Aussie reporter breaks down in tears on live TV: 'You don't care'
Darwin Bureau Chief Matt Cunningham broke down while reporting about the increasing crime rates in Alice Springs, which the state government is trying to tackle with new alcohol rules.
Working in the NT for 12 years, Cunningham has been reporting on violence affecting Indigenous Australians for quite a while, and is hopeful the attention the state is getting at the moment will lead to meaningful change.
"Have a look at this place it is the most beautiful place in the world, the heart of this country, but it’s breaking at the moment," he said on Sky News, eyes welling with tears.
"I've been reporting on this stuff for a long time and I see that the country cares for about five minutes, then it moves on and doesn’t care anymore. We are focused on here for once, and maybe something will actually happen and something will change."
What are the new booze rules in the NT?
The new measures introduced by the state government on Wednesday include a three-month ban on the sale of takeaway alcohol in the region on Mondays and Tuesdays and reduced trading hours on other days, with a limit of one purchase per person each day.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Minister for Indigenous Australians, Linda Burney, met with state leaders to address the growing crime crisis in Alice Springs, with domestic violence and break-ins being at the forefront.
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In the live cross on Friday, Mr Cunningham also said that he was investigating whether an Aboriginal Voice to Parliament could help deal with the crime rates in Alice Springs.
"We see Linda Burney the Minister for Indigenous Australians say this week if a Voice had been in place then some of the things we’re seeing in Alice Springs perhaps wouldn’t have happened."
Though he said that "wasn’t the impression (he) got when on the ground in September," when covering a murder-suicide involving an Indigenous woman who was allegedly killed by her partner in July, along with her 15-week-old baby.
A central Australian regional controller has been appointed to ensure all levels of government are working together to deliver services to the community.
The controller, Dorrelle Anderson, will also review opt-in alcohol restrictions, that replaced intervention-inspired liquor bans which expired last year, and consider if opt-out bans should be implemented.
A long-term central Australian alcohol management plan will also be developed to address issued such as unemployment and youth on the streets.
with AAP
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