1 00:00:01,120 --> 00:00:03,360 Speaker 1: Well, there are certainly a lot of messages coming through 2 00:00:03,360 --> 00:00:05,520 Speaker 1: on the text line, lots of phone calls coming through 3 00:00:05,559 --> 00:00:08,640 Speaker 1: this morning as well. Eight nine four one one four nine. 4 00:00:08,720 --> 00:00:11,440 Speaker 1: Now joining me on the line right now is the 5 00:00:11,480 --> 00:00:15,800 Speaker 1: Minister for Education. She's also the Treasurer and Minister for Planning, 6 00:00:15,880 --> 00:00:18,400 Speaker 1: Infrastructure and Logistics, Evia Laula. 7 00:00:18,480 --> 00:00:19,560 Speaker 2: Good morning to you, minister. 8 00:00:20,120 --> 00:00:21,040 Speaker 3: Good morning Katie. 9 00:00:21,160 --> 00:00:23,000 Speaker 1: Now, Minister, there is a lot that I'm keen to 10 00:00:23,040 --> 00:00:24,880 Speaker 1: cover off on this morning. I do just want to 11 00:00:24,880 --> 00:00:27,320 Speaker 1: take you to very quickly. We got a phone call 12 00:00:28,120 --> 00:00:31,200 Speaker 1: about ten minutes ago from Chris, who lives out in Driver. 13 00:00:31,520 --> 00:00:35,680 Speaker 1: He and his wife's home got broken into yesterday afternoon, 14 00:00:35,840 --> 00:00:39,519 Speaker 1: two thirty in the afternoon. He got a notification you know, 15 00:00:39,560 --> 00:00:42,360 Speaker 1: on his phone that the security cameras that it installed 16 00:00:42,479 --> 00:00:47,360 Speaker 1: just weeks earlier after being broken into. Then we're going off, 17 00:00:48,280 --> 00:00:51,479 Speaker 1: someone's ripped the camera off the wall. He can then see, 18 00:00:52,000 --> 00:00:55,840 Speaker 1: you know, kids waiting outside the yard to take their 19 00:00:55,920 --> 00:00:59,440 Speaker 1: stolen goods. Minister, when do you think we're going to 20 00:00:59,520 --> 00:01:02,120 Speaker 1: see some change in this space when it comes to crime. 21 00:01:03,040 --> 00:01:06,199 Speaker 3: Oh, I know that sounds like a shocking story, horrific story, 22 00:01:06,240 --> 00:01:08,839 Speaker 3: and you know, my heart goes out to anybody that's 23 00:01:09,200 --> 00:01:12,639 Speaker 3: a victim of crime, and there is no easy answers. 24 00:01:12,640 --> 00:01:15,520 Speaker 3: I'm sure we've heard that from the police minister, we've 25 00:01:15,560 --> 00:01:18,560 Speaker 3: heard it from government. But yes, there is always work 26 00:01:18,600 --> 00:01:21,440 Speaker 3: to be done around crime in the Northern Territory, it's 27 00:01:21,440 --> 00:01:25,600 Speaker 3: absolutely But what that story is an absolutely shocking story, Katie. 28 00:01:25,720 --> 00:01:27,680 Speaker 1: Yeah, it's a shocker and he's you know, they've got 29 00:01:27,680 --> 00:01:30,840 Speaker 1: a little five year old and you know she's sleeping 30 00:01:30,840 --> 00:01:32,759 Speaker 1: in bed with them at the moment because she's already 31 00:01:32,800 --> 00:01:35,560 Speaker 1: scared from the last time they were broken into. Then 32 00:01:35,640 --> 00:01:38,280 Speaker 1: yesterday arevo you know the home's been ransacked. 33 00:01:39,640 --> 00:01:43,000 Speaker 3: Yeah, well hopefully the police are onto them. And as 34 00:01:43,000 --> 00:01:45,880 Speaker 3: I said, there then needs to be yeah, follow up 35 00:01:45,880 --> 00:01:48,520 Speaker 3: actions around those those because it sounds like from your 36 00:01:48,520 --> 00:01:53,000 Speaker 3: report that's the younger children, So yeah, what time of 37 00:01:53,040 --> 00:01:54,760 Speaker 3: the day, why aren't they at school? All of those 38 00:01:54,840 --> 00:01:57,680 Speaker 3: questions need to need to be answered and there's work 39 00:01:57,720 --> 00:02:01,200 Speaker 3: absolutely to be done to make sure those things don't happen. Yeah, shocking, 40 00:02:01,200 --> 00:02:02,360 Speaker 3: really there is. 41 00:02:02,400 --> 00:02:05,040 Speaker 1: And look I know that you aren't the Minister for Police. 42 00:02:05,400 --> 00:02:08,480 Speaker 1: We will certainly continue to talk about this and you know, 43 00:02:08,600 --> 00:02:10,360 Speaker 1: to try to get some answers. I know the police 44 00:02:10,400 --> 00:02:12,360 Speaker 1: are out there pretty quickly from what I can gather. 45 00:02:13,000 --> 00:02:15,480 Speaker 2: But yeah, you know you in the. 46 00:02:15,520 --> 00:02:18,440 Speaker 3: Education minister though, Katie and any if you know, that's 47 00:02:18,440 --> 00:02:21,720 Speaker 3: what concerns me. If it was during school time. You know, 48 00:02:21,760 --> 00:02:23,520 Speaker 3: we do have things in place to make sure all 49 00:02:23,600 --> 00:02:26,600 Speaker 3: kids are at school, and when they're not, I'm really 50 00:02:27,000 --> 00:02:29,920 Speaker 3: very strong about that, there needs to be strong action 51 00:02:30,040 --> 00:02:32,120 Speaker 3: to make sure that those kids are followed up that 52 00:02:32,200 --> 00:02:34,440 Speaker 3: they are in school because that's the best place for them. 53 00:02:34,480 --> 00:02:37,160 Speaker 3: Then we don't see these things happening, So I will 54 00:02:37,160 --> 00:02:39,760 Speaker 3: follow up and get the information from police about that 55 00:02:39,800 --> 00:02:40,840 Speaker 3: at the time and the ages. 56 00:02:40,840 --> 00:02:44,560 Speaker 1: And you do wonder that you know, we're the parental 57 00:02:44,600 --> 00:02:47,839 Speaker 1: responsibility as well. Then if the kids aren't going to school. 