1 00:00:00,160 --> 00:00:02,840 Speaker 1: Joining me live on the line right now from Catherine, 2 00:00:02,880 --> 00:00:08,280 Speaker 1: the local member for Catherine, Joe Hersey. Good morning to you, Joe, Good. 3 00:00:08,160 --> 00:00:09,920 Speaker 2: Morning Katie, and good morning listeners. 4 00:00:10,039 --> 00:00:13,360 Speaker 1: Joe. How are things tracking in Catherine this morning. 5 00:00:15,040 --> 00:00:18,400 Speaker 2: Well, it's been a big weekend. I just would just 6 00:00:18,520 --> 00:00:20,400 Speaker 2: like to do a big shout out to all the 7 00:00:20,440 --> 00:00:25,520 Speaker 2: people doing the testing and obviously doing the results in Darwen. 8 00:00:25,600 --> 00:00:29,440 Speaker 2: They are obviously very busy doing a great job. And 9 00:00:30,280 --> 00:00:32,519 Speaker 2: I mean my husband got his test result last night 10 00:00:32,520 --> 00:00:36,360 Speaker 2: at ten thirty, so they are obviously working around the clock. 11 00:00:36,440 --> 00:00:38,400 Speaker 2: And just to clear up a bit of confusion for 12 00:00:38,440 --> 00:00:42,400 Speaker 2: people in Catherine today, all testing sites are open. I've 13 00:00:42,440 --> 00:00:46,000 Speaker 2: just gone past all of them. Joels Street is not 14 00:00:46,080 --> 00:00:50,000 Speaker 2: so busy, Katherine Eath is very busy, and the drive 15 00:00:50,080 --> 00:00:53,800 Speaker 2: in one at the hospital is also open the pandemic clinic, 16 00:00:54,200 --> 00:00:57,920 Speaker 2: but you do actually need an appointment. The appointment is 17 00:00:58,040 --> 00:01:01,960 Speaker 2: just about getting numbers and your details before you get 18 00:01:01,960 --> 00:01:04,840 Speaker 2: there to make it a little bit easier for the 19 00:01:05,000 --> 00:01:08,399 Speaker 2: staff there. Yea, it's not about you know, it's not 20 00:01:08,480 --> 00:01:10,480 Speaker 2: a time thing. You just go there and line up. 21 00:01:10,720 --> 00:01:12,720 Speaker 2: But Catherine East is very busy today. 22 00:01:12,920 --> 00:01:15,600 Speaker 1: Well that is good to hear and Joe, I understand 23 00:01:15,760 --> 00:01:21,880 Speaker 1: that one of the wastewater areas has still provided positive 24 00:01:21,959 --> 00:01:24,880 Speaker 1: results to COVID. That was as of yesterday. Is that 25 00:01:24,920 --> 00:01:25,720 Speaker 1: your understanding? 26 00:01:27,280 --> 00:01:30,360 Speaker 2: That is my understanding, Katie. I'm waiting for Misterphiles to 27 00:01:30,400 --> 00:01:34,720 Speaker 2: give me an update today. Yesterday the community got a 28 00:01:34,800 --> 00:01:37,640 Speaker 2: text message to say, if you're in that Catherine Ease 29 00:01:37,720 --> 00:01:41,360 Speaker 2: area or industrial area, to go and get a test. 30 00:01:41,920 --> 00:01:44,880 Speaker 2: The change in that was if you're an essential worker, 31 00:01:44,920 --> 00:01:47,360 Speaker 2: you would have been able to go back to work. 32 00:01:47,720 --> 00:01:49,720 Speaker 2: But if you're in that Catherine Ee Therey, you get 33 00:01:49,720 --> 00:01:52,320 Speaker 2: a test and you isolate until you get those results. 34 00:01:52,520 --> 00:01:56,120 Speaker 2: And that's obviously because you know the wastewater is positive 35 00:01:56,240 --> 00:01:58,880 Speaker 2: and they want people to isolate and stay at home. 36 00:02:00,000 --> 00:02:01,520 Speaker 2: I need it to spread any further. 