1 00:00:00,120 --> 00:00:02,920 Speaker 1: As we know, well, on Monday, news broke that Tourism 2 00:00:02,960 --> 00:00:06,000 Speaker 1: Central Australia had written to the Chief Minister asking for 3 00:00:06,000 --> 00:00:09,760 Speaker 1: a relaxation on alcohol restrictions in Alice Springs, saying that 4 00:00:09,800 --> 00:00:13,400 Speaker 1: the laws were hurting the industry, with businesses reporting. 5 00:00:13,039 --> 00:00:14,840 Speaker 2: Losses of fifty percent. 6 00:00:14,880 --> 00:00:17,560 Speaker 1: Now, the Chief Minister said that her office had received 7 00:00:17,560 --> 00:00:20,160 Speaker 1: the letter and the restrictions would need to be looked at, 8 00:00:20,360 --> 00:00:24,360 Speaker 1: with Congress pointing to positive impacts. Now joining me on 9 00:00:24,400 --> 00:00:28,320 Speaker 1: the line is the CEO of Tourism Central Australia, Daniel Rochford. 10 00:00:28,320 --> 00:00:31,880 Speaker 3: Good morning, Daniel, morning Katie, Good morning to you listening. 11 00:00:32,280 --> 00:00:32,640 Speaker 2: Daniel. 12 00:00:33,440 --> 00:00:36,839 Speaker 1: What are your concerns around the alcohol restrictions at this point. 13 00:00:38,159 --> 00:00:41,840 Speaker 3: Well, there's no doubt that from feedback from our members 14 00:00:41,840 --> 00:00:45,959 Speaker 3: at TCA that these restrictions have hurt the tourism industry 15 00:00:46,120 --> 00:00:50,000 Speaker 3: over the last tourism season. It's not the primary reason, 16 00:00:50,080 --> 00:00:52,840 Speaker 3: so you know, when you quote fifty percent down, it's 17 00:00:52,880 --> 00:00:56,440 Speaker 3: not the primary reason why we've seen that reduction, but 18 00:00:56,560 --> 00:01:00,840 Speaker 3: it is part of the reason. And ultimately, when these 19 00:01:01,280 --> 00:01:04,240 Speaker 3: laws were put in place by the former Chief Minister, 20 00:01:05,000 --> 00:01:07,560 Speaker 3: you know, we weren't really consulted on the matter to 21 00:01:07,560 --> 00:01:10,920 Speaker 3: be fair. But at the time we didn't jump up 22 00:01:10,920 --> 00:01:14,160 Speaker 3: and down about it because we wanted to see whether 23 00:01:14,200 --> 00:01:18,600 Speaker 3: it would work or not, and so we had a softly, 24 00:01:18,680 --> 00:01:22,240 Speaker 3: softly approach. But as we flash forward to twelve months, 25 00:01:22,280 --> 00:01:25,560 Speaker 3: we just could not sit back and not take this 26 00:01:25,760 --> 00:01:29,440 Speaker 3: up and seek respectfully from the government a review on 27 00:01:29,480 --> 00:01:32,640 Speaker 3: the matter because it is having an impact on us. 28 00:01:33,160 --> 00:01:35,360 Speaker 1: So I suppose at this point what you're asking for 29 00:01:35,440 --> 00:01:37,319 Speaker 1: is the government to actually review it, to look at 30 00:01:37,319 --> 00:01:41,080 Speaker 1: all the data and see whether it is working or not. Yeah. 31 00:01:41,120 --> 00:01:44,240 Speaker 3: Absolutely, And also, you know, just as they did up 32 00:01:44,280 --> 00:01:47,840 Speaker 3: in Darwin with the bottle shops, to have that approach 33 00:01:47,960 --> 00:01:50,760 Speaker 3: with us as well. You know, the ability for a 34 00:01:50,840 --> 00:01:54,360 Speaker 3: tourist to come into town, especially during peach season. You know, 35 00:01:54,400 --> 00:01:57,400 Speaker 3: I had we've had a major conference here in Alice 36 00:01:57,440 --> 00:01:59,480 Speaker 3: over the last couple of days over Monday Tuesday, and 37 00:01:59,480 --> 00:02:01,240 Speaker 3: I had a number of people come to me and 38 00:02:01,480 --> 00:02:03,920 Speaker 3: I just can't get a bottle of wine. You know 39 00:02:03,960 --> 00:02:07,800 Speaker 3: that this has this has an impact on our traveling 40 00:02:08,160 --> 00:02:12,760 Speaker 3: public and our visitor economy, and I guess that's one 41 00:02:12,760 --> 00:02:15,840 Speaker 3: of the reasons why we've asked respectful belief for this review. 