The Keep River Kite reckons that the NT’s new mandatory rehab scheme for repeat drunks will be just another “wild, failed scheme” doomed for failure.

Is the use of powers contained in an “extraordinary bill with extraordinary powers in extraordinary circumstances” justified to ban the Hells Angels from having a drink in the NT’s pubs?

Moral panic or good law and policy? S. 33AA of the NT Liquor Act as a blunt instrument of social control.

Police operations like Thumper in Katherine and other towns of the Top End do not stand unsupported. Thumping is now big business.

A look back at some of the more curious entries in the death records of the Northern Territory from the early years of last century.

The obvious point is that this sort of politically attractive – but fundamentally naive and cruel – quick fix does not work. To get kids back into school successfully takes more than tough love, fines or hawk-eyed cops. Success will come with resources, planning, proper encouragement, good role models, joyful love and humour.

The problem for the Australia Government now is that it appears that the public version of the Crime Commission report is just the tip of the iceberg. The Government and ASADA are in damage control and the countries top football leagues (Australian football’s AFL and Rugby League’s NRL) are in crisis.

If Cancer Jesus ever returns to Adelaide he can expect to be dragged from his private jet at the airport, hitched to the back of a truck with a rope, hauled into the city down Anzac Parade and his lifeless body hung for display from a light standard in Victoria Square while the crowds that once sang his praises to the sky bay for his blood. He doesn’t deserve any better.

Someone in Acting CM Lambley’s position should be well aware that it is erroneous and possibly prejudicial to cry ‘murder’ when there has been no such conviction by a court. Murder is a very specific offence, and it does the NT Government no credit to have Ms Lambley respond in hysterical ignorance.

If you want to own a longarm or handgun in Australia now you firstly need a legitimate reason (sport-shooting or employment-related reasons top that list), have to go through rigorous police checks and join a gun club. There is no presumption or right to gun ownership – it is a privilege.