1 00:00:00,120 --> 00:00:03,040 Speaker 1: What we can tell you nationally is that wages have 2 00:00:03,120 --> 00:00:06,360 Speaker 1: risen for the third quarter in a row, climbing point 3 00:00:06,400 --> 00:00:09,440 Speaker 1: seven percent in the three months to June. Now, Western 4 00:00:09,480 --> 00:00:13,400 Speaker 1: Australia recorded the highest quarterly rise while the Northern Territory 5 00:00:13,480 --> 00:00:17,040 Speaker 1: saw the lowest at point three percent. So the bump 6 00:00:17,079 --> 00:00:20,239 Speaker 1: in pay packets is not keeping up with the rising 7 00:00:20,280 --> 00:00:22,040 Speaker 1: cost of living and I think that we certainly can 8 00:00:22,079 --> 00:00:24,760 Speaker 1: attest to that here in the Northern Territory. Now joining 9 00:00:24,760 --> 00:00:26,799 Speaker 1: me on the line to talk more about this is 10 00:00:26,840 --> 00:00:29,880 Speaker 1: Greg Island, the CEO of the Chamber of Commerce. Hi. 11 00:00:30,000 --> 00:00:33,480 Speaker 2: Greg, Good morning Katie. How are you today? Yeah? 12 00:00:33,520 --> 00:00:38,239 Speaker 1: Really well Greg. Obviously Western Australia recording the highest quarterly 13 00:00:38,400 --> 00:00:41,720 Speaker 1: rise while the Northern Territory saw the lowest ato point 14 00:00:41,760 --> 00:00:45,960 Speaker 1: three percent. What's contributing to the Northern Territory performing worst 15 00:00:46,000 --> 00:00:46,720 Speaker 1: in this space? 16 00:00:48,479 --> 00:00:51,240 Speaker 2: Ok? I actually think you've just answered your own question 17 00:00:51,280 --> 00:00:54,520 Speaker 2: when you were talking about the teachers striking and the paypries. 18 00:00:55,120 --> 00:01:00,200 Speaker 2: Given that the territory is such a strong employer of 19 00:01:00,800 --> 00:01:05,320 Speaker 2: public servants roughly thirty three percent of their workforce of 20 00:01:05,400 --> 00:01:09,400 Speaker 2: public servants, that paypreees is really impacting on those numbers. 21 00:01:09,880 --> 00:01:12,960 Speaker 2: Particularly Also if you include the mining sector, which is 22 00:01:13,000 --> 00:01:17,920 Speaker 2: also a significant employer, having very high wages which are 23 00:01:17,920 --> 00:01:19,320 Speaker 2: don't get adjusted often. 24 00:01:19,880 --> 00:01:21,679 Speaker 1: And so Greg, when you sort of look at how 25 00:01:21,680 --> 00:01:25,959 Speaker 1: the public service compares to the private sector, you know, 26 00:01:26,120 --> 00:01:30,360 Speaker 1: how do those wages fare in comparison? Does that make sense? 27 00:01:31,959 --> 00:01:34,840 Speaker 2: Yeah, I know what you're asking Adian. There is a 28 00:01:34,880 --> 00:01:38,959 Speaker 2: significant uplift if you were doing a similar role in 29 00:01:39,000 --> 00:01:42,240 Speaker 2: the public sector versus the private sector. So it is 30 00:01:42,800 --> 00:01:45,440 Speaker 2: a better payer in that regard than Hence it's very 31 00:01:45,440 --> 00:01:48,640 Speaker 2: attractive to many Territorians to work for INTI government. 32 00:01:49,080 --> 00:01:51,000 Speaker 1: Yeah, which then I guess makes it hard, you know, 33 00:01:51,120 --> 00:01:53,720 Speaker 1: for the private sector when you're trying to fill different roles. 