Start of Northern Territory pepper spray trial sets tone for bumper week in politics

ABC NEWS (Australia)

A long-awaited trial of pepper spray began in the Northern Territory today, with retailers reporting large numbers of sales for the newly legalised product. The controversial development sets the tone for a bumper week of NT politics, with yesterday's anti-immigration rally and the government's anti-discrimination amendment both front of mind.

Transcript

00:00With the humidity rising, a change in the political climate of the Northern Territory,

00:07as pepper spray becomes available to buy and use in self-defence.

00:11It's been a constant stream of people coming in the door and getting it.

00:17We haven't got run over with it yet, but there's always been somebody at the counter.

00:22Grant Hatcher says so far the weapon has been most sought after by the over 50s.

00:26It would be a 50-50 split between the men and women.

00:29But while it appears popular, not everyone is happy.

00:3221 organisations representing health and faith, as well as advocacy groups,

00:36sounding a warning just last week.

00:39The question they're asking is whether the spray will be used for the right reasons.

00:42The government says it makes vulnerable people safer,

00:45while critics say it could be used against them.

00:48And the trial isn't the only test of social cohesion facing the NT this week.

00:52Several hundred people marched through Darwin's CBD yesterday,

00:56part of a nationwide anti-immigration protest.

00:59Both the Chief Minister and her opposition counterpart taking issue.

01:03There is no place in the Northern Territory for hate.

01:05There is no place in the Northern Territory for an anti-immigration narrative.

01:10Our Territory Labour team is highly concerned when we see acts that divide our community,

01:16rather than unite our community.

01:18The questions around unity will no doubt resurface,

01:21when the government's Anti-Discrimination Amendment Act is debated in Parliament this week.

01:25Thank you very much.

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