2025-01-30
Background
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton announced his support in principle for the requests made by the Finocchiaro Government to address growing social issues in Mparntwe Alice Springs.
The announcements include reintroducing harmful compulsory work or training programs for people on income support, conducting a performance audit of federally funded programs, and implementing additional income management for parents of young offenders who receive Centrelink payments.
These policies are punitive and will not address the root causes of crime.
Quotes attributable to Jonathan Parry, NT Greens Convenor
“The Greens, alongside experts and human rights advocates, have always opposed compulsory income management. It is oppressive, racially targeted, and is only used to systematically discriminate against First Nations people.
“The CLP and the federal Coalition want to try and punish the poverty out of people instead of addressing root causes. We need to urgently listen to and work with communities to tackle the drivers of crime like housing insecurity, inequality, and domestic and family violence.”
“First Nations organisations are held to a different standard than other organisations. The major parties are crushing these organisations through onerous audits and insecure funding. We need to ensure that First Nations organisations have secure, long-term funding, and governance support.”
“Reintroducing mutual obligations sets people up to fail, particularly those living in remote communities or with English as a second, third or even fourth language. Mutual obligations have no place in our social security system.”
“The Finocchiaro Government’s crime policies are based on politics, not evidence. The Dutton opposition supporting them proves they’re more interested in creating fear and division than making the community safer through evidence-based decisions.”