Records 1992

The Northern Territory population at the end of 1992 was estimated to be 168,000 people.

19 February – Ceremonies commemorating 50 years since the first two air raids during WWII on Darwin are held.

4 March – NT News front cover features Mrs Karen Christopher, the first lawyer to complete their entire legal training in the Northern Territory was admitted to the Supreme Court.

7 March – NT News reported that the old underground oil storage tunnels network at Darwin Wharf is to become a commercial tourism venture.

8 March – Exercise Kangaroo ’92 involving 14,000 armed forces personnel from Australia and the USA, commences in the Northern Territory and East Kimberly region of WA.

13 March – NT News reports that the last of the pastoral stations owned by Vesteys in the Northern Territory have been sold, ending the Vestey Cattle empire’s long and controversial association with the Northern Territory.

15 April – Cyclone Neville, Category 4, causes extensive tree damage on Cobourg Peninsula and the Tiwi Islands.

May – The first stage of the military build–up in the Northern Territory (Armed Presence in the North, or APIN) begins with the relocation of the 2nd Cavalry Regiment to Darwin.

1 May – NT News front cover features Thiess Brothers bulldozers beginning works on the $120 million Cullen Bay Marina project.

21 May – In a ceremony conducted by Mr Speaker, a time capsule, to be opened in 2048 to mark a centenary of the first sittings of the Northern Territory Legislative Council, was placed in the foundations of Parliament House (in the historical foyer adjacent to the reception hall and library)

10 August – Ms Sally Gordon Thomas, formerly Chief Magistrate of the Northern Territory, is the first woman to be appointed a Judge of the Supreme Court of the Northern Territory.

The Conservation Commission Annual report indicated that “in keeping with the spirit of this year’s World War II commemorative program the Commission launched the Military Heritage Trails. In addition the Archives Unit conducted 30 oral history interviews with veterans and civilians who returned to Darwin for the events”.

The Environmental Impact Statement for the construction of the Bayview Haven Canal Estate was complete in June 1992, making way for construction to begin.

The Conservation Commission reported that the Territory’s waste management efforts took a major step forward [in 1992] when the new Shoal Bay Regional Recycling Centre was opened in conjunction with the Darwin City Council.

The Legislative Assembly Annual Report included that arrangements were underway for the amalgamation of the Parliamentary Library with the State Reference Library, in the new Parliament House, having consequence within the extended interior design stage for the new building.

“The new library will be housed on four levels of the building with two levels accessible to the public. Parking, hours of operation and public access will exceed provisions in the existing State Library and the facility is expected to be a showpiece”.

2 January – President of the United States of America, George HW Bush, addresses the Australian Parliament.

9 February – Major flooding on the east coast of Australia sees the Sydney harbour tunnel flooded with 500,000 litres of water. On 20 February residents evacuate their homes in towns north of Brisbane when hit by flash flooding. On 21 February a State of Emergency is declared in Maryborough and Gympie Queensland, and the whole of the Noosa Shire NSW on 22 February, due to major flooding.

24 February – Queen Elizabeth II visits Australia.

25 May – Lindy Chamberlain receives compensation for wrongful conviction on murder charges.

3 June – The High Court of Australia decides the case of Mabo V Queensland (No. 2) a landmark decision recognising native title in Australia. The decision overturns the concept of terra nullius, the notion of Australia as an unoccupied land at the time of British settlement.

24 June – NSW Premier Nick Greiner resigns following a corruption scandal and is replaced by John Fahey.

30 August – The Australian Greens Party is formed by representatives from the Tasmanian, Queensland and NSW Greens Party, with observers from other states.

19 September – state election in Queensland returns Wayne Goss and the Labor Government to power for a second term following the end of the 32 year Bjelke-Pederson era in 1989.

23 November – Prime Minister Paul Keating announces the end of a ban preventing homosexual men and women from serving in the Australian Defence Force.

3 October – a state election in Victoria see’s Jeff Kennett’s Liberal Party take government from former premier Joan Kirner.

10 December – Australian Prime Minister Paul Keating at Australian launch of the International Year for the world’s Indigenous people 1993, delivers what will become known as the 'Redfern Speech'. Keating was the first Australian prime minister to publicly acknowledge to Indigenous Australians that European settlers were responsible for the difficulties Australian Aboriginal communities continued to face.

