1 00:00:00,080 --> 00:00:02,279 Speaker 1: Joining me on the line is the Northern Territory Police 2 00:00:02,360 --> 00:00:03,400 Speaker 1: Ministernicle Madison. 3 00:00:03,440 --> 00:00:05,280 Speaker 2: Good morning, Good morning, Mattie man. 4 00:00:05,320 --> 00:00:08,160 Speaker 1: I we know nearly three hundred Rual residents packed community 5 00:00:08,160 --> 00:00:11,480 Speaker 1: hall on Saturday to address concerns of crime in the 6 00:00:11,600 --> 00:00:14,760 Speaker 1: area police. That comes as thirty four incidents have been 7 00:00:14,800 --> 00:00:18,440 Speaker 1: reported to police in the past twelve weeks. Minister, First 8 00:00:18,480 --> 00:00:21,000 Speaker 1: of all, can I ask why there wasn't a government 9 00:00:21,120 --> 00:00:22,040 Speaker 1: representative there? 10 00:00:23,079 --> 00:00:25,919 Speaker 2: Well, we did have government representatives. We had people from 11 00:00:25,920 --> 00:00:29,120 Speaker 2: the police and from the Department of Territory Families and 12 00:00:29,480 --> 00:00:32,080 Speaker 2: I have full confidence into local members to represent their 13 00:00:32,159 --> 00:00:34,599 Speaker 2: views to me on what is going on in their community. 14 00:00:34,680 --> 00:00:36,080 Speaker 2: They know they can pick up the phone to me. 15 00:00:36,720 --> 00:00:38,400 Speaker 2: But what I want to say about the meeting was 16 00:00:38,440 --> 00:00:41,680 Speaker 2: that there was clearly a significant turnout. There was more 17 00:00:41,720 --> 00:00:44,840 Speaker 2: than what anybody had anticipated, and I think that's recognition 18 00:00:44,880 --> 00:00:48,239 Speaker 2: about how people are feeling because we have seen from 19 00:00:48,280 --> 00:00:51,320 Speaker 2: the start of the year there had been a decrease 20 00:00:51,479 --> 00:00:55,360 Speaker 2: in criminal activity between January to September. However, from September 21 00:00:55,400 --> 00:00:58,840 Speaker 2: to November we had seen thirty four reported incidents compared 22 00:00:58,880 --> 00:01:01,320 Speaker 2: to twelve for the same time time the year before. 23 00:01:01,640 --> 00:01:04,920 Speaker 2: There are persons of interest that have been identified there, 24 00:01:04,959 --> 00:01:07,120 Speaker 2: and police are working very hard to deal with that. 25 00:01:08,240 --> 00:01:11,319 Speaker 1: We've heard reports this morning from Keesiopiric that said she 26 00:01:11,520 --> 00:01:13,560 Speaker 1: asked for a simple show of hands of perhaps how 27 00:01:13,560 --> 00:01:17,039 Speaker 1: many people hadn't reported an issue of crime on their property. 28 00:01:17,080 --> 00:01:18,720 Speaker 1: I mean, given that, as you mentioned, with some of 29 00:01:18,760 --> 00:01:21,360 Speaker 1: those stats, we've already seen a crime a spike in 30 00:01:21,400 --> 00:01:23,480 Speaker 1: those numbers in the later part of the year, do 31 00:01:23,480 --> 00:01:25,240 Speaker 1: you think it could actually the problem could be even 32 00:01:25,280 --> 00:01:26,600 Speaker 1: worse than the numbers are showing. 33 00:01:27,560 --> 00:01:29,880 Speaker 2: Well, I have to go off what has been reported. 