Northern Territory January to June 2024
2024; Wiley; Linguagem: Inglês
10.1111/ajph.13030
ISSN1467-8497
Autores Tópico(s)Atmospheric and Environmental Gas Dynamics
ResumoICAC Commissioner Michael Riches was embroiled in controversy arising from allegations of coercive control by his estranged wife, was cleared of corruption by the ICAC Inspector and referred to the Commissioner for Public Employment over other claims of inappropriate conduct (The Australian, NT Independent, ABC News, NT News, 28 May–15 June, 19–22 June 2024). A report commissioned by the Darwin Major Business Group found that the high cost of doing business, declining population and rampant crime will cause the NT economy to fall an estimated $6 billion short of its targeted $40 billion economy by 2030 (NT Independent, 28 March; NT News, 29 March, 1 and 3 April 2024) while a CommSec report rated the NT economy as the worst in the country (NT News, NT Independent, 22 April 2024). The NT government followed the imposition of a youth curfew in Alice Springs with a $238 million funding boost for police and temporary reinforcements from South Australia (ABC News, NT Independent, NT News, NIT, 3–6 April 2024), a further $570 million over 5 years following release of the Kelly review and a federal injection of $28.2 million over 2 years (NT News, 1 May 2024). A bill providing for easier imposition of curfews by amending the Police Administration Act was introduced and passed with bipartisan support on urgency less than 100 days before the election (NT Independent, 15 and 21 May; ABC News, NT News, 16, 21 and 22 May 2024). Anti-Discrimination Commissioner Jeswynn Yogaratnam condemned the amendments as arbitrary and an "affront to the rule of law" (NT News, 20 May 2024). Former Deputy Chief Minister Nicole Manison announced she would not recontest the division of Wanguri (ABC News, 12 January; NT News, 13 and 17 January; NT Independent, 16 January 2024). Dumped minister Paul Kirby announced he would not recontest the division of Port Darwin (ABC News, NT Independent, 25 January; NT News, 26 January 2024). Former Australian Labor Party (ALP) operative and gas lobbyist Mark Nelson was appointed the Chief Minister's chief of staff (NT News, 26 January 2024). Independent Member for Goyder Kezia Purick announced her retirement (NT Independent, ABC News, 15 February; NT News, 16 February 2024). The Country Liberal Party (CLP) breached the Electoral Act when it failed to report donations for the first 6 months of the financial year, potentially exposing it to a $176,000 fine (NT Independent, 7 and 8 February; NT News, 8 February 2024). Senator Jacinta Price revealed that she did not feel safe following alleged threats by Ashley Manicaros, a former CLP member who President Shane Stone was attempting to appoint as campaign director. Stone suffered a humiliating defeat when Manicaros' membership application was rejected by the party (NT Independent, 26 February 2024). The Construction, Forestry, and Maritime Employees Union withdrew its support for the ALP, citing Eva Lawler's leadership (ABC News, NT Independent, 14 March; NT News, 16 March 2024). Chief Minister Lawler released a big-spending election budget with record funding for police, health, education, and infrastructure that will result in net debt of $11 billion by next year (ABC News, NT Independent, 14 May; NT News, 15 May 2024). The NT government commissioned Charles Darwin University to review the 2022 A Fork in the River report by the Pew Charitable Trust. That report warned of damage to wetland biodiversity from cotton farming in the Daly and Roper River regions; Charles Darwin University confirmed most of its findings (ABC News, 3 January 2024). Unauthorised clearing of hundreds of hectares of land in 2021 at Claravale Station on the Daly River will be prosecuted under the Planning Act (ABC News, 29 January; NT News, 1 February 2024). A Supreme Court challenge to a 2021 groundwater extraction licence to Fortune Agribusiness from Singleton Station in Central Australia was dismissed. It is the NT's single largest private water allocation (ABC News, NT Independent, 31 January; NT News, 2 February 2024). The Central Land Council appealed (ABC News, 28 February 2024). Trophy hunting, banned in 1971, and culling were included in the NT government's draft Crocodile Management Plan (NT Independent, ABC News, 5 February 2024). The final 10-year plan included an annual "live harvest" of 1200 animals (ABC News, 24 April; NT News, 25 April 2024). Former Chief Executive of the North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency (NAAJA) Priscilla Atkins successfully contested her dismissal in the Federal Court (NT News, 12 January; ABC News, 27 June; NT News, 28 and 29 June 2024). Suzanne Milgate's trial for alleged assault on former Chief Minister Natasha Fyles was set down for 4 July by Chief Judge Elizabeth Morris (NT News, 6 February 2024). In an unrelated matter, Milgate's real estate