34 00:01:53,800 --> 00:01:56,440 Speaker 1: But you know, then looking at the fact that the 35 00:01:56,440 --> 00:02:00,280 Speaker 1: public sector does have that wage freeze in place, how 36 00:02:00,280 --> 00:02:02,560 Speaker 1: does that then impact Greg, You know, some of our 37 00:02:02,680 --> 00:02:05,680 Speaker 1: territory businesses when it comes to, you know, getting out 38 00:02:05,720 --> 00:02:06,960 Speaker 1: and spending your money. 39 00:02:08,880 --> 00:02:12,280 Speaker 2: Yeah, again, that's an interesting question from a territory business 40 00:02:12,280 --> 00:02:16,040 Speaker 2: point of view. I'm hearing right now that many trading 41 00:02:16,040 --> 00:02:18,119 Speaker 2: figures are through the roof and a lot of it's 42 00:02:18,120 --> 00:02:20,799 Speaker 2: got to do with the activity of the dry season. 43 00:02:20,800 --> 00:02:24,880 Speaker 2: We're having probably the best attendance records not only the festival, 44 00:02:24,919 --> 00:02:28,639 Speaker 2: but through the airports and to general tourism activity. So 45 00:02:29,240 --> 00:02:32,680 Speaker 2: business right now is doing okay, but that doesn't mean 46 00:02:32,720 --> 00:02:34,320 Speaker 2: it's going to be that way during the wet season. 47 00:02:34,760 --> 00:02:37,919 Speaker 1: Yeah. Well, I guess the tough part is that then 48 00:02:37,960 --> 00:02:40,600 Speaker 1: it comes down to sort of attracting and retaining staff 49 00:02:40,639 --> 00:02:42,960 Speaker 1: to fill some of those jobs when you are going 50 00:02:43,000 --> 00:02:45,600 Speaker 1: through a busy time. But as you've rightly pointed out, 51 00:02:45,600 --> 00:02:47,320 Speaker 1: its sort of ebbs and flows. 52 00:02:48,560 --> 00:02:52,080 Speaker 2: Yeah, that is the biggest challenge. Tomorrow, we're locally holding 53 00:02:52,120 --> 00:02:56,040 Speaker 2: a skill summit here that's going to be used to 54 00:02:56,120 --> 00:03:00,000 Speaker 2: inform the federal Skills Summit in the first week of September. 55 00:03:00,600 --> 00:03:04,040 Speaker 2: That's a particularly important exercise for us to make sure 56 00:03:04,040 --> 00:03:06,239 Speaker 2: we're represented properly over in camera. 57 00:03:07,120 --> 00:03:08,840 Speaker 1: And what do you reckon you're going to find? I mean, 58 00:03:08,880 --> 00:03:11,040 Speaker 1: I'm guessing that you probably have a fair idea what 59 00:03:11,080 --> 00:03:13,799 Speaker 1: businesses are going to say tomorrow and what message does 60 00:03:13,880 --> 00:03:15,440 Speaker 1: need to be taken to the federal government. 61 00:03:17,280 --> 00:03:21,480 Speaker 2: Yeah. Look, there's varying skill shortages through the territory, and 62 00:03:21,480 --> 00:03:25,280 Speaker 2: they're not always skill shortages. It really is up to 63 00:03:25,800 --> 00:03:28,760 Speaker 2: the business to make every effort to find people. But 64 00:03:30,280 --> 00:03:33,360 Speaker 2: it's certainly the gap they're holding us back everything from 65 00:03:34,200 --> 00:03:36,600 Speaker 2: people changing the sheets in hotel rooms all the way 66 00:03:36,640 --> 00:03:40,320 Speaker 2: through to engineers and doctors and nurses. 