37 00:02:01,760 --> 00:02:04,680 Speaker 1: No, that's exactly right. What is the sense this morning 38 00:02:04,760 --> 00:02:10,200 Speaker 1: from business operators and from everybody and Catherine at this point? 39 00:02:11,160 --> 00:02:13,200 Speaker 1: Are you all sort of hoping that this lockdown is 40 00:02:13,240 --> 00:02:15,880 Speaker 1: going to end soon or is everybody pretty mindful of 41 00:02:15,919 --> 00:02:18,640 Speaker 1: the fact that there could still potentially be cases in 42 00:02:18,680 --> 00:02:20,720 Speaker 1: the community. 43 00:02:21,480 --> 00:02:23,520 Speaker 2: I yes, thanks, Katie. I did just do a bit 44 00:02:23,560 --> 00:02:25,600 Speaker 2: of a ring around this morning, knowing I was going 45 00:02:25,639 --> 00:02:28,120 Speaker 2: to talk to you, and there is a little bit 46 00:02:28,160 --> 00:02:31,760 Speaker 2: of anxiety with businesses. Some business are hoping we will 47 00:02:32,080 --> 00:02:36,040 Speaker 2: come out. After talking to Minister Files over the weekend, 48 00:02:36,160 --> 00:02:38,359 Speaker 2: I must say I was feeling a little bit positive 49 00:02:38,800 --> 00:02:43,720 Speaker 2: until we got the cases from Binjari, and she was 50 00:02:43,760 --> 00:02:46,959 Speaker 2: even feeling a bit positive herself. But that Binjari sort 51 00:02:46,960 --> 00:02:49,919 Speaker 2: of put us back. And I'm pretty sure we will 52 00:02:49,960 --> 00:02:52,880 Speaker 2: stay in lockdown. As I said, I'm waiting to hear 53 00:02:52,919 --> 00:02:56,079 Speaker 2: that for maybe another twenty four or forty eight hours. 54 00:02:56,600 --> 00:02:59,040 Speaker 2: As the Minister said, lockdowns are meant to be short 55 00:02:59,080 --> 00:03:02,000 Speaker 2: and sharp, but obviously we don't want to come out 56 00:03:02,000 --> 00:03:04,840 Speaker 2: of a lockdown and people moving around if there is 57 00:03:04,919 --> 00:03:08,280 Speaker 2: still transmission in the community, which the Wastewater is telling 58 00:03:08,320 --> 00:03:12,880 Speaker 2: them that that is the case. So everyone just needs 59 00:03:12,880 --> 00:03:16,079 Speaker 2: the hold type. I've had messages of you know, am 60 00:03:16,120 --> 00:03:19,360 Speaker 2: I an essential business or not? You know, people are 61 00:03:19,360 --> 00:03:21,200 Speaker 2: board at home and they want to do things with 62 00:03:21,400 --> 00:03:25,440 Speaker 2: click and collect from some businesses. But unless you are essential, 63 00:03:25,840 --> 00:03:29,240 Speaker 2: and unless you are operating or going an essential worker 64 00:03:29,280 --> 00:03:32,120 Speaker 2: that he is going to do an essential service, you 65 00:03:32,200 --> 00:03:34,079 Speaker 2: are not essential. So we just have to deal with 66 00:03:34,160 --> 00:03:35,360 Speaker 2: it for the time being. 67 00:03:35,720 --> 00:03:38,160 Speaker 1: And Joe, we caught up with the Federal Health Minister 68 00:03:38,240 --> 00:03:41,360 Speaker 1: Greg Hunt a bit earlier this morning and spoke about 69 00:03:41,680 --> 00:03:46,160 Speaker 1: the ADF personnel obviously being deployed in the territory. He 70 00:03:46,280 --> 00:03:49,360 Speaker 1: said that there is well sixty five that have been 71 00:03:49,440 --> 00:03:51,920 Speaker 1: sent out obviously to respond to what's going on at 72 00:03:51,960 --> 00:03:54,960 Speaker 1: the moment, forty of those in the Catherine area, twenty 73 00:03:55,000 --> 00:03:58,360 Speaker 1: five of those to help transport and with also that 74 00:03:58,480 --> 00:04:02,400 Speaker 1: COVID testing. Are you seeing those personnel around Catherine at 75 00:04:02,440 --> 00:04:02,840 Speaker 1: the moment. 