Aaron Bunch Journalist with Australian Associated Press | Collection of published work | + 61 484 008 119 | abunch@aap.com.au
Archive for April, 2021
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 […]
Movie buffs re-open outback town’s cinema
Two retired cinema veterans have headed back of beyond to re-open a Northern Territory movie theatre and take one last shot at doing what they love. April 25, 2021 It’s a story fit for Hollywood. Two cinema tragics in their twilight years head bush and re-open an outback movie hall for one last chance to do […]
NT cash offer to attract tourism workers
The Northern Territory has put out the call for workers ahead of the busy tourist season, with thousands of dollars on offer to attract them to the Top End. April 24, 2021 The Northern Territory is offering thousands of dollars to help attract hospitality and tourism workers to the Top End ahead of the coming […]
Remote NT COVID vaccine rollout delayed
The Northern Territory’s COVID-19 vaccination rollout to remote Indigenous communities is likely to be delayed despite a national cabinet strategy reset. April 24, 2021 Coronavirus vaccinations in remote Northern Territory Indigenous communities are likely to be delayed despite the federal government’s rollout reset. Territory health workers hit the ground running with the AstraZeneca vaccine in […]
NT records 13 more Indian COVID-19 cases
Another 13 coronavirus cases have been recorded at the NT’s Howard Springs quarantine facility, with all those infected having arrived on flights from India. April 23, 2021 The Northern Territory has recorded another 13 COVID-19 cases in quarantine, adding to the 20 already recorded in the past week. Health officials have warned there may be […]
Scientists track asteroid as it hits Earth
Scientists better understand what meteorites are made of after the reconstruction of an asteroid’s 22-million-year journey before it crashed into Earth. April 23, 2021 A team of asteroid-hunting scientists has reconstructed a massive space rock’s 22-million-year journey through the solar system before it slammed into the Earth. The discovery of its origin in space will help […]
Cleaner water for remote NT communities
Water security in 10 remote Northern Territory Indigenous communities is set to be improved to address water quality and supply issues. April 22, 2021 Water security in remote Northern Territory Indigenous communities will be bolstered by new bores and improved water disinfection systems. The six communities in Central Australia and four in the Top End […]
Push to review NT’s largest water licence
A powerful Indigenous land council wants the water licence handed to a massive fruit and vegetable farm near Alice Springs reviewed. April 22, 2021 A powerful Indigenous land council has called on the Northern Territory government to review a water license handed to a company planning to build a massive Central Australian fruit and vegetable farm. […]
NT govt splashes cash to reel in miners
The Northern Territory government has stumped up more money for mining exploration in a bid to encourage further investment from the resources sector. April 20, 2021 The cash-strapped Northern Territory government has hitched its wagon to the resources sector in a bid to climb out of debt, with more funding for exploration. There are currently […]
NT records 16 COVID-19 cases from India
The Northern Territory has recorded another six COVID cases in quarantine, adding to the 10 recorded from two flights out of India in the past four days. April 20, 2021 The Northern Territory has recorded another six COVID-19 cases in quarantine, adding to the 10 already recorded in the past four days. A woman aged […]
NT’s unirrigated cotton industry booming
The Top End’s rain-fed cotton growers are set for a bumper harvest after a big wet season but conservationists have concerns about the environmental impact. April 19, 2021 The Northern Territory’s unirrigated cotton growers are set for a bumper harvest after a big wet season, with hopes their fledgling industry will become a major contributor […]
US Marine in Darwin infected with COVID
A US Marine has tested positive for COVID-19 after arriving in the Northern Territory to join the Marine Rotational Force in Darwin. April 15, 2021 A US military serviceman in the Northern Territory has tested positive for COVID-19 after arriving to join the Marine Rotational Force in Darwin. The 22-year-old was diagnosed with the virus […]
NT mosquito warning over rare diseases
Northern Territory health officials have warned people to protect themselves from insect bites after two rare mosquito-borne viruses were detected. April 15, 2021 Northern Territorians have been urged to protect themselves from mosquito bites after two rare and dangerous viruses borne by the insects were detected. Murray Valley encephalitis (MVE) virus and Kunjin virus were found […]
NT needs dams to stop water waste: senator
Northern Territory senator Sam McMahon has called for more Top End dams to be built to catch wet season rains. April 15, 2021 The Northern Territory needs more dams to store wet season rains for use in droughts or potential pipeline export to other states, a Top End senator says. “When we get a good […]
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 […]
Parts of Kakadu closed following death
The East Alligator region of Kakadu National Park has been closed until further notice following the death of a prominent traditional owner. April 13, 2021 Parts of World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park are closed to tourists until further notice following the death of a senior Aboriginal leader. Parks Australia acknowledged prominent East Alligator region traditional owner […]
Top End’s remote communities going solar
The Northern Territory’s remote Indigenous communities are set to switch from diesel-generated electricity to solar power stored in batteries. April 12, 2021 The Northern Territory is another step closer to switching on solar power for remote Indigenous communities. Solar panel arrays and batteries are set to replace diesel generators in 72 communities across the Top […]
Doctors flee Top End due to climate change
Climate change migration from northern Australia is underway, with a third of Northern Territory doctors thinking about leaving due to global warming. April 10, 2021 Up to a third of Northern Territory doctors are thinking of leaving the extreme heat of the Top End to escape the effects of global warming. Climate change migration from northern […]
Vaccine halt could delay remote NT rollout
The COVID-19 vaccine rollout to remote Northern Territory communities will be delayed following health advice about the AstraZeneca vaccine for people under 50. April 9, 2021 The Northern Territory’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout to remote communities has been derailed by health advice to stop administering the AstraZeneca vaccine to people under 50 years old. Unlike the Pfizer […]
Australia sends COVID medical team to PNG
Australia has deployed a second AUSMAT medical team to Papua New Guinea to help combat the Pacific nation’s soaring COVID-19 infection rate. April 9, 2021 Australia has deployed a second medical team to help combat soaring infections and a struggling health system in Papua New Guinea. A team of 17 nurses, doctors, emergency care specialists […]
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 […]
NT cash offer to attract fruit pickers
The Northern Territory has put out the call for southern fruit pickers, offering thousands of dollars to workers who help harvest the ripening melon crop. April 8, 2021 The Northern Territory is offering thousands of dollars to fruit pickers who travel to the Top End and help harvest the ripening melon crop. Coronavirus travel restrictions […]
Fruit grower gets largest NT water licence
A company planning to build a massive fruit and vegetable farm near Alice Springs has been handed the biggest Northern Territory water license ever granted. April 8, 2021 A company planning to build a massive Central Australian fruit and vegetable farm has been handed the biggest water license ever granted in the Northern Territory. Fortune […]
Top End ramps up war on invasive grass
With the northern bushfire season fast approaching, the Top End is ramping up its attack on an invasive grass that burns 10 times hotter than native species. April 7, 2021 The Northern Territory is ramping up its battle against an invasive African grass ahead of the upcoming Top End bushfire season. Gamba grass burns 10 times […]