Territorians can look forward to ‘multiple decades’ of escalating crime if a Labor government remains in power, according to their new Member for Fannie Bay.
Brent Potter confessed on radio this morning that Labor’s crime policies were a long-term plan that would take multiple generations to address in the Northern Territory.
He told Mix FM listeners this morning:
“The long term fix is all the stuff that we’re putting in place.
“Multi-generation is not just two decades, it’s multiple decades.
“You know, we were in Afghanistan for two decades, and we still didn’t get the complete outcome we’re seeking.”
Opposition Leader Lia Finocchiaro said today’s crime stats proved Labor’s policies were a massive fail.
Commercial break-ins were up 83 per cent in Darwin, 93 per cent in Katherine and 63 per cent in Alice Springs.
Territory-wide, motor vehicle theft is up 30 per cent and home break-ins had risen 29 per cent.
These statistics are on top of last year’s already appalling numbers, Mrs Finocchiaro said.
“Labor has already been in government for decades and crime continues to get worse. How bad does it need to get before they accept that whatever plan they have is not working?” she said.
“What they are trying to do is dismiss these shocking crimes as a part of everyday life in the Northern Territory. But anywhere else in Australia, these statistics would be an outrage.”
Mrs Finocchiaro said Brent Potter described crime as a “complex issue”.
“When Labor says something is a complex issue, that’s code for them not knowing how to fix the problem” she said.
“While the Fyles government is comfortable with their revolving door of bail and high rates of reoffending, the CLP has a real plan.
“The CLP’s plan gives people direction and will break the cycle of crime. Our Sentenced to a Skill policy ensures offenders learn skills that can help turn their life around.
“We will also scrap the minimum floor price and review the BDR, bring back the 2km rule and ensure people with addiction are given the support they need.
“We will bring in bail reform and return youth justice to corrections as Territory Families are not equipped to deal with youth criminals.
“These are policies that will turn this cycle of crime around and that’s what Territorians want from their government.”
ENDS