76 00:04:04,920 --> 00:04:08,320 Speaker 2: I haven't personally seen them, Katie, but I want to 77 00:04:08,360 --> 00:04:12,760 Speaker 2: thank the federal government for allowing these personnel to come 78 00:04:12,760 --> 00:04:17,160 Speaker 2: in and help with the situation. I think we definitely 79 00:04:17,200 --> 00:04:20,719 Speaker 2: need more boots on the ground for testing and that 80 00:04:20,839 --> 00:04:24,640 Speaker 2: will certainly alleviate some of the problems, some of the 81 00:04:25,279 --> 00:04:29,720 Speaker 2: exhaustion from people working around the clock, and I think 82 00:04:29,760 --> 00:04:33,760 Speaker 2: that is a good thing. You know, it is my 83 00:04:33,920 --> 00:04:37,800 Speaker 2: understanding that the vaccination rate at Binjari is under twenty 84 00:04:37,800 --> 00:04:43,400 Speaker 2: five percent. I would urge everyone to go and get 85 00:04:43,440 --> 00:04:47,640 Speaker 2: a vaccination, and you know, I know that the chos 86 00:04:47,680 --> 00:04:50,560 Speaker 2: are working out there closely with Binjari and Rock Hole 87 00:04:50,839 --> 00:04:52,920 Speaker 2: and doing the best they can. But there has been 88 00:04:52,920 --> 00:04:58,120 Speaker 2: a little bit of I suppose of people not wanting 89 00:04:58,160 --> 00:05:02,800 Speaker 2: to get the vaccination for religious beliefs and whatever. And 90 00:05:02,880 --> 00:05:06,919 Speaker 2: I think we saw the other day, you know a 91 00:05:06,960 --> 00:05:10,520 Speaker 2: few people getting vaccinated and out of Binjari when they 92 00:05:10,520 --> 00:05:12,920 Speaker 2: were doing the math testing out there, and I think 93 00:05:12,920 --> 00:05:15,440 Speaker 2: that's a good thing. And over the coming weeks while 94 00:05:15,440 --> 00:05:19,400 Speaker 2: they've been while they are in lockdown, then hopefully they 95 00:05:19,400 --> 00:05:22,880 Speaker 2: will go back and revisit and vaccinate more people out there. 96 00:05:23,640 --> 00:05:27,200 Speaker 1: Well, so you've heard that it is under twenty five 97 00:05:27,360 --> 00:05:30,279 Speaker 1: percent in Binjari. Is that first or second dose? 98 00:05:32,839 --> 00:05:37,120 Speaker 2: I'm not actually sure. I have Yeah, I'm not sure 99 00:05:37,240 --> 00:05:40,919 Speaker 2: on whether that's first or second dose, but I have 100 00:05:41,080 --> 00:05:43,840 Speaker 2: heard that that is you know, that is my understanding. 101 00:05:44,839 --> 00:05:46,440 Speaker 1: Well, we'll keep an eye on that. I know that 102 00:05:46,680 --> 00:05:49,279 Speaker 1: the federal health Minister had said that obviously they want 103 00:05:49,320 --> 00:05:52,040 Speaker 1: to make sure that all of those community members are 104 00:05:52,080 --> 00:05:55,840 Speaker 1: indeed vaccinated. I know that. Yeah, I know that. It's 105 00:05:56,520 --> 00:05:58,760 Speaker 1: it's a tough one when people have got their reasons 106 00:05:58,800 --> 00:06:01,039 Speaker 1: why they feel as though there's scared or not wanting 107 00:06:01,080 --> 00:06:03,719 Speaker 1: to get it done. But I would always say speak 108 00:06:03,760 --> 00:06:06,359 Speaker 1: to speak to your medical professionals when it comes to 109 00:06:06,400 --> 00:06:07,320 Speaker 1: making that decision. 