Mr STYLES - 2012-10-31
What steps has your government taken to reduce crime in the Territory since coming to office?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Sanderson for his question. There seems to be a crime that has been committed that these guys are trying to cover up on the other side; that is, a failure to do their job properly. Territorians are deeply concerned at what they have found. However, I thank you, member for Sanderson, for your question.
My government has taken a number of steps towards attacking crime in the Northern Territory since coming into government, following the election on 25 August. While the community should be aware of my government’s commitment to reduce the overall level of crime and to employ 120 police - 20 of which are targeted to work in, of all places, Alice Springs, Opposition Leader. I am also pleased to inform members that my government has moved quickly to introduce a legislative program to ensure that crime does not pay.
I am assured that the vital work of these 120 new police members will be well received by the community and the extra coverage will definitely increase the probability, if not the inevitability, of being apprehended and punished if you act or behave poorly, break the law, or commit a crime. My government is in no doubt we need to be tough on crime.
As part of our legislative agenda we have introduced amendments to the Police Administration Act designed to allow arresting officers to take a sample of drug testing to attack the scourge of drugs, and get a clear picture on exactly what is happening on our streets. We have introduced the violent act causing death bill, better known as the one punch legislation, which is aimed at changing the behaviour on the streets and addressing the scourge of alcohol-fuelled violence.
We have plans to amend the Criminal Code Act and the Sentencing Act to formulate appropriate penalties for unlawful assault where the suspect is believed to have had a dangerous drug in their body, and we will introduce legislation ensuring that serious, serial sexual offenders are kept away from the community.
However, while we have put in place the resources and are strengthening the laws, we are also developing the process of corrections. On 31 August this year, we commenced a recruitment campaign for 120 police, the Extreme Policing - Join the Force campaign. On 21 September, my government appointed Mr John Dalby to oversee the Katherine Rehabilitation Centre and alcohol policy reforms. On 26 September, we brought a focus on the issue of crime by releasing crime statistics. On 5 October this year we brought together Alice Springs agencies and organisations to a stakeholder meeting on alcohol policy to provide input on our reforms – we are open and accountable. The legislation I mentioned has started to work its way through the House this past week.
Madam Speaker, my government is committed to making sure crime does not pay and offenders are held accountable for their actions. Let us be assured the new laws my government is bringing into this House will be there to change the behaviour of criminals.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Sanderson for his question. There seems to be a crime that has been committed that these guys are trying to cover up on the other side; that is, a failure to do their job properly. Territorians are deeply concerned at what they have found. However, I thank you, member for Sanderson, for your question.
My government has taken a number of steps towards attacking crime in the Northern Territory since coming into government, following the election on 25 August. While the community should be aware of my government’s commitment to reduce the overall level of crime and to employ 120 police - 20 of which are targeted to work in, of all places, Alice Springs, Opposition Leader. I am also pleased to inform members that my government has moved quickly to introduce a legislative program to ensure that crime does not pay.
I am assured that the vital work of these 120 new police members will be well received by the community and the extra coverage will definitely increase the probability, if not the inevitability, of being apprehended and punished if you act or behave poorly, break the law, or commit a crime. My government is in no doubt we need to be tough on crime.
As part of our legislative agenda we have introduced amendments to the Police Administration Act designed to allow arresting officers to take a sample of drug testing to attack the scourge of drugs, and get a clear picture on exactly what is happening on our streets. We have introduced the violent act causing death bill, better known as the one punch legislation, which is aimed at changing the behaviour on the streets and addressing the scourge of alcohol-fuelled violence.
We have plans to amend the Criminal Code Act and the Sentencing Act to formulate appropriate penalties for unlawful assault where the suspect is believed to have had a dangerous drug in their body, and we will introduce legislation ensuring that serious, serial sexual offenders are kept away from the community.
However, while we have put in place the resources and are strengthening the laws, we are also developing the process of corrections. On 31 August this year, we commenced a recruitment campaign for 120 police, the Extreme Policing - Join the Force campaign. On 21 September, my government appointed Mr John Dalby to oversee the Katherine Rehabilitation Centre and alcohol policy reforms. On 26 September, we brought a focus on the issue of crime by releasing crime statistics. On 5 October this year we brought together Alice Springs agencies and organisations to a stakeholder meeting on alcohol policy to provide input on our reforms – we are open and accountable. The legislation I mentioned has started to work its way through the House this past week.
Madam Speaker, my government is committed to making sure crime does not pay and offenders are held accountable for their actions. Let us be assured the new laws my government is bringing into this House will be there to change the behaviour of criminals.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016