NT chief wants action to restore safety in Alice

By PETER ROWE

The NT Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro met with community leaders and government officials in Alice Springs on Thursday to discuss reducing crime in the region, after tensions increased following a vicious home assault earlier this week.

Police, traditional owners, locals, businesses, Aboriginal organisations, senior government officials, non-government organisations, and community leaders all gave Ms Finocchiaro their views with the Chief Minister saying every option was on the table to restore community safety.

Overnight, police had deployed a wide range of resources, including foot patrols, all-terrain vehicles, drones, motorbikes, mobile police stations, and random breath testing stations (RBTs) to ensure community safety.

“After a decade of neglect, the Territory has broken systems that need rebuilding, young people who are lawless and have no respect, and laws that don’t meet the community’s expectations or support our police, Mrs Finocchiaro said.

“I participated in the nightly patrollers’ meeting, spoke with police drone pilots in action, and visited supported bail accommodation.

“I have made it clear to the Police Commissioner that every option is on the table to protect this town. This includes considering curfews and leveraging support from interstate police forces.”

The chief minister has also written to Senator Malarndirri McCarthy and Federal Member Marion Scrymgour asking for urgent action to combat the problems that beset the town.

The NT government says it has identified several critical areas that require Federal Government attention:

Centrelink payments to be made on current takeaway alcohol-free days only.

Reintroduce compulsory work or training programs with fortnightly reporting obligations for Centrelink recipients.

Conduct a performance audit of federally funded programs.

Ensure royalty distributions are made in communities, not in Alice Springs.

Extend CASA exemption for Alice Springs Police Drone Pilots to improve drone capability.

Implement 100% income management for parents of youth offenders.

Accept the Northern Territory Government’s referral to the Federal Government for parents who neglect their children, enabling additional income management.

“These are real, practical changes that would have an immediate impact on reducing crime in Central Australia and are supported by many local voices, including Aboriginal leaders,” Mrs Finocchiaro said.