1 00:00:00,080 --> 00:00:02,800 Speaker 1: Well, we know the Chief Minister, Leo Fanocchio is joining 2 00:00:02,840 --> 00:00:05,040 Speaker 1: us live this morning from Alice Springs. 3 00:00:05,040 --> 00:00:06,720 Speaker 2: We've got her on the line. Good morning to your 4 00:00:06,760 --> 00:00:07,400 Speaker 2: Chief Minister. 5 00:00:08,280 --> 00:00:10,200 Speaker 3: Good morning Katie, and to all your listeners. 6 00:00:10,360 --> 00:00:14,280 Speaker 1: Now, Chief Minister, you are this morning signing a memorandum 7 00:00:14,280 --> 00:00:17,479 Speaker 1: of understanding with the Alice Springstown Council to deliver some 8 00:00:17,600 --> 00:00:18,960 Speaker 1: key infrastructure. 9 00:00:19,560 --> 00:00:22,160 Speaker 2: What is the aim of this MoU. 10 00:00:22,880 --> 00:00:26,920 Speaker 3: We're really really excited, Katie. Obviously this town has just 11 00:00:27,040 --> 00:00:30,800 Speaker 3: been ignored and battered by crime, and so now that 12 00:00:30,840 --> 00:00:34,200 Speaker 3: our new reducing crime package of laws is being implemented, 13 00:00:34,280 --> 00:00:37,319 Speaker 3: we certainly hope people here and across the territory will 14 00:00:37,360 --> 00:00:40,600 Speaker 3: see an impact from that. But the next stage now 15 00:00:40,760 --> 00:00:43,559 Speaker 3: is to make sure that we invest in our towns, 16 00:00:43,600 --> 00:00:46,839 Speaker 3: and Alice Springs needs to be invested in so that 17 00:00:46,880 --> 00:00:50,520 Speaker 3: there's increased livability and it goes to that important lifestyle 18 00:00:50,600 --> 00:00:55,600 Speaker 3: piece and also infrastructure that generates economic activity. So this 19 00:00:55,720 --> 00:00:59,120 Speaker 3: twenty seven million dollar package we've put together with the 20 00:00:59,160 --> 00:01:03,040 Speaker 3: Alice Springs Town Council that we're announcing today is really 21 00:01:03,080 --> 00:01:06,440 Speaker 3: exciting projects for the town that will not only see 22 00:01:06,480 --> 00:01:10,480 Speaker 3: that construction and infrastructure investment, but lead to Alice Springs 23 00:01:10,520 --> 00:01:13,160 Speaker 3: being a better place to live, an easier place to 24 00:01:13,240 --> 00:01:16,319 Speaker 3: visit as a tourist, and the flow on economic activity 25 00:01:16,360 --> 00:01:19,000 Speaker 3: should support all the small businesses in the center of 26 00:01:19,040 --> 00:01:19,720 Speaker 3: the town. 27 00:01:19,640 --> 00:01:20,119 Speaker 2: Chief Finess. 28 00:01:20,160 --> 00:01:22,279 Speaker 1: So we know it's things like one point eight million 29 00:01:22,319 --> 00:01:26,000 Speaker 1: dollars for a new regional skate and play precinct, four 30 00:01:26,080 --> 00:01:29,120 Speaker 1: hundred and fifty for free pool access at the Alice 31 00:01:29,120 --> 00:01:34,120 Speaker 1: Springs Aquatics Center, the reinstatement of anzac Oval to enhance 32 00:01:34,160 --> 00:01:38,120 Speaker 1: recreational opportunities, the development of new sporting facilities in Gillen, 33 00:01:38,480 --> 00:01:43,080 Speaker 1: including upgrades at Jim mcconvill Oval. I mean you've sort 34 00:01:43,080 --> 00:01:45,080 Speaker 1: of touched on it there in terms of what you 35 00:01:45,280 --> 00:01:49,200 Speaker 1: hope this infrastructure will do. It is obvious to me 36 00:01:49,400 --> 00:01:51,480 Speaker 1: that you are hoping as well that it gets young 37 00:01:51,560 --> 00:01:55,640 Speaker 1: people engaged in good activities, unlike some of the behavior 38 00:01:55,680 --> 00:01:57,760 Speaker 1: we saw in Alice over the weekends. 39 00:01:58,600 --> 00:01:58,919 Speaker 4: Yeah. 40 00:01:59,000 --> 00:02:02,280 Speaker 3: Absolutely, So we sat down and worked with counsel and 41 00:02:02,280 --> 00:02:06,800 Speaker 3: this is all being reprioritized from existing funding, Katie, which 42 00:02:06,840 --> 00:02:09,359 Speaker 3: is a beautiful thing. We've been able to get a 43 00:02:09,400 --> 00:02:13,600 Speaker 3: better outcome from the town for existing money that's already 44 00:02:13,960 --> 00:02:17,080 Speaker 3: in the budget. So the skate and play precinct is 45 00:02:17,120 --> 00:02:20,079 Speaker 3: going to be fantastic for all aged kids and a 46 00:02:20,160 --> 00:02:25,480 Speaker 3: game getting kids outside, being healthy, engaged in recreation rather 47 00:02:25,560 --> 00:02:29,400 Speaker 3: than crime. The pool access