Katherine News
Violent Crime Surges In Katherine
An alcohol related stabbing in the main street of Katherine yesterday further highlights the Henderson Government's inability to deal with problems associated with grog in the Northern Territory.
Member for Katherine, Willem Westra van Holthe, witnessed the aftermath of the attack.
'As I walked down Katherine Terrace at about 4.30pm, police cars raced past me, lights and sirens going, to a stabbing,' Mr Westra van Holthe said.
'A man had been stabbed in the neck with a knife by another man in an alcohol-related attack.
'Fortunately, the injuries were not life-threatening and the injured man was treated by St John Ambulance officers and taken to hospital.
'But beyond the actual incident, what is of concern is the dismal failure of the Henderson Government to overcome alcohol related violence across the Territory.
'The release yesterday of the quarterly crime statistics show the Government's failure to make a significant impact on alcohol and its affect on violent crime.
'In Katherine since the June quarter 2007, assaults have risen by 40%.
'There has been a 44% increase in assaults in Katherine in the June quarter this year compared to the same period last year.
'The fact the Government has acknowledged that 74% of assaults in Katherine are alcohol related is precious little comfort to the victims of crime.'
Mr Westra van Holthe said the Government's alcohol policies have failed Territorians.
'The toothless Alcohol Court has failed. Much-touted early intervention is nothing more than window dressing – as highlighted by the resignation of Katherine's Alcohol Court clinician.
'Liquor restrictions have done nothing to reduce anti-social behaviour and the number of drunks in Katherine.
'So far this year more than 6000 drunks have been put into protective custody in the town compared to less then 4000 for the same period last year.
'Responsible drinkers and tourists are being hit by reduced takeaway trading hours – and the Government has now shifted the inconvenience of that policy to other regional areas such as Mataranka.
'And to add insult to injury, Minister Kon Vatskalis yesterday said the Government was considering mandatory rehabilitation for drunks – a policy it first announced before the 2005 election, and never implemented.'
'By contrast, the Country Liberals have worthwhile ideas such as prison farms where inmates will undergo mandatory detox and rehabilitation as well as receive literacy tuition and job skills training by way October 7th, 2009
An alcohol related stabbing in the main street of Katherine yesterday further highlights the Henderson Government's inability to deal with problems associated with grog in the Northern Territory.
Member for Katherine, Willem Westra van Holthe, witnessed the aftermath of the attack.
'As I walked down Katherine Terrace at about 4.30pm, police cars raced past me, lights and sirens going, to a stabbing,' Mr Westra van Holthe said.
'A man had been stabbed in the neck with a knife by another man in an alcohol-related attack.
'Fortunately, the injuries were not life-threatening and the injured man was treated by St John Ambulance officers and taken to hospital.
'But beyond the actual incident, what is of concern is the dismal failure of the Henderson Government to overcome alcohol related violence across the Territory.
'The release yesterday of the quarterly crime statistics show the Government's failure to make a significant impact on alcohol and its affect on violent crime.
'In Katherine since the June quarter 2007, assaults have risen by 40%.
'There has been a 44% increase in assaults in Katherine in the June quarter this year compared to the same period last year.
'The fact the Government has acknowledged that 74% of assaults in Katherine are alcohol related is precious little comfort to the victims of crime.'
Mr Westra van Holthe said the Government's alcohol policies have failed Territorians.
'The toothless Alcohol Court has failed. Much-touted early intervention is nothing more than window dressing – as highlighted by the resignation of Katherine's Alcohol Court clinician.
'Liquor restrictions have done nothing to reduce anti-social behaviour and the number of drunks in Katherine.
'So far this year more than 6000 drunks have been put into protective custody in the town compared to less then 4000 for the same period last year.
'Responsible drinkers and tourists are being hit by reduced takeaway trading hours – and the Government has now shifted the inconvenience of that policy to other regional areas such as Mataranka.
'And to add insult to injury, Minister Kon Vatskalis yesterday said the Government was considering mandatory rehabilitation for drunks – a policy it first announced before the 2005 election, and never implemented.'
'By contrast, the Country Liberals have worthwhile ideas such as prison farms where inmates will undergo mandatory detox and rehabilitation as well as receive literacy tuition and job skills training by way October 7th, 2009
An alcohol related stabbing in the main street of Katherine yesterday further highlights the Henderson Government's inability to deal with problems associated with grog in the Northern Territory.
