Northern Territory Government Newsroom

May

16 May 2012
Kon Vatskalis - Minister Praises Commitment of NT’s Health Volunteers
Health Minister Kon Vatskalis has praised the dedication of the countless volunteers who regularly devote their time to giving support and companionship to hospital and community health patients during National Volunteer Week.

Kon Vatskalis - Super Crocs … Coming Soon To Darwin
We breed our crocodiles tough in the Territory … and now a group of boffins from around the world are in Darwin looking at ways to make them even tougher.

Dr Chris Burns - Territorians awarded for their volunteering efforts
Education and Training Minister Chris Burns today announced the winners of the Volunteer of the Year Awards at a ceremony at Parliament House.

15 May 2012
Malarndirri McCarthy - Alukura celebrates 25 years of women’s health
Women’s Policy Minister, Malarndirri McCarthy today congratulated Congress Alukura on its 25th anniversary of delivering primary health care services to Aboriginal women in Central Australia.

Gerry McCarthy - New festival promises artistic feast
The Darwin dry season event line-up is about to get even better with a new arts festival, the Monsoon Sessions, set to take place from June 14 to 24.

Gerry McCarthy - Territory Documentaries Making Waves in Sydney
Two Territory documentaries have been named as finalists at this year’s prestigious Sydney Film Festival, Arts Minister Gerry McCarthy announced today.

14 May 2012
Delia Lawrie - More Territorians buying their own homes
Data released today by the Australia Bureau of Statistics shows a strong increase in Territorians buying their own homes, with finance commitment rising 22.8% in March.

Dr Chris Burns - NAPLAN testing this week in Territory Schools
Education and Training Minister Chris Burns said about 12,800 Territory students will sit the national NAPLAN testing this week, commencing with spelling, grammar and punctuation and writing testing tomorrow.

Paul Henderson - Territorians treated to free concert at Casuarina Square
Chief Minister Paul Henderson today announced X-Factor winner Reece Mastin and local band SKARLETT will be making a special appearance for Territorians at Casuarina Square ahead of BASSINTHEGRASS.

Paul Henderson - Territory goes after major new investment
Darwin is on show as the emerging gas capital of Northern Australia to major investors today at the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association (APPEA) conference.

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12 May 2012
Paul Henderson - FOOTBALL MILESTONE FOR PALMERSTON
Chief Minister Paul Henderson today officially launched the new Palmerston Football (soccer) Club Complex, consisting of six brand new fields, grandstand and clubhouse as part of the $33 million project to deliver on critical social infrastructure in Palmerston.

Paul Henderson - Simple Plan set to rock the stage for Territorians at the V8s
Leading Canadian punk-pop band Simple Plan are set to rock the stage on Sunday’s RACE & ROCK concert as part of the V8 Supercar weekend in June.

11 May 2012
Delia Lawrie - CLP gets it wrong on liquor licensing
Terry Mills comments regarding Territory liquor licensing inspectors are incorrect.

Kon Vatskalis - Excellence of Territory’s Nurses and Midwives celebrated
The achievements of the Northern Territory’s Nurses and Midwives were celebrated tonight at the 2012 NT Nursing and Midwifery Excellence Awards at Parliament House.

Rob Knight - Larrakeyah Outfall set to close
Essential Services Minister Rob Knight today announced that the Larrakeyah Outfall is set to close by the end of the month as part of the Territory Government’s commitment to clean up Darwin Harbour.

Gerry McCarthy / Karl Hampton - New Alice Gliding Club revealed
The new look Alice Springs Gliding Club was today officially opened by Minister for Central Australia, Karl Hampton, and the patron of the Gliding Club and Minister for Construction, Gerry McCarthy, following a $40,000 upgrade.

Dr Chris Burns - One Year Countdown to Arafura Games
Member for Johnston Dr Chris Burns today officially commenced the countdown to the 2013 Arafura Games

Gerry McCarthy / Marion Scrymgour - Top Territory writers take awards
Writers gathered last night at Parliament House to find out the winners of three competitions – the NT Literary Awards, the Chief Minister’s NT History Book Award and the Territory Read Awards.

10 May 2012
Gerry McCarthy - Artists line up for prestigious awards
Entries into one of the nation’s most prestigious art competitions are in and Territorians dominated the finalist line-up, Minister for Arts and Museums Gerry McCarthy said today.

Kon Vatskalis - Northern Suburbs Superclinic Location Unveiled
Health Minister Kon Vatskalis has today unveiled the proposed location for the Northern Suburbs Superclinic – a 5000 square metre site in Malak, adjacent to Sanderson Middle School.

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Karl Hampton - Renal Dialysis for Lajamanu
Member for Stuart Karl Hampton said today funding in Budget 2012 will help a remote renal dialysis service get up and running in Lajamanu.

Gerry McCarthy / Lynne Walker - Statement from Minister for Arts and Member for Nhulunbuy
The Minister for Arts, Gerry McCarty and Member for Nhulunbuy, Lynne Walker, would like to pay their respects to Yolngu elder Mrs Yunupingu who passed away last night at her home in Gunyangara (Ski Beach) on the Nhulunbuy Peninsular.

