1 00:00:00,040 --> 00:00:01,720 Speaker 1: I'll tell you what's a bit odd being back in 2 00:00:01,760 --> 00:00:04,200 Speaker 1: here listening to everything through my headphones again, But it 3 00:00:04,360 --> 00:00:07,080 Speaker 1: is wonderful to beat back. And it's been a busy 4 00:00:07,160 --> 00:00:09,879 Speaker 1: start to the year for the newly appointed Chief Minister, 5 00:00:09,960 --> 00:00:13,840 Speaker 1: with crime rampant in Alice Springs, ongoing unrest in Whatever, 6 00:00:14,240 --> 00:00:17,360 Speaker 1: severe weather and record breaking flooding which did put the 7 00:00:17,400 --> 00:00:19,800 Speaker 1: Brakes on her trip to Japan to meet with impects. 8 00:00:20,200 --> 00:00:22,440 Speaker 1: But we also now know that Paul Kirby and Nicole 9 00:00:22,480 --> 00:00:25,560 Speaker 1: Madison have announced that they're not going to be recontesting 10 00:00:25,680 --> 00:00:28,920 Speaker 1: in the August election. And this morning, then the COLP 11 00:00:29,200 --> 00:00:32,400 Speaker 1: has obtained figures revealing that wait times for elective surgery 12 00:00:32,680 --> 00:00:35,320 Speaker 1: in the Northern Territory have blown out to an average 13 00:00:35,360 --> 00:00:38,320 Speaker 1: of three hundred and sixteen days. There is no doubt 14 00:00:38,320 --> 00:00:41,680 Speaker 1: there's plenty happening. And the Chief Minister, Evil Laula, joins 15 00:00:41,720 --> 00:00:43,840 Speaker 1: me in the studio. Good morning to you, morning Katie, 16 00:00:43,840 --> 00:00:46,480 Speaker 1: and welcome back. Yeah, thank you, thanks thanks for being 17 00:00:46,479 --> 00:00:49,920 Speaker 1: here and we welcome you back to the show. Now, Chief, 18 00:00:50,000 --> 00:00:52,760 Speaker 1: let's talk about the election. First up, Nicole Madison and 19 00:00:52,760 --> 00:00:56,640 Speaker 1: Paul Kirby are out members abandoning a sinking ship. 20 00:00:57,080 --> 00:01:00,240 Speaker 2: No no, no, not at all, Katie. So I've got 21 00:01:00,240 --> 00:01:03,720 Speaker 2: fourteen members and you'll see people leave obviously after well, 22 00:01:03,800 --> 00:01:06,440 Speaker 2: Nicole's been their ten years and Paul Kirby eight, and 23 00:01:07,360 --> 00:01:09,720 Speaker 2: I think they've been very open around that the impact 24 00:01:09,800 --> 00:01:12,920 Speaker 2: on their families. Both have got young children and Paul 25 00:01:12,959 --> 00:01:16,080 Speaker 2: Kirby is about to have a grandchild. But it is 26 00:01:16,120 --> 00:01:18,759 Speaker 2: it is a I know people out there don't think 27 00:01:18,800 --> 00:01:21,960 Speaker 2: politicians work hard, but it is a very demanding job. 28 00:01:22,040 --> 00:01:23,720 Speaker 2: You do a lot of weekend work, a lot of 29 00:01:23,840 --> 00:01:26,520 Speaker 2: night work as well, so hard on if you have 30 00:01:26,600 --> 00:01:28,760 Speaker 2: young children, you know you're not home to put them 31 00:01:28,800 --> 00:01:30,560 Speaker 2: to bed, to hear them read and things like that. 32 00:01:30,680 --> 00:01:34,240 Speaker 2: So you know, to me and you know, change is good. 33 00:01:34,280 --> 00:01:38,160 Speaker 2: Really you have that revitalization. We saw that with Paul 34 00:01:38,200 --> 00:01:41,720 Speaker 2: Kirby and Lauren Moss moving out as ministers and Brent 35 00:01:41,720 --> 00:01:44,720 Speaker 2: Potter and Joel coming in. And that's what you need 36 00:01:44,800 --> 00:01:47,000 Speaker 2: to do at times. I call them, you know, internal 37 00:01:47,319 --> 00:01:50,120 Speaker 2: flushing out or internal change. And I think anybody who 38 00:01:50,200 --> 00:01:53,559 Speaker 2: in a leadership position in any business or any organization 39 00:01:53,680 --> 00:01:56,360 Speaker 2: will say that that you do need to have some change, 40 00:01:56,800 --> 00:01:57,760 Speaker 2: you know, every now and again. 41 00:01:57,840 --> 00:01:59,080 Speaker 1: So it could be a good thing. 42 00:01:59,120 --> 00:02:01,080 Speaker 2: I think it's a great thing that you have changed. 43 00:02:01,120 --> 00:02:03,800 Speaker 2: There's the opportunity for some new people to come in, 44 00:02:04,120 --> 00:02:07,800 Speaker 2: people with some new ideas, some people with you know, 45 00:02:07,960 --> 00:02:11,079 Speaker 2: some ye different different ways of doing things, and that's 46 00:02:11,080 --> 00:02:13,799 Speaker 2: worked really well with Brent and Joel and so I'm 47 00:02:13,840 --> 00:02:16,960 Speaker 2: really happy to see that. Plus we've got the seats 48 00:02:17,000 --> 00:02:20,079 Speaker 2: that we don't hold, and we'll be nominations closed tonight 49 00:02:20,120 --> 00:02:22,600 Speaker 2: and we'll be chasing some really good people for those 50 00:02:22,600 --> 00:02:23,119 Speaker 2: seats too. 51 00:02:23,280 --> 00:02:25,520 Speaker 1: Before I get to those seats, are you concerned about 52 00:02:25,560 --> 00:02:28,600 Speaker 1: losing that kind of experience, because there is It is 53 00:02:28,639 --> 00:02:32,160 Speaker 1: going to mean that you do lose that depth of experience. 54 00:02:32,440 --> 00:02:34,839 Speaker 2: Absolutely, you know, that's always an issue. And as I said, 55 00:02:34,880 --> 00:02:38,040 Speaker 2: for any organization, when you lose, you people who retire, 56 00:02:38,120 --> 00:02:42,160 Speaker 2: people who move on. But we've now got people like 57 00:02:42,280 --> 00:02:44,400 Speaker 2: you know, Duran, who's been there a number of years. 58 00:02:44,400 --> 00:02:47,240 Speaker 2: So you then Mark Monahan has stepped up also into 59 00:02:47,320 --> 00:02:49,720 Speaker 2: the ministry. Mark Stent hit the ground running and has 60 00:02:49,760 --> 00:02:52,800 Speaker 2: been doing an amazing job with the mining as well 61 00:02:52,840 --> 00:02:55,960 Speaker 2: as the ag area as well as education. So you know, 62 00:02:56,000 --> 00:02:58,160 Speaker 2: when you bring new people in, and that's the whole 63 00:02:58,200 --> 00:03:01,680 Speaker 2: idea is you can't keep people, particularly in politics, forever. 