1 00:00:00,080 --> 00:00:02,640 Speaker 1: But as I'm sure you've heard, there were more issues 2 00:00:02,640 --> 00:00:05,480 Speaker 1: in Central Australia over the weekend. When it comes to crime, 3 00:00:06,240 --> 00:00:09,600 Speaker 1: chaos is how i'd described it. It literally looks like there 4 00:00:09,600 --> 00:00:12,200 Speaker 1: were gangs of youths running a mark on the streets. 5 00:00:12,760 --> 00:00:15,240 Speaker 1: Police have made a rest following one of those vehicle 6 00:00:15,320 --> 00:00:18,000 Speaker 1: thefts and also honing on the streets. But it wasn't 7 00:00:18,040 --> 00:00:21,599 Speaker 1: the only issue. One tourism operator was targeted for the 8 00:00:21,760 --> 00:00:27,120 Speaker 1: fourth time since March. Patrick Bedford from EMU Run Experience 9 00:00:27,200 --> 00:00:30,080 Speaker 1: joins me on the line right now. Good morning to you, Patrick, 10 00:00:30,960 --> 00:00:34,040 Speaker 1: Good morning Katie. Patrick. Tell me what happened on the weekend. 11 00:00:35,760 --> 00:00:37,320 Speaker 2: So this is the fourth time this year since the 12 00:00:37,360 --> 00:00:39,800 Speaker 2: seasons fatter than March, that we come back into town 13 00:00:39,880 --> 00:00:43,040 Speaker 2: late at night, around midnight, and again our boss was 14 00:00:43,080 --> 00:00:45,919 Speaker 2: just basically a projectile lot of rock's been thrown right 15 00:00:45,960 --> 00:00:48,080 Speaker 2: in the middle of town and took the windows with 16 00:00:48,200 --> 00:00:51,000 Speaker 2: customer city on the bus and yeah, like it's getting 17 00:00:51,000 --> 00:00:52,560 Speaker 2: me on the joke. The first week we went touring 18 00:00:52,560 --> 00:00:54,160 Speaker 2: back in March, the n thing happened. We comes to 19 00:00:54,240 --> 00:00:56,040 Speaker 2: the gap three windows that got taken out on the 20 00:00:56,040 --> 00:00:57,600 Speaker 2: bus with forty people sitting on the boss so they 21 00:00:57,720 --> 00:00:59,880 Speaker 2: just had a great day at Ularu, coming back in 22 00:01:00,040 --> 00:01:02,680 Speaker 2: townly a big day out and to finalize the day, 23 00:01:02,720 --> 00:01:05,560 Speaker 2: you know, these kids are just using our vehicle for 24 00:01:05,600 --> 00:01:06,440 Speaker 2: tager practice. 25 00:01:06,680 --> 00:01:09,399 Speaker 1: Patrick, Hang on a second, can you just spell that 26 00:01:09,440 --> 00:01:12,560 Speaker 1: out for us? So you are traveling back into town 27 00:01:12,800 --> 00:01:15,880 Speaker 1: into Alice Springs, You've got passengers, you've got all of 28 00:01:15,920 --> 00:01:19,920 Speaker 1: those tourists on the bus, and you've got kids allegedly 29 00:01:20,319 --> 00:01:23,360 Speaker 1: hurling rocks at your bus. 30 00:01:24,120 --> 00:01:27,160 Speaker 2: Yeah, so Saturday night was actually not kids. Their fifteen 31 00:01:27,200 --> 00:01:29,600 Speaker 2: year olds standing in the middle of the roundabout underneath 32 00:01:29,640 --> 00:01:32,800 Speaker 2: the cameras just to tide the CBD. And they've seen 33 00:01:32,880 --> 00:01:34,720 Speaker 2: the bus come and they picked up the rocks, lined 34 00:01:34,720 --> 00:01:36,920 Speaker 2: it up and then they just took a couple of shots. 35 00:01:36,959 --> 00:01:38,880 Speaker 2: They took out the side window with passengers sitting on 36 00:01:38,959 --> 00:01:42,440 Speaker 2: the bus, and just kind of stood there and left. Mate. 37 00:01:42,560 --> 00:01:46,399 Speaker 1: How concerned are you then about the safety of yourself, 38 00:01:46,480 --> 00:01:48,800 Speaker 1: of your staff and of those passengers. 