Chief Minister Eva Lawler has unveiled her Cabinet team after being sworn in on Thursday afternoon, that will see minor changes and a new minister, marking the second reshuffle in as many months for the Territory Labor Government, just eight months out from August’s general election.
Treasurer Eva Lawler is the Territory’s next Chief Minister in a surprise move that will see Attorney General Chansey Paech become the new Deputy Chief Minister.
The opening of the $270 million United States Defence Force bulk fuel depot at Darwin’s East Arm has been delayed again, due to equipment not being ordered earlier enough, the media has reported.
Independent Commissioner Against Corruption Michael Riches has issued an extraordinary warning to Territory politicians to disclose all their conflicts to him directly, while indicating “recent matters” involving “conflicts of interest, lobbying and related matters” presumably involving Natasha Fyles would be “addressed”.
The terms of reference for the increasingly controversial proposed Middle Arm industrial precinct have been signed off by Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek, the Fyles Government has said, although the terms of reference have not been made public and the project is the subject of a Senate inquiry.
Darwin-based Airnorth will launch a non-stop, three-times-a-week service between Alice Springs and Perth starting March 2024.
Chief Minister Natasha Fyles and her senior adviser have been referred for investigation into possible criminal conduct, including allegedly “advancing secret personal interests” and other potential offences, in relation to her senior adviser’s consultancy company acting as the registered lobbyist for Tamboran Resources and Ms Fyles’ breaches of the ministerial code of conduct for not immediately divesting her shares in another gas company.
NT WorkSafe has charged a Darwin-based solar installation and electrical company and its manager for failing to ensure the safety of its workers while working on the roof of a commercial building in August, which could see the company on the hook for more than $6 million in fines if found guilty.
In the last week the NT Government has released 14 tenders, including Refurbish Main Building of Angurugu Women’s Safe House, East Arnhem Region.
Australia’s newest low-cost airline Bonza has launched its Melbourne – Alice Springs route, with its maiden flight due to touchdown in Alice Springs later today.
The controversial reduction in bottle shop trading hours in Darwin, Palmerston and parts of the rural area began today, the Fyles Government has said, but licensees in one town were only informed on Friday they would be subject to the new rules.
Today’s national news includes Canberra topping the country for economic growth in 2023, the Christmas season pushing fuel prices up, SA decrees rigorous tobacco laws, and Mercedes-AMG C63 S E debuts in Australia in January 2024.
