1 00:00:00,160 --> 00:00:03,320 Speaker 1: Joining us on the line right now is the Opposition 2 00:00:03,400 --> 00:00:04,520 Speaker 1: leader Leah fanochi Aro. 3 00:00:04,680 --> 00:00:07,000 Speaker 2: Good morning, Leah, Good morning Katie, and good morning to 4 00:00:07,040 --> 00:00:07,720 Speaker 2: your listeners. 5 00:00:07,760 --> 00:00:10,480 Speaker 1: Now Leah, obviously we're all keeping a very close eye 6 00:00:10,520 --> 00:00:15,600 Speaker 1: on this COVID cluster in Sydney, including the Northern Territory government. 7 00:00:15,960 --> 00:00:20,759 Speaker 1: They've got cabinet meetings happening each day to decide exactly 8 00:00:20,800 --> 00:00:24,480 Speaker 1: whether we keep these hot spots in place and keep 9 00:00:24,520 --> 00:00:26,239 Speaker 1: Sydney siders out of the territory. 10 00:00:26,320 --> 00:00:28,120 Speaker 3: Do you think that should continue to happen. 11 00:00:29,480 --> 00:00:32,519 Speaker 2: Yeah, Look, it's such a terrible situation to happen, and 12 00:00:32,680 --> 00:00:35,000 Speaker 2: so close to Christmas, and I guess it just shows 13 00:00:35,080 --> 00:00:39,280 Speaker 2: us just how unpredictable COVID really is. But of course 14 00:00:39,360 --> 00:00:42,559 Speaker 2: government need to be taking that best health advice. They 15 00:00:42,600 --> 00:00:46,559 Speaker 2: need to be meeting regularly and assessing this information, and 16 00:00:46,680 --> 00:00:49,040 Speaker 2: as soon as we're able to do so, we need 17 00:00:49,080 --> 00:00:51,600 Speaker 2: to lift the hotspots. But of course we can't do 18 00:00:51,720 --> 00:00:54,600 Speaker 2: it prematurely, so it really needs to be let on 19 00:00:54,640 --> 00:00:58,040 Speaker 2: the best health advice. But acknowledging that this must be 20 00:00:58,160 --> 00:01:01,760 Speaker 2: just an excruciatingly difficult time for so many people who 21 00:01:01,760 --> 00:01:04,080 Speaker 2: are being you know, having to be kept away from 22 00:01:04,520 --> 00:01:05,880 Speaker 2: loved ones around Christmas. 23 00:01:06,000 --> 00:01:09,080 Speaker 1: Yeah, absolutely, and then you think of those people that 24 00:01:08,880 --> 00:01:12,040 Speaker 1: are that are obviously having to quarantine out at Howard 25 00:01:12,080 --> 00:01:14,839 Speaker 1: Springs as well over the Christmas period. Gee, it's tough 26 00:01:14,880 --> 00:01:16,920 Speaker 1: to be away from your loved ones over Christmas. 27 00:01:17,880 --> 00:01:20,720 Speaker 2: Yeah, it's It's just an awful, awful thing. I mean, 28 00:01:20,760 --> 00:01:23,640 Speaker 2: of course, we need government to work in the most 29 00:01:23,640 --> 00:01:26,640 Speaker 2: efficient way. We need to ensure that people have the 30 00:01:26,680 --> 00:01:30,360 Speaker 2: information they need as soon as they can get it. 31 00:01:30,360 --> 00:01:34,040 Speaker 2: It's very unfortunate and we've seen twice now we're plane 32 00:01:34,080 --> 00:01:36,319 Speaker 2: to have been mid air where the hot spot decision 33 00:01:36,400 --> 00:01:38,319 Speaker 2: has been made and of course people have had to 34 00:01:38,400 --> 00:01:41,880 Speaker 2: land and then be notified of the terrible news. But 35 00:01:42,760 --> 00:01:45,280 Speaker 2: you know, there's a fine balance there, and we just 36 00:01:45,360 --> 00:01:48,320 Speaker 2: need to make sure that we do what we have 37 00:01:48,360 --> 00:01:49,800 Speaker 2: to do, and we have to do it and then 38 00:01:50,600 --> 00:01:53,840 Speaker 2: get people reunited as soon as it's safe to do so. 39 00:01:54,200 --> 00:01:57,760 Speaker 1: Leah, speaking of acting swiftly and deficiently, it is being 40 00:01:57,760 --> 00:02:00,600 Speaker 1: reported by the ABC this morning that some people have 41 00:02:00,680 --> 00:02:03,600 Speaker 1: had to wait up to two hours on the line 42 00:02:03,680 --> 00:02:06,160 Speaker 1: to try