CLP and Labor in war of words over tracking bracelets in youth crime crackdown
Opposition leader Lia Finocchiaro has claimed only a dozen repeat offenders have been given ankle bracelets when bailed, sparking a rebuke from the NT government.
Northern Territory
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OPPOSITION leader Lia Finocchiaro has blasted Michael Gunner’s government as being “directly responsible” for repeat offenders committing crimes on bail.
The CLP on Wednesday claimed just 12 tracking bracelets had been issued by police over the past four years.
But the police minister has claimed a much higher number – 340 youths – have been subjected to monitoring devices through the courts in just financial year 2019-20.
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Ms Finocchiaro made the claims on Thursday, saying six people were bailed with electronic monitoring in 2017, three in 2018, and two in 2019.
“Estimates questioning revealed just one person was bailed by police with electronic monitoring in 2019/20, and no ankle bracelets have been issued for police bail this financial year to the end of February,” she said.
“This is not the fault of police. This law was rushed and is unworkable, yet the Gunner Labor Government hasn’t done anything to address it.”
Ms Finocchiaro said the CLP’s proposed bill released last month would’ve given police power to include mandatory electronic monitoring for repeat offenders.
“(The Gunner Government) are now directly responsible for every Territorian who is victimised by a repeat offender on bail.”
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When asked about the figures by the NT News, police minister Nicole Manison said 340 youths had been given tracking bracelets through the courts in the financial year 2019-20.
Ms Manison also flagged new powers for police, recognising that “there is always more to be done.”
“Electronic monitoring is a widely used tool for helping ensure compliance with bail conditions,” she said.
“Police will also be given more powers to tackle youth crime through expanded options to apply electronic monitoring.”
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