The Northern Territory will legalise pepper spray by the end of the year after the government declared its trial of the non-lethal self-defence tool a success.
NT Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro confirmed the trial, which was originally due to end on September 1, would be extended until December 31 while legislation is drafted to make the change permanent.
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If passed, the NT will become the second Australian jurisdiction after Western Australia to legalise pepper spray, also known as OC (oleoresin capsicum) spray, for personal protection.
“What legal use of OC spray does is give everyday Territorians the opportunity to protect themselves should the need arise,” Finocchiaro said.
“This is about self-defence and buying precious seconds for that person to be able to get away.”
Under the current trial, pepper spray can only be purchased and carried by people older than 18. However, the government is now considering lowering the minimum age to 16 and allowing household access, including permitting family members to purchase the spray on behalf of relatives.
The government said anecdotal evidence from the trial had been overwhelmingly positive, with some people reporting they had avoided confrontations simply by warning an alleged attacker they were carrying the spray.
“We’ve had some fantastic stories from people who have been approached, who’ve been under threat, who’ve said, ‘Stop, I’m going to use my OC spray,’ and it’s completely avoided an altercation which otherwise could have resulted in that person being in hand-to-fist combat with someone wanting to hurt them,” Finocchiaro explained.
NT Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro confirmed the spray will be permanently legalised by the end of the year. Credit: Sunrise
The announcement comes as the NT government claimed offences across the territory had fallen by 25 per cent since it came to power two years ago.
Finocchiaro applauded these efforts but stressed the trial was not about reducing crime rates any further.
“No one’s claiming it’s reduced crime. This is about giving people seconds to get away,” she said.
“It empowers people to take back control of their lives, regain the streets and make sure people are out living their best unique Territory lifestyle without having to worry about what might come next.”
More than 3200 people have purchased 5144 canisters since the trial began, with the overwhelming majority sold in Darwin.
NT Police have confirmed just 43 prohibited purchasers — making up less than 1.5 per cent of buyers — had been identified, with 61 canisters seized following compliance checks.
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