Mulka MLA Yingiya Guyula has called on NT parliament to ‘go and listen’ to communities and hear their solutions to youth crime

Instead of damaging “quick fixes” on youth crime, NT MLAs should launch an investigation into the underlying causes of the issue and tour the Territory in search of community-led solutions, independent Mulka MLA Yingiya Guyula has said

INSTEAD of damaging “quick fixes” on youth crime, NT MLAs should launch an investigation into the underlying causes of the issue and tour the Territory in search of community-led solutions, independent Mulka MLA Yingiya Guyula has said.

Mr Guyula on Thursday called on his parliamentary colleagues to support his move to create a select committee into young people and crime, with the inquiry to head out into communities across the NT to learn of the underlying issues, the structural impediments to progress and the different solutions in different areas that could help tackle the issue.

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Independent Northern Territory MLA Yingiya Guyula pictured in Darwin. Picture: Amos Aikman

Amid heated debate this week between the government and the Opposition on their respective crime plans, Mr Guyula said he was “worried and concerned” that communities were not being listened to or consulted.

The government’s latest “crackdown” includes walking away from recommendations of the royal commission into youth detention and involves throwing kids into remand if they breach bail by reoffending or fail to attend court.

The laws will largely impact Aboriginal children, when viewed against data that shows they make up nearly 100 per cent of all kids in detention in the NT.

The Law Council of Australia has condemned the laws as “counter-productive and troubling”, a view shared by other legal bodies and advocate groups.

NT Police Association president Paul McCue disagreed, saying “the facts were” that current policies on youth crime were not working.

Northern Territory Police Association (NTPA) President Paul McCue. Picture: Che Chorley

“Having a royal commission and setting recommendations doesn’t mean you don’t review them if they are not working, you can’t just have a long-term plan without some short-term options as well,” he said. Opposition Leader Lia Finocchiaro indicated the CLP was willing to participate in the proposed committee and that she recognised the need for “long-term community-led solutions to combat generational issues”.

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But she also added that “short-term solutions” to give people reprieve from crime was necessary.

An NT government spokesman said they would give the proposal “consideration”, noting it aligned with their “approach of breaking the cycle of crime and generational change through youth diversion, and through empowering communities to get vulnerable youths back on track”. Mr Guyula’s motion will be debated in May.