Issue 33

The answer from two academics to the question posed by the Strehlow Conference, Where to from here? is not what most people would be happy to hear. Rolf Gerritsen says there is no end in sight to the "covert resistance" displayed by Aborigines towards whitefellers' efforts to Close The Gap. And Don Zoellner suggests the ballooning expenditure for a deliberate policy of fixing social problems though the justice system is driving the Northern Territory towards a financial abyss. ERWIN CHLANDA reports.
 

Eight storey buildings are now officially on the agenda for Alice Springs, and the government's newest land management instrumentality is on the same page as one of the town's most outspoken high-rise opponents, heritage architect Domenico Pecorari. ERWIN CHLANDA reports.

In 1876, as a German Lutheran scouting party of three entered Western Arrernte country to explore the Hermannsburg lease where they would set up a mission, a small Arrernte boy was watching. His name was Tjalkabota. He came to embrace the Christian faith and took the name Moses, becoming an evangelist of the new ways. KIERAN FINNANE previews a biography of this important man by Peter Latz. It will be launched on Thursday.

Building height limits have long been a hotly debated issue in Alice, and so is the now desperate need for major projects to crank up our economy. Open debate? Don't hold your breath. ERWIN CHLANDA reports. PHOTO: Will the old Melanka site get an eight storey building?

Locals are telling me the last few weeks have been particularly bad for youth-related crime and anti-social behaviour in Alice Springs, writes Opposition Leader Delia Lawrie.

Today the International Day of Peace, also known as World Peace Day, is observed around the world. This is an occasion to recognise the efforts of those who have worked hard to end conflict and promote peace, writes Paul Della, President, Rotary Club of Stuart.

Eight storeys high, 600 car parks partly underground and built by a Darwin firm that has its roots in Alice Springs: That's the new Melanka site story, according to reliable sources. It is proposed to be built in tandem with the supreme court building (pictured), a Sitzler project, in Parsons Street, at the former site of the Commonwealth Bank. ERWIN CHLANDA reports.

"Central Australia was part of my education," says Neil Murray. While he now lives in his "own country" in Western Victoria, he keeps coming back to The Centre, to stay in touch with what he learned here. The singer-songwriter of Warumpi Band fame will play at the Totem Theatre this Saturday – songs from his new album, Bring Thunder and Rain, his 12^th solo release.

Opposition Leader, Delia Lawrie, says government frontbencher Bess Price (pictured) "was happy enough to use traditional owners connected to the Whitegate families in her election advertising two years ago, but now she will take no action to ensure these people get the water turned back on and their land tenure issues resolved.”

Yuendumu elder and film maker Francis Jupurrurla Kelly (pictured) was today elected as the chairman of the Central Land Council. ERWIN CHLANDA reports. See UPDATE 4pm.

Is it time they had a look at their own cost structures?

In an unprecedented snub Prime Minister Tony Abbott is not meeting with Chief Minister, Adam Giles, during his stay in North East Arnhemland, writes Opposition Leader Delia Lawrie.