Roundup: Royal commissioner for Aust'n juvenile detention inquiry quits days after appointment

Australia's Attorney-General George Brandis on Monday was forced to name two replacements to head the royal commission into the treatment of juveniles in detention in the Northern Territory (NT), following Brian Martin's sensational resignation just days after he was given the position.

Martin, who was appointed royal commissioner just four days ago, said the decision to appoint him was made without proper consultation with Indigenous leaders, who would not have "full confidence" in him heading the inquiry.

The royal commission was formed by the Turnbull government last week, following an explosive investigation into the mistreatment of juveniles in NT's detention centers.

Vision obtained by investigative journalism program Four Corners showed the youths, mostly of Indigenous background, were physically abused, tear-gassed, stripped and humiliated by guards.

Martin said not only was the lack of Indigenous input important in his decision to step down, but also a misguided perception of conflict of interest surrounding his appointment as royal commissioner was also a factor in resigning from the position.

"As a consequence, the effectiveness of the commission is likely to be compromised from the outset," Martin said in a statement released on Monday.

He said it was "far too important" to allow petty politics to take precedence in what is expected to be one of the biggest social justice issues witnessed in Australia.

"I am not prepared to proceed in the face of that risk. This royal commission is far too important to undertake that risk and, in the public interest, personal considerations must take second place," Martin said.

The perceived conflict of interest had involved Martin's daughter, Joanne, who worked as a justice adviser to the former NT Attorney-General Delia Lawrie from 2009 until 2011, within the period set to be covered in the royal commission.

Martin said he was "not prepared to allow the unwarranted intrusion into the life" of his daughter to continue.

Following Martin's resignation from the post, Australia's Attorney-General George Brandis appointed current Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner Mick Gooda and former Queensland Supreme Court and Appeals Court judge Margaret White as joint commissioners, after consultation with Indigenous leaders.

Brandis said both Gooda and White were "obvious choices" as replacements for Martin.

"I've spoken to the chief minister of the NT, Adam Giles, who strongly supports the course of action that I have outlined and strongly supports these two appointments," Brandis told the press on Monday.

Brandis said Martin had not been pressured to stand down from leading the inquiry, and defended the initial decision to appoint him as royal commissioner, but said it was now time to get on with the commission.

"The government has acted swiftly and decisively to ensure that the resignation of Mr Martin will not delay the work of the royal commission," he said.

"It is now for the commissioners to set about that important work and I thank them for their willingness to take on this very significant and challenging task." Endit