Anthony Albanese to land in Alice Springs amid town’s crime crisis

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is expected to land in Alice Springs on Tuesday as the town struggles under the strain of an unrelenting crime crisis. Read who he will meet.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is set to land in Alice Springs on Tuesday after a chorus of calls for the nation’s leader to visit the town and witness its crime crisis first hand.

It is understood Mr Albanese is due to arrive just after 2pm Tuesday.

It comes on the back of national attention after the worst crime wave locals have seen in decades was laid bare.

The PM along with Chief Minister Natasha Fyles will meet with locals, including the Central Australian Aboriginal Congress.

Senator Malarndirri McCarthy and Lingiari MP Marion Scrymgour flew to Alice Springs with Ms Fyles on Tuesday morning.

Police Minister Kate Worden also returned following a two-day trip last week.

Mr Albanese’s expected visit comes after days of calls from Alice Springs residents and leaders and a NT News campaign to get the PM to the town.

Federal Opposition Leader Peter Dutton offered to join Mr Albanese in the town on Tuesday.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is expected to land in Alice Springs on Tuesday as the town battles in the grips of a crime crisis. Picture: Tamati Smith/Getty Images

“It’s completely unacceptable,” Mr Dutton said in a press conference on Monday.

“The Prime Minister should have been there by now, but he should go tomorrow, and I would be very happy to travel with him.

“This is an issue that is beyond politics.”

On Tuesday, Federal Government Services Minister and former opposition leader Bill Shorten said he was sure the PM would visit Alice Springs “in the near future”.

“I can confirm that the Prime Minister will visit Alice Springs in the near future,” he told Sky News.

“I can’t confirm exactly when.

“I do make the point that Anthony Albanese has visited all over Australia and he doesn’t go missing.

“The issues in Alice Springs concern the Prime Minister and concern everyone.”

On Sunday, a federal government spokeswoman would not answer specific questions from this publication about Mr Albanese visiting Central Australia.

Alice Springs is in the grips of the worst crime crisis locals have seen in years.

“Reports about the level (sic) crime in Alice Springs are concerning,” she said.

“Everyone deserves to live in safe and healthy communities.

“We are focused on working in partnership with the NT government and the local community because we know that the best solutions come from local communities themselves.”

Last week, Police Minister Kate Worden visited Alice Springs, with locals concerned an extra effort had been made to clean up the town ahead of her arrival.

It was unclear how long Mr Albanese would stay in Alice Springs.

Originally published as Anthony Albanese to land in Alice Springs amid town’s crime crisis