1 00:00:00,120 --> 00:00:03,040 Speaker 1: Well, the Deputy Chief Minister, Nicle Madison has been traveling 2 00:00:03,080 --> 00:00:05,960 Speaker 1: the territory with a promise to cut red tape and 3 00:00:06,080 --> 00:00:09,480 Speaker 1: long approval delays as well as get new job creating 4 00:00:09,520 --> 00:00:13,320 Speaker 1: projects off the ground. She joins me on the line. Now, 5 00:00:13,440 --> 00:00:16,959 Speaker 1: good morning to Cole Madison. Good morning, Maddie Minister. It 6 00:00:16,960 --> 00:00:18,840 Speaker 1: sounds like you've been on a bit of a travel 7 00:00:18,840 --> 00:00:22,360 Speaker 1: blitz across the Northern Territory. What's the feedback been like. 8 00:00:23,480 --> 00:00:25,239 Speaker 2: Well, I have been on a travel blitz because I 9 00:00:25,280 --> 00:00:27,360 Speaker 2: think it's really important that you get out and you 10 00:00:27,480 --> 00:00:29,440 Speaker 2: meet as many people as you can in your new 11 00:00:29,480 --> 00:00:32,560 Speaker 2: portfolios to get a really good feel for the opportunities 12 00:00:33,120 --> 00:00:35,760 Speaker 2: that they present. And so I've been up and down 13 00:00:35,800 --> 00:00:40,240 Speaker 2: across the territory. I've met with people on stations. I've 14 00:00:40,240 --> 00:00:43,720 Speaker 2: gone out to farms to see some amazing products that 15 00:00:43,760 --> 00:00:46,159 Speaker 2: are grown right out of here in the territory, including 16 00:00:46,400 --> 00:00:49,320 Speaker 2: watermelons in the desert, and of course our world class 17 00:00:49,320 --> 00:00:54,279 Speaker 2: mango industry, and certainly have gone out and seen the 18 00:00:54,320 --> 00:00:58,880 Speaker 2: gas exploration happening too. It's been wonderful, but the message 19 00:00:58,920 --> 00:01:01,800 Speaker 2: has come back loud and clear that industry wants to 20 00:01:01,840 --> 00:01:04,480 Speaker 2: have a government that's in there behind them to help 21 00:01:04,520 --> 00:01:09,080 Speaker 2: them expand and to grow what they've already got, and 22 00:01:09,160 --> 00:01:11,560 Speaker 2: also people wanting opportunities to be able to come in 23 00:01:11,600 --> 00:01:13,760 Speaker 2: and invest in the Northern Territory and making sure that 24 00:01:13,760 --> 00:01:17,480 Speaker 2: that journey as easy as possible and that they've got 25 00:01:17,520 --> 00:01:19,840 Speaker 2: a government with the door that's open to do business 26 00:01:19,920 --> 00:01:20,800 Speaker 2: and to support them. 27 00:01:21,160 --> 00:01:22,759 Speaker 1: As I mentioned, there was a report in the NT 28 00:01:22,920 --> 00:01:25,640 Speaker 1: News yesterday that your trip came with this promise to 29 00:01:25,720 --> 00:01:29,520 Speaker 1: cut red tape and those long approval delays. How exactly 30 00:01:29,680 --> 00:01:30,840 Speaker 1: is the government going to do that. 31 00:01:32,080 --> 00:01:34,720 Speaker 2: Well, we've already embarked on this body of work. We've 32 00:01:34,720 --> 00:01:37,959 Speaker 2: had the Territory Economic Reconstruction Commission also looking at ways 33 00:01:38,000 --> 00:01:40,600 Speaker 2: that we can be more efficient when it comes to 34 00:01:40,640 --> 00:01:43,880 Speaker 2: government processes. And I think we've all seen this year 35 00:01:44,040 --> 00:01:46,800 Speaker 2: in twenty twenty, what a year it's been, but we 36 00:01:46,880 --> 00:01:50,720 Speaker 2: have seen just how fast and agile government can be. 37 00:01:51,040 --> 00:01:53,920 Speaker 2: So we want to keep that momentum going. So my 38 00:01:54,160 --> 00:01:56,440 Speaker 2: job we'll be making sure that we do have a 39 00:01:56,440 --> 00:01:59,000 Speaker 2: look at some of those those issues to do