NT Independent

Chief Minister wants 16-year-olds to carry OC spray, but gives no reason why

Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro says she wants to allow 16-year-olds to carry OC spray and let people purchase it on behalf of others when her government legislates to make the public access trial permanent later this year, a move an independent MLA said should be backed by evidence and questioned whether teenagers could make split-second decisions about when its use was lawful.

Brawl involving machetes, armed robbery and street fights in Alice Springs

Two people were arrested after a street brawl in Alice Springs allegedly involving machetes and metal bars overnight, while NT Police say a 13-year-old takeaway shop employee was bashed and robbed at knifepoint on Saturday night and two people were treated for facial injuries after a separate street fight linked to ongoing family tensions following a death last month.

Latest Labor scandals reflect wider illness inside party that refuses remedy

EDITORIAL: There is indeed a report into Labor’s devastating 2024 election result in a desk somewhere that Labor Leader Selena Uibo does not want to reflect on, a report that clearly makes her uncomfortable and would explain why Labor’s past problems continue to repeat. On Friday, she went back on a pledge to release it, indicating it will never be seen, which follows a disastrous week of scandal for the party.

Power prices to rise 5.3 per cent from Wednesday

Electricity prices will increase by 5.3 per cent on Wednesday, which the Labor Opposition criticised as being higher than the Northern Territory’s current inflation rate.

REVEALED: Labor MLA caught speeding again after licence was reinstated

EXCLUSIVE: Labor MLA Manuel Brown was caught speeding again by police earlier this year, the NT Independent can reveal, after his licence was suspended for three months last October for multiple speeding violations, which comes as questions remain unanswered about Mr Brown allegedly allowing his 14-year-old child to illegally drive a vehicle while his licence was suspended.

Man charged for alleged indecent touching of child at holiday care program

A 40-year-old man has been charged after allegedly indecently touching and grooming a child under 16 during a vacation care program in the Darwin region, NT Police said.

Palmerston man arrested for online grooming and child abuse material: Police

A 28-year-old Palmerston man was arrested at a Bakewell home for allegedly grooming a 13-year-old online and related child abuse material offences, NT Police said.

Confusion over who drove Labor MLA’s taxpayer-funded car while his licence was suspended

Labor politician Manuel Brown allegedly had his underaged unlicensed child drive him around in his taxpayer-funded vehicle on various occasions while his driver’s licence was suspended for multiple speeding tickets, separate sources have said, while confusion intensified with Mr Brown’s father-in-law calling into local radio Thursday to claim he drove Mr Brown around in the “family car” for three months, raising questions about possible misuse of his government fuel card.

Environment Centre NT’s executive director leaving role

A powerful and passionate Territorian who many political observers thought would enter NT Parliament at some point has resigned as executive director of the Environment Centre NT, to take up a national role after six years holding successive governments and industry to account for their environmental failings. Kirsty Howey’s last day will be August 14.

NT Business News – June 26

The week’s business highlights include Tivan partnering with Aboriginal Investment NT for the Molyhil Tungsten Project, AT-PAC expanding its network with a new branch in Darwin, and the NT Government’s eConveyancing platform streamlining land transactions, plus more.