1 00:00:00,080 --> 00:00:02,560 Speaker 1: The opposition leader. Leah Fanoc Guiaro joins me in the 2 00:00:02,560 --> 00:00:03,440 Speaker 1: studio right now. 3 00:00:03,520 --> 00:00:05,640 Speaker 2: Good morning, Good morning Katie and to your listeners. 4 00:00:06,000 --> 00:00:09,600 Speaker 1: Leah. Firstly, this morning, it is being reported by Sky 5 00:00:09,800 --> 00:00:13,800 Speaker 1: News that the Department of Chief Minister and Cabinet is 6 00:00:13,880 --> 00:00:19,120 Speaker 1: investigating an incident involving the Northern Territory's Treaty Commissioner Mick 7 00:00:19,160 --> 00:00:22,880 Speaker 1: Dodson now Professor. Dodson's been accused of threatening to assault 8 00:00:22,880 --> 00:00:26,800 Speaker 1: a woman and using sexually degrading language towards her at 9 00:00:26,840 --> 00:00:27,760 Speaker 1: a football. 10 00:00:27,360 --> 00:00:28,160 Speaker 2: Game in Darwin. 11 00:00:28,960 --> 00:00:32,120 Speaker 1: The former Australian of the Year has not denied the allegations, 12 00:00:32,120 --> 00:00:36,080 Speaker 1: but says he has no recollection of the incident. So 13 00:00:36,240 --> 00:00:41,240 Speaker 1: obviously an investigation is currently underway. Leah, what do you 14 00:00:41,280 --> 00:00:43,120 Speaker 1: think needs to be happening in this space? 15 00:00:43,440 --> 00:00:46,839 Speaker 3: Yeah, it was certainly very concerning information that's been reported 16 00:00:46,880 --> 00:00:50,519 Speaker 3: this morning. We think while the investigation takes place, the 17 00:00:50,520 --> 00:00:54,360 Speaker 3: Commissioner should stand asign and allow that process to happen. Obviously, 18 00:00:54,720 --> 00:00:57,560 Speaker 3: as a commissioner you hold a very high offers and 19 00:00:57,640 --> 00:01:01,000 Speaker 3: standing in our community, and so while something like this 20 00:01:01,320 --> 00:01:05,039 Speaker 3: is underway and being investigated, that he should step aside. 21 00:01:05,200 --> 00:01:07,399 Speaker 2: But we've also serious concerns. 22 00:01:07,040 --> 00:01:09,800 Speaker 3: Around when government knew about this and what they've done 23 00:01:09,840 --> 00:01:14,000 Speaker 3: about it. Obviously there is that investigation, but you know, 24 00:01:14,120 --> 00:01:16,000 Speaker 3: this is a government who are happy to go out 25 00:01:16,040 --> 00:01:19,080 Speaker 3: and march for women's rights and undertake all those sort 26 00:01:19,120 --> 00:01:23,640 Speaker 3: of public statements around violence against women. But have they 27 00:01:23,959 --> 00:01:26,680 Speaker 3: called for the commissioner to stand aside during the investigation? 28 00:01:26,760 --> 00:01:27,720 Speaker 2: And that's my question. 29 00:01:27,880 --> 00:01:30,080 Speaker 1: So do you think that long term he should remain 30 00:01:30,280 --> 00:01:31,040 Speaker 1: in this position? 31 00:01:31,400 --> 00:01:34,399 Speaker 3: Well, I think obviously the investigation needs to play out, 32 00:01:34,400 --> 00:01:36,520 Speaker 3: but certainly at this point in time, I would expect 33 00:01:36,520 --> 00:01:39,440 Speaker 3: that government would be saying to the Commissioner that, you know, 34 00:01:39,520 --> 00:01:41,880 Speaker 3: while the investigations on foot, he needs to stand aside. 35 00:01:41,959 --> 00:01:43,680 Speaker 1: So you really think that at this point he should 36 00:01:43,680 --> 00:01:46,000 Speaker 1: be standing down while that investigation takes place. 37 00:01:46,120 --> 00:01:49,200 Speaker 3: Absolutely, I mean as treaty commissioner that is a very 38 00:01:49,240 --> 00:01:51,400 Speaker 3: important role. This is a person who has to be 39 00:01:51,440 --> 00:01:56,080 Speaker 3: out right across the territory, meaning with territorians about how 40 00:01:56,120 --> 00:01:59,480 Speaker 3: we form our treaty or treatise right across the territory. 