UPDATED: NT Police are searching for a man who they now say allegedly entered a Palmerston residence Wednesday night and raped a woman in her 80s at her home.
CLP to spruik NT as prime location for ‘AI-ready data centres’ on latest trip to Asia
The Finocchiaro CLP Government is sending a delegation to Taiwan this week as part of a “proactive investor engagement program” led by Asian Relations Minister Robyn Cahill that will involve “targeted meetings” with businesses interested in potentially developing “AI-ready data centres” in the Territory.
Core Lithium restarts mining at Finniss project
Core Lithium has announced it has restarted mining at its Finniss mine south of Darwin after operations were paused in January 2024, citing a 75 per cent fall in lithium prices.
NT Govt wants Territorians to pay for US Independence Day celebrations: Internal email
A senior NT Government bureaucrat has claimed the US Embassy in Canberra requested Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro “consider creative ways” for the Northern Territory to celebrate the United States’ 250th birthday on July 4 this year, such as holding fireworks displays, but instructed all department heads that any celebration must be covered “from within existing resources”, a leaked internal email has revealed.
Health warning after two deaths from Murray Valley encephalitis in the NT
Two people have died from Murray Valley encephalitis in Alice Springs, one this month and one last month, prompting NT Health to issue urgent warnings for NT residents and visitors about the fatal mosquito-borne disease, that has also been detected on two occasions in mosquitoes around Darwin this year.
Government delays safeguard recommendations to quickly pass new Heritage bill
The Finocchiaro CLP Government says it will implement proposed safeguards to the Heritage Act 2011 recommended by the Legislative Scrutiny Committee at a later date, including restricting a minister’s ability to delegate powers, and will instead apply the recommendations through ‘administrative policy’ after passing the bill, which comes amid criticism the committee was swamped with legislation and the public was only given one week to voice concerns.
‘Territory credibility’: Integrity and Ethics Commissioner appointment processes questioned by integrity bodies
The Labor Opposition has congratulated the Finocchiaro CLP Government for its picks to lead the new Integrity and Ethics Commissioner office, while integrity experts still hold concerns the process of appointments has eroded public confidence, particularly around the unadvertised role of chief executive that will be filled by former AFP and NT police commissioner Reece Kershaw, with one integrity expert describing the current situation as akin to a sad “satire”.
‘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.
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.
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.
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.