1 00:00:00,040 --> 00:00:02,520 Speaker 1: Now. Last week on the show, we spoke more about 2 00:00:02,560 --> 00:00:05,360 Speaker 1: the cost of the long running inquest into the death 3 00:00:05,400 --> 00:00:08,680 Speaker 1: of kuman Jai Walker. It costs Northern Territory Police more 4 00:00:08,720 --> 00:00:11,520 Speaker 1: than five point five million dollars and the Department of 5 00:00:11,560 --> 00:00:15,880 Speaker 1: Attorney General and Justice one point nine million, totaling seven 6 00:00:15,960 --> 00:00:19,880 Speaker 1: point four million dollars. It is a stark increase on 7 00:00:19,960 --> 00:00:23,120 Speaker 1: the cost of an inquest into the domestic violence deaths 8 00:00:23,440 --> 00:00:26,680 Speaker 1: of four Aboriginal women, which costs just under five hundred 9 00:00:26,720 --> 00:00:31,000 Speaker 1: thousand dollars. The Chief Minister, Lea Finocchiaro joins me on 10 00:00:31,040 --> 00:00:35,960 Speaker 1: the line. Good morning to your Chief Minister. Let's try 11 00:00:36,000 --> 00:00:38,680 Speaker 1: that again. Hopefully we have got her on the line properly. 12 00:00:38,720 --> 00:00:40,840 Speaker 1: We're just having some issues with that phone. Good morning, 13 00:00:40,880 --> 00:00:45,360 Speaker 1: Chief Minister. Okay, let me just bear with me a moment. 14 00:00:45,600 --> 00:00:51,360 Speaker 1: Good morning, Chief Minister. Hopefully I've got you now, just 15 00:00:51,400 --> 00:00:55,080 Speaker 1: having some issues with the desk, Chief Minister. I was 16 00:00:55,200 --> 00:00:58,440 Speaker 1: just pointing out the cost of the coronial inquest into 17 00:00:58,480 --> 00:01:03,000 Speaker 1: the death of Kumanjai War five point five million dollars 18 00:01:03,240 --> 00:01:07,000 Speaker 1: for Northern Territory Police, the Department of Attorney General and 19 00:01:07,160 --> 00:01:11,560 Speaker 1: Justice one point nine million dollars, totaling seven point four 20 00:01:11,760 --> 00:01:15,160 Speaker 1: million dollars, Chief Minister, Do you think that that cost 21 00:01:15,200 --> 00:01:16,000 Speaker 1: is justified? 22 00:01:17,319 --> 00:01:20,840 Speaker 2: No, Katie, it's an extraordinary amount of money. Extraordinary and 23 00:01:20,880 --> 00:01:25,320 Speaker 2: it's important that territorians understand what these types of activities cost. Now, 24 00:01:25,440 --> 00:01:29,200 Speaker 2: the coronial process is obviously a very important process. But 25 00:01:29,280 --> 00:01:33,520 Speaker 2: when a usual coronial inquest costs six thousand dollars and 26 00:01:33,560 --> 00:01:37,520 Speaker 2: one as complicated as the four domestic violence women costing 27 00:01:37,720 --> 00:01:40,160 Speaker 2: half a million, you can see how this one has 28 00:01:40,280 --> 00:01:43,840 Speaker 2: completely blown out. You can see how as a government 29 00:01:43,880 --> 00:01:46,760 Speaker 2: we are really concerned about how long the coroner is 30 00:01:46,840 --> 00:01:49,040 Speaker 2: taking to do these in quests and the amount of 31 00:01:49,080 --> 00:01:50,800 Speaker 2: money she's spending doing it. Because at the end of 32 00:01:50,840 --> 00:01:53,440 Speaker 2: the day, it's not her money, it's not my money, 33 00:01:53,640 --> 00:01:56,080 Speaker 2: it's your listener's money, Katie, and we have to be 34 00:01:56,120 --> 00:01:59,280 Speaker 2: making sure we're spending that on advancing the territory. And 35 00:01:59,320 --> 00:02:01,680 Speaker 2: so see, you've got to be getting that balance better. 36 00:02:01,840 --> 00:02:05,520 Speaker 1: Who determines if that amount of money is appropriate in 37 00:02:05,560 --> 00:02:07,600 Speaker 1: these circumstances. 38 00:02:07,640 --> 00:02:11,640 Speaker 2: Well, how it's currently structured? Is it the coroner? You know, 39 00:02:11,680 --> 00:02:14,640 Speaker 2: it has very wide ranging powers to be able to 40 00:02:14,840 --> 00:02:18,520 Speaker 2: run a coronial. How they know like the coronial to 41 00:02:18,600 --> 00:02:21,959 Speaker 2: go and then of course that then requires, depending on 42 00:02:22,760 --> 00:02:28,440 Speaker 2: what decisions are made, there wide ranging responses from organizations, individuals, 43 00:02:28,440 --> 00:02:32,200 Speaker 2: et cetera. So you can see that we've accrued significant 44 00:02:32,200 --> 00:02:36,120 Speaker 2: expense at a territory government level, you know, in the 45 00:02:36,200 --> 00:02:38,800 Speaker 2: order of around seven point four million. So it's a 46 00:02:38,919 --> 00:02:42,680 Speaker 2: huge amount of money, and you know, moving forward, we 47 00:02:42,880 --> 00:02:48,600 Speaker 2: like to see coronials done quicker, more efficiently and you know, 48 00:02:49,360 --> 00:02:51,200 Speaker 2: having good results. 49 00:02:51,320 --> 00:02:54,040 Speaker 1: So what will you, as the Chief Minister do to 50 00:02:54,160 --> 00:02:56,120 Speaker 1: ensure that that is the case. Does it need to 51 00:02:56,160 --> 00:02:59,040 Speaker 1: be some changes to the Coroner's Act to rain in 52 00:02:59,120 --> 00:02:59,960 Speaker 1: some of these costs. 