1
00:00:00,840 --> 00:00:03,920
Speaker 1: Hello, Katie Wolfan three point sixty online at Mix one

2
00:00:03,920 --> 00:00:07,600
Speaker 1: O four nine dot com. The Minister for Resources, Water

3
00:00:07,800 --> 00:00:11,360
Speaker 1: and Northern Australia, Keith Pitt, announced over the weekend the

4
00:00:11,360 --> 00:00:13,920
Speaker 1: appointment of a new chair and board members for the

5
00:00:13,920 --> 00:00:17,480
Speaker 1: Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility. Actually it was towards the end

6
00:00:17,480 --> 00:00:21,560
Speaker 1: of last week and businesswoman and corporate leader Tracy Hayes,

7
00:00:21,680 --> 00:00:24,560
Speaker 1: as we know from the Northern Territory, has been appointed

8
00:00:24,560 --> 00:00:27,480
Speaker 1: the chair of the NAFE Board for a three year

9
00:00:27,560 --> 00:00:29,800
Speaker 1: term and she joins me on the line this morning.

10
00:00:29,800 --> 00:00:30,920
Speaker 1: Good morning to you, Tracy.

11
00:00:31,080 --> 00:00:32,120
Speaker 2: Good morning Katie.

12
00:00:32,240 --> 00:00:34,479
Speaker 1: Good to have you on the show. And congratulations on

13
00:00:34,520 --> 00:00:36,960
Speaker 1: the appointment of the chair of the KNAFE board.

14
00:00:38,040 --> 00:00:41,880
Speaker 2: Yeah, thanks Kay. It's a really exciting time for Northern

15
00:00:41,920 --> 00:00:44,920
Speaker 2: Australia and I'm really pleased to be a part of it.

16
00:00:44,920 --> 00:00:48,040
Speaker 2: It's an important role and I'll certainly be giving it

17
00:00:48,120 --> 00:00:48,599
Speaker 2: all I have.

18
00:00:49,159 --> 00:00:51,080
Speaker 1: Tracy, Is this the first time that there's been a

19
00:00:51,159 --> 00:00:53,360
Speaker 1: territory and appointed to that chair.

20
00:00:53,200 --> 00:00:58,120
Speaker 2: Role as far as I know, it is, Yes, now, I.

21
00:00:58,000 --> 00:00:59,840
Speaker 1: Mean it's it's going to be a big job, there's

22
00:00:59,880 --> 00:01:02,720
Speaker 1: no doubt about it. But there's I guess there's been

23
00:01:02,760 --> 00:01:06,080
Speaker 1: some criticism over the years with the KNAFE that it

24
00:01:06,160 --> 00:01:09,080
Speaker 1: maybe hasn't done as much in the territory as what

25
00:01:09,120 --> 00:01:11,920
Speaker 1: we'd hope for. Do you think that by having a

26
00:01:12,040 --> 00:01:15,640
Speaker 1: territory in yourself in that role that will maybe see

27
00:01:15,640 --> 00:01:17,080
Speaker 1: more of a focus on the territory.

28
00:01:18,240 --> 00:01:21,520
Speaker 2: Well, look, Katie, one thing I know for sure is

29
00:01:21,680 --> 00:01:24,600
Speaker 2: the NAPE focuses right across in all Australia, of course,

30
00:01:24,640 --> 00:01:29,680
Speaker 2: including the territory. I think an important thing for listeners

31
00:01:29,720 --> 00:01:34,800
Speaker 2: to understand is there's been recently a Statute Tory review

32
00:01:35,040 --> 00:01:38,600
Speaker 2: of the NAPE and into the efficacy of the investments

33
00:01:38,640 --> 00:01:41,320
Speaker 2: in the process in the past. So there have been

34
00:01:41,360 --> 00:01:47,160
Speaker 2: some significant reform. So we're looking to the next sort

35
00:01:47,160 --> 00:01:52,640
Speaker 2: of five year window for the NAPE to I guess

36
00:01:52,920 --> 00:01:58,520
Speaker 2: create a greater impact, particularly in the jurisdictions that I mentioned.

