1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:01,680 Speaker 1: We're all still sort of going through the budget and 2 00:00:01,720 --> 00:00:04,720 Speaker 1: working out exactly what's in it here in the Northern Territory, 3 00:00:05,000 --> 00:00:08,160 Speaker 1: and one location that does seem to have benefited from 4 00:00:08,160 --> 00:00:11,600 Speaker 1: that budget yesterday is Central Australia. Now joining me on 5 00:00:11,640 --> 00:00:14,760 Speaker 1: the line is the Mayor of Alice Springs, Matt Patterson. 6 00:00:14,800 --> 00:00:15,560 Speaker 1: Good morning to you. 7 00:00:15,560 --> 00:00:19,080 Speaker 2: Matt, Good morning Katie, Thanks for having me again. 8 00:00:19,400 --> 00:00:22,720 Speaker 1: Matt, I understand now, I'm pretty sure that Marian scrumdaw 9 00:00:22,760 --> 00:00:25,120 Speaker 1: had told us yesterday on the show that there's fourteen 10 00:00:25,200 --> 00:00:28,760 Speaker 1: million dollars which has been announced in terms of combating 11 00:00:28,800 --> 00:00:35,040 Speaker 1: crime in Alice Springs. Is that is that the case, Yes. 12 00:00:34,920 --> 00:00:37,040 Speaker 2: That is my understanding, is a part of a broader 13 00:00:37,040 --> 00:00:40,560 Speaker 2: package of around one hundred and thirty five million dollars. 14 00:00:40,680 --> 00:00:43,400 Speaker 2: So it's obviously going to be very welcomed by the community. 15 00:00:43,840 --> 00:00:47,279 Speaker 2: And we worked extremely hard with both sides of politics 16 00:00:47,400 --> 00:00:49,600 Speaker 2: leading into the federal election through our advocacy and so 17 00:00:49,720 --> 00:00:52,600 Speaker 2: we welcome the investment and I just say thanks to 18 00:00:52,680 --> 00:00:55,440 Speaker 2: the government for the investment of forty million into Weller 19 00:00:55,480 --> 00:00:56,480 Speaker 2: Springs for crime prevention. 20 00:00:56,720 --> 00:00:59,240 Speaker 1: Well, it is something that you and plenty of others 21 00:00:59,280 --> 00:01:02,400 Speaker 1: in Alice Springs have really been advocating for for quite 22 00:01:02,440 --> 00:01:06,480 Speaker 1: some time. Mass what is that fourteen million dollars going 23 00:01:06,480 --> 00:01:07,160 Speaker 1: to be spent on? 24 00:01:08,760 --> 00:01:10,880 Speaker 2: So there has been a lot of work done in 25 00:01:10,880 --> 00:01:14,480 Speaker 2: the background previously in regards to septed and lighting and 26 00:01:14,480 --> 00:01:18,600 Speaker 2: those sort of things. So hopefully we can tap into 27 00:01:18,640 --> 00:01:22,920 Speaker 2: those fundings to implement some of those plans that have 28 00:01:23,000 --> 00:01:25,640 Speaker 2: been done previously. I mean, nothing bugs me more than 29 00:01:26,680 --> 00:01:29,280 Speaker 2: spending time, money and resources on developing plans and then 30 00:01:29,319 --> 00:01:31,560 Speaker 2: they sit on the shelf. So these plans have been 31 00:01:31,560 --> 00:01:34,959 Speaker 2: done by professionals, you know. Hopefully we can use some 32 00:01:35,000 --> 00:01:37,440 Speaker 2: of that sort of lighting and the septed sort of stuff, 33 00:01:37,520 --> 00:01:39,679 Speaker 2: and we can take that back to the Sought committee 34 00:01:39,680 --> 00:01:43,160 Speaker 2: that's been stood up as well for the implementation around 35 00:01:44,760 --> 00:01:47,039 Speaker 2: crime prevention. So certainly look forward to it. 36 00:01:47,520 --> 00:01:49,360 Speaker 1: What about I mean, will any of that funding go 37 00:01:49,520 --> 00:01:53,040 Speaker 1: towards patrols? I know that you know that security patrols 38 00:01:53,080 --> 00:01:57,280 Speaker 1: and the canines is something that we've spoken to Tourism 39 00:01:57,320 --> 00:01:59,880 Speaker 1: Central Australia about yesterday. They're up here at the moment 40 00:02:01,000 --> 00:02:04,280 Speaker 1: checking those patrols out. Is there a possibility that that 41 00:02:04,320 --> 00:02:04,880 Speaker 1: could happen? 