1 00:00:00,160 --> 00:00:03,040 Speaker 1: Now issues in Alice Springs have caused serious concerns for 2 00:00:03,120 --> 00:00:05,760 Speaker 1: months now, and we last week heard about that surge 3 00:00:05,840 --> 00:00:08,280 Speaker 1: in additional police and the impact that it's having. 4 00:00:08,680 --> 00:00:08,840 Speaker 2: Well. 5 00:00:08,840 --> 00:00:12,200 Speaker 1: The Northern Territory Government has this morning set to announce 6 00:00:12,200 --> 00:00:16,360 Speaker 1: its Saltbush Social Enterprise will partner with the government to 7 00:00:16,440 --> 00:00:20,759 Speaker 1: increase safe spaces for children through the Safe Place Accommodation 8 00:00:20,880 --> 00:00:24,640 Speaker 1: and Support Program in Alice Springs. The program will provide 9 00:00:24,640 --> 00:00:29,400 Speaker 1: expanded temporary accommodation for young people who are out at night, unsupervised, 10 00:00:29,680 --> 00:00:32,159 Speaker 1: considered to be at risk and who have nowhere it's 11 00:00:32,200 --> 00:00:35,400 Speaker 1: safe to go. The Chief Minister, Natasha Files joins me 12 00:00:35,560 --> 00:00:37,800 Speaker 1: on the line right now from Alice Springs. 13 00:00:38,000 --> 00:00:39,400 Speaker 3: Good morning to your Chief Minister. 14 00:00:40,440 --> 00:00:41,920 Speaker 2: Good morning Katie, Good morning Rismith. 15 00:00:42,200 --> 00:00:44,520 Speaker 3: Now what will this service provide exactly? 16 00:00:45,920 --> 00:00:49,000 Speaker 2: So, Katie, this program will be temporary accommodation for young 17 00:00:49,000 --> 00:00:52,839 Speaker 2: people who are ab at night, unsupervised and behaving in 18 00:00:52,880 --> 00:00:55,200 Speaker 2: a way that places themselves or the community at risk 19 00:00:55,240 --> 00:00:57,760 Speaker 2: and they have nowhere else safe to go. So this 20 00:00:57,840 --> 00:01:01,160 Speaker 2: has come directly from feedback on police and from the 21 00:01:01,200 --> 00:01:05,920 Speaker 2: non government organizations that provide support services in Central Australia. 22 00:01:06,000 --> 00:01:09,120 Speaker 2: But sometimes we need to have a circuit breaker location 23 00:01:09,800 --> 00:01:11,760 Speaker 2: or that evening to take a young person. And I 24 00:01:11,840 --> 00:01:14,679 Speaker 2: give you a couple of practical examples. If they can't 25 00:01:14,720 --> 00:01:17,360 Speaker 2: find a safe place to take that young person that evening, 26 00:01:17,880 --> 00:01:20,199 Speaker 2: or they take the young person to what they believe 27 00:01:20,280 --> 00:01:22,280 Speaker 2: is a safe place and leave them more than adults, 28 00:01:22,560 --> 00:01:24,720 Speaker 2: but within an hour or two they find them back 29 00:01:24,760 --> 00:01:28,279 Speaker 2: out on the streets. Again, this provides that circuit breaker. 30 00:01:28,640 --> 00:01:31,480 Speaker 1: So will people know the location or is it an 31 00:01:31,520 --> 00:01:34,400 Speaker 1: actual new accommodation location. 32 00:01:35,800 --> 00:01:38,240 Speaker 2: So Katie, we will be discreet about the location. It 33 00:01:38,240 --> 00:01:40,720 Speaker 2: will be more than one location. The reason for that 34 00:01:40,840 --> 00:01:42,880 Speaker 2: is it is a place where we're taking young people. 35 00:01:42,920 --> 00:01:45,640 Speaker 2: We need to think of their safety. But we also 36 00:01:45,680 --> 00:01:48,280 Speaker 2: need to have multiple locations so that we can manage 37 00:01:48,480 --> 00:01:51,680 Speaker 2: girls and boys in different ages. But Salt Bush Social 38 00:01:51,800 --> 00:01:55,120 Speaker 2: Enterprises have partnered with us to deliver this accommodation and 39 00:01:55,120 --> 00:01:56,000 Speaker 2: support program. 40 00:01:56,160 --> 00:01:57,360 Speaker 3: So is it a new service. 