67 00:03:41,000 --> 00:03:44,839 Speaker 1: Hey, Greg, just going back to you know the wages 68 00:03:44,920 --> 00:03:47,200 Speaker 1: growth and the fact that you know that it has 69 00:03:47,320 --> 00:03:50,040 Speaker 1: risen around the country for that third quarter in a row. 70 00:03:50,200 --> 00:03:53,280 Speaker 1: I know that way obviously the highest quarterly rise. The 71 00:03:53,320 --> 00:03:56,440 Speaker 1: northern territories saw the lowest. When you look at that, 72 00:03:56,920 --> 00:03:59,600 Speaker 1: how does that sort of how does that impact us 73 00:03:59,640 --> 00:04:02,160 Speaker 1: when it does come to trying to get people to 74 00:04:02,200 --> 00:04:04,560 Speaker 1: move to the territory to fill some of those jobs. 75 00:04:06,800 --> 00:04:10,640 Speaker 2: Look, no doubt is a detractor in terms of people 76 00:04:10,680 --> 00:04:14,000 Speaker 2: taking that in consideration. And we've got a very competitive 77 00:04:14,040 --> 00:04:18,120 Speaker 2: market all people within Australia, which is why from a 78 00:04:18,200 --> 00:04:21,640 Speaker 2: chamber of perspective, we are pushing the barrow on increasing 79 00:04:21,680 --> 00:04:25,760 Speaker 2: the skilled migration visa allowances into the territory because we 80 00:04:25,800 --> 00:04:27,240 Speaker 2: think that's one of the things that is going to 81 00:04:27,240 --> 00:04:30,279 Speaker 2: shift the dial more quickly. We also want to see 82 00:04:30,279 --> 00:04:33,479 Speaker 2: a lot more training of kids through VET programs in 83 00:04:33,560 --> 00:04:37,400 Speaker 2: schools and see to use activities in delivering VET training 84 00:04:37,440 --> 00:04:39,679 Speaker 2: for kids that are going to set up their careers here. 85 00:04:40,200 --> 00:04:44,320 Speaker 1: And with you bringing skilled migration into the territory. Where 86 00:04:44,320 --> 00:04:46,040 Speaker 1: are things at in that space, because I know it 87 00:04:46,120 --> 00:04:48,440 Speaker 1: is something that you've spoken about on the show previously. 88 00:04:50,400 --> 00:04:53,200 Speaker 2: There's a lot happening. There's been a full rejig of 89 00:04:53,240 --> 00:04:57,720 Speaker 2: the specific labor mobility scheme, which means that we can 90 00:04:57,760 --> 00:05:02,440 Speaker 2: bring Pacific Islanders in under a really supported scheme that 91 00:05:02,600 --> 00:05:05,080 Speaker 2: is now looking at bringing in high skilled workers. So 92 00:05:05,200 --> 00:05:11,160 Speaker 2: construction is particular focused there. There's also some visa arrangements 93 00:05:11,200 --> 00:05:15,039 Speaker 2: with Indonesia and East Teamor which are being explored, and 94 00:05:16,000 --> 00:05:20,120 Speaker 2: DO and City Council visited the Bali region recently and 95 00:05:20,160 --> 00:05:22,320 Speaker 2: the Chambers heading off to ease Team Or next month 96 00:05:22,880 --> 00:05:25,680 Speaker 2: to look at exactly that. So trying the hardest to 97 00:05:25,720 --> 00:05:31,159 Speaker 2: identify opportunities fulfilling those visas and the opportunities that exist there. 98 00:05:31,440 --> 00:05:34,160 Speaker 1: And Greg, obviously, you know when you talk about bringing 99 00:05:34,240 --> 00:05:36,680 Speaker 1: workforce to the Northern Territory, the big discussion or the 100 00:05:36,720 --> 00:05:38,920 Speaker 1: big point that's always made is where are they going 101 00:05:38,960 --> 00:05:41,600 Speaker 1: to live. I know that it had been flagged a 102 00:05:41,640 --> 00:05:45,120 Speaker 1: couple of weeks ago about whether the former you know 103 00:05:45,160 --> 00:05:48,440 Speaker 1: how well it's still the Howard Springs area out there, 104 