is a really important part 48 00:02:29,440 --> 00:02:33,000 Speaker 3: of our summer plan, and so will We haven't announced 49 00:02:33,000 --> 00:02:35,360 Speaker 3: the full summer plan yet. This four hundred and fifty 50 00:02:35,400 --> 00:02:38,320 Speaker 3: thousand into free pool access is going to mean that 51 00:02:38,440 --> 00:02:41,120 Speaker 3: everyone can go down and call off in what is 52 00:02:41,160 --> 00:02:45,520 Speaker 3: a very brutally hot summer and again get some physical activity, 53 00:02:45,680 --> 00:02:48,359 Speaker 3: be with their family. And then all of the investment 54 00:02:48,440 --> 00:02:52,520 Speaker 3: into sports, including the lights that John mcconball Oval should 55 00:02:52,520 --> 00:02:55,760 Speaker 3: be happening soon. Of course, we've saved anzac Oval and 56 00:02:55,800 --> 00:02:59,960 Speaker 3: I can't wait to see that as a multidisciplinary sport precinct. 57 00:03:00,639 --> 00:03:04,040 Speaker 3: Then also our additional investment at Centralian Middle School. So 58 00:03:04,880 --> 00:03:08,440 Speaker 3: plenty going on, But one of the most exciting bits 59 00:03:08,520 --> 00:03:12,240 Speaker 3: is for tourism. Now. Years ago the previous Labor government 60 00:03:12,280 --> 00:03:15,840 Speaker 3: announced money for Tourism Central Australia to move up the 61 00:03:15,880 --> 00:03:20,920 Speaker 3: Stuart Highway, and my real worry at that time it 62 00:03:20,919 --> 00:03:24,200 Speaker 3: would encourage caravans to sort of bypass the town yep. 63 00:03:25,200 --> 00:03:28,000 Speaker 3: And so now what we're doing is relocating that to 64 00:03:28,080 --> 00:03:30,519 Speaker 3: here where I am right now. At the Alice Springstown 65 00:03:30,600 --> 00:03:34,280 Speaker 3: Council where there is already caravan parking on the river. 66 00:03:34,639 --> 00:03:37,600 Speaker 3: We can get tourists coming to this council precinct and 67 00:03:37,600 --> 00:03:40,120 Speaker 3: then walking up them all and eventually getting to our 68 00:03:40,160 --> 00:03:44,040 Speaker 3: beautiful new Alice Springs average new art gallery at the end. 69 00:03:44,120 --> 00:03:46,520 Speaker 3: So it's all coming together, Katie. We're very excited. 70 00:03:46,560 --> 00:03:49,760 Speaker 1: So where exactly is the Aboriginal Art Gallery going to be? 71 00:03:49,920 --> 00:03:51,920 Speaker 1: I mean this has been like it's been a point 72 00:03:51,920 --> 00:03:53,720 Speaker 1: of contention, hasn't it for quite some time? 73 00:03:53,760 --> 00:03:55,440 Speaker 2: And when's the work on that going to start? 74 00:03:56,480 --> 00:03:58,640 Speaker 3: Yeah? I actually just made a note for myself to 75 00:03:58,680 --> 00:04:02,040 Speaker 3: ask Minister Bill Yen when that's going to be released 76 00:04:02,080 --> 00:04:06,000 Speaker 3: because people are very anxiously waiting to see that new site. 77 00:04:06,160 --> 00:04:08,560 Speaker 3: So hopefully that can be done in the next couple 78 00:04:08,600 --> 00:04:11,240 Speaker 3: of weeks. But it will still be at that end 79 00:04:11,240 --> 00:04:14,000 Speaker 3: of the mall, and we'd really like to bookend the mall, 80 00:04:14,120 --> 00:04:16,159 Speaker 3: so the gallery at one end and then we have 81 00:04:16,360 --> 00:04:19,520 Speaker 3: the Tourism Central Australia at the other as well as 82 00:04:19,520 --> 00:04:24,440 Speaker 3: the new Council Library and of course the Multicultural Center. 83 00:04:24,640 --> 00:04:27,320 Speaker 3: So there's something for everyone in this deal and I 84 00:04:27,480 --> 00:04:31,000 Speaker 3: really hope it activates the town and really just starts 85 00:04:31,000 --> 00:04:35,479 Speaker 3: to lift people's spirits and optimism and create that economic development. 86 00:04:35,560 --> 00:04:37,640 Speaker 1: And so Leah, you are telling us this morning that 87 00:04:37,720 --> 00:04:41,120 Speaker 1: there is no new money here. This is just repurposed money. 88 00:04:41,320 --> 00:04:44,400 Speaker 1: Is it taking away from other things so that locals 89 00:04:44,400 --> 00:04:46,360 Speaker 1: were expecting in Alice? 