Manison reveals additional police operational costs for the Arafura Games

POLICE Minister Nicole Manison has revealed how much police operational duties cost during the Arafura Games — on top of the $7.2 million in event costs outlined in a government report

Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services, Nicole Manison has revealed how much the NT Government has spent on police at the Arafura Games. PICTURE: KERI MEGELUS

POLICE Minister Nicole Manison has revealed police operational duties cost $160,000 during the Arafura Games — on top of the $7.2 million in event costs outlined in a government report.

Treasurer Manison said the $160,000 budget covered police operation costs during the games where about 160 officers were involved with security.

“We did stand up Operation White Water during the Arafura Games and that was really important and they did an magnificent job,” she told Mix 104.9 Wednesday morning.

“It was also a good thing because we do expect our police to go out there and do the security for these types of major events.

“From time to time we get some pretty big dignitaries that come to the Northern Territory, I know we saw President Obama years ago and other big world leaders who have been here recently such as the Japanese Prime Minister, so it’s good to have them ready for these types of operations.”

The Arafura Games cost benefit analysis released on Monday shows that $451,526 was spent on game operations including security, uniforms, volunteers, travel and signage.

But Minister Manison said the police budget was “separate” from this.

CLP Member of the Opposition Lia Finocchiaro wants the NT Government to provide more details. PICTURE: JUSTIN KENNEDY

Deputy Opposition Leader Lia Finocchiaro called the Gunner Government out yesterday because the report did not clearly fully disclose all taxpayers dollars spent on the Arafura Games.

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“In less than 24 hours, the Gunner Labor Government facade has broken and it now concedes that it did in fact exclude some costs,” she said.

“This report lacks credibility.

“We call on the Gunner Labor Government to be open and transparent with Territorians about why its report doesn’t include the costs of public service secondments, police, travel, and expenses.”