41 00:01:58,800 --> 00:02:01,160 Speaker 2: This is a new service. So Alice Springs is an 42 00:02:01,200 --> 00:02:04,040 Speaker 2: absolute priority for me and my government. We've always said 43 00:02:04,040 --> 00:02:06,840 Speaker 2: we need short term measures, long term measures, and this 44 00:02:07,040 --> 00:02:09,799 Speaker 2: is us. As I just said, we're hearing from police 45 00:02:09,840 --> 00:02:13,200 Speaker 2: and NGOs around young people in the evening and that 46 00:02:13,320 --> 00:02:17,639 Speaker 2: safe place and so this is a solution. If it works, fantastic, 47 00:02:17,720 --> 00:02:20,920 Speaker 2: but we cannot not try a measure, and so that's why. 48 00:02:20,720 --> 00:02:22,720 Speaker 3: We're doing this, and what if it doesn't work. 49 00:02:24,200 --> 00:02:27,280 Speaker 2: So Katie was stepping into this hopeful that this will 50 00:02:27,360 --> 00:02:30,519 Speaker 2: fill that gap that has been identified. But we will 51 00:02:30,560 --> 00:02:32,919 Speaker 2: continue to work in this space. As I just said, 52 00:02:32,919 --> 00:02:35,560 Speaker 2: there's short term, long term. We cannot turn our back. 53 00:02:35,639 --> 00:02:38,000 Speaker 2: We need to do the hard work in this situation. 54 00:02:38,360 --> 00:02:41,000 Speaker 1: I understand this, you know, I think most people will 55 00:02:41,000 --> 00:02:43,400 Speaker 1: be pretty practical about this and go, do you know what. 56 00:02:43,560 --> 00:02:45,480 Speaker 1: It seems as though it's going to be a good idea. 57 00:02:45,600 --> 00:02:47,720 Speaker 1: We need to make sure that kids are off the 58 00:02:47,760 --> 00:02:49,360 Speaker 1: street and if it is a matter of them not 59 00:02:49,440 --> 00:02:52,840 Speaker 1: having somewhere safe to go, well, hopefully this has an impact. 60 00:02:53,240 --> 00:02:55,919 Speaker 1: There will be others that are seeing this as an 61 00:02:55,960 --> 00:03:00,360 Speaker 1: intervention measure and taking children away from their kid, taking 62 00:03:00,400 --> 00:03:03,400 Speaker 1: parents children away from their parents. I should say, I mean, 63 00:03:03,440 --> 00:03:05,800 Speaker 1: what do you say to those people that are concerned 64 00:03:05,919 --> 00:03:06,920 Speaker 1: about that intervention. 65 00:03:08,280 --> 00:03:10,560 Speaker 2: So we've looked very carefully at this, and Katie, in 66 00:03:10,600 --> 00:03:12,799 Speaker 2: the first instance, we will always try and get these 67 00:03:12,840 --> 00:03:15,960 Speaker 2: young people home, but we need to have an immediate 68 00:03:16,000 --> 00:03:19,200 Speaker 2: safe place for young people and sometimes it is just 69 00:03:19,280 --> 00:03:21,880 Speaker 2: a misunderstanding that you know, someone thought that the young 70 00:03:21,919 --> 00:03:25,480 Speaker 2: person was with another family member and in the light 71 00:03:25,560 --> 00:03:27,880 Speaker 2: of day the next day they can be safely reunited 72 00:03:28,040 --> 00:03:31,160 Speaker 2: or there could be child neglect and child protection issues 73 00:03:31,200 --> 00:03:34,840 Speaker 2: that need to be looked into. So it is our responsibility, Katie, 74 00:03:34,840 --> 00:03:37,160 Speaker 2: not only to keep the community safe, but to also 75 00:03:37,720 --> 00:03:40,680 Speaker 2: keep these young people safe who then might be putting 76 00:03:40,720 --> 00:03:43,440 Speaker 2: themselves that risk by being out of the street late at. 77 00:03:43,440 --> 00:03:44,920 Speaker 3: Night in Alice Springs. 78 00:03:44,920 --> 00:03:46,520 Speaker 1: Well, last week we caught up with the mayor of 79 00:03:46,560 --> 00:03:49,440 Speaker 1: Alice Springs who've spoken to others in Alice Springs who 80 00:03:49,480 --> 00:03:51,720 Speaker 1: are pretty concerned about what's going to happen when that 81 00:03:51,920 --> 00:03:55,760 Speaker 1: surge in the police force down there moves away. What 82 00:03:56,120 --> 00:03:58,480 Speaker 1: are you planning over the Christmas period to help the 83 00:03:58,520 --> 00:04:01,520 Speaker 1: people of Alice So, Katie. 