1 00:00:00,200 --> 00:00:03,080 Speaker 1: A funding shortage is being blamed for serious issues with 2 00:00:03,120 --> 00:00:07,600 Speaker 1: homelessness in Alice Springs. Local mayor Matt Patterson has told 3 00:00:07,600 --> 00:00:11,159 Speaker 1: Sky News that the NT is receiving a fraction of 4 00:00:11,200 --> 00:00:13,800 Speaker 1: the amount being given to other states from the Commonwealth 5 00:00:13,880 --> 00:00:17,680 Speaker 1: under the National Housing and Homelessness Agreement, calling it a 6 00:00:17,800 --> 00:00:21,800 Speaker 1: national embarrassment. He joins me on the line right now, 7 00:00:21,840 --> 00:00:23,120 Speaker 1: Good morning to you, Matt. 8 00:00:23,760 --> 00:00:25,040 Speaker 2: Good morning Katy, thanks for having me. 9 00:00:25,120 --> 00:00:27,440 Speaker 1: Yeah, thanks so much for your time. Now talk us 10 00:00:27,520 --> 00:00:30,680 Speaker 1: through the number of people who are homeless compared to 11 00:00:30,760 --> 00:00:33,520 Speaker 1: other states, well specifically in Alice. 12 00:00:34,920 --> 00:00:37,120 Speaker 2: Yeah, so, I mean Northern Territory is a whole going 13 00:00:37,120 --> 00:00:40,240 Speaker 2: off the last census data has US at around thirteen thousand. 14 00:00:41,560 --> 00:00:45,320 Speaker 2: Western Australia as a whole has nine thousand. So we've 15 00:00:45,360 --> 00:00:47,760 Speaker 2: got more homeless people than Western Australia and I think 16 00:00:47,800 --> 00:00:50,440 Speaker 2: that's the key figure. Yeah, that's not per capita, that's 17 00:00:50,560 --> 00:00:55,200 Speaker 2: raw data. So let's make my ease prick up. Is 18 00:00:55,280 --> 00:00:59,080 Speaker 2: the amount of funding that Western Australia and other states 19 00:00:59,120 --> 00:01:02,320 Speaker 2: receive from the federal government compared to the Northern Territory. 20 00:01:02,680 --> 00:01:05,360 Speaker 2: So to put things in perspective, Western Australia have nine 21 00:01:05,400 --> 00:01:07,200 Speaker 2: thousand people I who am a homeless they receive one 22 00:01:07,240 --> 00:01:09,440 Speaker 2: hundred and eighty million dollars from the federal government one 23 00:01:09,480 --> 00:01:13,480 Speaker 2: hundred and seventy eight million dollars, so huge figure. Northern 24 00:01:13,560 --> 00:01:15,600 Speaker 2: Territory receive twenty million. 25 00:01:17,880 --> 00:01:20,479 Speaker 1: It's really unbelievable when you think of it like that. 26 00:01:20,600 --> 00:01:24,039 Speaker 1: It's pretty unbelievable just looking at the sheer volume of 27 00:01:24,080 --> 00:01:27,759 Speaker 1: homeless people that we've got comparatively to a huge state 28 00:01:27,880 --> 00:01:28,600 Speaker 1: like Wa. 29 00:01:29,880 --> 00:01:32,119 Speaker 2: Yeah, it's mind boggling, isn't it. And I think that 30 00:01:32,160 --> 00:01:36,560 Speaker 2: the raw stats is just such an eye and it is. 31 00:01:36,880 --> 00:01:39,759 Speaker 2: I've said it before. It is a national embarrassment that 32 00:01:41,120 --> 00:01:43,760 Speaker 2: homeless people in Western Australia and other states around the 33 00:01:43,760 --> 00:01:46,959 Speaker 2: country are treated differently to those in the territory Katie So. 34 00:01:47,640 --> 00:01:52,840 Speaker 2: In Western Australia the federal government give Western Australia twenty 35 00:01:52,920 --> 00:01:57,680 Speaker 2: seven thousand dollars basically per homeless person to fund them. 36 00:01:58,080 --> 00:02:01,320 Speaker 2: Northern Territory gets fourteen hundred and fift dollars per homeless person. 