1 00:00:00,120 --> 00:00:03,240 Speaker 1: The Senator for the Northern Territory, Doctor Sam McMahon, Good 2 00:00:03,240 --> 00:00:04,040 Speaker 1: morning to you. 3 00:00:04,040 --> 00:00:06,080 Speaker 2: Good morning, Katie, and good morning to you listeners. 4 00:00:07,040 --> 00:00:09,440 Speaker 3: Now, Senator, firstly, some good news. 5 00:00:09,520 --> 00:00:12,039 Speaker 1: Yesterday we did catch up with the Federal Minister Dan 6 00:00:12,119 --> 00:00:18,440 Speaker 1: teen and spoke further about about these new agricultural visas. Senator, 7 00:00:18,480 --> 00:00:21,000 Speaker 1: how soon do you anticipate that they're going to come 8 00:00:21,000 --> 00:00:23,079 Speaker 1: into action and they'll be able to be utilized. 9 00:00:24,200 --> 00:00:27,120 Speaker 2: Yeah, look, Cadie, it will be before the end of 10 00:00:27,160 --> 00:00:30,720 Speaker 2: the year. Obviously as soon as we can possibly get 11 00:00:30,720 --> 00:00:33,800 Speaker 2: it in place, but definitely before the end of this year. 12 00:00:34,960 --> 00:00:35,240 Speaker 3: Okay. 13 00:00:35,360 --> 00:00:37,080 Speaker 1: That is good to hear because I know that we've 14 00:00:37,360 --> 00:00:39,280 Speaker 1: we spoke to Luke Gosling a little bit earlier this 15 00:00:39,360 --> 00:00:42,960 Speaker 1: morning and he was unsure when we asked Dantie, and 16 00:00:43,040 --> 00:00:46,120 Speaker 1: yesterday he said as quickly as possible. So that is 17 00:00:46,200 --> 00:00:48,640 Speaker 1: great to hear that before the end of the year 18 00:00:49,240 --> 00:00:51,960 Speaker 1: they are going to come into play. 19 00:00:52,600 --> 00:00:53,400 Speaker 3: I guess you know. 20 00:00:53,560 --> 00:00:56,200 Speaker 1: In the meantime, as you and I have discussed on 21 00:00:56,240 --> 00:00:59,279 Speaker 1: a number of occasions, we've got this real issue at 22 00:00:59,280 --> 00:01:02,160 Speaker 1: the moment when it comes to the workforce shortage for 23 00:01:02,280 --> 00:01:03,040 Speaker 1: our farmers. 24 00:01:04,760 --> 00:01:07,840 Speaker 2: Yeah, o, Katie, Look the announcement of this visa is 25 00:01:07,880 --> 00:01:10,120 Speaker 2: going to be an absolute game changer. It's going to 26 00:01:10,160 --> 00:01:17,000 Speaker 2: revolutionize things for Northern Territory agriculture. This is something that 27 00:01:17,040 --> 00:01:19,880 Speaker 2: the CLP has been has had as a policy for 28 00:01:19,959 --> 00:01:23,160 Speaker 2: quite some time. This is something that I've been pushing 29 00:01:24,000 --> 00:01:26,360 Speaker 2: down here in canber for the last two years. To 30 00:01:26,440 --> 00:01:32,319 Speaker 2: have it announced is absolutely fantastic. It will absolutely revolutionize 31 00:01:32,840 --> 00:01:37,119 Speaker 2: the access to workforce for our farmers and producers. Look 32 00:01:37,160 --> 00:01:40,200 Speaker 2: in the meantime, in the short terms, we still have 33 00:01:40,280 --> 00:01:44,920 Speaker 2: access to the seasonal worker program, which I'm working on. 34 00:01:45,040 --> 00:01:47,720 Speaker 2: We've Minister a little proud to make sure that we 35 00:01:47,760 --> 00:01:51,040 Speaker 2: get as many of the seasonal workers across to the 36 00:01:51,200 --> 00:01:52,760 Speaker 2: NT for the mango season. 