Scrymgour calls for probe into spending from Albo's $250m rescue package

By ERWIN CHLANDA

A “complete break-down” of spending under the $250m Albanese rescue package for Alice Springs and Central Australia is what re-elected Member for Lingiari Marion Scrymgour is calling for.

The initiative was announced by the Prime Minister two years ago in response to rampant crime.

“We still seem to be beset by the same problems we’ve had for the last couple of years in terms of crime.

Also young people running around,” Ms Scrymgour told the Alice Springs News.

“We’ve got to have a look, rather than doing more of the same, at what is it that we need to do and do differently.”

The spending probe should encompass community organisations, NGOs and the Northern Territory Government sharing the $250m “that we have absolute confidence that this has been implemented appropriately.

“One of the things I have said consistently is that if people are calling for an audit on organisations we should also be looking at the money that goes from the Commonwealth to the NT, and to have a look at if that that’s been effectively spent.

“Out of that $250 there was quite substantial money that was given to the NT Government for policing, and for Territory Families.

“We’ve got to have a look at, rather than doing more of the same, what is it that we need to do and do differently, To work through with the Northern Territory Government to try and get the outcomes that Alice Springs and Central Australia generally need to get from that $250m.”

Ms Scrymgour says this has been “talked about for the last two years.

“At some stage we’ve got to say this is what it was spent on, this is where there are some issues.

“That needs to be done ASAP.

“There needs to be a review agreed to by the NT Government and the Commonwealth of where that money is and what’s happened.

“If there has to be a shift, so that we can get the outcomes on the ground, then we should be able to do it.

“But I think before we do that we need to understand where things are at, what money is left over, and what millions have or haven’t been [spent].

“We’ve got to be honest enough to drill down and get a sense of [what has been achieved].

“If all of this money hasn’t been allocated, then where do we go from here.”

She says it seems there are some family support programs that “seem to be getting better outcomes” but issues of “referrals that need to come from Territory Families to the Commonwealth” need to be discussed.