42 00:02:06,560 --> 00:02:08,320 Speaker 2: So my understanding, Cadin, I don't know if I'm giving 43 00:02:08,360 --> 00:02:12,120 Speaker 2: you a scoop here, But is that the Laura tipper 44 00:02:12,960 --> 00:02:16,880 Speaker 2: the traditional owner representation group down here, has been given 45 00:02:16,960 --> 00:02:20,680 Speaker 2: some funds to undergo traditional owner patrols and they're just 46 00:02:21,040 --> 00:02:23,359 Speaker 2: working out their governance arrangements at the moment to get 47 00:02:23,360 --> 00:02:25,440 Speaker 2: that off the ground. So that's something that'll be extremely 48 00:02:25,480 --> 00:02:29,000 Speaker 2: welcomed in Ola Springs. I like many have been saying 49 00:02:29,120 --> 00:02:33,320 Speaker 2: more patrols. You know that that visual pollution of police 50 00:02:33,440 --> 00:02:36,840 Speaker 2: or security guards or patrols just makes everyone feel a 51 00:02:36,880 --> 00:02:39,320 Speaker 2: little bit safer and a bit relaxed. So we'll certainly 52 00:02:39,320 --> 00:02:42,120 Speaker 2: welcome that. I think you've got a similar model up 53 00:02:42,120 --> 00:02:44,440 Speaker 2: in Darwin and that we're sort of basing it on 54 00:02:44,520 --> 00:02:47,560 Speaker 2: down here, So I think that in the coming weeks 55 00:02:47,800 --> 00:02:48,920 Speaker 2: or months that'll. 56 00:02:48,639 --> 00:02:51,080 Speaker 1: Get off the ground, so similar to sort of what 57 00:02:51,120 --> 00:02:52,359 Speaker 1: we see with Larakie Nation. 58 00:02:53,880 --> 00:02:56,480 Speaker 2: Yeah, I think so. Yeah, I'm pretty sure that's the 59 00:02:56,520 --> 00:02:59,000 Speaker 2: model that's being used Larikie, and I think that Laura 60 00:02:59,040 --> 00:03:01,120 Speaker 2: Tippa has been up to dar And to have a 61 00:03:01,160 --> 00:03:02,400 Speaker 2: look at how that model is run. 62 00:03:02,600 --> 00:03:05,320 Speaker 1: Okay, and so any idea how quickly they'll come into 63 00:03:05,520 --> 00:03:07,440 Speaker 1: you know, they'll start operating. 64 00:03:08,960 --> 00:03:11,320 Speaker 2: I'm not sure of exact dates. Katie but what we 65 00:03:11,400 --> 00:03:13,079 Speaker 2: do have a short meeting next week and I'm sure 66 00:03:13,080 --> 00:03:15,079 Speaker 2: that it'll be something that will be on the top 67 00:03:15,120 --> 00:03:21,080 Speaker 2: of everyone's agenda. Look, patrols are you know, it's the 68 00:03:21,120 --> 00:03:23,600 Speaker 2: topic that everyone's talking about at the moment. People want 69 00:03:23,600 --> 00:03:26,600 Speaker 2: to see more patrols day and night because this isn't 70 00:03:26,600 --> 00:03:29,400 Speaker 2: just a nighttime currents for us. We're suffering this all 71 00:03:29,480 --> 00:03:33,000 Speaker 2: day every day. But I think as a community seeing 72 00:03:33,000 --> 00:03:36,160 Speaker 2: the traditional owners out patrolling, it'll be very welcomed. So 73 00:03:36,240 --> 00:03:37,360 Speaker 2: hopefully discerner the better. 74 00:03:37,560 --> 00:03:39,640 Speaker 1: Yeah, I agree. I think that, you know, if they 75 00:03:39,640 --> 00:03:42,440 Speaker 1: can get on the ground and doing that role, hopefully 76 00:03:42,520 --> 00:03:45,160 Speaker 1: it will have a big impact for the people of Alice. 