NT Independent

‘At no stage was I a threat to the police’: TV cameraman sprayed in face by cop during Alice riot

A television cameraman says he was doused in the face with capsicum spray by a police officer without warning while covering last week’s riot outside Alice Springs Hospital, where officers also threatened to arrest members of the media, but Police Commissioner Martin Dole has flip-flopped on his stance that it should not have happened, now saying the attack on the cameraman was “appropriate in the circumstances”.

Funding to Legal Aid NT shrunk this year despite Attorney-General’s claims of increased funding

The Finocchiaro CLP Government cut funding to Legal Aid NT by more than $3.2 million this financial year, the director of the organisation has finally revealed, which appears to directly refute repeated claims by Attorney-General Marie-Clare Boothby that funding increased, while more service cuts are expected.

Chan Ward by-election date set following Labor MLA’s election to Parliament

The Chan Ward by-election for the City of Darwin Council has been set for Saturday, May 30, following the resignation of councillor Ed Smelt, who was elected to Parliament at the Nightcliff by-election in March. The cost of holding the by-election has not been disclosed.

NT homebuilding collapse exposed in new report

The number of new home builds in the Territory plummeted last year to near-record lows, a new report has found, with the NT delivering 69 per cent fewer homes than required with only 449 homes delivered last year.

Three department staffers stood down over child protection failures before disappearance of Kumanjayi Little Baby

Three Department of Children and Families staffers have been stood down following a report in The Australian Tuesday night that revealed five-year-old Kumanjayi Little Baby had been the subject of six child protection reports since mid-March and was living in a “dangerous environment” with no action having been taken by the department.

AMA NT slams ‘smoke and mirrors’ Territory health budget

The latest health budget has been labelled “disappointing” by the Australian Medical Association NT, which warned headline funding increases mask cuts to primary care, remote care, mental health and disease prevention, adding the Finocchiaro CLP Government needs to recognise the health system is in crisis.

NT Criminal Court list – with charges – May 8

The 179 names facing criminal courts in the Northern Territory for Friday May 8, 2026. This list includes all the charges.

Territory barge company that services remote communities in administration as sister company shuts its doors

Darwin-based Shorebarge has been put into voluntary administration after a creditor filed a winding-up application in the Supreme Court of Victoria, according to Australian Securities and Investments Commission documents, while its sister company Shorelands announced it has ceased trading.

Budget 2026: Big spending continues as slightly improved debt still at record level

Treasurer Bill Yan delivered his second budget Tuesday morning that contains no “lollies or sweets”, with the Finocchiaro CLP Government overseeing a record net debt that will now top $11.35 billion this year and grow to $12.56 billion in 2026-27 – less than previously estimated due to better than expected revenue streams and less spending on infrastructure projects – while Mr Yan said the government is “living within our means” despite no substantive plans to reduce the debt.

Murray Valley encephalitis found in Darwin mosquitoes

NT Health is urging Greater Darwin residents to take precautionary measures following the detection of the rare but potentially life-threatening Murray Valley encephalitis virus in local mosquitoes.