1 00:00:00,320 --> 00:00:03,680 Speaker 1: As we know on Friday, well, there was so many. 2 00:00:03,720 --> 00:00:06,680 Speaker 2: It was an emotional and heartbreaking interview with Poppy Politis 3 00:00:07,000 --> 00:00:09,239 Speaker 2: about the attack on her eighty five year old mother 4 00:00:09,440 --> 00:00:13,640 Speaker 2: in Nightcliff, and the normally independent woman was getting out 5 00:00:13,680 --> 00:00:16,200 Speaker 2: of her car on her way for coffee when she 6 00:00:16,320 --> 00:00:19,000 Speaker 2: was pushed to the ground and had her handbag snatched 7 00:00:19,040 --> 00:00:23,520 Speaker 2: on Wednesday, leaving her shaken and traumatized. Now, Poppy, as 8 00:00:23,560 --> 00:00:25,919 Speaker 2: we spoke about earlier this morning, pen this letter to 9 00:00:25,960 --> 00:00:29,720 Speaker 2: the Chief Minister and the local member outlining the horrific 10 00:00:29,840 --> 00:00:33,519 Speaker 2: ordeal and really slamming the government for its lack of 11 00:00:33,600 --> 00:00:38,120 Speaker 2: action on crime. Now, the Counsel of the Agings NT CEO, 12 00:00:38,440 --> 00:00:41,400 Speaker 2: Sue Sierra, joins me in the studio to just shed 13 00:00:41,440 --> 00:00:43,200 Speaker 2: a bit more light for us on how. 14 00:00:43,000 --> 00:00:46,120 Speaker 1: Our seniors are feeling. Good morning to you, Sue. 15 00:00:45,960 --> 00:00:48,599 Speaker 3: Good morning Katie. I think a lot of them are 16 00:00:48,640 --> 00:00:51,880 Speaker 3: really rather traumatized, and as I said before, they feel 17 00:00:51,920 --> 00:00:55,840 Speaker 3: like they're being targeted at different places because you know, 18 00:00:56,120 --> 00:00:58,880 Speaker 3: really best, if you're over eighty, you can't walk as 19 00:00:58,920 --> 00:01:01,800 Speaker 3: fast as you used to work, you can't defend yourself 20 00:01:02,200 --> 00:01:05,760 Speaker 3: like you used to or even turn around and say hey, hey, 21 00:01:05,840 --> 00:01:09,880 Speaker 3: you you know you really so they're feeling exceptionally vulnerable 22 00:01:09,920 --> 00:01:14,520 Speaker 3: and really targeted, which is really unfortunate that those particular people, 23 00:01:14,560 --> 00:01:19,040 Speaker 3: the one that's poor Poppy's grandmother, you know that happened 24 00:01:19,080 --> 00:01:23,840 Speaker 3: then that you know that they are actually targeting vulnerable people, 25 00:01:23,880 --> 00:01:27,000 Speaker 3: and that's I think that's that's the saddest part about it, 26 00:01:27,000 --> 00:01:33,560 Speaker 3: and the most horrific part. That's that they're actually premeditating 27 00:01:33,640 --> 00:01:37,280 Speaker 3: these sorts of things and going to older people and 28 00:01:37,360 --> 00:01:40,920 Speaker 3: you know, and intimidating them. And so to me, it's 29 00:01:40,959 --> 00:01:44,000 Speaker 3: a pre meditation and to seeing you, that's the most 30 00:01:44,040 --> 00:01:44,759 Speaker 3: worrying part. 31 00:01:44,959 --> 00:01:47,000 Speaker 2: Yeah, I agree with you, and I just think, you know, 32 00:01:47,000 --> 00:01:49,440 Speaker 2: if we can't respect our seniors, well who do we 33 00:01:49,520 --> 00:01:51,480 Speaker 2: respect in the community. I mean, you guys have paid 34 00:01:51,520 --> 00:01:54,680 Speaker 2: your taxes, your whole lives. You look after your grandchildren, 35 00:01:54,720 --> 00:01:57,880 Speaker 2: you look after your children, you look after the community. 