Issue 6

It was fire and brimstone at noon today when a crowd of 200 listened to prominent Aboriginal activists on the council lawns, thundering about the possible closure of remote communities in Western Australia. ERWIN CHLANDA reports.

Automobile Association deal for members from May 15. UPDATE 1pm Saturday: The discounts are already in place. The Alice Springs News Online this morning bought premium unleaded fuel for $1.50 a litre at the Indervon service station (pictured) in Gap Road.

Requiring payment in advance for the return trip from the Easter Football carnival in Alice Springs, for supporters as well players, is one measure under consideration to avoid the spate of criminal damage in the wake of this year's fixture, says Assistant Police Commissioner Jamie Chalker (pictured). ERWIN CHLANDA reports.

I had hoped the NT Government would prioritise in the Budget after hours services given the recent focus on issues around young people on the streets at night, writes Chansey Paech, Alice Springs Town Councillor (pictured).

New Opposition Leader Michael Gunner (pictured) attacks the Budget's spending on health in his reply speech today, but makes no mention of the Central Australian Health Service being allocated $38m for capital works, including $34m to be spent in Alice Springs. Local Labor branch president Chansey Paech declines to be interviewed.

Making the most of what we've got is Tourism Central Australia's strategy. The second report in a series by ERWIN CHLANDA. PHOTO: Ellery Bighole marketing image from Tourism NT.

Impassioned pleas from the public gallery, an eloquent speech from Councillor Jade Kudrenko, a certain volume of letters and emails, and a second small petition – adding 96 signatures to a previous 165 – were not enough to persuade the blockers on the Town Council to impose a moratorium on fracking in the municipality. KIERAN FINNANE reports.

The NT Budget announced this morning provides for a capital works expenditure in Central Australia of a whopping $174m, including $102.8m worth of new works. ERWIN CHLANDA reports. PHOTO: Ormiston Gorge. The completing of the inner loop road will trigger a boom in the Western MacDonnells.

But fix problems, including racism 

Town councillors spoke as one last night: the Lightning Carnival should stay, but associated problems should be fixed. And From Steve Brown to Jade Kudrenko they rejected the "racist" commentary on the issues in social media.   KIERAN FINNANE reports.

During the opening scene of the first episode of 8MMM an Aboriginal staff member falls into an open grave and dies. The scene is played for laughs. There couldn't be a clearer signal that no sensitivities will be spared in this comedy series out of Alice Springs which will start going to air on ABC television this Wednesday. KIERAN FINNANE was at yesterday's free public screening of the first two episodes.

The town was up early for the Anzac commemoration. DAVE IVES reports.

An estimated 2000 people were at the dawn service on top of Anzac Hill this morning on the 100th anniversary of the Gallipoli landing. Photo and report by ERWIN CHLANDA