1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:02,560 Speaker 1: But as you've heard, the Chief Justice of the Supreme 2 00:00:02,600 --> 00:00:06,040 Speaker 1: Court of the Northern Territory yesterday took the unprecedented step 3 00:00:06,320 --> 00:00:09,680 Speaker 1: of issuing a statement in response to public commentary concerning 4 00:00:09,720 --> 00:00:13,000 Speaker 1: the grant of bail to the teenager ten days ago. 5 00:00:13,160 --> 00:00:16,759 Speaker 1: I mean, we've covered the situation extensively, but that statement 6 00:00:16,840 --> 00:00:19,599 Speaker 1: relates to the concerns that we have spoken about on 7 00:00:19,640 --> 00:00:23,160 Speaker 1: this show for several days about the team not only 8 00:00:23,200 --> 00:00:26,880 Speaker 1: being granted bail, but the taxpayer footing the bill for 9 00:00:26,960 --> 00:00:30,920 Speaker 1: a seven thousand dollars charter flight to attend his grandfather's funeral. Now, 10 00:00:30,920 --> 00:00:34,080 Speaker 1: the statement was no doubt intended to provide some explanation 11 00:00:34,400 --> 00:00:38,440 Speaker 1: around the decision, and, according to that statement, outline the 12 00:00:38,560 --> 00:00:42,080 Speaker 1: conventions that limit the matter and extent to which judges 13 00:00:42,120 --> 00:00:46,240 Speaker 1: are able to participate in debate about decisions that they've made. 14 00:00:46,720 --> 00:00:49,440 Speaker 1: It continued to say that some of the commentary and 15 00:00:49,600 --> 00:00:54,000 Speaker 1: criticism misunderstands the considerations that the courts are required to 16 00:00:54,040 --> 00:00:57,760 Speaker 1: take into account when determining whether to grant compassionate bail 17 00:00:57,880 --> 00:01:02,040 Speaker 1: to youths on Remand the problem is the statement raised 18 00:01:02,120 --> 00:01:06,399 Speaker 1: many more questions from you, our listeners. Now, I will 19 00:01:06,480 --> 00:01:09,679 Speaker 1: just say There's been a small update on that statement 20 00:01:09,959 --> 00:01:13,200 Speaker 1: as well from the courts, and it says that paragraph 21 00:01:13,319 --> 00:01:17,360 Speaker 1: twelve of the statement issued by the Chief Justice yesterday 22 00:01:17,400 --> 00:01:20,200 Speaker 1: morning stated the bail was granted on the seventeenth of 23 00:01:20,200 --> 00:01:23,480 Speaker 1: February on condition, amongst others, that the youth would be 24 00:01:23,520 --> 00:01:28,119 Speaker 1: accompanied to Lajamanu by a NAJA through care officer. That 25 00:01:28,240 --> 00:01:31,080 Speaker 1: condition was amended on the morning of travel on the 26 00:01:31,160 --> 00:01:34,560 Speaker 1: nineteenth of February to substitute an officer from the Department 27 00:01:34,600 --> 00:01:38,560 Speaker 1: of Children and Families for the NAJA officer. As stated 28 00:01:38,560 --> 00:01:42,160 Speaker 1: in the press release issued by NAJA on the twentieth 29 00:01:42,160 --> 00:01:46,520 Speaker 1: of February, the youth was not accompanied on the flight 30 00:01:46,840 --> 00:01:51,560 Speaker 1: or in the community by any NAJA personnel. So I'll 31 00:01:51,600 --> 00:01:53,880 Speaker 1: have to have another read through that to make sense 32 00:01:53,920 --> 00:01:56,320 Speaker 1: of exactly what that means. But look, joining me in 33 00:01:56,400 --> 00:02:00,200 Speaker 1: the studio right now is the Deputy Chief Minister. He's 34 00:02:00,200 --> 00:02:04,160 Speaker 1: also the Minister for Corrections and Renewables and various other portfolios. 35 00:02:04,240 --> 00:02:06,000 Speaker 1: Jared Maylee, thanks so much for your time. 36 00:02:06,080 --> 00:02:08,040 Speaker 2: Good morning Katie and good morning listeners. 37 00:02:08,120 --> 00:02:10,880 Speaker 1: Now, Minister, we did obviously invite you on to talk 38 00:02:10,919 --> 00:02:13,080 Speaker 1: corrections and renewables, but I do want to ask you 39 00:02:13,080 --> 00:02:15,560 Speaker 1: about this statement that was issued yesterday by the Chief 40 00:02:15,720 --> 00:02:18,720 Speaker 1: Justice of the Supreme Court of the Northern Territory. Have 41 00:02:18,840 --> 00:02:21,200 Speaker 1: you seen that statement and what was your reaction to 42 00:02:21,320 --> 00:02:22,079 Speaker 1: the issuing of it. 43 00:02:22,480 --> 00:02:24,560 Speaker 3: Yes, Katie, I have seen that statement. I've read through 44 00:02:24,560 --> 00:02:26,959 Speaker 3: it a number of times and ultimately it's a matter 45 00:02:27,040 --> 00:02:28,840 Speaker 3: for the court to make a statement from them and 46 00:02:29,160 --> 00:02:31,800 Speaker 3: they can do that's their own wish. They can do that, 47 00:02:31,880 --> 00:02:33,919 Speaker 3: and we do have the separation of power, so the 48 00:02:34,040 --> 00:02:36,240 Speaker 3: judge of the Jutiary is separate to the Parliament, so 49 00:02:36,440 --> 00:02:38,960 Speaker 3: he's quite the rights to do that. But ultimately, I 50 00:02:38,960 --> 00:02:41,240 Speaker 3: think Katie, in my view, this whole event really just 51 00:02:41,280 --> 00:02:45,320 Speaker 3: doesn't pass the pub test. This gone out there, he's 52 00:02:45,360 --> 00:02:47,359 Speaker 3: made a decision and just a matter of fact, he's 53 00:02:47,360 --> 00:02:50,440 Speaker 3: got to justify that position. To me, seems there's a 54 00:02:50,440 --> 00:02:52,720 Speaker 3: problem with it. And I've spoken to many people in 55 00:02:52,720 --> 00:02:55,360 Speaker 3: the community about this and people are outraged, and so 56 00:02:55,400 --> 00:02:58,640 Speaker 3: they should be. Why is the taxpayer money used to 57 00:02:58,680 --> 00:03:01,040 Speaker 3: do this. I've heard of stories to other people haven't 58 00:03:01,080 --> 00:03:03,120 Speaker 3: been able to go to funerals because they couldn't afford it. 59 00:03:03,320 --> 00:03:06,359 Speaker 1: Well, this is the thing everyday Territorians, you know, they 60 00:03:06,400 --> 00:03:08,200 Speaker 1: are saying, well, hang on a second, Do I need 61 00:03:08,200 --> 00:03:10,040 Speaker 1: to be locked up to then be able to attend 62 00:03:10,040 --> 00:03:11,919 Speaker 1: a funeral? And then is it going to be covered? 