64 00:03:01,800 --> 00:03:04,320 Speaker 1: So you do have to have new idea. Yes, you 65 00:03:04,400 --> 00:03:05,960 Speaker 1: do have to have that fresh stuff coming in. 66 00:03:06,000 --> 00:03:07,799 Speaker 2: And then people with some new energy. And as I said, 67 00:03:07,800 --> 00:03:10,560 Speaker 2: we've got that with Mark as well coming in. He's 68 00:03:10,600 --> 00:03:13,520 Speaker 2: really been great. So you know, it's fine, you do 69 00:03:13,639 --> 00:03:15,959 Speaker 2: need that. And I should just point out the cop 70 00:03:16,200 --> 00:03:20,639 Speaker 2: in twenty sixteen and twenty twenty lost fifty percent of 71 00:03:20,680 --> 00:03:22,760 Speaker 2: their members because they lost one. 72 00:03:23,240 --> 00:03:25,440 Speaker 1: So are you I mean, are you worried that could 73 00:03:25,440 --> 00:03:27,040 Speaker 1: happen to you guys? Because I guess there is a 74 00:03:27,040 --> 00:03:29,440 Speaker 1: bit of a sense at the moment that you know 75 00:03:29,480 --> 00:03:33,120 Speaker 1: that there are people jumping off the ship. You know 76 00:03:33,200 --> 00:03:35,440 Speaker 1: that they're worried about what's going to happen because of 77 00:03:35,480 --> 00:03:38,000 Speaker 1: those issues of crime. And I guess what I'm getting 78 00:03:38,040 --> 00:03:40,440 Speaker 1: to is, I like, are you concerned that that's what's happening? 79 00:03:40,520 --> 00:03:43,560 Speaker 2: He absolutely nothing to do with any of those things, 80 00:03:43,600 --> 00:03:46,840 Speaker 2: both of them. It's around their personal lives, their family lives, 81 00:03:47,440 --> 00:03:49,800 Speaker 2: the commitments that they've done. As say, Nicole's done ten 82 00:03:49,880 --> 00:03:52,640 Speaker 2: years and you know, ten years in politics is a 83 00:03:52,640 --> 00:03:56,320 Speaker 2: long time and Paul will have done eight. And as 84 00:03:56,320 --> 00:03:59,000 Speaker 2: I said, he's been very open around that. You know, 85 00:03:59,040 --> 00:04:01,640 Speaker 2: he sat down with his wife life and made those decisions. 86 00:04:01,720 --> 00:04:04,960 Speaker 2: So that's the reality really of these jobs. And you know, 87 00:04:05,480 --> 00:04:08,600 Speaker 2: I think we see that more anyway generally in society now. 88 00:04:08,960 --> 00:04:11,040 Speaker 2: You know, I still give out awards for people who 89 00:04:11,120 --> 00:04:14,920 Speaker 2: have done thirty forty years in the public sector in education, 90 00:04:15,120 --> 00:04:17,359 Speaker 2: and pretty much at every one of those I say, 91 00:04:17,720 --> 00:04:20,839 Speaker 2: we won't be seeing that into the future. People change 92 00:04:21,000 --> 00:04:23,760 Speaker 2: jobs more often now, and any employer out there will 93 00:04:23,760 --> 00:04:24,159 Speaker 2: tell you that. 94 00:04:24,560 --> 00:04:28,479 Speaker 1: So Schlock Shama and Andrea Moriarty, I'm hearing of set well, 95 00:04:28,520 --> 00:04:30,440 Speaker 1: they have put their hands up for wan Guri. 96 00:04:30,480 --> 00:04:33,240 Speaker 2: Who do you reckon? I keep out of those process. 97 00:04:33,839 --> 00:04:36,839 Speaker 2: It's you know, that's done through the Labor Party. So 98 00:04:37,440 --> 00:04:40,640 Speaker 2: Anthony Venus, our president, will work through that, work with 99 00:04:40,720 --> 00:04:44,040 Speaker 2: their MoU secretary as well. At some stage, I'm on admin, 100 00:04:44,080 --> 00:04:47,360 Speaker 2: I'll I'll have a say around that, but at this 101 00:04:47,440 --> 00:04:49,600 Speaker 2: stage we'll let them. Will let them sort and it's 102 00:04:49,640 --> 00:04:50,360 Speaker 2: up to the branches. 103 00:04:50,400 --> 00:04:53,880 Speaker 1: We should be looking at people though, with real life experience, 104 00:04:54,000 --> 00:04:56,880 Speaker 1: rather than maybe what the community might see as people 105 00:04:56,920 --> 00:04:58,720 Speaker 1: that you know that have just sort of worked for 106 00:04:59,320 --> 00:05:01,400 Speaker 1: the party or just worked for unions. 107 00:05:02,520 --> 00:05:06,160 Speaker 2: Yeah, as I said, that's also there are opportunities for 108 00:05:06,240 --> 00:05:10,120 Speaker 2: people who choose that career option around unions. Absolutely, that's 109 00:05:10,720 --> 00:05:13,440 Speaker 2: one of the bedrocks of the Labor Party, that's how 110 00:05:13,760 --> 00:05:17,359 Speaker 2: labor formed. But Andrea comes with a breadth of skill. 111 00:05:17,440 --> 00:05:21,599 Speaker 2: She's also the president of Master Builders in the Northern Territory. 112 00:05:21,640 --> 00:05:24,200 Speaker 2: So yeah, two really good people, great people, and the 113 00:05:24,720 --> 00:05:27,080 Speaker 2: branch out there at Casarina will have a say. 114 00:05:27,000 --> 00:05:28,960 Speaker 1: Yeah, we will wait and see exactly what happens there, 115 00:05:29,000 --> 00:05:30,800 Speaker 1: and I know you won't reveal any names, so we'll 116 00:05:30,839 --> 00:05:36,320 Speaker 1: move along. Now let's talk about well, it does seem 117 00:05:36,480 --> 00:05:39,120 Speaker 1: like almost every day over the summer period there's been 118 00:05:39,440 --> 00:05:44,279 Speaker 1: weapon assaults. Unfortunately, cars stolen or damaged, break ins. Alice 119 00:05:44,320 --> 00:05:47,599 Speaker 1: Springs has again suffered. Did the extra police make a 120 00:05:47,600 --> 00:05:48,960 Speaker 1: difference in Alice Springs? 