THE rate of indigenous imprisonment in the Northern Territory jumped 10 per cent last year, according to data released yesterday.
Australian Bureau of Statistics figures were released as Federal Parliament considers introducing harsher penalties for possessing alcohol in dry indigenous communities in the territory. The proposals have sparked concerns they could exacerbate the already alarming rates of Aborigines in jail.
Under proposals introduced by the Gillard government, offences involving less than 1350 millilitres of alcohol would be punishable by a six-month jail term, while offences involving greater quantities of alcohol could attract 18 months' imprisonment.
Indigenous Affairs Minister Jenny Macklin yesterday defended the proposals, which she said were necessary to combat grog-running and make communities safe for women and children.
''The intention of the legislation is not to lock people up for minor offences. The penalties provided are maximum penalties and judicial discretion will apply,'' she said.
A Senate report on the proposals, tabled in Parliament on Wednesday night, expressed concern the tougher penalties could contribute to Aborigines being incarcerated at higher rates, and recommended minor offences be dealt with through infringement notices.
The indigenous representative body, the National Congress of Australia's First Peoples, recently called for a target relating to justice be added to those relating to health, education and employment outcomes which are monitored by governments as part of efforts to reduce Aboriginal disadvantage.
Congress co-chairman Les Malezer yesterday criticised the Senate committee, describing its recommendations to improve the legislation as ''minor and superficial'' and accusing it of using evidence selectively to build the case for the intervention to continue.