Budget 2025–26: Tackling the root causes of crime

13 May 2025

The Finocchiaro CLP Government is taking decisive action to break the cycle of crime by addressing its root causes through a broad package of early intervention, education, family support and housing initiatives in Budget 2025–26.

This Budget delivers real investment in prevention, focusing on the factors that lead to offending in the first place, with a strong emphasis on youth engagement, family safety and community wellbeing.

Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro said the 2025-26 Budget made it clear that community safety started with stronger families, better housing, and meaningful opportunities.

“You don’t fix crime by only responding after it happens. You prevent it by investing in addressing the root causes of crime,” said Mrs Finocchiaro.

“This Budget addresses the drivers of crime at their source, so our kids are supported, families are strong, and communities are safer.”

The Budget includes $6.6 million per annum in ongoing funding for the Circuit Breaker program, now operating in Darwin, Alice Springs and Katherine.

This initiative targets young people aged 10 to 17 who are at risk of entering the youth justice or child protection systems, offering:

• Intensive case management and family support.
• Supervised accommodation where no safe family or housing option is available.
• Local frontline supervision to keep at-risk youth off the streets.
• Keeping kids in school and families accountable.

Education remains one of the most powerful crime prevention tools.

That is why the CLP Government is driving reforms to improve school attendance and hold parents accountable for ensuring children go to school.

• School attendance officers will issue compliance and infringement notices for chronic non-attendance.
• Parents who deprive their children of education will be referred for income management with the Commonwealth.
• School-based police officers are being expanded in middle schools to promote safety and intervene early.
• Strengthening families and community-led solutions.

Budget 2025–26 also delivers:

• $204.1 million for family support services and $20.9 million for child protection.
• $138.6 million for out-of-home care and $73.2 million to support homelessness services.
• $6.1 million over five years, and $2.6 million ongoing, to expand the Family Safety Framework for those at risk of serious domestic, family and sexual violence.
• $18 million over five years to continue men’s behaviour change programs across the Territory.
• $3.3 million for grassroots prevention projects.
• $4.6 million to deliver a new Youth Hub in Darwin’s northern suburbs.

To tackle overcrowding and poor housing conditions, both key drivers of social dysfunction, the CLP Government is investing in up to 2,700 new homes and a major repairs and maintenance program under the jointly funded $4 billion remote housing agreement.

A $842.6 million partnership with the Commonwealth and Aboriginal peak organisations will also improve service delivery and outcomes in remote communities under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.

Investing in education, training and inclusion:

• $1.6 billion is being invested in education and training, including $120 million for vocational and higher education.
• $2 million in new funding is being provided to support Aboriginal participation in sport, with a focus on increasing access and engagement in regional and remote areas.

Media contact: Elle Arnold - 0408 663 361