1
00:00:00,560 --> 00:00:02,720
Speaker 1: Mix one O four point nine dot com dot you

2
00:00:03,120 --> 00:00:06,520
Speaker 1: for all the latest news and information. Now three sixty

3
00:00:06,600 --> 00:00:09,880
Speaker 1: with Katie Wolf. Everyone is listening Mix one oh four

4
00:00:09,920 --> 00:00:11,680
Speaker 1: point nine, one hundred percent.

5
00:00:12,280 --> 00:00:16,080
Speaker 2: We have certainly been trying our best to get our

6
00:00:16,120 --> 00:00:18,080
Speaker 2: hands on the Prime Minister this morning to get him

7
00:00:18,079 --> 00:00:20,800
Speaker 2: on the show, to no avail at this point. But

8
00:00:21,120 --> 00:00:24,160
Speaker 2: joining me on the line, well, the next best thing.

9
00:00:24,040 --> 00:00:24,759
Speaker 1: You'd have to say.

10
00:00:24,840 --> 00:00:28,000
Speaker 2: The Senator for the Northern Territory, Sam McMahon, Good morning

11
00:00:28,040 --> 00:00:29,240
Speaker 2: to you, Senator.

12
00:00:29,840 --> 00:00:30,800
Speaker 3: Good morning Katie.

13
00:00:33,280 --> 00:00:35,640
Speaker 2: Well, look, we are very pleased to have you on

14
00:00:35,640 --> 00:00:38,960
Speaker 2: the show this morning, Senator, because this is a massive

15
00:00:39,080 --> 00:00:43,160
Speaker 2: announcement for the Northern Territory. We're sort of still waiting

16
00:00:43,200 --> 00:00:44,879
Speaker 2: for some of the details to come through, and I

17
00:00:44,920 --> 00:00:46,920
Speaker 2: know that the Prime Minister is going to be out

18
00:00:47,200 --> 00:00:50,600
Speaker 2: a bit later today making this announcement. But seven hundred

19
00:00:50,600 --> 00:00:53,800
Speaker 2: and forty seven million dollars on four of the Northern

20
00:00:53,920 --> 00:00:58,400
Speaker 2: Territories well ADF training sites, Senator, can you just talk

21
00:00:58,440 --> 00:01:00,720
Speaker 2: us through these different locations to begin with?

22
00:01:02,480 --> 00:01:06,560
Speaker 3: Yeah, Kady, Look, this is part of a much wider

23
00:01:07,440 --> 00:01:12,959
Speaker 3: defense infrastructure upgrade in the Northern Territory that covers many areas.

24
00:01:12,959 --> 00:01:19,240
Speaker 3: But this specific announcement covers Robertson Barracks, the two sort

25
00:01:19,280 --> 00:01:22,759
Speaker 3: of training areas that are close to Darwin being Kangaroo

26
00:01:22,800 --> 00:01:27,200
Speaker 3: Flats and Mount Bundy, and also Bradshaw's Station now our

27
00:01:27,319 --> 00:01:32,360
Speaker 3: very large field training area. So there's upgrades for those four.

28
00:01:33,800 --> 00:01:36,160
Speaker 3: As you've said, seven hund and forty seven million dollars

29
00:01:36,160 --> 00:01:38,520
Speaker 3: worth of work, most of which is going to go

30
00:01:38,560 --> 00:01:39,760
Speaker 3: to local contractors.

31
00:01:40,400 --> 00:01:42,840
Speaker 2: Now, we did have the member for Solomon, Luke Gosling

32
00:01:42,880 --> 00:01:44,920
Speaker 2: on the show a bit earlier this morning, and he

33
00:01:45,120 --> 00:01:48,200
Speaker 2: said that it is a re announcement, and he said,

34
00:01:48,200 --> 00:01:50,720
Speaker 2: while it's very welcome that it is money that had

35
00:01:50,760 --> 00:01:54,280
Speaker 2: already been earmarked for the territory. What's your response to that.

