Northern Territory Government Newsroom

December

31 December 2008
Free Buses For Pensioners, Carers and Seniors
The Northern Territory Government is pleased to announce that from tomorrow all seniors, pensioners and carers will travel for FREE on the Territory’s public bus network.

National Protocols For Working With Children in Art
The Northern Territory Government will support the protocols for working with children in art which were adopted by the Australia Council under the direction of the Federal Government.

30 December 2008
Rob Knight - New Vehicles For Community Groups
The Northern Territory Government is providing vehicles worth nearly $200,000 to community groups that provide important services to Territorians.

Karl Hampton - Shooting Hoops For Health
Young people in Central Australia will be shooting for a healthier lifestyle, with the Northern Territory Government granting more than $37,000 towards a new basketball challenge.

29 December 2008
Dr Chris Burns - Don’t Drink and Drive – Catch a Free Bus
The Northern Territory Government’s free Starlight Express will be operating again this New Year’s Eve to help revellers get home safely.

Karl Hampton - Katherine Martial Artist Joins NT Elite Athletes
A judo competitor from Katherine joins 28 other talented athletes who have been awarded Northern Territory Institute of Sport (NTIS) Individual Athlete Scholarships.

24 December 2008
Rob Knight - Santa Teresa Community Receives New Houses
The Santa Teresa Community was this week handed the keys to three new homes to help address overcrowding and close the gap on Indigenous disadvantage.

23 December 2008
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL TERRITORIANS
The Northern Territory Government would like to wish Territorians a Merry Christmas.

Karl Hampton - Mountain Bikers Set To Race In Alice
Northern Territory Government support for an iconic mountain bike race will continue with Minister for Sport Karl Hampton today announcing a $25,000 grant for the Anaconda MTB Enduro.

Opening Of 1978 Cabinet Records
On 1 January 2009, the first Cabinet records created under Northern Territory self-government will become open for public access.

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Successful Stage 1 of Super Clinic
Stage one of the Northern Territory Government’s Palmerston Super Clinic has had a successful first week with 210 people attending the service.

22 December 2008
Rob Knight - Housing the Territory – Boosting Short Term Accommodation
The Northern Territory Government will boost short term accommodation services in Darwin and Alice Springs with Expressions of Interest called for the management of three facilities.

19 December 2008
Rob Knight - Expressions Of Interest Sought
Expressions of interest are being sought from Indigenous Territorians interested in playing a key role in the largest indigenous housing project in the Territory’s history.

Dr Chris Burns / Jane Aagaard - More than 100 Police Graduates This Year
The Justice Minister Chris Burns today congratulated 14 new members of the Northern Territory Police Force at their graduation ceremony at Marrara.

Dr Chris Burns - Personal Crime Down Across the NT
The latest Crime and Justice statistics show the number of offences committed against the person across the Territory has fallen in the yearly comparisons.

Karl Hampton - Territory Government Welcomes Findings Of Senate Nuclear Waste Inquiry
The Northern Territory Government has welcomed the majority report from the Senate Inquiry into Commonwealth radioactive waste management legislation.

18 December 2008
Rob Knight - New Water Main For Palmerston
Work is well underway on the new 4.2 kilometre transmission water main in Palmerston to meet the region’s increasing demand for water services.

Karl Hampton - Security boost for Alice Springs
More security lighting to improve safety in the CBD will be installed in Alice Springs with a funding boost from the Northern Territory Government.

Dr Chris Burns - Statement on McArthur River Mine
The Northern Territory Government supports the McArthur River Mine.

17 December 2008
Karl Hampton - Indigenous Land Use Agreement To Provide More Housing In Alice Springs
Minister for Regional Development Karl Hampton today signed an historic Indigenous Land Use Agreement with the Lhere Artepe Aboriginal Corporation in Alice Springs.

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Karl Hampton - Katherine Auction to Deliver More Housing Options
The Northern Territory Government’s strategic land release program is delivering more housing options for Katherine.

Dr Chris Burns - Statement on Court Proceedings
The Northern Territory Government is not a party to the Federal Court proceedings in relation to the Commonwealth’s Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act. Nonetheless, we are reviewing today’s decision of the Full Federal Court in light of the implications for the Territory.

