Boatloads of tourists

I hope our thousands of visitors enjoy visiting the NT’s Darwin and its surroundings. Apart from the boost they will offer local traders, I hope the memories they take away will not include those associated with social misbehaviour and dysfunction. ‘Word of mouth’ messages can be both positively influencing and offer negative take-offs for those to whom they are relayed—and that is about the numbers who will come to support our city’s retail future.

Kakadu – no, no, NO!

I am afraid that, as a long-time Territorian and someone who has visited Kakadu on several occasions, I will be making no more visits to this park and its surrounds. I am over the bitching, snitching, and infighting that has gone on about this park for far too long. Much money has already been spent in the park and its town to promote tourism and indigenous art and culture.  My last visit was eye-opening in terms of revealing how neglect, along with a lack of care and maintenance, had beset the place. No more—it is now ‘Kakadon’t’.

Do your jobs

Chief Minister Finnochario is proving to be a strong and resolute leader, a person who follows through on issues and someone who will accept that she may not always be right. That said, it is up to other cabinet ministers to ensure they bring interest in issues pertaining to their portfolios. The Chief must be the leader of a group, whose members must not hide in the background, away from issues central to their roles.

Cyclones a real worry for Poor Old Henry

I just hope it stays away. I am petrified of cyclones and worry about their transaction with the Northern Territory from November 1 until April 30 of the following year.

Remote area uplifts 

This will be a wonderful fillip for the Northern Territory and so uplifting for people in the remote fastnesses of Australia.

Aged Care is regulations overloaded

Aged Care in the NT and elsewhere is fraught with the hesitation and fright recent Royal Commissions and inquiries have imposed on nursing staff. It is all about accountability that has mushroomed to the point of staff feeling insecure within their roles lest they offend and leave themselves open to reprimand and litigation. 

Airfares plummet

How wonderful it would be if reasonable airfares remained in place for an extended period. I suspect these bargain-based fares will be of a short-term duration before inching back to sky-high levels.

Goodbye Paramatta Eels

So that is it! What team will come next? None I suspect if the government does not spend hundreds of thousands of inducement dollars to make it worth their while.

Katherine is so Wild West

It is appropriate that the dress code for Katherine includes Akubra-type hats, cowboy boots, and work-focused shirts and jeans.  The town, especially after dark, too often resembles a scene from the Wild West. A difference is that one sherrif did the law enforcement job in that historical setting, while dozens and dozens of police are needed to keep Katherine under control.

Build, build and build

We must build and build and build like there is no tomorrow. The more houses and apartments and high-rises we have, the better. The more residences that are built, the more we need.  Forget about living in places with surrounding space – that option is long gone.