1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:03,560 Speaker 1: Obviously we've just been talking about the situation with the 2 00:00:03,640 --> 00:00:06,960 Speaker 1: Darwin Port with doctor John con from the Australian Strategic 3 00:00:07,000 --> 00:00:09,760 Speaker 1: Policy Institute, and joining me in the studio right now 4 00:00:10,360 --> 00:00:13,399 Speaker 1: is the Member for Solomon, Labour's Member for Solomon, Luke Gosland. 5 00:00:13,440 --> 00:00:15,000 Speaker 2: Good morning to you, Luke, Morning Katy. 6 00:00:15,160 --> 00:00:17,239 Speaker 1: Good to have you in the studio now. We're just 7 00:00:17,280 --> 00:00:19,840 Speaker 1: talking to doctor John Coyn about the situation with the 8 00:00:19,840 --> 00:00:21,840 Speaker 1: port and I know that there's still quite a bit 9 00:00:21,880 --> 00:00:24,160 Speaker 1: to sort of progress through from what we can gather, 10 00:00:24,280 --> 00:00:27,200 Speaker 1: but certainly being reported this week that there is a 11 00:00:27,320 --> 00:00:31,720 Speaker 1: New York based capital management fund that it is preparing 12 00:00:31,760 --> 00:00:35,120 Speaker 1: a proposal to buy the port from Landbridge Group, it 13 00:00:35,159 --> 00:00:37,000 Speaker 1: does seem as though there's quite a way to go. 14 00:00:37,159 --> 00:00:41,479 Speaker 1: I mean, from your perspective, would you prefer I mean, 15 00:00:41,800 --> 00:00:44,400 Speaker 1: I know we may not sort of get to choose 16 00:00:44,440 --> 00:00:46,800 Speaker 1: who does or doesn't take over, but would you prefer 17 00:00:46,960 --> 00:00:49,920 Speaker 1: to see the port go into Australian hands? Would you 18 00:00:49,960 --> 00:00:52,320 Speaker 1: be happy with us hands? Or are you happy with 19 00:00:52,360 --> 00:00:52,800 Speaker 1: how it is? 20 00:00:53,840 --> 00:00:56,200 Speaker 2: We won't surprise you to know, Katie that I will 21 00:00:56,240 --> 00:00:59,480 Speaker 2: start by saying it should have always stayed in Australian 22 00:00:59,520 --> 00:01:03,520 Speaker 2: hands and the CLP should never have flogged it off 23 00:01:03,600 --> 00:01:07,520 Speaker 2: for ninety nine years. However, we are where we are, 24 00:01:08,480 --> 00:01:11,039 Speaker 2: and there is a process and the Prime Minister is 25 00:01:11,040 --> 00:01:18,280 Speaker 2: showing leadership here in outlining a commitment to assist a 26 00:01:18,319 --> 00:01:22,559 Speaker 2: situation where the port back is back in Australian hands. 27 00:01:22,560 --> 00:01:24,679 Speaker 2: And I caught a little bit of what John Coyn 28 00:01:24,800 --> 00:01:28,040 Speaker 2: was saying on your show, and I think he's right. 29 00:01:28,920 --> 00:01:35,839 Speaker 2: There are large Australian equity companies, super back superannuation fund 30 00:01:35,840 --> 00:01:40,440 Speaker 2: back companies that are interested and I won't talk further 31 00:01:40,440 --> 00:01:43,920 Speaker 2: about who they are, but there is definite interest. Of course, 32 00:01:44,400 --> 00:01:50,520 Speaker 2: there are some interested parties, Cerebras being one, an American firm, 33 00:01:50,560 --> 00:01:56,040 Speaker 2: but also a Japanese owned logistics firm, so there's a 34 00:01:56,040 --> 00:01:58,560 Speaker 2: lot of interest. The reason obviously being is that it's 35 00:01:58,560 --> 00:02:01,960 Speaker 2: a great piece of structure, a critical piece of infrastructure. 