Gunner’s crime crackdown met with mixed response

THE Gunner Government’s new youth crime laws have been met with a mixed response from the public, with many sceptical about the plans while others have welcomed the tougher approach

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THE Gunner Government’s new youth crime laws have been met with a mixed response from the public, with many sceptical about the plans while others have welcomed the tougher approach.

Chief Minister Michael Gunner revealed all the details of his long-awaited crime crackdown on Tuesday.

Young offenders who breach bail will be hauled back to remand, and police will be allowed to breath test children as part of the NT government’s proposed crackdown on crime.

Territorians took to the NT News website and social media to voice their opinions on the government’s new laws.

“Amazing what a bit of free advertising courtesy of A Current Affair and Action for Alice can achieve,” one commenter said.

“No-one should be able to get away with not having to face actual consequences for their actions, and let’s hope this is the start to change the pathetic attitudes of the children roaming in packs and their parents who don’t care and give victims hope.”

“Whatever the plan is, I hope they are implemented with force and not go softly, softly,” said another.

Another commenter claimed the government’s crime crackdown didn’t go far enough.

“Don’t just make it no bail for specific offences. Make it no bail for ALL subsequent offences, and you might have a chance at fixing the problem,” he said.

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“If you are reoffending on bail, regardless of the offence, you go inside. That is REAL consequences. If you need to build a bigger jail, so be it.”

Other members of the public said they wanted to see more done to hold the parents and guardians of young offenders to account.

“The sadness of the situation in Alice and the NT is that the children’s behaviours are a symptom of a far greater problem,” one person said.

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“It begins at home. Without parents and family being accountable, what hope do the children have? Start with the adults, give the children a chance to see another way.”

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