1 00:00:00,080 --> 00:00:03,320 Speaker 1: Given the unprecedented wet season it's impacts on part of 2 00:00:03,360 --> 00:00:06,560 Speaker 1: the top end, primarily the Catherine and Big Rivers region. 3 00:00:06,680 --> 00:00:08,840 Speaker 1: Everyone's well aware of just how much it's going to 4 00:00:08,880 --> 00:00:12,040 Speaker 1: take to get some people and businesses back on their 5 00:00:12,080 --> 00:00:15,360 Speaker 1: feet now. It has prompted an urgent call from the 6 00:00:15,440 --> 00:00:19,119 Speaker 1: Chamber of Commerce to ensure there's a coordinated government support 7 00:00:19,400 --> 00:00:23,400 Speaker 1: well that there is that coordinated government support for local businesses. 8 00:00:23,800 --> 00:00:26,520 Speaker 1: Now joining us on the line from the Chamber is 9 00:00:26,720 --> 00:00:28,560 Speaker 1: Brad Gaddis. Good morning to you. 10 00:00:28,680 --> 00:00:31,280 Speaker 2: Brad, Good morning Katie. How are you going? 11 00:00:31,440 --> 00:00:34,600 Speaker 1: You're really good. Lovely to have you on the show now, Brad, 12 00:00:34,640 --> 00:00:37,360 Speaker 1: we know that businesses have really been hurting over the 13 00:00:37,400 --> 00:00:41,880 Speaker 1: past few weeks, given what's been going on in Catherine 14 00:00:42,040 --> 00:00:44,680 Speaker 1: and the surrounding regions. What are they telling you? 15 00:00:46,240 --> 00:00:49,600 Speaker 2: Yeah, Look, it's been really challenging for businesses across the 16 00:00:49,840 --> 00:00:52,720 Speaker 2: entire Northern Territory, like even down here in Sentra Australia, 17 00:00:52,800 --> 00:00:56,440 Speaker 2: we've had our fair share, but Catherine seems to be 18 00:00:56,760 --> 00:01:01,279 Speaker 2: copying the brunt of it. And although we're seeing some 19 00:01:01,400 --> 00:01:06,720 Speaker 2: great response from the government for individuals and also not 20 00:01:07,080 --> 00:01:11,520 Speaker 2: for profits through the asset Assistance grants and freight subsidies 21 00:01:11,560 --> 00:01:15,880 Speaker 2: for our primary producers. I think the issue we've got is, 22 00:01:16,520 --> 00:01:18,959 Speaker 2: you know, we've heard from business owners out there this morning, 23 00:01:19,160 --> 00:01:21,960 Speaker 2: and you know they're out there helping the community, and 24 00:01:21,959 --> 00:01:26,440 Speaker 2: they're keeping the community safe, and they're turning, you know, 25 00:01:26,760 --> 00:01:30,680 Speaker 2: a horrible situation into what only Territorians can do by 26 00:01:31,000 --> 00:01:34,080 Speaker 2: banning together the support a community. But in the meantime, 27 00:01:34,200 --> 00:01:39,240 Speaker 2: their businesses are sitting there emptying foes, and we're really 28 00:01:39,280 --> 00:01:41,240 Speaker 2: concerned about what that means for the future. 29 00:01:41,680 --> 00:01:44,240 Speaker 1: I know the government was obviously pretty quick to announce 30 00:01:44,280 --> 00:01:47,840 Speaker 1: that one hundred million dollar funding Recovery or Flooding Recovery 31 00:01:47,880 --> 00:01:51,560 Speaker 1: Fund and also those immediate relief payments, but the Chamber 32 00:01:51,680 --> 00:01:55,040 Speaker 1: is a bit concerned that there hasn't been anything business 33 00:01:55,120 --> 00:01:58,000 Speaker 1: targeted yet, isn't it. Yeah? 34 00:01:58,040 --> 00:02:02,880 Speaker 2: Absolutely, And look I spoke with Minister Hersey late last 35 00:02:02,880 --> 00:02:06,040 Speaker 2: week and obviously she had other things on her mind 36 00:02:06,080 --> 00:02:10,320 Speaker 2: on on on Friday with the Norell impending. So I 37 00:02:10,360 --> 00:02:12,840 Speaker 2: think we just need to get through this initial stage 38 00:02:13,000 --> 00:02:16,960 Speaker 2: of Norell moving through and and the aftermaths. Obviously everybody's 39 00:02:17,280 --> 00:02:20,840 Speaker 2: watching closely the river level Fair and Catherine and the 40 00:02:20,919 --> 00:02:25,240 Speaker 2: images out of Adelaide river this morning are just crazy. 