1 00:00:00,080 --> 00:00:02,600 Speaker 1: We know that two weeks of federal parliamentary sittings are 2 00:00:02,680 --> 00:00:05,240 Speaker 1: set to get under way this week, and we spoke 3 00:00:05,240 --> 00:00:07,720 Speaker 1: a little earlier about this. We've seen a major funding 4 00:00:07,720 --> 00:00:11,160 Speaker 1: boost when it comes to health in the Northern Territory. 5 00:00:11,720 --> 00:00:14,560 Speaker 1: We are set to benefit from three point five billion 6 00:00:14,600 --> 00:00:17,599 Speaker 1: dollars in Commonwealth funding for public hospitals over the next 7 00:00:17,640 --> 00:00:22,200 Speaker 1: five years under this new National Cabinet agreement. And joining 8 00:00:22,320 --> 00:00:25,560 Speaker 1: us on the line from Canberra, the Federal Member for 9 00:00:25,680 --> 00:00:27,639 Speaker 1: Solomon Luke Gosling. Good morning to. 10 00:00:27,720 --> 00:00:29,560 Speaker 2: You, Luke, Good morning Katie. 11 00:00:29,840 --> 00:00:31,600 Speaker 1: Good to have you on the show mate. It's going 12 00:00:31,640 --> 00:00:34,279 Speaker 1: to be an interesting couple of weeks of Federal parliament. 13 00:00:34,800 --> 00:00:37,960 Speaker 1: The coalition is still sort of imploding at the moment. 14 00:00:39,159 --> 00:00:40,839 Speaker 2: Yeah. I just bumped into one of them in the 15 00:00:40,880 --> 00:00:43,960 Speaker 2: hallway and he's sort of raising his eyebrows and on 16 00:00:44,000 --> 00:00:48,959 Speaker 2: the phone talking to people and don't know what's going 17 00:00:49,000 --> 00:00:53,280 Speaker 2: to eventuate this week, but yeah, certainly awesome news. As 18 00:00:53,280 --> 00:00:55,440 Speaker 2: you and I have talked about in the past, Katie, 19 00:00:55,680 --> 00:01:00,000 Speaker 2: in this current financial year we increase the health funding 20 00:01:00,080 --> 00:01:02,800 Speaker 2: for the territory by thirty percent, but this is locking 21 00:01:02,840 --> 00:01:06,199 Speaker 2: in a five year deal. So it's been a great 22 00:01:06,360 --> 00:01:09,800 Speaker 2: agreement between the Commonwealth and the NT government, and there's 23 00:01:09,800 --> 00:01:13,280 Speaker 2: always more to do, but at least that public hospital 24 00:01:13,319 --> 00:01:18,320 Speaker 2: funding is in there massively increased. Plus the sustainability of 25 00:01:18,319 --> 00:01:21,119 Speaker 2: the NDIS is something that's really important to people as well. 26 00:01:21,600 --> 00:01:23,640 Speaker 1: It is good news. So I've got to say, you know, 27 00:01:23,840 --> 00:01:26,080 Speaker 1: last year there was a bit of RGI bargie, I know, 28 00:01:26,240 --> 00:01:28,920 Speaker 1: between you and the Northern Territory government, but when it 29 00:01:28,959 --> 00:01:31,280 Speaker 1: came down to it, I'm really pleased to see that 30 00:01:31,319 --> 00:01:34,600 Speaker 1: both tiers of government have worked together for this funding 31 00:01:34,600 --> 00:01:37,520 Speaker 1: increase because at the end of the day, it's territories, 32 00:01:37,600 --> 00:01:39,680 Speaker 1: isn't it that need to see that benefit, and we 33 00:01:39,760 --> 00:01:43,440 Speaker 1: need those additional funds for our hospitals to make sure 34 00:01:43,480 --> 00:01:45,480 Speaker 1: that if you are crooked, that you can get in 35 00:01:45,520 --> 00:01:46,440 Speaker 1: there and see someone. 