Central Australia justice reinvestment initiative

By PETER ROWE

After a lengthy assessment process by an independent panel a partnership between Tangentyere Council Aboriginal Corporation, Lhere Artepe Aboriginal Corporation and the Northern Territory Government, the Community Justice Centre has been selected to deliver the Mparntwe (Alice Springs) Peacemaking Project.

The Justice Reinvestment in Central Australia Program allows communities to access funding for justice reinvestment initiatives aimed at crime prevention, or providing community-led treatments for drug and alcohol addiction, or diversionary supports for illegal drug use.

“The Government is committed to working with First Nations organisations and communities to deliver justice reinvestment initiatives,” Minister for Indigenous Australians, Senator Malarndirri McCarthy said.

“First Nations people have developed this initiative. It provides a local solution to reduce crime which will have a positive impact for people in and around Alice Springs.

Minister for Indigenous Australians, Senator Malarndirri McCarthy.

“Justice reinvestment enables First Nations communities to develop and implement their own solutions, working with local services who understand local issues.”

The Mparntwe (Alice Springs) Peacemaking Project supports community-led responses to resolving conflict and preventing crime.

The announcement takes the total number of justice reinvestment initiatives being funded to 27.

Other initiatives in the Northern Territory, New South Wales, South Australia, Queensland, Western Australia and Victoria were announced in February, April and September along with two initiatives that received early funding for justice reinvestment in Halls Creek and Alice Springs in 2023.