1 00:00:00,080 --> 00:00:02,480 Speaker 1: We know the Nightcliff by election just a couple of 2 00:00:02,600 --> 00:00:05,680 Speaker 1: days to go until that by election. What do you 3 00:00:05,720 --> 00:00:07,560 Speaker 1: think are going to be the main issues that people 4 00:00:07,560 --> 00:00:09,319 Speaker 1: are going to vote on. You can send us a 5 00:00:09,400 --> 00:00:12,840 Speaker 1: message yesterday. We've got plenty of messages while we're interviewing 6 00:00:13,360 --> 00:00:15,960 Speaker 1: Suki Doris Walker for the Greens and of course the 7 00:00:16,000 --> 00:00:19,520 Speaker 1: Independent Phil Scott. We know that there are still plenty 8 00:00:19,520 --> 00:00:22,160 Speaker 1: of people that need to get out and vote, and 9 00:00:22,239 --> 00:00:24,640 Speaker 1: I know that plenty of you are still wondering who 10 00:00:24,680 --> 00:00:26,479 Speaker 1: you're going to vote for. So we thought it was 11 00:00:26,520 --> 00:00:29,160 Speaker 1: really important to speak to all of the candidates and 12 00:00:29,200 --> 00:00:31,479 Speaker 1: give you the opportunity to learn a little bit more 13 00:00:31,600 --> 00:00:34,479 Speaker 1: about them and what they stand for. Now joining me 14 00:00:34,640 --> 00:00:38,880 Speaker 1: in the studio this morning is the Labor candidate Ed Smell. 15 00:00:39,000 --> 00:00:40,040 Speaker 1: Good morning to you, Ed. 16 00:00:40,159 --> 00:00:41,159 Speaker 2: Good morning Katie. How are you? 17 00:00:41,280 --> 00:00:43,960 Speaker 1: Yeah? Really good? Good to have you in this studio. Now, 18 00:00:44,000 --> 00:00:45,839 Speaker 1: why did you decide to put your hand up? 19 00:00:46,520 --> 00:00:49,120 Speaker 2: Well, Katie, I live in Nightcliffe with my young family 20 00:00:49,159 --> 00:00:51,400 Speaker 2: and Susannah and I are raising our four boys there. 21 00:00:51,880 --> 00:00:56,000 Speaker 2: It's our home. I've also had the opportunity to represent 22 00:00:56,080 --> 00:00:59,360 Speaker 2: our community on council and I've been a civil engineer 23 00:00:59,360 --> 00:01:03,000 Speaker 2: in the public ce Servis and from my roles and 24 00:01:03,040 --> 00:01:04,959 Speaker 2: what I've delivered in the community over the last four 25 00:01:04,959 --> 00:01:07,160 Speaker 2: and a half years, a lot of people got in 26 00:01:07,200 --> 00:01:09,600 Speaker 2: touch and encouraged me to put my hand up and 27 00:01:09,800 --> 00:01:13,120 Speaker 2: take that advocacy and that experience of delivery to the 28 00:01:13,120 --> 00:01:18,120 Speaker 2: next level in the NT Parliament. But fundamentally I'm focused 29 00:01:18,120 --> 00:01:20,920 Speaker 2: on local issues and I think I've got a good 30 00:01:20,920 --> 00:01:24,880 Speaker 2: track record there and ultimately this is about our kids 31 00:01:24,959 --> 00:01:27,600 Speaker 2: and our future and I want them to grow up 32 00:01:27,800 --> 00:01:30,600 Speaker 2: being proud of Nightcliffe, proud of dal and proud of 33 00:01:30,640 --> 00:01:32,759 Speaker 2: the NT and that's what really motivates me now. 34 00:01:32,840 --> 00:01:35,640 Speaker 1: And are you sort of answered this one already? But 35 00:01:35,720 --> 00:01:37,959 Speaker 1: you do live in the Electro, don't you correct. 36 00:01:38,000 --> 00:01:40,720 Speaker 2: We're paying off a mortgage like so many people in 37 00:01:40,800 --> 00:01:43,919 Speaker 2: Nightcliffe for our family home in Nightcliffe on Bogan Villia Street, 38 00:01:44,080 --> 00:01:45,440 Speaker 2: and we're very proud to live there. 