84 00:04:01,200 --> 00:04:04,120 Speaker 2: Northern Territory Police made an operational decision to surge forty 85 00:04:04,120 --> 00:04:08,000 Speaker 2: additional officers into Alice Springs to support the local police 86 00:04:08,000 --> 00:04:11,080 Speaker 2: on the beat. Here. Now, Katie, they certainly have made 87 00:04:11,200 --> 00:04:14,320 Speaker 2: in rows and whether that's the resetting and that's what 88 00:04:14,520 --> 00:04:17,960 Speaker 2: was needed, but operational decisions can be made from police 89 00:04:18,520 --> 00:04:20,760 Speaker 2: around what they do into the future. And we certainly 90 00:04:20,760 --> 00:04:23,599 Speaker 2: haven't sure that they've seen an increase to their resources. 91 00:04:23,640 --> 00:04:25,920 Speaker 1: Will you be encouraging them though, to try to keep 92 00:04:25,920 --> 00:04:28,480 Speaker 1: that police presence up in Alice. 93 00:04:29,040 --> 00:04:31,200 Speaker 2: I know that the Police Commissioner knows that Alice Springs 94 00:04:31,200 --> 00:04:33,600 Speaker 2: and Central Australia is an absolute priority for me and 95 00:04:33,640 --> 00:04:37,520 Speaker 2: for my government, and he certainly will operationalize that all right. 96 00:04:37,600 --> 00:04:40,440 Speaker 1: On Friday, we spoke pretty extensively about the fact that 97 00:04:40,520 --> 00:04:44,159 Speaker 1: laws restricting the Act and Northern Territory from legislating on 98 00:04:44,240 --> 00:04:48,320 Speaker 1: voluntary euthanasia were repealed after more than two decades of 99 00:04:48,400 --> 00:04:52,200 Speaker 1: being in place. The Restoring Territory Rights Bill passed Parliament 100 00:04:52,240 --> 00:04:55,040 Speaker 1: on Thursday night. It overturns that legislation that had been 101 00:04:55,080 --> 00:04:58,880 Speaker 1: put in place back in nineteen ninety seven. Now what's 102 00:04:58,920 --> 00:05:03,040 Speaker 1: the process from the Northern Territory government's perspective now. 103 00:05:04,240 --> 00:05:06,520 Speaker 2: Katie, Just before I answer that question, it was so 104 00:05:06,560 --> 00:05:09,000 Speaker 2: important for this bill to pass. Territorians know what is 105 00:05:09,040 --> 00:05:12,120 Speaker 2: best for the Northern Territory, not politicians in Canberra. In 106 00:05:12,200 --> 00:05:15,839 Speaker 2: terms of voluntary assisted dying. We did have a piece 107 00:05:15,880 --> 00:05:18,680 Speaker 2: of legislation in the nineties. It's not possible to simply 108 00:05:18,720 --> 00:05:23,320 Speaker 2: reinstate that bill it's quite antiquated, so any future legislation 109 00:05:23,440 --> 00:05:26,800 Speaker 2: in the Northern Territory would be done through intensive consultation 110 00:05:27,240 --> 00:05:30,279 Speaker 2: with old Territorians. We know that this is an important 111 00:05:30,279 --> 00:05:33,840 Speaker 2: issue which was previously blocked by federal policy. But now 112 00:05:33,880 --> 00:05:35,640 Speaker 2: we can at least have that conversation. 113 00:05:36,320 --> 00:05:36,880 Speaker 3: And so in. 114 00:05:36,839 --> 00:05:39,479 Speaker 1: Terms of timing, the Attorney General had said on the 115 00:05:39,480 --> 00:05:41,960 Speaker 1: show on Friday on the week that was that it 116 00:05:42,040 --> 00:05:44,919 Speaker 1: is something that would be you know, the processes would start, 117 00:05:44,920 --> 00:05:47,560 Speaker 1: but it's not going to happen until after the next 118 00:05:47,600 --> 00:05:51,240 Speaker 1: Northern Territory election. Why if, in your own words, it 119 00:05:51,360 --> 00:05:54,080 Speaker 1: is so important, So. 120 00:05:54,200 --> 00:05:57,600 Speaker 2: Katie, it comes to that intensive consultation that needs to 121 00:05:57,640 --> 00:06:00,520 Speaker 2: take place. It's extensive. The breadth of the Northern Territory 122 00:06:00,560 --> 00:06:04,120 Speaker 2: need to understand this issue. It is incredibly complex, Katie. 