63 00:03:11,960 --> 00:03:14,600 Speaker 1: Are the travel costs going to be covered by the taxpayer? 64 00:03:14,639 --> 00:03:19,440 Speaker 1: So that's certainly the reaction to it. I've no doubt 65 00:03:19,440 --> 00:03:21,800 Speaker 1: that the issuing of this statement, like the intent of it, 66 00:03:21,880 --> 00:03:24,800 Speaker 1: was to provide that context to territorians about the reasoning 67 00:03:24,880 --> 00:03:28,240 Speaker 1: behind the granting of the bail for this team, this team. 68 00:03:28,320 --> 00:03:30,440 Speaker 1: But like I said, it's raised more questions I think 69 00:03:30,440 --> 00:03:35,000 Speaker 1: for listeners rather than answers. Now, if I understand this correctly, 70 00:03:35,240 --> 00:03:40,560 Speaker 1: from that statement, Corrections didn't actually approve Youth Justice officers 71 00:03:40,600 --> 00:03:44,200 Speaker 1: to accompany this young person, so the Department of Children 72 00:03:44,200 --> 00:03:47,680 Speaker 1: and Families took responsibility. Have you been briefed on why 73 00:03:47,760 --> 00:03:49,680 Speaker 1: Corrections didn't accompany him? 74 00:03:50,080 --> 00:03:52,160 Speaker 3: Yes, I have, Kay, And I got to my department 75 00:03:52,160 --> 00:03:54,520 Speaker 3: and what they've told me, and they said that they 76 00:03:54,520 --> 00:03:56,360 Speaker 3: are asked to do an assessment and they assessed it 77 00:03:56,360 --> 00:03:59,720 Speaker 3: it's too high risk. So they said that they weren't 78 00:03:59,760 --> 00:04:01,840 Speaker 3: going to do it because the risk is too high. 79 00:04:01,880 --> 00:04:04,160 Speaker 3: So they said, no, they're not going to escort this prisoner. 80 00:04:04,200 --> 00:04:07,200 Speaker 1: So Hong on a second, So the Department of Corrections 81 00:04:07,760 --> 00:04:11,880 Speaker 1: have said this teenager is too high risk, so we're 82 00:04:11,880 --> 00:04:14,040 Speaker 1: not going to escort him to the funeral. 83 00:04:14,400 --> 00:04:14,920 Speaker 2: That's correct. 84 00:04:15,080 --> 00:04:17,640 Speaker 1: So what happened next? So the judge determined or up, Well, 85 00:04:17,640 --> 00:04:22,640 Speaker 1: if Corrections, who are actually the appropriate people to transport 86 00:04:22,680 --> 00:04:26,040 Speaker 1: this person aren't going to do it, We'll find someone else. 87 00:04:27,080 --> 00:04:27,960 Speaker 2: I wasn't in the court. 88 00:04:28,040 --> 00:04:30,039 Speaker 3: I don't know, but I can certainly assure you that 89 00:04:30,160 --> 00:04:32,440 Speaker 3: there was an assessment done by the Youth Justice, which 90 00:04:32,440 --> 00:04:34,960 Speaker 3: is our Apartment of Corrections as too high risks, so 91 00:04:35,000 --> 00:04:35,760 Speaker 3: they're not going to do it. 92 00:04:37,160 --> 00:04:39,440 Speaker 1: Like this is a whole other element to it that 93 00:04:39,520 --> 00:04:41,520 Speaker 1: people are going to be going, well, hang on a second, 94 00:04:41,560 --> 00:04:46,480 Speaker 1: so Corrections have said this is too dangerous, yet somehow 95 00:04:46,640 --> 00:04:50,560 Speaker 1: we've still allowed the team to be bailed to attend. 96 00:04:50,839 --> 00:04:52,920 Speaker 3: Exactly right, And like I said, I wasn't in the court, 97 00:04:52,920 --> 00:04:55,240 Speaker 3: and it's up to the court to consider and put 98 00:04:55,320 --> 00:04:57,920 Speaker 3: and wait whatever applications and submissions are before that court. 99 00:04:57,960 --> 00:04:59,960 Speaker 3: And Katie, I've been in the court many times. I've 100 00:05:00,080 --> 00:05:03,640 Speaker 3: done mail applications myself, so I know exactly what submissions 101 00:05:03,640 --> 00:05:06,159 Speaker 3: would have been said, and I know that the prosecution 102 00:05:06,160 --> 00:05:07,800 Speaker 3: would have had an opportunity to and they would have 103 00:05:07,800 --> 00:05:10,320 Speaker 3: been discussions about making and then the Judge Olden makes 104 00:05:10,320 --> 00:05:12,640 Speaker 3: a decision. But what I can say is that as 105 00:05:12,680 --> 00:05:14,920 Speaker 3: part of those submissions, somewhere along the lines it would 106 00:05:14,960 --> 00:05:16,799 Speaker 3: have been put to the judge that the Youth Justice 107 00:05:16,839 --> 00:05:19,080 Speaker 3: have assessed it and it's too high risk, and then 108 00:05:19,120 --> 00:05:20,960 Speaker 3: the court has made a decision based on that to 109 00:05:21,160 --> 00:05:23,520 Speaker 3: appoint someone else who who would have to say, would 110 00:05:23,560 --> 00:05:25,320 Speaker 3: not be in the same situation to be able to 111 00:05:25,360 --> 00:05:26,040 Speaker 3: assess the risk. 112 00:05:26,279 --> 00:05:28,840 Speaker 2: And remember, Youth Justice do a great job. That's what 113 00:05:28,880 --> 00:05:30,760 Speaker 2: they do professionally. They do it. They do every day. 114 00:05:30,800 --> 00:05:33,400 Speaker 3: They escort people, They move people from the prison to 115 00:05:33,480 --> 00:05:36,560 Speaker 3: the court and to hospital and all around the Northern Territory. 