39 00:01:45,560 --> 00:01:47,800 Speaker 1: Now. What do you see as being the major issues 40 00:01:47,840 --> 00:01:48,600 Speaker 1: for the electrodes? 41 00:01:49,360 --> 00:01:52,480 Speaker 2: Okay, the last few weeks, I've had hundreds of conversations 42 00:01:52,480 --> 00:01:56,720 Speaker 2: across knocking on people's doors, down at the markets, down 43 00:01:56,720 --> 00:01:59,800 Speaker 2: at pre Pole, and still the number one issue that 44 00:01:59,840 --> 00:02:03,040 Speaker 2: can come up again and again is community safety. That's 45 00:02:03,080 --> 00:02:05,680 Speaker 2: an absolute priority for me, but there's been a number 46 00:02:05,680 --> 00:02:07,640 Speaker 2: of other issues that come up. People are really concerned 47 00:02:07,640 --> 00:02:10,919 Speaker 2: about their local health services and what's happening at Royal 48 00:02:10,960 --> 00:02:14,959 Speaker 2: Dalen Hospital. People are concerned about cost of living. That's 49 00:02:15,040 --> 00:02:19,080 Speaker 2: also come up a lot. That's what affects them every day, 50 00:02:19,400 --> 00:02:22,880 Speaker 2: and of course what people are doing to protect and 51 00:02:23,000 --> 00:02:25,760 Speaker 2: enhance a beautiful environment. That is also a really key 52 00:02:25,760 --> 00:02:26,919 Speaker 2: issue for the Nightcliff Electra. 53 00:02:27,080 --> 00:02:29,720 Speaker 1: Yeah, definitely when it comes to health. We've had a 54 00:02:29,720 --> 00:02:31,959 Speaker 1: lot of calls into this show over the last couple 55 00:02:32,000 --> 00:02:34,200 Speaker 1: of weeks about that, and we always have a lot 56 00:02:34,200 --> 00:02:37,320 Speaker 1: of concerns when it comes to community safety as well. 57 00:02:37,880 --> 00:02:39,720 Speaker 1: It's an issue which has been raised with us, a 58 00:02:39,760 --> 00:02:42,239 Speaker 1: really big one. What would you do as the local 59 00:02:42,280 --> 00:02:45,040 Speaker 1: member to try and sort the safety concerns out in 60 00:02:45,120 --> 00:02:46,680 Speaker 1: the electro Yeah. 61 00:02:46,520 --> 00:02:49,280 Speaker 2: Sure, there's a few things that I would advocate for 62 00:02:49,320 --> 00:02:52,280 Speaker 2: if I was elected. Number one. I've been talking to 63 00:02:52,280 --> 00:02:55,200 Speaker 2: a lot of people about joint patrols with nt Police, 64 00:02:55,560 --> 00:02:59,639 Speaker 2: Larakair Nation and City of daw And staff. We've got 65 00:02:59,639 --> 00:03:01,720 Speaker 2: all of the resources. I want to look at ways 66 00:03:01,720 --> 00:03:04,280 Speaker 2: that we can bring them together and be more active 67 00:03:04,360 --> 00:03:08,200 Speaker 2: and visible in our community. I think we also need 68 00:03:09,160 --> 00:03:12,160 Speaker 2: to reduce the response times and support our NT police. 69 00:03:12,200 --> 00:03:16,600 Speaker 2: That is a critical part of community safety. And also 70 00:03:16,840 --> 00:03:20,120 Speaker 2: we need to look at those fundamental long term issues 71 00:03:20,160 --> 00:03:23,679 Speaker 2: as well, and this is around better healthcare, better housing, 72 00:03:23,760 --> 00:03:27,320 Speaker 2: and better education so that we can break that cycle 73 00:03:27,360 --> 00:03:27,799 Speaker 2: of crime. 74 00:03:28,120 --> 00:03:31,920 Speaker 1: And do you think that the Saint Vinnie's relocation to 75 00:03:32,120 --> 00:03:34,480 Speaker 1: the area has had a negative impact. 