The shocking crime spree in Darwin overnight shows why it was crucial for the CLP Government's 'Reducing Crime' laws to be passed through Parliament on urgency.
Five youths, four aged 13 and one aged 15 who were all on bail, terrorised the community with several incidents, including the alleged assault and attempted carjacking of an Uber driver.
Two of the youths had hundreds of previous involvements with police, while the total previous involvements for the five youths were more than 1,000.
All five youths were fitted with electronic monitoring devices, however, two of the youths had cut them off.
"The overnight violent crime spree involving this group of youths was shocking and is exactly the reason why we passed our 'Reducing Crime' laws on urgency in Parliament this month," Mrs Finocchiaro said.
"Under Declan's Law, there will be a presumption against bail for youths aged between 10 and 17, who are serious violent offenders, or repeat offenders.
"Samara Laverty's son, Declan, was murdered while at work, at the hands of someone out on bail for violent offending.
"This cannot happen to an innocent victim again.
"Under our laws, breach of bail will become an offence for all, and electronic monitoring will be mandatory for the few repeat serious offenders who are still granted bail."
Mrs Finocchiaro added: "We inherited a crime crisis after eight years of Labor, which is why we have enacted a crisis response."
"Had there been stronger laws implemented under the previous government, incidents like this overnight crime spree could have been prevented," she said.
"Labor's failure to deliver consequences for offending or address the root causes of crime has led to brazen youth offending.
"That's why community safety is our Government's No.1 priority, and it's one of the main reasons why we won the election with an overwhelming majority nine weeks ago.
"Territorians had enough of the inaction, and the CLP has been given a clear mandate to deliver change which will reduce crime, rebuild the economy, and restore our unique lifestyle.
"Territorians deserve better, and my government is laser-focused on turning this ship around, which we are already doing."
