Fracking ‘facts’ show cracks
THERE was another letter from June Tapp in the January 27 issue of the Katherine Times on the subject of fracking, so soon after her telephone call to the Chief Minister on ABC Radio on January 19, asking if his government supported mining, particularly fracking, in national parks in the Northern Territory.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Mr Giles’ answer was no.
He qualified his answer by referring to a 2015 announcement stating that his government wanted to retract the amount of leases that the previous Territory Labor government had approved “to bring them back just to areas where there are known gas deposits” to “preserve the integrity of specific sites, particularly around those that are environmentally important, that are important culturally, particularly from an indigenous aspect, that are important from a tourism aspect, such as Bitter Springs or Kings Canyon, and that also exclude the towns of the Northern Territory”.
I have checked on the Northern Territory government website and found the following: “oil and gas activities will not be approved in residential areas, rural residential areas or areas of other land use, or classification, where oil and gas developments are not compatible”.
Last time I looked at a map, I found that Katherine was still a town comprising residential and rural residential areas.
Did you not know that our local member, Willem Westra Van Holthe, is part of the Giles-led Country Liberal Party government?
On checking with Mr Westra van Holthe, he was not aware you had decided his views were contrary to those of his government.
You are being very naughty with your misinformation – if you wish to keep credibility, June, stick to the facts.
Stephanie Hill, Katherine
Education or agriculture?
FOR Katherine’s Young Citizen of the Year, we had nominees from real estate, education and agriculture.
I was concerned how the judging panel could put education before agriculture in making its decision on the winner.
How much hay did nominee Ian Symes make to help feed 500,000 cattle for live export?
Michelle Payne did not need education to ride a Melbourne Cup winner.
Roger Federer did not need education to win at tennis.
Shearers shear 200-plus sheep a day.
The word you need for all of them is ability.
Everyone needs a farmer – you need to eat before you go to school.
David Chandler, Katherine
Territory’s sexual abuse needs spotlight
THE Northern Territory has had the highest rates of child sexual abuse in Australia for the past 40 years.
Barbara Cumming, a well-known and long-time advocate for Territory children, said this week that child sexual exploitation remained its “terrible secret”.
No one wants to talk publicly about child sexual abuse and the incestuous abuse of small children.
It has been acknowledged for decades that the majority of child sexual abuse takes place within families.
Also this week, the head of the NT child protection system spoke about restricting the way abuse allegations were investigated.
Meanwhile, claims were made that the Department of Children and Families did not maintain records of how many cases led to charges, or how many abused children had required medical treatment.
What a disgrace.
The “terrible secret” of child exploitation is not a secret – it is just that, for whatever reason, the NT government is not prepared to do anything about it.
I think it is time for a Royal Commission to get some answers.
