Northern Territory Government Newsroom

June

30 June 2009
Rob Knight - Ballot System Open for Affordable Units
The Territory Government is delivering more affordable housing with the ballot system now open for 16 refurbished units on Emery Avenue in Palmerston.

Paul Henderson - Chief Minister Shows COAG How NT Innovation Saves Lives
The Northern Territory is leading the country in implementing a successful e-health program that will be the focus of the Chief Minister Paul Henderson’s presentation to the Council of Australian Government meeting in Darwin this week.

Paul Henderson - Improving Territory Schools
The Education Minister Paul Henderson today welcomed an extra $25 million Federal Government funding boost to Northern Territory schools.

Dr Chris Burns - Tourism Accreditation – 12 Months To Go
Tourism Minister Dr Chris Burns is encouraging all tourism operators to become accredited over the next 12 months.

29 June 2009
Kon Vatskalis - Health Minister visits Alice Springs Hospital to see response to Swine Flu
Northern Territory Health Minister, Kon Vatskalis, today visited Alice Springs Hospital (ASH) to meet with the health professionals responding to the Human Swine Influenza situation in Central Australia.

Karl Hampton - ICT Minister Meet in Melbourne
Minister for Information, Communications and Technology Policy Karl Hampton is in Melbourne today for discussions on the National Broadband Network.

Paul Henderson - New Shipping Line Makes Maiden Voyage to Darwin
A shipment with nearly 600 containers has docked in Darwin, signalling the start of a new service between Taiwan, China and the Northern Territory.

Paul Henderson - Tackling Crime in Palmerston
The Chief Minister and Police Minister Paul Henderson told a meeting of Palmerston residents tonight that agencies across Government and the private sector are working to reduce the impact of crime on residents.

Rob Knight - Timorese Interns Welcomed To The Territory
Four Timorese interns have arrived in the Territory to gain work experience in the public sector as part of a capacity building program implemented by the Territory and Timor-Leste Governments.

28 June 2009
Rob Knight - Solar Hot Water Retrofit Rebate Available
Territorians will now be able to take advantage of a Solar Hot Water Retrofit Rebate program being launched across the NT.

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26 June 2009
Paul Henderson - A Win for Territory Soccer
In a major win for Territory soccer the Bagot Ovals will receive a $640,000 upgrade.

Delia Lawrie - Attorney-General Opens Criminal Law Conference
Attorney-General Delia Lawrie will attend the Criminal Lawyers Association of the Northern Territory conference in Bali which kicks off with registration and the official function tomorrow.

Karl Hampton - First Class Cricket for Central Australia
Minister for Sport and Recreation Karl Hampton will meet with the heads of the South Australian Cricket Association (SACA) and NT Cricket this week in a bid to attract a Ford Ranger Cup cricket match to Alice Springs later this year.

Karl Hampton - Hats Off To The Beanie Festival
The Araluen Centre becomes Beanie Central this weekend when the humble headgear comes into its own at the renowned Alice Springs Beanie Festival.

25 June 2009
Delia Lawrie - Hoons Hounded Off Our Streets
The clamps will tighten on motorists caught hooning on Territory streets from next Tuesday.

Paul Henderson - Hot-Spot Laneways to Close
The Northern Territory Government will provide the Darwin City Council with a $50,000 one-off grant to close problem laneways.

24 June 2009
Karl Hampton - Barkly Business Confidence High
A recent survey in the Tennant Creek and Barkly region shows business confidence is high.

Paul Henderson - Building up Education
July 1 will bring in the biggest infrastructure spend on schools in a single financial year, the Education Minister Paul Henderson announced today.

Rob Knight - Local Government Leaders Meet In Canberra
Minister for Local Government Rob Knight will today travel to Canberra to attend the second Australian Council of Local Government Meeting.

Delia Lawrie - Tenders Called for Palmerston Power Supply And McMinn Street Upgrade
The Northern Territory Government will tomorrow call for tenders to provide power to new Rosebery schools and the new suburb of Bellamack in Palmerston.

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Karl Hampton - Trainees Get Real World Experience
Twenty Indigenous trainees are graduating today from their horticulture training at the Ti Tree Research Farm in Central Australia.

23 June 2009
Rob Knight - Aboriginal Interpreters First In Australian To Become Accredited
Three Northern Territory interpreters have successfully become the first in Australia to receive professional accreditation in an Australian Indigenous language.

Delia Lawrie - Better Cycle Paths to Improve Bike Safety
Darwin and Palmerston residents will benefit from $1.5 million worth of new cycle paths to be built this Dry Season, Infrastructure Minister Delia Lawrie announced today.

