The Northern Territory's chief minister has lashed out at media coverage of the alleged rape of a seven-year-old Aboriginal girl, saying if she had been white the story would have been reported very differently.
It was reported by the ABC on March 8 that an Aboriginal girl at a town camp outside of Alice Springs had been raped.
In a two-sentence media release the following day, NT Police media wrote: "Alice Springs Police have arrested and charged a 29-year-old man following the sexual assault of a minor."
"He was refused bail overnight, to appear in Alice Springs Magistrates Court today (Tuesday)."
No further information was released.
But in parliament on Tuesday, Chief Minister Adam Giles attacked the media coverage.
"The saddest part is it was a little blip on the media radar. It raised a few column inches and it disappeared," he said.
"One can only think that if it was a blonde-haired blue-eyed little girl it would have made the front page of media around the country.
"But a little Aboriginal kid in the Hidden Valley town camp ... it's just not been noticed and I think it's quite disgusting."
When asked by reporters to explain his comments, Mr Giles said in an email: "I wasn't having a crack at the media, more the lack of outrage by the community and organisations in central Australia."
Opposition Leader Delia Lawrie said the allegations of racist reporting were "heinous".
"Don't blame people who weren't provided information from the very government that is now seeking to blame them," she said.
"I wouldn't be surprised if there's a lot of pressure on police in terms of what goes out in the media domain, that fits with the culture of cover-up in the (Country Liberal Party)."
Police Minister Peter Chandler denied the government was leaning on police not to release information on crime if it was politically uncomfortable.
"Absolutely not," he said.
"If anybody thinks things are being held back or hidden, that's good for nobody."
Acting Police Commissioner Reece Kershaw stood by the timing of the sparse media release.
He said police took great care in making sure that when action was taken it was correct and would not prejudice any case before the courts.
He would not comment on the chief minister using such a sensitive issue as a "political football".
Earlier Mr Giles announced the alleged rape had sparked crisis talks on town camps.
All government agencies involved in delivering services and law enforcement at town camps across Alice Springs and Tennant Creek will meet at a closed forum on Friday to discuss safety and living conditions and the performance of government and private organisations providing services.
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