Dry Town Legislation Fails to Halt Rise in Violent Assault in Alice Springs

The latest NT Quarterly Crime and Justice Statistics show the dry town legislation has failed to halt the rise in violent assault in Alice Springs.

On the Government's own figures for period July to December 2006 there were 519 offences against the person in Alice Springs. For July to December 2007 there were 609 offences against the person, an increase of 90 offences.

The dry town legislation came into effect on the 1st of August 2007.

"The fact violent assaults increased by 17% after Alice became a dry town raises serious questions about its effectiveness in controlling violence and anti-social behaviour,” says Jodeen Carney, Shadow Minister for Justice.

"These disturbing figures show that on its own the dry town legislation hasn't reduced level of threat on the streets of Alice Springs.

"Unfortunately, the Labor Government still refuses to face the facts about the situation confronting Alice Springs.

"In Parliament last month, I questioned the Chief Minister about the effectiveness of the dry town legislation.

The Chief Minister replied "I do not believe that the dry areas legislation, and other measures that this government has put into place in Alice Springs, is failing.

He further claimed "I am also advised that there has been a significant reduction in the number of serious assaults reported by police. (19/02/08 Hansard)

"Yet the Labor Government's own figures show there were almost 100 more violent assaults in Alice Springs in the 6 months after the introduction of the dry zone.

"This is a re-run of the farcical situation that has evolved around Labor's much lauded Alcohol Courts.

"As I revealed last month, in the 18 months since the Alcohol Courts have been operating a mere 99 people across the Territory have been referred to them. Of the 99, just 27 have successfully completed a Court ordered treatment program.

"In the same period of time, almost 40,000 people have been taken into protective custody for being drunk in public.

"Too often, on too many important issues, Territory Labor simply refuses to admit it is failing.

"Just last Wednesday when confronted with rising rates of violent assault in Katherine the Minister for Justice, Chris Burns, issued a media release stating "Katherine became dry in January and I would hope over time that alcohol-fuelled crime will fall as a result.

"The Justice Minister's own Department's crime statistics for Alice Springs mock that hope.

"A necessary first step in fixing a problem is admitting one exists – Territory Labor is like an alcoholic in denial about their drinking problem.

"I've repeatedly said that without additional police resources the dry town legislation would have minimal impact. 20 additional police on the beat are needed in Alice Springs now.

"Additionally a boot camp for young offenders needs to be established as soon as possible.

"Territory Labor always looks to do things on the cheap in Alice Springs. The results here are plain to see.”

2008-03-31