An independent MLA has called for a full parliamentary inquiry into how $60 million was stolen from Territory taxpayers through the Indigenous Employment Provisional Sum scheme, with only $900,000 recovered and two small-time contractors jailed for rorting $300,000, while larger companies suspected of obtaining millions were never charged.
Suspended ICAC Michael Riches did not investigate NT Health Department findings of nepotism in procurement and recruitment processes that it identified may warrant criminal prosecution, and instead conducted a “review” two years after the department raised its concerns, with the corruption watchdog finally making four “best practice” recommendations, while providing “guidance” to support ethical practices and thanking staff.
UPDATED: Airnorth is launching direct flights between Cairns and Alice Springs, with an undisclosed subsidy from taxpayers, while tickets started being sold on Monday for the first flight on April 14.
More than 2,300 illegal nicotine vapes worth $140,000 and an undisclosed amount of marijuana were seized by NT Police on Friday, following a raid of a Palmerston residence after a tip-off that illicit substances were at the house.
EXCLUSIVE: The staggering amount of money believed stolen by NT construction companies through the government’s flawed Indigenous Employment Provisional Sum scheme has finally been released, following the conclusion of multiple investigations into the troubled program that ended with only two small-time contractors going to jail, with the NT Government recovering less than 1.5 per cent of the total funds it suspected were rorted.
The head of Royal Darwin Hospital advised Territory divers in mid-December to reconsider diving activities because the hospital could not offer emergency recompression treatments due to the hyperbaric chamber unit being shut, while the Health Department will not say when it closed, why, or when it may re-open.
Corrections Minister Gerard Maley has assured Territorians the CLP’s plans for dealing with overcrowded prisons and watch houses is “working” amid an influx of prisoners, while an independent MLA has raised human rights concerns with the UN about the ongoing conditions in the Territory’s jails.
The Federal Labor Government has announced $24 million for essential infrastructure and community facilities across the NT in another pre-election goody for the Territory.
EXCLUSIVE: Investigations into the largest known fraud ever perpetrated in the Northern Territory have ended with only two small-time contractors convicted of defrauding the Indigenous Employment Provisional Sum scheme, that saw potentially tens of millions of taxpayer money rorted by dozens of NT construction companies.
Federal Opposition Leader Peter Dutton said he supports “in principle” all seven points of action requested of the Federal Government by Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro to help fight crime in Alice Springs, and pledged support should the Coalition secure victory at the next federal election.
Treasurer Bill Yan is taking the crumbling Territory economy on the road through the NT next week – with special guest Under Treasurer Tim McManus – in an effort to explain to Territorians how the CLP Finocchiaro Government is planning “to fix the economic mess”.
Darwin Council’s proposed 21-storey civic centre building that will be co-owned by a private developer has been criticised as an “horrifically expensive” cost for the council per square metre, but the Lord Mayor has said it is good value for money, while a residents’ petition has been launched to stop the project.
