Aaron Bunch Journalist with Australian Associated Press | Collection of published work | + 61 484 008 119 | abunch@aap.com.au
Stories
NT shipwreck reveals sailors’ secrets
A Japanese shipwreck in waters off the Northern Territory hides a tale of conflict, tragedy and secret friendship with the Aboriginal people. January 22, 2022 Deep beneath the waves on a remote part of the Northern Territory coastline, a Japanese shipwreck hides a tale of conflict, tragedy and secret friendship with the Aboriginal people. Pearling mothership […]
Pre-paid power access ‘amplifying poverty’
Pre-paid access to electricity is putting many Indigenous Australians living in remote communities at risk, a new university study says. December 17, 2021 Pre-paid access to electricity is putting disadvantaged Australians living in substandard housing at risk, particularly when their power is cut on dangerously hot days, researchers say. In some remote Northern Territory communities, […]
Telegram that changed Australia turns 150
It’s 150 years ago this month since the words “Advance Australia” were sent to Darwin in the first telegram to arrive in the country from overseas. November 13, 2021 Described as the internet of the 19th-century, it’s 150 years ago this month since the telegraph line linked Australia to the outside world. A Morse Code […]
Accused NT murder’s shame over dead mate
Accused murderer Ben Hoffmann sat with his head in his hands as a forensics expert detailed the injuries suffered by his third alleged victim, who was a mate. October 18, 2021 As a forensic pathologist detailed the gruesome shotgun injuries suffered by a man found dead in a Darwin car park, the man accused of […]
NT plumber finds headless shooting victim
After hearing a loud bang outside Darwin’s Buff Club, plumber Malcolm Smith walked into the car park and discovered the third victim of an accused gunman. September 28, 2021 Two mates made a gruesome discovery after hearing a loud bang in the car park at Darwin’s Buff Club, dropping their beers and running outside to […]
Confused cop lets Darwin shooter slip by
A Northern Territory policeman failed to follow Ben Hoffmann after he allegedly murdered his third victim because the officer was confused, a court has heard. September 28, 2021 A confused Northern Territory policeman did not follow an accused murderer’s car after he allegedly shot a man in the head despite a witness alerting him to the incident, […]
Darwin shooter pointed gun at me: witness
A man accused of shooting four people dead in Darwin blasted his way into a room at the Palms Motel as two terrified occupants hid and pellets hit the walls. September 23, 2021 As the gunman accused of murdering four people in Darwin allegedly fired his first shot into room 15 at the Palms Motel, […]
Glencore community funds allegedly misused
The Northern Territory government and miner Glencore have been accused of misusing millions of dollars set aside to help Aboriginal traditional owners. June 27, 2021 The Northern Territory government and a massive lead and zinc mine have been accused of misusing millions of dollars set aside for the benefit of traditional owners. Glencore’s McArthur River Mine […]
US Marines in Top End ready for action
With more than 2000 Marines in Australia’s north, commander USMC Colonel David Banning says the force isn’t just in the Top End to train, it’s ready for action. June 26, 2021 US Marines stationed in Australia’s north aren’t just in the Top End to train, says their commanding officer. USMC Colonel David Banning insists his […]
Safety concerns before soldier’s death
Safety officers failed to notice a young soldier who was fatally shot was in danger zone when a live-fire exercise in the NT was paused due to safety concerns. May 26, 2021 A young soldier was fatally shot in the head two minutes after a live-fire exercise was restarted after being paused due to safety […]
Assault and bullying in disabled care home
A royal commission has heard a carer at Sydney residential facility for disabled people was charged with assault over his treatment of a blind and autistic man. May 24, 2021 A supervisor at a NSW residential care home for disabled people was charged with assault, stalking and intimidation over his treatment of a blind and […]
Juukan inquiry for NT traditional owners
Traditional owners are likely to travel to Canberra to make submissions to the Juukan inquiry about Glencore’s McArthur River Mine in the Northern Territory. May 16, 2021 A delegation of Northern Territory traditional owners will likely testify before a federal inquiry into a massive lead and zinc mine’s impacts on Aboriginal sacred sites. Glencore’s McArthur River […]
India COVID flights may stress NT Health