39 00:01:49,440 --> 00:01:51,680 Speaker 2: Oh, look, it's been like this now since nat year, 40 00:01:51,680 --> 00:01:55,520 Speaker 2: so it's nothing new. And look, anything happened to Tenny 41 00:01:55,560 --> 00:01:58,120 Speaker 2: Creek for example, when the Tenant Creek Greyhound bus comes through, 42 00:01:58,400 --> 00:02:00,320 Speaker 2: they won't go into the town till the police scored 43 00:02:00,400 --> 00:02:02,240 Speaker 2: the bust in because every night the same thing happens, 44 00:02:02,240 --> 00:02:03,800 Speaker 2: they get their windows taken out, so the police have 45 00:02:03,880 --> 00:02:05,760 Speaker 2: they score them. So I think it's only fair that 46 00:02:05,760 --> 00:02:07,760 Speaker 2: than other Springs, I should get that because our town 47 00:02:07,800 --> 00:02:09,880 Speaker 2: seems to be a war gone at the moment, Like 48 00:02:09,960 --> 00:02:12,720 Speaker 2: last weekend, I'm watching all these videos of these teens 49 00:02:12,760 --> 00:02:14,919 Speaker 2: and kids just having a great old time inside in 50 00:02:14,960 --> 00:02:16,440 Speaker 2: town and doesn't seem to be any police are out 51 00:02:16,480 --> 00:02:16,960 Speaker 2: of stuff. 52 00:02:17,320 --> 00:02:20,080 Speaker 1: Mat What impact is this having on yourself and also 53 00:02:20,280 --> 00:02:21,040 Speaker 1: on tourists. 54 00:02:22,480 --> 00:02:24,840 Speaker 2: It's a lot of financial costs. For one, because we 55 00:02:24,840 --> 00:02:26,760 Speaker 2: don't have any window insurance. They won't give us window 56 00:02:26,840 --> 00:02:29,880 Speaker 2: insurance and meant one two, obviously I'm getting phone calls 57 00:02:29,880 --> 00:02:31,200 Speaker 2: at midnight to get out of bed and go in, 58 00:02:31,240 --> 00:02:32,520 Speaker 2: so I leave my kids at the home and I'm 59 00:02:32,520 --> 00:02:34,480 Speaker 2: a single dad, so I got to deal with that stuff. 60 00:02:34,639 --> 00:02:36,560 Speaker 2: And of course my staff then are trying to traumatize 61 00:02:36,600 --> 00:02:38,320 Speaker 2: going I know one of the staff who in his 62 00:02:38,480 --> 00:02:40,640 Speaker 2: first week here, same thing, he got his windows broken 63 00:02:40,680 --> 00:02:42,360 Speaker 2: going through town and left the next day. So you're 64 00:02:42,360 --> 00:02:45,120 Speaker 2: trying to recruit staff into all of Springs for your business, 65 00:02:45,160 --> 00:02:47,680 Speaker 2: which we're all short staff to cross into Australias. I'm 66 00:02:47,720 --> 00:02:49,280 Speaker 2: sure on the top of any the same thing, we 67 00:02:49,320 --> 00:02:51,079 Speaker 2: can't get staff. They walk in and see all listen, 68 00:02:51,080 --> 00:02:52,640 Speaker 2: they go, this is like believe this is worse than 69 00:02:52,680 --> 00:02:53,760 Speaker 2: their route and off they go. 70 00:02:54,880 --> 00:02:58,359 Speaker 1: It's unbelievable. Honestly, you know, I've got to stop being 71 00:02:58,400 --> 00:03:01,080 Speaker 1: surprised by it, I suppose because it seems to be 72 00:03:01,160 --> 00:03:04,320 Speaker 1: something that's becoming all too common, which is even more disappointing. 73 00:03:04,360 --> 00:03:06,440 Speaker 1: But you know, to hear that and to hear the 74 00:03:06,520 --> 00:03:09,840 Speaker 1: impact then not only financially but when it comes to 75 00:03:09,880 --> 00:03:12,480 Speaker 1: trying to secure staff, but when it comes to people 76 00:03:12,520 --> 00:03:15,320 Speaker 1: feeling frightened. Like what do those tourists say to you 77 00:03:15,360 --> 00:03:17,960 Speaker 1: that are on the bus after those rocks are thrown 78 00:03:18,000 --> 00:03:18,560 Speaker 1: on the weekend. 