Aaron Bunch Journalist with Australian Associated Press | Collection of published work | + 61 484 008 119 | abunch@aap.com.au
Archive for May, 2021
RAAF’s new F-35 fighter soars over Top End
The Australian Defence Force’s new F-35A Lightning II has hit the skies above the Northern Territory for a large-scale air combat training exercise. May 18, 2021 The Australian Defence Force’s new Joint Strike Fighter has taken to the skies above the Northern Territory for the first large-scale air combat training exercise since the COVID pandemic hit. […]
Disability sector vaccine rollout ‘fails’
A royal commission has heard the coronavirus vaccine rollout to people in disability residential care has been an “abject failure”. May 17, 2021 The rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine to people in disability residential care has been an “abject failure” and discriminatory, an inquiry has heard. The royal commission into violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation […]
Darwin carnival ride operator charged
An amusement ride operator could be fined $1.2 million after the metal arm of a sideshow alley ride allegedly crashed to the ground, injuring two people. May 17, 2021 An amusement ride operator could be fined $1.2 million after the metal arm of a sideshow alley ride allegedly crashed to the ground, injuring two people. […]
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 flight passengers begin quarantine
About 80 people have begun quarantine at Howard Springs after arriving on a half-full Australian repatriation flight from India. May 16, 2021 Repatriated Australians who arrived on the first flight from virus-ravaged India since a travel ban was lifted are starting their second day of quarantine. About 80 returnees are understood to have made it […]
Half-full India flight lands in Darwin
The first Australian repatriation flight from India has arrived in Darwin after 70 people were stopped from boarding following pre-flight COVID-19 testing. May 15, 2021 The first flight of repatriated Australians from virus-ravaged India has been transferred to the Howard Springs quarantine facility after touching down at Darwin airport. More than 40 people who tested positive […]
High COVID rate expected on India flight
The coronavirus infection rate among 200 Australian citizens returning on the first flight from India on Saturday could be in the double digits. May 13, 2021 The COVID-19 infection rate among Australian citizens returning from India could be in the double digits when flights resume this weekend. About 200 repatriated Australians are expected to start […]
Good behaviour bond for AFL star Rioli
West Coast Eagles forward Willie Rioli has been placed on a good behaviour bond with no conviction recorded after he pleaded guilty to drug possession. May 12, 2021 AFL premiership forward Willie Rioli has avoided a conviction and been placed on a good behaviour bond after pleading guilty to drug possession. Northern Territory police found […]
NT brings in tough youth justice laws
Children in the Northern Territory will automatically have their bail revoked if accused of serious re-offending under tough new youth justice laws. May 12, 2021 Child offenders who commit crimes while on bail will be automatically placed on remand after tough youth justice laws were fast-tracked through the Northern Territory’s parliament. Under the changes, children […]
AFL star Rioli pleads guilty over cannabis
West Coast forward Willie Rioli has pleaded guilty to drug possession, after being caught with cannabis in his pants at Darwin airport on April 23. May 12, 2021 AFL premiership forward Willie Rioli has pleaded guilty to a drug possession charge after being caught with cannabis in his pants. Northern Territory police found 24.23 grams […]
NT to bring in tough youth justice changes
Under planned changes to NT youth bail laws, children will have their bail revoked if accused of serious re-offending or breaching other conditions of release. May 11, 2021 The Northern Territory’s parliament is set to pass proposed changes to youth bail laws that could see some child offenders automatically placed on remand for breaching bail conditions. Advocates […]
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 […]
NT concerned over India quarantine plan
A plan to exclusively quarantine people from India at Howard Springs would need to consider the local health system’s ability to cope, NT Health Minister says. May 6, 2021 The Northern Territory has raised concerns about a potential plan to use the Howard Springs quarantine facility to exclusively house people repatriated from India. Health Minister Natasha […]
Plan to quarantine foreign workers costly
An ambitious plan to quarantine foreign workers at a former Darwin mining camp used by US Marines would be costly, NT Health Minister says. May 6, 2021 The Northern Territory Health Minister has cast doubt on an ambitious plan to quarantine foreign workers at a former Darwin mining camp used by the US Marines. Industry groups have […]
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 […]
NT economy recovers quicker than expected
The Northern Territory budget has revealed a $1 billion drop in net debt for 2021/22 following an increase in GST revenue forecasts. May 5, 2021 A big increase in GST revenue forecasts is likely to result in the Northern Territory’s economic recovery happening quicker than expected. The 2021/22 budget released on Tuesday revealed a $1.35 […]
Population growth set to aid NT economy
The Northern Territory Chief Minister Michael Gunner says population growth will help the debt-laden economy recover and speed up budget repair. May 4, 2021 The Northern Territory is hoping population growth will speed up its economic recovery after delivering a better-than-expected budget on the back of a massive increase in national GST revenue forecasts. The […]
GST speeds up Top End’s budget repair
The Northern Territory budget has revealed a better-than-expected result with a $1 billion drop in net debt following an increase in GST revenue forecasts. May 4, 2021 The Northern Territory’s economic recovery is happening quicker than expected following a massive increase in national GST revenue forecasts. But the Top End remains deep in the red […]
NT’s budget likely to reveal soaring debt
The Northern Territory budget is expected to reveal net debt has ballooned to more than $10 billion amid expenditure restraint. May 4, 2021 The Northern Territory is likely to slip further into the red when Chief Minister Michael Gunner delivers his second budget as treasurer. The Top End’s net debt was forecast in November to […]