1 00:00:00,720 --> 00:00:03,200 Speaker 1: Three sixty with Katie wolf on Mixed one oh four 2 00:00:03,200 --> 00:00:06,120 Speaker 1: point nine thanks to Joyce Main Darwin. We know that 3 00:00:06,240 --> 00:00:09,440 Speaker 1: Lambridge's plan for that two hundred million dollars six star 4 00:00:09,960 --> 00:00:13,240 Speaker 1: Western hotel is no longer happening, with the Northern Territory 5 00:00:13,320 --> 00:00:17,520 Speaker 1: government reclaiming the site after a twelve month construction extension 6 00:00:17,880 --> 00:00:21,080 Speaker 1: that it had given to the Chinese company. Well they 7 00:00:21,079 --> 00:00:23,319 Speaker 1: announced that about a week ago. Now joining us on 8 00:00:23,360 --> 00:00:26,120 Speaker 1: the line to talk more about this is the Minister 9 00:00:26,200 --> 00:00:28,639 Speaker 1: for Infrastructure, Eva Laula. Good morning to you. 10 00:00:29,640 --> 00:00:33,040 Speaker 2: Good morning Katie minister. How where are we at? 11 00:00:33,159 --> 00:00:35,519 Speaker 1: I know that Lambridge has now confirmed that the hotel 12 00:00:35,680 --> 00:00:38,640 Speaker 1: isn't going ahead, so what's the process now? 13 00:00:39,800 --> 00:00:43,080 Speaker 2: So we're going to open up a registration of interest 14 00:00:43,159 --> 00:00:45,839 Speaker 2: by the end of this month, so that registration of 15 00:00:45,880 --> 00:00:50,000 Speaker 2: interest will go out for approximately twelve weeks and we 16 00:00:50,080 --> 00:00:52,560 Speaker 2: think that there there will be some very strong interest 17 00:00:52,600 --> 00:00:56,800 Speaker 2: in that site from other groups and then once that 18 00:00:57,360 --> 00:01:00,400 Speaker 2: registration of interest clothes will have a good look at that. 19 00:01:00,520 --> 00:01:04,000 Speaker 2: But we have heard that Western are still interested in 20 00:01:04,800 --> 00:01:08,640 Speaker 2: having a six star hotel in Darwen as well, so yeah, 21 00:01:08,720 --> 00:01:12,560 Speaker 2: things are looking positive unfortunately for Lanbridge. Presume you know 22 00:01:12,760 --> 00:01:15,360 Speaker 2: what must have been a business decision for them, but 23 00:01:15,520 --> 00:01:18,039 Speaker 2: it is some of our most beautiful land, some are 24 00:01:18,080 --> 00:01:21,080 Speaker 2: the most attractive land. So it will be a wonderful 25 00:01:21,080 --> 00:01:23,760 Speaker 2: site for a hotel and I'm sure there'll be substantial 26 00:01:23,760 --> 00:01:24,319 Speaker 2: interest in that. 27 00:01:24,640 --> 00:01:28,560 Speaker 1: So so Western's not totally out by the sounds of it, 28 00:01:28,600 --> 00:01:32,240 Speaker 1: But Lambridge, the Lanmbridge side of you know, funding things, 29 00:01:32,520 --> 00:01:33,000 Speaker 1: is out. 30 00:01:33,840 --> 00:01:36,240 Speaker 2: So Lambridge were the ones that were building the facility, 31 00:01:36,319 --> 00:01:39,320 Speaker 2: so they actually were the company that would build and 32 00:01:39,360 --> 00:01:41,639 Speaker 2: then Western come in and run hotels. You know, Western 33 00:01:41,680 --> 00:01:45,319 Speaker 2: run hotels around the world. And during the process I 34 00:01:45,360 --> 00:01:48,600 Speaker 2: actually met with Western executives and I mean obviously this 35 00:01:48,760 --> 00:01:51,680 Speaker 2: was before COVID. Yeah, you know, they're opening almost like 36 00:01:51,840 --> 00:01:54,720 Speaker 2: one hotel a week across the US and the world. 