with 40 00:01:59,080 --> 00:02:02,240 Speaker 2: regulation when it's to projects and making sure that there's 41 00:02:02,280 --> 00:02:05,520 Speaker 2: world class and that the investment journey is as smooth 42 00:02:05,560 --> 00:02:07,920 Speaker 2: and as easy as possible here in the Northern Territory, 43 00:02:07,960 --> 00:02:10,720 Speaker 2: and that we do have the best approvals processes so 44 00:02:11,600 --> 00:02:15,079 Speaker 2: investors and project proponents know that they have got certainty 45 00:02:15,120 --> 00:02:17,799 Speaker 2: when it comes to the timelines of getting their projects up. 46 00:02:18,120 --> 00:02:20,920 Speaker 1: You've picked up some big portfolios following the recent cabinet 47 00:02:20,919 --> 00:02:24,320 Speaker 1: reshuffle that includes the Minister for Mining and Industry. Now 48 00:02:24,720 --> 00:02:27,600 Speaker 1: that's an industry that's long criticized the government for a 49 00:02:27,800 --> 00:02:32,200 Speaker 1: long approvals process. What practical steps will the government put 50 00:02:32,240 --> 00:02:36,760 Speaker 1: in place to streamline that approvals process in the mining sector. 51 00:02:37,680 --> 00:02:41,079 Speaker 2: Well, again, making sure that we do have the best 52 00:02:41,560 --> 00:02:44,880 Speaker 2: regulation in the world, so we're making sure that we 53 00:02:44,960 --> 00:02:48,080 Speaker 2: do have very competitive regulations, so we're looking at that 54 00:02:48,720 --> 00:02:51,120 Speaker 2: and also when you have a look at some of 55 00:02:51,120 --> 00:02:54,440 Speaker 2: the other reforms we've embarked on, for example, the environmental reform, 56 00:02:54,440 --> 00:02:57,560 Speaker 2: which is an important part of approvals processes because yes, 57 00:02:57,639 --> 00:02:59,880 Speaker 2: we want economic development, but we've got to make sure 58 00:02:59,880 --> 00:03:02,960 Speaker 2: that it's sustainable economic development. So we're actually going through 59 00:03:02,960 --> 00:03:07,359 Speaker 2: a reform process there which also is about cutting red 60 00:03:07,400 --> 00:03:10,400 Speaker 2: tape and making sure that we have more certainty with 61 00:03:10,480 --> 00:03:13,280 Speaker 2: a modern Environmental Protection Act. So that's some of the 62 00:03:13,280 --> 00:03:15,760 Speaker 2: reform work we've done, which is not actually about making 63 00:03:15,800 --> 00:03:20,079 Speaker 2: things harder. It's about making things more efficient and making 64 00:03:20,120 --> 00:03:23,040 Speaker 2: sure that Okay, if something is low risk, then there 65 00:03:23,080 --> 00:03:25,519 Speaker 2: is less paperwork around it, but if something is high risk, 66 00:03:25,560 --> 00:03:27,400 Speaker 2: then we expect people to do the work around it. 67 00:03:27,480 --> 00:03:32,160 Speaker 2: So we're making sure we have modern, contemporary legislation in 68 00:03:32,160 --> 00:03:34,240 Speaker 2: place so we can get more projects out of the 69 00:03:34,240 --> 00:03:38,600 Speaker 2: ground sooner and make that journey easier for these project proponents. 70 00:03:38,920 --> 00:03:43,600 Speaker 1: You've also picked up the portfolio for defense industries. That's 71 00:03:43,600 --> 00:03:47,360 Speaker 1: another industry that provides a significant chunk called boost to 72 00:03:47,400 --> 00:03:51,280 Speaker 1: the Northern Territory economy. What projects are on the horizon. 