Property Council crime survey to spice up NT election debate

The NT Property Council’s crime and politics survey is set to drive debate up until the August 24 election. Read why it’s important.

The Northern Territory Property Council has relaunched the crime and anti-social behaviour survey which last year put community perception front-end-centre during the NT-wide crime surge.

Property Council executive director Ruth Palmer said the survey tracked and built-on historical crime data to better understand the ongoing impacts of crime on Territory businesses and residents.

She said this year’s survey again has a mix of questions including topics specifically related to the August Territory election.

Last year’s survey identified 95 per cent of respondents believed social issues and crime had worsened in the previous 12 months and that 53 per cent of respondents were considering leaving the jurisdiction due to property crime.

Property Council NT executive director Ruth Palmer

The survey identified 94 per cent of Territorians believed crime impacted population growth, and 96 per cent said it affected tourism.

Three quarters of respondents had been victims of property crime, 39 per cent had vehicles stolen and 70 per cent reported that crime and anti-social behaviour impacted their investment decisions.

“These insights underscore the importance of this year’s survey in continuing to document and address these pressing issues,” Ms Palmer said.

“Our members have shared first hand accounts of the daily challenges they face including property damage, security costs, and the impact of anti-social behaviour on their lives and businesses.

“The 2023 survey revealed disturbing trends, such as spitting incidents, threats against business operators or their property, public urination and defecation on their property.

“One business reported spending over $100,000 on repairs, upgrades, and security measures.”

This year’s survey has 31 questions mixing police and politics with the final question asking voters to identify their preferred chief minister.

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The survey asks whether respondents feel safe, their specific voting intentions, their support for the opposition leader and whether, if they voted Labor last time and whether rising property crime had changed voter intention.

It asks whether respondents would recommend the NT as a place to live for southerners, whether crime is impacting tourism and whether business operators were considering leaving the Territory due to rising property crime.

It focuses on police numbers, seeks suggestions for tackling crime and drills into the impacts of crime on individual business and the frequency of crime.

The survey can be undertaken by Property Council members and non-members and will remain on line until July.

Ms Palmer said final results would be forwarded to the Chief Minister ahead of the July 31 leaders debate.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2024propertycrimesurvey