Let the government govern

After two terms of governmental dilly-dallying and dawdling on so many social and economic fronts, the now opposition foursome should back off the remonstration of the Finnochario Government. They must know that leftfield barbs, hindrances, and delaying strategies will not thwart our now decisive and committed government.

The NT and Crime

Give the CLP Government the chance to get things moving in an upward direction. In terms of crime, the reported upturn in incidents is probably about miscreants ‘trying it on’ to see if the government will cope or suffocate. It will take time, but the government must prevail; if not, the NT will be forever known as a permanently thriving place for criminal behaviour.

The Wadeye Challenge

So the Sergeant in charge at Wadeye is apparently unable to ensure community safety.  Given the violence and unrest that has been associated with the community for decades, I believe that task is beyond the control of anyone tasked with this challenge.  

Earthquakes and things

I am not complacent about earthquakes and possibly destructive weather and environmental phenomena. I remember earthquakes in WA and NSW, particularly with devastating consequences. Every time tremors shake us, I grit my teeth and stiffen until the disturbance passes. These things are a worry.

Medical costs and bulk-billing

This is an issue loaded with pros and cons. The patient should bear self-responsibility for some medical costs. As an observer, I think the liberal allocation of concession cards deflects many costs away from recipients. Prioritisation might also allow affordability if people spent less on alcohol, cigarettes, gambling,  and other non-essentials.

NT Racing inquiry

As one who went to the 1969 Perth Cup, did volunteer work for St Johns College at Fannie Bay and as one who on a particular Melbourne Cup day rode a hobby horse around a circuit at a Tiwi Islands school, I would like to volunteer my services to NT Racing.

New Tiger Brennan overpass

I laud the government—past and present—for its commitment to this outstanding and necessary road modification. I hope it will prove its worth in terms of making for safer passage of vehicle drivers and passengers where a notorious intersection resulted in far too many major casualties, horrific injuries, and deaths.

CLP and 3yo Preschool/school centres 

Programs of this nature have pros and cons. As a retired school educator, I always felt sad that so many children, at ever younger ages, are going into organised care. Many of the responsibilities of parents were being ceded—or handballed—to early learning centres/preschool programs, meaning that parents’ primary care and duties toward their children were being taken away. Overall, I understand why the CLP is not continuing these programs.

Cost-free travel programs 

This story reminds me of the fact that largesse is extended to one group within our community because of who they are. The lack of this transportation may be disappointing to users, but everything being provided cost-free to this group has to be reined in. We should all pay for our way through life.

NT on the rebound

“Better and better Hargreaves” was my first response to this news. It is remarkable to see the NT picking up on the pastoral, horticultural, construction, and mining fronts after this place had languished in the doldrums for so long. The CLP Government has, without a doubt, gotten things heading in the right direction.