53 00:03:00,919 --> 00:03:03,800 Speaker 2: Yeah, I think that's something the Attorney General is looking 54 00:03:03,800 --> 00:03:07,080 Speaker 2: at as part of our broader justice reform package. I mean, 55 00:03:07,080 --> 00:03:10,280 Speaker 2: it's really important that our courts are working well and 56 00:03:10,320 --> 00:03:14,480 Speaker 2: all of our sort of statutory bodies that do these 57 00:03:14,520 --> 00:03:17,760 Speaker 2: types of work are working well as well. So there's 58 00:03:17,760 --> 00:03:19,280 Speaker 2: a lot of work to be done. I don't know 59 00:03:19,320 --> 00:03:21,880 Speaker 2: the exact details, and the Attorney General is much more 60 00:03:22,919 --> 00:03:25,400 Speaker 2: across that being her portfolio. But what I do know 61 00:03:25,560 --> 00:03:28,040 Speaker 2: is I think now that territories have heard the cost 62 00:03:28,520 --> 00:03:31,400 Speaker 2: they're sort of you know, I think everyone is glad 63 00:03:31,400 --> 00:03:33,720 Speaker 2: this has been put to bed. It's six years overdue. 64 00:03:34,240 --> 00:03:37,080 Speaker 2: It's it's you know, well, etching up to ten million 65 00:03:37,120 --> 00:03:39,240 Speaker 2: dollars in taxpayer money. It's done. Now. 66 00:03:39,320 --> 00:03:42,240 Speaker 1: Look, I get that the Attorney General is more across this, 67 00:03:42,440 --> 00:03:44,880 Speaker 1: but for you, as the Chief Minister, do you think 68 00:03:44,880 --> 00:03:47,680 Speaker 1: there needs to be some changes to the Act and 69 00:03:47,920 --> 00:03:49,960 Speaker 1: are you going to ensure that you know that we 70 00:03:50,000 --> 00:03:53,360 Speaker 1: don't have another situation where a coronial costs this amount 71 00:03:53,400 --> 00:03:53,840 Speaker 1: of money. 72 00:03:54,880 --> 00:03:56,800 Speaker 2: Yeah, I guess I just don't know if it's in 73 00:03:56,800 --> 00:03:59,240 Speaker 2: the legislation that needs to be changed or whether there's 74 00:03:59,280 --> 00:04:02,720 Speaker 2: another mechanism't Katie. But I do know that we are 75 00:04:02,720 --> 00:04:05,840 Speaker 2: looking at this very closely. But what I will say 76 00:04:05,920 --> 00:04:08,119 Speaker 2: is I don't think colonials should cost this much ever, 77 00:04:08,600 --> 00:04:10,680 Speaker 2: so I think, you know, we can make that point 78 00:04:10,760 --> 00:04:11,360 Speaker 2: really clear. 79 00:04:11,640 --> 00:04:14,120 Speaker 1: Why do you think it costs so much this time? 80 00:04:14,240 --> 00:04:17,760 Speaker 1: Like what you know from the outside looking in, why 81 00:04:17,800 --> 00:04:20,800 Speaker 1: do you think it costs that much money? 82 00:04:21,200 --> 00:04:24,599 Speaker 2: Oh, it's probably all of the travel that was required. 83 00:04:25,480 --> 00:04:27,760 Speaker 2: It would it would be all of the legal fee. 84 00:04:27,800 --> 00:04:30,200 Speaker 2: I mean probably a huge chunk of this is just 85 00:04:30,240 --> 00:04:34,200 Speaker 2: on legal fees, Katie. And you know, at the end 86 00:04:34,200 --> 00:04:36,000 Speaker 2: of the day, we need the community to benefit, not 87 00:04:36,080 --> 00:04:38,120 Speaker 2: the lawyers and of course there needs to be lawyers 88 00:04:38,160 --> 00:04:42,359 Speaker 2: involved in the process, but it's got to be a 89 00:04:42,440 --> 00:04:46,120 Speaker 2: coronial process has to look at what's happened and then 90 00:04:46,200 --> 00:04:50,080 Speaker 2: provide advice around how to how to get a better 91 00:04:50,120 --> 00:04:53,520 Speaker 2: outcome next time should that event happen again. And so 92 00:04:54,120 --> 00:04:56,720 Speaker 2: that's that's what it needs to do. And you know, 93 00:04:56,839 --> 00:05:00,000 Speaker 2: I think you know this kind of we do not 94 00:05:00,000 --> 00:05:02,159 Speaker 2: I want to see this kind of expense happening unless 95 00:05:02,160 --> 00:05:05,520 Speaker 2: it's absolutely necessary. And I think everyone felt that that 96 00:05:05,600 --> 00:05:09,640 Speaker 2: coronial went too long. It caused great distress to the family, 97 00:05:09,880 --> 00:05:13,760 Speaker 2: great distress to the police force and the community. And 98 00:05:13,960 --> 00:05:16,280 Speaker 2: ultimately it's now put to bed. We've got to go 99 00:05:16,360 --> 00:05:20,120 Speaker 2: through it and give our response. And much has already 100 00:05:20,200 --> 00:05:22,640 Speaker 2: changed just because it's more than half a decade old. 101 00:05:22,680 --> 00:05:25,440 Speaker 1: Well just on that response, I mean, obviously the coroner 102 00:05:25,440 --> 00:05:28,760 Speaker 1: made a number of recommendations. What of those are the 103 00:05:28,800 --> 00:05:30,640 Speaker 1: government going to implement. 104 00:05:31,520 --> 00:05:34,440 Speaker 2: Yep, So we haven't provided our formal response yet. A 105 00:05:34,480 --> 00:05:38,359 Speaker 2: lot have already been done. Some are very specific to 106 00:05:38,839 --> 00:05:43,240 Speaker 2: UENDUMU itself. They're across agency. So health has some components, 107 00:05:43,279 --> 00:05:47,279 Speaker 2: police has some components children and families, for example. So 108 00:05:47,440 --> 00:05:51,840 Speaker 2: we'll go through that now and work out what proposals 109 00:05:51,880 --> 00:05:54,600 Speaker 2: will take forward that haven't been done already, and we'll 110 00:05:54,640 --> 00:05:57,680 Speaker 2: also let people know which ones we have already worked on. 111 00:05:58,960 --> 00:06:01,920 Speaker 2: And of course we have to be really practical about that. Now, 112 00:06:02,080 --> 00:06:04,880 Speaker 2: you know, you can't gold plate things, and there's a 113 00:06:05,000 --> 00:06:07,840 Speaker 2: you know, to some extent, the recommendations have a wish 114 00:06:07,920 --> 00:06:10,680 Speaker 2: list that we won't be able to deliver on just 115 00:06:11,000 --> 00:06:15,200 Speaker 2: through sheer cost or logistics or just the ability to 116 00:06:15,279 --> 00:06:19,039 Speaker 2: deliver that goalplate aversion. But we've got to look to 117 00:06:19,080 --> 00:06:21,400 Speaker 2: it and there are lessons you can take from things. 