14 December – Kakadu National Park, encompassing stage 3 which includes Coronation Hill, is listed as a World Heritage Area.

21 January – a Memorandum of Understanding between the Northern Territory and Indonesia is signed in Jakarta.

15 January – the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia begins to break up, and is fully disintegrated by 27 April, resulting in several successor states of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Macedonia, Slovenia and later Serbia and Montenegro.

26 January – Russian President Boris Yeltsin announces that Russia will stop targeting cities of the United States and United States allies with nuclear weapons. In return United States President George HW Bush announces that United States and allies will stop targeting Russia and the remaining communist states with nuclear weapons.

30 January – North Korea signs an accord with the International Atomic Energy Agency allowing for international inspections of North Korea’s nuclear power plants.

1 February – United States president George HW Bush and Russian President Boris Yeltsin meet at Camp David in Maryland United States, where they formally declare that the Cold War is over.

14 February – Ukraine and four other nations in the Commonwealth of Independent States reject Russia’s proposal to maintain unified armed forces. Ukraine, Moldova, and Azerbaijan announce they will go ahead with plans to create their own military forces.

9 March – The People’s Republic of China ratifies the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

22 March – Space Shuttle Atlantis takes off from Cape Canaveral carrying instruments designed to study global warming.

5 April – Serb troops, following a mass rebellion of Serbs in Bosnia and Herzegovina against the Bosnian declaration of independence from Yugoslavia, besiege the city of Sarajevo.

2 May – NT News reports that “thousands of troops and police stood by, surrendering neighbourhoods [of Los Angeles] to looters, brick throwers and rioters, with 24 people killed, and at least 900 injured, following the acquittal of four white policemen in the videotaped beating of black motorist Rodney King”.

7 May – Space Shuttle Endeavour makes its maiden flight, as a replacement for Space Shuttle Challenger which was destroyed after take-off on its tenth flight in 1986.

3-14 June – The Earth Summit is held in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. The first World Oceans Day is celebrated on 8 June coinciding with the Summit.

3-4 August – Millions of black South Africans participate in a general strike called by the African National Congress to protest the lack of progress in negotiations with the government of the State President of the Republic of South Africa.

26 January – The first Big Day Out music festival is held at the Sydney Showgrounds, with headline acts Violent Femmes, and Nirvana.

14 March – Foreign Correspondent premieres on the ABC.

30 March – The Silence of the Lambs, released in 1991, wins five Academy Awards, becoming only the third movie to win the ‘big 5’; Best Film, Director, Actor, Actress and Screenplay.

20 April – The Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert, held at Wembley Stadium London, is televised to over one billion people raising millions of dollars for AIDS research.

3 June – Chief Minister Marshall Peron officially opens NT Museum of Arts and Sciences Maritime Gallery which features more than 30 examples of marine craft and boating designs.

20 July – Bananas in Pyjamas premiers on the ABC.

21 July – Sylvania Waters premieres on Australian television. Sylvania Waters was an Australian reality television series that followed the lives of an Australian family – one of the first such programs in Australia.

7 August – Unforgiven, starring and directed by Clint Eastwood, is released. The film won four Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director for Clint Eastwood the following year.

20 August – Australian movie Strictly Ballroom, directed by Baz Luhrmann, is released.

26 September – West Coast Eagles (16.17.113) defeat Geelong (12.13.85) in the first non-Melbourne-only Grand Final, to win the 96th AFL premiership. It is the first time that the VFL/AFL premiership has left Victoria.

27 September – Brisbane Broncos (28) defeat St. George Dragons (8) to win the 85th NSWRL premiership. It is the first time that the NSWRL premiership has gone to Queensland.

3 November – Written and originally recorded by Dolly Parton in 1973, ‘I Will Always Love You’ is released by Whitney Houston. ‘The Bodyguard’ original soundtrack album featuring this song, went on to sell over 45 million copies worldwide becoming the biggest selling soundtrack of all time.

12 November – Romper Stomper, starring Russell Crowe is released.

1992 sees the passing of well-known Australian artist Brett Whitley (b.1939), musician Peter Allen (b. 1944), photographer Max Dupain (b. 1911), and artist Sidney Nolan (b. 1917).

