Latest news with #Northern Territory
ABC News
a day ago
- Politics
- ABC News
Federal government under pressure to intervene in NT incarceration 'crisis'
One of Australia's largest Aboriginal legal services is calling on the federal government to intervene in what it is calling an incarceration "crisis" in the Northern Territory. The NT's prison population has soared to unprecedented levels in recent months, with prisoners locked up inside police watch houses for days on end due to a lack of beds at correctional facilities. In one recent incident, an 11-year-old Aboriginal girl who was initially denied bail was detained overnight inside Palmerston's overcrowded police watch house, where the lights remain on 24 hours a day. The North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency's (NAAJA) acting chief executive, Anthony Beven, has called on the federal government to suspend Commonwealth funding for remote policing and other justice-related operations until the NT government changes its hardline approach to crime. Since the Country Liberal Party came to power last year, the NT government has lowered the age of criminal responsibility from 12 back to 10 and introduced tougher bail laws for both adults and children. Mr Beven said the measures were not working to reduce crime and were leading to large numbers of Aboriginal people being incarcerated. "One of the unique things we have here in the Northern Territory is that the Commonwealth actually funds the Northern Territory police for remote policing and other options," Mr Beven said. The NT Police Force was budgeted to receive about $50 million in Commonwealth funding in 2024-25. Mr Beven also said NT Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro had so far refused to meet with NAAJA and other Aboriginal leaders to discuss strategies aimed at reducing crime. In a statement, Federal Indigenous Australians Minister Marndirri McCarthy said: "There is something very wrong with the Northern Territory justice system when an 11-year-old girl is held in an adult police watch house for two days and one night." "It is primarily Northern Territory bail laws that are driving this issue," she said. Ms McCarthy said the NT government had previously committed to reducing the incarceration rates of First Nations people under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap. NT Attorney-General Marie-Clare Boothby slammed Mr Beven's comments as "utterly absurd". "Threatening to cut essential funding to remote policing is counterproductive, dangerous, and undermines community confidence," Ms Boothby said in a statement. "There is no alternative: those who break the law will be arrested. "Corrections will continue to expand capacity to ensure those who are remanded or sentenced have a bed, because that's what the community expects." Ms Boothby said the adult prison in Berrimah, on Darwin's outskirts, would be expanded to accommodate an extra 238 prison beds by mid-August. Ms Finocchiaro has been contacted for comment. The situation in the Northern Territory comes amid growing international concern about youth justice in Australia. In a letter to the federal government in May, the United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteur on Torture, Alice Edwards, and the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Albert K Barume, singled out the NT's record on human rights. "Several states and the Northern Territory are announcing new 'tougher' criminal legislation, which seem to give little regard to international human rights standards," they wrote. The letter said there was an "ongoing pattern" of First Nations children being disproportionately incarcerated, noting that in the Northern Territory, Indigenous children are 32 times more likely to be incarcerated than non-Indigenous children. It also said the NT government's decision to reduce the age of criminal responsibility from 12 to 10 was "a step backwards", and criticised the lifting of a ban on spit hoods being used on children. "Spit hoods … are considered inherently in violation of the prohibition of torture and/or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment," they wrote. The federal government has not responded to the letter in the requested 60-day timeframe.
