NT Independent

Former police commissioner appointed CEO of new Integrity and Ethics body, old ombudsman named commissioner

Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro has named two controversial picks to lead the newly established Integrity and Ethics Commissioner agency, with former Ombudsman Peter Shoyer appointed commissioner and former police commissioner Reece Kershaw appointed chief executive of the new anti-corruption body that will replace the ICAC amid unresolved questions about the potential for political interference. Mr Kershaw is close friends with current NT Police Commissioner Martin Dole.

‘Loaded-up party budget’: Extra $1m to ‘support’ Administrator; another $2m for exclusive events

The Finocchiaro CLP Government has inexplicably chosen “canapes over cost-of-living relief” for Territorians in last week’s budget, critics say, after directing an additional $1 million to controversial Administrator David Connolly’s office and a further $2 million it didn’t have last year to Protocol NT – the body that organises official government functions and special invite-only events.

CLP MLA sacked staffer for refusing to ‘falsify’ constituent details in secret party database: Fair Work submission

One of CLP backbencher Clinton Howe’s former electorate officers has filed an unfair dismissal application with the Fair Work Commission stating she was fired because she refused to “falsify electorate information” in a database that secretly stores personal information about constituents for the Country Liberal Party and was subjected to bullying and “unreasonable” micromanaging in the office.

Five boys arrested after stolen car pursuit in Alice Springs

Five boys aged 13 to 16 have been arrested after allegedly stealing a car, leading to a police pursuit and the use of tyre spikes to stop it, NT Police said.

Review of NT’s child protection system called as legislative reforms introduced to Parliament

Former New South Wales police commissioner Karen Webb, who has connections with staff in the Chief Minister’s office, has been appointed by the CLP Government to lead an “independent review” into the Territory’s child protection system, along with former acting ICAC Greg Shanahan, which was called this morning in response to the abduction and alleged murder of five-year-old Kumanjayi Little Baby in Alice Springs.

DAAF hits 20-year milestone with 1,500 artists featured

The Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair is celebrating its 20-year anniversary and will feature more than 80 Indigenous-owned art centres from Australia’s remote regions, organisers say.

Alice Springs council proposes rating model shake-up alongside rate rise

Alice Springs Town Council has released its draft 2026/27 Municipal Plan and a new four-year Strategic Plan, proposing a 4.7 per cent average rate increase alongside a $22.6 million capital works program which includes $8.9 million on Todd Street Mall upgrades and for the new library.

NT Criminal Court list – with charges – May 14

The 274 names facing criminal courts in the Northern Territory for Thursday May 14, 2026. This list includes all the charges.

WWII munitions discovered after joint investigation into alleged $1.3m theft

A 52-year-old Livingstone man accused of stealing $1.33 million worth of plant, equipment and building materials, including World War II munitions, hand grenades, rocket components and warheads, has been arrested, NT Police said.

Another NTG department cited for failure to declare conflicts in hiring and promotion practices

An ICAC review into the hiring and promotion practices of an NT Government department that commenced the same month its chief executive was controversially appointed has revealed “several recurring gaps…that present improper conduct risks” with recruitment, including that conflicts of interest were not adequately managed, that applicants’ qualifications were inconsistently verified, and that advertised positions took on average 67 days to fill.