In Australia the top five popular music singles listed by the Australian Recording Industry Association included ‘Achy Breaky Heart’ by Billy Ray Cyrus, ‘November Rain’ by Guns N’ Roses, ‘End of the Road’ by Boyz II Men, ‘To Be With You’ by Mr Big, and ‘Amigos Para Siempre’ (Friends for Life) by José Carreras & Sarah Brightman. Australian artists featured in the top 100 with ‘The Day You Went Away’ by Wendy Matthews at number eight, ‘Ordinary Angels’ by Frente! at number 20, and ‘Way Out West’ by James Blundell and James Reyne at number 22 on the charts.

Australian comedy shows Fast Forward and Acropolis Now finished broadcasting on Channel 7 in 1992.

This was the era of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and Waynes World, which influenced fashion trends.

One of the most popular early ‘90s looks was grunge. It entered mainstream fashion in 1992, when grunge bands like Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and Soundgarden rose to popularity. This look included darker coloured plaid flannel shirts, stonewashed or ripped jeans, Doc Martens, combat boots, Birkenstocks, and high top sneakers.

Rump steak was selling for $4.45 per kilo, a tin of soup for $1.25 and a kilo of apples for $1.40 per kilo. A carton of 24 light beer $18.95, of 24 full strength beer for $24.95 and a bottle of scotch whisky for $21.50.

Return fares for flights Darwin to Alice Springs with Ansett cost $339, and from Darwin to Adelaide for $509 return.

Territory Mutual credit society was offering home loans at the variable interest rate of 11%. A three bedroom ‘Vintage Centralian’ home in Eastside selling for $112,000. The same price was being asked for a standard elevated three bedroom home in Woodroffe, while a five bedroom ‘old Darwin charm’ home in Ludmilla was seeing for $190,000. A beach block at Dundee was selling for $80,000.

Transcript 8394 | PM Transcripts (pmc.gov.au) [https://pmtranscripts.pmc.gov.au/release/transcript-8394]

SPEECH BY THE HON PRIME MINISTER, P J KEATING MP AUSTRALIAN LAUNCH OF THE INTERNATIONAL YEAR FOR THE WORLD’S INDIGENOUS PEOPLE REDFERN, 10 DECEMBER 1992 (pmc.gov.au)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1992_in_Australia

NT News, Saturday 7 March 1992, Page 1

NT News, Wednesday 4 March 1992, Page 1

NT News, Friday 13 March 1992, Page 1

NT News, Friday 1 May 1992, Page 1

NT news, Saturday 2 May 1992, Page 2

NT Chronicle, 1992, prepared by Steve Bennett, edited by His Honour Neil Conn, AO Administrator of the Northern Territory, https://shanestone.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/ document/file/1128/NT_Chronicle_1992.pdf

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serbia_and_Montenegro

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Socialist_Federal_Republic_of_Yugoslavia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redfern_Park_Speech#cite_note-syddict-2

1992 - Wikipedia

https://ntepa.nt.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/286428/BayviewHaven.pdf

https://ntepa.nt.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0010/286426/noi_bayview_boulevarde.pdf

https://territorystories.nt.gov.au/10070/398404 Annual Report 1991-1992 Conservation Commission Tabled Paper 1290

“Annual Report 1991-1992 Department of the Legislative Assembly”. 17 November 1992 https://territorystories.nt.gov.au/10070/398398/0/80.

This Submission requested endorsement to publicly release the Northern Territory Decade of Landcare Plan.

In 1990, Australia declared the next 10 years to be the Decade of Landcare with the goal to bring about conservation and protection of the land resource upon which the entire Northern Territory community is dependent. State and territories across Australia prepared plans to determine the best way to avoid and control land degradation. In the Northern Territory, Landcare NT developed the plan in consultation with the Conservation Commission, industry, government and community conservation groups.

The Plan will bring about the integration of resources from government and non-government sectors for the prevention and control of land degradation. The Northern Territory Decade of Landcare Plan is attached to this record.

Submission No. 6097 / Decision No. 7170 of 28 January 1992 / Volume 375 PDF (10.3 MB)

Government approved the tabling of the ‘Northern Territory Women’s Strategy – a discussion paper’ and its public release for community consultation, prior to finalising a Northern Territory Strategy for Women.

