Q&A: Candidates from Alice Springs electorates hone in on crime, economy, environment
VOTERS had the chance to hear what each candidate from Alice Springs believes is the best plan for the region moving forward during a 2020 Election Q&A
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FROM crime and economy to environment, voters had the chance to hear first hand what each candidate from Alice Springs believes is the best plan for the region moving forward on Wednesday night during a 2020 Election Q&A.
The Chamber of Commerce NT – Central Australian Region hosted the event featuring candidates from the Braitling, Gwoja, Namatjira and Araluen electorates at the Doubletree by Hilton.
Candidates were asked questions covering topics including Population/Engagement, Economy, Crime, and the Environment, followed by a general Q&A open to the public.
On the topic of anti-social behaviour and crime, candidates were asked to outline their party’s plans to reduce crime to allow confidence to return to business and community.
Araluen MP Robyn Lambley said Territory Alliance has a plan surrounding youth crime which involves a curfew.
“Our night-time youth strategy is about identifying kids on the streets at night and asking them ‘Can you go home?’,” and then caring for them until a responsible guardian is made available, Ms Lambley said.
“It involves a curfew and a time that is unacceptable for kids to be on streets at night.”
Independent for Araluen, Wayne Wright disagreed on the curfew stance and said “the issue lies back in the education process”.
Greens candidate for Braitling, Chris Tomlins said a 24/7 run facility for children would be beneficial, as well as “reconnecting kids and getting kids back to Country”.
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On the topic of how parties would encourage growth and increase participation in economic activity, Wayne Wright the town needed to be “rebranded as the city of Alice”.
“We are in the centre of Australia we need to have a lot more to share,” Mr Wright said.
“For this town, the local planning is still taking place in Darwin. We need to take control here … that will give you jobs,” he said.
Independent for Braitling, Scott Mcconnell said “increasing the liveability” of Alice Springs was imperative to strengthening the local economy.
”The crime is driven by a lack of social inequality. We don’t make traditional owners feel welcome on their own land.
“Stop dividing the community and then the economy will grow.”
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Damien Ryan said creating jobs, increasing community safety and encouraging opportunities was needed.
“We have a massive array of mining projects that are still locked up … that’s where the jobs are,” Mr Ryan said.
“How do you attract people here? You give them a wonderful lifestyle. Community safety is a huge point going forward for all of us.”
He said to activate the agricultural, mining and renewable industries investment would be needed from private businesses.
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