The Coalition Government will provide the Northern Territory Government with an additional $70 million to support the delivery of services that will increase community safety in the Territory.

Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Nigel Scullion, said that at a time when the NT Government was playing politics by exaggerating the reduction in GST the Territory would receive in 2017-18, he was getting on with the job of supporting Territorians.

“The $70 million is a significant milestone payment to the Northern Territory Government as part of the almost $1 billion National Partnership on Northern Territory Remote Aboriginal Investment,” Minister Scullion said.

“The money provided through this national partnership is on top of the $622 million the Coalition is investing this year under the Indigenous Advancement Strategy to improve outcomes for First Australians in the Northern Territory.

“The $70 million will support remote policing infrastructure and contribute to the employment of more than 300 additional police officers in remote communities across the Territory and three dog squads.

“Having a cop on the beat is fundamental to community safety and this investment will ensure there are more officers in more communities for more hours of the week.”

Minister Scullion said the investment would also support six family support case work teams, as well as alcohol support workers in at least 18 remote communities and enable a further 87 Indigenous language interpreters to be employed in the Territory.

“This funding is part of the Commonwealth’s additional investment in the Territory to support services that other states fund on their own,” Minister Scullion said.

“The Coalition Government is committed to working with the Gunner Government to deliver the best outcomes for Territorians.”