76 00:03:35,640 --> 00:03:37,720 Speaker 2: This has also been an issue that's come up regularly, 77 00:03:37,720 --> 00:03:40,840 Speaker 2: particularly with Coconut Grove residents. And I think the most 78 00:03:40,880 --> 00:03:45,640 Speaker 2: visible part of this is on Decord Drive. People see 79 00:03:46,840 --> 00:03:50,080 Speaker 2: people who are accessing the services or clients when they're 80 00:03:50,080 --> 00:03:52,920 Speaker 2: crossing the road, when they're accessing the bus services to 81 00:03:53,200 --> 00:03:56,600 Speaker 2: arrive and depart from that site. That is a real 82 00:03:56,640 --> 00:03:58,640 Speaker 2: issue and a real concern to people in community. It's 83 00:03:58,680 --> 00:04:02,080 Speaker 2: a major road safety issue. Decore drives a major road 84 00:04:02,920 --> 00:04:05,920 Speaker 2: at sixty kilometers an hour and that's really dangerous and 85 00:04:05,960 --> 00:04:08,720 Speaker 2: a lot of people have had concerns raised about that. 86 00:04:09,000 --> 00:04:11,680 Speaker 1: Yeah, and I know that it is something that you know, 87 00:04:11,680 --> 00:04:13,440 Speaker 1: we've heard. They're probably going to be there, I think 88 00:04:13,440 --> 00:04:16,159 Speaker 1: for the next couple of years, longer term moving somewhere else. 89 00:04:16,240 --> 00:04:18,080 Speaker 1: I mean, do they need to be in an area 90 00:04:18,160 --> 00:04:19,480 Speaker 1: that's maybe not so busy. 91 00:04:20,360 --> 00:04:25,880 Speaker 2: Absolutely, Katie, And if elected, I'll work with Lori Zeo 92 00:04:25,960 --> 00:04:28,080 Speaker 2: as a member for Fanny Bay. I've worked with her 93 00:04:28,080 --> 00:04:30,520 Speaker 2: on counsel. I know she's working hard to find a 94 00:04:30,520 --> 00:04:34,200 Speaker 2: permanent solution. I'll also be working on that too. The 95 00:04:34,279 --> 00:04:36,359 Speaker 2: key thing that we need for this service, it's an 96 00:04:36,400 --> 00:04:39,359 Speaker 2: incredibly important service to vulnerable people in our community. We 97 00:04:39,520 --> 00:04:41,600 Speaker 2: absolutely need it. But it has to be in the 98 00:04:41,680 --> 00:04:45,400 Speaker 2: right spot, and that needs to be around other health services. 99 00:04:45,760 --> 00:04:49,200 Speaker 2: It needs to have that public transport access. It needs 100 00:04:49,200 --> 00:04:53,560 Speaker 2: to be somewhere that's safe, that provides privacy and dignity 101 00:04:53,560 --> 00:04:56,240 Speaker 2: for the people accessing the service. And right now, the 102 00:04:56,279 --> 00:04:59,359 Speaker 2: site on Coconut Grove, with that temporary site, with the 103 00:04:59,520 --> 00:05:03,440 Speaker 2: demand bullshowers and facilities, that's not appropriate. It's not delivering 104 00:05:03,440 --> 00:05:05,200 Speaker 2: the best care and it's not in the right location. 105 00:05:05,600 --> 00:05:08,160 Speaker 1: A message has just come through from Sam who lives 106 00:05:08,200 --> 00:05:11,200 Speaker 1: in Coconut Grove. Now, Sam said, my question for is 107 00:05:11,240 --> 00:05:14,599 Speaker 1: for ED. I saw somewhere that Labor voted against CLP 108 00:05:14,839 --> 00:05:18,320 Speaker 1: crime bills. If you win, will you be voting against 109 00:05:18,360 --> 00:05:22,200 Speaker 1: strengthening strengthening the coverage of crime? 