Northern Territory

Youth tensions in Darwin’s northern suburbs became a concern during 2006. The Multicultural Council of the Northern Territory (MCNT) convened a meeting of stakeholders. As a result, representatives from MCNT, the Northern Territory Police, Melaleuca Refugee Centre, Mission Australia and the Young Men’s Christian Association (also known as The Shak in Darwin) formed the Youth Facilities Team.

The Youth Facilities Team conducted five youth forums, targeting youth at risk within the Darwin and Palmerston areas. They found evidence of tensions between youth groups from a variety of backgrounds, resulting in some serious assaults.

Initial responses to the issues raised included making additional informal sports facilities available during the school holiday period, information on the youth website on holiday activities and a cultural awareness program for young people from a variety of backgrounds.

The Office of Senior Territorians held forums and information sessions in languages other than English for aging migrants. The Northern Territory Government provides ongoing grants to the Council on the Aging to run specific programs for the Territory’s aging migrant communities. In particular, Timorese, Greek and Italian migrants have been identified as in need of information on residential and health care support services. They also need support to strengthen social networks and maintain cultural identity.