118 00:06:21,400 --> 00:06:24,039 Speaker 2: Sometimes you might not accept a recommendation in fool, but 119 00:06:24,160 --> 00:06:27,320 Speaker 2: you can glean from it the outcome that's intended, and 120 00:06:27,320 --> 00:06:29,159 Speaker 2: then you can do something else to try and achieve 121 00:06:29,200 --> 00:06:32,120 Speaker 2: that outcome. So that's just the complicated work we've got 122 00:06:32,160 --> 00:06:34,640 Speaker 2: to go through now. And of course, like all coronials, 123 00:06:34,680 --> 00:06:38,320 Speaker 2: will provide our response publicly to the community and people 124 00:06:38,360 --> 00:06:39,880 Speaker 2: will be able to transparently see that. 125 00:06:40,320 --> 00:06:43,120 Speaker 1: Okay, well, I mean, when do you anticipate that you're 126 00:06:43,120 --> 00:06:44,080 Speaker 1: going to be doing that. 127 00:06:46,000 --> 00:06:49,360 Speaker 2: It'll probably take a couple of months, Katie. Where the 128 00:06:49,560 --> 00:06:53,280 Speaker 2: domestic violence Coronial we're providing a response to next week. 129 00:06:53,360 --> 00:06:56,760 Speaker 2: So it does take time because of the implications on 130 00:06:56,880 --> 00:07:01,400 Speaker 2: service delivery and sometimes budget pressure, and that's just a 131 00:07:01,440 --> 00:07:03,760 Speaker 2: process we have to go through. So you know, it 132 00:07:04,279 --> 00:07:06,720 Speaker 2: took three years for the Corona, it'll be all right 133 00:07:06,760 --> 00:07:08,600 Speaker 2: if it takes off for a couple of months to 134 00:07:08,680 --> 00:07:10,920 Speaker 2: let people know which ones we've done, which ones we're doing, 135 00:07:10,920 --> 00:07:12,120 Speaker 2: and which ones we won't be doing. 136 00:07:12,240 --> 00:07:14,760 Speaker 1: All right, one area where I know that people certainly 137 00:07:14,840 --> 00:07:17,320 Speaker 1: want to see some action pretty quickly, as in Catherine 138 00:07:17,320 --> 00:07:19,320 Speaker 1: at the moment, I know you were there on the weekend. 139 00:07:20,040 --> 00:07:24,360 Speaker 1: Residents say that they're hurting after one particular incident last 140 00:07:24,400 --> 00:07:27,320 Speaker 1: week which saw the women at the coffee club assaulted 141 00:07:28,240 --> 00:07:30,840 Speaker 1: when they were there opening. Did you go in and 142 00:07:30,880 --> 00:07:32,480 Speaker 1: see the women at the coffee club? 143 00:07:33,040 --> 00:07:35,880 Speaker 2: Yeah, I did. I went and saw Nicki and the team, 144 00:07:36,240 --> 00:07:40,840 Speaker 2: and it was just horrific, absolutely unacceptable. I mean, the 145 00:07:40,920 --> 00:07:45,640 Speaker 2: level of the terror of that event was just unbelievable. 146 00:07:45,880 --> 00:07:49,800 Speaker 2: And you know, it was amazing to see Nicki, you know, reopen. 147 00:07:49,920 --> 00:07:52,280 Speaker 2: The staff were there, the staff that had been assaulted 148 00:07:52,280 --> 00:07:54,600 Speaker 2: were there, and they were just getting on with the job. 149 00:07:54,640 --> 00:07:59,080 Speaker 2: An unbelievable story of resilience, Katie, unbelievable. So obviously I 150 00:07:59,120 --> 00:08:01,120 Speaker 2: talked to Nicki about you know, is there is there 151 00:08:01,120 --> 00:08:04,600 Speaker 2: anything more we can do from a premises perspective, But 152 00:08:04,640 --> 00:08:06,840 Speaker 2: at the end of the day, you know, businesses can't 153 00:08:07,000 --> 00:08:10,400 Speaker 2: operate locked. I mean, this is a beautiful cafe with 154 00:08:10,520 --> 00:08:13,840 Speaker 2: lovely glass windows that you can look out onto the streetscape. 155 00:08:13,840 --> 00:08:17,440 Speaker 2: It welcomes people into Catherine. You know, there's only so 156 00:08:17,520 --> 00:08:19,480 Speaker 2: much physically you can do. The rest has to be 157 00:08:19,560 --> 00:08:23,240 Speaker 2: about people's behavior and making sure that we're stamping down 158 00:08:23,280 --> 00:08:26,440 Speaker 2: on that level of horrendous criminal behavior. 159 00:08:26,080 --> 00:08:30,520 Speaker 1: Chief Minister, in terms of you know, this incident, it's 160 00:08:30,560 --> 00:08:32,839 Speaker 1: it's absolutely horrific. We're going to be catching up with 161 00:08:32,920 --> 00:08:35,280 Speaker 1: Nikki just before ten o'clock to find out a little 162 00:08:35,280 --> 00:08:38,920 Speaker 1: bit more about how they are coping. But we are 163 00:08:38,960 --> 00:08:43,080 Speaker 1: continuing to see some terrible issues of crime. You and 164 00:08:43,120 --> 00:08:45,480 Speaker 1: I speak about it all the time. I mean, the 165 00:08:45,520 --> 00:08:48,640 Speaker 1: ALP is claiming that, you know, the approach that you 166 00:08:48,679 --> 00:08:53,319 Speaker 1: have got when it comes to crime isn't working. What 167 00:08:53,920 --> 00:08:57,040 Speaker 1: additional measures could we see in Catherine first off, to 168 00:08:57,080 --> 00:08:58,280 Speaker 1: try and help the people there. 