Bushranger

Beware journos

TURNS out communist China doesn’t trust journalists. NT News scribe Lauren Roberts and 9 News Darwin journo Rosanna King

sun were allowed to fly trouble-free from Beijing to Rizhao, but their pesky bags were told to stay at the airport – as something “suspicious” about the luggage alerted security. Two days later, the bags and journos were lovingly reunited but it seems the pen may be mightier than the sword.

Plane delays

IN more China news, half the delegation from Rizhao to Shenzhen had their flights canned. Instead, a group of seven – including InvestNT director Chris Mouat who was meant to be hosting the NT’s showcase dinner on Thursday – spent 30 hours in transit trying to fly three hours. First, they had to jump on a bus at Qingdao, only to learn their connecting flight was delayed an hour. Arriving in the next city, the group discovered their plane to Shenzhen had been pushed back five wonderful hours. Of course, they weren’t able to simply land in Shenzhen, instead a storm diverted the plane to Haikou – ironically, one of Darwin’s sister cities. They sat on the tarmac for about six hours before being taken into the airport. Bushie’s wondering what the point of a sister city is, if they can’t even send some snacks and supplies to a Territorian in desperate need?

Wrong slogan

THE Gunner Government’s acting head of communications Maria Billias made an accidental faux pas the other day when responding to the NT News about the similarities between the NT masterbrand and one of Dubai’s. Maria, a former NT News scribe, mistakenly responded that the Territory’s masterbrand – “Beyond Possible” – was a great slogan. Only trouble was that was Dubai’s slogan and not the Territory’s, which is of course “Boundless Possible”. Luckily she was quickly on the phone to correct her mistake.

Pike not happy

THE NT Manufacturers’ Council’s Owen

Pike isn’t a big fan of the new masterbrand. Normally a big advocate for the Territory, Owen hasn’t been backward in coming forward about his views on the new slogan and related imagery. Among other views, he’s implied the Government has paid $1.5 million for a rip-off – referring to the similarities with the Dubai campaign. Maybe his view will change if the campaign works.

Tahan’s Uber influence

IT seems former Darwin girl Tahan Lew Fatt might be on the payroll of Uber Eats. On Friday, she posted on Facebook a picture of herself earing a bowl of noodles with a big Uber Eats-branded bag in the background. She wrote: “After a busy day shooting - Today, I was eating this yummy beef noodle stir fry from @ubereats_aus clearly enjoying too much #TonightIllBeEating #ubereatsaus #spon”.

Navy lift dramas

It was a case of too many admirals, too few lackeys in a lift in Parliament House yesterday. After about 10 people piled into the elevator, intending to head to the fourth floor, they remained stationary for about 20 seconds before Sunday Territorian photographer Patrina Malone suggested someone push the button. After a few laughs, one admiral eventually hit the number four and the group made it to the forum.