90 00:04:47,240 --> 00:04:52,040 Speaker 3: It definitely is repurposing money, Katie. So what we've reallocated 91 00:04:52,080 --> 00:04:55,760 Speaker 3: money from was there was money going into a splash 92 00:04:55,839 --> 00:04:57,479 Speaker 3: park in the mall and that was a bit of 93 00:04:57,480 --> 00:05:00,560 Speaker 3: a pet project of the previous government that really wasn't 94 00:05:00,560 --> 00:05:04,440 Speaker 3: well supported by the community, business or council. So instead 95 00:05:04,440 --> 00:05:07,159 Speaker 3: of putting a splash park in the mall, we've invested 96 00:05:07,200 --> 00:05:10,039 Speaker 3: that money into the skate and play precinct, which is 97 00:05:10,360 --> 00:05:14,320 Speaker 3: much better bang for market, increases the liveability and lifestyle 98 00:05:14,640 --> 00:05:18,039 Speaker 3: of everyone here in the town. And then Kill Gareth 99 00:05:18,240 --> 00:05:21,799 Speaker 3: was where when the previous government was shutting down antac Oval, 100 00:05:21,880 --> 00:05:25,800 Speaker 3: they were spending twenty plus million dollars on a new 101 00:05:25,839 --> 00:05:29,960 Speaker 3: precinct pat at kill Garret and again not well supported 102 00:05:30,000 --> 00:05:32,760 Speaker 3: by the town to be better spent this side of 103 00:05:32,760 --> 00:05:36,640 Speaker 3: the gap in the actual town itself. So we've reprioritized 104 00:05:36,680 --> 00:05:39,719 Speaker 3: that money to cut across both the development of more 105 00:05:39,760 --> 00:05:43,039 Speaker 3: ovals at the Centralia Middle School, but also in the 106 00:05:43,080 --> 00:05:47,360 Speaker 3: fourteen million we're putting into the Alice Springs Council redevelopment here, 107 00:05:47,440 --> 00:05:50,279 Speaker 3: so that's a better spend there. And the final piece 108 00:05:50,320 --> 00:05:54,120 Speaker 3: of reprioritized money is coming from Brewer a State which 109 00:05:54,200 --> 00:05:58,960 Speaker 3: was sort of a future industrial precinct, and so putting 110 00:05:59,000 --> 00:06:01,320 Speaker 3: that on hold for now and spending it on what's 111 00:06:01,440 --> 00:06:02,680 Speaker 3: urgently needed for the town. 112 00:06:02,839 --> 00:06:05,240 Speaker 1: Well, let's hope that we start to see some real 113 00:06:05,320 --> 00:06:07,240 Speaker 1: change in Alice Springs. I know that you touched on 114 00:06:07,279 --> 00:06:09,880 Speaker 1: there as well, making sure that there is a summer plan, 115 00:06:09,960 --> 00:06:11,880 Speaker 1: because that's always the worry that things are going to 116 00:06:11,960 --> 00:06:14,960 Speaker 1: blow up over the summer months. And we saw even 117 00:06:15,000 --> 00:06:16,680 Speaker 1: over the weekend three cars tole them. 118 00:06:16,680 --> 00:06:17,360 Speaker 2: From what I can. 119 00:06:17,200 --> 00:06:20,039 Speaker 1: See, they were then doing all sorts of things in 120 00:06:20,080 --> 00:06:24,200 Speaker 1: the Alice Springs City Center, throwing rocks out out windows, 121 00:06:24,520 --> 00:06:28,279 Speaker 1: just generally running a mark, but more than just you know, 122 00:06:28,400 --> 00:06:31,040 Speaker 1: running a mark, putting people's lives in danger. 123 00:06:31,560 --> 00:06:36,280 Speaker 3: Very dangerous, very scary, horrific behavior. We've scene three cars 124 00:06:36,320 --> 00:06:39,599 Speaker 3: and then to be you know, out acting in such 125 00:06:39,640 --> 00:06:42,480 Speaker 3: a dangerous manner, I mean, anyone could have been killed, 126 00:06:42,680 --> 00:06:46,720 Speaker 3: and it's just totally unacceptable, Katie, and you know we 127 00:06:47,400 --> 00:06:49,680 Speaker 3: won't stop until we get on top of this issue. 128 00:06:49,720 --> 00:06:52,760 Speaker 3: I know we've passed our reducing crime package, but that's 129 00:06:52,920 --> 00:06:55,000 Speaker 3: just the start. It's not going to be the silver 130 00:06:55,040 --> 00:06:57,800 Speaker 3: bullet we wish it could be, but it's an important 131 00:06:57,839 --> 00:07:00,800 Speaker 3: start and I'm looking forward to seeing over the coming 132 00:07:00,839 --> 00:07:04,240 Speaker 3: weeks watching those to see what impact it's having, and 133 00:07:04,279 --> 00:07:07,520 Speaker 3: then of course what work continuing needs to be done. 134 00:07:07,600 --> 00:07:10,400 Speaker 3: But there's a lot of problems, but we're just working 135 00:07:10,440 --> 00:07:14,080 Speaker 3: through a systematic prioritize way how to deal with them. 136 00:07:14,080 --> 00:07:17,680 Speaker 3: And you're hearing Alice Springs. Getting some actual activities and 137 00:07:17,880 --> 00:07:21,280 Speaker 3: physical lifestyle pieces on the ground is going