110 00:06:08,680 --> 00:06:12,800 Speaker 2: Absolutely, And Katie, you know, over the last you know, 111 00:06:12,920 --> 00:06:16,440 Speaker 2: eighteen months or so, the NT government maybe has been 112 00:06:16,520 --> 00:06:19,880 Speaker 2: needing to work with the federal government to roll this 113 00:06:19,960 --> 00:06:23,760 Speaker 2: out a bit better and find out what is going on. 114 00:06:23,880 --> 00:06:27,240 Speaker 2: The archos are doing the best that they can, and 115 00:06:27,279 --> 00:06:31,039 Speaker 2: everyone is working hard at getting people vaccinated, but you know, 116 00:06:31,279 --> 00:06:35,560 Speaker 2: maybe the education needs to be a little better and 117 00:06:35,600 --> 00:06:41,640 Speaker 2: the communication between people needs to be better. So also, 118 00:06:41,839 --> 00:06:46,000 Speaker 2: I mean, just this morning, I read something about the 119 00:06:46,040 --> 00:06:49,560 Speaker 2: defense people that were here. They said, I've seen that 120 00:06:49,640 --> 00:06:53,120 Speaker 2: they've been holding them down and vaccinating them. This is 121 00:06:53,240 --> 00:06:56,919 Speaker 2: absolute rubbish and for people to be putting this stuff 122 00:06:57,000 --> 00:07:00,440 Speaker 2: up on Facebook, it is not helpful. I urge people 123 00:07:00,480 --> 00:07:04,520 Speaker 2: to stop that rubbish. It is not doing anyone in 124 00:07:04,560 --> 00:07:09,200 Speaker 2: the community any good, and it is false information. I 125 00:07:09,200 --> 00:07:11,840 Speaker 2: don't know why those people would just come out with 126 00:07:12,280 --> 00:07:14,120 Speaker 2: absolute rubbish like that. 127 00:07:14,640 --> 00:07:17,040 Speaker 1: Yeah, Joe, I agree with you. You know I get sent 128 00:07:17,080 --> 00:07:20,680 Speaker 1: messages to that effect as well, and you think it's 129 00:07:20,760 --> 00:07:24,360 Speaker 1: not true, Like you know, it's not true. No one 130 00:07:24,440 --> 00:07:26,920 Speaker 1: is able to hold people down and vaccinate them. It 131 00:07:27,000 --> 00:07:29,400 Speaker 1: has to be something that they're you know, whether you 132 00:07:29,440 --> 00:07:33,120 Speaker 1: want to do it or not, that you approve it happening, Joe, 133 00:07:33,200 --> 00:07:34,600 Speaker 1: I do want to ask you before. 134 00:07:34,480 --> 00:07:36,800 Speaker 2: Really it has to be you know, by consent. 135 00:07:37,320 --> 00:07:39,880 Speaker 1: Yeah, I do want to ask before I let you 136 00:07:39,920 --> 00:07:42,800 Speaker 1: go this morning. You know, how have you had much 137 00:07:42,800 --> 00:07:47,120 Speaker 1: of an opportunity? Does Binjari and rock Hole fall under 138 00:07:47,160 --> 00:07:48,280 Speaker 1: your electric Joe or is. 139 00:07:48,280 --> 00:07:51,640 Speaker 2: It a bit further out? Yes, they do. And just 140 00:07:51,640 --> 00:07:55,960 Speaker 2: an answer to a I think somebody said before, why 141 00:07:56,000 --> 00:07:59,720 Speaker 2: are they remote? The whole of Catherine is actually classed 142 00:07:59,760 --> 00:08:02,880 Speaker 2: as remote and then obviously you get a lot further 143 00:08:02,960 --> 