The Albanese Labor Government is delivering another initiative as part of the largest commitment to justice reinvestment ever delivered by the Commonwealth.
Following a rigorous assessment process by an independent panel a partnership between Tangentyere Council Aboriginal Corporation, Lhere Artepe Aboriginal Corporation and the Northern Territory Government Community Justice Centre has been selected to deliver the Mparntwe (Alice Springs) Peacemaking Project.
The Justice Reinvestment in Central Australia Program allows communities to access funding for justice reinvestment initiatives aimed at crime prevention, or providing community-led treatments for drug and alcohol addiction, or diversionary supports for illegal drug use.
The Mparntwe (Alice Springs) Peacemaking Project supports community-led responses to resolving conflict and preventing crime.
Today’s announcement takes the total number of justice reinvestment initiatives being funded to 27. Other initiatives in the Northern Territory, New South Wales, South Australia, Queensland, Western Australia and Victoria were announced in February,April and September along with two initiatives that received early funding for justice reinvestment in Halls Creek and Alice Springs that were announced in June 2023.
Quotes attributable to Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus
“The Central Australia Justice Reinvestment initiative demonstrates our ongoing commitment to working in partnership with First Nations communities to develop local solutions to keep at risk adults and young people away from the criminal justice system.
“We know that reducing the incarceration of First Nations people and strengthening community safety can best be achieved through initiatives led by First Nations communities. These local solutions will deliver real and lasting change.
“I thank the Northern Territory Government for demonstrating how all governments can work in genuine partnership with key Aboriginal organisations to deliver culturally appropriate solutions that can resolve conflict according to culture, kinship and community protocols."
Quotes attributable to Minister for Indigenous Australians, Senator the Hon Malarndirri McCarthy
“The Albanese Labor Government is committed to working with First Nations organisations and communities to deliver justice reinvestment initiatives.
“First Nations people have developed this initiative. It provides a local solution to reduce crime which will have a positive impact for people in and around Alice Springs.
“Justice reinvestment enables First Nations communities to develop and implement their own solutions, working with local services who understand local issues.”
Quotes attributable to Marion Scrymgour, Federal Member for Lingiari
“I am proud of the Albanese Labor Government’s ongoing commitment to building human and community capacity, as alternative crime prevention measures aimed at stemming the exponential growth in incarceration for First Nations peoples.
“I congratulate Tangentyere Council Aboriginal Corporation, Lhere Artepe Aboriginal Corporation and the Northern Territory Government Community Justice Centre on their innovative partnership. The Mparntwe (Alice Springs) Peacemaking Project promises real outcomes for First Nations communities by devising strategies based on what they know works for reducing law and order and crime in Alice Springs.”