169 00:08:59,360 --> 00:09:01,560 Speaker 2: Well, I don't think I ever have any credibility on 170 00:09:01,640 --> 00:09:03,640 Speaker 2: crime for starters, and to be honest, Katy, I don't 171 00:09:03,640 --> 00:09:06,120 Speaker 2: really think people are turning to them for solutions on 172 00:09:06,160 --> 00:09:10,800 Speaker 2: this issue. We are looking at Catherine specifically and what 173 00:09:11,000 --> 00:09:14,360 Speaker 2: more we can do there. But and again I hesitate 174 00:09:14,440 --> 00:09:16,600 Speaker 2: to read out crime stats, but I think it's important 175 00:09:16,600 --> 00:09:19,680 Speaker 2: for people to understand the progress we are making. So 176 00:09:19,760 --> 00:09:22,480 Speaker 2: when you looked January to May this year, which is 177 00:09:22,559 --> 00:09:25,320 Speaker 2: under US, compare it with January to May last year 178 00:09:25,440 --> 00:09:29,760 Speaker 2: under Labor Territory wide, we've got robbery down twenty nine percent, 179 00:09:29,960 --> 00:09:33,400 Speaker 2: house break ins down thirty one percent, commercial break ins 180 00:09:33,440 --> 00:09:36,160 Speaker 2: down sixteen, and theft down fifteen. Now some bits of 181 00:09:36,200 --> 00:09:39,360 Speaker 2: assault are up, and I'm not sugarcoating that. And if 182 00:09:39,400 --> 00:09:42,600 Speaker 2: we looked at to Catherine as well, we've had commercial 183 00:09:42,640 --> 00:09:46,400 Speaker 2: break ins down thirty six percent, house breakings down fourteen, 184 00:09:46,520 --> 00:09:47,880 Speaker 2: and theft down seventeen. 185 00:09:48,080 --> 00:09:50,960 Speaker 1: Like I did it, I get that obviously there's some changes, 186 00:09:51,040 --> 00:09:54,040 Speaker 1: But if you were the women at the coffee club 187 00:09:54,080 --> 00:09:57,280 Speaker 1: that were assaulted, it really means nothing. 188 00:09:57,360 --> 00:10:00,200 Speaker 2: Ye. Yes, yes, I think when I'm just trying to 189 00:10:00,240 --> 00:10:04,760 Speaker 2: explain is that Labour's rhetoric is nonsense. We have put 190 00:10:04,800 --> 00:10:07,720 Speaker 2: in place strong laws, we've got more people in prison, 191 00:10:07,800 --> 00:10:10,640 Speaker 2: we continue to back our police and do all of 192 00:10:10,679 --> 00:10:14,000 Speaker 2: those root causes of crime issues and it is working. 193 00:10:14,080 --> 00:10:17,640 Speaker 2: So we're not job done. There's no yay, crimes fixed. 194 00:10:17,679 --> 00:10:20,640 Speaker 2: But what I'm saying is in just eleven months we've 195 00:10:20,679 --> 00:10:24,360 Speaker 2: reduced some crime categories by around the thirty percent mark. 196 00:10:24,400 --> 00:10:27,559 Speaker 2: Now that's huge cold comfort to victims. I get it, 197 00:10:27,600 --> 00:10:30,360 Speaker 2: and much more work to do. I'm not using these 198 00:10:30,360 --> 00:10:33,160 Speaker 2: as a way to say, oh look business, this amazing. 199 00:10:33,240 --> 00:10:35,920 Speaker 2: What I'm saying is stick with us. What we are 200 00:10:35,960 --> 00:10:38,600 Speaker 2: doing is working, and we've only just started. You know, 201 00:10:38,679 --> 00:10:42,200 Speaker 2: we've got Use Justice Act reform next week, Traffic Act 202 00:10:42,320 --> 00:10:46,360 Speaker 2: is coming, Bail Actor is coming, and our police Public 203 00:10:46,520 --> 00:10:49,840 Speaker 2: Safety Offices will be starting at the end of this year. 204 00:10:49,880 --> 00:10:53,840 Speaker 2: That's where we're bringing in housing, transit and auxiliaries into 205 00:10:53,880 --> 00:10:58,680 Speaker 2: a new streamline of police with strong powers and equipment 206 00:10:58,760 --> 00:11:01,880 Speaker 2: that they need. And we've also got oc Sprace starting 207 00:11:01,880 --> 00:11:04,440 Speaker 2: on one September. So there's plenty in the pipe. 208 00:11:04,559 --> 00:11:07,640 Speaker 1: Chief Minister Mark from Darwin's just messaged in and said, 209 00:11:07,640 --> 00:11:10,599 Speaker 1: could you please ask the Chief Minister how many transport 210 00:11:10,679 --> 00:11:15,239 Speaker 1: and housing officers have said that they want to transition 211 00:11:15,360 --> 00:11:19,840 Speaker 1: to police. I've been told it's only between one and five. 212 00:11:20,559 --> 00:11:21,360 Speaker 1: Is that the case? 213 00:11:22,120 --> 00:11:24,520 Speaker 2: Yeah, Look, I don't know that detail and obviously we're 214 00:11:24,559 --> 00:11:26,760 Speaker 2: doing all of the change management with our stuff. I 215 00:11:26,800 --> 00:11:29,000 Speaker 2: think part of the problem is there's a bit of 216 00:11:29,040 --> 00:11:32,800 Speaker 2: a misunderstanding about what all of that looks like. But 217 00:11:32,880 --> 00:11:35,360 Speaker 2: we're working for each of the agencies, are working with 218 00:11:35,440 --> 00:11:38,560 Speaker 2: the staff through that change management to make sure people 219 00:11:38,679 --> 00:11:41,079 Speaker 2: understand their options and what that role looks like and 220 00:11:41,120 --> 00:11:43,640 Speaker 2: all of those things. So there's a lot of time 221 00:11:43,720 --> 00:11:46,559 Speaker 2: to go where we're having those conversations to get ready 222 00:11:46,559 --> 00:11:49,440 Speaker 2: for that first recruit cours in November December. 