ADF troops to continue helping on the NT’s borders despite pulling out of Queensland

AUSTRALIAN Defence Force troops stationed at the Northern Territory’s borders will remain until at least October 31 — despite the expected withdrawal of similar personnel from Queensland within weeks.

AUSTRALIAN Defence Force troops stationed at the Northern Territory’s borders will remain until at least October 31 — despite the expected withdrawal of similar personnel from Queensland within weeks.

A Defence spokeswoman confirmed the deployment of all 128 ADF staff, including 84 helping NT Police at border checkpoints, had been extended until at least October 31 as recognition of “the unique and significant risks that COVID-19 poses to vulnerable Indigenous communities”.

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Police at the closed NT/SA border on March 24, 2020. Picture: Emma Murray

This comes amid another political bunfight in Queensland between the state and federal governments sparked by revelations Defence personnel manning the borders in the Sunshine State could be pulled imminently to begin preparing for storm season.

There are 578 Defence personnel deployed in Queensland for Operation COVID-19, 148 of those supporting police on the borders.

NT Police Commissioner Jamie Chalker, in an interview on Mix 104.9, revealed he had been informed of the ADF’s decision to remain on the Territory’s borders on Tuesday and was of the view troops, if possible, should remain in the NT for as long as coronavirus border measures are in place.

Chief Minister Michael Gunner. Picture: Che Chorley

The Territory’s police force is currently stretched to its limits, with a number of police station front counters in Darwin still shut to the public so staff can be redeployed.

NT Police Association president Paul McCue this week warned any withdrawal of ADF and Australian Federal Police staff from the Territory would be a “dire situation”.

“If a wave hit the NT we are going to be understaffed in terms of dealing with the situation,” he said.

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Chief Minister Michael Gunner said he had been clear about keeping controls on the borders and had voiced the vital role Defence had played in the NT with the Prime Minister and the Defence Minister.

“On behalf of Territorians I thank our Defence and AFP personnel for the work they have done and will keep doing to keep us safe,” he said.