Visiting the NT

Hi Stephen

Yes, well across it.

A large section of this part of our population has been brought into Darwin by the NT Govt.

This was for a variety of reasons, but blind Freddy could tell you that once here, they won't leave.

As said, my advise, visit the NT but you may wish to skip the towns as much as possible.

The centre of Darwin is a ghost town. One of the things the retailers used to rely on was the cruise ships that dock during the dry.

Apparently the ships operators are now warning people that for safety reasons they may not wish to leave the ship. I've just heard that second hand, so can't verify.

At our largest shopping precinct ,Casuarina, small shops now keep their doors locked during trading hours with a notice on the door to knock. Knife hold ups during normal trading hours is common.

Witnessed a case the other year and that protected species can get away with it.

We were waiting in a shop in the Top End to be served, one of those mongrels walked out with a sports T Shirt over his shoulder, shop attendant did not batter an eye lid, the security thing went off and the security guard at the door did not do a thing….

When we were served, I mentioned what that bl .. bastard got away with.

She said it was cheaper to lose the T Shirt than have him charged. They said if he was charged he would most likely come back with his mates and trash the shop, causing thousands of dollars damage.

I then said if that was me, I bet you would have called the police and had me charges, to which she replied yes….

So much for one law for back and white.

As with many of the issues that 'somebody' should do something about, any solution will only come from rational, balanced and open discussion between all interested parties.

Sadly, this would need to take place within a democratic environment, which is no longer possible due the universal influence of political correctness or 'perhaps Moderation Policies for example!'

I was reading this blog as part of the planning for this years trip up to the NT, i.e. north of Katherine but I think we might need to rethink it, pity.

I did notice that disappear.

The context of my message. If coming to the NT, stay away from the towns.

I do hope that it doesn't get deleted as the reality has to be publicized, not covered up or avoided.

My wife was born here and her family go back to the early pastoralist's in the 1870's. I first came here in 1973, as a PMG Tech for 2 years, back south for one, then returned and haven't left except for holidays and a few training courses. Both of us came from the PMG days and have travelled for work throughout the NT. Actually, it was Alice where we met while both working there.

Things have changed, and not for the better in some ways. While working in Alice in the late 70's to early 80's it wasn't uncommon to walk across the Todd River at night to and from the Casino. Would I do it again, NO WAY. In fact, as much as we enjoyed our work stints in Alice and touring the region, we no longer have a compelling reason to visit there again, other than to pass through. The last of our past work friends have now left and if needing to pass through there we would use it as a fuel stop only, sadly.

Having said all that, the issues aren't confined to Alice, or the NT. Passing through Mt Isa last year we were talking to a resident while refueling and they told us of the issues there where the alcohol restrictions in the NT caused a number of our locals to move there. Many of the issues here are mirrored by stories coming from Queensland and northern WA. All over we're seeing more and more shuttered shops that are giving a very bad indication of what is happening.

We have no desire to leave the Top End, and there are still beautiful places to visit, with care. We have our extended families here with their properties, workplaces and businesses so are well settled in.

The "Action for Alice" Facebook page and the NTIndependant online news service are a reliable source of information to the ongoing crime wave. Others have been slow to cover it, and some others just aren't interested in covering it.

Hi Gary, That left a sour taste in my mouth i can tell you!!.


Apparently, important issues can't be discussed. at all


Next minute you'll hear about
some camper getting attacked ,but that's Ok


Cheers Axle.

We have the Malak caravan park close by. Actually, there used to be 2 parks, but one is now a new sub division.
Spoke to folks there as it's where we used to walk, due to the aforementioned issues as well as most folks owning multiple dogs that NEVER leave the yard, just there to bark 24/7!!!

Lots of issues at the parks, one guy said he only heard them as his phone went Bing as it was unplugged. They had used lighters to burn through his annex to gain access.

As for the remaining park, now renamed Marrara, no doubt due to folks starting to get the drift of where not to say, nice new HUGE fence and electric gate.

Jacinta Price actually called for a Senate enquiry into where the money is going via various Land Councils and the many other organisations which brought about scorn from many of these organisations as they don't want any rocks turned over as that may expose the rorts that may or may not be happening.

I have heard and read about a number of them and Noel Pearson's name came up a few times, how true any of them are is yet unproven unless there is an enquiry.

What happened, "The motion was put to a vote on Wednesday, but was defeated by Labor, the Greens and the independent senator David Pocock."

