1 00:00:00,120 --> 00:00:02,840 Speaker 1: Joining me in the studio right now is Sushi or 2 00:00:02,920 --> 00:00:04,920 Speaker 1: she's the CEO of the Council of the Aging here 3 00:00:04,920 --> 00:00:05,560 Speaker 1: in the territory. 4 00:00:05,600 --> 00:00:08,399 Speaker 2: Good morning, Sue, Good morning Katie. Long time. 5 00:00:08,480 --> 00:00:10,600 Speaker 1: No no, I haven't seen you for a while. It's 6 00:00:10,720 --> 00:00:12,160 Speaker 1: wonderful to see you in the studio. 7 00:00:12,360 --> 00:00:12,760 Speaker 3: Thank you. 8 00:00:13,080 --> 00:00:15,680 Speaker 1: Now. These lots happening this morning, but we do know 9 00:00:16,360 --> 00:00:20,120 Speaker 1: that bill has passed through Parliament this morning which will 10 00:00:20,160 --> 00:00:22,960 Speaker 1: allow the Northern Territory, if it passes through the Senate 11 00:00:23,000 --> 00:00:25,599 Speaker 1: as well well, to have our own say on whether 12 00:00:25,640 --> 00:00:29,840 Speaker 1: we allow voluntary assisted die and other decisions that we 13 00:00:30,400 --> 00:00:32,400 Speaker 1: might want to make here in the territory. Pass through 14 00:00:32,520 --> 00:00:34,320 Speaker 1: ninety nine to thirty seven. 15 00:00:34,440 --> 00:00:35,400 Speaker 3: It sure did, Katie. 16 00:00:35,479 --> 00:00:38,600 Speaker 2: Is a momentous occasion, really, you know, we've all lobbied 17 00:00:39,000 --> 00:00:42,279 Speaker 2: long and hard. Then we change tact as well too, 18 00:00:42,920 --> 00:00:45,400 Speaker 2: and hopefully which they did the House of Reps and 19 00:00:45,440 --> 00:00:48,280 Speaker 2: hopefully the Senate will realize it as well. It's not 20 00:00:48,400 --> 00:00:52,560 Speaker 2: about passing the voluntary sister dying. It's about giving us 21 00:00:52,640 --> 00:00:55,520 Speaker 2: back the right to pass it and discuss it. So 22 00:00:56,000 --> 00:01:00,000 Speaker 2: very different conversation. I think that's why it passed lah 23 00:01:00,080 --> 00:01:03,320 Speaker 2: the well in the House of Representatives, because they realized 24 00:01:03,600 --> 00:01:06,720 Speaker 2: they're not voting on voluntary sister dying. We want to 25 00:01:06,720 --> 00:01:10,160 Speaker 2: be treated the same as every other Australian citizen and 26 00:01:10,240 --> 00:01:13,480 Speaker 2: be able to make those decisions for ourselves. So it 27 00:01:13,560 --> 00:01:16,959 Speaker 2: is it's I sent Marshall an email. He was watching 28 00:01:17,040 --> 00:01:20,120 Speaker 2: the debate, so he's rather thrilled and hopefully will be 29 00:01:20,440 --> 00:01:23,480 Speaker 2: even more thrilled And it's totally restored when it goes 30 00:01:23,520 --> 00:01:24,119 Speaker 2: to the Senate. 31 00:01:24,200 --> 00:01:26,600 Speaker 1: Now when you say, Marshall, I'm assuming that you need 32 00:01:26,880 --> 00:01:27,880 Speaker 1: the former Chief Minister. 33 00:01:28,160 --> 00:01:29,119 Speaker 3: Yes, it's right. 34 00:01:29,480 --> 00:01:33,240 Speaker 1: And look, I think that fundamentally we as Territorians, we 35 00:01:33,280 --> 00:01:36,400 Speaker 1: elect our politicians here in the Northern Territory to represent 36 00:01:36,560 --> 00:01:39,759 Speaker 1: us and to represent our views, and that we should 37 00:01:39,800 --> 00:01:43,400 Speaker 1: have the opportunity for them to actually, as our reps, 38 00:01:43,600 --> 00:01:47,480 Speaker 1: make that decision inside the Northern Territory Parliament, rather than 39 00:01:48,320 --> 00:01:50,480 Speaker 1: us not being able to even have the opportunity to 40 