Volume 19

"Bigger and better Tiger Airways" will resume flights with four return services each from Melbourne and Sydney from April 9, according to Alice Springs airport manager Katie Cooper.

How will the liquor outlets enforce a limit for the footy weekend of one carton or one spirits bottle per person per day if they have no authority to ask for an ID? Is there anyone living in Alice so naive as to think the clients targeted by these restrictions will answer truthfully when asked if they have already purchased a bottle or a carton? And aren't we being just a wee bit precious about this whole ID thing, asks Hal Duell.

A former Mayor of Alice Springs, known then as Leslie Oldfield, received an OAM for public achievements which remain understated, writes Chris Connellan, of Narwietooma Station, via Alice Springs. She is pictured with Kamahl at one of her ceremonial functions.

Only his seconder, Councillor Geoff Booth, voted with Cr Eli Melky (pictured) favour of his motion to revive plans for a youth curfew.

The proposal was defeated six votes to two at last night's town council meeting. (Cr Chansey Paech was on leave.)

A related motion received an overwhelming yes vote.

ERWIN CHLANDA reports.

A strong law and order platform greatly helped to secure victory for the Country Liberals on August 25, 2012. Today, 156 days later, nothing substantial has been done by the new government about Alice's most troublesome problem: out of control crime and vandalism by young people whose parents – with impunity – are running away from their responsibilities. Robyn Lambley (pictured), the Minister for Children and Families (and Central Australia!), seems to be doing little about it. COMMENT by ERWIN CHLANDA.

UPDATE Jan 29, 2pm

Minister Lambley has issued a media release following the publication in the Alice Springs News Online about Cr Melky's initiative, saying she "has ruled out the introduction of a blanket curfew for Alice Springs.

"A multi-pronged approach is the most effective and preferred way to manage law and order issues in the town," Ms Lambley said.

“I have been on the record many times stating a short term curfew for children would only be considered as a last resort in the face of unabated anti-social behaviour and crime."

Well, not quite. In our November 16, 2006 edition we reported about the town council:-

"Meanwhile, aldermen also resolved to write to the Territory Government, requesting implementation of a Night Time Youth Strategy, which would see taken into protective care unsupervised children 15 years and under on the streets between 10pm and 5am.
"The model being proposed by Ald Robyn Lambley is similar to the one in operation in Northbridge, Perth which has an emphasis on accompanying support services for the young people and their families."

Click for update in March 2013.

UPDATE, March 22, 2012: Part 1 of the documentary Kangaroo Dundee (beautifully filmed) went to air on ABC TV last night and has prompted further comment from readers. See FULL STORY.

Kangaroo man Chris "Brolga" Barns (pictured) should get help, not government obstruction, write readers in the UK after watching a TV documentary about the Alice Springs identity.

VIDEO by Alice Springs News Online.

[youtube]http://youtu.be/LtVOKSn0SZI[/youtube]

The Royal Flying Doctor Service will invite tenders from local firms to build 11 two-bedrooms units and two three-bedroom units for its staff.

Michael Toomey, the RFDS General Manager Tourism & Retail in Alice Springs says the complex will be built at the rear of its Flying Doctor Service museum, one of the town's major tourist attractions. ERWIN CHLANDA reports.

A youth curfew is back on the Town Council's agenda but at least two councillors (including Liz Martin, pictured, who heads up the National Road Transport Hall of Fame) are saying that before local government becomes involved, it should check what the NT Government's intentions are about juvenile delinquency. ERWIN CHLANDA reports.

Two Central Australian acts, Stab Capital and hip hop duo Skank Mc (Hugh Man Winterflood, pictured on his Facebook page) & DJ Flim Flam will take to the stage for the biggest performance of their careers at the 2013 Big Day Out music festivals. [Media release by Arts NT.]

By ERWIN CHLANDA

Hiccups in NT Government funding for ASYASS, an Alice Springs NGO providing emergency accommodation for young people, were given "urgent priority" in talks yesterday as the organisation was unable to pay some of its bills.

ASYASS director Brian Hayes said yesterday the problems had existed for five to six months but he was confident they would be fixed.

The News was unable to contact him today.

A spokesman for the government said: "Issues relating to payment of invoices were identified last week and are being resolved by the Regional Executive Director, Central Australia as an urgent priority."

ALEX NELSON asks the question after decades of ill-fated developments in the town's main drag, the war between two shopping centres,  tinkering with traffic, parking and public use, and lots of government largesse. Should there be a Royal Commission?

If you drive into Alice through the hills early on any morning, you can see a slight mist over the town. I have always called this the “magic of Alice”. It is stronger than the troubles with house prices and crime, which nevertheless need to be firmly dealt with, writes JAN HEASLIP.