Natasha Fyles vows Cracker Night is safe despite rumours

This newspaper takes the view shared by most Territorians: any politician who dares curtail crackers will not be employed as a politician for very long afterwards, writes The Editor.

IT WAS reassuring that Natasha Fyles dispelled rumours that Friday’s Cracker Night would be our last.

Fear not, Territorians!

Your crackers are safe but your clackers are not, come July 1, 2023.

Amid relentless rumours the date was under threat, the Chief Minister told the NT News on Friday afternoon: “As a born and bred Territorian, I know how important cracker night is.

“The Territory Labor Government supports cracker night and the safe use of fireworks – there have been no discussions over changes to Territory day proceedings going forward.

“We want all Territorians to enjoy and celebrate Territory Day in a safe and respectful way – this year is no different.

Wobbly the dog hates fireworks, and would probably wag his tail a lot if Cracker Night was banned. Picture: Glenn Campbell

“The most important thing is that we get together to celebrate Territory Day after two years of living through a pandemic.

“Every year we ask people to enjoy themselves, while always following the latest advice and ensuring their safety and the safety of others.”

Cracker Night isn’t going the way of the Stuart Hwy’s open speed limit, thank god!

It’s important this treasure of a night is preserved for future generations, even if it is seen as ‘dangerous’ by the risk-averse Antiques Roadshow viewers who inhabit the rest of the nation.

The ritual of blowing stuff up has already been snuffed out in every other state and territory, leaving the Northern Territory as the final frontier for tourists from around Australia who like to let their hair down, and then accidentally have it singed by a rogue firework.

Natasha Fyles was rumoured to be planning to throw sand on next year’s Cracker Night. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Cracker Night is the most holy of days in the NT. There was much said earlier this week when the Australian Bureau of Statistics released its census data.

Australians, including Territorians, were becoming less religious at a rate of knots. At a time when we are becoming more secular, this makes nights like Cracker Night all the more important. It is a night that brings all of us (except the family dog) together.

We should reject any moves to get rid of this most holy of days.

The rumours that went around this week that Cracker Night was about to be snuffed out would have stirred fear deep within the hearts of true-blooded Territorians.

Cracker Night is the most Territorian night there is. Picture: Supplied

To rid the Territory of crackers is to rid the Territory of its uniqueness.

Neither Ms Fyles nor any future leader of the Territory should ever consider getting rid of Cracker Night.

This newspaper takes the view shared by most Territorians: any politician who dares curtail crackers will not be employed as a politician for very long afterwards.

If politicians can get rid of our most sacred of days, what will happen next? Boat licences? Reducing the Stuart’s speed to 110km/h?

Not on our watch.