25th Feb 2021, 12:09 PM – Senate Motions - Northern Territory - Crime

The majority voted in favour of a motion introduced by Tasmanian Senator Jonathon Duniam (Liberal) on behalf of Northern Territory Senator Sam McMahon (Country Liberal Party), which means it passed. Motions like these don't make any legal changes on their own, but they are politically influential as they represent the will of the Senate.

Motion text

That the Senate—

(a) notes that:

(i) property crime and personal assaults, particularly by juvenile offenders, are a major concern for Northern Territory residents and businesses; one Alice Springs business reported 15 break ins or damage from attempts since Christmas, and residents report no longer feeling safe in their communities, and

(ii) last week the Northern Territory Police Commissioner revealed property crime has spiked by up to 50% in Alice Springs and Tennant Creek and the Commissioner also revealed 75% of offenders dealt with by members of Strike Force Viper are repeat offenders; and

(b) calls on the Northern Territory Labor Government to urgently review and overhaul the Northern Territory's weak bail laws and introduce methods to appropriately manage youth offenders.