The Northern Territory’s voluntary assisted dying laws risk creating fear and confusion among Yolngu people because of failures to communicate in their language and within their cultural framework, potentially leading them to avoid medical treatment and worsening already poor health, argues Richard Trudgen.
OPINION: There were two significant political stories during the week ended August 21, which provided, in combination, a revealing and accurate “report card” on the health of the Northern Territory’s Polity, writes John Lawrence. Once again it showed beyond any doubt that the NT is no longer even near being a functioning jurisdiction; quite the opposite.
The Northern Territory needs a radical rethink of population policy, including targeted migration to attract highly skilled workers, tax incentives to draw Australians north and improved employment packages to retain talent and build a more diverse economy, writes Dr Don Fuller, whose current visit has highlighted the challenges facing the Territory.
EDITORIAL: We heard the Chief Minister and the Police Commissioner loud and clear when they said any assertion the police would be politically motivated while investigating the Gosling-Connolly spectacle was “insulting”. Our response is, frankly, we don’t care how you want to take it or if it hurts your feelings, history has shown us you need to bring in independent oversight of this wacky investigation in the best interests of the Northern Territory.
New research analysing more than three million online posts has revealed how anti-First Nations hate grows around political debates and public controversies, with racist stereotypes portraying Indigenous people as criminals, welfare or alcohol dependent, “not black enough”, or undeserving recipients of government support, write Matteo Vergani and Fiona Allison.
As fewer Australian children learn to ride a bike, AusBike is taking a new approach to teaching the skill by using games and confidence-building rather than training wheels, to help increase childhood independence and freedom, writes Tom Allen.
The proposed sale of public land at 7 Waratah Crescent, Fannie Bay, for medium-density housing ignores community concerns and could worsen congestion and emergency access issues near Pearl aged care and Waratah Oval, writes Sonja Pastor.
The minister’s decision not to heritage list the Esplanade undermined years of expert assessment and public consultation, warning it could open the door to gradual commercialisation of one of the city’s most significant public spaces, writes Planning Action Network convenor Nick Kirlew.
The cultural and historical significance of the Kulaluk Cemetery and its historic access route is being erased as the land leading to it is being developed, writes Sonja Pastor.
I paid for parking in Darwin but was fined after accidentally entering the wrong registration number, despite providing evidence of payment, Paul Castle writes.
ANALYSIS: The recent demotion of Assistant Commissioner Janelle Tonkin suggests superficially a willingness to enforce discipline, although what she is alleged to have done remains a mystery – whatever the cause of Tonkin’s fall, this rare act of accountability stands in stark contrast to so many others in recent years who have acted with impunity.
A hyperscale AI data centre proposed for the Barkly would require a gas-fired power station larger than the one powering the Darwin-Katherine grid, as well as a new gas pipeline and vast groundwater extraction, despite being promoted as a renewable-powered project, writes Justin Tutty.