79 00:03:19,800 --> 00:03:22,200 Speaker 2: Look, they're they're just kind of I suppose in all 80 00:03:22,200 --> 00:03:24,040 Speaker 2: of just what happened, because they just had a great 81 00:03:24,120 --> 00:03:26,160 Speaker 2: day out that comes toent to Australia to experience all 82 00:03:26,160 --> 00:03:28,800 Speaker 2: the culture and you know this this kind of this 83 00:03:28,919 --> 00:03:30,720 Speaker 2: place that we call the Alis. You know, it's amazing 84 00:03:30,720 --> 00:03:32,280 Speaker 2: and U rue and then all of a sudden they 85 00:03:32,320 --> 00:03:34,240 Speaker 2: had a great day out. Just find it aftery're tired 86 00:03:34,240 --> 00:03:36,120 Speaker 2: the buckley going to bed because were dropping them off 87 00:03:36,120 --> 00:03:38,440 Speaker 2: at their hotels, had a great day, and then to 88 00:03:38,440 --> 00:03:40,760 Speaker 2: finish it off we go. This is what Alice Springs 89 00:03:40,840 --> 00:03:42,680 Speaker 2: is really like. Let's just take out a few windows 90 00:03:42,720 --> 00:03:44,640 Speaker 2: and show you what Alice Springs is really like. It's 91 00:03:44,720 --> 00:03:47,560 Speaker 2: ridiculous and this isn't something that's happened this year, has 92 00:03:47,600 --> 00:03:50,240 Speaker 2: been happening last year and the year before. Like our 93 00:03:50,280 --> 00:03:53,040 Speaker 2: government needs to stop giving these kids. You know, the 94 00:03:53,080 --> 00:03:55,120 Speaker 2: staff touch and the police need to get in. If 95 00:03:55,120 --> 00:03:57,200 Speaker 2: you read what was in the newspaper this morning, they 96 00:03:57,360 --> 00:03:59,160 Speaker 2: know these kids are doing it in town. They won't 97 00:03:59,200 --> 00:04:01,880 Speaker 2: go near the kids because they're afraid the police. If 98 00:04:01,920 --> 00:04:04,200 Speaker 2: any happens with the kids, the police actually get arrested 99 00:04:04,440 --> 00:04:07,080 Speaker 2: because it's the best in custody. If there's someone crashes, 100 00:04:07,120 --> 00:04:08,560 Speaker 2: Like how do we end up at this date where 101 00:04:08,560 --> 00:04:10,840 Speaker 2: the kids can run the roofs and our town we 102 00:04:10,880 --> 00:04:13,240 Speaker 2: have to stay home and lock ourselves in, Like it's 103 00:04:13,280 --> 00:04:15,160 Speaker 2: got to change. The government needs to hard enough, or 104 00:04:15,160 --> 00:04:16,480 Speaker 2: police need to get in there and do the job 105 00:04:16,520 --> 00:04:17,960 Speaker 2: they're paid to do it. Enough enough. 106 00:04:18,360 --> 00:04:20,839 Speaker 1: But you mentioned before that in Tenant Craig, you're being 107 00:04:20,880 --> 00:04:23,200 Speaker 1: told that the Greyhound buses actually have an escort. So 108 00:04:23,360 --> 00:04:26,960 Speaker 1: police escort, you know, bringing them into town. So what 109 00:04:27,000 --> 00:04:29,560 Speaker 1: do you reckon needs to happen for you guys in Alice. 110 00:04:30,200 --> 00:04:31,800 Speaker 2: The same thing will need to happen for my buses 111 00:04:31,839 --> 00:04:33,960 Speaker 2: because we come back into town from Olaru, Like we 112 00:04:34,040 --> 00:04:35,880 Speaker 2: leave after sunset, so we get back late at night, 113 00:04:35,920 --> 00:04:37,480 Speaker 2: like we're back at midnight. So I'm going to be 114 00:04:37,480 --> 00:04:39,640 Speaker 2: asking for an escort from my bus to the gap 115 00:04:40,360 --> 00:04:42,320 Speaker 2: around all the drop offs. I'm like, well, all of 116 00:04:42,360 --> 00:04:45,320 Speaker 2: these bottle shops that you know, Audiliery police there to 117 00:04:45,520 --> 00:04:47,960 Speaker 2: control the alcohol. Well, I want an escort to protect 118 00:04:48,000 --> 00:04:50,360 Speaker 2: my customers as well. So I think it's only fair. 119 00:04:50,400 --> 00:04:52,840 Speaker 2: If they can't bring the streets back on the control, 120 00:04:53,080 --> 00:04:54,640 Speaker 2: then you need to help the people to do their 121 00:04:54,720 --> 00:04:56,800 Speaker 2: jobs and be out there. And actually, you know, it's 122 00:04:56,800 --> 00:04:59,360 Speaker 2: a visitor economy and Alice Springs is tourism, so we 123 00:04:59,360 --> 00:05:00,120 Speaker 2: need to protect. 