110 00:05:23,360 --> 00:05:25,920 Speaker 2: Oh? Look, absolutely, people who do the wrong thing need 111 00:05:25,960 --> 00:05:29,640 Speaker 2: to face the consequences, Katie, but we also need a 112 00:05:29,680 --> 00:05:33,120 Speaker 2: lot of other supports. We can't arrest our way out 113 00:05:33,120 --> 00:05:36,039 Speaker 2: of the situation. Senior police have said that, the experts 114 00:05:36,040 --> 00:05:39,560 Speaker 2: have said that. So absolutely we need tough consequences for 115 00:05:39,560 --> 00:05:42,120 Speaker 2: people who do the wrong thing. But we also and 116 00:05:42,160 --> 00:05:44,280 Speaker 2: one of my biggest concerns with the current government is 117 00:05:44,279 --> 00:05:47,600 Speaker 2: that they're dropping the ball on those rehabilitation services and 118 00:05:47,640 --> 00:05:51,239 Speaker 2: those other long term solutions that we need. We need both, 119 00:05:51,279 --> 00:05:52,640 Speaker 2: it's not just one or the other. 120 00:05:53,000 --> 00:05:55,839 Speaker 1: Ed. We saw the Greens candidate involved in the protest 121 00:05:55,839 --> 00:05:58,320 Speaker 1: at the swearing in of the administrator. We spoke to 122 00:05:58,360 --> 00:06:00,960 Speaker 1: her about this yesterday. Do you think that was appropriate? 123 00:06:01,839 --> 00:06:05,479 Speaker 2: Look, I think candidates and elective members should always be 124 00:06:05,520 --> 00:06:08,680 Speaker 2: representing the views and the concerns of their constituents. This 125 00:06:08,760 --> 00:06:11,600 Speaker 2: is an issue that has come up regularly when I've 126 00:06:11,600 --> 00:06:13,400 Speaker 2: been talking with people in Nightcliffe. People have a lot 127 00:06:13,440 --> 00:06:16,520 Speaker 2: of concerns about the process that was undertaken to a 128 00:06:16,600 --> 00:06:20,960 Speaker 2: point the administrator. If I'm elected, i will also raise 129 00:06:21,000 --> 00:06:23,479 Speaker 2: the concerns and views of my community, but I'll also 130 00:06:23,520 --> 00:06:25,640 Speaker 2: be really focused on the local issues that are important 131 00:06:25,640 --> 00:06:28,720 Speaker 2: to people. It's about their schools, their hospitals their roads. 132 00:06:28,480 --> 00:06:31,360 Speaker 1: Now the former Chief Minister Natasha Philes. She faced a 133 00:06:31,360 --> 00:06:34,400 Speaker 1: fair bit of opposition within the electorate when the Labor 134 00:06:34,400 --> 00:06:38,440 Speaker 1: government was deciding whether to allow fracking. Do you support 135 00:06:38,760 --> 00:06:42,440 Speaker 1: gas development as well as furthering Middle arm. 136 00:06:42,960 --> 00:06:46,400 Speaker 2: Look, I'm really focused on the renewable energy transition. That's 137 00:06:46,440 --> 00:06:49,120 Speaker 2: what I want to get to. We have abundant sun 138 00:06:49,400 --> 00:06:52,680 Speaker 2: up here in the NT. We're very lucky. We should 139 00:06:52,720 --> 00:06:57,440 Speaker 2: be harnessing that to provide lower power bills for everyone 140 00:06:57,480 --> 00:07:00,960 Speaker 2: in the community. That'll be my focus. But there's the 141 00:07:01,240 --> 00:07:03,880 Speaker 2: practical aspects of this as well. Katie. We can't turn 142 00:07:03,920 --> 00:07:06,839 Speaker 2: the gas off tomorrow. We need gas for the transition. 