Protesters face court after show of dissent in parliament over bail laws

Two women charged after protesting the Territory Government’s recent changes to youth bail laws have faced court for the first time.

Sharna Alley and Mililma May have faced court after being arrested for protesting changes to youth bail laws.

TWO women charged after protesting the Territory Government’s recent changes to youth bail laws have faced court for the first time.

Sharna Alley and Mililma May appeared in the Darwin Local Court on Tuesday where each stands charged with failing to leave a government premises after their silent protest in parliament’s public gallery drew the ire of speaker Ngaree Ah Kit on May 11.

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Alley, May and two other women stood up and raised their right fists in solidarity with youths affected by the changes which passed the parliament a few days later following a perceived spike in crime.

The pair did not comment on Tuesday but their lawyer, Clancy Dane, applied for the case to be adjourned to the directions hearing list, indicating it is likely to be contested.

The case returns to court on July 30 but the two women were excused from attending if represented.

It comes after NT Police Commissioner Jamie Chalker revealed 44 youths had been arrested since the new laws were enacted but said it remained unclear whether they were helping reduce recidivism.

During estimates on ­Monday, the NT government could not say how many of the 44 youths were repeat ­offenders.

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