36 00:02:01,960 --> 00:02:05,520 Speaker 2: But that is exactly why the Prime Minister has made 37 00:02:05,640 --> 00:02:10,600 Speaker 2: clear that his Infrastructure Minister, Catherine King, is working with 38 00:02:10,960 --> 00:02:15,440 Speaker 2: Bill Yan, the NT Treasurer to do that work to 39 00:02:15,800 --> 00:02:16,720 Speaker 2: have a transition. 40 00:02:17,400 --> 00:02:19,680 Speaker 1: That's going to be my next question. How does it 41 00:02:19,800 --> 00:02:22,240 Speaker 1: need to be managed in terms of like a change 42 00:02:22,240 --> 00:02:25,960 Speaker 1: of lease or a sale. Would it sort of happen. 43 00:02:26,280 --> 00:02:28,640 Speaker 1: Does it happen privately? Does the federal government need to 44 00:02:28,680 --> 00:02:31,799 Speaker 1: coordinate it, does the Northern Territory government need to coordinate it? 45 00:02:31,960 --> 00:02:34,280 Speaker 1: How would it work from your perspective if we do 46 00:02:34,440 --> 00:02:35,640 Speaker 1: have quite a bit of interest. 47 00:02:36,120 --> 00:02:38,840 Speaker 2: Yeah, well, you know, there are obviously questions to put 48 00:02:38,880 --> 00:02:44,120 Speaker 2: to the NT Treasurer and Catherine King, the federal Infrastructure Minister, 49 00:02:44,320 --> 00:02:48,880 Speaker 2: about their discussions and what coordination is going on between them. 50 00:02:48,919 --> 00:02:52,880 Speaker 2: But just for your listeners, there is coordination going on 51 00:02:52,919 --> 00:02:58,440 Speaker 2: at that territory federal level. But in terms of letting 52 00:02:58,480 --> 00:03:02,119 Speaker 2: your listeners know what what the intent is here, it's 53 00:03:02,160 --> 00:03:05,000 Speaker 2: for a commercial deal because of course Lambridge is looking 54 00:03:05,040 --> 00:03:08,240 Speaker 2: for a return on their investment. Now, the figure that 55 00:03:08,280 --> 00:03:12,200 Speaker 2: they say that they've invested in the port has been 56 00:03:12,280 --> 00:03:17,000 Speaker 2: pretty heroic and changes within one week how much. Look, 57 00:03:17,040 --> 00:03:18,760 Speaker 2: I don't know. When I visited the port, they were 58 00:03:18,760 --> 00:03:21,760 Speaker 2: saying sixty. You know, the Chinese ambassador jumps up and 59 00:03:21,760 --> 00:03:22,480 Speaker 2: says eighty. 60 00:03:23,120 --> 00:03:25,000 Speaker 1: And then I thought someone that you know there was 61 00:03:25,120 --> 00:03:28,000 Speaker 1: reporting that they wouldn't accept an offer that wasn't around 62 00:03:28,040 --> 00:03:29,119 Speaker 1: a billion dollars. 63 00:03:29,480 --> 00:03:32,080 Speaker 2: Yeah, that's pretty I mean they're going to try and 64 00:03:32,200 --> 00:03:34,560 Speaker 2: get the most that they can under a commercial deal, 65 00:03:34,600 --> 00:03:38,960 Speaker 2: of course, and that's not surprising. But that's what is 66 00:03:39,080 --> 00:03:42,360 Speaker 2: hoped here, is that there is a commercial deal, because 67 00:03:43,200 --> 00:03:46,880 Speaker 2: let's face it, if it is just a commercial deal, 68 00:03:47,320 --> 00:03:51,400 Speaker 2: if it's not, you know, a company closely connected to 69 00:03:51,920 --> 00:03:55,760 Speaker 2: the People's Republic of China sees as a foothold in Australia. 