NT government rejects claims of interfering with police reporting

The opposition leader has claimed the government is more interested in ‘optics’ after as serious sexual assault was exposed by an independent politician.

Lia Finocchiaro has taken aim at the government amid revelations two alleged serious sexual assaults occurred without Territorians being advised.

The swipe came after NT independent politician Robyn Lambley forced police to release details of the child rape investigation.

Ms Finocchiaro said the issue had raised concern crimes were “going unreported”.

“Just in the last week we’ve had reports of two alleged serious sexual assaults across the Territory without any notification to the community about it, which has raised concerns from people who wonder just how many crimes are going unreported.”

Ms Finocchiaro said she believed police were “doing everything” they could.

“I believe that police media are doing everything they can and they’re as stretched as the rest of our police force.”

However, Ms Finocchiaro maintained the issue lay with government who she claimed was too focused on “optics”.

“What I’m convinced of is that this government sends the strongest possible message to the public service that it is more focused on managing the optics of its government than it is about delivering for Territorians.”

Opposition Leader Lia Finocchiaro said the Government was more focused on “managing the optics of its government”. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Chief Minister Natasha Fyles rejected the claim and said the opposition were “playing political games”.

“Police are free to report on matters that need reporting – we support our police force to do this,” Ms Fyles told the NT News.

“The leader of the Opposition needs to stop playing political games – all rules and regulations have been complied with.”

Ms Fyles maintained her government would not be distracted by the CLP’s “games”.

“Me nor my government will not be distracted by these games, we are getting on with the job of delivering for Territorians,” she said.

“We are completely focused on tackling cost of living pressures, creating jobs, and making the Territory safer.”

Ms Finocchiaro said the NT had sustained “serious reputational damage” and was regarded as “unsafe” by the nation.

“(The Territory) has received serious reputational damage on a range of fronts under Natasha Fyles, including being an unsafe place to live, an unsafe place to work, an expensive place to live and somewhere that’s not economically sound and growing going forward,” she said.

“With our population growth stagnant and people leaving because of high rates of crime, we’re then unable to provide that important service delivery to the Territorians who are left – we can’t grow as a community, as an economy, as a society until law and order is under control.”