36
00:01:55,760 --> 00:01:59,480
Speaker 3: Yeah, look, that's true, it is money that had already

37
00:01:59,480 --> 00:02:03,480
Speaker 3: been committed, but this is detailing where that money's committed.

38
00:02:03,880 --> 00:02:06,520
Speaker 3: So this is going into far more detail than just

39
00:02:06,600 --> 00:02:10,000
Speaker 3: the wider commitment of money. This is saying what's going

40
00:02:10,040 --> 00:02:13,160
Speaker 3: to be happening where and over a very specific time

41
00:02:13,240 --> 00:02:19,040
Speaker 3: frame which is starting this year, giving detail and clarity

42
00:02:19,080 --> 00:02:21,040
Speaker 3: around what works are going to be done as part

43
00:02:21,080 --> 00:02:24,639
Speaker 3: of this package. And as I said, there will be

44
00:02:24,680 --> 00:02:27,280
Speaker 3: a lot of work for local contractors. There's been a

45
00:02:27,280 --> 00:02:29,720
Speaker 3: lot of work done over the past couple of years

46
00:02:29,760 --> 00:02:34,560
Speaker 3: in making sure that local small contractors and businesses get

47
00:02:34,600 --> 00:02:38,120
Speaker 3: to take part in some of these big announcements.

48
00:02:38,480 --> 00:02:41,000
Speaker 2: Yeah, I think that that is such an important aspect

49
00:02:41,040 --> 00:02:43,560
Speaker 2: to this. And I did speak with Dave Malone from

50
00:02:43,639 --> 00:02:47,040
Speaker 2: Master Builders earlier today and he'd said, you know that

51
00:02:47,040 --> 00:02:49,560
Speaker 2: that is where that work has been happening over the

52
00:02:49,639 --> 00:02:53,760
Speaker 2: last couple of years and really commended everybody on that

53
00:02:53,400 --> 00:02:56,440
Speaker 2: that we have reached the point now where it is

54
00:02:56,480 --> 00:02:58,640
Speaker 2: going to be a situation where locals are going to

55
00:02:58,680 --> 00:03:01,839
Speaker 2: benefit here. Yeah.

56
00:03:01,840 --> 00:03:04,880
Speaker 3: Absolutely, And look I talked to Dave as well, and

57
00:03:05,240 --> 00:03:09,120
Speaker 3: he advises me that their members are sort of operating

58
00:03:09,120 --> 00:03:13,040
Speaker 3: at about fifty percent capacity at the moment, so they

59
00:03:13,320 --> 00:03:16,480
Speaker 3: have the capacity to double what they're currently doing, so

60
00:03:16,520 --> 00:03:19,800
Speaker 3: they will greatly benefit from this work and this announcement.

61
00:03:20,120 --> 00:03:23,760
Speaker 2: Senator, When you talk about the amount of money that

62
00:03:24,200 --> 00:03:27,040
Speaker 2: we are discussing here, seven hundred and forty seven million

63
00:03:27,080 --> 00:03:31,120
Speaker 2: dollars into defense, how big an impact do you think

64
00:03:31,120 --> 00:03:33,799
Speaker 2: that this is going to make in the Northern Territory

65
00:03:34,360 --> 00:03:37,600
Speaker 2: in terms of the positive for those local contractors and

66
00:03:37,680 --> 00:03:38,720
Speaker 2: in terms of jobs.

67
00:03:40,080 --> 00:03:42,600
Speaker 3: Yeah, I think it will make a huge impact. I mean,

68
00:03:42,640 --> 00:03:47,120
Speaker 3: it's no small amount of money. It's a huge pot

69
00:03:47,840 --> 00:03:50,480
Speaker 3: and it's going to start flowing very shortly, and it's

70
00:03:50,480 --> 00:03:52,520
Speaker 3: going to be flowing over the next couple of years.