70 00:03:56,080 --> 00:03:58,840 Speaker 2: If it's not that, if it just is a commercial deal, 71 00:03:58,840 --> 00:04:01,840 Speaker 2: then a commercial deal will be found. But if a 72 00:04:01,960 --> 00:04:05,000 Speaker 2: commercial deal can't be found, then I think your listener's 73 00:04:05,000 --> 00:04:08,440 Speaker 2: going to ask themselves, well, what is really going on here? 74 00:04:08,600 --> 00:04:11,160 Speaker 1: Well, if a commercial deal can't be found, I think 75 00:04:11,200 --> 00:04:14,520 Speaker 1: that's where the next big question comes is, you know, 76 00:04:15,120 --> 00:04:17,440 Speaker 1: how are we going to step in or what is 77 00:04:17,560 --> 00:04:19,839 Speaker 1: going to happen next? Because I know, in the lead 78 00:04:19,880 --> 00:04:23,719 Speaker 1: into the federal election, obviously both Peter Dutton and of 79 00:04:23,760 --> 00:04:27,240 Speaker 1: course Anthony albanezis saying we want the port back in 80 00:04:27,279 --> 00:04:31,039 Speaker 1: Aussie hands. So if a commercial deal can't be done, 81 00:04:32,240 --> 00:04:34,680 Speaker 1: how are we going to sort of force that hand 82 00:04:34,839 --> 00:04:37,799 Speaker 1: in a way that's not going to cause diplomatic tensions. 83 00:04:38,800 --> 00:04:42,320 Speaker 2: Yeah, well, obviously we want to handle this very carefully 84 00:04:42,360 --> 00:04:46,880 Speaker 2: and very sensitively, and that's why the focus should remain 85 00:04:47,160 --> 00:04:52,240 Speaker 2: on a commercial deal that has the current owners of 86 00:04:52,279 --> 00:04:55,760 Speaker 2: the least Landbridge content that they've got a good return 87 00:04:55,800 --> 00:05:00,000 Speaker 2: on their investment. But also that I think we've seen 88 00:05:00,040 --> 00:05:04,960 Speaker 2: ignored pretty clearly that we are moving towards the port 89 00:05:05,040 --> 00:05:09,560 Speaker 2: coming back into Australian hands, and the Australian Government, through 90 00:05:09,600 --> 00:05:12,920 Speaker 2: the Prime Minister's leadership, has said that we are there 91 00:05:12,960 --> 00:05:16,359 Speaker 2: to assist the anti government to do the work to 92 00:05:16,920 --> 00:05:18,240 Speaker 2: have that happen. 93 00:05:18,480 --> 00:05:20,719 Speaker 1: It's strategically important, though right. 94 00:05:20,600 --> 00:05:26,000 Speaker 2: Incredibly strategically important. It should obviously never been flogged off 95 00:05:26,000 --> 00:05:27,040 Speaker 2: in the way that it was. 96 00:05:27,320 --> 00:05:29,280 Speaker 1: Never get argument from me on that. I mean, at 97 00:05:29,320 --> 00:05:31,919 Speaker 1: the time, we spoke about it extensively. People were not 98 00:05:32,040 --> 00:05:34,719 Speaker 1: happy about it happening. I suppose. The thing I find 99 00:05:34,760 --> 00:05:37,520 Speaker 1: interesting now is that at the time it was as 100 00:05:37,560 --> 00:05:40,000 Speaker 1: if nobody wanted the port, you know, it was if 101 00:05:40,440 --> 00:05:43,200 Speaker 1: it was as if nobody wanted to put the investment 102 00:05:43,320 --> 00:05:47,160 Speaker 1: into it. Nobody, you know, no aussy company really wanted 103 00:05:47,200 --> 00:05:49,600 Speaker 1: to purchase it. Lanmbridge were in a situation where they 104 00:05:49,600 --> 00:05:52,120 Speaker 1: obviously wanted to go into that lease for the most 105 00:05:52,120 --> 00:05:53,120 Speaker 1: amount of dollars. 