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Zizi AverillJournalist

Zizi Averill is the police and crime reporter for the NT News, based up in Darwin. She previously worked as a journalist in Bendigo, Victoria and Mackay, Queensland.

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EXCLUSIVEPolitics

Central Australian women were kept in crowded conditions in the Alice Springs Watch house in early 2025 due to the overflow of Corrections prisoners into the NT Police facility.

‘Outrageous’: United Nations blocked from NT prisons, watch houses

The NT Government has been accused of ‘hiding’ conditions inside prisons, watch houses, and youth detention centres after blocking United Nations experts from accessing facilities.

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Police & Courts

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - NewsWire Photos - NOVEMBER 10, 2025: Generic photo showing an iPhone 16 Pro Max and social media app icons of Facebook, Instagram, X, Snapchat, Reddit, Kik, YouTube and TikTok.. Picture: NewsWire / Dylan Robinson

NT sports star admits to grooming teenage girl

A mentor for young Territorians and a sporting star who persistently groomed a teenage girl over Instagram could face time in a cell, with a judge warning it was ‘serious offending’. Read the latest.

Dozens of health workers have taken part in a strike outside Alice Springs Hospital, December 3, 2025, where they were protesting the NT government's latest enterprise agreement. Picture: Gera Kazakov

Gov backflips on wages cap for 14,000 Territorians

Unions say an offer to thousands of Territory workers remains ‘insufficient’ as the NT government has baulked for a second time on its 3 per cent Wages Policy. Read the latest here.

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The United Workers Union also come along to show solidarity. Dozens of health workers have taken part in a strike outside Alice Springs Hospital, December 3, 2025, where they were protesting the NT government's latest enterprise agreement. Picture: Gera Kazakov

Gov backflips on wages cap for 14,000 Territorians

The NT Government has baulked on its three per cent wages offer cap for more than 14,000 public servants, but many unions say the latest offer is still “insufficient”.

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Police & Courts

Northern Territory Police and St John Ambulance service responding to an incident in Alice Springs. Picture: Gera Kazakov generic, NT Police

Man changed with domestic violence breach after woman’s death

A 27-year-old man has been charged with breaching a domestic violence order following the suspicious death of a young Territory woman. Read the latest here.

Police & Courts

Territory grandfather Wayne Hunt died on August 31, 2024 after his post-seizure behaviour was mistaken for non-compliance at Darwin Correctional Centre, with the 56-year-old handcuffed, put in a spit hood, stripped naked and left alone in a cell. Picture: Supplied

Prison officers ‘triggered’ man’s violent post-seizure response, inquest hears

A leading epilepsy expert has warned prison officers’ use of force likely triggered a Territory grandfather’s violent post-seizure state. WARNING: Distressing.

UpdatedPolice & Courts

Peter Scammell leaving Darwin Local Court on Thursday after he was charged with the murder of his partner Katrina Hawker in 2020. Picture: Zizi Averill

Man accused of NT nurse’s overdose murder granted bail

Five years after a Territory nurse died with a cocktail of alcohol and sleeping pills in her system, her partner of 20 years has fronted court charged with her murder. Read the latest here.

Police & Courts

Cavenagh St resident Jules OÃMara as smoke billowed out a Cavenagh Street apartment building as fire engines closed the road on Wednesday, December 3, 2025. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

‘It’s life and death’: Residents fearful over ‘chronic’ apartment neglect

Darwin city residents who were evacuated following an apartment building fire say they have not felt safe in their own homes for months due to “chronic” maintenance neglect. Read the latest here.

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Police & Courts

Territory grandfather Wayne Hunt died on August 31, 2024 after his post-seizure behaviour was mistaken for non-compliance at Darwin Correctional Centre, with the 56-year-old handcuffed, put in a spit hood, stripped naked and left alone in a cell. Picture: Supplied

Prison guards ‘faithfully documented’ as man died in their care

Prison workers believed they were following procedure as they recorded a Territory grandfather’s final moments of consciousness. WARNING: Distressing.

Still of Brendan Kantilla being questioned police shortly before his arrest.

‘This guy killed our friend!’: Video captures moment murderer spotted in street

A body-worn camera captured the dramatic moment a murderer was outed by his victim’s friends and arrested by police. WATCH THE VIDEO.

Original URL: https://www.ntnews.com.au/journalists/zizi-averill