Northern Territory
'More room to eat, walk on city strip'
Surely not a Council that listens. Council is now considering supporting widening footpaths and removal of car parking spaces in Mitchell Street but continuing to allow 2-way traffic. Not only that - any works will be at business expense rather than the taxpayer. Couldn't be true?
Wednesday 29 November 2000 - Northern Territory News
'Power deal: Why was it so costly?'
The Opposition had three basic queries - 'whether it (the government) had an "obligation" or "option" to buy the powerline, why $100 million was spent on leasing or buying the line since 1998 , why the Government paid $43 million for the line despite a report that the line was only worth $20 million'. But no anwers were forthcoming. Something rotten in paradise.
'Rioli's car up creek'
Meanwhile Labor MLA Maurice Rioli lost control of his second car crossing a creek, costing taxpayers $6 000. His first car hit a tree while being driven by an unauthorised, unlicesnsed driver.
'$20m for NT roads 'is just nonsense''
The big road deal from the Feds has been slammed. Transport and Infrastructure Development Minister Mick Palmer was quoted as saying some councils would receive only as little as $10 000 leaving $9 999 for design and $1 for overheads and none for constcution. Meanwhile the ABC reported that the NT received the same amount as the ACT. No votes for Johnny?
Tuesday 28 November 2000 - Northern Territory News
'CLP has stabbed me in the back'
'Sacked Government frontbencher and Braitling MLA Loraine Braham said yesterday she felt "stabbed in the back" by the CLP'. At least she now knows how the electorate feels.
Thursday 23 November 2000 - Northern Territory News
'The essence of playboy George' - Letter to the editor
A Mr Woodhams wrote to the paper calling Mayor George Brown an "old man short on marbles" and "doddering old fool" for appearing on Channel Nine's Today Show recently in his playboy boxer shorts. Old George was quite offended - "Call and see me, Mr Woodhams, so I can piss on you to make you smell like a man". Hmm cant beat that.
'CLP 'a bunch of hyprocrites''
'The man who plans to start an Aboriginal party branded the Territory's Country Liberal Party hypocritical yesterday, when they complained the idea was racist'. But it seems that Maurie Ryan Japarte's will power could be bought - by the Labor Party if they give him preselection for the Federal seat of Lingiari. Good to see a new political party starting off with a fresh set of morals (not).
Wednesday 22 November 2000 - Northern Territory News
'Will our city mall re-open to traffic'
About two years after spending $4m on an upgrade of our city mall, Darwin City Council is now contemplating removing it, provided there is a convincing argument to do so and public support. Now let me see how I could spend $4m...
'New party to fight election'
No more pet niggers for major political parties. Maurie Ryan Japarte wants to establish an Aboriginal Political Party in time for the next Federal election. In a surprise move, NOT, the CLP announced that they would challenge the establishment of such a party on the basis of racism. Just whose racism is unclear.
Tuesday 21 November 2000 - Northern Territory News
'We don't want the new harbour town'
Democracy in action. 'The Territory Government will continue to look at options for the development of a new township in the Elizabeth River area. The news comes despite a survey showing the plan had support from only 25 per cent of Territorians - and is opposed by 50 per cent.
Saturday 18 November 2000 - Northern Territory News
'Bradley has 'no choice but to quit''
If you've ever wondered how the CLP can stay in power this story will help. The Chief Magistrate has no choice but to stand down because the validity of his appointment is under court action according to the Opposition. Opposition Legal Affairs spokesman said 'It's nightmare stuff, he has no choice but to stand down'. With the CLP bashing the legal system senseless you would've thought Territory Labor could get a few extra votes. However, whatever happened to the legal principle of innocent until proven guilty. Second bite in a week.
Friday 17 November 2000 - Northern Territory News
'Power sparks fly in Reed 'quit' call'
The Opposition wants the Treasurer to stand aside while the Auditor-General investigates the $43m sale of the power transmission line between Katherine and Darwin. Strangely enough the Treasurer said the call was "nonsensical" and that "nothing improper has been done". He also continues to invite the Opposition to a confidential briefing which would effectively gag them so...
Thursday 16 November 2000 - Northern Territory News
'Martin broke protocol: Burke'
'Chief Minister Denis Burke has called on Federal Labor leader Kim Beazley to "forbid" further attacks on the Phillipines by Territory Labour'. Mr Burke claimed the Opposition criticism of Monday's meeting with Joseph Estrada broke protocaols on international relations. Meanwhile Ms Martin says Mr Burke has shown 'poor political judgement'. Probably both have.
Wednesday 15 November 2000 - Northern Territory News
'$43m paid after legal threat: Reed'
'The NT Government defended paying $43m for the Darwin to Katherine transmission line despite an Opposition claim of "incompetence" over the move'. The Treasurer claimed the NT was obligated to buy it and that it had been threatened with legal action by NT Power who owned the line. The Opposition however showed government financial statements which showed no outstanding liabilities. It also appears that American investor John Hancock has shares in NT Power and is a major player with the railway or at least potential major player. So who can you believe?
'Denis and Mick's day out'
Most appropriate meeting of the day/year/century. Denis Burke and Mick Palmer met with Joseph Estrada, the Filipino leader under siege over alleged corruption. The other engagement for the day was to fly to Mintaro to inspect a self-operated feedlot. And no it wasn't nature in its original state.
Tuesday 14 November 2000 - Northern Territory News
'NT Aborigines back must-jail laws: CM'
Once again our Chief Minister runs the line that people vote for political parties on single issues. Therefore as the CLP got voted in Aborigines must support mandatory-sentencing. Pillock (or is that really the only CLP policy?).