36 00:01:48,120 --> 00:01:51,440 Speaker 2: Yeah, we really do. And what we've done also with 37 00:01:51,520 --> 00:01:54,840 Speaker 2: strengthening medicare is make sure that people can get bulk 38 00:01:54,920 --> 00:01:58,200 Speaker 2: builled and that helps when you know, if people are 39 00:01:58,280 --> 00:02:01,960 Speaker 2: struggling with a bit of cost of living pressures, been 40 00:02:02,000 --> 00:02:04,320 Speaker 2: able to see a doctor. And we'll soon be able 41 00:02:04,440 --> 00:02:08,160 Speaker 2: to with the NT government announce the Darwin Urgent Care 42 00:02:08,200 --> 00:02:11,480 Speaker 2: Clinic and the Parmesan one. Just you know, is just 43 00:02:11,560 --> 00:02:14,680 Speaker 2: going so strongly, and it's good for people to know 44 00:02:14,800 --> 00:02:18,200 Speaker 2: that short of hospital there's somewhere to go that where 45 00:02:18,240 --> 00:02:20,800 Speaker 2: you won't be charged, but you'll get good medical care. 46 00:02:21,160 --> 00:02:23,160 Speaker 2: But it's also good to know that we've locked in 47 00:02:24,120 --> 00:02:28,560 Speaker 2: massively increase funding for our hospital system. And of course 48 00:02:28,560 --> 00:02:32,280 Speaker 2: we still continue to work with the NT government on 49 00:02:32,320 --> 00:02:39,600 Speaker 2: the maternity care for territory families as well, so that's ongoing. Hey. 50 00:02:39,960 --> 00:02:42,079 Speaker 1: This is of course on top of the good news 51 00:02:42,160 --> 00:02:45,000 Speaker 1: last week about the age care provider being named. How 52 00:02:45,040 --> 00:02:46,880 Speaker 1: long do you reckon it's going to be before we 53 00:02:46,919 --> 00:02:49,480 Speaker 1: see that facility open again? That's something you and I 54 00:02:49,480 --> 00:02:52,560 Speaker 1: have spoken about a lot over the years. How soon 55 00:02:52,560 --> 00:02:54,040 Speaker 1: do you reckon it'll get up and running. 56 00:02:55,480 --> 00:02:58,880 Speaker 2: Yeah, it was great news Katie to have that oz 57 00:02:58,919 --> 00:03:01,400 Speaker 2: Care as a named, and they've got a lot of 58 00:03:01,440 --> 00:03:08,040 Speaker 2: experience in building and running a big facilities such as 59 00:03:08,080 --> 00:03:10,839 Speaker 2: the one they're going to build out in Palmerston, and 60 00:03:11,919 --> 00:03:16,480 Speaker 2: I'm really pushing our minister here that they can start 61 00:03:16,520 --> 00:03:21,040 Speaker 2: building this dry season. There is obviously the design work 62 00:03:21,080 --> 00:03:24,359 Speaker 2: that's well underway, but this is going to take pressure 63 00:03:24,360 --> 00:03:26,880 Speaker 2: off the hospitals as well. But the exciting thing is 64 00:03:26,880 --> 00:03:30,720 Speaker 2: is we were talking about one hundred and twenty bed facility, 65 00:03:30,760 --> 00:03:32,799 Speaker 2: but it may be that we can build out there 66 00:03:32,800 --> 00:03:36,640 Speaker 2: in Palmeston something up to one hundred and fifty beds 67 00:03:36,680 --> 00:03:40,400 Speaker 2: and that's going to make a big difference for senior 68 00:03:40,520 --> 00:03:44,080 Speaker 2: Territorians and give them those options at the same time 69 00:03:44,120 --> 00:03:46,440 Speaker 2: as taking pressure off our hospitals. 