36 00:01:58,520 --> 00:01:58,960 Speaker 1: That's right. 37 00:01:59,000 --> 00:02:01,440 Speaker 3: Well, where would be without you know, where the social 38 00:02:01,480 --> 00:02:05,800 Speaker 3: fabric binds the community together. And those little children on 39 00:02:05,840 --> 00:02:08,720 Speaker 3: you know twelve, why weren't they at school one? And 40 00:02:08,720 --> 00:02:11,680 Speaker 3: I'd like to see actually maybe Northern Land Council and 41 00:02:11,840 --> 00:02:15,520 Speaker 3: Central Land Council play a bigger role with their particular 42 00:02:15,600 --> 00:02:18,760 Speaker 3: members and elders on that committee, and those kids should 43 00:02:18,800 --> 00:02:22,760 Speaker 3: have to front those elders, and those elders say would 44 00:02:22,800 --> 00:02:24,720 Speaker 3: you treat your grandmother that way? 45 00:02:24,880 --> 00:02:27,520 Speaker 1: That's a bloody good point. So how do you reckon 46 00:02:27,560 --> 00:02:28,440 Speaker 1: you could do that? Oh? 47 00:02:28,520 --> 00:02:30,920 Speaker 3: I think to be fairly simple with the Police Minister 48 00:02:30,960 --> 00:02:34,200 Speaker 3: and the Essential Land Council. They don't want like the 49 00:02:34,280 --> 00:02:36,480 Speaker 3: lady who were actually from what I do, don't want 50 00:02:36,520 --> 00:02:40,160 Speaker 3: people like that coming in and destroying their reputation and 51 00:02:40,200 --> 00:02:43,840 Speaker 3: creating havoc. Really, so I think that you know something, 52 00:02:44,080 --> 00:02:46,919 Speaker 3: they've been awfully quiet, both the Central Land councilors and 53 00:02:46,960 --> 00:02:50,000 Speaker 3: they play a major role though, and all their members 54 00:02:50,080 --> 00:02:53,239 Speaker 3: as well really should play a role because it takes 55 00:02:53,240 --> 00:02:56,160 Speaker 3: a village to raise a child down and obviously the 56 00:02:56,280 --> 00:02:59,960 Speaker 3: village is missing in action for these particular twelve year olds, 57 00:03:00,040 --> 00:03:02,639 Speaker 3: so that that has to happen. But I was quite 58 00:03:02,680 --> 00:03:05,960 Speaker 3: pleased with the Minister saying put it back on the parents. 59 00:03:06,000 --> 00:03:08,720 Speaker 3: So too long everybody's blamed in one way, and the 60 00:03:08,760 --> 00:03:11,480 Speaker 3: government has obviously a very big role to play here, 61 00:03:12,320 --> 00:03:14,480 Speaker 3: very big role, and they have they have to move 62 00:03:14,880 --> 00:03:17,680 Speaker 3: a lot faster and be more agile in meeting the 63 00:03:17,760 --> 00:03:22,880 Speaker 3: demands of the community. So, but however that that one 64 00:03:23,000 --> 00:03:26,560 Speaker 3: where they are with the family. Where is the family 65 00:03:26,560 --> 00:03:29,640 Speaker 3: and there's no point, like they were taking a child 66 00:03:29,760 --> 00:03:33,800 Speaker 3: back to a dysfunctional family time and time again, watch 67 00:03:33,880 --> 00:03:36,440 Speaker 3: the point of that. So the orders I think we 68 00:03:36,520 --> 00:03:39,680 Speaker 3: said a year ago, did it probably for their own safety, 69 00:03:39,720 --> 00:03:42,720 Speaker 3: should be made award of the state after the parents 70 00:03:42,760 --> 00:03:45,520 Speaker 3: you know can't obviously can't look after them, and then 71 00:03:45,560 --> 00:03:48,560 Speaker 3: they might get a decent feed and decent clothes and 72 00:03:48,600 --> 00:03:49,760 Speaker 3: hopefully in education. 