The Northern Territory Government officially declared the Gregory National Park; introduced ozone protection legislation; and relocated all NT University operations to the Casuarina campus, historic Cabinet records from 1990 reveal.
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 records comprise decisions made by the then-Country Liberal Government which was re-elected for a fourth term in October that year.
The records document milestones in the Northern Territory's history and provide an interesting glimpse into the operations of an administration that had marked just 12 years of Self Government.
Also among the Cabinet records from 1990:
- The Northern Territory Government approved the in-principle establishment of a new national park centred on the Davenport and Murchison Ranges, adjacent to the Devils Marbles Conservation Reserve near Tennant Creek.
- With high growth in airline and passenger traffic, the Northern Territory Government considered the extension of landside and airside facilities at the Connellan Airport near Uluru. Government approved the addition of the $3.5 million redevelopment to the design list, noting that a separate submission addressing cost recovery for the redevelopment would be put to Cabinet prior to the 1991/92 Budget process.
- Acknowledging the prevalence of alcohol-related issues, the Northern Territory Government formally adopted the National Health Policy on Alcohol and endorsed the strategies for its implementation in Australia.
- The NT Government approved a range of administrative measures aimed at increasing the strength of personal information protections within Government. The submission noted the rapid advancements in information technology and the challenges they presented for the effective protection of personal data.
To access the records visit nt.gov.au/cabinetrecords.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Chansey Paech:
"It is exciting to release the Cabinet records from 1990 so they can be accessed by members of the public.
"These records are historically significant Territory stories which help us all to understand how our past defines our future.
"I am sure there will be many Territorians who will be interested in the opportunity to call in on 1990 and explore the decisions that have shaped the Northern Territory into the dynamic, progressive place it is today."
