1 00:00:00,080 --> 00:00:02,080 Speaker 1: We know that the race for the seat of Nightcliffe 2 00:00:02,120 --> 00:00:03,880 Speaker 1: is well and truly underway. 3 00:00:04,240 --> 00:00:05,240 Speaker 2: At park Run on the. 4 00:00:05,160 --> 00:00:07,200 Speaker 1: Weekend, will two of the candidates were there. Then I 5 00:00:07,200 --> 00:00:10,680 Speaker 1: saw some photos of Ed Smelt and Suki Doris Walker 6 00:00:10,840 --> 00:00:14,200 Speaker 1: out campaigning. My understanding is that Phil Scott has also 7 00:00:14,240 --> 00:00:16,920 Speaker 1: announced that he's going to be putting his hand up 8 00:00:16,960 --> 00:00:20,480 Speaker 1: and the COLP announcing their candidate as well. 9 00:00:20,520 --> 00:00:21,279 Speaker 2: Now joining me in. 10 00:00:21,280 --> 00:00:24,279 Speaker 1: The studio, he's the Chief Minister leafanokiarro. Good morning to 11 00:00:24,320 --> 00:00:26,160 Speaker 1: your chief Good morning Canadian to your listeners. 12 00:00:26,280 --> 00:00:29,080 Speaker 2: Now talk us through Angin Perdell. 13 00:00:29,400 --> 00:00:32,320 Speaker 1: I believe now I've spoken to a few people in Nightcliffe, 14 00:00:32,360 --> 00:00:34,800 Speaker 1: not many seem to know him well. 15 00:00:34,840 --> 00:00:38,159 Speaker 3: He's not run before, so I guess the Labor and 16 00:00:38,240 --> 00:00:41,200 Speaker 3: the Greens candidate have had a crack plenty of times, 17 00:00:41,240 --> 00:00:45,240 Speaker 3: including a council But yeah, the party has pre selected 18 00:00:45,240 --> 00:00:48,960 Speaker 3: a jam Podell. He's a lawyer, he's lived in that 19 00:00:49,040 --> 00:00:53,000 Speaker 3: area for ten years and he's just really passionate about, 20 00:00:53,360 --> 00:00:55,920 Speaker 3: you know, giving Nightcliff the representation at needs. I think 21 00:00:55,920 --> 00:00:59,960 Speaker 3: he sees, like many people, that this Greens experiment hasn't worked, 22 00:01:00,080 --> 00:01:02,800 Speaker 3: that Labour also let that seat down very badly, and 23 00:01:03,160 --> 00:01:05,080 Speaker 3: that the best thing for Nightcliff would be a seat 24 00:01:05,120 --> 00:01:08,240 Speaker 3: at the table while in government. So the proposition for 25 00:01:08,360 --> 00:01:10,920 Speaker 3: us is really clear. And he's out and about. I 26 00:01:10,959 --> 00:01:14,240 Speaker 3: was with him yesterday at Nightcliff Markets and you know 27 00:01:14,280 --> 00:01:16,440 Speaker 3: he'll be out on the ground earning people's confidence. 28 00:01:16,480 --> 00:01:18,120 Speaker 2: Any idea yet who. 29 00:01:17,959 --> 00:01:20,360 Speaker 1: The COLP is going to preference, because it's looking more 30 00:01:20,400 --> 00:01:22,640 Speaker 1: and more likely to me that the COLP and Labor 31 00:01:22,680 --> 00:01:24,520 Speaker 1: are going to have to preference each other if you 32 00:01:24,560 --> 00:01:26,120 Speaker 1: don't want to get the Greens back in. 33 00:01:27,319 --> 00:01:29,280 Speaker 4: Yeah, look that's a matter for the party, Katie. 34 00:01:29,280 --> 00:01:32,520 Speaker 3: But I think there's still time for people to pop 35 00:01:32,560 --> 00:01:34,479 Speaker 3: out of the woodwork. So we've seen a few people 36 00:01:34,520 --> 00:01:37,800 Speaker 3: come through more might it might be a ten horse 37 00:01:37,920 --> 00:01:39,959 Speaker 3: race for all we know. So I think time will tell. 38 00:01:40,000 --> 00:01:43,600 Speaker 3: But you know, as I said, and Jen's proposition is 39 00:01:43,640 --> 00:01:46,960 Speaker 3: really clear. It gives people in Nightcliff an opportunity, you know, 40 00:01:46,959 --> 00:01:48,640 Speaker 3: for the next two and a half years to have 41 00:01:48,640 --> 00:01:50,800 Speaker 3: a seat at the table in government and then go 42 00:01:50,840 --> 00:01:51,840 Speaker 3: again at the next election. 43 00:01:52,040 --> 00:01:54,000 Speaker 1: Well, look, Chief Inesster, there is a lot to cover 44 00:01:54,040 --> 00:01:56,760 Speaker 1: off on this morning, quite a few pretty serious issues 45 00:01:57,000 --> 00:01:59,520 Speaker 1: and in some breaking news this morning, the Member for 46 00:01:59,520 --> 00:02:04,000 Speaker 1: Forngleart Tansel Rahman has been accused of bullying by two 47 00:02:04,080 --> 00:02:05,919 Speaker 1: female staffers in what's been. 48 00:02:05,840 --> 00:02:08,080 Speaker 2: Described as a very serious matter. 49 00:02:08,520 --> 00:02:11,240 Speaker 1: Now. According to the report by Matt Garrick from the ABC, 50 00:02:11,720 --> 00:02:14,600 Speaker 1: he was the chair of the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee, 51 00:02:14,600 --> 00:02:18,520 Speaker 1: which was leading consultations into the Northern Territory's voluntary assisted 52 00:02:18,600 --> 00:02:22,280 Speaker 1: dying laws when the formal complaints were made late last year. 53 00:02:22,760 --> 00:02:27,079 Speaker 1: The ABC's confirmed through multiple sources that the allegations against 54 00:02:27,120 --> 00:02:29,440 Speaker 1: him were made by two staffers who'd been on the 55 00:02:29,520 --> 00:02:34,239 Speaker 1: road with the politician for those VAD consultations Chief Minister. 