77 00:03:46,320 --> 00:03:49,040 Speaker 2: Yeah, absolutely absolutely, and I think that that's you know, 78 00:03:49,520 --> 00:03:52,600 Speaker 2: what we all want. We don't want to see these 79 00:03:52,680 --> 00:03:55,320 Speaker 2: kids on the street. Hopefully, you know, through the traditional owners, 80 00:03:55,840 --> 00:03:58,080 Speaker 2: through territory families, we can have that wrap around service 81 00:03:58,120 --> 00:04:00,760 Speaker 2: of the kids and make sure that not slipping through 82 00:04:00,800 --> 00:04:03,520 Speaker 2: the cracks. We do get a tremendous amount of resourcing 83 00:04:03,560 --> 00:04:06,200 Speaker 2: down here and funding, but I'm not sure that it's 84 00:04:06,240 --> 00:04:09,800 Speaker 2: always spend in the right areas because we still have 85 00:04:09,920 --> 00:04:13,520 Speaker 2: children falling through the cracks of the system. So more 86 00:04:13,520 --> 00:04:17,640 Speaker 2: patrols with the right people might address some of those 87 00:04:17,680 --> 00:04:20,200 Speaker 2: concerns and alleviate some of the issues that we face. 88 00:04:20,440 --> 00:04:23,760 Speaker 1: All right, well, so we are expecting, by the sounds 89 00:04:23,760 --> 00:04:25,720 Speaker 1: of it, the territory government's probably going to come out 90 00:04:25,760 --> 00:04:29,480 Speaker 1: and make an announcement about that sooner rather than later. Matt, 91 00:04:29,920 --> 00:04:31,880 Speaker 1: I don't know whether you heard the Chief Minister, Natasha 92 00:04:31,920 --> 00:04:34,600 Speaker 1: Fhiles on the show on Monday, but we'd certainly put 93 00:04:34,640 --> 00:04:37,720 Speaker 1: to her as well. You know that proposal that you'd 94 00:04:37,800 --> 00:04:41,520 Speaker 1: had around there being a location to get youth off 95 00:04:41,520 --> 00:04:44,920 Speaker 1: the streets and somewhere safe so that they're not engaged 96 00:04:44,920 --> 00:04:47,400 Speaker 1: in bad behavior at night time. We know that the 97 00:04:47,440 --> 00:04:50,680 Speaker 1: location that you'd initially sort of flagged it doesn't look 98 00:04:50,720 --> 00:04:53,039 Speaker 1: as though it's one that can happen. But she confirmed 99 00:04:53,040 --> 00:04:58,080 Speaker 1: that they have identified two other locations. What did you 100 00:04:58,120 --> 00:04:59,160 Speaker 1: make of those comments. 101 00:05:00,560 --> 00:05:05,000 Speaker 2: We're obviously very welcoming those comments. I think that you know, 102 00:05:05,040 --> 00:05:07,600 Speaker 2: it does add a bit of release to our springs. 103 00:05:08,680 --> 00:05:11,359 Speaker 2: You know, I've often said this isn't about politics, this 104 00:05:11,400 --> 00:05:13,240 Speaker 2: issue that we face down here, it is about people, 105 00:05:13,680 --> 00:05:16,120 Speaker 2: and it doesn't matter what side of politics sit on. 106 00:05:16,640 --> 00:05:18,800 Speaker 2: Everyone just wants the kids to be safe and off 107 00:05:18,839 --> 00:05:22,200 Speaker 2: the street, and we know that at times it is 108 00:05:22,240 --> 00:05:24,640 Speaker 2: safer for the kids to be on the street rather 109 00:05:24,680 --> 00:05:26,520 Speaker 2: than at home. And as sad as that is, that's 110 00:05:26,520 --> 00:05:30,520 Speaker 2: the reality that we're with. So providing kids safe space 111 00:05:31,200 --> 00:05:32,880 Speaker 2: where they can go to and as I touched on 112 00:05:32,880 --> 00:05:35,000 Speaker 2: that wrap around service to make sure they're not slipping 113 00:05:35,000 --> 00:05:39,120 Speaker 2: through the cracks, and I think that that is absolutely 114 00:05:39,120 --> 00:05:42,720 Speaker 2: the right idea and I think it's the way going forward. Now. 115 00:05:42,839 --> 00:05:44,719 Speaker 2: I'm not sure of those locations, and I look forward 116 00:05:44,760 --> 00:05:47,600 Speaker 2: to that discussion. I think that, you know, we've got 117 00:05:47,600 --> 00:05:50,520 Speaker 2: to try some things. Some things aren't going to work, 118 00:05:50,720 --> 00:05:52,560 Speaker 2: but we've got to try them. It's a bit like 119 00:05:52,600 --> 00:05:54,920 Speaker 2: the hub in the CBD that the government