The Northern Territory Police Commissioner says the 72-hour curfew in Alice Springs won't be extended, despite a daytime brawl on Wednesday in the town's centre.
The curfew declaration will conclude at 12.55pm on Thursday, local time, after the stay-at-home order was issued on Monday after a series of violent incidents, including a brawl involving 80 people and an alleged assault on four off-duty police officers.
In a statement, Police Commissioner Michael Murphy said he would not be requesting an extension of the Public Disorder Declaration (PDD) for Alice Springs.
"During the operational hours of the PDD over 3 nights, police engaged with 159 people, with 93 directed to leave the area, 20 conveyed into the care of other agencies and 18 removed from the area by police. No arrests were made in relation to the PDD," the statement said.
"The declaration has had a noticeable effect in preventing public disorder within the CBD and I would like to thank the Alice Springs community for working with us."
Mr Murphy said there was "no reasonable grounds" to extend the curfew, which, unlike the youth curfew in April, impacted all residents of the town, and stated he was confident there was capable police-resourcing in the area to instances of violence and anti-social behaviour.
Responding to events in the town centre on Wednesday, which involved up to 100 people, Murphy said violent disturbances "will not be tolerated," and that five arrests had already been made.
"Policing operations will remain in place across Alice Springs to uphold the law and maintain social order," Mr Murphy said.
"Operation Grimmel will continue to run within the town, and an additional 10 officers started duty in Alice Springs yesterday with an additional 19 due to start in 2 weeks with another 15 to be posted to the town at the end of the month."
Murphy reiterated that curfews were not a long-term solution.
"As Commissioner of Police I have a responsibility to listen to the community, to make sure that the best decisions are made to uphold the law and to maintain social order. The PDD has assisted in the short term by providing relief to the frontline, but our focus remains on the long term," he said.
The lockdowns came during the school holidays at NAIDOC week, where thousands have flooded into the town, from remote communities and interstate.
Indigenous-led organisations have lamented the use of curfews as a long-term strategy, with SNAICC chief executive Catherine Liddle saying on Wednesday they were "nonsensical to most people, because there's no evidence that they work," before adding long-term thinking was needed, rather than a quick fix.
"What we really need in Alice Springs [is] sustainable solutions that invest in what is genuinely happening, what is genuinely needed, and what will genuinely make a difference," she said.
"Long-term solutions must include building a truly comprehensive and supportive early childhood education and care system, one that is accessible by all."
More to come.