121 00:05:49,680 --> 00:05:51,440 Speaker 2: You know, as we all know, Katie, and you know 122 00:05:51,480 --> 00:05:53,680 Speaker 2: the frustration around crime, and you can probably hear the 123 00:05:53,720 --> 00:05:56,520 Speaker 2: frustration in my voice around that. You know, one crime 124 00:05:56,640 --> 00:05:59,960 Speaker 2: is one crime too many. I spent a couple of days, 125 00:06:00,279 --> 00:06:03,480 Speaker 2: with three days in Alice Springs in the middle of January. 126 00:06:03,520 --> 00:06:06,800 Speaker 2: I went to you met with a police executive. I 127 00:06:06,800 --> 00:06:09,599 Speaker 2: did a walk through the police station there. Police have 128 00:06:09,720 --> 00:06:14,160 Speaker 2: done an amazing job. I also then went to a 129 00:06:14,320 --> 00:06:17,400 Speaker 2: range of places where we've had re engagement activities or 130 00:06:17,440 --> 00:06:21,799 Speaker 2: engagement activities for kids. So the pool for example, was packed, 131 00:06:21,920 --> 00:06:25,040 Speaker 2: so you're seeing lots of young people in those activities, 132 00:06:25,480 --> 00:06:28,440 Speaker 2: ice skating and you know, people going oh ice skating. Well, 133 00:06:28,560 --> 00:06:30,560 Speaker 2: you know, we have to do something for the good 134 00:06:30,640 --> 00:06:33,120 Speaker 2: kids as well. Let's not forget the kids that are 135 00:06:33,160 --> 00:06:35,560 Speaker 2: always that live in Alice, that spend do the right 136 00:06:35,640 --> 00:06:38,080 Speaker 2: thing always. You've got to have activities for those kids 137 00:06:38,120 --> 00:06:40,520 Speaker 2: and for those families too. So we've had a lot 138 00:06:40,520 --> 00:06:44,200 Speaker 2: of engagement in a range of school holiday activities, which 139 00:06:44,520 --> 00:06:45,479 Speaker 2: is good as well. 140 00:06:45,520 --> 00:06:47,360 Speaker 1: Has it made a difference, I mean, has it made 141 00:06:47,360 --> 00:06:49,360 Speaker 1: a difference to the people living in Alice and the 142 00:06:49,360 --> 00:06:51,599 Speaker 1: crime and the issues that they've been experienced. 143 00:06:51,640 --> 00:06:53,880 Speaker 2: So we did see and I think you've got brent 144 00:06:53,960 --> 00:06:55,640 Speaker 2: on next week and he can go through the data 145 00:06:55,680 --> 00:06:59,400 Speaker 2: week by week. So in December it was reasonably you know, 146 00:07:00,120 --> 00:07:03,040 Speaker 2: still crime obviously, but there were some good patches there. 147 00:07:03,480 --> 00:07:06,920 Speaker 2: Then we saw some a peak around I think it 148 00:07:06,960 --> 00:07:09,760 Speaker 2: was Christmas New Year and then things have been a 149 00:07:09,760 --> 00:07:12,360 Speaker 2: little quieter. But as I said, one car stall in 150 00:07:12,480 --> 00:07:15,240 Speaker 2: his one car too many and you know, but the 151 00:07:15,280 --> 00:07:18,280 Speaker 2: work also with territory families has been good, the aureos, 152 00:07:18,800 --> 00:07:21,559 Speaker 2: the people on the street as well. That coresponder model 153 00:07:21,840 --> 00:07:26,120 Speaker 2: has been great. The UNCHIMPA camp. They've taken about nineteen 154 00:07:26,240 --> 00:07:29,720 Speaker 2: kids that have been wandering the streets into that camp, 155 00:07:29,760 --> 00:07:32,120 Speaker 2: and that's funded by the federal government, and I've heard 156 00:07:32,160 --> 00:07:35,680 Speaker 2: good reports around that. So to me, it is a constant, 157 00:07:36,480 --> 00:07:40,320 Speaker 2: literally a battle. You're in the trenches fighting to address crime. 158 00:07:40,360 --> 00:07:44,000 Speaker 1: And so I guess the problem is it's that, you know, 159 00:07:44,080 --> 00:07:46,680 Speaker 1: Labor has now been in for seven years and that 160 00:07:46,800 --> 00:07:49,400 Speaker 1: issue of crime has been you know, it has plagued 161 00:07:49,520 --> 00:07:52,240 Speaker 1: the party for the last you know, for the last 162 00:07:52,240 --> 00:07:55,360 Speaker 1: seven years, and there are some that really feel that 163 00:07:55,400 --> 00:07:57,920 Speaker 1: it's just not in Labour's DNA to do what is 164 00:07:58,000 --> 00:08:00,800 Speaker 1: required now to turn things around when it comes to crime. 165 00:08:00,920 --> 00:08:04,040 Speaker 2: That's totally incorrect, you know, And I've already said that 166 00:08:04,400 --> 00:08:06,280 Speaker 2: when I first came in, that we'll look at any 167 00:08:06,320 --> 00:08:10,160 Speaker 2: of our policy positions, any of our platforms, any of 168 00:08:10,160 --> 00:08:12,760 Speaker 2: the work that we're doing, and that works underway. We've 169 00:08:12,800 --> 00:08:15,640 Speaker 2: got a relatively new police Commissioner, Michael Murphy's doing an 170 00:08:15,640 --> 00:08:20,160 Speaker 2: amazing job. He's really getting stuck into the issue of 171 00:08:20,200 --> 00:08:24,360 Speaker 2: antisocial behavior. We've also got Brent Potter, who's now got 172 00:08:24,360 --> 00:08:27,200 Speaker 2: alcohol policy. So I made that decision when I came 173 00:08:27,240 --> 00:08:30,960 Speaker 2: in to join the police and alcohol portfolios because they 174 00:08:30,960 --> 00:08:35,480 Speaker 2: are interwoven so heavily. In the Northern Territory, probably behind 175 00:08:35,600 --> 00:08:38,440 Speaker 2: the large majority of crime is alcohol. And whether that's 176 00:08:38,480 --> 00:08:40,960 Speaker 2: a kid with fas D or whether that's a kid 177 00:08:40,960 --> 00:08:43,760 Speaker 2: who's escaping home or a kid who hasn't been brought 178 00:08:43,800 --> 00:08:47,240 Speaker 2: up in a good home, the impact of alcohol. So 179 00:08:48,200 --> 00:08:50,760 Speaker 2: you know, there is a constant work and it wouldn't 180 00:08:50,760 --> 00:08:53,400 Speaker 2: matter if the colp was in, Like if anybody out 181 00:08:53,400 --> 00:08:56,240 Speaker 2: there thinks that you Leah coming in, she'll be able 182 00:08:56,240 --> 00:08:58,000 Speaker 2: to click her fingers and we'll have no crime in 183 00:08:58,000 --> 00:09:01,360 Speaker 2: the Northern Territory is absolutely kidding themselves. 