37 00:02:01,480 --> 00:02:03,480 Speaker 2: I mean that's the figure that is really in your 38 00:02:03,480 --> 00:02:07,600 Speaker 2: face and hard to comprehend to be honest, Now, what 39 00:02:07,640 --> 00:02:08,080 Speaker 2: do you. 40 00:02:08,040 --> 00:02:14,800 Speaker 1: Think needs to happen? You know, and specifically for Alice Springs, So. 41 00:02:15,240 --> 00:02:16,959 Speaker 2: A few things. I know, we've got to visit a 42 00:02:17,040 --> 00:02:19,960 Speaker 2: park down the road that they're looking to have to 43 00:02:20,000 --> 00:02:22,000 Speaker 2: build more rooms, and I think that's a really good step. 44 00:02:23,160 --> 00:02:25,040 Speaker 2: I think it's taken far too long to get there, 45 00:02:25,080 --> 00:02:27,799 Speaker 2: but it is happening, so that is a really good step. 46 00:02:28,760 --> 00:02:31,040 Speaker 2: The second piece of it, I believe is that we 47 00:02:31,120 --> 00:02:34,120 Speaker 2: need to invest in a Youth for It. They call 48 00:02:34,160 --> 00:02:36,840 Speaker 2: it Katie, and that is where we can engage kids 49 00:02:36,880 --> 00:02:40,240 Speaker 2: between sixteen and twenty five. When they go into the 50 00:02:40,240 --> 00:02:43,480 Speaker 2: Youth for You, they say that they will undertake education, 51 00:02:43,600 --> 00:02:47,080 Speaker 2: TAKEE or work and they need to do that to 52 00:02:47,080 --> 00:02:50,080 Speaker 2: stay in the Youth for You. The success rates are 53 00:02:50,120 --> 00:02:52,960 Speaker 2: fantastic around the country. The Northern Territory is the only 54 00:02:53,040 --> 00:02:55,200 Speaker 2: jurisdiction in the country that doesn't have a Youth for You. 55 00:02:55,680 --> 00:02:59,680 Speaker 2: So I think the time has come that we invest 56 00:02:59,680 --> 00:03:03,000 Speaker 2: in one of those in our springs. I've mentioned on 57 00:03:03,040 --> 00:03:05,520 Speaker 2: your program many times that we know kids are on 58 00:03:05,560 --> 00:03:07,280 Speaker 2: the street because it's safer for them to be on 59 00:03:07,320 --> 00:03:09,480 Speaker 2: the street than at home. So this is a prime 60 00:03:09,520 --> 00:03:12,280 Speaker 2: example of trying things. It may not work, but I 61 00:03:12,320 --> 00:03:13,320 Speaker 2: think we've got to try it. 62 00:03:13,840 --> 00:03:15,400 Speaker 1: How big a difference do you think that it could 63 00:03:15,480 --> 00:03:18,200 Speaker 1: potentially make them I mean to have somewhere for youths 64 00:03:18,240 --> 00:03:20,399 Speaker 1: to be able to stay at night. 65 00:03:21,919 --> 00:03:24,480 Speaker 2: Well, I think it will make a massive difference. And 66 00:03:24,560 --> 00:03:29,440 Speaker 2: there was a report commissioned recently by the Children's Commissioner 67 00:03:29,680 --> 00:03:32,480 Speaker 2: that spoke about spoke to the children on the street 68 00:03:32,520 --> 00:03:35,720 Speaker 2: or the people on the street, and they've asked those 69 00:03:35,760 --> 00:03:37,360 Speaker 2: people what they want and they said that we just 70 00:03:37,360 --> 00:03:39,920 Speaker 2: need somewhere safe to go. And so that's raw data 71 00:03:40,760 --> 00:03:43,080 Speaker 2: engaging with the people on the street. So I think 72 00:03:43,120 --> 00:03:47,320 Speaker 2: it's certainly worth investing in. I will premise that by 73 00:03:47,360 --> 00:03:49,480 Speaker 2: saying that you ploys around the country are driven by 74 00:03:49,520 --> 00:03:53,880 Speaker 2: the states or territory governments. However, because we received such 75 00:03:53,880 --> 00:03:57,000 Speaker 2: a shortfall in federal funding that we are unable to 76 00:03:57,000 --> 00:03:59,720 Speaker 2: deliver that And so where are. 77 00:03:59,640 --> 00:04:02,119 Speaker 1: Your where are your discussions at at this point, Matt. 78 00:04:02,160 --> 00:04:04,400 Speaker 1: Is it something that you're lobbying the Northern Territory and 79 00:04:04,440 --> 00:04:05,560 Speaker 1: the federal government's. 80 00:04:05,280 --> 00:04:10,560 Speaker 2: For Well, it's probably not a lobbying of the territory government. 