The 2021 Budget has been handed down by Chief Minister and Treasurer Michael Gunner with few surprises, including no forecast surpluses for the next decade and continued debt and deficit – although the books are slightly better than expected.
Gunner’s secret Shenzhen deal not approved by Foreign Affairs, as Port comes under increased scrutiny
A secret deal Chief Minister Michael Gunner signed with Chinese officials in Shenzhen in 2019 was not approved by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade as Mr Gunner has claimed, the NT Independent can reveal.
‘It could be disastrous’: Government must explain unresolved fire safety issues at TIO Stadium, Opposition says
The Opposition is calling on the Gunner Government to explain what extra safety precautions it is taking ahead of tonight’s NRL match at TIO Stadium, following revelations the facility has outstanding fire safety issues that could put Territorians’ lives at risk.
‘He didn’t even bother to stay the night’: Gunner’s day trip to Alice Springs criticised
Chief Minister Michael Gunner’s much-hyped trip to Alice Springs that lasted less than 12 hours is the latest example of “disrespect” and “neglect” of the people of Central Australia by the Gunner Government, the CLP Opposition says.
Gunner Government must release secret report into health restructure: Opposition
The Opposition has called on the Gunner Government to reveal details of how an external consultancy report that started as a COVID-19 review turned into a massive restructure of the NT’s health services and how much it is costing taxpayers.
‘A figure of enormous respect in all parts of Australia’: Gunner lauded in national publication
Chief Minister Michael Gunner has been celebrated by a national publication as an exceptional leader, whose “unique rise” to power was “marvellous in itself” and a fascinating tribute to what can be achieved with a bipartisan approach to solving social problems.
‘We need action now’: CLP call for Parliament to be urgently recalled to deal with youth crime issue
The ongoing “crime crisis” cannot wait to be dealt with next month, CLP Opposition Leader Lia Finocchiaro says, as she called for Parliament to be recalled this week to urgently deal with the problem – a move that was knocked back by the Chief Minister who revealed his proposed crime reforms are still not ready.
Senator Sam McMahon hires former Cattlemen’s boss in midst of bitter legal action
UPDATED: Former NT Cattlemen’s Association chief executive Ashley Manicaros has been hired by CLP Senator Sam McMahon while he is in the middle of pursuing legal action against the powerful industry group.
Chief Minister acted as referee for ‘best mate’ and senior adviser in bid for top oil and gas lobby job
EXCLUSIVE: Chief Minister Michael Gunner acted as referee for a long-serving senior adviser and close friend who applied to be the head of the peak oil and gas industry body in the Northern Territory, a position that would see the adviser “influence” and lobby his former colleagues and boss, the NT Independent can reveal.
ICAC investigating Chief Minister’s staff’s handling of ‘cocaine sex scandal’
Chief Minister Michael Gunner’s communications director Maria Billias’s handling of an email from the NT Independent outlining allegations and describing explicit messages between Mark Turner, senior fifth floor adviser Kent Rowe and their mistress is being investigated by the Independent Commissioner Against Corruption, the NT Independent can reveal.
NT Police still don’t get why reporting sex crimes is in the public interest
EDITORIAL: The NT Police brass have been rightfully rattled by the NT Independent’s series of reports over the last two weeks, outlining the details of five sex crimes they either failed to notify the public about or outright attempted to cover up. We make no apologies for that.
Gunner Government inflated jobs figures on projects: Auditor General
The Gunner Government’s estimates of jobs created and supported through different infrastructure projects are wildly inflated and there is no consistent process for calculating or monitoring actual figures, the Auditor General has found, in the latest instance of the government lying to the public with no consequences.