Latest news with #NorthernTerritory
ABC News
13 hours ago
- Entertainment
- ABC News
'Phar Lap of the Barkly' Rafferty Rules wins historic sixth Gold Cup at Brunette Downs
In the Barkly region of the Northern Territory, a champion racehorse called Rafferty Rules has etched itself into the history books of the famous Brunette Downs races. The 15-year-old gelding thundered down the blacksoil straight this month to claim its sixth ABC Gold Cup in a row. "It's a 1,600-metre race and he won it by about six lengths. Not bad for an old fella," said owner Boyd Lowe. "The jockey went out early at the 900-metre mark, put a lead on the rest of the field and just kept that gap. It wasn't too hard for him in the end." Race club secretary Linda Blackwood said in the 115 years of racing at Brunette Downs the Barkly had perhaps never seen a better horse. "We've had some amazing horses in our history but Rafferty Rules is a very sporting horse and just so impressive," she said. "He leads the field tremendously and I feel so lucky to have seen him race ever since his first maiden years ago." Born on Headingly Station near Camooweal in Queensland and broken in by country music star Tom Curtain in Katherine, Rafferty Rules spent his early life working cattle at Helen Springs station north of Tennant Creek. He won his first Gold Cup in 2017 and Mr Lowe said from there he got "bigger and stronger every year". "We bring him out once a year and take him to Brunette Downs for racing and he just loves it," he said. "He gets his shoes put on and he knows it's game on, and he gets excited. The Brunette races were cancelled in 2019 because of drought, 2020 because of COVID-19 and again in 2021 because of rain. Senior vice president of the race club Toby Wass said Rafferty Rules was surely robbed of winning more titles during that period. "We didn't race for three years so he was unlucky and the scary thing is, over the last two or three years, he's been coming back fitter and stronger," he said. Mr Wass said the Brunette Downs races was established in 1910 and was "amateur racing at its best". "A lot of these horses are owned by local cattle stations and local families." "The horses are trained in people's spare time and once a year are ridden by local jackaroos and jillaroos that become jockeys for the weekend." Mr Lowe said Rafferty Rules was now retired from racing, having won six Gold Cups and five Ladies Bracelets at Brunette Downs. "He's a gelding so no breeding opportunities, unless someone wants to DNA [clone] him." He said the family had other promising horses and would be back next year to compete. "You win a bit of prize money but it's not Flemington," he said. "We do it for the fun, this has been a lifetime event for me and the family." The Lowe family have volunteered their time and supported the Brunette races for decades with Boyd, his mum Gail Lowe, and wife Sarah Lowe all honoured with life membership. The family has won 15 Gold Cups thanks to a run of successful horses including Wah Zin Kah, About Time, Feel the Speed, and Rafferty Rules. Watch ABC TV's Landline at 12:30pm on Sunday or on ABC iview.
ABC News
17 hours ago
- Health
- ABC News
Concerns NDIS cuts to physiotherapy travel will impact regional and remote children with disability
Two-year-old Stephanie Haley has been an inpatient at nine different hospitals. She has quadriplegia cerebral palsy, which affects her mobility and ability to communicate. She currently eats and drinks through a tube and is non-verbal. Until recently, she lived in regional Queensland and accessed services through telehealth. But Stephanie's mother Priscilla Haley realised that to be able to join other kids her age in settings like day care, the young girl would need in-person care. Ms Haley packed up her life, border collie and little Stephanie, and moved to Darwin. In the Northern Territory capital, a physiotherapist can travel to Stephanie's day care and prescribe specialist equipment, like shoes with ankle-foot orthoses. Now, the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) has cut physiotherapists' travel funding by half, through the introduction of a cap on travel allowances. Health providers have said that cap will mean more patients will have to travel to them or face higher bills for out-of-clinic care. The Australian Physiotherapy Association has warned the cap will have a particularly big impact on NDIS participants in regional and remote areas. "A lot of the NDIS providers aren't going to be able to travel to deliver their services, so it will mean that [participants] will have to come in to the bigger centres," the peak body's NT president Heather Malcolm said. For Stephanie, the cuts mean her physiotherapist will be unable to adequately assess what mobility aid equipment she needs at day care. "She's learning to walk beautifully in that walking frame … to push herself around in the firefly scooter, but not in day care because that equipment is not there," Ms Haley said. For Maddy Evans, also in the NT, physiotherapy has been vital to supporting her son through severe speech and cognitive challenges. She said Oscar, who has PTEN hamartoma tumour syndrome — a rare genetic disorder that has caused his brain to develop differently — would feel the impact of the cuts. Before physiotherapy, the six-year-old was only able to use a specialised swing at the playground. Now, he can climb up the slide and independently use stairs. "It's basic play skills, like that, [that] he's gained over a few years by working with a physiotherapist," Ms Evans said. Oscar's physiotherapist also supports him beyond physical movement, as the skills he learns allow him to communicate as a non-verbal child. "When he's on the