The CLP Government knew since last September that private maternity services were shutting down in Darwin, but did nothing to warn the public or prepare frontline clinical staff, an independent MLA says, leaving everyone “blindsided” by the move.
Government handing out cash for resource industry developments in latest grants round
The CLP Government has announced the latest round of a grant program which provides up to $3 million to co-fund projects that improve exploration efforts, assist in discovering and developing resources, and add to “geoscientific knowledge gaps”, across the Territory.
Overseas tourist robbed in Alice Springs Hospital
A tourist from the United States had her purse, passport, and bank cards stolen while she was in Alice Springs Hospital on Friday, NT Police said.
Vice-chancellor’s pay rise in year CDU profit flopped revealed
Charles Darwin University vice-chancellor Scott Bowman was given a pay rise in the same year the university reduced its profitability by close to $40 million despite increasing revenue, CDU financial documents show.
Teen allegedly stabbed partner and friend while on bail; Darwin man charged for indecently assaulting ‘multiple victims’
A 17-year-old on bail who allegedly stabbed his 16-year-old partner repeatedly in the legs and back in a remote community has been arrested and charged, NT Police said, while also calling for the public’s help with information about an unrelated indecent assault of multiple people in Darwin’s party district over the weekend.
Man charged with drug and firearm offences following Katherine home raid
An 18-year-old male was charged with drug and firearm-related offences by the NT Police on Friday, after a raid of his Katherine home yielded illegal drugs, firearms, ammunition and fireworks.
Corrections officers vote no confidence in Commissioner as Minister backs him
NT Corrections officers have delivered a resounding no-confidence vote in Commissioner Matthew Varley over moves to bring in private guards to deal with pressures in the corrections system, but the Minister has hit back at the union, saying the government will not be “strong-armed” into sacking Mr Varley, which comes amid resurfaced comments that show the CLP did not support outsourcing corrections duties while in opposition.
Darwin Waterfront Corp hires board member’s wife raising multiple conflicts of interest
EXCLUSIVE: The publicly-funded Darwin Waterfront Corporation hired board member Andrew Kirkman’s wife for a key role that was not advertised late last year and that came with an undisclosed hefty pay packet, the NT Independent can reveal, raising questions about undeclared conflicts of interest at the corporation and a cosy culture of political appointments and nepotism.
CLP MLA accuses federal Labor ministerial staffer of ‘harassing and intimidating’ behaviour
A CLP backbencher has accused Senator Malarndirri McCarthy’s staffer of attempting to “physically intimidate” an unnamed CLP MLA while Parliament was sitting last week, claiming the staffer followed up the “harassment” by making “unfounded accusations”.
Darwin Private Hospital to close maternity ward
Darwin Private Hospital will close its maternity and birthing services in two months with the Health Minister Steve Edgington saying he had hoped Healthscope, the company which owns the hospital, would give expectant families at least nine months notice to allow them to properly plan their births.
CLP pledge more taxpayer funds to build $8m motocross track at Hidden Valley after Labor cost blowout
UPDATED: The Finocchiaro CLP Government will spend more than $8 million to build a motocross track at Hidden Valley, despite the project’s cost blowing out to five times the original estimate provided by Labor, stating it could not end a contract out of fear of “wasting millions”, so will “redirect” $6.5 million to fully fund the project.
Kalidonis to appeal workplace death verdict
Darwin-based construction company Kalidonis NT Pty Ltd is appealing convictions and fines imposed by the Darwin Local Court following the death of 50-year-old worker Paul Leach.