56 00:02:34,320 --> 00:02:38,280 Speaker 1: This report claims that the member swore and yelled at 57 00:02:38,320 --> 00:02:42,160 Speaker 1: staff while travel was undertaken. When did you become aware 58 00:02:42,320 --> 00:02:43,760 Speaker 1: of these accusations? 59 00:02:44,320 --> 00:02:48,120 Speaker 3: So I became aware well after the fat Katie. But 60 00:02:48,320 --> 00:02:52,280 Speaker 3: ultimately these are really sensitive HR type matters and you know, 61 00:02:52,360 --> 00:02:55,800 Speaker 3: they just can't be ventilated in the public domain. They 62 00:02:55,800 --> 00:03:00,760 Speaker 3: were dealt with appropriately by the legislatve Assembly Speaker as 63 00:03:00,800 --> 00:03:05,760 Speaker 3: is appropriate, and so the matter has been resolved and 64 00:03:06,240 --> 00:03:08,000 Speaker 3: is completed and we move on. 65 00:03:08,200 --> 00:03:10,160 Speaker 1: So what steps were taken if the matter has been 66 00:03:10,200 --> 00:03:12,359 Speaker 1: resolved and completely well, I'm. 67 00:03:12,240 --> 00:03:14,280 Speaker 3: Not privy to all of that detail. I don't sit 68 00:03:14,360 --> 00:03:17,440 Speaker 3: on that committee or any committee. But I'm not part 69 00:03:17,520 --> 00:03:18,919 Speaker 3: of those conversations, Katie. 70 00:03:18,960 --> 00:03:22,000 Speaker 1: And so I suppose as the leader of a party 71 00:03:22,040 --> 00:03:25,480 Speaker 1: and certainly of that party wing. I mean, these are 72 00:03:25,520 --> 00:03:28,800 Speaker 1: serious accusations and it's really serious for somebody to be 73 00:03:28,840 --> 00:03:32,359 Speaker 1: accused of yelling and swearing at stuff. So I guess 74 00:03:32,400 --> 00:03:34,720 Speaker 1: my question is, what did you do as the chief 75 00:03:34,720 --> 00:03:36,960 Speaker 1: minister to really pull him back into line and find 76 00:03:36,960 --> 00:03:37,800 Speaker 1: out what the goal was? 77 00:03:37,880 --> 00:03:40,800 Speaker 3: Well, I think what's important is that these are allegations, 78 00:03:41,000 --> 00:03:44,520 Speaker 3: and so they were dealt with through the appropriate mechanisms. 79 00:03:44,520 --> 00:03:47,320 Speaker 3: And there's really not a lot more I can say 80 00:03:47,360 --> 00:03:48,960 Speaker 3: about that, except that I think. 81 00:03:48,840 --> 00:03:50,760 Speaker 4: The timing of this is a bit cute. Katie. 82 00:03:50,840 --> 00:03:53,560 Speaker 3: You know this all took place and was dealt with 83 00:03:53,680 --> 00:03:55,800 Speaker 3: last year, and now it's a by election and you 84 00:03:55,800 --> 00:03:57,920 Speaker 3: know there's the did you ask. 85 00:03:57,840 --> 00:04:01,000 Speaker 2: Him to stand down from his chair roll over that matter? 86 00:04:01,120 --> 00:04:04,520 Speaker 3: Well, I'm not going to go into personal conversations and 87 00:04:04,840 --> 00:04:05,520 Speaker 3: what took place. 88 00:04:05,520 --> 00:04:07,560 Speaker 4: It's just a sensitive HR matter. 89 00:04:07,640 --> 00:04:09,960 Speaker 3: And as your listeners would know, Katie, I mean many 90 00:04:10,000 --> 00:04:13,280 Speaker 3: of them are managers and employers. You just can't put 91 00:04:13,320 --> 00:04:15,240 Speaker 3: these things up on a poster out the front of 92 00:04:15,280 --> 00:04:15,600 Speaker 3: a show. 93 00:04:15,680 --> 00:04:17,920 Speaker 1: Well, totally understand the point that you're making that it's 94 00:04:17,960 --> 00:04:20,040 Speaker 1: a HR matter, but as we know, when it comes 95 00:04:20,080 --> 00:04:23,920 Speaker 1: to politics, you know, questions need to be answered and 96 00:04:24,400 --> 00:04:28,520 Speaker 1: back sort of in twenty twenty one when there was 97 00:04:28,560 --> 00:04:33,760 Speaker 1: accusations made about Mick Dodson, well similar sort of situation 98 00:04:35,120 --> 00:04:39,640 Speaker 1: abusing or yelling at and swearing at women. You as 99 00:04:39,640 --> 00:04:41,800 Speaker 1: the opposition leader at the time, and Bill Yan, who 100 00:04:41,839 --> 00:04:44,720 Speaker 1: was also in opposition, really stood up and said that, 101 00:04:45,000 --> 00:04:47,719 Speaker 1: you know, the government of the day, Michael Gunner needed 102 00:04:47,760 --> 00:04:49,479 Speaker 1: to be strong on this and say that it was 103 00:04:49,520 --> 00:04:50,320 Speaker 1: not appropriate. 