Mr CONLAN - 2009-02-17
Two weeks ago, your predecessor convened a bipartisan meeting of parliamentary members for Central Australia to discuss the rise of violent crime and vandalism in Alice Springs. At that meeting, it was agreed that the Northern Territory government would fund two security guards to patrol the Alice Springs CBD each night between 9 pm and 4 am.
The commitment is yet to be fulfilled and, in the intervening two weeks, Alice Springs CBD has been plagued almost nightly by repeated acts of vandalism. Last night was no different, with a number of commercial premises in Alice Springs having their windows smashed. When is the Territory government going to fulfil its promise to fund security guards for the Alice Springs CBD?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Greatorex for his very important question. Youth crime is unacceptable to all of us in this House, and also to the Alice Springs community. As the member for Greatorex clearly knows, we have all been involved in this bipartisan approach in dealing with this very serious issue. I have talked to the member for Greatorex a couple of times this week on the understanding that we would make an announcement together on Thursday.
It is a package we have all been involved with. A big part of that package is security. I am pleased to say that I have called the Mayor of Alice Springs today and informed him that he can continue those security patrols as of today because of the incidents last night. Certainly, in the spirit of …
Mr Conlan: It was our idea.
Mr HAMPTON: Member for Greatorex, seeing as it was bipartisan and it was your idea, congratulations.
Getting away from the politics, it is a very important matter to the people of Alice Springs. We share the passion for Alice Springs as colleagues on both sides of the House. We had a good meeting the last time in Alice Springs with the Mayor. As you know, we have all worked together on a package of initiatives that includes security, as well as policing, education, and youth services. I am looking forward to Thursday to make that announcement. I have discussed it with my colleagues on this side of the House, so there will certainly be many more initiatives announced on Thursday. I am happy to say that I have talked to the Mayor and those security patrols will commence as of today.
The commitment is yet to be fulfilled and, in the intervening two weeks, Alice Springs CBD has been plagued almost nightly by repeated acts of vandalism. Last night was no different, with a number of commercial premises in Alice Springs having their windows smashed. When is the Territory government going to fulfil its promise to fund security guards for the Alice Springs CBD?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Greatorex for his very important question. Youth crime is unacceptable to all of us in this House, and also to the Alice Springs community. As the member for Greatorex clearly knows, we have all been involved in this bipartisan approach in dealing with this very serious issue. I have talked to the member for Greatorex a couple of times this week on the understanding that we would make an announcement together on Thursday.
It is a package we have all been involved with. A big part of that package is security. I am pleased to say that I have called the Mayor of Alice Springs today and informed him that he can continue those security patrols as of today because of the incidents last night. Certainly, in the spirit of …
Mr Conlan: It was our idea.
Mr HAMPTON: Member for Greatorex, seeing as it was bipartisan and it was your idea, congratulations.
Getting away from the politics, it is a very important matter to the people of Alice Springs. We share the passion for Alice Springs as colleagues on both sides of the House. We had a good meeting the last time in Alice Springs with the Mayor. As you know, we have all worked together on a package of initiatives that includes security, as well as policing, education, and youth services. I am looking forward to Thursday to make that announcement. I have discussed it with my colleagues on this side of the House, so there will certainly be many more initiatives announced on Thursday. I am happy to say that I have talked to the Mayor and those security patrols will commence as of today.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016