123 00:06:04,160 --> 00:06:08,359 Speaker 2: We have had some very significant health issues medical termination 124 00:06:08,440 --> 00:06:12,760 Speaker 2: and pregnancy for example, that took years of consultation drafting 125 00:06:13,120 --> 00:06:15,400 Speaker 2: to ensure that we got that right. If you remember 126 00:06:15,400 --> 00:06:18,479 Speaker 2: that key. The epiric started that process before the twenty 127 00:06:18,560 --> 00:06:22,320 Speaker 2: sixteen territory election. So it is something that we need 128 00:06:22,360 --> 00:06:25,800 Speaker 2: to take the time to get the legislation as Territorians 129 00:06:25,839 --> 00:06:26,440 Speaker 2: wish it to be. 130 00:06:26,720 --> 00:06:28,680 Speaker 1: Why do you think that they're able to get things 131 00:06:28,760 --> 00:06:30,840 Speaker 1: moving along so quickly in the act. 132 00:06:31,080 --> 00:06:34,480 Speaker 3: But we're not the same here in the territory, Katie. 133 00:06:34,480 --> 00:06:36,200 Speaker 2: I don't think it is a case that the APT 134 00:06:36,320 --> 00:06:37,960 Speaker 2: are going to get it moving quickly. I spoke to 135 00:06:38,000 --> 00:06:40,960 Speaker 2: their chief minister last week and they're still looking at 136 00:06:41,040 --> 00:06:45,200 Speaker 2: legislation just getting in before their election, which is in 137 00:06:45,240 --> 00:06:47,400 Speaker 2: twenty twenty four. But it's later in twenty twenty four, 138 00:06:47,480 --> 00:06:48,280 Speaker 2: is my understanding. 139 00:06:48,480 --> 00:06:51,880 Speaker 3: So after August in twenty twenty four, I. 140 00:06:51,800 --> 00:06:54,080 Speaker 2: Think there's this October. I could be incorrect on that, 141 00:06:54,160 --> 00:06:55,320 Speaker 2: but that was my understanding. 142 00:06:55,760 --> 00:06:56,920 Speaker 3: I know that last week. 143 00:06:57,520 --> 00:07:00,560 Speaker 1: I'm pretty sure that justenterprice was called a discription by 144 00:07:00,600 --> 00:07:03,240 Speaker 1: members of the Labor Party for raising amendments when this 145 00:07:03,360 --> 00:07:06,520 Speaker 1: did go to vote in the Senate. You guys are 146 00:07:06,560 --> 00:07:10,520 Speaker 1: now delaying this up to two years. So how are 147 00:07:10,600 --> 00:07:12,119 Speaker 1: your actions any better? 148 00:07:13,480 --> 00:07:16,320 Speaker 2: Oh, Katie, we're not delaying this. We are saying that 149 00:07:16,360 --> 00:07:19,480 Speaker 2: the legislation needs to be carefully considered, that there needs 150 00:07:19,480 --> 00:07:22,760 Speaker 2: to be extensive consultation. It is an an issue that 151 00:07:23,520 --> 00:07:26,840 Speaker 2: many territorians right across the Northern Territory have different views on. 152 00:07:27,240 --> 00:07:29,760 Speaker 2: Just since the price was appalling and her behavior. She 153 00:07:29,880 --> 00:07:32,520 Speaker 2: voted against territory rights in Canberra. She has one job 154 00:07:32,720 --> 00:07:34,800 Speaker 2: and that is to stand up for territorians and she 155 00:07:34,880 --> 00:07:35,680 Speaker 2: voted against that. 156 00:07:36,040 --> 00:07:38,280 Speaker 1: But now it's going to take us two years before 157 00:07:38,320 --> 00:07:40,240 Speaker 1: we even get to the point of there being a 158 00:07:40,320 --> 00:07:42,440 Speaker 1: conscience vote by the sounds of thanks. 159 00:07:43,240 --> 00:07:46,320 Speaker 2: So, Katie, I've just outlined to you why that needs 160 00:07:46,320 --> 00:07:49,760 Speaker 2: to take considerable time. It is an issue that we 161 00:07:49,760 --> 00:07:53,320 Speaker 2: do need allow important conversations. But we now have that 162 00:07:53,400 --> 00:07:56,760 Speaker 2: ability which was previously bocked by the federal government, and 163 00:07:56,800 --> 00:07:58,679 Speaker 2: we certainly will start that work. 164 00:07:59,000 --> 00:08:00,760 Speaker 1: So you don't reckon we're being able to do it 165 00:08:00,800 --> 00:08:02,080 Speaker 1: within that two year period. 