OPINION: Territorians should be safe from antisocial behaviour
There are few things Chief Minister Michael Gunner and I agree on, but at the very top of that list is keeping Territorians safe, writes NT Opposition Leader Lia Finocchiaro.
Opinion
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THERE are few things Chief Minister Michael Gunner and I agree on, but at the very top of that list is keeping Territorians safe.
That must always be the number one priority of any government, no matter which side of politics you’re on. Territorians must always come first.
This is a global pandemic and we don’t think COVID should be used as a political weapon.
That’s why we have been proactively suggesting significant improvements to the COVID vaccine portal, to make sure it is a one-stop-shop for Territorians wanting to get the jab.
I’m relieved the Gunner Labor Government has finally taken action to address this, which means more Territorians will get vaccinated, sooner.
Unlike Michael Gunner and his Labor team, the Country Liberal Party believe that Territorians should also be safe from the relentless threat of violence, crime, and antisocial behaviour.
Michael Gunner and Labor don’t think crime is as big an issue as you and I.
Mix104.9’s Katie Woolf hit the nail on the head this week when she said the public is being gaslighted by Labor.
Territorians are being victimised every single day. They are literally crying out for help and they’re being told by the Gunner Government that it’s not as bad as they think it is.
How many Territorians have to be bashed, robbed or killed before Labor do something different?
It’s only been 12 months since our last general election and the performance of the Gunner Government has significantly worsened.
For many months now we have seen violent crime, including domestic violence related assault and alcohol related assaults consistently rise, right across the Territory.
The latest NT crime statistics show Territory-wide, assaults have increased 28 percent, DV-related attacks are up 35 percent and assaults involving alcohol have risen 37 percent.
In Palmerston alone, alcohol-related assaults are up 75 percent and DV-related assaults are up 74 percent.
The figures are staggering and almost unbelievable.
Overnight on Friday, four police officers in Alice Springs were assaulted during an arrest.
The disrespect shown to our hard-working police who are just trying to do their job is disgraceful.
And on this mounting evidence of spectacular failures in its law and order reform and alcohol policies, the Gunner Government is silent.
Just this week in Parliament Labor refused to face up to question, after question – but we know Territorians wants answers, including:
WHY the Labor Cabinet gifted $12m for the dodgy grandstand deal?
WHY Labor decided to pay $35m to Don Dale detainees and then attempt to keep the payout figure secret from Territorians?
WHY the Gunner Government has continuously failed to address youth justice and horrific crimes like the brutal bashing of Alderman Gary Haslett, allegedly perpetrated by a 13-year-old who was on bail?
WHAT Labor is doing to address the Code Yellow crisis at Royal Darwin Hospital?
WHY the NT has been ranked the worst performing economy in the nation for the 11th consecutive quarter.
The desperation of the Gunner Labor Government to shut down any resemblance of debate inside Parliament House – particularly over the $12m grandstand grant – while continuing to lie straight to the faces of Territorians through the media is despicable.
They’re not silencing the Opposition. They’re silencing Territorians. It is anti-democratic and oppressive.
The Gunner Government is hiding behind COVID is for a multitude of reasons – mainly because it is a one-trick pony and is losing grip on the reins.
The upcoming Daly By-election will be a test of this imploding Gunner Labor Government and its ability to deal with pressing issues facing Territorians: crime, lack of government accountability and the economy.
We’re all ready for that fight.
Lia Finocchiaro is the NT Opposition Leader
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