Kon Vatskalis - Changes to Recreational Fishing Possession Limits
Changes to the recreational fishing possession limits in the Northern Territory will come into effect from 1 January 2010.

Paul Henderson - High Level Talks
The Chief Minister Paul Henderson today met with a senior Japanese Government trade official as part of the 32nd Australia-Japan High Level Group Meeting to discuss gas and mineral-related trade opportunities.

Kon Vatskalis - They’re off and racing for another year…
The 2009 Carlton Draught Darwin Cup Carnival will be officially launched tonight with a big season of horse racing ahead.

22 June 2009
Karl Hampton - Football Program Targets Up and Coming Stars
A remote Northern Territory football team that has been selected to attend Queensland’s inaugural Indigenous Football Carnival, today took part in a national development program in the lead-up to the major competition

Delia Lawrie - Full Steam Ahead For Multimillion Dollar Road Upgrades
Darwin and Palmerston residents will be benefiting from $17 million worth of road upgrades underway this dry season.

Kon Vatskalis - Northern Territory remains vigilant in response to swine flu
The Northern Territory is responding strongly to the outbreak of swine flu in the community and is well prepared to deal with the continuing development of the illness.

21 June 2009
Rob Knight - Animal Welfare Week
The Territory Government is supporting the NT’s first Animal Awareness Week - set to begin on Monday.

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19 June 2009
Delia Lawrie - Record Budget Passes In Parliament
The Territory Government’s record Budget that focuses on protecting jobs and building the Territory was passed in Parliament tonight.

Gerry McCarthy - Transit Security Officers Reduce Incidents
Following Estimates Committee Hearings today Minister for Transport Gerry McCarthy said there has been a decrease in the number of serious incidents reported on public transport.

Paul Henderson - V8s in Darwin Until 2018
The Northern Territory Government has secured the V8 Supercars for Darwin until 2018.

18 June 2009
Karl Hampton - Delivering for Sport, Regional Development and ICT
Sport and Recreation Minister Karl Hampton today told the Parliamentary Estimates Committee the Henderson Government is kicking goals when it comes to supporting first class sporting events and facilities in the Territory.

Malarndirri McCarthy - NT Government Committed to Supporting Territory Families
Minister for Children and Families Malarndirri McCarthy today reaffirmed the NT Government’s commitment to supporting families while continuing to tackle domestic violence and child abuse and neglect in the Northern Territory

Paul Henderson - Seized House for Sale
The Territory Government continues to crack down on crime with the seizure and auction of a three-bedroom house bought from the proceeds of criminal activity.

Dr Chris Burns - Territory Businesses The Most Optimistic In The Country
Northern Territory Businesses remain the most confident in Australia according to the latest Sensis survey results released today.

17 June 2009
Paul Henderson - Affordable Innovative Housing for Palmerston
New homeowners will be able to build a small, affordable home with the option of adding extra bedrooms, an ensuite bathroom or verandah as they can afford it, under a new project launched by the Chief Minister Paul Henderson today.

Kon Vatskalis - Elective surgery blitz benefits Territorians
More people had elective surgery in the Northern Territory in 2008 than ever before.

Rob Knight - Estimates Focus On Department of Local Government and Housing
Minister for Housing Rob Knight is detailing the Territory Government’s $390.3 million housing commitment and Local Government reform before the Estimates Committee this evening.

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16 June 2009
Delia Lawrie - Budget 2009 Focused On Protecting Territory Jobs
Treasurer Delia Lawrie today told Territory Parliament’s Estimates Committee that Budget 2009 will boost infrastructure spending to support Territory jobs.

Paul Henderson - LAND RELEASE – GOOD FOR BUSINESS
The future of development in Darwin has been given a boost with work to start within weeks on a $16.4 million Territory Government expansion of the Darwin Business Park.

Paul Henderson - Record Budgets for Police and Education
Chief Minister Paul Henderson has outlined record budgets for police and education during Estimates.

Karl Hampton - Regional Development Grant for Alice
Minister for Regional Development Karl Hampton today announced a Regional Economic Development Fund Grant of $20 000 to assist the Alice Employment Campaign.

15 June 2009
Alice Springs' Vibrant Cultural Centre Celebrates 25 Years
Alice Springs’ Araluen Arts Centre will mark 25 years of showcasing artistic expression and performance on Friday, June 19, and with celebrations continuing throughout the weekend.

Kon Vatskalis - Investment in NT resource sector paying dividends
The push by the Northern Territory Government to promote exploration and mining in the Territory is delivering results.

