1 00:00:00,280 --> 00:00:02,640 Speaker 1: Now we've talked a lot about the health system here 2 00:00:02,640 --> 00:00:04,600 Speaker 1: on three point sixty, but this week we've been talking 3 00:00:04,640 --> 00:00:07,400 Speaker 1: about some of the complaints that we've received in relation 4 00:00:07,600 --> 00:00:11,760 Speaker 1: to a delay in bills from Jacana Energy and communication 5 00:00:11,920 --> 00:00:15,720 Speaker 1: around the issue to do with our utilities. Ultimately, some 6 00:00:15,760 --> 00:00:18,560 Speaker 1: people have been slugged with thousands of dollars in unpaid 7 00:00:18,560 --> 00:00:22,720 Speaker 1: bills despite sending through accurate readings and not receiving a 8 00:00:22,720 --> 00:00:26,439 Speaker 1: bill in a timely manner. We can now welcome to 9 00:00:26,520 --> 00:00:28,800 Speaker 1: the studio. He's the Minister for Health, but this morning 10 00:00:28,840 --> 00:00:31,960 Speaker 1: we want to talk about the portfolio of essential services. 11 00:00:32,400 --> 00:00:35,199 Speaker 2: It is Minister Steve Edgington. Good morning to. 12 00:00:35,200 --> 00:00:37,479 Speaker 3: You, Good morning Katie, and good morning to all the listeners. 13 00:00:38,360 --> 00:00:41,360 Speaker 1: Minister, it has been a busy time now usually we're 14 00:00:41,400 --> 00:00:43,640 Speaker 1: talking health, but today I want to really focus on 15 00:00:43,760 --> 00:00:46,000 Speaker 1: essential services because this is something that a lot of 16 00:00:46,040 --> 00:00:48,920 Speaker 1: people have been in contact with us about in. 17 00:00:48,920 --> 00:00:52,640 Speaker 2: Terms of these bills. Should these bills really. 18 00:00:52,320 --> 00:00:55,360 Speaker 1: Be on people who've done the right thing and provided 19 00:00:55,400 --> 00:00:58,440 Speaker 1: that data when it was required, but then they're getting 20 00:00:58,480 --> 00:01:01,600 Speaker 1: slugged later down the track through no fault of their own. 21 00:01:02,280 --> 00:01:05,399 Speaker 3: Look, this has been an issue that I've seen an 22 00:01:05,400 --> 00:01:08,240 Speaker 3: increase in complaints coming to my office Katie. But what 23 00:01:08,280 --> 00:01:09,640 Speaker 3: I do want to say is that I've made it 24 00:01:09,720 --> 00:01:13,280 Speaker 3: very clear to Para and Water and to Jacana that 25 00:01:13,480 --> 00:01:16,679 Speaker 3: my expectations are that they will deliver good customer service 26 00:01:16,959 --> 00:01:19,559 Speaker 3: and they will deal with these complaints in a timely manner. 27 00:01:19,959 --> 00:01:23,240 Speaker 3: What concerns me is that there was an increase by 28 00:01:23,240 --> 00:01:27,200 Speaker 3: about fifty five percent through the anti electricity retail review 29 00:01:27,480 --> 00:01:31,959 Speaker 3: for twenty four to twenty five. Fifty five percent increasing complaints. Wow, 30 00:01:32,360 --> 00:01:34,600 Speaker 3: and that's very concerning to me. So what I have 31 00:01:34,680 --> 00:01:37,760 Speaker 3: done is written again to Jakana to make it very 32 00:01:37,800 --> 00:01:41,400 Speaker 3: clear that my expectations is around dealing with these issues 33 00:01:41,400 --> 00:01:45,600 Speaker 3: in a timely way, better communication and finalizing these outstanding 34 00:01:45,680 --> 00:01:52,360 Speaker 3: legacy issues around sorry unmeted people are just the complaints 35 00:01:52,360 --> 00:01:54,360 Speaker 3: we receive. Is that there are a number of people 36 00:01:54,760 --> 00:01:57,960 Speaker 3: and I'm talking around about two hundred and fifty current 37 00:01:58,200 --> 00:02:00,680 Speaker 3: matters where people just haven't received their bills in a 38 00:02:00,720 --> 00:02:04,080 Speaker 3: timely way. So my expectations are that they will be 39 00:02:04,120 --> 00:02:07,000 Speaker 3: dealt with and Jacana need to lift their game when 40 00:02:07,000 --> 00:02:08,120 Speaker 3: it comes to customer service. 