Territory Day events cancelled, and Terry Mills is not happy

Territory Day is the latest event to fall victim to the COVID-19 crisis with Chief Minister Michael Gunner announcing this year’s fireworks are off, a move Territory Alliance leader Terry Mills believes came “too soon”.

Cracker Night at Anzac Oval. Picture: EMMA MURRAY

Territory Day is the latest event to fall victim to the COVID-19 crisis with Chief Minister Michael Gunner announcing this year’s fireworks are off, a move Territory Alliance leader Terry Mills believes came “too soon”.

Mr Gunner announced last week that COVID-19 restrictions will mean the purchase of fireworks for personal use, and events across the NT that attract Territorians and visitors in their thousands, will not go ahead.

Mr Gunner said businesses would have struggled to obtain a supply of a fireworks due to the fact that most come from China.

“It is the right decision it had to be made. This year the skies won’t light up like they used to, but cracker night will be back,” he said.

“Next year’s Territory Day will be a cracker of a night.”

He said fireworks vendors had also raised concerns about contributing to a possible influx of people to the emergency department with fireworks injuries at a time when the hospital was dealing with a pandemic.

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Despite Mr Gunner insisting the cancellation was the right move, Terry Mills believes the decision sends the wrong message to the public.

“I understand the concerns of the Chief Minister and the need to manage this health crisis through social distancing however cancelling the celebration of Self Government Day this far out is overreach and risks eroding the good will of the community,” Mr Mills said in a statement.

“When the Chief Minister stubbornly insists on holding an election in August but cancels the celebration of an event much anticipated by many families scheduled for July is way too early.

“This year’s event in July could be modified to suit the times of course such as permitting families to celebrate together and maintain physical distancing is possible; people should be trusted.

“The main concern is that at a time when people are looking for hope of things to return to ‘normal’ at some time soon, and we are tracking well right now; this decision removes that hope.”