Northern Territory Government Newsroom

July

31 July 2009
Gerry McCarthy - Free Buses for Darwin Cup
Darwin punters are being encouraged to take advantage of free buses which will be running on Darwin Cup Day.

Delia Lawrie - New Whistleblower Law Begins
Attorney-General, Delia Lawrie, said new legislation to protect whistleblowers and ensure a more open and transparent Northern Territory Government begin today.

30 July 2009
Karl Hampton - North Queensland Cowboys To Play In Darwin And Alice
Sports Minister Karl Hampton today announced popular NRL team the North Queensland Cowboys will play pre-season games at Darwin and Alice Springs as part of an $890,000 deal.

Karl Hampton - NTIS Athletes One Step Closer To Reaching NRL Goal
Sports Minister Karl Hampton today congratulated a trio of Northern Territory Institute of Sport (NTIS) athletes who have been invited to trial with two NRL clubs early next year.

Paul Henderson - Port Expansion Visit
The Northern Territory Government is putting its case to Infrastructure Australia for further expansion of Darwin Port.

Karl Hampton - Sports Minister Inspects Hidden Valley VIP Lounge
Sports Minister Karl Hampton today inspected the brand new $1.6 million members VIP lounge and kiosk at Northline Speedway within the Hidden Valley Motor Sports Complex.

Delia Lawrie - Supreme Court Justice Farewelled
Retiring Supreme Court Judge, the Honourable Justice Sally Thomas AM was today farewelled during a special sitting of the Supreme Court.

29 July 2009
Karl Hampton / Paul Henderson - ALICE SPRINGS POLICE ON THE BEAT
Chief Minister Paul Henderson and Minister for Central Australia Karl Hampton today officially opened the new Alice Springs Police Beat.

Karl Hampton - Darwin Set For A Basketball Bonanza
Darwin will host this year’s NBL pre-season Top End Challenge featuring all NBL eight teams, Sports Minister Karl Hampton announced today.

28 July 2009
First Government to Business Expo
An Expo in Darwin today will help businesses to cut through red tape and protect Territory jobs.

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25 July 2009
Malarndirri McCarthy - Proposed Changes to Child Protection Law
Minister for Children and Families Malarndirri McCarthy today advised that there will be amendments to the Care and Protection of Children Act 2007 to address concerns raised relating to the mandatory reporting of sexual offences against children.

24 July 2009
Dr Chris Burns - Working Towards A National Tourism Strategy
Tourism Minister Dr Chris Burns will attend the Tourism Minister’s Council in Perth today.

23 July 2009
Gerry McCarthy - Enjoy the Show Long Weekend
Minister for Transport Gerry McCarthy today encouraged Top End residents to take care on our roads and waterways this long weekend.

Delia Lawrie - March 2009 Quarter Crime Statistics Released
Crime and justice statistics released today show a reduction on the number of sexual assaults and falling numbers of house break-ins reported in the Territory.

Delia Lawrie - New Supreme Court Judge Appointed
The Attorney-General, Delia Lawrie, today announced the appointment of Judith Kelly SC to the Northern Territory’s Supreme Court bench.

Malarndirri McCarthy - Schools Need Families
Parents are being encouraged to get involved in their children’s education as part of the Territory Government’s new Education Strategic Plan.

22 July 2009
Paul Henderson - A Smart Territory – Delivering on Education and Training
Chief Minister and Education Minister Paul Henderson has unveiled an Education and Training Strategic Plan for the next three years.

Kon Vatskalis - Northern Territory Keynote Speaker at Australian Uranium Conference
The Northern Territory’s Minister for Resources, Kon Vatskalis, will today deliver a keynote address to around 400 delegates at the nation’s largest gathering of representatives from the uranium industry.

21 July 2009
Karl Hampton - Alice Springs Aquatic and Leisure Centre
Minister for Sport and Recreation, Karl Hampton and Alice Springs Mayor, Damien Ryan, today congratulated local Alice Springs company Sitzler for being awarded the $14.2 million Alice Springs Aquatic and Leisure Centre stage two tender.

Karl Hampton - Big Acts for Alice
The Territory Government has secured two of Australia’s biggest musical acts to play in Alice Springs.

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Paul Henderson - First Palmerston City Meeting
The Northern Territory Government and the City of Palmerston have held their first Committee meeting today at Parliament House.

Malarndirri McCarthy - Milikapiti Safe House Open
Minister for Children and Families Malarndirri McCarthy yesterday opened a new Safe House at Milikapiti on Melville Island.

Kon Vatskalis - NT Uranium Investment Seminar
Northern Territory Minister for Resources, Kon Vatskalis, will personally meet with a group of Japanese investors in Perth today to discuss exploration opportunities in the Territory.