143 00:07:07,360 --> 00:07:10,239 Speaker 2: So my view is that we absolutely need that gas 144 00:07:10,280 --> 00:07:12,520 Speaker 2: to transition to the renewable energy future that we can 145 00:07:12,560 --> 00:07:16,640 Speaker 2: all celebrate and enjoy. But until that time, we will 146 00:07:16,680 --> 00:07:19,640 Speaker 2: need gas. So we need that industry, we need those 147 00:07:19,680 --> 00:07:22,440 Speaker 2: workers who are involved in it. But if we don't 148 00:07:22,480 --> 00:07:24,640 Speaker 2: need it, we should leave the gas in the ground ed. 149 00:07:24,680 --> 00:07:25,960 Speaker 1: Why should people vote for you. 150 00:07:27,080 --> 00:07:30,000 Speaker 2: Katie, I've got a track record of delivering in our community. 151 00:07:30,040 --> 00:07:35,000 Speaker 2: On council. I've delivered upgrades that include new children's crossing 152 00:07:35,000 --> 00:07:38,440 Speaker 2: at Nightcliff Primary I've delivered additional lighting on the foreshore 153 00:07:38,480 --> 00:07:41,080 Speaker 2: that supports people running and exercising in the morning in 154 00:07:41,120 --> 00:07:44,200 Speaker 2: the evening. I've worked with the Nightcliff Tigers footy Club 155 00:07:44,600 --> 00:07:47,200 Speaker 2: and the federal government to help secure funding for one 156 00:07:47,280 --> 00:07:50,760 Speaker 2: and a half million dollars for particularly supporting women's and girls' 157 00:07:50,760 --> 00:07:54,400 Speaker 2: sport there. So I've got that track record. Also as 158 00:07:54,400 --> 00:07:57,000 Speaker 2: a civil engineer, I've worked in the private sector and 159 00:07:57,040 --> 00:08:00,000 Speaker 2: I've worked in the public service. I understand how things work, 160 00:08:00,000 --> 00:08:02,160 Speaker 2: work and how to get things done and also sometimes 161 00:08:02,160 --> 00:08:05,720 Speaker 2: how they don't work. And I'll bring that experience, that 162 00:08:05,800 --> 00:08:10,040 Speaker 2: life experience, my professional experience, also as a father and 163 00:08:10,120 --> 00:08:12,960 Speaker 2: as a member of the community. And I've also got 164 00:08:12,960 --> 00:08:14,800 Speaker 2: a range of things that I'll be ready to hit 165 00:08:14,840 --> 00:08:18,040 Speaker 2: the ground running on to advocate for Nightcliff. Jetty is 166 00:08:18,080 --> 00:08:20,520 Speaker 2: rusting into the ocean. I want to work with the 167 00:08:20,520 --> 00:08:23,640 Speaker 2: CLP government to get funding for that. I want to 168 00:08:23,720 --> 00:08:25,960 Speaker 2: replant a lot of the trees that were lost during 169 00:08:26,000 --> 00:08:29,560 Speaker 2: Cyclone Feena. I want to advocate for a community battery 170 00:08:29,560 --> 00:08:32,880 Speaker 2: for Nightcliff that will reduce power bills in our community, 171 00:08:33,240 --> 00:08:35,200 Speaker 2: and I'll absolutely be taking it up to the COLP 172 00:08:35,320 --> 00:08:37,600 Speaker 2: government around the maternity services. 173 00:08:37,160 --> 00:08:40,680 Speaker 1: Care, couple of quick ones or jeez, every time we 174 00:08:40,720 --> 00:08:42,480 Speaker 1: have a candidate on the listeners are loving it at 175 00:08:42,520 --> 00:08:44,800 Speaker 1: the moment, Peter and Nightcliff, How can Labor make any 176 00:08:44,800 --> 00:08:47,880 Speaker 1: difference for Nightcliff when you're not in government? Questions Peter 177 00:08:47,960 --> 00:08:48,600 Speaker 1: and Nightcliffe. 178 00:08:49,320 --> 00:08:52,960 Speaker 2: Yeah, Look, as I mentioned and was my approach on Council, 179 00:08:53,320 --> 00:08:56,640 Speaker 2: I'll work with everyone. I'll work with the current government, 180 00:08:56,920 --> 00:09:00,440 Speaker 2: I'll work with the Crossbench to deliver outcomes for my unity. 