41 00:01:59,480 --> 00:02:02,160 Speaker 3: And you know, when you hold very high office, you're 42 00:02:02,200 --> 00:02:04,279 Speaker 3: held to a very high standard, and so of course, 43 00:02:04,600 --> 00:02:08,640 Speaker 3: making no judgment the investigations underway, but I'd be very 44 00:02:08,680 --> 00:02:12,160 Speaker 3: interested to know what the Treaty Minister Selena Yubo is 45 00:02:12,200 --> 00:02:12,840 Speaker 3: doing about this. 46 00:02:12,880 --> 00:02:15,680 Speaker 1: Well, my understanding is that the government has known about 47 00:02:15,680 --> 00:02:19,600 Speaker 1: this since the end of March. I mean, what does 48 00:02:19,639 --> 00:02:21,800 Speaker 1: that say to you? Why do you think that this 49 00:02:21,840 --> 00:02:23,040 Speaker 1: has not been made public? 50 00:02:23,200 --> 00:02:25,120 Speaker 3: Well, if the government have known about it since the 51 00:02:25,240 --> 00:02:27,960 Speaker 3: end of March, then why have they been hiding this? 52 00:02:28,200 --> 00:02:33,040 Speaker 3: Why is the commissioner not you know, stood down and 53 00:02:33,120 --> 00:02:35,520 Speaker 3: have a point in acting commissioner in the interim while 54 00:02:35,560 --> 00:02:39,080 Speaker 3: the investigation takes place. Why is the investigation taking so long? 55 00:02:39,160 --> 00:02:41,600 Speaker 3: I mean, we literally haven't heard anything about it until 56 00:02:41,600 --> 00:02:44,480 Speaker 3: this morning. So if government's known since March, then it 57 00:02:44,480 --> 00:02:46,919 Speaker 3: seems to me like it's just another opportunity for them 58 00:02:47,000 --> 00:02:50,760 Speaker 3: to cover up and lack transparency and decency. 59 00:02:50,919 --> 00:02:53,240 Speaker 1: My understanding is that he can be removed from his 60 00:02:53,320 --> 00:02:57,400 Speaker 1: position without a two thirds majority of Parliament. Would the 61 00:02:57,400 --> 00:02:59,560 Speaker 1: opposition support a motion to remove him? 62 00:02:59,800 --> 00:03:02,400 Speaker 3: Well, if the government put forward emotion to remove the 63 00:03:02,440 --> 00:03:05,079 Speaker 3: Treaty Commissioner as a result of the investigation, then I 64 00:03:05,120 --> 00:03:07,240 Speaker 3: think we would have to look very seriously obviously at 65 00:03:07,280 --> 00:03:07,840 Speaker 3: supporting that. 66 00:03:08,000 --> 00:03:10,040 Speaker 1: Okay, it looks as though and it certainly sounds as 67 00:03:10,080 --> 00:03:11,680 Speaker 1: though there's going to be quite a bit more to 68 00:03:11,840 --> 00:03:13,919 Speaker 1: this story, but Lea, I do want to cover off 69 00:03:13,919 --> 00:03:16,720 Speaker 1: on a number of things today. Quite a few things 70 00:03:16,720 --> 00:03:20,040 Speaker 1: that have concerned territorians are throughout the week, and we 71 00:03:20,280 --> 00:03:22,920 Speaker 1: are of the understanding that we've only utilized fifty eight 72 00:03:22,960 --> 00:03:26,840 Speaker 1: percent of our vaccines at this point with our vaccine rollout. Now, 73 00:03:26,880 --> 00:03:29,160 Speaker 1: the Chief Minister gave us an explanation on the show 74 00:03:29,240 --> 00:03:31,280 Speaker 1: yesterday which I played just a little while ago in 75 00:03:31,280 --> 00:03:35,320 Speaker 1: the opener, and it does follow that news obviously that 76 00:03:35,360 --> 00:03:40,560 Speaker 1: we are the worst performing jurisdiction now, Leah, obviously we 77 00:03:40,600 --> 00:03:43,000 Speaker 1: would like more people to be vaccinated at this point, 78 00:03:43,040 --> 00:03:45,640 Speaker 1: but you know, is it really such a big concern 79 00:03:45,680 --> 00:03:47,360 Speaker 1: do you think this is a huge concern. 80 00:03:47,400 --> 00:03:50,080 Speaker 3: I mean, the role out of the vaccines for COVID 81 00:03:50,280 --> 00:03:53,760 Speaker 3: is what is going to get our entire nation back 82 00:03:53,800 --> 00:03:56,880 Speaker 3: on track and back to normal, so it's critically important. 