Increasing crime rates and funding for the Northern Territory are the top priorities for newly appointed Northern Territory Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro.
The minister said these issues will be raised with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese during National Cabinet on Sept. 6.
“It’s very important that we speak about the state of crime in the Northern Territory at the highest level,” Finocchiaro said.
She also reminded the public that the Albanese government’s promise to deliver a $250 million package for central Australia has only been partially fulfilled.
In January 2023, the Albanese government announced a four-year package for the region, including $40 million for on-country learning, and $23.5 million to improve Indigenous health outcomes.
“We know that the prime minister promised $250 million in 2023 that’s yet to be fully delivered, so I'll be expressing to him how important and meaningful that money will be to a town like Alice Springs and why the Territory deserves to get its fair share.”
In April this year, Prime Minister Albanese, during a visit to Alice Springs, also announced $8 million for public school upgrades in the NT and $14 million for extra police and community support.
Albanese claimed that the federal funding boost had increased school engagement across central Australia.
“Improved school retention is a pretty good start. The investment is making a difference,” he said.
Another key issue Finocchiaro is set to discuss at the National Cabinet is tackling the escalating rates of domestic violence.
In her election commitments, Finocchiaro announced $180 million over five years to fund the domestic and family violence sector in the Northern Territory. However, she emphasised that the federal government also had a role to play.
“My job is to set the agenda and the framework for the Territory going forward, and [the prime minister’s] job is to support his police to be the most effective police force in this country,” she stated.
Meanwhile, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services has criticised the new chief minister’s crime reduction plans, particularly her intention to lower the age of criminal responsibility to 10.
“The new chief minister has been elected on a platform to reduce crime, but her punitive agenda will do the exact opposite,” said Karly Warner, chair of the group
Warner further explained that Finocchiaro’s directive goes against evidence from peak medical and legal bodies. Warner said the age of criminal responsibility should be raised to at least 14.