42 00:02:16,680 --> 00:02:20,040 Speaker 3: You know, we're certainly very flexible. In fact, we're now 43 00:02:20,120 --> 00:02:23,120 Speaker 3: letter we've indicated that could we look at the possibility 44 00:02:23,120 --> 00:02:27,720 Speaker 3: of trialing a six month trial over the peak tourism season, 45 00:02:27,919 --> 00:02:30,760 Speaker 3: of relaxing the bottle shop hours and then reverting back 46 00:02:30,800 --> 00:02:33,160 Speaker 3: to five days a week over summer, which is our 47 00:02:33,200 --> 00:02:34,400 Speaker 3: peak crime period. 48 00:02:35,280 --> 00:02:37,120 Speaker 2: Daniel, What I mean you said there? 49 00:02:37,120 --> 00:02:41,800 Speaker 1: It's not the primary reason for that fifty percent reduction, Like, 50 00:02:41,880 --> 00:02:44,040 Speaker 1: what's the primary reason at this point? 51 00:02:44,800 --> 00:02:47,520 Speaker 3: I think you and I know what that primary reason is, 52 00:02:47,560 --> 00:02:50,600 Speaker 3: and that's crime. You know. One of the things that 53 00:02:51,280 --> 00:02:54,240 Speaker 3: both crime and then the bottle shop hours all feed 54 00:02:54,320 --> 00:02:57,240 Speaker 3: into is a massive degradation in the length of stay 55 00:02:57,240 --> 00:03:00,120 Speaker 3: in our springs and creek. What we see people know 56 00:03:00,160 --> 00:03:03,239 Speaker 3: where we used to see three or four days people 57 00:03:03,480 --> 00:03:08,160 Speaker 3: and grain omad staying in the towns. They're now filling 58 00:03:08,240 --> 00:03:12,200 Speaker 3: up and leaving and getting out of the townships. And 59 00:03:12,840 --> 00:03:16,160 Speaker 3: those caravan parts, many of whom are those ones with 60 00:03:16,240 --> 00:03:19,960 Speaker 3: the fifty percent reduction are the ones suffering, and that 61 00:03:20,080 --> 00:03:22,880 Speaker 3: obviously has a massive kickback to our local economy. 62 00:03:23,520 --> 00:03:25,560 Speaker 1: It's a tough one, isn't it, Because some people are 63 00:03:25,560 --> 00:03:27,480 Speaker 1: going to be listening thinking to themselves, we'll hang on 64 00:03:27,560 --> 00:03:30,079 Speaker 1: crimes the number one reason for the reduction in business. 65 00:03:30,680 --> 00:03:33,520 Speaker 1: But then you know, the alcohol restrictions some would see 66 00:03:33,680 --> 00:03:35,440 Speaker 1: would be making an impact when. 67 00:03:35,240 --> 00:03:36,160 Speaker 2: It comes to crime. 68 00:03:36,560 --> 00:03:38,840 Speaker 1: But is that what you are seeing on the ground 69 00:03:38,960 --> 00:03:41,320 Speaker 1: or do you think that those restrictions are in fact 70 00:03:41,640 --> 00:03:44,360 Speaker 1: having any impact on the issues with anti social behavior 71 00:03:44,600 --> 00:03:45,360 Speaker 1: and use crime? 72 00:03:45,400 --> 00:03:46,720 Speaker 2: I know is a massive one. 73 00:03:47,920 --> 00:03:51,760 Speaker 3: Well, I go by statistics, and you know this is 74 00:03:51,760 --> 00:03:54,400 Speaker 3: the statistics that are given to us even by Congress 75 00:03:54,520 --> 00:03:59,080 Speaker 3: that you know pre COVID. You know, we had an 76 00:03:59,120 --> 00:04:02,000 Speaker 3: average monthly property of senses at four hundred and eight 77 00:04:02,480 --> 00:04:06,080 Speaker 3: with seven day a week trading, and if you flash 78 00:04:06,160 --> 00:04:08,720 Speaker 3: forward today, we're now at six hundred and thirteen