to help. 138 00:07:21,120 --> 00:07:23,880 Speaker 1: Support that lea quite a bit to get through this morning, 139 00:07:23,880 --> 00:07:25,560 Speaker 1: I want to ask you, we know we had an 140 00:07:25,600 --> 00:07:28,120 Speaker 1: absolute shoka last week when it comes to crime. We 141 00:07:28,160 --> 00:07:31,600 Speaker 1: saw a crime spree committed by teenagers on bail. Then 142 00:07:31,640 --> 00:07:35,000 Speaker 1: on Friday we learned of an incredibly dangerous situation which 143 00:07:35,080 --> 00:07:38,280 Speaker 1: had occurred on Thursday when an alleged stolen vehicle with 144 00:07:38,400 --> 00:07:42,720 Speaker 1: six people youth and adults, drove that car at police 145 00:07:43,080 --> 00:07:46,160 Speaker 1: then took them on a dangerous pursuit. As I understand 146 00:07:46,200 --> 00:07:50,560 Speaker 1: it from what air towards Darwin. What's your reaction to 147 00:07:51,560 --> 00:07:55,600 Speaker 1: the number of interactions that some of the people involved 148 00:07:55,800 --> 00:07:59,240 Speaker 1: in these crimes have had with police. 149 00:07:59,480 --> 00:08:02,520 Speaker 3: Oh outrageous, I think you know, this is all the 150 00:08:02,600 --> 00:08:05,920 Speaker 3: type of data that was being hidden from Territorians under 151 00:08:05,920 --> 00:08:09,920 Speaker 3: the previous Labor government. It just reinforces why the COLP 152 00:08:10,080 --> 00:08:12,160 Speaker 3: is having to do what we have to do with 153 00:08:12,240 --> 00:08:15,240 Speaker 3: these laws. I mean, this is not people on a 154 00:08:15,360 --> 00:08:18,679 Speaker 3: first warning, a second warning, a tense warning, of fiftieth warning. 155 00:08:18,760 --> 00:08:23,560 Speaker 3: These offenders who have had one hundreds, hundreds, Katie, of 156 00:08:23,640 --> 00:08:29,760 Speaker 3: interactions with police and a completely immune from the repercussions 157 00:08:29,760 --> 00:08:32,520 Speaker 3: of that. I mean, they just have no fear. And 158 00:08:32,679 --> 00:08:34,920 Speaker 3: that's why we've got to strengthen the laws. That's why 159 00:08:34,920 --> 00:08:36,920 Speaker 3: we've got to back in our police. That's why we 160 00:08:37,040 --> 00:08:40,160 Speaker 3: have to be firmer on parents and their responsibility to 161 00:08:40,280 --> 00:08:43,840 Speaker 3: raise their children, get kids to school, deal with those 162 00:08:43,960 --> 00:08:48,400 Speaker 3: root causes, because it is totally unacceptable and even in 163 00:08:48,520 --> 00:08:50,720 Speaker 3: just the short ten weeks we've been in government, Katie, 164 00:08:50,800 --> 00:08:54,200 Speaker 3: the number of police and police vehicles that have been 165 00:08:54,360 --> 00:09:00,960 Speaker 3: rammed or assaulted is disgusting, absolutely disgustees. It is shining 166 00:09:01,160 --> 00:09:04,840 Speaker 3: so glad it is it's just beyond belief and so 167 00:09:04,960 --> 00:09:07,800 Speaker 3: I'm so glad we've strengthened that mandatory sentence thing for 168 00:09:07,840 --> 00:09:11,400 Speaker 3: results on workers and on emergency workers like our police. 169 00:09:11,440 --> 00:09:15,240 Speaker 3: But there's much more to be done, and honestly, I 170 00:09:15,440 --> 00:09:19,079 Speaker 3: just can't believe how bad things they've been left after 171 00:09:19,160 --> 00:09:22,079 Speaker 3: just years of neglecting this issue. But we are getting 172 00:09:22,120 --> 00:09:24,520 Speaker 3: on top of it as hard and fast as we can. 173 00:09:24,679 --> 00:09:27,880 Speaker 1: Lea the oppositions d ran Young last week during the 174 00:09:27,880 --> 00:09:31,199 Speaker 1: week that was questioned why you had mentioned the number 175 00:09:31,679 --> 00:09:35,360 Speaker 1: of interactions in a pressure release that some young people 176 00:09:35,440 --> 00:09:38,120 Speaker 1: have had with the Northern Territory Police. He said that 177 00:09:38,160 --> 00:09:43,200 Speaker 1: the interactions didn't mean arrests or chargers. What do you 178 00:09:43,280 --> 00:09:46,160 Speaker 1: think that number of interactions demonstrates. 