NT Independent

Opinion: Darwin residents want answers on toxic gas emissions – the science shows their concerns are warranted

Darwin residents are increasingly concerned about emissions from the city’s LNG plants, particularly benzene and other toxic gases, as regulators approve expanded “hot venting” while community groups push for independent air monitoring and experts warn of serious health risks even at low levels of exposure, academics Melissa Haswell and Kerrie Mengersen write.

Minister takes control of Land Development Corporation as board disappears

Lands and Planning Minister Joshua Burgoyne has appointed a new Land Development Corporation chief executive after the position sat vacant since February last year, but would not say what happened to the organisation’s former advisory board, a silence that follows recent structural changes to give the Minister sole responsibility for all decision-making in the corporation.

New Alice Springs Town Council boss appointed

The Alice Springs Town Council has appointed Peter Varris as its new chief executive officer, the mayor Asta Hill has said.

No response from Minister on Claravale Farm Federal Court challenge

Environment Minister Josh Burgoyne will not say if the government has settled with Claravale Farm’s owners to drop a Federal Court challenge over a property-sale caveat, which follows revelations the minister falsely claimed 15 months ago that a revegetation deal to avoid illegal clearing prosecution was already signed by the company, when it was only finalised last month.

Man charged after allegedly chasing victim with edged weapon

A man has been charged after allegedly smashing the windscreen of a ute with an edged weapon at traffic lights in Alice Springs before chasing the driver with the weapon, NT Police said.

Letter to the editor: ABC criticised over rejection of opinion piece amid free speech concerns

Australia is a signatory to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which guarantees the right to hold opinions without interference, raising questions about the ABC’s rejection of multiple attempts by writer Sall Grover to publish a response on women’s rights, writes Gerry Wood.

Court denies injunction to stop land clearing at Claravale

The Federal Court has rejected the Environment Centre NT’s application for an injunction to stop Top End Pastoral Company’s plans to clear land on Claravale Station while a main judicial review case continues.

Former PWC boss appointed chair on $214,000 salary

The Finocchiaro Government has announced the former Power and Water Corporation managing director Andrew Macrides as the organisation’s new chair, effective immediately, giving the CLP life member and former party treasurer a salary of more than $200,000.

Uibo refuses to answer questions on Brown hours after pledging transparency

Labor Opposition Leader Selena Uibo has not committed to taking any action against Labor MLA Manuel Brown over his repeated speeding offences while admitting she is not confident he won’t do it again and has refused to answer whether the member for Arafura’s 14-year-old son drove his private vehicle.

Correctional officers vote down pay deal

NT correctional officers have rejected the government’s pay offer in an enterprise agreement ballot, the United Workers Union has said, while Corrections Minister Gerard Maley said the government would continue to negotiate in good faith.