41 00:02:08,120 --> 00:02:10,320 Speaker 2: And the thing is it has a big impact on people. 42 00:02:10,360 --> 00:02:12,960 Speaker 1: You know, whether you're a senior territorian, whether you're a 43 00:02:13,000 --> 00:02:15,880 Speaker 1: young family trying to juggle your bills and you know, 44 00:02:16,040 --> 00:02:18,320 Speaker 1: for some people then you're going, okay, well, I know 45 00:02:18,400 --> 00:02:19,840 Speaker 1: that bill is going to come at some point, but 46 00:02:19,880 --> 00:02:21,760 Speaker 1: then it arrives and it's massive. 47 00:02:22,320 --> 00:02:26,200 Speaker 3: Well exactly, it's like receiving a huge bill about anything. 48 00:02:26,240 --> 00:02:28,760 Speaker 3: You know, people expect to receive their bills. I think 49 00:02:28,800 --> 00:02:31,440 Speaker 3: some are on monthly, some are on quarterly, but not 50 00:02:31,560 --> 00:02:34,480 Speaker 3: to get a bill for three, six or nine months 51 00:02:34,680 --> 00:02:38,040 Speaker 3: and get that all in one creates not not any stress, 52 00:02:38,040 --> 00:02:40,400 Speaker 3: but it creates a burden on your finances as well. 53 00:02:40,480 --> 00:02:44,519 Speaker 3: So yes, there are repayment plans and Jacana negotiating repayment 54 00:02:44,560 --> 00:02:47,240 Speaker 3: plans with people, but it's just not good enough. We 55 00:02:47,360 --> 00:02:50,120 Speaker 3: need to have customers receiving their bills in a timely manner. 56 00:02:50,200 --> 00:02:52,400 Speaker 1: I mean, we've been talking about these issues with Jacana 57 00:02:52,520 --> 00:02:55,560 Speaker 1: Energy and also with power water. People are starting to 58 00:02:55,680 --> 00:02:58,799 Speaker 1: really sort of desert the locally owned utilities as well 59 00:02:58,840 --> 00:02:59,839 Speaker 1: to go to rim fire. 60 00:03:00,280 --> 00:03:02,960 Speaker 3: Is that a concern, It's a great concern. 61 00:03:03,280 --> 00:03:03,320 Speaker 1: You. 62 00:03:03,880 --> 00:03:06,639 Speaker 3: Jakana is a government in corporation. Power and Water is 63 00:03:06,680 --> 00:03:09,760 Speaker 3: a government in corporation, and so is Territory Generation. So 64 00:03:10,000 --> 00:03:12,880 Speaker 3: customers that decide to move, the real question is why 65 00:03:12,880 --> 00:03:15,840 Speaker 3: are they getting a better deal or is it dissatisfaction 66 00:03:15,919 --> 00:03:18,079 Speaker 3: with the service that they're getting from Jacana. So these 67 00:03:18,080 --> 00:03:20,560 Speaker 3: are real worrying points in Jacana need to get to 68 00:03:20,639 --> 00:03:25,480 Speaker 3: the bottom of it and ensure that their services are above. 69 00:03:25,440 --> 00:03:27,480 Speaker 2: I mean, it sounds like you're putting them on notice. 