83 00:03:56,880 --> 00:03:57,040 Speaker 4: Now. 84 00:03:57,080 --> 00:04:00,000 Speaker 3: What we've seen is that we're again the slowest duration 85 00:04:00,480 --> 00:04:03,480 Speaker 3: to roll out COVID, which is ridiculous given our population. 86 00:04:03,520 --> 00:04:05,920 Speaker 3: I mean, honestly, we should be able to vaccinate every 87 00:04:06,040 --> 00:04:08,720 Speaker 3: territory and well and truly before other jurisdictions have even 88 00:04:08,760 --> 00:04:11,200 Speaker 3: come close to that. So the fact that the Chief 89 00:04:11,240 --> 00:04:13,920 Speaker 3: Ministry is going against the National Health advice and the 90 00:04:13,920 --> 00:04:18,479 Speaker 3: federal government's advice and not delivering the doses because he 91 00:04:18,520 --> 00:04:21,600 Speaker 3: wants to save them for the second dose is just wrong. 92 00:04:21,720 --> 00:04:25,200 Speaker 3: That those vaccines need to be out the door. More 93 00:04:25,200 --> 00:04:27,719 Speaker 3: supply is coming and by the time that period rolls 94 00:04:27,760 --> 00:04:31,119 Speaker 3: around where people need their second JAB, more vaccines will arrive. 95 00:04:31,240 --> 00:04:33,600 Speaker 1: Do you think, though, that it's fair enough that they 96 00:04:33,640 --> 00:04:36,440 Speaker 1: are making sure that there's enough vaccine obviously to roll 97 00:04:36,480 --> 00:04:39,720 Speaker 1: out to those remote communities and vaccinate those whole communities 98 00:04:39,760 --> 00:04:40,159 Speaker 1: at once. 99 00:04:40,320 --> 00:04:42,560 Speaker 3: I think that's a great idea that you know, especially 100 00:04:42,560 --> 00:04:44,480 Speaker 3: because of the resources it takes. You know, obviously, if 101 00:04:44,480 --> 00:04:46,440 Speaker 3: you're sending teams out to a remote community, it could 102 00:04:46,440 --> 00:04:48,520 Speaker 3: take days to get there, So while you're there, why 103 00:04:48,600 --> 00:04:51,000 Speaker 3: not do everyone. I fully support and understand that, and 104 00:04:51,040 --> 00:04:54,000 Speaker 3: I think people in Alice Springs are probably very excited 105 00:04:54,040 --> 00:04:56,039 Speaker 3: by the fact that now if you're over sixteen, you 106 00:04:56,040 --> 00:04:59,360 Speaker 3: can go and get your JAB. But the concern still remains. 107 00:04:59,360 --> 00:05:01,440 Speaker 3: And of course people who don't live in Alice Springs 108 00:05:01,440 --> 00:05:04,000 Speaker 3: are a remote community. You know, why is the territory 109 00:05:04,000 --> 00:05:06,760 Speaker 3: government holding back vaccines? We could be pumping out nearly 110 00:05:06,839 --> 00:05:09,760 Speaker 3: double the amount of vaccines, and then by the again 111 00:05:09,800 --> 00:05:12,000 Speaker 3: it's I think for Astrazenka, it's a couple of month 112 00:05:12,080 --> 00:05:14,719 Speaker 3: period before you need your second one, so there's time 113 00:05:14,760 --> 00:05:15,920 Speaker 3: to get more lea. 114 00:05:16,040 --> 00:05:19,360 Speaker 1: Do you think, as you've just mentioned there, and we've 115 00:05:19,400 --> 00:05:21,800 Speaker 1: spoken about over the last couple of days, that if 116 00:05:21,800 --> 00:05:24,080 Speaker 1: you're over the age of sixteen now in Alice Springs 117 00:05:24,080 --> 00:05:26,440 Speaker 1: and a lot of the Northern Territory aside from the 118 00:05:26,440 --> 00:05:29,520 Speaker 1: Greater Darwin region, you're actually able to go and get 119 00:05:29,520 --> 00:05:30,280 Speaker 1: that vaccination. 120 00:05:30,600 --> 00:05:31,080 Speaker 2: Do you reckon? 121 00:05:31,120 --> 00:05:33,039 Speaker 1: We need to bite the bullet here and make the 122 00:05:33,040 --> 00:05:35,080 Speaker 1: whole of the Northern Territory eligible. 123 00:05:35,240 --> 00:05:37,960 Speaker 3: Now, I think that would be fantastic, and really I'd 124 00:05:37,960 --> 00:05:39,839 Speaker 3: love to know from the Chief Minister why we can't 125 00:05:39,839 --> 00:05:42,760 Speaker 3: do that, But ultimately he's not even allowing us to 126 00:05:43,360 --> 00:05:45,480 Speaker 3: vaccinate the number of people we can with the vaccines 127 00:05:45,480 --> 00:05:47,600 Speaker 3: we've got, I mean, stockpiling of vaccines. 