73 00:03:50,320 --> 00:03:53,240 Speaker 2: So what's the sentiment among our sceniors at the moment? 74 00:03:53,240 --> 00:03:55,360 Speaker 2: A seen is feeling safe to go out and to 75 00:03:55,400 --> 00:03:57,720 Speaker 2: have coffees with their friends, to their shopping. 76 00:03:57,760 --> 00:03:59,960 Speaker 3: But they go out, they don't A lot of the 77 00:04:00,160 --> 00:04:03,160 Speaker 3: don't take their bags. They'll take they'll take a card 78 00:04:03,240 --> 00:04:06,480 Speaker 3: and put it in like a particular safe place I 79 00:04:06,520 --> 00:04:09,360 Speaker 3: guess in a particular area, and they go out together. 80 00:04:09,880 --> 00:04:12,560 Speaker 3: But a lot of them just aren't going out, which 81 00:04:12,720 --> 00:04:15,160 Speaker 3: I think that's the biggest shame of all. As you said, 82 00:04:15,480 --> 00:04:17,960 Speaker 3: they've worked that hard. A lot of them even don't 83 00:04:17,960 --> 00:04:20,840 Speaker 3: feel safe in their own home. So that's why you know, 84 00:04:20,920 --> 00:04:24,400 Speaker 3: we've got these to give out. At the moment, we 85 00:04:24,520 --> 00:04:28,880 Speaker 3: had some money left over and we've got door and 86 00:04:29,040 --> 00:04:34,560 Speaker 3: window alarm. So for our seniors over eighty to begin with, 87 00:04:34,640 --> 00:04:37,520 Speaker 3: we'll see how far they go. You probably need to 88 00:04:37,800 --> 00:04:40,440 Speaker 3: have another raffle to raise the more money to buy 89 00:04:40,520 --> 00:04:42,880 Speaker 3: these again, but at least then on a window or 90 00:04:42,920 --> 00:04:46,360 Speaker 3: a door. Then they have with their personal alarm, which 91 00:04:46,360 --> 00:04:49,559 Speaker 3: you've still got some left personal safety alarm, they should 92 00:04:49,600 --> 00:04:52,360 Speaker 3: be able to hopefully feel a little bit safe in 93 00:04:52,400 --> 00:04:53,080 Speaker 3: their castle. 94 00:04:53,160 --> 00:04:55,040 Speaker 2: Now I was going to say, I know that it's 95 00:04:55,080 --> 00:04:57,240 Speaker 2: not the only initiative that cod hascott. So you've got 96 00:04:57,240 --> 00:05:01,840 Speaker 2: the personal safety alarms. Now you've got these window door alarms. 97 00:05:01,839 --> 00:05:04,159 Speaker 2: How much money did CODA have to raise to be 98 00:05:04,200 --> 00:05:06,280 Speaker 2: able to, you know, to give these to those of 99 00:05:06,440 --> 00:05:07,440 Speaker 2: the thousand dollars. 100 00:05:07,680 --> 00:05:11,080 Speaker 3: Wow, we did get a grant for the first ones. 101 00:05:11,120 --> 00:05:13,400 Speaker 3: But yes, that these ones are. Yeah, we had a 102 00:05:13,480 --> 00:05:16,560 Speaker 3: ruffle and kindly donated don't really you know, a Serta 103 00:05:16,680 --> 00:05:19,600 Speaker 3: King and a Jan Jarvis and a few others. They 104 00:05:19,640 --> 00:05:22,760 Speaker 3: donated paintings beautiful. So we had an online ruffle and 105 00:05:22,839 --> 00:05:25,400 Speaker 3: we did raise two thousand, about two thousand, but yeah, 106 00:05:25,480 --> 00:05:28,160 Speaker 3: so we'll probably have another ruffle in the new year, 107 00:05:28,360 --> 00:05:31,800 Speaker 3: if and when, although Katie, we hope after this slot 108 00:05:31,839 --> 00:05:35,480 Speaker 3: and the personal safety alarms, the things calm down for seniors. 