swing, he's actually able to tell us he wants more," Ms Evans said. The upcoming changes will also standardise NDIS coverage rates for physiotherapists across all jurisdictions. That will involve a $40 per hour reduction for providers in the NT, WA, SA and Tasmania and a $10 per hour drop in other jurisdictions. Ms Evans said she was worried the cuts could drive physiotherapists out of the territory and leave Oscar with only shared in-clinic sessions. "They've tried to bring other children in, in the past — he will panic and just try to leave the space," she said. Physiotherapist Emily Jordan's NT practice Outreach Physiotherapy travels to about 150 clients across 10 Indigenous communities, which all have limited in-community care options, if any. "There's a lot of trust and relationship-building to see great effects out there, which we have been doing for the past five years," she said. But Ms Jordan said it was "going to be challenging" for the service to continue visiting remote patients under the new funding model. In a statement, the NDIA said the changes would "encourage more efficient scheduling by providers". "We heard from participants that excessive travel claims for therapy-related services are draining participants' plans faster than expected," an NDIA spokesperson said. "The NDIA is committed to improving access to NDIS support for Australians living in more regional and remote areas, and is taking steps to address market gaps across Australia." Ms Malcolm, from the Australian Physiotherapy Association's NT branch, said the effects of the changes would be felt across state and territory health systems. "Medium to long-term, people are going to have more issues that mean they need to present to the emergency department and their care has gone from disability care to needing support within the health system," she said. She said the association was calling on the federal government to step in and pause the pricing changes before they come into effect from July.
ABC News
17 hours ago
- General
- ABC News
Volunteer shortages, rising cost of food and staff putting school canteens at risk
For many Australians their school canteen order is a lasting memory. Merryn Bailey remembers writing hers on a brown paper bag. Gabe Hanmer remembers ordering pizza pockets or chicken and rice curry. Amanda Sinclair grew up in the Northern Territory. "We had school canteen once a week on Mondays. You put your $2 in your brown paper bag and you get to choose between a meat pie and a sausage roll, and either a little carton of choccy milk or orange juice," she said. For decades, canteens or tuckshops have held a special place in Australian school life. Leanne Elliston from the Federation of Canteens in Schools (FOCIS) said the nostalgia around school canteens is unsurprising. She said for many children it's the "sheer excitement" of being able to choose what food they buy and eat, often for the first time in their lives. Canteens can also provide a safety net for busy parents who don't have time to prepare a lunch box. The canteen at Kingston Primary School in southern Tasmania is run by paid staff and volunteer parents. Pretty much everything on the menu is made from scratch, including lasagne, vegetable korma, salad wraps, toasties and apple chips. Unlike the canteens of old, party pies are only served on special occasions. Kingston Primary School's canteen coordinator, Wendy Thomson, said the canteen was a magnet for students. "They love the time to come in and count their own money, make their own choices. They all get a say in what's going into the menu, they come in and help us prepare it," Ms Thomson said. The Kingston canteen does more than just sell food, it also runs a breakfast and lunch program for kids who need it. "We have free lunches for sections of the school. They come in and sit at the table and have a hot meal," Ms Thomson said. Toasties are on hand for kids who forget their lunch or who need to eat before taking medications. There is also a constant supply of free apples from a nearby orchard. Jen Lea, a project officer from not-for-profit organisation School Food Matters said the group had been actively trying to promote healthier lunch options. "We have been working with canteens for about 30 years trying to improve the fare and encouraging schools to cook from scratch and use fresh and local seasonal produce." Despite their popularity, some school canteens are struggling to survive. The rising cost of food and a shortage of volunteers means many are cutting back the days they open or closing altogether. Many Tasmanian schools — with the exception of public, Catholic and independent schools — do not provide funding for school canteens. They're often managed by parent volunteer groups or the school might outsource the running of the canteen to an external business. The federation is calling on state and federal governments to provide money for staffing and equipment in school canteens. The federation would also like to see canteens have better access to cheaper food through bulk purchasing arrangements. "Well-fed children contribute to better educational and long-term health outcomes," Ms Elliston said. In a statement, federal Education Minister Jason Clare said an agreement with every state and territory would see a $16.5 billion investment in public education over the next decade. "This is a game changer for public education and it's a life changer for our kids at school today, kids that will be at school in the next few years, and children that aren't even born yet," he said. "This funding isn't a blank cheque. It will be tied to reforms to help kids catch up, keep up and finish school. The sort of thing that all parents expect."
