Mr GUNNER - 2012-05-03
There have been two serious attacks on tourists in Alice Springs in the last 48 hours. What is the government’s response to these attacks and to the broader social issues in Alice Springs?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Fannie Bay for his question. All of us have been horrified by these attacks, particularly the violent sexual assault on two young European tourists in Alice Springs early yesterday. These assaults were the most brutal criminal assaults perpetrated by criminals, and I am committed to seeing our police force bring the perpetrators to justice.
I have met with the Police Commissioner, the head of the Chief Minister’s Department and the Minister for Central Australia. We have been meeting all morning to discuss these attacks and the broader situation in Alice Springs. I have decided it is time for a different approach to the problems affecting Alice Springs. It is time for a zero tolerance strategy to get the troublemakers off the streets in Alice Springs. It is also important to get children off the streets.
Today, I have tasked the Police Commissioner ...
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr HENDERSON: I thought members would be interested in this ...
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr HENDERSON: Today, I have tasked the Police Commissioner to personally take charge of this operation. For people whose only reason for being in Alice Springs is drinking and troublemaking - you are on notice. I am also warning anyone aiding and abetting these troublemakers to get grog - you also will be targeted.
The commissioner will have extra police resources and the combined resources of key government agencies at his disposal. I have spoken to my Cabinet colleagues and they have agreed to make the resources of their agencies available to the Commissioner of Police.
I have also spoken to the Alice Springs Mayor, Damien Ryan. Although problems in Alice Springs are not just police issues, having the Police Commissioner take charge will bring greater focus to our efforts in dealing with these problems.
I will finish by making this point: in all the recent major crimes, both in Darwin and Alice Springs, there have been arrests. Our police will get the troublemakers. People who commit these crimes will be caught by our police and will be serving significant gaol sentences.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Fannie Bay for his question. All of us have been horrified by these attacks, particularly the violent sexual assault on two young European tourists in Alice Springs early yesterday. These assaults were the most brutal criminal assaults perpetrated by criminals, and I am committed to seeing our police force bring the perpetrators to justice.
I have met with the Police Commissioner, the head of the Chief Minister’s Department and the Minister for Central Australia. We have been meeting all morning to discuss these attacks and the broader situation in Alice Springs. I have decided it is time for a different approach to the problems affecting Alice Springs. It is time for a zero tolerance strategy to get the troublemakers off the streets in Alice Springs. It is also important to get children off the streets.
Today, I have tasked the Police Commissioner ...
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr HENDERSON: I thought members would be interested in this ...
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr HENDERSON: Today, I have tasked the Police Commissioner to personally take charge of this operation. For people whose only reason for being in Alice Springs is drinking and troublemaking - you are on notice. I am also warning anyone aiding and abetting these troublemakers to get grog - you also will be targeted.
The commissioner will have extra police resources and the combined resources of key government agencies at his disposal. I have spoken to my Cabinet colleagues and they have agreed to make the resources of their agencies available to the Commissioner of Police.
I have also spoken to the Alice Springs Mayor, Damien Ryan. Although problems in Alice Springs are not just police issues, having the Police Commissioner take charge will bring greater focus to our efforts in dealing with these problems.
I will finish by making this point: in all the recent major crimes, both in Darwin and Alice Springs, there have been arrests. Our police will get the troublemakers. People who commit these crimes will be caught by our police and will be serving significant gaol sentences.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016