with 79 00:04:08,920 --> 00:04:12,120 Speaker 3: five days a week training. So those numbers don't lie. 80 00:04:12,280 --> 00:04:17,240 Speaker 3: You know, we actually have worse property offenses under five 81 00:04:17,320 --> 00:04:20,000 Speaker 3: day a week trading compared to seven days a week. 82 00:04:20,520 --> 00:04:24,039 Speaker 3: And then staying can be said about alcohol related assaults 83 00:04:24,040 --> 00:04:29,120 Speaker 3: and alcohol related dB assaults. So you know, I think 84 00:04:29,200 --> 00:04:32,320 Speaker 3: that let's take a step back here, and all we're 85 00:04:32,520 --> 00:04:36,400 Speaker 3: requesting is, you know, there's a blurring of the situations 86 00:04:36,440 --> 00:04:38,920 Speaker 3: between the lifting of the stronger futures and the bottle 87 00:04:38,920 --> 00:04:43,400 Speaker 3: shop out. Let's compartmentalize that. Let's look at a six 88 00:04:43,480 --> 00:04:47,040 Speaker 3: month trial over this tourism season of opening the bottle 89 00:04:47,040 --> 00:04:52,400 Speaker 3: shops seven days a week and then taking stock in October, 90 00:04:52,880 --> 00:04:55,400 Speaker 3: and looking at this with an evidence based. 91 00:04:55,200 --> 00:04:57,680 Speaker 1: Lens, that we've got a bit of a tough situation 92 00:04:57,800 --> 00:04:59,520 Speaker 1: on our hands. So as well, by the sounds of it, 93 00:04:59,520 --> 00:05:01,479 Speaker 1: I was just taking to the president of the Northern 94 00:05:01,560 --> 00:05:05,200 Speaker 1: Territory Police Association, Nathan Finn. Now they've obviously the Northern 95 00:05:05,240 --> 00:05:08,760 Speaker 1: Territory Government's announced this program that's going to see those 96 00:05:08,839 --> 00:05:12,960 Speaker 1: palis fast tracked through the constable program so that they're 97 00:05:13,000 --> 00:05:16,599 Speaker 1: able to become constables. But from what Nathan Finn is saying, 98 00:05:16,640 --> 00:05:19,760 Speaker 1: that's going to mean that you guys are literally left 99 00:05:19,800 --> 00:05:23,400 Speaker 1: with only a couple of palis on those bottle shops 100 00:05:23,440 --> 00:05:24,520 Speaker 1: in the coming months. 101 00:05:24,920 --> 00:05:26,919 Speaker 2: Do you think that that's going to be a concern. 102 00:05:28,360 --> 00:05:31,520 Speaker 3: Oh, Look, we need to make sure the appropriate resources 103 00:05:31,960 --> 00:05:35,719 Speaker 3: are there and in place to meet the policy initiatives 104 00:05:35,760 --> 00:05:38,719 Speaker 3: that the government's pursuing. And so if we start to 105 00:05:38,760 --> 00:05:41,200 Speaker 3: see a degradation of that for whatever reason, you know, 106 00:05:41,839 --> 00:05:45,800 Speaker 3: cracks are going to appear in the system. So you 107 00:05:45,839 --> 00:05:48,920 Speaker 3: know it's imperative that we have the appropriate resources been 108 00:05:49,000 --> 00:05:52,279 Speaker 3: thrown at this issue, and you and I've always talked 109 00:05:52,279 --> 00:05:55,320 Speaker 3: about for many years now the importance of throwing the 110 00:05:55,360 --> 00:05:57,880 Speaker 3: kitchen think at this and you know we've always said 111 00:05:57,920 --> 00:06:00,440 Speaker 3: that from day one that we should be treating this 112 00:06:01,240 --> 00:06:06,520 Speaker 3: issue both crime at our whole policy, as the government 113 00:06:06,640 --> 00:06:09,800 Speaker 3: did with COVID. You know that that level of intensity. 114 00:06:10,440 --> 00:06:12,960 Speaker 1: Now have you had a discussion I understand that you 115 00:06:13,000 --> 00:06:15,520 Speaker 1: met with Tourism Minister Joel Bouden this week. Has he 116 00:06:15,560 --> 00:06:19,400 Speaker 1: given you any assurances or any kind of indication about 117 00:06:19,440 --> 00:06:22,480 Speaker 1: whether they're looking at trialing taking away the restrictions. 