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21 February 2000
Northern Territory News headlines on another slow news day
'Harbour help'
Unable to glean sufficient information from promotional videos, video- conferencing, tele-conferencing, brochures and bids for development, the NT Government has announced that a delegation will head for Cape Town in South Africa to look for a model on which to base long-term development of Darwin Harbour. Undoubtedly a great time will be had by all but somehow I don’t think the delegation will be making the hard yards trying to get any ideas to fruition.
‘Be prepared for Chris, NT's top scout'
So why should this fairly bland headline feature on the front page. Well Chris is only the second woman to become a Chief Commissioner of Scouts in the world. This is after 30 years since women first joined scouts. A progressive organisation (not).
'Petrol prices go through the roof'
Leaded petrol has now hit as high as 93.9c a litre in Darwin with unleaded fuel now up to 91.9c per litre. But Darwin fares very well compared to other locations in the Territory. In Nhulunbuy unleaded is $1.01/l, Tennant Creek $1.03/l, Timber Creek $1.06/l, Barkly Homestead $1.07/l and Rabbit Flat a whopping $1.35/l. Only a pity when prices are compared to those in Queensland.
'Inland 'sea' cuts off desert town'
In a story worthy of the front page, the remote community of Hermannsburg has been cut-off and could be cut off for another week due to floodwaters. The small community has had about 300mm of rain in the last few days which is a little over the average annual rainfall. In Alice Springs, a 10-year old boy was rescued from the flooded Todd River yesterday, becoming stranded after trying to wade across a causeway.
'Make punishment 'match the crime''
Pages keep getting dedicated to mandatory sentencing as the debate rages on. Today we get to see some NT Police Department figures quoted in a comment by Gordon Renouf, Director, North Australian Aboriginal Legal Aid Service.
Unlawful entry in the NT
1995/96 Reported 3064 Cleared 473
1996/97 Reported 3011 Cleared 462
1997/98 Reported 3326 Cleared 554
1998/99 Reported 3115 Cleared 362
With such awesome clear up rates, one could only wonder what could happen if instead of spending huge amounts of money locking up biscuit and cordial thieves they spent the same amount on more police.
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