Today’s national news includes Netflix spending $1 billion on Australian-related programming, Optus outage being investigated as consumers seek recompense, Nestlé shortlisting three companies for its $50 advertising campaign in Australia, and Jerry Seinfeld returning to Australia next year.
Kids lift car keys from lawyers’ office in Alice Springs courthouse, go on crime spree: Sources
A group of youths stole car keys from the Alice Springs Local Court building and used them to steal a car which police had described as being driven dangerously around town this week, while at least one occupant threw rocks at police and attempted to ram a police car, sources have told the NT Independent.
Aggravated assault charge for man filmed threatening to bash and kill child sat on by mayor
A Tennant Creek man is facing an aggravated assault charge after being filmed putting his boot down with force on the head of child being sat on by the now suspended Barkly Regional Council mayor Jeffery McLaughlin, while threatening to bash and kill the child, but police have not said if they intend to charge Mr McLaughlin.
Girl threatened with knife by men in home break-in
A girl was threatened with a knife by one of three men who broke into her house in Alice Springs while she was alone, with police asking for witnesses but have not provided a description of the men who are still on the run.
NT building approvals plummet, further drop expected
Residential building approvals in the NT have fallen by 40.6 per cent annually, with only 39 approved in September, the weakest of any state or territory in the country, the latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics has revealed.
NT Government mistakenly overpays seniors by nearly $500k; wants money back
Almost 2,000 Territory seniors received overpayments through a government rate relief program after the government’s provider botched the payouts, leaving the department moving to claw back nearly $500,000 from the seniors.
New school bus service for Barkly region to help combat poor attendance rates
The Fyles Government has introduced a school bus service in the Barkly region for the first time amid the fallout of national reporting of its failings to provide a proper education in remote communities, with the Opposition saying the new bus service does not go far enough to address chronic poor attendance rates in the region.
UN Special Rapporteur visits NT as government hides child sexual assault data
The UN’s Special Rapporteur on the sexual abuse of children has visited the Northern Territory as part of her nationwide investigation, which comes amid rising crimes against Territory kids that reportedly jumped by 22 per cent last year, but the total figures have been withheld from the public by the NT Government.
Rural man arrested for allegedly pulling gun on neighbour over Facebook post
A 42-year-old Humpty Doo man allegedly threatened the occupants of a rural property with a loaded gun on Tuesday night because he was angry about a Facebook post “regarding dogs wandering into yards”, NT Police have said.
Barkly Regional Council forced to defend sacking in Federal Court
The Barkly Regional Council will have to defend the sacking of an employee in the Federal Court after mediation between the two parties broke down, while the aggrieved former employee intends to subpoena the controversial Justitia Report and its author.
Macklemore to perform at Bassinthegrass
United States rapper and singer Macklemore will perform at next year’s Bassinthegrass, the Fyles Government has said.
Three vehicles stolen in night of mayhem used to throw rocks at public, attempted rams of police cars
Police are calling for information regarding three stolen vehicles in Alice Springs which they said were being driven dangerously around town last night with the occupants allegedly throwing rocks at citizens and the police, while also trying to ram police vehicles.

