Latest news with #NorthernTerritoryGovernment
Borneo Post
2 days ago
- Business
- Borneo Post
Australia Northern Territory minister's visit reinforces relations with Sarawak
Chan (third left) presents a memento to Cahill. At second right is Hii. KUCHING (June 28): The Australia Northern Territory Government hosted a networking dinner here in conjunction with its Minister for Trade, Business and Asian Relations Robyn Cahill's visit to Sarawak recently. Cahill, who led a seven-member delegation, was in the state capital to discuss potential cooperation between Sarawak and the Northern Territory, given their shared interest in a number of common areas. Representing the state government at the event was Deputy State Secretary Datu Hii Chang Kee, said Sarawak Australia Business Chamber president Rodger Chan in a statement today. In his speech at the dinner, Chan said the programme marked Cahill's first visit to Sarawak. 'This is significant as she has skipped other parts of Malaysia. 'This shows the Northern Territory Government's and her seriousness in engaging with Sarawak. 'There is also a Department of Asian Relations in her government, and this shows how the Northern Territory Government is serious about and focusing on Asia,' he said. Chan added that Cahill's visit to Sarawak reignited the long-standing relationship between Australia and Sarawak, noting that this year marked the 70th anniversary of Australia-Malaysia diplomatic relationship. 'It also marks the 80th anniversary of the landing of Australia and ANZAC forces landing in Bario under Operation Semut. In fact, Australia was here more than 80 years ago to help Sarawak in defending the Japanese occupation,' added Chan. He said since the 1950s, many Sarawakians had, under the Colombo Plan programme, benefitted from Australia tertiary education, and many of them had become leaders of Sarawak. 'The guestimate is that over 40,000 Sarawakians were educated in Australia – not counting those who studied in the two Australian university campuses in Sarawak.' Chan said many people were not aware that the Colombo Plan did not stop at education, as it also extended to infrastructures and services. 'An Australian engineering firm designed and built the Satok Bridge under the Colombo Plan. 'I think we should capitalise, monetise and build on this long-standing relationship. 'There are opportunities aplenty in many fields including green energy, digital technologies, tourism, education, health, trade and sports,' he added. Australia Northern Territory Kuching Robyn Cahill
Borneo Post
5 days ago
- Business
- Borneo Post
Sarawak, Australia's Northern Territory launch education collaboration
(From left) Anielia, Sagah, Cahill and Chan reading the Northern Territory International Student Handbook. – Photo by Aileen Yap KUCHING (June 25): Sarawak and Australia's Northern Territory have taken a strategic step toward deepening collaboration in education and talent development, following the launch of the Australia's Northern Territory Education Forum here today. The forum was officiated by State Minister for Education, Innovation and Talent Development, Datuk Roland Sagah Wee Inn, who emphasised the significance of cross-regional cooperation to support future-ready workforce development. Sagah highlighted the initiative as timely and necessary, especially given Sarawak's rapid growth in sectors such as energy, construction, digital economy, and manufacturing. He noted that the Sarawak government has set an ambitious target of 500,000 skilled workers by 2030, requiring the state to produce at least 30,000 new skilled individuals annually. 'Education and talent development are critical to this effort,' he emphasised. The forum marked the Northern Territory Government's inaugural visit to Malaysia, represented by Minister for International Education, Migration and Population, Robyn Cahill OAM, who also serves as Minister for Trade, Business and Asian Relations. 'Sarawak is our very first stop and we see enormous opportunity here, especially in vocational training where both our regions face similar challenges in attracting youth,' said Cahill. She stressed that shared geography, multicultural communities, and mutual development goals make Sarawak and the Northern Territory natural partners in advancing education, student mobility, and institutional partnerships. Cahill also acknowledged the untapped potential for Sarawak to become a major source of international students for the Northern Territory. 'We currently have over 5,500 international students in the Northern Territory, but Sarawak has yet to be among the top source countries – a gap we aim to change through structured pathways and institutional partnerships,' she said. In addition to tertiary pathways, both ministers highlighted joint potential in teacher training, capacity-building, and joint research initiatives especially in indigenous education and regional inclusion. Cahill expressed hopes for improved direct air links between Sarawak and Darwin (Northern Territory's capital city), to support future student and business exchanges. 'We are laying the foundation not just for the next few years, but for the next 50, 100, or 200 years,' she said. 'We want to grow together – for the benefit of our young people, our communities, and our shared region.' Among the attendees were Sarawak Australia Business Chamber president Rodger Chan and State Ministry for Education, Innovation and Talent Development deputy permanent secretary, Anielia Siam. Australia's Northern Territory collaboration education Roland Sagah
West Australian
6 days ago
- West Australian
Peter Falconio: UK backpacker murderer, Bradley John Murdoch, near death in Alice Springs hospital
