Media Release by The Hon Mal Brough MP

NSW & VIC Support Welcome

23 June 2007

I welcome and thank the New South Wales and Victorian Governments for their agreement to provide 10 police each to help in the national emergency to protect children in the Northern Territory.

The quick response of these two states to the Australian Government’s call for assistance with police is appropriate given the crisis situation facing us in the Northern Territory.

I now encourage other states to follow the lead of their colleagues.

The Australian Government is moving quickly to ensure a policing presence in Aboriginal communities in the NT.

Two AFP personnel will be in the NT on Monday to organise, in conjunction with local authorities, the deployment of police into communities

Acknowledgement of Country

The Australian Government acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, water, culture and community. We pay our respects to the Elders both past and present.