58 00:02:48,200 --> 00:02:50,519 Speaker 3: Yeah, it's just as you say, they've got a lifetime 59 00:02:50,560 --> 00:02:53,200 Speaker 3: ahead of them of things that aren't going to be good. 60 00:02:53,600 --> 00:02:56,880 Speaker 3: We know the value of education. So yeah, as I said, Katie, 61 00:02:56,919 --> 00:02:59,600 Speaker 3: it's a shocking situation. I'm very happy to follow that 62 00:02:59,600 --> 00:02:59,920 Speaker 3: one up. 63 00:03:00,000 --> 00:03:01,320 Speaker 2: Thank you. We would appreciate that. 64 00:03:01,480 --> 00:03:04,640 Speaker 1: Now, Minister, let's stay on the education path because we 65 00:03:04,720 --> 00:03:07,280 Speaker 1: know that obviously we've got teachers in Catherine who are 66 00:03:07,360 --> 00:03:10,320 Speaker 1: indeed striking today. It's a third round of strikes that 67 00:03:10,320 --> 00:03:13,560 Speaker 1: we've seen from teachers in recent weeks. Are we any 68 00:03:13,600 --> 00:03:16,560 Speaker 1: closer to reaching an agreement over this pay freeze? 69 00:03:17,240 --> 00:03:20,280 Speaker 3: Well, so the proposal that we've put up has gone 70 00:03:20,960 --> 00:03:23,640 Speaker 3: goes actually to vote on the sixteenth of September, So 71 00:03:23,680 --> 00:03:26,280 Speaker 3: there'll be an online voting on the sixth open from 72 00:03:26,360 --> 00:03:29,400 Speaker 3: the sixteenth to the twenty third of September, so that 73 00:03:29,520 --> 00:03:31,880 Speaker 3: is an opportunity for all teachers to have a say. 74 00:03:32,000 --> 00:03:35,120 Speaker 3: So the initial offer of the offer that we made, 75 00:03:35,160 --> 00:03:38,280 Speaker 3: which as you know, we thought was a very sound offer, 76 00:03:38,320 --> 00:03:41,160 Speaker 3: a very sensible offer that was knocked back by the 77 00:03:41,600 --> 00:03:45,800 Speaker 3: Australian Education Union executive. But now that proposal gets the 78 00:03:45,800 --> 00:03:49,360 Speaker 3: opportunity to go to all teachers across the Northern Territory, 79 00:03:49,400 --> 00:03:53,920 Speaker 3: not just the union executive. So there'll be information obviously 80 00:03:53,960 --> 00:03:57,240 Speaker 3: going out from the Commission of Public Employment around the 81 00:03:57,280 --> 00:04:00,560 Speaker 3: offer so that teachers can make an inform decision. 82 00:04:00,880 --> 00:04:02,400 Speaker 1: And so do you think that we could have a 83 00:04:02,440 --> 00:04:06,280 Speaker 1: situation here where the union maybe isn't giving all teachers 84 00:04:06,360 --> 00:04:07,560 Speaker 1: the full story. 85 00:04:08,640 --> 00:04:10,440 Speaker 3: Well, I mean that's how the unions work. I mean 86 00:04:10,480 --> 00:04:13,080 Speaker 3: obviously they talk to their members. They have an executive 87 00:04:13,120 --> 00:04:16,680 Speaker 3: that represents their members. So in the initial the initial 88 00:04:16,680 --> 00:04:21,160 Speaker 3: conversations around an EBA and the initial negotiations they're with 89 00:04:20,680 --> 00:04:26,240 Speaker 3: the with the Australian Education Union. They're obviously there. I 90 00:04:26,279 --> 00:04:29,200 Speaker 3: don't know the figures those aren't Those figures aren't disclosed 91 00:04:29,200 --> 00:04:31,040 Speaker 3: the number of people who are union members of who 92 00:04:31,120 --> 00:04:36,320 Speaker 3: who aren't union members that work as teachers or assistant teachers. 93 00:04:36,680 --> 00:04:40,839 Speaker 3: So that information will go to all teachers though, rather 94 00:04:40,880 --> 00:04:43,000 Speaker 3: than as I said, at the moment, it's been through 95 00:04:43,040 --> 00:04:44,839 Speaker 3: the union and targeted to their members. 96 00:04:45,240 --> 00:04:47,880 Speaker 1: Now I know that's in Catherine at that rally or 97 00:04:47,920 --> 00:04:50,920 Speaker 1: at that you know, at the strike that they're holding today. 98 00:04:51,080 --> 00:04:54,880 Speaker 1: They're really concerned about issues that they've got around housing. 99 00:04:55,560 --> 00:04:57,680 Speaker 1: What can be done in this space? There used to 100 00:04:57,720 --> 00:05:01,720 Speaker 1: obviously be an incentive offered or a subsidy offered to 101 00:05:01,960 --> 00:05:04,760 Speaker 1: teachers in areas like Catherine. Do you think we need 102 00:05:04,800 --> 00:05:06,039 Speaker 1: to go back down that pass? 103 00:05:06,640 --> 00:05:08,440 Speaker 3: Yeah, So a couple of things. First of all, the 104 00:05:08,480 --> 00:05:12,680 Speaker 3: housing subsidy isn't part of the EVA, so the subsidy 105 00:05:12,760 --> 00:05:16,880 Speaker 3: isn't part of those negotiations. That's something else around housing 106 00:05:16,920 --> 00:05:19,839 Speaker 3: subsidy for teachers. So there was the Department did a 107 00:05:19,880 --> 00:05:23,920 Speaker 3: review of the Catherine housing situation, and what they've come 108 00:05:24,000 --> 00:05:27,520 Speaker 3: up with is they have grandfathered. So if you were 109 00:05:27,560 --> 00:05:30,880 Speaker 3: a long term employee, if you're employeeing Catherine and you 110 00:05:31,000 --> 00:05:34,120 Speaker 3: were receiving the subsidy, that will be retained. But the 111 00:05:34,120 --> 00:05:37,080 Speaker 3: issue of housing in Catherine is a much broader issue. 