223 00:11:49,160 --> 00:11:52,679 Speaker 1: This year, Chief Minister, you have indeed had meetings as 224 00:11:52,720 --> 00:11:55,040 Speaker 1: well in Darwin last week as I understand it, with 225 00:11:55,120 --> 00:11:58,160 Speaker 1: the queens Side Minister for Police, do you plan to 226 00:11:58,160 --> 00:12:00,480 Speaker 1: look at some of the legislation that's been introduced in 227 00:12:00,520 --> 00:12:03,240 Speaker 1: Queensland and see if it might be fit for purpose here. 228 00:12:03,480 --> 00:12:06,360 Speaker 1: I know that they've got you know, adult crime, adult time. 229 00:12:06,480 --> 00:12:07,840 Speaker 1: Is that something that you're looking at. 230 00:12:08,840 --> 00:12:10,720 Speaker 2: Yeah, it's something we've had a look at and it 231 00:12:10,760 --> 00:12:12,840 Speaker 2: was great to catch up with Minister Purty because it's 232 00:12:12,880 --> 00:12:14,960 Speaker 2: always good. You know, we have a lot of similar 233 00:12:15,000 --> 00:12:20,239 Speaker 2: issues around youth crime, repeater fending, obviously, regional remote footprints. 234 00:12:20,280 --> 00:12:24,760 Speaker 2: There's a lot of similarities between the Northern Territory and Queensland. 235 00:12:25,200 --> 00:12:27,480 Speaker 2: They were very very keen to see what we've done 236 00:12:27,520 --> 00:12:31,119 Speaker 2: with bail as well, because we've had such terrific results 237 00:12:31,240 --> 00:12:33,480 Speaker 2: with that. So there was a lot of things that 238 00:12:33,520 --> 00:12:36,719 Speaker 2: we could share. We're certainly willing to work cooperatively. I 239 00:12:36,720 --> 00:12:40,560 Speaker 2: don't think everyone has to reinvent the wheel, and so 240 00:12:40,840 --> 00:12:45,320 Speaker 2: we'll continue those conversations. Certainly, Minister Purty was saying that 241 00:12:45,400 --> 00:12:48,760 Speaker 2: their adult Crime Adult Time was having a great impact, 242 00:12:48,920 --> 00:12:52,439 Speaker 2: and we were sharing even just some of the positive 243 00:12:52,440 --> 00:12:55,720 Speaker 2: impact we're having with school attendance offices and getting kids 244 00:12:55,760 --> 00:12:58,760 Speaker 2: to school and just enforcing the laws that currently exist. 245 00:12:58,800 --> 00:13:01,120 Speaker 2: And so he had lot to take away and so 246 00:13:01,240 --> 00:13:03,640 Speaker 2: did I. And it's just the start of more collaboration 247 00:13:03,760 --> 00:13:05,240 Speaker 2: and conversation between the state. 248 00:13:05,520 --> 00:13:08,119 Speaker 1: Okay, I want to talk about the watchhouse in Palmerston. 249 00:13:08,360 --> 00:13:11,880 Speaker 1: The police associations say that it has reached crisis point. 250 00:13:12,000 --> 00:13:15,080 Speaker 1: Nathan Finn was on the show last week and said 251 00:13:15,120 --> 00:13:18,520 Speaker 1: that one hundred detainees were recorded in custody as of 252 00:13:18,600 --> 00:13:23,000 Speaker 1: Wednesday morning. That included seventy six correctional prisoners. I know 253 00:13:23,080 --> 00:13:25,880 Speaker 1: that those numbers ebb and flow from day to day, 254 00:13:25,920 --> 00:13:29,960 Speaker 1: but he reckons the situation is putting police officers, prisoners 255 00:13:30,080 --> 00:13:34,920 Speaker 1: and the broader community at an unacceptable risk. What's going 256 00:13:34,960 --> 00:13:38,080 Speaker 1: to be done on urgency to try and deal with 257 00:13:38,080 --> 00:13:38,800 Speaker 1: this situation? 258 00:13:40,160 --> 00:13:42,880 Speaker 2: Well, I think the Police Association of all people wouldn't 259 00:13:42,880 --> 00:13:44,439 Speaker 2: want these criminals out on the street. 260 00:13:44,600 --> 00:13:47,600 Speaker 1: So that in some cases that you know, there may 261 00:13:47,640 --> 00:13:51,840 Speaker 1: be a situation where police actually aren't then taking people 262 00:13:51,880 --> 00:13:54,520 Speaker 1: that should be going to the watchhouse to the watchouse 263 00:13:54,559 --> 00:13:56,800 Speaker 1: because there's no space for them. 264 00:13:57,120 --> 00:13:59,440 Speaker 2: Well, I certainly haven't heard that, Katie, and that you 265 00:13:59,480 --> 00:14:01,440 Speaker 2: can't have your taken eat it too. You can't complain 266 00:14:01,480 --> 00:14:04,320 Speaker 2: the watchhouse is full and then complain that police can't 267 00:14:04,400 --> 00:14:07,960 Speaker 2: drop them off there. So it's not ideal, Katie, And 268 00:14:08,120 --> 00:14:10,640 Speaker 2: we've been very upfront about that. But let's face it, 269 00:14:10,760 --> 00:14:13,760 Speaker 2: our watchhouses were at this level under labor and the 270 00:14:13,760 --> 00:14:17,360 Speaker 2: streets were crawling with prims. So we've put online more 271 00:14:17,400 --> 00:14:21,040 Speaker 2: than six we're probably up to seven hundred more prison beds, 272 00:14:21,120 --> 00:14:24,280 Speaker 2: let alone prisoners since we've come to government. And yes, 273 00:14:24,320 --> 00:14:27,760 Speaker 2: the watchhouse has crept back up to high levels which 274 00:14:27,800 --> 00:14:32,120 Speaker 2: we sort of saw around that December January point. And 275 00:14:32,200 --> 00:14:35,080 Speaker 2: they do ebb and flow. It depends on court dates 276 00:14:35,120 --> 00:14:37,640 Speaker 2: and all that kind of stuff, but it's all It 277 00:14:37,720 --> 00:14:40,360 Speaker 2: is certainly not at levels we've seen in the past, 278 00:14:40,440 --> 00:14:43,840 Speaker 2: and we continue with our Corrections master Plan to build 279 00:14:43,840 --> 00:14:46,880 Speaker 2: more infrastructure, and we're working on a number of projects 280 00:14:46,880 --> 00:14:51,200 Speaker 2: that see obviously greater support for our police, more police 281 00:14:51,280 --> 00:14:54,280 Speaker 2: coming online. We've graduated more than one hundred and thirty 282 00:14:54,320 --> 00:14:57,040 Speaker 2: five constables