BUSHRANGER

SWEET TRUCE

THERE was a bit of argy-bargy as polls opened for the Arafura by-election in Jabiru on Friday, with volunteers for both major parties engaged in heated debate. Cracking lines including “go educate yourself” and “that’s utter rubbish” were sprinkled throughout the 36C day. But, come late afternoon and the arrival of a box of icy poles, differences were put aside as Labor offered their CLP counterparts sweet refreshment.

ADAM WASN’T THE FIRST BLOKE

WHEN former chief minister Adam Giles lost his seat in the 2016 election many commentators assumed he was the first leader of government in the NT to be booted out while serving. What most had forgotten – or didn’t know – was that a year before self-government Goff Letts, then Legislative Assembly majority leader, had lost his seat at the 1977 election. Goff stuck around the NT for three years after his defeat. Giles, by contrast, couldn’t get out quickly enough.

COPS BEHIND TIMES ON EQUALITY

ACTING Assistant Commissioner Daniel Bacon wished all women a happy International Women’s Day on Friday — nine days after the global holiday celebrating gender equality.

Incorrectly believing the celebration of women’s rights was on the same day as St Patrick’s, Mr Bacon said Friday was a particularly important day for Irish women.

When puzzled journalists corrected him, Mr Bacon exclaimed: “That’s why I was getting strange looks from my female colleagues”.

MYSTERY UBER

THE Chamber of Commerce NT were told rideshare drivers were registered in Alice Springs, and gave it their best effort to find them – even attempting to sign up as a driver! DiDi has confirmed it has no plans to extend to the area, and Uber has been unresponsive to questions. If you’re the mystery rideshare driver, please let us know.