41 00:02:25,360 --> 00:02:30,920 Speaker 2: So but looks as we get through this immediate stage, 42 00:02:31,400 --> 00:02:33,160 Speaker 2: we definitely want to have a look to see what 43 00:02:33,280 --> 00:02:36,399 Speaker 2: support can be given. You know, we've you know, we're 44 00:02:36,400 --> 00:02:38,800 Speaker 2: talking about fuel a week ago that's still in the 45 00:02:38,880 --> 00:02:42,200 Speaker 2: card fere and you know, there's there's a real concern 46 00:02:42,400 --> 00:02:45,959 Speaker 2: for the tourism market in Catherine and the Big Rivers 47 00:02:46,000 --> 00:02:48,520 Speaker 2: region and we need to make sure our businesses are 48 00:02:48,560 --> 00:02:53,359 Speaker 2: being supported so that they can sustain, you know, through 49 00:02:53,520 --> 00:02:56,600 Speaker 2: another dry season and another tourism and and you know, 50 00:02:56,639 --> 00:02:59,280 Speaker 2: make sure that they're they're here to help the community 51 00:02:59,400 --> 00:03:00,000 Speaker 2: moving forward. 52 00:03:00,160 --> 00:03:02,320 Speaker 1: So what are you hoping to hear really from both 53 00:03:02,400 --> 00:03:06,799 Speaker 1: levels of government once this latest wet weather has has passed. 54 00:03:08,360 --> 00:03:11,560 Speaker 2: Yeah, look, we're keen to see what they can do 55 00:03:11,760 --> 00:03:18,200 Speaker 2: to help businesses out who've had power outages and reliable supplies. 56 00:03:18,600 --> 00:03:23,560 Speaker 2: You know, there's businesses out there who've lost refrigeration and 57 00:03:23,680 --> 00:03:27,240 Speaker 2: just basic comms. Can't even you know, take f POS 58 00:03:27,240 --> 00:03:32,520 Speaker 2: payments when when the power is out, and so really realistically, 59 00:03:32,680 --> 00:03:36,640 Speaker 2: we're looking for some of those personal hardship payments that 60 00:03:36,720 --> 00:03:41,280 Speaker 2: we're giving to individuals to be also available for businesses. 61 00:03:41,920 --> 00:03:44,760 Speaker 2: You know, the asset assistance grants that's out there for 62 00:03:45,200 --> 00:03:49,800 Speaker 2: nonprofit organizations. That's that's fabulous, But again, what about the 63 00:03:49,800 --> 00:03:53,120 Speaker 2: private businesses, because as you heard from Len just before, 64 00:03:53,240 --> 00:03:56,160 Speaker 2: like you put a call out for a forklift and 65 00:03:56,760 --> 00:03:59,360 Speaker 2: six businesses turn up, Like that's the sort of territory 66 00:03:59,360 --> 00:04:02,800 Speaker 2: spirit that that we hear so often. You know, I 67 00:04:02,840 --> 00:04:07,520 Speaker 2: even saw one of our members offered a machine to 68 00:04:07,560 --> 00:04:11,480 Speaker 2: help fill sandbags over the weekends, and you know, and 69 00:04:11,520 --> 00:04:14,320 Speaker 2: then you know, you needed a bobcat. In the next minute, 70 00:04:14,760 --> 00:04:17,320 Speaker 2: someone's got a bobcat. And so the whole community is 71 00:04:17,360 --> 00:04:21,160 Speaker 2: banning together and the community businesses are putting their hands 72 00:04:21,160 --> 00:04:25,160 Speaker 2: in their pocket to support. But at some point, you know, 73 00:04:25,320 --> 00:04:28,280 Speaker 2: things have to give, and you know, the last thing 74 00:04:28,320 --> 00:04:32,600 Speaker 2: we want to see is businesses going south and the 75 00:04:32,960 --> 00:04:36,560 Speaker 2: broader impact that has on the local community. 