34 00:01:30,440 --> 00:01:33,760 Speaker 2: I think people, if they have experienced crime, should always 35 00:01:34,160 --> 00:01:36,760 Speaker 2: report it, no matter how minor it is, because it's 36 00:01:36,760 --> 00:01:40,560 Speaker 2: important to recognize that we can only respond to what 37 00:01:40,560 --> 00:01:42,160 Speaker 2: we can see and what we know about. So I 38 00:01:42,200 --> 00:01:45,319 Speaker 2: can't stress the importance that people do report any criminal 39 00:01:45,360 --> 00:01:49,560 Speaker 2: activity because police don't just go to places randomly. They 40 00:01:49,640 --> 00:01:53,720 Speaker 2: actually use intelligence to understand what the criminal activity is 41 00:01:53,840 --> 00:01:55,680 Speaker 2: like and what the flows of behavior are like, so 42 00:01:55,760 --> 00:01:58,640 Speaker 2: they can best target their resources to where it goes 43 00:01:58,680 --> 00:02:01,520 Speaker 2: to tackle those issues and try to prevent crime. Ultimately, 44 00:02:01,960 --> 00:02:02,600 Speaker 2: what are. 45 00:02:02,520 --> 00:02:05,200 Speaker 1: The police resources in the rural area at the moment. 46 00:02:05,240 --> 00:02:08,040 Speaker 1: We've heard reports that there is only one patrol cast 47 00:02:08,120 --> 00:02:10,280 Speaker 1: servicing that area. Is that the case. 48 00:02:11,560 --> 00:02:13,480 Speaker 2: I don't have the exact numbers, but we do have 49 00:02:13,560 --> 00:02:16,480 Speaker 2: the Humptyd station that has opened twenty four to seven, 50 00:02:16,600 --> 00:02:18,720 Speaker 2: so they're operating out of there. We've also got the 51 00:02:18,720 --> 00:02:21,359 Speaker 2: Palmeston Police station down the road as you know, Maddie, 52 00:02:21,360 --> 00:02:24,680 Speaker 2: which we opened a new one last year and had 53 00:02:24,680 --> 00:02:27,440 Speaker 2: invested thirty million dollars into that too, So we've got 54 00:02:27,480 --> 00:02:30,400 Speaker 2: those police resources that can help people out in the 55 00:02:30,480 --> 00:02:31,200 Speaker 2: rural area. 56 00:02:31,280 --> 00:02:33,880 Speaker 1: The Humpty Do Police station had that closed for a 57 00:02:34,080 --> 00:02:34,919 Speaker 1: period of time. 58 00:02:36,240 --> 00:02:39,280 Speaker 2: No, what we've had is the front counter during COVID 59 00:02:39,320 --> 00:02:42,200 Speaker 2: and because of the basically the pressures that we had 60 00:02:42,200 --> 00:02:46,160 Speaker 2: on resources to deal with border issues, that had not 61 00:02:46,200 --> 00:02:48,320 Speaker 2: been operating. But the advice I've had back is that 62 00:02:48,320 --> 00:02:50,800 Speaker 2: that is open during business hours again Monday to Friday. 63 00:02:51,320 --> 00:02:55,519 Speaker 1: So are there dedicated police resources for the rural area, 64 00:02:55,560 --> 00:02:59,400 Speaker 1: say if we're talking Howard Springs, Humpty Doo, Nunamar down 65 00:02:59,440 --> 00:03:01,960 Speaker 1: as far as say Adelaide River or are those resources 66 00:03:02,000 --> 00:03:02,960 Speaker 1: shared with Palmerston. 67 00:03:04,160 --> 00:03:06,680 Speaker 2: So we've got people that are dedicated out there and 68 00:03:06,720 --> 00:03:09,480 Speaker 2: Humpty de to the rural area and I've certainly met 69 00:03:09,480 --> 00:03:12,519 Speaker 2: them a few times before and they deal with a 70 00:03:12,560 --> 00:03:14,480 Speaker 2: whole raft of issues out there in the rural area. 71 00:03:14,520 --> 00:03:17,720 Speaker 2: We've also got people at Palmerston. We've also got offices 72 00:03:17,760 --> 00:03:21,160 Speaker 2: that are based at Adelaide River, So we do have 73 00:03:21,440 --> 00:03:25,000 Speaker 2: offices at different stations in the area. But the offices 74 00:03:25,000 --> 00:03:28,680 Speaker 2: at Humpty Do they do tend to deal with very 75 00:03:28,840 --> 00:03:31,840 Speaker 2: rural type areas that happen out there locally. 76 00:03:32,320 --> 00:03:35,240 Speaker 1: How many officers are based at that Humpty Do Police station. 