In 1990, the Government announced a new strategy for women developed by women in the Territory, to identify their concerns and to ensure government planning adequately reflects the priorities identified by women in the community. Early consultation with urban, rural and Aboriginal women identified recurring concerns with health, housing, education and training, domestic violence, alcohol abuse, child-care, unpaid carers, counselling services, and superannuation.

The Discussion Paper covers all aspects of women’s lives in an ordered and structured manner and includes a framework for the future. Of particular interest are the statistics, and social and economic indicators at Attachment 1.

The Discussion Paper notes that “Territory women historically have been pioneers; they are self-sufficient, resourceful and adaptable. Most women take on a dual role; that of working in the paid workforce and that of unpaid carer and home maker. This double load affects family life, leading to increasing stress levels for the modern woman”.

This record is highlighted due to the current government’s commitment to increasing diversity in board membership. The Discussion Paper was tabled in the Legislative Assembly on 3 March 1992 (Tabled Paper No. 763).

Submission No. 6130 / Decision No. 7210 of 28 February 1992 / Volume 378 PDF (23.8 MB)

The purpose of this Submission was to allocate funding to rehabilitate the site on which the Government Stamp Battery sits at Tennant Creek, and to transfer the site to the local community to develop as a tourist attraction.

The 92 hectare site is of historical interest with potential as a mining museum. The schedule of work and waste containment costs associated with the environmental rehabilitation of areas covered by tailings, is attached to the Submission. Government approved $50,000 toward the costs of rehabilitating the site, and for the site to be transferred to the community. Legal transfer of the title could not be affected until the Warramungu Land Claim was finalised.

Submission No. 6261 / Decision No. 7382 of 20 July 1992 / Volume 391 PDF (2.6 MB)

This Cabinet record approved transmission of the Northern Territory Government Submission to the Commonwealth Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works public hearing on the Notice of Intent to increase army presence in the Northern Territory. The hearing was held in Darwin in August 1992 to examine public works proposals associated with the facilities.

The Government’s Submission discussed impacts on social and economic infrastructure including roads, public transport, water supplies, health, hospitals, and child care. Environmental health matters including sewage, wastewater disposal, disposal of liquid and toxic waste and measures to prevent stormwater contamination from stores, fuels, workshops and vehicle maintenance areas, were also discussed.

Submission No. 6285 / Decision No. 7422 of 14 August 1992 / Volume 393 PDF (5.6 MB)

The purpose of this Submission was to consider provision of school facilities at Woodroffe, Palmerston. Four options were presented for the construction of a government school, a Catholic school, two separate schools, or a shared government and Catholic school. Establishment of a childcare centre, community oval and ablution facilities were also considered.

The Submission includes the pupil capacity of existing schools in Palmerston, future enrolment and demographic projections, and the movement of Australian Defence Force personnel. Demographic projections are attached to the Submission.

The Decision indicates Government’s agreement to the establishment of a childcare centre and a pre-school as Stage 1 of development of the Woodroffe Neighbourhood Centre site; and for a Catholic primary school to be located on the Emery Avenue site. No costs appear in this Decision.

Submission No. 6260 / Decision No. 7381 of 20 July 1992 / Volume 391 PDF (8.7 MB)

Submission No. 6260 / Decision No. 7387 of 28 July 1992 / Volume 392 PDF (500.2 KB)

The purpose of this Submission was to obtain funding status for the school projects above.

In this Decision, Government approved funding for Stage 1 to construct a 50 pupil-place preschool; a 50 per cent capital and 10 percent interest subsidy over 10 years for a 360 pupil-place primary school; and placement on the approved design list of Stage 2 to construct a 360 pupil-place primary school, community-use facilities, an oval and an ablution facility.

Submission No. 6287 / Decision No. 7424 of 14 August 1992 / Volume 393 PDF (3.5 MB)

The purpose of this Submission was to endorse the Northern Territory’s negotiating position on the implementation of the International Convention on Biological Diversity and the National Strategy for Biological Diversity. It also sought approval of the Northern Territory Government’s Submission to the House of Representatives Standing Committee on the Environment, Recreation and the Arts Inquiry into the Role of Protected Areas in the Maintenance of Biodiversity (the Inquiry), which examined the adequacy of Australia’s current system of terrestrial parks and reserves to sustain biodiversity.