70 00:03:27,639 --> 00:03:30,200 Speaker 3: Well, I have put them on notice, Katie. It's one 71 00:03:30,240 --> 00:03:33,680 Speaker 3: of these things that we hear complaints in my office 72 00:03:33,720 --> 00:03:36,000 Speaker 3: and if they're getting all the way through to my office, 73 00:03:36,200 --> 00:03:38,160 Speaker 3: what it says is that it hasn't been dealt with 74 00:03:38,200 --> 00:03:41,280 Speaker 3: at the lowest level possible. So escalating it through my 75 00:03:41,440 --> 00:03:44,360 Speaker 3: office gives me a message that something hasn't been dealt 76 00:03:44,400 --> 00:03:45,800 Speaker 3: with at the earliest opportunity. 77 00:03:45,920 --> 00:03:47,920 Speaker 1: Now I know that a petition's been launched in Alice 78 00:03:47,920 --> 00:03:51,000 Speaker 1: Springs by one resident who copped a bill of thousands 79 00:03:51,040 --> 00:03:54,280 Speaker 1: of dollars saying that the debt should not be on 80 00:03:54,360 --> 00:03:57,680 Speaker 1: them given the delay and the lack of communication from Jakana. 81 00:03:57,960 --> 00:03:59,360 Speaker 1: What is your advice on this. 82 00:04:00,280 --> 00:04:03,920 Speaker 3: Well, my advice is that continue to have those conversations 83 00:04:03,960 --> 00:04:07,200 Speaker 3: with Jacano. I know that there are policies in place 84 00:04:07,240 --> 00:04:10,640 Speaker 3: around how long that debt's been outstanding, whether there was 85 00:04:10,720 --> 00:04:13,840 Speaker 3: billing for a long period of time, nine twelve months. 86 00:04:14,120 --> 00:04:16,560 Speaker 3: These are the issues that Jakana should be working directly 87 00:04:16,600 --> 00:04:19,520 Speaker 3: with that customer to find a solution in accordance with 88 00:04:19,560 --> 00:04:20,560 Speaker 3: the policies that they have. 89 00:04:20,760 --> 00:04:23,719 Speaker 1: I mean, given the issues to do with the smart meters, 90 00:04:23,839 --> 00:04:26,000 Speaker 1: does it show they've been a bit of a fail. 91 00:04:26,240 --> 00:04:27,680 Speaker 3: Well, I don't think it's been a fail. What it 92 00:04:27,720 --> 00:04:31,159 Speaker 3: does show, as I said, there's around about two hundred 93 00:04:31,200 --> 00:04:34,160 Speaker 3: and fifty odd outstanding matters at the moment, there are 94 00:04:34,200 --> 00:04:38,640 Speaker 3: a large number of customers. Like many computer systems, and 95 00:04:38,880 --> 00:04:41,640 Speaker 3: we can talk about different computer systems, there has been 96 00:04:41,680 --> 00:04:45,120 Speaker 3: some teething issues when it comes to the transition of 97 00:04:45,200 --> 00:04:48,960 Speaker 3: data from power and water through to Jakana to ensure 98 00:04:48,960 --> 00:04:52,200 Speaker 3: that the billing is correct in the scheme of things. 99 00:04:52,520 --> 00:04:55,360 Speaker 3: It is a small number, but any number that affects 100 00:04:55,440 --> 00:04:58,040 Speaker 3: customers is the critical issue that we need to get 101 00:04:58,080 --> 00:04:58,719 Speaker 3: to the bottom of it. 102 00:04:58,720 --> 00:05:01,440 Speaker 1: We've just had a message come through from Bill in Gray. 103 00:05:01,560 --> 00:05:04,480 Speaker 1: He said, Katie, can you ask the minister why power 104 00:05:04,480 --> 00:05:06,000 Speaker 1: bills come from interstate? 105 00:05:06,120 --> 00:05:07,520 Speaker 2: That's if you actually get one. 106 00:05:08,360 --> 00:05:11,000 Speaker 3: Yeah, some of the billing and there was an issue 107 00:05:11,040 --> 00:05:14,080 Speaker 3: not long ago around with the messaging. I think there 108 00:05:14,120 --> 00:05:16,560 Speaker 3: was text messages sent out just a couple of weeks 109 00:05:16,560 --> 00:05:19,760 Speaker 3: ago which were wrong as well, but some of that 110 00:05:19,839 --> 00:05:24,400 Speaker 3: work is contracted out to other providers to assist with 111 00:05:24,400 --> 00:05:24,840 Speaker 3: that process. 