116 00:05:36,760 --> 00:05:39,119 Speaker 3: And they assessed it as too high risk. That says 117 00:05:39,120 --> 00:05:39,880 Speaker 3: something in itself. 118 00:05:39,960 --> 00:05:41,960 Speaker 1: It does, I mean to me, it does say something. 119 00:05:41,960 --> 00:05:44,000 Speaker 1: And again I think it's going to be another element 120 00:05:44,080 --> 00:05:46,440 Speaker 1: of this whole situation that people are going hang on 121 00:05:46,480 --> 00:05:49,359 Speaker 1: a second, why did this, you know, why did this happen? 122 00:05:49,400 --> 00:05:52,039 Speaker 1: And why was this allowed? I mean, one of the 123 00:05:52,080 --> 00:05:55,160 Speaker 1: other things which was also outlined in the statement is 124 00:05:55,240 --> 00:05:59,760 Speaker 1: that courts frequently grant compassionate bail to adults and to 125 00:05:59,800 --> 00:06:04,520 Speaker 1: you in custody. I mean, as the minister responsible for prisons, 126 00:06:04,960 --> 00:06:07,560 Speaker 1: do you have any idea how often this happens. 127 00:06:08,640 --> 00:06:12,239 Speaker 3: Look, I've asked my department to do an urgent review 128 00:06:12,279 --> 00:06:14,080 Speaker 3: in relation to this. But what I can say the 129 00:06:14,080 --> 00:06:16,160 Speaker 3: normal practice in the adult prison is if you do 130 00:06:16,240 --> 00:06:20,400 Speaker 3: get the compassionate leave, your family or friends are required 131 00:06:20,400 --> 00:06:21,440 Speaker 3: to pay for the transport. 132 00:06:21,600 --> 00:06:21,840 Speaker 1: Right. 133 00:06:22,040 --> 00:06:24,800 Speaker 3: So if you're in the adult prison and you're going 134 00:06:24,839 --> 00:06:26,480 Speaker 3: to go to your funeral, and you can convince the 135 00:06:26,520 --> 00:06:29,480 Speaker 3: commissioner on passionate grounds. And remember, Katie, there could be 136 00:06:29,560 --> 00:06:31,520 Speaker 3: someone who's been in custody for ten years and the 137 00:06:31,560 --> 00:06:33,760 Speaker 3: last year work through the whole system, and they're an 138 00:06:33,760 --> 00:06:34,679 Speaker 3: open rated prisoner. 139 00:06:34,839 --> 00:06:36,599 Speaker 2: Who are people at mown the lawns? 140 00:06:36,640 --> 00:06:38,200 Speaker 1: Yeah, the people are absolutely Yeah. 141 00:06:38,200 --> 00:06:39,000 Speaker 2: So they're open. 142 00:06:38,839 --> 00:06:41,240 Speaker 3: Rated prisoners and they could be in the last year. 143 00:06:41,279 --> 00:06:43,840 Speaker 3: So you're talking about reintegration because we are trying to 144 00:06:43,839 --> 00:06:46,840 Speaker 3: break their cycle of offending. So it does happen, but 145 00:06:47,040 --> 00:06:49,120 Speaker 3: it's not very often. My understanding is, but in the 146 00:06:49,160 --> 00:06:51,520 Speaker 3: adult prison, if you do get it, the tax payer 147 00:06:51,520 --> 00:06:52,560 Speaker 3: doesn't pay. 148 00:06:52,440 --> 00:06:55,680 Speaker 1: So you know, look for me, I'm very sympathetic when 149 00:06:56,600 --> 00:06:58,200 Speaker 1: there is a loss of life and when you do 150 00:06:58,279 --> 00:07:00,680 Speaker 1: need to attend a funeral. I understand that that's going 151 00:07:00,720 --> 00:07:02,280 Speaker 1: to happen from time to time. There's going to be 152 00:07:02,320 --> 00:07:05,480 Speaker 1: situations where prisoners, whether they're youths or whether they're adults, 153 00:07:05,520 --> 00:07:07,360 Speaker 1: where they do need to attend a funeral. And there's 154 00:07:07,400 --> 00:07:09,479 Speaker 1: going to be times where a judge is going to 155 00:07:09,520 --> 00:07:11,680 Speaker 1: have to make a very difficult decision as to whether 156 00:07:11,720 --> 00:07:14,480 Speaker 1: somebody is safe enough to be allowed out into the 157 00:07:14,480 --> 00:07:16,679 Speaker 1: community to do that. Now, from what I can gather 158 00:07:16,760 --> 00:07:19,720 Speaker 1: based on the statement that was issued yesterday, it really 159 00:07:19,800 --> 00:07:23,520 Speaker 1: doesn't seem to me that anybody really thought that the 160 00:07:23,560 --> 00:07:27,200 Speaker 1: youth was not at risk of absconding. I mean, that's 161 00:07:27,240 --> 00:07:30,440 Speaker 1: why I'm assuming the DPP opposed this from happening. That's 162 00:07:30,480 --> 00:07:33,960 Speaker 1: why corrections officers as you've just revealed, or youth justice 163 00:07:34,000 --> 00:07:36,440 Speaker 1: officers as you've just revealed on the show, you know, 164 00:07:36,600 --> 00:07:41,800 Speaker 1: didn't approve and didn't go. But I mean, look, the 165 00:07:41,880 --> 00:07:44,000 Speaker 1: main thing here is people are going to be going, well, 166 00:07:44,040 --> 00:07:46,520 Speaker 1: why did we also pay for it? And from what 167 00:07:46,560 --> 00:07:51,320 Speaker 1: you've said for adult corrections, you know, prisoners, they've got 168 00:07:51,320 --> 00:07:54,120 Speaker 1: to foot the bill themselves. What happens with other youths? 