In case you missed it, here’s a two-minute rundown of this week’s top stories: From the ABC’s unresolved conflict of interest covering the Gunner Government, to the alarming NT police force attrition rate, to remote policing funding shortfall that may land on cash-strapped NT Government, to new cases of COVID-19 in the Territory, and to multiple charges filed against the man who engaged in a five-hour standoff with authorities in Darwin CBD.
ABC ignores conflict of interest as Chief Minister’s Office helps arrange speaking gig for reporter
The Chief Minister’s Office helped arrange for an ABC journalist to deliver a political “morning tea” speaking engagement, sparking fresh concerns over an unresolved conflict of interest at the public broadcaster and how it covers the Gunner Government.
The event, which features ABC reporter Kristy O’Brien, has been advertised online and on billboards at the Gateway shopping centre as a chance for the public to meet the “new mum, award-winning journalist & NT Chief Minister’s wife”.
Police attrition rate has almost doubled: Police Association boss
Nearly 10 NT police officers are resigning or retiring every month, NT Police Association chief executive officer Paul McCue has said, while warning of looming problems without increased recruiting.
Mr McCue said if the attrition continued at that rate for the next six months, the force was going to be in “a huge hole.”
Chief Minister flags funding for remote policing could fall on cash-strapped NT Government
Chief Minister Michael Gunner said he expects the Federal Government will defund remote policing in disadvantaged Indigenous communities within two years and flagged the funding shortfall may fall on the Northern Territory.
Despite widespread concerns the cuts could put significant strain on a force already stretched thin, Mr Gunner told ABC Darwin radio this morning the funding cuts was discussed with Prime Minister Scott Morrison during his trip to Sydney earlier this month.
Four new cases of coronavirus diagnosed at Howard Springs quarantine facility in passengers from India
Four new cases of COVID-19 have been diagnosed in the NT, including two toddlers, the NT Government has confirmed.
All the four cases are passengers of the repatriation flight carrying 183 Australians that landed in Darwin on Tuesday from New Delhi, India, that has second-highest number of infections globally. Questions have also been raised about the accuracy of India’s COVID-19 testing, following the latest detections.
Man facing multiple charges after five-hour standoff with police at CBD building
A 30-year-old man who engaged the NT Police in a five-hour standoff from the ledge of a Darwin CBD hotel on Thursday afternoon that saw him allegedly throw bottles at officers is now facing 18 charges over the incident, including assaulting police and depriving a person of personal liberty.
NT Police said they attended the Luma Luma hotel complex to speak with a woman in relation to an alleged assault that occurred earlier in the week when they encountered the 30-year-old man at her accommodation.
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