77 00:03:36,240 --> 00:03:38,240 Speaker 2: Oh, I don't have the numbers in front of me, Maddie, 78 00:03:38,240 --> 00:03:40,760 Speaker 2: but like I've gone out there a few times and 79 00:03:41,080 --> 00:03:43,800 Speaker 2: certainly met that there were several members out there at 80 00:03:43,800 --> 00:03:46,480 Speaker 2: the station and they were very happy. They loved being 81 00:03:46,480 --> 00:03:48,320 Speaker 2: out there and servicing the rural area, and many of 82 00:03:48,360 --> 00:03:51,280 Speaker 2: them lived in the rural area. So we've certainly got 83 00:03:51,280 --> 00:03:52,880 Speaker 2: some very dedicated officers out there. 84 00:03:53,160 --> 00:03:55,040 Speaker 1: You mentioned they obviously deal with a lot of those 85 00:03:55,320 --> 00:03:58,960 Speaker 1: rural issues. Given this crime spike that we've seen, and 86 00:03:59,000 --> 00:04:01,080 Speaker 1: with all due respect to those officers out there, is 87 00:04:01,120 --> 00:04:03,760 Speaker 1: it a case that they're not fully equipped to deal 88 00:04:03,760 --> 00:04:05,720 Speaker 1: with this crime wave that we're seeing at the moment. 89 00:04:07,040 --> 00:04:10,480 Speaker 2: No, So again, I've got a stress we've seen between 90 00:04:10,560 --> 00:04:14,840 Speaker 2: late September to November twelve this time last year compared 91 00:04:14,840 --> 00:04:17,599 Speaker 2: to thirty four now, and the police do believe that 92 00:04:18,240 --> 00:04:20,720 Speaker 2: they know who has done this and they're working through 93 00:04:20,720 --> 00:04:24,040 Speaker 2: those persons of interest to bring them to justice. So 94 00:04:24,520 --> 00:04:27,279 Speaker 2: they are working through that and they are investigating these issues. 95 00:04:27,720 --> 00:04:29,839 Speaker 1: So there is hope that we could see some arrests 96 00:04:29,880 --> 00:04:33,359 Speaker 1: related to what these residents are describing as this crime 97 00:04:33,400 --> 00:04:33,880 Speaker 1: wave soon. 98 00:04:34,680 --> 00:04:38,320 Speaker 2: Absolutely. Like I said, they have got persons of interest 99 00:04:38,440 --> 00:04:41,479 Speaker 2: who they are examining around these issues, and they're working 100 00:04:41,560 --> 00:04:42,360 Speaker 2: very hard around this. 101 00:04:42,880 --> 00:04:46,320 Speaker 1: The Anti News reports some residents at the meeting asked, 102 00:04:46,520 --> 00:04:50,080 Speaker 1: can we shoot them? Can we use our registered firearms 103 00:04:50,120 --> 00:04:52,719 Speaker 1: if we fear for our lives? They went on to 104 00:04:52,760 --> 00:04:57,159 Speaker 1: ask what is reasonable force to protect our families? What's 105 00:04:57,160 --> 00:04:58,599 Speaker 1: your reaction to comments like that? 106 00:05:00,040 --> 00:05:03,000 Speaker 2: Call the police. Always call the police. Don't muck around. 107 00:05:03,000 --> 00:05:05,680 Speaker 2: If you feel in fear, always called the police. They 108 00:05:05,720 --> 00:05:07,000 Speaker 2: will respond very quickly. 109 00:05:07,400 --> 00:05:10,120 Speaker 1: Are you worried we could see a rise in vigilante 110 00:05:10,120 --> 00:05:12,040 Speaker 1: behavior with comments like that, though. 111 00:05:12,920 --> 00:05:15,920 Speaker 2: I would never recommend that. What I would always say 112 00:05:15,960 --> 00:05:18,640 Speaker 2: is that our police are highly trained. They go through 113 00:05:18,720 --> 00:05:21,520 Speaker 2: extensive training to deal with issues and to deal with criminals. 114 00:05:21,520 --> 00:05:23,240 Speaker 2: So please always call the place. 