112 00:05:37,240 --> 00:05:39,719 Speaker 3: It is about a housing shortage in Catherine and that's 113 00:05:39,720 --> 00:05:42,200 Speaker 3: the work that I'm doing with my infrastructure minister had 114 00:05:42,200 --> 00:05:45,280 Speaker 3: on so twenty Budget twenty twenty two put a lot 115 00:05:45,320 --> 00:05:48,520 Speaker 3: of money into new subdivisions. We know the story about 116 00:05:48,520 --> 00:05:51,760 Speaker 3: Holtz and Kowany in the Greater Darwin area, but then 117 00:05:51,839 --> 00:05:54,440 Speaker 3: also in Catherine. It's around the Caatherne East neighborhood center. 118 00:05:54,520 --> 00:05:57,719 Speaker 3: So if you're headed down to Catherine recently, you'll see 119 00:05:58,000 --> 00:06:00,560 Speaker 3: a lot of work down there on that way out 120 00:06:00,600 --> 00:06:03,760 Speaker 3: of town. So a whole new subdivision going in there. 121 00:06:03,760 --> 00:06:06,920 Speaker 3: So we need to have in Catherine more houses, more units, 122 00:06:06,920 --> 00:06:10,880 Speaker 3: you know, more apartments. A lot of teachers are younger. 123 00:06:11,600 --> 00:06:14,480 Speaker 3: You may not want a three bedroom house. It's expensive 124 00:06:14,520 --> 00:06:17,560 Speaker 3: to rent. How do we get more units into the 125 00:06:17,560 --> 00:06:19,919 Speaker 3: mixing Catherine. The other one that I did as a 126 00:06:19,920 --> 00:06:26,320 Speaker 3: Planning minister is we recently put through opportunities for people 127 00:06:26,360 --> 00:06:29,160 Speaker 3: who have larger blocks in that east side area which 128 00:06:29,200 --> 00:06:30,719 Speaker 3: is out of the flood zone, to be able to 129 00:06:30,760 --> 00:06:33,320 Speaker 3: subdivide their block, so it could be that they then 130 00:06:33,360 --> 00:06:35,920 Speaker 3: put in a granny flat there. So there is opportunities. 131 00:06:36,120 --> 00:06:39,040 Speaker 3: So you're very much aware of the broader issue of housing. 132 00:06:39,279 --> 00:06:43,160 Speaker 3: A housing shortage in Katherine. Catherine is absolutely booming, so 133 00:06:43,200 --> 00:06:45,159 Speaker 3: we do need to make sure there's more land, release 134 00:06:45,360 --> 00:06:47,640 Speaker 3: more opportunities for more units and apartments. 135 00:06:47,760 --> 00:06:48,120 Speaker 2: Minnester. 136 00:06:48,160 --> 00:06:51,160 Speaker 1: If there's not a subsidy though, for those teachers in Catherine, 137 00:06:51,240 --> 00:06:54,799 Speaker 1: and then obviously also facing that four year wage freeze, 138 00:06:54,839 --> 00:06:57,720 Speaker 1: how do we propose that we're going to entice teachers 139 00:06:58,040 --> 00:07:01,440 Speaker 1: to either stay in Catherine or to move moved to Catherine. 140 00:07:01,920 --> 00:07:05,160 Speaker 3: So at the moment, there are actually no vacancies in Catherine. 141 00:07:05,240 --> 00:07:08,479 Speaker 3: So you know, it is we talk about a shortage 142 00:07:08,480 --> 00:07:11,480 Speaker 3: of teachers, but there are all the positions in Catherine. 143 00:07:11,760 --> 00:07:14,320 Speaker 3: The information I have is that those how that those 144 00:07:14,360 --> 00:07:18,000 Speaker 3: positions are filled. But you know there are other incentives 145 00:07:18,000 --> 00:07:21,920 Speaker 3: around where you live, around study points, all of those 146 00:07:21,960 --> 00:07:24,080 Speaker 3: sorts of things that we have. But you know, Alice 147 00:07:24,080 --> 00:07:26,760 Speaker 3: Springs doesn't have a subsidy, Darwin doesn't have a subsidy. 148 00:07:27,280 --> 00:07:30,880 Speaker 3: Around teacher housing either. So those decisions were made a 149 00:07:30,960 --> 00:07:33,960 Speaker 3: number of years ago around those the teacher the subsidies 150 00:07:34,200 --> 00:07:37,360 Speaker 3: for teachers. But again, you know, I'm always open to 151 00:07:37,400 --> 00:07:41,000 Speaker 3: conversations around things that will keep teachers in the territory. 152 00:07:41,360 --> 00:07:44,280 Speaker 3: We know, you know, we do value our teachers and 153 00:07:44,360 --> 00:07:47,040 Speaker 3: we do know that across Australia it's getting harder and 154 00:07:47,080 --> 00:07:50,760 Speaker 3: harder to have teachers. So absolutely still open to conversations 155 00:07:50,760 --> 00:07:51,280 Speaker 3: around house. 156 00:07:51,400 --> 00:07:53,680 Speaker 1: Now, I am very mindful of time, so I do 157 00:07:53,760 --> 00:07:56,160 Speaker 1: want to just ask you one more question around the 158 00:07:56,200 --> 00:08:00,360 Speaker 1: situation with the education and the teacher strikes. Yes, yesterday 159 00:08:00,360 --> 00:08:03,000 Speaker 1: we spoke again to Beverly Ratahi about the issues with 160 00:08:03,120 --> 00:08:06,520 Speaker 1: bonuses and the bonus for support stuff seemingly falling under 161 00:08:06,520 --> 00:08:10,040 Speaker 1: school's current budgets. Is there going to be another pool 162 00:08:10,040 --> 00:08:12,880 Speaker 1: of funding for these bonuses or is it a situation 163 00:08:12,960 --> 00:08:16,440 Speaker 1: where the money has to be found from their current budgets. 164 00:08:17,000 --> 00:08:21,240 Speaker 3: So, under the negotiations currently are out for teachers and 165 00:08:21,280 --> 00:08:25,119 Speaker 3: assistant teachers, that six thousand dollars bonus one thousand dollars 166 00:08:25,240 --> 00:08:29,080 Speaker 3: is already in the school budgets, that's already been allocaied. 