No, after the fairer half stopped wanting to go out, I'd walk myself around dusk. Was followed twice by youths, no longer go for a walk.

Yes, I'll jump in and try to balance some of the racist ranting that's evident here.
I don't deny for a minute that northern Australia has massive problems with youth crime and alcohol and drug abuse - we've travelled extensively in remote Australia for the past 20 years, and have seen the best and the worst.
But it is certainly not confined to the north, or to aboriginal communities - many of which are wonderful welcoming and safe places to visit.
Just consider a few recent cases - it was a young white male who (allegedly) murdered a female jogger in Ballarat; it was a white female who used mushrooms to (allegedly) poison three people in Victoria and attempt to do the same to others; the many teenage (or younger) drivers of stolen cars which crash and kill either the occupants or innocent bystanders are any colour and from all parts of Australia.
So, by all means complain about youth crime - or even suggest some solutions - but don't single out one disadvantaged region or race.
We are a sadly divided nation, and let's aspire to make it better, not worse.

Nice try there Cobber. Care to back it up with some statistics of the % of crimes committed by the group this issue is about compared to the % of Australian population.
However, I do agree on your comment "A divided nation" . And we all know that is a direct result of the divisive referendum. And that my friend is what causes more racism.
Tell a Politician to "aspire to make it better" , Good luck with that.
By the way "don't single out one disadvantaged region or race". Any idea how much money is directed to these regions / races, from not just our government but also many mining companies etc. And what has that done to change anything, absolutely stuff all.
Crime is crime and needs to be dealt with, not accepted as the norm from one obvious group.

Mate, I'm not denying the seriousness of the problem in the areas mentioned, but I suggest you take a good look at any of the lower socio-economic areas in any of our cities around the nation. In my small home state of Tasmania the level of arson, vandalism, petty theft, vehicle crime, assaults etc in some areas would well and truly match what happens around the country. Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane no doubt worse.
As for the referendum, no constitutional change will succeed unless all elements of the political hierarchy can agree (so that means not in my lifetime). Take you pick about who was to blame, but failure was inevitable.
I stand by my view though that, while we may look with scorn at the societal and political division that is evident in the US, we have nothing to be proud about here when it comes to social and racial intolerance fed by extremists on both sides, and fostered by media organisations which see conflict as a ratings winner.
All of which is why I enjoy peace on my local beach or camped in the desert :-)

OK, I take your opinion on board. But for me, the only solution is for those who are supposed to represent us in the "bubble" AKA Canberra, are the only one's that could fix the issue. Personally, I cannot imagine that ever happening, be it either party.

I bet there would be no-one on this site that wouldn't like to see things improve for our indigenous cousins as far as housing, health, education and all other aspects of improved living conditions but it's obvious that throwing more money at them is not working. Noel Pearson said quite a few years ago " stop giving Aborigines stuff for nothing - the more you give them the more they will want "

Where are and what are the elders doing about this situation ? Or has respect for the elders been lost now that the younger ones live in the cities and regional towns hanging out in the malls and shopping centres wearing nikes with mobile phones in hand ?

One thing that annoys me is you keep hearing from the likes of Cathy Freeman, Nicky Winmar, Adam Goodes, Eddie Betts, Andrew McLeod and co on the radio, news and magazine articles constantly telling the white fella that something has to be done about black fella issues. But you don't see these great people in the regional areas where the trouble is telling the trouble makers that if they stop the unnecessary crime and violence they would gain way more respect and their situation would improve dramatically.

The crime and violence will not stop until there is some sort of severe punishment for their actions - not necessarily white fella punishment but black fella punishment of some sort, perhaps where the offenders are taken out bush for a month where they are taught right from wrong by their elders and other Aborigines who still live the traditional way with little interference from the white fella.

I don't know - but something has to be done sooner than later before it's too late.

When I meet the young aboriginal kids out bush and see how happy, cheerful, friendly and playful they are along with their constant smiles it saddens me to think that a lot of them will end up in trouble with no future !


Cheers
Gazz

Look at the age of those little bastards…

I feel sorry for them too.

However I feel even more sorrow for the people in society that work hard for their possessions and have them stolen or trashed by the scum in society.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-03-22/geraldton-magistrate-blasts-parental-neglect-of-accused-teenager/103617042

Looks like the magistrate agrees with me on this one.