00:01:50,480 --> 00:01:51,320 Speaker 1: have our say on it. 41 00:01:51,400 --> 00:01:56,480 Speaker 2: Well, even Melanderira McCarthy, who I don't think totally supports 42 00:01:56,680 --> 00:02:00,800 Speaker 2: voluntary sister dying, supports the fact that we should be 43 00:02:00,840 --> 00:02:04,040 Speaker 2: able to make those decisions. So again it's all about 44 00:02:04,320 --> 00:02:07,240 Speaker 2: church you rights. So restoring church you rights back to 45 00:02:07,320 --> 00:02:09,760 Speaker 2: us when we put it in a ninety ninety five 46 00:02:09,840 --> 00:02:13,160 Speaker 2: but really then Katie only passed by one vote in 47 00:02:13,160 --> 00:02:16,960 Speaker 2: the Northern CHURCHI Parlament was a very hotly contested debate. 48 00:02:17,440 --> 00:02:20,240 Speaker 2: There were submissions from all around the world, even from 49 00:02:20,240 --> 00:02:24,480 Speaker 2: the Vatican about voluntary sister dying, so we were ahead 50 00:02:24,480 --> 00:02:27,200 Speaker 2: of our time. But then, as we know, Kevin Andrews 51 00:02:27,200 --> 00:02:30,480 Speaker 2: and Tony Windsor decided, well know, we're not mature enough 52 00:02:30,480 --> 00:02:31,720 Speaker 2: to make those decisions. 53 00:02:32,000 --> 00:02:33,720 Speaker 3: And also because we obviously. 54 00:02:33,440 --> 00:02:36,639 Speaker 2: Didn't have a Senate, it couldn't be debated in two houses. 55 00:02:36,720 --> 00:02:39,960 Speaker 2: So it was really obviously the wrong decision. 56 00:02:40,280 --> 00:02:44,920 Speaker 3: But now a wrong will be righted, which is fantastic news. 57 00:02:45,120 --> 00:02:48,000 Speaker 1: So as the CEO of the Council of the Aging 58 00:02:48,000 --> 00:02:50,120 Speaker 1: here in the territory, what a scene is saying to 59 00:02:50,200 --> 00:02:50,919 Speaker 1: you about this? 60 00:02:51,440 --> 00:02:55,120 Speaker 2: We had eighty eight percent of our senior territorians would. 61 00:02:54,919 --> 00:02:55,880 Speaker 3: Like the choice. 62 00:02:56,080 --> 00:03:00,240 Speaker 2: We were not negating obviously hospice services or palace dive 63 00:03:00,320 --> 00:03:04,280 Speaker 2: care services. But again it's just all about choice. It's 64 00:03:04,320 --> 00:03:07,880 Speaker 2: mainly about the choice. So again, you know, a bit 65 00:03:08,080 --> 00:03:10,800 Speaker 2: like in with every other thing, we want to be 66 00:03:10,840 --> 00:03:12,640 Speaker 2: in charge of our life and we want to be 67 00:03:12,680 --> 00:03:15,840 Speaker 2: able to make the choice how we say goodbye to 68 00:03:15,919 --> 00:03:18,520 Speaker 2: loved ones and choose maybe. 69 00:03:18,280 --> 00:03:20,120 Speaker 3: The date or the time that we do it. 70 00:03:20,160 --> 00:03:23,560 Speaker 2: And so that's the main area that seniors wanted to 71 00:03:23,919 --> 00:03:25,720 Speaker 2: Whether or not they agree with it, or whether or 72 00:03:25,720 --> 00:03:28,200 Speaker 2: not they use it, it's an entirely different matter, but 73 00:03:28,240 --> 00:03:29,440 Speaker 2: it's about the choice. 74 00:03:29,960 --> 00:03:32,040 Speaker 1: Well, so I do think that it is, you know, 75 00:03:32,240 --> 00:03:34,320 Speaker 1: it comes down to it is that one final choice 76 00:03:34,320 --> 00:03:35,920 Speaker 1: for a lot of people. If you're suffering from a 77 00:03:36,000 --> 00:03:40,960 Speaker 1: terminal illness or you know, or whatever situation you are in. 78 00:03:41,040 --> 00:03:43,680 Speaker 1: There needs to obviously be those safeguards in place. We 79 00:03:43,720 --> 00:03:46,120 Speaker 1: need to make sure that people have got everything they 80 00:03:46,160 --> 00:03:48,040 Speaker 1: need when it comes to palliative care. But it is 81 00:03:48,280 --> 00:03:50,320 Speaker 1: it does come down to that one final choice that 82 00:03:50,320 --> 00:03:51,200 Speaker 1: people have got. 83 00:03:51,040 --> 00:03:52,480 Speaker 3: Us and you're able to say goodbye. 