184 00:09:01,440 --> 00:09:04,720 Speaker 1: So it is a constant battle Territorians this morning, What 185 00:09:04,800 --> 00:09:07,800 Speaker 1: can you tell them, because it's something we've spoken about 186 00:09:07,840 --> 00:09:09,960 Speaker 1: so much on this show. To be bluntly honest with you, 187 00:09:10,040 --> 00:09:12,560 Speaker 1: I'm so over talking about it. I think territorians are 188 00:09:12,559 --> 00:09:14,840 Speaker 1: so over it. What can you tell them this morning 189 00:09:15,280 --> 00:09:18,360 Speaker 1: that you plan to do throughout this year to really 190 00:09:18,640 --> 00:09:21,640 Speaker 1: try to change the way that things are going in 191 00:09:21,640 --> 00:09:22,120 Speaker 1: this space. 192 00:09:22,240 --> 00:09:24,080 Speaker 2: So one of the things that we've seen that's working 193 00:09:24,200 --> 00:09:29,120 Speaker 2: is the Territory Community Safety Division. So that was initiative 194 00:09:29,200 --> 00:09:33,840 Speaker 2: by the Commission of Police, which is you know, a 195 00:09:33,880 --> 00:09:36,600 Speaker 2: group of police that really can go out and hit 196 00:09:36,640 --> 00:09:39,240 Speaker 2: the hit the target areas. And so we've seen them 197 00:09:39,240 --> 00:09:41,000 Speaker 2: in Allas Springs, we've seen them out in what I, 198 00:09:41,520 --> 00:09:43,880 Speaker 2: We've seen them in Darwin as well, and so you 199 00:09:43,880 --> 00:09:47,520 Speaker 2: know that Territory Safety Division is a very agile unit 200 00:09:47,559 --> 00:09:50,400 Speaker 2: and that is a really positive thing. The work as 201 00:09:50,440 --> 00:09:54,760 Speaker 2: well around this correspondent model is showing results. So those 202 00:09:55,280 --> 00:09:58,600 Speaker 2: those young people who are on the street, getting those kids, 203 00:09:58,640 --> 00:10:01,800 Speaker 2: identifying those kids and putting things in place for those 204 00:10:01,840 --> 00:10:05,880 Speaker 2: young people. So the corresponder has the Territory Family Territory 205 00:10:05,920 --> 00:10:08,600 Speaker 2: Families people there in the police station or on the 206 00:10:08,640 --> 00:10:12,200 Speaker 2: street who then work with those kids and identify, you know, 207 00:10:12,240 --> 00:10:13,960 Speaker 2: do they need to be put in care, do they 208 00:10:14,000 --> 00:10:16,959 Speaker 2: need to be you know, what are they doing around education. 209 00:10:17,520 --> 00:10:20,240 Speaker 2: We've got a big push at the moment to get 210 00:10:20,280 --> 00:10:24,160 Speaker 2: families back back to their community. So we've had literally 211 00:10:24,280 --> 00:10:27,040 Speaker 2: people door knocking in Alice Springs around the social housing 212 00:10:27,520 --> 00:10:29,800 Speaker 2: reminding families that they need to go back. We've got 213 00:10:30,080 --> 00:10:32,920 Speaker 2: the free bus service to get people back at the 214 00:10:32,920 --> 00:10:34,880 Speaker 2: bushbus to their communities. 215 00:10:35,000 --> 00:10:36,440 Speaker 1: Is it being taken up that much service? 216 00:10:36,480 --> 00:10:37,040 Speaker 2: Absolutely? 217 00:10:37,080 --> 00:10:37,160 Speaker 1: So. 218 00:10:37,360 --> 00:10:40,040 Speaker 2: Education are really in there as well, so pushing to 219 00:10:40,080 --> 00:10:43,319 Speaker 2: get kids back school tomorrow. So the last week or so, 220 00:10:43,360 --> 00:10:47,719 Speaker 2: it's been a really big assertive push, a strong push 221 00:10:47,760 --> 00:10:50,120 Speaker 2: to get families back out of town. So, you know, 222 00:10:50,200 --> 00:10:52,840 Speaker 2: there's always work to do around crime, and you know, 223 00:10:53,160 --> 00:10:55,960 Speaker 2: my heart goes out to anybody who's been impacted by crime. 224 00:10:56,000 --> 00:10:56,839 Speaker 2: It's a terrible thing. 225 00:10:56,960 --> 00:10:59,240 Speaker 1: There's two groups that we've been contacted by over the 226 00:10:59,320 --> 00:11:02,080 Speaker 1: Christmas break that have got some really serious concerns. One 227 00:11:02,080 --> 00:11:05,440 Speaker 1: of those is is those working in service stations at 228 00:11:05,520 --> 00:11:08,720 Speaker 1: night who say that they are dealing with some really 229 00:11:08,920 --> 00:11:12,920 Speaker 1: terribly dangerous situations at nighttime. I've also been contacted by 230 00:11:13,440 --> 00:11:17,320 Speaker 1: emergency workers at the hospital saying that they have they 231 00:11:17,400 --> 00:11:22,160 Speaker 1: have really seen some terrible assaults, some terrible situations that 232 00:11:22,200 --> 00:11:26,400 Speaker 1: are very dangerous unfold they're in the emergency ward. Are 233 00:11:26,520 --> 00:11:29,680 Speaker 1: those kinds of incidents being passed on to you? 234 00:11:30,679 --> 00:11:34,520 Speaker 2: Yeah, I literally know, particularly around the service stations. I've 235 00:11:34,520 --> 00:11:37,160 Speaker 2: got a service station at the back of my electorate 236 00:11:37,200 --> 00:11:40,400 Speaker 2: office there as you go into the backside of gateway, 237 00:11:40,440 --> 00:11:46,000 Speaker 2: and I hear often from those you know the owners there, 238 00:11:46,840 --> 00:11:49,160 Speaker 2: but you know, and the service station one is I 239 00:11:49,200 --> 00:11:51,320 Speaker 2: mean all of that. It's terrible that there are people 240 00:11:51,360 --> 00:11:53,240 Speaker 2: who think that this is what they should be doing. 241 00:11:53,360 --> 00:11:56,080 Speaker 2: And as I said, it gets back off into alcoholism. 