Mrs LAMBLEY - 2010-10-28
Given your government stated during the Araluen by-election its opposition to a curfew for children in Alice Springs, to increasing police numbers in Alice Springs, and to moving the police communications centre back to Alice Springs, what is the government doing to protect the people of Alice Springs from seriously escalating crime and repeated assaults against the person and their possessions? What exactly is your government doing to assist the growing numbers of victims of crime in Alice Springs?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, we have had more questions about Alice Springs in this fortnight than we have had for two years, and it is great to see. The energy level and enthusiasm has been sharply missing from the member for Greatorex.
Mr Conlan: Rubbish!
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order!
Mr HENDERSON: It is good to hear questions about Alice Springs, because we certainly do not get them from the member for Greatorex.
We have made a significant additional investment in Alice Springs. The Police Beat at the top of the mall, which the CLP opposed, has certainly made mall traders very happy. The roll-out of CCTV right across the central business district of Alice Springs is something this government has done. Previous CLP governments did not invest in new technology in Alice Springs. We have the youth action plan my colleague, the Minister for Central Australia, gave the answer to the other day. We are expanding and improving education services in Alice Springs to re-engage kids on the street and get them back to school.
Improving things for the future in Alice Springs is the success of the Clontarf Football Academy, and I thank Brad Puls and the Clontarf team. What an amazing job they are doing. I met with Gerard Neesham in my office today, and we will see nearly 30 Indigenous young boys graduate Year 12 this year. They will all go into a job, and all become strong role models. There is more to law and order issues in Alice Springs than police ...
Ms LAMBLEY: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The question was: what are you doing to protect the people in Alice Springs, and what are you doing to address the needs of victims of crime?
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Araluen, what standing order are you referring to? That is not a point of order, member for Araluen. Chief Minister.
Mr HENDERSON: This government acknowledges the juvenile crime issues in Alice Springs. Yes, we need more police resources; we have more police resources. Yes, we need better coverage; we have better coverage with the Police Beat in the mall the CLP opposed. Yes, we need better surveillance than we have had; however, it is not just a policing issue.
I repudiate the member for Araluen, who said in her maiden speech they want to have police or security dogs yapping at the heels of people in Alice Springs. I certainly do not believe security dogs would be welcomed by tourists in Alice Springs. It would send absolutely the wrong message about what a beautiful town Alice Springs is with a great future. We believe in the future of Alice Springs. We do not talk Alice Springs down. We are committed to the future of Alice Springs ...
Madam SPEAKER: Chief Minister, your time has expired.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, we have had more questions about Alice Springs in this fortnight than we have had for two years, and it is great to see. The energy level and enthusiasm has been sharply missing from the member for Greatorex.
Mr Conlan: Rubbish!
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order!
Mr HENDERSON: It is good to hear questions about Alice Springs, because we certainly do not get them from the member for Greatorex.
We have made a significant additional investment in Alice Springs. The Police Beat at the top of the mall, which the CLP opposed, has certainly made mall traders very happy. The roll-out of CCTV right across the central business district of Alice Springs is something this government has done. Previous CLP governments did not invest in new technology in Alice Springs. We have the youth action plan my colleague, the Minister for Central Australia, gave the answer to the other day. We are expanding and improving education services in Alice Springs to re-engage kids on the street and get them back to school.
Improving things for the future in Alice Springs is the success of the Clontarf Football Academy, and I thank Brad Puls and the Clontarf team. What an amazing job they are doing. I met with Gerard Neesham in my office today, and we will see nearly 30 Indigenous young boys graduate Year 12 this year. They will all go into a job, and all become strong role models. There is more to law and order issues in Alice Springs than police ...
Ms LAMBLEY: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The question was: what are you doing to protect the people in Alice Springs, and what are you doing to address the needs of victims of crime?
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Araluen, what standing order are you referring to? That is not a point of order, member for Araluen. Chief Minister.
Mr HENDERSON: This government acknowledges the juvenile crime issues in Alice Springs. Yes, we need more police resources; we have more police resources. Yes, we need better coverage; we have better coverage with the Police Beat in the mall the CLP opposed. Yes, we need better surveillance than we have had; however, it is not just a policing issue.
I repudiate the member for Araluen, who said in her maiden speech they want to have police or security dogs yapping at the heels of people in Alice Springs. I certainly do not believe security dogs would be welcomed by tourists in Alice Springs. It would send absolutely the wrong message about what a beautiful town Alice Springs is with a great future. We believe in the future of Alice Springs. We do not talk Alice Springs down. We are committed to the future of Alice Springs ...
Madam SPEAKER: Chief Minister, your time has expired.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016