104 00:04:51,080 --> 00:04:53,920 Speaker 3: And it's an entirely different context and we stand by 105 00:04:54,000 --> 00:04:58,560 Speaker 3: it because what we're talking about is staff of the 106 00:04:58,640 --> 00:05:03,039 Speaker 3: Legislative Assembly HR issue to be resolved by you know, 107 00:05:03,120 --> 00:05:06,080 Speaker 3: the Clerk and the Speaker, and so that has all 108 00:05:06,200 --> 00:05:08,720 Speaker 3: taken place. So but he is a member of Parliament 109 00:05:08,920 --> 00:05:12,520 Speaker 3: and look, you're somebody who I believe conducts herself to 110 00:05:12,600 --> 00:05:15,960 Speaker 3: the highest you know, to the highest degree. Well in 111 00:05:16,000 --> 00:05:19,920 Speaker 3: my interactions with you, so I would imagine that you're 112 00:05:20,040 --> 00:05:22,160 Speaker 3: pretty like you know that you're going well, hang on 113 00:05:22,200 --> 00:05:24,040 Speaker 3: a second, I hope that you're not treating people in 114 00:05:24,080 --> 00:05:27,359 Speaker 3: your office in this way. We all want everyone to 115 00:05:27,400 --> 00:05:30,600 Speaker 3: be treating everyone very well, Katie. Of course, there's very 116 00:05:30,640 --> 00:05:34,080 Speaker 3: high expectations on us, and I'm I'm not shying away 117 00:05:34,080 --> 00:05:35,919 Speaker 3: from any of that, and I understand that this is, 118 00:05:36,320 --> 00:05:38,320 Speaker 3: you know, of interest to people, but at the end 119 00:05:38,320 --> 00:05:41,280 Speaker 3: of the day that there are very much limitations on 120 00:05:41,720 --> 00:05:43,880 Speaker 3: what can be said publicly about this out of respect 121 00:05:43,960 --> 00:05:48,680 Speaker 3: for all parties involved, and ultimately it rested with the 122 00:05:48,680 --> 00:05:50,200 Speaker 3: Speaker and that's how it was dealt with. 123 00:05:50,480 --> 00:05:53,520 Speaker 1: So can I just confirm so you're saying it's been 124 00:05:53,600 --> 00:05:56,920 Speaker 1: dealt with by the Speaker's office in terms of of 125 00:05:56,960 --> 00:05:59,800 Speaker 1: these allegations that have been correct. Yes, and so for 126 00:05:59,880 --> 00:06:03,400 Speaker 1: you though, as the chief Minister and he's a member 127 00:06:03,440 --> 00:06:06,279 Speaker 1: of your team, did you have any discussions with him, 128 00:06:06,360 --> 00:06:08,520 Speaker 1: did you you know, did you ask him to stand 129 00:06:08,560 --> 00:06:10,479 Speaker 1: down in that cheer role because I understand now that 130 00:06:10,520 --> 00:06:12,240 Speaker 1: he's not in it, Lori's e oh. 131 00:06:12,120 --> 00:06:12,960 Speaker 4: It's yeah. 132 00:06:13,000 --> 00:06:15,400 Speaker 3: So what we ended up doing, a bit like with 133 00:06:15,480 --> 00:06:17,960 Speaker 3: what I've just done with the Assistant Ministry is it's 134 00:06:18,000 --> 00:06:21,000 Speaker 3: been a really good opportunity for everyone to learn something different. 135 00:06:21,040 --> 00:06:24,360 Speaker 3: So we did a very wholesale movement of people throughout 136 00:06:24,360 --> 00:06:29,280 Speaker 3: our committees to give them different opportunities, experiences but look, 137 00:06:29,320 --> 00:06:31,080 Speaker 3: at the end of the day, I think this has 138 00:06:31,640 --> 00:06:34,160 Speaker 3: become a political football and a by election. Katie and 139 00:06:34,200 --> 00:06:37,760 Speaker 3: both the Labor and Green's members effusively praised the work 140 00:06:37,800 --> 00:06:41,000 Speaker 3: of doctor Rahman on that committee and doing the voluntary 141 00:06:41,000 --> 00:06:44,919 Speaker 3: assisted dying work. So you know, I'm just very conscious 142 00:06:44,960 --> 00:06:47,440 Speaker 3: of the environment that this is being raised in, not 143 00:06:47,560 --> 00:06:49,640 Speaker 3: to diminish it in. 144 00:06:49,600 --> 00:06:52,080 Speaker 1: Any way, but that people deserve the right to know 145 00:06:52,120 --> 00:06:56,359 Speaker 1: whether their local member has you know, been involved in 146 00:06:56,360 --> 00:06:57,320 Speaker 1: this kind of behavior. 147 00:06:57,720 --> 00:07:00,000 Speaker 3: Well, I think there's you know, information being put out 148 00:07:00,120 --> 00:07:04,159 Speaker 3: by ABC. There are hr considerations at play which require 149 00:07:04,160 --> 00:07:07,920 Speaker 3: a level of confidentiality and respect and dignity to all 150 00:07:07,960 --> 00:07:10,960 Speaker 3: of those involved, and that it's been dealt with appropriately, 151 00:07:11,000 --> 00:07:14,160 Speaker 3: and so you know, we continue with the business of government. 