Northern Territory Opposition Leader Lia Finocchiaro has criticised a lack of focus on NT Police in the new territory budget, which she said came at a time when "even the dogs in our front yards are not safe".
NT Labor delivered its new budget on Tuesday, which offered a $2.1 billion infrastructure spend on roads and remote housing, but relatively minimal funding increases for police, health and education.
The territory has been battling against a surge in crime across the jurisdiction, which over recent months has seen a string of ultraviolent incidences occurring in Darwin and Alice Springs.
In a budget reply speech this morning, Country Liberal Party Leader Lia Finocchiaro said the territory government had missed an opportunity to "deliver on the cries for change" from the community.
"Despite four Territorians losing their lives to crime this year, despite seven stabbings in eight weeks and countless others assaulted, the word 'crime' was only mentioned once in the treasurer's budget speech," she said.
"There was no flagship announcement of police resourcing or strengthening our laws, there was no flagship announcement around community safety, and in fact, it barely rated a mention."
Ms Finocchiaro reaffirmed her commitment to take the job of police minister if her party wins next year's NT election, and said if she does, she would strengthen bail laws and give additional powers to police.
She also revealed that former Alice Springs prison boss and Namatjira MLA Bill Yan would be her first treasurer.
Police association 'deeply concerned'
NT Police, Fire and Emergency Services received a $12.6 million increase to its annual funding in the new budget, news that's left the NT Police Association (NTPA) "deeply concerned and disappointed".
Acting NTPA president Lisa Bayliss said the budget showed "no urgency" in stopping police attrition rates, at a time of chronic police shortages.
"This is not a budget that shows government is listening to and supporting Northern Territory Police," Ms Bayliss said.
The association was pleased, however, with an announcement that a new $19 million police station would be built in the remote community of Peppimenarti, but said they were "confused" about why funding for the station was announced prior to a promised review of police resources.
The NT government has also dedicated $3 million to implementing a police welfare strategy.
Alice Springs to receive millions for community safety
On the same day the NT budget was handed down, the Commonwealth revealed its spending plans for 2023-24, with the Albanese government committing tens of millions of dollars to the territory.
The federal budget has put forward a substantial sum to go towards crime-hit Central Australia, much of which will be rolled out over a five-year period.
It was announced that around $155 million had been allocated to the region, with the biggest spends on infrastructure, education and health.
Among that funding, nearly $10 million has been allocated for community safety, which the government said would go towards youth services, drug and alcohol diversion and to addressing drivers of crime.
The rollout comes on top of $14.2 million announced by federal Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus last week to fund dozens of new police officers, liquor inspectors and security guards for Alice Springs.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese pledged $250 million to Central Australia during a crime wave earlier this year, however, it had never been attached to any sort of timeline for rollout.
Around $100 million of that original sum remains unallocated.