since coming to government, so all of that 283 00:14:57,120 --> 00:14:59,280 Speaker 2: works on going. It's not ideal, but it is what 284 00:14:59,360 --> 00:15:01,800 Speaker 2: it is, and off cramped in a watchhouse than on 285 00:15:01,840 --> 00:15:03,640 Speaker 2: the street destroying other people's life. 286 00:15:03,720 --> 00:15:06,760 Speaker 1: Look, I guess the problem here is so now you know, 287 00:15:07,000 --> 00:15:09,720 Speaker 1: Nathan Finn reckons that the tough on crime rhetoric is 288 00:15:09,760 --> 00:15:13,920 Speaker 1: not being matched with adequate planning or infrastructure investment, and 289 00:15:13,960 --> 00:15:17,840 Speaker 1: that frontline officers are paying the price. He's sort of 290 00:15:17,880 --> 00:15:22,000 Speaker 1: questioning why are police transporting prisoners to court and looking 291 00:15:22,000 --> 00:15:26,000 Speaker 1: after prisoners in watchhouses instead of being out on the 292 00:15:26,000 --> 00:15:28,280 Speaker 1: frontline dealing with crime. And I do think that that 293 00:15:28,400 --> 00:15:31,880 Speaker 1: is a question that everyday territorians would agree with. 294 00:15:33,640 --> 00:15:35,760 Speaker 2: Yeah. Look, there's also a lot of posturing because there's 295 00:15:35,760 --> 00:15:39,560 Speaker 2: an EBA on book, Katie, So I'll reserve my judgment 296 00:15:39,600 --> 00:15:41,760 Speaker 2: on the comments. But at the end of the day, 297 00:15:41,800 --> 00:15:44,160 Speaker 2: we've brought in G four X, which is a private 298 00:15:45,360 --> 00:15:48,160 Speaker 2: company that runs correction services. 299 00:15:48,200 --> 00:15:50,280 Speaker 1: Are transporting them from the watch house. 300 00:15:50,320 --> 00:15:54,880 Speaker 2: They are doing some they are so they're increasing in 301 00:15:54,960 --> 00:15:58,480 Speaker 2: numbers over the next couple of months. So undoubtedly there 302 00:15:58,480 --> 00:16:02,480 Speaker 2: will be police still performing that role, but we've brought 303 00:16:02,520 --> 00:16:05,400 Speaker 2: in GFRS and they're expanding their services over the next 304 00:16:05,440 --> 00:16:09,880 Speaker 2: couple of months, so that should dwindle down, which means 305 00:16:09,880 --> 00:16:12,040 Speaker 2: we can have more police out on the street instead 306 00:16:12,040 --> 00:16:14,760 Speaker 2: of doing that role which they've always which is not 307 00:16:15,200 --> 00:16:17,520 Speaker 2: yet exactly This is not a role that we've created 308 00:16:17,520 --> 00:16:19,440 Speaker 2: for police. This is something they've been doing for an 309 00:16:19,480 --> 00:16:22,360 Speaker 2: extremely long time. What we're trying to do is phase 310 00:16:22,440 --> 00:16:25,280 Speaker 2: them out of that, and that's where our police public 311 00:16:25,280 --> 00:16:28,680 Speaker 2: safety offices are going to be really important as well, 312 00:16:28,720 --> 00:16:32,400 Speaker 2: because it's going to really give reprieve to our constables 313 00:16:32,760 --> 00:16:35,520 Speaker 2: to be out on the frontline really dealing with those 314 00:16:35,600 --> 00:16:38,280 Speaker 2: higher end levels of crime. So there's a lot of 315 00:16:38,320 --> 00:16:41,320 Speaker 2: moving parts to this. It's certainly not job done, but 316 00:16:41,400 --> 00:16:44,800 Speaker 2: we are very very mindful of using police for non 317 00:16:44,840 --> 00:16:49,120 Speaker 2: policing roles, which is why we've done the gfours contract, 318 00:16:49,160 --> 00:16:52,600 Speaker 2: which is why we're moving to the police Public safety offices. 319 00:16:53,000 --> 00:16:55,640 Speaker 2: It's why we're building more beds. I mean, we've got 320 00:16:55,760 --> 00:16:59,680 Speaker 2: Beerrima back online. There's hundreds of people in there. We're 321 00:16:59,680 --> 00:17:01,720 Speaker 2: working really hard to get a Catherine Lawe. 322 00:17:01,760 --> 00:17:04,760 Speaker 1: There's still not enough room for them though. That's I 323 00:17:04,760 --> 00:17:07,000 Speaker 1: suppose the problem. I think a lot of people listening 324 00:17:07,000 --> 00:17:10,040 Speaker 1: to the show will agree, you know, they do not 325 00:17:10,280 --> 00:17:14,400 Speaker 1: want people that are committing serious crimes out on the streets. Certainly, 326 00:17:14,480 --> 00:17:17,439 Speaker 1: no one's saying that, but I guess the concern is 327 00:17:17,480 --> 00:17:20,240 Speaker 1: that as those numbers grow, making sure that we have 328 00:17:20,400 --> 00:17:22,919 Speaker 1: got enough space for them. I know you've pointed out 329 00:17:22,960 --> 00:17:26,440 Speaker 1: what the government is doing, but particularly in that watchhouse, 330 00:17:26,440 --> 00:17:29,480 Speaker 1: you know, making sure that then our police aren't tied 331 00:17:29,560 --> 00:17:32,880 Speaker 1: up doing the jobs of correctional officers or of those 332 00:17:32,920 --> 00:17:35,880 Speaker 1: contractors as you've just touched on, and are actually out 333 00:17:35,880 --> 00:17:37,080 Speaker 1: there catching crimps. 