CLP supports attendance of business owners at anti-crime meeting amid allegations of racism

Questions over racist online comments took hold in an NT Opposition-backed public crime meeting on Tuesday. We reveal why Labor did not attend the event.

Around 30 Territorians, many representing as crime-impacted business owners, attended a public crime meeting in Palmerston on Tuesday. Picture: Annabel Bowles

Allegations of racism have dominated a CLP-backed crime meeting in Palmerston on Tuesday.

Screenshots depicting social media comments made by NT Handrails owner Donna Roos, who organised the meeting, were sent to the media ahead of the event.

When asked about the Facebook comments directly, Ms Roos would not deny that she wrote them.

“This is a crime meeting, not a racism meeting,” Ms Roos said repeatedly.

Opposition leader Lia Finocchiaro said the meeting was about hearing business owners’ concerns.

“We’ve said very clearly those comments don’t align with our values, but ultimately, today is a meeting of business people who want to raise their concerns to government around crime, anti-social behaviour, law and order and the fact that victims are being left behind.”

Donna Roos spoke about government inaction at another crime meeting held at her business, NT Handrails, on October 18. Picture: Floss Adams.

Last Thursday, the CLP made a statement calling on the Labor government to attend the upcoming meeting, which the opposition said was organised by Ms Roos.

“She (Ms Roos) has encouraged business owners across the Territory to drive meetings of their own on the same day, at the same time to send a real message to government,” Ms Finocchiaro said.

“Labor need to come out, stand with, and listen to these business owners who are suffering under sky-high commercial break-in rates – they cannot hide any longer.

“No matter where your business is – we will stand with you.”

Ms Finocchiaro did not withdraw her party’s support of the meeting after the NT News sent her the screenshots on Monday.

“There is absolutely no room for racism in our community,” Ms Finocchiaro said.

“The CLP opposition is attending this community crime meeting in support of business owners who have had enough of crime.

CLP leader Lia Finocchiaro has spoken at two crime meetings organised by Donna Roos in the last month. Picture: Floss Adams.

“We encourage all members of parliament to do the same.”

However, at a crime meeting on October 18 hosted by Ms Roos and attended by Ms Finocchiaro, Labor’s Blain MLA Mark Turner was turned away.

Chief Minister Natasha Fyles said the opposition’s support of Tuesday’s meeting was not the first time the party had backed those who had expressed racist sentiments.

“Time and time again the CLP have supported racist views and racial hatred here in the Territory,” Ms Fyles said.

“Enough is enough, racist views and remarks are not welcome or tolerated here in the Territory and the CLP must immediately apologise to all Territorians for supporting such people.”

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Originally published as CLP supports attendance of business owners at anti-crime meeting amid allegations of racism