109 00:05:35,720 --> 00:05:38,240 Speaker 3: We're in hopes in the new year with some of 110 00:05:38,279 --> 00:05:41,719 Speaker 3: the new things coming in the initiatives from hopefully the 111 00:05:41,760 --> 00:05:45,080 Speaker 3: Northern Churchary government. That as I said, you know, really 112 00:05:45,080 --> 00:05:47,840 Speaker 3: the onus is on the parents, and if you can't 113 00:05:47,880 --> 00:05:51,360 Speaker 3: parent your child, there has to be a consequence. If 114 00:05:51,360 --> 00:05:54,359 Speaker 3: the money you're getting from a federal government is not 115 00:05:54,560 --> 00:05:57,840 Speaker 3: going towards our child to feed it, clothe it and 116 00:05:57,880 --> 00:05:59,599 Speaker 3: do a whole lot. I don't think that the money's 117 00:05:59,640 --> 00:06:03,720 Speaker 3: and men four guess what, take that money away and 118 00:06:03,839 --> 00:06:06,760 Speaker 3: take the child into a safe place where we know 119 00:06:07,279 --> 00:06:08,320 Speaker 3: it'll be looked after. 120 00:06:09,080 --> 00:06:12,240 Speaker 2: So can you tell me we know obviously what had 121 00:06:12,240 --> 00:06:15,320 Speaker 2: happened last week with Poppy's mum. Have there been other 122 00:06:15,400 --> 00:06:19,200 Speaker 2: seniors that have been subjected to muggings? 123 00:06:19,320 --> 00:06:22,240 Speaker 3: Well, the lady in Alice Springs, who actually is a 124 00:06:22,279 --> 00:06:26,760 Speaker 3: bookkeeper in the office where we are located, so she 125 00:06:26,880 --> 00:06:29,760 Speaker 3: was walking around with horrible bruises and that to her 126 00:06:29,839 --> 00:06:32,360 Speaker 3: face as well with the rosst that was a couple 127 00:06:32,400 --> 00:06:36,159 Speaker 3: of weeks ago. The lady she had a rock thrown 128 00:06:36,320 --> 00:06:40,680 Speaker 3: at her face and she's in her middle eighties, but 129 00:06:40,760 --> 00:06:45,480 Speaker 3: she's a bookkeeper for the seniors building, the over fifty 130 00:06:45,520 --> 00:06:48,880 Speaker 3: five seniors building in Alice Springs, So things like that 131 00:06:49,000 --> 00:06:52,840 Speaker 3: as well. It's we've got an automatic gait for people 132 00:06:52,960 --> 00:06:55,160 Speaker 3: to come in there, but they're coming. They're still going there, 133 00:06:55,200 --> 00:06:58,640 Speaker 3: which is really good, but they're arriving in twos or 134 00:06:58,680 --> 00:06:59,640 Speaker 3: threes or fours. 135 00:07:00,080 --> 00:07:00,840 Speaker 1: Is she all right, sir? 136 00:07:01,480 --> 00:07:04,760 Speaker 3: She's traumatized, to be honest, traumatized. She's lucky she didn't 137 00:07:04,800 --> 00:07:08,040 Speaker 3: have a broken cheek, and you know a few other 138 00:07:08,120 --> 00:07:11,080 Speaker 3: things as well. So it's just but I think the 139 00:07:11,120 --> 00:07:14,520 Speaker 3: worst thing is as again, and I'd like to ask 140 00:07:14,560 --> 00:07:19,280 Speaker 3: the CELC and the NLC, would you like your grandparent 141 00:07:19,360 --> 00:07:23,480 Speaker 3: treated like that? Really? Would you do it? These little kids? 142 00:07:23,480 --> 00:07:26,480 Speaker 3: Would they do it? Are they that far gone? And 143 00:07:26,600 --> 00:07:29,880 Speaker 3: talking to poorly Archi, who's a wonderful person, as he said, 144 00:07:29,920 --> 00:07:32,800 Speaker 3: so their brains are fried. They have