Karl Hampton - Top NTCE Result for Alice Springs
The 2008 Northern Territory Certificate of Education (NTCE) results were announced today with a record 1013 young Territorians receiving their school certificate.

Karl Hampton - Upgrade for Katherine Sports Facilities
Minister for Sport and Recreation Karl Hampton has announced the approval of $250 000 to upgrade sporting facilities in Katherine.

Dr Chris Burns - Wait is over for Year 12 Students
A record number of Territory students let out a sigh of relief today as they opened their mail and checked the web to discover they had successfully completed Year 12.

16 December 2008
Rob Knight - Ark Animal Welfare Services Receive $50 000 Funding
The Northern Territory Government is providing a $50 000 grant to Ark Animal Welfare Services Animal Rescue Centre in Yarrawonga to help with important on-going work as well as the expansion of its kennels and catteries.

Karl Hampton - Territory to Host National Meeting
Minister for Information, Communications and Technology Policy Karl Hampton has secured the next meeting of the Online Information and Communications Ministerial Council for the Territory.

15 December 2008
Police on the Beat at Casuarina Square
Acting Chief Minister Marion Scrymgour today opened the Territory’s first Police Beat at Casuarina Square, the NT’s busiest shopping centre.

Dr Chris Burns - Stage 1 of Palmerston Super Clinic Opens
The Health Minister Chris Burns and the Member for Solomon Damian Hale today officially launched stage one of the Palmerston super clinic.

Rob Knight - Utilities Commissioner Releases Report
Essential Services Minister Rob Knight today received the Utilities Commissioners Report into Guaranteed Service Level (GSL) Payments.

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14 December 2008
Rob Knight - Housing Minister Conference
Minister for Housing Rob Knight will work to ensure the Territory gets its fair share of the Federal Government’s new housing funding package when he meets with his State and Federal counterparts in Brisbane tomorrow.

Karl Hampton - NTIS Squad Sport Agreements Open
Nominations are now open for the Territory’s peak sporting organisations to apply for a 2009-13 Northern Territory Institute of Sport (NTIS) squad program.

12 December 2008
Karl Hampton - $1.32M for Sports Facility Upgrades
The Northern Territory Government is inviting sports organisations and clubs to apply for a Sports Facilities Grant to improve their organisation’s facilities.

Major Native Vegetation Management Reforms For Territory
Environment Minister Alison Anderson today announced a series of major reforms in native vegetation management in the Territory, including the Daly Region.

Paul Henderson - NT Government Welcomes Rudd Government Infrastructure Initiative
Chief Minister Paul Henderson said today the Australian Government’s $4.7 billion nation building package would help confidence and growth in the Northern Territory economy.

Karl Hampton - Traeger Park on Track for More Top Class Sport
The Northern Territory Government has welcomed the announcement from the Australian Football League that there will be a pre-season match on February 27th at Traeger Park.

Paul Henderson - Training and Job Opportunities Key to Skilled Workforce
Chief Minister Paul Henderson today presented plumbing apprentice, Zac Esam, with his Northern Territory Government Work Wear/Work Gear bonus of $1000.

11 December 2008
Delia Lawrie - Christmas Express Transport Home
The Northern Territory Government has joined forces with TIO and the Australian Hotels Association to trial a new night time shuttle bus service in Darwin.

Paul Henderson - Earth’s Creation Unveiled in Territory Parliament
Chief Minister Paul Henderson has announced that from today the world re-renowned Indigenous painting Earth’s Creation, will be on public display in Parliament House.

Inaugural Bob Plasto Fellowship
The Northern Territory Government is calling for applications for the inaugural Bob Plasto Screen Fellowship.

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Dr Chris Burns - Major Overhaul of Top End Aeromed Services
The Northern Territory Government will implement all of the recommendations of the Cornish review into the Top End aeromedical retrieval service.

Karl Hampton - NT Project on National Stage
The Territory project to lay optic fibre across Arnhem Land will form the centrepiece of the NT Government’s presentation to the Online and Communications Council meeting in Melbourne tomorrow.

Kon Vatskalis - Promoting NT Seafood
The Territory Government has given the Northern Territory Seafood Council (NTSC) $17,500 in funding to develop a marketing plan for locally produced seafood.

