Finocchiaro: Fight with us for the Territory we love in the wake of Lindon Feick’s death

Territorians have every right to feel heartbroken, frustrated and angry about the situation we again find ourselves in, writes Lia Finocchiaro.

Minister Robyn Cahill, Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro, Minister Marie-Clare Boothby and Deputy Chief Minister Gerard Maley announced they would introduce the nation's "toughest bail laws" in response to the tragic killing of a Nightcliff shop owner by an alleged offender on bail. Picture: Darcy Fitzgerald

Territorians have every right to feel heartbroken, frustrated and angry about the situation we again find ourselves in.

On Wednesday, 71-year-old Linford Feick – a devoted husband of 51 years, father and grandfather to seven – tragically lost his life inside the Nightcliff business he owned and loved for decades.

Mr Feick’s life was taken, allegedly at the hands of an 18-year-old who was on bail.

His death should not have happened, and the teenager has since been charged with murder.

Mr Feick was a much-loved and well-known embedded part of the Territory and his local community.

I have extended our deepest condolences to Mr Feick’s wife, Margaret, and their entire family.

All Territorians, as we do in times of need, have stood in solidarity with the family.

The level of violence in our community is abhorrent.

Minister Robyn Cahill, Deputy Chief Minister Gerard Maley, Minister Marie-Clare Boothby and Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro announced they would introduce the nation's "toughest bail laws" in response to the tragic killing of a Nightcliff shop owner by an alleged offender on bail. Picture: Darcy Fitzgerald

Only two years ago, the Territory was reeling over the death of Declan Laverty, who was also murdered at work – again at the hands of an alleged offender who was out on bail.

Within six weeks of coming to government, we urgently passed our Reducing Crime laws, which included strengthening bail via Declan’s Law and better powers across a range of areas.

This included mandatory sentencing for assault workers, scanning for edged weapons, lowering the age of criminal responsibility, breach of bail to be an offence and nuisance public drinking.

While these measures are having a positive impact, they are only the beginning of what is needed to restore community safety.

Which is why, for example, we have been working on a rewrite of the Youth Justice Act to be ready for July, parental responsibility legislation, changes to the Traffic Act, and more.

Bail laws, however, must be revisited as a matter of urgency.

On Thursday morning, our government met on urgency.

We have directed the Attorney-General’s Department to urgently draft legislation to strengthen Declan’s Law with additional changes to the Bail Act.

NT Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

The changes will mean that for all serious offences, courts will only be able to consider bail where they are satisfied there is no further risk to the community.

We will make it clear for people who commit serious offences, their starting point is no bail.

The Speaker, Robyn Lambley, has accepted my request to recall Parliament on Wednesday to introduce and pass this urgent legislation through all stages.

Our government, and Territorians, expect the laws to be stronger, and they will be.

Our stronger bail laws will ensure the Territory has the toughest in Australia.

Community safety continues to be our number one priority.

Since coming to government just eight months ago, we have been fixing the justice system mess left behind.

This includes giving police more powers, adding 500 new beds to our prison system and addressing long term issues with the overburdened court system, and Legal Aid.

We inherited a system that places too much emphasis on the historical trauma of perpetrators rather than focusing on ongoing harm to the community.

The terrorisation of innocent people, particularly at the hands of those on bail for serious offences, needs to stop.

It is important we stand together because we all deserve to feel safe.

For those Territorians who are considering whether to stay or go in the wake of Mr Feick’s tragic death, my message to you is to fight with us.

We have to stand up and fight for the Territory we love.

Nothing we say or do can bring Mr Feick back.

As a Territory, we stand together, supporting each other through yet another heartbreaking tragedy.

Lia Finocchiaro is the Chief Minister of the Northern Territory

Originally published as Finocchiaro: Fight with us for the Territory we love in the wake of Lindon Feick’s death