00:05:48,440 --> 00:05:51,640 Speaker 1: but whether the former quarantine center could indeed be utilized 105 00:05:51,680 --> 00:05:55,240 Speaker 1: for some of that workforce shortage and bringing people in. 106 00:05:57,320 --> 00:05:59,600 Speaker 2: Look, I think from a short term perspective, we've got 107 00:05:59,640 --> 00:06:02,640 Speaker 2: to remember with the Howard Springs Village that there is 108 00:06:02,680 --> 00:06:05,320 Speaker 2: no cooking facilities in those rooms, so it has to 109 00:06:05,320 --> 00:06:08,680 Speaker 2: be a fully catered exercise. Gets pretty expensive when you're 110 00:06:08,720 --> 00:06:12,080 Speaker 2: doing that sort of stuff and physically changing the place 111 00:06:12,360 --> 00:06:15,960 Speaker 2: to accommodate that would also be probably cost prohibitive. But 112 00:06:16,320 --> 00:06:19,960 Speaker 2: it's not just one that needs those residences. It's Katherine Tenant, 113 00:06:20,000 --> 00:06:22,680 Speaker 2: Alice Nullan, boy, you name it. We need that accommodation. 114 00:06:23,279 --> 00:06:25,320 Speaker 2: So the Chamber is a game working with government on 115 00:06:26,200 --> 00:06:28,479 Speaker 2: the program that we're calling Living it Up in the Regions, 116 00:06:28,480 --> 00:06:35,960 Speaker 2: which focuses on accommodation, childcare, supply, chain linkages, safety and 117 00:06:35,960 --> 00:06:38,200 Speaker 2: security and all those areas that we need. I think 118 00:06:38,240 --> 00:06:39,680 Speaker 2: the territory still needs to improve. 119 00:06:39,920 --> 00:06:42,719 Speaker 1: Theyre right well, Greg, it's always good to catch up 120 00:06:42,760 --> 00:06:44,720 Speaker 1: with you. We appreciate your time this morning. Thank you 121 00:06:44,880 --> 00:06:46,560 Speaker 1: very much for having a chat with us. 122 00:06:47,120 --> 00:06:48,760 Speaker 2: No worries, Katie and I must have been. I did 123 00:06:48,880 --> 00:06:51,760 Speaker 2: enjoy Tom Gleeson's hard quiz at the festival last night. 124 00:06:51,800 --> 00:06:53,880 Speaker 2: I'd encourage everyone to go and have a look excellent. 125 00:06:53,920 --> 00:06:57,120 Speaker 1: Yeah, how about those numbers? He Since this year's festival 126 00:06:57,120 --> 00:07:02,719 Speaker 1: officially opened, more than sixty two attendances recorded across free 127 00:07:02,880 --> 00:07:05,160 Speaker 1: and ticketed performances. It's pretty good going. 128 00:07:06,000 --> 00:07:09,200 Speaker 2: Yeah, it's spectacular, Katie. It's really a boost for the economy. 129 00:07:09,480 --> 00:07:12,080 Speaker 2: You can see the number of tourists around town. It 130 00:07:12,120 --> 00:07:14,040 Speaker 2: would just be nice if we could fix the taxi 131 00:07:14,120 --> 00:07:17,480 Speaker 2: situation at the airport and get them out quickly to 132 00:07:17,480 --> 00:07:20,280 Speaker 2: their accommodation when they arrive it on the Red Eyes. 133 00:07:20,480 --> 00:07:22,480 Speaker 1: Yeah right, So it's still an issue at the moment. 134 00:07:22,560 --> 00:07:26,960 Speaker 1: Those taxis very much an issue. How long are people waiting. 