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The Northern Territory government has passed its contentious new youth bail laws that critics warn will see the number of Indigenous kids ending up behind bars skyrocket.
Under the changes, passed in parliament on Tuesday night, children accused of reoffending or committing serious breaches while on bail can be automatically placed on remand.
However, a late amendment following widespread criticism from across the country means courts have the power to grant fresh bail in “exceptional circumstances”.
It followed calls for the reforms to be scrapped and protests outside parliament, with some groups and activists branding the changes racist because they will mostly affect Indigenous children, who have been disproportionately detained in the NT.