128 00:05:47,600 --> 00:05:49,280 Speaker 2: It's just not the way to do it. 129 00:05:49,279 --> 00:05:51,400 Speaker 3: It's not the health advice, it's not the federal government 130 00:05:51,400 --> 00:05:54,080 Speaker 3: of advice, and it's not in the best interests of Territorians. 131 00:05:54,080 --> 00:05:56,479 Speaker 3: If we have vaccines, they should be in people's arms 132 00:05:56,560 --> 00:05:58,480 Speaker 3: and they should be in people's arms quickly, not in 133 00:05:58,520 --> 00:05:59,120 Speaker 3: cupboards now. 134 00:05:59,200 --> 00:06:02,400 Speaker 1: Leah did also speak a little bit earlier this week 135 00:06:02,520 --> 00:06:06,960 Speaker 1: to leading epidemiologist Mary Louise mclaus. She had this to 136 00:06:06,960 --> 00:06:08,279 Speaker 1: say to us on Monday. 137 00:06:08,360 --> 00:06:08,960 Speaker 2: Take a listen. 138 00:06:10,200 --> 00:06:12,880 Speaker 1: I know some people listening this morning might be thinking 139 00:06:12,920 --> 00:06:15,039 Speaker 1: to themselves, well, you know, as so long as we're 140 00:06:15,040 --> 00:06:17,000 Speaker 1: testing the staff out there, and so long as we 141 00:06:17,080 --> 00:06:21,000 Speaker 1: are testing people when they arrive, it should be okay. 142 00:06:21,520 --> 00:06:23,960 Speaker 1: I mean, to anybody out there that is thinking that 143 00:06:24,040 --> 00:06:26,200 Speaker 1: this is sort of fear mongering, what would you say 144 00:06:26,240 --> 00:06:26,600 Speaker 1: to them? 145 00:06:27,080 --> 00:06:30,359 Speaker 4: I'd say to them. The twenty fourth breach in a 146 00:06:30,520 --> 00:06:35,120 Speaker 4: hotel quarantine that occurred in South Australia occurred because the 147 00:06:35,200 --> 00:06:40,760 Speaker 4: PCR test couldn't pick up this Mann's infection early. I 148 00:06:40,880 --> 00:06:44,520 Speaker 4: believe he was tested around day thirteen, he had a 149 00:06:44,560 --> 00:06:48,800 Speaker 4: negative test. He then left on day fourteen and went home. 150 00:06:49,320 --> 00:06:54,240 Speaker 4: He then got symptoms five days later and the PCI 151 00:06:54,320 --> 00:06:56,839 Speaker 4: didn't pick it up. If he hadn't had a rapid 152 00:06:56,880 --> 00:06:59,880 Speaker 4: antigen test, it is more than likely that he would 153 00:06:59,880 --> 00:07:02,560 Speaker 4: have been pickup and there would have been no anxiety 154 00:07:03,080 --> 00:07:05,520 Speaker 4: and no threat of a three day lockdown. 155 00:07:06,200 --> 00:07:08,839 Speaker 1: Leah a lot of talk this week about the changes 156 00:07:08,839 --> 00:07:11,760 Speaker 1: to the testing regime out there at Howard Springs. I mean, 157 00:07:11,840 --> 00:07:13,400 Speaker 1: is this all just a bit of a storm in 158 00:07:13,440 --> 00:07:16,440 Speaker 1: a teacup, Given the fact that the Chief Health Officer 159 00:07:16,480 --> 00:07:18,640 Speaker 1: and others have said what we're doing out there is 160 00:07:18,640 --> 00:07:19,320 Speaker 1: the right move. 161 00:07:19,520 --> 00:07:22,960 Speaker 2: This is no storm in a teacup. This is very 162 00:07:23,040 --> 00:07:23,600 Speaker 2: very serious. 163 00:07:23,680 --> 00:07:28,040 Speaker 3: Of course, Ozmat have managed international quarantine to the gold standard. 164 00:07:28,200 --> 00:07:31,280 Speaker 3: The Gunner government, after all these months, has now come 165 00:07:31,320 --> 00:07:35,440 Speaker 3: in and decided to completely dismantle that gold standard process. 166 00:07:35,480 --> 00:07:36,880 Speaker 2: So they've kicked out Ozmat. 