1 00:00:00,040 --> 00:00:04,240 Speaker 1: Now we have extensively covered the crime crisis in Alice Springs. 2 00:00:04,600 --> 00:00:08,119 Speaker 1: The situation reached a shocking point on Wednesday afternoon at 3 00:00:08,160 --> 00:00:11,280 Speaker 1: two point thirty when two teenagers entered a home in 4 00:00:11,360 --> 00:00:15,560 Speaker 1: Alice Springs allegedly armed with weapons. The mum was inside 5 00:00:15,600 --> 00:00:18,680 Speaker 1: with her two month old baby and three other kids, 6 00:00:19,160 --> 00:00:21,560 Speaker 1: and one of the teens allegedly struck her with a 7 00:00:21,600 --> 00:00:26,040 Speaker 1: metal bar, hitting her and her newborn bub Now, the 8 00:00:26,079 --> 00:00:29,000 Speaker 1: father of the two month old baby girl joined us 9 00:00:29,040 --> 00:00:32,000 Speaker 1: on the show earlier in the week. He said he's 10 00:00:32,040 --> 00:00:36,000 Speaker 1: been overwhelmed by the support that his family has received 11 00:00:36,080 --> 00:00:39,040 Speaker 1: from the community in the wake of the home invasion. 12 00:00:39,560 --> 00:00:42,320 Speaker 1: Now joining me on the line is the Chief Minister 13 00:00:42,560 --> 00:00:45,800 Speaker 1: of the Northern Territory, Leo Finocchiaro. Good morning to your 14 00:00:45,880 --> 00:00:46,479 Speaker 1: Chief Minister. 15 00:00:47,520 --> 00:00:48,200 Speaker 2: Good morning. 16 00:00:48,840 --> 00:00:52,320 Speaker 1: Now, it's been a horrible time in Alice Springs. The 17 00:00:52,360 --> 00:00:57,160 Speaker 1: former administrator's home was invaded, a woman was allegedly sexually 18 00:00:57,200 --> 00:01:00,480 Speaker 1: assaulted while she slept. We know a police officer was 19 00:01:00,560 --> 00:01:03,920 Speaker 1: driven at by a group in a stolen car, and 20 00:01:03,960 --> 00:01:07,680 Speaker 1: a mum and baby seriously injured in a home invasion. 21 00:01:07,800 --> 00:01:10,959 Speaker 1: That's just the tip of the iceberg. What was your 22 00:01:10,959 --> 00:01:14,199 Speaker 1: reaction when you started to learn of the most recent 23 00:01:14,240 --> 00:01:19,840 Speaker 1: events and the crime that was unfolding in Alice Springs. 24 00:01:19,640 --> 00:01:23,480 Speaker 2: It's been horrific, Katie. My immediate instinct was get on 25 00:01:23,520 --> 00:01:26,399 Speaker 2: a plane, get down there and stand with the people 26 00:01:26,400 --> 00:01:29,000 Speaker 2: of Alice Springs. And we know for a very long 27 00:01:29,080 --> 00:01:34,880 Speaker 2: time that town has been abandoned. They've felt totally disconnected 28 00:01:34,920 --> 00:01:39,560 Speaker 2: from the rest of the government hearing their concerns. We've 29 00:01:39,600 --> 00:01:44,560 Speaker 2: seen crime escalating. There's been various sort of patchwork of 30 00:01:45,360 --> 00:01:48,800 Speaker 2: federal support coming in and out, which has had questionable outcomes. 31 00:01:48,840 --> 00:01:51,760 Speaker 2: So it's been a real disaster for those people, and 32 00:01:51,800 --> 00:01:55,200 Speaker 2: they just want change. And so we hit the ground 33 00:01:55,280 --> 00:01:59,400 Speaker 2: running Thursday morning last week, the police commissioner and I 34 00:01:59,400 --> 00:02:04,880 Speaker 2: immediately stood up to additional police responses, but also I 35 00:02:05,000 --> 00:02:08,280 Speaker 2: then followed my briefings with police and my update to 36 00:02:08,320 --> 00:02:12,080 Speaker 2: the community were all round table of all senior public 37 00:02:12,120 --> 00:02:16,399 Speaker 2: servants across every single agency in Alice Springs to make 38 00:02:16,440 --> 00:02:20,760 Speaker 2: sure that all of those joint operations with school attendance officers, 39 00:02:21,200 --> 00:02:26,200 Speaker 2: housing safety officers, licensing, the circuit Breaker program, through children 40 00:02:26,240 --> 00:02:30,360 Speaker 2: and families, all of those things were working together for 41 00:02:30,440 --> 00:02:33,600 Speaker 2: a safer town. To make sure that we're pulling every 42 00:02:33,680 --> 00:02:37,800 Speaker 2: government resource available to deliver better outcomes for that community. 43 00:02:38,040 --> 00:02:40,960 Speaker 1: Look, there'll be people listening this morning who will say, 44 00:02:41,480 --> 00:02:43,480 Speaker 1: why didn't you do that sooner? I mean, we know 45 00:02:43,600 --> 00:02:47,360 Speaker 1: that Alice Springs flares up every summer. We'd started to 46 00:02:47,400 --> 00:02:50,000 Speaker 1: see the signs that it was starting to flare up again. 47 00:02:50,360 --> 00:02:54,280 Speaker 1: We know that it's been a location that's had issue 48 00:02:54,360 --> 00:02:59,120 Speaker 1: upon issue upon issue. Why wasn't that happening sooner? 