The Royal Commission into the abuse of youth in detention in the Northern Territory has already received a major shake-up with the Royal Commissioner Brian Martin announcing this morning that he would be stepping down from the role.
Speaking to the press, Martin said he would step down in the public interest, following strong criticism over his appointment from a number of Indigenous organisations.
“It has become apparent that, rightly or wrongly, in this role I would not have the full confidence of sections of the Indigenous community which has a vital interest in this inquiry,” he said.
In his place, the Attorney-General George Brandis announced that there would be two co-commissioners; Mick Gooda and former Queensland Supreme Court judge Margaret White.
Ms White appeared in the Mabo versus Queensland case.
Mr Gooda announced he would resign from his role as the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner in order to take on the position.
