Alice Springs mayor vows to shirtfront Anthony Albanese in Canberra if PM ... trends now
EXCLUSIVE
The mayor of Alice Springs says he'll fly 2,550km to Canberra to tell the Prime Minister he's failing desperate residents if Anthony Albanese refuses to visit the riot-hit town.
Mayor Matt Paterson spoke to Daily Mail Australia on Thursday after the first emergency night of curfew for youths in the outback town.
It followed terrifying footage of locals barricaded inside the Todd Tavern and 'scared for their lives' as a rampaging mob of about 70 rioters attacked the pub.
They desperateluy tried to smash their way through glass doors and windows with rocks, bricks and flying kicks while carrying crow bars and axes.
Mr Patterson said Mr Albanese's a fly-in fly-out visit to the town a year ago - where he spent around four hour in meetings - was never enough to understand the underlying problems and witness the end result of decisions made far away.
'I would welcome anyone from any political party to come to Alice Springs,' he told Daily Mail Australia.
'Before they make decisions in Canberra or Darwin, they need to come here and look at the unintended consequences.
'And if the Prime Minister doesn’t want to come here I am more than happy to go to Canberra to speak to the Prime Minister.'
Alice Springs Mayor Matt Paterson says he'll fly 2,550km to Canberra to tell the Prime Minister he's failing desperate residents if Anthony Albanese refuses to visit the riot-hit town
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has resisted calls to visit the trouble-plagued town of Alice again (pictured during January 2023 visit)
Extra police are still arriving in Alice Springs to enforce the newly-imposed youth curfew and ensure there is no repeat of Tuesday's terrifying scenes.
'What happened on Tuesday in Alice Springs is completely unacceptable,' Mr Patterson said.
'If you look at those people who were barricaded in, they were scared for their lives.
'The venue that was attacked is 300 metres from a preschool and primary school.
'It was happening at school pick-up time. That is scary and it is not acceptable.
'That behaviour has got to stop.'
Mr Patterson said that the latest outbreak of anarchy was not far from day to day life in Alice Springs.
'It was the worst thing we have ever seen on Tuesday - but we are not surprised or shocked by it anymore,' he said.
'A lot of the community are so desensitised to what happens here, because it has been happening here for such a long time.'
Northern Territory Chief Minister Eva Lawler announced an emergency curfew for Alice Springs following the horrifying footage from both inside and outside
Between the hours of 6pm and 6am daily, all youths must stay at home and off the streets for
