Crime, bail numbers down as CLP gears up to pass Police Administration Amendment Bill

Fresh statistics show the number of adults currently on remand in the Territory has increased since January as the CLP aims to pass the Police Administration Amendment Bill.

Lia Finocchiaro Chief Minister of the Northern Territory and NT's acting police commissioner Martin Dole. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Fresh statistics show the number of adults currently on remand in the Northern Territory has increased by 18 per cent since January, as the CLP aims to pass the Police Administration Amendment Bill.

The legislation will grant police express power to enter private property for domestic violence order compliance checks.

The bill, set to come through in next week’s parliament sittings, will ensure individual rights will be upheld with police unable to enter a dwelling without consent.

Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro said the government wanted police to feel confident in their role in protecting the community.

“We back our police and want them to feel confident in their role of protecting the community, knowing they have the full support of the government,” she said.

This new law is part of the CLP government’s broader reducing crime reforms, which include Declan’s Law, mandatory sentencing for repeat violent offenders, a youth crime crackdown, and expanded police powers.

Lia Finocchiaro Chief Minister of the Northern Territory and NT's acting police commissioner Martin Dole. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Declan’s Law came into effect on January 6 and statistics show it’s already having an impact with the number of adults on bail dropping five per cent from 1898 to 1807.

During the same period, the number of adults on remand has increased by 18 per cent, from 1136 to 1338.

Figures show robbery, extortion and related offences dropped down 32 percent in December and January.

House break-ins were down 27 per cent, domestic violence assaults were down 11 per cent and alcohol related assaults also dropped by 17 per cent.

Commercial break-ins increased by 17 per cent month-on-month in the same period.

However, the numbers have increased year-on-year from December 2023 and January 2024, with domestic violence related assaults rising 27.2 percent.

DV-involved assaults with alcohol increased by 26.1 percent and sexual assault and related offences increased by 17.6 percent in the period compared to the year previous.

Mrs Finocchiaro said the figures highlighted the commitment of the current government to tacking crime head-on.

“Our plan is delivering action, certainty, and security for Territorians,” she said.

“We promised to restore law and order, and that’s exactly what we are doing. These results show that our policies are making a real difference but there is much more work to do.

“The CLP is committed to a safer Territory, and we will continue to take strong action to keep our communities secure and give our police better powers.

“Since coming to office, we’ve put more than 600 offenders behind bars — people who should never have been on our streets in the first place.

“The job is not done, this is just the beginning. Territorians deserve to feel safe, and under a CLP Government, they can have confidence that we are delivering real action.”

Opposition leader Selena Uibo said the numbers released by the government were misleading.

“The government’s press release today is misleading,” she said.

“When comparing statistics from December 2023 and January 2024 to the same months in 2024 and 2025, total offences against the person have increased by 11.7%, assaults by 12.3%, and domestic violence-related assaults by 27.2%.

“A good government is upfront and honest, no matter the situation. Territorians deserve a government that tells it straight.”

Originally published as Crime, bail numbers down as CLP gears up to pass Police Administration Amendment Bill