169 00:07:54,160 --> 00:07:57,680 Speaker 1: Like we are we paying for youths at other times too. 170 00:07:57,840 --> 00:08:00,040 Speaker 3: Well, Look, I'm not sure how the court does that be, 171 00:08:00,040 --> 00:08:03,200 Speaker 3: because ultimately it's really a matter for the court to 172 00:08:03,240 --> 00:08:05,560 Speaker 3: make the decision. But from what I understand is that 173 00:08:05,600 --> 00:08:09,320 Speaker 3: in the Youth Justice facility there is an offering for 174 00:08:09,400 --> 00:08:11,480 Speaker 3: it and it has to be made by the courts 175 00:08:11,560 --> 00:08:13,480 Speaker 3: or you can apply to the Commissioner as well to 176 00:08:13,520 --> 00:08:16,400 Speaker 3: do that. But it really comes back down to the 177 00:08:16,680 --> 00:08:19,240 Speaker 3: risk assessment. Is this person safe, like I said, is 178 00:08:19,280 --> 00:08:21,840 Speaker 3: it an open rated prisoner as a low rated prisoner 179 00:08:22,000 --> 00:08:24,560 Speaker 3: or it's a maximum rated prisoner. Do you have to 180 00:08:24,600 --> 00:08:26,320 Speaker 3: have more prison guards and do they have to be 181 00:08:26,360 --> 00:08:29,160 Speaker 3: in shackles? I don't know, but that's what the commissioner 182 00:08:29,440 --> 00:08:30,720 Speaker 3: using his wisdom and. 183 00:08:30,600 --> 00:08:32,240 Speaker 2: He's experienced the sides. 184 00:08:32,360 --> 00:08:34,560 Speaker 3: Yeah, and we know in this case they are assessed 185 00:08:34,600 --> 00:08:37,040 Speaker 3: as unsuitable, too high risk, and yet it's still got 186 00:08:37,040 --> 00:08:39,120 Speaker 3: to happen. So we just need to get that balanced 187 00:08:39,200 --> 00:08:41,960 Speaker 3: right because it is compassion and people do go to 188 00:08:42,040 --> 00:08:45,000 Speaker 3: funerals and they do have people go to hospital yep, 189 00:08:45,200 --> 00:08:47,079 Speaker 3: and I think it's reasonable to do that. 190 00:08:47,120 --> 00:08:48,000 Speaker 2: But as you touched on. 191 00:08:48,000 --> 00:08:52,280 Speaker 1: Before, the costs, absolutely, the cost and also what security 192 00:08:52,360 --> 00:08:55,560 Speaker 1: rating they are has a huge part to play. As well, Jared, 193 00:08:55,559 --> 00:08:58,480 Speaker 1: I do want to ask you, do you have any idea. 194 00:08:58,559 --> 00:09:00,800 Speaker 1: I mean, when you look at this type of thing 195 00:09:00,840 --> 00:09:03,240 Speaker 1: that's happened. I know that you guys have been in 196 00:09:03,280 --> 00:09:06,480 Speaker 1: power now for six months around six months. Do you 197 00:09:06,520 --> 00:09:08,800 Speaker 1: have any idea whether there is a budget that's set 198 00:09:08,800 --> 00:09:12,840 Speaker 1: aside within corrections for things like bereavement and people being 199 00:09:12,880 --> 00:09:16,160 Speaker 1: able to travel away for funerals, particularly in the youth prison, 200 00:09:16,240 --> 00:09:17,680 Speaker 1: if that's where it seems to be happening. 201 00:09:18,240 --> 00:09:21,040 Speaker 3: Look, I can't answer that question right now, but I 202 00:09:21,080 --> 00:09:24,560 Speaker 3: do know that the Youth Justice and the Corrections do 203 00:09:24,640 --> 00:09:28,480 Speaker 3: have budgets that it does happen, but it's all based 204 00:09:28,520 --> 00:09:31,040 Speaker 3: on a risk assessment to make sure that and it's 205 00:09:31,040 --> 00:09:33,600 Speaker 3: about integrating back into the community. Like I said, open 206 00:09:33,679 --> 00:09:35,960 Speaker 3: rated prisoner who maybe has been sentenced for ten years 207 00:09:35,960 --> 00:09:38,199 Speaker 3: in the last year or last two years, going back 208 00:09:38,240 --> 00:09:40,120 Speaker 3: into community. And like I said, these people are at 209 00:09:40,200 --> 00:09:43,800 Speaker 3: mowing the lawns out picking up rubbish. So you work together. 210 00:09:44,120 --> 00:09:45,760 Speaker 3: You don't just become an opera prison. You've got to 211 00:09:45,800 --> 00:09:47,640 Speaker 3: work towards it. So we need to get that balance right. 212 00:09:47,720 --> 00:09:49,720 Speaker 1: We do need to get it right. I mean, the 213 00:09:49,760 --> 00:09:52,480 Speaker 1: thing is here though we are alarm bells of rung 214 00:09:52,679 --> 00:09:56,040 Speaker 1: on this not only at the cost of that youth 215 00:09:56,200 --> 00:09:59,079 Speaker 1: attending the funeral, but also at the fact that he 216 00:09:59,280 --> 00:10:05,200 Speaker 1: was involved in an incredibly serious incident. That people do 217 00:10:05,280 --> 00:10:08,560 Speaker 1: not feel that it meets their standard of what is appropriate, 218 00:10:09,440 --> 00:10:12,880 Speaker 1: and I can understand why. And as I said, obviously 219 00:10:13,520 --> 00:10:16,640 Speaker 1: then we received this statement yesterday more questions I believe 220 00:10:16,720 --> 00:10:19,720 Speaker 1: being raised rather than answered. But I also want to 221 00:10:19,760 --> 00:10:22,880 Speaker 1: ask you about a report by Matt Cunningham yesterday that 222 00:10:22,920 --> 00:10:25,560 Speaker 1: the Northern Territory government and the judiciary there are at 223 00:10:25,600 --> 00:10:28,960 Speaker 1: loggerheads over a plan to hold court hearings on prison grounds. 