71
00:03:53,160 --> 00:03:58,040
Speaker 3: And for many of our businesses and our contractors and suppliers,

72
00:03:58,800 --> 00:04:00,920
Speaker 3: that's going to be a fantastic news that they're going

73
00:04:00,920 --> 00:04:04,320
Speaker 3: to have continuity of work coming their way over the

74
00:04:04,320 --> 00:04:07,200
Speaker 3: next few years. And it's also going to flow on

75
00:04:07,280 --> 00:04:10,200
Speaker 3: to other businesses that aren't directly involved, because you know,

76
00:04:10,520 --> 00:04:13,480
Speaker 3: as you well aware, businesses that employ people, those people

77
00:04:13,520 --> 00:04:17,400
Speaker 3: that need to live somewhere, eat somewhere, kids go to school,

78
00:04:17,440 --> 00:04:19,800
Speaker 3: et cetera. So it's going to have a great flow

79
00:04:19,839 --> 00:04:23,400
Speaker 3: on effect through the territory, much greater than just that

80
00:04:23,560 --> 00:04:25,120
Speaker 3: seven hundred and forty seven million.

81
00:04:25,240 --> 00:04:27,880
Speaker 2: Now, Senator, we know that it's been well documented, certainly

82
00:04:27,880 --> 00:04:30,560
Speaker 2: in recent months, the tension I guess you'd say between

83
00:04:30,640 --> 00:04:33,960
Speaker 2: China and Australia. Do you think that when we talk

84
00:04:33,960 --> 00:04:37,400
Speaker 2: about the top end and indeed the Northern territory Ie

85
00:04:37,600 --> 00:04:41,880
Speaker 2: Darwin and this massive defense investment, do you think that

86
00:04:41,920 --> 00:04:43,599
Speaker 2: it does make us a greater target.

87
00:04:45,400 --> 00:04:47,359
Speaker 3: I don't think it makes us a greater target. I

88
00:04:47,400 --> 00:04:52,120
Speaker 3: think it makes us better prepared should we need to

89
00:04:52,200 --> 00:04:55,240
Speaker 3: engage in some sort of force posturing, which I mean

90
00:04:55,320 --> 00:04:59,000
Speaker 3: is obviously what is what is happening, that we need

91
00:04:59,040 --> 00:05:02,440
Speaker 3: to make sure that we are prepared and ready and

92
00:05:02,520 --> 00:05:06,040
Speaker 3: that we are capable of defending ourselves should the need arise,

93
00:05:06,839 --> 00:05:09,160
Speaker 3: and also that we're seen to be doing that, which

94
00:05:09,200 --> 00:05:11,440
Speaker 3: is what the posturing is all about, that we're seen

95
00:05:11,480 --> 00:05:15,719
Speaker 3: to be capable of defending ourselves if we need to.

96
00:05:16,000 --> 00:05:19,280
Speaker 2: So really, I guess it's a strategic move.

97
00:05:20,600 --> 00:05:25,720
Speaker 3: Yeah, absolutely, it's strategic, and it's preemptive. So you know,

98
00:05:25,880 --> 00:05:29,120
Speaker 3: if something at some stage happens to the north of us,

99
00:05:29,520 --> 00:05:34,200
Speaker 3: we're not left scrambling to try and to try and

100
00:05:34,279 --> 00:05:36,359
Speaker 3: get some sort of defense up here. We've got it

101
00:05:36,400 --> 00:05:39,760
Speaker 3: here already in place, ready to go. So it's a

102
00:05:39,839 --> 00:05:43,600
Speaker 3: very sort of preemptive move to make sure that we're

103
00:05:43,720 --> 00:05:46,000
Speaker 3: ready for anything that will happen to our north.

104
00:05:46,320 --> 00:05:48,440
Speaker 2: And what would you say to any territory in listening

105
00:05:48,440 --> 00:05:50,680
Speaker 2: this morning that maybe feels a bit concerned by that.