334 00:17:38,000 --> 00:17:40,719 Speaker 2: Yeah, and that's exactly what we want. So, you know, 335 00:17:40,800 --> 00:17:44,480 Speaker 2: we inherited an incredibly broken system, Katie. We're eleven months 336 00:17:44,520 --> 00:17:46,359 Speaker 2: in and we've built six hundred beds. I mean, that 337 00:17:46,520 --> 00:17:49,960 Speaker 2: is that is no small task and we are absolutely 338 00:17:50,040 --> 00:17:53,840 Speaker 2: fiercely committed to this. We've just brought online a new 339 00:17:53,880 --> 00:17:56,359 Speaker 2: facility in Alice Springs, the young people. We've got the 340 00:17:56,400 --> 00:17:58,960 Speaker 2: boot camp down there nearly finished, and the remand sent 341 00:17:59,040 --> 00:18:01,760 Speaker 2: and nearly finished, so there's lots of It's not just 342 00:18:01,840 --> 00:18:05,080 Speaker 2: in Darwin. We've also brought online eight more beds in 343 00:18:05,160 --> 00:18:08,600 Speaker 2: Tenant Creek, so that there is a lot happening. It 344 00:18:08,680 --> 00:18:12,760 Speaker 2: can't happen overnight. Building and constructing is you know, obviously 345 00:18:12,840 --> 00:18:15,439 Speaker 2: takes time, but we are absolutely committed to this. And 346 00:18:15,600 --> 00:18:18,240 Speaker 2: you know, I think people know that it's just we 347 00:18:18,480 --> 00:18:20,280 Speaker 2: ebb and flow on these issues, but at the end 348 00:18:20,280 --> 00:18:22,320 Speaker 2: of the day, they're better off jammed in a watchhouse 349 00:18:22,359 --> 00:18:25,200 Speaker 2: than out on the street. And our police now corrections 350 00:18:25,240 --> 00:18:30,080 Speaker 2: offices are unbelievably amazing. They are just dealing with it 351 00:18:30,160 --> 00:18:31,000 Speaker 2: and getting through it. 352 00:18:31,080 --> 00:18:32,640 Speaker 1: Chee if we've got a little bit to get through, 353 00:18:32,680 --> 00:18:35,000 Speaker 1: and I know we're both pressed for time. The Police 354 00:18:35,040 --> 00:18:38,600 Speaker 1: Association are really annoyed about the situation with the retention bonus. 355 00:18:38,840 --> 00:18:42,560 Speaker 1: Is there going to be any possibility that you'll rethink 356 00:18:42,680 --> 00:18:45,960 Speaker 1: this retention bonus so that those that are maybe at 357 00:18:46,119 --> 00:18:49,480 Speaker 1: you know, eleven years still get the bonus, or those 358 00:18:49,560 --> 00:18:54,119 Speaker 1: that aren't quite on that milestone year but are obviously 359 00:18:54,320 --> 00:18:56,479 Speaker 1: very loyal to the force and have worked there for 360 00:18:56,520 --> 00:18:59,080 Speaker 1: a long time that they receive that bonus. 361 00:19:00,080 --> 00:19:04,160 Speaker 2: Well, this is again just nonsense. Honestly, Katie, I don't 362 00:19:04,160 --> 00:19:06,840 Speaker 2: know how many times we can have this police retention 363 00:19:06,960 --> 00:19:11,480 Speaker 2: bonus conversation with the NTPA. We made an election commitment. 364 00:19:11,600 --> 00:19:13,760 Speaker 2: We have stuck to the election commitment, and then on 365 00:19:13,880 --> 00:19:17,200 Speaker 2: top of the election commitment, I've tipped in another nine 366 00:19:17,440 --> 00:19:22,040 Speaker 2: million dollars for retention bonuses. Now, the NTPA were very 367 00:19:22,040 --> 00:19:25,000 Speaker 2: critical about that. We've put it into the EBA. So 368 00:19:25,040 --> 00:19:28,600 Speaker 2: I've said, rather than a politician deciding how the bonus 369 00:19:28,800 --> 00:19:32,399 Speaker 2: should work, you, the NTPA, the people who represent police, 370 00:19:32,560 --> 00:19:35,280 Speaker 2: you work it out as part of the EBA. And 371 00:19:35,359 --> 00:19:38,080 Speaker 2: so that money has been tipped in and an offer 372 00:19:38,080 --> 00:19:40,439 Speaker 2: has gone out to our police, which is terrific. So 373 00:19:41,640 --> 00:19:45,480 Speaker 2: the retention bonus will be delivered as per the election commitment. 374 00:19:45,800 --> 00:19:49,840 Speaker 2: I've also added in several millions more dollars for retention 375 00:19:50,359 --> 00:19:53,040 Speaker 2: and the advice coming back from NTPA is that it's 376 00:19:53,080 --> 00:19:56,840 Speaker 2: better that all cops get more money rather than hitting milestones. 377 00:19:56,920 --> 00:20:00,639 Speaker 2: And so that's that's all been part of the EBA process. 378 00:20:00,720 --> 00:20:02,800 Speaker 1: Katie, all right, Chief Finista, I'm going to move along 379 00:20:02,840 --> 00:20:05,359 Speaker 1: because there's plenty of people listening this morning who want 380 00:20:05,359 --> 00:20:07,679 Speaker 1: to know what the situation is with middle schools. We 381 00:20:07,800 --> 00:20:10,600 Speaker 1: know that they're set to be scrapped. How soon are 382 00:20:10,640 --> 00:20:13,240 Speaker 1: the middle school changes going to come into effect? I 383 00:20:13,280 --> 00:20:16,960 Speaker 1: know the Education Minister is out today with some updates. 384 00:20:18,200 --> 00:20:20,600 Speaker 2: Yeah, it'll all be fully done by twenty twenty eight, 385 00:20:20,640 --> 00:20:24,400 Speaker 2: so it will require some staging. But we're really excited 386 00:20:24,400 --> 00:20:27,360 Speaker 2: to be delivering this reform. It's really important. We need 387 00:20:27,440 --> 00:20:30,920 Speaker 2: high quality schools for our kids, and certainly year seven 388 00:20:30,960 --> 00:20:33,440 Speaker 2: to twelve is going to give a much better continuity 389 00:20:33,480 --> 00:20:37,400 Speaker 2: and stability and access to career progression. So what we've 390 00:20:37,440 --> 00:20:40,159 Speaker 2: done is we are making sure that we have We 391 00:20:40,160 --> 00:20:43,760 Speaker 2: will have four seven to twelve schools in Dripstone, Nightcliff, 392 00:20:43,760 --> 00:20:46,720 Speaker 2: Sanderson and Darwam. They will be you know, so kids 393 00:20:46,760 --> 00:20:49,200 Speaker 2: can then do their entire high school at those schools. 