Yahoo
a day ago
- General
- Yahoo
Discovery in remote bushland prompts renewed calls to combat Aussie crisis
For millions of years, Australia evolved in near-isolation, its unique ecosystems untouched by the threats posed by introduced species from overseas. But, when Europeans arrived, that all changed. Now, we have one of the worst track records in the world when it comes to invasive pests, with everything from cane toads, foxes, feral pigs and deer running amok across unimaginably large parts of the country. While some species generate a lot of attention, others often escape the spotlight. That's mainly been the case for feral donkeys in Australia, despite there being between two to five million living in the country, according to the Centre for Invasive Species Solutions. Feral donkeys were originally introduced in the 19th century for transport and work in remote areas, particularly in Western Australia and the Northern Territory, but after becoming redundant with mechanisation, many were released or escaped and have since established large populations. This month, a herd was spotted in Victoria, much farther south than their usual range. Professor of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation at Deakin University, Euan Ritchie, said that while in this case, it's more likely the group escaped from a nearby property rather than an "expansion into the area from feral populations". But, he warned it's "concerning" whenever invasive animals are detected in regions where they don't already occur. In an interview with Yahoo, he said it's especially alarming "when it happens in conservation areas such as national parks". "Such incidents need to be acted on swiftly to ensure populations don't become established and to minimise any environmental harm," Ritchie warned. What damage do feral donkeys do to Australia's environment? Ritchie explained that feral donkeys can cause a range of issues, some potentially devastating to already fragile ecosystems. He said their impact includes overgrazing, which reduces plant cover and diversity while promoting the spread of woody, unpalatable species; the dispersal of weeds via their fur and droppings; soil compaction and erosion; the risk of transmitting parasites and diseases to other animals; and competition with native wildlife — such as kangaroos, wallaroos, and wallabies — for food and access to waterholes. As a result of more open vegetation, it can make it easier for feral cats and foxes to hunt native wildlife, Ritchie added. "Further, Australia has over 1000 species of threatened plants, and grazing by introduced and feral herbivores, including donkeys, increases their risk of extinction," he said. To make matters worse, feral donkeys are "generalist and very hardy herbivores" and have the potential to invade most terrestrial ecosystems in the country. "Given that Australia's ecosystems are already under severe pressure from a range of threats, we must do all we can to prevent any further new and compounding impacts, such as those posed by the spread and increased abundance of feral donkeys." How can the public fight back? Across the vast areas where feral donkeys are found, the most effective control methods include aerial and ground shooting, exclusion fencing, and — where terrain allows — localised trapping and mustering. Another technique involves using "Judas donkeys" — sterilised donkeys fitted with tracking devices that are released to join wild herds, making it easier for authorities to locate and cull the rest of the group. But, because they occur over "very large areas of arid and northern Australia, much of which is in very remote and rugged" country, this is difficult, with little to no road access to some regions. "They also occur in very large numbers in some areas, meaning control efforts need to be substantial and sustained in order to meaningfully reduce their numbers and impacts," Ritchie said. He said this highlights the essential need for early intervention when it comes to invasive species. "It's far cheaper and easier to control a population of invasive animals before they become established, abundant, and widespread. Donkeys are no different in this respect. Intervening early also minimises any potential harm to the environment and agriculture," Ritchie said. In recent decades, it's estimated that in excess of $80 million has been spent on donkey eradication efforts, with over 500,000 killed in the Kimberley Region of WA alone since the 1970s. "All invasive species can potentially have significant impacts on Australia's wildlife and ecosystems, and they can compound other threats," Ritchie added. 🎣 Plea after fisherman fined $2000 for 'doing the wrong thing' 🏡 Worrying find in suburban town highlights growing problem 🌳 Aussies urged to know telltale sign as pest threatens every state In some areas, ecosystems might be affected by multiple invasive, large herbivores and omnivores, meaning the total grazing pressure on vegetation is unsustainable and can lead to biodiversity decline and extinction. "In northern Australia, for example, some areas have feral donkeys, feral horses, feral cattle, feral water buffalo and feral pigs, all in the same area. In arid Australia, feral camels, feral donkeys, feral horses, feral cattle, feral goats and introduced European rabbits may all co-occur," Ritchie said. Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? 🐊🦘😳 Get our new newsletter showcasing the week's best stories.
ABC News
3 days ago
- ABC News
Falling palm tree kills four-year-old girl in tragic 'freak event' at Darwin
A falling palm tree has struck and killed a four-year-old girl playing in a Darwin backyard, in what's been described as "a freak" accident. In a statement, NT Police said emergency services were called to the Tiwi yard about 1:55pm on Saturday afternoon. They tried to take the girl to a nearby hospital for treatment, but she could not be saved. "Police and St John Ambulance attended the scene, and the victim was conveyed to Royal Darwin Hospital; however, she was pronounced deceased prior to arrival," the statement said. The tree also struck an 11-year-old boy, but police said his injuries were "non-life-threatening". NT police on Saturday had said the girl who died was seven years old, but on Monday confirmed she was four years old. Police said its investigations were "ongoing", but they did not believe the incident to be suspicious. A report will be prepared for the coroner. A number of tree-related deaths have been recorded in the NT over time. Almost two years ago, a falling tree branch at Darwin's botanic gardens struck and killed a South African woman as she was walking with her partner. In 2013, a falling palm tree south of Darwin struck and killed a Coomalie Council worker at Batchelor. NT-born arborist Ben Kenyon said, although the exact circumstances that caused the tree to fall in this incident were unclear, it was a tragedy. "Quite often, it is a bit of a freak event. "[My] thoughts go out to the family for sure — it's tragic." Mr Kenyon, who runs an arboriculture business in Melbourne but frequently visits the NT, said it was important to monitor and maintain backyard trees, particularly in tropical areas such as the Top End. "A fungi getting into the trunk of a tree in the Top End can kill it within 3-12 months — a very similar fungi in a similar tree in the southern states may take 5-10 years," he said. "It's just far, far quicker with the growth rates that you have and the humidity and the style of tree that you have in the Top End."