166 00:08:03,400 --> 00:08:06,280 Speaker 2: To Katie, I've just pointed to other significant health legislation 167 00:08:06,320 --> 00:08:09,200 Speaker 2: which took an enormous amount of time. This is an 168 00:08:09,200 --> 00:08:11,320 Speaker 2: issue that we need to make sure right across the 169 00:08:11,320 --> 00:08:14,000 Speaker 2: Northern Territory we hear from territorians on it will be 170 00:08:14,040 --> 00:08:16,880 Speaker 2: a conscious vote for the Labor Party members. Katie, I've 171 00:08:16,880 --> 00:08:19,360 Speaker 2: been very much on the public record. I am supportive 172 00:08:19,440 --> 00:08:22,200 Speaker 2: of voluntary assisted dying, but we need to get out 173 00:08:22,200 --> 00:08:25,440 Speaker 2: there across the Northern Territory to understand the views of 174 00:08:25,520 --> 00:08:28,520 Speaker 2: territorians and what type of legislation that they would like 175 00:08:28,600 --> 00:08:30,880 Speaker 2: to be in the territory and will it be. 176 00:08:30,880 --> 00:08:34,400 Speaker 3: A conscious vote when the time comes. 177 00:08:34,240 --> 00:08:37,760 Speaker 2: Katie, Yes, for the labor members it is a conscious vote. 178 00:08:37,800 --> 00:08:39,920 Speaker 2: For others in the Parliament, you would have to question 179 00:08:40,000 --> 00:08:41,000 Speaker 2: them all right. 180 00:08:41,240 --> 00:08:44,319 Speaker 1: Last week we did learn of a new payoffer put 181 00:08:44,400 --> 00:08:47,040 Speaker 1: out on the table for our teachers. Teachers have been 182 00:08:47,040 --> 00:08:50,320 Speaker 1: offered a nine percent pay rise by October twenty twenty three. 183 00:08:50,679 --> 00:08:53,480 Speaker 1: So the latest enterprise bargaining agreement that the Northern Territory 184 00:08:53,520 --> 00:08:57,160 Speaker 1: Government put on the table would back pay a three 185 00:08:57,240 --> 00:09:01,960 Speaker 1: percent pay rise from October eleven year and well and 186 00:09:02,080 --> 00:09:04,480 Speaker 1: this year, and then promises a further three percent to 187 00:09:04,520 --> 00:09:07,480 Speaker 1: be delivered on October eleven, twenty twenty three. 188 00:09:07,720 --> 00:09:09,280 Speaker 3: As I understand. 189 00:09:08,800 --> 00:09:12,440 Speaker 1: It, Chief Minister, where is the money coming from? Will 190 00:09:12,480 --> 00:09:16,160 Speaker 1: it come from the current budget for schools or will 191 00:09:16,200 --> 00:09:17,920 Speaker 1: there be increased funding? 192 00:09:19,360 --> 00:09:22,200 Speaker 2: So Katie, this is something that if we can see 193 00:09:22,200 --> 00:09:25,160 Speaker 2: an agreement reached upon, we will take through our budget process. 194 00:09:25,240 --> 00:09:28,240 Speaker 2: But it will come from the overall Northern Terrectory Government 195 00:09:28,240 --> 00:09:30,679 Speaker 2: budget to the Department of Education, who in turn will 196 00:09:30,720 --> 00:09:31,600 Speaker 2: kay our teachers. 197 00:09:32,040 --> 00:09:35,880 Speaker 1: So schools aren't going to have to find funding find 198 00:09:35,880 --> 00:09:39,360 Speaker 1: additional money in their current budgets to foot any of 199 00:09:39,400 --> 00:09:41,080 Speaker 1: this bill. 200 00:09:41,320 --> 00:09:44,600 Speaker 2: So Katie, we need to be very clarified on what 201 00:09:44,600 --> 00:09:48,040 Speaker 2: we're speaking to. The Australian Education Union is representing teachers 202 00:09:48,520 --> 00:09:53,080 Speaker 2: and teacher assistance and those two roles will be funded 203 00:09:53,160 --> 00:09:55,720 Speaker 2: through our budget free processes as I just outlined. 