1 00:00:00,160 --> 00:00:03,159 Speaker 1: Well. Joining me on the line right now is Justine Davis, 2 00:00:03,240 --> 00:00:05,640 Speaker 1: the Independent Member for Johnston. 3 00:00:05,720 --> 00:00:08,920 Speaker 2: Good morning, Justine, Hey Katie, how are you going. 4 00:00:09,080 --> 00:00:11,119 Speaker 1: Ye're really good now, Justine. You and I would you 5 00:00:11,160 --> 00:00:13,440 Speaker 1: to have a chat about the administrator and I will 6 00:00:13,480 --> 00:00:15,319 Speaker 1: get to that in just a moment. But of course 7 00:00:15,320 --> 00:00:19,119 Speaker 1: the breaking news this morning is the fact that kat Magnamara, 8 00:00:19,200 --> 00:00:23,360 Speaker 1: the Member for Nightcliff, announcing her resignation. Were you shocked 9 00:00:23,360 --> 00:00:24,200 Speaker 1: by this decision? 10 00:00:25,520 --> 00:00:29,360 Speaker 2: Yeah, I'm shocked and you know I'm going to miss 11 00:00:29,400 --> 00:00:33,480 Speaker 2: her greatly. She's been a wonderful contributortion Northern Territory politics 12 00:00:33,479 --> 00:00:37,760 Speaker 2: with huge strength and integrity. She's going to be deeply 13 00:00:38,720 --> 00:00:42,960 Speaker 2: missed by me in Parliament and I'm sure by the 14 00:00:43,000 --> 00:00:46,720 Speaker 2: community of Nightcliff and I really wish her all the 15 00:00:46,880 --> 00:00:49,720 Speaker 2: very best from here and thank her for all the 16 00:00:49,880 --> 00:00:52,680 Speaker 2: incredible works that she's done over the last eighteen months. 17 00:00:52,880 --> 00:00:55,920 Speaker 1: And Justine, it's like it's a tough one now. Of course, 18 00:00:55,960 --> 00:01:00,760 Speaker 1: it means that a by election is forced. I don't 19 00:01:00,800 --> 00:01:03,600 Speaker 1: know how many weeks will sort of have before where 20 00:01:04,120 --> 00:01:06,840 Speaker 1: you know, before that by election happens, or what date 21 00:01:06,920 --> 00:01:09,680 Speaker 1: that will be. Do you have much of an idea 22 00:01:09,959 --> 00:01:10,679 Speaker 1: on any of that. 23 00:01:12,680 --> 00:01:16,399 Speaker 2: No idea at all. Yeah, no, I'm following along with 24 00:01:16,440 --> 00:01:18,240 Speaker 2: all of you. I imagine it'll be then Our next 25 00:01:18,240 --> 00:01:21,600 Speaker 2: parliament sitting is in the first week of March, so 26 00:01:21,640 --> 00:01:25,120 Speaker 2: I'm not sure how that plays into the timing for 27 00:01:25,160 --> 00:01:25,840 Speaker 2: a by election. 28 00:01:27,440 --> 00:01:27,679 Speaker 1: Yeah. 29 00:01:27,720 --> 00:01:30,240 Speaker 2: So, I mean I think the community of Nightcliffe obviously, 30 00:01:30,480 --> 00:01:34,360 Speaker 2: you know, needs representation, So that will I guess that 31 00:01:34,400 --> 00:01:36,320 Speaker 2: will happen as quickly as it can in terms of 32 00:01:36,360 --> 00:01:38,080 Speaker 2: the processes that need to be put in place. 33 00:01:38,280 --> 00:01:40,039 Speaker 1: Yeah, I hadn't thought of that. That's a very good 34 00:01:40,040 --> 00:01:42,880 Speaker 1: point actually that you raise, in terms of making sure 35 00:01:43,040 --> 00:01:46,360 Speaker 1: or does it need to sort of happen before Parliament 36 00:01:46,400 --> 00:01:48,880 Speaker 1: gets back underway so the people of Nightcliff do have 37 00:01:48,920 --> 00:01:51,320 Speaker 1: a voice in there. Yeah. 38 00:01:51,400 --> 00:01:54,880 Speaker 2: Yeah, so we'll see what happens. I'm waiting, like everyone 39 00:01:54,880 --> 00:01:57,080 Speaker 2: else to hear from the Electoral Commission about what does 40 00:01:57,160 --> 00:01:58,880 Speaker 2: actually happen in this situation. 