179 00:09:47,320 --> 00:09:51,719 Speaker 3: I think it demonstrates a very high level of engagement 180 00:09:51,760 --> 00:09:54,680 Speaker 3: with police for all the wrong reasons. Now, they might 181 00:09:54,720 --> 00:09:59,000 Speaker 3: not strictly be arrest or a tangible action taken by police, 182 00:09:59,040 --> 00:10:01,840 Speaker 3: but let's not for KEMP. For years, our police have 183 00:10:01,960 --> 00:10:05,760 Speaker 3: been disempowered to deal with youth defender, so their hands 184 00:10:05,800 --> 00:10:09,320 Speaker 3: have been effectively tied. But I think any parent out 185 00:10:09,360 --> 00:10:12,520 Speaker 3: there who thinks about their child having hundreds of interactions 186 00:10:12,520 --> 00:10:15,000 Speaker 3: with police, I mean if my kids had one interaction 187 00:10:15,080 --> 00:10:19,160 Speaker 3: with police, Katie, I'd be absolutely mortified, let alone hundreds 188 00:10:19,160 --> 00:10:22,520 Speaker 3: of them. So clearly we've got a situation that is 189 00:10:22,559 --> 00:10:25,400 Speaker 3: not working well for the child or the community. And 190 00:10:25,440 --> 00:10:28,040 Speaker 3: that's where you know, children and families comes into this 191 00:10:28,120 --> 00:10:32,040 Speaker 3: as well, and we're currently reviewing that legislation and Robin Carl, 192 00:10:32,120 --> 00:10:35,720 Speaker 3: the Minister, is working over time on this issue. Because 193 00:10:36,200 --> 00:10:38,760 Speaker 3: kids aren't born criminals. A lot of these kids have 194 00:10:38,800 --> 00:10:42,760 Speaker 3: come from very, very bad homes and they deserve to 195 00:10:42,800 --> 00:10:45,920 Speaker 3: be supported. But our community also deserve to be safe. 196 00:10:46,080 --> 00:10:49,120 Speaker 3: And so here in life the balance where what we're 197 00:10:49,160 --> 00:10:53,319 Speaker 3: doing right now is supporting an urgent response of community safety, 198 00:10:53,800 --> 00:10:56,960 Speaker 3: and then that important work of addressing root causes of 199 00:10:57,000 --> 00:11:00,920 Speaker 3: crime really comes in with programs and camps and all 200 00:11:00,960 --> 00:11:02,839 Speaker 3: those other pieces that need to be done. 201 00:11:03,040 --> 00:11:06,800 Speaker 1: Leah, we know with one of the alleged crime series 202 00:11:06,840 --> 00:11:09,760 Speaker 1: that we saw last week, the one around the Northern Suburbs, 203 00:11:10,280 --> 00:11:14,320 Speaker 1: all of those alleged defenders were on bail in that 204 00:11:14,440 --> 00:11:15,320 Speaker 1: crime series. 205 00:11:15,679 --> 00:11:17,720 Speaker 2: What does that say from. 206 00:11:17,559 --> 00:11:21,319 Speaker 1: Your perspective, where is the system letting us down? 207 00:11:22,480 --> 00:11:25,719 Speaker 3: Well, it's exactly why we need Declan's Law. It's exactly 208 00:11:25,800 --> 00:11:29,199 Speaker 3: why we need the Bow reform we've just got through 209 00:11:29,559 --> 00:11:32,719 Speaker 3: the Parliament a couple of weeks ago, Katie. So unfortunately 210 00:11:33,080 --> 00:11:36,520 Speaker 3: those Bower laws, whilst they've been assented to by the Administrator, 211 00:11:36,559 --> 00:11:39,880 Speaker 3: which is wonderful, the system is just not ready for 212 00:11:39,960 --> 00:11:44,040 Speaker 3: the change yet. So it's about it upgrades and the 213 00:11:44,200 --> 00:11:47,480 Speaker 3: justice system being ready. So we're pushing very hard for 214 00:11:47,559 --> 00:11:50,920 Speaker 3: a date earlier than January. We're being told January is 215 00:11:50,960 --> 00:11:53,880 Speaker 3: the absolute earliest, but if we can make it earlier, Katie, 216 00:11:53,920 --> 00:11:58,520 Speaker 3: don't worry, I will, because you know yesterday was too 217 00:11:58,559 --> 00:12:02,200 Speaker 3: long ago. So you know we're really focused on that. 218 00:12:02,320 --> 00:12:06,160 Speaker 3: But it reinforces that people on bail and not taking 219 00:12:06,200 --> 00:12:08,439 Speaker 3: that chance to change their lives and use it as 220 00:12:08,440 --> 00:12:12,680 Speaker 3: a warning. They are just completely continuing on business as usual, 221 00:12:12,920 --> 00:12:16,080 Speaker 3: which means they don't deserve to be out circulating in 222 00:12:16,120 --> 00:12:18,000 Speaker 3: the community committing more crime. 