and book in for their COVID tests. Is 43 00:02:06,160 --> 00:02:07,600 Speaker 1: that acceptable in your eyes? 44 00:02:08,800 --> 00:02:11,400 Speaker 2: Well, again, it just comes down to that question of 45 00:02:11,639 --> 00:02:14,800 Speaker 2: is the government really prepared for this hotspot management. Of course, 46 00:02:14,840 --> 00:02:18,520 Speaker 2: in November we saw the extraordinary debacle in our springs 47 00:02:18,520 --> 00:02:21,080 Speaker 2: where people were being put on planes, taken off planes, 48 00:02:21,200 --> 00:02:24,200 Speaker 2: moved from quarantine, analys, moved to Darwin, and it really 49 00:02:24,360 --> 00:02:27,520 Speaker 2: highlighted that the Gunner government hadn't put as much thought 50 00:02:27,560 --> 00:02:31,800 Speaker 2: and preparation into hotspots management as people would have expected. 51 00:02:31,840 --> 00:02:34,399 Speaker 2: And so you know, of course, as soon as those 52 00:02:34,480 --> 00:02:37,600 Speaker 2: cases fled up in Sydney, the next thing you would 53 00:02:37,600 --> 00:02:39,880 Speaker 2: think would happen would of course be that people are 54 00:02:39,919 --> 00:02:42,239 Speaker 2: starting to make a number of inquiries about what they 55 00:02:42,280 --> 00:02:43,960 Speaker 2: have to do, when they have to do it, and 56 00:02:44,000 --> 00:02:46,200 Speaker 2: whether or not they need to get text tested, and 57 00:02:46,240 --> 00:02:49,920 Speaker 2: so the territory government needs to ramp up at the 58 00:02:49,960 --> 00:02:53,160 Speaker 2: same time. So it's early unfortunate we've seen those delays. 59 00:02:53,200 --> 00:02:56,640 Speaker 2: I've got no doubt that our frontline staff are working 60 00:02:56,800 --> 00:03:00,280 Speaker 2: over time to try and get people the information they need. 61 00:03:00,360 --> 00:03:03,480 Speaker 2: But again the Gunner government need to ensure that with 62 00:03:03,960 --> 00:03:07,280 Speaker 2: hotspot management we have that immediate ability to scale up 63 00:03:07,320 --> 00:03:09,040 Speaker 2: and scale back. LEA. 64 00:03:09,160 --> 00:03:11,680 Speaker 1: Let's move along and talk about another issue which has 65 00:03:11,720 --> 00:03:15,280 Speaker 1: really dominated headlines over the last few months, and that 66 00:03:15,400 --> 00:03:17,320 Speaker 1: is some of the issues that we're seeing in Alice 67 00:03:17,320 --> 00:03:18,520 Speaker 1: Springs around crime. 68 00:03:19,040 --> 00:03:20,600 Speaker 3: Now, yesterday we. 69 00:03:20,600 --> 00:03:23,040 Speaker 1: Know that a thirty nine year old man was charged 70 00:03:23,040 --> 00:03:26,480 Speaker 1: with assaulting a police officer in Alice Springs. Police alleged 71 00:03:26,520 --> 00:03:30,040 Speaker 1: the man bit the officer on the face when police 72 00:03:30,080 --> 00:03:33,360 Speaker 1: responded to a request for assistance. The officer had to 73 00:03:33,360 --> 00:03:36,040 Speaker 1: be conveyed to Alice Springs Hospital for treatment and did 74 00:03:36,040 --> 00:03:39,800 Speaker 1: not require admission luckily. But gee, it just goes to 75 00:03:39,840 --> 00:03:42,520 Speaker 1: show you some of the difficult situations that our police 76 00:03:42,520 --> 00:03:43,360 Speaker 1: officers are put in. 77 00:03:44,520 --> 00:03:46,600 Speaker 2: Oh, without question, and this is a horrid I mean, 78 00:03:46,640 --> 00:03:50,400 Speaker 2: I asked during estimates about assaults on police and the 79 00:03:50,560 --> 00:03:54,760 Speaker 2: numbers are scarily high. The government couldn't tell me at 80 00:03:54,800 --> 00:03:58,760 Speaker 2: the time how many people who assault police are charged 81 00:03:58,800 --> 00:04:01,000 Speaker 2: and then how many go on to get convicted. So 82 00:04:01,040 --> 00:04:03,360 Speaker 2: I'm waiting for that information to come back. Because our 83 00:04:03,400 --> 00:04:06,800 Speaker 2: frontline work is our police are ambos. They're out there 84 00:04:06,840 --> 00:04:10,360 Speaker 2: protecting arts and to be assaulted, it's just it must 85 00:04:10,400 --> 00:04:14,040 Speaker 2: be condemned in the strongest possible terms. We've been calling 86 00:04:14,080 --> 00:04:18,320 Speaker 2: on the government to make tougher penalties around assaults on police. 