licence was revoked and she was fined $10,000 by the Agents Licensing Board (NT News, 8 February 2024). Don Dale Youth Detention Centre was locked down after a riot, fire and six inmates spending 12 hours on the roof (NT Independent, ABC News, 4 April; NT News, 5 April 2024). Calls for stronger gun controls in the NT followed the federal government's $161 million commitment to establish a national firearms register (ABC News, 6 May 2024). Keith Kerinauia, 20, was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of Declan Laverty, 20, in Darwin in March last year (ABC News, NT Independent, 28 June; NT News, 29 June 2024). Long-term aged-care patients, taking 56 beds in Darwin and Palmerston hospitals, should be transferred to Commonwealth facilities to relieve bed block, but a chronic shortage of funding is preventing that transition (NT News, 14 April 2024). The federal government committed $24.6 million over 4 years for a medical school at Charles Darwin University (NT News, NT Independent, ABC News, 10 May 2024). The Federal Court dismissed an action by 11 Tiwi Elders against Santos' Barossa gas project, lifted an injunction on the construction of the subsea pipeline and found that the Environmental Defenders Office had "distorted and misrepresented" the facts (ABC News, NT Independent, 15 January; Guardian, NT News, 16 January 2024). A departmental investigation found that the claim was unsubstantiated (ABC News, 18 May 2024). Santos said it would not pursue the Tiwi people for costs (ABC News, 1 February; NIT, 2 February 2024) but would pursue the Environmental Defenders Office (NT News, 10 April 2024). A "staggering increase" in emissions from Beetaloo and Barossa gas projects will render the NT's zero emissions by 2050 target impossible (ABC News, NT Independent, 22 January 2024). Former Chief Minister Michael Gunner resigned from Fortescue Future Industries 5 months after being appointed Director of Business Development for Australia and New Zealand. He joined Fortescue in 2022, 6 months after leaving politics (NT Independent, 1 February; NT News, 2 February 2024). The High Court upheld a Federal Court appeal by Native Title holders against allowing Glencore to create a second dredge dumping site at Bing Bong port and ordered the NT government to withdraw a 2013 minerals lease facilitating the expansion (ABC News, 7 February; NT Independent, 8 February; NT News, 9 February 2024). ERA contracted its parent company Rio Tinto to complete the rehabilitation of the Ranger Uranium Mine in Kakadu (NT News, 5 April 2024). The NT government placed a 2-year preservation order, which prohibits mining, on Jabiluka while ERA's request for a 10-year lease extension is under consideration (Guardian, 5 June; NT News, 6 June 2024). The Chief Minister told a Senate Inquiry that she would not rule out a petrochemical plant at Middle Arm notwithstanding earlier denials by both the NT and federal governments (ABC News, 12 April 2024). Shortly thereafter, she entered into a 9-year contract with Tamboran Resources for fracked gas from the Beetaloo Basin before the project had received final environmental approval (ABC News, NT Independent, Guardian, 23 April; NT News, 24 April 2024). Fracking in the Beetaloo sub-basin by Tamboran Resources received environmental approval (NT News, ABC News, 7 June 2024). The NT government revived the Treaty process and blamed The Voice referendum for its inertia (ABC News, 19 January; NT News, 31 January 2024). Julalikari Council was once again the focus of an Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations investigation arising from allegations of misappropriated funds (ABC News, 7 February; NT Independent, 8 February; NT News, 9 February 2024). Arrernte Elder William Tilmouth described the NT's Closing the Gap results—which included negative growth in nine target areas—as "damning" (NT News, 14 February 2024). Outgoing Auditor General Julie Crisp found that the NT government failed to effectively implement Closing the Gap measures and could not explain how decisions were made, the costs, whether targets were being met or how many Aboriginal organisations were contracted to provide services (NT Independent, 20 May 2024). Following a report by the Australian National Audit Office, Anindilyakwa Land Council Chief Executive Mark Hewitt claimed he had managed conflicts of interest notwithstanding $24 million in Groote Eylandt mining royalties paid by the Anindilyakwa Land Council to two entities in which he had an interest (ABC News, 16 February; NIT, 17, 23 February; NT News, 19 and 24 February; NT Independent, 21 February, 14 June 2024). Indigenous Australians Minister Linda Burney referred the matter to her agency's integrity unit for "investigation or referral" (NT Independent, 23 February 2024). Yingiya Guyula MLA called for Aboriginal input to bills before the Legislative Assembly in evidence to the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee, pointing out