106 00:05:53,360 --> 00:05:55,400 Speaker 2: That's not true, Actually, well who did want to buy it? 107 00:05:55,800 --> 00:06:00,240 Speaker 2: So again I don't know which of those companies. It's 108 00:06:00,279 --> 00:06:02,200 Speaker 2: on the public record that they put in a bid, 109 00:06:02,400 --> 00:06:04,640 Speaker 2: but there were and that's what. 110 00:06:04,720 --> 00:06:07,080 Speaker 1: Aressumably LEAs than what land Bridge had put in at 111 00:06:07,080 --> 00:06:08,679 Speaker 1: the time if they won that deal. 112 00:06:09,000 --> 00:06:12,760 Speaker 2: Yeah, but virtually yeah, but without federal government support. So 113 00:06:12,880 --> 00:06:17,000 Speaker 2: you've got to remember at the time there was announced 114 00:06:17,080 --> 00:06:20,760 Speaker 2: a five billion dollar North Australian infrastructure facility and Dave 115 00:06:20,760 --> 00:06:24,560 Speaker 2: told Dave Tolna jumped on the radio and said, oh, 116 00:06:24,640 --> 00:06:27,560 Speaker 2: hang on air everyone, even though we've announced this five 117 00:06:27,600 --> 00:06:30,280 Speaker 2: billion dollar fund, it can't be used for an Australian 118 00:06:30,440 --> 00:06:34,279 Speaker 2: entity to buy the lease on the board of Darwin. 119 00:06:34,320 --> 00:06:36,440 Speaker 2: And I scratched my head at the time and I said, 120 00:06:36,480 --> 00:06:39,440 Speaker 2: why why would you prevent the use of a fund 121 00:06:39,560 --> 00:06:42,240 Speaker 2: that is exactly for port infrastructure in the North for 122 00:06:42,320 --> 00:06:44,880 Speaker 2: being used for an Australian proponents. So why I say 123 00:06:45,080 --> 00:06:47,560 Speaker 2: it wasn't quite correct what you were saying, is because 124 00:06:47,960 --> 00:06:50,919 Speaker 2: there were Australian proponents and some of them are still 125 00:06:51,040 --> 00:06:51,840 Speaker 2: keen to. 126 00:06:51,880 --> 00:06:55,640 Speaker 1: Have well let's hope. So I hope, so I hope 127 00:06:55,680 --> 00:06:57,680 Speaker 1: that they're keen, and I hope they're prepared to the 128 00:06:57,720 --> 00:06:58,440 Speaker 1: matter of the record. 129 00:06:58,600 --> 00:07:01,080 Speaker 2: You know, what we need to Australia companies did bid 130 00:07:01,160 --> 00:07:03,640 Speaker 2: ten years ago for the Australian Port and the CLP 131 00:07:03,880 --> 00:07:06,680 Speaker 2: chose Landbridge. I can't now. The reasons why they did 132 00:07:06,720 --> 00:07:09,560 Speaker 2: that are still known. They're known by some people. 133 00:07:10,080 --> 00:07:12,560 Speaker 1: Well, look I don't have that information. I actually don't 134 00:07:12,600 --> 00:07:16,160 Speaker 1: have that, so I'm trusting. I'm trusting what you're telling me. Otherwise, 135 00:07:16,200 --> 00:07:18,880 Speaker 1: I'm sure somebody will call in and let us know. 136 00:07:18,960 --> 00:07:21,160 Speaker 1: But what I know now is that we are in 137 00:07:21,200 --> 00:07:25,280 Speaker 1: a situation where, you know, where it has become very 138 00:07:25,400 --> 00:07:31,200 Speaker 1: much a point where not only does Australia want the 139 00:07:31,200 --> 00:07:33,360 Speaker 1: port back, but now it's looking as though you've even 140 00:07:33,400 --> 00:07:37,280 Speaker 1: got the US interested in our port, which I do 141 00:07:37,320 --> 00:07:40,600 Speaker 1: find quite interesting and I guess it shows how strategically 142 00:07:40,920 --> 00:07:44,360 Speaker 1: important that port is. But what are we going to 143 00:07:44,440 --> 00:07:48,480 Speaker 1: do here if you know, if if we're not able 144 00:07:48,680 --> 00:07:52,880 Speaker 1: to get that sale or get that lease changing hands 145 00:07:53,000 --> 00:07:56,160 Speaker 1: in a positive diplomatic way, I mean, is the Prime 146 00:07:56,160 --> 00:07:57,840 Speaker 1: Minister able to force it to happen? 