Anthony Albanese issues blunt message to Northern Territory government as he visits the family of Kumanjayi Little Baby and lays flowers at a memorial for the toddler

Anthony Albanese has reassured the family of Kumanjayi Little Baby they have the support of the nation during a time of unbearable grief, while also taking a shot at the Northern Territory government.

The five-year-old, known as Kumanjayi Little Baby in line with cultural customs, was found dead in scrubland on April 30.

A 47-year-old man has been charged with her murder.

The Prime Minister met with the girl’s mother and grandparents in Alice Springs on Wednesday, where he also visited Old Timers Camp to lay flowers at her memorial.

‘It was mainly an opportunity just to say to the family that the nation stands with them. They are not alone,’ Albanese told reporters.

‘They are trying to bear their way through this with dignity,’ he said.

But he also took aim at the failure to improve the living situations of those in remote Aboriginal communities.

‘Clearly, the Northern Territory government have had responsibility since 2012 for the town camps. Clearly, there’s a need to do better to make sure that the living conditions are improved,’ he said.

‘I would say to the Northern Territory government that you’ll get better outcomes if you have an inclusive approach and you have buy-in to these issues.

‘We’ll work constructively with them, but they also need to work respectfully with the local community, with the family, and need to make sure they involve First Nations people as well in this local community to work through these issues in the most constructive way possible.’

Kumanjayi Little Baby’s family were given a great deal of support by the community coming together and Australians sharing messages of support, Mr Albanese said.

‘They’re proud of their much loved daughter and granddaughter of who she was, but there’s also a sense of regret that she won’t get to be the young woman and woman that she should have become,’ he said.

The Prime Minister also thanked the hundreds of workers and volunteers who searched for Kumanjayi Little Baby.

Mr Albanese met with community leaders. He was joined by Indigenous Affairs Minister Malarndirri McCarthy and remote communities special envoy Marion Scrymgour.

Kumanjayi Little Baby’s death sparked riots in Alice Springs as hundreds of people gathered outside the hospital where her accused murderer was being treated.

Police then evacuated the man to Darwin for his own safety.

He is yet to enter a plea to the murder charge.

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