37
00:01:58,600 --> 00:02:01,840
Speaker 2: And as a old of those reforms, I think we

38
00:02:01,920 --> 00:02:06,400
Speaker 2: can see a more agile NAPE with a greater risk appetite,

39
00:02:06,960 --> 00:02:11,680
Speaker 2: more flexible and able to provide smaller loan So I

40
00:02:11,720 --> 00:02:14,079
Speaker 2: think that's going to bode well for the territory.

41
00:02:14,320 --> 00:02:16,840
Speaker 1: Do you reckon that's something that's sort of been missing

42
00:02:16,919 --> 00:02:19,840
Speaker 1: at this point, that smaller loan component that you know,

43
00:02:19,960 --> 00:02:22,480
Speaker 1: to begin with, maybe it was sort of too difficult

44
00:02:22,520 --> 00:02:25,400
Speaker 1: for people to be able to access loans through the knife.

45
00:02:26,160 --> 00:02:29,520
Speaker 2: Yes, I think, so we recognize those part of the

46
00:02:29,560 --> 00:02:34,160
Speaker 2: reform process that you know, really the engine room of

47
00:02:34,240 --> 00:02:37,880
Speaker 2: world in Australia is often small to medium size enterprises

48
00:02:37,960 --> 00:02:42,320
Speaker 2: and so we're really looking to create a greater impact

49
00:02:42,360 --> 00:02:47,239
Speaker 2: in the sectors that the NATE facility focuses on, and

50
00:02:47,240 --> 00:02:54,080
Speaker 2: of course they're all incredibly important sectors to the territory transport, social, infrastructure, resources,

51
00:02:54,280 --> 00:02:58,960
Speaker 2: agriculture and water. And in all of those sectors is

52
00:02:58,960 --> 00:03:04,840
Speaker 2: a significant folks on indigenous engagement and a social benefit.

53
00:03:05,000 --> 00:03:09,520
Speaker 2: So that that's one of the key differentiators. I guess

54
00:03:08,840 --> 00:03:13,800
Speaker 2: of the name is it's focus on public benefits.

55
00:03:14,120 --> 00:03:17,240
Speaker 1: Now, Tracy, when do you actually start that tenure and

56
00:03:17,240 --> 00:03:19,160
Speaker 1: what would you say? You're going to be your biggest

57
00:03:19,200 --> 00:03:20,680
Speaker 1: priorities when you get in there.

58
00:03:21,919 --> 00:03:29,119
Speaker 2: So I've already started and so significant onboarding exercises underway now.

59
00:03:29,320 --> 00:03:35,720
Speaker 2: So a comprehensive briefing that's commenced today and I'll be

60
00:03:35,760 --> 00:03:41,000
Speaker 2: seeking to understand at a granular level the investment mandate

61
00:03:41,320 --> 00:03:44,680
Speaker 2: and of course the strategies and policies of the KNAFE

62
00:03:44,840 --> 00:03:49,560
Speaker 2: and the important details of the act, and then I'm

63
00:03:49,600 --> 00:03:52,160
Speaker 2: really keen to get out on the ground and engage

64
00:03:52,200 --> 00:03:58,040
Speaker 2: with the stakeholders. The important I guess decision makes future

65
00:03:58,080 --> 00:04:04,520
Speaker 2: clients of the NAFE sure aspirants of projects that are

66
00:04:04,520 --> 00:04:07,400
Speaker 2: in the pipeline. So I'm really looking forward to engaging

67
00:04:07,440 --> 00:04:10,920
Speaker 2: with stakeholders across the Northern Australian area.

68
00:04:10,960 --> 00:04:13,320
Speaker 1: And are there sort of specific I mean, you know,

69
00:04:13,440 --> 00:04:17,160
Speaker 1: not specific projects, but are there certain kinds of industries

70
00:04:17,160 --> 00:04:19,719
Speaker 1: and things that you'd really like to see get going

71
00:04:20,080 --> 00:04:22,520
Speaker 1: and get moving in the territory if they're not already.

