Luke Gosling (Solomon, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

On Sunday night at Darwin's Airport Tavern, 20-year-old Declan Laverty was finishing his shift when a 19-year-old customer allegedly stabbed him. Declan texted his parents, 'Love you, being stabbed,' before he died at the scene. Declan's senseless killing has rocked the Northern Territory. It is an unimaginable tragedy. No-one ever expects to go to work to face violence but many do. No-one deserves to lose their life this way. As Declan's mother said, 'He will never fall in love. He will never marry. He will never be a dad. His life, his future, our future, have been completely stripped away.' My deepest condolences to Declan's family and loved ones.

As a community Darwin and Palmerston stand together to say that this violence will not be tolerated. Alcohol-fuelled violence has been and is a problem in the Northern Territory. I commend the Northern Territory government for the announced changes to bail laws and weapons offences yesterday. Improvements to security at licensed premises are essential to ensure the safety of workers. The whole Northern Territory community needs to have a serious conversation about alcohol and crime, and about how we can all work together to do our bit to keep the community safe. May Declan Laverty rest in peace.

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