$1.78 million boost for Larrakia Nation night patrol services

The Albanese Government is investing more than $1.78 million to expand Larrakia Nation’s night patrol services in Darwin and Palmerston in the Northern Territory.

Minister for Indigenous Australians Linda Burney announced the three-year funding boost on her visit to the Larrakia Nation headquarters in Darwin today.

The Larrakia Nation patrols provide an important point of contact for Indigenous people in Darwin and Palmerston - offering culturally appropriate support and transportation services and referrals to key services including health, housing, legal and youth diversion.

The Larrakia Nation patrollers also do an important job in dispute resolution and mediation and help divert people away from contact with the criminal justice system.

The $1.78 million will fund another vehicle and two staff to support the Night Patrol operations over the next three years.

Established in 1998, the Larrakia Nation Aboriginal Corporation is the peak advocacy body for Traditional Owners. The Larrakia Nation provides strong leadership, and vital support and services to First Nations people in Darwin. 

These services include:

• Youth day and night patrols; 
• The Healthy Engagement and Assistance in the Long Grass (HEAL) Program; 
• The Palmerston Family and Cultural Centre;
• Return to Country;
• Larrakia Hosts; 
• Aged and disability care;
• Housing, kinship and transport; and
• Cross referrals to ensure that a quality and individually tailored service is delivered to people living rough are respectfully provided with holistic support.

The Larrakia Nation Day Patrol operates from 5am to 4pm everyday while the Night Patrol runs from 4pm to 12am six days a week and Sundays from 5pm to 10pm.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Indigenous Australians Linda Burney:

“The Larrakia Nation Night Patrol plays a central role in connecting Indigenous people with support systems and services – which is increasingly important with the number of visitors from remote communities travelling to Darwin.

“This funding will support the provision of another vehicle and two staff members patrolling Darwin and Palmerston for the next three years.

The Albanese Government understands the importance of community led solutions to deliver better outcomes for all Territorians.”

Quotes attributable to the Federal Member for Solomon Luke Gosling OAM:

“Senator Malarndirri McCarthy and I have long been supporters of the Larrakia Nation’s day and night patrol services.

“I am proud to be a part of a Federal Government that is proactively responding to the advice from Larrakia Nation and other agencies to invest in the patrols, managing the needs of some of the most vulnerable members of our community and improving community safety across Darwin and Palmerston.

“We’ve heard the concerns of Territorians. Senator McCarthy, Marion Scrymgour and I will continue to work with NT Government and local stakeholders like Larrakia Nation to address those concerns.”

Quotes attributable to Larrakia Nation Aboriginal Corporation Chief Executive Officer Michael Rotumah:

“Larrakia Nation’s Night Patrol is a critical mechanism to engage and support the most vulnerable people across our community.

“The program is focused on early intervention and on connecting people with a range of service providers to improve safety and reduce conflict. 

“With more people visiting the Darwin and Palmerston region from community, the program plays a central role in connecting people with the right services and supports at the right time.

“The Government’s $1,788,800 million investment is important in enabling us to achieve these outcomes.”