For too long now the way our democratic system “works” has become the biggest impediment to the real interests of the citizens of the Northern Territory, Darwin barrister John Lawrence writes, the reality, the “truth”, is the two party system and all who sail in her no longer works; it therefore no longer serves its purpose.
The trial of pepper spray for use by the general public with minimal restrictions, coupled with the closure of all public bus interchanges, could lead to violent hot-spots in locations that don’t have security, writes Craig Hubbard.
Has the Litchfield Council lost the plot and forgotten who it represents, and to be open, transparent, accountable and rural, asks Gerry Wood.
An environment conducive to corruption and undermining the rule of law has been created in the Northern Territory, with serious reforms needed to stop it from accelerating further, but our current Chief Minister and government have demonstrated an inability to grapple with such essential tasks needed for the benefit of everyone, writes Dr Don Fuller.
The favourable treatment given by the government to former ICAC Michael Riches, departmental CEO Andrew Kirkman, and police commissioner Jamie Chalker contrasts starkly with the less powerful public servants like Maria Rust and Zach Rolfe, leading to further evidence of the NT being a failed state, writes Dr Don Fuller.
What occurred at the Public Accounts Committee hearing on Tuesday should serve as the last indictment on the Northern Territory, and the latest reason for the Federal Government to take over management of our institutions. It’s also shown us how bureaucratic fat cats have weaponised the public service to benefit themselves at the expense of the public.
Experienced, highly qualified professional investigators with no connection to the NT Police Force are absolutely essential if justice, the ultimate aim, is ever to be achieved in the death of Kumanjayi White, writes Darwin barrister John Lawrence, adding there is simply no way in 2025 this can be achieved by any branch of the NTPF – the trust required for that to occur no longer exists.
To Close the Gap of Indigenous disadvantage governments at all levels cannot continue with the same failing policies, expecting that next year we will get a different result, we need a radical redirection because the parlous state of our finances, and our social fabric demand it, writes Bob Beadman.
Ministerial staff sitting on selection panels for public service positions, a department CEO keeping his job after a judge found he inflicted a mental health injury on an employee, and allegations of a police commissioner being influenced by politicians to lay a murder charge against a police officer, have all contributed to the NT’s status as a failed state, Dr Don Fuller writes.
Ministers taking jobs in portfolio areas soon after leaving office with no punishment for code of conduct violations, while chief ministers permit ongoing unethical behaviour by the public service and the police executive, all contribute to the NT’s status as a failed state, writes Dr Don Fuller.
We already know the Northern Territory Government cannot keep the public safe, while openly applauding and engaging in unchecked widespread corruption, but on Tuesday we were provided hard evidence the government cannot manage its own finances, ticking the final box for federal administrative intervention.
The cronyism exposed at the Waterfront Corporation is the latest illustration of the perception of ongoing graft, corruption and nepotism in the public service, which is part of the wider dysfunction in the Territory that has led to a failed state, writes Dr Don Fuller in his first instalment examining the major governance failings that have besieged the Northern Territory since self-government.
