BY GARY MEYERHOFF
DARWIN — Socialists, youth workers and human rights activists are alarmed at proposals by Northern Territory police and businesspeople for curfews to be placed on young people aged under 16 in Darwin. Proponents of "zero tolerance" policing have called for a curfew between midnight and 5am.
The special crime unit's detective sergeant Fred Huysse told the NT News: "I think the time has come for curfews to be brought in. Many police would support this. I believe it should be done as soon as possible."
The calls come hot on the heels of a massive increase in police powers provided by the juvenile diversion and illicit drug diversion programs. A number of "vigilante" meetings have also been held in Palmerston, south of Darwin. Prior to its election, the NT Labor government promised a youth curfew and the introduction of a uniformed youth night patrol.
The socialist youth organisation Resistance has announced that it will mobilise young people to fight the proposed curfews. The NT branch of the Socialist Alliance said it will also oppose curfews.
Resistance organiser Chris Atkinson described a curfew as "a flagrant breach of the human rights of young people, who are already the most disempowered people in our community". Atkinson said a curfew would target indigenous young people.
The Socialist Alliance candidate for Lord Mayor, Ruth Ratcliffe, told Green Left Weekly that she would use the campaign for the March 16 mayoral election to oppose the proposed curfews and all repressive government measures. "Rather than pursuing punitive responses to social problems, the NT government and Darwin council need to address the real problems. Darwin is in desperate need of alternative housing and education programs for young people and this should be seen as the top priority."
The NT Socialist Alliance has consistently campaigned against undemocratic and repressive government measures, such as the Public Order and Anti-Social Conduct Act, council by-laws which target homeless people, and against abuses committed by members of the night patrol service, currently managed by Mission Australia.
Activists are extremely concerned that Mission Australia will get the contract for the youth night patrol. Larrakia elder June Mills has called for the night patrol to be placed under the control of the Aboriginal community.
[To get involved in the anti-curfew campaign contact Darwin Resistance, details in the activist calendar, page 23. To contact the Socialist Alliance, email <darwin@socialist-alliance.org>.]
From Green Left Weekly, February 13, 2002.
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