Issue 9

The elite of traditional owners in Alice Springs got the cold shoulder from the town council last night as social initiatives of newly elected members were watered down or delayed in a marathon sitting. ERWIN CHLANDA reports. PHOTO: Senior Arrernte man Phil Alice got little thanks for his offer to fight the juvenile crime explosion shoulder to shoulder with local government.

 
Justice John Reeves allowed some evidence on the issue from both former senator Scott Ludlam, in the witness box, and former Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser, in a tendered radio interview. KIERAN FINNANE reports.

Aboriginal elders are seeking a new lease of life for a long idle memorandum with the council in the wake of an alleged robbery by a 14-year-old girl and a 13-year-old boy, and a violent clash outside the Catholic Church. ERWIN CHLANDA reports. PHOTO: Floodlights at Anzac Hill to discourage rock throwing.

One contract the institute had will be put out to tender, the other – worth $11m for the current year – is being negotiated for 2018. ERWIN CHLANDA reports.

Tradies are still busy refurbishing and expanding the Alice Springs Youth Detention Centre which Michael Gunner says will be closed very soon. ERWIN CHLANDA. reports.

UPDATE Monday 9:40am

Local aviation enthusiast Mitch “Chip” Childs reveals incident while the airlines is tight-lipped about details. ERWIN CHLANDA reports.

 
“Hi, Ken.” “Good morning, Margaret.” Not many cross-examinations begin this way. KIERAN FINNANE reports on an unusual relationship arising from the long history of protest at the Pine Gap military base.

As Chief Minister, I accepted the responsibility of making the changes necessary so no Chief Minister needs to address this again, writes Michael Gunner. Speakers at a small rally a short while ago (at left).

 
They will be presenting evidence that Raytheon, which they suggest is a large private defence contractor at the base,  is also one of the world’s largest suppliers of weapons, and that Pine Gap is involved in providing targeting information for those weapons. However, Crown witness Sgt Kenneth Napier said Raytheon is no longer a "service provider" at the base. KIERAN FINNANE reports.

"White fellers” at the CLC – lawyers, anthropologists, administration  – “think they are the bosses,” says Senior Warlpiri man Robin Granites (pictured). Report by ERWIN CHLANDA.

Young Aboriginal people are by far the tragic majority in the horror statistics Commissioners Margaret White AO and Mick Gooda were confronted by.

Wide-ranging and drastic recommendations about government personnel and facilities.

They were allegedly detected standing on rocks on a steep hill within Pine Gap military base boundaries, playing musical instruments. They face charges with a maximum penalty of seven years on gaol. KIERAN FINNANE reports.
 

UPDATE 17 November 2017, 9.00am: The trials of the Peace Pilgrims have been raised in the Senate.