37 00:01:54,440 --> 00:01:57,440 Speaker 1: But the problem at the moment is that we need 38 00:01:57,480 --> 00:01:59,760 Speaker 1: a facility, or we need somewhere for them to be 39 00:01:59,760 --> 00:02:01,120 Speaker 1: able to quarantine. 40 00:02:01,240 --> 00:02:04,800 Speaker 3: Again. You and I have discussed this on a few occasions. Senator, 41 00:02:04,840 --> 00:02:06,840 Speaker 3: where are we at? Because I'm a little bit confused. 42 00:02:06,880 --> 00:02:08,720 Speaker 1: I mean, if you listen to labor, they're saying that 43 00:02:09,240 --> 00:02:10,600 Speaker 1: the Feds aren't working soon. 44 00:02:10,520 --> 00:02:11,600 Speaker 3: Enough or fast enough. 45 00:02:12,040 --> 00:02:14,480 Speaker 1: You know, when I spoke to NT farmers, they had 46 00:02:14,480 --> 00:02:16,280 Speaker 1: said that they're waiting for that sign off from the 47 00:02:16,320 --> 00:02:17,080 Speaker 1: federal government. 48 00:02:17,680 --> 00:02:19,200 Speaker 3: But I guess at this point. 49 00:02:18,960 --> 00:02:21,280 Speaker 1: In time, we just need everybody to work together to 50 00:02:21,320 --> 00:02:22,000 Speaker 1: make it happen. 51 00:02:23,320 --> 00:02:27,160 Speaker 2: Yeah, we do. Look, there's a couple of issues. Firstly, 52 00:02:27,520 --> 00:02:31,880 Speaker 2: we have put in place, from a federal perspective, the 53 00:02:31,919 --> 00:02:38,040 Speaker 2: capacity to have workers quarantine in their countries and then 54 00:02:38,160 --> 00:02:40,160 Speaker 2: come and go on to farm, so they will have 55 00:02:40,200 --> 00:02:44,040 Speaker 2: already quarantined at home, they can come out here, they 56 00:02:44,040 --> 00:02:47,400 Speaker 2: can go straight onto the farm and start working. Now, 57 00:02:47,480 --> 00:02:51,560 Speaker 2: unfortunately that Northern Territory government hasn't actually signed up to 58 00:02:52,120 --> 00:02:54,560 Speaker 2: make use of that scheme, so at this stage the 59 00:02:54,560 --> 00:02:57,760 Speaker 2: Northern Territory Government is saying, no, we're not going to 60 00:02:57,800 --> 00:03:00,240 Speaker 2: do that. We still want them to come here and 61 00:03:00,320 --> 00:03:04,320 Speaker 2: quarantine for two weeks before going out onto the farm. 62 00:03:04,520 --> 00:03:06,880 Speaker 2: So one of the other things I've been pushing is well, 63 00:03:06,919 --> 00:03:11,079 Speaker 2: can they do quarantine on farm in the Northern Territory Now, 64 00:03:11,200 --> 00:03:15,560 Speaker 2: so far the MTG has approved that for one particular 65 00:03:15,600 --> 00:03:18,480 Speaker 2: farm and some of them are We're only one farm, 66 00:03:19,200 --> 00:03:23,280 Speaker 2: so yes, there's a couple of solutions there. But quarantine 67 00:03:23,520 --> 00:03:25,800 Speaker 2: is a function of the Northern Territory Government and the 68 00:03:26,200 --> 00:03:30,399 Speaker 2: cho and you know, if they allow it, then yes, 69 00:03:30,680 --> 00:03:33,480 Speaker 2: federally We're more than happy for those workers to come in. 70 00:03:33,520 --> 00:03:35,200 Speaker 2: We want them to come in, we need them to 71 00:03:35,240 --> 00:03:35,600 Speaker 2: come in. 72 00:03:36,560 --> 00:03:39,520 Speaker 1: Okay, I think that that is that's obviously great news 73 00:03:39,520 --> 00:03:41,400 Speaker 1: that on one of those farms here in the Northern 74 00:03:41,480 --> 00:03:44,640 Speaker 1: Territory that's going to be able to happen. I take 75 00:03:44,680 --> 00:03:47,040 Speaker 1: what you're saying there about that quarantining at home in 76 00:03:47,920 --> 00:03:50,400 Speaker 1: their countries and then coming across. But I can still 77 00:03:50,440 --> 00:03:52,880 Speaker 1: see how some territories might be a little bit worried 78 00:03:52,920 --> 00:03:57,120 Speaker 1: about that. The other option is indeed Bladan Point. Where 79 00:03:57,160 --> 00:03:58,520 Speaker 1: are we at with this option? 