The Fyles Labor government this week will vote against the will of the people they are supposed to represent, according to Opposition Whip Joshua Burgoyne.
Mr Burgoyne said Labor was expected to vote for raising the age of criminal responsibility but against lower fuel prices.
“Crime and the cost of living are two of the biggest issues affecting Territorians and on both these issues Labor is out of step with the community,” he said.
“Raising the age of criminal responsibility does not mean less crime, it means less consequences for offenders.
“The only people in the Territory who think this is a good idea are Labor and the young criminals.”
Mr Burgoyne said if the legislation passes, the new law would mean anyone aged under 12 would not see the inside of a court room.
“In the middle of the worst crime crisis in history, the Labor Government thinks it is smart to mess with criminal responsibility. This is the worst timing possible,” he said.
“The Labor Government does not have viable alternative programs in place—so what happens the next time a 12 year old robs a petrol station with a knife? Will they face no consequences whatsoever?
“We need to know how the Labor government proposes to deal with children aged 10 to 12 who commit crimes—particularly violent crimes that need intervention of some sort.
“What new programs like boot camps and skills camps will be in place to make sure these kids are rehabilitated in a way that keeps them out of the Criminal Justice System in the future?”
Mr Burgoyne said the CLP Opposition’s Fuel Price Disclosure Bill 2022 would be debated this week and called on Natasha Fyles to stop siding with the big fuel companies and instead back the CLP’s plan to drive down fuel prices.
“We can’t wait two more years for a change of government – we need lower fuel prices now,” he said.
“Natasha Fyles can either join us in doing something now or sit on her hands and do nothing.
“We know fuel prices go down whenever governments talk about regulation and that’s what we’ve seen with our Bill before Parliament – Labor can help make lower prices permanent.
“This is the last week of sittings before the end of the year and Natasha Fyles needs to stand up and side with Territorians rather than push through legislation suiting a minority.”
ENDS