124 00:04:59,839 --> 00:05:02,560 Speaker 1: The So Patrick, are you going to be sort of 125 00:05:02,560 --> 00:05:04,960 Speaker 1: putting in a formal request to the police for this? 126 00:05:06,040 --> 00:05:06,400 Speaker 2: Yeah? 127 00:05:06,480 --> 00:05:09,800 Speaker 1: I will, Yeah, But like, I think it's incredible that 128 00:05:09,880 --> 00:05:11,520 Speaker 1: you know that it's reached the point where you're having 129 00:05:11,520 --> 00:05:14,640 Speaker 1: to do that. It's I wish I could say that 130 00:05:14,680 --> 00:05:18,680 Speaker 1: it's unbelievable, but nothing's nothing's really unbelievable at this point. 131 00:05:19,240 --> 00:05:21,279 Speaker 2: No, And look, the other operators in town who want 132 00:05:21,279 --> 00:05:23,520 Speaker 2: to won't do like powerd my festival because their bosses 133 00:05:23,520 --> 00:05:26,320 Speaker 2: get smashed the windows and stuff like that previous years. 134 00:05:26,320 --> 00:05:28,040 Speaker 2: You know, this is not something that's happening just now. 135 00:05:28,080 --> 00:05:30,240 Speaker 2: It's been going for years and most of the time 136 00:05:30,240 --> 00:05:32,000 Speaker 2: business operators keep their head down and get home with it. 137 00:05:32,080 --> 00:05:33,840 Speaker 2: But that's you know, enough to knock. I want my 138 00:05:33,880 --> 00:05:35,000 Speaker 2: town back. I want to be able to go out 139 00:05:35,000 --> 00:05:36,880 Speaker 2: and have a few drinks in town with over you know, 140 00:05:36,920 --> 00:05:38,640 Speaker 2: get in my head, put you know, smashed in or 141 00:05:38,720 --> 00:05:41,400 Speaker 2: you know, wouldn't put a gang of kids like it's kids, 142 00:05:41,640 --> 00:05:43,440 Speaker 2: Like really, it's in this day and age, we're just 143 00:05:43,680 --> 00:05:45,440 Speaker 2: standing aside letting kids run the roost. 144 00:05:45,720 --> 00:05:48,919 Speaker 1: Really, Patrick, I really appreciate you having a chat to 145 00:05:48,960 --> 00:05:53,640 Speaker 1: me this morning. Like I'm exasperated. I think that you're exasperated. 146 00:05:53,680 --> 00:05:56,680 Speaker 1: Everybody's bloody exasperated. We just want to see some change. 147 00:05:57,240 --> 00:05:59,440 Speaker 1: But I really appreciate you speaking to me. I think 148 00:05:59,440 --> 00:06:02,279 Speaker 1: that it needs to continue to be spoken about or 149 00:06:02,279 --> 00:06:04,359 Speaker 1: the government is going to be able to pretend that 150 00:06:04,400 --> 00:06:05,159 Speaker 1: nothing's wrong. 151 00:06:06,120 --> 00:06:08,080 Speaker 2: Yeah, you know, absolutely, I don't need to be accountable 152 00:06:08,120 --> 00:06:09,800 Speaker 2: for this. That their job is to protect the public 153 00:06:10,000 --> 00:06:11,679 Speaker 2: and they're not doing a great job. Within our police 154 00:06:11,720 --> 00:06:13,200 Speaker 2: as well. I know they've got a hire a job, 155 00:06:13,520 --> 00:06:15,560 Speaker 2: but you know, something's got to change. These kids can't 156 00:06:15,600 --> 00:06:17,080 Speaker 2: just run amock and the police stand back and go. 157 00:06:17,120 --> 00:06:18,560 Speaker 2: You know what, I'm not going to chase them because 158 00:06:18,600 --> 00:06:20,800 Speaker 2: I'm going to go and be investigated if something happens 159 00:06:20,839 --> 00:06:22,520 Speaker 2: to them. There's something not right in that situation. 160 00:06:23,120 --> 00:06:25,080 Speaker 1: Patrick, thanks so much for having a chat with me 161 00:06:25,160 --> 00:06:26,960 Speaker 1: this morning. It is very much appreciated. 162 00:06:27,560 --> 00:06:28,960 Speaker 2: No problem. Have a good day you too.