Darwin Mayor Peter Styles has blamed the NT Electoral Commission for his late campaign donation returns, claiming they misplaced a hard-copy list he hand-delivered in an envelope containing the names of all three of his donors last October, which he said was necessary because he was “busy” and electronic formats “could be deleted”.
The Finocchiaro CLP Government’s continued refusal to improve oversight of its spending by strengthening the Auditor-General’s independence, powers and resourcing has led to a “significant gap in public accountability”, the Centre for Public Integrity says, and could lead to further systemic misuse of public funds going undetected.
Three-time national champs the Darwin Salties wheelchair basketball team has been forced to withdraw from the National Wheelchair Basketball League following financial troubles at the Darwin Basketball Association, that led to the association being dissolved late last year amid alleged integrity failures by senior figures.
China’s ambassador to Australia has warned that China “has an obligation to protect” Chinese companies’ interests overseas, indicating trade between the two nations “and that part of Australia” particularly will be affected if the Darwin Port is reclaimed by Australia, a day after the Prime Minister said commercial negotiations were continuing to overturn the 2015 lease by the NT Government that he said was not in Australia’s national interest.
The Northern Territory will see “up to” $1 billion in additional federal health funding over the next five years, the Chief Minister has said, following the signing of a new funding agreement with the Prime Minister on Friday heralded by both sides as a “historic deal”, but that funding will “only keep the lights on” here, says the Australian Medical Association NT.
The Royal Australian Air Force has officially opened the new $355.7 million MQ-4C Triton facilities at RAAF Base Tindal that the government says will strengthen a Defence cooperation program with the US Navy and enhance Australia’s intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities across the north.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says he is “worried” about whether the CLP Government’s pick for Administrator David Connolly is “able to properly represent the Northern Territory in a way which is appropriate” but ruled out overturning the appointment on Tuesday, stating that Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro’s government must “explain and defend” its choice.
Millions of Australians are failing to act on their hearing health in favour of other health check-ups, despite troubling side effects that can affect their quality of life, including social withdrawal, listening fatigue and cognitive strain, Hearing Australia has warned.
Queensland-based not-for-profit Ozcare will build and operate the new $60 million aged care facility in Palmerston, providing 120 to 150 residential beds to alleviate “bed block” in local hospitals, the Prime Minister announced yesterday in Darwin, but it could still be two to three years before the much-needed facility is operational.
The owners of the Yeperenye Shopping Centre in Alice Springs are planning a $27 million redevelopment of the facility, which will include a new supermarket tenant, and a rooftop restaurant.
Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro is facing increased political pressure to explain her controversial decision to appoint David Connolly as the NT’s next Administrator following national media coverage and growing concerns over his disparaging social media commentary, while not one CLP MLA has voiced public support for the appointment, the NT Independent can reveal.
A 16-year-old male has been released from custody with no charges after he was arrested early Sunday morning in connection to an incident involving a male allegedly entering an Alice Springs home and attempting to indecently assault a female inside, NT Police said.