37 00:01:54,840 --> 00:01:58,920 Speaker 2: So Western we're at a stage of growing their hotel empire. 38 00:01:59,800 --> 00:02:03,160 Speaker 2: And so yeah, it will be around somebody building it 39 00:02:03,240 --> 00:02:06,000 Speaker 2: and then someone else running the hotel well, or it 40 00:02:06,000 --> 00:02:09,639 Speaker 2: could be something else, but that's the registration of interest 41 00:02:09,680 --> 00:02:12,720 Speaker 2: process will do. That will bring out the interest in 42 00:02:13,360 --> 00:02:13,880 Speaker 2: that site. 43 00:02:14,040 --> 00:02:16,200 Speaker 1: And Minister, what would you like to see happen there? 44 00:02:16,200 --> 00:02:18,079 Speaker 1: Do you reckon that the hotel is still a good 45 00:02:18,080 --> 00:02:20,400 Speaker 1: idea or do you think that you know that with 46 00:02:20,880 --> 00:02:23,520 Speaker 1: Landbridge now pulling out that the options are a bit 47 00:02:23,560 --> 00:02:24,120 Speaker 1: more broad. 48 00:02:25,440 --> 00:02:29,720 Speaker 2: Oh well, I mean personally or professionally, I think it is. 49 00:02:30,400 --> 00:02:33,840 Speaker 2: It is beautiful land, and I think it is ideal 50 00:02:33,919 --> 00:02:37,040 Speaker 2: land for a new hotel. We haven't had a new 51 00:02:37,080 --> 00:02:40,600 Speaker 2: hotel in the CBD built for a long time and 52 00:02:40,680 --> 00:02:43,160 Speaker 2: to have a six star hotel would add to our 53 00:02:43,639 --> 00:02:47,760 Speaker 2: international tourists. Hopefully we start seeing that in the next 54 00:02:47,800 --> 00:02:49,600 Speaker 2: few years. And that's how long it takes to build 55 00:02:49,639 --> 00:02:54,240 Speaker 2: obviously a hotel of that size, but it would provide 56 00:02:54,760 --> 00:02:57,920 Speaker 2: another string in the bow for the the DA and 57 00:02:57,960 --> 00:03:00,240 Speaker 2: really in for tourism in the territory. There's a a 58 00:03:00,240 --> 00:03:02,680 Speaker 2: whole group of people that would love to and that 59 00:03:02,800 --> 00:03:04,880 Speaker 2: was one of Western selling points, saying that there are 60 00:03:04,919 --> 00:03:08,000 Speaker 2: people that book Western hotels only around the world and 61 00:03:08,040 --> 00:03:10,400 Speaker 2: I'll only stay at Western for example. So you know 62 00:03:10,480 --> 00:03:12,880 Speaker 2: that this is about and you know tourism isn't my 63 00:03:13,120 --> 00:03:16,760 Speaker 2: area at all, but there are people that really want 64 00:03:16,760 --> 00:03:20,280 Speaker 2: to stay at Western hotels or come for specific hotel 65 00:03:20,360 --> 00:03:23,720 Speaker 2: chains and things. But it is about an amazing site 66 00:03:23,800 --> 00:03:26,680 Speaker 2: and having that and as I said, another option for 67 00:03:26,720 --> 00:03:28,040 Speaker 2: our tourists in the territory. 68 00:03:28,440 --> 00:03:30,919 Speaker 1: Minister I've got a question here from Rosie in Darwin 69 00:03:30,960 --> 00:03:33,320 Speaker 1: City and it says, good morning, Katie. Can you please 70 00:03:33,320 --> 00:03:35,840 Speaker 1: ask Eva Laula if the land where Lambridge was to 71 00:03:35,840 --> 00:03:38,920 Speaker 1: be built could be given to the RSL. I feel 72 00:03:38,960 --> 00:03:42,120 Speaker 1: it's a perfect place for the RSL for its location. 