Howard Springs quarantine facility in the Northern Territory is set to receive three flights of the most urgent cases from India. May 7, 2021 The Northern Territory is doing its bit to help Australians stranded in India amid a COVID-19 emergency, but will its health system be able to cope? Darwin’s Howard Springs quarantine facility […]
Kakadu site closure amid racism claims
Jawoyn traditional owners have voted to symbolically close a popular site at Kakadu National Park amid allegations of racism by Parks Australia management. May 6, 2021 A popular site at World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park will be symbolically closed by traditional owners amid allegations of racism by federally funded Parks Australia. Gunlom – a cascading […]
Refugees unlawfully detained in NT: lawyer
Lawyers for five refugees detained in a Darwin hotel for more than a year have launched a legal case against the federal government for false imprisonment. April 28, 2021 Five refugees detained in a Darwin hotel for more than a year are taking the federal government to court for false imprisonment and negligence after witnessing […]
Microplastics contaminating food and water
Airborne microplastics have become so widespread that humans are breathing, drinking and eating them on a daily basis, with fears they could cause cancers. April 14, 2021 Airborne microplastic particles from broken-down rubbish have become so widespread that humans are breathing, drinking and eating them on a daily basis. The near-invisible, dust-like pieces leach chemicals […]
Kakadu wants sacred site case dropped
The Northern Territory government has been asked to drop court action over an allegedly illegally disturbed Aboriginal sacred site in Kakadu National Park. April 8, 2021 Kakadu National Park management has asked the Northern Territory government to drop court action over an allegedly illegally disturbed Aboriginal sacred site. Parks Australia – which is part of the […]
Qld ‘very concerned’ over PNG virus spread
Queensland’s top doctor says she’s worried about Papua New Guinea’s soaring COVID-19 infection rate as health officials race to vaccinate far north communities. April 3, 2021 Papua New Guinea’s soaring COVID-19 infection rate has Queensland’s top doctor worried as health officials race to vaccinate vulnerable communities in the state’s far north. PNG, which is just […]
NT mine talks over Aboriginal sacred site
One of the world’s biggest zinc and lead mines is set to enter negotiations with traditional owners after alleged damage to Aboriginal cultural sites. April 1, 2020 A massive Northern Territory mine dogged by environmental incidents and alleged damage to Aboriginal cultural sites is set to start negotiations with traditional owners. McArthur River Mine says it […]
Hope as Australian environment fights back
The Australian environment has shaken off some of the toughest years on record and started a slow recovery, according to Australia’s Environment Report. March 31, 2021 The Australian environment has started a slow recovery from some of the toughest years on record, a new study has concluded. Researchers found robust species rebounded in 2020, despite […]
Kakadu managers call for Commonwealth help
Kakadu National Park will ask the federal government to intervene in a court case after it allegedly disturbed an Aboriginal sacred site. March 29, 2021 Kakadu National Park management is set to ask the Commonwealth Attorney-General to intervene after it was sued for allegedly illegally disturbing an Aboriginal sacred site. Parks Australia – which is […]
Native title laws not balanced: study
Weak native title laws allow mining companies to legally start mining projects without obtaining traditional landowner consent, a study has found. March 20, 2021 Some top mining companies are flouting international human rights conventions when negotiating with Indigenous Australians over land use, a study has found. Companies, including Origin Energy and Glencore, have failed to […]
NT and ACT join forces over euthanasia law
The Northern Territory and ACT have upped the pressure on the federal government over a law banning the territories from passing legislation on assisted dying. March 4, 2021 The Northern Territory and ACT are again calling on the federal government to restore their right to make voluntary euthanasia laws. NT Attorney-General Selena Uibo and the […]
NT mine to impact Indigenous sacred site
Glencore’s McArthur River Mine in the Northern Territory is likely to impact an Indigenous sacred site, a federal parliamentary inquiry has been told. March 2, 2021 The expansion of a massive Northern Territory mine is likely to impact an Indigenous sacred site, a federal parliamentary inquiry has been told. A growing waste rock pile over […]