Member for Katherine, Willem Westra van Holthe, witnessed the aftermath of the attack.
'As I walked down Katherine Terrace at about 4.30pm, police cars raced past me, lights and sirens going, to a stabbing,' Mr Westra van Holthe said.
'A man had been stabbed in the neck with a knife by another man in an alcohol-related attack.
'Fortunately, the injuries were not life-threatening and the injured man was treated by St John Ambulance officers and taken to hospital.
'But beyond the actual incident, what is of concern is the dismal failure of the Henderson Government to overcome alcohol related violence across the Territory.
'The release yesterday of the quarterly crime statistics show the Government's failure to make a significant impact on alcohol and its affect on violent crime.
'In Katherine since the June quarter 2007, assaults have risen by 40%.
'There has been a 44% increase in assaults in Katherine in the June quarter this year compared to the same period last year.
'The fact the Government has acknowledged that 74% of assaults in Katherine are alcohol related is precious little comfort to the victims of crime.'
Mr Westra van Holthe said the Government's alcohol policies have failed Territorians.
'The toothless Alcohol Court has failed. Much-touted early intervention is nothing more than window dressing – as highlighted by the resignation of Katherine's Alcohol Court clinician.
'Liquor restrictions have done nothing to reduce anti-social behaviour and the number of drunks in Katherine.
'So far this year more than 6000 drunks have been put into protective custody in the town compared to less then 4000 for the same period last year.
'Responsible drinkers and tourists are being hit by reduced takeaway trading hours – and the Government has now shifted the inconvenience of that policy to other regional areas such as Mataranka.
'And to add insult to injury, Minister Kon Vatskalis yesterday said the Government was considering mandatory rehabilitation for drunks – a policy it first announced before the 2005 election, and never implemented.'
'By contrast, the Country Liberals have worthwhile ideas such as prison farms where inmates will undergo mandatory detox and rehabilitation as well as receive literacy tuition and job skills training by way October 7th, 2009
An alcohol related stabbing in the main street of Katherine yesterday further highlights the Henderson Government's inability to deal with problems associated with grog in the Northern Territory.
Member for Katherine, Willem Westra van Holthe, witnessed the aftermath of the attack.
'As I walked down Katherine Terrace at about 4.30pm, police cars raced past me, lights and sirens going, to a stabbing,' Mr Westra van Holthe said.
'A man had been stabbed in the neck with a knife by another man in an alcohol-related attack.
'Fortunately, the injuries were not life-threatening and the injured man was treated by St John Ambulance officers and taken to hospital.
'But beyond the actual incident, what is of concern is the dismal failure of the Henderson Government to overcome alcohol related violence across the Territory.
'The release yesterday of the quarterly crime statistics show the Government's failure to make a significant impact on alcohol and its affect on violent crime.
'In Katherine since the June quarter 2007, assaults have risen by 40%.
'There has been a 44% increase in assaults in Katherine in the June quarter this year compared to the same period last year.
'The fact the Government has acknowledged that 74% of assaults in Katherine are alcohol related is precious little comfort to the victims of crime.'
Mr Westra van Holthe said the Government's alcohol policies have failed Territorians.
'The toothless Alcohol Court has failed. Much-touted early intervention is nothing more than window dressing – as highlighted by the resignation of Katherine's Alcohol Court clinician.
'Liquor restrictions have done nothing to reduce anti-social behaviour and the number of drunks in Katherine.
'So far this year more than 6000 drunks have been put into protective custody in the town compared to less then 4000 for the same period last year.
'Responsible drinkers and tourists are being hit by reduced takeaway trading hours – and the Government has now shifted the inconvenience of that policy to other regional areas such as Mataranka.
'And to add insult to injury, Minister Kon Vatskalis yesterday said the Government was considering mandatory rehabilitation for drunks – a policy it first announced before the 2005 election, and never implemented.'
'By contrast, the Country Liberals have worthwhile ideas such as prison farms where inmates will undergo mandatory detox and rehabilitation as well as receive literacy tuition and job skills training by way of getting them off the Henderson Government's grog round-a-bout.'
2009-10-07