73 00:03:42,280 --> 00:03:44,560 Speaker 1: After all, it's where the bombing of Darwin took place. 74 00:03:46,600 --> 00:03:49,320 Speaker 2: Yeah, I had heard that mentioned, I think earlier this 75 00:03:49,360 --> 00:03:51,560 Speaker 2: week as a possible site. But I mean those things 76 00:03:51,600 --> 00:03:53,720 Speaker 2: have to be worked through. I mean they can register 77 00:03:53,800 --> 00:03:57,840 Speaker 2: their interests, I guess as well, but yeah, I look 78 00:03:57,880 --> 00:03:59,720 Speaker 2: at those things aren't up to me to decide at 79 00:03:59,760 --> 00:04:02,600 Speaker 2: all that there. You know, people can put in their 80 00:04:02,640 --> 00:04:05,440 Speaker 2: expressions of interest and you know, say what they'd like 81 00:04:05,520 --> 00:04:08,080 Speaker 2: to see at that site. But no, that's you know, 82 00:04:08,200 --> 00:04:10,720 Speaker 2: that's not for me to say. Yeah your native Yeah 83 00:04:10,880 --> 00:04:12,840 Speaker 2: at the RSL, for sure, But yeah it's got to 84 00:04:12,840 --> 00:04:16,279 Speaker 2: go through a process. Yeah, yeah, yeah, absolutely. But no, 85 00:04:16,400 --> 00:04:19,120 Speaker 2: that's an interesting idea as well, Minister, can I ask. 86 00:04:19,200 --> 00:04:20,960 Speaker 1: I'm just keen to find out a bit more about 87 00:04:20,960 --> 00:04:24,080 Speaker 1: the waterfowl hunting season as well. I know that the 88 00:04:24,120 --> 00:04:27,159 Speaker 1: recreational waterfowl hunting season is going to run from the 89 00:04:27,160 --> 00:04:30,240 Speaker 1: twenty second of September obviously to the tenth of January, 90 00:04:31,000 --> 00:04:35,160 Speaker 1: and on most designated hunting reserves that daily bag limit 91 00:04:35,200 --> 00:04:39,520 Speaker 1: of three magpie geese and ten ducks per person. Minister, 92 00:04:39,600 --> 00:04:42,719 Speaker 1: why was the decision made to drop those numbers to 93 00:04:42,880 --> 00:04:44,080 Speaker 1: three for the geese. 94 00:04:45,040 --> 00:04:47,640 Speaker 2: Yeah, so, Katie, this is always one that creates some 95 00:04:47,760 --> 00:04:51,599 Speaker 2: interest in the territory. And so what we've done is 96 00:04:51,680 --> 00:04:54,880 Speaker 2: make sure we've put in the Magpie Geese Management Plan 97 00:04:55,279 --> 00:04:59,640 Speaker 2: twenty twenty to twenty thirteen that's available on the depause 98 00:04:59,680 --> 00:05:03,440 Speaker 2: websit and that provides a matrix for the numbers of 99 00:05:03,440 --> 00:05:07,440 Speaker 2: geese and then how many then the bag limit will 100 00:05:07,440 --> 00:05:10,760 Speaker 2: be and what the season will be. So we've taken 101 00:05:10,800 --> 00:05:13,280 Speaker 2: it out of you know, these arbitrary decisions, whether you 102 00:05:13,360 --> 00:05:15,880 Speaker 2: get lobbied and all of us and said it has 103 00:05:15,920 --> 00:05:17,920 Speaker 2: to be based on the science. And that's what we've 104 00:05:17,960 --> 00:05:21,080 Speaker 2: done as a government. And so the facts are that 105 00:05:21,160 --> 00:05:24,600 Speaker 2: they do an aerial survey which goes from one side 106 00:05:24,600 --> 00:05:27,240 Speaker 2: of the top end to the other literally across Arnam 107 00:05:27,279 --> 00:05:30,320 Speaker 2: Land out to water, and there are you know, on 108 00:05:30,720 --> 