Luke Gosling (Solomon, Australian Labor Party) | Link to this | Hansard source

Everyone's favourite, Darwin's daily newspaper, the NT News, has turned 70. The NT News is known for its crocodiles on the front pages and its tasteful headlines, but it was a sombre first edition in 1952 that reported the death of King George VI and the accession to the throne of his daughter, Elizabeth. In 1955, legendary editor Jim Bowditch took the reins. He was a decorated World War II veteran. He was a fearless campaigner for the rights of workers, First Nations people and the powerless against the powerful. He lasted 18 years, winning two Walkley Awards. New Zealander John Hogan was editor for 14 years and is fondly remembered for giving many young Territorians a chance to enter the newspaper profession.

You never know where you will bump into a former NT News journo. They might be the managing editor of the Daily Telegraph in Sydney or running a school in East Timor. They might be working at the local motor vehicle registry or even receiving a medal for gallantry from the Governor-General, as Frank Alcorta did a couple of years ago. They all have war stories to tell about their time at the NT News, but there are few that can be mentioned in this place, so I'll just say: happy birthday, NT News. You've been reigning as long as the Queen.