118 00:06:23,640 --> 00:06:28,159 Speaker 3: I've had no, just Cirsonally, the discussion with Minister Bowden 119 00:06:28,240 --> 00:06:31,680 Speaker 3: was very positive. You know, he certainly heard our concerns 120 00:06:31,720 --> 00:06:35,839 Speaker 3: and was very understanding of our perspective and it's certainly 121 00:06:35,920 --> 00:06:40,239 Speaker 3: very cognizant of the situations. You know, he's a local 122 00:06:40,279 --> 00:06:46,200 Speaker 3: boy and has been down over Christmas visiting family, so 123 00:06:46,440 --> 00:06:50,960 Speaker 3: he can understand that perspective. But ultimately that this lies 124 00:06:51,040 --> 00:06:54,279 Speaker 3: with the wider cabinet of Minister Potter. So I'm looking 125 00:06:54,279 --> 00:06:56,279 Speaker 3: forward to having that discussion with Minister Potter. 126 00:06:56,400 --> 00:06:58,680 Speaker 1: Right hey, the Government's twenty five percent just on a 127 00:06:58,760 --> 00:07:01,120 Speaker 1: much more positive thing. This morning, the government's twenty five 128 00:07:01,120 --> 00:07:05,440 Speaker 1: percent discount on tourism bookings initiative. It starts today, Daniel, 129 00:07:06,080 --> 00:07:09,560 Speaker 1: How any indication at this point from your perspective as 130 00:07:09,560 --> 00:07:12,320 Speaker 1: to you know, whether those visitor centers or whether the 131 00:07:12,360 --> 00:07:14,120 Speaker 1: visitor center analysis has been run. 132 00:07:14,000 --> 00:07:14,640 Speaker 2: Off its feet. 133 00:07:15,720 --> 00:07:18,960 Speaker 3: Yeah, hats off to the government on this, I'd have 134 00:07:19,040 --> 00:07:21,880 Speaker 3: to say for putting these funds in place to pump 135 00:07:21,960 --> 00:07:27,080 Speaker 3: prime our tourism season. It's great, it's well received. The 136 00:07:27,120 --> 00:07:30,800 Speaker 3: phones have been running very consistent this morning. We've had 137 00:07:30,800 --> 00:07:35,120 Speaker 3: bookings online. My message to everyone in the top end 138 00:07:35,320 --> 00:07:38,480 Speaker 3: is now at that time, we've got Padma coming up, 139 00:07:38,520 --> 00:07:42,640 Speaker 3: We've got We've got fab Allis, We've got the Alice 140 00:07:42,640 --> 00:07:45,440 Speaker 3: Springs Cup Carnival. There's no better time to get out 141 00:07:45,440 --> 00:07:47,720 Speaker 3: there in the Red at Red Center and get it 142 00:07:48,120 --> 00:07:51,880 Speaker 3: take advantage of these twenty five percent off discounts. 143 00:07:52,120 --> 00:07:54,200 Speaker 2: It's a good time to get out there and travel. Hey. 144 00:07:54,560 --> 00:07:57,840 Speaker 1: That Tourism twenty thirty conferences, as you've touched on, it's 145 00:07:57,840 --> 00:07:59,760 Speaker 1: been held in Aalyics this week. What are some of 146 00:07:59,800 --> 00:08:01,400 Speaker 1: the exciting things to come out of it? 147 00:08:03,040 --> 00:08:06,160 Speaker 3: Yeah, Well, exciting and scary all wrapped up in one. 148 00:08:06,520 --> 00:08:09,400 Speaker 3: The big theme of this year's conference was around artificial 149 00:08:09,440 --> 00:08:12,679 Speaker 3: intelligence and how AI is going to impact the tourism industry, 150 00:08:12,720 --> 00:08:15,200 Speaker 3: and I think there was not one person in the 151 00:08:15,240 --> 00:08:17,960 Speaker 3: audience that didn't have their eyes wide open, like staring 152 00:08:18,000 --> 00:08:23,200 Speaker 3: into the future. So, you know, it is exciting day 153 00:08:23,320 --> 00:08:26,040 Speaker 