1 00:00:00,160 --> 00:00:03,360 Speaker 1: Well, Parliament resumes in the Northern Territory this morning for 2 00:00:03,400 --> 00:00:07,640 Speaker 1: the first time since the August twenty second election. Joining 3 00:00:07,680 --> 00:00:09,799 Speaker 1: me on the line is the Leader of Government Business 4 00:00:09,880 --> 00:00:10,800 Speaker 1: at Tasha Files. 5 00:00:10,800 --> 00:00:13,600 Speaker 2: Good morning, Good morning, Katie, Good morning listener. 6 00:00:14,080 --> 00:00:16,520 Speaker 1: Now, Minister, we know it is the first time that 7 00:00:16,600 --> 00:00:20,000 Speaker 1: Parliament's going to sit since Labor was re elected. What's 8 00:00:20,040 --> 00:00:22,239 Speaker 1: on the agenda so this. 9 00:00:22,280 --> 00:00:25,600 Speaker 2: Morning, Katie, it'll be some proceedings that are quite ceremonial 10 00:00:25,640 --> 00:00:28,360 Speaker 2: with all members of the Assembly this morning, and of 11 00:00:28,400 --> 00:00:31,120 Speaker 2: course that those new members to the Parliament will have 12 00:00:31,120 --> 00:00:33,960 Speaker 2: a welcome to country with Richard Piedro. But then it 13 00:00:34,000 --> 00:00:36,800 Speaker 2: will be straight to business and we'll be making sure 14 00:00:36,840 --> 00:00:40,880 Speaker 2: that we're focused on territory in job creation and keeping 15 00:00:40,880 --> 00:00:42,560 Speaker 2: people safe from the coronavirus. 16 00:00:42,680 --> 00:00:45,400 Speaker 1: Yeah. I noted in a statement yesterday that the Territory 17 00:00:45,479 --> 00:00:48,680 Speaker 1: Labor government said they will formally set their job creating 18 00:00:48,840 --> 00:00:51,960 Speaker 1: agenda for the next four years today in Parliament. 19 00:00:52,240 --> 00:00:56,320 Speaker 2: How so, we have the formal speech to the Parliament 20 00:00:56,400 --> 00:00:58,880 Speaker 2: so delivered by the Administrator, and then the Chief Minister 21 00:00:58,960 --> 00:01:01,920 Speaker 2: responds outlining our strong plans for the next four years. 22 00:01:02,280 --> 00:01:05,200 Speaker 2: We know that we've kept people safe from the coronavirus 23 00:01:05,240 --> 00:01:08,280 Speaker 2: and now's our opportunity to be that comeback capital and 24 00:01:08,319 --> 00:01:11,520 Speaker 2: so we're looking at diversifying the economy, making sure that 25 00:01:11,800 --> 00:01:14,480 Speaker 2: we really build upon the opportunities we have here in 26 00:01:14,520 --> 00:01:17,000 Speaker 2: the territory. So that will be straight on the agenda 27 00:01:17,040 --> 00:01:19,280 Speaker 2: this morning, following that ceremonial proceeding. 28 00:01:19,600 --> 00:01:22,960 Speaker 1: So what legislation is going to be introduced in Parliament 29 00:01:22,959 --> 00:01:23,520 Speaker 1: this week? 30 00:01:24,520 --> 00:01:27,800 Speaker 2: So, Katie, when a new Assembly is sworn in, everything 31 00:01:27,840 --> 00:01:31,040 Speaker 2: that's previously been on a notice paper or perhaps before 32 00:01:31,080 --> 00:01:34,440 Speaker 2: the Assembly does, it goes away, and so there'll be 33 00:01:34,440 --> 00:01:37,880 Speaker 2: two pieces of legislation introduced, and then of course in 34 00:01:37,920 --> 00:01:40,039 Speaker 2: the November sittings just in a few weeks time, we'll 35 00:01:40,080 --> 00:01:41,080 Speaker 2: be delivering our budget. 36 00:01:41,360 --> 00:01:44,720 Speaker 1: So Minister, if the agenda is job creation, why is 37 00:01:44,760 --> 00:01:47,840 Speaker 1: there no legislation being introduced today or this week in 38 00:01:47,920 --> 00:01:49,280 Speaker 1: Parliament around that? 39 00:01:50,480 --> 00:01:53,720 Speaker 2: So, Katie, there's two pieces of legislation being introduced, and then, 40 00:01:53,880 --> 00:01:57,560 Speaker 2: as we've publicly outlined, the Chief Minister will deliver his 41 00:01:57,720 --> 00:02:00,360 Speaker 2: budget in November and there'll be pieces of legislation to 42 00:02:00,400 --> 00:02:03,000 Speaker 2: do with