80 00:04:00,040 --> 00:04:03,720 Speaker 2: Yeah, Look, I've been talking about Bladen Village for a 81 00:04:03,800 --> 00:04:07,640 Speaker 2: long time now. It's a superb facility. It's equal, if 82 00:04:07,680 --> 00:04:12,880 Speaker 2: not better than Howard Springs. Unfortunately, the Chief Minister does 83 00:04:12,920 --> 00:04:16,440 Speaker 2: not support the use of Bladon Village at this point 84 00:04:16,440 --> 00:04:20,040 Speaker 2: in time. I'm not sure why. I'm at a complete 85 00:04:20,120 --> 00:04:24,120 Speaker 2: loss is to explain why. It's a purpose built facility 86 00:04:24,160 --> 00:04:28,120 Speaker 2: that would be perfect. So I'm hoping that the MTG 87 00:04:28,800 --> 00:04:31,360 Speaker 2: and the Chief Minister and the Cocho will change their 88 00:04:31,400 --> 00:04:35,960 Speaker 2: stance on this and will allow allow our agricultural workers, 89 00:04:35,960 --> 00:04:39,000 Speaker 2: our seasonal workers to come in and use that facility. 90 00:04:40,040 --> 00:04:42,320 Speaker 1: All Right, I've got to say, I'm confused because obviously 91 00:04:42,360 --> 00:04:44,560 Speaker 1: Luke Gosling is saying that it's a federal government that's 92 00:04:44,560 --> 00:04:47,160 Speaker 1: holding things up. You're telling me that it's the Chief 93 00:04:47,240 --> 00:04:50,640 Speaker 1: Minister out and the Northern Territory Chief Health officer. I 94 00:04:50,720 --> 00:04:53,360 Speaker 1: know though when the Prime Minister Scott Morrison was here, 95 00:04:53,760 --> 00:04:56,160 Speaker 1: he did sort of flag this proposal was in the 96 00:04:56,200 --> 00:04:59,560 Speaker 1: works between the federal and Northern Territory governments to use 97 00:04:59,600 --> 00:05:03,000 Speaker 1: Blade Village as a quarantine facility to help deal with 98 00:05:03,040 --> 00:05:06,760 Speaker 1: that agricultural work shortage. As we know, that facility can 99 00:05:06,800 --> 00:05:12,520 Speaker 1: accommodate fourteen hundred people at a time. So I mean, 100 00:05:12,680 --> 00:05:14,640 Speaker 1: are we just like, are we at a point now 101 00:05:14,720 --> 00:05:18,839 Speaker 1: where where you know the conversation is broken down or 102 00:05:18,839 --> 00:05:21,720 Speaker 1: where are we at here? 103 00:05:21,800 --> 00:05:24,280 Speaker 2: Well, as you're aware, when the PM was in your 104 00:05:24,320 --> 00:05:28,200 Speaker 2: studio he was open to using that facility and he 105 00:05:28,240 --> 00:05:32,680 Speaker 2: has since come out publicly and said that he's quite 106 00:05:32,720 --> 00:05:36,599 Speaker 2: open to that facility. So I can guarantee to you 107 00:05:37,080 --> 00:05:40,440 Speaker 2: that federally we're happy for the NTG to use that 108 00:05:40,520 --> 00:05:43,880 Speaker 2: facility for quarantine. I mean we've given them half a 109 00:05:43,960 --> 00:05:49,040 Speaker 2: billion dollars for quarantine, so we are more than happy 110 00:05:49,360 --> 00:05:52,560 Speaker 2: for them to bring as many people in as they 111 00:05:52,600 --> 00:05:56,760 Speaker 2: possibly can. So it's definitely not it's not a federal issue. 