Natasha Fyles apologises to NT Police for ‘inappropriate’ radio comments

Chief Minister Natasha Fyles has again apologised to the Territory’s police force following comments labelled ‘deeply insulting’ by the union.

Natasha Fyles has apologised to the NT Police Association after the union accused the Chief Minister of “attempting to redirect blame for law-and-order policy failures onto police”.

NTPA president Nathan Finn said it was “deeply insulting” for Ms Fyles to say “police decide who gets bail” during a radio interview on Mix 104.9 on Tuesday.

“The NT parliament sets the laws, and police enforce them,” he said.

“It is totally inappropriate for the Chief Minister to claim responsibility for bail is solely up to police.”

Mr Finn said he was also concerned a review of youth bail laws from November last year would not be made public, as revealed by Police Minister Kate Worden in estimates hearings last week.

“How can our members and the community have confidence government is making informed decisions around bail if the review won’t be made public?” he said.

NTPA president Nathan Finn said it was ‘little wonder’ many union members felt unsupported by the NT government. Picture: Supplied

“If the review has identified something needs to change to protect the public and ensure police have the tools to keep violent offenders off the streets, it needs to be implemented – as a priority.”

Mr Finn said it was “little wonder” 96.7 per cent of the union’s polled members said they did not feel supported by the NT government.

Ms Fyles said she spoke with the NTPA on Wednesday morning and apologised for her comments.

“Police do a fantastic job and I would like to clarify my comments made yesterday,” she said.

“It’s not just police who grant bail — under our Bail Act, courts also make bail decisions.

“In all cases, the risk to the community will be considered when making bail decisions.”

Ms Fyles said a report generated by a separate bail review into weapons offences announced in March would be published in its entirety.

“We will provide information to the community so that they can see what we have looked at and why we are responding,” she said.

Police Minister Kate Worden said there 230 more police on the beat than when the CLP was last in government. Picture: (A)manda Parkinson

In response to Mr Finn’s criticisms about the November youth bail review not being made public, Police Minister Kate Worden said it was a “cabinet in confidence document”.

“We need smarter justice policies with real enforced consequences for offenders – and we need to prevent crime from occurring in the first place,” she said.

“Doing one of those things without the other makes the problem worse, not better.

“This youth bail review is part of a number of initiatives introduced by the Territory Labor government to keep Territorians safe.”

Opposition leader Lia Finocchiaro said it was the second time this year Ms Fyles had been “caught with egg on her face” following a previously apology for asking police to “step up”.

“Our police are under-resourced and undervalued by Natasha Fyles,” she said.

“Along with an apology she should today commit to a full public inquiry into our police crisis and finally work with the CLP to strengthen bail laws to help them to be able to safely and effectively do their jobs.”

Originally published as Natasha Fyles apologises to NT Police for ‘inappropriate’ radio comments