147 00:07:59,440 --> 00:08:03,640 Speaker 2: Well, there's as I said, it would be good to 148 00:08:03,800 --> 00:08:08,400 Speaker 2: get Catherine King, the Federal Minister, on the line, to 149 00:08:08,400 --> 00:08:11,200 Speaker 2: have a chat with you through all of that, and 150 00:08:11,560 --> 00:08:15,280 Speaker 2: after the debarcle that was the leasing for a century 151 00:08:15,320 --> 00:08:18,960 Speaker 2: of the Darwin Port. Ten years ago there were changes 152 00:08:19,040 --> 00:08:22,400 Speaker 2: to the ferb and I'll let others step you through that. 153 00:08:22,520 --> 00:08:24,120 Speaker 2: I can come back on another time and step you 154 00:08:24,160 --> 00:08:29,320 Speaker 2: through that. But the fact remains that there were Australian 155 00:08:29,400 --> 00:08:33,440 Speaker 2: proponents and there's still Australian proponents that want to take 156 00:08:33,520 --> 00:08:36,280 Speaker 2: over the lease, and we've shown it's. 157 00:08:36,120 --> 00:08:39,040 Speaker 1: Not the part that I'm asking. What I'm asking is 158 00:08:39,280 --> 00:08:42,000 Speaker 1: if we're not able to make this happen in a 159 00:08:42,480 --> 00:08:44,959 Speaker 1: diplomatic way, is the Prime Minister going to be able 160 00:08:45,000 --> 00:08:46,520 Speaker 1: to force the hand of lamb Bridge. 161 00:08:47,200 --> 00:08:49,600 Speaker 2: Well, it's clear that it's within the purview of the 162 00:08:49,640 --> 00:08:55,480 Speaker 2: Australian government to make decisions in relation to critical infrastructure 163 00:08:55,640 --> 00:08:58,200 Speaker 2: such as this. But we're going to work with the 164 00:08:58,240 --> 00:09:01,440 Speaker 2: anti government. Can to you. We've been working with them 165 00:09:01,480 --> 00:09:04,719 Speaker 2: for some time already. I guess the difference between us 166 00:09:04,760 --> 00:09:08,000 Speaker 2: and what our political opponents of the last federal election 167 00:09:08,160 --> 00:09:10,680 Speaker 2: was saying is we haven't put this sort of artificial 168 00:09:10,800 --> 00:09:14,200 Speaker 2: six months timeline on it. I'm sure I know there's 169 00:09:14,200 --> 00:09:16,400 Speaker 2: others in the media that want to push it along, 170 00:09:16,520 --> 00:09:19,320 Speaker 2: but I make a point about Service actually meeting with Lanmbridge. 171 00:09:19,320 --> 00:09:21,600 Speaker 2: It shows that Lanbridge we're keen to meet with them 172 00:09:21,600 --> 00:09:23,720 Speaker 2: and to have a discussion. Well hopefully it's. 173 00:09:23,640 --> 00:09:25,840 Speaker 1: A positive thing either way. Like I hope that we're 174 00:09:25,840 --> 00:09:28,720 Speaker 1: in a situation where where the port can come back 175 00:09:28,720 --> 00:09:31,679 Speaker 1: into ossy hands. Luke, let's move along really quickly. So 176 00:09:31,840 --> 00:09:33,920 Speaker 1: I am keen to also ask you about the situation. 177 00:09:34,440 --> 00:09:37,200 Speaker 1: We spoke at length about this over the last couple 178 00:09:37,240 --> 00:09:40,480 Speaker 1: of days about the situation with health Scope. My understanding 179 00:09:40,520 --> 00:09:43,440 Speaker 1: is at the Northern Territory and other state health ministers 180 00:09:43,440 --> 00:09:45,960 Speaker 1: were yesterday due to meet with the Federal Health Minister 181 00:09:46,360 --> 00:09:50,040 Speaker 1: about the concerns still remaining around finding an owner for 182 00:09:50,120 --> 00:09:53,920 Speaker 1: health Scope and the potential impact on the public health system. 