Bushranger
Minister for Thumbs Up?
COULD Tony Sievers be headed for the inner sanctum of Cabinet? Bushranger has been told sacked minister Ken Vowles is moving into suite 16, which was previously occupied by the Member for Brennan. The affable Sievers is popular with his caucus colleagues and would stand a good chance in a vote. The other likely scenario is Paul Kirby will get the promotion to Cabinet and Sievers will take his job as government whip. Bushie is told no caucus vote has taken place yet, so the office shuffle may prove premature.
Bargain bottled water
The Territory may be going through a tough economic time but it’s reassuring to know some brands of bottled water are going particularly cheap. Products made by the now defunct Akuna Springs were going cheap at a major supermarket chain this week. Boxes of the product were stacked up in front of a shelf, selling for $1.50 per bottle. Not bad considering the government investment which went into the product.
Po-tay-to, po-tah-to
TERRITORY Coroner and Local Court judge
Greg Cavanagh’s famous wit was on display again this week when presiding over the case of an offender described by his lawyer,
Peter Maley, as “highly unusual and quirky”. “That’s what they say about you, Mr Maley,” Mr Cavanagh replied. “I don’t take that as an insult, you’re an interesting man.” Mr Maley didn’t cavil with his honour’s assessment.
Battle of the sexes
A LITTLE later in the aforementioned proceeding, when it was revealed Mr Maley’s client was also a former decathlon champion, Mr Cavanagh’s musings turned to Olympic gold medallist and transgender TV personality Caitlyn Jenner. “I see the American champion turned into a woman,” he said. “You’re allowed to do that these days.” Mr Maley assured the judge his client had always been, and yet remained, a man.
Park rep takes a bashing
THE state of Alice Springs’s premier sporting venue Traeger Park only a few weeks out from a Big Bash League match between the Perth Scorchers and Adelaide Strikers must be a cause for concern for league officials. The weekend’s WBBL clash was moved to another venue after the outfield was deemed unfit to play on.
Did I say that?
AN NT News journo put their foot in their mouth during a casual run-in with Chief Minister Michael Gunner at Subway. The journo, who was caught off guard when he ran into Mr Gunner politely asked him “how was your holiday?” completely forgetting in the moment it was cut short by the impending political crisis prior to Christmas.
Ref situation for NTFL
WITH the festive season behind us the NTFL has resumed at all levels. However, some for the matches in the lower grades were forced to provide their own umpires after the league was unable to provide match officials. Yet the players were still charged entry fees to the ground. Bushranger isn’t one to point the finger at umpires, but it is a reflection of how much they are needed and valued in every sport in the NT.