167 00:08:29,080 --> 00:08:32,280 Speaker 3: But the five thousand dollars won't be. It won't come 168 00:08:32,320 --> 00:08:34,520 Speaker 3: from the school budget, so it won't impact the school 169 00:08:34,520 --> 00:08:38,199 Speaker 3: budgets at all, and that I have had those conversations 170 00:08:38,200 --> 00:08:41,560 Speaker 3: in the past with the union. But I also after 171 00:08:41,600 --> 00:08:44,719 Speaker 3: I heard those conversations yesterday, I will put out some 172 00:08:44,840 --> 00:08:47,280 Speaker 3: information to all schools just so that they're very clear 173 00:08:47,320 --> 00:08:50,040 Speaker 3: about that one thousand dollars is already in their budgets 174 00:08:50,280 --> 00:08:52,800 Speaker 3: and the five thousand dollars won't impact the school budget. 175 00:08:53,160 --> 00:08:56,720 Speaker 2: So was there an increase in anyway education than ever? 176 00:08:56,920 --> 00:08:59,720 Speaker 1: Well, was there an increase in any way for them 177 00:09:00,440 --> 00:09:02,800 Speaker 1: to that one thousand dollar bonus being agreed upon. 178 00:09:03,760 --> 00:09:08,240 Speaker 3: So you're talking about the teacher assistance, So the teacher assistance, 179 00:09:09,000 --> 00:09:11,600 Speaker 3: there is a component of that that was going to 180 00:09:11,679 --> 00:09:14,400 Speaker 3: come or that has to come from the school budgets. 181 00:09:15,120 --> 00:09:19,000 Speaker 3: But that funding, as I said, there is considerable amounts 182 00:09:19,040 --> 00:09:22,400 Speaker 3: of money in school bank accounts and that money of 183 00:09:22,440 --> 00:09:24,920 Speaker 3: that thousand dollars will come from the school bank accounts. 184 00:09:24,920 --> 00:09:28,120 Speaker 3: So it depends on how many teacher assistants they have 185 00:09:28,160 --> 00:09:31,080 Speaker 3: in the schools. Some of our schools will the cost 186 00:09:31,120 --> 00:09:34,199 Speaker 3: will be you know, two or three thousand dollars, depends 187 00:09:34,240 --> 00:09:35,280 Speaker 3: on the size of the school. 188 00:09:35,360 --> 00:09:37,960 Speaker 1: Were the schools aware of that before this, you know 189 00:09:38,040 --> 00:09:41,040 Speaker 1: that one thousand dollar bonus was offered, and indeed you 190 00:09:41,040 --> 00:09:43,559 Speaker 1: know happened, yes. 191 00:09:43,440 --> 00:09:46,080 Speaker 3: So that those decisions were made by the Education Department, 192 00:09:46,080 --> 00:09:49,360 Speaker 3: and they were they would have been informed through their 193 00:09:50,000 --> 00:09:54,120 Speaker 3: ADMIN managers or the ADMIN executive people as I said, 194 00:09:54,160 --> 00:09:57,760 Speaker 3: when those those decisions were made, probably six months ago 195 00:09:58,160 --> 00:09:59,560 Speaker 3: or more than that, eight months ago. 196 00:10:00,080 --> 00:10:03,280 Speaker 1: The remaining five thousand dollars for the bonus, though, is 197 00:10:03,320 --> 00:10:05,640 Speaker 1: going to come, is going to be funding provided. 198 00:10:06,160 --> 00:10:09,200 Speaker 3: There's two different things here. So you're talking I'm talking 199 00:10:09,200 --> 00:10:11,800 Speaker 3: about the teachers and then there's teachers. So the ADMIN 200 00:10:11,880 --> 00:10:15,680 Speaker 3: officers were under the previous admin officers who work in school, 201 00:10:15,720 --> 00:10:19,000 Speaker 3: so the staff in your front office for example, that 202 00:10:19,160 --> 00:10:22,720 Speaker 3: was they went through with that previous agreement with the 203 00:10:22,920 --> 00:10:28,320 Speaker 3: administration people. That was before Christmas. So there's those, But 204 00:10:28,400 --> 00:10:32,000 Speaker 3: there's also the teacher bonus that we're talking about now, 205 00:10:32,000 --> 00:10:35,880 Speaker 3: the six thousand dollars teacher bonus that also includes you know, 206 00:10:35,960 --> 00:10:40,079 Speaker 3: Indigenous assistant teachers in remote so that six thousand dollars 207 00:10:40,080 --> 00:10:42,960 Speaker 3: one thousand dollars has already gone into school budgets. Five 208 00:10:43,000 --> 00:10:46,560 Speaker 3: thousand dollars won't impact the school budgets year life numbers 209 00:10:46,600 --> 00:10:51,400 Speaker 3: with the teachers Assistant. The teacher assistance was under the 210 00:10:52,160 --> 00:10:55,319 Speaker 3: agreement that went through earlier or late last year before Christmas. 211 00:10:55,360 --> 00:10:58,000 Speaker 1: Okay, well, I'll be interested to hear then from those 212 00:10:58,400 --> 00:11:01,080 Speaker 1: from those different boards for the different schools what kind 213 00:11:01,120 --> 00:11:04,040 Speaker 1: of impact that's having then in terms of that one 214 00:11:04,080 --> 00:11:05,360 Speaker 1: thousand dollars and stuff. 215 00:11:05,480 --> 00:11:08,959 Speaker 3: It is. It is difficult, you know, we're all rebounding 216 00:11:09,000 --> 00:11:13,640 Speaker 3: after COVID. I'm also the treasurer, you know, yes, you 217 00:11:13,640 --> 00:11:17,199 Speaker 3: know if schools are having difficulties around any funding, absolutely 218 00:11:17,280 --> 00:11:19,800 Speaker 3: the department always steps in and assists. But you know 219 00:11:19,920 --> 00:11:24,400 Speaker 3: that we do need to make sure that we are 220 00:11:24,480 --> 00:11:27,440 Speaker 3: actually in a reasonable position with our budget and as 221 00:11:27,440 --> 00:11:31,120 Speaker 3: a government, we've continued to always increase our education budget 222 00:11:31,120 --> 00:11:32,959 Speaker 3: and we've got a one point one eight five billion 223 00:11:33,000 --> 00:11:36,040 Speaker 3: dollar budget and education you know, record budget. 