84 00:03:53,000 --> 00:03:56,640 Speaker 2: I guess when you know you're saying goodbye and you 85 00:03:56,680 --> 00:03:59,120 Speaker 2: can recognize the faces of your loved ones, you know, 86 00:04:00,080 --> 00:04:02,360 Speaker 2: we can all get we've all been through that, Catie, 87 00:04:02,360 --> 00:04:04,520 Speaker 2: you have and I have well with my mum, and 88 00:04:04,600 --> 00:04:08,520 Speaker 2: so so yeah, it's it's a hard enough time, but 89 00:04:08,960 --> 00:04:10,920 Speaker 2: when you don't get the chance to say goodbye. 90 00:04:10,960 --> 00:04:13,600 Speaker 3: But I said this very we'll probably end up in tears. 91 00:04:13,600 --> 00:04:16,719 Speaker 3: I can see that, right, it's such a tough thing. 92 00:04:16,839 --> 00:04:19,560 Speaker 3: It is. It's all about choice, absolutely. 93 00:04:20,040 --> 00:04:23,120 Speaker 1: So let's move along because we know that age care 94 00:04:23,240 --> 00:04:26,640 Speaker 1: reforms have passed through Federal Parliament to overhaul funding for 95 00:04:26,720 --> 00:04:30,640 Speaker 1: the sector. They're among a number of recommendations made by 96 00:04:30,640 --> 00:04:33,719 Speaker 1: the Royal Commission into aged Care, with the Federal government 97 00:04:33,720 --> 00:04:36,760 Speaker 1: committed to spending over nineteen point one billion dollars to 98 00:04:36,800 --> 00:04:39,800 Speaker 1: reform the age care system over the next five years. 99 00:04:40,320 --> 00:04:42,160 Speaker 1: We know that there's been I think there was one 100 00:04:42,200 --> 00:04:43,760 Speaker 1: forum last night, is that correct? 101 00:04:44,160 --> 00:04:47,680 Speaker 2: It was one yesterday where you had Ian Yates, who's 102 00:04:47,720 --> 00:04:51,960 Speaker 2: a CEO of CODA Australia who walks the halls of Parliament, 103 00:04:52,000 --> 00:04:54,560 Speaker 2: lobbing on behalf of all of us and who we 104 00:04:54,680 --> 00:04:58,320 Speaker 2: obviously meet with a National Policy Council all codes do 105 00:04:58,520 --> 00:05:02,479 Speaker 2: and so to represent everybody. And then we had Janet Anderson, 106 00:05:02,880 --> 00:05:05,800 Speaker 2: who is, like i'd like to say, the big Kahuna, 107 00:05:06,160 --> 00:05:09,320 Speaker 2: the Age Care Quality and Safety Commissioner. So she's a 108 00:05:09,440 --> 00:05:14,880 Speaker 2: regulator for age care residential services and obviously a few 109 00:05:14,880 --> 00:05:17,400 Speaker 2: other things and changes to the Act to give her 110 00:05:17,480 --> 00:05:20,880 Speaker 2: more powers, which is desperately needed after what we saw 111 00:05:21,320 --> 00:05:25,320 Speaker 2: happen during COVID and things like that. And then unfortunately 112 00:05:25,360 --> 00:05:29,239 Speaker 2: we did have doctor K Patterson, and I hope doctor 113 00:05:29,279 --> 00:05:33,320 Speaker 2: Patterson's listening. She arrived in Darwin and got COVID and 114 00:05:33,360 --> 00:05:36,320 Speaker 2: she just her voice just wasn't good enough to even 115 00:05:36,400 --> 00:05:39,960 Speaker 2: do a zoom or a teams meeting yesterday. She's a 116 00:05:40,040 --> 00:05:44,440 Speaker 2: Human Rights Commissioner for Australia. So hopefully