‘Crime has spiralled out of control’: MLAs slam government response to Alice Springs business break-ins
OPPOSITION Territory Families Minister Joshua Burgoyne has lashed the government’s response to property crime.
Politics
Don't miss out on the headlines from Politics. Followed categories will be added to My News.
OPPOSITION Territory Families Minister Joshua Burgoyne has lashed the government’s response to property crime in Alice Springs.
On Wednesday, the NT News reported the office of Police Minister Nicole Manison had reached out to the owners of an Alice Springs chiropractic clinic that had been targeted by youth burglars eight times in three weeks.
Her office wanted to check on staff welfare and discuss compensation for victims of crime, among other matters with the owners.
“If the Police Minister is going to call every single person in Alice Springs who is affected by crime it’s going to become her full-time job,” Mr Burgoyne said in response.
“Crime has spiralled out of control under the Gunner Labor government to the point where many Territorians no longer feel safe in their own homes or businesses.”
MORE CENTRALIAN ADVOCATE NEWS
Pet cat dies after being snared in steel trap, man fined more than $4000 for animal cruelty
Police allowed to enter Alice Springs’ Youth Hub despite social media rumours
Machete, boomerang used in disturbance in Alice Springs CBD
Mr Burgoyne cited the most recent crime statistics showing residential break-ins had increased by 23 per cent in the 12 months to November 2020.
The same statistics showed a slight drop in commercial break-ins, which fell by 2.1 per cent.
“Prior to the election, the CLP committed to reforming the Bail Act, returning Youth Justice to Corrections and encouraging community-led solutions to crime problems,” Mr Burgoyne said.
“The CLP also committed to supporting our Police force, by prioritising its decision- making and guaranteeing continuous recruiting.”
Araluen MLA Robyn Lambley said under-resourcing was a significant problem for the police in Alice Springs.
“In estimates last year, I asked the police commissioner why there isn’t a consistent police presence in the CBD on Friday and Saturday nights. And he responded by saying ‘we just don’t have the resources’,” Ms Lambley said.
NT NEWS sizzling new deal: Get all your news for just $5 a month
“As a community we’re expected to be so patient with the police being so chronically under-resourced, but why should we be patient? Why should we be tolerant of a government that isn’t adequately resourcing them? Because it impacts on our safety. It’s compromising our wellbeing and our health.”
“Territorians are being lied to about police numbers. We are being fed utter garbage about police staffing levels.”
Nationals’ sights set on breaking up Territory land councils
David Littleproud has affirmed support for breakaway land councils if elected, decentralising the powerful bodies managing Aboriginal land and royalties in the Northern Territory.
NT Government orders removal of Pride flags from hospitals
The rainbow, transgender and Torres Strait Islander flags have suddenly been removed from Top End hospitals, with the Health Minister claiming they were not compliant with government protocols.