9 May 2012
Dr Chris Burns - CLP ignore cost of raising a family
The shocking announcement from Natasha Griggs that the CLP will not be supporting the SchoolKids Bonus proves that the CLP do not care about the cost of living for families, Education and Training Minister Chris Burns said.

Paul Henderson - New jobs centre shopfront opens for Territorians
Territorians who want to work on the multi-billion dollar Ichthys LNG Project will now be able to visit a one-stop-shop to find out how to get a job constructing the onshore facilities.

8 May 2012
Delia Lawrie - Health and education focus in Federal Budget 2012
Treasurer, Delia Lawrie, today welcomed health and education benefits and support for Territory families in the Federal Government’s 2012-13 Budget.

Kon Vatskalis - NT Government Welcomes RDH Children’s Ward Funding
Health Minister Kon Vatskalis has welcomed today’s Federal Budget announcement that $11.9 million will be spent overhauling the Royal Darwin Hospital’s Paediatric Ward.

Delia Lawrie - Territory job market buoyant
Data released today by the ANZ Bank shows that in annual terms the number of newspaper job advertisements in the Territory increased by 54.8 per cent in April 2012, the only jurisdiction to record an increase.

Gerry McCarthy - Young people to benefit from Drive Safe NT
The Territory Government is giving young people the tools to get a car licence and be safer road users through the $2 million driver education program, Drive Safe NT.

4 May 2012
Malarndirri McCarthy - 2012 Brolga Awards – call for entries
Nominations for the 2012 Brolga Awards are now open, Tourism Minister Malarndirri McCarthy announced today.

Paul Henderson - Disney-Pixar CARS Truck Tour to come to the Territory
Chief Minister Paul Henderson today announced the Disney-Pixar CARS Truck Tour will come to the Territory as part of the SKYCITY Triple Crown V8 Supercars Championship in June.

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Malarndirri McCarthy - Indigenous tourism on agenda at Ministerial forum
Increasing participation in Indigenous tourism is a key agenda item at a meeting of Australia’s Tourism Ministers to be held in Melbourne today.

Delia Lawrie - Leanyer Recreation Park even better for Territory families
Deputy Chief Minister, Delia Lawrie, today officially opened the new Leanyer Recreation Park Cafe.

Paul Henderson - Media Advisory
Media Advisory

Karl Hampton - Plan of Management Begins for Elsey National Park
Minister for Parks and Wildlife, Karl Hampton, said that the Plan of Management for Elsey National Park has come into operation.

Paul Henderson - Statement from Chief Minister
I welcome the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s (ACCC) investigation into price information sharing in the petrol industry.

3 May 2012
Kon Vatskalis - CLP Slammed Over Cutting Corners Suggestion
Children and Families Minister Kon Vatskalis today said the NT Government would never cut corners in child protection as suggested by the CLP this morning.

Kon Vatskalis - Government Accepts Youth Suicide Report Recommendations
Children and Families Minister Kon Vatskalis today said the NT Government would accept all the recommendations of the Select Committee’s Report on Youth Suicide.

Malarndirri McCarthy - Increased professional development for Aboriginal Interpreters
The training and professional development of Aboriginal interpreters will be strengthened today with the signing of an agreement which will give interpreters tertiary qualifications.

Delia Lawrie - Law to help turn more lives around
Legislation was today passed in Territory parliament expanding the NT Government’s alcohol reforms to further target anti-social behaviour and strengthens the powers of the Alcohol and Other Drugs Tribunal (AOD).

Karl Hampton - NT Has World’s Best Croc Handlers: Training Timor-Leste
Minister for Parks and Wildlife, Karl Hampton, today joined senior members of the Territory’s crocodile management team, and visitors from the Timor-Leste crocodile taskforce who are receiving training from the Territory’s top crocodile handlers in preparation for Timor-Leste’s first ever crocodile management program.

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Paul Henderson - Statement from the Chief Minister
Today I was very saddened by the news of the passing of Mr Sebastian “Sibby” Rioli.

2 May 2012
Gerry McCarthy / Karl Hampton - Barunga Festival Going Ahead
Member for Stuart, Karl Hampton, and Minister for Arts and Museums, Gerry McCarthy, have stepped in to ensure the renowned Barunga Festival will go ahead this year.

Indigenous languages a clear focus of the Government
Indigenous Development Minister, Malarndirri McCarthy has appeared before the Standing Committee on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs (SCATSIA) Inquiry into language learning in Indigenous communities in Darwin today.

Delia Lawrie - Mills must tell Griggs and Scullion to end GST silence
Northern Territory Treasurer, Delia Lawrie, has called on the CLP to stand up to Tony Abbott’s plan to take more than $2b in GST revenue away from the Territory.

Paul Henderson - Territory on track to meet Territory 2030 targets
The first scorecard on the Territory 2030 Strategic Plan was released today, showing significant progress already made towards the twenty-year targets.