we'll go down 117 00:05:44,520 --> 00:05:46,640 Speaker 2: to Alis this afternoon. We might be able to do 118 00:05:47,080 --> 00:05:49,720 Speaker 2: a team with her tomorrow if her voice is okay. 119 00:05:50,080 --> 00:05:54,120 Speaker 2: And then obviously the CEO of the ntphn Northern Churchy 120 00:05:54,240 --> 00:05:58,880 Speaker 2: Primary Health Network arguil yearsly. So it was high caliber 121 00:05:58,920 --> 00:06:02,839 Speaker 2: speakers and everybody you attended was thrilled with the knowledge 122 00:06:02,880 --> 00:06:03,880 Speaker 2: of all these people. 123 00:06:04,040 --> 00:06:06,360 Speaker 1: And so what needs to be happening here with this 124 00:06:06,480 --> 00:06:09,200 Speaker 1: funding when you talk about the Northern Territory, what are 125 00:06:09,200 --> 00:06:09,840 Speaker 1: you pushing for? 126 00:06:10,279 --> 00:06:12,800 Speaker 2: We're pushing obviously, well, what we want people to be 127 00:06:12,839 --> 00:06:17,120 Speaker 2: able to do is actually be in charge of their package, 128 00:06:17,160 --> 00:06:20,200 Speaker 2: a bit like the NDI is they get the package, 129 00:06:20,360 --> 00:06:24,200 Speaker 2: they can pick how they want to delivered and which 130 00:06:24,279 --> 00:06:26,880 Speaker 2: provider they want to deliver it too. So it's a 131 00:06:26,880 --> 00:06:31,120 Speaker 2: lot more transparency which has to be We have to 132 00:06:31,160 --> 00:06:35,560 Speaker 2: have an independent pricing authority as well, because there's lots 133 00:06:35,600 --> 00:06:37,760 Speaker 2: of hidden fees, admin fees. 134 00:06:37,480 --> 00:06:39,720 Speaker 3: And all sorts of things. We get called up quite 135 00:06:39,760 --> 00:06:40,080 Speaker 3: a bit. 136 00:06:40,520 --> 00:06:44,560 Speaker 2: A code of conduct for workers and providers given the 137 00:06:44,600 --> 00:06:46,840 Speaker 2: age care quality as I said in Safety Commissioner, a 138 00:06:46,839 --> 00:06:50,919 Speaker 2: power to ban people who do the wrong thing. Publication 139 00:06:51,080 --> 00:06:54,960 Speaker 2: of provider financial information for better transparency. So when you 140 00:06:55,000 --> 00:06:57,000 Speaker 2: get on and you want to pick a provider, all 141 00:06:57,040 --> 00:06:59,480 Speaker 2: the costs are there, you know, I remember, it. 142 00:06:59,400 --> 00:07:02,919 Speaker 1: Shouldn't be it should be something that exactly, it shouldn't 143 00:07:02,920 --> 00:07:03,160 Speaker 1: be that. 144 00:07:03,160 --> 00:07:03,600 Speaker 3: Hard at all. 145 00:07:03,640 --> 00:07:07,159 Speaker 2: And we've had people who some you know, they get 146 00:07:07,240 --> 00:07:10,000 Speaker 2: charged in an age care facility for cup of coffee. 147 00:07:10,320 --> 00:07:16,200 Speaker 2: Really that desperate, you know. And stronger governments on age 148 00:07:16,200 --> 00:07:18,760 Speaker 2: care providers so they are more accountable to both government 149 00:07:18,760 --> 00:07:20,960 Speaker 2: and their consumers. This is all about what we want, 150 00:07:21,280 --> 00:07:24,680 Speaker 2: consumer choice and the consumer can control. 151 00:07:25,200 --> 00:07:26,040 Speaker 3: That's what we want. 152 00:07:26,240 --> 00:07:29,080 Speaker 1: Yeah, and that's the main thing absolutely. So from that 153 00:07:29,120 --> 00:07:30,840 Speaker 1: meeting yesterday, and I know there's going to be another 154 00:07:30,840 --> 00:07:32,920 Speaker 1: one in Ellie Springs, were there any outcomes or are 155 00:07:32,920 --> 00:07:36,160 Speaker 1: there any you know, sort of anythings that you'll be 156 00:07:36,240 --> 00:07:37,360 Speaker 1: really advocating for. 157 00:07:37,680 --> 00:07:41,360 Speaker 2: Well, as we said, consumer choice, but also the responsibility. 