181 00:09:00,960 --> 00:09:03,559 Speaker 2: I'm also as a member of the Labor Party and 182 00:09:03,600 --> 00:09:06,320 Speaker 2: standing as a Labor candidate, I'll join a Labor team 183 00:09:06,480 --> 00:09:08,560 Speaker 2: and I hope to make that even stronger and be 184 00:09:08,600 --> 00:09:10,440 Speaker 2: a strong voice. So as part of that team, we 185 00:09:10,520 --> 00:09:11,320 Speaker 2: can get things done. 186 00:09:11,400 --> 00:09:14,480 Speaker 1: A couple of people are messaged in about council and 187 00:09:14,520 --> 00:09:17,040 Speaker 1: they're having to then if you win, there be a 188 00:09:17,120 --> 00:09:19,760 Speaker 1: by election and the cost of that. What do you 189 00:09:19,800 --> 00:09:20,840 Speaker 1: say to those listeners? 190 00:09:21,000 --> 00:09:23,599 Speaker 2: Yeah, look, I don't want to preempt any outcomes of 191 00:09:24,320 --> 00:09:28,320 Speaker 2: the election, but if there was a vacancy on Council, 192 00:09:28,480 --> 00:09:32,240 Speaker 2: that's ultimately a decision for those elective members. There are 193 00:09:32,240 --> 00:09:35,480 Speaker 2: a range of options. As you may remember in twenty 194 00:09:35,520 --> 00:09:38,520 Speaker 2: twenty four when there was a vacancy on council. The 195 00:09:38,559 --> 00:09:42,880 Speaker 2: council did an expression of interest process. Also, there's opportunities 196 00:09:42,880 --> 00:09:47,560 Speaker 2: for postal rather than in person. I'm very, very aware 197 00:09:47,559 --> 00:09:49,680 Speaker 2: of the cost of living issues and making every dollar 198 00:09:49,720 --> 00:09:52,000 Speaker 2: go as far as possible, But ultimately that'll be a 199 00:09:52,040 --> 00:09:53,280 Speaker 2: decision for counsel. 200 00:09:53,559 --> 00:09:57,079 Speaker 1: Very quick one. Obviously, some in the community were really 201 00:09:57,120 --> 00:10:01,360 Speaker 1: disappointed when Natasha Files was no longer the local member. 202 00:10:01,720 --> 00:10:05,439 Speaker 1: They were also very disappointed to lose Julie the electoral officer. 203 00:10:05,600 --> 00:10:07,240 Speaker 1: Are you going to bring Julie back? Go on? 204 00:10:08,480 --> 00:10:12,959 Speaker 2: It's a very good, good question. Katie. Julie is absolutely 205 00:10:13,000 --> 00:10:15,600 Speaker 2: everywhere she goes in the community, she's recognized and she 206 00:10:15,720 --> 00:10:21,040 Speaker 2: helped out hundreds of constituents across the Nightcliff electorate. Again, 207 00:10:21,120 --> 00:10:24,520 Speaker 2: I don't want to preempt anything, but Julie has been 208 00:10:24,559 --> 00:10:27,160 Speaker 2: a fantastic support and I'm sure she'll rick people. 209 00:10:27,040 --> 00:10:30,320 Speaker 1: Miss her cupcakes and Natasha used to organize as well. 210 00:10:30,600 --> 00:10:34,360 Speaker 2: Absolutely the cupcakes and the pizza. I think Natasha showed 211 00:10:34,360 --> 00:10:37,240 Speaker 2: an excellent example of how to be that strong local member. 212 00:10:37,400 --> 00:10:40,160 Speaker 2: She was always there when she needed and certainly I've 213 00:10:40,640 --> 00:10:43,240 Speaker 2: adopted a lot of those aspects on council to be 214 00:10:43,280 --> 00:10:45,960 Speaker 2: available to advocate for people. It's really important. 215 00:10:46,040 --> 00:10:48,760 Speaker 1: Well and Smell really appreciate your time this morning, the 216 00:10:49,120 --> 00:10:52,839 Speaker 1: labor candidate for the Nightcliff by election. Thank you, Thanks Katie, 217 00:10:52,920 --> 00:10:53,560 Speaker 1: Thanks so much.