Alice Springs curfew may be extended, says Eva Lawler

The Alice Springs curfew that bans children from the centre of town after 6pm may be extended beyond the two weeks initially announced, NT Chief Minister Eva Lawler said.

Northern Territory Chief Minister Eva Lawler. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

The Alice Springs curfew that bans children from the centre of town after 6pm may be extended beyond the two weeks initially announced as a circuit-breaker for chaos in the central Australian town, Northern Territory Chief Minister Eva Lawler said.

Ms Lawler confirmed on Monday that she was open to continuing the curfew introduced last Wednesday. She said that when she was in Alice Springs last Thursday’ she met business owners and other groups including the organisation that advocates for Aboriginal children in every state and territory, SNAICC.

She said all had provided good ideas about the way ahead. The end of the curfew in the ­middle of school holidays was one topic of discussion.

“That might be one of the first steps … to look at possibly extending it for those days over the school holidays,” Ms Lawler said.

She said it was significant that some families were acknowledging they needed “assistance and support” to manage their children. “Families are saying they do want support around managing their young people … Some families are really struggling to make sure their children are doing the right thing, to make sure they have those boundaries in place,” Ms Lawler said.

“Over the next week, we will do some really solid work on the ground to look at next steps for Alice Springs.”

The Police Minister and police commissioner would return to Alice Springs this week to talk to locals, she said. “This week will be an opportunity to have more conversations with stakeholders,” Ms Lawler said.

As well as extra police, extra child protection workers and social workers from Territory Families were in Alice Springs to manage fallout from the curfew.

The government is aware that banning children from the CBD could move the town’s youth crime problem to the suburbs. Ms Lawler and police are also aware that some children roam the city after dark because their homes are not safe at night or too noisy and crowded to sleep.

The curfew comes after repeated breakouts of violence and crime. The death of a young man in a stolen car in Alice Springs drew mourners from Utopia and fighting broke out with a rival group. On Tuesday last week, a large group damaged the Todd Tavern. Up to 150 people fought each other then police, who ultimately seized 50 weapons.

The day after the rioting and brawling, the Central Land Council condemned those involved. “It is never OK to frighten residents and damage their property,” CLC chair Matthew Palmer said. “They have dis­respected the native title holders of Mparntwe who have made it very clear how they expect ­people to behave.”

“Young people should not take matters into their own hands but follow cultural leadership and authority.”

CLC deputy chair Warren Williams said the peacemakers deserve everybody’s support. “We commend the Aboriginal leaders and the steps they have taken so far and who are trying to resolve the dispute peacefully.

“Cultural processes are best dealt with on country, under the guidance of the elders and senior community leaders.”