Alice Springs, a remote central Australian town, has declared a two-week curfew following a series of violent brawls that erupted after a teenager’s funeral. The curfew, applicable to all residents under the age of 18, will be enforced from 6pm to 6am starting Wednesday night. Northern Territory Chief Minister Eva Lawler announced the emergency measures, which include the deployment of 58 additional police officers to deter crime and antisocial behavior in the city center.
Lawler expressed the community’s frustration, stating, “The community have had enough and so have I. We want Alice Springs to be a safe place.” The recent unrest occurred on Tuesday, following the funeral of an 18-year-old who died two weeks ago in a vehicle allegedly stolen. Videos and photos shared on social media depicted chaotic scenes outside the Todd Tavern, where a large group of people gathered, throwing bricks and attempting to break down the door while customers sought shelter inside.
NT Police Commissioner Michael Murphy revealed that the funeral had reignited family feuds, involving approximately 150 individuals in the violent unrest. Five people were arrested, and law enforcement seized at least 50 weapons. Murphy assured swift action, stating, “We’ll identify who’s responsible, and they’ll be delivered to the court where they can answer for their behaviors.”
Alice Springs, with a population of around 26,000 people, lies approximately 1,500km (932 miles) south of Darwin, the capital of the Northern Territory. Approximately one-fifth of the population belongs to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community, with some residing in camps on the town’s outskirts. Federal Indigenous Australians Minister Linda Burney welcomed the introduction of the youth curfew, hoping it would improve community safety.
Alice Springs Mayor Matt Paterson also expressed support for the curfew, acknowledging that violence had been escalating over the years. He stated, “Hopefully we can go back to some normality.” The recent unrest has reignited calls for federal government intervention, similar to the previous intervention implemented by former Prime Minister John Howard’s right-wing government. The previous intervention, which included a ban on alcohol sales, was introduced following a report on child sex abuse in certain communities and remained in effect for 15 years. Some Indigenous leaders argue that this policy exacerbated social problems in the town.
