The CLP Government’s rushed amendments to the Housing Act that will continue to see individual remote housing residents not consulted on rent increases has been panned by Aboriginal land councils and other bodies as an “assault on the fundamental rights of Territorians”, while the government claims it will consult with the groups before future rental rises.
St John Ambulance NT has announced Deputy Chief Minister Gerard Maley’s chief of staff Abigail Trewin as the new chief executive of the troubled organisation, with the politician paying tribute to her in a press release announcing her appointment but failing to disclose she was working for him.
Police Commissioner Martin Dole has appointed Commander James J. O’Brien as acting deputy commissioner, leap-frogging him over four assistant commissioners and three acting assistant commissioners, in a move labelled “very odd” and a “massive slap in the face to all the staff ranked above him” by a former officer, but described as a “common occurrence” by the top cop.
The Opposition and independent MLAs spectacularly walked out of Parliament Thursday in protest after a series of fiery exchanges about the appointment of Administrator David Connolly, which started when respected Yolngu leader and MLA for Mulka Yingiya Guyula was gagged from attempting to ask the Chief Minister about the appointment, which he said was for his constituents who want to know why a man with a history of making racially vilifying comments about Aboriginal people was given the highly respected role.
UPDATED: A 47-year-old worker at Newmont’s Tanami gold mine in remote Central Australia has died, the company has confirmed, while investigations are underway.
The public’s confidence in the role of NT Administrator has been badly shaken by the appointment of David Connolly, a senior Darwin barrister has said, while the NT Bar Association also raised concerns about his suitability for the “crucial constitutional position”, as the Chief Minister claimed Wednesday that while she was not aware of Mr Connolly’s offensive posts before recommending him, she would do it again because he is the “best possible person” in the Territory for the role.
Approximately 450 Daly River residents are being relocated to Darwin as part of emergency measures ordered by the government ahead of expected major flooding this weekend in the area.
Hibiscus Shopping Centre in Darwin’s northern suburbs is being offered for sale for the first time in more than 40 years, the sales agent has said.
CLP Government ministers were unable to provide simple answers in Parliament about basic NT public service code of conduct conditions while the Labor Opposition bombarded ministers with veiled questions about the appointment of David Connolly as Administrator after being shut down by the Speaker, who forbade any mention of Mr Connolly’s name, while attempting to move a motion calling for his revocation.
A police investigation into Darwin Mayor Peter Styles’ alleged involvement in the production and distribution of fraudulent how-to-vote cards that is now entering its sixth month remains ongoing, NT Police say, despite recent claims by one of the subjects of the investigation that everyone has been cleared of wrongdoing.
The Finocchiaro CLP Government will move to amend the NT’s Sentencing Act this week in Parliament to set a minimum, non-parole period of 25 years’ imprisonment for the murder of a current or former partner, which it claims will act as a “real deterrent” to the Territory’s ongoing domestic violence crisis.
Confusion reigned Monday over who the current King’s representative in the Territory is after the Chief Minister said David Connolly was the Administrator with “limited powers” while the Administrator’s office said last week Chief Justice Michael Grant would be acting Administrator until February 27, with the situation further convoluted by Speaker Robyn Lambley issuing an internal email warning MLAs not to be “disrespectful” to Mr Connolly when Parliament resumes this week.
