Senate debates Motions

Northern Territory: Crime


Sam McMahon

Sam McMahon NT, Country Liberal Party

11:59 am

I ask general business notice of motion No. 1036 relating to juvenile crime in the Northern Territory be taken as formal.

Scott Ryan

Scott Ryan President

Is there any objection to this motion being taken as formal?

An honourable senator: Yes.

There is.

Jonathon Duniam

Jonathon Duniam Tasmania, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries

12:00 pm

I seek leave to move general business notice of motion No. 1036 and for the motion to be determined without amendment or debate.

Leave not granted.

I move:

That so much of the standing orders be suspended as would prevent general business notices of motion No. 1036 being moved immediately and determined without amendment or debate.

Scott Ryan

Scott Ryan President

The question is the motion to suspend standing orders moved by Senator Duniam be agreed to.

Jonathon Duniam

Jonathon Duniam Tasmania, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries

On behalf of Senator McMahon, I move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes that:

  (i) property crime and personal assaults, particularly by juvenile offenders, are a major concern for Northern Territory residents and businesses; one Alice Springs business reported 15 break ins or damage from attempts since Christmas, and residents report no longer feeling safe in their communities, and

  (ii) last week the Northern Territory Police Commissioner revealed property crime has spiked by up to 50% in Alice Springs and Tennant Creek and the Commissioner also revealed 75% of offenders dealt with by members of Strike Force Viper are repeat offenders; and

(b) calls on the Northern Territory Labor Government to urgently review and overhaul the Northern Territory's weak bail laws and introduce methods to appropriately manage youth offenders.

Lidia Thorpe

Lidia Thorpe Victoria, Australian Greens

12:04 pm

I seek leave to make a one minute statement.

Leave not granted.

I seek leave to table my statement.

Leave granted.

Katy Gallagher

Katy Gallagher ACT, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance

I seek leave to table the Labor Party's response to notice of motion No. 1036.

Leave granted.

Scott Ryan

Scott Ryan President

The question is that motion No. 1036 be agreed to.