87 00:04:18,440 --> 00:04:21,320 Speaker 2: Of course, they went to election promising that they would 88 00:04:21,360 --> 00:04:24,159 Speaker 2: do this type of thing. But again in estimates, I 89 00:04:24,200 --> 00:04:27,479 Speaker 2: got hollow words from the minister palming this off to 90 00:04:27,560 --> 00:04:31,359 Speaker 2: the police Association. Now, the Police Association have been very clear, 91 00:04:31,600 --> 00:04:35,000 Speaker 2: very strong that they want tougher consequences and that they 92 00:04:35,040 --> 00:04:37,040 Speaker 2: want to work with government on this. But it's in 93 00:04:37,279 --> 00:04:39,080 Speaker 2: you know, the ball is in the government's court to 94 00:04:39,200 --> 00:04:42,160 Speaker 2: bring in law early next year and sort this issue 95 00:04:42,160 --> 00:04:44,240 Speaker 2: out because it's completely unacceptable. 96 00:04:44,400 --> 00:04:47,919 Speaker 1: Leah. What would those tougher consequences look like? What do 97 00:04:47,960 --> 00:04:49,120 Speaker 1: you want to see in this space? 98 00:04:50,160 --> 00:04:52,400 Speaker 2: Well, I think people want to see strengthening of the 99 00:04:52,480 --> 00:04:56,359 Speaker 2: mandatory sentencing around assaults on police. We need to understand 100 00:04:56,360 --> 00:04:59,080 Speaker 2: whether or not people are actually serving any jail time 101 00:04:59,520 --> 00:05:02,000 Speaker 2: for assault from police, and whether or not the legislation 102 00:05:02,640 --> 00:05:05,120 Speaker 2: is working, and which is why I asked those questions 103 00:05:05,640 --> 00:05:08,240 Speaker 2: in the Parliament. We need to sign a very strong 104 00:05:08,240 --> 00:05:11,400 Speaker 2: message of deterrence that this is not acceptable and it's 105 00:05:11,440 --> 00:05:14,760 Speaker 2: not okay, and you know, more needs to be done 106 00:05:14,800 --> 00:05:16,800 Speaker 2: to protect the people who are out there every day 107 00:05:16,839 --> 00:05:17,640 Speaker 2: protecting us. 108 00:05:18,360 --> 00:05:21,839 Speaker 1: Let's keep moving, Leah, And I want to talk about Christmas. 109 00:05:21,880 --> 00:05:25,160 Speaker 1: I know it's been such a massive year for everybody, 110 00:05:25,200 --> 00:05:28,200 Speaker 1: There is no doubt about that. We talked yesterday though 111 00:05:28,240 --> 00:05:31,600 Speaker 1: about some of our wonderful seniors in the community who 112 00:05:31,680 --> 00:05:34,960 Speaker 1: are spending Christmas alone. We talked about some of the 113 00:05:34,960 --> 00:05:37,719 Speaker 1: different programs that are underway, not only in the Northern 114 00:05:37,800 --> 00:05:41,640 Speaker 1: Territory but nationwide to try to support those seniors. And 115 00:05:41,720 --> 00:05:44,839 Speaker 1: I understand that there is actually a program that Angler 116 00:05:44,880 --> 00:05:47,840 Speaker 1: Care have a program here in the Northern Territory which 117 00:05:47,920 --> 00:05:50,560 Speaker 1: does try to connect seniors with Territorians who. 118 00:05:50,560 --> 00:05:51,719 Speaker 3: Might be alone. 119 00:05:51,800 --> 00:05:55,200 Speaker 1: I think he went out and actually went and saw 120 00:05:55,320 --> 00:05:56,839 Speaker 1: the people who delivered that program. 