It's being billed as a win for crime prevention in the Northern Territory - a quarter of a million-dollar boost to Neighbourhood Watch, funded by the NT government. But as the government claims it's starting to see traction in its ongoing fight against crime, it's also facing scrutiny over whether the billions it’s spending are delivering real outcomes.
00:00A pop-up shop in Palmerston trying to spruik the NT government's crime prevention credentials.
00:09We're really thrilled to be supporting Neighbourhood Watch with an additional $250,000 budget ongoing
00:16to make sure that we can further reduce crime right across the territory.
00:20Neighbourhood Watch, the community-led anti-crime crusaders,
00:24say the funding boost will deliver them two new positions in the NT.
00:29With the funds now, we will try to expand the services that we have
00:34and be able to deliver them into even more, all the corners of the territory.
00:38We're already making rounds and plans to be out a little farther than we have been last year
00:43and provide more personal safety sessions.
00:46Among such sessions, the possibility of teaching the public to use pepper spray
00:50after the NT government legalises its use later this year.
00:54It's really about equipping people and empowering people to take charge of their own personal safety.
00:58This Federal MP welcomes funding for Neighbourhood Watch,
01:02but wants to see a full audit of NT government spending to prove that it is delivering change.
01:08A lot of funding goes from the Federal Government to the Northern Territory Government.
01:12Why shouldn't we be looking at where's the outcomes for the money that we're investing in the Northern Territory?
01:20Leah Finocchiaro claims her government is careful with its cash and says it's the Commonwealth who should be delivering better bang for its buck, especially in Alice Springs.
01:30They're very happy to write big checks and cut ribbons and rock up in Alice Springs and announce big dollars.
01:37But when it's not making an impact on the ground, that's where analysis of how that money is rolling out
01:42and what the KPIs are for that money is what really counts and we're not seeing that from the Federal Government.
01:47She should be sitting down and working with all of her Federal members to look at what is the best outcome for the Northern Territory
01:57and how we can all work together.
01:59Billions of dollars in funding flying out the door, but yet to be proven if it's really hitting the ground.