that, as there always is, and then we'll 43 00:02:03,000 --> 00:02:05,680 Speaker 2: come back in December. It'll go through the estimates process 44 00:02:06,080 --> 00:02:08,359 Speaker 2: and that budget will pass, so we're very much straight 45 00:02:08,400 --> 00:02:12,200 Speaker 2: back to work, recognizing that territories have had a really 46 00:02:12,200 --> 00:02:15,080 Speaker 2: difficult year and as we shift the attention from that 47 00:02:15,200 --> 00:02:18,840 Speaker 2: health crisis across to the economic opportunities that we have. 48 00:02:19,080 --> 00:02:22,240 Speaker 1: Okay, so today or this week though, there's no legislation 49 00:02:22,320 --> 00:02:26,840 Speaker 1: around job creation or anything else sort of in that arena, 50 00:02:26,960 --> 00:02:27,280 Speaker 1: so that. 51 00:02:27,240 --> 00:02:29,320 Speaker 2: Will be in the budget that's delivered in early November. 52 00:02:29,560 --> 00:02:31,480 Speaker 1: So I'll have to wait a few more weeks to 53 00:02:32,040 --> 00:02:34,960 Speaker 1: find out exactly how those jobs are going to be created. 54 00:02:35,000 --> 00:02:35,959 Speaker 1: By the sounds of it. 55 00:02:37,080 --> 00:02:40,320 Speaker 2: Katie, we've certainly beaten on the record around diversifying the 56 00:02:40,360 --> 00:02:44,360 Speaker 2: economy pivoting off the opportunities we have, so certainly that 57 00:02:44,360 --> 00:02:46,600 Speaker 2: will be a focus in the Chief Ministry speech this morning. 58 00:02:46,760 --> 00:02:49,000 Speaker 1: Now, Minister a question that has been sent through to 59 00:02:49,120 --> 00:02:51,600 Speaker 1: us by one of our listeners. They're wondering where that 60 00:02:51,720 --> 00:02:56,919 Speaker 1: pet legislation is at. That was introduced well before coronavirus hit. 61 00:02:58,240 --> 00:03:01,480 Speaker 2: So, Katie, we had the legislation around tendancies and as 62 00:03:01,480 --> 00:03:05,400 Speaker 2: a part of that, with changes allowing the presumption for 63 00:03:05,760 --> 00:03:09,320 Speaker 2: tenants to have a PET, that process did go to 64 00:03:09,520 --> 00:03:12,240 Speaker 2: NTCAT if someone did want it to not have a 65 00:03:12,280 --> 00:03:16,480 Speaker 2: pet and so with the COVID impact on services, that 66 00:03:16,600 --> 00:03:19,560 Speaker 2: legislation was deferred. And my understanding is that legislation is 67 00:03:19,560 --> 00:03:21,519 Speaker 2: still deferred. It hasn't been gazetted. 68 00:03:21,800 --> 00:03:24,200 Speaker 1: I mean, really, is it something that you're going to 69 00:03:24,240 --> 00:03:26,920 Speaker 1: introduce at this point. It did bring about quite a 70 00:03:26,919 --> 00:03:29,560 Speaker 1: bit of negative feedback. People weren't overly keen. 71 00:03:30,840 --> 00:03:33,240 Speaker 2: Yeah, Katie, it's certainly brought out mixed views in the community. 72 00:03:33,280 --> 00:03:35,440 Speaker 2: And I know that the new Attorney General, Selene Obo 73 00:03:35,560 --> 00:03:37,000 Speaker 2: has been looking at that, so that would be a 74 00:03:37,040 --> 00:03:37,760 Speaker 2: question best. 75 00:03:37,600 --> 00:03:43,600 Speaker 1: Place for her, Okay, so that one falls under her portfolio, now. 76 00:03:42,240 --> 00:03:44,720 Speaker 2: Correct, that falls in there. And we've also got the 77 00:03:44,720 --> 00:03:46,280 Speaker 2: Minister for Urban Housing as well. 78 00:03:46,640 --> 00:03:48,680 Speaker 1: Okay, I am keen to ask you a little bit 79 00:03:48,680 --> 00:03:54,240 Speaker 1: more about the Howard Springs facility, but particularly about those evacuees, 80 00:03:54,360 --> 00:03:56,760 Speaker 1: those ex pats, those Aussie ex pats that we are 81 00:03:56,800 --> 00:04:01,400 Speaker 1: anticipating will begin arriving on Friday this week. We did 82 00:04:01,440 --> 00:04:04,440 Speaker 1: ask the Chief Minister yesterday about how exactly that payment 83 00:04:04,560 --> 00:04:08,120 Speaker 1: is happening. Take a listen. Are the