183 00:09:54,320 --> 00:09:56,679 Speaker 1: What's the latest from your understanding. 184 00:09:58,040 --> 00:10:00,760 Speaker 2: Well, I've just returned from Camberra yesday where I had 185 00:10:01,600 --> 00:10:05,720 Speaker 2: briefings with the Federal Health Minister, Mark Butler's office about 186 00:10:05,720 --> 00:10:09,280 Speaker 2: the current situation. So I'll make something clear right from 187 00:10:09,320 --> 00:10:12,200 Speaker 2: the start is that the Australian Government will not be 188 00:10:12,240 --> 00:10:17,800 Speaker 2: bailing out the private owners of this facility because look 189 00:10:17,960 --> 00:10:20,960 Speaker 2: right around the country, Healthscope has a number of hospitals. 190 00:10:21,120 --> 00:10:24,760 Speaker 2: Ours here the darn private hospital it's been profitable that 191 00:10:24,840 --> 00:10:27,880 Speaker 2: made a decision to shut down their maternity services and 192 00:10:27,920 --> 00:10:30,600 Speaker 2: the Anti government knew about that last September, but we're 193 00:10:30,640 --> 00:10:33,440 Speaker 2: still working through that. We just got a letter last 194 00:10:33,440 --> 00:10:38,199 Speaker 2: week from Steve Enjerton about some further investment in RDH 195 00:10:38,360 --> 00:10:42,600 Speaker 2: to cover that. So first thing, Australian Government's not going 196 00:10:42,640 --> 00:10:47,840 Speaker 2: to bail out. But I've heard the health Scope operations 197 00:10:47,880 --> 00:10:51,680 Speaker 2: guy on radio yesterday and he was very encouraged by 198 00:10:51,720 --> 00:10:55,040 Speaker 2: how much interest there's been in buying out Healthscope from 199 00:10:55,120 --> 00:10:56,960 Speaker 2: other private companies. 200 00:10:58,320 --> 00:11:00,760 Speaker 1: Is there anything we can do though too? I mean, 201 00:11:00,800 --> 00:11:02,760 Speaker 1: what do you think needs to happen on a federal 202 00:11:02,800 --> 00:11:06,280 Speaker 1: stage to ensure that we don't have another foreign investor 203 00:11:06,360 --> 00:11:09,040 Speaker 1: takeover and put profit before health. 204 00:11:10,240 --> 00:11:15,360 Speaker 2: Well, there's no doubt that this is another example of 205 00:11:15,800 --> 00:11:21,120 Speaker 2: the Federal coalition in government. There were warning signs about 206 00:11:21,679 --> 00:11:23,760 Speaker 2: the owners of Healthscope and how well that. 207 00:11:24,120 --> 00:11:26,040 Speaker 1: Might but hang on, you guys been in power for 208 00:11:26,080 --> 00:11:28,040 Speaker 1: the last couple of years. So what do you are 209 00:11:28,080 --> 00:11:30,800 Speaker 1: you talking about when they purchased it, when Healthscope purchased 210 00:11:30,800 --> 00:11:31,720 Speaker 1: her Well. 211 00:11:31,679 --> 00:11:34,480 Speaker 2: Yeah, the Morrison government allowed the sell off of Healthscope 212 00:11:34,600 --> 00:11:37,800 Speaker 2: to overseas private equity and they ignored the warning signs 213 00:11:37,840 --> 00:11:39,079 Speaker 2: at the time about and. 214 00:11:39,040 --> 00:11:41,840 Speaker 1: So will you guys stop that from happening this time. 215 00:11:43,000 --> 00:11:44,480 Speaker 2: I'm just trying to give you an indication of what 216 00:11:44,520 --> 00:11:44,880 Speaker 2: we want. 217 00:11:45,440 --> 00:11:47,280 Speaker 1: Just what I'm asking is are you going to stop 218 00:11:47,320 --> 00:11:50,400 Speaker 1: it from happening this time? So you're pushing back and 219 00:11:50,440 --> 00:11:53,520 Speaker 1: saying that the former coalition had allowed it to happen. 