Prominent Indigenous elder charged over child sex assault allegation

Prominent Indigenous elder Mick Mundine has been charged over a historical child sexual assault allegation, the ABC understands.

Sex Crimes Squad detectives arrested Aboriginal Housing Company chief executive Mr Mundine at Redfern in Sydney's inner south about 7am on Thursday.

Police said the 79-year-old had been taken to Newtown Police Station for questioning before being charged with sexual assault and sexual assault person under 16 years of age.

Police said Strike Force Millersburg was set up in December last year to investigate allegations against Mr Mundine that he sexually assaulted a 15-year-old at Redfern in 1986.

Mr Mundine has been granted conditional bail ahead of a scheduled appearance at Downing Centre Local Court on October 14.

He is the brother of late boxer Tony Mundine, who died in August, and the uncle of rugby league player turned boxer Anthony Mundine.