One of Australia's most infamous convicted killers, responsible for murdering British backpacker Peter Falconio, has reportedly been saying his last goodbyes at a palliative care facility in the Northern Territory. Bradley John Murdoch, 67, is under guard at the hospital after being moved from the Alice Springs Correctional Centre, where he has been held in custody since 2022. Responsible for one of the biggest investigative manhunts in the nation's history, Murdoch was convicted in 2005 of the gruesome murder of Mr Falconio and the attempted abduction of his girlfriend Joanne Lees in 2001, before being sent to jail in Darwin and later being transferred to Alice Springs. After pleading his innocence throughout his murder trial, Murdoch has never confessed where Mr Falconio's body is located, and after witnesses in Alice Springs described him as 'just about dead' and looking 'very ill', authorities wait in hope that he may give a death-bed admission. Sources have confirmed to News Corp publications that corrective services officers have been ferrying Murdoch back to the jail to bid farewell to other inmates as he prepares for his impending death from ongoing complications following a terminal throat cancer diagnosis in 2019. When quizzed about Murdoch being moved around at taxpayers' expense, local government representatives were unwilling to comment. 'The Department of Corrections does not comment on the health of individual prisoners,' a statement from NT authorities to News Corp said.. 'Additionally, we do not provide details about prisoner movements or escorts for operational security reasons,' they said. The murder of Mr Falconio captured headlines around the world after Ms Lees managed to escape the clutches of Murdoch before claiming he killed Mr Falconio on a deserted outback road near Barrow Creek. Mr Falconio and Ms Lees had arrived from the UK were travelling around Australia in a Kombi van when Murdoch emerged in a vehicle alongside them and asked the couple to pull over, before shooting Mr Falconio in the head and trying to abduct Ms Lees. She managed to run and hide in bushland before waiting until she felt safe enough to flag down a passing motorist who helped her to safety and alerted emergency services. The Northern Territory Government passed a 'no body, no parole' law in 2016 which applies to Murdoch who was sentenced to 28 years for Mr Falconio's murder. He would have been eligible for parole in 2023.
Perth Now
6 days ago
- Perth Now
‘Just about dead': Infamous Aussie murderer on death bed
One of Australia's most infamous convicted killers, responsible for murdering British backpacker Peter Falconio, has reportedly been saying his last goodbyes at a palliative care facility in the Northern Territory. Bradley John Murdoch, 67, is under guard at the hospital after being moved from the Alice Springs Correctional Centre, where he has been held in custody since 2022. Responsible for one of the biggest investigative manhunts in the nation's history, Murdoch was convicted in 2005 of the gruesome murder of Mr Falconio and the attempted abduction of his girlfriend Joanne Lees in 2001, before being sent to jail in Darwin and later being transferred to Alice Springs. After pleading his innocence throughout his murder trial, Murdoch has never confessed where Mr Falconio's body is located, and after witnesses in Alice Springs described him as 'just about dead' and looking 'very ill', authorities wait in hope that he may give a death-bed admission. Sources have confirmed to News Corp publications that corrective services officers have been ferrying Murdoch back to the jail to bid farewell to other inmates as he prepares for his impending death from ongoing complications following a terminal throat cancer diagnosis in 2019. When quizzed about Murdoch being moved around at taxpayers' expense, local government representatives were unwilling to comment. 'The Department of Corrections does not comment on the health of individual prisoners,' a statement from NT authorities to News Corp said.. 'Additionally, we do not provide details about prisoner movements or escorts for operational security reasons,' they said. The murder of Mr Falconio captured headlines around the world after Ms Lees managed to escape the clutches of Murdoch before claiming he killed Mr Falconio on a deserted outback road near Barrow Creek. Mr Falconio and Ms Lees had arrived from the UK were travelling around Australia in a Kombi van when Murdoch emerged in a vehicle alongside them and asked the couple to pull over, before shooting Mr Falconio in the head and trying to abduct Ms Lees. She managed to run and hide in bushland before waiting until she felt safe enough to flag down a passing motorist who helped her to safety and alerted emergency services. The Northern Territory Government passed a 'no body, no parole' law in 2016 which applies to Murdoch who was sentenced to 28 years for Mr Falconio's murder. He would have been eligible for parole in 2023.
Miami Herald
30-05-2025
- General
- Miami Herald
‘Rarely seen' bottom-dwelling sea creature washes up on beach in Australia
A 'rarely seen' marine creature — nearly 6 feet long — washed up on a beach in northern Australia, attracting the attention of wildlife enthusiasts. Rhynchobatus australiae, commonly known as a bottlenose wedgefish, was found stranded on Casuarina Beach in the Casuarina Coastal Reserve, according to a May 29 news release from Australia's Northern Territory Government. Officials said the 'distinctive' bottom-dweller is known for it's wide wedge-shaped snout and is typically found at depths of about 200 feet. 'They don't often wash up on beaches, making sightings extremely rare,' officials said. The wedgefish was dead with no signs of injury, according to the release. Researchers from the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory collected data and a tissue sample, which will be used to analyze 'the species' genetic makeup and population diversity,' officials said. The species is listed as 'critically endangered' by the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List. Wildlife officials said the species is targeted for their fins that are highly valuable in the international fin trade. Casuarina Beach is in Australia's Northern Territory.
