Don't know about the ASIC, but Airnorth last operated this before the wet cut in in late 2004.
NT Govt didn't want to help out, so all the V IMP stuff like medications etc had to go by road.
Even then the service was only 3 days a week using Metro's, whats wrong with them HH?
One of the other issues was "soiling" of the aircraft by pax, not a good look or smell!
I think it was a case (yet again) of pax not wanting to pay the price, expecting it to be as cheap as MEL/SYD sort of thing.
Be interesting to see how Aboriginal Air go with their Coober Pedy/Ayers Rock service using a Bandit with 15 pax in an aircraft that can seat 19.
The Americans might find that a bit tight.