41 00:01:59,200 --> 00:02:04,000 Speaker 1: Yeahin look, I know, still very early days obviously, Kat 42 00:02:04,120 --> 00:02:07,040 Speaker 1: taking to social media to say that it is well. 43 00:02:07,040 --> 00:02:10,799 Speaker 1: Her decision was an incredibly tough one, a difficult decision, 44 00:02:11,800 --> 00:02:17,200 Speaker 1: and it is due to ongoing health challenges. Effective immediately, 45 00:02:17,919 --> 00:02:20,880 Speaker 1: she said, I cannot stress enough how difficult this decision 46 00:02:21,240 --> 00:02:24,320 Speaker 1: has been to come to. I know it wouldn't have 47 00:02:24,320 --> 00:02:27,040 Speaker 1: been an easy one for her or for anybody really, 48 00:02:27,720 --> 00:02:30,640 Speaker 1: you know, when you decide sort of almost halfway in 49 00:02:31,120 --> 00:02:33,320 Speaker 1: to a term that you're not going to continue in 50 00:02:33,320 --> 00:02:33,720 Speaker 1: the role. 51 00:02:35,120 --> 00:02:38,760 Speaker 2: Yeah, it would have been an incredibly difficult decision for them. 52 00:02:38,919 --> 00:02:40,840 Speaker 2: I mean, one of the things that I think everyone 53 00:02:40,880 --> 00:02:46,240 Speaker 2: who has seen Cat in politics in public life, everyone 54 00:02:46,280 --> 00:02:51,160 Speaker 2: can see how much with complete integrity she acts all 55 00:02:51,200 --> 00:02:53,560 Speaker 2: the time. So she will have made the decision, you know, 56 00:02:53,960 --> 00:02:55,640 Speaker 2: as she said, she would have struggled with it, and 57 00:02:55,680 --> 00:02:57,760 Speaker 2: she would have made the decision with that very much, 58 00:02:58,919 --> 00:03:01,520 Speaker 2: very much in her mind and heart. And I mean 59 00:03:01,520 --> 00:03:05,799 Speaker 2: I think, like everyone, I hope that everyone is wishing 60 00:03:05,840 --> 00:03:07,760 Speaker 2: her the best. We don't want anyone to be in 61 00:03:07,760 --> 00:03:10,240 Speaker 2: the situation where they're not able to continue to do 62 00:03:10,960 --> 00:03:14,799 Speaker 2: their job, which is a pretty tough gig. And I know, 63 00:03:14,840 --> 00:03:16,920 Speaker 2: I mean I also I can say that it's a 64 00:03:16,919 --> 00:03:20,360 Speaker 2: tough job in there. We don't want anyone to do 65 00:03:20,440 --> 00:03:22,880 Speaker 2: their job in a way that puts themselves at risks. 66 00:03:23,000 --> 00:03:27,120 Speaker 2: So so yeah, my strength, my good wishes to Cat 67 00:03:27,680 --> 00:03:30,560 Speaker 2: from here my and my thanks as well for all 68 00:03:30,560 --> 00:03:30,960 Speaker 2: her work. 69 00:03:31,120 --> 00:03:35,640 Speaker 1: Yeah, I hope she's okay, And Justine, I guess a bit, 70 00:03:35,720 --> 00:03:37,240 Speaker 1: you know, just a bit of insight for us. I 71 00:03:37,280 --> 00:03:39,320 Speaker 1: suppose when you are sort of you know, when you're 72 00:03:39,400 --> 00:03:42,400 Speaker 1: when you're sitting as an independent or as a member 73 00:03:42,440 --> 00:03:44,960 Speaker 1: of the Greens or you know, you're on the cross 74 00:03:44,960 --> 00:03:47,880 Speaker 1: bench there, it is pretty tough going, right like in 75 00:03:47,960 --> 00:03:50,040 Speaker 1: terms of I would imagine even more so for you 76 00:03:50,080 --> 00:03:52,200 Speaker 1: as an independent, like with the Greens, at least you've 77 00:03:52,240 --> 00:03:55,520 Speaker 1: got a party behind you. But it's it's pretty tough 78 00:03:55,600 --> 00:03:58,280 Speaker 1: going in terms of having to do everything yourself. 