Jacinta Price and Marion Scrymgour shine light on DV, alcoholism in parliament
The NT’s newest federal politicians have highlighted on a national level the major issues facing Territorians.
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THE NT’S newest federal politicians are united on tackling domestic, sexual and family violence in the Territory despite coming form opposite sides of politics.
Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price and Lingiari MP Marion Scrymgour were sworn into the 47th federal parliament this week.
In her maiden speech, Ms Price used her time to delve into the violence faced by Territorians, putting into the spotlight the heartbreaking deaths of a woman and her baby north of Alice Springs on July 17.
“The families involved and our community are reeling from these not only deeply tragic but — I believe — avoidable murders,” she said.
“Another Indigenous woman in Katherine was killed by a woman close to her in a domestic violence incident the same week. These killings occur so regularly in the Northern Territory that locals can’t help but feel desensitisation.
“They deserve outrage to demand for an end to domestic violence and murder. They deserve to be acknowledged the same way the women who protested to this very parliament deserved to be acknowledged.”
Ms Price said she would work to represent the innocent victims suffering at the hands of violence.
“If we protect our most vulnerable and hold to account those who cause them harm, we can reduce violence and sexual abuse,” she said.
“Our focus must be to represent the interests of the victims before the perpetrators. However, reducing violence and sexual abuse also reduces rates of incarceration.
“My vision, my hope, my goal, is that we can effect change that will see women, children and other victims in these communities become as safe as any of those living in Sydney, Melbourne or any other Australian city.”
In her speech, Ms Scrymgour echoed intentions to protect vulnerable Territorians. She said the recent expiry of the Stronger Futures Bill had to prompt efforts to support Territorians impacted by alcohol-fuelled violence.
“What is at least needed is for both governments, Federal and Northern Territory, to work out a plan to protect the innocent victims who are being swamped by waves of violence, now that takeaway alcohol is getting let back into town camps,” she said.
“This is an emergency issue which needs urgent attention not an intervention like in 2007 but for both Labor governments to work collaboratively together in order to maintain community safety and dedicate some time to work out a sustainable plan for the future. Our young people deserve no less.”
Ms Scrymgour also detailed investment and growing the Territory economy as priorities in her tenure, particularly growing employment for Aboriginal Territorians.
“Lingiari is both the heartland of and the gateway to Australia,” she said.
“Lingiari doesn’t have a manufacturing base, and it may never host the sort of factories and infrastructure which sprang up down south last century … but we have an expansive and valuable pastoral industry, a potential renewables bonanza, and a tourism sector which is brimming with potential.”
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