1 00:00:00,200 --> 00:00:02,600 Speaker 1: Now, as we know, there were five new cases of 2 00:00:02,720 --> 00:00:06,280 Speaker 1: COVID nineteen reported in the territory yesterday, three of those 3 00:00:06,360 --> 00:00:10,119 Speaker 1: associated with the Catherine cluster and two who were recent 4 00:00:10,200 --> 00:00:13,840 Speaker 1: arrivals in Darwin from interstate. We know that the lockdown 5 00:00:13,920 --> 00:00:17,119 Speaker 1: in Tenant Creek and Ali Kerung has been extended for 6 00:00:17,120 --> 00:00:20,400 Speaker 1: twenty four hours until five pm today. Now joining me 7 00:00:20,480 --> 00:00:23,279 Speaker 1: on the line is Steve Edgington, the Member for Barclay. 8 00:00:23,360 --> 00:00:26,280 Speaker 1: Good morning to you, Steve, Good. 9 00:00:26,040 --> 00:00:27,920 Speaker 2: Morning Katie, and good morning to all the listeners. 10 00:00:28,160 --> 00:00:31,200 Speaker 1: Steve, how are things going in Tennant Creek this morning? 11 00:00:32,760 --> 00:00:38,879 Speaker 2: Well, things are very serious here. Still there's still a 12 00:00:38,960 --> 00:00:43,320 Speaker 2: lack of information, a lack of I suppose timely responses 13 00:00:43,360 --> 00:00:46,920 Speaker 2: in regard to the COVID testing regime in place. There's 14 00:00:46,920 --> 00:00:50,640 Speaker 2: been many, many people responding to calls from the government 15 00:00:50,680 --> 00:00:53,519 Speaker 2: to go out and get their COVID test. But what 16 00:00:53,560 --> 00:00:57,840 Speaker 2: they're finding is that after expecting a result within three days, 17 00:00:57,880 --> 00:01:00,640 Speaker 2: there's still many people here in Tennant Creek that have 18 00:01:00,720 --> 00:01:04,560 Speaker 2: been waiting five days, and many people still don't know 19 00:01:04,600 --> 00:01:08,000 Speaker 2: the answers to whether their test is positive or negative. 20 00:01:08,040 --> 00:01:14,240 Speaker 2: But in town it's relatively calm. In the last twenty 21 00:01:14,240 --> 00:01:16,400 Speaker 2: four hours or yesterday, I should say, in the previous 22 00:01:16,440 --> 00:01:18,640 Speaker 2: twenty four hours, we did have an eight year old 23 00:01:19,000 --> 00:01:22,600 Speaker 2: which has tested positive to COVID in one of the 24 00:01:22,720 --> 00:01:27,440 Speaker 2: town camps here at Tinkhi, So COVID is still in 25 00:01:27,480 --> 00:01:31,880 Speaker 2: the community and there's some more and more concerns developing 26 00:01:31,880 --> 00:01:32,880 Speaker 2: as we speak. 27 00:01:32,800 --> 00:01:34,760 Speaker 1: Steve, is that eight year old Is that one of 28 00:01:34,760 --> 00:01:37,240 Speaker 1: the cases that the government has reported on throughout the 29 00:01:37,240 --> 00:01:40,400 Speaker 1: press conferences or is that a different one. 30 00:01:41,040 --> 00:01:45,759 Speaker 2: Well, the eight year old was spoken about yesterday. Yesterday's 31 00:01:45,800 --> 00:01:50,600 Speaker 2: press conference, the Acting Chief Ministry, I should say, spoke 32 00:01:50,640 --> 00:01:53,240 Speaker 2: about an eight year old from Tinkrly Camp and there 33 00:01:53,280 --> 00:01:56,880 Speaker 2: was also a second positive case of a person connected 34 00:01:56,920 --> 00:02:00,920 Speaker 2: to the walk About outstation down near Barrow Creek, and 35 00:02:00,960 --> 00:02:04,200 Speaker 2: I believe that person is now in the Todd facility 36 00:02:04,200 --> 00:02:07,400 Speaker 2: in Alice Springs. So two cases connected to Tenant Creek 37 00:02:07,880 --> 00:02:09,639 Speaker 2: came out of yesterday's press conference. 