224 00:10:29,000 --> 00:10:31,840 Speaker 1: Now senior government and legal sources have confirmed that the 225 00:10:31,880 --> 00:10:34,440 Speaker 1: COLP has been working on a proposal for the local 226 00:10:34,480 --> 00:10:37,360 Speaker 1: court to sit on the prison property and it seeks 227 00:10:37,400 --> 00:10:41,040 Speaker 1: to reduce a massive backlog, of course in cases that 228 00:10:41,120 --> 00:10:45,320 Speaker 1: are clogging up the courts and prisons. Does I mean 229 00:10:46,280 --> 00:10:48,640 Speaker 1: we're doing this? Do you think that it would be workable? 230 00:10:48,720 --> 00:10:51,079 Speaker 1: As the minister that's responsible for the prisons. 231 00:10:50,800 --> 00:10:51,800 Speaker 2: Yes, it could be workable. 232 00:10:51,920 --> 00:10:54,880 Speaker 3: But remember, Kadie, we are dealing with eight years of 233 00:10:55,000 --> 00:10:58,160 Speaker 3: labor with a soft on crime approach. They haven't invested 234 00:10:58,200 --> 00:11:00,720 Speaker 3: in the prison system. They haven't invested in the court system, 235 00:11:00,880 --> 00:11:02,520 Speaker 3: and that's where we are at the moment. But all 236 00:11:02,559 --> 00:11:05,320 Speaker 3: I can say is nothing is off the table. And 237 00:11:05,320 --> 00:11:07,839 Speaker 3: if we just remain the same the status COO's not 238 00:11:07,880 --> 00:11:09,640 Speaker 3: going to work. It's not going to get better. We're 239 00:11:09,679 --> 00:11:12,160 Speaker 3: elected in August last year to keep the community safe, 240 00:11:12,160 --> 00:11:15,199 Speaker 3: to rebuild economy and to restore our lifestyle, and that's 241 00:11:15,200 --> 00:11:16,959 Speaker 3: all we intend to do. All options are on the 242 00:11:16,960 --> 00:11:18,920 Speaker 3: table here. We want to make sure that the community 243 00:11:18,960 --> 00:11:21,280 Speaker 3: is safe and when you get the balance right, but 244 00:11:21,520 --> 00:11:23,600 Speaker 3: it's just important that we go out and we consider 245 00:11:24,120 --> 00:11:26,320 Speaker 3: the big picture here, what is the best for the territory? 246 00:11:26,320 --> 00:11:27,559 Speaker 3: What is best for territory? 247 00:11:27,559 --> 00:11:30,160 Speaker 1: Do you reckon holding some of these hearings at the 248 00:11:30,160 --> 00:11:32,560 Speaker 1: prison obviously not behind the wire, but out there on 249 00:11:32,600 --> 00:11:34,920 Speaker 1: the prison grounds. Do you reckon it could ease some 250 00:11:35,040 --> 00:11:36,880 Speaker 1: of that backlog that we've currently got. 251 00:11:36,960 --> 00:11:38,360 Speaker 2: Yes, it does, remember, but if they do. 252 00:11:38,400 --> 00:11:40,920 Speaker 3: Bush courts right across the Northern Charity and I've been 253 00:11:40,960 --> 00:11:42,600 Speaker 3: out on those bush courts where you go out into 254 00:11:42,640 --> 00:11:44,680 Speaker 3: a community and you literally I've been to where the 255 00:11:44,960 --> 00:11:48,640 Speaker 3: where the judge sits behind a plastic table, there's plastic chairs, 256 00:11:49,160 --> 00:11:51,439 Speaker 3: and then the court it's all recorded. It's just it's 257 00:11:51,440 --> 00:11:53,480 Speaker 3: an open court and anyone can go there, so it 258 00:11:53,520 --> 00:11:55,520 Speaker 3: doesn't have to be in a court room. What we 259 00:11:55,559 --> 00:11:56,840 Speaker 3: want to try and do is make sure that we 260 00:11:56,880 --> 00:11:59,680 Speaker 3: can deal with the batlog because we know, I'm exploring, 261 00:11:59,720 --> 00:12:02,640 Speaker 3: prison is back and forth is time consuming and expensive 262 00:12:02,920 --> 00:12:04,480 Speaker 3: and if we can deal with it on the spot, 263 00:12:04,480 --> 00:12:06,520 Speaker 3: well we can have a. 264 00:12:06,440 --> 00:12:06,719 Speaker 2: Go at it. 265 00:12:06,960 --> 00:12:08,720 Speaker 1: So it's absolutely on the table, then. 266 00:12:09,000 --> 00:12:11,679 Speaker 3: That nothing's off the table. But what is definitely not 267 00:12:11,720 --> 00:12:13,280 Speaker 3: off the table is we are going to keep the 268 00:12:13,320 --> 00:12:14,960 Speaker 3: community safe. That's our main goal. 269 00:12:15,120 --> 00:12:17,079 Speaker 1: Hey, did you end up meeting with the union earlier 270 00:12:17,120 --> 00:12:20,400 Speaker 1: in the week, the United Workers' Union in relation to 271 00:12:20,480 --> 00:12:23,320 Speaker 1: the concerns that have been raised, of course by prison officers. 272 00:12:23,440 --> 00:12:27,400 Speaker 3: Yes, I did meet with the union representatives and my 273 00:12:27,480 --> 00:12:29,840 Speaker 3: view went, well, we're going to open up a communication 274 00:12:29,960 --> 00:12:32,360 Speaker 3: channel and I've asked them to write with me with 275 00:12:32,400 --> 00:12:35,000 Speaker 3: their concerns and I'm assuming they're doing that right now. 276 00:12:35,040 --> 00:12:37,760 Speaker 3: I haven't seen that correspondence. But look, I want to 277 00:12:37,760 --> 00:12:39,720 Speaker 3: try and get what's best for the territory, Katie, and 278 00:12:40,040 --> 00:12:42,800 Speaker 3: dealing and just ignoring one side is not what I'm 279 00:12:42,840 --> 00:12:44,280 Speaker 3: going to do. I'm going to try and talk as 280 00:12:44,280 --> 00:12:46,320 Speaker 3: many people as possible, and we did have to say 281 00:12:46,360 --> 00:12:49,240 Speaker 3: that we agree to disagree. Yeah, straight, But that's what 282 00:12:49,280 --> 00:12:52,480 Speaker 3: it's about. How it's about having adult conversation about trying 283 00:12:52,520 --> 00:12:54,200 Speaker 3: to get the territory in a better place. 