By Lucy Hughes Jones and Megan Neil
Darwin's notorious Don Dale Youth Detention Centre will shut down within three months as the Northern Territory government attempts to close a dark chapter inside its youth prisons.
The government has also agreed to the immediate closure of Don Dale's high security unit where boys were tear-gassed. The incident was just part of the scandal that sparked the inquiry into child protection and detention.
"This royal commission very much began there and it needs to end there," Chief Minister Michael Gunner said.
The $54 million commission's final report was released on Friday, with the Territory government giving "in principle" support to its recommendation for an Australian-first increase in the age of criminal responsibility from 10 years to 12.
Commissioners Margaret White and Mick Gooda during their tour of the current Don Dale Youth Detention facilities.Credit: Elise Derwin
Commissioners Margaret White and Mick Gooda have pushed for a major policy shift favouring rehabilitation and community-led measures over 'tough on crime' solutions.
In response, Mr Gunner has promised the most comprehensive overhaul in Territory history, allocating $50 million towards setting up juvenile justice infrastructure and asking the commonwealth to match it.
The Labor government is yet to commit to recommendations to end the detention of youngsters under 14 years who haven't committed serious crimes, and to stop the use of restraints and isolation for managing behaviour.
The commissioners said systemic failures occurred over many years and were ignored at the highest levels, and Mr Gunner apologised for the stain this left on the Territory's reputation.
ABC's Four Corners revealed youths being restrained in mechanical chairs.Credit: ABC
"But more than this, I'm sorry for the stories that live in the children we failed," he said.
"Youth justice is supposed to make our kids better, not break them."
"Youth justice is supposed to make our kids better, not break them," said NT Chief Minister Michael Gunner after the royal commission handed down its report.Credit: AAP
The lawyer for Dylan Voller, who was infamously put in a spit hood and shackled to a restraint chair, said he was locked up in appalling conditions and "forgotten about until it became convenient to demonise" him.
Peter O'Brien said the 20-year-old and other former detainees who had the fortitude to give evidence have been vindicated, while Voller told NITV he feared for some friends who were still serving time.
"These recommendations should be not only for the Northern Territory, but for all states across Australia," Voller said.
Former CLP corrections minister John Elferink, who was sacked over the 2014 gassing incident, told Sky News the three-month timeline to close Don Dale was unrealistic. There was nowhere else to put the 35 kids currently behind bars, he said.
The inquiry made adverse findings against Mr Elferink and another former corrections minister, Gerry McCarthy.
Mr McCarthy rejected the previous Labor government's own expert panel advice that Don Dale needed to be replaced, and is currently serving as Housing Minister.
But Mr Gunner defended his cabinet colleague, stating "If we were to make a judgement call right now on anyone who made a mistake in youth justice, we'd have a very small workforce".
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull hasn't guaranteed any cash for the recommendations, but said they hold lessons for the entire country.
The inquiry believes they'll save nearly $336 million over the next decade if its recommendations are implemented.
National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations chief executive Pat Turner called on Mr Turnbull to "put his money with his mouth is".
"You don't set up a royal commission and then walk away from the implementation," she said.
NT Children's Commissioner Colleen Gwynne said political leadership and bipartisan support is crucial to ensure the report doesn't gather dust.
"We're talking about a 10-year strategy here, this isn't something we're going fix within this term of government," she said.
AAP