00:05:33,280 Speaker 2: a plane, there are people who are then observing and 109 00:05:33,320 --> 00:05:37,280 Speaker 2: making the count. They came up with account of nine 110 00:05:37,360 --> 00:05:40,160 Speaker 2: hundred and eighty thousand geese, which is a thirty one 111 00:05:40,200 --> 00:05:43,880 Speaker 2: percent decline this year, and that's based on not this 112 00:05:43,960 --> 00:05:46,919 Speaker 2: year's wet season, but the previous years, two years of 113 00:05:46,920 --> 00:05:51,040 Speaker 2: wet seasons where the nesting wasn't good, and so you know, 114 00:05:51,160 --> 00:05:53,799 Speaker 2: it is about making sure we can serve and protect 115 00:05:53,880 --> 00:05:56,000 Speaker 2: the number of magpie geese so that we do have 116 00:05:56,640 --> 00:06:00,520 Speaker 2: you know, a MagPi geese a season, hunting season into future, 117 00:06:00,600 --> 00:06:03,480 Speaker 2: long into the future. And so if you look at 118 00:06:03,520 --> 00:06:06,520 Speaker 2: the management plan on the grid, it'll say it's under 119 00:06:06,560 --> 00:06:09,120 Speaker 2: this figure. This is the bag limits. So it's three 120 00:06:09,160 --> 00:06:13,640 Speaker 2: geese which is three geethe per day for that fifteen weeks, 121 00:06:13,680 --> 00:06:17,440 Speaker 2: and ten ducks. So it is a drop this season, 122 00:06:17,440 --> 00:06:20,920 Speaker 2: but it is about managing the bit' make pigege numbers. 123 00:06:20,960 --> 00:06:24,120 Speaker 2: So I met with Field and Game and I know 124 00:06:24,160 --> 00:06:27,360 Speaker 2: they weren't happy about that, but the decision is based 125 00:06:27,400 --> 00:06:29,000 Speaker 2: on the evidence and the science. 126 00:06:29,040 --> 00:06:32,120 Speaker 1: It's not arbitrary at all, Minister I will I did 127 00:06:32,600 --> 00:06:35,760 Speaker 1: as you've mentioned there. Obviously, hunters say that this simply 128 00:06:35,839 --> 00:06:38,000 Speaker 1: isn't enough to go hunting for the day, and that 129 00:06:38,040 --> 00:06:40,080 Speaker 1: they you know, they do their best to keep those 130 00:06:40,160 --> 00:06:43,479 Speaker 1: geese numbers sustainable. Take a listen to what Bart Irwin 131 00:06:43,480 --> 00:06:45,480 Speaker 1: from Ntfield and Game had to say a little bit 132 00:06:45,520 --> 00:06:46,360 Speaker 1: earlier in the week. 133 00:06:47,440 --> 00:06:51,800 Speaker 3: Please listen and work with the main stakeholder in the 134 00:06:51,800 --> 00:06:55,240 Speaker 3: waterfowl hunting season, which are the hunters. We're prepared to 135 00:06:55,760 --> 00:06:58,960 Speaker 3: work at bums off to make sure there are more geese. 136 00:06:59,120 --> 00:07:02,800 Speaker 3: That's the main priority, but hunting has no effect on 137 00:07:03,240 --> 00:07:06,560 Speaker 3: the overall population. Work with us and we can make 138 00:07:06,560 --> 00:07:09,200 Speaker 3: it even better and it can be an economic driver 139 00:07:09,360 --> 00:07:14,520 Speaker 3: plus a social and recreational until that promotes well being. 140 00:07:15,320 --> 00:07:17,240 Speaker 1: Minister, we are running out of time. But is there 141 00:07:17,320 --> 00:07:20,320 Speaker 1: potential for any change to this or is it a 142 00:07:20,320 --> 00:07:22,360 Speaker 1: full stop on this topic. It's not changing. 