The Lawler Government and CDU have refused to explain how the university can provide the necessary independence to undertake monitoring of the gas industry’s fracking operations in the Beetaloo Sub-Basin, after its vice-chancellor told a Senate inquiry the university regularly accepts money and gifts from the industry, with other integrity issues at the highest levels of the university remaining unresolved.
The NT Government awarded 25 contracts in the last week to a total of $8.4 million with the largest being awarded to Defend Fire Services Pty Ltd for Repairs and Maintenance of Portable Fire Equipment in NT Government Assets for a Period of 60 Months in Darwin Region and Remote Locations.
The Lawler Government has signed a multi-year gas supply deal with Tamboran Resources to purchase gas from its future Beetaloo Basin operations to keep the lights on in the Territory, before the government has given final environmental approval for the operation to go ahead.
The NT has again ranked last overall in the country for economic performance in the latest CommSec State of the States report, with key economic indicators painting a dismal picture across various sectors.
Throb Nightclub’s legendary parties appear to be over for good after it was placed into liquidation this week.
Latest highlights include industry leaders discussing the opportunities presented by the Territory’s critical mineral sector, while the government has earmarked an additional $6 million for airlines and international marketing. Also, the latest resource news.
Only 270 homes will be built in the Territory for the 2023-24 financial year, representing a drop of 55 per cent, according to the latest industry forecast from Master Builders NT, which has raised doubts about the NT Government’s ability to meet its target of building 11,000 homes in five years.
CDU vice-chancellor Scott Bowman has refused to answer questions about his performance at last week’s Senate hearings into the proposed Middle Arm industrial precinct, including why he did not disclose that the university has recently been awarded the majority of a $2 million contract by the NT Government to monitor fracking operations in the Beetaloo Sub-basin and his apparent breaches of policy.
In the last week the NT Government has released 8 tenders, including Supply Delivery Installation and Commissioning of Mould Remediation HVAC Upgrades in Katherine Hospital.
The Lawler Government has pledged an extra $6 million in next month’s Territory Budget to help the struggling tourism sector rebound, while overseas visitors remain down more than 50 per cent on pre-COVID figures, including $3 million to further partner with airlines to woo international tourists.
CDU vice-chancellor Scott Bowman was exposed at the Federal Senate inquiry into the proposed Middle Arm industrial precinct on Thursday for attempting to stifle academic freedom and failing to disclose glaring conflicts of interest with major Middle Arm gas proponents in the university’s submission to the inquiry, which appears to have breached academic policies and marred the university’s reputation.
If low gas production from the Blacktip gas field continues, it could force the NT to import gas from Queensland in the third quarter of this year, an Australian Competition and Consumer Commission gas report says.
