Police Commissioner disappointed by Senator’s comments

NT Police Commissioner Jamie Chalker has responded to Senator Sam McMahon calling him and Nicole Manison ‘devious’

NT Police Commissioner Jamie Chalker has described Senator Sam McMahon’s comments over remote police funding as “very disappointing”.

Last week Senator McMahon, responding to comments made by Mr Chalker over his push to get an outcome from the federal government on funding for remote police, said Mr Chalker was being “devious” and “mischievous”.

“They (Commissioner Chalker and Police Minister Nicole Manison) are both being quite mischievous in saying this is a surprise this is coming to an end, this is a shock to us. They are in fact well aware of where the funding fits,” Senator McMahon said.

On ABC radio today Mr Chalker said Senator McMahon’s comments were “very disappointing”.

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He also said it was concerning Prime Minister Scott Morrison did not have a greater understanding of social issues on the Northern Territory.

“I’m very concerned that the Prime Minister doesn’t have a deep understanding of the true social pressures that underline and impact across the Northern Territory, particularly as it relates to Aboriginal people,” he said.

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“There’s a whole raft of underlying issues where the Commonwealth plays a key part. Aboriginal people make up 30 per cent of the Northern Territory population. As we know, nearly 90 per cent of those live in regional and remote localities, and all the victimisation rates tell us there is a vast issue as relates to Aboriginal people being harmed. That’s the conversation I think the Prime Minister needs to have.”

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