79 00:03:59,720 --> 00:04:01,840 Speaker 2: Yeah, and we've talked about that on your show before. 80 00:04:01,880 --> 00:04:05,119 Speaker 2: It's incredibly tough going in terms of resources, so we 81 00:04:06,360 --> 00:04:09,040 Speaker 2: as we if we're not if you're in the major party, 82 00:04:09,080 --> 00:04:12,320 Speaker 2: the amount of resourcing you get is very minimal. We 83 00:04:12,320 --> 00:04:15,400 Speaker 2: don't get any policy support, we don't get any research support, 84 00:04:15,440 --> 00:04:17,039 Speaker 2: we don't get any media support. So we kind of 85 00:04:17,040 --> 00:04:19,839 Speaker 2: have to do it all ourselves and we have to 86 00:04:19,880 --> 00:04:24,200 Speaker 2: be across everything. So it's a really it's a huge job. 87 00:04:24,240 --> 00:04:27,159 Speaker 2: It's a huge task. But the other thing I'll say 88 00:04:27,240 --> 00:04:29,960 Speaker 2: is that the way that our Parliament operates does not 89 00:04:30,200 --> 00:04:33,560 Speaker 2: lend itself to good democracy. I've talked about this on 90 00:04:33,600 --> 00:04:37,880 Speaker 2: your show before, like if people ever listening to and 91 00:04:37,920 --> 00:04:41,280 Speaker 2: watch Parliament. Before I got elected, I was saying, imagine 92 00:04:41,320 --> 00:04:44,960 Speaker 2: if our parliament was a place where elected representatives talk 93 00:04:45,040 --> 00:04:47,279 Speaker 2: together with the best information they had to make the 94 00:04:47,279 --> 00:04:50,120 Speaker 2: best decisions they could for the Northern territory. And that's 95 00:04:50,160 --> 00:04:52,720 Speaker 2: that's kind of that. That's not very radical, that's kind 96 00:04:52,720 --> 00:04:55,359 Speaker 2: of what it should be. That's absolutely not what happens 97 00:04:55,360 --> 00:04:59,800 Speaker 2: in Parliament. And if people watch, there is no there's 98 00:05:00,160 --> 00:05:05,599 Speaker 2: very little respect, particularly from some people in government, towards 99 00:05:06,279 --> 00:05:09,640 Speaker 2: towards the crossbench and towards the opposition. These are people 100 00:05:10,120 --> 00:05:13,000 Speaker 2: who have been elected by their communities to represent their 101 00:05:13,080 --> 00:05:16,400 Speaker 2: views and I think the behavior in Parliament makes it 102 00:05:16,600 --> 00:05:18,800 Speaker 2: very difficult to do that. And it's something that I mean, 103 00:05:19,040 --> 00:05:20,960 Speaker 2: I've got a motion up to try and address that, 104 00:05:21,839 --> 00:05:24,039 Speaker 2: which will come up sometime later in the year. But 105 00:05:25,000 --> 00:05:28,000 Speaker 2: you know, territories actually deserve better from their parliament as well. 106 00:05:29,040 --> 00:05:32,279 Speaker 1: Justine just still sort of on this topic, but you know, 107 00:05:32,600 --> 00:05:35,240 Speaker 1: just taking away from Parliament a little bit, do you 108 00:05:35,320 --> 00:05:37,160 Speaker 1: reckon we're going to see quite a few people put 109 00:05:37,200 --> 00:05:39,320 Speaker 1: their hand up to run in the seat of Nightcliff 110 00:05:39,360 --> 00:05:41,760 Speaker 1: and do you think we'll see any independence decide that 111 00:05:41,800 --> 00:05:42,720 Speaker 1: they're keen to run. 112 00:05:43,839 --> 00:05:45,680 Speaker 2: Yeah, it's going to be really interesting to watch. As 113 00:05:45,680 --> 00:05:50,920 Speaker 2: you said, it was a very closely contested election in 114 00:05:51,120 --> 00:05:56,200 Speaker 2: twenty