A culture of no consequence for criminals has led to a breakdown of law and order in the Territory that continues to escalate. In response the CLP will bring in another piece of legislation to strengthen the criminal code.
Today Leader of the Opposition Lia Finocchiaro announced that she had instructed Parliamentary Counsel to draft legislation to make ram raids a specific criminal offence with a maximum penalty of 14 years.
Mrs Finocchiaro announced “Currently there is no specific offence to deal with ram raids so they are often charged under other provisions such as robbery not typically suited to this type of offending.”
“Introducing a new offence for using a motor vehicle to commit a crime will strengthen the law and send a message to criminals that this level of offending will be met with serious consequences” she said.
“Over the last few weeks alone we have seen a drastic escalation in ram raids, in Alice Springs, Katherine, the Daly, Tennant Creek and this weekend targeted attacks in the Darwin CBD and Palmerston.
“Ram raids leave so many victims, the owner of the stolen vehicle, the road users put in danger and the businesses and staff that are raided.” she said.
“This change has also been called for by the Property Council of the Northern Territory who have been hearing from their members about the increasing costs and impacts to businesses across the Territory of this type of senseless destruction.”
“Despite desperate calls from Territorians, Labor continues to put the focus back on the business to strengthen their premises. Labor continues to want Territorians to be prisoners in their own homes and businesses.
“The answer to these escalating crimes is not bars, shutters and bollards.
“Labor is focused on strengthening the buildings, not the law.
“The difference in the CLP’s approach couldn’t be more stark, we will continue to put forward legislation that strengthen the laws, gives police back the powers to keep Territorians safe and stop the endless second chances for criminals under Labor”.
ENDS