167 00:07:37,040 --> 00:07:40,120 Speaker 3: They've now got Antea Health running the International Quarantine facility, 168 00:07:40,120 --> 00:07:42,920 Speaker 3: which is our most highest risk chance of getting COVID 169 00:07:42,960 --> 00:07:47,280 Speaker 3: into our community. Under OSMAT, all staff were double tested, 170 00:07:47,320 --> 00:07:50,960 Speaker 3: so rapid Antigen tested, which returned a result within fifteen minutes, 171 00:07:51,000 --> 00:07:53,840 Speaker 3: and then also PCR tested, which was return a result 172 00:07:53,880 --> 00:07:56,680 Speaker 3: within twenty four hours, so it was a double safety check. 173 00:07:57,320 --> 00:08:00,360 Speaker 3: The rapid Antigen has now been removed by the Gunner government, 174 00:08:00,400 --> 00:08:03,160 Speaker 3: so that's no more fifteen minute check for staff. They've 175 00:08:03,200 --> 00:08:06,040 Speaker 3: also made changes to ppe that the staff are wearing 176 00:08:06,040 --> 00:08:09,040 Speaker 3: out there. So under OSMAT there was a particular type 177 00:08:09,040 --> 00:08:11,000 Speaker 3: of mask that was being used. 178 00:08:11,120 --> 00:08:15,120 Speaker 2: Now under the Territory model. There's a variety of mins. 179 00:08:15,120 --> 00:08:17,320 Speaker 1: Saying that they've made a number of changes out there. 180 00:08:17,360 --> 00:08:19,640 Speaker 1: I mean, have you got staff out there raising this 181 00:08:19,760 --> 00:08:20,920 Speaker 1: with you? Well, how do you know this? 182 00:08:21,160 --> 00:08:24,320 Speaker 3: Yep, We've got people who talk to us in various 183 00:08:24,360 --> 00:08:26,680 Speaker 3: ways as they do Katie, I'm not. 184 00:08:26,600 --> 00:08:29,680 Speaker 1: Expecting you to reveal those sources or anything, but obviously, 185 00:08:29,960 --> 00:08:32,440 Speaker 1: I mean, are you saying to me that people that 186 00:08:32,480 --> 00:08:36,160 Speaker 1: are working out there are concerned enough that they're going 187 00:08:36,200 --> 00:08:38,079 Speaker 1: to you as the opposition leader to tell you. 188 00:08:38,160 --> 00:08:41,679 Speaker 3: Yeah, people are absolutely consumed. We've had bus drivers getting 189 00:08:41,760 --> 00:08:45,520 Speaker 3: contact about concerns they've had with the changes to their regime, 190 00:08:46,320 --> 00:08:48,800 Speaker 3: and we asked the Chief Minister point blank in Parliament 191 00:08:48,880 --> 00:08:51,079 Speaker 3: last week, you know, why have you changed the masks? 192 00:08:51,080 --> 00:08:54,360 Speaker 3: I mean he put on this ridiculous spectacle of a 193 00:08:54,440 --> 00:08:56,960 Speaker 3: performance answer where he said, well, under out you know, 194 00:08:57,000 --> 00:08:59,240 Speaker 3: everyone's got a different shape face, so that's why we've 195 00:08:59,280 --> 00:09:01,440 Speaker 3: got different marks. So I'm thinking to myself, we didn't 196 00:09:01,480 --> 00:09:03,120 Speaker 3: osmat people have different shape faces. 197 00:09:03,120 --> 00:09:05,040 Speaker 2: I mean, what are ridiculous answer? What do you think 198 00:09:05,080 --> 00:09:05,880 Speaker 2: they're doing here? 199 00:09:05,960 --> 00:09:06,160 Speaker 4: Leo? 200 00:09:06,200 --> 00:09:08,280 Speaker 1: Though, Let's like, you know, just to really get down 201 00:09:08,320 --> 00:09:10,480 Speaker 1: to it, do you think that they're making these changes 202 00:09:10,520 --> 00:09:12,520 Speaker 1: for cost cutting measures. 203 00:09:12,559 --> 00:09:14,760 Speaker 3: I can't think of any other reason why you would 204 00:09:14,760 --> 00:09:17,080 Speaker 3: do it. I mean, it just it just defies logic 205 00:09:17,120 --> 00:09:19,040 Speaker 3: that you would have a gold standard, you would put 206 00:09:19,080 --> 00:09:22,600 Speaker 3: yourself out and herald it as the pinnacle of COVID. 207 00:09:22,280 --> 00:09:23,679 Speaker 2: International quarantine management. 