Territory Story

Lyrella Couzens is likely best known to people in the Territory as the ABC radio presenter and producer. Humidity and sunshine are two of the first things Lyrella fell in love with when she arrived in the Northern Territory. Embracing the tropics and its lifestyle, Lyrella enjoys exploring the great outdoors camping, as well as less strenuous activities like book club, netball and running, lots of...

Week 2 for the weekend episode after Chris's return from holiday and things certainly haven't slowed down. Alice Springs is still very much close to mind given all the attention it's getting at present. But don't despair Darwin folk as there's a number of stories that will be close to your heart as well. And we even coined a new title this week, being "Un-Territorian", it may well be worse than be...

Ciprian Radavoi is a lawyer and former diplomat, currently teaching & undertaking legal research at Charles Darwin University (CDU) in Darwin in the areas of international law, tort law, sports law, human rights and social justice. Ciprian started life on a farm in Romania (in what is now Moldova). His childhood love of reading led to pursuit of a university degree (in Mechanical Engineering a...

This is the first episode for 2023. Chris returns from a month long holiday in Canada. The good news is he got to pick up right from where he left off. Each week we speak with Chris Walsh, Editor of the NT Independent online newspaper, about some of the stories making news in the Territory. This week’s stories are: 1.  Prime Minister lands in Alice Springs over crime crisis as NT announces ne...

Each week we speak with Chris Walsh, Editor of the NT Independent online newspaper, about some of the stories making news in the Territory. This week’s stories are: New powers for civilians to search for, and seize alcohol, considered under legislative review NT population grows despite more Territorians relocating interstate Gunbalanya residents file action for dilapidated houses, overpriced rent...

Each week we speak with Chris Walsh, Editor of the NT Independent online newspaper, about some of the stories making news in the Territory.  This  week’s stories are: 1.  Howard Springs quarantine centre could be leased by Defence 2.  ‘No business case’: Ship lift project referred for investigation amid ballooning costs, contractor collapsing 3.  Three councillors unexpect...

Content warning: This episode contains discussion about child sexual  assault. Listener discretion is advised.     Each week we speak with Chris Walsh, Editor of the NT Independent online newspaper, about some of the stories making news in the Territory.  This  week’s stories are:  1. Child sexually assaulted in daylight by unknown man who is still at large...

Content warning: This episode contains discussion about child sexual  assault. Listener discretion is advised.    Each week we speak with Chris Walsh, Editor of the NT Independent online newspaper, about some of the stories making news in the Territory.  This  week’s stories are: Top cops deleted recordings of Rolfe investigation meetings, shut down coronial probe due to facts; inquest hears ‘Baff...

Steve Edgington is a Member of the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly for the seat  of Barkly. Geographically, Barkly represents the largest electorate in  the Northern Territory Parliament at almost 442,000 square kilometres.  That’s larger than the entire state of California. Born in Carlton, Victoria, Steve was just a baby when his family moved to Adelaide, South Australia....

Content warning: This episode contains discussion about child sexual assault. Listener discretion is advised.   Each week we speak with Chris Walsh, Editor of the NT Independent online  newspaper, about some of the stories making news in the Territory. This  week’s stories are:  Controversial anti-discrimination laws passed in late-night parliamentary sitting  Labor b...

Each week we speak with Chris Walsh, Editor of the NT Independent online newspaper, about some of the stories making news in the Territory. This week’s stories are: 1. Fyles Government wants in on Australia’s nuclear sub program, documents reveal 2. NT Govt plans to bring in 600 overseas workers for flat-lining construction industry 3. Another Minister hops onboard international trade trip with no...

Matt Garrick is a journalist at the ABC and covers Northern Australia. Born Sydney in 1985, Matt, finished high school before commencing a degree in media at the University of Canberra. Matt  then went on to take a junior position at the Albany Advertiser in  Albany, Western Australia. From there he moved to the top end of Western  Australia working for a radio station Kununurra. Ma...

Content warning: This episode contains discussion about child sexual assault. Listener discretion is advised.  Each week we speak with Chris Walsh, Editor of the NT Independent online newspaper, about some of the stories making news in the Territory. This  week’s stories are:  1. ‘A matter of great shame’: Labor heavyweight Kent Rowe sentenced for raping a child  2. ‘Harbouring...

