Residents of the Northern Territory have expressed a reduced sense of security during the last 12 months, even though there has been a greater emphasis from the government on maintaining law and order, according to a report by the Productivity Commission.
A section of the Commission's 2026 Report on Government Services, published on Tuesday evening, examines the sense of security individuals experience in different environments such as walking alone or using public transport during nighttime hours.
The NT was among four states and regions — including Victoria, Tasmania, and the ACT — where perceptions of safety decreased in every category covered by the survey.
The Northern Territory was last among all other states and territories in terms of residents' reported sense of safety.
In the last year, the region also experienced the greatest percentage decrease in individuals who felt secure in most situations outlined in the report, such as being alone at home, using public transportation, and walking alone at night.
Fewer than one in ten Territorians said they felt secure while using public transport at night, representing the largest drop in perceived safety among all regions across any category.
Since the Country Liberal Party (CLP) took office in August 2024, theThe Northern Territory government has introduced a series of law and order changes., and in December the government referenced statistics indicating a reduction in the number of crime victims throughout the area when compared to the prior year.
However, NT Chief Minister Lia Finocciaro has also recognized the significance of public opinion regarding community safety.
"The data speaks for itself, but our focus has always been on ensuring Territorians feel secure," she stated to the NT parliament in November.
A criminology professor from Bond University, Terry Goldsworthy, stated that public opinion played a crucial role in the welfare of residents in the Northern Territory and the effectiveness of the government.
"You can keep saying the crime rate is decreasing, [but] if individuals don't see it as relevant to them, there's an issue," he stated.
Police numbers surge
Although concerns about public safety in the Northern Territory have decreased over the last year, actual government funding for law enforcement led to a higher number of police officers patrolling the streets.
In the 2024-25 period, the number of active police officers in the NT increased from 1,920 to 2,011 — the highest rise in hiring ever recorded — resulting in the NT having Australia's biggest police force relative to its population.
Although there are more personnel deployed, the Productivity Commission report revealed that many Territorians have not reported specific crimes for several years.
According to the most recent 2023-24 figures, the rate of reporting for physical assaults stood at 56 per cent, suggesting that almost half of Territorians did not report such incidents to the police.
The report also indicated that only 55 per cent of Territorians were generally satisfied with the NT Police Force in 2024-25, marking the second lowest level of approval in the nation.
In a statement provided to the ABC, NT Police recognized the Productivity Commission's findings and the issues highlighted regarding reporting rates and public trust.
"We want individuals who have faced violence to understand that their concerns will be treated with due seriousness if they decide to speak up," said a representative from the NT Police.
We acknowledge that certain Territorians are hesitant to report criminal activities, and efforts are being made to enhance the safety, ease, and sensitivity of the reporting process.
The representative stated that changes, such as the unveiling of the Anti-Racism Plan and the selection of a full-time Commissioner, would enhance responsibility and workplace environment.
Dr. Goldsworthy mentioned that a sense of contentment with law enforcement and authorities might be influenced by overly high expectations regarding crime.
"Youth crime does not remain constant for a few months — youth crime is resolved over a number of years," he stated.
You need to examine the factors that lead someone towards criminal behavior — what drives a person to commit crimes? Following that, the post-crime stage should prioritize rehabilitation as our main concern.
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