220 00:11:53,600 --> 00:11:56,360 Speaker 1: So I guess the really obvious question is what will 221 00:11:56,360 --> 00:11:59,640 Speaker 1: the current federal government now do to stop it from 222 00:11:59,679 --> 00:12:00,840 Speaker 1: happening again. 223 00:12:01,400 --> 00:12:06,559 Speaker 2: Yeah, So we are obviously there and working with the receivers, 224 00:12:07,320 --> 00:12:09,920 Speaker 2: the current owners, because we want to help to make 225 00:12:09,960 --> 00:12:13,400 Speaker 2: sure wherever we can, with expert advice from the Department 226 00:12:13,440 --> 00:12:15,720 Speaker 2: of Health, and obviously the Department of Health work's closely 227 00:12:15,760 --> 00:12:19,520 Speaker 2: with the NT Department of Health just to make sure 228 00:12:19,559 --> 00:12:23,040 Speaker 2: the Territorians are getting what their private insurers have promised them, 229 00:12:23,080 --> 00:12:23,600 Speaker 2: which is. 230 00:12:23,880 --> 00:12:26,240 Speaker 1: People are paying a bucket load and getting bloody bugger 231 00:12:26,320 --> 00:12:27,120 Speaker 1: all now. 232 00:12:27,520 --> 00:12:29,800 Speaker 2: Which is why they deserve to know last September that 233 00:12:29,880 --> 00:12:31,840 Speaker 2: maternity services were going to be withdrawn. 234 00:12:31,960 --> 00:12:35,160 Speaker 1: But so odd that is there any update in terms 235 00:12:35,160 --> 00:12:37,880 Speaker 1: of the movement. You said that the Health Minister obviously 236 00:12:37,960 --> 00:12:39,920 Speaker 1: wrote to the Federal Health Minister last week. You and 237 00:12:39,920 --> 00:12:42,440 Speaker 1: I had spoken about that on the show last week 238 00:12:42,480 --> 00:12:45,600 Speaker 1: as well, and you gave Steve Edgington a bit of 239 00:12:45,600 --> 00:12:47,400 Speaker 1: a kick up the bum on that proposal and said 240 00:12:47,400 --> 00:12:50,080 Speaker 1: it really didn't have the level of detail that was required. 241 00:12:50,720 --> 00:12:53,000 Speaker 1: Where are things that? So where are things that? I mean? 242 00:12:53,040 --> 00:12:56,400 Speaker 1: Have they provided further detail and is there going to 243 00:12:56,400 --> 00:12:57,560 Speaker 1: be some movement in this space? 244 00:12:58,200 --> 00:13:00,640 Speaker 2: So keep in mind that this was last week. So 245 00:13:01,160 --> 00:13:04,040 Speaker 2: the Federal Health Department has gone back to the NT 246 00:13:04,200 --> 00:13:08,000 Speaker 2: Health Department and said, look if they and they used 247 00:13:08,040 --> 00:13:11,160 Speaker 2: you know, sort of Tazzy as an example when Tazzy 248 00:13:11,360 --> 00:13:14,800 Speaker 2: were in some strife, they quickly work with the Federal 249 00:13:14,920 --> 00:13:18,160 Speaker 2: Health Department said if you can give us this assistance 250 00:13:18,160 --> 00:13:22,439 Speaker 2: of six million, we'll put some into Calvary Private Hospital 251 00:13:22,880 --> 00:13:26,520 Speaker 2: and that'll help them deal with the increased load. But 252 00:13:26,600 --> 00:13:29,440 Speaker 2: there will also need to be some further assistance for 253 00:13:29,960 --> 00:13:33,640 Speaker 2: Royal Hobart Hospital because some of the mums to be 254 00:13:33,880 --> 00:13:37,360 Speaker 2: will go there, and so that's been important. But that 255 00:13:37,480 --> 00:13:40,760 Speaker 2: was early decisive work by the Tasmanian government in that case. 256 00:13:41,559 --> 00:13:44,199 Speaker 2: In our case here in the Northern Territory, nine months 257 00:13:44,200 --> 00:13:47,400 Speaker 2: after they knew that healthscope we're going to pull maternity services. 