The North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency has condemned the Northern Territory’s announced boost to police funding saying it wont improve outcomes.
The NT Budget released this week allocated $561 million to the NT Police Service.
$1.2 billion has also been allocated to public order and safety while another $723 million has been declared for social protection.
NAAJA has pointed out, despite this, there has been no additional support for the courts or legal services.
Principal legal officer Jared Sharp was quoted by the National Indigenous Times as saying “Central Australian courts have cut back sitting hours due to the sheer volume of cases and shortage of staff”.
He says increased policing and boosted investment for prisons will only lead to increases in incarceration.
The Northern Territory is already locks up people at a higher rate than any other jurisdiction.