223 00:12:18,360 --> 00:12:21,560 Speaker 1: Chief Minister, I want to ask you how are we 224 00:12:21,679 --> 00:12:23,960 Speaker 1: going to deal with the extra cases that are going 225 00:12:24,000 --> 00:12:26,960 Speaker 1: to come through the court and also the prison numbers, 226 00:12:27,040 --> 00:12:31,080 Speaker 1: because we know the community does expect violent offenders to 227 00:12:31,160 --> 00:12:32,640 Speaker 1: spend time behind bars. 228 00:12:33,880 --> 00:12:36,920 Speaker 3: That's exactly right. So from this week the new youth 229 00:12:37,040 --> 00:12:41,079 Speaker 3: Detention facility will be open. That will alleviate pressure out 230 00:12:41,120 --> 00:12:44,240 Speaker 3: of Alice Springs and Dalin, which means we can start 231 00:12:44,280 --> 00:12:47,840 Speaker 3: to roll out our infrastructure plans. So get the female 232 00:12:47,880 --> 00:12:50,920 Speaker 3: prisoners out of Olice Springs male Prism, put them in 233 00:12:51,040 --> 00:12:54,080 Speaker 3: the new Youth in the Youth Prism, expand the number 234 00:12:54,120 --> 00:12:57,320 Speaker 3: of male prisoners in the Alice and then all of 235 00:12:57,320 --> 00:12:59,679 Speaker 3: the dominoes kind of fall from here. So from this 236 00:12:59,720 --> 00:13:02,360 Speaker 3: week things should get better. And I went and visited 237 00:13:02,400 --> 00:13:06,720 Speaker 3: the corrections team at Darwin Police Station last week, Katie, 238 00:13:06,720 --> 00:13:08,160 Speaker 3: and thanks them, and I said to them, you know, 239 00:13:08,400 --> 00:13:10,920 Speaker 3: from next week things should be better. But this is 240 00:13:11,320 --> 00:13:15,240 Speaker 3: a year's long issue of the government, previous government failing 241 00:13:15,280 --> 00:13:18,280 Speaker 3: to invest in infrastructure, and we're working over time to 242 00:13:18,360 --> 00:13:21,559 Speaker 3: find more space, build more facilities and make sure there 243 00:13:21,640 --> 00:13:25,520 Speaker 3: is room for these people who should not be circulating 244 00:13:25,600 --> 00:13:28,360 Speaker 3: in our community because they present a risk of property 245 00:13:28,440 --> 00:13:28,960 Speaker 3: unto life. 246 00:13:29,080 --> 00:13:31,440 Speaker 1: And look, we are hopefully going to have a catch up, 247 00:13:31,480 --> 00:13:34,920 Speaker 1: or we're certainly hoping to with the Corrections Commissioner tomorrow morning. 248 00:13:34,920 --> 00:13:37,160 Speaker 1: But do you know if those young people have now 249 00:13:37,200 --> 00:13:39,240 Speaker 1: moved into the new Youth Detention Center. 250 00:13:40,160 --> 00:13:43,200 Speaker 3: I don't have an update on that, Katie, but you 251 00:13:43,240 --> 00:13:46,000 Speaker 3: know we're in good hands with the Corrections Commissioner. He's 252 00:13:46,200 --> 00:13:49,520 Speaker 3: just working over time on this and the correction staff 253 00:13:49,520 --> 00:13:52,360 Speaker 3: have been amazing. All the feedback we're getting is that 254 00:13:52,679 --> 00:13:55,280 Speaker 3: they're really happy to see stronger laws as well, and 255 00:13:55,320 --> 00:13:58,559 Speaker 3: if that means more prisoners, so be it. They're professionals, 256 00:13:58,559 --> 00:14:02,760 Speaker 3: they're doing their job and really difficult circumstances, but they 257 00:14:02,800 --> 00:14:05,200 Speaker 3: can see the horizon. You know, there is a plan 258 00:14:05,280 --> 00:14:08,000 Speaker 3: in place. We're backing them in with these new facilities 259 00:14:08,080 --> 00:14:10,400 Speaker 3: and we'll get the job done. It's just going to 260 00:14:10,480 --> 00:14:11,240 Speaker 3: take a bit of time. 261 00:14:11,480 --> 00:14:14,199 Speaker 1: Chief Ministate, you and I have spoken on numerous occasions 262 00:14:14,240 --> 00:14:17,199 Speaker 1: about the number of prisoners on remand my understanding is 263 00:14:17,240 --> 00:14:19,640 Speaker 1: that there is more than forty percent of prisoners on 264 00:14:19,800 --> 00:14:22,880 Speaker 1: remand how do you think we can get things moving 265 00:14:23,080 --> 00:14:26,840 Speaker 1: more quickly to work through those cases. 266 00:14:28,000 --> 00:14:31,160 Speaker 3: It's very important and so this is where Murray Claire 267 00:14:31,200 --> 00:14:34,240 Speaker 3: Boothby as attorney generally is doing work now with the 268 00:14:34,320 --> 00:14:38,880 Speaker 3: court system and we are looking at every opportunity to 269 00:14:38,960 --> 00:14:42,280 Speaker 3: make that system more efficient. So during COVID there was 270 00:14:42,320 --> 00:14:48,120 Speaker 3: a lot greater use of telecourt processes. Can we increase that? 271 00:14:48,640 --> 00:14:52,160 Speaker 3: Do we need to have court at the actual prison 272 00:14:52,280 --> 00:14:56,600 Speaker 3: to deal with those you know, mentions and adjournments and 273 00:14:56,600 --> 00:15:00,880 Speaker 3: other sort of smaller matters. We're looking at how transport 274 00:15:00,920 --> 00:15:04,360 Speaker 3: prisoners to free out time for that. For example, I 275 00:15:04,480 --> 00:15:07,560 Speaker 3: was at Parmesan police station last week at the watchhouse. 