Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are warned the following article contains names and images of the deceased.
Independent Senator Lidia Thorpe and Liberal Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price have both called for calm, respect and urgent scrutiny after the death of five-year-old Kumanjayi Little Baby sent shockwaves through the Northern Territory.
Thorpe said her “heart is with the family and community” and urged Australians to allow space for sorry business.
“This is a time of deep grief for our people,” she said. “There must be calm. We must all show respect for the family and those grieving.”
On Thursday, Alice Springs erupted in violent riots over the alleged abduction and murder. Jefferson Lewis, 47, is suspected of killing Kumanjayi Little Baby near Alice Springs. He was arrested at a residence in Alice Springs hours after the child’s body was found. Lewis had allegedly been beaten by vigilantes and was taken to Alice Springs Hospital, where an angry crowd gathered, many calling for him to be killed. Police confirmed Lewis has been flown to Darwin for safety reasons.
Thorpe called for a full and transparent investigation into the circumstances of the crime but warned against blaming Aboriginal families or communities. “We are already seeing racist commentary being made about Aboriginal people and this must stop,” she said, urging people not to share violent footage online because it is “inflaming tensions”.
Thorpe said the tragedy reflects broader national issues including extreme poverty, limited services and long-standing failures in how authorities respond to domestic violence risks. She backed calls for an investigation into NT Corrections, saying other agencies must also be examined to understand “how these systems have failed”. She also urged NT Police to prioritise de-escalation, describing comments from the NT Police Association president calling for further use of force as “deeply concerning”.
Price, who has been vocal about safety in remote communities, said the child’s death highlights long-standing concerns about overcrowding, poor services and the vulnerability of women and children in some parts of the NT. “For too long, there has been a reluctance to speak plainly about the conditions in and around town camps. In reality, too many have become environments where safety is not guaranteed, particularly for children,” she told The Australian. “There is constant movement. People coming and going. Individuals with long criminal histories moving in and out. Alcohol restrictions that exist on paper but are not enforced in practice. Overcrowding. Poor maintenance. Limited oversight.” She has previously argued conditions in certain town camps have remained unsafe despite significant funding and has called for stronger accountability and scrutiny of how resources are used.
Both senators pointed to ongoing inquiries—including the NT youth justice inquiry and the racism inquiry—which are already exposing systemic failures. “These inquiries will deliver recommendations,” Thorpe said. “The Albanese Government must work with First Peoples to implement them, not add these reports to the shelf unanswered.” Thorpe said people are grieving, hurting and seeking answers, but the priority must remain supporting the family and respecting their wishes.