152 00:07:14,440 --> 00:07:15,920 Speaker 1: I'm going to get ready to move on, but I 153 00:07:16,000 --> 00:07:18,760 Speaker 1: just want to ask you. The Deputy Opposition leader, Duran Young, 154 00:07:19,000 --> 00:07:22,160 Speaker 1: who's also a member of the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee, 155 00:07:22,200 --> 00:07:26,000 Speaker 1: said a safe workplace was non negotiable for everyone in 156 00:07:26,040 --> 00:07:29,280 Speaker 1: the territory. He said, if these allegations are true, then 157 00:07:29,360 --> 00:07:32,480 Speaker 1: you should come forward and explain why this behavior was 158 00:07:32,520 --> 00:07:35,800 Speaker 1: allowed to occur and why it was not called out. 159 00:07:36,360 --> 00:07:37,440 Speaker 2: Why didn't you call it out. 160 00:07:37,520 --> 00:07:39,640 Speaker 3: Well, I've just been through all of that, Katie. And 161 00:07:39,680 --> 00:07:42,600 Speaker 3: as I said, you know, the member for Daily also 162 00:07:42,600 --> 00:07:45,600 Speaker 3: stood up in Parliament and effusively praised the work of 163 00:07:45,680 --> 00:07:48,440 Speaker 3: doctor Rahman, as did the outgoing Greens members. 164 00:07:48,480 --> 00:07:51,240 Speaker 4: So I think then they knew this. 165 00:07:51,600 --> 00:07:54,720 Speaker 3: Well you know who knows, Katie that they are on 166 00:07:54,760 --> 00:07:57,600 Speaker 3: the committee. So the context is very important to this. 167 00:07:57,680 --> 00:08:00,160 Speaker 3: And as I said, it's just one of those matters. 168 00:08:00,000 --> 00:08:01,680 Speaker 4: Which you know, I'm sure maintenance, so. 169 00:08:01,720 --> 00:08:05,119 Speaker 3: You feel appreciate nothing to see here, it's not nothing 170 00:08:05,160 --> 00:08:07,240 Speaker 3: to see. It's just it's been dealt with appropriately, and 171 00:08:07,240 --> 00:08:08,880 Speaker 3: I think people can have confidence in that. 172 00:08:09,080 --> 00:08:11,440 Speaker 1: I guess the issue is so you know, for like 173 00:08:11,480 --> 00:08:14,200 Speaker 1: for those listening that are maybe in his electorate, I 174 00:08:14,240 --> 00:08:16,440 Speaker 1: am as well. I'm sort of going, well, hang on 175 00:08:16,480 --> 00:08:18,480 Speaker 1: a sec. How are none of us aware of. 176 00:08:18,400 --> 00:08:21,800 Speaker 3: This because of the very nature of it, Katie, As 177 00:08:21,800 --> 00:08:23,840 Speaker 3: I said, you know, this is a this is a 178 00:08:23,880 --> 00:08:27,480 Speaker 3: matter for the Legislative Assembly and via the speaker in 179 00:08:27,560 --> 00:08:32,360 Speaker 3: that employee type relationship. So it's just not something like 180 00:08:32,360 --> 00:08:35,199 Speaker 3: like any entity or any business or any organization. 181 00:08:35,320 --> 00:08:38,120 Speaker 4: You just can't you know, go out publicly on that stuff. 182 00:08:38,240 --> 00:08:40,040 Speaker 1: Chief Manestop. I'm gonna have to forge your head because 183 00:08:40,040 --> 00:08:41,800 Speaker 1: there's quite a bit I want to get through this morning. 184 00:08:41,880 --> 00:08:42,000 Speaker 3: Now. 185 00:08:42,040 --> 00:08:45,000 Speaker 1: The situation in Alice Springs, it's blowing up again. Machete 186 00:08:45,040 --> 00:08:49,640 Speaker 1: wielding youths arrested outside the hospital yesterday. On Friday, there 187 00:08:49,720 --> 00:08:51,920 Speaker 1: was a fight on the street in broad daylight with 188 00:08:52,000 --> 00:08:56,120 Speaker 1: people brandishing machetes. What is going on in Alice Springs 189 00:08:56,200 --> 00:08:56,520 Speaker 1: right now? 190 00:08:56,640 --> 00:09:02,520 Speaker 3: Yeah, look it looks pretty bad, Katie, but it's some 191 00:09:02,600 --> 00:09:07,280 Speaker 3: of it has been fighting between families over legacy issues, 192 00:09:07,320 --> 00:09:10,760 Speaker 3: so very deliberate sort of attacks on each other and 193 00:09:10,800 --> 00:09:13,520 Speaker 3: then others is just incredibly bad behavior. And I think 194 00:09:13,559 --> 00:09:17,440 Speaker 3: what this reinforces is just that hard work of dealing 195 00:09:17,480 --> 00:09:20,440 Speaker 3: with this continues, which is why our focus into twenty 196 00:09:20,480 --> 00:09:23,199 Speaker 3: twenty six remains reducing crime. 197 00:09:23,240 --> 00:09:24,040 Speaker 4: That number one. 198 00:09:23,880 --> 00:09:27,400 Speaker 3: Priority has to stay because whilst we've made some really 199 00:09:27,400 --> 00:09:31,400 Speaker 3: strong results and the data is starting to look good, 200 00:09:31,640 --> 00:09:35,240 Speaker 3: it's all about how people feel. It's all about the sentiment. 201 00:09:35,280 --> 00:09:38,040 Speaker 3: It's all about people reclaiming their lives back. 202 00:09:38,160 --> 00:09:39,520 Speaker 2: It's cold comfort as well. 203 00:09:39,520 --> 00:09:41,959 Speaker 1: And you know, if you're at the hospital yesterday morning 204 00:09:41,960 --> 00:09:44,240 Speaker 1: and you're seeing this kind of thing happening, I mean 205 00:09:44,480 --> 00:09:46,959 Speaker 1: you were very critical of the former government when there 206 00:09:47,120 --> 00:09:49,920 Speaker 1: was violence on the street in Alice Springs. You know, 207 00:09:50,040 --> 00:09:51,800 Speaker 1: some listening this morning are going to say, well, things 208 00:09:51,840 --> 00:09:54,880 Speaker 1: don't seem to have changed much. Does this demonstrate that 209 00:09:54,960 --> 00:09:56,720 Speaker 1: your policies are not working? 