The Guardian
a day ago
- Business
- The Guardian
Calls for ‘urgent' investigation into lobbying activities of fracking advocate and gas company
Federal and Northern Territory MPs have called on the Albanese government to investigate concerns raised about the consulting activities of Good Advice and its client, the gas company Empire Energy. Independent senators Lidia Thorpe and David Pocock, as well as the federal and Northern Territory Greens, have called for an 'urgent' investigation after a story by Guardian Australia based on a major leak of Northern Land Council files, correspondence and recordings. The leaked files contain claims that traditional owners were offered financial benefits if they agreed to let Empire Energy sell 'appraisal gas' – which is gas collected during the exploration phase – from its Carpentaria pilot project in the Beetaloo basin. They also reveal serious concerns among traditional owners and bureaucrats about the lobbying activities of Empire Energy, Good Advice and several members of the NLC's full council, who were employed as advisers by the consulting firm in an individual capacity. Sign up for Guardian Australia's breaking news email Good Advice is a Darwin-based consulting firm whose sole director is Greg McDonald, a former NLC resources and energy branch manager. The company was registered in April 2023, shortly after McDonald left the land council, and its work involves helping gas companies navigate their relationships with traditional owners in the Top End. McDonald has recruited several members of the NLC's full council, which is made up of 83 Aboriginal councillors from the Top End. According to claims in the leaked material, Good Advice, on behalf of Empire Energy, hosted meetings with traditional owners, company executives and at least two NLC councillors in August 2024 that ran an agenda favourable to the gas company's aims and presented unrealistic promises of large royalties and other benefits. Traditional owners were allegedly told payments could be agreed privately with the gas company, outside the legislated land rights process overseen by the land council. The leaked material also included claims that signatures were gathered and attached to a letter to the Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority urging the authority's chief executive, Benedict Scambary, to issue an authority certificate Empire required for working around sacred sites 'as soon as possible'. The letter contradicted earlier advice AAPA had been given from several of the signatories and when officials contacted some of the traditional owners to clarify their wishes they said they did not agree with the letter's contents. When Guardian Australia contacted Scambary, he said: 'The custodians were not aware of what they had signed, and were alarmed by the letter's denial of their concerns about cultural heritage.' According to the leaked material, one of the signatories thought he was merely signing an attendance sheet. Thorpe, a Gunnai, Gunditjmara and Djab Wurrung woman, has previously asked questions in parliament about the relationship between Good Advice, the gas industry and some NLC councillors and whether there were potential conflicts of interest in those relationships. 'I have been asking about this issue in multiple Senate estimates and inquiries for over a year,' she said. 'Free, prior and informed consent is an important legal concept for First Peoples enshrined in international law – it means consultation must be free from any corporate influence. 'There must be a proper investigation into these matters so we can understand just how much of an influence gas companies have over First Peoples and our representative bodies, in the NT and elsewhere,' she said. 'If federal Labor prioritised First Peoples' rights over the interests of the fossil fuel industry, they would ensure that these matters get properly investigated and those responsible are held to account.' Pocock said the revelations were concerning and 'warrant close scrutiny'. 'The government should consider an investigation, or a referral to the National Anti‑Corruption Commission, to ensure that any questions about the integrity of these dealings are properly examined,' he said. 'Gas companies seeking to operate anywhere in Australia should be held to the highest standards of transparency and accountability. They must respect the consultation processes that protect communities and ensure benefits are shared fairly.' Greens leader and First Nations spokesperson, Larissa Waters, said the party supported calls from First Nations and environmental organisations for an investigation. Sign up to Breaking News Australia Get the most important news as it breaks after newsletter promotion 'Rather than handing over taxpayer dollars to Empire Energy, the federal government should be supporting stakeholder calls for … the gas company and its consultants, Good Advice, to be investigated by our national corruption watchdog.' Kat McNamara, the Greens member for Nightcliff in the NT parliament, also called for an 'urgent' federal investigation. 'This exploitative industry cannot be trusted. Fracking cannot continue under these current conditions,' she said. 