ALP and CLP policies on NT courts and corrections

As the clock ticks down to the 2024 NT election, the NT News put the Country Liberal Party and Territory Labor in the hot seat, questioning them on their policies around courts and corrections.

As the clock ticks down to the 2024 NT election, the NT News put the Country Liberal Party and Territory Labor in the hot seat, questioning them on their policies around courts and corrections.

What will your government do to support and maintain access to free legal services in the Territory?

ALP

It was the Territory Labor Government who brought back community courts so communities have a greater say in local justice issues and will expand the reach of these courts across the Territory.

The Territory Labor Government will continue to enhance justice responses by extending our successful specialist domestic and family violence court to other locations across the Territory. We also will build on our investment for victims of crime, so victims receive timely support to help them recover.

The Territory Labor Government will always ensure that Territorians have access to quality legal services, no matter where they live.

We have a proven track record of working in partnership to strengthen our legal assistance sector and deliver better justice services for Territorians.

We understand that delivering legal services to regional and remote parts of the Territory is challenging.

We will continue to work with the Commonwealth Government to advocate for sustainable funding for the legal assistance sector so that Territory legal services are funded based on need, not on population size.

Mr Steve Edgington MLA, Member for Barkley. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

CLP

The CLP recognises the shortcomings in the current justice system, notably the lack of

legal services for those who cannot afford it and the rapid increase in crime.

The lack of access to legal services compounded with high volumes of crime being put before our courts is blowing out time frames for hearings and bogging down the system.

Access to justice should be efficient, and through law reform, investment in correctional

services, ensuring adequate access to free legal services and lowering crime, the CLP

will give reprieve to a heaving system.

Instead of just incarcerating individuals, the CLP advocates for a transformative

approach, that includes skill-building and rehabilitation to break the cycle of crime.

Our plan for a safe, strong Territory focuses on the importance of equipping individuals

with the skills necessary to reintegrate into society successfully.

Through training and development within detention facilities, the CLP seeks to empower young people to lead productive lives free from crime.

The CLP’s balanced approach to legal services and rehabilitation reflects its

commitment to fostering a fair and just society in the Territory.

Through targeted initiatives, the CLP is committed to uphold the principles of access to justice and human rights for all Territorians.

The Territory’s prisons are over capacity, with the NT recording the highest imprisonment rate of the country – three times the next highest jurisdiction. What will you do to bring down prison numbers?

ALP

The very best way to reduce prison numbers is to reduce the root causes of offending.

This is what our community expects and we will always do everything we can in this space.

We will continue to take an evidence based approach to reforming our justice system.

We are delivering initiatives under our Aboriginal Justice Agreement including expanding our successful alternative to custody and bail support programs that provide targeted treatment, training and rehabilitation to help people avoid future contact with the justice system.

We will support more Law and Justice Groups across the Territory so that local leaders are empowered to de-escalate conflict and address local justice issues.

We have delivered record investment in programs that break the cycle of reoffending.

Rather than revolving door prison sentences, we want to see offenders participate in training and education programs so they are ready to work upon release in the community.

That’s why we recently announced investment in vocational education and training programs in prisons.

Deputy Chief Minister Chansey Paech. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

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.

However, the pressing issue remains Labor’s crime crisis and the destruction of the economy.

The CLP has committed to keeping prisons under government control and ensuring

those facilities are fit for purpose.

We will comply with all obligations and will build the infrastructure we need to keep the streets safe.

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.

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

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.