135 00:07:28,080 --> 00:07:30,760 Speaker 2: Up to a couple of hours or longer? And the 136 00:07:30,800 --> 00:07:35,200 Speaker 2: surge pricing on Uber also impacts it through that as well. 137 00:07:35,240 --> 00:07:38,800 Speaker 2: So yeah, we're talking the government and the industry about 138 00:07:38,840 --> 00:07:42,239 Speaker 2: how we can help with all of that. Has improved 139 00:07:42,240 --> 00:07:44,800 Speaker 2: the customer experience for people coming to visit us. 140 00:07:44,920 --> 00:07:48,000 Speaker 1: Yeah right, So you know with that surge pricing as 141 00:07:48,000 --> 00:07:50,960 Speaker 1: well with Uber, are people paying like really quite expensive 142 00:07:50,960 --> 00:07:53,240 Speaker 1: amounts to be able to get from the airport to 143 00:07:53,320 --> 00:07:54,080 Speaker 1: their accommodation. 144 00:07:55,240 --> 00:07:57,760 Speaker 2: As I understand that, Katia. I won't quote any numbers, 145 00:07:57,760 --> 00:08:01,160 Speaker 2: but two or three times the normal is an unusual 146 00:08:01,160 --> 00:08:02,760 Speaker 2: I'm hearing that's a. 147 00:08:02,680 --> 00:08:05,560 Speaker 1: Real shame, you know, because in some cases you might 148 00:08:05,600 --> 00:08:07,640 Speaker 1: have people coming here for the first time and you 149 00:08:07,680 --> 00:08:10,000 Speaker 1: want their experience to be a really positive one. 150 00:08:11,520 --> 00:08:14,400 Speaker 2: Yeah. Absolutely, and that is a real detractor at the moment. 151 00:08:14,960 --> 00:08:17,760 Speaker 2: I guess with uber being unregulated, it's very difficult for 152 00:08:17,840 --> 00:08:22,120 Speaker 2: anyone to do anything about that. It's a market driven scenario. 153 00:08:22,240 --> 00:08:26,280 Speaker 2: But from a taxi perspective, which is regulated, clearly it's 154 00:08:26,360 --> 00:08:29,200 Speaker 2: not driving the right missage to those people who wish 155 00:08:29,200 --> 00:08:32,200 Speaker 2: to participate in that industry. So one side's got the 156 00:08:32,200 --> 00:08:34,880 Speaker 2: money and one side does and I think that's driving 157 00:08:34,920 --> 00:08:35,480 Speaker 2: some of the gap. 158 00:08:35,800 --> 00:08:38,280 Speaker 1: And what about like I know that the airport had 159 00:08:38,280 --> 00:08:40,080 Speaker 1: said that they were going to put on charter buses 160 00:08:40,120 --> 00:08:42,040 Speaker 1: and stuff, but do you know if that has made 161 00:08:42,120 --> 00:08:42,920 Speaker 1: much of a difference. 162 00:08:44,320 --> 00:08:47,720 Speaker 2: Look, I haven't been given any data on that. I'm 163 00:08:47,760 --> 00:08:50,280 Speaker 2: still hearing that the taxis are an issue, but something 164 00:08:50,280 --> 00:08:52,560 Speaker 2: that we could certainly have a conversation with airport about. 165 00:08:52,679 --> 00:08:56,360 Speaker 1: Yeah, absolutely, and something that's worth a conversation definitely, you know, 166 00:08:56,360 --> 00:08:58,240 Speaker 1: because we want to make sure that our tourists and 167 00:08:58,240 --> 00:09:01,760 Speaker 1: those people arriving to the territory having a cracking time, 168 00:09:01,840 --> 00:09:03,760 Speaker 1: and part of that is being able to get off 169 00:09:03,760 --> 00:09:05,040 Speaker 1: the plane and go to your hotel. 170 00:09:06,000 --> 00:09:06,640 Speaker 2: Absolutely. 171 00:09:07,480 --> 00:09:09,559 Speaker 1: Oh Greg, good to catch up with you this morning. 172 00:09:09,559 --> 00:09:10,679 Speaker 1: Thanks so much for your time. 173 00:09:11,600 --> 00:09:12,160 Speaker 2: You're welcome. 174 00:09:12,280 --> 00:09:13,040 Speaker 1: Thank you.