394 00:20:49,520 --> 00:20:52,520 Speaker 2: We will then make sure that Casurina Senior College is 395 00:20:52,560 --> 00:20:55,600 Speaker 2: really focused on higher education for those kids who want 396 00:20:55,880 --> 00:20:59,840 Speaker 2: university pathways, will make sure Sanderson is focused on trades, 397 00:21:00,200 --> 00:21:03,760 Speaker 2: industry and technical for those kids who want those technical 398 00:21:03,800 --> 00:21:09,000 Speaker 2: pathways and trade pathways. In Palmerston, well Overdue Rosebury will 399 00:21:09,040 --> 00:21:12,040 Speaker 2: become a seven to twelve and Palmerston will become a 400 00:21:12,080 --> 00:21:15,960 Speaker 2: seven to twelve, so parents will have two choices here 401 00:21:16,000 --> 00:21:19,600 Speaker 2: in the Palmestan region and Alice Springs will have Centralian 402 00:21:19,600 --> 00:21:22,600 Speaker 2: Middle School as seven to nine and then again an 403 00:21:22,600 --> 00:21:27,840 Speaker 2: industry trade flexible education out at the Centralian College Senior 404 00:21:27,880 --> 00:21:31,679 Speaker 2: College site. So big changes, but it will be a 405 00:21:31,840 --> 00:21:34,880 Speaker 2: much better opportunity for kids to really target what they 406 00:21:34,880 --> 00:21:36,639 Speaker 2: want to do in life. And at the end of 407 00:21:36,680 --> 00:21:39,199 Speaker 2: the day, our kids need to understand the jobs of 408 00:21:39,240 --> 00:21:42,040 Speaker 2: the future, the jobs here in the territory, and so 409 00:21:42,320 --> 00:21:44,119 Speaker 2: our job as a government is to make sure that 410 00:21:44,200 --> 00:21:46,960 Speaker 2: they get that exposure in school, that we support them 411 00:21:46,960 --> 00:21:50,080 Speaker 2: with those pathways and hopefully they all finish year twelve 412 00:21:50,160 --> 00:21:52,400 Speaker 2: or whatever it is, whatever pathway they're on, and then 413 00:21:52,520 --> 00:21:54,560 Speaker 2: stay and become part of our workforce. 414 00:21:54,920 --> 00:21:56,960 Speaker 1: Well, we will talk more about this this morning. I'll 415 00:21:56,960 --> 00:21:59,159 Speaker 1: give people a little further detail as well as the 416 00:21:59,160 --> 00:22:01,560 Speaker 1: morning Progressive Chief Minister. Before I let you go, I 417 00:22:01,720 --> 00:22:03,720 Speaker 1: just got a message from one of our listeners, So 418 00:22:03,920 --> 00:22:06,040 Speaker 1: good morning, Katie. Might be a bit late, but I'm 419 00:22:06,080 --> 00:22:10,119 Speaker 1: a road train operator and travel through Catherine and Tenant 420 00:22:10,160 --> 00:22:13,119 Speaker 1: Creek weekly during the night and get rocks thrown at 421 00:22:13,119 --> 00:22:16,359 Speaker 1: my truck often. Can you please bring this up with 422 00:22:16,480 --> 00:22:19,879 Speaker 1: the Chief Minister. Thank you, says that text, Chief Minister. 423 00:22:19,960 --> 00:22:22,560 Speaker 1: I guess it is just another example of the fact 424 00:22:22,560 --> 00:22:25,879 Speaker 1: that you know, there are, like there is still people 425 00:22:25,880 --> 00:22:28,240 Speaker 1: out on the streets doing whatever the hell they want 426 00:22:28,280 --> 00:22:28,840 Speaker 1: at the moment. 427 00:22:29,080 --> 00:22:32,080 Speaker 2: Yeah, yeah, there is, and there absolutely is. And we've 428 00:22:32,080 --> 00:22:35,160 Speaker 2: had a decade where the government has turned a blind 429 00:22:35,200 --> 00:22:38,840 Speaker 2: eye and allowed people to engage in the most disgusting 430 00:22:38,880 --> 00:22:41,040 Speaker 2: of behavior. I mean, this is some of it we 431 00:22:41,040 --> 00:22:43,960 Speaker 2: can do quickly and we've seen some really good results, 432 00:22:44,000 --> 00:22:47,240 Speaker 2: and others is long term stuff. But at the end 433 00:22:47,280 --> 00:22:50,399 Speaker 2: of the day, it's unacceptable. The police will catch you, 434 00:22:50,480 --> 00:22:53,359 Speaker 2: we will put you in prison, and as a deputy 435 00:22:53,400 --> 00:22:56,119 Speaker 2: always says, we'll find a bed. But this is unacceptable 436 00:22:56,119 --> 00:22:59,520 Speaker 2: and we're doing everything we can in terms of stronger laws, 437 00:22:59,600 --> 00:23:03,480 Speaker 2: more per leeds, better opportunities for our police to engage 438 00:23:03,480 --> 00:23:05,479 Speaker 2: in the work that they need to be doing. And 439 00:23:05,520 --> 00:23:08,240 Speaker 2: then that root causes of crime stuff with getting kids 440 00:23:08,240 --> 00:23:11,480 Speaker 2: to school, the Circuit Breaker program through children and families. 441 00:23:11,840 --> 00:23:14,840 Speaker 2: We've got a Parental Responsibility Act coming through later this 442 00:23:14,960 --> 00:23:18,560 Speaker 2: year as well, and so it's about you know, all 443 00:23:18,600 --> 00:23:21,160 Speaker 2: of those other things to make sure people aren't turning 444 00:23:21,200 --> 00:23:22,879 Speaker 2: to a life of crime. But if you've turned to 445 00:23:22,920 --> 00:23:25,480 Speaker 2: a life of crime, the police will catch up with you. 446 00:23:25,800 --> 00:23:27,600 Speaker 1: Chief Minister, we are going to have to leave it there. 447 00:23:27,720 --> 00:23:29,600 Speaker 1: Thank you, as always for your time this morning. 448 00:23:30,440 --> 00:23:31,520 Speaker 2: Thank you take care of everything. 449 00:23:31,520 --> 00:23:32,120 Speaker 1: Thank you.