LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION
Domestic Violence Crisis not a priority for New Government
25/11/24
The CLP Government needs to stop delaying on domestic and family violence and urgently get money out the door to frontline services.
The former Territory Labor Government committed to investing an additional $180 million into tackling domestic and family violence before the election.
The CLP said they would honour this commitment but not one cent has made it to the domestic violence sector who are crying out for additional support.
The Government needs to stop stuffing around, we know what actions need to be taken.
Territory Labor supports in full the findings from the coronial inquest into the tragic deaths of four Aboriginal women - Miss Yunupiŋu, Ngeygo Ragurrk, Kumarn Rubuntja and Kumanjayi Haywood – and we call on the CLP to do the same.
We also call on the CLP – again – to accept Territory Labor’s offer to travel to Canberra to lobby together for needs-based funding from the Federal Government.
Territory Labor is also appalled that the CLP have decided to use this week’s Parliamentary Sittings to introduce laws that will scrap the minimum floor price on alcohol.
This is despite Coroner Elisabeth Armitage highlighting the contribution which alcohol has to the domestic violence crisis. It also completely disregards strong evidence that the introduction of a floor price in the NT has led to a reduction in domestic and family violence assaults.
The CLP has made a big deal of their law and order agenda, but their response to reducing crime – including the scourge of domestic and family violence – is starting to look very thin.
Quotes attributed to Opposition Leader Selena Uibo:
“Domestic violence in the Territory is a national shame – and we all need to stand together to address it.
“Today’s findings from the coronial inquest into the tragic deaths of Miss Yunupiŋu, Ngeygo Ragurrk, Kumarn Rubuntja and Kumanjayi Haywood make it absolutely clear that more needs to be done to prevent domestic and family violence in the Territory and it needs to be done now.
“We are calling on the CLP to stop stuffing around and urgently respond to the domestic and family violence crisis in our community by getting additional money out to frontline services.
“Territory Labor has offered, and will continue to offer, to travel to Canberra and stand with the Chief Minister to continue fighting for needs-based funding. We need a bi-partisan approach to this critical issue, it is above politics.”
Quotes attributed to Shadow Minister for Prevention of Domestic Violence Chansey Paech:
“Violent households are unsafe households – it’s one of the biggest reasons we have children and young people out on the streets.
“Domestic and family violence is an absolute scourge and its impacts are felt right throughout our community.
“Coroner Elisabeth Armitage has made it clear in her report that addressing domestic violence requires needs-based funding, community-led solutions, community leadership and partnership approaches between Government and communities.
“This must stop. To make it stop, we must work together, all levels and all sides of government, to protect Territory women and children. The CLP needs to step up and they need to step up now.”