224 00:11:36,360 --> 00:11:37,960 Speaker 1: We are going to have to move along because there 225 00:11:38,000 --> 00:11:39,440 Speaker 1: is a bit that I'm keen to cover off on 226 00:11:39,440 --> 00:11:41,640 Speaker 1: this morning, and I know that the Northern Territory Government's 227 00:11:41,679 --> 00:11:45,520 Speaker 1: investing in a potential infrastructure corridor from Tenant Creek to Darwin. 228 00:11:45,880 --> 00:11:49,600 Speaker 1: Now it's aimed at allowing for continued development of our regions. 229 00:11:49,600 --> 00:11:54,360 Speaker 1: This proposed corridor will provide pipelines for future services including gas, water, 230 00:11:54,440 --> 00:11:58,480 Speaker 1: communications and other utilities. From what I can gather, Minister, 231 00:11:58,559 --> 00:12:01,040 Speaker 1: where is this work at when it comes to this 232 00:12:01,480 --> 00:12:02,640 Speaker 1: to this pipeline. 233 00:12:03,400 --> 00:12:06,480 Speaker 3: So we're at the stage of consultation. So as you said, 234 00:12:06,520 --> 00:12:10,200 Speaker 3: this is a potential infrastructure corridor from Tenant Creek to Darwin, 235 00:12:10,880 --> 00:12:13,520 Speaker 3: and that you know, we do want to have colocation 236 00:12:13,800 --> 00:12:18,439 Speaker 3: of infrastructure services, so whether it's gas, water, you utilities, 237 00:12:18,520 --> 00:12:21,079 Speaker 3: comms and so what we need to do. There's been 238 00:12:21,120 --> 00:12:25,440 Speaker 3: a pre feasibility study that identified the preliminary corridor for that, 239 00:12:26,280 --> 00:12:28,320 Speaker 3: so that has sort of taken into account, you know, 240 00:12:28,400 --> 00:12:31,679 Speaker 3: the infrastructure that's needed, the environment, social impacts, you know 241 00:12:32,640 --> 00:12:35,360 Speaker 3: where it should go. But now is the time to 242 00:12:35,440 --> 00:12:39,440 Speaker 3: actually go out and talk to landholders, you know, pastoralists, 243 00:12:39,559 --> 00:12:44,200 Speaker 3: land councils, upper everybody that needs to have a say 244 00:12:44,240 --> 00:12:48,640 Speaker 3: in where that corridor goes. So consultations starting and I 245 00:12:48,720 --> 00:12:51,240 Speaker 3: put that media release out on Monday. There will be 246 00:12:52,040 --> 00:12:55,839 Speaker 3: there will be pop ups and open public forums in 247 00:12:55,920 --> 00:12:59,760 Speaker 3: Tenant Creek, Catherine Adelaide River as well as Darwin. But 248 00:12:59,800 --> 00:13:02,560 Speaker 3: that those conversations will then determine the best position for 249 00:13:02,600 --> 00:13:05,360 Speaker 3: the corridor. So at this stage we're not talking about 250 00:13:05,400 --> 00:13:08,600 Speaker 3: the pipeline because or the pipeline that we'll go in there, 251 00:13:08,640 --> 00:13:11,840 Speaker 3: because as I said, it could be that it's around telecoms, 252 00:13:11,880 --> 00:13:15,640 Speaker 3: it could be around utilities, water or gas. But what 253 00:13:15,679 --> 00:13:18,080 Speaker 3: we're talking about is the best position for that. So 254 00:13:18,160 --> 00:13:20,680 Speaker 3: how do you have a corridor that has the least 255 00:13:20,720 --> 00:13:24,760 Speaker 3: impact on the environment rather than over the next however, 256 00:13:24,800 --> 00:13:27,600 Speaker 3: many forty years, everybody that comes along wanting to put 257 00:13:27,600 --> 00:13:30,800 Speaker 3: in another pipeline of some sort, how do we actually 258 00:13:30,840 --> 00:13:35,679 Speaker 3: come up with a pipeline between Tenant Creek and Darwen 259 00:13:35,720 --> 00:13:38,480 Speaker 3: that can be used for multiple multiple uses. 260 00:13:38,800 --> 00:13:41,680 Speaker 1: Now, speaking of another development or another area where the 261 00:13:41,679 --> 00:13:44,800 Speaker 1: government's actually seeking feedback, it is Middle Arm. The aim 262 00:13:44,840 --> 00:13:47,840 Speaker 1: of Middle Arm is obviously to transform it into a 263 00:13:47,880 --> 00:13:52,679 Speaker 1: sustainable development ready industrial precinct. Minister, how difficult do you 264 00:13:52,720 --> 00:13:55,080 Speaker 1: think the development of that site's going to be given 265 00:13:55,120 --> 00:13:58,400 Speaker 1: the fact that the environment centers already raised concerns about 266 00:13:58,880 --> 00:14:00,560 Speaker 1: well what they have said is oing to be a 267 00:14:00,600 --> 00:14:07,240 Speaker 1: petrochemical precinct and they've described health implications for locals as 268 00:14:07,240 --> 00:14:09,240 Speaker 1: a result of developing that site. 269 00:14:09,840 --> 00:14:12,800 Speaker 3: Well, this, this is the actual opportunity for those groups 270 00:14:12,800 --> 00:14:16,600 Speaker 3: to have a say. So the strategic Environmental assessment is 271 00:14:16,679 --> 00:14:20,280 Speaker 3: out and now so Departners dip dip ALE my agency, 272 00:14:20,560 --> 00:14:22,880 Speaker 3: they're the ones that leading the work at Middle Arm 273 00:14:23,320 --> 00:14:25,600 Speaker 3: and so they want to be able to submit their 274 00:14:25,640 --> 00:14:29,480 Speaker 3: strategic Environmental Assessment in the first half of twenty twenty three. 