112 00:05:56,800 --> 00:05:59,800 Speaker 2: I don't know why Luke would say that. I really don't. Well, 113 00:06:00,120 --> 00:06:02,520 Speaker 2: So it's definitely up to the Energy it's their decision. 114 00:06:03,600 --> 00:06:04,720 Speaker 3: Okay. 115 00:06:04,520 --> 00:06:08,600 Speaker 1: So apparently there is this proposal that's been put forward, obviously. 116 00:06:09,680 --> 00:06:11,760 Speaker 3: I believe by the industry and. 117 00:06:11,720 --> 00:06:14,920 Speaker 1: Also by a medical group who would be able to 118 00:06:14,960 --> 00:06:18,880 Speaker 1: then utilize that Bladon village. You know, I guess all 119 00:06:18,960 --> 00:06:21,280 Speaker 1: I'm thinking is, at this point in time, we know 120 00:06:21,480 --> 00:06:25,080 Speaker 1: and you know this better than I. You've been speaking 121 00:06:25,080 --> 00:06:27,920 Speaker 1: to two NT farmers for quite some time, but we 122 00:06:28,000 --> 00:06:31,560 Speaker 1: are literally getting to the pointy end of the mango season. 123 00:06:31,680 --> 00:06:34,159 Speaker 1: So I'm just thinking, how do we try to make 124 00:06:34,200 --> 00:06:37,320 Speaker 1: this work for our Northern Territory farmers so we do 125 00:06:37,400 --> 00:06:40,880 Speaker 1: not have those mangoes go to waste. Yeah. 126 00:06:40,920 --> 00:06:45,280 Speaker 2: Absolutely, it's one of my top priorities. Katie and I 127 00:06:45,360 --> 00:06:48,880 Speaker 2: talk to Minister a Little Proud on a daily basis, 128 00:06:49,000 --> 00:06:51,560 Speaker 2: and this time a year, it always turns to mangoes 129 00:06:51,560 --> 00:06:56,400 Speaker 2: and the seasonal workforce and I'm doing everything I can, 130 00:06:57,160 --> 00:06:59,520 Speaker 2: and from a federal perspective, Minister a Little Proud is 131 00:06:59,520 --> 00:07:02,400 Speaker 2: doing everything he can to get the workers in that 132 00:07:02,400 --> 00:07:04,520 Speaker 2: we need. I mean, nobody wants to see mangoes rotting 133 00:07:04,560 --> 00:07:10,040 Speaker 2: on the ground. Nobody wants that. We just need and look, 134 00:07:10,040 --> 00:07:12,920 Speaker 2: I'm sure the Chief Minister doesn't want that either. So 135 00:07:13,000 --> 00:07:16,880 Speaker 2: we just need this quarantine issue to be resolved federally. 136 00:07:16,920 --> 00:07:19,040 Speaker 2: We're happy for them to come in. We're more than happy. 137 00:07:19,320 --> 00:07:24,480 Speaker 2: We just need the MTG to approve either on farm 138 00:07:24,560 --> 00:07:29,440 Speaker 2: quarantine in country of origin quarantine or use of either 139 00:07:30,200 --> 00:07:32,080 Speaker 2: how it springs or blade in village. Look, I don't 140 00:07:32,080 --> 00:07:35,040 Speaker 2: really care which it is, just so long as they 141 00:07:35,080 --> 00:07:40,040 Speaker 2: approve something for the seasonal worker program. 142 00:07:40,400 --> 00:07:44,080 Speaker 1: Senator what is your message today for the Northern Territory Government. 143 00:07:44,240 --> 00:07:47,160 Speaker 1: I mean I would imagine that you know you're prepared 144 00:07:47,200 --> 00:07:49,440 Speaker 1: to work with them to try to make this happen. 