115 00:05:23,600 --> 00:05:25,720 Speaker 1: Man just to confirm that the Humpty Do police station, 116 00:05:25,920 --> 00:05:27,600 Speaker 1: so that is open twenty four to seven, because you've 117 00:05:27,600 --> 00:05:29,279 Speaker 1: just got a couple of texts coming in suggesting that 118 00:05:29,320 --> 00:05:30,640 Speaker 1: it's not so. 119 00:05:30,920 --> 00:05:32,960 Speaker 2: I think what they'd be thinking would be the front counter. 120 00:05:33,080 --> 00:05:35,320 Speaker 2: We do have officers. The advice of God is working 121 00:05:35,320 --> 00:05:36,560 Speaker 2: out of there. Twenty four to seven. 122 00:05:36,720 --> 00:05:40,240 Speaker 1: Okay, thank you for clarifying that. We've also had some 123 00:05:40,279 --> 00:05:42,279 Speaker 1: listener reports here at mixed one oh four point nine 124 00:05:42,440 --> 00:05:45,680 Speaker 1: of territory families having houses in the suburbs and now 125 00:05:45,720 --> 00:05:48,680 Speaker 1: one in the rural area to accommodat kids who have 126 00:05:48,760 --> 00:05:50,679 Speaker 1: nowhere else to go. I want to share this message 127 00:05:50,680 --> 00:05:54,080 Speaker 1: from deb with you does say, hi Katie, but we'll 128 00:05:54,080 --> 00:05:55,560 Speaker 1: go with it. Are you able to find out why 129 00:05:55,640 --> 00:05:58,240 Speaker 1: Territory families have put a juvie home in the rural 130 00:05:58,279 --> 00:06:01,159 Speaker 1: area at mcmon's when we have no functional police station 131 00:06:01,279 --> 00:06:04,200 Speaker 1: out of business hours? Is it just coincidental that there 132 00:06:04,200 --> 00:06:06,919 Speaker 1: have been breakings nearly every night in the area and 133 00:06:06,960 --> 00:06:10,040 Speaker 1: there are teams being caught on camera. Locals have had enough. 134 00:06:10,120 --> 00:06:13,320 Speaker 1: This crime surge has been in the past few weeks now. No, 135 00:06:13,400 --> 00:06:16,719 Speaker 1: you're obviously not the Territory Famili's minister, but are you 136 00:06:16,800 --> 00:06:19,320 Speaker 1: worried that these type of arrangements could be contributing to 137 00:06:19,360 --> 00:06:20,400 Speaker 1: crime in these areas? 138 00:06:21,240 --> 00:06:24,960 Speaker 2: And again, what I would say to Dereb is that firstly, 139 00:06:25,000 --> 00:06:28,120 Speaker 2: we do have the police station that's operational twenty four seven, 140 00:06:28,200 --> 00:06:31,000 Speaker 2: but also that we do have persons of interest that 141 00:06:31,040 --> 00:06:33,960 Speaker 2: they are looking at. I'm not across the full details 142 00:06:33,960 --> 00:06:36,040 Speaker 2: of this house that she's talking to, but I will 143 00:06:36,080 --> 00:06:38,320 Speaker 2: certainly have a look into it, but we do have 144 00:06:38,400 --> 00:06:42,279 Speaker 2: persons of interest. Please are very much so across what 145 00:06:42,400 --> 00:06:46,000 Speaker 2: has been happening here and they are dealing with those 146 00:06:46,040 --> 00:06:46,839 Speaker 2: persons of interest. 147 00:06:47,520 --> 00:06:51,440 Speaker 1: Just finally, Minister, the consensus from everyone, regardless of politics, residents, 148 00:06:51,440 --> 00:06:53,640 Speaker 1: whether you've been affected or you haven't, is people keep 149 00:06:53,680 --> 00:06:58,120 Speaker 1: saying something needs to change. As Police Minister, what do 150 00:06:58,200 --> 00:07:01,440 Speaker 1: you think that is and how quickly can that change happen? 