Territory leaders seem incapable of keeping us safe, writes Robyn Lambley

Territory leaders apparently cannot keep Territorians safe from Covid and keep Territorians safe from crime, at the same time, writes Robyn Lambley.

“WHO would have thought a few years ago we’d be living like this,” I said to a random, heavily disguised woman sitting next to me on the plane from Alice Springs to Darwin last week.

Strangely liberated by masks we chatted openly about a bygone era of roaming uninhibited around the world living the backpacker dream. The good old days.

Then predictably we moved onto the horrendous acts of violence and terror that unfolded in home town of Alice Springs during the week.

I actually thought it was possible to chew gum and walk at the same time but apparently it’s not.

It seems that Territory leaders apparently cannot keep Territorians safe from Covid and keep Territorians safe from crime, at the same time.

Independent MLA Robyn Lambley has hit out at governments unwilling to do two things at once. picture: Che Chorley

Last week in Alice Springs we saw a spate of lunatics driving dangerously around town.

CASE 1: A man allegedly drove around the Coles Carpark and beyond, on Tuesday morning, smashing into random vehicles causing extensive damage and mayhem. A woman was hospitalised as a result.

CASE 2: Another man on Thursday morning ram allegedly raided the entrance to the Riverside Bar (formerly known as the “animal bar”) of the Todd Tavern. If that wasn’t good enough he then was seen dousing his vehicle, then himself, with petrol from a red plastic Gerry can.

CASE 3: A few hours later, a vehicle rammed into another car at the McDonalds intersection and kept going.

Keeping in mind that less than two weeks before, a motorbike rider was killed in an alleged hit and run in the rural area.

This rated as one of our more challenging weeks in recent history, to say the least.

Being the poor cousins 1500km down the road, Alice Springs people are conditioned to expect very little from the Gunner Government.

Youth crime has become a big issue in the Red Centre. Photo Nicholas Falconer

But at times like this, we do require a few words of comfort and reassurance that not all is going down the toilet.

Days later, despite a loud chorus of people calling for leadership and help from the our illustrious Chief Minister, Police Minister and Police Commissioner, the silence has been deafening.

Even after all the lockdowns had been lifted on Thursday and Friday, still the response was nothing.

The local police reported the daily incidents of crime as per usual, but it’s not their job to appease the cries of outrage, panic and fear from the Alice Springs community.

In Budget Estimates in July, with police crime statistics going through the roof right across the NT, I asked the Police Commission whether keeping Territorians safe from Covid was at the expense of keeping them safe from crime. The notion was met with disgust and a categorical denial.

I then asked the Police Commissioner if being the Territory Controller for Covid, on top of his already extremely demanding job, was perhaps too much.

Again the question was met with indignation by the Commissioner and his Minister that I would suggest such an outrageous thing.

I know I am right.

It is very clear that this Government cannot simultaneously manage the two greatest threats to our lifestyle, health and future in the NT: Covid AND crime.

They have chosen Covid over crime. A better Government could do both.

After Covid, my fear is that crime will be completely out of control.

Robyn Lambley is the Member for Araluen.