121 00:05:56,839 --> 00:05:58,320 Speaker 3: Can you tell us a bit more about it? 122 00:06:00,160 --> 00:06:02,280 Speaker 2: So there's of course, you know, it's been a very 123 00:06:02,279 --> 00:06:06,400 Speaker 2: tough year. It's really hampered organization's ability to fundraise and 124 00:06:06,520 --> 00:06:08,280 Speaker 2: do what they need to do. But of course we've 125 00:06:08,279 --> 00:06:12,040 Speaker 2: seen people like Saint Vinnie's and Food Bank and everyone 126 00:06:12,040 --> 00:06:14,320 Speaker 2: else be able to gear up and deliver much needed 127 00:06:14,360 --> 00:06:17,159 Speaker 2: support this Christmas. But I had that privilege of catching 128 00:06:17,200 --> 00:06:20,240 Speaker 2: up with Stephanie, who's the volunteer coordinator at Anglicaren some 129 00:06:20,320 --> 00:06:24,000 Speaker 2: of her volunteers last week and she was explaining to 130 00:06:24,040 --> 00:06:27,520 Speaker 2: me about their Community Visitors scheme, which runs right across 131 00:06:27,560 --> 00:06:29,640 Speaker 2: the territories. So no matter where you're tuning in from 132 00:06:29,680 --> 00:06:31,560 Speaker 2: this morning, but what I'm about to say, you know, 133 00:06:31,760 --> 00:06:35,760 Speaker 2: applies to you. And they're looking for volunteers to conduct 134 00:06:35,800 --> 00:06:38,560 Speaker 2: fortnightly visits to seniors right across the territory. And this 135 00:06:38,680 --> 00:06:41,600 Speaker 2: is focused on ensuring that there, you know, people aren't 136 00:06:41,640 --> 00:06:45,159 Speaker 2: being socially or culturally isolated as they get older. And 137 00:06:45,240 --> 00:06:47,760 Speaker 2: so if you're keen to become a volunteer, it's a 138 00:06:47,800 --> 00:06:51,560 Speaker 2: lovely fortnightly visit to someone in your area and it's 139 00:06:51,720 --> 00:06:53,880 Speaker 2: right across the Northern Territory and that just makes all 140 00:06:53,880 --> 00:06:56,599 Speaker 2: the difference in the lives of those seniors who might 141 00:06:56,680 --> 00:07:00,880 Speaker 2: be alone. And particularly if you are someone who speaks 142 00:07:00,880 --> 00:07:04,080 Speaker 2: a language other than English, Angler can need you and 143 00:07:04,160 --> 00:07:09,200 Speaker 2: they're particularly looking for people who speak Polish, Greek, Hakker, Cantonese, 144 00:07:09,240 --> 00:07:12,520 Speaker 2: Portuguese and Italian. So, if you're thinking about what your 145 00:07:12,560 --> 00:07:15,160 Speaker 2: New Year's resolution is going to be and that you'd 146 00:07:15,240 --> 00:07:18,280 Speaker 2: like to give back to the community volunteering with Angler 147 00:07:18,360 --> 00:07:21,760 Speaker 2: Care through the community visit a scheme where you undertake 148 00:07:21,800 --> 00:07:24,520 Speaker 2: fortnightly visits to a senior in your area right across 149 00:07:24,520 --> 00:07:27,760 Speaker 2: the territory. Please get in touch with Stephanie. The number 150 00:07:27,840 --> 00:07:31,239 Speaker 2: is eight nine two eight zero six to zero. 151 00:07:31,880 --> 00:07:33,640 Speaker 3: Just repeat that number for us again if you can. 152 00:07:33,720 --> 00:07:37,960 Speaker 2: Leah, Yeah, so that's called Stephanie an anglicare on eight 153 00:07:38,080 --> 00:07:41,280 Speaker 2: nine two eight zero six to zero. 154 00:07:41,720 --> 00:07:43,760 Speaker 3: I think that's such a fantastic idea. 155 00:07:44,000 --> 00:07:45,920 Speaker 1: I mean, I know that there'll be some people that 156 00:07:46,360 --> 00:07:48,720 Speaker 1: are living in the Northern Territory right now who don't 157 00:07:48,760 --> 00:07:51,960 Speaker 1: actually have their grandparents either close by, or their grandparents 158 00:07:51,960 --> 00:07:55,680 Speaker 1: are no longer with us, and you know, being able 159 00:07:55,720 --> 00:07:58,760 Speaker 1: to actually go out and visit a senior and do 160 00:07:59,040 --> 00:08:02,120 Speaker 1: a nice thing for somebody else, but also you know 161 00:08:02,440 --> 00:08:04,560 Speaker 1: it would be an enjoyable thing to do for yourself 162 00:08:04,560 --> 00:08:04,880 Speaker 