106
00:05:52,640 --> 00:05:57,600
Speaker 3: I'd say, don't be concerned, be reassured that the government

107
00:05:57,640 --> 00:06:01,279
Speaker 3: and the country is acting in a response way to

108
00:06:01,400 --> 00:06:03,279
Speaker 3: be prepared for anything that may eventuate.

109
00:06:03,960 --> 00:06:06,239
Speaker 2: Senator, I am keen to ask you as well this morning.

110
00:06:06,640 --> 00:06:08,520
Speaker 2: We've been speaking quite a bit, and I know you

111
00:06:08,560 --> 00:06:11,120
Speaker 2: and I have spoken about this previously as well. We've

112
00:06:11,120 --> 00:06:14,000
Speaker 2: been speaking quite a bit in recent days about the

113
00:06:14,040 --> 00:06:17,640
Speaker 2: situation out the Howard Springs quarantine facility. We've now got

114
00:06:17,640 --> 00:06:20,720
Speaker 2: fifty three active cases out there. It is the highest

115
00:06:20,760 --> 00:06:23,160
Speaker 2: number that we've ever had here in the territory at

116
00:06:23,160 --> 00:06:26,400
Speaker 2: any one time, particularly when you're talking about those being

117
00:06:26,440 --> 00:06:29,640
Speaker 2: cared for at at Howard Springs. We know that the

118
00:06:29,680 --> 00:06:32,840
Speaker 2: handover of that facility is due to take place next

119
00:06:32,880 --> 00:06:36,880
Speaker 2: week from the OSMAT team across two NT Health. Are

120
00:06:36,920 --> 00:06:38,320
Speaker 2: you feeling confident about that?

121
00:06:39,920 --> 00:06:43,280
Speaker 3: No, not at all. I'm quite concerned about that, And

122
00:06:43,320 --> 00:06:47,240
Speaker 3: as we've spoken previously, you know, I'm very concerned that

123
00:06:47,880 --> 00:06:51,800
Speaker 3: control should not pass from Ozmat, that they need to

124
00:06:51,839 --> 00:06:56,400
Speaker 3: have an integral role, that they are the experts in

125
00:06:56,400 --> 00:07:00,479
Speaker 3: biosecurity and quarantine and running the facility, and that it

126
00:07:00,560 --> 00:07:05,360
Speaker 3: is imperative to the safe operation of that facility that

127
00:07:05,560 --> 00:07:10,720
Speaker 3: Lenna Taris and his ultimate team still regain control over

128
00:07:10,760 --> 00:07:13,120
Speaker 3: those areas of operation of the facility.

129
00:07:13,400 --> 00:07:15,880
Speaker 2: Senator, Is that something that you're going to be saying

130
00:07:15,920 --> 00:07:17,560
Speaker 2: to the Prime Minister today.

131
00:07:18,440 --> 00:07:21,760
Speaker 3: Absolutely Look, I've had numerous conversations with the Health Minister

132
00:07:21,840 --> 00:07:25,600
Speaker 3: Greek Hunt over it, so I'm pretty sure that the

133
00:07:25,640 --> 00:07:30,200
Speaker 3: PM is well aware of my concerns and Greg's concerns,

134
00:07:31,520 --> 00:07:33,960
Speaker 3: and yes, i will absolutely be talking to him about

135
00:07:33,960 --> 00:07:34,400
Speaker 3: it today.

136
00:07:34,880 --> 00:07:37,120
Speaker 2: Well, I'll be really keen to find out whether there

137
00:07:37,160 --> 00:07:40,880
Speaker 2: is any movement or change in that space. Senator for

138
00:07:40,960 --> 00:07:44,160
Speaker 2: the Northern Territory, Sam McMahon always appreciate your time. Thanks

139
00:07:44,240 --> 00:07:45,840
Speaker 2: very much for speaking with us this morning.

140
00:07:46,000 --> 00:07:47,880
Speaker 3: No worries, Thanks very much, Katie, thank you