people that we 84 00:04:08,160 --> 00:04:11,440 Speaker 1: are repatriating back here to the Northern Territory from other 85 00:04:11,480 --> 00:04:14,720 Speaker 1: parts of the world. Those Aussies, they are going to 86 00:04:14,760 --> 00:04:17,520 Speaker 1: be paying themselves that two and a half thousand dollars up. 87 00:04:17,760 --> 00:04:20,200 Speaker 2: An Australian gunment will be doing the charging on that one. 88 00:04:20,440 --> 00:04:22,920 Speaker 1: Okay, yeah, so still the twenty four hundred, so consistent pricing, 89 00:04:23,120 --> 00:04:26,400 Speaker 1: but Australian gunments can be doing that charging. So excuse 90 00:04:26,440 --> 00:04:29,800 Speaker 1: my ignorance, but how exactly is it going to work here? 91 00:04:29,920 --> 00:04:32,599 Speaker 1: Is it a situation where the federal government is paying 92 00:04:32,640 --> 00:04:36,839 Speaker 1: the Northern Territory government to facilitate the evacuees and then 93 00:04:37,320 --> 00:04:41,719 Speaker 1: they're invoicing the evacuees. How exactly does it work, Katie? 94 00:04:41,720 --> 00:04:44,279 Speaker 2: Exactly as you've just outlined. So the Northern Territory government 95 00:04:44,279 --> 00:04:47,400 Speaker 2: in the Australian government will have formal agreement and that 96 00:04:47,520 --> 00:04:50,360 Speaker 2: was the fifty or over fifty million dollars that the 97 00:04:50,440 --> 00:04:53,240 Speaker 2: federal government announced that will come through the National Critical 98 00:04:53,320 --> 00:04:55,599 Speaker 2: Care and Trauma Center and into the Northern Churchary government 99 00:04:55,600 --> 00:04:57,640 Speaker 2: to make sure that territory tax payers are not worse 100 00:04:57,720 --> 00:05:01,279 Speaker 2: off throan this. The Australian government then collect that fee 101 00:05:01,320 --> 00:05:04,599 Speaker 2: from Australians for the quarantine services at that center. 102 00:05:05,000 --> 00:05:07,200 Speaker 1: Now, obviously that is where we are going to be 103 00:05:07,240 --> 00:05:10,120 Speaker 1: housing these Australian expats I believe that they're coming in 104 00:05:10,160 --> 00:05:14,880 Speaker 1: waves of five hundred, and really the exact number at 105 00:05:14,880 --> 00:05:17,280 Speaker 1: this point is looking like it's going to be around 106 00:05:17,360 --> 00:05:18,960 Speaker 1: five thousand. Is that right? 107 00:05:20,040 --> 00:05:22,719 Speaker 2: So, Katie, what we have agreed to is to get 108 00:05:22,760 --> 00:05:26,240 Speaker 2: these OSSI's home, These the mum's, dad, cousin's relatives who 109 00:05:26,240 --> 00:05:29,600 Speaker 2: need a pathway into Australia, and that facility has proven 110 00:05:30,040 --> 00:05:32,680 Speaker 2: from its state based quarantining that it works well. So 111 00:05:32,800 --> 00:05:34,800 Speaker 2: a section of that is going to be co hoorted 112 00:05:34,800 --> 00:05:37,920 Speaker 2: off for the international arrivs and so people will work 113 00:05:37,920 --> 00:05:41,359 Speaker 2: with DEFAT, they'll book their tickets and the Australian government 114 00:05:41,360 --> 00:05:42,800 Speaker 2: will collect those fees from them. 115 00:05:43,120 --> 00:05:46,200 Speaker 1: Okay. Senator Sam McMahon this morning has told the Northern 116 00:05:46,320 --> 00:05:49,599 Speaker 1: Territory News that she Reckons Bladon Village has got about 117 00:05:49,640 --> 00:05:52,839 Speaker 1: two thousand beds and enough space to handle five hundred 118 00:05:53,080 --> 00:05:56,680 Speaker 1: repatriating OSSI's a fortnite to help more stranded ossis come 119 00:05:56,720 --> 00:05:59,200 Speaker 1: home before Christmas. What do you think is this a 120 00:05:59,240 --> 00:06:01,160 Speaker 1: good idea? 121 00:06:01,279 --> 00:06:05,000 Speaker 2: So, Senator Sam McMahon, of course, as our senator and 122 00:06:05,080 --> 00:06:07,840 Speaker 2: as a member of the Liberal Coalition government should suggest 123 00:06:07,880 --> 00:06:11,480 Speaker 