204 00:09:55,960 --> 00:09:57,959 Speaker 1: Okay, because we did catch up with the t ME 205 00:09:58,120 --> 00:10:02,480 Speaker 1: men board rata, he joined us on the show last week. 206 00:10:02,520 --> 00:10:04,200 Speaker 1: Take a listen to a bit of what she'd had 207 00:10:04,240 --> 00:10:07,120 Speaker 1: to say, because there does seem to be some confusion 208 00:10:07,160 --> 00:10:07,840 Speaker 1: in this space. 209 00:10:08,520 --> 00:10:12,520 Speaker 4: Just last week, school rep bodies were informed that the 210 00:10:12,640 --> 00:10:18,200 Speaker 4: Department had required schools to allocate I think it was 211 00:10:18,320 --> 00:10:23,080 Speaker 4: two thousand dollars per teacher next year in the draft 212 00:10:23,280 --> 00:10:27,640 Speaker 4: twenty twenty three budgets. Now that's clearly before the revised 213 00:10:27,679 --> 00:10:31,720 Speaker 4: pay offer. That would mean I'm just judging on what 214 00:10:31,760 --> 00:10:36,280 Speaker 4: you said. It said three percent back pay from October 215 00:10:36,520 --> 00:10:39,040 Speaker 4: last year, three percent. 216 00:10:38,840 --> 00:10:40,720 Speaker 3: From October this year. 217 00:10:40,920 --> 00:10:42,520 Speaker 4: So that's all going to have to come out of 218 00:10:42,520 --> 00:10:45,640 Speaker 4: our budget, which is six percent, So that's going to 219 00:10:45,679 --> 00:10:49,959 Speaker 4: be significantly more. And you would recall, I asked, then 220 00:10:50,040 --> 00:10:53,880 Speaker 4: she's missed the gunner last November about this, and he 221 00:10:53,960 --> 00:10:57,600 Speaker 4: committed that no school would be worth off. Now we're 222 00:10:57,760 --> 00:11:02,960 Speaker 4: ninety eight thousand worth of just admin then, so we're 223 00:11:03,040 --> 00:11:06,880 Speaker 4: going to have to fund another six percent for teacher 224 00:11:07,080 --> 00:11:11,600 Speaker 4: EBA next year, where we're going to be significantly worse off, 225 00:11:11,640 --> 00:11:15,000 Speaker 4: which means back to the jol told the day, we'll 226 00:11:15,040 --> 00:11:20,959 Speaker 4: be having numbers, having clogram and everything is just roundhole day. 227 00:11:21,280 --> 00:11:24,400 Speaker 1: So Chief Minister, can you just explain to us exactly 228 00:11:24,480 --> 00:11:26,840 Speaker 1: how it's going to work, because there is clearly some 229 00:11:26,960 --> 00:11:29,520 Speaker 1: concerns from teachers, like from our school. 230 00:11:29,640 --> 00:11:32,640 Speaker 3: Sorry, at this point I. 231 00:11:32,600 --> 00:11:35,960 Speaker 2: Can absolutely clarify for u, Katie, and for any I know. 232 00:11:36,000 --> 00:11:37,680 Speaker 2: Our teachers will be in the class, they won't be 233 00:11:37,760 --> 00:11:41,439 Speaker 2: listening to us, but it will come through our budget process. 234 00:11:41,720 --> 00:11:44,560 Speaker 2: It'll come to the Department of Education to pay for 235 00:11:44,640 --> 00:11:48,600 Speaker 2: our teachers and our teacher assistants. There's other positions, Katie. 236 00:11:48,640 --> 00:11:52,360 Speaker 2: That these are the two EBAs that are being negotiated 237 00:11:52,400 --> 00:11:55,280 Speaker 2: with the Australian Education Union right now. Just to provide 238 00:11:55,320 --> 00:11:57,560 Speaker 2: that absolute clarity. It's not so much the teachers, but 239 00:11:57,600 --> 00:12:01,280 Speaker 2: when you talk about those teacher assistants there is some confusion. 240 00:12:01,320 --> 00:12:03,160 Speaker 2: But what I'm telling you is the two roles that 241 00:12:03,240 --> 00:12:06,360 Speaker 2: have been negotiated through the Australian Education Union will be 242 00:12:06,440 --> 00:12:09,320 Speaker 2: funded if we can get the teachers to agree to 243 00:12:09,320 --> 00:12:11,600 Speaker 2: this EBA, and we believe it's that it's a fair deal. 244 00:12:12,240 --> 00:12:15,080 Speaker 2: It finds that balance between giving our hardworking teachers that 245 00:12:15,200 --> 00:12:17,680 Speaker 2: pay rise, but at the same time managing the Northern 246 00:12:17,720 --> 00:12:18,440 Speaker 2: Territory budget. 