More Funding For Territory Schools' Green Projects
Selected schools around the Territory are embarking upon green projects funded by the Northern Territory Government’s EnvironmeNT School Project Grants.

Kon Vatskalis - Palmerston Super Clinic Stage 1 marks more than 5000 medical treatments in its first 6-months
Six months since opening its door to the community, the Palmerston Super Clinic Stage 1 has recorded more than 5000 medical treatments provided free of charge.

Paul Henderson - Territory Schools Training to Lead Australia
Students who do training as part of their senior schooling will get that work recognised when they graduate from high school under a nation leading proposal to improve education and training in the Territory.

13 June 2009
Karl Hampton - Ross Park Upgrade Officially Opened
The recently upgraded facilities at Ross Park Oval were officially opened today by the Minister for Sport and Recreation Karl Hampton.

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12 June 2009
Paul Henderson - CCTV Next Step in Tackling Alice Crime
The locations of Alice Springs new CCTV cameras were unveiled today by Chief Minister Paul Henderson and Alice Springs Mayor Damien Ryan.

Rob Knight - Cracking Down on Antisocial Behaviour in Public Housing
Four new specialist officers are now on the job, cracking down on antisocial behaviour in public housing.

Paul Henderson - Get On Your Bike For Tour De Timor
Chief Minister Paul Henderson has encouraged Territorians to take part in the inaugural Tour De Timor which is set to become one of our region’s premier sporting events.

Paul Henderson - Latham Wrong
Chief Minister Paul Henderson has condemned the disparaging remarks made by Mark Latham about Australian Defence Personnel.

Dr Chris Burns - NT To Take Part in Largest Travel Trade Event
Northern Territory operators are preparing themselves for the southern hemisphere’s largest international travel trade show, the Australian Tourism Exchange (ATE) that begins in Melbourne tomorrow

Karl Hampton - Securing Future AFL Games for the Territory
NT Government officials have met with a delegation of senior AFL officials to discuss the future of national fixture matches in the Territory.

Paul Henderson - Traditional Owners and Government Working Together Under Joint Management Arrangements
The Northern Territory and Commonwealth Governments today handed over title, and leased back nine important Territory parks and reserves to Traditional Owners under joint management arrangements.

11 June 2009
Kon Vatskalis - Alcohol restrictions working in Alice Springs
An evaluation undertaken by Menzies School of Health Research has found current initiatives put in place by the Territory Government to reduce alcohol related harm in Alice Springs are working.

Kon Vatskalis - Baby bonanza at Royal Darwin Hospital
Royal Darwin Hospital is on track for a record number of births this year.

Rob Knight - Great start for HOMESTART NT
The first Territorians are set to benefit from HOMESTART NT with the first loan application approved.

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Paul Henderson - Multi-million Dollar Upgrades for Territory Schools
Fifty Territory schools are set to receive nearly $77 million dollars in upgrades and new infrastructure for libraries, multi-purpose halls and classrooms as part of the next stage in the Federal Government’s Building the Education Revolution economic stimulus plan.

Paul Henderson - Tough New Bikie Laws Introduced Into Parliament
Tough new laws have been introduced to Territory Parliament today to crackdown on bikie gangs, and prevent the gang related violence seen in southern States.

Delia Lawrie - Unemployment Steady While Jobs Grow
Treasurer Delia Lawrie today welcomed new ABS data that shows the number of employed Territorians has topped 120,000 for the first time.

10 June 2009
Delia Lawrie - $10.5m Johnston Headworks Underway
Headworks to deliver stage one of the Johnston housing development in Palmerston are set to begin later this month to support the release of land before the end of the year.

Kon Vatskalis - Government funds geoscience and drilling companies to explore
The Northern Territory Government has awarded $750 000 to 12 drilling programs and $109 650 to 2 geophysics programs in under explored regions of the Territory.

Paul Henderson - Making Our Streets Safer
Crime and anti-social hot spots in Darwin, Casuarina and Palmerston will be under CCTV surveillance by the end of the year, and Palmerston will have a Police Beat by Christmas, the Police Minister Paul Henderson announced today.

Delia Lawrie - Territory Home Loan Affordability Improving
A leading indicator of housing affordability has found that the Territory continues to have the second most affordable home loans in Australia.

9 June 2009
Kon Vatskalis - AFL game will go ahead in Darwin this weekend
The scheduled AFL game between the Western Bulldogs and Port Power will go ahead this weekend in Darwin at TIO Stadium.

Delia Lawrie - Frances Bay Area Plan Released
Planning Minister Delia Lawrie today released the Frances Bay area plan that will guide future development of this important site.