151 00:07:02,640 --> 00:07:06,080 Speaker 2: Well, we're putting more resources into police. As you know, 152 00:07:06,160 --> 00:07:08,839 Speaker 2: we've never had a higher police budget and more numbers 153 00:07:08,839 --> 00:07:11,440 Speaker 2: in the police, so that's what we've done under this government, 154 00:07:12,040 --> 00:07:14,560 Speaker 2: and also making sure that we've got more consequences in 155 00:07:14,600 --> 00:07:17,520 Speaker 2: the system for those that go about committing crime, and 156 00:07:17,600 --> 00:07:20,240 Speaker 2: that's exactly what we've put in place. We've got work camps. 157 00:07:20,240 --> 00:07:23,120 Speaker 2: We're going to be doing more family responsibility agreements, making 158 00:07:23,160 --> 00:07:26,280 Speaker 2: more parents accountable for the behavior of their kids. We're 159 00:07:26,280 --> 00:07:30,680 Speaker 2: reviewing penalties when it comes to property offenses and ringlead. 160 00:07:30,680 --> 00:07:32,600 Speaker 2: The legislation will be coming in at the start of 161 00:07:32,640 --> 00:07:35,080 Speaker 2: next year. So we're doing a raft of work to 162 00:07:35,120 --> 00:07:37,160 Speaker 2: make sure that those who commit crime are held to 163 00:07:37,200 --> 00:07:39,320 Speaker 2: account for it and ensuring that our police have the 164 00:07:39,360 --> 00:07:40,360 Speaker 2: resources they need. 165 00:07:40,680 --> 00:07:42,679 Speaker 1: Minister, just before you go, I just want to share 166 00:07:42,960 --> 00:07:46,160 Speaker 1: a quick grab from the Police Association President Paul McHugh 167 00:07:46,720 --> 00:07:49,240 Speaker 1: regarding an incident that happened in our Springs. I just 168 00:07:49,280 --> 00:07:50,400 Speaker 1: want to get your thoughts on that. 169 00:07:51,240 --> 00:07:54,760 Speaker 3: This is an example of some of the current behavior 170 00:07:54,760 --> 00:07:58,160 Speaker 3: that our officers face on the streets, not just in 171 00:07:58,200 --> 00:08:01,800 Speaker 3: our Springs but across the whole territory. And thankfully the 172 00:08:01,800 --> 00:08:04,320 Speaker 3: officers are okay, but of course, you know, when you 173 00:08:04,360 --> 00:08:08,080 Speaker 3: look at some of the offences that individual's being charged with, 174 00:08:08,640 --> 00:08:12,480 Speaker 3: including kicking, hitting, biting and spitting, I mean that is 175 00:08:12,640 --> 00:08:16,880 Speaker 3: absolutely outrageous behavior towards members of our police force that 176 00:08:16,960 --> 00:08:20,480 Speaker 3: are there simply protecting the community. We will not tolerate that. 177 00:08:20,760 --> 00:08:24,040 Speaker 3: The Association is outraged with that, and we want to 178 00:08:24,040 --> 00:08:26,840 Speaker 3: make sure that these things are stamped out and that 179 00:08:26,960 --> 00:08:29,600 Speaker 3: is through the court process and the justice system. 180 00:08:29,720 --> 00:08:33,000 Speaker 1: That was, of course, in relation to the video footage 181 00:08:33,000 --> 00:08:36,360 Speaker 1: of a fourteen year old allegedly assaulting police officer in 182 00:08:36,400 --> 00:08:39,800 Speaker 1: Alice Springs. What was your reaction to that footage? And 183 00:08:39,840 --> 00:08:43,040 Speaker 1: I guess the comments from the Police Association president there. 184 00:08:43,960 --> 00:08:47,800 Speaker 2: I was absolutely appalled by that footage. To put it mildly, 185 00:08:48,559 --> 00:08:52,080 Speaker 2: I thought the police conducted themselves in an incredibly professional 186 00:08:52,080 --> 00:08:55,760 Speaker 2: manner in what was a very difficult, difficult circumstance there. 