Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro approaches Feds after spate of violent crime in Alice Springs

Removing royalty distributions from Alice Springs and implementing 100 per cent income management for parents of youth offenders are just some of the changes the Territory Government will be seeking from the Feds. Read the full list.

Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro meets with (from left to right) Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, Member for Braitling Joshua Burgoyne, Member for Namatjira Bill Yan, Acting Police Commissioner Martin Dole, and Assistant Commissioner Peter Kennon discuss the situation in Alice Springs. Picture: Supplied.

Removing royalty distributions from Alice Springs and implementing 100 per cent income management for parents of youth offenders are part of a laundry list of requests to the Federal Government issued by the CLP – with the Chief Minister saying “every option is on the table”.

After flying Alice Springs with Police Commissioner Michael Murphy in the wake of an alleged home invasion in which two teenage boys allegedly assaulted a mother and her two-month-old baby girl, Mrs Finocchiaro late on Friday evening dropped seven “critical areas” that she said required Federal Government attention.

At a press conference, it was heard about 12 NT Police officers would be redeployed under a new Fugitive Taskforce to target people with outstanding warrants.

Further, a repurposing of already-running Operation Ludlow would also see an unspecified number of extra cops join.

Ms Finocchiaro was forced to fly to Alice Springs this week. Photo: Liam Mendes / The Australian

“I have made it clear to the Police Commissioner that every option is on the table to protect this town,” Mrs Finocchiaro in the statement said.

While there was no mention of whether or not AFP or ADF support had been requested, Ms Finocchiaro said “every option” would be considered.

“This includes considering curfews and leveraging support from interstate police forces.

“I have been firm in saying that any request to the Federal Government must be tangible, realistic, and make a meaningful impact on the ground.”

Her requests included:

> Centrelink payments to be made on current takeaway alcohol-free days only

> Reintroduce compulsory work or training programs with fortnightly reporting obligations for Centrelink recipients

> Conduct a performance audit of federally-funded programs

> Ensure royalty distributions are made in communities, not in Alice Springs

> Extend CASA exemption for Alice Springs Police Drone Pilots to improve drone capability

> Implement 100 per cent income management for parents of youth offenders

> Accept the Northern Territory Government’s referral to the Federal Government for parents who neglect their children, enabling additional income management

Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro on the streets of Alice Springs.

“I have written to both Senator Malarndirri McCarthy and Federal Member Marion Scrymgour, asking for urgent action on these seven items, and have requested a meeting next week to confirm what action the Federal Government will deliver,” Mrs Finocchiaro said.

No specifics as to the scope or limitations of the income management, or how it would be dictated or delivered were addressed in the statement.

The requests come after Mrs Finocchiaro spent two days in the Red Centre post the alleged Bokhara St, Larapinta home invasion.

Mrs Finocchiaro once again pointed the finger at the former Labor government for their inaction on crime, claiming it had contributed to the “broken systems that need rebuilding, young people who are lawless and have no respect, and laws that don’t meet the community’s expectations or support our police”.

The Chief Minister will request CASA exemption to bolster capabilities for drones.

Mrs Finocchiaro cited recent laws and programs brought in by the CLP that she said aimed to reduce crime.

This included the reducing crime laws including Declan’s Law, lowering the age of criminal responsibility, and post and boast charges.

She also cited the Circuit Breaker program, which Opposition Leader Selena Uibo claimed was simply a rebrand of their previous initiative.

Federal Senator Marion Scrymgour (pictured) and Senator Malarndirri McCarthy have both been approached by the Chief Minister on the requested changes. Picture: Liam Mendes / The Australian

Ms Finocchiaro maintained the requests put to the Albanese Government would have an instant effect.

“These are real, practical changes that would have an immediate impact on reducing crime in Central Australia and are supported by many local voices, including Aboriginal leaders,” she said.

Opposition leader Selena Uibo hit-out at the announcement.

“Lia Finocchiaro was elected on a promise to take strong action against crime, but all we have seen in response to Alice Springs in crisis is six press releases, zero new police, a re-branded Labor strategy and a wish list to the federal government,” she said.

Ms Uibo says the Chief Minister has been “patting herself on the back”. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Mrs Finocchiaro will now travel to Tennant Creek and Katherine in the coming week to meet with local leaders and stakeholders, after a number of alleged violent incidents, including a report that two Katherine men were allegedly stabbed by intruders who broke into their home.

In Tennant Creek, two teenagers were on Friday charged with a string of offences each after allegedly stealing a vehicle from a local medical clinic and ramming it through the facility’s gates.