49 00:03:00,400 --> 00:03:04,280 Speaker 2: So we actually did bring forward Operation Ludlow. So traditionally, 50 00:03:05,360 --> 00:03:09,440 Speaker 2: sort of under the previous government, those increased policing operations 51 00:03:09,800 --> 00:03:13,600 Speaker 2: start in December. We brought that forward to November mid 52 00:03:13,680 --> 00:03:17,080 Speaker 2: November to make sure that we had that increased police 53 00:03:17,120 --> 00:03:20,280 Speaker 2: presence in the town. Now, of course, every year we're 54 00:03:20,320 --> 00:03:24,320 Speaker 2: seeing escalations and offending because the laws haven't been there 55 00:03:24,360 --> 00:03:27,520 Speaker 2: to make sure we're holding people accountable. Our police haven't 56 00:03:27,560 --> 00:03:30,160 Speaker 2: been supported, so it's been a mess. So we brought 57 00:03:30,240 --> 00:03:33,520 Speaker 2: that forward. Now it needed more, and we bolstered it 58 00:03:33,520 --> 00:03:36,240 Speaker 2: as soon as we recognize it needed more. And what 59 00:03:36,280 --> 00:03:39,680 Speaker 2: we've really been able to do, which is very exciting 60 00:03:39,720 --> 00:03:42,760 Speaker 2: and different, Katie is with that Fugitive Task Force and 61 00:03:42,800 --> 00:03:46,080 Speaker 2: they've already had twenty arrests and these are high harm 62 00:03:46,120 --> 00:03:50,000 Speaker 2: individual So we now have capability in the Northern Territory 63 00:03:50,040 --> 00:03:54,800 Speaker 2: Police and this is ongoing capability to be specifically targeting 64 00:03:55,200 --> 00:03:58,120 Speaker 2: those high harm offenders, those people who are out on 65 00:03:58,240 --> 00:04:01,200 Speaker 2: warrants or out at large and the police are having 66 00:04:01,240 --> 00:04:04,600 Speaker 2: an excellent result. So about one hundred and forty arrest 67 00:04:04,680 --> 00:04:09,280 Speaker 2: from the increased Operation Ludlow and then another twenty of 68 00:04:09,400 --> 00:04:13,000 Speaker 2: high harm individuals and it's those twenty who cause so 69 00:04:13,120 --> 00:04:15,160 Speaker 2: much grief and misery across the territory. 70 00:04:15,360 --> 00:04:17,680 Speaker 1: Chief Minister over what period of time is that one 71 00:04:17,800 --> 00:04:20,799 Speaker 1: hundred and forty arrests and those twenty are the twenty 72 00:04:20,839 --> 00:04:24,240 Speaker 1: additional over what period is that? 73 00:04:24,240 --> 00:04:28,160 Speaker 2: That's justince Thursday last week, So huge numbers, huge impact 74 00:04:28,200 --> 00:04:31,040 Speaker 2: and every day we're getting reports from police and we're 75 00:04:31,160 --> 00:04:34,800 Speaker 2: driving down the number of engagements police are having, which 76 00:04:34,839 --> 00:04:37,520 Speaker 2: means there's less crime. So it's not just that we're 77 00:04:37,920 --> 00:04:41,040 Speaker 2: able to arrest more, but we're actually the impact it's 78 00:04:41,080 --> 00:04:44,000 Speaker 2: having is that there is less crime. So those numbers 79 00:04:44,040 --> 00:04:48,040 Speaker 2: are really encouraging and of course we continue to watch it. 80 00:04:48,400 --> 00:04:52,400 Speaker 2: The Police Commissioner was down yesterday on the ground speaking 81 00:04:52,440 --> 00:04:55,240 Speaker 2: with locals, speaking with police, making sure that all the 82 00:04:55,279 --> 00:04:58,120 Speaker 2: measures are there so police are primed and ready to go. 83 00:04:58,240 --> 00:05:02,159 Speaker 2: But also we've stood up very senior public servants to 84 00:05:02,240 --> 00:05:07,040 Speaker 2: be operational throughout the Christmas period and to make sure 85 00:05:07,080 --> 00:05:10,279 Speaker 2: that the NNGO sector is being held accountable and operational 86 00:05:10,400 --> 00:05:12,839 Speaker 2: during those periods as well. At the end of the day, 87 00:05:12,880 --> 00:05:16,040 Speaker 2: it is a taxpayer funded initiatives to make the territory 88 00:05:16,080 --> 00:05:18,960 Speaker 2: a better place and it's not acceptable for them to 89 00:05:19,000 --> 00:05:22,000 Speaker 2: stand down over a very busy time. So there's a 90 00:05:22,040 --> 00:05:25,040 Speaker 2: lot of accountability that's been put in place that hasn't 91 00:05:25,040 --> 00:05:28,239 Speaker 2: been there before, and we're seeing some great outcomes. Even 92 00:05:28,320 --> 00:05:32,400 Speaker 2: Circuit Breaker just started Monday, Katie. We've already had families 93 00:05:32,560 --> 00:05:36,400 Speaker 2: signed up to family responsibility agreements Police able to take 94 00:05:36,520 --> 00:05:40,320 Speaker 2: us to save places greater. We've got six to eight 95 00:05:40,560 --> 00:05:44,640 Speaker 2: territory families or sorry, children and families staff working every 96 00:05:44,760 --> 00:05:47,880 Speaker 2: night shift. So there's a big, big reforms we've been 97 00:05:47,880 --> 00:05:49,320 Speaker 2: able to make in just three months. 98 00:05:49,400 --> 00:05:51,600 Speaker 1: Chief Minister, you said then that some of those senior 99 00:05:51,600 --> 00:05:54,919 Speaker 1: public servants will not be going on leave over that 100 00:05:55,000 --> 00:05:58,360 Speaker 1: Christmas period. What about yourself and what about the Police Commissioner? 101 00:05:59,360 --> 00:06:02,039 Speaker 2: Yep, no, I'll be here, Katie, I'm working right through. 102 00:06:02,120 --> 00:06:05,799 Speaker 2: I haven't had a holiday with my family all years 103 00:06:05,800 --> 00:06:08,760 Speaker 2: since the start of the year, so hopefully I can 104 00:06:08,800 --> 00:06:10,920 Speaker 2: get to spend some time with them maybe quarter to 105 00:06:11,160 --> 00:06:14,159 Speaker 2: next year. But I'm really conscious of making sure we're 106 00:06:14,200 --> 00:06:17,239 Speaker 2: throwing everything out this to drive as much change as possible. 