Four Corners program on Monday night aired shocking footage of youths in detention at the Don Dale Centre in the NT being abused by custody officers.

Mr Elferink told the program he had not seen many of the videos including one where guards were saying "I'll pulverise the ***er" as a young man in isolation was banging at windows.

"That demonstrates a lack of training," he told Four Corners.

"When matters come to me I make sure they're investigated."

Mr Giles said he advised Mr Elferink he was assuming the corrections responsibility immediately, five minutes before the press conference started.

Meanwhile, Mr Elferink's electoral office was attacked by vandals since the Four Corners broadcast.

NT Police Commissioner Reece Kershaw said his security was being reviewed.


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Published 26 July 2016 12:52pm
Source: AAP


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