145 00:07:50,640 --> 00:07:53,080 Speaker 2: Yeah, Look, my message is, please please talk to me. 146 00:07:54,000 --> 00:07:57,400 Speaker 2: We need to get a quarantine option for the seasonal 147 00:07:57,440 --> 00:08:00,880 Speaker 2: workers and I'll do what ever I need to do 148 00:08:00,960 --> 00:08:04,400 Speaker 2: to make that happen. So if there's any issues that 149 00:08:04,440 --> 00:08:07,400 Speaker 2: the MTG has, please talk to me. I will I 150 00:08:07,440 --> 00:08:09,080 Speaker 2: will work with you. I will make it happen. 151 00:08:10,520 --> 00:08:13,920 Speaker 1: Senator Sam McMahon, I really appreciate you taking the time 152 00:08:13,960 --> 00:08:16,440 Speaker 1: tab a chat with us this morning at very short notice. 153 00:08:16,480 --> 00:08:17,480 Speaker 3: I know you're very busy. 154 00:08:17,560 --> 00:08:22,119 Speaker 2: Thank you very much, No worries, Katie, pleasure as always. 155 00:08:22,240 --> 00:08:22,600 Speaker 3: Thank you. 156 00:08:23,160 --> 00:08:25,960 Speaker 1: That is the Senator for the Northern Territory, the COLP 157 00:08:26,200 --> 00:08:29,880 Speaker 1: Senator Sam McMahon there, and yeah, look, I really hope 158 00:08:29,880 --> 00:08:32,880 Speaker 1: that we're able to come to some kind of agreement here. 159 00:08:32,960 --> 00:08:36,640 Speaker 1: As you've heard there, we're both from Labor's Luke Gosling 160 00:08:36,720 --> 00:08:39,440 Speaker 1: and also the Senator for the Northern Territory, the CLP 161 00:08:39,600 --> 00:08:40,760 Speaker 1: Senator Sam McMahon. 162 00:08:41,320 --> 00:08:43,080 Speaker 3: Everybody wants the same outcome here. 163 00:08:43,200 --> 00:08:46,079 Speaker 1: Everybody wants us to be in a situation where our 164 00:08:46,120 --> 00:08:48,320 Speaker 1: mangoes do not go to waste, where we have got 165 00:08:48,320 --> 00:08:51,960 Speaker 1: the pickers and packers required to fill what is an 166 00:08:52,000 --> 00:08:55,360 Speaker 1: acute worker shortage right now in this space. 167 00:08:55,440 --> 00:08:56,959 Speaker 3: So we need to make this happen. 168 00:08:57,000 --> 00:08:59,680 Speaker 1: Where the blade and village is the answer, where the 169 00:08:59,720 --> 00:09:02,679 Speaker 1: quarrelarantining at their home in their country is the answer, 170 00:09:03,000 --> 00:09:05,520 Speaker 1: or whether the answer is to allow that quarantining on 171 00:09:05,760 --> 00:09:09,040 Speaker 1: farms here in the territory, I really don't know, and 172 00:09:09,080 --> 00:09:11,320 Speaker 1: I'm not an expert when it comes to the health 173 00:09:11,360 --> 00:09:13,640 Speaker 1: profession and when it comes to the best ways in 174 00:09:13,679 --> 00:09:16,720 Speaker 1: which to quarantine. But what I do hope happens is 175 00:09:16,760 --> 00:09:20,480 Speaker 1: that we're able to get an outcome before those mangoes 176 00:09:20,480 --> 00:09:23,000 Speaker 1: are due to be picked, because as we've heard over 177 00:09:23,080 --> 00:09:26,880 Speaker 1: recent weeks, we know that this is an industry which 178 00:09:26,920 --> 00:09:29,400 Speaker 1: brings in a lot of money to the Northern Territory, 179 00:09:29,440 --> 00:09:33,520 Speaker 1: but we're also talking about local business and territorians here 180 00:09:33,600 --> 00:09:36,160 Speaker 1: and making sure that there is an outcome for those 181 00:09:36,280 --> 00:09:39,080 Speaker 1: territorians where this fruit doesn't go to waste.