107 00:06:17,320 --> 00:06:22,000 Speaker 2: So I'm on deck. The Police Commissioner is on deck 108 00:06:23,960 --> 00:06:28,880 Speaker 2: from that Christmas period onwards. We've got Deputy Commissioner Martin 109 00:06:28,920 --> 00:06:31,359 Speaker 2: Dole and Alice Springs as well. He's on deck. But 110 00:06:31,400 --> 00:06:35,000 Speaker 2: it's not just police and me, Katie. This is about 111 00:06:35,000 --> 00:06:39,760 Speaker 2: making sure Housing has strong leadership education with all of them. 112 00:06:39,800 --> 00:06:44,360 Speaker 2: So there is senior leadership right across the board and 113 00:06:45,080 --> 00:06:48,400 Speaker 2: we've got different accountability measures in place to make sure 114 00:06:48,400 --> 00:06:50,840 Speaker 2: that we're holding everyone in the chain accountable for it. 115 00:06:51,520 --> 00:06:54,560 Speaker 1: Well, there's one area that people are wondering whether they 116 00:06:54,640 --> 00:07:00,520 Speaker 1: are indeed upholding the expectations of the community this point 117 00:07:00,520 --> 00:07:03,640 Speaker 1: in time now, in the situation with the home invasion 118 00:07:03,800 --> 00:07:06,560 Speaker 1: in Alice Springs last week, and I know there'll be 119 00:07:06,600 --> 00:07:08,800 Speaker 1: a level of detail we can't go into here, but 120 00:07:08,880 --> 00:07:12,160 Speaker 1: it was reported by the Australian newspaper that the two 121 00:07:12,240 --> 00:07:17,240 Speaker 1: teenage boys involved had collectively been charged with almost three 122 00:07:17,560 --> 00:07:24,120 Speaker 1: hundred other offenses and bailed thirty five times, and they 123 00:07:24,160 --> 00:07:27,560 Speaker 1: were on bail when that incident happened. I think the 124 00:07:27,600 --> 00:07:32,080 Speaker 1: whole community is asking right now, how can that happen? 125 00:07:33,360 --> 00:07:36,120 Speaker 2: Yeah, and it's a bloody good question, Katie. And this 126 00:07:36,240 --> 00:07:40,480 Speaker 2: is exactly why we urgently passed our bail reform and 127 00:07:40,560 --> 00:07:44,160 Speaker 2: the Reducing Crime Package in about week eight of our government. 128 00:07:44,560 --> 00:07:48,040 Speaker 2: Of course, bail hasn't commenced yet. That will become operational 129 00:07:48,080 --> 00:07:51,000 Speaker 2: in January, and it can't come soon enough, Katie. But 130 00:07:51,400 --> 00:07:53,160 Speaker 2: at the end of the day, what we've had is 131 00:07:53,200 --> 00:07:56,600 Speaker 2: a legal system that does not meet community expectation. And 132 00:07:57,040 --> 00:08:00,000 Speaker 2: young people right across the territory have got one hundred 133 00:08:00,200 --> 00:08:02,920 Speaker 2: and hundreds of offenses under their belt and it's still 134 00:08:02,960 --> 00:08:07,160 Speaker 2: out at large in our community because the justice system 135 00:08:07,240 --> 00:08:11,440 Speaker 2: itself is totally broken, and that's what we are reinforcing 136 00:08:11,440 --> 00:08:13,840 Speaker 2: and building back up. We've already been able to get 137 00:08:14,080 --> 00:08:18,240 Speaker 2: our courts working longer hours to make sure we're pushing 138 00:08:18,280 --> 00:08:21,840 Speaker 2: through that backlog of people being put before our courts, 139 00:08:21,840 --> 00:08:24,920 Speaker 2: and obviously the police are doing a great job are 140 00:08:25,040 --> 00:08:28,400 Speaker 2: arresting people. And then we've got our corrections piece with 141 00:08:28,480 --> 00:08:31,239 Speaker 2: the master plan. I've got Minister Melee giving an update 142 00:08:31,640 --> 00:08:35,439 Speaker 2: later today about how the new Bremouth facility has been 143 00:08:35,440 --> 00:08:38,080 Speaker 2: brought back online. So there's lots of things happening, but 144 00:08:38,120 --> 00:08:40,599 Speaker 2: at the end of the day, we have to continue 145 00:08:40,640 --> 00:08:43,480 Speaker 2: to strengthen the laws to make sure that the courts 146 00:08:43,480 --> 00:08:46,840 Speaker 2: are delivering what the community expects, and that's you know, 147 00:08:47,000 --> 00:08:49,800 Speaker 2: repeat offending is hideous, absolutely idious. 148 00:08:49,559 --> 00:08:52,280 Speaker 1: Chief Finister. What do you do though, if there's still 149 00:08:52,360 --> 00:08:55,280 Speaker 1: not being you know, if there's still not being given 150 00:08:55,520 --> 00:09:00,319 Speaker 1: the sentences or the consequence that the community expects. 151 00:09:00,760 --> 00:09:03,920 Speaker 2: We just keep strengthening the laws, Katie, It's that simple. 152 00:09:03,960 --> 00:09:07,040 Speaker 2: So we've sent a very clear signal what direction our 153 00:09:07,080 --> 00:09:10,520 Speaker 2: government's going, and that's that there must be consequences. We 154 00:09:10,600 --> 00:09:13,880 Speaker 2: have to give the judiciary confidence that we've got alternative 155 00:09:13,920 --> 00:09:16,640 Speaker 2: sentencing options as well, which is where our boot camps 156 00:09:16,880 --> 00:09:19,920 Speaker 2: will come into it, in our work camps for adult prisoners. 157 00:09:20,480 --> 00:09:22,760 Speaker 2: But at the end of the day, our police are 158 00:09:22,800 --> 00:09:25,040 Speaker 2: there to catch the bad guys. They are doing that, 159 00:09:25,320 --> 00:09:28,120 Speaker 2: they then get put before the courts and we need 160 00:09:28,160 --> 00:09:30,840 Speaker 2: to make sure that our legal framework is right and 161 00:09:30,880 --> 00:09:34,600 Speaker 2: so our reducing crime package that we passed, you know, 162 00:09:34,640 --> 00:09:37,480 Speaker 2: a couple of months ago. That was always just the start, Katie. 