VAD proposal shortfalls

These areas of omission are disappointing. I have an advanced personal plan in place that confirms that should dementia or Alzheimer’s overtake me, the termination of my life by voluntary assisted dying is what I want. The alternative of being forced to live while in an incomprehensible or vegetable condition is not what I want for myself or my family.

Lack lustre election appeal

A certain amount of lustre is lacking in the territory’s anticipation of the upcoming election.  Much anticipation is falling flat, with a lack of vibrance and enthusiasm more than obvious. One can expect that low voter turnouts in many seats will be the order of the day.

Major community constructions are coming

Consider all that has been spent and what has gone before when constructing facilities in community settings. Consider how many homes are trashed, how many amenities have been torched and vandalised, and how many communities are strewn with litter and neglect. Consider how much has been spent over the years fixing structures targeted by this abuse.  Communities do not accept responsibility for care and maintenance, and seemingly, governments excuse them from accountability – preferring to replace what is destroyed.

Crime after the election

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The NT has been on a downward path regarding social attitudes and economic outcomes for the past two decades. Occasional filips  – like Inpex – stay the economic decline for a period before slippage starts again.  Spikes in crime and antisocial behaviour are constantly rising and all the quoting of statistics to try and demonstrate things are getting better, fall when it comes to considering the realities we confront. Neither party will change the issues and directions of crime after the election because nothing has changed after every election since 2005 other than crime worsening.

Emergency at Darwin Airport

It is not surprising that this breach at the Darwin Airport occurred. The fact that authorities could implement emergency management strategies quickly is a testament to their readiness and preparedness to handle untoward emergencies. Temporary inconvenience and delayed flights are better options than proceeding as usual, with some catastrophe possibly occurring.

GARMA 2024

The significance of Garma every year cannot be overlooked or underestimated. But given the cost of attendance, I have to wonder how many official and semi-official attendees pay their way – or is it a case of taxpayer subsidisation of the attendance price? Locals who might want to attend also have to pay $270 for a day pass (four days) and $140 for those between the ages of 6 and 14. Garma must bring significant income to the organising group.

Home construction exploding exponentially

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Houses in multiple precincts around Darwin and Palmerston are being built like there is no tomorrow. The size of the two cities from the viewpoint of dwellings has doubled, and then some since we came to Darwin in 1987. Masses and masses of houses are being added to by the ongoing construction of multi-storied apartment blocks one after the other. This must suggest that, by the next census, the population might be shown to have exploded.

The Darwin Cup – top drawer event

Every year on Picnic Day, the NT and, indeed, the racing fraternity all over Australia becomes glued to Fannie Bay and the events leading to the running of the Chief Minister’s Cup. The Darwin Race Club and everyone involved in staging the Darwin Cup Carnival deserve thanks and praise for their excellent job. The running of the cup – and events leading to the ultimate rate – are a jewel in the crown of the NT’s dry season attractions.

The flu

The flu is awful. One can dodge the dreaded lurgy for so long, but in the end, if overcome, look forward to an a sustained period of feeling unwell. Once taking hold, the thing seems to go on forever. It has taken weeks for me to start coming out of this dreadful affliction – and that is with the flu vaccination and all!

Stock Market bulls and bears

The Australian share  market could drop a full 5% today and close to 20% by the end of the week. It is up and down like a yo-yo, with tens of thousands of people transitioning from euphoria to despair and back again, day after trading day and week.

The passing of Mr McAdam

Mr McAdam was a good man and an upright, decent politician who was committed to honesty in all he did. He was a rare breed of politician who always put the needs of others before his own. His commitment to service made him a person somewhat unparalleled in NT history.

Northcrest lauded

Here we go again.  More and more houses on smaller and smaller blocks shoehorned into spaces here and here. So, there is minimal land left around Darwin that is not heritage-listed or highly swampy. Houses are expanding the city perimeter while more and more apartments are ascending skyward. So, I suppose that is ‘progress’.

Last leader’s debate August 20

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This will be a debate not to be missed. Both leaders have significant experience in politics and life. The debate winner could swing a tightly contested election in her party’s favour. As a veteran – since 1975 – NT voter, I am REALLY looking forward to this debate.

Anzac Oval?

Anzac Oval was a beautiful, carefully manicured, well-kept, and well-used community facility. Its picturesque location at the foot of Anzac Hill offered a refreshing green vista as one looked across Alice from the hill’s viewing area. It was a lovely green space and does not deserve to be torn up. There are plenty of other locations the new facilities could occupy. Is it not too late to change the gallery location, or is it bye, bye another piece of Red Centre history.

