Michael Riches has resigned as the Territory’s anti-corruption commissioner, nearly a year after he was suspended pending an investigation into allegations of inappropriate behaviour towards female staff members in his office.
‘Not the time for austerity’: CLP’s first budget revealed as government continues Labor’s spending and record debt
UPDATED: Treasurer Bill Yan has handed down the Finocchiaro CLP Government’s first budget this morning that will see more big spending and increased debt, with next year’s deficit alone estimated to be $1.31 billion and the Territory’s net debt projected to blow out from its current $10.5 billion figure to $14 billion within three years.
Animal abuse investigation into Territory Coordinator killed by Mining and Energy CEO
EXCLUSIVE: The animal abuse investigation into Territory Coordinator Stuart Knowles was suddenly terminated by current Mining and Energy CEO Alister Trier while he was CEO of Primary Industries, the NT Independent can reveal, raising concerns about the perceived favour and the potential for coercion of the most powerful public servant in the Northern Territory.
Michael Riches investigation finally completed and referred to ICAC Inspector
The nearly year-long investigation into allegations of improper conduct by anti-corruption commissioner Michael Riches involving female employees in the workplace has finally been completed and referred to ICAC Inspector Bruce McClintock, but the findings of the report will not be released publicly yet, Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro said.
Lia takes no responsibility for federal CLP election loss amid unresolved scandals, other problems
ANALYSIS: While some argue a federal election result should not be used to criticise the Territory Chief Minister, the Country Liberal Party itself made it a referendum on Lia in Solomon and the results were damning, raising serious concerns for the party and its elected members’ political futures.
Gosling retains Solomon as CLP finally concede defeat
Federal Labor MP Luke Gosling has won another term as the Member for Solomon following Labor’s Saturday night trouncing of the Coalition, with CLP candidate Lisa Bayliss finally conceding defeat on Sunday afternoon, while the CLP is now faced with explaining how it could not convert last August’s landslide Territory election victory into winning a single federal Lower House seat in the Territory.
Chief Minister, big business back Knowles following ‘disturbing’ animal abuse revelations
Territory Coordinator Stuart Knowles’s history of cruelty to animals is of no concern to the Chief Minister or some of the biggest private companies that deal with the NT Government, with Lia Finocchiaro ruling out any action being taken against Mr Knowles over revelations his dogs were seized by animal welfare officers after suffering severe tick infestations and other health issues, while concerns over his suitability for the role have been raised.
NT News article claiming independent Solomon candidate verbally abused Tamboran CEO called into question
Several undisclosed conflicts of interest have been raised over an NT News article about a purported incident at a Darwin restaurant last year involving independent candidate for Solomon Phil Scott and Tamboran Resources CEO Joel Riddle, including the political connections of the journalist who wrote the article and the witnesses quoted.
Territory Coordinator Stuart Knowles’s animal abuse probe revealed
EXCLUSIVE: Animal welfare officers seized four dogs registered to Territory Coordinator Stuart Knowles from his rural Darwin property in late 2015 after they were discovered suffering from severe tick infestations and other health problems, a government animal abuse investigation report obtained by the NT Independent shows.
CLP pass new bail legislation in ’emergency’ session of Parliament
The Finocchiaro CLP Government has passed new laws through Parliament on Wednesday aimed at requiring the courts to prioritise community safety ahead of other factors when determining bail, which the government said are the “strongest bail laws in the country” but which many believed had already been implemented with the passing of Declan’s Law last year.
Chief Minister recalls Parliament to strengthen bail laws after Nightcliff stabbing death
Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro has ordered Parliament be recalled next week so she can introduce legislation aimed at strengthening the Bail Act following the stabbing death of a Nightcliff supermarket owner, which comes seven months after she was warned her government’s so-called ‘Declan’s Law’ would not keep the community safe.
‘I have made my own assumption’: Boothby says nothing ‘untoward’ at Waterfront; rules out public inquiry
Tourism Minister and Attorney-General Marie-Clare Boothby has rejected calls for a public inquiry into the possible misuse of public resources at the Darwin Waterfront Corporation involving the Chief Minister’s husband and other senior public servants, stating she “is the Minister” and has received a secret internal “briefing” that exonerated everyone of any wrongdoing. However, the briefing was completed before revelations the Chief Minister’s husband benefitted from questionable hiring practices.