72
00:04:23,640 --> 00:04:26,240
Speaker 2: Well, what I'd really like to see, Katie, is when

73
00:04:26,279 --> 00:04:30,520
Speaker 2: we reach the twenty twenty sixth dates, that we're able

74
00:04:30,600 --> 00:04:35,320
Speaker 2: to really clearly be able to say that the NAP

75
00:04:35,400 --> 00:04:38,760
Speaker 2: has had a great impact on Northern Australia. So it's

76
00:04:39,240 --> 00:04:42,479
Speaker 2: where but you know, the clock is ticking. So my

77
00:04:42,640 --> 00:04:46,159
Speaker 2: focus will be on all of the sectors that the

78
00:04:46,279 --> 00:04:50,760
Speaker 2: NAPE covers, and of course the geographical footprint print, which

79
00:04:50,800 --> 00:04:53,120
Speaker 2: is very dear to my heart. It's in my DNA.

80
00:04:53,320 --> 00:04:56,760
Speaker 2: So I'll be ensuring that we'll be doing everything we

81
00:04:56,800 --> 00:05:01,320
Speaker 2: can to be focusing on getting the funding out onto

82
00:05:01,360 --> 00:05:04,479
Speaker 2: the ground and into projects that's really going to provide

83
00:05:04,520 --> 00:05:08,719
Speaker 2: an impact and benefit and jobs for people in Northern Australia.

84
00:05:09,240 --> 00:05:12,760
Speaker 1: And Tracy, I know that you know people like you

85
00:05:12,920 --> 00:05:15,880
Speaker 1: and I you know, we're used to criticism from different

86
00:05:15,880 --> 00:05:19,760
Speaker 1: areas when, particularly for you, when you do get appointed

87
00:05:19,760 --> 00:05:23,039
Speaker 1: to something which is so high profile. But Federal Labor

88
00:05:23,160 --> 00:05:27,480
Speaker 1: Spokesman for Northern Australia, Senator Murray What has attacked your

89
00:05:27,520 --> 00:05:32,080
Speaker 1: appointment as the Chair of the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility Chair,

90
00:05:32,240 --> 00:05:37,240
Speaker 1: obviously accusing the Morrison government of appointing another mate. What

91
00:05:37,320 --> 00:05:40,640
Speaker 1: would you say, you know? Upon responding to Murray What

92
00:05:40,839 --> 00:05:41,160
Speaker 1: on that.

93
00:05:43,000 --> 00:05:46,520
Speaker 2: Well, Katie, I think I leave the politics up to others,

94
00:05:46,560 --> 00:05:50,240
Speaker 2: so let my track record speak for itself. I certainly

95
00:05:50,320 --> 00:05:55,200
Speaker 2: look forward to working with Senator What and anyone in

96
00:05:55,240 --> 00:05:58,160
Speaker 2: the in the shadow portfolios that are relevant to the

97
00:05:58,240 --> 00:06:01,520
Speaker 2: names but of course all stakeholders, So no problem from

98
00:06:01,520 --> 00:06:01,880
Speaker 2: my end.

99
00:06:02,279 --> 00:06:04,200
Speaker 1: And I know that you are going to need to

100
00:06:04,200 --> 00:06:07,359
Speaker 1: be working with the Northern Territory government as well, fairly closely.

101
00:06:07,440 --> 00:06:10,599
Speaker 1: Obviously you were a competitor of the Chief Minister in

102
00:06:10,640 --> 00:06:12,560
Speaker 1: the last election. Is that going to be a concern

103
00:06:12,600 --> 00:06:13,120
Speaker 1: in any.

