To be beholden to any country of the world is not a good thing. We subjugate our Australianism if beholden to others.

That is becoming the case in terms of export trade.

Mr Morrison’s major function should be leading the charge to diversify export markets away from China into opther export directions. China, both officially and through other channels, is putting the squeeze onto Australian exporters. This is to have an effect of silencing political opinion that runs counter to what is comfortable for China. The process is one that aims in my option, to result in Australian acquiescence on points of difference.

It is not good that so much of Australia’s exports head for the Chinese market and in a percentage (volume) that makes us beholden. We need to diversify export markets by heading our products for sale in other directions.

As an example, 93% of our rock lobster exports used to go to Vietnam. Revitalisation of this market and other outlets is entirely possible. The same must be the way things happen for coal, wine, wheat and other commodities. And in an ideal world, it might be that Australian is able to take the initiative in curbing exports to and imports from China.

We are Australian with an entitlement to express our opinions on world issues. We must not be the whipping boy of any other country or ideology in the world.

Senator McMahon’s calling the NT Government (and by inference the whole of Australia) out by labelling renewables energy a “hoax” (NT News 24/10) is incomprehensible. Is she advocating a future that should be ‘back to the past’ with a major reliance on fossil fuels. I wish the Senator would not knock the progress we are making toward developing energy sources that do not have a polluting effect on our world.

——

There are boundless job opportunities in regional NT. Enterprises in our towns beyond Darwin/Palmerston and Alice Springs really struggle for staff. Many business owners offer added incentives including free accomodation and other support. Towns like Katherine, Tennant Creek and Nhulunbuy along with smaller centres, offer people the chance to gain valuable work experience. For families, it should be noted that schools are good and that towns are socially welcoming.

——

The arraignment of Constable Rolfe and his committal to stand trial in the NT Supreme Court over the death of Mr Walker at Yuendumu is unsurprising. Mr Walker’s death was tragic and events that have followed have been hard on all those connected with what has since transpired. It is to be hoped that fairness and impartiality are part of the ongoing process. That will take some doing because of the significant social responses to Mr Walker’s passing.

——

It is interesting to read of further changes to staffing on the 5th floor of NT’s Parliament House. Whether these ongoing changes make a difference to governmental effectiveness and efficiency, only time will tell. If fanciful titles and long winded job descriptions are indicators of a positive approach to role set, we should be in for the most productive period of governance since Marshall Perron was our Chief Minister.

—-

For $32.7 million worth of construction contracts tendered in August to ALL be awarded to local businesses is a shot in the arm for NT companies. $55.4 million worth of contracts put out to tender in September (NT News 12/12) could further boost local providers. It is good to read of Territory enhancing contracts being awarded to local companies,rather than to interstate competitors who take profits out of the NT and spend that money elsewhere.

——

Ongoing news stories indicate that saltwater crocodiles are, quite surreptitiously, engaging ever more closely with Darwinians, Palmerstonians and those in our urbanising rural area. They are increasingly being located in rivers, creeks, waterways, swampy bushland , drains, lagoons, ponds, and are encroaching ever more closely upon our beaches. We need to be aware of their threat to civilian life.

The Northern Territory Government, which had en eminently sensible approach to border control and C-19, has now thrown caution to the wind and invited everyone in. Restrictions are all but gone!

Hope they are sewage testing because there are precious few tests being conducted. Howard Springs quarantine is becoming a joke.

Give it a couple of months and we will be in the same boat as Victoria was and is determined to remain.

The NT Government thinks the virus has gone away.

They are crowing about the Wonder Territory.

Ministers need to consider,

Just how easily,

A chook,

Loses its head,

And,

That may happen,

Well and truly,

Before Christmas Dinner time.

And when the virus comes home to roost,
Just watch,
All the temporary Territorians,
About whom the Government is gloating,
Flee for the horizons.

The Northern Territory Government, which had en eminently sensible approach to border control and C-19, has now thrown caution to the wind and invited everyone in. Restrictions are all but gone!

Hope they are sewage testing because there are precious few tests being conducted. Howard Springs quarantine is becoming a joke.

Give it a couple of months and we will be in the same boat as Victoria was and is determined to remain.

The NT Government thinks the virus has gone away.

They are crowing about the Wonder Territory.

Ministers need to consider,

Just how easily,

A chook,

Loses its head,

And,

That may happen,

Well and truly,

Before Christmas Dinner time.

And when the virus comes home to roost,
Just watch,
All the temporary Territorians,
About whom the Government is gloating,
Flee for the horizons.