2: these ideas directly to the federal ministers. But that is 124 00:06:11,520 --> 00:06:14,120 Speaker 2: a privately owned facility. It's not owned or run by 125 00:06:14,120 --> 00:06:17,480 Speaker 2: the Northern Territory government. And so the repatriation of Ozzie's 126 00:06:17,520 --> 00:06:21,000 Speaker 2: into Australia, the Federal government has taken that responsibility. We've 127 00:06:21,000 --> 00:06:23,800 Speaker 2: worked with them around the Howard Springs facility and it's 128 00:06:23,839 --> 00:06:26,039 Speaker 2: important for your listeners to note, Katie that we will 129 00:06:26,040 --> 00:06:29,800 Speaker 2: still be operating state based quarantine at Howard Springs. We 130 00:06:29,920 --> 00:06:32,239 Speaker 2: still have capacity if we were to see an outbreak 131 00:06:32,279 --> 00:06:34,760 Speaker 2: in the Northern Territory, and so we very much made 132 00:06:34,800 --> 00:06:38,680 Speaker 2: sure that Territorians are kept in terms of, you know, 133 00:06:38,760 --> 00:06:41,440 Speaker 2: making sure their priorities are there in running that facility. 134 00:06:41,440 --> 00:06:43,720 Speaker 2: But there was the opportunity at Howard Springs for those 135 00:06:43,760 --> 00:06:46,200 Speaker 2: beds to help get Ousie's home. If other people have 136 00:06:46,240 --> 00:06:48,320 Speaker 2: other ideas, they're certainly welcome to push them to the 137 00:06:48,360 --> 00:06:49,000 Speaker 2: federal government. 138 00:06:49,160 --> 00:06:51,719 Speaker 1: Okay, So it's not actually a Northern Territory government decision 139 00:06:51,760 --> 00:06:54,240 Speaker 1: by the sounds of things. If this is going to happen, 140 00:06:54,480 --> 00:06:57,159 Speaker 1: it needs to be facilitated through the Federal government. 141 00:06:58,040 --> 00:07:01,159 Speaker 2: Absolutely, the repatriation of Australians caught up overseas and there's 142 00:07:01,200 --> 00:07:03,880 Speaker 2: many tragic stories, Katie, and we do need to get 143 00:07:03,920 --> 00:07:06,600 Speaker 2: these people home is the responsibility of the federal government. 144 00:07:06,640 --> 00:07:08,839 Speaker 2: We've worked with them around the facility that we own 145 00:07:08,880 --> 00:07:12,120 Speaker 2: and we operate Howard's Greens. But other ideas. The senateent 146 00:07:12,280 --> 00:07:13,440 Speaker 2: man should talk to her colleague. 147 00:07:13,520 --> 00:07:16,000 Speaker 1: If the federal government came forward and said, look, let's 148 00:07:16,000 --> 00:07:18,560 Speaker 1: look at another facility in the Northern Territory, would you 149 00:07:18,640 --> 00:07:19,160 Speaker 1: go for it. 150 00:07:20,080 --> 00:07:22,320 Speaker 2: We'd put the interests of territories first. That's what we've 151 00:07:22,360 --> 00:07:24,800 Speaker 2: done throughout coronavirus. That's what we've done in working through 152 00:07:24,840 --> 00:07:28,120 Speaker 2: the Howard Springs arrangement around making sure as I've just 153 00:07:28,240 --> 00:07:30,520 Speaker 2: outlined for you, I won't rego over it again, but 154 00:07:30,560 --> 00:07:32,880 Speaker 2: there's capacity for the territory if we were to need 155 00:07:33,160 --> 00:07:36,160 Speaker 2: that facility for our own use, and we can continue 156 00:07:36,160 --> 00:07:38,960 Speaker 2: to run the state based hotspot quarantining at the same time. 157 00:07:39,280 --> 00:07:41,800 Speaker 1: Minister, just one other topic that I'm keen to ask 158 00:07:41,840 --> 00:07:44,680 Speaker 1: you about this morning. We know that a joint coronial 159 00:07:44,720 --> 00:07:47,920 Speaker 1: inquiry into the deaths of three youths in Arnham Land, 160 00:07:48,240 --> 00:07:51,040 Speaker 1: who each died after a long history of petrol sniffing, 161 00:07:51,080 --> 00:07:54,760 Speaker 1: concluded yesterday. It is reported today in the Northern Territory 162 00:07:54,880 --> 00:07:59,320 Speaker 1: News the rageous failings and indifference of the Northern Territory 163 00:07:59,360 --> 00:08:02,520 Speaker 1: Health Department may have caused the deaths of three children. 