284 00:12:54,240 --> 00:12:56,520 Speaker 1: How did that discussion go between you and the union 285 00:12:56,720 --> 00:12:59,040 Speaker 1: head eron or early? I know there've been some barbs 286 00:12:59,080 --> 00:13:01,240 Speaker 1: slung at each other ear the week, that's for sure. 287 00:13:01,360 --> 00:13:03,679 Speaker 3: Look, what I can say is that we're both adults 288 00:13:03,720 --> 00:13:06,120 Speaker 3: and we both want to what's best for the territory. 289 00:13:06,559 --> 00:13:08,640 Speaker 1: So you don't reckon she's just a union hack. 290 00:13:09,200 --> 00:13:11,000 Speaker 3: Well, look, I'm going to say that we're both adults 291 00:13:11,040 --> 00:13:14,840 Speaker 3: and we are going to continue our communication. 292 00:13:15,280 --> 00:13:18,480 Speaker 1: All right, let's move along slightly, I mean still in 293 00:13:18,520 --> 00:13:21,520 Speaker 1: this space, though, Where do you go to from here? 294 00:13:21,559 --> 00:13:24,240 Speaker 1: If you've got correction stuff saying that they don't have 295 00:13:24,360 --> 00:13:26,040 Speaker 1: confidence in the commissioner. 296 00:13:27,040 --> 00:13:30,480 Speaker 3: Look, why not say upfront, I have one hundred percent 297 00:13:30,480 --> 00:13:33,120 Speaker 3: commonence in the commissioner. I support him one hundred percent, 298 00:13:33,320 --> 00:13:36,160 Speaker 3: and I support his executive team. But I also support 299 00:13:36,200 --> 00:13:39,280 Speaker 3: the prison officers. They do a great job. And I've 300 00:13:39,280 --> 00:13:41,320 Speaker 3: been hearing over the last six months that there's been 301 00:13:41,360 --> 00:13:44,199 Speaker 3: a staff shortage right across the territory and a matter 302 00:13:44,200 --> 00:13:47,560 Speaker 3: of what area in corrections in community justice. So what 303 00:13:47,559 --> 00:13:49,680 Speaker 3: we've done, if we made some legislation to be able 304 00:13:49,720 --> 00:13:51,360 Speaker 3: to deal with that, This is no one's going to 305 00:13:51,400 --> 00:13:54,319 Speaker 3: lose their job, Katie. This is about a surge workforce 306 00:13:54,360 --> 00:13:56,880 Speaker 3: to be able to come in and help the prison 307 00:13:56,920 --> 00:13:59,640 Speaker 3: officers do their job. They are doing a great job 308 00:13:59,720 --> 00:14:03,320 Speaker 3: under tremendous pressure. They're dealing with some really, really bad people, 309 00:14:03,800 --> 00:14:05,560 Speaker 3: and they deserve to go home safely as well. 310 00:14:05,600 --> 00:14:07,760 Speaker 1: I'm just thinking out loud here. I mean, obviously, in 311 00:14:07,800 --> 00:14:10,160 Speaker 1: the situation with the team that was granted bail to 312 00:14:10,160 --> 00:14:14,280 Speaker 1: attend the funeral, correction staff deemed or Youth justice staff 313 00:14:14,320 --> 00:14:16,720 Speaker 1: deemed that it was too dangerous to or you know, 314 00:14:16,840 --> 00:14:21,520 Speaker 1: too high risk to be able to escort that person. 315 00:14:22,560 --> 00:14:24,240 Speaker 1: So what we ended up with, I guess, is a 316 00:14:24,280 --> 00:14:27,360 Speaker 1: situation where other departmental staff and NARJER staff have then 317 00:14:27,520 --> 00:14:30,640 Speaker 1: gone with that young person. Are you worried that, you know, 318 00:14:30,680 --> 00:14:33,840 Speaker 1: we are talking about the transporting of a youth prisoner, 319 00:14:33,840 --> 00:14:36,880 Speaker 1: but obviously with the changes happening with corrections, we're talking 320 00:14:36,880 --> 00:14:39,600 Speaker 1: about the transporting of adult prisoners. Are you worried that 321 00:14:39,640 --> 00:14:42,760 Speaker 1: if we do go from those specialist trained officers like 322 00:14:42,800 --> 00:14:46,120 Speaker 1: we've spoken about before to now to those you know 323 00:14:46,280 --> 00:14:48,840 Speaker 1: private sort of private officers that I know they're going 324 00:14:48,920 --> 00:14:50,840 Speaker 1: to have to have training, Do you think we will 325 00:14:50,880 --> 00:14:52,600 Speaker 1: see any more of this absconding? 326 00:14:52,880 --> 00:14:55,560 Speaker 3: Look, ultimately, what I can say is these special prison 327 00:14:55,560 --> 00:14:58,160 Speaker 3: officers are going to have the experience and the qualifications. 328 00:14:59,360 --> 00:15:01,720 Speaker 3: This happened right across the Northern Cherity, and I can't 329 00:15:01,760 --> 00:15:02,960 Speaker 3: stand here and say no, the's ever going to get 330 00:15:03,000 --> 00:15:04,760 Speaker 3: away again. Because people do break out of prisons, they 331 00:15:04,800 --> 00:15:06,840 Speaker 3: break out a watchhouse. I think they've done it twice here. 332 00:15:07,120 --> 00:15:09,360 Speaker 3: So that's just the nature of the game. It's not 333 00:15:09,400 --> 00:15:12,080 Speaker 3: a perfect world. But what I can say and assured 334 00:15:12,120 --> 00:15:14,160 Speaker 3: prison officers, we are going to make sure that anyone 335 00:15:14,200 --> 00:15:16,800 Speaker 3: who comes into the prison officer system is going to 336 00:15:16,800 --> 00:15:19,560 Speaker 3: be qualified and it's got the suitable skills and experience 337 00:15:19,600 --> 00:15:20,480 Speaker 3: to do the job properly. 