POINTS TO PONDER

AFL will miss Collingwood’s Nathan Buckley as an experienced senior coach who leaves a huge legacy as a player and coach. In many ways he has been the fall guy, on the receiving end of club policies and management board priorities. I hope he is quickly inducted into the AFL Hall of Fame.

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News stories about the Palmerston City Council always confirm that the mayor and aldermen are there first and foremost for the citizens of Palmerston. As a long term Darwinian, I never ever get to feel that Darwin residents hold the same place in the thinking of our elected local government representatives.

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That hiker Maggie Dobbin was rescued from a dire predicament (NT News) confirms just how well prepared NT police, fire and emergency services are, to respond in dire circumstances. Ms Dobbin was also prepared with food and blanket in case things should go wrong. Wisdom all around I think.

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My thanks to the NT News for keeping us informed about Covid cases emerging at Howard Springs among repatriated Australians. Thanks also for letting us know when flights of repatriats from overseas touch down in Darwin. Without the astute observation of your reporting team, these are things we would not know.

POINTS TO PONDER

We may desire an AFL team but we have to be cost conscious. The NT Government contributes close to $2 million each year for two AFL games in the NT. If an NT team is going to cost government (and Territorians) countless millions each year, we should proceed with caution.

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The fact that Palmerston Regional Hospital offers very limited services, imposes extra and unwarranted patient burdens on RDH. The NT Government and planning authorities are responsible or the ongoing hospital challenges we face, because they tried to get a second hospital on the cheap.

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People who deliberately flout Covid travel restrictions and subject others to viral threat should, if apprehended, be photographed for and named in the media. Their blatant and deliberate actions should forfeit their right to anonymity. They should also be held accountable to bear some of the cost associated with the need to set up testing clinics necessitated by their actions.

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POINTS TO PONDER

Darwin is blessed by Neuron’s enlightened attitude toward allowing e-Scooters and e-Bikes to travel further and further from the CBD into our suburbs. This is allowing us to share more and more of our city’s suburbs and facilities with tourists and visitors; a win for everyone.

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International repatriants should continue to enter the NT, bound for Howard Springs quarantine, through the RAAF disembarkation point. Changing that to arrival through the international airport, no matter what security is guaranteed, will water down present securities. Why toss the best arrivals process for one that is not as good?

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ALL THOSE who are offered unemployment benefits and support to assist living during Covid times should have money received tagged to a card that disallows gambling, purchase of alcohol and cigarettes and frittering of money.

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Ethnic groups (Greeks, Sri Lankans, Indians, Philippines, Vietnamese and others) are self sufficient in funding and supporting the Territory through their festival programs. Why do Indigenous Australian festivals and celebrations have to be supported with public funding?

POINTS TO PONDER

Rumour has it that the Quest Hotel in Berrimah has been booked out by the Health Department to accomodate staff being employed to manage the Howard Springs quarantine program. Maybe, maybe not – but why the furtive secrecy about this booking. Quest’s callous treatment in cancelling earlier bookings and being so high handed with those now without accomodation is deplorable.

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Unlike some, I feel blessed and reassured to hear defence force planes in the sky, both day and night. It offers reassurance that we are under the care and protection of an active and aware strategic defence program, one up to date on strategies that are honed through practice.

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One does not need a dog to share in the cacophony offered by neighbouring canines every time a pedestrian, cyclist or dog walker passes by. In our area, few hours pass each day or night without noisy, penetrating reminders that dogs are very much a part of life and living in this suburb.

I am confused by ‘black lives matter’ issues. If indigenous deaths are attributed to non indigenous persons, there are major community reactions. However, when indigenous persons injure or kill each other, there is little reaction. How come?

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I am a sad, disappointed West Coast supporter. The Eagles round 11 failure against Essendon, means they are finished for this season and are now reduced to easybeat status. They will finish in the bottom third of the points table. Four quarters of sustained football is beyond the team.