208 00:09:23,720 --> 00:09:26,520 Speaker 3: The nation and the world are looking at how it springs, like, wow, 209 00:09:26,640 --> 00:09:30,240 Speaker 3: that's an incredible model, and then the territory government boot 210 00:09:30,240 --> 00:09:32,520 Speaker 3: out the very people who've made it that incredible model, 211 00:09:32,760 --> 00:09:35,040 Speaker 3: and then not even just copy how they're doing it, 212 00:09:35,200 --> 00:09:38,120 Speaker 3: but change a lot of things. Now, changing your mask 213 00:09:38,200 --> 00:09:41,440 Speaker 3: and changing testing minds sound in isolation simple things, but 214 00:09:41,440 --> 00:09:42,880 Speaker 3: they're just the things we know about. 215 00:09:42,920 --> 00:09:44,680 Speaker 2: What else is going on out there that we don't 216 00:09:44,679 --> 00:09:45,079 Speaker 2: know about. 217 00:09:45,080 --> 00:09:47,880 Speaker 3: And we also know that they don't have the volume 218 00:09:47,920 --> 00:09:50,680 Speaker 3: of staff that they need, so they consider. 219 00:09:50,440 --> 00:09:53,120 Speaker 1: They say though, that they're taking the advice of the 220 00:09:53,240 --> 00:09:56,200 Speaker 1: chief Health officer. So would you not take the advice 221 00:09:56,200 --> 00:09:57,280 Speaker 1: of the chief health officer? 222 00:09:57,880 --> 00:10:00,160 Speaker 3: Sure, I'm sure the new I mean, is this the 223 00:10:00,840 --> 00:10:06,040 Speaker 3: acting chief Health officer, whoever it is, thinks that that's 224 00:10:06,080 --> 00:10:08,760 Speaker 3: the right way to go. Well, who knows what's motivating that? 225 00:10:08,840 --> 00:10:11,000 Speaker 3: And again, is cost coming into it? All I know 226 00:10:11,200 --> 00:10:15,000 Speaker 3: is under os Matt it worked really really, really really good, 227 00:10:15,240 --> 00:10:18,000 Speaker 3: and I'd like to see it stay exactly that way. 228 00:10:18,240 --> 00:10:19,960 Speaker 2: I know people in the community want to see it 229 00:10:20,000 --> 00:10:20,440 Speaker 2: stay that way. 230 00:10:20,440 --> 00:10:22,600 Speaker 3: I mean, when I was out with the seniors yesterday, Katie, 231 00:10:22,600 --> 00:10:24,600 Speaker 3: it was the number one thing people talk to me 232 00:10:24,640 --> 00:10:27,040 Speaker 3: about was why is the government taking over how it 233 00:10:27,120 --> 00:10:30,040 Speaker 3: brings them? Why are they changing the clinical practices and 234 00:10:30,080 --> 00:10:31,640 Speaker 3: the ppe within that facility? 235 00:10:31,760 --> 00:10:33,520 Speaker 2: And the question is no one knows. 236 00:10:33,600 --> 00:10:36,320 Speaker 3: It defies logic and it I mean, time will tell, 237 00:10:36,360 --> 00:10:37,520 Speaker 3: and I certainly hope I'm wrong. 238 00:10:38,080 --> 00:10:40,440 Speaker 1: Let's move along, because there is some pretty interesting news 239 00:10:40,440 --> 00:10:44,000 Speaker 1: this morning emerging from the ABC News. JOHNO. Gibson is 240 00:10:44,080 --> 00:10:48,560 Speaker 1: reporting well that publicly funded staff working in the electorate 241 00:10:48,600 --> 00:10:53,240 Speaker 1: offices of politicians we're given significant pay rises last year 242 00:10:53,720 --> 00:10:58,360 Speaker 1: that were not justified nor sustainable, according to the independent 243 00:10:58,440 --> 00:11:01,920 Speaker 1: body that determines in titlements in the Northern Territory. Now, 244 00:11:01,960 --> 00:11:07,479 Speaker 1: these changes introduced last year increased electorate office officer salaries 245 00:11:07,880 --> 00:11:10,600 Speaker 1: up to one hundred and two thousand dollars. Now, the 246 00:11:10,640 --> 00:11:14,240 Speaker 1: Renumeration Tribunal says the clerk had no authority to make 247 00:11:14,280 --> 00:11:17,360 Speaker 1: the changes. The Clerk, though, has rejected the claim and 248 00:11:17,400 --> 00:11:22,960 Speaker 1: says the Tribunal's own changes will increase some salaries. Further lea, 249 00:11:23,040 --> 00:11:25,920 Speaker 1: we're talking about a pay rise here across the board, 250 00:11:25,920 --> 00:11:30,320 Speaker 1: whether it's COLP, the ALP, independence for those electorate and 251 00:11:30,400 --> 00:11:35,040 Speaker 1: liaison