twenty four. I think in my great hope is 115 00:05:56,240 --> 00:05:58,960 Speaker 2: that we continue to have voices in Parliament that can 116 00:05:59,040 --> 00:06:03,600 Speaker 2: stand very strongly for community views and so that that 117 00:06:03,640 --> 00:06:05,920 Speaker 2: would be mine wish. I have no insight into who's 118 00:06:05,920 --> 00:06:09,919 Speaker 2: going to run the to do I yeah, but we 119 00:06:09,960 --> 00:06:12,560 Speaker 2: will all be watching this space closely. But you know, 120 00:06:12,600 --> 00:06:16,040 Speaker 2: I mean anyone out there who is interested in actually 121 00:06:16,960 --> 00:06:20,599 Speaker 2: representing communities, standing strong for what's important to people in 122 00:06:20,600 --> 00:06:23,280 Speaker 2: the Northern Territory. I often remind people that in the 123 00:06:23,360 --> 00:06:26,400 Speaker 2: last election the CLP actually only got forty eight percent 124 00:06:26,400 --> 00:06:28,880 Speaker 2: of the vote. They're there to govern for one hundred 125 00:06:28,880 --> 00:06:31,520 Speaker 2: percent of people and we need other voices in there 126 00:06:31,560 --> 00:06:35,000 Speaker 2: to make sure that their everyone's voice is heard and represented. 127 00:06:36,000 --> 00:06:38,560 Speaker 1: Now, Justine, I actually got you on the show to 128 00:06:38,640 --> 00:06:41,760 Speaker 1: talk about obviously to talk about the administrator and then 129 00:06:41,920 --> 00:06:45,480 Speaker 1: this news about Kat's overtaken everything as we know, but 130 00:06:45,920 --> 00:06:50,000 Speaker 1: your concerns around this really culminated last week when we 131 00:06:50,000 --> 00:06:53,200 Speaker 1: saw Labor members and independents walk out of Parliament in 132 00:06:53,320 --> 00:06:55,839 Speaker 1: protest now I'm going to tell you I've been getting 133 00:06:55,839 --> 00:06:59,200 Speaker 1: a lot of stick over continuing to talk about the administrator. 134 00:06:59,240 --> 00:07:01,680 Speaker 1: I've got listeners to be tom on Katie. You know, 135 00:07:01,800 --> 00:07:05,000 Speaker 1: you're really showing your stripes. I don't know which stripes 136 00:07:05,040 --> 00:07:07,039 Speaker 1: they are, but really showing my stripes in terms of 137 00:07:07,080 --> 00:07:09,680 Speaker 1: continuing to talk about this. But it's something that is 138 00:07:09,720 --> 00:07:13,239 Speaker 1: continuing to be raised by members of the community who've 139 00:07:13,280 --> 00:07:18,400 Speaker 1: got concerns about the appointment of David Connolly. Now, remind 140 00:07:18,440 --> 00:07:20,680 Speaker 1: me you would do to meet with the Governor General's 141 00:07:20,800 --> 00:07:23,840 Speaker 1: Office on Friday last week? Is that correct? 142 00:07:24,560 --> 00:07:26,679 Speaker 2: Yeah? Yeah, I did meet with the office on Friday, 143 00:07:26,720 --> 00:07:28,840 Speaker 2: And just just to kind of link these two stories, 144 00:07:28,880 --> 00:07:32,480 Speaker 2: I was interested to hear from the Speaker that actually 145 00:07:33,320 --> 00:07:35,520 Speaker 2: the acting administrator is going to be is the person 146 00:07:35,600 --> 00:07:38,360 Speaker 2: who's going to be acting on this on cats resignation. 