163 00:09:37,520 --> 00:09:39,680 Speaker 2: I want to be really clear, this is not a 164 00:09:39,760 --> 00:09:43,840 Speaker 2: set and forget for us. We are working throughout, right 165 00:09:43,880 --> 00:09:46,280 Speaker 2: from day one and right throughout this period to get 166 00:09:46,320 --> 00:09:49,640 Speaker 2: to February sitting where we're working with police and a 167 00:09:49,760 --> 00:09:53,080 Speaker 2: range of other stakeholders. For example, there is much work 168 00:09:53,080 --> 00:09:55,440 Speaker 2: to be done in the Youth Justice Act. I've been 169 00:09:55,520 --> 00:09:59,880 Speaker 2: out with cops in Nooka, Groot Island, Catherine, Tenant Creek, Alice, 170 00:10:00,080 --> 00:10:04,640 Speaker 2: right across Darwin hearing how we can strengthen laws and 171 00:10:04,720 --> 00:10:07,960 Speaker 2: processes to make their job easier. So everything's on the 172 00:10:08,040 --> 00:10:11,000 Speaker 2: table for us, Katie. I've told the Police Commissioner that 173 00:10:11,160 --> 00:10:14,559 Speaker 2: I've told the Deputy Police Commissioner, Martin Dole. Every agency 174 00:10:14,679 --> 00:10:19,160 Speaker 2: knows and collectively as a government, every single agency understands 175 00:10:19,160 --> 00:10:22,560 Speaker 2: that as a collective government, our number one priority is 176 00:10:22,600 --> 00:10:25,120 Speaker 2: to reduce crime and everyone must contribute to that. 177 00:10:25,200 --> 00:10:28,319 Speaker 1: So, Chief Minister, do you feel or I mean, are 178 00:10:28,360 --> 00:10:31,559 Speaker 1: we in a situation here in Alice Springs, but also 179 00:10:31,800 --> 00:10:34,760 Speaker 1: with the escalating level of crime that we are seeing 180 00:10:34,960 --> 00:10:38,400 Speaker 1: in Catherine, are we in a situation where we do 181 00:10:38,600 --> 00:10:41,440 Speaker 1: need to call in or call for some support from 182 00:10:41,440 --> 00:10:44,720 Speaker 1: the federal police or from police into state or are 183 00:10:44,760 --> 00:10:49,160 Speaker 1: you confident that the number of Northern Territory police that 184 00:10:49,240 --> 00:10:51,959 Speaker 1: we have on the ground right now is enough, Because 185 00:10:51,960 --> 00:10:54,840 Speaker 1: it's not about whether you know, we've got confidence in them. 186 00:10:55,000 --> 00:10:57,200 Speaker 1: I've got confidence in the police. We can see them, 187 00:10:57,440 --> 00:11:01,080 Speaker 1: you know, conducting those arrests and actually locking trying their 188 00:11:01,080 --> 00:11:05,160 Speaker 1: best to catch these offenders. But do they have the 189 00:11:05,200 --> 00:11:07,960 Speaker 1: support that they actually need and do they have you know, 190 00:11:08,160 --> 00:11:11,560 Speaker 1: the number of officers that they actually need right now. 191 00:11:12,679 --> 00:11:15,760 Speaker 2: So I've been reassured by the Police Commissioner where they're 192 00:11:15,760 --> 00:11:18,240 Speaker 2: not at the point yet where police need to call 193 00:11:18,320 --> 00:11:21,679 Speaker 2: for backup, and we've made a number of changes within 194 00:11:22,000 --> 00:11:24,200 Speaker 2: the police force to be able to get more police 195 00:11:24,320 --> 00:11:27,600 Speaker 2: out on the street, which is really really important, so 196 00:11:27,960 --> 00:11:32,079 Speaker 2: changing policing to make sure it's frontline facing. But the 197 00:11:32,120 --> 00:11:35,199 Speaker 2: Police commission has also reassured me that he'd made contact 198 00:11:35,200 --> 00:11:39,080 Speaker 2: and I know the AFP are on Stanboid, South Australia 199 00:11:39,160 --> 00:11:41,520 Speaker 2: is on standby, so if then when we need it, 200 00:11:41,520 --> 00:11:44,400 Speaker 2: it's ready to go. Right now is not that point. 201 00:11:45,400 --> 00:11:49,800 Speaker 2: But equally I've said explicitly everything's on the table. We 202 00:11:49,880 --> 00:11:52,880 Speaker 2: must do whatever it takes to get this under control, 203 00:11:53,200 --> 00:11:57,040 Speaker 2: because everything stems from people feeling safe, Katie. We can't 204 00:11:57,080 --> 00:12:01,640 Speaker 2: have a thriving business community or busy streets or activation 205 00:12:01,760 --> 00:12:04,240 Speaker 2: in our parks if people are too afraid to leave 206 00:12:04,240 --> 00:12:06,439 Speaker 2: their homes. And right now in some parts of the 207 00:12:06,559 --> 00:12:09,480 Speaker 2: territory people are afraid to be in their homes and 208 00:12:09,679 --> 00:12:12,960 Speaker 2: that's unacceptable. It cannot be the case and we cannot 209 00:12:13,040 --> 00:12:17,080 Speaker 2: let the criminals win. So they're far more good Territorians 210 00:12:17,120 --> 00:12:19,080 Speaker 2: than there are bad and we've got to put all 211 00:12:19,120 --> 00:12:22,360 Speaker 2: our energy into making sure we stop people turning to 212 00:12:22,440 --> 00:12:24,920 Speaker 2: a life of crime and then once they have that, 213 00:12:24,960 --> 00:12:28,640 Speaker 2: we deliver them consequences and opportunities to change their life 214 00:12:28,679 --> 00:12:31,319 Speaker 2: so that they don't become life long repeat offenders. 