Thou couldst knocketh me down with a proverbial feather on reading the NT News editorial of March 20 which said it was a shame somebody like MLA Alison Anderson was not in power to pull SIHIP into line. It was hard to reconcile that this was the same newspaper which had been critical of her from the time of her original outrage over SIHIP, then withdrawal from government and resignation from the ALP.
The editorial went on to say Ms Anderson , if in government , could demand action, rather than sitting in the wings , powerless , a fringe player , whistling in the wind.
Anyone who thinks Ms Anderson is sitting meekly in the wings, whistling Dixie and feeling impotent, has no understanding of the woman , her determination, talents and still very strong influence in politics , particularly in Central Australia .
As this piece is written there is an ABC radio report about further SIHIP trouble with refurbishment work carried out at another settlement; a team is being sent in to investigate. The responsible minister , Chris Burns, who said Earth Connect was being transitioned -not sacked -from Groote Eylandt , is quoted as saying he knows nothing about the the latest problems.
It would seem that , even if you are a minister in the now NT government , you are not being kept up to speed about problems , which is incredible under the circumstances as this continues to be an embarrassing issue for the NT government and Canberra and will impact on the Federal NT seats held by Labor,first off, and later the NT elections.
