Call For More Alice Springs Police

The Territory Opposition has joined with the NT Police Association to call for more Police to be permanently stationed in Alice Springs.

"The Police Minister must commit to increasing the establishment numbers of Police at Alice Springs from 137 to 157 immediately,” says Leader of the Opposition, Jodeen Carney.

"Blind Freddy can see there currently aren't enough Police in Alice Springs and that changes to alcohol laws in Alice will further increase the workload.

"Factor in the effect of Federal Government efforts to stop grog running into remote communities and there will be more people with more alcohol problems on the streets of Alice Springs.

"Rather than threatening to frustrate the Federal Government's plans to restore law and order in remote communities, the Martin Government needs to plan likely outcomes.

"The Martin Government had denied widespread problems in Alice Springs until they were confronted with 500 angry residents at the Parliamentary sittings in April.

"Only then, did the Chief Minister and the Police Minister guarantee we would have full establishment. In other words, they knew we fell below the accepted number of Police for Alice.

"Changed circumstances demand changed responses. It's absurd to think existing numbers can do the job, and that's why we share the Police Association's concern.

"Further, why hasn't the Martin Government promised to ensure Police numbers in our regional centres will be reviewed upwards as a result of the Federal Government's intervention?

"The Chief Minister should have got the message by now: she has to act decisively. She must ensure there are real increases in the Territory Police numbers.”

2007-07-10