215 00:12:31,360 --> 00:12:34,760 Speaker 1: So you said there that they are on standby. So 216 00:12:34,800 --> 00:12:38,240 Speaker 1: who's been contacted to make sure that if and when 217 00:12:38,280 --> 00:12:40,160 Speaker 1: we need that support we're able to get it. 218 00:12:41,360 --> 00:12:43,959 Speaker 2: I believe the Australian Federal Police and of course the 219 00:12:44,040 --> 00:12:48,280 Speaker 2: South Australian Police. So we've got into government sort of 220 00:12:48,760 --> 00:12:52,440 Speaker 2: operational relationships where different triggers can happen, where we can 221 00:12:52,480 --> 00:12:55,480 Speaker 2: call on. So that's all been stood up. That's a 222 00:12:55,559 --> 00:12:58,800 Speaker 2: very operational matter for the Police Commissioner. But I've made 223 00:12:58,800 --> 00:13:02,400 Speaker 2: it explicitly clear what my expectation is, and you know, 224 00:13:02,440 --> 00:13:06,160 Speaker 2: we've done one thousand RBTs Alice for instance, Thursday, we've 225 00:13:06,200 --> 00:13:10,319 Speaker 2: got twenty two more police down there. We recognize Catherine 226 00:13:11,040 --> 00:13:12,800 Speaker 2: as also having a bit of a flare up and 227 00:13:12,840 --> 00:13:15,640 Speaker 2: I was down out on the beat during the night 228 00:13:15,960 --> 00:13:18,880 Speaker 2: with Catherine police, not last night, the night before. So 229 00:13:19,120 --> 00:13:21,320 Speaker 2: it's been really important for me to be out on 230 00:13:21,360 --> 00:13:23,920 Speaker 2: the road in the vans with our police so I 231 00:13:23,960 --> 00:13:27,520 Speaker 2: can learn from them, see firsthand the challenges and then 232 00:13:27,600 --> 00:13:30,920 Speaker 2: make sure we're taking action and pressing every button we've 233 00:13:30,960 --> 00:13:33,640 Speaker 2: got to be able to drive change now. 234 00:13:33,679 --> 00:13:38,080 Speaker 1: The opposition leader Selena Rubo said, it's extremely concerning that 235 00:13:38,160 --> 00:13:41,599 Speaker 1: there's been a shocking space of violent crime in Catherine 236 00:13:41,640 --> 00:13:45,120 Speaker 1: over the weekend, with those reports of only one police 237 00:13:45,240 --> 00:13:48,559 Speaker 1: unit in a town of ten thousand people to respond. 238 00:13:48,960 --> 00:13:50,719 Speaker 1: Do you know if that is the case, Is there 239 00:13:50,760 --> 00:13:53,959 Speaker 1: only one unit that's been able to respond to what's 240 00:13:54,000 --> 00:13:58,560 Speaker 1: been a real pickup It looks in the space of 241 00:13:58,720 --> 00:14:00,960 Speaker 1: the weekend and over the last or so when it 242 00:14:01,000 --> 00:14:01,760 Speaker 1: comes to crime. 243 00:14:02,760 --> 00:14:05,400 Speaker 2: Yeah, I'm not sure if that's correct. We've got Operation 244 00:14:05,600 --> 00:14:10,040 Speaker 2: Oxley happening in Catherine right now. So similar to Ludlow. 245 00:14:11,480 --> 00:14:14,520 Speaker 2: I do know there's challenges in questions in Catherine. I'm 246 00:14:14,559 --> 00:14:18,040 Speaker 2: not going to sugarcoat that, but look, crime is an 247 00:14:18,040 --> 00:14:20,400 Speaker 2: issue we just have to continuously work on. I think 248 00:14:20,440 --> 00:14:22,880 Speaker 2: it's a bit cute for the opposition leader to be 249 00:14:23,200 --> 00:14:26,640 Speaker 2: pointing the finger at the CLP after three months in government, 250 00:14:26,680 --> 00:14:30,320 Speaker 2: when they had eight years to literally destroy every facet 251 00:14:30,360 --> 00:14:34,080 Speaker 2: of community safety across the territory. But we recognize there's 252 00:14:34,160 --> 00:14:37,240 Speaker 2: more to be done. We're not shying away from that, Katie. 253 00:14:37,280 --> 00:14:39,920 Speaker 2: That's why we put up our hands to be the government, 254 00:14:40,000 --> 00:14:43,440 Speaker 2: because collectively we stand with our community and say enough 255 00:14:43,520 --> 00:14:46,840 Speaker 2: is enough. And I had fantastic meetings in Alice Springs 256 00:14:46,840 --> 00:14:51,000 Speaker 2: with traditional owners, a range of community members, and everyone 257 00:14:51,160 --> 00:14:53,640 Speaker 2: is united in the fact that we've got to do 258 00:14:53,720 --> 00:14:57,240 Speaker 2: things differently. And I'm meeting with Senator Melander and McCarthy 259 00:14:57,280 --> 00:15:01,320 Speaker 2: and Marian Scrimdaw tomorrow. I've had excellent conversations with the 260 00:15:01,320 --> 00:15:06,680 Speaker 2: federal Minister for Health, Mark Butler. We've got our seven plans, 261 00:15:07,120 --> 00:15:09,960 Speaker 2: seven points that we've taken to the federal government that 262 00:15:10,000 --> 00:15:13,120 Speaker 2: we want them to act on. So there's great work happening. 263 00:15:13,720 --> 00:15:17,480 Speaker 2: I wish we could change everything yesterday, But I think 264 00:15:17,720 --> 00:15:21,360 Speaker 2: the broader community understand that more than ever before. We've 265 00:15:21,400 --> 00:15:24,520 Speaker 2: got a government that is absolutely focused on this issue, 266 00:15:24,520 --> 00:15:28,320 Speaker 2: and I've designed the entire public sector to be focused 267 00:15:28,360 --> 00:15:29,320 Speaker 2: on this key issue. 