Cutting Through the Commentary on Alice Springs 

Getting children off the streets is not the answer for Alice Springs – capturing them before they hit the streets is the right approach, Shadow Minister for Child Protection and the Prevention of Family Violence, Senator Kerrynne Liddle said.

“As well as the children themselves, their parents and the organisations getting taxpayer funding to support them need to be in sharp focus – and under greater scrutiny. The mounting evidence means the Prime Minister and his Ministers cannot continue to ignore it – but I fear they will,” Senator Liddle said.

“The focus needs to be on how the billions of dollars being poured into the Northern Territory is being used.

“Transparency, accountability and outcomes tied to the Commonwealth and Territory funding is nowhere in sight and without that the situation in Central Australia will just get worse.

“We have heard a kaleidoscope of commentary but the core issues that deliver dysfunction and neglect need honest, tough conversations and real commitment.”

Alcohol consumption per capita in Central Australia is four times the national average. Homelessness is 12 times the national average. Family and domestic violence crime rates have risen more than 20 per cent in the past year – and that’s just what is reported.

“You can trust the Albanese Labor Government to put ideology before outcomes,” Senator Liddle said.

“Labor removed shared responsibility by ending the Cashless Debit Card and in those communities that wanted it life is not better. It is worse.

“In the NT, the PM let grog bans lapse and watched and waited while Central Australia suffered and community safety plummeted.

“They have suffered enough. Taxpayers’ money has been used to douse the flames while the NT Government and the Albanese Governments’ inaction, lack of urgency and hapless ministers stoked the blaze.

“When substance misuse and violence are in play, it is children and the vulnerable impacted and it shows up with low school attendance. Two schools near to Alice Springs – Arlparra School and Ampilatwatja School – have attendance rates of only 36.1 and 24 per cent respectively. Where is the parental responsibility?

“When I last visited Alice Springs, I saw more children in the court corridors than I’d likely find in those classrooms.”

Shadow Minister for Indigenous Affairs Senator Jacinta Price also called on the Albanese Government to support the Coalition’s Post and Boast legislation.

“Social media is contributing to the disorder in Alice Springs and throughout the Territory. Especially among younger people, it creates competition, opportunity for retribution and reinforces the absence of consequences for anti-social and criminal behaviour. Posting and boasting is a serious catalyst in the Territory’s escalating disorder,” Senator Price said.

“The Coalition has introduced legislation that would tackle this at a federal level. Anthony Albanese will be left behind if he does not join us and the growing number of state and territories that are ready and willing to act on this.”

Senator Liddle said, “it is interesting to hear the local Labor Member now loudly echoing Senator Nampijinpa Price and I but hardly a word from relevant Albanese Government ministers.”

“Half of their term in office this government has talked big on accountably, transparency and listening but all we’ve heard is flashy announcements – locals deserve better. The audit the Coalition has long been calling for is so very long overdue,” Senator Liddle said.