76 00:04:36,720 --> 00:04:39,320 Speaker 1: Yeah, you spot on, And you know, like the fact is, 77 00:04:39,360 --> 00:04:41,400 Speaker 1: for some of these businesses as well, it's not just 78 00:04:41,440 --> 00:04:44,320 Speaker 1: a situation where they've not been able to operate for 79 00:04:44,400 --> 00:04:46,599 Speaker 1: a you know, for a period of time because of 80 00:04:46,640 --> 00:04:49,159 Speaker 1: the weather as well, but they're you know, they're potentially 81 00:04:49,200 --> 00:04:52,200 Speaker 1: copying it in terms of damage they're having to repair 82 00:04:52,600 --> 00:04:55,159 Speaker 1: their own businesses. But at the moment that's probably not 83 00:04:55,240 --> 00:04:58,120 Speaker 1: even front of mine because they're so focused on trying 84 00:04:58,120 --> 00:04:58,960 Speaker 1: to help one another. 85 00:05:00,080 --> 00:05:04,400 Speaker 2: Yeah. Absolutely, and we're hearing that constantly that you know, 86 00:05:05,200 --> 00:05:07,240 Speaker 2: we're not worried about the business just yet. We just 87 00:05:07,279 --> 00:05:11,120 Speaker 2: need to make sure that ever I'm safe. And that 88 00:05:11,279 --> 00:05:15,560 Speaker 2: sort of territory spirit is just absolutely amazing. And you know, 89 00:05:15,920 --> 00:05:19,000 Speaker 2: I don't think it matters whether you're in the North 90 00:05:19,040 --> 00:05:22,120 Speaker 2: Big Rivers or down here in Central Australia. It's the 91 00:05:22,160 --> 00:05:24,120 Speaker 2: same territory spirit no matter where you live. 92 00:05:24,320 --> 00:05:26,760 Speaker 1: Yes, spot on, hey Brad, before I let you go. 93 00:05:27,080 --> 00:05:29,560 Speaker 1: The other big issue that's been on people's mind is 94 00:05:29,600 --> 00:05:32,919 Speaker 1: obviously the rising cost of fuel. I know that the 95 00:05:33,000 --> 00:05:36,120 Speaker 1: Chamber and other peak industry bodies have met recently over 96 00:05:36,160 --> 00:05:40,560 Speaker 1: those growing concerns. Relating to the climbing prices is the 97 00:05:40,600 --> 00:05:41,479 Speaker 1: biggest concern. 98 00:05:43,080 --> 00:05:49,039 Speaker 2: Look, I think we're hearing from Chris Bohen that supply 99 00:05:50,240 --> 00:05:53,440 Speaker 2: is okay, but at the same time we're hearing conflicting 100 00:05:53,520 --> 00:05:57,040 Speaker 2: things about some of that supply coming in from Asia 101 00:05:57,080 --> 00:06:01,200 Speaker 2: and some tankers being not back. So it's constantly changing. 102 00:06:01,240 --> 00:06:03,200 Speaker 2: But I think that the main thing for us to 103 00:06:03,640 --> 00:06:06,680 Speaker 2: do here is let's not really have those COVID toilet 104 00:06:06,680 --> 00:06:10,840 Speaker 2: paper days, Katie, Like you know, you know, and if 105 00:06:10,880 --> 00:06:13,840 Speaker 2: we can and if you can make a decision to 106 00:06:14,240 --> 00:06:17,480 Speaker 2: change some of your habits to maybe save some money 107 00:06:17,480 --> 00:06:21,360 Speaker 2: and you know, get the feet going and do a 108 00:06:21,440 --> 00:06:23,600 Speaker 2: bit of walking instead of the driving, you know, then 109 00:06:23,760 --> 00:06:26,800 Speaker 2: every little bit's going to help in the meantime. Like 110 00:06:26,960 --> 00:06:30,279 Speaker 2: I heard the comments before about some of the listeners 111 00:06:30,360 --> 00:06:36,160 Speaker 2: up there who are experiencing varying prices in different areas. 