Karl Hampton - Territory Parks Alive 2012
Free guided walks, talks and slide shows will be provided in parks and reserves across the Territory as part of this year’s Territory Parks Alive program, which runs from May to September.

1 May 2012
Karl Hampton / Paul Henderson - 2012 Budget investing in an affordable Great Territory Lifestyle
Chief Minister Paul Henderson said Budget 2012 supports our great Territory lifestyle with$81m delivering more funding for major events, recreation facilities, parks, the arts, fishing and sport.

Kon Vatskalis / Malarndirri McCarthy / Rob Knight - Budget 2012 driving growth in the Top End region
Budget 2012 invests heavily in a Working Future for Territorians living in the Top End region.

Karl Hampton - Budget 2012 investing in Central Australia
The Henderson Government is continuing to invest in Central Australia with funding to key areas such as education, health, infrastructure, business support and community safety.

Lynne Walker / Malarndirri McCarthy - Budget 2012 investing in East Arnhem
Budget 2012 continues the Henderson’s Government commitment to the East Arnhem region with a $328 million investment in jobs, schools, health, housing and safer communities.

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Lynne Walker / Malarndirri McCarthy - Budget 2012 investing in East Arnhem
Budget 2012 continues the Henderson’s Government commitment to the East Arnhem region with a $328 million investment in jobs, schools, health, housing and safer communities.

Delia Lawrie - Budget 2012 Overview
Budget 2012 is a responsible Budget focused on supporting Territory families as the Territory gears up for growth, Treasurer Delia Lawrie said today.

Dr Chris Burns - Budget Boost for Palmerston Special School
Special Schools across the Territory continue to benefit from the Henderson Government’s commitment to spend $30 million over five years for special schools infrastructure.

Malarndirri McCarthy - Delivering a Working Future
Budget 2012 delivers $433 million for infrastructure and an improved $50 million over three years in improved employment programs in the bush to support a Working Future.

Delia Lawrie - Delivering for families in Darwin’s northern suburbs
Budget 2012 delivers for families in Darwin’s northern suburbs by easing cost of living pressures, investing in a safer community and delivering record investment in health and education.

Delia Lawrie / Dr Chris Burns - Delivering quality, affordable housing for all Territorians
The Territory Government is promoting home ownership by providing quality, affordable housing, generous homebuyer concessions and land release through Budget 2012-13.

Delia Lawrie - Easing pressure on the family budget
With the most generous concessions and subsidies in the country, Budget 2012 is making the Territory more affordable for families.

Kon Vatskalis - Exploration at Ranger Mine Begins
Minister for Resources Kon Vatskalis today welcomed the announcement from Energy Resources of Australia (ERA) that work has started to further explore the Ranger mine site.

Paul Henderson - Gearing up for Growth in Palmerston and Litchfield
Budget 2012 is delivering for families in Palmerston and Litchfield, with continued investment in health, education, infrastructure and a range of initiatives to help this dynamic region gear up for growth while supporting affordable living.

Delia Lawrie / Gerry McCarthy / Rob Knight - Gearing up for growth through infrastructure investment
The Territory Government is gearing up for growth and Budget 2012 features a huge $1.3 billion infrastructure investment across the emergency services, education, health, roads, corrections and housing sectors.

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Delia Lawrie - Gearing up Territory business for growth
Budget 2012 is gearing up Territory businesses for growth with high infrastructure spending, construction stimulus measures, initiatives to help businesses grow and the lowest taxes for small and medium sized businesses in Australia.

Delia Lawrie / Gerry McCarthy / Paul Henderson / Rob Knight - Investing in improving safety
Budget 2012 continues the commitment to deliver a safer community for all Territorians through more investment to tackle anti-social behavior and crime.

Delia Lawrie / Dr Chris Burns - Investing in quality education and training
A record $950 million investment in education and training initiatives from the Henderson Government in Budget 2012 supports families with quality education options while equipping our workforce for the opportunities of growth.

Malarndirri McCarthy - Investing in the Katherine Region
Budget 2012 is investing in the prosperity of the Katherine Region with big investment in roads, health, schools and business.

Paul Henderson - Mills and Abbott to rip funding out of the Territory
Tony Abbott and the CLP will rip funding out of the Northern Territory with their plan to distribute GST Revenue on a per capita basis, Chief Minister Paul Henderson said today.

Gerry McCarthy - Opportunity flows in the Barkly
The Henderson Government is continuing to invest in the Barkly region with more than $108 million to improve infrastructure, housing, remote health services, schools and education and community services.

Karl Hampton - Protecting our environment, parks and natural resources
Budget 2012 delivers the Territory Government’s commitment to Greening the Territory with a huge investment on the environment including $106 million for the protection of the environment, parks and natural resources.

Kon Vatskalis - Strengthening Health and Child Protection Services
Budget 2012 delivers a record $1.2 billion health budget, including a record $553 million to deliver better hospitals, Health Minister Kon Vatskalis said today.