Territorians Urged To Get Energy Smart
The Territory Government will give back half the cost of energy saving fittings under a scheme to cut our carbon footprint.

Delia Lawrie - Territory Economic Outlook Goes from Strength to Strength
Treasurer, Delia Lawrie, today welcomed the release of Access Economics’ June Quarter 2009 Business Outlook which revises the Territory’s growth forecasts upwards.

20 July 2009
Paul Henderson - Casuarina Police Station Up and Running
The new Casuarina Police Station is up and running in a boost for community safety in Darwin’s Northern Suburbs.

Rob Knight - Housing Work Underway On Tiwi Islands
Minister for Housing Rob Knight today inspected upgrade work taking place on the Tiwi Islands as part of the $672 million Australian and Northern Territory Government Strategic Indigenous Housing and Infrastructure Program (SIHIP).

Karl Hampton - Local Businesses Back School Attendance
Minister for Central Australia Karl Hampton today launched a new initiative that will see local businesses play a role in making sure kids go to school.

Kon Vatskalis - Minister attends Australia’s largest gathering of uranium representatives
The Northern Territory Minister for Resources, Kon Vatskalis, will travel to Perth today to attend the Australian Uranium Conference taking place in Fremantle from the 22 – 23 July 2009.

17 July 2009
Malarndirri McCarthy - $200 000 Funding Boost for Katherine Crisis Centre
The Northern Territory Government has committed an additional $200 000 in immediate funding for The Katherine Women's Crisis Centre.

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Delia Lawrie - Bomb Attacks In Indonesia
Acting Chief Minister Delia Lawrie has today expressed the sympathies of the Northern Territory Government and all Territorians following bomb attacks in the Indonesian capital Jakarta.

16 July 2009
Malarndirri McCarthy - $10 000 To Adults Surviving Child Abuse Workshops
Adult survivors of child abuse are being invited to register for a series of workshops being held in Darwin next month

Delia Lawrie - New $2.5 Million Cullen Bay Pontoon To Increase Capacity
Infrastructure Minister Delia Lawrie today announced the existing pontoon at Cullen Bay will be replaced by a new $2.5 million pontoon that is 25% longer.

15 July 2009
Kings Canyon Creek Walk Gets An Upgrade
Another cycle of the continuing upgrades to the walking tracks at Central Australia’s Watarrka National Park has been completed.

14 July 2009
Rob Knight - Affordable Housing Open for Inspection
Sixteen refurbished units on Emery Avenue in Palmerston are now complete and will open for inspection thanks to a Territory Government initiative.

Dr Chris Burns - Garuda Unable to Reinstate Flights
Minister for Tourism and Business Dr Chris Burns said today that Garuda Indonesia has confirmed that it will not reinstate its service between Darwin and Indonesia in the immediate future.

Karl Hampton - International Tennis Events for the Territory
The Territory will later this year host the Australian Tennis Pro Tour for the first time with tournaments to be held in Darwin later this year.

New Motel For Darwin
Tourism Minister Dr. Chris Burns today congratulated Best Western on the opening of its Airport Gateway Motel.

13 July 2009
Delia Lawrie - $11.8 Million To Upgrade Tanami Road And Plenty Highway
An $11.8 million upgrade of the Tanami Road and Plenty Highway is set to support up to 50 jobs in Central Australia, Infrastructure Minister Delia Lawrie announced today.

Karl Hampton - Grass Roots Sports Grants Open
Round one of the NT Government Grass Roots Grants program is now open with eligible sporting organisations encouraged to apply for one off funding of up to $3000.

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Kon Vatskalis - Naming of Alan Walker Cancer Care Centre
The Henderson Government has honoured the memory of one of the Territory’s finest doctors, naming the new oncology unit the Alan Walker Cancer Care Centre.

12 July 2009
Funding Boost For the Territory's Community Museums
Four Territory museums have received funds to help maintain their collections and attract more visitors

10 July 2009
Paul Henderson - $9 million Boost for Tennant Schools
Chief Minister and Education Minister Paul Henderson said today Tennant Creek schools were set to benefit from almost $9 million in Territory and Australian Government investment

Delia Lawrie - 20th Ministerial Council On Energy
Improving certainty about the use and benefits of smart meters was one of the key agenda items at today’s 20th Ministerial Council on Energy (MCE) meeting in Darwin.

Piecing Together The Territory's Past
The history of Chinese migration between the Territory and Queensland, Indigenous fertility and agricultural shows are among the diverse topics that will be explored under this year’s round of Northern Territory History Grants.