tried. They 120 00:05:54,920 --> 00:05:57,080 Speaker 2: tried it, it didn't work, so they've taken it out 121 00:05:57,080 --> 00:06:00,800 Speaker 2: and tried other models. So you know, that's we're at 122 00:06:00,800 --> 00:06:03,640 Speaker 2: the point where we need to try anything on. 123 00:06:03,800 --> 00:06:05,960 Speaker 1: There's got to be KPIs. You know, there's got to 124 00:06:06,000 --> 00:06:08,080 Speaker 1: be KPIs, doesn't they You've got to sort of be 125 00:06:08,160 --> 00:06:10,520 Speaker 1: able to gauge whether they work or whether they don't, 126 00:06:10,520 --> 00:06:13,159 Speaker 1: and if they don't, get rid of them and look 127 00:06:13,200 --> 00:06:16,560 Speaker 1: to what is going to work. Matt, can I ask 128 00:06:16,600 --> 00:06:19,600 Speaker 1: what was the situation. I heard reported that there was 129 00:06:19,640 --> 00:06:22,760 Speaker 1: a situation with the public gallery with those council meetings. 130 00:06:22,760 --> 00:06:25,880 Speaker 1: Has the public gallery being closed or what's the situation exactly. 131 00:06:27,320 --> 00:06:31,480 Speaker 2: So there was a motion put up on Tuesday and 132 00:06:31,080 --> 00:06:34,360 Speaker 2: it wasn't debated. It was withdrawn by the Deputy Mayor. 133 00:06:34,720 --> 00:06:38,440 Speaker 2: There was some heckling from the gallery. The member of 134 00:06:38,480 --> 00:06:42,000 Speaker 2: the public was worned a few times, didn't listen, and 135 00:06:42,120 --> 00:06:44,679 Speaker 2: I had asked him to leave. On his way out, 136 00:06:45,480 --> 00:06:48,320 Speaker 2: he had a verbal stoush with the Deputy Mayor and 137 00:06:48,320 --> 00:06:51,040 Speaker 2: then sort of stood over him. And the behavior from 138 00:06:51,040 --> 00:06:54,240 Speaker 2: the member of the public is absolutely unacceptable, and so 139 00:06:54,279 --> 00:06:56,960 Speaker 2: we've got to go through there's some protocols now to 140 00:06:57,000 --> 00:07:00,960 Speaker 2: make sure that the elected members point of viewer safe 141 00:07:00,960 --> 00:07:04,080 Speaker 2: and from the staffing from the CEO, they're safe as well, 142 00:07:04,120 --> 00:07:08,000 Speaker 2: because we can't have that situation. If I go back 143 00:07:08,080 --> 00:07:11,200 Speaker 2: nine months, we had an elective member have a child, 144 00:07:11,280 --> 00:07:13,760 Speaker 2: so we had a three month old baby in the chamber. 145 00:07:13,800 --> 00:07:18,280 Speaker 2: We just can't have that. We just can't have this 146 00:07:18,720 --> 00:07:21,720 Speaker 2: instance happen again. And so you know, it's not okay 147 00:07:21,760 --> 00:07:25,160 Speaker 2: what had happened. We're elected members. It's democracy. You're going 148 00:07:25,200 --> 00:07:29,560 Speaker 2: to disagree with this, that's okay, but you can't, you know, 149 00:07:30,280 --> 00:07:34,080 Speaker 2: stand over someone with their back turned and threaten them. 150 00:07:34,120 --> 00:07:37,400 Speaker 2: So we'll go through some protocols to make sure that 151 00:07:37,400 --> 00:07:39,960 Speaker 2: it can't happen again. And until that time, we'll have 152 00:07:40,000 --> 00:07:42,520 Speaker 2: to address to see if we can keep the public, 153 00:07:42,560 --> 00:07:43,720 Speaker 2: keep me going out into the public. 154 00:07:43,880 --> 00:07:47,440 Speaker 1: Excuse my ignorance, but who is the Deputy may at. 155 00:07:47,320 --> 00:07:48,760 Speaker 2: The moment, Ellie Melkie? 156 00:07:48,960 --> 00:07:53,280 Speaker 1: Okay, and so was he quite concerned for his safety 157 00:07:53,320 --> 00:07:53,960 Speaker 1: at that point. 