Arabic version: تقرير يشكك في مزاعم حكومة الإقليم الشمالي بشأن خفض الجريمة

According to ABC News, a report by researchers at the Jumbunna Institute for Indigenous Education and Research says Northern Territory government claims that crime has fallen cannot be supported by existing data. The report says there is “actually no clear trend” and argues the government has relied on incomplete and unverified information.

The Country Liberal Party campaigned on a tough-on-crime platform before the 2024 NT election and later introduced policies including bail reform, a lower age of criminal responsibility and the return of spit hoods in youth detention. Last month, Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro said bail refusals had risen 55 per cent, edged-weapon crimes had fallen 12 per cent and 300 offences allegedly committed by 10 and 11-year-olds were before courts.

The report questioned the government’s use of NT Police SerPro data, saying the system, introduced in late 2023, cannot be reliably compared with earlier figures and may be published up to five months late. Co-author Tatiana Corrales said different time periods could produce sharply different outcomes and accused the government of presenting crime data too simply and cherry-picking favourable figures.

Using court statistics, Australian Bureau of Statistics figures and data from the North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency, the report found victimisation rates had increased, while imprisonment rates, court listings and demand for legal services had risen since 2024. NAAJA chief executive Ben Grimes said daily arrests had remained elevated over two years.

A Northern Territory government spokesperson said crime and court statistics were publicly available and independently compiled by the Department of the Attorney-General and Justice from offences recorded by NT Police. The spokesperson said the government’s investment in police and law-and-order measures was beginning to deliver results.