Chief Minister Michael Gunner to visit Alice Springs ‘soon’ in wake of A Current Affairs crime report

CHIEF Minister Michael Gunner says he will visit Alice Springs “soon” in the wake of a special TV report on crime in Alice Springs, but has not confirmed whether he will meet with Mayor Damien Ryan

Chief Minister Michael Gunner has said he will visit Alice Springs ‘soon’. Picture: Glenn Campbell

• ‘Crime at any time, anywhere, is unacceptable’: Gunner clarifies govt position on youth crime in Alice Springs
• ACA Alice Springs report triggers strong response from mayor
• Spotlight put on Crime in Alice Springs in special A Current Affair report

CHIEF Minister Michael Gunner says he will visit Alice Springs “soon” in the wake of a special TV report on crime in Alice Springs, but has not confirmed whether he will meet with Mayor Damien Ryan.

A spokesman for the Chief Minister declined to confirm whether Mr Gunner will meet with Mr Ryan during his upcoming visit, the date of which has not been specified.

“The Chief Minister has met with Mayor Ryan while in Alice Springs since the 2020 NT Election, and he will meet with him again in the future,” the spokesman said.

MORE CRIME NEWS

CLP to introduce bail laws to make it harder for youth reoffenders to get bail

Offenders punch teenage girl in the face during terrifying Darwin home invasion

Man in court after allegedly throwing boiling water over woman

Mr Gunner told ABC radio Darwin yesterday he intended to meet with groups including the Chamber of Commerce, Tourism Central Australia, “frontline services”, Talice and education workers and would also doorknock community members if he had the time.

Mr Ryan this week called on the NT government to appoint a “pre-eminent Territorian” to conduct a community safety audit of Alice Springs but Mr Gunner dismissed the request.

“I think Damien Ryan is a prominent Territorian. I think, as Chief, I’m a prominent Territorian,” Mr Gunner said.

A scene from the disturbing A Current Affair report on the crime crisis in Alice Springs. Picture: Supplied/A Current Affair

“There’s plenty of us who can do this work. I don’t think we need to bring someone else in again. I think we just need to do the job.”

While Mr Ryan thanked Mr Gunner for the vote of confidence, he remains insistent that the audit be carried out.

“I would like an audit that explores all of the issues, all of the providers, so we’re all singing from the same hymn sheet,” Mr Ryan said.

“It worries me if the government thinks that wouldn’t be a useful tool.”

During a press conference yesterday morning, Mr Gunner admitted he had found it difficult to work with Alice Springs Council over a number of years.

“I do believe, and I’ve said for a long time, I think Alice Springs town council could do more. Particularly, I think, around making sure there are activities for youth outside the CBD.”

But he also said his government was now committed to building a “constructive relationship” with council.

Mr Ryan acknowledged this as a positive sign, but said “running programs isn’t the be all and end all”.

HOT NEW DEAL: Read everything for 28 days for just $1

“We’re forever running things in our town. And I look forward to discussing those ideas that the Chief Minister has,” Mr Ryan said.

“I’m very happy to work with the NT government to reclaim the town. To give the people of the town their safety back.

“So I say, let the government create this community safety audit. So then when issues come up, we’ve got the document to come back to. I’m asking the Chief Minister to recognise that whatever we’re doing at the moment is struggling to provide safety to the community.”

Follow @AliciaCPerera