I wonder just how much the recent Blain by-election will work in our Chief Minister’s favour.
By holding the seat for the CLP, Nathan Barrett has ensured that the current government will see out its term of office without having to rely on Independent Gerry Wood. It also means there won’t be a promise of no change in the leadership as the price of MLA Wood’s support.
This means that Adam Giles can now be replaced as leader of the CLP at any time, and the Chief Minister of the NT would then once again be from a Darwin electorate. This is the way it’s always been, and I expect that by the time the next general election rolls around, this is how it will be again.
It seems the knives are now out for MLA Bess Price. I don’t live in Stuart so I don’t know how good she is as a local member. What I do know is that once last year I wrote to her as Minister for Parks and Wildlife asking that bicycles be allowed to enter the Telegraph Station Reserve along the Todd River from the southeast corner. Soon after, the sign forbidding bikes entry there was gone.
Minor issues aside, I have long considered Ms Price to be a woman of exceptional integrity and courage. I don’t know if she has the personal following of Alison Anderson, who I expect could run as the drover’s dog and get re-elected, but I wish her well.
And lastly, a quick look at something that is happening in China. I wonder if the answer to our remote housing crisis is around the corner. Admittedly the design shown is basic and could do with some adapting, and even if not an entire house, all the components could be made this way.
The idea of 3d printing is sound. It’s gaining acceptance around the world in leaps and bounds and the recycling component in this one is huge.