338 00:15:20,560 --> 00:15:23,320 Speaker 1: All right, minister, let's put your renewables hat on. I 339 00:15:23,360 --> 00:15:25,880 Speaker 1: know there's still a lot to talk about, but I 340 00:15:25,920 --> 00:15:28,720 Speaker 1: want to ask you. You're out yesterday making an announcement 341 00:15:28,760 --> 00:15:31,120 Speaker 1: around solar What were you announcing? So? 342 00:15:31,280 --> 00:15:34,600 Speaker 3: I was just giving an update to how our home 343 00:15:34,680 --> 00:15:37,120 Speaker 3: and battery business scheme is going well. It's going really 344 00:15:37,120 --> 00:15:39,080 Speaker 3: good at the moment, Katie, because what we want to 345 00:15:39,080 --> 00:15:41,480 Speaker 3: try and do is give people an opportunity to be 346 00:15:41,600 --> 00:15:43,400 Speaker 3: their own virtual power plan here where they have the 347 00:15:43,400 --> 00:15:45,840 Speaker 3: solar panels on the roof, the battery are in their 348 00:15:45,840 --> 00:15:48,560 Speaker 3: shed or in their home somewhere, and then they can 349 00:15:48,640 --> 00:15:51,520 Speaker 3: run off that system and that will ultimately reduce the 350 00:15:51,600 --> 00:15:54,080 Speaker 3: power bills because they can have the solos during the day, 351 00:15:54,120 --> 00:15:56,160 Speaker 3: the solo can also charge your batteries and then when 352 00:15:56,200 --> 00:15:58,920 Speaker 3: it comes to nighttime, the batteries can operate the house. 353 00:15:59,000 --> 00:16:00,960 Speaker 3: Because we know that there's a cost of living crisis 354 00:16:00,960 --> 00:16:03,200 Speaker 3: and this will help people go down because what the 355 00:16:03,240 --> 00:16:06,200 Speaker 3: COLP did when we come into powers we double the 356 00:16:06,240 --> 00:16:08,200 Speaker 3: amount of money from three million to six million dollars 357 00:16:08,240 --> 00:16:11,200 Speaker 3: in the pool and we also the battery grant went 358 00:16:11,240 --> 00:16:12,960 Speaker 3: from five to twelve thousand dollars. 359 00:16:13,080 --> 00:16:16,920 Speaker 1: Now, Minister, every day we get messages about this feed 360 00:16:16,960 --> 00:16:19,840 Speaker 1: in Tariff and the time, so I've got one here. 361 00:16:20,000 --> 00:16:22,600 Speaker 1: Andrew has just messaged through it says, hi, Katie, can 362 00:16:22,680 --> 00:16:25,520 Speaker 1: you ask mister Maylee why the solar feed in Tariff 363 00:16:25,960 --> 00:16:29,560 Speaker 1: is only being doubled from three until eight pm and 364 00:16:29,640 --> 00:16:34,280 Speaker 1: not during more daylight hours. If it is solar generation related, 365 00:16:34,880 --> 00:16:37,040 Speaker 1: you may have covered it, but please ask again. 366 00:16:37,280 --> 00:16:40,280 Speaker 3: Look, that's the peak time in relation to what power 367 00:16:40,280 --> 00:16:42,240 Speaker 3: and water to say the usage is and we need 368 00:16:42,240 --> 00:16:43,880 Speaker 3: to get the grid right. 369 00:16:44,360 --> 00:16:46,400 Speaker 1: Should it be peak time of when the sun's actually 370 00:16:46,440 --> 00:16:47,080 Speaker 1: out though. 371 00:16:47,080 --> 00:16:50,560 Speaker 3: Well, it's about getting the grid stable and allowing people 372 00:16:50,600 --> 00:16:52,680 Speaker 3: to have and that's why we double the battery bonus 373 00:16:52,720 --> 00:16:54,720 Speaker 3: to be able to have the battery becuse we understand 374 00:16:54,720 --> 00:16:57,640 Speaker 3: cost of living is a real pressure on families across 375 00:16:57,640 --> 00:16:59,600 Speaker 3: and on the territory, and what we're trying to do 376 00:16:59,680 --> 00:17:01,280 Speaker 3: is make it so, like I said, you can have 377 00:17:01,320 --> 00:17:03,320 Speaker 3: your own little power plane at home and you can 378 00:17:03,400 --> 00:17:05,679 Speaker 3: run and reduce the costs because we've got to make 379 00:17:05,680 --> 00:17:09,400 Speaker 3: sure the grid's stable. And there's been a massive underspent 380 00:17:09,520 --> 00:17:11,479 Speaker 3: over many years in relations to the grid and it 381 00:17:11,520 --> 00:17:13,680 Speaker 3: just needs to be get that balance right again. 382 00:17:13,720 --> 00:17:16,600 Speaker 1: Well, Rob contacted us yesterday. He called through about that 383 00:17:16,640 --> 00:17:20,119 Speaker 1: solar feed in tariff, asking why again why it's been 384 00:17:20,160 --> 00:17:23,040 Speaker 1: doubled from three till eight, saying it's pointless once the 385 00:17:23,080 --> 00:17:25,600 Speaker 1: sun goes down from seven till nine. He reckons he 386 00:17:25,680 --> 00:17:29,480 Speaker 1: signed a contract under the original offer which was which 387 00:17:29,680 --> 00:17:33,359 Speaker 1: was that feed in or the parody being feed in 388 00:17:33,440 --> 00:17:36,959 Speaker 1: and feed out at twenty three point five cents for both, 389 00:17:37,320 --> 00:17:40,560 Speaker 1: So doubling it still isn't back to what it used 390 00:17:40,560 --> 00:17:40,760 Speaker 1: to be. 391 00:17:41,200 --> 00:17:43,960 Speaker 3: Well, look, we know that Labor come out and said 392 00:17:44,000 --> 00:17:46,399 Speaker 3: that they were going to grandfather those people and keep that. 393 00:17:46,400 --> 00:17:48,480 Speaker 3: Then they broke that promise, and then what they also 394 00:17:48,520 --> 00:17:50,440 Speaker 3: did is they reduced a battery bonus from six down 395 00:17:50,480 --> 00:17:50,720 Speaker 3: to five. 396 00:17:50,800 --> 00:17:52,880 Speaker 1: Have you guys broken a promise though? Did you say 397 00:17:52,880 --> 00:17:54,520 Speaker 1: that you were going to make it you know better 398 00:17:54,520 --> 00:17:55,359 Speaker 1: