Thanks Deputy Speaker.

One of the election commitments I was most proud to secure was $5 million for a purpose-built and co-designed youth hub in Darwin’s northern suburbs.

Youth offending has been an ongoing issue in my electorate in the Territory for many years, and at its root has complex causes.

The Northern Territory Government is working hard to tackle the problem from all sides, and is investing in diversion and restorative justice programs, as well as establishing a new purpose-designed youth justice facility.

I visited the kids the other day in the Don Dale facility, which is an old adult male facility and is not appropriate for caring for our kids and getting them back on the right track.

We had a Youth Shak in the northern suburbs but the owner of that property sold it to McDonalds, because we need more of those apparently.

The Shak closed down early last year, young people in Darwin’s north have had nowhere to go after school.

Somewhere that is safe, staffed with trusted adults, where kids can hang out, have fun, develop life skills, build resilience and community with one another, and also to access any support services they might need.

We’ve heard the concerns of Territorians, and we’re working to get the youth hub up and running as soon as possible.

The Federal Government is investing $5 million to build the hub, and the NT Government will provide ongoing operational funding.

On Friday along with NT Youth Minister Lauren Moss we announced that a site has been selected for the hub, at the old Casuarina Fire Station.

It’s a great location near the shopping centre and bus interchange, and we’re meeting young people where they are, which is so important.

Having a destination that creates a sense of belonging has been shown to increase positive connections and to alleviate the conditions that lead to boredom and anti-social behaviour in young people.

I’m really happy that we’re cracking on with this work so we can get the hub up and running as soon as possible.

The Federal Government knows that we need to help our young people to be the best that they can be.

Now, that fire station is currently occupied by the Darwin Men’s Shed.

So I was also very happy to be able to secure an additional $1 million to relocate the Men’s Shed to Marrara, where it’ll be part of a men’s, veterans’ and first responders’ precinct.

It will be on the Darwin North RSL site, which will also be home to the new Scott Palmer Services Centre for veterans and first responders who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

I secured $3.6 million to purpose-build this supported accommodation, which will be able to help those people who’ve done so much in service of our country and community to be housed and where they can access support services to get them back on their feet.

These three commitments will help Territorians across the board who may be at risk and need a bit more help, from kids to adults.

I’m really proud of them all and can’t wait to see them become a reality.

Thank you.