More than 40 organisations have now signed an open letter condemning the Northern Territory Government's decision to allow civilians to purchase and carry capsicum spray.
The letter, first published on August 28 with 21 signatories and tabled in Parliament by independent MP Justine Davis earlier this month, has since been signed by 43 groups. It argues that the government's 'tough on crime' approach "can do more harm than good".
"We acknowledge that crime needs to be addressed, but the NT Government's law-and-order policies have the consequence of negatively impacting mainly Indigenous families and communities, while not doing enough to address the root causes of harm," the letter states.
"We believe the NT Government must implement evidence-based initiatives, and we strongly believe that Indigenous-led community safety models must be part of the solution."
Among the new signatories are major NT-based Indigenous organisations, including the North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency (NAAJA), Children's Ground and the Central Australian Aboriginal Congress (CAAC), alongside national groups such as ANTAR and the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services.
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A Controversial Policy
Since the beginning of September, the Northern Territory has become the second jurisdiction in Australia, after Western Australia, to allow members of the public to carry Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) spray as a defensive weapon.
Despite the spray remaining a 'prohibited weapon,' it can be bought at 11 approved retailers across the NT, at around $50 per can. There are no limits on the number of units a person can purchase.
Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro has defended the trial.
"We are delivering a strong, practical plan to reduce crime, hold offenders to account, and put victims first," she said last month. "The OC spray trial empowers Territorians to protect themselves, while our Reducing Crime Strategy tackles the root causes of crime."
The open letter, titled Civil Society Open Letter to the Finocchiaro Government, strongly disputes this.
"The NT Government is rolling out these initiatives in the name of victims of crime. However, ill-thought-out reactions can result in victims of crime not being protected at all. There is no evidence that spreading weapons through our community deters or reduces crime in the long term."
When the trial was first announced in June, Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance NT (AMSANT) chief executive Dr John Paterson described it as a "misguided policy" and "the latest example of poor lawmaking from the CLP".
"This decision will cause harm, deepen community distrust, and exacerbate already dangerous racial divisions. It offers no positive outcomes and will instead trigger a range of unintended consequences," Dr Paterson said.
Opposition Leader Selena Uibo previously labelled the trial "an admission of failure by government".
"In less than a year, crime has hit its highest levels yet; and now the Government is telling Territorians to defend themselves because it can't do the job," she said.
Nonetheless, in the final days of the election campaign last year, Labor promised to equip public housing officers with OC spray, having previously armed security guards at bottle shops with the spray.
Broader Concerns on Crime Policy
The spray trial follows a series of controversial 'tough on crime' policies introduced by the Country Liberal Party (CLP) since its landslide election victory last year, which have been condemned by Indigenous, human rights and legal groups.
These include lowering the age of criminal responsibility to 10, reintroducing spit hoods in youth detention, expanding mandatory sentencing, and plans to arm public safety officers — the latter labelled a "deeply irresponsible escalation".
"We are alarmed about the potential consequences of NT Government policies," the letter says.
"Arming the public with pepper spray risks escalating violent incidents. Allowing guns on public transport and in public housing exposes the poor and marginalised to an increased risk of violence, arrest and even the possibility of deaths in custody."
The NT has the second-highest incarceration rate in the world, behind only El Salvador. Aboriginal people make up nearly 90 per cent of those imprisoned. Since December 2023, the prison population has grown by 600, with data showing an average of 2,834 people in custody by June 2025.
"We know what works: addressing poverty, trauma and discrimination, as well as helping people regain a sense of identity," the organisations said.
"There must be consequences for wrongdoing, but increasing the incarceration rate is a simplistic response to a complicated reality. We need to help people rebuild their lives with the support of their families and communities. If we do this, crime is much less likely to occur."
Alongside the trial, the government has established an OC Spray Trial Community Reference Group (CRG), made up of community members and stakeholders.
Chair Greg Ireland said the group will ensure Territorians can raise concerns.
"The Community Reference Group gives people a voice about the introduction of OC spray and how the trial is run. It's important we listen to the community, raise any concerns early, and help make sure the trial is safe and fair for everyone," he said.