158 00:07:55,360 --> 00:07:58,400 Speaker 2: Look, I think he was shocked, and I think he 159 00:07:58,440 --> 00:08:01,080 Speaker 2: had every right to be shocked. I don't think anyone 160 00:08:01,120 --> 00:08:05,840 Speaker 2: deserves to have a person stand over you and point 161 00:08:05,880 --> 00:08:08,000 Speaker 2: their finger right in your face when you're at work. 162 00:08:08,120 --> 00:08:11,880 Speaker 2: So look, it was a shocking incident. As I said, 163 00:08:11,920 --> 00:08:13,600 Speaker 2: it was unacceptable and we need to make sure that 164 00:08:13,640 --> 00:08:16,120 Speaker 2: these things don't happen again. It was raised in general 165 00:08:16,160 --> 00:08:20,400 Speaker 2: business in the Sea. I was investigating what council can 166 00:08:20,440 --> 00:08:22,520 Speaker 2: do with that particular individual to make sure that it 167 00:08:22,560 --> 00:08:25,720 Speaker 2: doesn't happen again. But overall, we need to address the 168 00:08:25,840 --> 00:08:28,119 Speaker 2: layout of the chamber. I suppose to make sure people 169 00:08:28,120 --> 00:08:28,960 Speaker 2: are safe. 170 00:08:28,840 --> 00:08:32,840 Speaker 1: Okay, before I let you go. Is the Ala Springs 171 00:08:33,120 --> 00:08:34,520 Speaker 1: the by election this weekend? 172 00:08:35,679 --> 00:08:36,960 Speaker 2: By election is this weekend? 173 00:08:37,040 --> 00:08:38,600 Speaker 1: Yes, and so I have you got a few people 174 00:08:38,679 --> 00:08:40,400 Speaker 1: up putting their hands up. 175 00:08:41,160 --> 00:08:45,640 Speaker 2: Yeah, we've got five candidates, so I think the numbers 176 00:08:45,640 --> 00:08:47,840 Speaker 2: are quite low. It's quite difficult down here KD without 177 00:08:47,840 --> 00:08:50,679 Speaker 2: a newspaper to get the information out there. It all 178 00:08:50,720 --> 00:08:53,040 Speaker 2: happened once it was called. It all happened pretty quickly. 179 00:08:53,080 --> 00:08:56,360 Speaker 2: So it'd be interested to see come Sunday the voter turnout. 180 00:08:56,840 --> 00:08:59,400 Speaker 2: And we're seeing it dwindling across the country and there 181 00:08:59,440 --> 00:09:03,719 Speaker 2: is a disconnect with politics everywhere. So yeah, look we've 182 00:09:03,760 --> 00:09:05,959 Speaker 2: got five candidates, which is pretty good for a by election, 183 00:09:07,320 --> 00:09:10,400 Speaker 2: but we'll wait and see. Well, yeah, the voter turnout, 184 00:09:10,400 --> 00:09:12,200 Speaker 2: which on fingers crossed the tie. 185 00:09:12,520 --> 00:09:14,640 Speaker 1: Yeah, well we do have a few people. I know, 186 00:09:14,679 --> 00:09:16,480 Speaker 1: we've got a few that listen to the show from 187 00:09:16,520 --> 00:09:18,679 Speaker 1: Alice Springs. So if you're listening, get out there, make 188 00:09:18,720 --> 00:09:21,160 Speaker 1: sure you vote. It is an incredibly important thing to do, 189 00:09:21,280 --> 00:09:24,560 Speaker 1: particularly when you look at the issues that Central Australia 190 00:09:24,640 --> 00:09:26,199 Speaker 1: is dealing with and that you've been dealing with in 191 00:09:26,280 --> 00:09:29,480 Speaker 1: Alice Springs. I think it's really important that if you're 192 00:09:29,520 --> 00:09:35,200 Speaker 1: somebody who is quite community minded and motivated, get amongst 193 00:09:35,240 --> 00:09:37,360 Speaker 1: that absolutelyness. 194 00:09:37,760 --> 00:09:39,760 Speaker 2: Someone who only won the mayor race by a couple 195 00:09:39,800 --> 00:09:41,400 Speaker 2: of votes, Katie, I can say to you that every 196 00:09:41,440 --> 00:09:43,880 Speaker 2: vote counts, so you've got to get out and vote. 197 00:09:44,240 --> 00:09:47,439 Speaker 1: Absolutely well. Matt Patterson, the mayor of Alice Springs, good 198 00:09:47,480 --> 00:09:49,680 Speaker 1: to speak with you this morning. We appreciate your time. 199 00:09:50,840 --> 00:09:52,040 Speaker 2: Thank you, Thanks for having me again. 200 00:09:52,160 --> 00:09:52,720 Speaker 1: Thank you.