Mrs FINOCCHIARO - 2015-12-01
Can you outline how the Country Liberal government is cracking down on crime to keep Territorians safe, and whether there are any alternatives?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, yes there are alternatives, but I will get to that in a moment.
Over the last three-and-a-half years we have worked tirelessly to drive down crime in the Northern Territory. We were elected for a number of reasons. We were elected to reduce the cost of living, and we have achieved that through the price of fuel, housing and electricity.
We were elected to assist families, and we have through sports vouchers, Back to School vouchers and childcare subsidies. We were also elected to drive down crime. No matter where you look in the Northern Territory, crime levels are going down - Alice Springs, Tennant Creek, Katherine, Darwin and Palmerston. Each person on this side of the Chamber is proud of those achievements.
We heard this morning that another key element of the Country Liberal Party’s platform will be removed. We already know the opposition will get rid of temporary beat locations, paperless arrests and mandatory alcohol rehabilitation. They will get rid of everything that works as part of their policy manifesto. We know Labor is soft on crime. Get down to Katherine, Tennant Creek or Alice Springs and tell them you are taking the police off the bottle shops. Then watch the grog go through people, domestic violence go through the roof and women not being protected as well as they are now. That is atrocious.
The member for Drysdale asked a question about whether there are any alternatives. Yes, there are, but they are like the Leader of the Opposition’s leadership; they are weak. They will drive crime up in the Northern Territory.
The biggest fear in Alice Springs is that Labor gets back into government. They are fearful of crime reverting back to what it was five years ago. You offer no solutions for Alice Springs and what you have announced today, getting rid of Alcohol Protection Orders, temporary beat locations, mandatory alcohol rehabilitation and paperless arrests, will strike fear into the residents of Central Australia. You will strike fear into Tennant Creek, Katherine and across the Northern Territory. More women in the Northern Territory will be assaulted under your policies and that is a shame.
Ms FYLES: A point of order, Madam Speaker! That last comment from the Chief Minister was offensive.
Madam SPEAKER: No, it is not offensive.
Mr GILES: That is factual.
Mr Gunner: It is also a lie.
Madam SPEAKER: Withdraw that, member for Fannie Bay.
Mr GUNNER: I withdraw, but that is utter rubbish.
Mr GILES: The fact is crime is down under the CLP, just like cost-of-living pressures.
Madam SPEAKER: Chief Minister, your time has expired.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, yes there are alternatives, but I will get to that in a moment.
Over the last three-and-a-half years we have worked tirelessly to drive down crime in the Northern Territory. We were elected for a number of reasons. We were elected to reduce the cost of living, and we have achieved that through the price of fuel, housing and electricity.
We were elected to assist families, and we have through sports vouchers, Back to School vouchers and childcare subsidies. We were also elected to drive down crime. No matter where you look in the Northern Territory, crime levels are going down - Alice Springs, Tennant Creek, Katherine, Darwin and Palmerston. Each person on this side of the Chamber is proud of those achievements.
We heard this morning that another key element of the Country Liberal Party’s platform will be removed. We already know the opposition will get rid of temporary beat locations, paperless arrests and mandatory alcohol rehabilitation. They will get rid of everything that works as part of their policy manifesto. We know Labor is soft on crime. Get down to Katherine, Tennant Creek or Alice Springs and tell them you are taking the police off the bottle shops. Then watch the grog go through people, domestic violence go through the roof and women not being protected as well as they are now. That is atrocious.
The member for Drysdale asked a question about whether there are any alternatives. Yes, there are, but they are like the Leader of the Opposition’s leadership; they are weak. They will drive crime up in the Northern Territory.
The biggest fear in Alice Springs is that Labor gets back into government. They are fearful of crime reverting back to what it was five years ago. You offer no solutions for Alice Springs and what you have announced today, getting rid of Alcohol Protection Orders, temporary beat locations, mandatory alcohol rehabilitation and paperless arrests, will strike fear into the residents of Central Australia. You will strike fear into Tennant Creek, Katherine and across the Northern Territory. More women in the Northern Territory will be assaulted under your policies and that is a shame.
Ms FYLES: A point of order, Madam Speaker! That last comment from the Chief Minister was offensive.
Madam SPEAKER: No, it is not offensive.
Mr GILES: That is factual.
Mr Gunner: It is also a lie.
Madam SPEAKER: Withdraw that, member for Fannie Bay.
Mr GUNNER: I withdraw, but that is utter rubbish.
Mr GILES: The fact is crime is down under the CLP, just like cost-of-living pressures.
Madam SPEAKER: Chief Minister, your time has expired.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016