73 00:03:50,800 --> 00:03:55,480 Speaker 2: There, Well, this is a really important portfolio area, and 74 00:03:55,720 --> 00:03:58,839 Speaker 2: my job is to make sure that when defense come 75 00:03:58,880 --> 00:04:03,040 Speaker 2: in and invest money in the Northern Territory that actually 76 00:04:03,080 --> 00:04:06,680 Speaker 2: flows through to local businesses and it doesn't go to 77 00:04:06,800 --> 00:04:11,280 Speaker 2: interstate companies or overseas companies. It's about making sure that 78 00:04:12,040 --> 00:04:16,800 Speaker 2: they understand that we actually have all the business capability 79 00:04:16,880 --> 00:04:19,720 Speaker 2: here in the Northern Territory to deliver those big projects 80 00:04:20,240 --> 00:04:22,440 Speaker 2: such as the upgrades that we're seeing out at Tyndal, 81 00:04:23,360 --> 00:04:26,760 Speaker 2: some of the upgrades that we're seeing of course out 82 00:04:26,760 --> 00:04:30,000 Speaker 2: here at Kuna woras So we've got the Defense White Paper. 83 00:04:30,200 --> 00:04:32,600 Speaker 2: It's a big investment of about twenty billion dollars over 84 00:04:32,640 --> 00:04:35,159 Speaker 2: twenty years. Our job is to make sure that we 85 00:04:35,240 --> 00:04:38,520 Speaker 2: continue to lobby the Commonwealth to make sure that they 86 00:04:38,600 --> 00:04:42,240 Speaker 2: do invest in the territory. We are an incredibly important 87 00:04:42,279 --> 00:04:48,080 Speaker 2: location to the national security interests of Australia and so 88 00:04:48,120 --> 00:04:50,880 Speaker 2: it's important to make sure that they do bring the 89 00:04:50,920 --> 00:04:54,039 Speaker 2: investment up here. Because don't kid yourself, Maddie, we've got 90 00:04:54,120 --> 00:04:57,680 Speaker 2: other jurisdictions that will fight tooth and nail to get 91 00:04:57,760 --> 00:05:00,760 Speaker 2: defense investment over us. I think we've all for example, 92 00:05:00,800 --> 00:05:03,039 Speaker 2: what happened in South Australia a few years ago with 93 00:05:03,120 --> 00:05:06,479 Speaker 2: the Submarines. We don't have as many votes here in 94 00:05:06,520 --> 00:05:08,680 Speaker 2: the territory when it comes to seats in Parliament, but 95 00:05:08,760 --> 00:05:12,360 Speaker 2: we do have a very important strategic defense location. So 96 00:05:12,480 --> 00:05:15,440 Speaker 2: we will continue to advocate for defense investment here in 97 00:05:15,480 --> 00:05:18,560 Speaker 2: the territory. And like I said, my job is to 98 00:05:18,600 --> 00:05:22,400 Speaker 2: make sure that that work when it comes through from defense, 99 00:05:22,520 --> 00:05:25,840 Speaker 2: that we make sure that it goes through and flows 100 00:05:25,880 --> 00:05:29,880 Speaker 2: through to local businesses. Because the Master Builders Association, the 101 00:05:29,960 --> 00:05:35,360 Speaker 2: Chamber of Commerce that aiden the defense industry network here, 102 00:05:35,360 --> 00:05:38,400 Speaker 2: they've done a great job advocating to have those big 103 00:05:38,440 --> 00:05:41,400 Speaker 2: defense packages broken down into smaller pieces so they flow 104 00:05:41,440 --> 00:05:43,400 Speaker 2: through to local businesses. And we've got to keep that 105 00:05:43,480 --> 00:05:46,600 Speaker 2: momentum going because traditionally in the past they would go 106 00:05:46,680 --> 00:05:49,960 Speaker 2: to big national companies and some of our locals would 107 00:05:49,960 --> 00:05:51,280 Speaker 2: miss out on that local work. 108 00:05:51,480 --> 00:05:53,760 Speaker 1: Minister, you were quote it in the Anti News yesterday 109 00:05:53,760 --> 00:05:55,800 Speaker 1: as saying the Chief Minister has been very clear that 110 00:05:55,839 --> 00:05:58,400 Speaker 1: we expect our public service to keep a strong level 111 00:05:58,520 --> 00:06:02,600 Speaker 1: of agility moving forward coronavirus environment we're working in, we 112 00:06:02,640 --> 00:06:06,400 Speaker 1: want a very customer focused public sector. What role does 113 00:06:06,440 --> 