81 00:04:10,560 --> 00:04:13,280 Speaker 2: I've spoken to the minister Minister Ubo about it, and 82 00:04:13,320 --> 00:04:15,680 Speaker 2: I've spoken to Minister Collins's office about it as well, 83 00:04:15,720 --> 00:04:20,920 Speaker 2: But I just can't comprehend that in twenty twenty three 84 00:04:20,920 --> 00:04:25,360 Speaker 2: in Australia we're all equal, except some people are more 85 00:04:25,400 --> 00:04:27,240 Speaker 2: equal than others if you live in a state. That's 86 00:04:27,240 --> 00:04:31,640 Speaker 2: effectively what we're saying when it comes to homeless funding now. 87 00:04:31,440 --> 00:04:35,599 Speaker 1: In terms of the broader issues that that homelessness brings 88 00:04:35,600 --> 00:04:38,880 Speaker 1: in Alice, how tough is it right now? Will have 89 00:04:39,000 --> 00:04:42,920 Speaker 1: things improved slightly? Yeah? 90 00:04:43,160 --> 00:04:46,560 Speaker 2: They have improved, but you just remember that, you know, 91 00:04:46,600 --> 00:04:49,560 Speaker 2: in January last year the absolute feeling of crime and like, 92 00:04:49,800 --> 00:04:51,760 Speaker 2: I just don't think it could have got any higher. 93 00:04:53,520 --> 00:04:55,920 Speaker 2: They have gotten better, but I premise that by saying 94 00:04:55,920 --> 00:04:59,920 Speaker 2: they're still not fantastic and we are our fingers and 95 00:05:00,080 --> 00:05:03,160 Speaker 2: toes acrossed for summer. It is starting to warm up, 96 00:05:03,200 --> 00:05:06,160 Speaker 2: but we'll wait and see. Obviously we've had the restrictions 97 00:05:06,160 --> 00:05:08,560 Speaker 2: put back in and I think they're having a positive effect, 98 00:05:08,640 --> 00:05:12,320 Speaker 2: but that won't last forever. Yeah, we'll wait and see. 99 00:05:12,360 --> 00:05:15,680 Speaker 2: And I think that you know, we need to. We're 100 00:05:15,680 --> 00:05:19,080 Speaker 2: not reinventing the wheel, talking about a youth for and 101 00:05:19,160 --> 00:05:21,200 Speaker 2: no sort of things they work elsewhere, why can't they 102 00:05:21,240 --> 00:05:22,080 Speaker 2: work in the territory? 103 00:05:22,480 --> 00:05:24,400 Speaker 1: Now? What would it look like in terms of where 104 00:05:24,400 --> 00:05:27,320 Speaker 1: would it be potentially issues for how many kids could 105 00:05:27,320 --> 00:05:28,000 Speaker 1: it accommodate. 106 00:05:29,760 --> 00:05:32,920 Speaker 2: I won't get into locations now, but I think that's 107 00:05:33,000 --> 00:05:36,000 Speaker 2: just so early in the piece, but the number is 108 00:05:36,040 --> 00:05:39,560 Speaker 2: around forty forty kids and give or take around you 109 00:05:39,600 --> 00:05:41,320 Speaker 2: know that funding of what that looks like. But I 110 00:05:41,320 --> 00:05:45,640 Speaker 2: think it is a really good step to have that 111 00:05:45,680 --> 00:05:50,480 Speaker 2: conversation and to kick it off and whilst that conversation 112 00:05:50,600 --> 00:05:54,279 Speaker 2: is happening in Canberra around what the housing funding looks 113 00:05:54,360 --> 00:05:57,960 Speaker 2: like next year, I think it's perfect time to float 114 00:05:57,960 --> 00:06:01,800 Speaker 2: the idea again and make sure that and it's forum 115 00:06:02,240 --> 00:06:03,880 Speaker 2: at the front of mind of people who are making 116 00:06:03,920 --> 00:06:05,719 Speaker 2: decisions now. 117 00:06:05,560 --> 00:06:09,040 Speaker 1: Matte, before I let you go, I know that a 118 00:06:09,200 --> 00:06:13,120 Speaker 1: move for the roller shutter artwork, well, it's as I 119 00:06:13,160 --> 00:06:16,160 Speaker 1: understand it, it is an initiative by the Alice Springstown Council. 120 00:06:16,200 --> 00:06:18,200 Speaker 1: Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong, but it 121 00:06:18,320 --> 00:06:21,760 Speaker 1: is going to see artwork on those shop front roller shutters. 122 00:06:22,279 --> 00:06:25,520 Speaker 1: Some are saying, you know, it's not a good thing. 