247 00:12:18,559 --> 00:12:22,200 Speaker 1: So it's not going to come from the current school budgets, 248 00:12:22,000 --> 00:12:25,440 Speaker 1: as we'd spoken about with those concerns that Beverly had 249 00:12:25,559 --> 00:12:26,680 Speaker 1: raised last week. 250 00:12:27,920 --> 00:12:31,320 Speaker 3: No, all right, how much is it going to cost? 251 00:12:31,360 --> 00:12:33,600 Speaker 1: I think is the million dollar question at this point 252 00:12:33,640 --> 00:12:36,720 Speaker 1: because a lot of people think that yes, our hard 253 00:12:36,760 --> 00:12:40,760 Speaker 1: working public servants, our teachers, our nurses, etc. Do deserve 254 00:12:41,080 --> 00:12:44,760 Speaker 1: a pay increase, but how much is this going to cost, 255 00:12:45,080 --> 00:12:47,520 Speaker 1: specifically when we talk about teachers. 256 00:12:48,480 --> 00:12:51,800 Speaker 2: So, Katie, the agreements that we're negotiating, we think it 257 00:12:51,800 --> 00:12:55,320 Speaker 2: will cost around five to seven million dollars additional to 258 00:12:55,400 --> 00:12:58,560 Speaker 2: the Northern Territory government budget. But that, as I just said, 259 00:12:58,559 --> 00:13:00,839 Speaker 2: we are trying to find that balance between managing our 260 00:13:00,960 --> 00:13:04,480 Speaker 2: current budget expenditure and recognizing the hard work of our 261 00:13:04,520 --> 00:13:05,439 Speaker 2: frontline teachers. 262 00:13:05,840 --> 00:13:08,920 Speaker 1: So is that five to seven million additional per year? 263 00:13:10,600 --> 00:13:13,160 Speaker 2: Katie, that's a global figure I'm using. I'll get some 264 00:13:13,200 --> 00:13:16,240 Speaker 2: clarity for you and provide that off there. If that's okay, 265 00:13:16,240 --> 00:13:17,640 Speaker 2: I do apologize, okay. 266 00:13:17,679 --> 00:13:19,840 Speaker 1: So this deal has obviously been put on the table 267 00:13:19,920 --> 00:13:23,680 Speaker 1: for teachers, but what about nurses, police and other frontline 268 00:13:23,720 --> 00:13:26,360 Speaker 1: workers who are also lobbying the government at this point 269 00:13:26,400 --> 00:13:27,640 Speaker 1: in time over wages. 270 00:13:28,840 --> 00:13:31,240 Speaker 2: Yeah, Katie, that's a good point. So in terms of 271 00:13:31,640 --> 00:13:34,720 Speaker 2: we have the wages policy which is two percent, but 272 00:13:34,840 --> 00:13:40,280 Speaker 2: the teachers were able to negotiate around that. They gave 273 00:13:40,360 --> 00:13:42,280 Speaker 2: up some other items which allowed it to be a 274 00:13:42,320 --> 00:13:46,360 Speaker 2: three percent pay increase. And so this is negotiations the nurses, 275 00:13:46,400 --> 00:13:49,640 Speaker 2: for example, As Health Minister, I'm very keen our nurses 276 00:13:49,679 --> 00:13:53,320 Speaker 2: work incredibly hard and so the Minister for Public Employment 277 00:13:53,400 --> 00:13:57,320 Speaker 2: and the OCP Commissioner for Public Employment have been working 278 00:13:57,320 --> 00:14:01,160 Speaker 2: with the unions that represent nurses and other unions around 279 00:14:01,160 --> 00:14:05,160 Speaker 2: how we can resolve those agreements. They're very varied across 280 00:14:05,720 --> 00:14:08,040 Speaker 2: the different agreements that are being worked through. 281 00:14:08,280 --> 00:14:09,880 Speaker 1: All right, we'll be keen to get an update on 282 00:14:09,920 --> 00:14:12,920 Speaker 1: those as a progress, Chief Minister, just before I let 283 00:14:13,000 --> 00:14:16,679 Speaker 1: you go this morning. Obviously, the former Chief Health Officer 284 00:14:16,760 --> 00:14:20,600 Speaker 1: Hugh Hegey, appointed as the new administrator last week, who'd 285 00:14:20,600 --> 00:14:21,920 Speaker 1: made that decision. 