268 00:15:29,400 --> 00:15:32,720 Speaker 1: Lea on that seven point plan and what you'd like 269 00:15:32,880 --> 00:15:35,160 Speaker 1: to see, you know, that support you'd like to see 270 00:15:35,160 --> 00:15:37,200 Speaker 1: from the federal government. I know, as you touched on 271 00:15:37,240 --> 00:15:41,080 Speaker 1: the going to be meeting with both Senator Melanderri McCarthy 272 00:15:41,080 --> 00:15:44,560 Speaker 1: and also Marian Scrimdaw. I mean, we're talking here about 273 00:15:44,600 --> 00:15:48,200 Speaker 1: the reintroduction of compulsory work or training programs with fortnightly 274 00:15:48,240 --> 00:15:53,800 Speaker 1: reporting obligations for Centrelink recipients, implementing one hundred percent income 275 00:15:53,840 --> 00:15:58,160 Speaker 1: management for parents of youth offenders, accepting the Northern Territory 276 00:15:58,160 --> 00:16:01,120 Speaker 1: government's referral to the federal government for parents who neglect 277 00:16:01,160 --> 00:16:05,680 Speaker 1: their children, enabling additional income management. I mean, do you 278 00:16:05,800 --> 00:16:08,600 Speaker 1: think that they're going to come to the table on 279 00:16:08,680 --> 00:16:09,520 Speaker 1: these changes? 280 00:16:10,760 --> 00:16:15,120 Speaker 2: Well, I actually genuinely think they want to work with us, Katie. 281 00:16:15,280 --> 00:16:18,880 Speaker 2: I had a great discussion with Minister Butler. I meeting 282 00:16:19,000 --> 00:16:22,800 Speaker 2: with MALANDERI and Marian tomorrow. The federal government has already 283 00:16:23,120 --> 00:16:27,600 Speaker 2: moved on Item five, which is making sure that CASSA 284 00:16:27,680 --> 00:16:31,440 Speaker 2: exemptions are lifted for Alice Springs so that our police 285 00:16:31,440 --> 00:16:34,720 Speaker 2: can use drones. So just to explain that, drones obviously 286 00:16:34,760 --> 00:16:39,320 Speaker 2: are in airspace, so there's issues around flying drones in 287 00:16:39,800 --> 00:16:42,960 Speaker 2: active airspace where there are aeroplanes and other helicopters and 288 00:16:43,000 --> 00:16:46,120 Speaker 2: the like. So we just need some different exemptions to 289 00:16:46,200 --> 00:16:49,000 Speaker 2: be able to have higher use of our drones in 290 00:16:49,040 --> 00:16:51,720 Speaker 2: Alice Springs and better capability. And when I was in 291 00:16:51,760 --> 00:16:54,720 Speaker 2: Alice Springs, I went out at night again with frontline police. 292 00:16:55,000 --> 00:16:57,760 Speaker 2: I went up and saw and spoke to the drone operators. 293 00:16:57,840 --> 00:17:01,160 Speaker 2: So the federal government has already come good on that 294 00:17:01,280 --> 00:17:05,240 Speaker 2: Kaza exemption. So that's one tangible, meaningful way we can 295 00:17:05,280 --> 00:17:09,480 Speaker 2: have better policing in the territory. So I'm really encouraged. 296 00:17:09,680 --> 00:17:11,600 Speaker 2: I'm sure there are some of the seven points that 297 00:17:11,640 --> 00:17:15,479 Speaker 2: they're going to be less inclined to deliver, but at 298 00:17:15,520 --> 00:17:17,560 Speaker 2: the end of the day, there is a very strong 299 00:17:17,600 --> 00:17:20,399 Speaker 2: open dialogue. We want to get this done, and we 300 00:17:20,480 --> 00:17:22,800 Speaker 2: will push the federal government as hard as we possibly 301 00:17:22,840 --> 00:17:25,320 Speaker 2: can to say to them, what have you got to lose. 302 00:17:25,520 --> 00:17:28,119 Speaker 2: We have to do something different or we're going to 303 00:17:28,160 --> 00:17:29,280 Speaker 2: get the same results. 304 00:17:29,320 --> 00:17:31,960 Speaker 1: Absolutely, things have got a change. We've all had a 305 00:17:31,960 --> 00:17:34,399 Speaker 1: gut full of the crime that we've been experiencing in 306 00:17:34,440 --> 00:17:37,159 Speaker 1: the Northern Territory. Leah, a quick one from one of 307 00:17:37,160 --> 00:17:39,520 Speaker 1: our listeners wondering when are Bush Camp's going to get 308 00:17:39,600 --> 00:17:40,119 Speaker 1: up and running. 309 00:17:41,560 --> 00:17:45,119 Speaker 2: Yeah, so that work is actually being done. So Alice 310 00:17:45,119 --> 00:17:48,440 Speaker 2: Springs is sort of the first cab off the rank there. 311 00:17:48,480 --> 00:17:52,439 Speaker 2: So we've got the facility down there, I believe. I 312 00:17:52,440 --> 00:17:55,800 Speaker 2: think either the tender's gone out or there's work being done. 313 00:17:55,840 --> 00:17:59,520 Speaker 2: So that's just being repurposed because we're using a facility 314 00:17:59,560 --> 00:18:03,080 Speaker 2: that was a prison, so we have to do important work. 315 00:18:03,080 --> 00:18:06,720 Speaker 2: And I'm sure your listener will remember what's happened recently 316 00:18:06,760 --> 00:18:11,240 Speaker 2: with the youth Dogs of facility in Dow and additional reinforcement. 317 00:18:11,320 --> 00:18:14,600 Speaker 2: So as soon as that work's done, we'll be able 318 00:18:14,640 --> 00:18:16,840 Speaker 2: to get those boot camps in there. So I stretching 319 00:18:16,840 --> 00:18:19,360 Speaker 2: my memory, but I think it's quarter two next year. 320 00:18:19,400 --> 00:18:20,360 Speaker 2: That should be good to go. 321 00:18:20,440 --> 00:18:22,639 Speaker 1: All right, Well, we will fit along the website. 