10 January 2025 

The Law Society Northern Territory (Society) has expressed dismay at the current situation facing the already overburdened and under resourced criminal justice system in the Northern Territory and calls upon the Northern Territory Government to take immediate action.

Society President Mr Richard Henschke said, “The current situation facing the Local Courts across the Northern Territory is untenable and cannot continue without further resourcing of the Courts, Corrections and criminal justice sector in general.

The Northern Territory’s criminal justice system is not adequately resourced to cope with the consequences of the Government’s ‘tough on crime’ approach, and without immediate action including appropriate alternative rehabilitation and support programs, the system is in danger of failing completely.”

The Society is also deeply concerned at the impact of the current situation on those charged with offences in the Northern Territory and on the wellbeing of legal practitioners working in the criminal justice system.

Mr Henschke said “The changes implemented by the current Government impact the whole of the criminal justice system in the Territory including in particular organisations such as Legal Aid NT and NAAJA who are tasked with ensuring that vulnerable Australians have access to adequate legal representation.”

The Society therefore calls upon the Northern Territory Government to take action to ease the pressure on the system as the current situation requires an immediate and decisive response.

END OF RELEASE

Richard Henschke

President