242 00:11:56,200 --> 00:11:59,280 Speaker 2: Some of its mental health or drug use, but most 243 00:11:59,320 --> 00:12:02,439 Speaker 2: of it's alcohol. And we know the measures that service 244 00:12:02,440 --> 00:12:05,360 Speaker 2: stations put in place. Anybody who fills up late at night, no, 245 00:12:05,720 --> 00:12:08,080 Speaker 2: you have to go to the know, the counter there 246 00:12:08,080 --> 00:12:11,760 Speaker 2: with the window and the doors are locked. Around hospitals, 247 00:12:12,120 --> 00:12:16,160 Speaker 2: that again is a shocking situation when people you know 248 00:12:16,280 --> 00:12:19,000 Speaker 2: they're they're there to help you, and yet we see 249 00:12:19,040 --> 00:12:23,000 Speaker 2: people who are obviously a very drunk or very drugged, 250 00:12:23,160 --> 00:12:25,080 Speaker 2: or you know, mental health or a whole heap of 251 00:12:25,120 --> 00:12:29,600 Speaker 2: reasons why people are aggressive in hospitals. We have security 252 00:12:29,600 --> 00:12:31,079 Speaker 2: guards in there as well, but. 253 00:12:31,679 --> 00:12:34,520 Speaker 1: Confident there's enough being done in that hospital system to 254 00:12:34,600 --> 00:12:37,319 Speaker 1: keep our nurses and doctors safe and everybody that's working there. 255 00:12:37,400 --> 00:12:38,800 Speaker 1: Or is it something that we need to have a 256 00:12:38,800 --> 00:12:39,640 Speaker 1: closer look at. 257 00:12:39,960 --> 00:12:42,920 Speaker 2: You know, that's the responsibility of you know, all of 258 00:12:42,960 --> 00:12:45,679 Speaker 2: us to do that. And I'm sure health you know, 259 00:12:45,720 --> 00:12:49,040 Speaker 2: and we've got an amazing CEO, Marco would be in 260 00:12:49,120 --> 00:12:52,040 Speaker 2: there making sure that they are safe. Nobody wants to 261 00:12:52,040 --> 00:12:55,080 Speaker 2: see any violent behavior in the in in any setting, 262 00:12:55,120 --> 00:13:00,400 Speaker 2: you know, whether that's classrooms, you know, retail, wherever it is. 263 00:13:00,480 --> 00:13:03,160 Speaker 2: And you know, as I said, people do need to 264 00:13:03,200 --> 00:13:06,560 Speaker 2: actually check themselves. But the people in that hospital setting, 265 00:13:06,600 --> 00:13:09,960 Speaker 2: I would say, were people that really are beyond you know, 266 00:13:10,160 --> 00:13:13,080 Speaker 2: being able to check and look at their own behaviors. Really, 267 00:13:13,400 --> 00:13:16,640 Speaker 2: as said, they're there because they're you know, usually very 268 00:13:16,760 --> 00:13:20,559 Speaker 2: very unwell or very drunk or very drugged. But that's 269 00:13:20,559 --> 00:13:22,120 Speaker 2: where security need to be in the place. 270 00:13:22,320 --> 00:13:24,040 Speaker 1: We will move along on that topic. Just on the 271 00:13:24,080 --> 00:13:27,559 Speaker 1: alcohol and we know that that trial of midday trading 272 00:13:27,600 --> 00:13:30,640 Speaker 1: hours at bottle shops ended last Friday, reverting back to 273 00:13:30,679 --> 00:13:33,439 Speaker 1: ten am. How did that trial go from your perspective? 274 00:13:33,559 --> 00:13:37,000 Speaker 2: So from my perspective, it was it gave police extra 275 00:13:37,040 --> 00:13:39,240 Speaker 2: time and that was the positive thing. So the police 276 00:13:39,240 --> 00:13:41,480 Speaker 2: had that you know, that time in the morning where 277 00:13:41,520 --> 00:13:45,240 Speaker 2: people weren't actually drunk. But what we've also now done 278 00:13:45,559 --> 00:13:48,040 Speaker 2: is the work around the band drink orders. And we've 279 00:13:48,080 --> 00:13:51,640 Speaker 2: seen huge numbers of increases of people on the band 280 00:13:51,720 --> 00:13:55,000 Speaker 2: drink orders and so whether that's seven days, thirty days, 281 00:13:55,120 --> 00:13:59,800 Speaker 2: or three months. But we're also really looking closely and 282 00:14:00,080 --> 00:14:04,080 Speaker 2: working around the secondary supply, So looking at the data 283 00:14:04,160 --> 00:14:07,880 Speaker 2: around who's purchasing alcohol, you know, who's making someone's making 284 00:14:08,240 --> 00:14:11,960 Speaker 2: fourteen purchases in a day or why why or large amounts. 285 00:14:12,000 --> 00:14:14,120 Speaker 2: We all understand you've got a twenty first or a party, 286 00:14:14,480 --> 00:14:17,240 Speaker 2: but looking at the data to be able to identify 287 00:14:17,320 --> 00:14:20,320 Speaker 2: those people and then stamp that out. So it's you know, 288 00:14:20,360 --> 00:14:23,080 Speaker 2: it is that analogy of continuing to squeeze the balloon 289 00:14:23,160 --> 00:14:26,720 Speaker 2: around alcohol. So instead of the broad brush measure that 290 00:14:26,760 --> 00:14:30,320 Speaker 2: we had in place around changing the hours, what we've 291 00:14:30,360 --> 00:14:34,240 Speaker 2: gone to now is really focusing sharply on those people 292 00:14:34,280 --> 00:14:37,280 Speaker 2: who are the ones that are going in to buy alcohol. 293 00:14:37,280 --> 00:14:39,120 Speaker 1: It's like a good idea. How come we didn't look 294 00:14:39,160 --> 00:14:41,360 Speaker 1: at that sooner? Like it does seem like a no brainer. 295 00:14:41,960 --> 00:14:46,040 Speaker 2: Sometimes it is around having the technology to be able 296 00:14:46,080 --> 00:14:48,880 Speaker 2: to do that, So having the BDR to be able 297 00:14:48,920 --> 00:14:51,720 Speaker 2: to provide that data and you know, surpro and things 298 00:14:51,760 --> 00:14:55,760 Speaker 2: like that. So it's sometimes it is around technological solutions, 299 00:14:55,800 --> 00:14:58,120 Speaker 2: but it is a me you know, alcohol people are 300 00:14:58,160 --> 00:15:01,680 Speaker 2: there are chronic alcoholics and we know they are, you know, 301 00:15:01,880 --> 00:15:04,760 Speaker 2: in terrible places who will do whatever it takes to 302 00:15:04,760 --> 00:15:07,240 Speaker 2: get alcohol and so it is working with police, it 303 00:15:07,320 --> 00:15:10,400 Speaker 2: is working with hospitality to tighten up around those. 