275 00:14:29,680 --> 00:14:33,120 Speaker 3: They need to have stakeholder and community input and that's 276 00:14:33,160 --> 00:14:36,720 Speaker 3: what's happening now. So you're that master plan precinct which 277 00:14:36,760 --> 00:14:39,640 Speaker 3: will have a very strong focus on your preserving dal 278 00:14:39,720 --> 00:14:43,080 Speaker 3: and Harbor and all the environmental values around that. But 279 00:14:43,720 --> 00:14:47,040 Speaker 3: we've obviously heard loudly and clear clearly from environmental groups, 280 00:14:47,600 --> 00:14:50,800 Speaker 3: but this is the proper opportunity for those people to 281 00:14:50,840 --> 00:14:54,760 Speaker 3: have a say so that strategic environmental assessment that's out 282 00:14:54,760 --> 00:14:55,680 Speaker 3: now for consultation. 283 00:14:55,880 --> 00:14:57,960 Speaker 2: And so will it be a petrochemical hub? 284 00:14:59,000 --> 00:15:01,560 Speaker 3: Well, as I said, that's that's the conversations that on 285 00:15:01,720 --> 00:15:05,200 Speaker 3: the negotiations now around what will go there. So whether 286 00:15:05,240 --> 00:15:09,800 Speaker 3: it's renewables, whether it's hydrogen, whether it's carbon capture use 287 00:15:09,840 --> 00:15:13,200 Speaker 3: in storage. There's about I think between twenty and thirty 288 00:15:13,240 --> 00:15:16,960 Speaker 3: different businesses and industries that are very much interested in 289 00:15:17,480 --> 00:15:20,280 Speaker 3: going there. But you know, this is the whole idea 290 00:15:20,320 --> 00:15:22,960 Speaker 3: of middle armies to also and also our onto oil 291 00:15:22,960 --> 00:15:26,320 Speaker 3: and gas industry is not to just have the gas 292 00:15:26,600 --> 00:15:28,760 Speaker 3: the off take of gas, but to have a downstream, 293 00:15:28,960 --> 00:15:32,440 Speaker 3: to have downstream industries from gas. And so that's important 294 00:15:32,480 --> 00:15:35,360 Speaker 3: for jobs for territory and it's important for our forty 295 00:15:35,400 --> 00:15:38,320 Speaker 3: pillion dollar economy by twenty thirty. So there is a 296 00:15:38,440 --> 00:15:41,360 Speaker 3: range of groups, range of businesses that are very interested 297 00:15:41,400 --> 00:15:43,760 Speaker 3: in middle arm and as I said, some of those 298 00:15:43,800 --> 00:15:47,200 Speaker 3: will be in renewables, some will be hydrogen, and some 299 00:15:47,280 --> 00:15:50,200 Speaker 3: will be downstream usage of the gas that we're getting 300 00:15:50,200 --> 00:15:50,920 Speaker 3: from the Bedlooth. 301 00:15:51,040 --> 00:15:53,000 Speaker 1: Hey, minister, a quick question that we've had from our 302 00:15:53,040 --> 00:15:55,800 Speaker 1: listeners over the last couple of days. There's apparently these 303 00:15:56,120 --> 00:15:59,800 Speaker 1: smaller concrete platforms in a few locations around Darwin and 304 00:15:59,800 --> 00:16:02,560 Speaker 1: p People are wondering what are they for. 305 00:16:03,600 --> 00:16:05,560 Speaker 3: I know, so I was going to do media this 306 00:16:05,600 --> 00:16:08,360 Speaker 3: week on it, but because there are only the plinth 307 00:16:08,680 --> 00:16:10,760 Speaker 3: the bottom area was done, I said, let's wait a week. 308 00:16:10,800 --> 00:16:13,200 Speaker 3: But that's created so much interest I probably should have 309 00:16:13,240 --> 00:16:15,360 Speaker 3: come out and done some media. So they're going to 310 00:16:15,360 --> 00:16:19,720 Speaker 3: be visual message boards, so they will provide there's a 311 00:16:19,880 --> 00:16:22,480 Speaker 3: I think about twenty or thirty across the whole of 312 00:16:22,520 --> 00:16:25,960 Speaker 3: the territory. But they will provide information to the public 313 00:16:26,880 --> 00:16:29,960 Speaker 3: about the roads or it could be around cyclone watches. 314 00:16:30,040 --> 00:16:33,240 Speaker 3: It would be it's information to the public basically, So 315 00:16:33,280 --> 00:16:35,880 Speaker 3: they won't be on all the time. But for example, 316 00:16:35,920 --> 00:16:39,520 Speaker 3: I travel in from Palmerston to Darwin and sometimes there's 317 00:16:39,560 --> 00:16:42,400 Speaker 3: an accident on Tiger Brennan Drive and you know, I 318 00:16:42,440 --> 00:16:44,920 Speaker 3: have the radio on, but you don't always get that information. 319 00:16:45,040 --> 00:16:48,160 Speaker 3: But as I go along Roystonia there'll be information saying, 320 00:16:48,560 --> 00:16:51,520 Speaker 3: you know, there's a delay of tip on Tiverndale Road 321 00:16:51,640 --> 00:16:53,480 Speaker 3: or something like that, so then I can make a 322 00:16:53,560 --> 00:16:56,480 Speaker 3: choice to go along the Stuart Highway. So they're going 323 00:16:56,480 --> 00:17:00,640 Speaker 3: to be visual message boards that will provide information to 324 00:17:00,760 --> 00:17:03,720 Speaker 3: the public. And people have probably seen them down south 325 00:17:03,760 --> 00:17:05,879 Speaker 3: when you go on a freeway and places like that, 326 00:17:05,880 --> 00:17:08,880 Speaker 3: they're often across the top of the road and they'll 327 00:17:08,920 --> 00:17:12,000 Speaker 3: provide information to the public. So visual message boards that's 328 00:17:12,000 --> 00:17:12,679 Speaker 3: what they're going to be. 329 00:17:12,800 --> 00:17:13,439 Speaker 2: I tell you what. 330 00:17:13,480 --> 00:17:16,680 Speaker 1: We have had so many messages about those throughout this week. 331 00:17:16,760 --> 00:17:20,000 Speaker 1: We've except the text line a light those visual message 332 00:17:20,000 --> 00:17:21,640 Speaker 1: board concrete platforms. 