NT

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The Chief Minister is clearly taking no account of the difference between  the impact on the society of DV – which is horrendous but usually happens in a private space, and needs targeted measures – and  the crime that happens mostly in public locations, much of it committed by children: its reporting in national media – factual and fabricated – has led to a drop in the town’s vital tourism business by about 50 per cent.

The Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade has increased plant surveillance after a confirmed sample of the papaya mealybug was found in the Darwin region.  The suspected Paracoccus marginatus was discovered after the Plant Biosecurity team received a call from a concerned resident in Parap last week, who identified a cluster of white coloured insects on their papaya plants.

Amendments proposed to the Police Legislation Further Amendment Bill 2023 will authorise police to use handheld scanners to detect, seize and destroy weapons being carried by individuals.  Carrying a controlled weapon without reasonable excuse is an offence which carries a penalty of 12 months imprisonment, this term is double if the offence occurs at night time.

The Territory Labor Government is investing $2.2 million in the 2023/24 budget to establish a dedicated Fisheries Compliance Unit, comprising of one manager and eight officers, within the Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade ... the unit’s core duties will include the monitoring of fishing activities in Territory waterways including catches of high-risk fish stock, such as black jew fish.

Government has decided to extend takeaway alcohol restrictions in Alice Springs. Evidence has shown alcohol-related emergency department presentations at Alice Springs Hospital have reduced by a third, and domestic violence has halved since the restrictions were introduced.

IAHA is a national organisation that enhances the allied health sector in Australia by providing support, training, and maintaining networks ... On Thursday morning, a team from IAHA was at Battery Hill to give senior high school students a glimpse into the work of allied health workers.

As school started back on Tuesday, there has been a noticeable increase in police presence on the roads to ensure the safety of students. Drivers are reminded to take extra care and watch out for students.

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Chief Minister Natasha Fyles unveiled concept designs for the Nyinkka Nyunyu Art and Culture Centre’s $10 million transformation in Tennant Creek yesterday. The investment is part of the Territory Labor Government’s Arts Trail initiative, which aims to make the Northern Territory a world-class tourist and cultural destination.

Preliminary crowd figures for the Alice Springs  Show  were 19,000 over the two days ... Brendan Fogarty, a trade exhibitor over several years, says it was quieter than usually but better than last year ... “A few enquiries, a few sales, not a bad weekend,” says Mr Fogarty. “There’s always someone to have a talk to.”

Today is a celebration of what is great about living in Tennant Creek - the golden heart that never stops beating. When news broke the annual Tennant Creek Show wouldn’t go ahead, five weeks out from the big day, Mayor Jeffrey McLaughlin came to the rescue along with Chief Minister Natasha Fyles.

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When the show scene goes into hibernation over winter in the southern states, the Northern Territory springs into action. The NT has an active show horse community and several top-class shows are run during the dry season, including the Darwin Show Horse Club's State Show Horse and Riding Championships that has just been held at the Darwin Showgrounds.

“When our children come to us, and we’re available, we are there, and we’re listening, and it could just be just 30 seconds, it could be something very important they want to tell us, then stop and listen, send that message that we are available.” These thoughts come to a town that spends a great deal of time talking about a cohort of children, different ones from year to year but always around 50 to 120 of them, out in the streets at night, breaking into homes and businesses, trashing, stealing cars, torching some.

Tennant Creek has celebrated NAIDOC Week with a range of community events. Despite some inclement weather, the festivities kicked off with a Community BBQ at the Transit Centre, which included a jumping castle for kids and hair braiding in the colours of the Aboriginal flag. The NAIDOC March on Monday was a heartwarming event, with awards presented to outstanding First Nations individuals.

The grand finale of NAIDOC Week in Tennant Creek today promises to be a memorable event, with the winner of the 2023 Australian Idol competition taking the stage. Royston Noell, a 24-year-old Thanakwith and Wagadagam man from Mapoon in far north Queensland, was crowned as the first winner of the series since 2009 back in March.

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Pam Dillon. Two teams from several remote schools in the Barkly travelled to Darwin last week to participate in the NT 12 Years & Under Soccer Championships. The competition in both the boys and girls competitions was strong and all of our students played well.

The Barkly Regional Council’s Youthlinx School Holiday Program has been extremely busy with a range of activities including basketball and volleyball whilst partnering with Build It Up Skateboarding and Dream Impact to deliver a boxing program.

The current drop in crime in Alice Springs coincides with a decrease in tourism of around 40 per cent in several sectors, triggered largely by the nation-wide reporting of crime in Alice Springs ... Mayor Matt Paterson says following his speaking out the  Stronger Futures  was brought back and a $48.8m grant came from Canberra, partly to be used for more police.