New survey shows business concerns around law and order

On the eve of a breakfast leaders debate, a new Property Council survey has highlighted concerns about crime. Read its findings.

A majority of Territory business operators are dissatisfied with police resourcing and effectiveness, with most of them feeling unsafe, responders to a Property Council crime snapshot have revealed.

Released before Wednesday’s leaders breakfast debate at Mindil Beach Casino and Resort, the survey of more than 200 NT business operators confirmed negative perceptions around law and order in the Territory.

NT Property Council executive director Ruth Palmer said the 2024 survey painted a grim picture of the challenges faced by the commercial sector.

“Like last year, our results highlight the urgent need for effective measures to ensure community safety and economic stability,” Ms Palmer said.

Property Council NT’s Ruth Palmer. Photo: Helen Orr

Business operators had spent a combined $2.1m on repairing crime related damage over the survey period, with 81 per cent saying they’d copped verbal abuse, 71 per cent experienced property damage, 70 per cent did not feel safe, 69 per cent had been a victim of crime, 65 per cent had been threatened, 32 per cent physically abused and 38 per cent spat on.

Out of survey respondents who participated last year, 65 per cent had been re-impacted by crime in the past 12 months.

Sixty one per cent of respondents who voted Labor in 2020 said they would change their vote next month.

Ten per cent of respondents said they had been impacted by crime more than 11 times over the previous 12 months, while 35 per cent had dealt with between three and five instances of

Criticisms of the police force included no judicial back-up, a focus on revenue and slow crime responses.

More than 60 per cent of respondents said they were considering leaving the Territory due to rising property crime and although a small survey, almost 80 per cent of respondents said the chief minister was not doing a good job reducing crime and a majority saying they would vote CLP.

Party leader Lia FInocchiaro said a CLP government would introduce measures including empowering police, strengthening bail laws and addressing the underlying issue behind criminal behaviour.

Chief Minister Eva Lawler said a re-elected Labor Government would spend $570m extra over five years to deliver 200 more police officers, 25 additional CCTV, more call centre operators, investment in private security and funding Bizsecure.