than what you actually have. 399 00:17:55,640 --> 00:17:57,960 Speaker 3: No, we've always said that we're going to double the 400 00:17:58,000 --> 00:18:00,800 Speaker 3: feed in tariff during peak times. That was in the 401 00:18:00,840 --> 00:18:04,000 Speaker 3: electrical commitment and that's been said many times by all 402 00:18:04,119 --> 00:18:07,080 Speaker 3: SELPY representatives. So that's what our promise has been. We've 403 00:18:07,080 --> 00:18:09,760 Speaker 3: committed to that, and we've delivered, and over three hundred 404 00:18:09,760 --> 00:18:12,960 Speaker 3: people have accept those applications and I think eighty percent 405 00:18:13,000 --> 00:18:16,200 Speaker 3: of those have been processed and there was one hundred 406 00:18:16,200 --> 00:18:18,000 Speaker 3: and ninety four just in December. 407 00:18:17,720 --> 00:18:20,520 Speaker 1: Lane, So to anybody listening this morning that's going this 408 00:18:20,920 --> 00:18:22,879 Speaker 1: isn't what I thought it was going to be. Is 409 00:18:22,920 --> 00:18:23,959 Speaker 1: it just tough cookies? 410 00:18:23,960 --> 00:18:25,840 Speaker 3: They got to go with it the way it is, Well, Look, 411 00:18:25,920 --> 00:18:28,280 Speaker 3: it's not tough cookies. We've got to get the balance 412 00:18:28,359 --> 00:18:31,280 Speaker 3: right about trying to keep the majority of the territory 413 00:18:31,280 --> 00:18:33,560 Speaker 3: of the lights on and also allow people to have 414 00:18:33,600 --> 00:18:35,480 Speaker 3: their own solar panels and battery system. 415 00:18:35,640 --> 00:18:37,600 Speaker 1: Is that more the issue here that if you go 416 00:18:38,000 --> 00:18:39,800 Speaker 1: the other way, or if you give you know, if 417 00:18:39,800 --> 00:18:42,159 Speaker 1: there are more hours that the system just can't cope. 418 00:18:42,280 --> 00:18:44,679 Speaker 3: Well, Look, the system is a very technical system, and 419 00:18:44,720 --> 00:18:46,800 Speaker 3: I'm really speaking above what I know about it, but 420 00:18:47,240 --> 00:18:49,680 Speaker 3: I know that there's been a lack of infrastructure right 421 00:18:49,680 --> 00:18:52,960 Speaker 3: across the Northern Territory in prisons and in courts and 422 00:18:53,080 --> 00:18:56,840 Speaker 3: in power and water. And every time we've uncovered something 423 00:18:57,160 --> 00:18:59,280 Speaker 3: in the last six months, every rock we open, Katie, 424 00:19:00,760 --> 00:19:01,840 Speaker 3: and we're trying to fix it. 425 00:19:01,920 --> 00:19:04,160 Speaker 1: Well, Minister, look at there so much to cover off 426 00:19:04,160 --> 00:19:06,240 Speaker 1: on this morning. I really appreciate your time. But before 427 00:19:06,280 --> 00:19:08,280 Speaker 1: I let you go, I know that as the Minister 428 00:19:08,320 --> 00:19:12,600 Speaker 1: for Agriculture and Fisheries, there is indeed an announcement this 429 00:19:12,680 --> 00:19:18,600 Speaker 1: morning bolstering the territory's biosecurity preparedness with the launch of Burt. 430 00:19:18,760 --> 00:19:22,280 Speaker 3: Who's Burt Okay out there this morning. What Bird is 431 00:19:22,280 --> 00:19:26,159 Speaker 3: is a biosecurity response trailer. So what it's designed to 432 00:19:26,200 --> 00:19:28,240 Speaker 3: do is allow the officers to go out if there's 433 00:19:28,240 --> 00:19:30,200 Speaker 3: an incursion, because we know we've got foot in mouth 434 00:19:30,240 --> 00:19:32,359 Speaker 3: and lumpy skins jest to the north of us. We 435 00:19:32,440 --> 00:19:34,639 Speaker 3: know that bird flu H five is just to the 436 00:19:34,680 --> 00:19:36,639 Speaker 3: north of us. So what this is going to allow 437 00:19:36,680 --> 00:19:39,000 Speaker 3: those officers to go out into the field if they 438 00:19:39,040 --> 00:19:42,080 Speaker 3: get a call and hopefully contain it and at least 439 00:19:42,080 --> 00:19:44,320 Speaker 3: take the samples off it and just have a better 440 00:19:44,359 --> 00:19:47,000 Speaker 3: reaction and more quicker reaction time. And the other part 441 00:19:47,080 --> 00:19:48,919 Speaker 3: of it too, Katie, is it's going to be used 442 00:19:48,960 --> 00:19:51,760 Speaker 3: as an educational tool to go around through schools into 443 00:19:51,800 --> 00:19:54,119 Speaker 3: the shows. Because people out there in the community, our 444 00:19:54,160 --> 00:19:54,760 Speaker 3: eyes and ears. 445 00:19:54,760 --> 00:19:56,040 Speaker 2: We don't have many. 446 00:19:55,840 --> 00:19:57,960 Speaker 3: People out there because we've got such a vast space 447 00:19:58,000 --> 00:20:00,080 Speaker 3: and a small population. So what was going to do 448 00:20:00,000 --> 00:20:01,800 Speaker 3: do we want people to know if they see an 449 00:20:01,800 --> 00:20:04,280 Speaker 3: incursion or they see sick animals as doesn't look right, 450 00:20:04,640 --> 00:20:06,880 Speaker 3: there's one eight hundred number to call and we want 451 00:20:06,880 --> 00:20:08,720 Speaker 3: people to know what to do about that situation. 452 00:20:09,080 --> 00:20:13,480 Speaker 1: Well, Minister Deputy Chief Minister, Minister for various portfolios, I 453 00:20:13,520 --> 00:20:16,520 Speaker 1: think we pretty much covered them all this morning. Jared Maylie, 454 00:20:16,520 --> 00:20:19,120 Speaker 1: thank you so very much for your time, much appreciated. 455 00:20:19,160 --> 00:20:20,280 Speaker 2: Thank you, Katie, thank you