164 00:08:03,400 --> 00:08:06,640 Speaker 1: That's what the inquest has heard now. In his final address, 165 00:08:06,800 --> 00:08:10,880 Speaker 1: Counsel Assistant Kelvin Curry said department staff had ignored critical 166 00:08:10,920 --> 00:08:15,600 Speaker 1: findings from a previous inquest in twenty seventeen by continuing 167 00:08:15,640 --> 00:08:19,040 Speaker 1: to fly out their legal requirements. Mister Curry said the 168 00:08:19,080 --> 00:08:23,440 Speaker 1: earlier inquiry found department workers had failed to prepare a 169 00:08:23,520 --> 00:08:27,040 Speaker 1: report for the Chief Health Officer with treatment options as 170 00:08:27,080 --> 00:08:31,320 Speaker 1: required by law. Minister, what changes are going to be 171 00:08:31,440 --> 00:08:33,760 Speaker 1: made as a result of this inquest? 172 00:08:34,960 --> 00:08:37,440 Speaker 2: Katie? Before I respond to your question, the death of 173 00:08:37,520 --> 00:08:40,640 Speaker 2: any child is tragic and we send our sympathies to 174 00:08:40,679 --> 00:08:43,320 Speaker 2: the family and friends and the communities impacted by this. 175 00:08:43,720 --> 00:08:46,360 Speaker 2: The Department of Health and other agencies have been cooperating 176 00:08:46,400 --> 00:08:49,840 Speaker 2: with the coronial investigation. It's an extremely complex matter which 177 00:08:49,880 --> 00:08:52,520 Speaker 2: involves the range of stakeholders from both government and non 178 00:08:52,520 --> 00:08:55,880 Speaker 2: government along with community and of course the coroner will 179 00:08:55,880 --> 00:08:58,880 Speaker 2: hand down his findings and will certainly when we receive 180 00:08:59,000 --> 00:09:00,120 Speaker 2: that act upon it. 181 00:09:00,360 --> 00:09:03,679 Speaker 1: Has the system failed these kids, Katie? 182 00:09:03,880 --> 00:09:06,160 Speaker 2: The matter has just the hearings have just wound up 183 00:09:06,240 --> 00:09:08,400 Speaker 2: and so we'll await that report to make sure that 184 00:09:08,440 --> 00:09:11,200 Speaker 2: we have all the information presented to us before we 185 00:09:11,240 --> 00:09:14,440 Speaker 2: provide comment. But it is extremely, you know, tragic what 186 00:09:14,480 --> 00:09:17,240 Speaker 2: has happened. It's a complex matter and we certainly need 187 00:09:17,280 --> 00:09:17,760 Speaker 2: to do better. 188 00:09:18,000 --> 00:09:20,720 Speaker 1: I mean, as you as the Minister for Health, are 189 00:09:20,760 --> 00:09:25,040 Speaker 1: you prepared to make legislative changes or to do anything 190 00:09:25,040 --> 00:09:27,800 Speaker 1: that's required to ensure that this doesn't happen again. 191 00:09:28,880 --> 00:09:30,280 Speaker 2: So Katie, I do want to be careful with my 192 00:09:30,320 --> 00:09:32,760 Speaker 2: comments because the Currenter hasn't handed down his final report. 193 00:09:32,760 --> 00:09:34,960 Speaker 2: But I understand there was a coronial previously and there 194 00:09:35,040 --> 00:09:37,400 Speaker 2: was some recommendation, so we need to see in the 195 00:09:37,400 --> 00:09:41,720 Speaker 2: investigation into this incident what took place and compare that 196 00:09:41,800 --> 00:09:45,200 Speaker 2: against those recommendations, the current legislation and processes and go 197 00:09:45,320 --> 00:09:45,800 Speaker 2: from there. 198 00:09:45,960 --> 00:09:49,320 Speaker 1: Well, Minister for Health also Leader of Government Business and 199 00:09:49,360 --> 00:09:52,600 Speaker 1: Minister for Tourism, Natasha Files, we always appreciate your time 200 00:09:53,240 --> 00:09:54,560 Speaker 1: good luck in Parliament today. 201 00:09:55,640 --> 00:09:56,480 Speaker 2: Thanks Katie. 202 00:09:56,720 --> 00:09:58,760 Speaker 1: You are listening to Mix one oh four point nine 203 00:09:58,960 --> 00:10:00,320 Speaker 1: three sixty m HM.