that "Balanda laws and policies are being rolled out on top of us … every day" without consultation. Several other witnesses called for a voice to the Assembly (NT News, 21 February 2024). St Mary's Hostel in Alice Springs, formerly a boarding school for Stolen Generations children, was purchased by the NT government for housing (NT News, 27 February; ABC News, 28 February 2024). Some 2700 homes were promised when the Prime Minister announced a 10-year, $4 billion remote housing package in conjunction with the NT government to address the worst overcrowding rate in the country. Chief Minister Lawler said the funds would accommodate 10,000 people across the NT (ABC News, NT News, NT Independent, 12 March 2024). The NT government pursued the perpetrators of vandalism to the 1966 Wave Hill Walkoff site under the Heritage Act. "Significant damage" is alleged to have occurred in September 2023 (ABC News, 31 January; NT News, 1 February, 20 March 2024). The Prime Minister announced $600,000 for two Darwin memorials to mark the 50th anniversary of Cyclone Tracy (NT News, 13 March 2024). The High Court held that Parks Australia's Director of National Parks can be held criminally liable for damaging a sacred men's site at Gunlom Falls in Kakadu by construction of a walking track in 2019 (ABC News, Guardian, NIT, 8 May; NT News, 9 May 2024). The Director said he would plead guilty (ABC News, 29 May; NT Independent, 30 May 2024). Suspended Barkly Council Mayor Jeffrey McLaughlin temporarily moved interstate over safety concerns for his family in the wake of his citizen's arrest of a 12-year-old in Tennant Creek last year (ABC News, 12 February; NT Independent, 14 February 2024). The Council's third chief executive in 12 months resigned (ABC News, 15 February 2024). Local Government Minister Chansey Paech dismissed the entire Barkly Regional Council, which was suspended in October 2023, appointed an Official Manager, and called an election for 2 November following an investigation by Ruth Morely (ABC News, NT Independent, 20 June; NT News, 21 June 2024). Deputy Chief Minister Chansey Paech held Metcash—a wholesale liquor and grocery supplier—shares for 19 months while he was Attorney General and Minister for Aboriginal Affairs. Paech purchased the shares 2 months before "the intervention" alcohol restrictions were lifted and divested them shortly before he was sworn in as Deputy Chief Minister in December. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Lawler ordered a review of the members' interests regime (NT Independent, ABC News, 13, 14, and 17 February; NT News, 14, 15, and 17 February 2024) and Police Minister Brent Potter was outed for purchasing shares in Seafarms while he was an advisor to the Business Minister who confirmed major project status of its failed prawn aquaculture venture on Legume Station. He sold them a day after Natasha Fyles divested her Woodside shares. Potter denied having inside knowledge (NT Independent, ABC News, 28 and 29 February; NT News, 29 February 2024). Backbencher and Member for Daly Dheran Young was elected Speaker of the Legislative Assembly and the retiring Member for Port Darwin Paul Kirby his Deputy (NT Independent, 13 February 2024). Evacuation of Borroloola residents failed as category 3 cyclone Megan approached the Gulf of Carpentaria (ABC News, NT Independent, 18 March; Guardian, NT News, 19 March 2024). Hundreds were evacuated as the town subsequently braced for flooding (ABC News, 21 March; NT News, 22 March 2024). The Northern Land Council was critical of the government's planning (ABC News, 26 March 2024). A new case management system, SerPro, which replaced the 25-year-old PROMIS system, was introduced and resulted in errors and delays, according to the police union (NT News, NT Independent, 21 February; ABC News, 22 February 2024). Police Commissioner Michael Murphy announced an inquiry into racism following former Constable Zachary Rolfe's evidence during the Kumanjayi Walker coronial inquest. Rolfe was abused and almost assaulted as he left the courthouse in Alice Springs (ABC News, NT Independent, NIT, Guardian, 26 and 27 February, 1, 18, and 19 March; NT News 27 and 28 February, 2 and 19 March 2024). Brent Potter, the Minister for Police, was exposed for past racist social media posts, which gave rise to fruitless calls for his resignation (NT Independent, ABC News, NIT, Guardian, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, and 19 March, 29 and 30 May; NT News, 7, 8, 9, 12, and 13 March 2024). Janelle Tonkin, Matthew Hollamby, and Peter Kennon were appointed Assistant Commissioners (NT News, 5 April 2024) and Martin Dole was promoted to Deputy Commissioner (NT Independent, 17 May; NT News, 18 May 2024). "Unprecedented resources" in the order of $570 million over 5 years followed release of the Vince Kelly report into Policing, which excoriated a decade of "organisational trauma" (NT Independent, ABC News, 9 April; NT News, 10 April 2024). Middle