112 00:05:24,880 --> 00:05:28,680 Speaker 1: It is adjusted there significantly. Like underfunded Jacana, do they 113 00:05:28,680 --> 00:05:29,640 Speaker 1: need more staff? 114 00:05:30,640 --> 00:05:36,120 Speaker 3: No, Jacana is in fact a going concern, so they 115 00:05:36,160 --> 00:05:38,640 Speaker 3: are making money. What we need to do is get 116 00:05:38,680 --> 00:05:41,839 Speaker 3: to the very bottom of these customer issues, get on 117 00:05:41,880 --> 00:05:43,919 Speaker 3: top of it, and get on top of it fast. 118 00:05:43,960 --> 00:05:47,599 Speaker 3: Because my expectation is if Jacana doesn't have the data 119 00:05:47,839 --> 00:05:51,080 Speaker 3: to do billing, then they should be meeting daily, if 120 00:05:51,120 --> 00:05:53,680 Speaker 3: not weekly, with Power and Water to ensure that the 121 00:05:53,760 --> 00:05:56,760 Speaker 3: data they need to build someone is there and dealt 122 00:05:56,800 --> 00:05:57,560 Speaker 3: with on the shot. 123 00:05:57,760 --> 00:05:59,400 Speaker 1: Well, this is the worry, isn't it Like if Power 124 00:05:59,440 --> 00:06:01,200 Speaker 1: and Water's not got the data to them and then 125 00:06:01,200 --> 00:06:03,800 Speaker 1: they're not able to issue those bills. I mean, obviously 126 00:06:03,880 --> 00:06:06,040 Speaker 1: Jacana's sort of in the firing line, but it sounds 127 00:06:06,040 --> 00:06:07,760 Speaker 1: like Power and Water needs to step up to. 128 00:06:08,120 --> 00:06:11,360 Speaker 3: Look it's in my view, Power and Water and Jacana 129 00:06:11,480 --> 00:06:13,680 Speaker 3: need to work very closely together to get to the 130 00:06:13,680 --> 00:06:17,159 Speaker 3: bottom of these complaints. Because I've sent a very strong 131 00:06:17,200 --> 00:06:19,560 Speaker 3: message to Power and Water and Jacana, it's just not 132 00:06:19,640 --> 00:06:22,280 Speaker 3: good enough. I want to see good customer service, and 133 00:06:22,320 --> 00:06:24,120 Speaker 3: I want to see people getting their bills in a 134 00:06:24,160 --> 00:06:26,600 Speaker 3: timely manner. I don't want to see people getting a 135 00:06:26,600 --> 00:06:31,040 Speaker 3: bill before Christmas or before critical times in their life 136 00:06:31,240 --> 00:06:34,280 Speaker 3: where they're faced with a bill that they simply can't pay. 137 00:06:34,680 --> 00:06:34,960 Speaker 2: Bill. 138 00:06:35,400 --> 00:06:38,480 Speaker 1: Sorry, Bruce has just messaged through and said I haven't 139 00:06:38,480 --> 00:06:42,000 Speaker 1: got a bill from Jakana since December twenty twenty five, 140 00:06:42,160 --> 00:06:43,320 Speaker 1: even though I've emailed them. 141 00:06:45,080 --> 00:06:47,359 Speaker 3: That's a great concern. And if he hasn't had a 142 00:06:47,360 --> 00:06:51,400 Speaker 3: bill since December, these are the issues that we're talking 143 00:06:51,440 --> 00:06:53,760 Speaker 3: about today, Katie. I've sent a very strong message to 144 00:06:53,839 --> 00:06:56,120 Speaker 3: Jacana that we need to get to the bottom of 145 00:06:56,160 --> 00:06:58,599 Speaker 3: this and get to the bottom of this quickly, because 146 00:06:58,720 --> 00:06:59,360 Speaker 3: enough is enough. 