00:06:09,480 Speaker 1: the public sector play in this grand scheme of things 114 00:06:09,520 --> 00:06:12,159 Speaker 1: when we're talking about streamlining the approvals process and cutting 115 00:06:12,200 --> 00:06:14,440 Speaker 1: red tape, they. 116 00:06:14,320 --> 00:06:17,159 Speaker 2: Are central to it. We need to make sure that 117 00:06:17,240 --> 00:06:20,640 Speaker 2: we have a public sector that is working to make 118 00:06:20,800 --> 00:06:23,600 Speaker 2: that these jobs happen and to get these projects up. 119 00:06:23,720 --> 00:06:27,440 Speaker 2: So it's about having a can do attitude to make 120 00:06:27,440 --> 00:06:30,200 Speaker 2: sure that everybody is on task and understand that they 121 00:06:30,240 --> 00:06:32,720 Speaker 2: all have their role to play. If paperwork sits on 122 00:06:32,760 --> 00:06:35,080 Speaker 2: their desk for a few extra days and a few 123 00:06:35,080 --> 00:06:37,120 Speaker 2: people do that, then that all adds up. So it's 124 00:06:37,160 --> 00:06:40,080 Speaker 2: about making sure that everybody knows that part of their 125 00:06:40,120 --> 00:06:43,760 Speaker 2: responsibility to serving the Northern Territory and making sure that 126 00:06:43,800 --> 00:06:47,000 Speaker 2: everybody wins is making sure everyone does their job as 127 00:06:47,000 --> 00:06:49,880 Speaker 2: efficiently and as quickly as possible to make sure we 128 00:06:49,920 --> 00:06:52,400 Speaker 2: can get more projects off the ground as quickly as possible. 129 00:06:52,520 --> 00:06:56,280 Speaker 2: So this is a time where everybody has stepped up. 130 00:06:56,279 --> 00:07:01,080 Speaker 2: In twenty twenty, our public sector have been absolutely fantastic. 131 00:07:01,560 --> 00:07:04,880 Speaker 2: But we've got to keep that momentum going because if 132 00:07:04,880 --> 00:07:07,279 Speaker 2: we don't, it's at the cost of jobs. And right now, 133 00:07:07,640 --> 00:07:09,720 Speaker 2: we want to make sure that we are the most 134 00:07:09,720 --> 00:07:12,520 Speaker 2: competitive place in the nation. We are the best place 135 00:07:12,560 --> 00:07:14,280 Speaker 2: to come in and do business, and that means we 136 00:07:14,320 --> 00:07:16,440 Speaker 2: have a public We need a public service to be 137 00:07:16,520 --> 00:07:19,320 Speaker 2: standing side by side with us on this journey and 138 00:07:19,600 --> 00:07:22,800 Speaker 2: make sure that they are all doing their jobs to 139 00:07:22,880 --> 00:07:24,960 Speaker 2: make sure that they support these projects as well. 140 00:07:25,520 --> 00:07:27,800 Speaker 1: Does it mean does it mean that the public sector 141 00:07:27,840 --> 00:07:30,280 Speaker 1: needs a reform or even as far as an overhaul. 142 00:07:31,240 --> 00:07:34,040 Speaker 2: Well, I think what everybody's seen this year is that 143 00:07:34,800 --> 00:07:37,480 Speaker 2: when they've been asked to do things in a very 144 00:07:37,520 --> 00:07:40,840 Speaker 2: short amount of time, that they've scene that they can. 145 00:07:41,040 --> 00:07:42,520 Speaker 2: So we're going to be doing a lot of work 146 00:07:42,960 --> 00:07:46,760 Speaker 2: with our public sector around looking at customer service around 147 00:07:46,760 --> 00:07:50,840 Speaker 2: that culture of customer service delivery and making sure that 148 00:07:50,880 --> 00:07:53,440 Speaker 2: we've got the right systems in place to help them 149 00:07:53,480 --> 00:07:55,960 Speaker 2: do their jobs. Because they want to help people. That's 150 00:07:55,960 --> 00:07:57,960 Speaker 2: why they are in the public service. They love serving 151 00:07:57,960 --> 00:08:01,120 Speaker 2: the Northern Territory and doing their job there. But you know, 152 