Northern Territory Government Newsroom

December

31 December 2007
Paul Henderson - A Safe and Prosperous 2008 for the Territory
Chief Minister Paul Henderson said his main focus for the New Year is continuing to drive the Territory’s strong economy so that Territory families can enjoy a safe and prosperous 2008.

Dr Chris Burns - DVD Designed to Stop Indigenous Offending
Young people in remote communities will have access to a new DVD aimed at keeping them out of prison.

28 December 2007
Dr Chris Burns - Free New Year's Eve Starlight Bus Service
Darwin New Year’s Eve party-goers are being encouraged to catch the free Starlight Express bus service.

Paul Henderson - Penalties Doubled For Violent Disorder
The penalties for violent disorder will be doubled following Chief Minister Paul Henderson’s visit to Wadeye today.

Kon Vatskalis - Water Safety Program To Continue
The Water Safety Awareness Program for Territory children aged six months to five years old will be continued after achieving outstanding results.

27 December 2007
Elliot McAdam - Tribute Paid To Tennant Creek Legend
Local Government Minister Elliot McAdam today paid tribute to long time Tennant Creek resident Alf Chittock OAM who passed away in Darwin on Christmas day aged 94.

23 December 2007
Territorians Winners In Grass Roots Sports Grants
Sport and Recreation Minister Matthew Bonson today announced the lucky Territory recipients of the 2007/08 Round One Grass Roots Sports Grants.

21 December 2007
Dr Chris Burns - Local Government Draft Business Plans Released
The Government is continuing to consult with Territorians on local government reform after releasing the draft business plans for all nine shires today.

Len Kiely - Noonamah WWII Sites Declared Heritage
The Northern Territory Government has declared significant World War II sites at Noonamah as heritage places.

20 December 2007
Dr Chris Burns - Assault Figures Steady in Alice
The number of assaults in Alice Springs has remained static, according to the latest crime statistics for the Territory.

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Len Kiely - Cabomba Eradication On Track
The fight to stop Cabomba (Cabomba caroliniana) weed in Darwin River is on track to having no Cabomba by the end of 2008.

Kon Vatskalis - Chinese tourism investors increase interest in the Northern Territory
China’s key investment businesses met with Northern Territory Tourism Minister, Kon Vatskalis, today in Beijing to discuss investment opportunities.

Dr Chris Burns - Crime Stats Mixed for Nhulunbuy
The latest crime statistics for the Northern Territory show mixed results for Nhulunbuy.

Dr Chris Burns - Darwin Experiences Big Drop in Home Burglaries
The latest crime statistics show Darwin recorded the largest fall in house break-ins for the quarter across the Territory.

Dr Chris Burns - Katherine Assaults Drop
Katherine has recorded a fall in assaults, according to the latest crime statistics for the Territory.

Paul Henderson - Long Term Friend of Territory Retires
Chief Minister Paul Henderson has paid tribute to one of the Territory’s most influential public servants on the eve of his retirement.

Paul Henderson - New Era of Co-operation to Benefit Territorians
Chief Minister Paul Henderson said today’s Council of Australian Governments (COAG) meeting of leaders and Treasurers in Melbourne has cemented a new era of Territory-Federal co-operation.

Dr Chris Burns - NT Property Crime Continues to Fall
The latest crime statistics show Territorians are much less likely to have their personal property stolen or vandalised than six years ago.

Dr Chris Burns - Palmerston Property Crime Down
Property crime in Palmerston continues to fall, according to the latest crime statistics for the Territory.

Dr Chris Burns - Tennant Creek Outdoes Other Towns
The latest crime statistics show Tennant Creek has recorded the largest overall drop in property crimes in the Territory.

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19 December 2007
25 New Police Hit the Beat
Police Minister Paul Henderson has congratulated the 25 new police officers who will hit the beat across the Territory after graduating from training today.

985 Students Receive NTCE Results
More than 980 Territory students have received their NT Certificate of Education results, Minister for Young Territorians Matthew Bonson announced today – a record number and up from 928 last year.

Jane Aagaard - Nightcliff Jetty Reopens
The Nightcliff Jetty will be reopened today after undergoing extensive maintenance work.

Dr Chris Burns - Paulo Melo – Statement from the Health Minister
This is a very distressing time for the Melo family and my thoughts are with them.

Kon Vatskalis - Up to 300 million Chinese to watch NT travel documentary
China’s widest reaching television network has partnered with Northern Territory Tourism Minister, Kon Vatskalis, to launch a travel documentary on the Northern Territory that will reach up to 300 million people.

