NT Independent

NT Govt wants Territorians to pay for US Independence Day celebrations: Internal email

A senior NT Government bureaucrat has claimed the US Embassy in Canberra requested Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro “consider creative ways” for the Northern Territory to celebrate the United States’ 250th birthday on July 4 this year, such as holding fireworks displays, but instructed all department heads that any celebration must be covered “from within existing resources”, a leaked internal email has revealed.

Government delays safeguard recommendations to quickly pass new Heritage bill

The Finocchiaro CLP Government says it will implement proposed safeguards to the Heritage Act 2011 recommended by the Legislative Scrutiny Committee at a later date, including restricting a minister’s ability to delegate powers, and will instead apply the recommendations through ‘administrative policy’ after passing the bill, which comes amid criticism the committee was swamped with legislation and the public was only given one week to voice concerns.

‘Territory credibility’: Integrity and Ethics Commissioner appointment processes questioned by integrity bodies

The Labor Opposition has congratulated the Finocchiaro CLP Government for its picks to lead the new Integrity and Ethics Commissioner office, while integrity experts still hold concerns the process of appointments has eroded public confidence, particularly around the unadvertised role of chief executive that will be filled by former AFP and NT police commissioner Reece Kershaw, with one integrity expert describing the current situation as akin to a sad “satire”.

Man charged after allegedly stabbing sleeping victim

A Tennant Creek man has been charged with causing serious harm for allegedly stabbing a man while he slept in a house on Friday night, NT Police said.

Letter to the editor: Lee Point plan lacked scrutiny from the start

Darwin Council has endorsed a Senate inquiry into the Lee Point development, but there should have been public consultation when the development was first proposed about whether it was an appropriate site for residential development in the first place, writes Sonja Pastor.

Ram raid, supermarket ransacked, attempted bank robbery in Tennant Creek

Three teenagers have been charged after allegedly ram raiding the Sporties Club in Tennant Creek early Saturday morning, while police are also investigating a supermarket break-in, an attempted bank robbery, and another business burglary in the town’s main street on Sunday, NT Police said.

‘Loaded-up party budget’: Extra $1m to ‘support’ Administrator; another $2m for exclusive events

The Finocchiaro CLP Government has inexplicably chosen “canapes over cost-of-living relief” for Territorians in last week’s budget, critics say, after directing an additional $1 million to controversial Administrator David Connolly’s office and a further $2 million it didn’t have last year to Protocol NT – the body that organises official government functions and special invite-only events.

Swastika tattoo charge laid after five-month investigation

NT Police spent five months looking for a man with a swastika tattoo on his leg and have now charged him over the alleged offensive ink, but have not laid drug charges after he was allegedly found with “items indicative of drug supply”.

Former police commissioner appointed CEO of new Integrity and Ethics body, old ombudsman named commissioner

Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro has named two controversial picks to lead the newly established Integrity and Ethics Commissioner agency, with former Ombudsman Peter Shoyer appointed commissioner and former police commissioner Reece Kershaw appointed chief executive of the new anti-corruption body that will replace the ICAC amid unresolved questions about the potential for political interference. Mr Kershaw is close friends with current NT Police Commissioner Martin Dole.