to be rewired, 145 00:07:32,840 --> 00:07:36,160 Speaker 3: and I thought, well, okay, but how do we rewire 146 00:07:36,200 --> 00:07:39,280 Speaker 3: them a game? And they have to go back to 147 00:07:39,400 --> 00:07:43,760 Speaker 3: a home that is totally dysfunctional with nothing there to 148 00:07:43,800 --> 00:07:46,760 Speaker 3: feed them, clothe them or anything else. So you know, 149 00:07:46,800 --> 00:07:49,200 Speaker 3: people mightn't like it, and they might like what I'm 150 00:07:49,200 --> 00:07:52,360 Speaker 3: going to say but they have to be removed from 151 00:07:52,360 --> 00:07:55,680 Speaker 3: that situation to bring them back in society to be 152 00:07:55,720 --> 00:07:57,960 Speaker 3: well functioning adults. 153 00:07:58,320 --> 00:08:00,000 Speaker 2: Well, so I tell you what we have just read 154 00:08:00,120 --> 00:08:02,720 Speaker 2: to the point as a community, I think where everybody 155 00:08:02,920 --> 00:08:05,880 Speaker 2: has had enough they have. Everybody wants to feel safe, 156 00:08:05,880 --> 00:08:07,920 Speaker 2: and do you know what we deserve to feel safe. 157 00:08:08,080 --> 00:08:11,600 Speaker 2: Our scenior is absolutely deserve to feel safe. 158 00:08:12,120 --> 00:08:12,760 Speaker 1: They've earned it. 159 00:08:12,800 --> 00:08:15,320 Speaker 3: They've earned it more than anybody else. They've fought the 160 00:08:15,360 --> 00:08:18,440 Speaker 3: war for us, They've done all sorts of things for us. 161 00:08:18,480 --> 00:08:21,440 Speaker 3: They've gone through the Depression, the wars, they've gone through 162 00:08:21,480 --> 00:08:24,320 Speaker 3: the hard times, and now in their golden years they 163 00:08:24,320 --> 00:08:28,040 Speaker 3: should be able to enjoy go for a coffee, go shopping, 164 00:08:28,400 --> 00:08:33,160 Speaker 3: meet their friends. But it's becoming impossible throughout the Northern Churchy, 165 00:08:33,240 --> 00:08:36,080 Speaker 3: not just Darwin, but throughout the Northern Churchy. And that's 166 00:08:36,200 --> 00:08:38,840 Speaker 3: the saddest part. Most of my friends are leaving Alice. 167 00:08:39,000 --> 00:08:41,000 Speaker 3: Most of my friends are leaving Darwen. They get to 168 00:08:41,000 --> 00:08:43,839 Speaker 3: a certain age and their children are leaving. And I said, 169 00:08:43,920 --> 00:08:47,199 Speaker 3: quite a few of my friend's children are leaving Alice. 170 00:08:47,280 --> 00:08:49,439 Speaker 3: Are born and bred there. They're going to bring their 171 00:08:49,559 --> 00:08:53,040 Speaker 3: children up there. But their children, their little children. You 172 00:08:53,080 --> 00:08:55,400 Speaker 3: know five and six and seven are too frightened to 173 00:08:55,480 --> 00:08:56,320 Speaker 3: go into town. 174 00:08:57,600 --> 00:08:59,000 Speaker 1: So too much. 175 00:08:59,440 --> 00:09:01,840 Speaker 3: We can gontificate about it. We can do this, We 176 00:09:01,880 --> 00:09:04,080 Speaker 3: can make excuses, or. 177 00:09:04,080 --> 00:09:05,840 Speaker 1: We can actually make some bloody change and. 178 00:09:05,840 --> 00:09:09,400 Speaker 3: We should make changes. Or as the minister said, we 179 00:09:09,440 --> 00:09:11,520 Speaker 3: can take that. We can go to the parents, take 180 00:09:11,559 --> 00:09:14,880 Speaker 3: them back. But if there's nobody there and it's not safe, 181 00:09:14,960 --> 00:09:17,440 Speaker 3: guess what, they don't go back there. 