Crime rates in Alice Springs are back in the spotlight as the federal government and opposition accuse each other of 'playing politics' on the issue.
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But the national peak body for Indigenous children and families has called for the serious crime of sexual abuse not to be used as a political football.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton this week visited the Northern Territory town to highlight crime rates but came under fire for alleging children were being returned to abusive households, without citing evidence.
Deputy leader Sussan Ley said a national tragedy was unfolding in the red centre which needed to be placed above politics.
"Instead of demonstrating leadership, we are seeing political accusations levelled at Peter Dutton that are quite frankly disgusting," she told reporters in Sydney on Friday.
"There's a national tragedy unfolding in Alice Springs with women and children at risk of violence and sexual assault."
But the head of the national voice for Indigenous children, SNAICC, said Mr Dutton's claims were not supported by evidence.
"Sexual abuse is a really serious crime, which has a devastating impact on children, families and communities. This is not a political football," chief executive Catherine Liddle said.
"The claims of 'rampant' abuse fly in the face of evidence. Data from Territory Families show there has been no escalation in investigations of sexual abuse or exploitation."
Ms Liddle said Mr Dutton had not taken up an invitation to meet with SNAICC to discuss the issue of child sexual abuse and the over-representation of Aboriginal children in the child protection system
She urged all sides of politics to listen to the expertise and voices of Indigenous communities.
Indigenous Liberal senator Kerrynne Liddle earlier defended Mr Dutton's claims about the rates of child abuse in the NT and challenged people who questioned the claim.
"I say prove it's not happening and then we can have a conversation about the kind of language we can actually use for this," Senator Liddle told ABC Radio National.
Acting Prime Minister Richard Marles told Nine's Today Show Alice Springs should not be made a "political football" and the government had worked to try and improve the rates of crime and substance abuse.
Meanwhile, federal Labor MP Marion Scrymgour, who represents the seat of Lingiari taking in most of the territory, called on NT Police Commissioner Kate Worden to focus on her department's work in Alice Springs.
"I think Kate Worden needs to look at her department and herself, to look at the Act and to deal with this issue ... because there are way too many young people doing illegal things around Alice Springs and stealing cars and setting them on fire," she told ABC Radio.
Australian Associated Press
