Prime Minister Anthony Albanese responds to Alice Springs crime crisis
The federal government has responded to a chorus of calls for urgent action on a crime crisis in Alice Springs. Read whether the PM is likely to visit the town.
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Pressure is mounting on the Prime Minister to urgently visit a crime-ridden Alice Springs.
But despite a federal government spokeswoman admitting the situation was “concerning”, it appears Anthony Albanese has no plans to show face in the Central Australian town crying out for help.
Mayor Matt Paterson was among the first to spark calls for federal intervention on a persisting crime crisis, saying on Tuesday “we can’t continue to live like this”.
The plea came after a string of alleged violent incidents, including one in which a 13-year-old was arrested after allegedly possessing a “small edged weapon” in the town’s Woolworths.
The Country Liberal Party and federal opposition leader later joined calls for urgent commonwealth help, including military deployment.
However a federal government spokeswoman would not address specific questions put by this publication on Sunday about Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visiting Central Australia.
“Reports about the level (sic) crime in Alice Springs are concerning. Everyone deserves to live in safe and healthy communities,” she said.
It's time for the @gabsfestival Hottest 100 Aussie Craft Beers - and there's only a few hours left to vote.
— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) January 20, 2023
My vote's going towards @BoatmanPat’s Albo Ale, of course. pic.twitter.com/GfIXtFrGaJ
“The Minister for Indigenous Australians visited Alice Springs in November.
“She met with community groups and discussed many matters relating to the Alice Springs community and the surrounding areas.
“We are focused on working in partnership with the NT Government and the local community, because we know that the best solutions come from local communities themselves.”
The spokeswoman also pointed to the Territory government’s Social Order Response Team (SORT), which Police Minister Kate Worden visited members of during a two-day trip to Alice Springs.
Ms Worden said NT Police’s Operation Drina, an emergency response launched in mid-November, had led to 300 arrests in seven weeks.
Police suspended the liquor licence of a Todd St venue for 48 hours over the weekend, while Coles and Woolworths removed one-litre bottles from their retailers’ shelves.
Mr Dutton said the situation was “a national disgrace”.
“The mayor up there has called the Attorney-General asking for additional federal police resources, the Albanese Government has refused that,” he told the Nine Network.
“I worry we’re going to see tragedy in Alice Springs.
“It’s already been a very difficult situation there for families, for kids, for business owners, for just elderly people who want to go to the shops without being accosted.”
The federal government spokeswoman also referred to a $14m Central Australia Plan, designed to deliver “immediate and medium-term” crime prevention and community safety programs over four years.
Residents have also voiced their support to get the Prime Minister to their town.
“I challenge him to walk the streets at night like some of us have to,” one NT News reader, Hock Neal said.
Sarah Elizabeth said the PM should “go out at night and watch what happens - spend a night in fear.”
“Everyone hides when these people come to town, so it doesn’t look as bad,” she said.
“He’s been everywhere else on the planet since he was elected so makes sense to visit a troubled spot in his own country,” Royce Chapman said.
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