70 00:03:46,880 --> 00:03:49,720 Speaker 1: Now Looke, I wasn't at the Chief Finesster's speech this 71 00:03:49,760 --> 00:03:52,040 Speaker 1: morning about the twenty twenty six year ahead, but I 72 00:03:52,040 --> 00:03:54,520 Speaker 1: know that they did make an announcement about the extension 73 00:03:54,560 --> 00:03:59,640 Speaker 1: of their home grown building grants. Now, there was a 74 00:03:59,640 --> 00:04:01,760 Speaker 1: bit for the discussion about a topic you and I've 75 00:04:01,800 --> 00:04:04,680 Speaker 1: spoken about on a few occasions, about that six hundred 76 00:04:04,720 --> 00:04:07,040 Speaker 1: thousand dollars cap as well when it comes to the 77 00:04:07,080 --> 00:04:11,600 Speaker 1: federal government scheme. So obviously the separate scheme you last year. 78 00:04:11,640 --> 00:04:14,080 Speaker 1: We're going to have a chat to your federal counterparts 79 00:04:14,120 --> 00:04:17,039 Speaker 1: about this. Is there any word on whether that cap 80 00:04:17,200 --> 00:04:18,240 Speaker 1: might get lifted. 81 00:04:20,000 --> 00:04:23,080 Speaker 2: Yeah, we continue to keep an eye on the data. 82 00:04:23,520 --> 00:04:25,839 Speaker 2: I mean, the good news is that over twelve hundred 83 00:04:26,040 --> 00:04:29,960 Speaker 2: Territorians have utilized the scheme to get a five percent deposit. 84 00:04:30,480 --> 00:04:33,120 Speaker 2: I guess the thing that we remind people is that 85 00:04:33,560 --> 00:04:38,880 Speaker 2: it's designed and targeted for first homeowners and it's I 86 00:04:38,920 --> 00:04:40,880 Speaker 2: mean even today, I just did a search, is about 87 00:04:40,920 --> 00:04:46,320 Speaker 2: two hundred and fifty either units, townhouses or homes that 88 00:04:46,800 --> 00:04:49,800 Speaker 2: under that six hundred mark. My gut feel is that 89 00:04:49,800 --> 00:04:53,240 Speaker 2: we're going to need to increase it from six hundred 90 00:04:53,400 --> 00:04:57,560 Speaker 2: so that more homes as in thousands that are homes 91 00:04:58,000 --> 00:05:02,480 Speaker 2: can fall in under that target. I've been in contact 92 00:05:02,560 --> 00:05:05,360 Speaker 2: with the industry. It won't surprise you to know that 93 00:05:05,839 --> 00:05:08,400 Speaker 2: Master builders wanted to be up at around eight hundred 94 00:05:08,400 --> 00:05:14,240 Speaker 2: and fifty thousand dollars. That's kind of well above the 95 00:05:14,279 --> 00:05:18,160 Speaker 2: target rate. That would suggest that first home owners are 96 00:05:18,200 --> 00:05:21,839 Speaker 2: looking at to get into the market in Darwen and Palmerston. 97 00:05:22,520 --> 00:05:25,119 Speaker 2: Next week we'll have some new figures about how many 98 00:05:25,320 --> 00:05:29,440 Speaker 2: extra people in Darwen and Palmerston have utilized the scheme 99 00:05:29,520 --> 00:05:33,479 Speaker 2: to get into their first home. For many people that 100 00:05:33,520 --> 00:05:37,000 Speaker 2: will be units obviously getting the started in an apartment, 101 00:05:37,520 --> 00:05:42,479 Speaker 2: but there are townhouses and houses that are available under 102 00:05:42,480 --> 00:05:44,479 Speaker 2: six hundred will need to go up, and I'll be 103 00:05:44,520 --> 00:05:46,720 Speaker 2: advocating for that when that new data comes out. 104 00:05:46,839 --> 00:05:47,440 Speaker 1: Yeah, I reckon you. 105 00:05:47,480 --> 00:05:48,120 Speaker 2: Need the data. 106 00:05:48,360 --> 00:05:50,799 Speaker 