In 1982, the World Charter for Nature was adopted by the United Nations. In 1992, the International Convention on Biological Diversity was signed by the Commonwealth Minister for the Environment. The Convention obliges parties to establish representative systems of reserved (protected) lands to conserve biological diversity. All Australian state and territory governments signed an Intergovernmental Agreement on the Environment affirming their commitment to conservation of biological diversity and recognising the need for an integrated approach to a national system of protected lands.

Attached to this record is the Northern Territory Government Submission approved for lodgement to the Inquiry.

Submission No. 6303 / Decision No. 7444 of 21 August 1992 / Volume 394 PDF (15.3 MB)

This Submission requested endorsement to the Anti-Discrimination Bill to enact the first legislation of its kind in the Northern Territory.

Cabinet met four times in 1992 to discuss the implementation of the legislation, which had been approved in principle in 1991.

Decisions 7246 (7 April), 7358 (2 July) and 7423 (14 August) discussed the areas of prohibition from unfair discrimination and providing remedies for persons who were discriminated against. The bill was alternatively referred to as Equal Opportunity Legislation.

Discussions related to the inclusion of parenthood, sexuality and irrelevant medical record as grounds for discrimination in the legislation.

The Anti-Discrimination Bill was assented on 18 December 1992 and commenced 1 August 1993. The Anti-Discrimination Commission came into operation on 1 August 1993, with Ms Dawn Lawrie appointed as the inaugural Anti- Discrimination Commissioner.

Submission No. 6340 / Decision No. 7486 of 28 September 1992 / Volume 396 PDF (88.9 MB)

The purpose of this Submission was to seek in-principle support to the amalgamation of Sadadeen Secondary College and the Alice Springs College of TAFE.

National trends indicated it was no longer possible to maintain the view that the majority of those remaining in school for 12 years, would be aiming to graduate into higher education.

Due to the rapidly growing student clientele in post compulsory education, and a change in student and community needs, a feasibility study was conducted on the shared use of facilities for providers of post compulsory education in Alice Springs. The study involved extensive investigations at a local and national level, and consultation with staff of both colleges.

Attached to this Submission is a college structure designed to accommodate the needs of students, including appropriate course options and student pathways to commence in 1993.

Submission No. 6364 / Decision No. 7515 of 13 October 1992 / Volume 398 PDF (8.0 MB)

The purpose of this Submission was to approve development of a new youth policy for the Northern Territory.

Overseas trends indicate that society cannot allow a substantial proportion of its population to exist outside its mainstream. To do so risks major social upheaval and an excessive amount of gross national product being diverted to public safety, and social/ medical rehabilitative services.

Individuals with little self-worth and unable to access the benefits that society has to offer (goods and services, independence, career, family life) present as a significant threat to their own safety and wellbeing, and to that of the community. It is easy to engage in high risk anti-social activities when you believe you have ‘nothing to lose’.

Development of a new youth policy offered an opportunity to address the challenges facing youth, and to clarify the roles and responsibilities of youth, families, the community and government. Young people will be involved in development of a new youth policy through establishment of a youth advisory body.

The Submission also proposes coordinating existing policies and programs into a youth strategy. These include:

• Public Housing Policy for Young People
• Juvenile Crime Workshops
• Recreation Policy for Youth
• Petrol Sniffing Policy and Programs.

The draft youth policy is at Attachment C.

Submission No. 6407 / Decision No. 7572 of 1 December 1992 / Volume 401A PDF (16.5 MB)

The purpose of this Submission was to approve release for public comment, a discussion paper aimed at developing a strategy for the management of wildfires in the Northern Territory.

At the time, there was growing public concern on fire prevention and control measures used to effect fire management, including the use of burning operations as preventive measures.

Prior to formulating a wildfire management strategy, the Bushfires Council drafted a discussion paper in consultation with an officer of the CSIRO, regarded as a world authority on bushfire management and control. The Paper reviews the role of fire in the Northern Territory, addresses public concerns, and considers directions for more effective fire management. The Discussion Paper is attached and includes a map of the fire control districts.

Submission No. 6408 / Decision No. 7573 of 1 December 1992 / Volume 401A PDF (15.0 MB)