Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has toured Alice Springs just weeks after a youth curfew propelled the Northern Territory town into the spotlight. It comes amid growing pressure for authorities to address anti-social behaviour and crime.

Alice Springs

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese recently visited Alice Springs, marking his return to the Northern Territory town that has been at the center of attention due to issues related to youth crime and anti-social behavior. This visit, coming weeks after the implementation of a youth curfew aimed at curbing these issues, highlights the growing calls for action to enhance safety and community well-being.

During his trip, the Prime Minister met with several local community organizations, the Chamber of Commerce, the Mayor, local councillors, and community members to discuss the challenges faced by Alice Springs. These meetings come at a time when the local community has expressed concerns about the effectiveness of recent measures, including a temporary increase in police presence and the youth curfew, in addressing ongoing issues of crime and anti-social behavior.

Residents and representatives of Alice Springs have voiced their concerns about the need for more concrete action beyond talks. The community has experienced an escalation in crime, with reports of increased violence including incidents involving knives. There is a call for initiatives that can provide young people with employment opportunities, thereby reducing street presence and potential involvement in criminal activities.

The business community, having faced repeated break-ins, is seeking more detailed information on government funding commitments aimed at addressing these security challenges. The Chamber of Commerce, in particular, has reported vandalism of their offices multiple times since the start of the year and is advocating for clear and transparent plans to make the town more livable and secure.

Moreover, the visit by Prime Minister Albanese to Alice Springs coincides with national concerns over gendered violence, an issue that the town, with its high rates of domestic violence, is all too familiar with. Local advocates are pushing for needs-based funding to help address the demands of combating domestic violence in the community.

There are high hopes that the Prime Minister's visit will result in more than just media coverage, with the community looking for effective and lasting solutions to the problems faced. Alice Springs, known for its significant domestic violence rates, is a town in urgent need of attention and assistance.



PM visits Alice Springs after youth crime crackdown

On site in a political hotbed, Anthony Albanese returning to Alice Springs a year after his last visit. It's terrific to be here in Alice Springs. The PM expected to meet with several community organisations almost a month after the town was thrust into the national spotlight over anti-social behaviour. With the Chamber of Commerce, with the Mayor and all of the local councillors, with local community members. Locals wary about what this visit will achieve. Why are you like talking a lot and not doing much of the problems that need to be addressed? It's gotten worse and Aldo needs to see that, we've had knives pulled. For the young people, get them a job, you know, get them out of the streets. After a temporary injection of more police and a youth curfew, the community keen to hear the government's plans for what's next. A lot of these communities are becoming less and less liveable and you couldn't really expect anyone to live there, so these people coming into town. The Chamber of Commerce's offices have been smashed four times since 2023. When they meet with the PM, they want more detail on previous funding commitments. We talk about it all the time, what are the next steps, but it does need to be some really, real, very transparent and laid out really well steps to this as well. The visit to the Red Centre comes as the nation reckons with the deaths of 27 women due to gendered violence incidents this year. Here in Alice Springs, rates of domestic violence are among the highest in the country and local advocates want to see needs-based funding to address the significant demand. Hopes the PM's high visibility trip will deliver more than media attention to a community in need of help. For more UN videos visit www.un.org

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