276 00:15:07,680 --> 00:15:10,360 Speaker 3: Two police cars arrived. They got filled up with prisoners 277 00:15:10,480 --> 00:15:13,720 Speaker 3: and driven into town for court. Now that takes a 278 00:15:13,720 --> 00:15:16,680 Speaker 3: lot of time and energy and police off our streets 279 00:15:16,680 --> 00:15:20,960 Speaker 3: from fighting crime, varying prisoners backwards and forward. So do 280 00:15:21,040 --> 00:15:23,480 Speaker 3: we need more judges, do we need more courts? All 281 00:15:23,520 --> 00:15:25,920 Speaker 3: of it's on the table and we're just working through 282 00:15:25,960 --> 00:15:27,320 Speaker 3: what that looks like now. Lea. 283 00:15:27,400 --> 00:15:29,640 Speaker 1: We caught up with Beth while, the head of the 284 00:15:29,680 --> 00:15:33,000 Speaker 1: Criminal Lawyers Association on Friday. This is a little bit 285 00:15:33,040 --> 00:15:34,960 Speaker 1: of what she'd had to say on this topic. 286 00:15:35,160 --> 00:15:37,800 Speaker 2: Best. You know, when you look at how full. 287 00:15:37,640 --> 00:15:40,160 Speaker 5: The prisons are at this point in time, my understanding 288 00:15:40,200 --> 00:15:42,840 Speaker 5: is that there's around forty one percent of the prisoners 289 00:15:43,280 --> 00:15:47,360 Speaker 5: are currently on remand so I mean that indicates to me, 290 00:15:47,360 --> 00:15:49,120 Speaker 5: and correct me if I'm wrong, but that indicates to 291 00:15:49,160 --> 00:15:52,200 Speaker 5: me that they're obviously waiting to go through the court system. 292 00:15:52,680 --> 00:15:54,120 Speaker 2: How long are some people. 293 00:15:53,840 --> 00:15:56,680 Speaker 4: Waiting It depends if they're in the local court or 294 00:15:56,680 --> 00:15:59,760 Speaker 4: and the Supreme Court. The local court. I think we're 295 00:15:59,800 --> 00:16:03,080 Speaker 4: talking up to about eight months to get a hearing 296 00:16:03,160 --> 00:16:08,240 Speaker 4: date if someone's pleading not guilty. To get up to 297 00:16:08,280 --> 00:16:11,040 Speaker 4: the Supreme Court, can take up to a year to 298 00:16:11,120 --> 00:16:14,720 Speaker 4: even get to the Supreme Court, and then potentially another 299 00:16:14,800 --> 00:16:16,800 Speaker 4: year to get a trial date. So those are the 300 00:16:16,920 --> 00:16:19,480 Speaker 4: sorts of numbers. There has been an increase in the 301 00:16:19,520 --> 00:16:24,000 Speaker 4: amount of time it's taking to get to finality in 302 00:16:24,040 --> 00:16:26,640 Speaker 4: these cases, which is impacting the remand rate. 303 00:16:28,120 --> 00:16:31,119 Speaker 2: You know what would help to speed things. 304 00:16:30,920 --> 00:16:35,400 Speaker 4: Up, So I think appointing another local court judge could 305 00:16:35,400 --> 00:16:40,440 Speaker 4: help matters. Utilizing full days in court. I also think 306 00:16:40,560 --> 00:16:43,760 Speaker 4: is another good idea to make sure that matters are 307 00:16:43,760 --> 00:16:46,320 Speaker 4: getting reached every day. We know that that is something 308 00:16:46,360 --> 00:16:49,400 Speaker 4: that's really increased recently, the amount of matters that aren't 309 00:16:49,400 --> 00:16:51,440 Speaker 4: getting reached in a day. 310 00:16:52,440 --> 00:16:55,560 Speaker 1: So it sounds Chief Minister Light there are a couple 311 00:16:55,600 --> 00:16:58,960 Speaker 1: of simple things that could potentially make a really big difference. 