'Across the NT we continue to see the revolving door from government or statutory bodies to the private sector. To prevent community members from being taken advantage of, we must introduce stronger regulations.' Guardian Australia approached the minister for Indigenous Australians, Malarndirri McCarthy, for comment. An Empire Energy spokesperson told Guardian Australia the company has 'a long history of respectful engagement with traditional owners over the last decade'. He said it had held more than 30 on-country meetings and continued to consult traditional owners about current and future works. The company also rejected allegations put to it in a September 2024 letter by the NLC's chair, Matthew Ryan, that it was trying to 'circumvent processes under the Aboriginal Land Rights Act using consultants associated with Good Advice or Mr McDonald', including claims that Good Advice facilitated meetings for Empire and was 'attempting to pass off the meetings as Land Council meetings'. In a letter of reply to Ryan, Empire's managing director, Alex Underwood, said the company was not seeking to circumvent the Land Rights Act and had not engaged in private negotiations with traditional owners via Good Advice. He said traditional owners were informed at meetings he attended, and to the best of his knowledge at all other meetings, that their purpose was for information and discussion and they were not official meetings of the land council. Guardian Australia sent detailed questions to McDonald via email and post, to give him the opportunity to respond to the claims made about Good Advice's consulting work. He declined to reply. The NLC's chief executive, Yuseph Deen, said NLC councillors were considered 'part-time public officials' who often wore many hats and 'are entitled to engage in outside employment opportunities in an individual capacity'. He said the land council 'provides regular governance training for council members, to ensure that members are aware of their duty to declare and manage conflicts of interest appropriately'. 'When council members are engaged in an individual capacity, they are not authorised to speak for, or on behalf of, the NLC.' On Thursday, after formal consultations overseen by the NLC, Empire Energy announced traditional owners had consented to the sale of appraisal gas from its Carpentaria pilot project. Empire Energy recently changed its name to Beetaloo Energy. Do you know more? Email
News.com.au
a day ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
'We'll get beat': Alice Springs trainer Dick Leech charged after prejudicial comments in leaked video
Alice Springs trainer Dick Leech has been charged with conduct prejudicial for comments in a leaked video about stopping Darwin Cup-bound Hasseltoff from winning a lead-up race on Saturday. In a video sent to owners of the former Victorian-based galloper Hasseltoff, Leech said the Alice Springs Cup winner would go around Saturday 'for a look' in the 1300m ROANT Gold Cup (Div 2). 'He's getting a fair bit of spark in him now,' Leech said after initial commentary about the gelding's condition. 'He'll go around next Saturday in the 1300m … but we'll only be going for a look. 'We'll get beat … we gotta get beat then we'll go for the Chief Minister's (Cup) a fortnight later, mile. 'We got to win that and then on towards the (Darwin) Cup but going quite good.' A person behind the camera then asked Leech, 'all right, so hopefully the jockey can hold him?' 'Yeah, yeah, he will be getting held,' Leech laughed. 'The worst jockey in Australia put on him.' NT Stewards obtained the leaked footage on Thursday and ordered Leech to front an inquiry on Friday. NT chairman of stewards David Hensler said Leech pleaded guilty to a conduct prejudicial charge. Stewards expect to hand down a monetary penalty in coming days. 'It's of great concern to us, the stewards, that (vision) would be in the public arena,' Hensler said. 'We've treated the matter very seriously. 'I only saw it (video) yesterday (Thursday) and we acted on it today … that's how seriously we've treated (this matter).' Leech scratched Hasseltoff on Thursday after the horse pulled up lame from a track gallop. 'It saved a further issue for us to deal with, really,' Hensler said. 'Hopefully, for the connections, the horse can get over the lameness and progress to the (Darwin Cup), because that's obviously its target.' Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock Director Darren Dance, managing owner of Hasseltoff, lamented the 'unfortunate situation' as a prank gone wrong. 'Turns out to be an unfortunate situation as Hasseltoff was always going to be first up in the Chief Minister's Cup, en route to win the Darwin Cup as his main mission for the preparation,' Dance said. 'After a super preparation in Alice Springs, where he was unbeaten … the team up there appeared to be joking around about him running this Saturday. 'To stir me up, as they know I am keen for him to go through the carnival undefeated. 'It was never the intention to run (Saturday) as he was always going to be weighted out with his rating … now, it's a big story.'