Kon Vatskalis - Three Point Plan to Protect Recreational Fishing
The Territory Government has unveiled a three point plan to protect fishing in Bynoe Harbour, Finniss River and Fog Bay.

9 July 2009
Delia Lawrie - Darwin Hosts 20th Ministerial Council On Energy
Energy efficiency will be high on the agenda at tomorrow’s Ministerial Council on Energy (MCE) meeting in Darwin.

Paul Henderson - Education Restructure – Next Building Block for Excellence
The next building block on the road to excellence in our education system is underway with a restructure of the Department.

Kon Vatskalis - Recruitment push for remote nurses
An intensive two-week bulk recruitment of nurses has begun with the aim of filling positions in the Central Australian remote health centres in coming months.

Delia Lawrie - Territory Job Numbers Continue To Rise
Treasurer Delia Lawrie today welcomed new ABS data that shows the Territory is bucking national trends in employment growth with the number of Territorians with jobs at a record high.

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8 July 2009
Paul Henderson - NT Decision on Commonwealth Guarantee for State Borrowings
Acting Treasurer Paul Henderson today announced that the Northern Territory will join Victoria and Western Australia in choosing not to utilise the Commonwealth guarantee on its bonds at this time.

Rob Knight - Operation Stimulus Underway In Alice Springs
Minister for Housing Rob Knight today inspected renovation work underway in Alice Springs as part of the Rudd Government’s Nation Building Economic Stimulus Plan.

7 July 2009
Karl Hampton / Paul Henderson - NT Bids for Slice of World Cup
The Northern Territory could host training or lead-up games if Australia wins a bid to host the World Cup in 2018 or 2022.

6 July 2009
Paul Henderson - Celebrating NAIDOC Week
Celebrations to increase the awareness of Indigenous issues were officially kicked off with a flag raising ceremony in Darwin this morning.

3 July 2009
Paul Henderson - $100,000 Basketball Upgrade
The Northern Territory Government is providing $100,000 to the Alice Springs Town Council to help upgrade the Alice Springs Basketball Stadium.

Delia Lawrie - Alice Springs to Host SCAG
The Northern Territory will host the next meeting of the Standing Committee of Attorneys-General (SCAG) in Alice Springs on August 6 and 7.

2 July 2009
Malarndirri McCarthy - $235 000 for Alice Springs Women’s Shelter
The Alice Springs Women’s Shelter will receive $235 000 recurrent funding as part the NT Government’s $15 million campaign to support mandatory reporting of domestic violence.

Paul Henderson - Further COAG Progress on Closing the Gap
Chief Minister Paul Henderson said good outcomes for the Territory had been reached at today’s COAG meeting of Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and State and Territory leaders in Darwin.

Malarndirri McCarthy - Getting WISe in Alice Springs
A Women’s Information Service (WISe) has opened in Alice Springs

Delia Lawrie - International Trade and Retail Trade Figures Remain Strong
Treasurer Delia Lawrie has welcomed new ABS data that continues to highlight the strength of the Northern Territory’s economy.

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Kon Vatskalis - Midwives partner mothers from pregnancy to birth
A midwifery service providing Central Australian women with a continuity of care from the antenatal period through to the birth and beyond has been officially launched today.

1 July 2009
Paul Henderson - Celebrating Territory Day
Chief Minister Paul Henderson said Territorians have much to be proud of on the 31st anniversary of Self-Government.

Delia Lawrie - Development One Stop Shop Open For Business
In the biggest planning reform in more than a decade, a one stop shop for development applications will mean developers receive a fairer, faster hearing through Government and Council processes.

Delia Lawrie - Easing The Costs For Construction Projects
Small and large construction developers will find it cheaper to do business in the Territory after the Territory Government today announced a cut to the NT Build levy.

Paul Henderson - Free Drivers Licences and Cheaper Rego for Territory Seniors
Territory seniors, pensioners and carers will be eligible for free drivers’ licenses and generous vehicle registration concessions from today

Dr Chris Burns - Promoting The Territory’s Defence Support Industry
Defence Support Minister Dr Chris Burns today attended the National Defence and Industry conference in Adelaide.

Delia Lawrie - States and Territories Announce Payroll Tax Change
States and Territories will implement new uniform payroll tax rules from today to clarify where an employer pays tax.

Paul Henderson - Territory and Victorian Leaders Visit Tracy Exhibition
Chief Minister Paul Henderson today hosted Victorian Premier John Brumby during a visit to the Cyclone Tracy exhibition at the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory (MAGNT).

Karl Hampton - The Territory Part of National Broadband Network Investment
The Territory Government has welcomed Prime Minister Kevin Rudd’s announcement that Darwin is a priority for investment under the National Broadband Network.