TERRITORY GOVERNMENT SHOWS ALBANESE UP IN FIXING ALICE SPRINGS CRISIS

The Albanese government is being shown up by the Northern Territory government by failing to champion proposed reforms in an attempt to conclusively end the declining situation in Alice Springs and the wider Northern Territory.

In December 2024, the Finocchiaro-led Territory government unequivocally laid out the reforms it believed were needed to improve the ongoing and escalating issues in Alice Springs. But among the proposed reforms, those relating to Centrelink payments and royalty distribution arrangements are now being hindered by the Albanese government.

“After more than a decade of desperately needed action and a government too weak to act, we now have a government with the leadership willing to take action in the Territory, yet the Albanese government seem intent on ensuring that doesn’t happen,” said Senator Nampijinpa Price.

Senator Nampijinpa Price said she believes meaningful change is only going to come to Alice Springs and the broader Northern Territory if significant changes are made.

“We finally have a Territory government that possesses the courage of conviction to make the necessary changes, but the Albanese government is failing to do the same. The Albanese government is once again choosing to prioritise its popularity at the expense of getting on board with meaningful improvement.”

“Anthony Albanese knows he is already in trouble ahead of the 2025 election, and this situation will expose the truth about whether he is in fact interested in the wellbeing and prosperity of all Australians, wherever they may live, or only those who vote for him,” she said.

Senator Nampijinpa Price said even without the recent escalation of violence in Alice Springs, reforms to things like royalty distributions by land councils; as well as changes to Centrelink payments are long overdue.

“I have been calling for many of these things for a long time,” said Senator Nampijinpa Price. “Then add to the worsening situation in Alice Springs, it is nothing short of reckless for the Albanese government not to wholly support these proposed reforms,” she said.

Senator Nampijinpa Price said, “the Northern Territory government should be backed up by its federal counterparts in these matters; they shouldn’t have to approach entities such as land councils directly for reform to come about. The fact that the Territory government is having to do this demonstrates the weak and failing leadership of Anthony Albanese once again.”

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Media Contact: Rebekah Hart – 0459 893 181