NT election 2024: CLP, ALP answer transparency policy questions

With the clock ticking down towards the 2024 NT election, the NT News put the Country Liberal Party and Territory Labor in the hot seat – questioning them on their transparency strategies.

With the clock ticking down towards the 2024 NT election, the NT News put the Country Liberal Party and Territory Labor in the hotseat – questioning them on their transparency policies.

With the clock ticking down towards the 2024 NT election, the NT News put the Country Liberal Party and Territory Labor in the hot seat – questioning them on their transparency strategies.

Would you support a lobbyist register and clearer conflict of interest disclosure mechanisms?

ALP

Let’s never forget – the CLP refused to establish the Independent Commission against Corruption (ICAC).

Territory Labor established the ICAC and Territory Labor does not shy away from transparency and scrutiny.

Will the CLP rule out going backwards on anti-corruption scrutiny?

We do support a lobbyist register; The Territory is becoming the place of business and projects.

To continue to protect the anti-corruption rules that the Territory Labor Government has established, we would absolutely welcome a lobbyist register.

In December the Territory Labor Government announced a review into the reporting of the Ministerial conflict of interests and declarations register, the Terms of Reference for this review are now public.

Even though there are a number of legislative controls and procedures currently in place regarding conflict of interest controls, it is timely to review current practices, examine their adequacy and make recommendations to strengthen policy, practice and procedures.

CLP

Yes. Labor has an integrity crisis.

They are without doubt the most scandal plagued, secretive and incompetent government in the Territory’s history.

Despite being elected on the promise to be open and transparent.

Natasha Fyles was accused on breaching her Parliamentary disclosure obligations and the Ministerial Code of Conduct.

She now sits on the backbench without accountability in the Labor caucus who regard her as a, “very good Chief Minister and a very good politician”, as Chief Minister Eva Lawler said in her first chaotic press conference.

Eva Lawler and Chansey Paech have played leading roles in this government which has been marked by integrity scandals for seven years – holding the line, protecting their mates, and participating in their fair share of scandals.

Public confidence in decision-making processes has been trashed recklessly by Labor.

The CLP’s policies include clear commitments to transparency and integrity measures including complying with FOI requests, resourcing the ICAC, divesting and declaring conflicts, and establishing a lobbyist register.

Three Labor Chief Ministers in three years. Territorians have had enough.

The only way to clean this mess up is to clear Labor out.

Will your government provide additional funding to the Territory’s National Preventive Mechanisms, given that it has been more than a year since the NT Monitoring of Places of Detention (OPCAT) Bill passed?

ALP

Under the Territory Labor Government, the Territory was one of the few jurisdictions which welcomed and co-operated with the United Nations Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment during its recent visit to Australia.

We are working to progress implementation of OPCAT, including by introducing and passing the Monitoring of Places of Detention (Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture) Amendment Act 2022.

Commencement of the Act requires sufficient and ongoing funding from the Commonwealth to ensure the Territory’s National Preventative Mechanisms are adequately resourced to meet its obligations. Negotiations between the Commonwealth and the states and territories regarding funding arrangements are ongoing and we will continue to advocate to ensure the Territory receives its fair share.

CLP

Labor’s mismanagement of government has led to overcrowded prisons, pushing the limits of available infrastructure, and neglected rehabilitation programs, now requiring urgent attention.

The CLP has committed to keeping prisons under government control and ensuring those facilities are fit for purpose.

The CLP will comply with inspection requirements agreed to under OPCAT and commit to working with the National Preventive Mechanism independent Officer on any recommendations which come from inspections of all places of custody in the Territory

Better programs and engagement with prisoners will drive down repeat offending.

Prisoners should be working, not wasting time.

Our successful Sentenced to a Job and new Sentenced to a Skill programs for youth and adult offenders will transform lives again after being trashed by Labor.

The CLP will back our corrections officers by giving them important protective tools like spit guards, for offenders who intentionally spit and bite our frontline (staff).

Expanded work camps in communities for adults and boot camps for youths provide strong alternative sentencing option.

These will give respite to our community and provide longer term rehabilitation for offenders who need to be on country, engaged actively, given hope for the future and supported in a tough but fair environment.