Jacinta Price vows to continue fighting for vulnerable residents of Alice Springs and accuses PM of ignoring Aboriginal voices

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese touched down in the beleaguered Central Australian town on Tuesday to announce a spate of measures aimed at easing rising crime rates.

Senator Price has slammed the response, which includes restrictions on takeaway alcohol purchase and the instalment of a Central Australian controller to evaluate appropriate action in the community.

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“This government has failed Territorians over and over and over again,” she told Sky News on Friday.

She accused the Prime Minister of not listening to “people on the ground” and ignoring Aboriginal voices who were calling for stricter measures.

“It is Aboriginal people in our communities screaming out and calling before the legislation came to an end to maintain the alcohol bans,” she said.

“It is racism to ignore those Aboriginal voices that are calling for the solutions, that have the solutions.”

Senator Price has been warning about the lapsing of alcohol bans since last year, and in June predicted violence would increase in Alice Springs if grog was allowed back in the towns.

She has been united with Indigenous politicians across the aisle in her fierce criticism of the legislation’s lapse.

Labor MP for Lingiari Marion Scrymgour has also been outspoken about the repercussions of booze being allowed to flow in once dry communities.

Ms Scrymgour used her maiden speech to Parliament last year to highlight her concerns around the lapsing of the Stronger Futures legislation – the laws controlling liquor in Central Australia.

Senator Price – who hails from Alice Springs and served as a councillor on the town’s local council for six years – has vowed to continue fighting for vulnerable residents in the outback community.

According to data from the Northern Territory Police, 2022 has seen domestic violence related assault in Alice Springs spike by 53 per cent and alcohol related assault by 54 per cent.

“I will continue to fight for these families that are looking after these kids and are upholding their human rights,” she said.

“We might have had the Stolen Generation. We’ve got a neglected, abused and traumatised generation now and they’re right there for all of us to see in our streets.

“Enough is enough.”

Senator Price is currently working on a private member’s bill to reinstate the ban until alcohol management plans can be put in place.

Other Indigenous members of Parliament have indicated a willingness to work with her on the legislation, she said.