1: Yeah, you need the data, because I know you'd said, 107 00:05:50,880 --> 00:05:52,640 Speaker 1: you know across the board, and I'm thinking you must 108 00:05:52,680 --> 00:05:55,200 Speaker 1: mean right across the northern territory about the number of 109 00:05:55,279 --> 00:05:57,279 Speaker 1: houses available at the moment, I was having a look 110 00:05:57,480 --> 00:06:01,200 Speaker 1: on real estate dot com and for houses, so standalone 111 00:06:01,240 --> 00:06:05,080 Speaker 1: houses for sale under sixteen under six hundred thousand dollars. Sorry, 112 00:06:05,520 --> 00:06:07,880 Speaker 1: I can't find any. For the Greater Darwin region. There 113 00:06:07,920 --> 00:06:11,320 Speaker 1: are ninety two units and apartments. So definitely, you know, 114 00:06:11,440 --> 00:06:14,000 Speaker 1: take that point. I take that point that you've made, 115 00:06:14,120 --> 00:06:16,160 Speaker 1: but I reckon the one that you made about you know, 116 00:06:16,520 --> 00:06:19,159 Speaker 1: people not being able to get into houses. If we're 117 00:06:19,240 --> 00:06:22,760 Speaker 1: able to see some change in that space, I think 118 00:06:22,800 --> 00:06:25,480 Speaker 1: that your first time buyers would be ever so grateful. 119 00:06:27,120 --> 00:06:32,479 Speaker 2: Yeah. Absolutely, can you write Katie, I mean Mike, Kate, Kate. No. Yeah, 120 00:06:32,480 --> 00:06:35,880 Speaker 2: we got into an elevated house quite quite late in 121 00:06:35,920 --> 00:06:41,479 Speaker 2: life as our first home. But I really would love 122 00:06:41,520 --> 00:06:45,280 Speaker 2: disease situation where first home owners, Yeah, they can get 123 00:06:45,320 --> 00:06:48,600 Speaker 2: into a unit, they can get into a townhouse, but 124 00:06:48,680 --> 00:06:53,520 Speaker 2: they can also get into kind of the cheaper end 125 00:06:53,680 --> 00:06:57,440 Speaker 2: of the old elevateds and they can spend a bit 126 00:06:57,480 --> 00:06:59,120 Speaker 2: on them and do them up a bit and then 127 00:06:59,240 --> 00:07:02,320 Speaker 2: turn those over time as they start a family, and 128 00:07:02,640 --> 00:07:05,600 Speaker 2: those people who are currently in those houses you can 129 00:07:05,640 --> 00:07:10,320 Speaker 2: move in to something else. So as people move up 130 00:07:10,360 --> 00:07:12,960 Speaker 2: and develop their careers and families that we want them 131 00:07:13,000 --> 00:07:15,080 Speaker 2: to have more options, and that's why we've bought in 132 00:07:15,120 --> 00:07:19,120 Speaker 2: this five percent deposit scheme. It's been utilized really well 133 00:07:19,200 --> 00:07:24,480 Speaker 2: so far as we both agree, probably not at the 134 00:07:24,520 --> 00:07:29,720 Speaker 2: higher end as people are asking, but we do understand 135 00:07:29,880 --> 00:07:33,040 Speaker 2: the housing is a tough one. We've got a big 136 00:07:33,120 --> 00:07:37,360 Speaker 2: program nationally to have more houses and it was good 137 00:07:37,400 --> 00:07:40,200 Speaker 2: to join with the Anti government just a few days 138 00:07:40,240 --> 00:07:44,640 Speaker 2: ago down in Parmersan just to accounce the Pharaoh West 139 00:07:44,680 --> 00:07:48,600 Speaker 2: Development opening up almost three hundred house lots there and 140 00:07:48,760 --> 00:07:51,280 Speaker 2: the federal government's coming to the party with some funding 141 00:07:51,360 --> 00:07:54,200 Speaker 2: to put on power and water to help with that 142 00:07:54,360 --> 00:07:58,720 Speaker 2: to bring down the costs of delivering those house blocks. 