304 00:15:10,680 --> 00:15:13,080 Speaker 1: The legitimate residence clause is set to be bought in 305 00:15:13,160 --> 00:15:15,800 Speaker 1: as well. It really takes us back to COVID era 306 00:15:16,000 --> 00:15:19,120 Speaker 1: restrictions for territories. How's that going to work? I think 307 00:15:19,160 --> 00:15:21,000 Speaker 1: that there's some in the community who think this sounds 308 00:15:21,000 --> 00:15:23,640 Speaker 1: like a really good idea. Obviously, others thinking, hang on 309 00:15:23,680 --> 00:15:25,400 Speaker 1: a second, is this going to mean that if you know, 310 00:15:25,480 --> 00:15:28,400 Speaker 1: my friends come from Queensland and you know they can't 311 00:15:28,440 --> 00:15:29,920 Speaker 1: prove where they're staying, they're not going to be able 312 00:15:29,960 --> 00:15:31,040 Speaker 1: to get a bottle of wine. 313 00:15:31,120 --> 00:15:33,280 Speaker 2: So yeah, as you said, they all, I'm sure there 314 00:15:33,320 --> 00:15:35,880 Speaker 2: will be Well, there is things in place around you know, 315 00:15:35,920 --> 00:15:38,080 Speaker 2: you're in a hotel, you're in a caravan park, wherever 316 00:15:38,160 --> 00:15:40,640 Speaker 2: else it is. But you know there are people who 317 00:15:40,840 --> 00:15:43,360 Speaker 2: there's public housing which are supposed to have no alcohol 318 00:15:43,400 --> 00:15:46,160 Speaker 2: in that. In those, you know there's pink signs, there's 319 00:15:46,160 --> 00:15:49,040 Speaker 2: signs up around those, and you know, I know in 320 00:15:49,120 --> 00:15:51,600 Speaker 2: my electorate sometimes I'm outdoor knocking and there'll be a 321 00:15:51,680 --> 00:15:53,880 Speaker 2: no alcohol sign and there'll be people drinking there and 322 00:15:53,920 --> 00:15:58,040 Speaker 2: holdering the public safety housing offices around that. So it 323 00:15:58,160 --> 00:16:00,560 Speaker 2: is about as I said, joining the dot around that 324 00:16:00,680 --> 00:16:04,280 Speaker 2: data to really tighten up around people who are coming 325 00:16:04,280 --> 00:16:07,480 Speaker 2: to town and just drinking in public places. 326 00:16:07,600 --> 00:16:09,800 Speaker 1: Do you reckon it's going to put any pressure though 327 00:16:09,840 --> 00:16:13,440 Speaker 1: on those bottle shop staff in terms of having to 328 00:16:13,440 --> 00:16:15,960 Speaker 1: refuse people who for example, they maybe do live in 329 00:16:16,000 --> 00:16:17,160 Speaker 1: a public housing residence. 330 00:16:17,240 --> 00:16:20,360 Speaker 2: Yes, yeah, there will be that. But you know what 331 00:16:20,440 --> 00:16:23,280 Speaker 2: happens is word gets out. You know, the grapevine's good, 332 00:16:23,320 --> 00:16:25,640 Speaker 2: I'm sure with people who are drinking, so word will 333 00:16:25,640 --> 00:16:27,880 Speaker 2: get out and they'll have to adjust their behaviors. And 334 00:16:27,920 --> 00:16:30,080 Speaker 2: as I said, it is that analogy of continuing to 335 00:16:30,120 --> 00:16:34,280 Speaker 2: tighten you know, the issues around alcoholism and the supply 336 00:16:34,320 --> 00:16:35,160 Speaker 2: of alcohol, and. 337 00:16:35,120 --> 00:16:37,440 Speaker 1: So will there be some support from the police for that, 338 00:16:37,720 --> 00:16:39,600 Speaker 1: you know for that period of time I guess as 339 00:16:39,600 --> 00:16:41,000 Speaker 1: we sort of go through the transition. 340 00:16:41,080 --> 00:16:44,280 Speaker 2: Yeah, so as of this morning at ten o'clock, that's 341 00:16:44,280 --> 00:16:48,240 Speaker 2: a change. And we've got additional licensing, so licensing will 342 00:16:48,280 --> 00:16:50,120 Speaker 2: be out more out and about for the next few 343 00:16:50,160 --> 00:16:54,000 Speaker 2: weeks as well as police. So we've increasing that. As 344 00:16:54,000 --> 00:16:56,800 Speaker 2: I said, while word gets out on the street around that, 345 00:16:56,920 --> 00:16:59,560 Speaker 2: so there'll be you'll see or you may not see 346 00:16:59,600 --> 00:17:02,320 Speaker 2: the license. People mightn't be as obvious as the police. 347 00:17:02,320 --> 00:17:05,840 Speaker 2: But you'll see an increase in licensing out checking as 348 00:17:05,880 --> 00:17:07,320 Speaker 2: well as police do you reckon, we'll. 349 00:17:07,240 --> 00:17:10,080 Speaker 1: See a visible reduction in people sort of drinking on 350 00:17:10,119 --> 00:17:11,199 Speaker 1: the streets as a result. 351 00:17:11,320 --> 00:17:13,000 Speaker 2: Well that's the goal. So hopefully we do. 352 00:17:13,359 --> 00:17:16,040 Speaker 1: I hope so, because it is something that's been you know, 353 00:17:16,240 --> 00:17:18,520 Speaker 1: it has been a real stress I think on a 354 00:17:18,520 --> 00:17:20,840 Speaker 1: lot of business owners, a lot of locals. I mean, 355 00:17:20,840 --> 00:17:23,360 Speaker 1: it must be frustrating for you even you know, walk 356 00:17:23,400 --> 00:17:25,800 Speaker 1: into work. Oh, I have seen people drunk in the 357 00:17:25,960 --> 00:17:26,600 Speaker 1: in the park. 358 00:17:26,760 --> 00:17:29,119 Speaker 2: Oh, I mean I you know, my electric officer is 359 00:17:29,160 --> 00:17:31,520 Speaker 2: at Gateway and I see that in the morning. You 360 00:17:31,880 --> 00:17:34,280 Speaker 2: people with water bottles that don't have water in them. 361 00:17:34,320 --> 00:17:36,760 Speaker 2: And as I said, it is really frustrating. And you know, 362 00:17:36,840 --> 00:17:39,119 Speaker 2: I ring or you know, get onto the app and 363 00:17:39,200 --> 00:17:41,280 Speaker 2: let Larikie Nation know around those things. 