NT Independent

Police Commissioner, Minister refuse to refer Gosling assault matter for independent oversight

Chief Minister and Police Minister Lia Finocchiaro’s office said Thursday she was not briefed about the sensational arrest of Labor MP Luke Gosling over the alleged assault of Administrator David Connolly, but has refused to refer the police investigation to an independent agency to mitigate the perception of political interference.

Gosling arrested and charged over alleged assault of Administrator

UPDATED: NT Police have arrested and now charged Federal Member for Solomon Luke Gosling in relation to the alleged assault of NT Administrator David Connolly.

Batchelor Institute loses another $2.4m, fails to implement ICAC reforms

The Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education recorded a $2.4 million deficit in the 2025 financial year, following a $2.2 million deficit the previous year, while a recent Auditor-General’s report found the institute has yet to fully implement recommendations made by the Independent Commissioner Against Corruption in 2023 and has continued to appoint people to senior roles without holding a selection process.

Keep spraying: OC spray trial extended as government eyes granting permanent access

The Finocchiaro CLP Government has extended its pepper spray for self-defence trial until December 31 as it plans to introduce legislation to provide permanent public access to the spray and expanding its use for teenagers and for “shared household use”.

‘Deceased patients being booked for operations’: AMA’s new submission to Acacia inquiry reveals more problems

Doctors are afraid they will lose their jobs if they speak up about massive issues with the Acacia IT system and have no faith in departments or whistleblower protections to shield them from retaliation, the Australian Medical Association said in a startling new submission to the inquiry into the flawed project, while also revealing that real data about the extent of the system’s failures have been hidden from the committee investigating it.

NT public servant arrested for alleged multi-million dollar fraud

A 39-year-old employee of the NT Department of Children and Families has been arrested and charged for allegedly using her position in the government to defraud the National Disability Insurance Scheme of millions of dollars.

Darwin Council wants new tax on Territory Day fireworks to cover clean-up costs

A motion before Darwin Council calling on the NT Government to introduce a new tax on Territory Day fireworks has the support of the Mayor and at least one councillor who want to use the additional revenue to cover clean-up costs the day after cracker night, but the Chief Minister is not sold on the idea.

No discipline for Manuel Brown in Labor reshuffle as Uibo takes month-long holiday

Embattled Labor MLA Manuel Brown will remain in Labor’s shadow cabinet despite repeatedly lying to the public and Leader Selena Uibo about his indiscretions, while it appears Labor’s caucus has failed to take any disciplinary action against him contradicting Ms Uibo’s claims it would determine punishment for Mr Brown. Ms Uibo is also facing questions over why her team did not appear at any public events with the PM last week.

Three teens arrested with wheelie bin of empty alcohol containers tying them to alleged break-in

Three teenagers who allegedly smashed into the Gray Oval community facility in Palmerston early Sunday morning to steal alcohol have been arrested, with police recovering a wheelie bin from the oval loaded with the teens’ empties at the scene of their arrest.

More CDU students in new training bungle as Minister calls for further heads to roll

An estimated 100 Charles Darwin University students in the electrotechnology program have not been properly trained, Education and Training Minister Jo Hersey revealed in Parliament Thursday afternoon, which follows CDU’s TAFE carpentry training scandal earlier this year that saw hundreds forced to redo their qualifications.