210 00:09:57,200 --> 00:09:58,760 Speaker 4: I think that's the difference, Katie. 211 00:09:59,520 --> 00:10:02,120 Speaker 3: This is we've had an excellent summer by all accounts, 212 00:10:02,160 --> 00:10:04,360 Speaker 3: and so the data will get washed up very soon 213 00:10:04,559 --> 00:10:08,200 Speaker 3: as Operation Ludlow finished. But you know, we have wonderful 214 00:10:08,200 --> 00:10:11,880 Speaker 3: feedback from businesses over summer saying just how different it 215 00:10:12,240 --> 00:10:13,520 Speaker 3: was that the town's feeling good. 216 00:10:13,520 --> 00:10:15,360 Speaker 4: I had one business I'm going to say. 217 00:10:15,280 --> 00:10:17,080 Speaker 3: To me that him and his wife were even going 218 00:10:17,120 --> 00:10:19,880 Speaker 3: to the movies that night, which sounds so simple, but 219 00:10:19,920 --> 00:10:22,160 Speaker 3: that was what was. People were deprived of us even 220 00:10:22,240 --> 00:10:23,280 Speaker 3: just going to the movies. 221 00:10:23,320 --> 00:10:23,520 Speaker 4: You know. 222 00:10:23,600 --> 00:10:27,000 Speaker 3: So things are definitely better. There's still heaps of work 223 00:10:27,040 --> 00:10:28,880 Speaker 3: to do, Katie. We are not shoying away from that, 224 00:10:28,920 --> 00:10:31,839 Speaker 3: which is why our reform in child protection will happen 225 00:10:31,880 --> 00:10:34,920 Speaker 3: this year. Youth Justice Act Trench two will happen. Some 226 00:10:34,960 --> 00:10:39,360 Speaker 3: big Traffic Act stuff that police in Alice specifically want 227 00:10:39,480 --> 00:10:42,040 Speaker 3: is being done so that there's plenty more to come. 228 00:10:42,080 --> 00:10:44,400 Speaker 1: Chief Minister, I want to talk about health this is 229 00:10:44,400 --> 00:10:46,960 Speaker 1: something that is absolutely high on the agenda for a 230 00:10:47,000 --> 00:10:50,439 Speaker 1: lot of our listeners. Now, my understanding is that today's 231 00:10:50,480 --> 00:10:54,800 Speaker 1: actually the final day that Alia Vmuri, the private obstetrician, 232 00:10:54,920 --> 00:10:59,160 Speaker 1: is going to operate in the Northern Territory. Her remaining patients, well, 233 00:10:59,200 --> 00:11:02,400 Speaker 1: they've had to try, and some of them, well some 234 00:11:02,520 --> 00:11:05,160 Speaker 1: of them, those expectant mothers actually traveling into. 235 00:11:05,080 --> 00:11:06,160 Speaker 2: State to give birth. 236 00:11:06,679 --> 00:11:09,920 Speaker 1: Now, you must be concerned that we no longer have 237 00:11:10,040 --> 00:11:13,200 Speaker 1: a private ob here in the Northern Territory and that 238 00:11:13,280 --> 00:11:14,520 Speaker 1: women are going into State two. 239 00:11:14,640 --> 00:11:17,640 Speaker 3: Yeah, birth, I absolutely am, Katie. This is a really 240 00:11:17,720 --> 00:11:21,199 Speaker 3: sad chapter for the territory and you know it's been 241 00:11:21,400 --> 00:11:24,800 Speaker 3: well ventilated. Healthscope made the decision to pull out because 242 00:11:24,840 --> 00:11:27,920 Speaker 3: our population was declining, baby numbers were dropping off, and 243 00:11:28,400 --> 00:11:31,120 Speaker 3: it wasn't commercially viable for them. Now that is a 244 00:11:31,240 --> 00:11:35,960 Speaker 3: really poor outcome for Territorians, for families, for people looking 245 00:11:36,040 --> 00:11:39,560 Speaker 3: to move here. And we've seen that with people making decisions. 246 00:11:39,760 --> 00:11:41,880 Speaker 3: I know people who've made decisions to go into state 247 00:11:41,960 --> 00:11:42,600 Speaker 3: to have their baby. 248 00:11:42,640 --> 00:11:44,320 Speaker 4: So this's why it's real. 249 00:11:44,480 --> 00:11:49,040 Speaker 3: Yeah, it's a real, genuine, horrible problem. And so we've 250 00:11:49,040 --> 00:11:51,640 Speaker 3: been very clear about making sure that whoever and we 251 00:11:51,679 --> 00:11:54,640 Speaker 3: now know that the new owners will be this rebadged 252 00:11:54,640 --> 00:11:56,480 Speaker 3: health scope not for profit. 253 00:11:56,160 --> 00:11:57,840 Speaker 2: But are they gonna have a maternity war? 254 00:11:57,920 --> 00:11:59,960 Speaker 3: Well, this is what we're working through. So the Minutes 255 00:12:00,240 --> 00:12:03,320 Speaker 3: for Health was just interstate meeting with the receivers and 256 00:12:03,360 --> 00:12:06,520 Speaker 3: said in no uncertain terms that the new operator must 257 00:12:06,559 --> 00:12:10,520 Speaker 3: bring back maternity and we force them though, well, we've 258 00:12:10,559 --> 00:12:13,480 Speaker 3: looked at the different leverages that we have and we 259 00:12:13,520 --> 00:12:16,120 Speaker 3: will continue to work with them. We because they're still 260 00:12:16,120 --> 00:12:18,200 Speaker 3: building that new entity, we've not met with them, but 261 00:12:18,280 --> 