333 00:17:22,200 --> 00:17:24,680 Speaker 3: I'm glad people are observant because I was the same 334 00:17:24,720 --> 00:17:27,879 Speaker 3: I saw the one opposite gateway there and going, ah, 335 00:17:27,880 --> 00:17:30,400 Speaker 3: that's what it is, because I've obviously had information about 336 00:17:30,440 --> 00:17:32,520 Speaker 3: it and said, oh, that's what it looks like. And 337 00:17:32,800 --> 00:17:35,080 Speaker 3: obviously there needs to be barriers put in. You don't 338 00:17:35,080 --> 00:17:38,880 Speaker 3: want you know, cars or motorbikes hitting them. So there's 339 00:17:38,880 --> 00:17:41,520 Speaker 3: some barriers that are also going in. But yeah, the 340 00:17:41,560 --> 00:17:43,560 Speaker 3: rumor that it was going to be a statue of 341 00:17:43,560 --> 00:17:47,119 Speaker 3: the mayor of Palmerston, I think somebody asked was totally incorrect. 342 00:17:48,359 --> 00:17:50,800 Speaker 1: Fair enough, do we know how much they're going to 343 00:17:50,840 --> 00:17:52,640 Speaker 1: cost all these visual message boards? 344 00:17:53,840 --> 00:17:56,359 Speaker 3: I haven't. I think somebody did tell me, Katie, but 345 00:17:56,400 --> 00:18:00,360 Speaker 3: I haven't got that in my brain. But when I'm sure, 346 00:18:00,400 --> 00:18:01,320 Speaker 3: I'll have that information. 347 00:18:01,440 --> 00:18:02,800 Speaker 2: But absolutely it is. 348 00:18:03,440 --> 00:18:06,280 Speaker 3: It is important. I mean, we do talk about resilience 349 00:18:06,320 --> 00:18:09,439 Speaker 3: and resilience of communities to have those messages, and I 350 00:18:09,480 --> 00:18:12,240 Speaker 3: think you know we've seen that down south. You know, 351 00:18:12,280 --> 00:18:15,399 Speaker 3: if we're going to have more fires, there's information that 352 00:18:15,480 --> 00:18:18,240 Speaker 3: the public can then see, you know, quickly. And it 353 00:18:18,359 --> 00:18:20,240 Speaker 3: is how to get messages out. I know we've got 354 00:18:20,240 --> 00:18:23,840 Speaker 3: Facebook and things like that, but not everybody accesses that 355 00:18:24,080 --> 00:18:26,399 Speaker 3: or listens to the radio people. Yeah, so it is 356 00:18:26,440 --> 00:18:29,680 Speaker 3: a way to get information to the public really quickly. 357 00:18:29,800 --> 00:18:32,119 Speaker 1: Hey minister, A very quick question, and this is something 358 00:18:32,119 --> 00:18:34,640 Speaker 1: that take up a lot at the time, but somebody 359 00:18:34,680 --> 00:18:37,400 Speaker 1: had asked, m can I ask the Education Minister if 360 00:18:37,400 --> 00:18:39,560 Speaker 1: she's on a PayPhrase. My understanding is that all the 361 00:18:39,600 --> 00:18:41,400 Speaker 1: politicians did go on a pay phrase. 362 00:18:41,240 --> 00:18:43,840 Speaker 3: Didn't you. Yes, yes, so all executive contracts that we've 363 00:18:43,880 --> 00:18:46,119 Speaker 3: been on a pay freeze for for I don't know. 364 00:18:46,480 --> 00:18:48,640 Speaker 3: I think the whole time I've been a minister, we've 365 00:18:48,680 --> 00:18:51,000 Speaker 3: been on pray freeze. As that was something Michael Gunner 366 00:18:51,040 --> 00:18:53,800 Speaker 3: brought in very early and I think it was within 367 00:18:53,880 --> 00:18:56,480 Speaker 3: probably the first year that we're in government. He put 368 00:18:56,520 --> 00:18:58,960 Speaker 3: all politicians on a pay freeze. But I think the 369 00:18:59,000 --> 00:19:02,439 Speaker 3: executive contract offices are all still on pay freezers. So 370 00:19:02,440 --> 00:19:04,840 Speaker 3: if you're an e CEO in the public sector, you're 371 00:19:04,880 --> 00:19:06,760 Speaker 3: on a pay freeze as well. I think. 372 00:19:06,840 --> 00:19:10,879 Speaker 1: Well, Minister, for just about everything this morning. We appreciate 373 00:19:10,960 --> 00:19:13,400 Speaker 1: your time. Thank you very much for covering off all 374 00:19:13,440 --> 00:19:14,960 Speaker 1: of those topics. I appreciate it. 375 00:19:14,960 --> 00:19:17,480 Speaker 3: We actually, though I can mention I did hear Jared 376 00:19:17,520 --> 00:19:21,320 Speaker 3: Mayley talking about the pool and how it's not going 377 00:19:21,320 --> 00:19:25,119 Speaker 3: to cost money. Actually there is considerable there would be 378 00:19:25,160 --> 00:19:29,120 Speaker 3: considerable costs for the Northern Territory Government. So the pool 379 00:19:29,160 --> 00:19:32,520 Speaker 3: at how it springs wasn't constructed for broad public usage, 380 00:19:32,760 --> 00:19:35,720 Speaker 3: and it doesn't comply with a Disability Discrimination Act, it 381 00:19:35,760 --> 00:19:39,160 Speaker 3: has limited change rooms, and it doesn't meet the Northern 382 00:19:39,240 --> 00:19:40,760 Speaker 3: Territory government guidelines for the public. 383 00:19:41,240 --> 00:19:42,840 Speaker 2: And so is that why it's not going to be 384 00:19:42,960 --> 00:19:43,520 Speaker 2: used or. 385 00:19:43,960 --> 00:19:46,760 Speaker 3: It's part of the equation. But I mean the other 386 00:19:46,800 --> 00:19:48,959 Speaker 3: part of the equation is, you know, the federal government 387 00:19:49,440 --> 00:19:52,439 Speaker 3: is also paying the Northern Territory Government to hold to 388 00:19:52,600 --> 00:19:55,520 Speaker 3: have that facility for the next twelve months. There's a 389 00:19:55,560 --> 00:19:58,360 Speaker 3: possibility always that we may need to use that facility. 