Leader of the Opposition, Lia Finocchiaro, says the Gunner Labor Government’s spectacular failure in addressing community concerns over escalating crime and its devastating economic mismanagement will be under the microscope when Parliament resumes this week, for the first time in 2021.
“Crime and the economy are the two major concerns for Territorians, and the two greatest failures of this Gunner Labor Government.
“Last week the Police Commissioner revealed property crime has spiked by up to 50% in Alice Springs and Tennant Creek. The Commissioner also revealed 75% of offenders dealt with by members of Strike Force Viper are repeat offenders.
“This proves Labor’s weak bail laws are in need of an urgent overhaul. The Chief Minister’s Queensland counterparts were able to mobilise legislative change to the state’s inadequate youth bail laws in a matter of weeks, yet Labor still won’t admit the Territory has a glaring problem with youth crime.
“It’s little wonder the NT economy is the weakest in the nation for the eighth consecutive quarter, according to the latest State of the States report.
“The cost blow outs and wastage by this government is unprecedented. The budget for construction of Garramilla Boulevard ballooned by $14 million, there was a $7 million overspend on the State Square underground carpark, and $80,000 spent on a review of the
$1.7 million Cavenagh Street shade structure.
“Labor has racked up an $8.4 billion net debt with nothing to show for it. The only plan we’ve heard from this government, is to try and tax its way back to prosperity by slugging Territorians fees to enjoy our parks.
“The Opposition is introducing the Territory Coordinator Bill to revamp and modernise the way major projects and significant private investment is handled in the NT. This will create jobs, grow our population and kick start the Territory’s struggling economy. “We will hold the government to account on its election commitments to the people of the Northern Territory, and to the high standard the community expects of its elected officials,” said Ms Finocchiaro.