147 00:06:59,400 --> 00:07:01,840 Speaker 1: What assurance can you give our listeners this morning, you know, 148 00:07:01,880 --> 00:07:04,279 Speaker 1: to anybody out there that's going well, I haven't received 149 00:07:04,320 --> 00:07:06,440 Speaker 1: a bill for months. I'm wondering what the goal is. 150 00:07:06,480 --> 00:07:09,240 Speaker 1: I'm really worried about how much it's going to be. 151 00:07:09,440 --> 00:07:10,120 Speaker 2: What do I do? 152 00:07:11,040 --> 00:07:13,840 Speaker 3: Look, my advice is to continue having that discussion with 153 00:07:13,920 --> 00:07:16,800 Speaker 3: Jacana or par and Water. At the moment, I have 154 00:07:16,840 --> 00:07:19,480 Speaker 3: advice that Jacano are out and about in the community 155 00:07:19,520 --> 00:07:20,880 Speaker 3: to try and resolve these matters. 156 00:07:21,120 --> 00:07:23,040 Speaker 2: So what they're going to be doing some public. 157 00:07:22,840 --> 00:07:25,360 Speaker 3: So they will be out in public areas to work 158 00:07:25,400 --> 00:07:28,520 Speaker 3: with customers that have issues. They're at Nightcliff today from 159 00:07:28,920 --> 00:07:32,560 Speaker 3: the Nightcliff Shopping Center from nine till two pm. On 160 00:07:32,640 --> 00:07:34,720 Speaker 3: the twelfth of March. They'll be at the Alla Springs 161 00:07:34,760 --> 00:07:38,080 Speaker 3: Your Parenia Center from nine till two North Lakes on 162 00:07:38,120 --> 00:07:41,600 Speaker 3: the seventeenth. So this list of where they will be 163 00:07:41,680 --> 00:07:44,600 Speaker 3: should be up on the website. I encourage people, if 164 00:07:44,600 --> 00:07:47,120 Speaker 3: they do have issues and they have time to go along, 165 00:07:47,320 --> 00:07:50,360 Speaker 3: have a chat to Jacana face to face and that'll 166 00:07:50,400 --> 00:07:51,320 Speaker 3: help to get to the bottom of. 167 00:07:51,320 --> 00:07:53,280 Speaker 1: The most I might steal that list off you before 168 00:07:53,320 --> 00:07:55,080 Speaker 1: you leave so that we can let our listeners know 169 00:07:55,160 --> 00:07:57,680 Speaker 1: as well, because I think they really do like they 170 00:07:57,720 --> 00:08:00,320 Speaker 1: actually want to speak to someone face to face, able 171 00:08:00,320 --> 00:08:01,320 Speaker 1: to have that discussion. 172 00:08:01,360 --> 00:08:04,080 Speaker 3: That there's no better way to solve any complaint than 173 00:08:04,160 --> 00:08:07,160 Speaker 3: sitting down face to face working through the issues until 174 00:08:07,160 --> 00:08:07,800 Speaker 3: they're resolved. 175 00:08:07,840 --> 00:08:08,239 Speaker 2: Awesome. 176 00:08:08,280 --> 00:08:10,680 Speaker 1: Well, I will make sure that our listeners are aware 177 00:08:10,720 --> 00:08:12,640 Speaker 1: of these dates so that they're able to go and 178 00:08:12,680 --> 00:08:15,200 Speaker 1: catch up with Jakana now before I let you go, 179 00:08:15,240 --> 00:08:17,560 Speaker 1: I know public housing has been a big topic of 180 00:08:17,600 --> 00:08:20,320 Speaker 1: discussion here for us. Have you got an update on 181 00:08:20,400 --> 00:08:25,160 Speaker 1: what the government's doing in relation to action around tenant accountability, Katie? 182 00:08:25,440 --> 00:08:27,520 Speaker 3: What I will say is we have released our Tenant 183 00:08:27,800 --> 00:08:32,400 Speaker 3: Accountability Policy statement. Look, we're asking tenants to abide by 184 00:08:32,480 --> 00:08:35,800 Speaker 3: three simple things. Look after the property, pay your rent, 185 00:08:36,040 --> 00:08:37,000 Speaker 3: and be good neighbors. 