112 00:06:36,360 --> 00:06:39,720 Speaker 2: And look, a few of our members are petroleum sites 113 00:06:39,720 --> 00:06:43,320 Speaker 2: and I've had discussions with them with regards to their pricing, 114 00:06:43,360 --> 00:06:47,919 Speaker 2: and realistically it is a very complex beast how we 115 00:06:48,000 --> 00:06:53,839 Speaker 2: get the pricing right. Price variations can depend on when 116 00:06:53,880 --> 00:06:57,520 Speaker 2: a load of fuel came in versus you know, how 117 00:06:57,600 --> 00:07:00,200 Speaker 2: much fuel they've got. You know, there's one of our 118 00:07:00,240 --> 00:07:02,440 Speaker 2: members said that, you know, when they get a load 119 00:07:02,480 --> 00:07:04,360 Speaker 2: of fuel, when it costs one hundred and fifty thousand 120 00:07:04,400 --> 00:07:07,920 Speaker 2: dollars and they got fourteen days to pay. So you know, 121 00:07:08,000 --> 00:07:12,800 Speaker 2: those sorts of impacts on the business itself is putting stresses. 122 00:07:12,920 --> 00:07:16,480 Speaker 2: So you know, it's horrible that we're all facing this 123 00:07:16,640 --> 00:07:18,760 Speaker 2: when we go to the pump. But at the same time, 124 00:07:19,760 --> 00:07:23,240 Speaker 2: some of these Petrocytes are a local for small business 125 00:07:23,280 --> 00:07:26,440 Speaker 2: operators themselves, and it is a strain on them, and 126 00:07:26,680 --> 00:07:29,880 Speaker 2: it's stressful, and we're seeing more and more drive offs, 127 00:07:29,920 --> 00:07:33,560 Speaker 2: which is really unfortunate, which you know, has then meant 128 00:07:33,560 --> 00:07:37,120 Speaker 2: that some operators have had to go to pre paying 129 00:07:37,160 --> 00:07:40,720 Speaker 2: for fuel, which isn't the territory spirit that we just 130 00:07:40,720 --> 00:07:41,320 Speaker 2: spoke about. 131 00:07:41,680 --> 00:07:45,400 Speaker 1: I don't mind pre paying, Brad. I'm like, oh, well done. 132 00:07:45,480 --> 00:07:47,360 Speaker 1: I can just walk straight in. Then I don't buy 133 00:07:47,440 --> 00:07:50,880 Speaker 1: myself five chocolates inside. 134 00:07:51,480 --> 00:07:54,640 Speaker 2: Absolutely, it's good for the ways, Katie. And look, you know, 135 00:07:55,440 --> 00:07:59,160 Speaker 2: even if it's simply leaving your card at the counter, 136 00:07:59,200 --> 00:08:01,200 Speaker 2: which I had to do while I was out traveling 137 00:08:01,280 --> 00:08:04,560 Speaker 2: last week, you know, it's not a concern. It's a 138 00:08:04,600 --> 00:08:08,880 Speaker 2: small price to pay for when you compare that those 139 00:08:09,040 --> 00:08:11,760 Speaker 2: operators still have to pay those bills. So you know, 140 00:08:12,280 --> 00:08:15,440 Speaker 2: it's putting one hundred dollars in your tank is easy 141 00:08:15,480 --> 00:08:19,240 Speaker 2: to do these days, and no business needs to be 142 00:08:19,680 --> 00:08:21,840 Speaker 2: short of one hundred dollars. And I guess that's all 143 00:08:21,840 --> 00:08:24,880 Speaker 2: we're asking the government to do when it comes to 144 00:08:25,000 --> 00:08:28,000 Speaker 2: some of this flood assistance, and for the fuel, it's 145 00:08:28,000 --> 00:08:31,440 Speaker 2: the same thing. Let's try and band together and you 146 00:08:31,440 --> 00:08:33,079 Speaker 2: don't see what we can do to come out the 147 00:08:33,160 --> 00:08:36,800 Speaker 2: other side without having a repeat at a toilet paper incident. 148 00:08:37,400 --> 00:08:39,480 Speaker 1: We do not want that. Like, just buy what you 149 00:08:39,559 --> 00:08:42,880 Speaker 1: need people, you know you don't need to go overboard. Well, 150 00:08:42,920 --> 00:08:46,000 Speaker 1: brag gat us from the Chamber of Commerce. Really great 151 00:08:46,000 --> 00:08:48,400 Speaker 1: to speak with you this morning. I appreciate you having 152 00:08:48,400 --> 00:08:49,160 Speaker 1: a chat with us. 153 00:08:49,960 --> 00:08:52,080 Speaker 2: Thanks Kay you hope to suit you sne thank you 154 00:08:52,440 --> 00:08:52,959 Speaker 2: sounds good.