364 00:17:41,680 --> 00:17:44,640 Speaker 1: Now, I want to ask you. Figures have been obtained 365 00:17:44,640 --> 00:17:47,040 Speaker 1: by the COLP. They've revealed that patients are waiting on 366 00:17:47,080 --> 00:17:49,960 Speaker 1: average three hundred and sixteen days for elective surgery in 367 00:17:50,000 --> 00:17:54,080 Speaker 1: the Northern Territory since twenty sixteen, with medium weight times 368 00:17:54,280 --> 00:17:57,080 Speaker 1: for procedures at Royal dal And Hospital up one hundred 369 00:17:57,119 --> 00:18:00,920 Speaker 1: and thirteen percent and thirty two percent at part Armiston Hospital. 370 00:18:01,200 --> 00:18:02,719 Speaker 1: Is this acceptable in your eyes? 371 00:18:02,880 --> 00:18:05,280 Speaker 2: No, it isn't acceptable, you know, and when you know, 372 00:18:05,680 --> 00:18:07,600 Speaker 2: I've had a lot to do with the health system 373 00:18:07,640 --> 00:18:09,480 Speaker 2: over the years. You know, people know that I've had 374 00:18:09,840 --> 00:18:12,320 Speaker 2: your very very ill husband that passed away, and I 375 00:18:12,400 --> 00:18:15,520 Speaker 2: know those issues around surgery times and things like that, 376 00:18:16,160 --> 00:18:19,720 Speaker 2: and so my heart goes out to anybody, even elective surgery. 377 00:18:19,760 --> 00:18:23,240 Speaker 2: You're wanting to have something fixed, and I can understand 378 00:18:23,320 --> 00:18:26,520 Speaker 2: how difficult that is for people. I mean, let's have 379 00:18:26,600 --> 00:18:28,840 Speaker 2: a look. That data came from twenty sixteen. We've had 380 00:18:28,880 --> 00:18:33,560 Speaker 2: those COVID years through there. But also since COVID, this 381 00:18:33,640 --> 00:18:36,560 Speaker 2: is a fact, you know, it has been really all 382 00:18:36,640 --> 00:18:39,439 Speaker 2: professions are finding it hard to recruit staff and so 383 00:18:39,880 --> 00:18:44,360 Speaker 2: you know, we're doing the work around nursing staff and doctors, 384 00:18:44,400 --> 00:18:48,440 Speaker 2: specialist staff. So the hospital's very much aware of this issue. 385 00:18:48,840 --> 00:18:51,080 Speaker 2: The health Department of Health is very much aware of it. 386 00:18:51,320 --> 00:18:54,119 Speaker 2: They have plans in place to address it, so around 387 00:18:54,200 --> 00:18:59,960 Speaker 2: recruiting specialist staff, bringing on, you know, more operating theaters. 388 00:19:00,240 --> 00:19:02,480 Speaker 2: In the budget, we put in another ward. So a 389 00:19:02,520 --> 00:19:04,840 Speaker 2: thirty two bed ward is money in the budget for 390 00:19:04,880 --> 00:19:07,520 Speaker 2: a new Module Award, so very much aware of how 391 00:19:07,560 --> 00:19:12,040 Speaker 2: can we provide more for the hospital system. But you know, 392 00:19:12,359 --> 00:19:15,520 Speaker 2: it's age care as well, it's childcare. It's a lot 393 00:19:15,560 --> 00:19:18,720 Speaker 2: of those helping professions. Even education, we're seeing that with teachers, 394 00:19:19,240 --> 00:19:22,240 Speaker 2: people are choosing, you know, to be a YouTuber or 395 00:19:23,040 --> 00:19:25,920 Speaker 2: you know, an influencer. There's a whole group of people 396 00:19:25,920 --> 00:19:28,840 Speaker 2: that aren't choosing to go into the caring professions, which 397 00:19:28,840 --> 00:19:31,760 Speaker 2: is why we're having to look for overseas migration around that. 398 00:19:31,880 --> 00:19:35,080 Speaker 2: So but then again is also those really you know, 399 00:19:35,160 --> 00:19:37,920 Speaker 2: the top level specialist staff when you're talking about surgeons. 400 00:19:37,960 --> 00:19:40,760 Speaker 2: So you know, I think the CLP are just pretty 401 00:19:40,800 --> 00:19:43,320 Speaker 2: much jumping on something that you know and using some 402 00:19:43,440 --> 00:19:45,359 Speaker 2: data that is is. 403 00:19:45,640 --> 00:19:47,800 Speaker 1: Their figures that have come from the Australian Institute of 404 00:19:47,840 --> 00:19:50,200 Speaker 1: Health and Welfare. And I guess, you know, while they are, 405 00:19:50,520 --> 00:19:52,920 Speaker 1: you know, they can make it a political issue, as 406 00:19:52,960 --> 00:19:55,360 Speaker 1: the Labor Party does, but the fact is it's territory 407 00:19:55,359 --> 00:19:57,360 Speaker 1: and is waiting to have that surgery and I think 408 00:19:57,359 --> 00:19:59,159 Speaker 1: it's really important that they're able to. 409 00:19:59,320 --> 00:20:01,080 Speaker 2: Yeah, I think if you look at the report, there 410 00:20:01,080 --> 00:20:03,560 Speaker 2: was also data that showed that Ales was better than 411 00:20:03,600 --> 00:20:06,040 Speaker 2: other states in certain places and things like that. So 412 00:20:06,280 --> 00:20:08,960 Speaker 2: it's not an issue just in the Northern Territory. It 413 00:20:09,080 --> 00:20:10,879 Speaker 2: is an issue around Australia. And as I said, it 414 00:20:10,880 --> 00:20:14,439 Speaker 2: gets back to more people wanting to do medicine, more 415 00:20:14,440 --> 00:20:18,000 Speaker 2: people going to go into specialist roles, hospitals being able 416 00:20:18,000 --> 00:20:21,280 Speaker 2: to have those specialist nurses and it is a difficulty. 417 00:20:21,440 --> 00:20:23,359 Speaker 1: We are very fast, running out of time, but I 418 00:20:23,359 --> 00:20:25,040 Speaker 1: want to ask you a couple of real quick ones now. 419 00:20:25,080 --> 00:20:27,199 Speaker 1: The latest COMSEPT State of the State Report it's been 420 00:20:27,240 --> 00:20:29,760 Speaker 1: released and the Northern Territory has again come in last 421 00:20:29,760 --> 00:20:32,760 Speaker 1: in the report, which looks at those eight key indicators. 