147 00:07:38,560 --> 00:07:41,760 Speaker 2: So there are still there are still these questions which 148 00:07:41,800 --> 00:07:44,000 Speaker 2: people are asking about who is the administrator, what is 149 00:07:44,040 --> 00:07:48,120 Speaker 2: the status of he's Honor David Connolly, Like, what's going 150 00:07:48,160 --> 00:07:51,560 Speaker 2: on there? So that it is a live question. I 151 00:07:51,600 --> 00:07:54,840 Speaker 2: think around everything and this is an example of where 152 00:07:54,880 --> 00:07:58,920 Speaker 2: it's where it's live. But yes, I had a meeting 153 00:07:58,920 --> 00:08:00,840 Speaker 2: with the Governor General of on side of myself and 154 00:08:00,920 --> 00:08:04,120 Speaker 2: a member from Wooker, I had written to the Governor 155 00:08:04,200 --> 00:08:11,960 Speaker 2: General asking her to take action on this issue, to 156 00:08:12,000 --> 00:08:15,720 Speaker 2: her to rescind the appointment essentially, and I asked for 157 00:08:15,800 --> 00:08:19,000 Speaker 2: a meeting which was arranged very quickly, which I was 158 00:08:19,120 --> 00:08:24,360 Speaker 2: very grateful for and really shows how much interest is 159 00:08:24,400 --> 00:08:30,080 Speaker 2: being taken in this matter and the in terms of 160 00:08:30,120 --> 00:08:34,600 Speaker 2: what her office said, I was advised that the Governor 161 00:08:34,640 --> 00:08:37,800 Speaker 2: General has a very strong interest in this matter. I 162 00:08:38,000 --> 00:08:42,480 Speaker 2: raise concerns that have been raised with me. I've been 163 00:08:42,520 --> 00:08:45,360 Speaker 2: inundated with concerns from across the spectrum. So I know 164 00:08:45,400 --> 00:08:48,600 Speaker 2: there are some people obviously who will support this appointment, 165 00:08:49,000 --> 00:08:51,480 Speaker 2: but I can tell you that there are so many people, 166 00:08:51,559 --> 00:08:55,280 Speaker 2: including many people who are strong for your peace supporters, 167 00:08:55,320 --> 00:08:59,440 Speaker 2: who are really concerned about it, and they continuing to 168 00:08:59,440 --> 00:09:01,800 Speaker 2: come to me and please, can you do something about this. 169 00:09:01,880 --> 00:09:05,360 Speaker 2: Don't let this go away. Don't just let this you know, oh, 170 00:09:05,440 --> 00:09:09,319 Speaker 2: you know, it's too much fuss. It's an incredibly important appointment, 171 00:09:09,640 --> 00:09:12,400 Speaker 2: not just ceremonial or also has you know, as we 172 00:09:12,440 --> 00:09:15,079 Speaker 2: see today, this is the person who when members of 173 00:09:15,160 --> 00:09:17,720 Speaker 2: government change, this is the person who, it's reported to, 174 00:09:19,480 --> 00:09:22,079 Speaker 2: so I raise those concerns, concerns that you know, you've 175 00:09:22,080 --> 00:09:27,000 Speaker 2: talked that on your show at about the public statements 176 00:09:27,000 --> 00:09:31,000 Speaker 2: that the new administratives made not just in his social 177 00:09:31,080 --> 00:09:33,120 Speaker 2: media but also in the public space. So it's no 178 00:09:33,240 --> 00:09:38,720 Speaker 2: secret what his views were. And I was advised that 179 00:09:39,480 --> 00:09:42,839 Speaker 2: the Governor General, her long and well established record and 180 00:09:42,920 --> 00:09:46,200 Speaker 2: respect for Indigenous people, for women, speaks for itself, and 181 00:09:46,240 --> 00:09:49,280 Speaker 2: that she's very committed to ensuring that there's proper care 182 00:09:49,320 --> 00:09:53,760 Speaker 2: and consideration for all parts of the community. But however, 183 00:09:53,880 --> 00:09:57,480 Speaker 2: the Governor General, I was advised, has no power to rescind, revoke, 184 00:09:57,640 --> 00:10:00,840 Speaker 2: or withdraw the appointment. She acts entire on the advice 185 00:10:00,840 --> 00:10:04,480 Speaker 