‘Disappointingly, there’s little in the budget for remote policing’: NTPA president

THE Northern Territory Police Association has revealed it is disappointed by the lack of attention paid to remote policing in the budget

Northern Territory Police Association (NTPA) president Paul McCue said they were disappointed by the lack of attention paid to remote policing in the budget. Picture: Che Chorley

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THE NT Police Association (NTPA) has applauded the government’s budget efforts to support frontline workers during COVID-19, but said the everyday needs of police could be forgotten.

Chief Minister Michael Gunner revealed on Tuesday that the latest Territory budget included $10.5m for police to maintain their presence on NT borders and in communities, as well as $30.5m for 131 additional emergency staff, including 66 frontline constables announced last month.

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NTPA president Paul McCue said it was disappointing to see little attention paid to concerns outside of COVID-19, particularly remote policing.

“The Territory’s frontline workers – police, nurses and teachers – have shouldered the bulk of the COVID-19 response, and we welcome the government’s investment in additional police and support staff to meet these demands,” he said.

“But we don’t want to see day-to-day policing requirements pushed to the side.

Northern Territory Police Association (NTPA) president Paul McCue said they were disappointed by the lack of attention paid to remote policing in the budget. Picture: Che Chorley

“Our members, particularly at bush stations, need to know the government will provide the resources and infrastructure needed to not only staff metropolitan, regional and remote stations, but cater for future growth. And we can’t see that in this budget.

“Disappointingly, there’s little in the budget for remote policing despite, our pre-election discussions with the Police Minister.”

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The only infrastructure project outlined in the budget outside of Darwin was a $3.4m upgrade to the Tennant Creek watch-house.

Funding was outlined for the construction of police stations in Maningrida ($15.7m) and Ngukurr ($13.8m), but these projects are not new, and were mentioned in the last budget.

Police Minister Nicole Manison said it was a record budget for police.

“This will help fund another year of record police numbers, and more resources to help fight crime, like constables and Aboriginal Community Police Officers,” she said.

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