ABC News
6 days ago
- Business
- ABC News
Darwin's airport operators hike landing fees to 'more than double' anywhere else in Australia
Darwin's airport has taken on the unenviable title of the most expensive capital city airport in the country, after operators hiked its landing fees by more than 110 per cent. The fee hike by Darwin's Airport Development Group (ADG), which came into effect on July 1, has already seen charter companies Hardy Aviation and Fly Tiwi raise their passenger airfares in response. Darwin-based MP and Special Envoy for Northern Australia Luke Gosling said the changes would make the NT's landing fees "more than double anywhere else in the country". "It's an unacceptable increase, in my view," he told ABC Radio Darwin. Mr Gosling said the ADG's fee hike had been referred to the nation's consumer watchdog, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC). "I'll be doing what I can with the ACCC [around] this power imbalance between the monopoly ADG, who runs the airport and sets the fees, and smaller operators," he said. Commercial airline Virgin has previously said that the ADG's plan to raise high landing fees would "put pressure on airfares and will not incentivise airlines to grow services to Darwin". Mr Gosling said it was more than likely the fee hikes would put upwards pressure on commercial passenger fares. "Unfortunately, that is the reality of it, that the airlines will seek to pass on some of those costs, which makes it even harder for us," he said. In a statement, the ADG blamed ongoing runway works for having to raise their fees. Darwin's commercial international airport operates under a "joint user deed" with the Australian Defence Department, which has been driving the airport's runway works. "The current adjustment is necessary, driven by the [runway works] which has significantly impacted [the airport's] operating costs," it said in a statement. "This is compounded by a decline in aeronautical activity and broader increases in construction costs driven by inflation. "ADG acknowledges the impact this adjustment may have on the [general aviation] community and is actively engaging with both the Northern Territory and Australian governments to explore mechanisms to support the sector." The ADG has previously said the runway works were also responsible for a downturn in flights, after negotiations to get more AirAsia flights into the Northern Territory fell over. Since that period, the airport has managed to attract more flights from AirAsia to Malaysia, however flights between Darwin and other cities within Australia remain scarce and expensive. At present, there are no daily daytime flights between Darwin and Melbourne, and flights to many other capital cities cost high rates and fly mainly in the middle of the night. The ADG said its fee hike was in line with ACCC and Productivity Commission principles. The ACCC has been contacted for comment.
News.com.au
16-07-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
Simple change set to pocket Aussies $110m in super a week
Australian workers are losing $110m a week in unpaid superannuation. Super Members Council (SMC) analysis of 2022-2023 tax data shows 3.3 million Australian workers lost collectively $5.7bn in superannuation payments. This is based on the average worker losing $1730 in superannuation a year. Australians living in the ACT or the Northern Territory had the highest average underpayment, while more than one million people in NSW lost $1760 a week, 848,000 Victorians lost about $1670 and 377,450 people living in Western Australia lost $1790. The SMC said unpaid super could cost the average worker more than $30,000 from their final retirement nest egg. When not intentional, superannuation underpayment can occur due to the timing of payments. While wages and salaries are paid weekly, fortnightly or monthly, businesses only need to pay the superannuation guarantee quarterly. Under new laws coming in July 1 2026, superannuation payday reforms will require employers to pay superannuation, salaries and wages at the same time. These reforms have been three years in the making after the federal government first announced the changes back on May 2, 2023. SMC deputy chief executive Georgia Brumby said Australians would pay the price for any further delays. 'Each week these laws are delayed, Australians are made $110m poorer in retirement, which means less money to pay the bills after a lifetime of hard work,' Ms Brumby said. 'The sooner this legislation is introduced and passed, the more time and certainty it will give businesses and the super payment system to prepare so all workers can get paid their super on time and in full. 'Payday super will not only stamp out unpaid super, it'll put nearly $8000 more in the average Australian's pocket at retirement thanks to more frequent payments and the power of compounding.'
