The Fyles Government will give security guards and other employees the power to issue trespass orders, and remove the ‘second chance’ warning for people who breach a trespass order, in a week the government shut down an Opposition motion to censure Police Minister Kate Worden over what they said are her ongoing failures to manage out-of-control crime in the Territory and the ongoing “police crisis”.

Chief Minister Natasha Fyles announced new initiatives on Thursday that she says will “protect victims of crime”, including increasing funding for Victims of Crime NT by $2 million to $3.25 million, that she says will provide more financial assistance for vehicle and home security, and community safety projects.

Ms Fyles said the government will amend the Trespass Act 1978 by extending the powers to issue trespass orders beyond landlords, business owners and managers, to more employees including security guards.

She said the ‘second chance’ warning would be removed, and if a person returned to a premises within the breach period they would immediately be fined $3,080, with further breaches potentially resulting in jail.

The government will also “fast track” current Biz Secure program applications, provide one-on-one support for businesses putting in applications, follow up with businesses who still haven’t finished their application, and create a list of pre-approved standard improvements that can be funded without the need of a security audit, she said.

The announcement comes the same day the government has introduced legislation to raise the age of criminal responsibility in the NT from 10 to 12-years of age, with children under 12 offered intensive therapeutic programs and psychological assessments.

Parliament’s Question Time was cut short Tuesday when the Opposition again moved to censure Police Minister Kate Worden over what they said are her ongoing failures to manage out-of-control crime in the Territory and the ongoing “police crisis”.

Before the motion could be put, however, Leader of Government Business Chansey Paech shut down Question Time five minutes early and killed the motion.

The Opposition had earlier pledged to hold the government accountable over the issue in Parliament and later introduced a matter of public importance that was debated Tuesday night in Parliament.

CLP Leader Lia Finocchiaro said the most “pressing issue in the community” was the “crime and police crisis”.

Chief Minister Natasha Fyles avoided labelling the crime issues in the Territory a “crisis”, but admitted on local radio on Monday that it was the “biggest issue” currently facing the NT.

“We’ve invested in police, we’ve invested in CCTV, we’ve changed the Biz Secure program, so what other pieces of the puzzle do we need to put in place and we’re determined to do that,” she said on Mix 104.9.

“We’re always working in this space. There will be more in this space.

“It’s not just like simply making an announcement and thinking that will solve it, it’s continuous grinding work, it’s the long-term measures, but there’s an absolute need right now for short term things.”

Earlier this month, Tourism Central Australia called on the Fyles Government to take “swift action” to address spiralling crime rates in the town that are negatively affecting tourism, resident’s safety and business in Alice Springs.