NT Greenlights New Laws Granting Authority to Declare Snap Curfews

To quell unrest, new police powers will allow snap curfews to be called, but Aboriginal groups fear overreach will disproportionately affect youth.

A police vehicle outside the Alice Springs Police Station in Alice Springs, Australia, on Sept. 4, 2022. AAP Image/Aaron Bunch

In the wake of a rise in anti-social behaviour in the Northern Territory, the state government has passed new curfew legislation allowing police greater scope in enforcing public order, including declaring snap curfews.

Over the past few months, Alice Springs has been plagued by civil unrest involving youths, with violent offences by 12- to 17-year-olds reaching their highest levels since 2016.