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Urgent bail reform after store owner’s fatal stabbing
A store owner's fatal stabbing has triggered urgent reforms, with a political leader vowing to adopt Australia's toughest bail laws. The Northern Territory parliament will reconvene on Wednesday to pass bail legislation after a teenager was arrested following the stabbing. The 18-year-old, who was out on bail, handed himself in after the death of 71-year-old store owner Linford Feick in Darwin. The teenager - who turned 18 just days ago - is in custody but has not been charged. Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro said urgent action was required after the tragedy occurred barely two years following Declan Laverty's death. NT…
‘Arrogance’: Indigenous ire at sacred sites amendments
Fast-tracked amendments to sacred sites legislation have been slammed by traditional owners and the authority which safeguards them. The Northern Territory government has introduced changes to the Sacred Sites Act it says will provide "simpler and streamlined" approval processes for development. Certificates issued by the territory's independent Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority would be transferable under the amendments. NT Environment Minister Joshua Burgoyne says the changes are designed make the process more "accessible, efficient, and protective of sacred sites". The authority, which is responsible for overseeing the safeguarding of NT sacred sites, has raised concerns about the lack of consultation and…
Explosion in croc numbers triggers feral feast fallout
Northern Australia's massive crocodile population is munching its way through huge numbers of feral pigs, with the apex predator's changing diet having a significant impact on the environment. Since they were protected in 1971, croc numbers in the Top End have exploded 25-fold from one every five kilometres of river to more than five per kilometre. In terms of biomass, or the collective bulk, of the largest and some would argue most misunderstood reptile on the planet, that represents a whopping increase from less than 10kg per kilometre to 400kg. Researchers have studied data from eight Northern Territory river systems…
Native title ruling paves way for compensation
The dismissal of a commonwealth appeal in a landmark compensation case shows the "strength" of native title and may have implications for traditional owners across Australia. The High Court dismissed the appeal against a decision in the Federal Court, which found the Gumatj clan's Country in northeast Arnhem Land was not acquired "on just terms" before being leased to the Swiss-Australian mining consortium, Nabalco in 1968. The decision has cleared the way for significant compensation for Gumatj people. Gumatj leaders Djawa Yunupingu and Balupalu Yunupingu celebrated outside the High Court on Wednesday after hearing the judgment against the Commonwealth. "Justice…
FED:’Justice served’: High Court upholds landmark decision
Traditional owners say justice has been served for their people as the High Court dismissed a commonwealth appeal in a landmark compensation case. The Commonwealth lost the High Court battle over whether it may be liable for up to $700 million in compensation for bauxite mining at Gove in northeast Arnhem Land. Gumatj leaders Djawa Yunupingu and Balupalu Yunupingu celebrated outside the High Court on Wednesday after hearing the judgment against the Commonwealth. "Justice has been served for my people and the people of northeast Arnhem Land," Djawa Yunupingu said. Renowned land rights activist, the late Gumatj leader Dr Yunupingu…
FED:High Court dismisses commonwealth appeal in compo case
The High Court has dismissed a commonwealth appeal, which could mean massive compensation for traditional owners for mining without their consent. In May 2023, a decision by the full bench of the Federal Court paved the way for the Gumatj clan to receive up to $700 million in compensation for bauxite mining at Gove in northeast Arnhem Land. Renowned land rights activist, the late leader Yunupingu originally brought the case in 2019, alongside an application for native title on behalf of the Gumatj clan. Gumatj leaders Djawa Yunupingu and Balupalu Yunupingu were at the High Court on Wednesday to hear…
FED:High Court to decide on appeal to landmark compo case
The High Court will deliver its judgment on a commonwealth appeal against a decision potentially delivering massive compensation for traditional owners for mining without their consent. In May 2023, a decision by the full bench of the Federal Court paved the way for the Gumatj clan to receive up to $700 million in compensation for bauxite mining at Gove in northeast Arnhem Land. Renowned land rights activist, the late leader Yunupingu originally brought the case in 2019, alongside an application for native title on behalf of the Gumatj clan. The compensation case focused on the Commonwealth's decision to allow mining…
Top cop given his marching orders
The Northern Territory's top cop has been given his marching orders after a jobs for mates scandal uncovered by a corruption watchdog. NT Police Commissioner Michael Murphy outed himself as the subject of an ICAC investigation. It found improper and unsatisfactory conduct against an unnamed public official who had mismanaged a conflict of interest in the recruitment of a senior officer. The ICAC report revealed that in early 2024, Mr Murphy had sat on a panel that hired one of their friends. NT Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro said Mr Murphy's position had become untenable. "Today, I informed Commissioner Murphy he…
Call for NT’s top cop to quit over ICAC finding
Northern Territory Police Commissioner Michael Murphy is under pressure to resign after admitting he was the unnamed bureaucrat whose conduct was branded "negligent and incompetent" in a scathing ICAC report. Mr Murphy's admission came a week after the NT's corruption watchdog announced a finding of improper and unsatisfactory conduct against an unnamed public official who had mismanaged a conflict of interest in the recruitment of a senior officer. "I found that the conduct involved negligence and incompetence … result(ing) in a substantial detriment to the public interest," Delegate for the Independent Commissioner Against Corruption Patricia Kelly SC said in a…
Festival shines light on age old traditions through art
The works of more than 20 First Nations artist will illuminate the night at an Indigenous light festival. Music, comedy, workshops and talks are also om the lineup for the 10th iteration of Parrtjima - A Festival in Light, in Mparntwe (Alice Springs). Four new installations will be added to the immersive art offering, including Molly Hunt's Three Generations of Station Women, Bobby West Tjupurrula's Hypnotic Reverberations and Lyall Giles' Transforming Light & Country. Towering poles, created by artists from Alice Springs three estate groups - Antulye, Irlpme and Mparntwe - will welcome visitors to the grounds, standing tall at the…