322 00:18:22,280 --> 00:18:25,679 Speaker 2: Though, if your listener, if your listener, everything for the 323 00:18:25,720 --> 00:18:29,680 Speaker 2: master plan is on track timing wise, and that's publicly available. 324 00:18:29,280 --> 00:18:33,280 Speaker 1: We'll certainly follow that up. Chief Minister, what is your 325 00:18:33,359 --> 00:18:37,160 Speaker 1: message this morning for Territorians, people who voted for you 326 00:18:37,359 --> 00:18:39,920 Speaker 1: on the promise of change when it comes to crime, 327 00:18:40,359 --> 00:18:43,959 Speaker 1: people who are worried and scared about the crime that 328 00:18:44,040 --> 00:18:47,960 Speaker 1: they are experiencing right now, that. 329 00:18:47,960 --> 00:18:51,439 Speaker 2: We stand with you. And that's exactly why every single 330 00:18:51,480 --> 00:18:53,840 Speaker 2: member of my team has put up their hand to 331 00:18:53,920 --> 00:18:56,840 Speaker 2: run into Parliament to be the government. It's because we 332 00:18:56,880 --> 00:19:00,639 Speaker 2: want change and we've shown very clearly through ours that 333 00:19:00,760 --> 00:19:03,960 Speaker 2: were mean business and people can judge us. People will 334 00:19:04,000 --> 00:19:06,880 Speaker 2: absolutely be able to judge us on whether they feel safe, 335 00:19:06,880 --> 00:19:09,639 Speaker 2: but whether we've made a difference. We need some time 336 00:19:09,720 --> 00:19:13,040 Speaker 2: to do that, but we've done urgent measures straight away 337 00:19:13,160 --> 00:19:15,800 Speaker 2: to be able to get those things in place to 338 00:19:16,080 --> 00:19:19,400 Speaker 2: lay the foundation for a stronger response, and we will 339 00:19:19,440 --> 00:19:22,520 Speaker 2: stop at nothing until it is done. We are exploring 340 00:19:22,680 --> 00:19:26,760 Speaker 2: every option every single day, and we will work tirelessly 341 00:19:26,840 --> 00:19:29,159 Speaker 2: to make sure the territory we grew up in, the 342 00:19:29,200 --> 00:19:31,680 Speaker 2: one we're raising our kids in the place we know 343 00:19:32,040 --> 00:19:35,800 Speaker 2: and love, is better than it was yesterday and every 344 00:19:35,880 --> 00:19:37,959 Speaker 2: single day. Katie, that's my mission. 345 00:19:38,560 --> 00:19:40,720 Speaker 1: Leah. A couple of quick ones before I let you 346 00:19:40,800 --> 00:19:44,040 Speaker 1: go this morning. A front page of the paper today, 347 00:19:44,119 --> 00:19:46,719 Speaker 1: of course, big news and all then territory news reporting 348 00:19:46,760 --> 00:19:49,480 Speaker 1: that a new thirty seven kilometer pipeline is going to 349 00:19:49,520 --> 00:19:53,520 Speaker 1: be built linking Tambore and Resources be Taloo Basin gas 350 00:19:53,640 --> 00:19:58,560 Speaker 1: assets with the Northern territories North South Armadaeus pipeline. What 351 00:19:58,760 --> 00:20:00,879 Speaker 1: does this mean for the No and territory. 352 00:20:02,080 --> 00:20:05,480 Speaker 2: This is really really exciting news, Katie. It shows that 353 00:20:05,600 --> 00:20:10,240 Speaker 2: the Bealoo is progressing. There is confidence out there in 354 00:20:10,280 --> 00:20:13,320 Speaker 2: the private sector once again looking at the territory and 355 00:20:13,400 --> 00:20:16,560 Speaker 2: saying hey, maybe we can do business there. And this 356 00:20:16,760 --> 00:20:19,320 Speaker 2: is a huge game changer for us because if we 357 00:20:19,320 --> 00:20:23,040 Speaker 2: can restore confidence to invest here and make the territory 358 00:20:23,040 --> 00:20:26,439 Speaker 2: a good place to invest, we can then deliver better services, 359 00:20:26,600 --> 00:20:31,399 Speaker 2: hire more police, have greater opportunities for supporting housing and 360 00:20:32,000 --> 00:20:36,240 Speaker 2: activation of our lifestyle. So economic growth is a key 361 00:20:36,520 --> 00:20:39,919 Speaker 2: point next to law and order and this investment just 362 00:20:39,960 --> 00:20:43,480 Speaker 2: shows that we are on track. We've got our Territory 363 00:20:43,480 --> 00:20:48,240 Speaker 2: Coordinator legislation out for consultation. There's actually a consultation tonight 364 00:20:48,280 --> 00:20:51,280 Speaker 2: at Ridges Palmerston from five pm, so people are welcome 365 00:20:51,359 --> 00:20:54,959 Speaker 2: to go learn about the economic reform we are making 366 00:20:55,160 --> 00:20:58,119 Speaker 2: so that you and your children and their children have 367 00:20:58,320 --> 00:21:01,720 Speaker 2: jobs and opportunities into the future, and that we're able 368 00:21:01,800 --> 00:21:05,840 Speaker 2: to protect our territory lifestyle and enhance this place for 369 00:21:05,920 --> 00:21:10,359 Speaker 2: the betterment of all territories. And it's just exciting times ahead. 370 00:21:10,160 --> 00:21:15,880 Speaker 1: Katie, Chief Minister on the Cyclone Tracy fiftieth anniversary commemorations. 371 00:21:15,960 --> 00:21:18,280 Speaker 1: We know that it is well. We've been catching up 372 00:21:18,280 --> 00:21:21,400 Speaker 1: with Cyclone Tracy survivors and will continue to do so 373 00:21:21,840 --> 00:21:25,000 Speaker 1: all throughout this week. But there had been some concern 374 00:21:25,280 --> 00:21:29,439 Speaker 1: around a short fall when it comes to funding. They 375 00:21:29,480 --> 00:21:32,440 Speaker 1: were waiting to hear, I believe from you and from 376 00:21:32,480 --> 00:21:35,840 Speaker 1: the Northern Territory government. Has there been any movement in 377 00:21:35,880 --> 00:21:36,480 Speaker 1: this space. 