143 00:07:58,760 --> 00:08:01,239 Speaker 2: So you know, that's that's pretty exciting news. 144 00:08:01,320 --> 00:08:03,800 Speaker 1: Yeah. I'm going to catch up with the Larakie Development 145 00:08:03,840 --> 00:08:06,920 Speaker 1: Corp about that tomorrow, so it will be good to hear. Hey, Luke, 146 00:08:07,040 --> 00:08:09,200 Speaker 1: quick one before I let you go. Obviously a lot 147 00:08:09,200 --> 00:08:13,400 Speaker 1: of discussion about the incoming administrator, David Connolly. Now, just 148 00:08:13,400 --> 00:08:16,040 Speaker 1: stepping aside from those social media posts for a moment, 149 00:08:16,920 --> 00:08:20,480 Speaker 1: I've had people contact me saying, Wolfie, they don't really 150 00:08:20,520 --> 00:08:22,760 Speaker 1: feel as though he's lived in the Northern Territory for 151 00:08:22,840 --> 00:08:25,960 Speaker 1: long enough to be the next administrator. What do you think. 152 00:08:28,560 --> 00:08:32,480 Speaker 2: When I was really surprised at the decision. To be honest, 153 00:08:33,000 --> 00:08:36,320 Speaker 2: I don't think it was a good decision when not 154 00:08:36,440 --> 00:08:39,280 Speaker 2: a reflection that this is when I didn't know about 155 00:08:39,320 --> 00:08:44,440 Speaker 2: his social media commentary and the sort of not much 156 00:08:44,520 --> 00:08:47,319 Speaker 2: time spending the territory. I thought there'd be a lot 157 00:08:47,360 --> 00:08:50,480 Speaker 2: of people that have been naturally disappointed because they have 158 00:08:50,600 --> 00:08:53,800 Speaker 2: been long term territorians that have done a lot for 159 00:08:54,400 --> 00:08:57,160 Speaker 2: the territory. But I did bring up Dave Connelly to 160 00:08:57,800 --> 00:09:00,640 Speaker 2: congratulate him and say, you know, in a kind of 161 00:09:00,640 --> 00:09:03,840 Speaker 2: a team territory approach, will all work together. But certainly 162 00:09:04,360 --> 00:09:08,520 Speaker 2: that social media content's been pretty disappointing and some other 163 00:09:08,600 --> 00:09:12,920 Speaker 2: stuff that's come out since then, it's the Chief Minister's decision, 164 00:09:13,320 --> 00:09:15,160 Speaker 2: you know, what happens from here and to sort of 165 00:09:15,480 --> 00:09:17,560 Speaker 2: and for him, I guess to correct the record and 166 00:09:18,120 --> 00:09:20,480 Speaker 2: talk about how he wants to approach the job and 167 00:09:21,440 --> 00:09:24,920 Speaker 2: needs to be someone who's working for all territorians. I 168 00:09:24,960 --> 00:09:28,959 Speaker 2: was a bit disappointed it wasn't Reese Kersheer to be honest, 169 00:09:29,080 --> 00:09:30,880 Speaker 2: just given that, I thought the rece would have been 170 00:09:31,240 --> 00:09:34,200 Speaker 2: a great decision and would have been good in the role. 171 00:09:34,240 --> 00:09:36,440 Speaker 2: But he or do a good job at Saint John's Ambo's. 172 00:09:37,520 --> 00:09:39,480 Speaker 2: I understand he's going to do some work there, but 173 00:09:39,559 --> 00:09:43,560 Speaker 2: it's really for the Chief Minister to explain whether she 174 00:09:43,640 --> 00:09:46,600 Speaker 2: knew about the social media contents, whether she thinks it's 175 00:09:46,640 --> 00:09:50,520 Speaker 2: appropriate for him to fill that position going forward. And 176 00:09:50,720 --> 00:09:52,480 Speaker 2: as I said, I do think that it was a 177 00:09:52,480 --> 00:09:55,640 Speaker 2: missed opportunity for someone else who had longer in the 178 00:09:55,720 --> 00:09:58,640 Speaker 2: territory and was sort of going to look out for 179 00:09:58,679 --> 00:10:02,520 Speaker 2: all Territorians in a bit more of an objective way. 180 00:10:02,800 --> 00:10:05,200 Speaker 1: Talking about Kershaw as well, I thought Reese would have 181 00:10:05,200 --> 00:10:07,520 Speaker 1: been a good appointment to the job. And I was 182 00:10:07,520 --> 00:10:09,280 Speaker 1: a bit surprised because I didn't know a lot about 183 00:10:09,360 --> 00:10:12,280 Speaker 1: David Connolly, so I was sort of surprised when I 184 00:10:12,320 --> 00:10:15,680 Speaker 1: heard that announcement. While I was on late there. 185 00:10:15,600 --> 00:10:18,280 Speaker 2: I also heard the members of the NT cabinet were 186 00:10:18,320 --> 00:10:20,880 Speaker 2: sort of sidelined and didn't know about it. I'd heard 187 00:10:20,880 --> 00:10:24,679 Speaker 2: a rumor about Reese and I was pretty comfortable with 188 00:10:24,760 --> 00:10:28,600 Speaker 2: that decision. So as I say, I was surprised when 189 00:10:28,760 --> 00:10:32,440 Speaker 2: the Chief Minister's pick was and now Stan heard some 190 00:10:32,520 --> 00:10:36,240 Speaker 2: concerning things since then. All I would say is it's 191 00:10:36,280 --> 00:10:38,880 Speaker 2: not too late both for an explanation about why this 192 00:10:39,000 --> 00:10:41,720 Speaker 2: is the best option going forward from the Chief Minister, 193 00:10:41,760 --> 00:10:44,880 Speaker 2: but also not too late if it is that Dave 194 00:10:44,920 --> 00:10:47,560 Speaker 2: Connelly's going to continue in the role, a bit of 195 00:10:47,559 --> 00:10:51,719 Speaker 2: a statement to the public about how he sees this 196 00:10:51,880 --> 00:10:54,960 Speaker 2: role and how he's going to work for all territory. 197 00:10:55,040 --> 00:10:58,440 Speaker 1: And I should imagine Luke I definitely put in a 198 00:10:58,480 --> 00:11:00,439 Speaker 1: request to try and get him on the show, so 199 00:11:00,559 --> 00:11:03,600 Speaker 1: we will keep trying. Mate. I'm really sorry we're gonna 200 00:11:03,600 --> 00:11:05,560 Speaker 1: have to leave it there. I know you're a busy man. 201 00:11:05,679 --> 00:11:07,360 Speaker 1: We'll catch up with you when you're back in town 202 00:11:07,480 --> 00:11:09,719 Speaker 1: or if something exciting happens over the next couple of 203 00:11:09,760 --> 00:11:10,560 Speaker 1: weeks of parliament. 204 00:11:11,240 --> 00:11:13,079 Speaker 2: Nothing it's bound to Katie. But it's good to be 205 00:11:13,280 --> 00:11:16,320 Speaker 2: back down here. And everyone down here is sort of 206 00:11:16,480 --> 00:11:19,320 Speaker 2: complaining about no rain down here in Camber, that it's 207 00:11:19,360 --> 00:11:22,400 Speaker 2: got a bit of a drought, But hasn't it been beautiful? 208 00:11:22,920 --> 00:11:26,480 Speaker 2: Roll down to your daughter or no run on Australia Day. 209 00:11:25,559 --> 00:11:29,160 Speaker 1: Thanks good to catch up with you. Thanks so much.