The Government of the Northern Territory of Australia, also referred to as the Northern Territory Government, is the Australian territorial democratic administrative authority of the Northern Territory. The Government of Northern Territory was formed in 1978 with the granting of self-government to the Territory. The Northern Territory is a territory of the Commonwealth of Australia, and the Constitution of Australia and Commonwealth law regulates its relationship with the Commonwealth.Under the Australian Constitution, the Commonwealth has full legislative power, if it chooses to exercise it, over the Northern Territory, and has devolved self-government to the Territory. The Northern Territory legislature does not have the legislative independence of the Australian states but has power in all matters not in conflict with the Constitution and applicable Commonwealth laws, but subject to a Commonwealth veto.Since 13 May 2022, the head of government has been Chief Minister Natasha Fyles of the Labor Party, replacing Michael Gunner after his surprise resignation. As of 16 May 2022 the Northern Territory's government website is yet to update the official cabinet positions.
Abstract Understanding the scale and characteristics of animal movements allows for effective species management. These movement characteristics can vary widely within a species, so there is a need to understand and account for the spectrum of movement behaviours within a population. Movement ecology studies of freshwater fish predominantly aim to uncover environmental correlates of population-wide movement behaviours. However, few studies consider the specific movement types that may exist within a species or population. This is somewhat surprising considering the importance of fish movement and migration in determining population characteristics and species persistence over time. In this study, we used acoustic telemetry to investigate the role and extent of intrapopulation variation in the movement behaviour of golden perch ( Macquaria ambigua , Percichthyidae) in the Condamine-Balonne River system, Australia. After tracking 132 individuals between 2018 and 2025, we employed a novel approach to characterise annual fish movement behaviour into distinct movement groups using a suite of movement data metrics. These groups were then compared to morphological and environmental variations, assessing group membership. We found strong variation in the movement behaviour of golden perch and identified five distinct movement groups. The proportion of individuals in each movement group varied with hydrological alteration and demonstrated behavioural plasticity within the population, possibly in response to the increased density within weir pool habitats. Fish that exhibited strong home-site residency and low mobility (under 5 km linear range) were most prevalent, and only a small number of fish ( n = 18) moved more than 50 km per year. Higher mobility was associated with larger body size (length and weight) and increased age. Future management actions for freshwater fish may benefit from recognising the diverse movement syndromes present within a population. Integrating these behavioural groups, and their differing requirements, into environmental flow management could better preserve key ecological functions and strengthen population resilience.
First Nations people in Australia continue to experience a high level of socio-economic disadvantage, driven by the ongoing injustices of colonisation. In remote communities in the Northern Territory (NT) First Nations children experience early onset and persistence of middle ear infections (otitis media), preventable conductive hearing loss and developmental delay, which contribute to a trajectory of further disadvantage, particularly in education and employment. Health services are not resourced to deliver adequate care for these children. This trial of First Nations workforce enhancement is the first to address these issues. This open cohort stepped-wedge cluster randomised trial of on-country training and new job creation was implemented in 2 pilot and 18 randomised remote communities. Governance of all aspects was co-designed, and First Nations led. Qualified trainers delivered three Certificate II units in Aboriginal Primary Health Care (2 weeks), and competency training in ear and hearing health, otoscopy, tympanometry, and hearScreen® (4 weeks). Community residents were eligible for training if they met criteria for NT Government employment. Here we report baseline characteristics and intervention implementation outcomes. On-country training commenced in April 2020 and completed in November 2023. A new job description was approved for Ear Health Facilitators. Two randomised communities declined participation. The COVID-19 pandemic caused direct and long-term disruptions. From 167 expressions of interest, 53 of 89 (60
Mango twig tip dieback (MTTD) was first observed in the outer Darwin rural area, Northern Territory, in 2017. The disease is characterised by dark necrotic lesions on the twigs of mango trees that extend rapidly causing death of the apical bud, the twig dieback symptoms are also associated with general tree decline, branch death, and reduced productivity. Since its first detection in Darwin, MTTD is now widespread in commercially grown Kensington Pride mangoes and is of major concern to the mango growers in the region. In this study, fungi were isolated and identified from symptomatic and asymptomatic mango twigs. MTTD symptoms are associated with members of the Botryosphaeriaceae, namely, Lasiodiplodia species, Neofusicoccum sinoeucalypti, and Neoscytalidium dimidiatum. However, Lasiodiplodia species were isolated from 96
Insufficient fruit set and excessive fruit drop are key challenges faced within the global mango (Mangifera indica L.) industry, affecting yield consistency and grower’s income as well as adversely impacting global mango trade. Rising temperature regimes and extreme weather events at critical stages of fruit set and development are among the primary driving factors behind these extremely devastating issues in the mango industry. Scientific interventions aimed at regulating fruit set and drop have become increasingly important. Inadequate pollination and fertilisation can also cause poor fruit set, whilst self-incompatibility and stenospermocarpy can cause fruit drop in mango. Mango fruit set and drop are mainly controlled by plant hormones such as auxins, cytokinins, gibberellins, polyamines, and ethylene, all of which are influenced by changes in the environment and other biotic or internal signals. This review focuses on the impact of plant growth regulators and nutrients, such as auxins, gibberellins, cytokinins, brassinosteroids, tryptophan, boron, sucrose, putrescine, aminoethoxyvinylglycine (AVG), cobalt sulphate (CoSO₄) and emerging genetic and omics approaches on mango fruit set and fruit drop. The impacts of major environmental conditions and agronomic practices affecting fruit set and drop were also analysed. This review provides critical insights for improving mango fruit set and retention in the current era of climate change. Despite numerous worldwide studies on these factors individually, a comprehensive compilation of their positive influences and limitations on fruit set and drop is lacking. This review bridges this gap by synthesising current research, clarifying the benefits and drawbacks of existing methods to modulate mango fruit set and retention, and proposing potential solutions to address these challenges in the global mango industry.
