ALICE SPRINGS DILEMMA

The issues of Alice Springs are beyond party politics.

Several key events in Alice Springs this year, including a motocross derby, the Caravaners conference and the NT Cattlemen/Women’s Association conference, were moved to other venues.

Because crime is uncontrollable and rampant, the light festival crowd is down.

Organisers of the Finke Desert Race fear a drop in visitor numbers.

The Central Australian Football League communities competition, generally held on Alice Springs ovals, has been put off because the city council feels the numbers coming from communities into Alice will add to crime problems already tearing at the city each night.

Bipartisanship and a common approach to overcoming issues confronting a community under siege is the only way forward. The need for action, applied without fear or favour, is now.