00:08:01,160 --> 00:08:03,360 Speaker 2: we've got to make sure we've got the right legislation, 153 00:08:03,480 --> 00:08:06,440 Speaker 2: the right regulation around them, but also that we're supporting them. 154 00:08:06,560 --> 00:08:10,840 Speaker 2: So they're very clear on understanding our expectations that right 155 00:08:10,880 --> 00:08:13,160 Speaker 2: now is a time where we need to support as 156 00:08:13,160 --> 00:08:16,040 Speaker 2: many projects to get more jobs up and running and 157 00:08:16,120 --> 00:08:18,320 Speaker 2: more projects up and running across the territory. So we 158 00:08:18,360 --> 00:08:21,160 Speaker 2: need them to be doing their job with like I said, 159 00:08:21,160 --> 00:08:25,200 Speaker 2: great agility and very customer service focused. 160 00:08:25,360 --> 00:08:29,720 Speaker 1: Can I move on to another portfolio, that's international education, 161 00:08:30,360 --> 00:08:32,320 Speaker 1: as I understand that there's been a delay to the 162 00:08:32,360 --> 00:08:37,080 Speaker 1: first cohort of international students returning to Darwin. When are 163 00:08:37,080 --> 00:08:40,400 Speaker 1: they expected to arrive now towards. 164 00:08:40,080 --> 00:08:43,920 Speaker 2: The end of November. I met with CDU yesterday. They 165 00:08:43,960 --> 00:08:47,520 Speaker 2: are really working hard to make sure that they secure 166 00:08:47,559 --> 00:08:50,040 Speaker 2: those students. We are very fortunate here in the Northern 167 00:08:50,120 --> 00:08:53,000 Speaker 2: Territory to have been allowed to do a trial of 168 00:08:53,080 --> 00:08:55,760 Speaker 2: international students coming in and so we want to make 169 00:08:55,760 --> 00:08:59,280 Speaker 2: sure that this is a real success because more international 170 00:08:59,360 --> 00:09:02,760 Speaker 2: students here are in Darwin and the Northern Territory. We've 171 00:09:02,760 --> 00:09:06,000 Speaker 2: got campuses in ol Springs as well. It's really important 172 00:09:06,040 --> 00:09:09,720 Speaker 2: because it contributes to the local economy and Maddie, even 173 00:09:09,760 --> 00:09:12,560 Speaker 2: though we're in a global recession right now, there are 174 00:09:12,600 --> 00:09:16,400 Speaker 2: still jobs out there that need to be filled in 175 00:09:16,440 --> 00:09:18,679 Speaker 2: some different sectors out there that often students are some 176 00:09:19,200 --> 00:09:21,800 Speaker 2: of the people in that casual workforce that fill those jobs. 177 00:09:22,800 --> 00:09:26,720 Speaker 2: And also they're great for our community here. It's really wonderful. 178 00:09:26,800 --> 00:09:30,600 Speaker 2: We're a very multicultural community, so you know, I think 179 00:09:30,640 --> 00:09:34,040 Speaker 2: having an international student population really adds to the vibrancy 180 00:09:34,040 --> 00:09:34,959 Speaker 2: of the Northern Territory. 181 00:09:35,480 --> 00:09:38,840 Speaker 1: Just finally, Minister Darwin Council has delayed a decision on 182 00:09:38,880 --> 00:09:41,920 Speaker 1: whether to allow the development of an RSL clubhouse on 183 00:09:41,920 --> 00:09:45,360 Speaker 1: the Esplanade. It comes following a last minute phone call 184 00:09:45,400 --> 00:09:48,880 Speaker 1: from Larachia Elder Billa Worra Lee to Lord Mayor Convat Scalus, 185 00:09:49,240 --> 00:09:53,800 Speaker 1: citing the area as one of cultural significance. What did 186 00:09:53,800 --> 00:09:56,800 Speaker 1: you make of this and does the anti government support 187 00:09:56,840 --> 00:09:59,079 Speaker 1: the RSL building on that site? 188 00:10:00,160 --> 00:10:02,840 Speaker 2: To say, it was pretty extraordinary scenes at the council 189 00:10:02,880 --> 00:10:05,800 Speaker 2: meeting the other night, and I don't think I've ever 190 00:10:05,880 --> 00:10:08,160 Speaker 2: quite seen a line up out the door. It shows 191 00:10:08,200 --> 00:10:10,560 Speaker 2: that there is a lot of public interest in this topic. 