ALP, CLP and NT crime

Spikes in crime and antisocial behaviour are constantly rising and all the quoting of statistics to try and demonstrate things are getting better, fall when it comes to considering the realities we confront. Neither party will change the issues and directions of crime after the election because nothing has changed after every election since 2005 other than crime worsening. Interest groups supporting the rights of those who wreak havoc in and on the NT always prevail.

2024 election candidates

In reading and re-reading this list of 2024 political candidates, I am convinced that voters will have difficulty selecting their preferred candidate.  Never has the Territory fielded such a brilliant array of talent regarding people seeking election. We are in for a cliffhanging election, and excitement is palpable.

D’arcy Short for NT Cricket

We are in for a feast of cricket, and along with hundreds of others, I am looking forward to what will unfold. D’arcy Short, an outstanding cricketer with an impeccable domestic and T20 record, was a student at Leanyer Primary School during my years of educational service. I am immensely proud of him for his achievements and being a decent, example-setting person.

Arsonists

Arsonists will only ever be discouraged if they are hit with significant financial and jail-time penalties. There can be no forgiveness for their deliberate and hurting actions.

NT road carnage

This is a terrible and tragic story. So many people are losing their lives on territory roads, with hundreds of family members and emergency services respondents being impacted by the carnage on our streets. It is beholden upon all of us to try – and as motorists and pedestrians – to exercise care when using our roads.

Crocodiles as pets

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There must be more to establishing key NT priorities than getting into a heated debate about whether or not crocodiles should be allowed as pets. And I wonder whether the proposed regulation changes will impact commercial interests, including crocodile farming.

Casuarina coastal reserve

This declaration will reassure environmentalists and those who love natural and unimpacted space. I wonder what will happen with the Lee Point conflict between environmentalists and developers.

Sporting expenditure

One thing that governments have never overlooked is the extensive spending on developing sporting facilities. Sport is a beneficiary of priority spending – regardless of which party is in government.

Defence accomodation at Howard Springs

It is excellent that a permanent base has been found that can accommodate so many people, both from the ADF and overseas personnel involved in defence exercises. ‘Economy of scale’ is a positive that grows from leaving this facility. The accommodation base will also be crucial if, in future times, Australia’s sovereignty is threatened by overseas aggressors.

VAD Laws

We need to introduce VAD laws in the NT. There is a lot more dignity about passing over in a controlled and empathetic environment than having to resort to suicide. Indeed, the time for discussion is past, and the introduction of appropriate laws should be one of the very first acts of the new NT Assembly.

Is the CLP ready for government

For the life of me, I cannot but wonder why the CLP, when returned with Terry Mills as Chief Minister in 2012, did little but fritter away the opportunity to consolidate in government. Instead, Mills was ousted after only 1979 days in the job, unceremoniously dumped while overseas representing the NT in Japan.  After that, it was all downhill – and fast! The CLP was tossed out in 2016 – and it is no wonder the party had imploded. I want to think that the CLP has righted the ship, but I am far from convinced this is the case.

Donations to political parties

For me, donations to political parties are neither here nor there. One understands that donations by givers, and often to both parties, ensure appreciation and remembrance if the party gets into government. My prime concern, as a voter of many decades, is to appreciate candidates based on their track records and the sustainability of their positions on critical issues – including whether or not pre-election promises are deliverable post-election or simply pie in the sky.

Local Government budgets

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Local Government Authorities (Councils including the City of Darwin Council) have changed their focus in significant and disappointing ways during the past couple of decades. For the CoD Council, tinsel, glitter, facade, and tourism promotion are essential priorities. Care about ratepayers, delivery of basic community services and maintaining Darwin’s environment beyond the CBD are no longer critical issues. The council does not need more money. What it needs is to refocus back on critical priorities.

The ADF and America’s ‘prop up’ support

We need defence support from the United States because our defence system has succumbed mainly to ineffectiveness and inefficiencies. We are good at hosting air, sea, and land defence exercises in companies with nations like ours, but on our own, we are weak and defenceless. We have clapped out and defunct material assets, while in personnel terms, our forces are thousands short of where they should be. If the ADF had to go solo in defending Australia, we would be lucky to last a week against aggressors.

Insurance costs

Insurance costs will keep rising and rising, and THAT is an absolute fact. Recklessness on our roads, rampant crime smashing our homes, businesses and cars, environmental catastrophes and the fact that insurance premiums are considered on a ‘whole of Australia’ and not ‘Territory only’ basis guarantee that premiums will never decline.