258 00:13:48,200 --> 00:13:52,200 Speaker 2: We've gotten a letter with not enough detail. So that 259 00:13:52,360 --> 00:13:55,560 Speaker 2: was last week and they've asked the Federal Health Department 260 00:13:55,559 --> 00:13:58,560 Speaker 2: has asked for that further detail. I'm not sure whether 261 00:13:58,960 --> 00:14:02,400 Speaker 2: the NT Health Apartment has provided that detail yet. As 262 00:14:02,440 --> 00:14:05,400 Speaker 2: of yesterday, they were still in discussions and waiting for 263 00:14:05,840 --> 00:14:08,400 Speaker 2: further articulation of what's going to happen with that. Because 264 00:14:08,480 --> 00:14:10,640 Speaker 2: keep in mind, and your listeners may have missed it, 265 00:14:10,679 --> 00:14:14,040 Speaker 2: but in the last federal budget we've increased hospital and 266 00:14:14,120 --> 00:14:17,199 Speaker 2: health funding for the anti government by thirty percent. 267 00:14:17,360 --> 00:14:19,120 Speaker 1: Yeah, you taught us that last time you're on the 268 00:14:19,120 --> 00:14:22,320 Speaker 1: show as well. So yesterday, I guess just for because 269 00:14:22,360 --> 00:14:24,560 Speaker 1: people are going to be wondering exactly what the go is. 270 00:14:24,640 --> 00:14:28,080 Speaker 1: So as of yesterday there was further details still being 271 00:14:28,160 --> 00:14:31,240 Speaker 1: sought from the Northern Territory Health Department from the Federal 272 00:14:31,600 --> 00:14:33,920 Speaker 1: Health Yeah, about. 273 00:14:33,640 --> 00:14:36,400 Speaker 2: What their plan is and how they want to utilize 274 00:14:36,440 --> 00:14:36,800 Speaker 2: that fund. 275 00:14:36,960 --> 00:14:41,200 Speaker 1: Right So no, like you know, no concrete progress at 276 00:14:41,200 --> 00:14:43,560 Speaker 1: this point in time. Still continuing to work through it. 277 00:14:44,480 --> 00:14:47,800 Speaker 2: That's my understanding from discussions in Canberra. 278 00:14:48,240 --> 00:14:50,400 Speaker 1: Luke Goslin, we are going to have to leave it there. 279 00:14:50,600 --> 00:14:53,120 Speaker 1: Always appreciate your time and good to see at the 280 00:14:53,160 --> 00:14:56,080 Speaker 1: Hospitality Awards last night as well. Cracking evening wasn't. 281 00:14:55,920 --> 00:14:56,920 Speaker 2: I It was a lot of fun. 282 00:14:57,040 --> 00:15:00,280 Speaker 1: It was warm, jeez. And now it's finally raining, thank goodness. 283 00:15:00,400 --> 00:15:02,280 Speaker 2: There's a lot of rain this morning. But yeah, it 284 00:15:02,360 --> 00:15:05,520 Speaker 2: was a great night last night. Congratulations to all the winners. 285 00:15:05,560 --> 00:15:09,600 Speaker 2: I just do note that Cazales and the Palmerston Country 286 00:15:09,640 --> 00:15:12,480 Speaker 2: and Golf Club did very well. Five awards, I think, 287 00:15:12,520 --> 00:15:14,360 Speaker 2: so good. Honor well under them, but they really have 288 00:15:14,560 --> 00:15:17,800 Speaker 2: revitalized that great, great venue, So well done. 289 00:15:17,920 --> 00:15:20,480 Speaker 1: Good stuff. Luke Goslin, thank you as always for your time. 290 00:15:20,520 --> 00:15:21,720 Speaker 1: We'll catch up with you again soon. 291 00:15:21,800 --> 00:15:23,000 Speaker 2: Jeez, Gudie, thank you.