13/10/2020

There is no way four prisoners should have the right to sue for damages because they have been in solitary confinement following their part in detention centre destruction. Damage was reckless, wanton, massive and inflicted without thought or care for the safety and welfare of others. These four owe a huge debt to the NT Government and Territory taxpayers, to inmates and staff for their actions. There should be NO CASE whatsoever, for them to be entitled to any consideration.

—

With the upcoming AFL(NT) football season around the corner, a feeling of aura and excitement is beginning to take hold of the sporting public. The level and degree of careful planning and preparation that has gone into readying us for the 2020/21 stanza about to unfold, promises to make this the best season of the present century. Along with thousands of others, I just can’t wait.

—-

There have been efforts in the past to turn the NT into a tourist mecca during the wet season, but success in selling the message to visit during this season has been limited. That in large part has been due to Territorians heading south or going overseas during Christmas and the New Year period. With virus induced circumstances contriving to keep us territory bound, end-of-year tourism could really take off.

I am 74 and find the whole issue of aged care totally, totally frightening. Euthanasia is a much preferred option to committal to what is tantamount to imprisonment, in places where the only thing that seems to count is profit for private owners.

Aged care should not be an ‘industry’ supporting rich owners lining their pockets with profits derived from those in care. They too often pay the most for the least and are held to ransom by ‘agreements’ with fine print clauses and exceptions.

The defence force upgrade that is boosting air combat capability (NT News 7/9) should be wonderfully reassuring to all Territorians worried about the potential of conflict to engage Australian. The Territory’s vastness and sparse population make us vulnerable to outside infiltration. Enhanced survelliance and increased air defence capability is reassuring. This upgrade will boost our economy, especially in the nearby town of Katherine.

—

Recent stories in the NT News confirm that the ‘lost’ skills of saving money and reducing credit card debt (NT News 8/9) are being rediscovered. The fact that 500,000 credit card accounts have been closed since March, indicates a significant re-think about debt. The penury of many people have magnified their inability to cope with the covid crisis. May saving money to help with managing contingencies become a part of our social fabric.

—-

The second Gunner Government’s ministry offers an interesting mix and match of people in positions. It never hurts for portfolio change to take place and there is no better time for that to happen than at the commencement of a new term in office. I hope the notion of ‘ministerial team’ will prevail over the ‘winners and losers’ syndrome that is so often a part of commentary accompanying change. The new ministry MUST be given a chance to work and criticism for the sake of criticising will be counterproductive.

In recent months, there have been several near misses (and some accidents) on the bottom end of Vanderlin and Leanyer Drives, adjacent to the old City Council storage depot. The two roads have become major traffic thoroughfares, with traffic volume escalated by the residential developments of Lyons and Muirhead. It is high time for the speed limit on this section of Vanderlin Drive to be reduced from 80 kph to no more than 60 kph. Or do we have to wait for a fatality to prompt the change?

—-

After the last City of Darwin Council election in August 2017, various aldermen undertook to organise periodic meetings in their wards to hear from ratepayers. These meetings have never happened. Neither have promised newsletters or attendance of aldermen at shopping centres on some weekends in order to liaise with those who ejected them. Aldermen receive allowances that equate to around $45 dollars per day, together with extra for participation in council committees. It would be nice if we heard from them during their four year terms of tenure.

—

September 21 was a sad day for ABC radio adherents. The 7.45 am 15 minute news bulletin is no more and has disappeared into perpetuity. This news bulletin because of its length and detail, has been the highlight news offering of the day for those valuing detail in stories offered to listeners. This seems to be just one more step in a process of Australia’s broadcaster withdrawing from its radio audience. The move is extremely disappointing.

—

Stories in the NT News (3/9, p.7) report crimes perpetrated by seven youth, aged 13 – 15. Crimes were well planned and carried out with precision. The perpetrators also caused significant damage to property and premises. For specialists in the field of youthful offending, wanting to mitigate punishment because those under 14 (some want it at 16) do not understand what they are doing and have an insufficient understanding between right and wrong is total garbage.

—-

Victoria’s CHO Brett Sutton has suggested that the coronavirus is on its “last gasp” and Victoria is without question on “the winning stretch” against COVID-19 (Sunday Territorian 6/9). With so many people breaching quarantine restrictions, including taking to the streets in their hundreds to protest lockdowns, this might be a statement in hope rather than actuality. Without doubt, people breaching the requirements, will prolong the virus through community transmission.

—-

Hats off to Daniel Andrews for his steadfastness in trying to lead Victoria out from under the COVID-19 blanket smothering that state. His task is the more difficult because he is countering an army of critics, many who are focussed on political point scoring. It seems these people want Victoria opened up so the virus can again explode, causing the state to again be locked down. That approach is short sighted and lacks sense. Critics need to back off,stop bullying and give Andrews a chance.