286 00:14:23,080 --> 00:14:25,000 Speaker 2: Well, this is something that had been in train for 287 00:14:25,080 --> 00:14:28,400 Speaker 2: some time, Katie. It's a process that goes with the 288 00:14:28,400 --> 00:14:31,840 Speaker 2: Commonwealth Government and the Governor General, and so that was 289 00:14:31,880 --> 00:14:34,840 Speaker 2: in train when I became the Chief Minister. We would 290 00:14:34,880 --> 00:14:38,200 Speaker 2: have liked to have announced it earlier, but we obviously 291 00:14:38,280 --> 00:14:40,960 Speaker 2: saw the Commonwealth Government go to a federal election which 292 00:14:41,000 --> 00:14:44,880 Speaker 2: had a caretaker period and it just delayed the overall process. 293 00:14:44,960 --> 00:14:47,040 Speaker 1: So it was already the plans are already in place 294 00:14:47,080 --> 00:14:50,600 Speaker 1: when you came in as the Chief Minister, correct. 295 00:14:50,600 --> 00:14:53,440 Speaker 2: But I think that Hugh Hagey will be a great administrator. 296 00:14:53,480 --> 00:14:55,760 Speaker 2: He's someone that has lived in various parts of the 297 00:14:55,840 --> 00:14:59,400 Speaker 2: territory and so we certainly congratulate him on his appointment. 298 00:15:00,000 --> 00:15:02,520 Speaker 1: I'm in the community do see this as been quite 299 00:15:02,560 --> 00:15:05,160 Speaker 1: a political appointment given the fact that he was the 300 00:15:05,160 --> 00:15:09,320 Speaker 1: person tasked with making very tough decisions around COVID. 301 00:15:10,120 --> 00:15:11,280 Speaker 3: Was it a political. 302 00:15:10,840 --> 00:15:15,120 Speaker 2: Appointment, No, Katie. It's looking at someone that understands the 303 00:15:15,160 --> 00:15:17,560 Speaker 2: breadth and depth of the Northern territory and I think 304 00:15:17,560 --> 00:15:19,880 Speaker 2: those attributes will serve him well in that role. 305 00:15:20,400 --> 00:15:25,280 Speaker 1: And we know that obviously the outgoing administrator, Vicky O'Halleran, well, 306 00:15:25,400 --> 00:15:26,200 Speaker 1: she finishes up. 307 00:15:26,200 --> 00:15:28,800 Speaker 3: I think it's the beginning of next year. Is that correct? 308 00:15:30,040 --> 00:15:32,200 Speaker 2: Yes, Katie, her term was meant to end at the 309 00:15:32,280 --> 00:15:34,440 Speaker 2: end of October, but as I just highlighted, there were 310 00:15:34,480 --> 00:15:38,680 Speaker 2: some delays for unsufeeable circumstances, and so she has been 311 00:15:38,720 --> 00:15:41,040 Speaker 2: extended to the end of January. And I certainly thank 312 00:15:41,120 --> 00:15:44,720 Speaker 2: her for all her service and will be formally acknowledging her. 313 00:15:45,080 --> 00:15:47,120 Speaker 1: Well, Chief Minister, we appreciate you having a chat to 314 00:15:47,240 --> 00:15:49,280 Speaker 1: us from Alice Springs today. I believe you're all so 315 00:15:49,480 --> 00:15:52,200 Speaker 1: off to Is it the National Cabinet meeting over the 316 00:15:52,200 --> 00:15:53,000 Speaker 1: next day or two? 317 00:15:54,320 --> 00:15:56,040 Speaker 2: Yeah, I mean Alis for a couple of days and 318 00:15:56,080 --> 00:15:59,320 Speaker 2: then head down to Sydney for National Cabinets. I'll certainly 319 00:15:59,320 --> 00:16:01,920 Speaker 2: be making sure the voice of Remote and Regional Australia 320 00:16:01,960 --> 00:16:04,480 Speaker 2: you get that table a number of issues and I 321 00:16:04,560 --> 00:16:07,840 Speaker 2: certainly don't shy away from sharing them with my state 322 00:16:07,880 --> 00:16:09,840 Speaker 2: and territory counterparts as well as the Prime Minister. 323 00:16:10,240 --> 00:16:13,120 Speaker 1: Well, Chief Minister Natasha Files, we appreciate your time this 324 00:16:13,240 --> 00:16:16,680 Speaker 1: morning and we'll hopefully catch up with you again before Christmas. 325 00:16:17,560 --> 00:16:18,720 Speaker 2: Take care, thank you.