18 December 2007
Paul Henderson - Delivering for the Territory at COAG
Chief Minister Paul Henderson is confident he can deliver for the Northern Territory at this week’s Council of Australian Governments (COAG) meeting in Melbourne.

Kon Vatskalis - NT Is Heaven On Earth For Chinese Photographers
The Chinese population is set to catch a glimpse of our extraordinary landscapes this week in a photographic exhibition that illustrates the Territory as a slice of heaven on earth.

17 December 2007
Recreational Fishing In The Territory Just Gets Better
The Northern Territory Government has bought back more than half the Territory’s inshore coastal net fishing licences, Primary Industry and Fisheries Minister Chris Natt said today.

Paul Henderson - Territory Crocs to High End Fashion
Chief Minister Paul Henderson will get up close and personal with a crocodile’s nest this morning to see one of the Territory’s growing industries first hand.

16 December 2007
NTG Secures Rugby 7s Over Next Three Years
The NT Government has helped secure the future of the highly popular Rugby 7s tournament through a $300 000 investment over the next three years to keep the matches in the Territory.

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15 December 2007
AFLNT Given Boost for Interstate Games
Sports Minister Matthew Bonson has announced that the NT Government would back the AFLNT to compete in an interstate footy league from 2009.

Paul Henderson - New Relationship to Benefit Territorians
Chief Minister Paul Henderson has described discussions with Prime Minister Kevin Rudd as constructive and productive.

14 December 2007
Kon Vatskalis - Emerging China Market Offers New Opportunities For Territory Tourism
Northern Territory tourism businesses will develop new products and translate their promotional materials into Chinese to prepare for the growing number of Chinese visitors coming to the Territory over the next decade.

Paul Henderson - New Level of Co-operation
The Federal and Northern Territory Governments today announced they would work together to rebuild the relationship between Canberra and the Territory by moving to tackle the complex issues surrounding Indigenous disadvantage.

The Territory's Ornamental Flower Industry Is Blooming
New and promising Curcuma cut flower varieties have been identified for the local cut flower and nursery industries after the completion of a Curcuma breeding trial at Berrimah Farm, Primary Industry and Fisheries Minister Chris Natt said today.

13 December 2007
Delia Lawrie - Bus Strike Will Go Ahead Despite Efforts
Transport Minister Delia Lawrie said she is disappointed that bus drivers will take strike action on the last day of the school year, despite the efforts Government has made to meet their requests.

Delia Lawrie - Bus Strike Will Go Ahead Despite Efforts
Transport Minister Delia Lawrie said she is disappointed that bus drivers will take strike action on the last day of the school year, despite the efforts Government has made to meet their requests.

Channel Point Coastal Reserve Boat Ramp Goes Out To Tender
Fishing in the Territory is set to get even better following the Northern Territory Government’s call for tenders to build a concrete boat ramp at Channel Point Coastal Reserve, Primary Industry and Fisheries Minister Chris Natt said today.

Darwin Teenager To Represent Australia Touch
Sport and Recreation Minister Matthew Bonson today congratulated Darwin teenager Jordan Ah Sam who was selected this week in the Women’s Open Touch Football Indigenous Team.

Delia Lawrie - Future Development For East Arm Wharf
The Northern Territory Government has called for tenders to plan the future development of the East Arm Wharf to cater for the increasing demand for its facilities.

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Media Advisory
Minister for Family and Community Services Marion Scrymgour will today announce new measures to improve the care of children in foster care, the aged, people with disabilities, people with mental health issues and people with substance abuse problems.

New Measures to Improve Community Care
Family and Community Services Minister, Marion Scrymgour, today announced a range of measures to improve the care of children in foster care, people with disabilities, people with mental health issues and people with substance abuse issues.

Kon Vatskalis - NT landscape inspires Panasonic
The Northern Territory’s spectacular landscapes will be used to launch the new Panasonic Lumix 10 digital camera in Europe this month.

Paul Henderson - Youth Camp to Run at Hamilton Downs
Chief Minister Paul Henderson has announced the Government will use the facilities at Hamilton Downs Station near Alice Springs to run its new youth camp.

Paul Henderson - Youth Camp to Run at Hamilton Downs
Chief Minister Paul Henderson has announced the Government will use the facilities at Hamilton Downs Station near Alice Springs to run its new youth camp.