DATA storage and retention

Data is so valuable, its retention essential, and attention to its proper and secure storage so vital that for the NT Government to be front-running in its development is both wise and far-sighted.

Beetaloo gas

Regarding Beetaloo and gas, the government’s position confirms that “we ARE blessed by good government” and are so very lucky.

Housing authority responsibility

For many years, the Department of Housing and Community Services has allowed tenants and visitors in public housing ‘carte blanc’ regarding accountability and responsibility for premises and neighbourhoods. Upgrading authority levels of thise connected with public housing supervision is possibly ‘too little, too late’.

Costs of living through the roof

Expenditure prioritisation and financial hardship, to be believable, has to take into account the amount spent by families on alcohol, tobacco, gambling, socialisation and entertainment. Balancing budgets to cover essentials can be eased if these ‘extras’ are curtailed.

Tenant responsibility

Well, isn’t there an onus on tenants to maintain housing reasonably? In far too many communities, houses are very quickly destroyed by unreasonable wear and tear – with tenants then blaming everyone but themselves for the disrepair in their dwellings.  Accountability and responsibility should be required of ALL public housing tenants.

Henley-on-Todd 2024

How wonderful it was that Alice Springs, after all the challenges this year, was able to stage the Henly-on-Todd program. With so many challenges facing the Red Centre, the reinstatement of this regatta, after it looked like it would not happen in 2024, will give a real boost to Alice. Thanks to all those who worked behind the scenes to realise this year’s program.

A new venture in Alice Springs

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How wonderful it is that people have the motivation and initiative to plan, develop, and implement social and economic programs that benefit the community. May this and similar enterprises succeed for all those who have the creativity and enthusiasm to put themselves out there in order to make a difference.

False credentials presented by job seekers

With AI making significant inroads into Australian culture and thinking, creating false CVs becomes more accessible. Additionally, more and more aspirants for positions are being interviewed by online devices, obviating the need for face-to-face interviews; in these circumstances, it becomes more accessible to feed false information into applications for positions – and possibly more challenging to recognise these falsities.

Leave all land untouched

Between First Nation land claims and environmentalists who in no way want any area allowed for agriculture, industry or any other development, the future of the NT from a land use viewpoint is between a rock and a hard place.

Election candidates inspire

As an elector in the NT, I feel ever so blessed and reassured at my reading of what candidates would offer if elected to our Assembly this coming Saturday. No one can doubt the sincerity, the intent or the proposed commitment to making the NT a better place than those who are our candidates in the various seats. This I find pretty inspiring.

Economic future

We in the NT are not guaranteed any real future regarding predictable economic development. Environmentally motivated interest groups, along with the predisposition toward returning the majority of the Territory’s land mass to traditional ownership – requiring permission and demanding royalties for all development after that – make the future economic development of the NT fraught with uncertainty.

Council Parking Meters

This is typical of the ‘progress’ associated with the City of Darwin Council. It is also symptomatic of ‘putting the cart before the horse’, ensuring that changes will not work fulsomely because of apparent faults during the change process. I have heard of people who have had their card details stolen while paying meter charges by card. For me, meter payments will be by cash or not at all.

Appointment of ex Queensland Police Commissioner 

Huh!

This is something I just don’t get!

The appointment of this high-level -Queensland – officer makes absolutely no sense to me.

Indeed, meaningful outcomes do not have to be predicated by meaningless processes.

Defence build-up and Darwin

Darwin is increasingly front and centre when it comes to focus as a city with defence intentions.  As a long-term resident, I am evermore concerned that if part of future aggression toward overseas threats, tables could be turned on us in retaliation. Any revisitation of war on this place would be one hundred times worse than what happened to this city and its surroundings during World War Two.

Recognising food service

This is a deserved and fantastic recognition for all business owners involved in serving culinary delights to patrons. Well done to every contender, and all the best to everyone connected with food service and catering in the NT.

Political hopefuls silent on VAD

“Did not respond”! What a cop-out from so many political hopefuls. Get with it and take on what most Territorians want – the right to VAD.

Issues at RDH

Only once have visits to RDH, including both surgery and Emergency Department visits, resulted in positive experiences -and that was a recent visit to deal with an issue. The care and concern from the doctor and support nursing staff were appreciated.  But I do worry about how RDH and particularly the ED are put under the pump by the intolerable and unforgivable behaviour of a key group of patients.