186 00:08:37,040 --> 00:08:39,000 Speaker 2: Seems like common sense to me. 187 00:08:39,080 --> 00:08:40,839 Speaker 3: Stave, that's what we've been doing with you. 188 00:08:40,960 --> 00:08:43,120 Speaker 2: Why is common sense not so common. 189 00:08:43,600 --> 00:08:47,439 Speaker 3: Well, Katie, Look, these are many there's many long standing 190 00:08:47,480 --> 00:08:52,400 Speaker 3: issues when it comes to tenant accountability. What I said 191 00:08:52,400 --> 00:08:54,360 Speaker 3: in Parliament, I think it was in March last year 192 00:08:54,400 --> 00:08:57,000 Speaker 3: that we were working on these issues. What we have 193 00:08:57,160 --> 00:09:00,040 Speaker 3: done is had a team within Housing working constantly on 194 00:09:00,120 --> 00:09:03,680 Speaker 3: the issues. But I do want to remind people there's 195 00:09:03,720 --> 00:09:05,800 Speaker 3: a lot more to be done. And whilst we have 196 00:09:05,920 --> 00:09:08,920 Speaker 3: done some fantastic work and I do have some of 197 00:09:08,960 --> 00:09:15,840 Speaker 3: the numbers around clearing debt evictions, dealing with the issues 198 00:09:15,880 --> 00:09:19,479 Speaker 3: that are affecting neighbors. So we are working on these issues. 199 00:09:19,520 --> 00:09:22,280 Speaker 3: Some of the processes. We do have complaints every now 200 00:09:22,320 --> 00:09:25,439 Speaker 3: and then around processes and some of the issues around 201 00:09:25,440 --> 00:09:29,480 Speaker 3: a tenant responsibility, particularly with those serious matters. There is 202 00:09:29,520 --> 00:09:32,000 Speaker 3: a process that needs to be followed and that goes 203 00:09:32,080 --> 00:09:34,520 Speaker 3: right through to NTCAP when it comes to evictions. 204 00:09:34,840 --> 00:09:38,160 Speaker 1: Look, we caught up with a frustrated Palmerston resident on 205 00:09:38,200 --> 00:09:42,319 Speaker 1: a few occasions. Actually now she'd spent months a year 206 00:09:42,480 --> 00:09:45,400 Speaker 1: going through the process trying to get problem neighbors next 207 00:09:45,440 --> 00:09:48,640 Speaker 1: door moved on. Eventually it happened, but it took a 208 00:09:48,640 --> 00:09:51,720 Speaker 1: long time and a lot of stress. Why do these 209 00:09:51,760 --> 00:09:54,960 Speaker 1: processes take so long if you've got a nightmare neighbor. 210 00:09:56,080 --> 00:09:59,360 Speaker 3: There's a whole range of issues with the neighbors and 211 00:09:59,440 --> 00:10:01,640 Speaker 3: some of the things around complaints as well. What we 212 00:10:01,679 --> 00:10:05,480 Speaker 3: need to do is work with the community because sometimes 213 00:10:05,800 --> 00:10:09,280 Speaker 3: whilst we receive information, what we need is evidence to 214 00:10:09,280 --> 00:10:12,720 Speaker 3: be able to put to NTCAT. Sometimes we might receive 215 00:10:12,760 --> 00:10:14,959 Speaker 3: a phone call. What we need is some hard evidence 216 00:10:15,000 --> 00:10:19,040 Speaker 3: to take to NTCAT, but also to take that to 217 00:10:19,200 --> 00:10:23,040 Speaker 3: a tenant and have those conversations with them about their 218 00:10:23,080 --> 00:10:28,240 Speaker 3: responsibilities as a tenant. Because there's issues around visitors. We 219 00:10:28,320 --> 00:10:31,640 Speaker 3: know that there's been anti social behavior and alcohol issues 220 00:10:31,679 --> 00:10:36,320 Speaker 3: and that's why we've made twenty seven homes restricted premises 221 00:10:36,400 --> 00:10:38,480 Speaker 3: and these are some of the tactics that we're using 222 00:10:38,480 --> 00:10:41,679 Speaker 3: at the moment where there are problem tenancies, we are 223 00:10:41,800 --> 00:10:44,520 Speaker 3: taking the steps under the LIQUORAC to make them restricted 224 00:10:44,600 --> 00:10:49,640 Speaker 3: premises so that no alcohol can be consumed on those properties. 