Paul Henderson - Good Progress on Election Promises
The Northern Territory Chief Minister Paul Henderson today released his biannual report card into the progress of election commitments, announcing that work on more than half the promises made at the last election is underway.

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Kon Vatskalis - Northern Territory Government welcomes new Federal Indigenous Health portfolio
The Northern Territory Minister for Health, Kon Vatskalis, has extended his congratulations to the Hon Warren Snowdon MP on his appointment as the Minister for Indigenous Health, Rural and Regional Health and Regional Services Delivery.

Kon Vatskalis - Old Darwin Hospital brought back to life with old memories
More than 30 years after it closed, old Darwin Hospital is being remembered by more than 340 ex-staff and their partners gathering in Darwin for a reunion.

8 June 2009
Delia Lawrie - New Concept Masterplan For Old Hospital Site
Planning Minister Delia Lawrie today released a new concept masterplan to develop Darwin’s Old Hospital Site into a public park following community consultation.

5 June 2009
Karl Hampton - Barunga Festival Underway
Minister for Regional Development Karl Hampton today announced more than $60,000 in NT Government grants and assistance to support the renowned Barunga Festival, held over the long weekend.

Paul Henderson - Boosting Palmerston Youth Services
The Northern Territory Government today announced extra funding of $170,000 to help keep young people in Palmerston off the streets at night.

Karl Hampton - Start your Engines for the Finke Race
Minister for Sport and Recreation Karl Hampton has congratulated race organisers and wished competitors good luck ahead of this weekend’s Finke Desert Race.

Paul Henderson - Top Weekend of Sport and Culture
Indoors is not the place to be this long weekend with the Territory playing host to a feast of sports and cultural events.

4 June 2009
Karl Hampton - Developing Our Local Workforce
The Alice Springs Economic Development Committee and the Chamber of Commerce have joined forces to create Workforce Alice Springs, a program aimed at increasing the workforce participation rate.

Kon Vatskalis - Health Minister Swine Free
Test results have cleared Northern Territory Health Minister, Kon Vatskalis, of Human Swine Influenza (H1N1 Influenza).

Paul Henderson - STRONG STABLE GOVERNMENT CONTINUES
Chief Minister Paul Henderson said delivering strong, stable Government for the benefit of Territorians continued to be his focus, following the decision by Marion Scrymgour to leave the Labor Party and continue as an Independent Member.

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3 June 2009
Paul Henderson - Employers Urged to Assist Ross Park Parents
Chief Minister Paul Henderson has asked Alice Springs employers to be understanding of the needs of workers following the decision to close Ross Park Primary School due to a case of swine flu.

Delia Lawrie - The Territory’s Economic Activity Leads The Nation
Treasurer Delia Lawrie today welcomed new ABS data that shows the Territory’s economic activity continues to lead the nation.

2 June 2009
Karl Hampton - Territorians on International Sporting Stage
The Northern Territory Government has assisted two Territory athletes realise their dream of representing Australia on the International sporting stage.

Rob Knight - Work Underway to Boost the Top End’s Water Supply
The Top End’s future water supply will receive a major investment with work underway to raise the level of the Darwin River Dam.

1 June 2009
Paul Henderson - Alice Police Beat Takes Another Step
Police Minister Paul Henderson said today a lease had been signed for the new Alice Springs Police Beat.

Delia Lawrie - Annual Retail Trade Turnover Remains Strong in The Territory
New ABS data released today shows that retail trade turnover in the Territory was the strongest of all the jurisdictions in the year to April.

Karl Hampton - Grant Develops Indigenous Business
Minister for Regional Development Karl Hampton has congratulated the latest recipient of the NT Government’s Indigenous Business Development Grant, the Bradshaw and Timber Creek Contracting and Resource Company.

Rob Knight - HOMESTART NT Opens For Business
More Territory families will be able to buy their own home as HOMESTART NT opens for business today.

Dr Chris Burns - Make An InvestmeNT in the Territory!
Tourism Minister Dr Chris Burns today encouraged Australians to “Make a Great InvestmeNT” by booking a holiday in the Territory as he launched Tourism NT’s latest domestic campaign.

Delia Lawrie - Upgrade of Bagot Road and Stuart Highway Intersection Begins
A $750,000 project that will create 30 Territory jobs and improve the Bagot Road, Snell Street and Stuart Highway intersection has started.

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Delia Lawrie - Work At New Palmerston Suburb Begins
Work has started on the $130 million suburb of Bellamack - the first of four new suburbs for Palmerston – following this morning’s signing of the Development Agreement.