The Australian Petroleum and Exploration Association remains “deeply concerned” by Territory Alliance’s backflip on hydraulic fracturing and have sought clarification over the future of existing licence holders.
NT Government tenders released – August 20
In the past week the NT Government has released nine tenders, including supplying and fitting tyres for Police Fire and Emergency Services vehicles across the Territory for three years and to provide vet services for the Alice Springs Desert Park for a year.
‘This is not open governance’: Aldermen vote against Darwin Council’s $300m funding proposal
A $297 million proposal by Darwin Council to the Federal Government to create a swimming beach and upgrade major roads and sporting facilities has been criticised by aldermen for being rushed and not permitting proper consideration by elected members.
A call to NT business – protect your business, protect public interest journalism
The NT Independent does not accept government advertising. We do not want to be under any government influence because we are keeping the bastards honest – to borrow a line from Don Chip in 1980. We want to dig deeper, to hold the government, other politicians, and the public service to greater account. And you can help in making a better Territory.
Pandemic takes heavy toll on local market merchants as tourists dry up
As the humidity starts to roll in early on a short dry season, made all the more dry by a lack of tourists due to the coronavirus pandemic, local market merchants ponder a bleak future, Roxanne Fitzgerald reports.
Mills’ payroll tax pledge cut down by minister who previously said ‘every opportunity on the table’ with NAIF
Territory Alliance’s pledge to abolish payroll tax in the NT for the next two years if elected by asking the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility to pay for it, has been knocked back by the federal minister in charge of the $5 billion program – who three months ago suggested using the fund to rebuild regional economies.
Some Territory hotels charging higher room rates for tourism voucher scheme
One of the Territory’s largest hotel groups may stand to pocket thousands of extra dollars from the Gunner Government’s tourism voucher scheme, after an NT Independent investigation found it was charging higher fees for people redeeming vouchers.
Darwin mayor asks Commonwealth for $150 million to develop Lameroo baths proposal
The City of Darwin has asked for $150 million from the Federal Government to develop Lameroo baths, which could start “within months” if the funding is given, Lord Mayor Kon Vatskalis said.
NT Government tenders awarded – August 11
The NT Government awarded 16 tenders to a total value of almost $6.7 million in the last week, including $35,000 to supply handcuffs to Holtze prison and $5.2 million to upgrade and seal Paru Rd on Melville Island.
The NT is looking at developing a cotton industry, but environmental groups aren’t sold
NT environmentalists are calling on the Gunner Government to dismiss a cotton industry proposal that they say could cost taxpayers $10 million, kill river systems and deplete water resources – but the farmers association says that’s a ‘dishonest representation’ of the industry, Roxanne Fitzgerald reports.
Vanuatuans to come to NT to pick mangoes, face supervised quarantine
UPDATED: Up to 170 workers will be brought in from Vanuatu to pick mangoes in the Northern Territory under the seasonal worker program, and will be subject to mandatory supervised quarantine with the NT Farmer’s Association saying industry will pay the cost.
Territory net debt estimated to hit $8.2 billion this financial year but real numbers not disclosed
NT Treasurer Nicole Manison has said government debt was projected to hit $8.2 billion by the end of this financial year but the actual figures will not be revealed until after the NT election.