officers to the tune of twelve percent. As I 252 00:11:35,120 --> 00:11:39,040 Speaker 1: understand it now, this actually happened as well. The positions 253 00:11:39,040 --> 00:11:41,760 Speaker 1: are paid for by the taxpayer. They're not categorized as 254 00:11:41,800 --> 00:11:46,040 Speaker 1: public servants, but they're obviously which means that they're not 255 00:11:46,040 --> 00:11:49,040 Speaker 1: not subjected to that four year pay freeze which is 256 00:11:49,080 --> 00:11:51,640 Speaker 1: put in place by the government. Does this pass the 257 00:11:51,679 --> 00:11:52,240 Speaker 1: pub test? 258 00:11:52,960 --> 00:11:57,440 Speaker 3: Well, look, I'm not aware of that level of detail, Katie, 259 00:11:57,480 --> 00:11:59,880 Speaker 3: so I couldn't comment on on what the pay rise 260 00:11:59,880 --> 00:12:00,959 Speaker 3: is there, anything like that. 261 00:12:01,000 --> 00:12:05,560 Speaker 2: But what I do know is the Remuneration. 262 00:12:04,280 --> 00:12:07,920 Speaker 3: Tribunal is established as an independent body that sets the 263 00:12:08,000 --> 00:12:11,079 Speaker 3: salaries of Members of Parliament and then electric office staff 264 00:12:11,080 --> 00:12:13,800 Speaker 3: and electric office staff for the people who are out 265 00:12:13,880 --> 00:12:17,679 Speaker 3: in our local offices, out literally in the electorate. And 266 00:12:17,800 --> 00:12:21,840 Speaker 3: so if there's been some disparity between or changes in 267 00:12:21,880 --> 00:12:26,400 Speaker 3: pay over the last you know, since the election, then 268 00:12:26,440 --> 00:12:29,360 Speaker 3: I'm not across all of the detail on that, but 269 00:12:29,440 --> 00:12:32,120 Speaker 3: certainly we've had a lot of talk about the Gunner 270 00:12:32,200 --> 00:12:35,000 Speaker 3: government freezing public service salaries. 271 00:12:35,040 --> 00:12:35,800 Speaker 2: We know that that. 272 00:12:35,720 --> 00:12:38,080 Speaker 3: Hasn't happened yet, and of course that's something that will 273 00:12:38,160 --> 00:12:40,880 Speaker 3: the governmentor looking to do come much. But of course 274 00:12:40,880 --> 00:12:43,600 Speaker 3: they've got to get through they're union mates to get 275 00:12:43,640 --> 00:12:44,600 Speaker 3: that one over the line. 276 00:12:44,640 --> 00:12:46,480 Speaker 2: And look, this is the thing. As you said, there 277 00:12:46,559 --> 00:12:47,440 Speaker 2: is plenty more to it. 278 00:12:47,559 --> 00:12:50,360 Speaker 1: I will go into further depth through it throughout the morning, 279 00:12:50,480 --> 00:12:52,120 Speaker 1: but like at the end of the day, we're talking 280 00:12:52,120 --> 00:12:55,920 Speaker 1: about you know, it's twenty five members. Obviously they all 281 00:12:55,960 --> 00:12:58,880 Speaker 1: employ all of you employ a full time electorate officer 282 00:12:58,960 --> 00:13:01,960 Speaker 1: and a part time is distant electoral officer. As I 283 00:13:02,000 --> 00:13:05,720 Speaker 1: understand it, now these changes have come into place. To me, 284 00:13:05,840 --> 00:13:08,480 Speaker 1: I think what I find quite astonishing is the fact 285 00:13:08,480 --> 00:13:10,680 Speaker 1: that before the election we were told that public servants 286 00:13:10,679 --> 00:13:14,520 Speaker 1: will be getting a pay freeze, and then now we're hearing, 287 00:13:14,840 --> 00:13:18,400 Speaker 1: you know, that these salaries have gone up. Like to me, 288 00:13:18,679 --> 00:13:23,080 Speaker 1: it just seems it just like it just seems quite 289 00:13:23,120 --> 00:13:25,760 Speaker 1: unbelievable that that's actually happened. When we've got you know, 290 00:13:25,800 --> 00:13:28,000 Speaker 1: a politician saying well, we're taking a pay freeze and 291 00:13:28,040 --> 00:13:28,679 Speaker 1: we're going to do this. 292 00:13:28,720 --> 00:13:29,400 Speaker 2: We're going to do that. 293 00:13:29,480 --> 00:13:31,760 Speaker 1: I know that that's obviously the