Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull promises a better life in Tennant Creek

PRIME Minister Malcolm Turnbull has hit the streets of Tennant Creek for a first-hand look at some of the social issues that have plagued the troubled Territory town

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull meets with a local indigenous dance troupe after arriving at Tennant Creek airport on Sunday. Picture: AAP/Dan Himbrechts

MALCOLM Turnbull hit the streets of Tennant Creek Sunday night for a first-hand look at some of the social issues that have plagued the troubled Territory town.

The Prime Minister joined the local youth patrol, which trawls Tennant Creek’s streets each night to pick up children who wander late at night.

On Monday he will meet with police and participants in the Remote School Attendance Strategy as they work to get children off the streets and into the classroom.

Mr Turnbull – the first prime minister to visit Tennant Creek since Malcolm Fraser in 1982 – said his Government was focused on helping address the issues that had led to the rape of a two-year-old girl in the town in February.

“We have a complete commitment to work with the indigenous community, to work with the Northern Territory Government, the local council and all agencies to ensure that the children in Tennant Creek are safe,” he said.

The Prime Minister was greeted by hundreds of locals, including traditional owners on Sunday.

“My trip here is about listening to people’s experiences, taking lots of notes as you know I do, to inform a path forward in partnership with this community, the Territory Government and of course local government,” Mr Turnbull told the gathered crowd.

“I know that Tennant Creek has had its challenges in recent times and I know that you are facing these challenges head on with courage, leadership and collaboration.”

The Prime Minister then held meetings with business and community leaders.

He met with Tennant Creek Mayor Steve Edgington who has asked the Federal Government to support a regional deal for Tennant Creek, similar to the cities deals the Commonwealth is negotiating with metropolitan centres including Darwin.

“When the delegation from the Barkly Regional Council came to see me in Canberra we discussed the need for a positive social and economic plan to build a better future for local residents,” Mr Turnbull said.

“To make this a reality all three levels of government need to come together.”

Mr Turnbull also toured the Barkly Regional Alcohol and Drug Abuse Advisory Group before holding a private dinner with the local cultural authority.

He was joined by Social Services Minister Dan Tehan, Indigenous Affairs Minister Nigel Scullion, CLP candidate for Lingiari Jacinta Price and NT Chief Minister Michael Gunner.

The Prime Minister’s visit follows a sustained campaign from the NT News, which has published dozens of stories covering the Territory’s child protection crisis since the horrific incident in February.

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Mr Turnbull will meet with Tennant Creek police superintendent Kerry Hoskins on Monday for a briefing on Operation Haven.

The operation has been successful in reducing domestic violence and alcohol-related offences since it started in Tennant Creek in February.

He will also visit the Papulu Apparr-Kari Language Centre and visit participants in the local Community Development Program run by the Julalikari Aboriginal Corporation.