Mr REED - 2000-10-18
Mr REED (Deputy Chief Minister): Mr Speaker, I take this opportunity to provide some additional information in relation to the incidence of drug-related crime, a question that was asked by the opposition and indeed to demonstrate that their assertions are again incorrect, and to applaud the efforts of the Northern Territory Police because since the financial year 1996-97, police have been able to hold, pretty well, the incidence of drug-related crime to the level of that time. That in itself is a remarkable achievement in national terms, when you look at drug-related crime across the country. That there has been no substantial increase in the Northern Territory, despite the incorrect assertions by members opposite, is an applaudable outcome.
In 1996-97, drug infringement notice apprehensions numbered 380; drug-related crime apprehensions, 424; a total of 804. 1997-98, 413 drug infringement notice apprehensions; 352 drug-related crime apprehensions; total 765. 1998-99, 351 drug infringement notice apprehensions and drug-related crime apprehensions, 343; total 694. To 31 May this year, 377 drug infringement notice apprehensions; drug-related crime apprehensions, 419. Notice there an increase substantially this year over last year in terms of those drug-related crime apprehensions and the hard work of police, for a total of 796.
So, in terms of the work done by the Northern Territory Police and the efforts that are being put in place, not only with Territory Health Services, the Drug and Intelligence Division continues to focus upon these persons or organised groups trafficking, manufacturing or cultivating illicit drugs. To supplement this approach, the NT continues to be the driving force behind the Joint Target Development Team and that team consists of the Australian Federal Police, Australian Customs Service and, of course, the Northern Territory Police, which was established to identify organised crime activity specifically to deal with drug trafficking.
So, not only do the results demonstrate success in being able to hold, pretty well, the level of those incidences at levels of some four years ago, and that is an applaudable outcome, it is a complete put down for the assertion incorrectly made by the members opposite again being deceitful, again misleading Territorians, again proven wrong, again caught out.
In 1996-97, drug infringement notice apprehensions numbered 380; drug-related crime apprehensions, 424; a total of 804. 1997-98, 413 drug infringement notice apprehensions; 352 drug-related crime apprehensions; total 765. 1998-99, 351 drug infringement notice apprehensions and drug-related crime apprehensions, 343; total 694. To 31 May this year, 377 drug infringement notice apprehensions; drug-related crime apprehensions, 419. Notice there an increase substantially this year over last year in terms of those drug-related crime apprehensions and the hard work of police, for a total of 796.
So, in terms of the work done by the Northern Territory Police and the efforts that are being put in place, not only with Territory Health Services, the Drug and Intelligence Division continues to focus upon these persons or organised groups trafficking, manufacturing or cultivating illicit drugs. To supplement this approach, the NT continues to be the driving force behind the Joint Target Development Team and that team consists of the Australian Federal Police, Australian Customs Service and, of course, the Northern Territory Police, which was established to identify organised crime activity specifically to deal with drug trafficking.
So, not only do the results demonstrate success in being able to hold, pretty well, the level of those incidences at levels of some four years ago, and that is an applaudable outcome, it is a complete put down for the assertion incorrectly made by the members opposite again being deceitful, again misleading Territorians, again proven wrong, again caught out.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016