225 00:10:50,160 --> 00:10:53,760 Speaker 1: So it's not a policy that all public housing is restricted. 226 00:10:54,000 --> 00:10:57,199 Speaker 1: Like you can actually drink on side if you are 227 00:10:57,240 --> 00:10:59,360 Speaker 1: in a public housing residency. 228 00:10:59,040 --> 00:11:03,319 Speaker 3: That's right. What we do rather than make a blanket approach, 229 00:11:03,520 --> 00:11:07,400 Speaker 3: look at alcohol is not illegal and everybody's entitled to 230 00:11:07,440 --> 00:11:09,240 Speaker 3: have a beer if they want to. What we want 231 00:11:09,280 --> 00:11:12,480 Speaker 3: to do is clamp down on those that are excessively drinking, 232 00:11:13,400 --> 00:11:16,400 Speaker 3: not being good neighbors, not looking after their property, causing 233 00:11:16,800 --> 00:11:19,760 Speaker 3: disturbances in their area. If it gets to the stage 234 00:11:19,760 --> 00:11:23,000 Speaker 3: where the anti social behavior continues, what we will do 235 00:11:23,120 --> 00:11:26,880 Speaker 3: is go to the liquor, to the licensing ent and 236 00:11:27,000 --> 00:11:30,080 Speaker 3: make applications to make that restricted premises and that'll cut 237 00:11:30,080 --> 00:11:33,160 Speaker 3: out any alcohol consumption on those premises and if there is, 238 00:11:33,520 --> 00:11:35,680 Speaker 3: it gives the police the ability to take action. 239 00:11:36,040 --> 00:11:38,080 Speaker 1: If you have just joined us in the studio with 240 00:11:38,120 --> 00:11:41,840 Speaker 1: me this morning, is Minister Steve Edgington. Now I do 241 00:11:41,920 --> 00:11:44,640 Speaker 1: want to ask you before you go the lack of 242 00:11:44,840 --> 00:11:46,320 Speaker 1: the weather radar. 243 00:11:46,080 --> 00:11:47,079 Speaker 2: In Tenant Creek. 244 00:11:47,400 --> 00:11:51,000 Speaker 1: It's been raised as a problem on numerous occasions over 245 00:11:51,000 --> 00:11:54,160 Speaker 1: the last couple of weeks. Certainly given the emergency situation 246 00:11:54,280 --> 00:11:58,160 Speaker 1: in the Barklay and Central Australia region. What can be 247 00:11:58,280 --> 00:12:00,360 Speaker 1: done and what work are you doing to try to 248 00:12:00,400 --> 00:12:02,960 Speaker 1: rectify this issue? As I understand that you know those 249 00:12:03,040 --> 00:12:05,880 Speaker 1: rain radars do fall under the Bureau of Meteorology, which 250 00:12:05,920 --> 00:12:08,600 Speaker 1: is a federal responsibility. But as the local member, what 251 00:12:08,640 --> 00:12:09,440 Speaker 1: can happen here? 252 00:12:09,640 --> 00:12:12,080 Speaker 3: So this is a long standing issue, Cadie. If we 253 00:12:12,120 --> 00:12:15,160 Speaker 3: go back to twenty fifteen, the weather radar Intenet Creek 254 00:12:15,200 --> 00:12:18,439 Speaker 3: was decommissioned. It's been a long standing issue. The Barkley 255 00:12:18,480 --> 00:12:21,400 Speaker 3: Regional Deal was signed off in the thirteenth of April 256 00:12:21,400 --> 00:12:25,160 Speaker 3: twenty nineteen and there was seventeen point nine million dollars 257 00:12:25,200 --> 00:12:28,559 Speaker 3: committed to build a new weather radar in Tenant Creek. 