00:12:20,480 Speaker 3: as soon as we can, we will, and then we 262 00:12:20,520 --> 00:12:23,840 Speaker 3: will start that negotiation. And this is sort of separate 263 00:12:23,840 --> 00:12:25,840 Speaker 3: to them some of the concerns people have been having 264 00:12:25,880 --> 00:12:29,280 Speaker 3: about the public system obviously, but it's a huge blow 265 00:12:29,320 --> 00:12:31,480 Speaker 3: for us and I just you know, some people might 266 00:12:31,520 --> 00:12:35,359 Speaker 3: wonder sometimes why I'm constantly going on about rebuilding our economy, 267 00:12:35,640 --> 00:12:37,880 Speaker 3: and I know it seems like a hard link to make, 268 00:12:37,920 --> 00:12:40,360 Speaker 3: but this is exactly that when the economy is strong 269 00:12:40,440 --> 00:12:43,760 Speaker 3: and people are living and growing and moving here, hospitals 270 00:12:43,760 --> 00:12:45,080 Speaker 3: and services can be delivered. 271 00:12:45,200 --> 00:12:45,920 Speaker 2: God get it right. 272 00:12:46,000 --> 00:12:48,120 Speaker 1: I think everybody listening gets that as well. But at 273 00:12:48,120 --> 00:12:50,280 Speaker 1: the moment, you know, like in the meantime, then the 274 00:12:50,320 --> 00:12:53,040 Speaker 1: big reals needs to be done. There's a big hole now. 275 00:12:53,120 --> 00:12:56,040 Speaker 1: Last week on the show, Luke Gosling said his understanding 276 00:12:56,120 --> 00:12:58,760 Speaker 1: was that the Northern Territory government had only formally submitted 277 00:12:58,760 --> 00:13:01,960 Speaker 1: its more detailed ten million dollar funding request to the 278 00:13:01,960 --> 00:13:05,280 Speaker 1: federal Health Minister Mark Butler on the eleventh of February. 279 00:13:05,720 --> 00:13:08,240 Speaker 1: Why on earth has it taken so long? 280 00:13:08,440 --> 00:13:11,960 Speaker 3: Look, this is politics at it's worst, Katie. It really 281 00:13:12,040 --> 00:13:15,120 Speaker 3: is disgusting. I mean we have been We've written to 282 00:13:15,200 --> 00:13:17,840 Speaker 3: the health federal health minister I think four times. 283 00:13:17,920 --> 00:13:20,160 Speaker 4: Minister Edgington has met with them several times. 284 00:13:20,400 --> 00:13:23,000 Speaker 3: The federal government was very quick to bawt out Tasmania 285 00:13:23,000 --> 00:13:26,400 Speaker 3: and other small regional areas. We asked for thirty five 286 00:13:26,480 --> 00:13:29,960 Speaker 3: million originally, which they rejected. We've been asking for ten 287 00:13:30,120 --> 00:13:33,000 Speaker 3: for god, it must be a year now, Katie, and 288 00:13:33,080 --> 00:13:34,360 Speaker 3: it still hasn't come through. 289 00:13:34,480 --> 00:13:37,280 Speaker 1: But have you guys, did you actually put in that 290 00:13:37,400 --> 00:13:40,760 Speaker 1: formal and detailed Yes, player, yes we have for the 291 00:13:40,800 --> 00:13:41,680 Speaker 1: eleventh of February. 292 00:13:41,720 --> 00:13:42,800 Speaker 4: That is my understanding. 293 00:13:42,840 --> 00:13:44,760 Speaker 3: I have been told that the federal government have had 294 00:13:44,760 --> 00:13:47,480 Speaker 3: that information. They are dragging this out so that Luke 295 00:13:47,559 --> 00:13:49,760 Speaker 3: Goslin can have a pedal stool for a minute in 296 00:13:49,800 --> 00:13:52,800 Speaker 3: the sun and it's disgusting. It comes at the expense 297 00:13:53,200 --> 00:13:54,760 Speaker 3: of people's health care. 298 00:13:54,960 --> 00:13:56,800 Speaker 1: To be honest with you, I feel like the federal 299 00:13:56,800 --> 00:13:59,480 Speaker 1: government and the Northern Territory government are both stuffing around 300 00:13:59,559 --> 00:14:02,600 Speaker 1: on this all the while we've got mums who are 301 00:14:02,640 --> 00:14:06,480 Speaker 1: taking up pedestal fans to give birth in hospital. 302 00:14:06,600 --> 00:14:06,800 Speaker 4: Yeah. 303 00:14:06,880 --> 00:14:09,240 Speaker 3: Look, we are getting to the bottom of this air 304 00:14:09,240 --> 00:14:12,199 Speaker 3: con issue, but most of it is absolute rubbish and 305 00:14:12,280 --> 00:14:13,920 Speaker 3: being peddled again by. 306 00:14:13,679 --> 00:14:16,760 Speaker 2: Moms are telling us. We've had mums message us. 307 00:14:16,760 --> 00:14:18,720 Speaker 1: So Katie, I need to get my husband to bring 308 00:14:18,800 --> 00:14:22,720 Speaker 1: up a pedestal fan. Like I think the claim that 309 00:14:22,720 --> 00:14:25,960 Speaker 1: the aircorn's working to full capacity is bullshit and really 310 00:14:26,000 --> 00:14:27,520 Speaker 1: the government needs to get up there and have a 311 00:14:27,520 --> 00:14:27,880 Speaker 1: look at it. 312 00:14:28,080 --> 00:14:30,760 Speaker 3: Well we have been, Katie, and to you know, some 313 00:14:30,800 --> 00:14:33,160 Speaker 3: of the accusations that for five hundred days, you know, 314 00:14:33,200 --> 