Nikki Foster is the Business Development Manager for the Airport Development Group. A second generation born and raised Territorian,  Nikki went to  Sanderson High School and Casuarina Secondary College before deciding  to venture out into the big wide world. This led to Nikki taking a position as an au pair in a small country town in Scotland called Kelso. It was her first time ove...

Each week we speak with Chris Walsh, Editor of the NT Independent online newspaper, about some of the stories making news in the Territory. This week’s stories are:  ‘Maybe in time … I’ll explain’: Matt Wright tells UK tabloid about helicopter crash that killed co-star and friend  Ongoing violence on Darwin buses cause resignations of drivers, service interruptions  ‘Factually wrong...

Each week we speak with Chris Walsh, Editor of the NT Independent online newspaper, about some of the stories making news in the Territory. This week’s stories are: Labor Minister charges taxpayers $362k for electorate office fit out Here are the crimes in the youth justice court the government has blocked from the public Shade structure to cost more than $100k a year; $700k more to build than pre...

Each week we speak with Chris Walsh, Editor of the NT Independent online newspaper, about some of the stories making news in the Territory. This week’s stories are: 1. ‘At least we do not have paedophiles’: Lambley’s comment in Parliament ‘offends’ Labor  2. Federal Liberal Leader Peter Dutton’s Darwin appearance at risk due to lack of interest: CLP  3. Government hired company that engineered TIO...

Each week we speak with Chris Walsh, Editor of the NT Independent online newspaper, about some of the stories making news in the Territory. This week’s stories are:  1. Fyles Government to raise age of criminal responsibility  2. CLP’s fuel price bill not debated after party games  3. Crime crisis consumes Parliament as censure motion shut down, CLP rules out federal inquiry  4...

Each week we speak with Chris Walsh, Editor of the NT Independent online newspaper, about some of the stories making news in the Territory. This week’s stories are: 1. Fyles scraps public service pay freeze in surprise announcement 2. Minimum alcohol floor price impact on harm ‘difficult’ to assess: Report 3. No change to law despite Deputy Chief stating Red Centre Nats burns victims ‘slipped thro...

Born in Melbourne, Ray Fogolyan, traces his roots back to Armenia. His grandfather’s family was displaced following the Russian annexation of Armenia in the aftermath of World War I. They moved to Hungary where Ray’s father was born. Following World War II, like many European migrants, Ray’s grandparents moved to Australia and settled on the outskirts of Melbourne. Ray has fond memories growing up...

Each week we speak with Chris Walsh, Editor of the NT Independent online newspaper, about some of the stories making news in the Territory.  We start the episode with feedback from a listener who is concerned about Chris getting too comfortable with his hosts. Chris responds to the listener's comments. This week’s stories are:  Settlement reached for Red Centre Nats victims who were spra...

This is Jeremie Benazra.  Born in Paris, France, Jeremie is the oldest of three children. His father is of Moroccan descent and his mother is French. Jeremie talks about navigating the racial tensions in both his family and in France, stemming from his Moroccan heritage.  He also talks about his education and research into robotics and his journey to Australia where he visited Darwin twi...

Each week we speak with Chris Walsh, Editor of the NT Independent online newspaper, about some of the stories making news in the Territory. This week’s stories are:  Calls grow for federal inquiry into NT Police  NT cop in professional standards facing assault charge, also witness at coronial inquest  Opinion: The last refuge of police comradery has been shattered forever  Police arrest, charge an...

Richard Rolfe is Zac Rolfe’s father. On this first part of a two part series, we take a deep dive through Richard Rolfe, into Zac's background, his family, who his parents are, and his early life up to the first couple of weeks in the Northern Territory police force.

Each week we speak with Chris Walsh, Editor of the NT Independent online newspaper, about some of the stories making news in the Territory. This week’s stories are: 1. Media Watch 2. ‘Shocking’, ‘racist’ text messages between Zach Rolfe and other police members revealed at inquest 3. Ambulance whistle blowers warn drivers rather than paramedics being sent to emergencies 4. Man shot dead with cross...