Health was high on the Marshall Perron-led CLP Government’s agenda in 1993, Cabinet Records released today reveal.
Health clinics in remote areas that had been operating out of ‘silver bullet’ caravans and tin sheds were prioritised for replacement over five years, with Cabinet approving $1 million for the first tranche of capital works. Bulman, Pigeon Hole, Beswick and Nyirripi were amongst seven communities identified as being in urgent need of new clinics.
Cabinet agreed to offer immunisations to protect Territory children up to five-years-old against Haemophilus Influenzae type b. The vaccine, which had only become available in Australia a few months earlier, helps prevent life-threatening diseases such as meningitis, pneumonia, and epiglottitis.
Other Cabinet highlights of the year were:
an agreement with the Jawoyn Association featuring a number of freehold land settlements and other cultural, employment and housing benefits to advance the development of the Mount Todd Gold Mine north of Katherine;support for the Territory’s aquaculture industry, with funding approved for a number of research and development projects that would boost the marketing potential of produce to Australian and Asian markets;the call for public comment on a code of practice for retirement village schemes, which set out good practice in the sale, promotion and operation of retirement villages; andapproval of a shared equity home ownership scheme to enable low to middle income earners to work towards home ownership.
Released on the first day of January each year, NT Government Cabinet Records are made public after 30 years in line with the Information Act 2002.
Managed by Library and Archives NT, the 1993 records document milestones in the Northern Territory’s history and provide an interesting glimpse into the operations of an administration that had just marked 15 years of Self Government.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Chansey Paech:
“1993 was a dynamic year in the NT, and plans for the Alice Springs to Darwin rail link were the talk of the Territory.
“Progress was happening on all levels with key milestones such as the opening of the library at the NT University; the first-ever arrival of an Airbus A330; and an export stockyards facility at Berrimah setting new standards.
“Releasing the Cabinet Records from 30 years ago means we can now explore the issues considered by the Territory’s government of the day.
“These records are historically significant, as they are not only a trip down memory lane, they help us to understand how our past defines our future.”