258 00:12:28,880 --> 00:12:31,559 Speaker 3: So when we talk about twenty nineteen, here we are 259 00:12:31,760 --> 00:12:36,000 Speaker 3: nearly seven years later, not one shovel, not one shovel 260 00:12:36,000 --> 00:12:36,680 Speaker 3: has hit the ground. 261 00:12:36,800 --> 00:12:39,520 Speaker 1: How is that the case, Because that's across successive governments 262 00:12:39,559 --> 00:12:40,000 Speaker 1: as well. 263 00:12:40,040 --> 00:12:44,200 Speaker 3: Exactly, And yes, we've had COVID, we've had those issues. 264 00:12:44,520 --> 00:12:47,840 Speaker 3: My understanding at the moment is there's some issues with 265 00:12:48,000 --> 00:12:50,240 Speaker 3: land tenure that are being resolved at the moment, but 266 00:12:50,240 --> 00:12:54,840 Speaker 3: I've made it. Hey, what's the guy Intennet Creek subject 267 00:12:54,840 --> 00:12:57,240 Speaker 3: to native titles? So there is land which is subject 268 00:12:57,280 --> 00:13:00,280 Speaker 3: to native title. The land tenure needs to be sort 269 00:13:00,320 --> 00:13:02,560 Speaker 3: of that. But look, it's been going on far too 270 00:13:02,640 --> 00:13:05,040 Speaker 3: long what we have at the moment with the floods 271 00:13:05,040 --> 00:13:07,960 Speaker 3: across the Barkley, We've had residents affected, We've had small 272 00:13:08,000 --> 00:13:11,480 Speaker 3: business affected, and of course our pastorals have been affected 273 00:13:11,520 --> 00:13:13,440 Speaker 3: as well. What people want to be able to do 274 00:13:13,520 --> 00:13:16,360 Speaker 3: when there's a weather event is to look what the 275 00:13:16,360 --> 00:13:19,359 Speaker 3: weather radar is telling them, to get real time information, 276 00:13:19,679 --> 00:13:21,880 Speaker 3: and we haven't been able to do that for over 277 00:13:22,000 --> 00:13:23,560 Speaker 3: ten years. And it's just not good enough. 278 00:13:23,640 --> 00:13:27,960 Speaker 1: I mean, a land tenure issue since twenty nineteen. Why 279 00:13:28,080 --> 00:13:30,480 Speaker 1: on earth is it taking so long to get sort of. 280 00:13:30,520 --> 00:13:31,040 Speaker 2: Do you reckon? 281 00:13:31,880 --> 00:13:35,200 Speaker 3: Well, I don't know, I don't know if that's I 282 00:13:35,200 --> 00:13:37,760 Speaker 3: don't know if that's the only issue what I'm hearing. 283 00:13:37,920 --> 00:13:41,920 Speaker 3: But what I'm expecting is that this is a federal project. 284 00:13:42,160 --> 00:13:45,920 Speaker 3: I'm expecting Melanderry McCarthy and Marian scrimmage A to step 285 00:13:46,000 --> 00:13:47,719 Speaker 3: up and get to the bottom of this. I want 286 00:13:47,760 --> 00:13:49,640 Speaker 3: to get to the bottom of it. We all need 287 00:13:49,679 --> 00:13:51,400 Speaker 3: to get to the bottom of it for the safety 288 00:13:51,520 --> 00:13:53,760 Speaker 3: and security of all residents in the barklay Well. 289 00:13:53,800 --> 00:13:56,120 Speaker 1: Steve Edgington, we have got you on the week that 290 00:13:56,320 --> 00:13:58,120 Speaker 1: was tomorrow, so we might talk a little bit more 291 00:13:58,160 --> 00:14:01,760 Speaker 1: about the Acacia T system and some of those health 292 00:14:01,760 --> 00:14:04,839 Speaker 1: issues as well tomorrow. I really appreciate your time. Thanks 293 00:14:04,840 --> 00:14:06,240 Speaker 1: so much for joining us on the show. 294 00:14:06,360 --> 00:14:08,000 Speaker 3: Thanks Katie, Good morning to everybody. 295 00:14:08,040 --> 00:14:09,280 Speaker 2: Thank you. We'll see you tomorrow.