Craig Hill Media and Consulting
Northern Territory
China concerned by US military buildup in Australia
China has expressed concern at the US decision to ramp up its military presence in the region by establishing a special naval task force to support its troops based in Darwin. A technical “amphibious lift” group will be in place by 2018, possibly in Guam, to help the US mobilise its Australia-based troops quickly in … Continue reading
Australia neglects Aboriginal crisis for asylum seekers
Tony Abbott‘s indigenous affairs spokesman Nigel Scullion has attacked both sides of politics for an obsession with “boats” over indigenous Australians, arguing the bigger crisis was with closing the gap. In comments that criticise the current focus on border security, the Northern Territory senator said he thought this issue should have a higher priority. Senator … Continue reading
Public service chief says little achieved for Aboriginal Australians
Former head of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet Peter Shergold has lamented how little he achieved for indigenous Australians in his two decades as a senior public servant. Dr Shergold’s mea culpa comes in a foreword he wrote for a collection of essays, “In black and white: Australians all at the crossroads,” … Continue reading
Australian plan to remove neglected Aboriginal children from parents
The Northern Territory‘s plan to send neglected Indigenous children into adoptive homes has sparked fears of creating another Stolen Generation. The Northern Territory government has sparked fears of creating another Stolen Generation, following a plan outlined to send neglected Indigenous children into adoptive homes. Chief Minister Adam Giles has told News Limited, previous governments have … Continue reading
Australia takes first step towards criminalising alcoholism
Alcoholics could end up in jail in Australia under new measures that experts warn will criminalise alcohol dependency. The Northern Territory yesterday unveiled the country’s toughest police powers to target problem drinking, under which officers will be able to ban anyone charged with a serious alcohol-related offence from owning or consuming grog, or entering a … Continue reading
U.S. marines based in Australia will cost $1.6 billion
Infrastructure costing an estimated $1.6 billion will need to be built in Northern Australia to accommodate a fully-equipped, 2500-strong US Marines task force due in Darwin in about 2016. And it is not clear yet who will foot the bill to accommodate the potent and self-contained Marines Air Ground Task Group, which will come to … Continue reading
Adam Giles to be Australia’s first indigenous head of government
Terry Mills has been replaced as Northern Territory chief minister while on an overseas trip to Japan. Taking his place will be Transport Minister Adam Giles, who will become Australia’s first indigenous head of government. Mr Mills’ removal comes only seven months after the Country Liberal Party‘s victory in the NT election, and just a … Continue reading
Australian government defends indigenous policy
The Gillard government has defended its indigenous policies after Howard minister Alexander Downer called for children to be moved out of remote communities and into boarding schools and for increased access to property ownership. Mr Downer said sending children from remote communities into boarding schools in regional towns and cities would help them “acclimatise to … Continue reading
Australian PM Julia Gillard accuses own MPs of undermining her government
Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard has accused members of her parliamentary team of white-anting the government, as she demanded unity from Labor MPs. The Prime Minister is understood to have today told parliamentary colleagues that she had been informed by members of the media that some within her ranks had contacted them over the summer, … Continue reading
Prime Minister Julia Gillard talks up Australian economy
Prime Minister Julia Gillard says people can have confidence in the Australian economy, as other countries fight high levels of unemployment. Ms Gillard attended a ground-breaking ceremony in Darwin today for the start of a $34 billion LNG project by Japan‘s Inpex, saying it was a “fantastic” opportunity for the Northern Territory and part of … Continue reading
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