104
00:06:12,960 --> 00:06:16,479
Speaker 2: Way, Look, no concern at all. I'm looking forward to

105
00:06:16,520 --> 00:06:19,440
Speaker 2: catching up with the Chief Minister and hearing of his

106
00:06:19,600 --> 00:06:24,400
Speaker 2: infrastructure priorities for the territory going forward. The name is

107
00:06:25,200 --> 00:06:28,400
Speaker 2: newly partnered with the Northern Territory Government in the nt

108
00:06:28,640 --> 00:06:32,480
Speaker 2: Jobs fun and of course it's also played an important

109
00:06:32,560 --> 00:06:36,800
Speaker 2: role in a number of projects to date or almost

110
00:06:36,880 --> 00:06:40,480
Speaker 2: eight hundred million dollars worth which are supporting three thousand

111
00:06:40,480 --> 00:06:43,520
Speaker 2: odd jobs in the territory. So the NAF is an

112
00:06:43,560 --> 00:06:46,960
Speaker 2: important part of the mix and the territory an important

113
00:06:47,000 --> 00:06:49,840
Speaker 2: partner of the Northern Territory Government, and of course I'll

114
00:06:49,880 --> 00:06:53,599
Speaker 2: be looking forward to working with the NTG in the

115
00:06:53,640 --> 00:06:54,320
Speaker 2: coming years.

116
00:06:54,560 --> 00:06:56,159
Speaker 1: Are you due for a catch up with the Chief

117
00:06:56,200 --> 00:06:58,039
Speaker 1: Minister in your new role sometime soon?

118
00:06:59,080 --> 00:07:02,000
Speaker 2: Yeah? Absolutely, I'm looking forward to the opportunity to catch

119
00:07:02,080 --> 00:07:06,360
Speaker 2: up with him and some of the commissioners that he's appointed,

120
00:07:06,960 --> 00:07:09,920
Speaker 2: well of the soon to be appointed. I understand in

121
00:07:10,200 --> 00:07:13,480
Speaker 2: some of the key roles that we focused on infrastructure

122
00:07:13,560 --> 00:07:18,960
Speaker 2: and advancing the territory's interest, So a range of stakeholders

123
00:07:19,000 --> 00:07:21,240
Speaker 2: and of course the chiefs on my list.

124
00:07:21,440 --> 00:07:24,840
Speaker 1: Well, newly appointed chair of the KNAFE Tracy Hayes. Always

125
00:07:24,880 --> 00:07:26,520
Speaker 1: good to speak with you and no doubt we'll talk

126
00:07:26,520 --> 00:07:30,160
Speaker 1: to you again, probably much more regularly again now that

127
00:07:30,200 --> 00:07:30,960
Speaker 1: you're in this role.

128
00:07:31,720 --> 00:07:33,520
Speaker 2: Yeah, thanks very much, Katie, I really.

129
00:07:33,320 --> 00:07:36,360
Speaker 1: Look forward to it. Thank you Tracy Hayes there, who

130
00:07:36,440 --> 00:07:40,360
Speaker 1: is the chair of the KNAFE, the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility.

131
00:07:40,400 --> 00:07:42,800
Speaker 1: And yeah, I think, you know, for the first time

132
00:07:42,840 --> 00:07:45,360
Speaker 1: ever to have a territori and in this role, it

133
00:07:45,480 --> 00:07:48,560
Speaker 1: is a really good thing in my opinion, a great opinion,

134
00:07:48,640 --> 00:07:50,960
Speaker 1: a great thing to be able to see, you know,

135
00:07:51,000 --> 00:07:53,440
Speaker 1: a territory and someone who's very passionate about the Northern

136
00:07:53,520 --> 00:07:57,160
Speaker 1: Territory in this chair role. And there has been criticism

137
00:07:57,200 --> 00:07:59,560
Speaker 1: of the KNAFE in the past that maybe we haven't

138
00:07:59,560 --> 00:08:01,360
Speaker 1: seen as much much action in the territory is what

139
00:08:01,400 --> 00:08:04,400
Speaker 1: we'd like to see and uh, and so I'm really

140
00:08:04,440 --> 00:08:07,120
Speaker 1: hoping that this you know, that that we do see

141
00:08:07,200 --> 00:08:09,920
Speaker 1: more happening here. We like to think of ourselves as

142
00:08:09,920 --> 00:08:12,040
Speaker 1: being the capital of Northern Australia, but I guess we

143
00:08:12,120 --> 00:08:13,960
Speaker 1: really need to be doing more if we do want

144
00:08:14,000 --> 00:08:16,119
Speaker 1: to be the capital of the North