390 00:19:58,400 --> 00:20:00,919 Speaker 3: But you know there has been at other times and 391 00:20:00,960 --> 00:20:03,600 Speaker 3: we know the example of prap Pool when parrapp was 392 00:20:04,320 --> 00:20:06,480 Speaker 3: getting built, that when Perrap Pool was closed for a 393 00:20:06,480 --> 00:20:09,600 Speaker 3: couple of years. So I know, I've worked with the 394 00:20:10,119 --> 00:20:12,800 Speaker 3: City of Palmerston around the pool because the pool issue 395 00:20:13,359 --> 00:20:15,639 Speaker 3: is the City of Palmerston. They're the ones that access 396 00:20:15,680 --> 00:20:19,680 Speaker 3: the funding and the mayor has been very very accommodating. 397 00:20:19,760 --> 00:20:24,320 Speaker 3: They've offered to pay for people's usage at the Goldfish 398 00:20:24,320 --> 00:20:27,520 Speaker 3: Bowl for example, that's a private provider. So the mayor 399 00:20:27,520 --> 00:20:31,040 Speaker 3: has been very accommodating around suggestions to assist schools even 400 00:20:31,080 --> 00:20:33,600 Speaker 3: with bus fares if they need to go into town. 401 00:20:33,720 --> 00:20:36,520 Speaker 3: So I know the CLP of get on and often 402 00:20:36,560 --> 00:20:40,560 Speaker 3: talk about the pool. But what people need to do 403 00:20:40,840 --> 00:20:42,760 Speaker 3: is to talk to the mayor, because the mayor I 404 00:20:42,800 --> 00:20:46,520 Speaker 3: know has had conversations with me and she's been very 405 00:20:46,600 --> 00:20:49,560 Speaker 3: very ameniable to coming up with solutions for people who 406 00:20:49,840 --> 00:20:53,240 Speaker 3: aren't accessing the pool and also ways to fund that. 407 00:20:53,280 --> 00:20:55,639 Speaker 3: So if there is a school, or if there is 408 00:20:55,640 --> 00:20:59,399 Speaker 3: an organization that is impacted, please get in touch with 409 00:20:59,440 --> 00:21:03,120 Speaker 3: athene as far as I'm concerned, and that Athena has 410 00:21:03,160 --> 00:21:04,480 Speaker 3: managed this exceptionally well. 411 00:21:04,840 --> 00:21:07,480 Speaker 1: So, but at the end of the day, that Howard 412 00:21:07,480 --> 00:21:09,720 Speaker 1: Springs Pool is not going to be one that the 413 00:21:09,920 --> 00:21:13,280 Speaker 1: that the government's prepared to allow people to use it. 414 00:21:13,480 --> 00:21:16,320 Speaker 3: It's just isn't feasible. You know, there would need to 415 00:21:16,320 --> 00:21:19,960 Speaker 3: be well you just heard me large amounts of money spent. 416 00:21:20,720 --> 00:21:24,080 Speaker 3: It has it's all of it doesn't have a shallow area, 417 00:21:24,160 --> 00:21:26,919 Speaker 3: it's deep the whole way through. As I said, there 418 00:21:27,080 --> 00:21:30,960 Speaker 3: need to be fencing, change rooms put in place. There's 419 00:21:31,000 --> 00:21:35,280 Speaker 3: only ladders into it doesn't have as I said, disability access. 420 00:21:36,440 --> 00:21:39,080 Speaker 3: There are considerable and we did look into all of this. 421 00:21:39,160 --> 00:21:42,159 Speaker 3: We didn't just say no straight away. But you know 422 00:21:42,640 --> 00:21:45,760 Speaker 3: that I've driven past the new the Parmesan pool, that 423 00:21:45,840 --> 00:21:49,280 Speaker 3: work is underway and sometimes there are things that you 424 00:21:49,320 --> 00:21:52,840 Speaker 3: know there is an inconvenience. We do understand that, but 425 00:21:52,880 --> 00:21:54,960 Speaker 3: we just have to be patient around that. There will 426 00:21:55,000 --> 00:21:58,200 Speaker 3: be a wonderful new facility that's going to cost a 427 00:21:58,240 --> 00:22:01,080 Speaker 3: lot of money into the future. And as I said, 428 00:22:01,920 --> 00:22:04,919 Speaker 3: there are options around school swimming. The council has offered 429 00:22:05,000 --> 00:22:07,919 Speaker 3: those things. So if there is anybody that's got a 430 00:22:07,920 --> 00:22:10,840 Speaker 3: concern around the Palmesan Pool, please contact the Mayor. I 431 00:22:10,840 --> 00:22:13,840 Speaker 3: know she's had lots of conversations. I don't know if 432 00:22:13,840 --> 00:22:17,120 Speaker 3: she's had conversations though with the colp, but she has 433 00:22:17,119 --> 00:22:19,359 Speaker 3: had conversations with lots of people around the pool. 434 00:22:19,440 --> 00:22:22,680 Speaker 1: Well, Minister, we certainly appreciate your time this morning. Thank 435 00:22:22,720 --> 00:22:25,120 Speaker 1: you very much for chatting with us about a lot 436 00:22:25,160 --> 00:22:26,000 Speaker 1: of different topics. 437 00:22:26,160 --> 00:22:28,680 Speaker 2: Thank you, thank you, thanks very much. 438 00:22:28,800 --> 00:22:32,840 Speaker 1: That is the Minister, also the Treasurer, Education Minister, Minister 439 00:22:32,920 --> 00:22:34,720 Speaker 1: for Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics. 440 00:22:34,760 --> 00:22:36,000 Speaker 2: Quite a few portfolios. 441 00:22:36,200 --> 00:22:38,200 Speaker 1: If you'd like to get in contact with me this morning, 442 00:22:38,440 --> 00:22:41,640 Speaker 1: that number to text through is zero four, double nine seven, 443 00:22:41,720 --> 00:22:44,080 Speaker 1: double one three six zero. We are going to have 444 00:22:44,119 --> 00:22:45,719 Speaker 1: to go to a break and get to the National 445 00:22:45,760 --> 00:22:46,080 Speaker 1: news