123 00:06:25,520 --> 00:06:28,239 Speaker 1: It's sort of it is highlighting the fact that crime 124 00:06:28,320 --> 00:06:31,159 Speaker 1: is an issue in Alice Springs. Why did you go 125 00:06:31,279 --> 00:06:34,279 Speaker 1: down this path in terms of I guess wanting to 126 00:06:34,360 --> 00:06:40,640 Speaker 1: beautify what probably look fairly unattractive those roller shutters, yeah, 127 00:06:40,640 --> 00:06:40,960 Speaker 1: I mean. 128 00:06:40,960 --> 00:06:43,760 Speaker 2: Roller shutters, the white roller shutters. You know, they're not 129 00:06:43,760 --> 00:06:49,480 Speaker 2: the prettiest feature, and we talk about you know, vilstaken 130 00:06:49,520 --> 00:06:52,040 Speaker 2: photos of it, and that just it does bring the 131 00:06:52,120 --> 00:06:56,040 Speaker 2: standard down. It is just about beautifying the area. And 132 00:06:57,640 --> 00:07:00,640 Speaker 2: every you know, probably second or Thirduilding in the mall 133 00:07:00,680 --> 00:07:04,080 Speaker 2: does have painting on the roller shutters. So we've expanded 134 00:07:04,080 --> 00:07:07,520 Speaker 2: the program. We've funded for six roller shutters to be painted. 135 00:07:08,640 --> 00:07:11,600 Speaker 2: The uptake of that has been far and away greater 136 00:07:11,680 --> 00:07:14,640 Speaker 2: than six, so we'll work with other stakeholders to get 137 00:07:14,680 --> 00:07:17,840 Speaker 2: that delivered and really try to work with the businesses. 138 00:07:18,160 --> 00:07:19,840 Speaker 2: This has been pushed by the traders in the mall 139 00:07:19,880 --> 00:07:22,000 Speaker 2: as well. They want to beautify the area. They're all 140 00:07:22,000 --> 00:07:25,360 Speaker 2: working together, which I think is fantastic. Yes, in an idea, 141 00:07:25,360 --> 00:07:28,800 Speaker 2: well Katie, we wouldn't need roller shutters, it'd be fantastic. However, 142 00:07:28,800 --> 00:07:31,640 Speaker 2: at the moment we do so instead of having a whiteboard, 143 00:07:31,960 --> 00:07:33,600 Speaker 2: let's beautify it and paint it with a bit of 144 00:07:33,600 --> 00:07:34,200 Speaker 2: street art. 145 00:07:34,720 --> 00:07:39,120 Speaker 1: Matt, how many extra businesses have requested to get their 146 00:07:39,200 --> 00:07:41,520 Speaker 1: roller shutters painted up? I mean you said you've got 147 00:07:41,520 --> 00:07:43,880 Speaker 1: their funding for six how many actually want it. 148 00:07:45,800 --> 00:07:47,720 Speaker 2: Well, it's getting finalized in our kadie, so I won't 149 00:07:47,760 --> 00:07:50,160 Speaker 2: tell you the exact number, but it is much more 150 00:07:50,200 --> 00:07:54,320 Speaker 2: than six. So we'll work with other stakeholders to try 151 00:07:54,320 --> 00:07:57,960 Speaker 2: to source some funds to get it delivered. Because, as 152 00:07:58,000 --> 00:08:00,520 Speaker 2: I said, it'd be nice not to have roller shutters. 153 00:08:00,720 --> 00:08:03,360 Speaker 2: Unfortunately we've got them, so let's just make them pretty. 154 00:08:03,480 --> 00:08:07,760 Speaker 2: And it really does lift the area with the roller 155 00:08:07,800 --> 00:08:12,040 Speaker 2: shutters on. It's some fantastic artwork. So yeah, I look 156 00:08:12,080 --> 00:08:14,400 Speaker 2: forward to the project getting delivered through the Street Art Festival. 157 00:08:14,480 --> 00:08:16,560 Speaker 1: So you don't reckon that it sort of highlights the 158 00:08:16,640 --> 00:08:18,160 Speaker 1: crime issue. 159 00:08:19,880 --> 00:08:24,360 Speaker 2: No I don't. I mean again, when you walk past them, 160 00:08:24,360 --> 00:08:27,480 Speaker 2: if the roller shutters are down with artwork on them, 161 00:08:27,520 --> 00:08:29,240 Speaker 2: they don't look like a roller shutter. It looks like 162 00:08:29,280 --> 00:08:33,080 Speaker 2: a wall. So these vinyl stickers go on. They can 163 00:08:33,120 --> 00:08:36,240 Speaker 2: be easily pulled off if we need to. But as 164 00:08:36,280 --> 00:08:39,040 Speaker 2: I said, in an ideal world we wouldn't have roller shutters, 165 00:08:39,200 --> 00:08:42,760 Speaker 2: but we need them, so we might as well make 166 00:08:42,760 --> 00:08:45,839 Speaker 2: them look a little bit nicer than white roller shutters. 167 00:08:46,320 --> 00:08:49,600 Speaker 1: Well, Matt Patterson, the mayor of Alice Springs, we always 168 00:08:49,640 --> 00:08:52,199 Speaker 1: appreciate your time. Thank you, very much for having a chat. 169 00:08:52,040 --> 00:08:55,600 Speaker 2: With us this morning, anytime. Thanks Katie, thank you.