Regional Sites Given Heritage Protection
Pioneering Central Australian tourist attraction Pitchi Richi Sanctuary is one of several regional sites recognised for their historical value in the latest round of heritage declarations, Heritage Minister Alison Anderson announced today.

Paul Henderson - Substantial Upgrades to Darwin Schools
The Northern Territory Government is rolling out the largest school infrastructure program in the Territory’s history.

10 December 2008
Delia Lawrie - $5.7m Bellamack Headworks Underway
Headworks to support the Bellamack housing development in Palmerston have begun.

Kon Vatskalis - Bynoe Harbour and Finniss River to close to commercial fishing
The Territory Government today announced its intention to close Bynoe Harbour and Finniss River to commercial barramundi fishing in 2009.

Paul Henderson - CM Meets PM
Chief Minister Paul Henderson last night met Prime Minister Kevin Rudd in Darwin and attended a Clontarf awards night at Sanderson Middle School with the Prime Minister.

Malarndirri McCarthy - New Mental Health Offices Open in Alice Springs
Minister for Children and Families Malarndirri McCarthy today officially opened Alice Springs’ Mental Health Association’s new premises.

Dr Chris Burns - New Serious Violent Offence Laws in Effect
The Northern Territory now has among the toughest laws in the country to deal with serious violent offenders.

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Karl Hampton - NT Government to Support 2018 FIFA World Cup Bid
Minister for Sport and Recreation Karl Hampton today welcomed the Federal Government’s decision to support Football Federation Australia’s in its 2018 FIFA World Cup bid.

Karl Hampton - NT Government to Support 2018 FIFA World Cup Bid
Minister for Sport and Recreation Karl Hampton today welcomed the Federal Government’s decision to support Football Federation Australia’s in its 2018 FIFA World Cup bid.

Rob Knight - Teachers Accept Pay Offer
Minister for Public Employment Rob Knight has welcomed the decision by Northern Territory teachers to accept the Government’s latest pay offer.

9 December 2008
Rob Knight - Safe Pool Grants Closing Soon
Minister for Local Government Rob Knight is encouraging Territorians to get their applications in for Safe Pool Grants before they close at the end of this month.

Karl Hampton - Strong Economic Outlook for Katherine
The Katherine Economic Profile unveiled today shows that four out of five Katherine businesses are confident about their economic future.

Theatre Review
The Northern Territory Government and Australia Council for the Arts have released an independent report Review of theatre and performance in the Northern Territory following a review of theatre across the Territory.

8 December 2008
Delia Lawrie - $175,000 Christmas Welfare Package To Provide Extra Cheer
The Henderson Government today announced a one-off funding boost to crisis support agencies to provide Christmas cheer for Territorians doing it tough.

7 December 2008
Malarndirri McCarthy - Territory’s New Children’s Commissioner On Board
The Northern Territory now has its first Children’s Commissioner as Dr Howard Bath’s full functions come into effect from tomorrow – bringing the NT into line with all other Australian jurisdictions.

5 December 2008
Moving Forward With Language and Culture in Schools
The Northern Territory Government has welcomed the release of the Australian Government report Indigenous Language Programmes in Australian Schools A way Forward.

Dr Chris Burns - National Scheme for Health Professionals
Progress on the implementation of a national registration and accreditation scheme will be discussed as part of the last Australian Health Ministers’ Conference for 2008.

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Territory Signs Australian Declaration on Educational Goals
Education Minister Marion Scrymgour was pleased to meet with other Australian Education Ministers today in Melbourne to sign the Declaration on Educational Goals for Young Australians

4 December 2008
Malarndirri McCarthy - Industrial Relations Resources for Women
A booklet that provides practical information specifically for women about industrial relations issues – a first for the Territory - will be launched in Darwin this evening.

Malarndirri McCarthy - 18 New Aboriginal Community Police Officers
Minister for Children and Families Malarndirri McCarthy today congratulated the Territory’s newest Aboriginal Community Police Officers at their graduation ceremony at Marrara.

Rob Knight - Christmas Cakes For Senior Territorians
Minister for Housing Rob Knight was at the Leanyer Seniors Village this morning, spreading Christmas cheer to senior Territorians.

