Astronomical Don Dale riot damage bill revealed in NT parliament

THE astronomical damage bill caused by child detainees at the Northern Territory’s two youth justice facilities in the past five months has been revealed

Smoke pours from the Don Dale Detention centre during the November 6 riot. Picture: Keri Megelus

CHILD detainees have caused more than $1.2 million of damage at the Northern Territory’s two youth justice facilities in five months.

The astronomical damage bill was revealed in parliament on Wednesday.

It includes $286,000 already paid out for damage at Don Dale, plus $150,000 of outstanding invoices which are yet to be submitted.

And the November 6 riot, in which about a dozen kids caused eight hours of chaos at the notorious jail-turned-youth detention centre, is expected to have a total damage bill of $750,000.

Repairs at the Alice Springs Detention Centre have cost $91,523.

Territory Families Minister Dale Wakefield defended the bill in parliament.

“There is no doubt we have a facility which needs continuous ongoing work which is why we have been very clear we need a new facility,” she said.

“However while we are using that facility we need to be making sure we are ensuring the safety of staff, ensuring the safety of community and making sure that facility is as safe as possible.

“We will continue to spend what we need to ensure we have there is a safe workplace for our frontline workers.”