158 00:07:41,400 --> 00:07:45,520 Speaker 2: We've already advocated for the increase in wages because they're 159 00:07:45,680 --> 00:07:47,560 Speaker 2: the low as we know, the lowest paid and the 160 00:07:47,600 --> 00:07:50,200 Speaker 2: fair Work commissioned, so that that has happened. But the 161 00:07:50,240 --> 00:07:53,360 Speaker 2: other one is more training and more career path and 162 00:07:53,440 --> 00:07:56,640 Speaker 2: hopefully when the boarders open up more because I know 163 00:07:57,040 --> 00:08:00,800 Speaker 2: there's a whole lot of personal care workers in Tuvalu. 164 00:08:00,160 --> 00:08:01,640 Speaker 3: Who want to come over here. 165 00:08:02,000 --> 00:08:04,720 Speaker 2: But that opens up another account of worms, Katie. With 166 00:08:04,800 --> 00:08:08,080 Speaker 2: the housing shortage, really and as you can see with 167 00:08:08,160 --> 00:08:11,840 Speaker 2: the rental vacancy of one point one percent or something, 168 00:08:12,280 --> 00:08:14,080 Speaker 2: we're six thousand dwelling short. 169 00:08:14,920 --> 00:08:17,880 Speaker 1: How tough is that. They're not on our seniors. You know, 170 00:08:17,920 --> 00:08:21,080 Speaker 1: we were just talking to core Logic about the rental 171 00:08:21,120 --> 00:08:24,800 Speaker 1: market and also the housing market. How is that for 172 00:08:24,840 --> 00:08:25,520 Speaker 1: our seniors. 173 00:08:25,600 --> 00:08:26,239 Speaker 3: It's tragic. 174 00:08:26,920 --> 00:08:29,800 Speaker 2: There'll be a lot more senior especially women who are homeless. 175 00:08:29,800 --> 00:08:33,760 Speaker 2: They're on job start because they can't get a job again. 176 00:08:33,920 --> 00:08:35,040 Speaker 3: Ageism comes into it. 177 00:08:35,040 --> 00:08:37,760 Speaker 2: That's another thing that we lobby about, you know, fifty 178 00:08:37,800 --> 00:08:40,440 Speaker 2: five when they're on and they can't get the pension, 179 00:08:40,520 --> 00:08:43,679 Speaker 2: so they're on new start, so they're trying to pay 180 00:08:44,400 --> 00:08:48,080 Speaker 2: a high rent or again and if they're on a 181 00:08:48,080 --> 00:08:53,400 Speaker 2: pension and waiting for public housing or community housing and 182 00:08:53,440 --> 00:08:56,160 Speaker 2: they're trying to pay four or five hundred a week 183 00:08:56,160 --> 00:08:59,200 Speaker 2: in rent and they're pensions nine hundred forty. 184 00:08:59,400 --> 00:09:02,160 Speaker 1: It makes me sad, you know, I just think we're 185 00:09:02,200 --> 00:09:05,520 Speaker 1: talking about people here who've paid their taxes their whole lives. 186 00:09:05,880 --> 00:09:08,400 Speaker 1: You know, they've worked and paid their taxes their whole lives. 187 00:09:09,080 --> 00:09:12,160 Speaker 1: Surely we can look after those territories and we can 188 00:09:12,200 --> 00:09:15,679 Speaker 1: look after those Australians the beast that we possibly can. 189 00:09:15,840 --> 00:09:17,559 Speaker 2: Oh, we should be able to, as you said, but 190 00:09:17,600 --> 00:09:21,360 Speaker 2: we're way behind in public housing. You know, there's a 191 00:09:21,480 --> 00:09:25,280 Speaker 2: seven year wait list. So in the meantime, though, what 192 00:09:25,320 --> 00:09:28,240 Speaker 2: did is people do so and with the cost of living, 193 00:09:28,320 --> 00:09:31,439 Speaker 2: as we know with groceries, when