The Country Liberal government is spruiking what it says will be the largest-ever allocation to law-and-order in this month's budget. But, with new bail laws set to send the prison population skyrocketing once again those on the front lines of the crime crisis say the funding will barely scratch the surface.
Category
📺
TVTranscript
00:00With a fortnight left before the government's first budget, last week's shocking alleged murder looms large.
00:09After another tightening of the NT's bail laws, police are again bracing for prisoner numbers in watch houses to rise.
00:17Given the changes in legislation, given the changes in laws, we will see that rise again and we will see that impact our front line.
00:24Inside, unprecedented prisoner numbers are straining ageing infrastructure, with more than $450,000 in initial upgrades needed at Alice Springs' maximum security wing.
00:36More than 2,800 Territorians are now in custody and that's expected to soon hit 3,000.
00:43And with bail laws tightened further, there's concern about the impact on the Territory's strained court system.
00:50If bail applications are refused in the local court because of the toughened laws, you've then got the strain on the Supreme Court to deal with reviews of those bail applications.
00:59The government now planning to spend $1.3 billion on justice in the coming budget.
01:05By their calculations, that's $100 million more than Labor's last budget.
01:10But they've provided little detail to support the claim.
01:14The primary focus is on corrections. I know we need to invest into the correctional area and of course there will be some on our courts.
01:23The actual numbers I don't have with me right at this point in time.
01:26So it's going to be a really interesting question as to whether $112 million even goes far enough.
01:30Police are also criticising what they see as wasteful spending on more new police stations without enough staff for those already built.
01:39Our members are frustrated. Our members need to support their own number one priority and the investment should be made in them.
01:45The government came to power promising to restore law and order and fix the economy.
01:50The challenge is doing both at the same time.
01:53Although there's some planned cuts, the Treasurer has confirmed this year's budget will be even bigger than last year's,
01:59despite the Territory's spiralling $11 billion debt.
02:03...