378 00:21:37,560 --> 00:21:40,760 Speaker 2: Yeah, there has, Katie, So our request came through and 379 00:21:40,840 --> 00:21:46,520 Speaker 2: I approved that additional funding. The territory has put significant 380 00:21:46,560 --> 00:21:49,560 Speaker 2: investment across a range of measures, so it's not just 381 00:21:50,040 --> 00:21:54,040 Speaker 2: one single event. There's been dozens of different events that 382 00:21:54,080 --> 00:21:59,200 Speaker 2: have been supported and that reception event at Volsky Pavilion 383 00:22:00,080 --> 00:22:04,000 Speaker 2: approve that funding. Of course, I'll be there Christmas morning, Katie, 384 00:22:04,080 --> 00:22:09,720 Speaker 2: commemorating with hundreds of other Territorians. And it's a tough time. 385 00:22:09,720 --> 00:22:12,439 Speaker 2: I think we need to be exercising great respect at 386 00:22:12,480 --> 00:22:16,119 Speaker 2: this time. There are many survivors who it's just business 387 00:22:16,119 --> 00:22:18,760 Speaker 2: as usual and they don't really want to engage too 388 00:22:18,800 --> 00:22:22,560 Speaker 2: much in commemorative events. There are others who are just 389 00:22:22,720 --> 00:22:28,199 Speaker 2: really wanting this opportunity to reflect and so it's just 390 00:22:28,240 --> 00:22:30,719 Speaker 2: a it's a tough time for our community and of 391 00:22:30,760 --> 00:22:34,400 Speaker 2: course a very significant part of our history and our 392 00:22:34,480 --> 00:22:37,560 Speaker 2: culture as a people and the resilience that's been born 393 00:22:37,840 --> 00:22:42,840 Speaker 2: from that disaster that we've endured and survived and flourished after. 394 00:22:43,080 --> 00:22:47,399 Speaker 2: So yeah, lots of commemorative activities ahead. They're all public, 395 00:22:47,480 --> 00:22:49,880 Speaker 2: so people can get on the website and be involved 396 00:22:49,880 --> 00:22:52,160 Speaker 2: in whatever they like, and if they don't, that's perfectly 397 00:22:52,160 --> 00:22:52,840 Speaker 2: fine as well. 398 00:22:53,080 --> 00:22:56,840 Speaker 1: Well. Chief Minister, Leah Finocchiaro, we really appreciate all the 399 00:22:56,920 --> 00:22:59,119 Speaker 1: time that you've given us on the show throughout the 400 00:22:59,240 --> 00:23:03,119 Speaker 1: year while the Opposition leader and also since becoming the 401 00:23:03,119 --> 00:23:06,720 Speaker 1: Northern Territories Chief Minister. I know that people really do 402 00:23:06,960 --> 00:23:10,239 Speaker 1: like to hear from you on a regular basis. We 403 00:23:10,320 --> 00:23:12,720 Speaker 1: appreciate that time that you give us every week to 404 00:23:12,800 --> 00:23:16,280 Speaker 1: speak to Northern Territorians and I hope you have a 405 00:23:16,320 --> 00:23:19,640 Speaker 1: great Christmas with your family. I know you got two 406 00:23:19,720 --> 00:23:22,160 Speaker 1: little people in your house who I'm sure are very, 407 00:23:22,400 --> 00:23:24,000 Speaker 1: very excited about Christmas. 408 00:23:24,880 --> 00:23:28,120 Speaker 2: Yes they are, and look, thank you Katie. It's wonderful 409 00:23:28,200 --> 00:23:30,960 Speaker 2: to be on your show weekly. It's really important to 410 00:23:31,040 --> 00:23:33,679 Speaker 2: me that I have a way to speak directly to 411 00:23:33,800 --> 00:23:36,600 Speaker 2: Territorians on the issues that are important to them, and 412 00:23:36,640 --> 00:23:40,200 Speaker 2: I will continue to do that during this term of government. 413 00:23:40,359 --> 00:23:43,320 Speaker 2: And people, I just encourage you to engage with us 414 00:23:43,680 --> 00:23:45,880 Speaker 2: on the issues that matter to you. That's what's most 415 00:23:45,880 --> 00:23:48,920 Speaker 2: important to us. So a say for Merry Christmas to U, 416 00:23:49,000 --> 00:23:52,119 Speaker 2: Katy and Crystal and all of your listeners. I really 417 00:23:52,320 --> 00:23:55,160 Speaker 2: genuinely hope people get to spend time with their loved ones. 418 00:23:55,400 --> 00:23:57,960 Speaker 2: I want to thank our emergency workers who are going 419 00:23:58,000 --> 00:24:01,960 Speaker 2: to be out protecting territory during a time when we're 420 00:24:02,040 --> 00:24:04,280 Speaker 2: sitting at home and enjoying time with our loved ones. 421 00:24:05,240 --> 00:24:07,720 Speaker 2: And of course I'll be on deck throughout the whole 422 00:24:07,760 --> 00:24:10,040 Speaker 2: Christmas period, so I'm sure I'll be bumping into people 423 00:24:10,280 --> 00:24:13,000 Speaker 2: at various things along the way, and I just want 424 00:24:13,040 --> 00:24:15,480 Speaker 2: everyone to have a very safe and merry time. 425 00:24:16,160 --> 00:24:19,879 Speaker 1: We Lea Finocchiaro, Chief Minister of the Northern Territory. We 426 00:24:19,960 --> 00:24:22,320 Speaker 1: will talk to you again in the new year. Thanks 427 00:24:22,359 --> 00:24:23,439 Speaker 1: again for all your time. 428 00:24:24,440 --> 00:24:27,280 Speaker 2: Yes, take care everyone. Merry Christmas, thank you,