you're on a set 194 00:09:31,559 --> 00:09:36,200 Speaker 2: low income, it's tragic. It's very very difficult. And we've 195 00:09:36,200 --> 00:09:39,600 Speaker 2: heard people they'd rather feed their pet than themselves. The 196 00:09:39,679 --> 00:09:43,959 Speaker 2: maloved pet comes first before them and sometimes obviously with 197 00:09:44,520 --> 00:09:48,079 Speaker 2: a whole lot of other aspects like dental care and 198 00:09:48,120 --> 00:09:50,560 Speaker 2: things like that that they have to wait for and 199 00:09:50,600 --> 00:09:53,240 Speaker 2: they can't afford it. It is it's tragic that our 200 00:09:53,360 --> 00:09:55,840 Speaker 2: older generation is suffering as much. 201 00:09:56,600 --> 00:09:59,280 Speaker 1: Well so, I mean, I know it's so it's tough 202 00:09:59,280 --> 00:10:00,760 Speaker 1: for a lot of people out there right now. But 203 00:10:00,800 --> 00:10:03,760 Speaker 1: when you talk about those rises in the cost of living, 204 00:10:03,880 --> 00:10:06,199 Speaker 1: I've no doubt that it certainly has a huge impact 205 00:10:06,200 --> 00:10:09,760 Speaker 1: for our seniors. So I always appreciate you coming in. 206 00:10:09,920 --> 00:10:10,880 Speaker 1: Is it Seniors Month? 207 00:10:11,120 --> 00:10:13,240 Speaker 3: It sure is, And I've got the calendar here. You're 208 00:10:13,280 --> 00:10:14,960 Speaker 3: a bit younger, a youngster. 209 00:10:16,559 --> 00:10:17,720 Speaker 1: Any party I'll enjoy. 210 00:10:17,960 --> 00:10:20,000 Speaker 2: I know there's so much for seniors to do. I 211 00:10:20,000 --> 00:10:23,040 Speaker 2: guess on a brighter note, they can go and try golf, 212 00:10:23,080 --> 00:10:27,000 Speaker 2: they can learn about internet safety, they can do musical jam, 213 00:10:28,240 --> 00:10:33,440 Speaker 2: Royal life saving cool Seniors, English country dancing, ongoing digital 214 00:10:33,480 --> 00:10:37,719 Speaker 2: literacy as we know unfortunately you know sometimes face to 215 00:10:37,800 --> 00:10:39,960 Speaker 2: face like we are, it all has to be digital. 216 00:10:40,440 --> 00:10:41,160 Speaker 3: But a lot of gain. 217 00:10:41,200 --> 00:10:44,080 Speaker 2: A lot of seniors can't afford an iPhone, they can't 218 00:10:44,080 --> 00:10:46,400 Speaker 2: afford the hardware, and they can't afford the internet, as 219 00:10:46,400 --> 00:10:49,160 Speaker 2: we're saying, with all the other costs. So we're looking 220 00:10:49,200 --> 00:10:51,319 Speaker 2: at ways to try and get to them, to keep 221 00:10:51,360 --> 00:10:54,240 Speaker 2: them informed, and obviously one of these is through your show, 222 00:10:54,280 --> 00:10:58,280 Speaker 2: which is terrific. Again, Walk and Wag, so bring a 223 00:10:58,360 --> 00:11:00,760 Speaker 2: dog along and have a little walk and you. 224 00:11:00,720 --> 00:11:03,040 Speaker 3: Can wag your little tush as well, I guess along 225 00:11:03,040 --> 00:11:03,760 Speaker 3: way you don't. 226 00:11:03,760 --> 00:11:09,319 Speaker 2: But jewelry, making, cher aerobics, singing, there's there's everything, everybody 227 00:11:09,360 --> 00:11:11,360 Speaker 2: for the whole month of August. 228 00:11:11,440 --> 00:11:12,319 Speaker 3: It's just wonderful. 229 00:11:12,440 --> 00:11:15,160 Speaker 1: That is great to hear well, Sushira. Always lovely to 230 00:11:15,160 --> 00:11:16,840 Speaker 1: catch up with you. Thank you so much for your. 231 00:11:16,760 --> 00:11:21,880 Speaker 3: Time this morning. Pleasure. Katie always looking 232 00:11:21,920 --> 00:11:23,559 Speaker 1: Good, so thank you.