Dr Chris Burns - Female Prisoners Give Back to the Community
The Darwin Correctional Centre’s first female prison work party has begun working in the community.

Paul Henderson - First Darwin Capital City Meeting
The Northern Territory Government and the Darwin City Council held their first Capital City Committee meeting today along with the Property Council and the Chamber of Commerce.

Paul Henderson - New Cruise Ship Terminal
Chief Minister Paul Henderson today officially opened the new Cruise Passenger Terminal at Fort Hill Wharf, saying it was a tremendous new asset for Darwin and the Territory’s tourism industry.

Paul Henderson - New Cruise Ship Terminal
Chief Minister Paul Henderson today officially opened the new Cruise Passenger Terminal at Fort Hill Wharf, saying it was a tremendous new asset for Darwin and the Territory’s tourism industry.

Kon Vatskalis - NT business sales the strongest in Australia
Small and medium businesses in the Northern Territory are leading the nation in sales and profits according to the latest Sensis Business Index released today.

Delia Lawrie - Senate Inquiry Finds No Evidence of Underspending
A Senate Inquiry has found no evidence of underspending in Indigenous Affairs by the Northern Territory Government.

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Paul Henderson - Tenders Called For Rosebery Schools
The Northern Territory Government is calling for tenders to design and construct two new schools with world class facilities in Palmerston.

3 December 2008
Delia Lawrie - Australia's Strongest Growth
New ABS figures released today show economic growth in the Northern Territory is leading the nation.

Paul Henderson - Fibre Optic Broadband Into Arnhem Land
Chief Minister Paul Henderson today welcomed the completion of work to lay the fibre optic cable that will connect some of the most remote communities in the Territory to high speed broadband.

Rob Knight - Improving on Public Service
Minister for Public Employment Rob Knight is encouraging Territorians to have their say about a review of the Public Sector Employment and Management Act.

Delia Lawrie - Sober Bob Could Save Your Life
A smashed car located outside licensed venues will be a key feature of this year’s Sober Bob campaign.

2 December 2008
Karl Hampton - Alice Springs Aquatic Centre Officially Opens
Stage One of the Alice Springs Aquatic Centre was officially opened today by Minister for Sport and Recreation Karl Hampton.

Rob Knight - Christmas Cheer for HomeNorth Xtra Customers
Housing Minister Rob Knight has announced an early Christmas present of more than $100 in savings on the average monthly home loan repayments for 604 HomeNorth Xtra customers.

Dr Chris Burns - Elferink Wrong on Routine Health Budget Carry Over
The Shadow Treasurer is either embarking on a mischievous misinformation campaign or just doesn’t understand the budget process, the Health Minister Chris Burns said today.

Karl Hampton - Media Advisory
Minister for Sport and Recreation Karl Hampton and Alice Springs Mayor Damien Ryan will today officially open stage one of the Alice Springs Aquatic Centre.

Delia Lawrie - Northern Territory Economy Continues To Grow
Treasurer Delia Lawrie today welcomed a raft of economic data that shows the Northern Territory is well placed to withstand the global financial crisis.

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Outstation Consultations To Continue
The Northern Territory Government is continuing to consult with the community and representatives from outstations to develop a comprehensive Outstation Policy.

1 December 2008
Karl Hampton - Funding for Alice Basketball Development Officer
Minister for Sport and Recreation Karl Hampton today announced that the Northern Territory Government would assist Alice Springs Basketball to fund a new development officer.

Dr Chris Burns - Home Grown Remedy
Royal Darwin Hospital will host its first home-grown pharmacy intern next year.

Delia Lawrie - Iron Ore Wharf To Be Demolished
A $6.4 million tender has been awarded to demolish the old Iron Ore Wharf and associated facilities at Fort Hill as part of the ongoing development of the Darwin Waterfront Precinct.

Rob Knight - Nurses Accept Pay Offer
Minister for Public Employment Rob Knight today welcomed the decision by Northern Territory nurses to accept the Government’s pay offer.

Lynne Walker - Territory Sporting Ties with Timor Leste Strengthen
Sporting relations between Timor Leste and the NT have taken another step forward with Member for Nhulunbuy Lynne Walker representing the Territory Government on a visit to the country over the weekend.