1: as well. 163 00:08:04,920 --> 00:08:06,360 Speaker 3: I reckon it's such a good idea. 164 00:08:07,360 --> 00:08:10,040 Speaker 2: Oh for sure, it would be excellent to build those 165 00:08:10,080 --> 00:08:13,000 Speaker 2: relationships and make that connection with someone. I mean, our 166 00:08:13,080 --> 00:08:18,040 Speaker 2: seniors have given their whole life to our country. They've worked, 167 00:08:18,080 --> 00:08:22,400 Speaker 2: they've served, they perform important volunteer roles themselves, and in 168 00:08:22,440 --> 00:08:25,000 Speaker 2: those later years, you know, it's incumbent upon us, the 169 00:08:25,080 --> 00:08:29,440 Speaker 2: next generation to ensure that people have that dignity and 170 00:08:29,480 --> 00:08:33,839 Speaker 2: respect in their later years. So community visitor scheme right 171 00:08:33,880 --> 00:08:37,320 Speaker 2: across the territory. I can't plug it enough. Katie Angler 172 00:08:37,360 --> 00:08:40,640 Speaker 2: can need you particularly again if you do speak another language, 173 00:08:40,640 --> 00:08:43,840 Speaker 2: we don't want our seniors socially a culturally isolated, So 174 00:08:44,000 --> 00:08:46,680 Speaker 2: put it on your new year's resolution list of things 175 00:08:46,720 --> 00:08:48,520 Speaker 2: to do come January. 176 00:08:48,640 --> 00:08:49,920 Speaker 3: Yeah, good idea. 177 00:08:50,000 --> 00:08:52,880 Speaker 1: Well, Leah finocchi Are thank you so very much for 178 00:08:52,920 --> 00:08:54,920 Speaker 1: your time this morning, but thank you so very much 179 00:08:54,960 --> 00:08:57,480 Speaker 1: for your time throughout the year you've been on the 180 00:08:57,520 --> 00:08:59,400 Speaker 1: show with us each and every week. It's been a 181 00:08:59,440 --> 00:09:02,079 Speaker 1: massive ye for all of our politicians and we really 182 00:09:02,120 --> 00:09:04,960 Speaker 1: appreciate the time that you give us each and every 183 00:09:05,000 --> 00:09:06,400 Speaker 1: week here on three point sixty. 184 00:09:06,600 --> 00:09:08,640 Speaker 2: Oh, it's my pleasure and thank you to Katie and 185 00:09:08,679 --> 00:09:10,880 Speaker 2: your team. And of course you're wonderful listeners. You know, 186 00:09:10,920 --> 00:09:14,720 Speaker 2: it's really important programs like yours because of course listeners 187 00:09:14,720 --> 00:09:17,240 Speaker 2: are able to not only hear what's coming up to date, 188 00:09:17,280 --> 00:09:19,760 Speaker 2: but they can interact and that's important the members of 189 00:09:19,800 --> 00:09:22,000 Speaker 2: parliament as well, you know, to hear the feedback on 190 00:09:22,040 --> 00:09:24,760 Speaker 2: the ground and understand the issues that are important to 191 00:09:24,880 --> 00:09:27,320 Speaker 2: territory no matter where they live. So i'd just like 192 00:09:27,360 --> 00:09:29,600 Speaker 2: to wish everyone a very safe and merry Christmas, a 193 00:09:29,640 --> 00:09:32,040 Speaker 2: happy new Year, and I look forward to engaging with 194 00:09:32,120 --> 00:09:33,920 Speaker 2: you all come the new year. 195 00:09:34,240 --> 00:09:36,800 Speaker 1: Absolutely well, Leah. In the new year, we'll catch up 196 00:09:36,840 --> 00:09:39,000 Speaker 1: with you again on Wednesdays. We'll talk to you then. 197 00:09:39,480 --> 00:09:40,800 Speaker 2: Thanks everyone, but thank you. 198 00:09:41,280 --> 00:09:45,000 Speaker 1: That is Leah Fanocchiaro, the Opposition leader. And I tell 199 00:09:45,040 --> 00:09:46,319 Speaker 1: you what, it's been a busy. 200 00:09:46,120 --> 00:09:48,240 Speaker 3: Year, a big year, no doubt about it. 201 00:09:48,600 --> 00:09:51,560 Speaker 1: And Leah Fanocchio has been a regular on the show 202 00:09:51,640 --> 00:09:54,520 Speaker 1: and we always appreciate the time that she gives us 203 00:09:54,600 --> 00:09:55,760 Speaker 1: as the opposition leader.