Two youth detainees have filed a lawsuit against the Northern Territory government claiming human rights abuses, according to the ABC.
Lodged by the NT Legal Aid Commission, the allegations reportedly include detainees being denied access to regular exercise, mental health support, adequate accommodation and qualified teachers.
The move follows last year’s royal commission calling for sweeping changes to address the "shocking and systemic failures" in the NT youth justice system
NT Chief Minister Michael Gunner said the lawsuit was "five years too late” and against the wrong government.
"I believe we're doing everything we can to fix this problem, I believe we're investing and have the runs are on the board," he told the ABC.
A parliamentary committee was told earlier this year that 100 per cent of children held in detention in the NT are Aboriginal – a figure which has not changed since the royal commission.
Last year, Dylan Voller whose mistreatment at Darwin's Don Dale youth detention centre prompted the public outrage which led to the royal commission, told NITV News there was a long way to go.
"I believe it's still happening and will be for a long time."
Last week, the NT government announced the proposed site of a new facility which would replace the Don Dale centre.
