The Australian Government will provide substantial support to keep the Darwin Night Patrol service in operation from July, committing $25 million in funding a year for the Community Night Patrol Program until 2022, through the Stronger Futures in the Northern Territory initiative.
“The Darwin night patrol prevents crime, improves the safety of the community and reduces the level of adverse contact Indigenous residents have with the criminal justice system,” Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus QC said in Darwin today.
The funding announcement follows the Northern Territory Government’s decision to withdraw funding from the service after June.
Community night patrols currently operate across 80 communities in the Northern Territory and help people at risk of either causing harm or becoming the victims of harm to break the cycle of violence and crime.
It is extremely disappointing that the Northern Territory Government has decided to cease funding for this important community service.
“I believe that this night patrol is too important to be allowed to disappear. I have instructed my department to enter discussions with the Larrakia Nation to ensure that the patrol can continue,” said Mr Dreyfus.
“The Australian Government will continue to fund the Darwin Night Patrol after June through the Community Night Patrol Program.
“We have allocated $25 million each year until 2022 for this program as part of the broader Stronger Futures in the Northern Territory initiative. A total of $619 million will be provided for community safety over the ten years.”
This funding also supports policing and legal assistance and is a key part of the government’s commitment to ‘Close the Gap’ on Indigenous disadvantage.