143 00:07:23,360 --> 00:07:25,480 Speaker 2: No, it's a full stop on this topic. And as 144 00:07:25,480 --> 00:07:28,800 Speaker 2: I said, the Mad Potife Management Plan twenty twenty to 145 00:07:28,800 --> 00:07:33,559 Speaker 2: twenty thirty, there was extensive consultation with Field and Game, 146 00:07:33,920 --> 00:07:36,000 Speaker 2: and as I said, this is what happens every year 147 00:07:36,520 --> 00:07:39,200 Speaker 2: we have these arguments and disagreements with Field and Game. 148 00:07:39,760 --> 00:07:42,840 Speaker 2: I think they probably would not want any bad limit really, 149 00:07:43,520 --> 00:07:46,080 Speaker 2: But you know, I'm the Environment Minister and I am 150 00:07:46,120 --> 00:07:49,320 Speaker 2: looking long term into the future, and I base my 151 00:07:49,400 --> 00:07:53,880 Speaker 2: decisions on the absolutely outstanding scientists that we have in 152 00:07:53,920 --> 00:07:57,000 Speaker 2: the Department of Environment, so you know, have a look 153 00:07:57,040 --> 00:07:59,680 Speaker 2: at the management plan that provides the bad limits that 154 00:07:59,720 --> 00:08:03,000 Speaker 2: will be the bag limit into the future for government. 155 00:08:03,040 --> 00:08:04,720 Speaker 2: And that's what did you minister? 156 00:08:04,800 --> 00:08:07,600 Speaker 1: A couple of really quick questions. Obviously, the grand stand, 157 00:08:07,720 --> 00:08:09,640 Speaker 1: it has been well and truly on the agenda for 158 00:08:10,240 --> 00:08:11,920 Speaker 1: quite a long period of time. 159 00:08:12,040 --> 00:08:12,320 Speaker 3: Now. 160 00:08:12,840 --> 00:08:15,480 Speaker 1: We had the Chief Minister on the show yesterday and 161 00:08:15,600 --> 00:08:19,080 Speaker 1: asked him a lot of questions about this. He held 162 00:08:19,120 --> 00:08:21,800 Speaker 1: off on saying which minister took the twelve million dollar 163 00:08:21,880 --> 00:08:25,160 Speaker 1: proposal to build the grand stand to the cabinet? Are 164 00:08:25,200 --> 00:08:27,200 Speaker 1: you prepared to tell us which minister it was? 165 00:08:28,400 --> 00:08:32,480 Speaker 2: Well, as I said that, there are protocols, protocols around cabinet, 166 00:08:32,559 --> 00:08:35,679 Speaker 2: so it was the Chief Minister's chair of Cabinet. It's 167 00:08:35,720 --> 00:08:38,320 Speaker 2: the person that takes that into cabinet, So it was 168 00:08:38,320 --> 00:08:43,160 Speaker 2: the Chief Minister who was responsible for taking that into cabinet. 169 00:08:44,000 --> 00:08:45,920 Speaker 2: And the Chief Minister said that, and he said that 170 00:08:46,000 --> 00:08:48,600 Speaker 2: all along. But you know, Katie, I know people keep 171 00:08:48,679 --> 00:08:53,679 Speaker 2: again revisiting this issue. But there was the KA Commission 172 00:08:53,800 --> 00:08:57,720 Speaker 2: that has investigated this thoroughly. That again was you know, 173 00:08:57,960 --> 00:09:00,920 Speaker 2: that was an initiative of the Labor government. That report 174 00:09:01,559 --> 00:09:04,760 Speaker 2: is absolutely thorough. It was eighteen months in the making, 175 00:09:04,880 --> 00:09:07,120 Speaker 2: so plenty of people can have a plenty of say. 176 00:09:07,240 --> 00:09:11,000 Speaker 2: But that's the report and I encourage anybody who has 177 00:09:11,080 --> 00:09:14,960 Speaker 2: concerns to read the report. It says and clears ministers 178 00:09:14,960 --> 00:09:18,560 Speaker 2: in this government. Absolutely, that's what the report does. 179 00:09:18,880 --> 00:09:21,880 Speaker 1: It doesn't entirely clear the Chief Minister's office, as we 180 00:09:21,960 --> 00:09:24,920 Speaker 1: know he's former chief of staff. I mean, do you 181 00:09:25,000 --> 00:09:28,560 Speaker 1: still support what the Chief Minister has said and do 182 00:09:28,600 --> 00:09:30,600 Speaker 1: you have confidence that he's done the right thing? 