3: and certainly the feedback that I've received. We've had a 154 00:08:26,160 --> 00:08:30,600 Speaker 3: number of tourism member meetings this week and there is 155 00:08:30,640 --> 00:08:34,000 Speaker 3: a genuine green bud of optimism about this season. There 156 00:08:34,120 --> 00:08:38,079 Speaker 3: is We've got one hundred thousand more seat airline seats 157 00:08:38,120 --> 00:08:41,040 Speaker 3: that we did have last year, right the territory aviation 158 00:08:41,120 --> 00:08:43,760 Speaker 3: attraction scheme. You know, there is a green bud of 159 00:08:43,800 --> 00:08:47,560 Speaker 3: optimism about the future. But yeah, let's bring it on. 160 00:08:47,960 --> 00:08:50,199 Speaker 1: Hey, I've seen a bit of advertising as well, or 161 00:08:50,240 --> 00:08:52,920 Speaker 1: heard a bit of advertising for the Masters Games. 162 00:08:53,760 --> 00:08:56,120 Speaker 2: Is that looking bright later in the year. 163 00:08:57,559 --> 00:09:01,319 Speaker 3: Yeah, And another reason why we wish the green buds 164 00:09:01,320 --> 00:09:04,360 Speaker 3: of optimism. It's great to see I've never actually seen 165 00:09:04,400 --> 00:09:07,640 Speaker 3: a Master's game, the first one since I've been in 166 00:09:07,679 --> 00:09:11,200 Speaker 3: the Red Center. And having Nathan Buckley now come on 167 00:09:11,280 --> 00:09:14,559 Speaker 3: as one of the key ambassadors of the events a 168 00:09:14,800 --> 00:09:19,360 Speaker 3: major boon for the events. And again quos to empty 169 00:09:19,440 --> 00:09:21,560 Speaker 3: MEC and the government for making this happen, I think 170 00:09:22,000 --> 00:09:24,160 Speaker 3: as a real injection of optimism there. 171 00:09:24,160 --> 00:09:26,840 Speaker 1: Mate, I'm mortified to think that I'm actually old enough 172 00:09:26,880 --> 00:09:29,120 Speaker 1: to be a Master well and truly old. 173 00:09:29,040 --> 00:09:30,080 Speaker 2: Enough to take part. 174 00:09:31,000 --> 00:09:33,240 Speaker 1: I still feel like I'm in my twenties Daniel, but 175 00:09:33,280 --> 00:09:34,160 Speaker 1: I'm far from it. 176 00:09:35,080 --> 00:09:40,960 Speaker 3: Well, I've just turned fifty. That's all now kicking in 177 00:09:41,000 --> 00:09:41,680 Speaker 3: for me too. 178 00:09:43,640 --> 00:09:45,880 Speaker 1: Oh mate, I really hope that because I know that 179 00:09:45,920 --> 00:09:48,840 Speaker 1: when the Masters Games have been scrapped, people were spewing 180 00:09:48,920 --> 00:09:51,520 Speaker 1: about it. You know, you get people from Queensland. I've 181 00:09:51,559 --> 00:09:55,200 Speaker 1: had my mum and my aunties and everybody travel to 182 00:09:55,280 --> 00:09:57,719 Speaker 1: Alice Springs for the Masters Games before. It's a lot 183 00:09:57,760 --> 00:10:01,080 Speaker 1: of fun and I really that you know that it 184 00:10:01,200 --> 00:10:03,400 Speaker 1: is a fantastic event once again. 185 00:10:04,679 --> 00:10:07,719 Speaker 3: Yeah, I'm excited about it and certainly the feed that 186 00:10:07,760 --> 00:10:09,400 Speaker 3: we're getting from booking is that it's going to be 187 00:10:09,400 --> 00:10:10,000 Speaker 3: well supported. 188 00:10:10,200 --> 00:10:10,800 Speaker 2: Yeah. 189 00:10:10,840 --> 00:10:13,280 Speaker 1: Well, Daniel Rochford always good to catch up. Thanks so 190 00:10:13,360 --> 00:10:14,480 Speaker 1: much for your time this morning. 191 00:10:15,360 --> 00:10:19,360 Speaker 3: Thanks Katin, and everyone get to get those discounts. Yes, 192 00:10:19,920 --> 00:10:21,480 Speaker 3: if they're once they're gone, they're gone. 193 00:10:21,600 --> 00:10:24,920 Speaker 2: Yeah, good advice. Thank you, Daniel. Good to speak to you.