Ms LAWRIE - 2016-02-09
Last night about 10 shops in the Star Village had their windows broken. Residents in Karama and Malak are constantly on Facebook talking about break and enters, and theft of motor vehicles and belongings. I hear these stories from Palmerston as well. Across Darwin and Palmerston people are complaining about a dramatic increase in crime. People are also complaining about high numbers of itinerants hanging around shopping centres and parks, and an increase in antisocial behaviour.
Exactly what will you do to tackle this rise in crime? It is very real. You can throw some gammon stats out but it is happening on the ground. You promised to cut crime by 10%. It is increasing, it is real, and people are very upset. What are you doing?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, it is a fantastic question except that it is misguided. The suggestion with that question is that crime only became a problem in the Territory when the Country Liberals came to government. Crime is something that unfortunately has always been a part of not only the Northern Territory but Australia and the world. Police officers do a fantastic job protecting our streets wherever you are across this country.
Since this government was elected in 2012 there has been a dramatic turnaround and focus on improving things across police and law enforcement, not only in strengthening legislation but also providing the right tools for police. There is also a massive increase in the number of police we have on the beat today compared to when we had a Labor government before 2012.
We have invested heavily in CCTV cameras and invigorated strategies for involving the community. I applaud people going on social networks like Facebook because it promotes awareness for people in the community. The Chief Minister answered this question today in a media conference we held. We do not want people to put their safety at risk on our streets. We would much prefer that if they see something happening in our suburbs, they report it and allow police to do their job.
The pseudo-Labor member for Karama has suggested that ...
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, refer to the member for Karama as the member for Karama.
Mr CHANDLER: The member for Karama referred to what this government is doing in regard to dealing with law and order, but she does not want me to refer to statistics. It is like the Opposition Leader said earlier, ‘We will just listen to Joe Bloggs or whoever it is and stats are not important’. Statistics are important because they give a very clear indication of where the police need to focus their resources. The additional police on the beat and the actions police are taking today are remarkable. The statistics will tell you that across the Territory crime is down about 10%. But it will always be a hard argument to sell.
As the Chief Minister said today at a media conference …
Ms LAWRIE: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Standing Order 110: relevance. Crime is increasing across Darwin and Palmerston. What will you do about it?
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, if you could get to the point, please.
Mr CHANDLER: Madam Speaker, I have made the point repeatedly. The fact is our police do an amazing job. We have increased police resources in the Northern Territory and added CCTV cameras and other tools such as strengthened legislation. The police do a fantastic job and should be supported.
I again ask Territorians, if they want to be involved, to report the crimes they see. It helps with the intelligence for police to do their job. They are doing an amazing job. Crime is down across the Territory.
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, your time has expired.
Exactly what will you do to tackle this rise in crime? It is very real. You can throw some gammon stats out but it is happening on the ground. You promised to cut crime by 10%. It is increasing, it is real, and people are very upset. What are you doing?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, it is a fantastic question except that it is misguided. The suggestion with that question is that crime only became a problem in the Territory when the Country Liberals came to government. Crime is something that unfortunately has always been a part of not only the Northern Territory but Australia and the world. Police officers do a fantastic job protecting our streets wherever you are across this country.
Since this government was elected in 2012 there has been a dramatic turnaround and focus on improving things across police and law enforcement, not only in strengthening legislation but also providing the right tools for police. There is also a massive increase in the number of police we have on the beat today compared to when we had a Labor government before 2012.
We have invested heavily in CCTV cameras and invigorated strategies for involving the community. I applaud people going on social networks like Facebook because it promotes awareness for people in the community. The Chief Minister answered this question today in a media conference we held. We do not want people to put their safety at risk on our streets. We would much prefer that if they see something happening in our suburbs, they report it and allow police to do their job.
The pseudo-Labor member for Karama has suggested that ...
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, refer to the member for Karama as the member for Karama.
Mr CHANDLER: The member for Karama referred to what this government is doing in regard to dealing with law and order, but she does not want me to refer to statistics. It is like the Opposition Leader said earlier, ‘We will just listen to Joe Bloggs or whoever it is and stats are not important’. Statistics are important because they give a very clear indication of where the police need to focus their resources. The additional police on the beat and the actions police are taking today are remarkable. The statistics will tell you that across the Territory crime is down about 10%. But it will always be a hard argument to sell.
As the Chief Minister said today at a media conference …
Ms LAWRIE: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Standing Order 110: relevance. Crime is increasing across Darwin and Palmerston. What will you do about it?
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, if you could get to the point, please.
Mr CHANDLER: Madam Speaker, I have made the point repeatedly. The fact is our police do an amazing job. We have increased police resources in the Northern Territory and added CCTV cameras and other tools such as strengthened legislation. The police do a fantastic job and should be supported.
I again ask Territorians, if they want to be involved, to report the crimes they see. It helps with the intelligence for police to do their job. They are doing an amazing job. Crime is down across the Territory.
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, your time has expired.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016