183 00:09:31,720 --> 00:09:36,160 Speaker 2: Absolutely? Absolutely support the Chief Minister as he has explained. 184 00:09:36,600 --> 00:09:39,480 Speaker 2: He did a media interview afterwards and has continued to 185 00:09:39,520 --> 00:09:45,400 Speaker 2: say and explain that, yes, you would we do things differently, 186 00:09:45,520 --> 00:09:48,560 Speaker 2: Yes we would, and we have put checks and balances 187 00:09:48,559 --> 00:09:52,640 Speaker 2: in place. Governments do give grants, whether that's the sporting 188 00:09:52,679 --> 00:09:56,439 Speaker 2: groups or whether it is to government, local governments, to council. 189 00:09:57,080 --> 00:10:00,000 Speaker 2: Governments give grants all the time. It was the Chief 190 00:10:00,080 --> 00:10:03,760 Speaker 2: Club that was responsible then for not following the correct 191 00:10:03,880 --> 00:10:10,360 Speaker 2: procurement processes. I know how difficult procurement is. I have literally, 192 00:10:10,480 --> 00:10:13,440 Speaker 2: I think nearly every time a tender goes out people 193 00:10:13,480 --> 00:10:17,040 Speaker 2: concerned about that tender process. You have to be so 194 00:10:17,200 --> 00:10:19,720 Speaker 2: far above board, which is why as a minister, I 195 00:10:19,800 --> 00:10:23,840 Speaker 2: keep right out of diple procurement. But that's where you know, 196 00:10:23,960 --> 00:10:27,800 Speaker 2: things went very badly wrong around the procurement, and that's 197 00:10:28,600 --> 00:10:31,560 Speaker 2: things that were put in place around that. Sporting groups 198 00:10:31,640 --> 00:10:34,440 Speaker 2: or organizations are going to get grants they need and 199 00:10:34,480 --> 00:10:36,800 Speaker 2: we will have much closer look at how they go 200 00:10:36,840 --> 00:10:37,679 Speaker 2: about procurement. 201 00:10:37,880 --> 00:10:39,760 Speaker 1: Minister, I am out of time, but I do want 202 00:10:39,760 --> 00:10:42,000 Speaker 1: to ask, are you going to be going to the races? 203 00:10:42,679 --> 00:10:45,199 Speaker 2: No, but I think I've been once in ten years. 204 00:10:45,800 --> 00:10:49,000 Speaker 2: You know, horse racing isn't my thing at all. You know, 205 00:10:49,080 --> 00:10:51,640 Speaker 2: I'm a much more a football or an NRL or 206 00:10:51,679 --> 00:10:55,200 Speaker 2: a hockey person, so I don't have a big interest 207 00:10:55,240 --> 00:10:58,360 Speaker 2: in going to the races anyway. But I wouldn't be 208 00:10:58,400 --> 00:10:59,360 Speaker 2: going Minister. 209 00:10:59,400 --> 00:11:01,240 Speaker 1: I've run out of time. It is eleven o'clock. I've 210 00:11:01,280 --> 00:11:02,920 Speaker 1: got a head to the National News. Thank you for 211 00:11:02,960 --> 00:11:04,080 Speaker 1: speaking with us this morning. 212 00:11:04,160 --> 00:11:05,160 Speaker 2: Thank you, Katie Bye. 213 00:11:05,360 --> 00:11:05,720 Speaker 1: Thank you.