312 00:16:58,960 --> 00:17:00,800 Speaker 1: And you did touch on this just a moment ago, 313 00:17:00,920 --> 00:17:02,480 Speaker 1: but are they the types of things that you are 314 00:17:02,520 --> 00:17:03,040 Speaker 1: looking at. 315 00:17:04,160 --> 00:17:06,800 Speaker 3: Yeah, they're all part of the mix. So there's probably 316 00:17:07,119 --> 00:17:09,920 Speaker 3: ten things we can do, Katie. So it's just about 317 00:17:09,960 --> 00:17:12,800 Speaker 3: working out which ones are leave the most pressure the fastest, 318 00:17:12,840 --> 00:17:15,879 Speaker 3: and working through them like that. But absolutely looking at 319 00:17:15,920 --> 00:17:18,680 Speaker 3: court days, looking at court times, looking at how we 320 00:17:19,160 --> 00:17:24,280 Speaker 3: great utilize technology, cut down time for prisoner transfers, all 321 00:17:24,320 --> 00:17:26,640 Speaker 3: of those things help. Like I said, if we need 322 00:17:26,680 --> 00:17:29,439 Speaker 3: more judges and more court rooms, we will deliver that. 323 00:17:30,320 --> 00:17:33,119 Speaker 3: So it's about one hundred and thirty days someone's days 324 00:17:33,160 --> 00:17:35,680 Speaker 3: on remand for a local court matter, in three hundred 325 00:17:35,760 --> 00:17:38,760 Speaker 3: days for Supreme Court. So it is significant. It is 326 00:17:38,800 --> 00:17:42,399 Speaker 3: absolutely significant. But for your listeners, the flip side is this, 327 00:17:43,040 --> 00:17:45,480 Speaker 3: do you want those people out on the streets, And 328 00:17:45,520 --> 00:17:49,200 Speaker 3: the answer is no. So as a whole system wide reform, 329 00:17:49,440 --> 00:17:52,800 Speaker 3: we need to be making that process better, and there's 330 00:17:52,880 --> 00:17:54,600 Speaker 3: lots of work to be done. I mean that the 331 00:17:54,680 --> 00:17:58,399 Speaker 3: neglect in this entire space, from policing through to legal 332 00:17:58,400 --> 00:18:02,359 Speaker 3: aid funding through to the court, the whole, the whole 333 00:18:02,400 --> 00:18:06,520 Speaker 3: spectrum and corrections is broken, and so we're rebuilding from 334 00:18:06,520 --> 00:18:07,080 Speaker 3: the ground up. 335 00:18:07,320 --> 00:18:10,000 Speaker 2: Chief finished a quick listener question this morning. 336 00:18:10,440 --> 00:18:14,400 Speaker 1: They're wondering if there's an update on the Amphibian aerospace 337 00:18:14,600 --> 00:18:16,760 Speaker 1: industries those airplanes. 338 00:18:17,359 --> 00:18:18,560 Speaker 2: Is that still going a hit? 339 00:18:19,960 --> 00:18:22,440 Speaker 3: Actually, that's a good question. I don't know the answer 340 00:18:22,520 --> 00:18:25,320 Speaker 3: to that, but very happy to find out what's going 341 00:18:25,320 --> 00:18:28,800 Speaker 3: on there. Of course, the previous government from memory supported 342 00:18:28,800 --> 00:18:31,359 Speaker 3: them with a ten million dollar grant from the Local 343 00:18:31,480 --> 00:18:34,280 Speaker 3: Jobs Fund, So I don't know if any aeroplanes have 344 00:18:34,320 --> 00:18:37,760 Speaker 3: been built yet. I'd be pretty skeptical that they had, 345 00:18:37,840 --> 00:18:39,560 Speaker 3: but happy to get an update. 346 00:18:39,600 --> 00:18:40,800 Speaker 4: Really well, and this is. 347 00:18:40,720 --> 00:18:42,320 Speaker 2: The thing, you know, ten million bucks. 348 00:18:42,320 --> 00:18:44,840 Speaker 1: If that has gone towards that project and there's nothing 349 00:18:44,880 --> 00:18:48,120 Speaker 1: happening in that space, you start to really scratch your head. 350 00:18:49,080 --> 00:18:52,640 Speaker 3: Oh, Katie, there, I wish it was only that one project. 351 00:18:52,680 --> 00:18:57,040 Speaker 3: There's money that's been going everywhere. And even in yesterday's paper, 352 00:18:57,119 --> 00:18:59,879 Speaker 3: you know, we've identified about two hundred million dollars in 353 00:19:00,160 --> 00:19:04,639 Speaker 3: reprioritization just across three projects that we can not spend 354 00:19:04,640 --> 00:19:06,760 Speaker 3: that money on for now and put it into things 355 00:19:07,080 --> 00:19:10,240 Speaker 3: that really really matter. So we will continue that work 356 00:19:10,280 --> 00:19:14,320 Speaker 3: of looking through the books, what is labor committed Territorians to, 357 00:19:14,480 --> 00:19:17,080 Speaker 3: what do they want money spent on, and how can 358 00:19:17,119 --> 00:19:19,800 Speaker 3: we spend that money better so that we're not blowing 359 00:19:19,800 --> 00:19:22,879 Speaker 3: our debt out even further, but delivering the services and 360 00:19:22,920 --> 00:19:25,560 Speaker 3: the infrastructure that Territorians need today. 361 00:19:26,000 --> 00:19:29,560 Speaker 1: Well, Chief Minister Leah Finocchio really appreciate your time this morning. 362 00:19:29,600 --> 00:19:31,600 Speaker 2: Thanks so much for joining us From Alice. 363 00:19:32,200 --> 00:19:33,400 Speaker 3: Thank you, Take care everyone. 364 00:19:33,520 --> 00:19:34,159 Speaker 2: Thank you.