00:08:05,880 Speaker 2: out and they're very remote. But we and Catherine, even 144 00:08:05,920 --> 00:08:08,080 Speaker 2: though we're only two and a half hours from Darwin, 145 00:08:08,480 --> 00:08:11,920 Speaker 2: we are classed as remote. So that's why Binjari and 146 00:08:12,000 --> 00:08:16,240 Speaker 2: rock Roll are classed as remote. But also just on 147 00:08:16,280 --> 00:08:20,440 Speaker 2: that Katie there, they are Kailano has been working with 148 00:08:21,080 --> 00:08:27,280 Speaker 2: Whirling to get their members vaccinated and tested, as well 149 00:08:27,560 --> 00:08:31,280 Speaker 2: as obviously the World pre camp are as well. 150 00:08:31,440 --> 00:08:34,800 Speaker 1: Yeah, well done to all of those different groups. Obviously 151 00:08:35,360 --> 00:08:37,800 Speaker 1: trying to do their best to support those in the 152 00:08:37,800 --> 00:08:41,480 Speaker 1: communities as well. I understand it. Masks have been sent 153 00:08:41,559 --> 00:08:44,839 Speaker 1: out and I understand as well, you know, free of 154 00:08:44,920 --> 00:08:47,240 Speaker 1: charge from some local businesses too. And I think that 155 00:08:47,280 --> 00:08:50,280 Speaker 1: what we're seeing is a lot of our wonderful territories 156 00:08:50,320 --> 00:08:52,559 Speaker 1: coming together really trying to help each other out. 157 00:08:55,720 --> 00:09:00,560 Speaker 2: Yeah, yeah, that's that's correct. I think it is great. 158 00:09:00,679 --> 00:09:04,120 Speaker 2: You know, I've been in contact with the CEO at 159 00:09:04,160 --> 00:09:10,360 Speaker 2: Kilano and you know, yesterday I was talking to Worly 160 00:09:11,000 --> 00:09:14,880 Speaker 2: and I think everyone is working together for the best 161 00:09:14,880 --> 00:09:18,000 Speaker 2: outcome for the community and it's just a matter of 162 00:09:18,080 --> 00:09:21,920 Speaker 2: time and you know, making sure that everyone in the 163 00:09:22,000 --> 00:09:25,800 Speaker 2: hard lockdown areas stays there until we get the results 164 00:09:25,920 --> 00:09:29,320 Speaker 2: and until we can get back open and the sooner. 165 00:09:29,400 --> 00:09:33,160 Speaker 2: People do the right thing and that means not you know, 166 00:09:33,600 --> 00:09:37,880 Speaker 2: taking the police resources off, you know, the job at 167 00:09:37,960 --> 00:09:43,200 Speaker 2: hand and unnecessarily going out to situations. We all just 168 00:09:43,240 --> 00:09:45,840 Speaker 2: need to do the right thing and stay at home 169 00:09:46,160 --> 00:09:48,600 Speaker 2: and only leave your home for those five reasons. 170 00:09:49,440 --> 00:09:52,800 Speaker 1: Well, Joe Hersey, the Member for Catherine, we really appreciate 171 00:09:52,840 --> 00:09:54,920 Speaker 1: your time this morning. We are expecting to hear that 172 00:09:55,000 --> 00:09:57,360 Speaker 1: press conference from the chief and it's just after eleven 173 00:09:57,360 --> 00:09:59,760 Speaker 1: o'clock this morning, so we'll make sure that we bring 174 00:09:59,800 --> 00:10:02,000 Speaker 1: it to our listeners live, whether you're in Catherine or 175 00:10:02,040 --> 00:10:04,600 Speaker 1: no matter where you are. Joe, thanks so much for 176 00:10:04,600 --> 00:10:06,000 Speaker 1: having a chat with us again today. 177 00:10:07,559 --> 00:10:09,320 Speaker 2: No worries, Thanks Katie, and thank you so much.