A ‘wicked problem’ is a term used in the planning literature to characterise
a complex multi-dimensional problem. The article argues that Indigenous
child abuse is one such problem. Whatever the merits of the recent federal
intervention into Northern Territory Indigenous communities, it is unlikely
to succeed without both long-term bipartisan commitment of substantial
resources and a meaningful process of consultation with Indigenous peoples.
If we are to learn from what policies worked (and what did not work), then
it is particularly important that a transparent evaluation framework be
established before undertaking policy initiatives