00:14:35,280 Speaker 3: the air co it's just not true, right, So there's 315 00:14:35,320 --> 00:14:37,560 Speaker 3: a lot of I think what's happened is we've got 316 00:14:37,560 --> 00:14:40,920 Speaker 3: a terrible situation where health Scope's pulled out and then 317 00:14:41,000 --> 00:14:44,240 Speaker 3: there's politics being played to inflate this to bigger than 318 00:14:44,280 --> 00:14:47,360 Speaker 3: bend her right now. We want I was just talking 319 00:14:47,360 --> 00:14:49,720 Speaker 3: to a mother on the weekend at Nightcliff Markets actually 320 00:14:49,760 --> 00:14:53,520 Speaker 3: who had a great experience, So you know it's the 321 00:14:53,560 --> 00:14:55,920 Speaker 3: people there are doing an amazing job with what they've got. 322 00:14:55,960 --> 00:14:58,320 Speaker 4: Do we need more money for health? Absolutely? 323 00:14:58,360 --> 00:15:00,800 Speaker 3: Even the billion dollars I just came back from Sydney 324 00:15:00,840 --> 00:15:03,680 Speaker 3: with is not going to go far enough. But if 325 00:15:03,720 --> 00:15:05,960 Speaker 3: the federal government want to play games that Luke gos 326 00:15:06,040 --> 00:15:08,680 Speaker 3: and can stay in the sun, there's not much we. 327 00:15:08,680 --> 00:15:09,480 Speaker 4: Can do about that. 328 00:15:09,600 --> 00:15:11,960 Speaker 3: You can to stump up the ten million and stop 329 00:15:12,040 --> 00:15:15,680 Speaker 3: mucking around, or you know, like what do we do? 330 00:15:16,080 --> 00:15:17,800 Speaker 1: Look and you know, I want to just say no, 331 00:15:17,840 --> 00:15:20,960 Speaker 1: one's discounting the hard work of the marors and staff 332 00:15:21,040 --> 00:15:22,800 Speaker 1: up at the hospital. I gave birth to both of 333 00:15:22,800 --> 00:15:25,560 Speaker 1: my children up there and had a fantastic experience. I 334 00:15:25,600 --> 00:15:28,800 Speaker 1: know that a lot of Northern Territory women have. But 335 00:15:28,920 --> 00:15:31,160 Speaker 1: to me, you know, even the situation on the weekend 336 00:15:31,200 --> 00:15:33,720 Speaker 1: where we see the roof continuing to crumble at Royal 337 00:15:33,800 --> 00:15:36,800 Speaker 1: dal And Hospital, to me, we need a new hospital. 338 00:15:37,000 --> 00:15:38,840 Speaker 1: But how are we going to get there if we've 339 00:15:38,840 --> 00:15:41,240 Speaker 1: got this toing and froing when it comes to politics, 340 00:15:41,280 --> 00:15:43,280 Speaker 1: And I do think that everybody needs to get there, 341 00:15:43,440 --> 00:15:45,840 Speaker 1: sit at the table and work this out for the 342 00:15:45,840 --> 00:15:49,400 Speaker 1: betterment of all Territorians, you know, put your politics aside 343 00:15:49,840 --> 00:15:52,080 Speaker 1: and work this out so that we can try to 344 00:15:52,120 --> 00:15:54,840 Speaker 1: get the funding that we need, so that every Territorian 345 00:15:54,880 --> 00:15:56,600 Speaker 1: can get the health care that they deserve. 346 00:15:57,160 --> 00:15:59,480 Speaker 4: I couldn't agree more, Katie. And that's why Minister's dive 347 00:15:59,520 --> 00:15:59,880 Speaker 4: veging ten. 348 00:16:00,360 --> 00:16:03,480 Speaker 3: He's literally just gotten off the plane meeting with Mark Butler, 349 00:16:03,720 --> 00:16:07,680 Speaker 3: the federal Health Minister, and still no commitment around that 350 00:16:07,800 --> 00:16:11,840 Speaker 3: ten despite it being asked for. So he's spoken with 351 00:16:11,920 --> 00:16:13,720 Speaker 3: him absolutely. 352 00:16:13,920 --> 00:16:14,800 Speaker 4: I think it was yesterday. 353 00:16:14,880 --> 00:16:18,120 Speaker 3: Okay, sorry, No, I wouldn't been yesterday, would have been Friday, yes, 354 00:16:18,920 --> 00:16:20,960 Speaker 3: so you know, and and still nothing. 355 00:16:21,120 --> 00:16:23,880 Speaker 4: So it's we've got to sort this. It's a really 356 00:16:23,920 --> 00:16:24,640 Speaker 4: big challenge. 357 00:16:24,680 --> 00:16:27,120 Speaker 3: And again, you know, if labor want to fight us 358 00:16:27,160 --> 00:16:29,240 Speaker 3: on every and every little battle, it's going to be 359 00:16:29,240 --> 00:16:31,440 Speaker 3: a really. 360 00:16:31,040 --> 00:16:33,280 Speaker 1: I mean, we need the federal government, however you want 361 00:16:33,280 --> 00:16:35,160 Speaker 1: to look at it, we need them. And in this 362 00:16:35,280 --> 00:16:38,479 Speaker 1: other breaking US today, it's being reported that the International 363 00:16:38,520 --> 00:16:42,440 Speaker 1: Monetary Fund has issued a warning that the federal government 364 00:16:42,960 --> 00:16:46,320 Speaker 1: may need to bail out heavily indebted states and territories 365 00:16:46,520 --> 00:16:49,040 Speaker 1: like the Northern Territory and Victoria. 366 00:16:49,520 --> 00:16:51,520 Speaker 2: I mean it's a pretty embarrassing. 