Leader of the Opposition, Lia Finocchiaro, says the Gunner Government will be forced to face
up to its staggering failure to address the Territory’s ballooning crime rates as well as the
catastrophic and dangerous bed block at Royal Darwin Hospital during this weeks’
parliamentary sittings.
“Three days of sittings were scrapped from the August sittings due to a COVID lockdown and
the Gunner Government has refused to reinstate those days.
“The reason they have scrapped three days of parliament is because the Chief Minister and
his incompetent government don’t want to talk about crime. The latest crime stats show, in
just 12 months, close to nine thousand Territorians were the victim of assault, domestic
violence-related assault is up 35% and alcohol-related attacks have skyrocketed.
“Labor don’t want to talk about the dozens of teenagers who have been arrested since Labor’s
watered down youth justice reforms were passed just a few months ago – who were on bail
at the time they allegedly committed offences including: assault, stealing, unlawful entry,
aggravated robbery and weapon possession.
“Labor don’t want to talk about the Northern Territory Police Association’s latest member
survey which shows 77% of respondents don’t believe there are enough officers, 64% said
morale is low or very low, 88% are concerned with the retention rate of the NT Police Force,
and 60% have applied or are considering applying for another job.
Shadow Minister for Territory Families and Opposition Whip, Joshua Burgoyne, says the
Gunner Government can’t escape crucial scrutiny over it failure to address the NT’s health
crisis.
“We do not accept the Chief Minister slashing three days of Parliament and Territorians
deserve better than a government that ducks and hides – I have questions on crime from
people in Alice Springs that deserve answers.
“Royal Darwin Hospital has recorded three Code Yellow critical bed shortages in less than 12
months. The CLP Opposition will also be heaping pressure on Labor to outline how this has
happened and how the issue will be fixed,” said Mr Burgoyne.
ENDS