Resident claims ABC bias after security guard violence claims

The government will look to change complaints processes around private security guards after violence claims. See what prompted the change

Chief Minister Natasha Fyles has declined to say if a private security guard forcibly removing a citizen from a public place would constitute assault, after a national spotlight was cast on Northern Territory’s security measures.

Asked to define the legal status of a security guard mishandling people against their will in a public place, Ms Fyles would say only security guards “were licensed”.

Her comments come after an ABC 4 Corners documentary on Monday scrutinised and raised questions about the legal status of private security officers in NT public places.

Lord Mayor Kon Vatskalis told the program he did not know on what legal basis private security guards were moving on members of the public.

“You have to ask the Northern Territory police and the Northern Territory government,” he said.

Neptune Security Guard Wayne Reed stands in front of damaged Karama Tavern in 2021. Picture Katrina Bridgeford.

Ms Fyles did not answer directly when asked on ABC Radio on Tuesday whether the actions of security guards screened on the program were against the law.

“In the Northern Territory security guards are licensed, so they do have a licence,” she said.

She flagged changes to reporting processes for members of the public who wanted to complain about a security guard.

“We’re always agile, always looking for changes,” she said.

“I’ve asked the Department how people can make a complaint.

“Is there an easier complaints mechanism acknowledging Indigenous Territorians where English is the second language, how can we have a process if someone is unsettled or has had a confronting incident, that can be put through if we can see patterns of behaviour?

“The vast majority of security guards do the right thing (but) you may get someone that needs further training.”

ABC’s Brooke Fryer.

A Karama resident, who lives in public housing across the road from the local shopping centre, said comments she made to 4 Corners defending security guards did not make the final cut.

Presented by visitor Brooke Fryer, the program failed to tackle issues around anti-social behaviour and public drunkenness.

“I spoke about the graffiti, the gangs, the stolen cars, my car being broken into twice, feeling unsafe going to the shops in daylight,” she said.

“I told them about being locked inside the shopping centre while waiting for police and ambulance to come after a big brawl and then having to be escorted home by the private security with dogs.

“People down south who don’t experience this daily will think we are the baddies.”