Three strikes policy begins today

Northern Territory public housing tenants will be evicted if they receive three strikes for anti-social behaviour under a new policy that started today.

Replacing the old demerit system

The three strikes system replaces a red card scheme where tenants could be evicted after accumulating six demerit points. Existing demerit points convert to strikes one to one.

How strikes are assigned

Minor anti-social behaviour breaches attract one strike, moderate breaches two strikes, and significant breaches three strikes. A single serious breach can result in immediate eviction.

Minister defends the policy

Housing Minister Steve Edgington says the policy addresses neighbour concerns about violence, property damage, noise complaints and graffiti. He expects tenants to pay rent, maintain homes and be good neighbours.

“All we're expecting is pay your rent, look after your home and be a good neighbour.”

Procedural fairness promised

Tenants can respond to allegations before being reprimanded. The Housing Department investigates complaints and issues strikes based on investigation outcomes. Termination proceedings go through the NT Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

“Procedural fairness is a big part of this policy.”

Labor accuses government of racial control

Opposition MLA Chansey Paech says the three strikes policy is one of several Country Liberal Party decisions that overwhelmingly impact Indigenous people, including closure of Darwin's YiSSA homelessness shelter.

“They're not targeting any problem, they're just moving the problem on.”

Eviction worsens homelessness, Labor argues

Chansey Paech says tenants need support rather than eviction. Kicking people onto the streets does not address the Territory's homelessness problem but makes it worse, he argues.

“Kicking people out and making them homeless doesn't address the homelessness problem in the Territory. It makes it worse.”

Karama resident backs the policy

Doreen Dyer, who built her home in Karama in nineteen eighty-one, says anti-social behaviour has deteriorated over the past ten years.She supports the three strikes policy but does not want people to lose their homes.

“Everybody deserves to live a peaceful life in their own home.”

Visitors, not tenants, cause problems

Dyer says it is often visitors to public housing, not residents themselves, who cause disturbances. She hopes the policy encourages tenants to address behaviour affecting the neighbourhood on their first strike.