schools—introduced in 2006 to teach years 7–9—will be phased out following a major review of secondary education, which also recommended revised funding to address disadvantage (ABC News, 29 February; NT News, NT Independent, 1 March 2024). Public schools in the NT are the most underfunded in the country, according to the federal government (NT Independent, 11 March 2024). The NT and federal governments announced $1 billion over 4 years for public schools on a 60–40 basis, with the most disadvantaged given priority (ABC News, NT News, Guardian, 13 March; NT News, 27 March 2024). Federal Indigenous Affairs Minister Linda Burney announced an $18 million funding pool for boarding schools in Central Australia (NT News, 12 March 2024). Another review into the Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education was ordered by the NT government after the Auditor General refused to certify its annual financial report (NT Independent, 13 May; NT News, 26 May 2024). Former Chief Executive of the Northern Land Council Joe Martin-Jard was appointed CEO of the institute (NT News, NT Independent, 21 May 2024). In a general report to the Legislative Assembly, Commissioner Michael Riches again lamented the restrictions of Cabinet confidentiality while conceding that investigations are moving at a "glacial pace" and heralding the presence of Baroness Casey of Blackstock at the Australian Public Sector Anti-Corruption Conference in July (NT Independent, 13 and 15 March; ABC News, 14 March; NT News, 15 March 2024). The Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics released an ICAC review into its Katherine office, which detailed years of poor practice in relation to procurement and conflicts of interest (NT News, NT Independent, 21 March 2024). Following a joint investigation with NT Police arising from evidence before the Kumanjayi Walker inquest, Commissioner Riches determined that annual Territory Response Group (TRG) "awards" were racist. The investigation attracted ridicule from critics revealed by The Australian (NT Independent, ABC News, 26 March; NT News, 27 March; NT Independent, ABC News, 24 May; NT News, 25 May 2024). An inconclusive report on whether former Chief Minister Michael Gunner engaged in improper conduct during the 2020 election campaign was tabled at the final parliamentary sitting before the election. The report suggested tighter guidelines for MLAs and their staff during election campaigns before the matter was left in abeyance for the next Assembly (ABC News, NT Independent, 23 May; NT News, 24 May; 20–21 June 2024). Darwin barrister Anastasis (Tass) Liveris was appointed Judge of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (NT News, 7 February, 15 March 2024). Nicole Hurwood was appointed Commissioner for Public Employment following Vicki Telfer's departure last year (NT Independent, ABC News, 6 March; NT News, 9 March 2024). West Arnhem man Matthew Ryan was elected Chairman of the Northern Land Council following the death of Dr Sam Bush-Blanasi in November last year (NIT, 11 March; NT News, 14 March 2024). Chief Executive Joe Martin-Jard was sacked in a management shakeup, the NT News alleging that he misled federal parliament over a conflict of interest (NT News, ABC News, 15 March 2024). Deputy Electoral Commissioner Kirsten Kelly was appointed Commissioner, replacing Iain Loganathan who served the maximum tenure (ABC News, 21 March; NT Independent, 4 April; NT News, 6 April 2024). Former emergency services and AFP officer Andrew Warton was appointed interim Chief Executive of NT Fire and Emergency Services (NT Independent, 2 April; NT News, 3 April 2024). Hugh Woodbury was appointed Chair of the NAAJA, replacing outgoing Chair Colleen Rosas (NT News, 12 April 2024). Chief Executive of the Department of Industry, Tourism, and Trade Sean Drabsch announced his early retirement in August (NT News, 20 May 2024). Jara Dean was appointed Auditor General, replacing Julie Crisp whose tenure ended after 10 years (NT News, 7 June 2024). Former Director of Public Prosecutions Wojciech Jacek (Jack) Karczewski KC died in Brisbane, aged 71 (NT News, 5, 15 January 2024). Chairman of the Arnhem Land Progress Association Board, Dr Micky Wunungmurra, died suddenly at Gapuwiyak (NT News, 7 March 2024). Inaugural Independent Commissioner against Corruption Ken Fleming KC, 77, died of cancer in Brisbane on 18 April (ABC News, 24 April; NT Independent, 10 May 2024). Former CLP President Gary Nairn died in Canberra aged 73 (NT News, 5 June 2024). Yolngu leader Reverend Dr Djiniyini Gondarra died at home on Elcho Island in Arnhem Land aged 79 (ABC News, Guardian, 21 June; NT News, 25 June 2024). Ngukurr educator and Bush Uni founder Dr Kevin Rogers, 76, died in Royal Darwin Hospital after a long illness (ABC News, 29 June 2024). Data sharing is not applicable to this article as no new data were created or analysed in this study.
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