Thank you Tanami  Miners

Thank you to each and every miner and mine worker, one of you, for your outstanding job in resource extraction and for how your industry and hard work boost the NT economy.  And thank you to all those who, in past times, have contributed to the development and expansion of this mine.

Leaders debate – NT

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What a stimulating, informative and professionally combative debate between these two experienced and outstanding leaders. Both were able to fiend questions with substantive and logically argued responses. I do not know who or which party will earn the right to govern post-Saturday, August 24, but we can be confident in the future leadership potential of both Ms Lawler and Ms Finocchario.

Bush candidates

These outstanding candidates for election will provide a compelling ‘voice’ for those they represent if elected. Their enthusiasm and inspiration will hopefully lead to more community members exercising their voting rights. This story is very encouraging and fills this old man with newfound hope for the future of the NT and its people, one and all.

Bomb threats on hospitals

Just one more example of how much out of control Australia and the NT  have become and how powerless we are to do other than react to those who, through crime and wrongdoing, wreak havoc every day on our community.

Pre cyclone season clean-up

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This is an excellent service provided by our Darwin and Palmerston Councils. It helps reinstate the belief that our local government provides some of the essential care that homeowners, ratepayers, and residents deserve.

Justine Glover endorses Nyare Ah Kit

It always pays to consider future intentions and ambitions when writing letters of support for others. We must consider issues carefully and thoroughly before committing perceptions and opinions to print.

Middle Arm development

We in the NT are at the mercy of committees of inquiry, with those on the committee having little or no understanding of the NT and its needs. To them, the NT is, in all probability, ‘outback’, with any development doing nothing but scar the landscape. They prefer it to remain primitive and under-developed.

Speckles the crocodile gets it wrong

I am relieved that Speckles was wrong. The CLP deserves a chance to turn the Territory in a new direction. At the same time, it can be stated that if the outgoing CM, Eva Lawler, had had an extended period as leader before the election, the result could have been different. As it was, Teritorians seemed to accept that the Territory was on the road to

Rehab or prisoner accomodation 

Which is the more important project – rehabilitation or evermore prisoner accommodation – is the unanswered question. Indeed, both are essential and need to be accommodated without one giving way to the other.

Lia Finnochario Police Minister

I am delighted that CM Elect Lia Finnochario has taken on the role of Police Minister. She is the right person to re-establish positive perceptions of policing, making us all aware of the vital role filled by police within our community.

Public servants and overtime

In my experience and understanding, there have been, are, and will continue to be hundreds of salaried people – many of them public servants –  who work countless hours of overtime during their years of employment. The point is that these many extra hours are often expected and infrequently appreciated.

Earthquake in the Banda Sea

We have regular tremors in the NT. I worry and pray that their severity will always be of minimal impact. One never knows from one day what the next may bring. Readiness and preparation to deal with the unexpected should be part of our thinking.

Alice Springs Council to ban football final

Good on the Alice Springs Town Council for taking this action – and THIS     Time – (given that a previous ban was rescinded), the ban should stick. Alice Springs does not deserve the anti-social and hooligan behaviours before and after designated football games. Get these fixtures out of town, into one community or the other.

The NT’s future

Surely, SURELY, the only way for the Territory is up. Heaven help us, for if the NT keeps heading south, it will hit rock bottom, and we will all be starting to dig.

CDU Status of International Students

Might we not know how many international students are full-time, part-time or one-unit students? Would it not be fair to reveal how many internationals are doing TAFE/VET courses compared with those undertaking academic (Batchelor, Masters’s and PhD) programs? With more specifics, it should be possible to determine the percentages of students here to study and those whose prime purpose is to seek work.

CoD and  PCC and parking meter policies

As a longtime City of Darwin ratepayer, I am digesting and applauding this eminently sensible policy – to do away with paid parking in their city centre – by the Palmerston City Council. Meanwhile the CoD Council is going ahead with its plan to spend multiple thousands on replacing meters with ‘new look, snazzy substitutes’ rejecting motorists right to pay by cash. Compare the policies of the two councils; it’s not hard to decide who has the better plan.

Critical shortage of apartments

Get going and start constructing these apartments. They will be fantastic in appearance and help significantly alleviate Darwin’s current apartment shortage. We are very much in need of housing, especially the building of apartment stock. We have too few apartments to house our growing population, especially the thousands of international students coming to our university.

CoD and Ayme Un saga

I wonder how much of this issue – seemingly everlasting until the next Council election – is based on fact and how much about the matter is descending into farce? The present four-year cycle of local government under the City of Darwin Council auspices could well be remembered for missteps and gaffes rather than for the development of consolidating policies and positive action.