government. But to me 294 00:13:31,800 --> 00:13:34,400 Speaker 1: it then just seems quite unbelievable. And I'm not disputing 295 00:13:34,640 --> 00:13:36,960 Speaker 1: that those electoral offices work incredibly hard. 296 00:13:37,000 --> 00:13:37,840 Speaker 2: I know that they do. 297 00:13:38,320 --> 00:13:40,200 Speaker 1: But the rest of us, you know, as we've spoken 298 00:13:40,240 --> 00:13:43,440 Speaker 1: about on numerous occasions, taking a massive pay cut. Then 299 00:13:43,480 --> 00:13:45,840 Speaker 1: you're talking about fifteen percent on top of their base 300 00:13:45,920 --> 00:13:48,720 Speaker 1: rate in lieu of previous overtime allowance as well. 301 00:13:49,360 --> 00:13:49,560 Speaker 4: Yeah. 302 00:13:49,640 --> 00:13:52,760 Speaker 3: Look, and certainly you know, I can understand that people 303 00:13:52,800 --> 00:13:54,800 Speaker 3: will think that that's out of whack. I guess all 304 00:13:54,840 --> 00:13:58,600 Speaker 3: I can say is it's a matter for the Remuneration Tribunal. 305 00:13:58,679 --> 00:14:02,760 Speaker 3: That's something that's their jurisdiction and it's not something that 306 00:14:02,800 --> 00:14:04,800 Speaker 3: members of Parliament have any control over. 307 00:14:05,000 --> 00:14:09,640 Speaker 1: LEA. Just finally, this morning some pretty shocking vision violence 308 00:14:09,679 --> 00:14:12,960 Speaker 1: at school. It's emerged from Darwin High on Monday. Have 309 00:14:13,040 --> 00:14:14,640 Speaker 1: you seen the vision and what was your reaction? 310 00:14:14,920 --> 00:14:14,959 Speaker 4: No? 311 00:14:15,080 --> 00:14:18,200 Speaker 3: I haven't, but I heard it on the news this morning, Katie, 312 00:14:18,240 --> 00:14:22,120 Speaker 3: and certainly it's horrific, and of course it just reminded 313 00:14:22,160 --> 00:14:25,880 Speaker 3: me of that university. I think the CDU did that 314 00:14:25,920 --> 00:14:28,480 Speaker 3: study earlier in the year. Are they are school children, 315 00:14:28,520 --> 00:14:31,520 Speaker 3: what's their biggest worries? In life and their biggest worries 316 00:14:31,560 --> 00:14:35,120 Speaker 3: are their own personal safety, and you know above there 317 00:14:35,160 --> 00:14:37,640 Speaker 3: at their schoolwork and everything else the child could worry about. 318 00:14:37,680 --> 00:14:40,000 Speaker 3: They're worried about being safe. And so I think this 319 00:14:40,160 --> 00:14:42,120 Speaker 3: just reinforces and harks back to that. And I think 320 00:14:42,120 --> 00:14:46,600 Speaker 3: it's incredibly disappointing that the Education Minister or the Education department. 321 00:14:46,240 --> 00:14:48,360 Speaker 2: Aren't running up to you this morning on that. 322 00:14:48,480 --> 00:14:50,240 Speaker 3: It just shows this is another thing they want to 323 00:14:50,280 --> 00:14:52,440 Speaker 3: bury under the carpet and not talk about. Of course, 324 00:14:52,600 --> 00:14:55,880 Speaker 3: we know assaults on teachers and staff is at levels 325 00:14:55,920 --> 00:14:59,920 Speaker 3: that we just cannot are not sustainable and cannot be condoned. 326 00:15:00,640 --> 00:15:03,400 Speaker 2: So big issues are in that uth space for sure. 327 00:15:03,960 --> 00:15:07,560 Speaker 1: Opposition leader Leofanocchiaro, we will leave it there. If anybody 328 00:15:07,640 --> 00:15:10,080 Speaker 1: can hear those bird sounds in the background, there is 329 00:15:10,120 --> 00:15:14,960 Speaker 1: a curlew that it's not mere visiting with the wildlife. 330 00:15:15,000 --> 00:15:15,520 Speaker 2: Can I do a. 331 00:15:15,520 --> 00:15:17,800 Speaker 3: Quick shout out because it is s CES day, It's 332 00:15:17,880 --> 00:15:22,560 Speaker 3: orange day, It's orange day, So to all our sees volunteers, thank. 333 00:15:22,400 --> 00:15:24,560 Speaker 1: You and you have got a bright orange dress. I'm 334 00:15:24,560 --> 00:15:26,800 Speaker 1: good on your lessik. So much for your time this morning.