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Qantas wanted to outsource baggage handlers and airport ground staff to contract management in order to save money. A baggage handling vehicle crashing into a laden Qantas plane at the Darwin Airport would have dented this money saving ambition.

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Karama has turned into a sad suburb. In 1987 it was an area very definitely Jewel in Darwin’s crown. Fast forward 44 years and it has been reduced to a crime riddled ghetto.

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The growing complacency of Territorians and visitors coming to the Territory toward advice offered about behaviours that will help protect from Covid 19 transfer, is alarming. It would not be surprising if Covid was already in the community, ready to reveal itself in the not too distant future.

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Reconciliation should be considered as a two way process. It should not be about one major cultural group doing all the taking with others doing all the giving.

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If the ‘Most Powerful’ list extended to inanimate objects, “Alcohol” would lead the NT in influential stakes. It is number one when it comes to breakins, car theft, domestic violence, sexual assault, cultural destruction, road accidents and the breakdown of behavioural inhibitions. Alcohol’s aftermath is the government’s number one cost item.

Karama and Malak are now classified as suburbs of major social unrest and insecurity. Crime aboundsv. Up to the 1990’s they were peaceful, tranquil suburbs. Thanks to housing and lifestyle

policies, they have become ghettos.

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30% of Australia’s adult population are not going to be vaccinated against Covid-19 and others are prevaricating. Not a good look for our future cohabitation with this deadly virus.

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The City of Darwin Council looks set to increase its sister city cohort from 6 to 8 (NT News 23/5). Nothing like growing the family, with new members in time, likely to be on the visiting list for the mayor and some aldermen.

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It won’t be any time at all before calls are made on Neuron’s third party insurance for e-Scooter and e-BIke accidents. Then Neuron’s premium will go through the roof.

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What a gripping race for CLP preselection (for what will be the sole coalition senator elected from the NT) is unfolding. With Ashley Manicaros as her prime support person, my money is on Senator Sam McMahon’s re-endorsement for top spot on the CLP senate ticket.

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Once quiet Darwin suburbs because of integrated housing policies, have been turned into visually rundown streets lined with rundown residences in unkempt gardens.

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I used to be a dedicated viewer of ‘ Insiders’ each Sunday morning. It has lost so much relevance that Mike Bowers ‘Talking Pictures’ is its only remaining worthwhile feature.

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I feel there are three distinct layers encircling Earth: A later of air, one of dust and smoke and a layer of sickness and disease.

POINTLETS TO PONDER (7)

Sent an express parcel (cost $210) from Karama PO to Nhulunbuy PO via Winnellie. Daily planes fly Darwin to Gove. This urgent parcel (Aust Post app. confirmed) sat at Winnellie for a week and did not move until I rang Aust Post complaints. After that it was delivered in a day. Took same amount of delivery time as barged freight.

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Munitions factories and building construction industries will be delighted at the prospect of never-ending business generated by the Middle East conflict.

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30% of Australia’s adult population are not going to be vaccinated against Covid-19 and others are prevaricating. Not a good look for our future cohabitation with this deadly virus.

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Green ants and bees have disappeared from our suburbs. Aphis and other sap sucking insects have taken over. Where have vermin controlling and pollinating insects gone?

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Many homeowners will rejoice at the news of C of D Council proposed 2.5% rates rise. While rates are up, unimproved capital value of land, (especially in suburbs where integrated housing is all the go) has gone south and by up to 20%. So the rates impact will be negligible.

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The NT is not short on hundreds of people occupying high level, important sounding and excellently salaried positions. Their main job seems to be supervising the many others who do most of the work for far, far less recompense.

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The amount of alcohol coming into Darwin by rail and road is absolutely mind blowing. It often seems that the only thing we have going is our reputation for downing grog.

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The fact that our Covid -19 vaccination take up rate in the NT is the lowest in Australia, confirms how dangerously casual we are about this insidious virus.

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A review into the entitlements of Legislative Assembly members and key staff is being held at the moment. There should be no increases of any kind. The 4 year salary freeze dictated for public servants should also bind their political masters.

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