<
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/apr/09/nt-darwin-buses-soon-patrolled-armed-police-officers-ntwnfb>
"Transit safety and public housing officers in the Northern Territory will soon
be armed with guns, in what the territory’s First Nations legal service has
labelled an “inherently dangerous and unnecessary” move that would
“disproportionately impact Aboriginal Territorians”.
The first of a new force of armed Police Public Safety Officers (PPSOs) will
begin patrolling Darwin, Palmerston, Katherine and Alice Springs in June after
an 18-week training program. Legislation to create the new PPSOs was introduced
by the NT government last year in response to what they said was an increase in
antisocial behaviour on public transport.
But the legislation has been heavily criticised by Indigenous MPs, legal
services and advocacy groups.
Ben Grimes, chief executive of the North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency
(NAAJA), said there is “no evidence that bringing guns on to buses is needed,
or that it will create safer public transport”.
“Many people have told NAAJA that the presence of guns on buses will make them
feel less safe, rather than more safe,” he said.
“Bringing guns on to crowded and confined buses is inherently dangerous and
unnecessary,” he said. “Situations on public transport should be managed
through skilful de-escalation, not through use of force. In rare situations
where force may be needed, guns should not be the preferred weapon.”"
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
