The Gunner Government will use Parliament this week to spruik its “Territory Economic Reconstruction Bill” while the Opposition has pledged to hold the Chief Minister accountable for his plan to enshrine the unelected CHO with extraordinary powers for the next two years and over allegations of political interference in the decision to charge Constable Zach Rolfe with murder.

Meanwhile, independent Alice Springs MLA Robyn Lambley will bring forward a Bill calling for a bi-partisan parliamentary committee to be established to deal with rising crime levels in Central Australia.

“Crime is having a devastating impact on Central Australia,” Ms Lambley said. “The NT Police crime statistics for the past five years for Alice Springs have provided clear evidence of staggering and unsustainable increases in crime, month on month, year on year.

“A formal parliamentary inquiry will provide recommendations and guidance for government and the whole community on how to tackle crime in Alice Springs.”

The Opposition CLP said it would also hold the Gunner Government accountable for the growing “crime crisis” across the NT.

“The Chief Minister cannot continue to sit idly by as Territorians are robbed, bashed, brutalised and victimised at unsustainable rates,” said Opposition Whip Josh Burgoyne.

“What are Labor’s plans to address critical policy failures in education, addressing alcohol abuse, health, failing to properly resource our police, as well as housing?”

CLP Leader Lia Finocchiaro said she and the party would also be holding the “scandal-plagued Gunner Government” to account on its COVID-19 decisions and calling for an independent inquiry into the decision to charge Constable Rolfe with murder, amid claims of political interference.

“Michael Gunner has already labelled Territorians who support an independent inquiry ‘conspiracy nuts’,” she said.

“The Chief Minister’s refusal to support an inquiry only raises more questions around the appearance of political interference, after he promised the residents of Yuendumu, just days after the shooting, that ‘consequences will flow’.”

The Opposition will also introduce its own bill to force the Chief Health Officer to report regularly to Parliament on how COVID-19 public health decisions are being made.

“We’ve seen a government so desperate to cling to its unprecedented COVID controls … it’s moving to legislate extraordinary powers for the Chief Health Officer for another two years. This couldn’t be further from open, accountable and transparent governance,” Ms Finocchiaro said.

The government announced last week that it was extending the public health emergency for another 90 days – with no proof of a current public health emergency – and would legislate to give the unelected CHO remarkable powers to make public health decisions affecting Territorians for the next two years.

Labor Leader of Government Business Natasha Fyles said in a statement the government would be focussed on “cutting red tape for business and improving outcomes for Territorians”, including enacting special powers for the CHO to continue to manage “decision making” as the public health emergency comes to an end.

She made no mention of the crime issue.

“The Territory Labor Government’s focus over this parliamentary sitting fortnight is to make business easier, improve services for Territorians and keep the community safe,” she said.

“This week we will build on the work we have done – supporting industry and positioning the Territory as a better place to live.”