A woman has died in the remote Northern Territory community of Alpurrurulam after an alleged assault, with police treating the case as suspicious and a man now in custody.
Specialist detectives and forensic officers are travelling to the community as investigators work to piece together what happened.
Northern Territory Police were alerted about 5.30am on Monday after the local clinic reported that a woman had died following an alleged physical assault in the community, which sits near the Queensland border west of Mount Isa.
Police confirmed the death was being treated as suspicious.
Superintendent Mark Bland said a man was in custody and “assisting with police inquiries” over the incident.
The death has also sparked renewed calls for more support in remote communities, with local MP Chansey Paech urging the Territory government to act.
Mr Paech said he was “deeply saddened to hear reports this morning of a tragic loss of life in Alpurrurulam”, describing a community that had been seeking more help, resources and support in recent months.
“My thoughts are with the family, loved ones and the entire community at this difficult time,” he said.
Mr Paech also raised concerns about police resourcing, peacekeepers, alcohol supply issues and the need for what he described as an urgent, co-ordinated response to restore community safety.
“Remote communities deserve the same level of attention, resources and support as anywhere else in the Territory,” he said.
He also challenged the government to send additional help to Alpurrurulam and engage directly with residents, families and community leaders.