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28 June 2000
Northern Territory News headlines
'Killer fire: man wanted in NT' -
'Darwin police want to interview Australia's most wanted man over a caravan park that almost killed four people. There is also a warrant out for Robert Paul Long in the Territory after he failed to appear in court to face an unlawful entry charge'. Somehow I think Darwin police might just have to wait a while given that Mr Long is wanted in connection with the Childers backpacker fire.
'Top End ablaze with torch fever' (pages 2 and 3 in their entirety)
In case you didn’t already know the Olympic Torch is coming soon to Darwin. It was expected to arrive back in the Territory today with 5000 people to welcome the flame in Katherine. And still the forecasts of a 25000 plus crowd for Darwin continue unabated.
'NT grocery prices on the rise again'
Grocery prices increased marginally in the June quarter according to a NT Government survey on food prices. The price of a basket of grocery items ranged from $138.31 at Bi-Lo in Alice Springs to $170.66 at Woolworths in Nhulunbuy. The paper did not publish results from Cairns or Mt Isa despite a main aim of the survey being to compare prices across jurisdictions.
'NT motorists face 3c fuel rise under GST'
As the Federal Government introduces the GST and blames oil companies and the NT Government for fuel price rises, the oil companies claim the Federal Government is lying and the NT Government believes that GST savings will offset the removal of their subsidy, the only certainty is that petrol prices will rise in the NT. Shame governments, shame.
'Safety alert for NT cracker night'
Danger is the Territory's middle name. Territory Day is on Saturday and represents a chance for the locals to play with fireworks. Health authorities are urging Territorians to read the instructions on fireworks, leave them at home if visiting a professional display and only buy them from a licensed retailer. Already a number of nasty fireworks have been seized by authorities. Last year 25 people were injured, there were over 90 fires caused around Darwin and there were 235 alarm calls during the celebrations..
'3 lost miners feared dead'
'Bronzewing one of our top goldmines'
The first article mourns the apparent loss of three lives at the Bronzewing gold mine in Western Australian. The second article, however, lauds the mine as one of Australia's leading gold producers and how it has proved to be a sound investment. Some sympathy for the victims rather than shameless spin doctoring may have been more appropriate.
And from various news sources - the Defence spending issue
Not less than 24 hours after the announcement that 4000 army positions were to go, little Johnny seeks public input into whether or not the Defence needs more money. The spin doctors have got the public believing that the Defence is in turmoil thus obviously in need of new funds. Given that Johnny is unlikely to raise tax just for Defence could he just be seeking a reason to take money out of more basic government services like health, welfare and education. Let's wait and see.
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