Darwin and Palmerston being ripped apart

I am bemused by charities and groups that provide food, clothing, free accommodation, transport and other amenities for people who come into Darwin from communities with nowhere to go and stay.

While they are here, there are spikes in crime against people and property, along with terrible behavioural manifestations on our streets, in our shopping centres, at the hospital emergency department and around Darwin and Palmerston.

The need for incessant patrolling by the Larrakeyah Nation is never ending, and ambulance services are on the go 24 hours per day, often having to ramp at the RDH ED. Children are left as free agents to roam, with school and education being the last priority.

All the while, with the support of charity, more and more money is left available for the purchase of alcohol and drugs.

Make no mistake. Our twin cities of Darwin and Palmerston are in a terrible position because of what is happening. Permanent residents, businesses and homeowners are too often victims of nefarious behaviour and alarming crime levels.

And it is not good anywhere else in Australia.