Issue 37

At best it's a constructive reality check. At worst it's a case of those “best laid plans ..." as Alcohol Mandatory Treatment becomes less mandatory but – hopefully – more workable. ERWIN CHLANDA reports.

The zombies descended. But they weren’t alone. Superheroes, princesses, vampires, robots and spiders travelled from across Alice Springs to Stephens Road, Hillside Gardens and Eagle Court to trick or treat. . KATHY McCONNELL was there to get scared.

This "road closed" sign will be consigned to history soon with the opening of the first part of the suburb Kilgariff, built by the NT Government's Land Development Corporation because no private developer could be found. ERWIN CHLANDA reports.

Waltja Tjutangku Palyapayi Aboriginal Corporation from Alice Springs last night topped the 2014 Indigenous Governance Awards for the best run Aboriginal organisation or project in Australia. PHOTO by Wayne Quilliam shows Waltja staff Sonja Dare, Erin Turner, and James Fielding.

Police are well prepared for the expected increase in visitor numbers to Alice Springs for the summer which has seen increased rates of general and alcohol related crime, writes Kate Vanderlaan, Police Commander of the Southern Command.

Adam Giles continues to deny links between the CLP Government and slush fund Foundation 51 despite the mounting evidence, including leaked emails, to the contrary, writes Michael Gunner, Shadow Attorney-General.

Aboriginal music from Central Australia will be showcased to an international audience next month during the Australasian World Music Expo in Melbourne from November 13 to 16.

The third man involved in the gang rape at gunpoint of two European tourists in Alice Springs in May 2012 has indicated that he will plead guilty in the Supreme Court to the charges against him. The man, Bruce Impu (pictured), faces eight charges of sexual intercourse without consent and knowing or being reckless as to the person’s lack of consent. He has at last been identified thanks to a roll-over statement by one of his co-offenders and to conversations recorded by listening devices. KIERAN FINNANE reports.

With the Commonwealth Government’s push for 99-year leases, the Forrest Report call for Aboriginal land to be privatised so as to be bought and sold, and attacks upon the Northern Land Council in particular over their defence of traditional ownership and their responsibilities under the Land Rights Act, the iconic 1976 Land Rights Act is under threat like never before, writes Ian Viner AO QC, former Liberal Minister for Aboriginal Affairs.

"It's needed in Australia so let's have it here." Chamber of Commerce CEO Kay Eade (pictured) gives her unreserved thumbs-up to the proposed national indigenous culture centre in Alice Springs. ERWIN CHLANDA reports.

The current Town Council could get an extra year in power if proposed reforms to local government elections go through. And municipal councils could in future appoint their mayor (“principal member”), rather than have the people elect her or him. KIERAN FINNANE reports. 

A national indigenous centre should be established in Alice Springs as "a living space where people come together to learn, collaborate, celebrate and share the knowledge of our Indigenous history and culture". ERWIN CHLANDA reports.