192 00:10:11,160 --> 00:10:14,319 Speaker 2: As government, our position hasn't changed here. We're doing the 193 00:10:14,360 --> 00:10:17,760 Speaker 2: State Square redevelopment. We've always said that that car park 194 00:10:17,800 --> 00:10:21,280 Speaker 2: should become green space. We think it will actually contribute 195 00:10:21,320 --> 00:10:25,520 Speaker 2: to that really important place that it is there. With 196 00:10:25,600 --> 00:10:28,600 Speaker 2: the cenotask that it is green space. We take away 197 00:10:28,640 --> 00:10:32,240 Speaker 2: another heat generating car park and we think that that 198 00:10:32,320 --> 00:10:36,000 Speaker 2: will actually benefit that space and the city. I think 199 00:10:36,040 --> 00:10:39,000 Speaker 2: it's really important that we have an RSL. But clearly 200 00:10:39,080 --> 00:10:41,840 Speaker 2: our position has not changed with regards to that space. 201 00:10:41,880 --> 00:10:43,880 Speaker 2: We've always said it should be green space, it should 202 00:10:43,920 --> 00:10:47,480 Speaker 2: contribute to the State Square development, and that's where our 203 00:10:47,480 --> 00:10:48,600 Speaker 2: position has not changed. 204 00:10:48,760 --> 00:10:51,720 Speaker 1: So if the RSL doesn't end up building there, will 205 00:10:51,760 --> 00:10:55,120 Speaker 1: government come in and convert that land, because obviously, whilst 206 00:10:55,120 --> 00:10:58,160 Speaker 1: you've floed for green space, it is just a bitumized 207 00:10:58,200 --> 00:10:59,559 Speaker 1: car park at the moment. 208 00:11:00,200 --> 00:11:03,800 Speaker 2: Council land and that's the job of council to determine that. 209 00:11:03,880 --> 00:11:07,440 Speaker 2: But we've always been very keen and we've started the 210 00:11:07,480 --> 00:11:10,760 Speaker 2: redevelopment of the State Square with the understanding that that 211 00:11:10,800 --> 00:11:14,240 Speaker 2: would be part of the green space. And again part 212 00:11:14,280 --> 00:11:16,760 Speaker 2: of the work that we're doing there was to reduce 213 00:11:16,920 --> 00:11:20,640 Speaker 2: the heat in the CBD, particularly as we know that 214 00:11:20,679 --> 00:11:23,160 Speaker 2: our planet is getting warmer, it's important that we do 215 00:11:23,240 --> 00:11:26,560 Speaker 2: tackle issues such as our heat sinks and that's what 216 00:11:26,559 --> 00:11:29,800 Speaker 2: we've got in the CBD, so we are reducing it 217 00:11:29,840 --> 00:11:32,920 Speaker 2: by removing a lot of that black ash fhalt and 218 00:11:33,240 --> 00:11:36,319 Speaker 2: those heat generating car parks and contributing to that State 219 00:11:36,320 --> 00:11:40,760 Speaker 2: Square redevelopment. So that's what we were working towards. Clearly 220 00:11:40,840 --> 00:11:44,160 Speaker 2: the Council has different views on that and it'll be 221 00:11:44,200 --> 00:11:46,199 Speaker 2: interesting to see where they land at this council meeting. 222 00:11:46,440 --> 00:11:50,000 Speaker 2: Also important to recognize that even with the Council decision made, 223 00:11:50,000 --> 00:11:51,920 Speaker 2: there's still a development process that would have to go 224 00:11:52,000 --> 00:11:52,720 Speaker 2: through after that. 225 00:11:53,760 --> 00:11:56,520 Speaker 1: The Deputy Chief Minister Nicle Madison. We'll leave it there. 226 00:11:56,520 --> 00:11:57,960 Speaker 1: Thank you so much for your time this morning. 227 00:11:58,559 --> 00:11:59,240 Speaker 2: Thanks Maddie.