The police, courts and corrections services are receiving a massive $1.5 billion boost, helping the NT Government to tackle crime. Photo: Department of Corrections, Northern Territory Government.
The Finocchiaro Government in the Northern Territory is continuing with its law-and-order-focused term with a raft of new measures aimed at curbing youth crime and protecting members of the public from repeat offenders.
New measures announced in Alice Springs will ensure that serious young offenders face real repercussions for their actions, the government says.
Amendments to the Youth Justice Regulations 2006 will expand the list of serious offences ineligible for “youth diversion”. Offenders who commit the 13 additional serious offences will no longer be eligible for what the CLP Government called “Labor’s catch-and-release scheme”.
“For too long, Labor oversaw a system that allowed young offenders to avoid consequences and reoffend days or even hours later, putting the community and the frontline at further risk,” Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro said.
The new changes mean that offences such as serious harm offending, driving stolen vehicles, hit-and-runs, assaults on frontline workers and break-ins will now lead to a charge by default.
“Labor put the rights of offenders over their victims and the community, and that ends under my government,” Mrs Finocchiaro said.
“Today’s changes were asked for by the NT Police, who are sick and tired of Labor’s weak-kneed approach to law and order.”
Chief Minister Finocchiaro has echoed other Liberal/National politicians around the country, such as Queensland Premier David Crisafulli, who has also placed greater emphasis on community safety as opposed to what they believe is far too much leniency on criminals.
“Community safety remains our No. 1 priority,” Mrs Finocchiaro said. ”Through our year of action, certainty and security, we’re giving police the tools they need as we continue to roll out reforms aimed at reducing crime.
“That’s why we’ve invested $1.5 billion in police, courts and corrections – the largest law-and-order funding in Territory history – alongside significant investments tackling the root causes of crime.”
The government said it remained committed to ensuring the law reflected community expectations. To that end, the CLP will “rewrite” the Youth Justice Act 2005 in July.
