In case you missed it, here’s a two-minute rundown of this week’s top stories: From the Gunner government’s “misleading and incorrect” COVID-19 Financial Report, to the dismissal of professional misconduct allegations against former Labor leader Delia Lawrie’s lawyer, to an independent MLA claiming that head public servant Jodie Ryan is attempting to obstruct transparency, to a man struck to the head multiple times by a group who bumped his vehicle in Mitchell St, and three Territorians hospitalised after being bitten by snakes.
Gunner Government’s pre-election COVID-19 financial report ‘misleading’: Auditor General
Financial figures released by Chief Minister Michael Gunner before the election – as well as wild claims that close to 100,000 Territorians would be infected with COVID-19 at a cost of $200 million if it weren’t for him – have been found to be “misleading” by the Auditor General.
After delaying the NT budget until after the election, and not producing a pre-election fiscal outlook, Mr Gunner and Treasurer Nicole Manison released a “COVID-19 Financial Report” on July 29 – one day before entering caretaker mode that was billed as providing Territorians with a look at the NT’s true financial position. The corrected figures were not provided until three days before the election and weren’t publicly announced.
Tribunal finds Alistair Wyvill justified in criticising Justice Southwood’s ‘politically partisan’ Stella Maris decision
Professional misconduct allegations filed against former Labor leader Delia Lawrie’s lawyer Alistair Wyvill have been dismissed, five years after they were made, in a decision that has raised fresh questions over how the Stella Maris Inquiry and subsequent Supreme Court action were handled.
The Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal dismissed the allegations brought against Mr Wyvill by the Law Society NT, finding that his allegations against Supreme Court Justice Stephen Southwood were warranted and that he did not advise Ms Lawrie to make false statements during the inquiry.
Opposition and independent MLAs forbidden from communicating with NT public servants
An independent MLA says she has been forbidden from communicating with public servants after being issued a letter from the NT’s head public servant, which she says has escalated the Gunner Government’s ongoing attempts to stifle open communication.
Member for Araluen Robyn Lambley said the ban smelled of the government attempting to control information, given that head public servant Jodie Ryan issued the letter to elected representatives – which she does not have the authority to do.
Police investigating bizarre robbery in CBD that sent man to hospital with head injuries
Police are attempting to track down the assailants of a 37-year-old man in Mitchell St overnight who was hospitalised after sustaining lacerations to the head following an attack by a group of young men who bumped his vehicle, NT police said.
Around 10pm Tuesday night, the victim was driving his vehicle along Peel St towards the Esplanade when he was nudged from behind by a silver vehicle with several young men onboard, Watch Commander Andrew Heath told ABC Radio Darwin Wednesday morning.
Three Territorians bitten by snakes overnight
Three Territorians, including an eight-year-old girl, have been treated after being bitten by snakes overnight, St John Ambulance said.
NT operations manager Craig Garraway said an eight-year-old girl from Nhulunbuy was rushed to hospital after she was bitten by a snake which jumped out from underneath a fridge when she went to open it, and latched on her toe.
He said her parents were able to capture the snake, but he was uncertain if the snake venomous.
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