The Northern Territory Bar Association has highlighted a woeful disparity in education spending priorities for the Territory.

The lawyers’ association says the Territory Government is embracing “financial anarchy” by cutting spending on education while outlaying huge amounts of money for jails.

According to Association president John Lawrence, QC, the latest figures show the region may be short-changing its young people, taking money from education and investing in new jails. Mr Lawrence says statistics show the increased punitive spend has had no impact on crime levels.

“It is just a gross waste of taxpayers' money... to accommodate it ... means this Government is reducing spending on the education of our children, and that is financial anarchy and a disgrace,” Lawrence said.