182 00:09:18,160 --> 00:09:18,360 Speaker 1: Well. 183 00:09:18,400 --> 00:09:20,360 Speaker 2: So, Shira, as you said, I know there'll be some 184 00:09:20,400 --> 00:09:23,240 Speaker 2: people listening who you know, who think it's extreme what 185 00:09:23,240 --> 00:09:25,280 Speaker 2: you're saying. There will be a lot of others who 186 00:09:25,520 --> 00:09:28,679 Speaker 2: no doubt agree with you. I really appreciate you talking 187 00:09:28,720 --> 00:09:31,559 Speaker 2: to us this morning and letting us know how our 188 00:09:31,559 --> 00:09:34,160 Speaker 2: seniors are feeling. If there is anybody over eighty listening 189 00:09:34,200 --> 00:09:36,280 Speaker 2: this morning and they're keen to find out more about 190 00:09:36,320 --> 00:09:40,400 Speaker 2: these personal alarms and also the door alarms, where should. 191 00:09:40,120 --> 00:09:43,920 Speaker 3: They hed just go onto our website and there's an 192 00:09:43,920 --> 00:09:48,120 Speaker 3: info line there, or otherwise call eight nine for double one, 193 00:09:48,559 --> 00:09:52,720 Speaker 3: double zero four, peak that quickly, eight nine for double one, 194 00:09:53,080 --> 00:09:56,040 Speaker 3: double zero four. And I hope every senior, but all 195 00:09:56,160 --> 00:10:01,520 Speaker 3: Territorians have hopefully a happy but safe Christmas. Katie and 196 00:10:01,559 --> 00:10:02,720 Speaker 3: yourself as well. 197 00:10:02,720 --> 00:10:06,080 Speaker 2: Thank you and thank you for my beautiful little Christmas 198 00:10:06,080 --> 00:10:07,240 Speaker 2: buble that you bought in for me. 199 00:10:07,320 --> 00:10:08,560 Speaker 1: Did you knit this yourself? 200 00:10:08,720 --> 00:10:11,360 Speaker 3: No, I didn't. One of our ladies and I don't 201 00:10:11,360 --> 00:10:13,760 Speaker 3: know that I can say her name. That's part of 202 00:10:14,160 --> 00:10:17,199 Speaker 3: some of the presents that we've organized for Tory star. 203 00:10:17,600 --> 00:10:19,959 Speaker 1: A love's a phenomenal job. 204 00:10:20,080 --> 00:10:22,480 Speaker 3: Yeah, she's been quite sick. She had a good bladder 205 00:10:22,520 --> 00:10:26,160 Speaker 3: out o No, hello Tori, I hope all right. But 206 00:10:26,240 --> 00:10:29,040 Speaker 3: our common sweat sewing ladies they did knee rugs for 207 00:10:29,080 --> 00:10:34,280 Speaker 3: her and another one did We donated code of socks 208 00:10:34,320 --> 00:10:36,839 Speaker 3: with bubles on the bottom so people you know in 209 00:10:36,880 --> 00:10:39,600 Speaker 3: a wheelchair or stuck in a bed, you know, your 210 00:10:39,640 --> 00:10:42,160 Speaker 3: feet get really cold. So we've got the spirit. We 211 00:10:42,200 --> 00:10:44,960 Speaker 3: don't add a whole lot of special socks. So but 212 00:10:45,080 --> 00:10:49,400 Speaker 3: Torri does need some more donations, so please anybody has 213 00:10:49,440 --> 00:10:54,480 Speaker 3: some spare like knee rugs or just things to please 214 00:10:54,559 --> 00:10:57,880 Speaker 3: call eight nine four double one, double zom good stuff. 215 00:10:58,000 --> 00:10:59,440 Speaker 1: So she are good to speak with you. 216 00:10:59,480 --> 00:11:01,760 Speaker 2: Thank you for you time this morning, Thank you, and 217 00:11:01,800 --> 00:11:03,840 Speaker 2: Merry Christmas to you, and thanks for your help throughout 218 00:11:03,840 --> 00:11:04,080 Speaker 2: the year.