Artworks referred to as missing in a Independent Commissioner Against Corruption review of the Batchelor Institute have been stolen, a whistleblower has said, while the Commissioner has countered that his report “speaks for itself”.
Tarnished Brass V: ICAC announces investigation into Rolfe murder charge
In the wake of Mr Chalker’s yet-to-be-explained disappearance, this series examines his chaotic reign as top cop, bringing together all the failings, the lies, the alleged conspiracies, and mystifying public utterances. Today, we look at the ICAC investigating political interference in the Constable Zach Rolfe murder charge, serious problems with the use of force experts in that trial, a 9,000-signature petition calling for Mr Chalker to be sacked, and allegations he called firies greedy in a speech to trainees.
‘Pisses me off’: Action for Alice page suspended by Facebook, owner to launch website
The Action for Alice 2020 Facebook page has been suspended for 28 days, but its owner and local businessman Darren Clark said he will launch a new website on Tuesday and will also be taking to other social media platforms, while pointing the blame for the Facebook ban at Fyles Government operatives and the NT Police executive.
‘No progress made to provide verifiable data to evaluate Buy Local Plan’: New report
The NT Buy Local Advocate has once again been unable to conclude whether the Buy Local Plan increased government procurement through Territory businesses because of a lack of reliable and verifiable data, while his annual report also states some agencies have no way of judging if contractors provided what they were paid to do.
Only one permanent paramedic in Tennant Creek union says, St John refuse to answer questions
St John Ambulance NT has refused to respond to a union claim there are no regular Tennant Creek-based paramedics, and those who are brought in have to work 96-hour on-call rosters, but four-and-a-half hours after questions were sent, the organisation issued a press release saying they had started a recruiting drive for remote areas.
Business Minister admits he does not know the size of the NT economy, gets Budget spend wrong by $1.3 billion
Business and Jobs Minister Paul Kirby could not say what the Territory economy was worth on a radio show, and guessed the government’s expenditure incorrectly by more than a billion dollars, when asked how the government was going to reach its “target” of a $40 billion economy in the face of major projects collapsing.
CSIRO Beetaloo basin carbon offsets report suggest carbon capture, international offsets
A new partly gas-industry funded CSIRO report says carbon produced from Beetaloo basin fracking could potentially be offset by carbon capture and storage based out of Darwin, but about a third of the potential total would have to be offset overseas which cannot yet be done, while a critic said the amount of emissions that can be abated has been grossly inflated.
Traditional owners, Environment Centre taking government to court over land clearing permit
The Environment Centre NT and the Northern Land Council, on behalf of traditional owners, are taking the NT Government to the Supreme Court to challenge a corporation’s plans to clear tropical savanna, arguing the land clearing permit is invalid, the proponent’s plans require better environmental assessment, and that the Pastoral Land Board appears to be treating cotton growing as a pastoral activity.
Mayor was driving council car when charged for drug driving for the second time
Barkly Regional Council Mayor Jeffrey McLaughlin was driving a council car when he was charged this month for allegedly having cannabis in his system while driving for the second time, Deputy Mayor Russell O’Donnell has said, however he said no action could be taken despite a council policy forbidding drivers from having illicit drugs in their system.
ICAC’s review of troubled Batchelor Institute not intended to ‘punish or embarrass’, leaves out allegations of misconduct
The Independent Commissioner Against Corruption has recommended Bachelor Institute train staff about their ethical responsibilities, reporting requirements, whistleblower protections, and management of improper conduct as part of his review of the troubled Indigenous training organisation, which also references missing artwork in passing, but no specific mention of misconduct.
Alcohol ban for communities and town camps to be reinstated: Fyles
An alcohol ban will be reinstated for all Aboriginal town camps and communities in the Northern Territory until communities can vote whether or not to opt-out, under new legislation pledged by Chief Minister Natasha Fyles, while the Federal Government has promised $250 million for unspecified projects over an unspecified period of time in central Australia.
Barkly mayor says positive police cannabis test was a result of ‘prescription medication’
The Barkly Regional Council mayor Jefferey McLaughlin has said he will be contesting his second drug driving charge in less than five months, saying his positive roadside test for marijuana police alleged, was a result of “prescription medication”.