Nigel Scullion (NT, Country Liberal Party, Minister for Community Services) Share this | Hansard source

There are reports from the Northern Territory and also in a general sense that indicate that there are alarming trends. Many of the communities that are found outside the Northern Territory have the same demographics—the circumstances of the communities are exactly the same, and I am quite sure that drawing a political line would not change the behaviour of any demographic. I cannot provide you with any evidentiary, scientific process but I do not believe that political borders on a map would differentiate anything. I think it is important that the states and territories provide law and order. This legislation is about intervening to prevent current criminal behaviour. States and territories that enjoy large populations of Indigenous people, particularly in remote communities, should look very carefully at the leadership that has been shown by this government. I am sure that the Commonwealth government would be more than happy to work with any other state and territory should they need assistance with a similar intervention. The government has a great deal of experience in these matters. One would hope that the states and territories that have communities of a similar demographic would move swiftly to ensure that those communities get the same level of safety that those in the Northern Territory communities will shortly enjoy.