422 00:20:32,760 --> 00:20:35,359 Speaker 1: It's a bit of a mixed bag though biggest strength 423 00:20:35,480 --> 00:20:38,760 Speaker 1: was relative population growth where we're ranked second, while the 424 00:20:38,800 --> 00:20:42,200 Speaker 1: biggest weakness was retail spending. Have you had a look 425 00:20:42,200 --> 00:20:44,480 Speaker 1: at the report and are you taking it more seriously 426 00:20:44,480 --> 00:20:45,440 Speaker 1: than your predecessors. 427 00:20:45,520 --> 00:20:47,360 Speaker 2: Well, I've been the Treasurer for the last couple of years, 428 00:20:47,440 --> 00:20:50,920 Speaker 2: so I'm very much across the COMSEXT report and COMSEPT 429 00:20:50,960 --> 00:20:53,680 Speaker 2: were on your opposition radio station this morning and they 430 00:20:53,760 --> 00:20:57,720 Speaker 2: were very clear about it. COMSECT does cover those years 431 00:20:57,760 --> 00:21:01,159 Speaker 2: of impects, which was sixty big dollar project, so that 432 00:21:01,320 --> 00:21:04,679 Speaker 2: is an absolute fact around that data. But you know, 433 00:21:05,400 --> 00:21:08,040 Speaker 2: the decision last week around or the week before around 434 00:21:08,080 --> 00:21:11,359 Speaker 2: Barossa is a really good decision because that's a six 435 00:21:11,400 --> 00:21:15,479 Speaker 2: point three billion dollar underpinning of our economy, along with defense, 436 00:21:15,480 --> 00:21:18,600 Speaker 2: which is another six point two billion dollars. So you know, 437 00:21:18,680 --> 00:21:21,040 Speaker 2: the news about our economy is really positive. The news 438 00:21:21,080 --> 00:21:25,000 Speaker 2: around population is good. The one around retail that go 439 00:21:25,359 --> 00:21:27,760 Speaker 2: you know they are it does go up and down 440 00:21:27,880 --> 00:21:30,359 Speaker 2: around and you know it does need to be seasonally adjusted, 441 00:21:30,400 --> 00:21:34,199 Speaker 2: so yes, com Sec is com Sex. We've also had 442 00:21:34,280 --> 00:21:36,600 Speaker 2: Deloitte that came out in the third quarter last year 443 00:21:36,880 --> 00:21:39,520 Speaker 2: that said our growth was about two point five percent 444 00:21:39,600 --> 00:21:41,760 Speaker 2: I think into the future and was really positive. 445 00:21:41,760 --> 00:21:44,119 Speaker 1: So you're so happy with the way things are tracking, 446 00:21:44,240 --> 00:21:46,200 Speaker 1: I think, do you think that more needs to be done? 447 00:21:46,680 --> 00:21:49,000 Speaker 2: The Bossa project was a really good project than that 448 00:21:49,160 --> 00:21:51,560 Speaker 2: was one I was holding my breath around. So that's 449 00:21:51,640 --> 00:21:55,080 Speaker 2: fantastic news for the Northern Territory. I've met with our 450 00:21:55,119 --> 00:21:57,760 Speaker 2: a fewer resources in the last week. They're getting close 451 00:21:57,800 --> 00:22:00,560 Speaker 2: to FID, so there's really good news store is there. 452 00:22:00,800 --> 00:22:02,840 Speaker 2: But then there's things like the fence that are really 453 00:22:02,960 --> 00:22:06,520 Speaker 2: solid that underpin the economy. So there's good news around 454 00:22:06,520 --> 00:22:08,960 Speaker 2: the around that. But we also know the cost of 455 00:22:09,000 --> 00:22:11,480 Speaker 2: living is an issue. And you know that was a 456 00:22:11,480 --> 00:22:14,200 Speaker 2: lovely announcement that I've made in the last month, which 457 00:22:14,240 --> 00:22:17,159 Speaker 2: was around an additional fifty dollars for back to school vouchers. 458 00:22:17,160 --> 00:22:19,600 Speaker 2: And I literally have had mums, you know, stopping me 459 00:22:19,680 --> 00:22:22,920 Speaker 2: in Big w and Woolworth some places like that going 460 00:22:23,240 --> 00:22:26,080 Speaker 2: you know, thanks for the extra fifty dollars. That's a 461 00:22:26,080 --> 00:22:28,719 Speaker 2: great help for us. So cost of living is biting 462 00:22:28,720 --> 00:22:29,920 Speaker 2: in Australia and that's a fact. 463 00:22:30,440 --> 00:22:32,080 Speaker 1: Before I let you go, I know you've got to 464 00:22:32,080 --> 00:22:36,080 Speaker 1: get to this announcement. So the free fee free tape 465 00:22:36,119 --> 00:22:38,600 Speaker 1: program announcement you're off to this morning. What exactly is 466 00:22:38,600 --> 00:22:39,560 Speaker 1: happening there today? 467 00:22:39,680 --> 00:22:42,240 Speaker 2: Yeah, So the good news sorry, so federal government so 468 00:22:42,400 --> 00:22:45,240 Speaker 2: fees for TAFE, which is what we need to see. 469 00:22:45,280 --> 00:22:48,480 Speaker 2: I was talking about childcare and age care not having 470 00:22:48,560 --> 00:22:51,280 Speaker 2: enough people. So if you can do those those sorts 471 00:22:51,320 --> 00:22:55,120 Speaker 2: of certificate level courses and have your fees paid, it's 472 00:22:55,119 --> 00:22:57,520 Speaker 2: a good thing. So there's about two thousand I think 473 00:22:57,520 --> 00:23:00,800 Speaker 2: it's about twenty two hundred fee free that's hard to 474 00:23:00,800 --> 00:23:04,359 Speaker 2: say fee free places that are available. So good news. 475 00:23:04,359 --> 00:23:06,280 Speaker 2: So if you're thinking about going to do some study. 476 00:23:06,359 --> 00:23:08,679 Speaker 2: You want to up skill, this is the time to 477 00:23:08,680 --> 00:23:09,960 Speaker 2: do it because it's going to be paid for. 478 00:23:10,200 --> 00:23:13,520 Speaker 1: Well, Chief Minister Evil, Lula really appreciate your time this morning. 479 00:23:13,520 --> 00:23:15,480 Speaker 1: Thanks so much for joining us for the first time 480 00:23:15,520 --> 00:23:17,320 Speaker 1: in twenty twenty four and we look forward to having 481 00:23:17,359 --> 00:23:18,159 Speaker 1: you on every fortnite. 482 00:23:18,160 --> 00:23:18,719 Speaker 2: Thank you very much. 483 00:23:18,960 --> 00:23:19,600 Speaker 1: Thank you.