12 December 2007
Len Kiely / Paul Henderson - Daly Protection Continues
The Daly River will be protected from broad scale land clearing for a further two years.

Darwin Teenager To Represent Australia Touch
Sport and Recreation Minister Matthew Bonson today congratulated Darwin teenager Jordan Ah Sam who was selected this week in the Women’s Open Touch Football Indigenous Team.

Live Cattle Exports Moving The Territory Ahead
Live cattle exports through the port of Darwin have reached record levels, Primary Industry and Fisheries Minister Chris Natt said today.

10 December 2007
Kon Vatskalis - Alice Springs Business Survey
A survey of local Alice Springs businesses has revealed business confidence is high in the town.

Paul Henderson - New Boss for NT Public Service
Chief Minister Paul Henderson has appointed Mike Burgess as the next Chief Executive of the Department of the Chief Minister.

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NT Plays Important Role In Australian Bio-security
Primary Industry and Fisheries Minister Chris Natt today said last week’s discovery of Asian green mussels in Cairns demonstrates the important role the Territory plays in protecting Australia’s bio-security.

Paul Henderson - Parents of Juvenile Offenders Must Be More Accountable
Chief Minister Paul Henderson says he wants to see new laws in place to hold irresponsible parents to account for repeat offending by their children.

8 December 2007
Delia Lawrie - New Infrastructure Plan For The Future
The Northern Territory Government has called for tenders to coordinate the development of the Territory’s infrastructure strategy for the next 10 years.

7 December 2007
Grass Roots Sports Grants Up For Grabs
Sport and Recreation Minister Matthew Bonson today encouraged Territorians to apply for the Territory’s popular Grass Roots Sports Grants.

Paul Henderson - Stronger Focus on Spending for Growth
Chief Minister Paul Henderson said his historic decision to combine Cabinet responsibility for Treasury with key infrastructure and development portfolios ensured his Government could maximise its capacity to plan and build for the future.

6 December 2007
Health Campaign Goes Bush
Family and Community Services Minister, Marion Scrymgour, and the Territory’s own Australian idol, Jessica Mauboy, today took the good health message to Maningrida.

Delia Lawrie - Who's Bob Tonight?
The annual Sober Bob Christmas campaign was launched by Transport Minister Delia Lawrie today.

5 December 2007
Len Kiely - Beetle to fight Mimosa
A Native American beetle will be released in parts of the Territory to target Mimosa Pigra weed infestations.

Celebrating The Best Of The Best
Talented athletes and coaches from Alice Springs and surrounding areas were last night recognised t at the Centrebet Northern Territory Institute of Sport (NTIS) Southern Region Awards.

Dr Chris Burns - Conference Chance to Focus on NT Health
The Territory Health Minister Chris Burns said this week’s Australian Health Ministers’ Conference will be a good chance to further progress Federal Labor’s health plans.

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Delia Lawrie - New Agreement For Taxi Licence Fees
Today Transport Minister Delia Lawrie met with taxi drivers to discuss a constructive working relationship to tackle improvements to the industry.

Northern Territory Indigenous Education Council Meets for the First Time
Education Minister Marion Scrymgour today urged members of the Northern Territory Indigenous Education Council to give her frank and fearless advice ahead of the Council’s first meeting in Darwin.

Territory Students Selected for Leadership Program
The students selected for the 2008 Indigenous Student’s Leadership and Mentorship Program (ISLMP) were announced today by Education Minister Marion Scrymgour.

4 December 2007
Delia Lawrie - Ensuring Territory Families Benefit From Strong Economy
Newly appointed Treasurer Delia Lawrie today pointed to a range of economic indicators released in the last two days that demonstrate the Northern Territory economy continues to buck national trends.

Paul Henderson - Tribute to Stuart Highway Pioneers
Chief Minister Paul Henderson has this morning paid tribute to all those who worked on the Stuart Highway as true Territory pioneers.

3 December 2007
Northern Territory Government Expands Artificial Reef Network
Anglers will benefit from the scuttling of another two vessels as part of the Territory Government’s commitment to expand the artificial reef network.

NT Grapes Some Of The First To Market
Table grapes harvested in central Australia are set to be some of the first to reach market, Primary Industry and Fisheries Minister Chris Natt said today.

1 December 2007
Kon Vatskalis - Tourism Minister Welcomes Tiger's First Domestic Flight
Tourism Minister Kon Vatskalis has welcomed the first domestic flight by Tiger Airways into Darwin.