367 00:16:50,960 --> 00:16:53,600 Speaker 1: Situation for us, but it's also a situation that after 368 00:16:53,640 --> 00:16:56,200 Speaker 1: talking about the hospital, then it makes me go, well, 369 00:16:56,240 --> 00:16:59,560 Speaker 1: we really do need to work constructively with one another. 370 00:17:00,200 --> 00:17:01,080 Speaker 2: This debarcle. 371 00:17:01,160 --> 00:17:03,920 Speaker 4: It is our debt out, yeah absolutely. 372 00:17:04,000 --> 00:17:07,720 Speaker 3: I mean, previous labor government added a billion dollars a 373 00:17:07,840 --> 00:17:10,919 Speaker 3: year to the debt a billion dollars and there's nothing 374 00:17:10,960 --> 00:17:12,960 Speaker 3: to show for it except a territory that was in 375 00:17:13,040 --> 00:17:18,280 Speaker 3: absolute free fall. Guys doing now, yep. So we're moving 376 00:17:18,320 --> 00:17:21,439 Speaker 3: forward with titan belts. We're making sure we're growing the 377 00:17:21,480 --> 00:17:23,760 Speaker 3: size of the pie and the economy. I mean even 378 00:17:23,840 --> 00:17:26,520 Speaker 3: just our payroll tax reforms, which just hit the one 379 00:17:26,600 --> 00:17:29,680 Speaker 3: year mark, which has delivered huge savings to hundreds of 380 00:17:29,800 --> 00:17:30,800 Speaker 3: territory businesses. 381 00:17:31,359 --> 00:17:32,560 Speaker 4: That's we've we've. 382 00:17:32,400 --> 00:17:35,880 Speaker 3: Generated more in payroll tax last year then we even 383 00:17:35,920 --> 00:17:39,080 Speaker 3: though we're able to deliver that subsidy because it's stimulating 384 00:17:39,119 --> 00:17:39,919 Speaker 3: economic growth. 385 00:17:40,000 --> 00:17:41,560 Speaker 4: So we're working really hard. 386 00:17:41,560 --> 00:17:44,680 Speaker 3: To go back to my earlier comment about rebuilding the economy. 387 00:17:44,960 --> 00:17:47,280 Speaker 3: That's where the game changer is. But we need the 388 00:17:47,280 --> 00:17:50,439 Speaker 3: federal government to see how special the territory is and 389 00:17:50,440 --> 00:17:52,959 Speaker 3: that we have everything this country needs to be successful 390 00:17:52,960 --> 00:17:57,200 Speaker 3: with with Beaterloo coming online this year, our Feurer Resources 391 00:17:57,240 --> 00:18:01,119 Speaker 3: hopefully making FID later in the year. You know, the 392 00:18:01,119 --> 00:18:05,960 Speaker 3: defense national security component we can provide this country, it's indisputable. 393 00:18:06,000 --> 00:18:07,200 Speaker 4: We're a big part of this nation. 394 00:18:07,680 --> 00:18:09,800 Speaker 3: We just want to be treated like it, Katie, and 395 00:18:09,800 --> 00:18:11,320 Speaker 3: that's all we're asking for. 396 00:18:11,240 --> 00:18:13,560 Speaker 1: Chief Minister. I know your very pressed for time. I 397 00:18:13,600 --> 00:18:15,560 Speaker 1: want to ask you really quickly. I understand that the 398 00:18:15,640 --> 00:18:19,080 Speaker 1: Daily River residents they're going to be heading home today. Yeah. 399 00:18:19,160 --> 00:18:22,240 Speaker 3: Correct, We've been able to do the assessments of houses 400 00:18:22,280 --> 00:18:23,920 Speaker 3: that will continue throughout today. 401 00:18:24,280 --> 00:18:26,480 Speaker 4: Everyone's really keen to get back home, as you can. 402 00:18:26,359 --> 00:18:29,280 Speaker 3: Imagine, it's been a long time, and so we will 403 00:18:29,280 --> 00:18:32,840 Speaker 3: support everyone to get back home later this afternoon. 404 00:18:32,359 --> 00:18:35,040 Speaker 4: Into the evening and resettle everyone. 405 00:18:35,200 --> 00:18:38,199 Speaker 1: I can't let you go without mentioning the fact that 406 00:18:38,200 --> 00:18:39,960 Speaker 1: tomorrow is the funeral of a. 407 00:18:39,920 --> 00:18:41,240 Speaker 2: Great man, Ted Egan. 408 00:18:41,480 --> 00:18:43,960 Speaker 1: I know that there will be a lot of Territorians 409 00:18:44,080 --> 00:18:49,000 Speaker 1: very keen to pay their respects for Ted an exceptional territorium. 410 00:18:49,119 --> 00:18:52,360 Speaker 3: Yeah, we've got his state funeral tomorrow's I'm heading down 411 00:18:52,400 --> 00:18:54,680 Speaker 3: to Alice Springs today and I know lots of people 412 00:18:54,680 --> 00:18:57,040 Speaker 3: in Darwin actually are going down to pay their respects. 413 00:18:57,080 --> 00:19:00,119 Speaker 3: I'm expecting it to be a very large funeral, but 414 00:19:00,359 --> 00:19:03,280 Speaker 3: a celebration of life Katie, a life well lived, a 415 00:19:03,359 --> 00:19:06,400 Speaker 3: contribution well made, and teneris of the family. 416 00:19:06,680 --> 00:19:07,640 Speaker 4: We're thinking of them all. 417 00:19:07,880 --> 00:19:10,880 Speaker 1: Lea Finocchio, Chief Minister of the Northern Territory, A lot 418 00:19:10,920 --> 00:19:12,080 Speaker 1: to cover off on this morning. 419 00:19:12,160 --> 00:19:15,040 Speaker 2: Really appreciate your time. Thank you, take care, thank you.