Saturday 11 November 2000 - Northern Territory News
'Chief off on more overseas travel'
While other Territorians sweat the build-up out, it seems our pollies just love to avoid it. Chief Minister Denis Burke is off to Sydney then the Phillipines and Japan. In Sydney, he will speak on mandatory sentencing and the separation of powers at an academic think tank. Like that will benefit any Territorians. See story below.
'NT murder rate worst in nation'
While the Chief is off spouting how wonderful the CLP is and how the judiciary and magistrates have lost the right to exercise discretion, the Territory continues to have the highest rate of murder and second highest rate of rapes and breakins per head of population. Yet Territorians continue to be less worried about their safety than the rest of the country. How can this be so?
Friday 10 November 2000 - Northern Territory News
'Cabbies may hit Govt for millions'
Three cabbies took action against a government buy back of taxi licenses last year claiming compensation was inadequate and constitutional. The lawyer of the three cabbies said the scheme had been of "clear benefit" to the Government. The Judge found in favour of the taxi drivers and found that the Minister should have determined the compensation which he hadn't. Maybe he should resign too.
'Question of colour for Labor'
The Territory Labor Party has been knocked back on a request to purchase a $50,000 colour photocopier. The Department of the Chief Minister rejected the application as too extravagant. Fair enough - but coming in the same week as Government distributed many many ciopies of its latest propaganda tool - Territory Today - casts doubt on fair play.
Thursday 9 November 2000 - ABC Internet News
'Calls for Burke to resign'
'The president of the Northern Territory Criminal Lawyers Association says Attorney-General Denis Burke should resign from the portfolio'. The association is obviously peeved at Mr Burke's call for all magistrates who don't support government policy to resign. The president, Mr Lawrence, was quoted 'If legal principle and convention has any role to play in the Territory and one must cynically question if that's the case. If it did, then he should be the one that should resign as the Attorney-General in view of what he's done, which is directly attack the legal system, which it's his responsibility to defend'. With all these people being asked to resign who will be left to turn out the lights.
Wednesday 8 November 2000 - ABC Internet News
'Magistrate agrees that mandatory sentencing corrupts process'
'Burke tells judge to put up or shut up'
A man was sent to jail for a year today for stealing a ladder and $5 worth of electrical tape. Agreeing with a lawyer for the defence, magistrate Alisdair McGregor thought that the process had been corrupted in the same way a worm corrupts a ship. How exactly a worm corrupts a ship is unknown to this reader. Anyway this was like a red rag to a Chief Minister who immediately sought Mr McGregor's resignation saying that many would like to take his place. Can't have anyone thinking in the judiciary can we?
Tuesday 7 November 2000 - ABC Internet News
'Man jailed for stealing six-pack'
A 34 -year-old man from Oenpelli was sentenced to 14 days jail for stealing a six-pack of beer more than 2 years ago. This heinous crime of $15 fully deserves the mandatory sentencing - costing the taxpayer probably 100 times that.
And from the Northern Territory News
'Labor set to dump NT's Crossin: claim'
Sydney's Sunday Telegraph has claimed that the Labor Party will dump Senator Crossin at the next round of pre-selection after she lent her cart to an unauthorised person, who while drunk was involved in a fatal accident. And so they bloody well should.
Monday 6 November 2000 - ABC Internet News
'NT govt urged to tackle salinity'
The NT government has agreed to match $6m provided by the Federal Government to tackle salinity. But what will they spend the money on - weeds and feral animal management. This ignores the growing salinity issues that the Ord River and areas south of Katherine face according to the Environment Centre NT. However, a political spin could be that they probably already spend $12m on weeds and feral animal management which will satisfy their matching requirement and dare I say it but the Feds money may well end up on a railway. Or am I just being cynical.
'Snowdon against funding scheme for private schools'
Meanwhile the Feds are trying to get back at the NT by paying huge sums of money to wealthy private schools in southern states while outlaying pitiful amounts for NT schools according to Warren Snowdon, Federal Member for the NT. The proposed funding was passed last week in the House of Reps but has yet to go through the Senate. Wonder if Warren will get much support from his southern comrades who benefit from the distribution.
Sunday 5 November 2000 - Sunday Territorian
'No one heard tot's quiet walk to pool'
'AMA slams 'callous' council'
'Safety comes first: poll'
Darwin City Council this week decided that there should be no compulsory requirement for isolation pool fencing. Deputy Lord Mayor Bob Elix was quoted 'we must protect our lifestyle' and that isolation fencing was 'not (part of a) tropical Darwin lifestyle'. Lord Mayor George Brown 'What goes on in people's backyards has nothing to do with council'. Only two council members supported the fencing which was suggested in response to the fact that the NT has the highest rate of domestic drowing of any jurisdiction in Australia. As the AMA NT branch president Dr Paul Bauert said 'The simple fact is that members of council are placing their own comfort zones above that of our community's children'. Why does local government exist?
Saturday 4 November 2000 - Northern Territory News
'Burke 'no' to demerit system push'
Read this all before. Denis Burke, our Chief Minister, has foregone around $750,000 in Federal funding by refusing to implement a demerit system for motorists. Mr Burke was quoted as saying 'We don't believe a demerit system would be supported in the Territory. In the sense that I believe Territorians don't want a demerit system, the Territory Government will cop the fine'. And this is our leader. Firstly, the NT has the highest rate of road fatality in Australia; secondly, who are the Territorians that wouldn't support a demerit system; thirdly, who are we protecting by not introducing the system and finally it is not the Territory Government's money - it is the publics.
'NT's fuel subsidy will stay, after all'
A lesson in politics. Announce a really unpopular decision - the NT Government's decision to drop a 1.1c a litre subsidy. Then bleat about the Federal Government's excise tax and then reneg on your decision to drop the subsidy. Hey presto, you are now King Politician.