Posted: 2024-12-13 11:21:14

The Northern Territory chief minister has called on the federal government to implement seven requests she says will reduce crime in Alice Springs.

Lia Finocchiaro flew into the outback town with Police Commissioner Michael Murphy on Thursday following a recent increase in violent crime.

It came after a string of incidents including a home invasion that left a two-month-old baby with a fractured skull, and the alleged rape of a woman in her home by an unknown man.

Ms Finocchiaro spent the last two days meeting with community leaders as police bolstered and repurposed an ongoing operation.

Late on Friday afternoon, Ms Finocchiaro released a media statement saying that "based on consultations over the past two days" the NT government had identified "several critical areas that require federal government attention".

"These are real, practical changes that would have an immediate impact on reducing crime in Central Australia and are supported by many local voices, including Aboriginal leaders," she said in the statement.

The requests included a call for Centrelink payments to be distributed on Monday or Tuesday, which are current takeaway alcohol-free days in Alice Springs.

The chief minister also requested the federal government "implement 100 per cent income management for parents of youth offenders", and accept its "referral for parents who neglect their children, enabling additional income management".

A performance audit of federally funded programs was also asked for.

Other requests included:

  • The reintroduction of "compulsory work or training programs with fortnightly reporting obligations for Centrelink recipients"
  • That royalty distributions "are made in communities, not in Alice Springs"
  • Extend the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's exemption for Alice Springs police "to improve drone capability"
An aerial view of Alice Springs by night.

Police say there has been an increase in violent crime in Alice Springs since December 3. (ABC News: Michael Franchi)

Ms Finocchiaro said she had written to both Indigenous Australians Minister Malarndirri McCarthy and Alice Springs-based MP Marion Scrymgour "asking for urgent action on these seven items".

She has also requested a meeting next week to "confirm" the federal government's response, the statement said.

Ms Finocchiaro reiterated that "every option [was] currently on the table", including curfews and calling on support from interstate police.

Alice Springs residents have expressed anger and frustration at crime in their community in recent days.

Ms Scrymgour told the ABC there was "lawlessness" in the town and she was concerned about community safety.

The NT Labor opposition has called for a curfew to be implemented, a measure already introduced twice this year.

The NT government has previously flagged a plan to take fines from the Centrelink payments of parents who fail to send their children to school.

It has been branded a "scare tactic" by the opposition, and the federal government has cast doubt over the move, saying it would require changes to Commonwealth law.

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