The Fyles Labor Government has turned its back on police by knocking back the Opposition’s inquiry into the police crisis.
Opposition Leader Lia Finocchiaro said it was reprehensible that this was knocked back a third time, as attrition in the force remains high, morale low, and there is little confidence in the executive and commissioner.
“Today, Territorians are left wondering what it will take for Natasha Fyles and her cabinet to wake up and see what’s really going on,” she said.
“Not only was it knocked back, but the Member for Johnston gagged debate, interrupting the member for Barkley mid-sentence to prematurely put the motion and shut us down.
“The member for Blain voted with Government against the inquiry.”
It comes as the Labor Government whisked Natasha Fyles away for National Cabinet in the middle of some of the Territory’s most tumultuous times.
“The timing is uncanny,” Mrs Finocchiaro said.
“This Government is a disaster and Natasha Fyles goes MIA to Sydney and Canberra as the police force suffers, public servants strike over pay freezes and the community struggles under the weight of high cost of living and a plague of crime on our streets.
“Parliament is a time to scrutinise government and zooming into national cabinet has worked well for the last two years – why can’t she do that now?
“What we need now is leadership, and instead the ship is rudderless and bears no distinction from the Gunner Government.
“The good people of Fannie Bay walked away from Labor – the message to Natasha Fyles couldn’t be clearer.”
Mrs Finocchiaro said the CLP Opposition would continue to fight.
“We will continue our fight for a strong and united police force,” she said.
ENDS