2: of the government of the day. So what that means 186 00:10:04,520 --> 00:10:07,240 Speaker 2: from here and I want anyone who's listening, who is 187 00:10:07,280 --> 00:10:10,400 Speaker 2: concerned about this issue to know that I will continue 188 00:10:10,400 --> 00:10:15,760 Speaker 2: to advocate fiercely for for your concerns. I'm exploring alternative 189 00:10:15,760 --> 00:10:19,680 Speaker 2: avenues for action. It's certainly not over and the fact 190 00:10:19,720 --> 00:10:23,800 Speaker 2: that the FELP government continues to disneys community concerns, continues 191 00:10:23,840 --> 00:10:28,760 Speaker 2: to avoid proper scrutiny, continues to say that you know 192 00:10:29,400 --> 00:10:32,600 Speaker 2: I would do this again. I don't know, no care 193 00:10:32,679 --> 00:10:35,240 Speaker 2: for what the community thinks is just not acceptable. 194 00:10:35,960 --> 00:10:39,320 Speaker 1: It's tough to hear then, you know, for those people 195 00:10:39,559 --> 00:10:42,480 Speaker 1: that despite you know, despite the respect that the Governor 196 00:10:42,559 --> 00:10:45,920 Speaker 1: General has for you know, for women, for Indigenous people, 197 00:10:45,960 --> 00:10:48,560 Speaker 1: for everybody in the community, that there is not a 198 00:10:48,600 --> 00:10:51,520 Speaker 1: lot or it's not in her power to be able 199 00:10:51,559 --> 00:10:54,120 Speaker 1: to do much about the appointment. I mean, it sort 200 00:10:54,120 --> 00:10:57,040 Speaker 1: of seems Justine like it's like it's you know, it's 201 00:10:57,080 --> 00:10:58,240 Speaker 1: going ahead no matter what. 202 00:10:59,720 --> 00:11:03,000 Speaker 2: I wouldn't say that, Katie. I mean, I think I 203 00:11:03,040 --> 00:11:06,440 Speaker 2: think the clear message is that the power lies with 204 00:11:06,640 --> 00:11:10,160 Speaker 2: the government of the day. They direct the Governor General. 205 00:11:10,280 --> 00:11:13,960 Speaker 2: So I'm going to be exploring what options there are there. 206 00:11:14,080 --> 00:11:16,360 Speaker 1: And you have got a petition going as well, don't you. 207 00:11:16,960 --> 00:11:20,000 Speaker 2: There's a petition going as well. There's a lot of that, 208 00:11:20,080 --> 00:11:22,120 Speaker 2: there's talk about other things in the public space that 209 00:11:22,559 --> 00:11:25,160 Speaker 2: might happen. I mean, I think this is a serious issue. 210 00:11:25,240 --> 00:11:28,640 Speaker 2: It's a serious issue for our integrity key in the 211 00:11:28,679 --> 00:11:32,440 Speaker 2: Northern Territory and as I said, we can't and I 212 00:11:32,559 --> 00:11:37,000 Speaker 2: certainly will not be be letting it disappear. And I 213 00:11:37,040 --> 00:11:39,800 Speaker 2: want to assure people again that you know, I will 214 00:11:39,840 --> 00:11:43,079 Speaker 2: be representing their views as strongly as I can. 215 00:11:43,320 --> 00:11:46,280 Speaker 1: Well, Justine, I always appreciate your time. I really thank 216 00:11:46,320 --> 00:11:49,040 Speaker 1: you for coming on this morning, particularly you know, with 217 00:11:49,080 --> 00:11:53,520 Speaker 1: the breaking news with kat resigning, but also for just 218 00:11:53,600 --> 00:11:55,400 Speaker 1: keeping us up to date with where things are at 219 00:11:55,880 --> 00:11:59,000 Speaker 1: with the administrator and that meeting with the Governor General's office. 220 00:11:59,559 --> 00:12:01,560 Speaker 2: No way, thanks Katy a great way 221 00:12:01,600 --> 00:12:02,800 Speaker 1: You too, will talk to you soon.