187 00:08:55,920 --> 00:08:58,400 Speaker 2: So my hat goes often they did a great job. 188 00:08:59,440 --> 00:09:02,520 Speaker 2: But again, people who go out and if they are 189 00:09:02,600 --> 00:09:06,280 Speaker 2: to attack police officers, there are some very hefty penalties 190 00:09:06,320 --> 00:09:08,960 Speaker 2: in place for those who do that. But we are 191 00:09:09,000 --> 00:09:12,920 Speaker 2: also reviewing those penalties too to see ways in which 192 00:09:12,920 --> 00:09:15,480 Speaker 2: they may need to be strengthened. But you know, absolutely 193 00:09:15,520 --> 00:09:18,560 Speaker 2: appalling behavior. Our police are out there serving us and 194 00:09:18,679 --> 00:09:21,079 Speaker 2: keeping us safe and it is just terrible when people 195 00:09:21,080 --> 00:09:24,079 Speaker 2: turn on polace. It absolutely sickening, sickening behavior. 196 00:09:24,360 --> 00:09:26,720 Speaker 1: Are you worried that when we're trying to recruit police 197 00:09:26,720 --> 00:09:29,360 Speaker 1: and I mean images like this are shared widely on 198 00:09:29,440 --> 00:09:31,280 Speaker 1: social media. I mean, the first thought that came to 199 00:09:31,320 --> 00:09:33,240 Speaker 1: my mind, is why on earth would you want to 200 00:09:33,240 --> 00:09:35,520 Speaker 1: be a police officer when you're dealing with that. 201 00:09:36,600 --> 00:09:38,760 Speaker 2: Well, Mattie, I hate to say it, it's not just 202 00:09:39,000 --> 00:09:41,560 Speaker 2: an issue within the Northern Territory. It's something that police 203 00:09:41,600 --> 00:09:44,760 Speaker 2: face right around the country and across the world because 204 00:09:44,800 --> 00:09:48,560 Speaker 2: what they do it's not easy. They deal with people 205 00:09:48,600 --> 00:09:51,920 Speaker 2: in all types of situations that are in all types 206 00:09:51,960 --> 00:09:54,040 Speaker 2: of states, and you know, you'd be a fool to 207 00:09:54,080 --> 00:09:56,080 Speaker 2: think that you join any police force and not have 208 00:09:56,200 --> 00:10:00,600 Speaker 2: to deal with some very difficult people and some physical 209 00:10:00,640 --> 00:10:03,040 Speaker 2: altercations from time to time. They do everything in their 210 00:10:03,080 --> 00:10:09,000 Speaker 2: training to minimize those physical encounters and people getting themselves 211 00:10:09,040 --> 00:10:11,839 Speaker 2: into that situation. But unfortunately, as you can see, that 212 00:10:12,040 --> 00:10:14,600 Speaker 2: was pretty full on what those police had to manage 213 00:10:14,600 --> 00:10:17,240 Speaker 2: and deal with. And again I thought they handled themselves 214 00:10:17,360 --> 00:10:18,080 Speaker 2: very professionally. 215 00:10:18,400 --> 00:10:20,560 Speaker 1: So is there a review underway at the moment to 216 00:10:20,600 --> 00:10:22,719 Speaker 1: look at some of those penalties and increasing them for 217 00:10:22,760 --> 00:10:26,360 Speaker 1: those assaults on officers? Yes, yeah, okay, that's good to hear. 218 00:10:26,640 --> 00:10:29,040 Speaker 1: Well the Northern Territory Police Minister Nicle Madison, We'll have 219 00:10:29,080 --> 00:10:30,760 Speaker 1: to leave it there. Thank you so much for taking 220 00:10:30,840 --> 00:10:32,760 Speaker 1: some to answer our questions and a few of those 221 00:10:33,080 --> 00:10:34,199 Speaker 1: listening questions as well. 222 00:10:34,240 --> 00:10:35,040 Speaker 2: Thank you, Maddie. 223 00:10:35,280 --> 00:10:38,560 Speaker 1: That's the Northern Territory Police Minister Nicole Madison. Following that 224 00:10:38,640 --> 00:10:41,480 Speaker 1: meeting in the rural area on the weekend, we're up 225 00:10:41,520 --> 00:10:44,040 Speaker 1: to almost three hundred residents turned up to this meeting.