38 00:02:10,000 --> 00:02:14,280 Speaker 1: I mean, that situation is obviously very concerning with those 39 00:02:14,320 --> 00:02:16,880 Speaker 1: positive cases, but the fact that you've also got people 40 00:02:16,919 --> 00:02:20,119 Speaker 1: waiting in the community for five days for test results 41 00:02:20,800 --> 00:02:23,720 Speaker 1: is quite unbelievable. Is that? I mean, are these test 42 00:02:23,760 --> 00:02:27,560 Speaker 1: results having to be sent up here to Darwin? What 43 00:02:27,760 --> 00:02:30,560 Speaker 1: exactly is the situation and why is it taking so long? 44 00:02:32,480 --> 00:02:35,400 Speaker 2: Well, this is the thing, Codie. At the moment, what 45 00:02:35,440 --> 00:02:38,560 Speaker 2: we're hearing on the ground is that to test the 46 00:02:38,760 --> 00:02:41,600 Speaker 2: tests that have been taken are being flown out on 47 00:02:41,639 --> 00:02:45,440 Speaker 2: a daily basis. I'm still a little uncertain whether they're 48 00:02:45,480 --> 00:02:49,120 Speaker 2: going to Alice Springs or to Darwin. It could be both. 49 00:02:49,720 --> 00:02:53,080 Speaker 2: But look either way, wherever these tests are going, it's 50 00:02:53,120 --> 00:02:56,120 Speaker 2: taking far too long. The Gunner government needs to improve 51 00:02:56,160 --> 00:02:59,600 Speaker 2: their processes. If they haven't got the resources available, then 52 00:02:59,600 --> 00:03:03,360 Speaker 2: they need to take steps to get further resources to 53 00:03:03,680 --> 00:03:08,680 Speaker 2: process these tests because it's causing anxiety frustration amongst people 54 00:03:08,680 --> 00:03:09,520 Speaker 2: here in Tenant Creek. 55 00:03:09,600 --> 00:03:12,440 Speaker 1: Well, I bet it's causing an enormous amount of anxiety 56 00:03:12,520 --> 00:03:15,000 Speaker 1: at this point in time, not only because you're worried 57 00:03:15,040 --> 00:03:17,840 Speaker 1: about COVID spreading in the community, but also worried about 58 00:03:17,840 --> 00:03:21,200 Speaker 1: whether you're going to be in a lockdown on Christmas Day. 59 00:03:22,160 --> 00:03:26,639 Speaker 2: Well, exactly, And this is the The lockdown has been 60 00:03:26,680 --> 00:03:32,239 Speaker 2: extended now until five o'clock to day. But you know 61 00:03:32,360 --> 00:03:37,760 Speaker 2: it was only two days ago that people were waiting. 62 00:03:37,960 --> 00:03:39,920 Speaker 2: But it's still the same issue. It's not only the 63 00:03:40,000 --> 00:03:42,880 Speaker 2: tests that they're waiting for People are concerned that they 64 00:03:42,960 --> 00:03:46,880 Speaker 2: don't know how many close contacts there are here or 65 00:03:46,920 --> 00:03:49,440 Speaker 2: have been identified in Tenant Creek. And we still have 66 00:03:49,560 --> 00:03:53,440 Speaker 2: no idea what exposure sites have been identified by the 67 00:03:53,440 --> 00:03:56,680 Speaker 2: government through the process of contact tracing at the moment. 68 00:03:56,800 --> 00:04:01,680 Speaker 2: So at the moment, there's only two casual contact sites 69 00:04:02,160 --> 00:04:04,560 Speaker 2: outside of Catherine, and that's one at t Tree and 70 00:04:04,600 --> 00:04:08,400 Speaker 2: the shell truck stop in Catherine. So for here in 71 00:04:08,480 --> 00:04:11,280 Speaker 2: Tenet Creek, we still don't know what the exposure sites 72 00:04:11,280 --> 00:04:13,760 Speaker 2: are and we still don't know how many close contacts 73 00:04:13,760 --> 00:04:17,080 Speaker 2: have been identified in Chenet Creek. This is an appalling 74 00:04:17,160 --> 00:04:19,520 Speaker 2: lack of information. The gunner of government needs to get 75 00:04:19,520 --> 00:04:22,320 Speaker 2: their act together and start sharing this information with the 76 00:04:22,320 --> 00:04:27,039 Speaker 2: people in Chanet Creek, because the less information, the more frustrated, 77 00:04:27,160 --> 00:04:29,360 Speaker 2: the more worried, the more scared people become. 78 00:04:29,680 --> 00:04:32,680 Speaker 1: Steve, how do you think residents are going to feel 79 00:04:32,720 --> 00:04:35,880 Speaker 1: if this lockdown is extended and includes Christmas? 80 00:04:37,200 --> 00:04:39,919 Speaker 2: Well, it's you know, people are very worried. You know, 81 00:04:39,920 --> 00:04:43,960 Speaker 2: there's still people here. You know, there has been some 82 00:04:44,000 --> 00:04:48,560 Speaker 2: discussion about whether there should be a lockdown or a lockout. Obviously, 83 00:04:48,560 --> 00:04:51,960 Speaker 2: the difference between the lockout and lockdown is that in 84 00:04:52,000 --> 00:04:56,040 Speaker 2: a lockout, fully vaccinated people can go about their business 85 00:04:56,040 --> 00:05:00,200 Speaker 2: in a normal way, whilst vaccinated people will still have 86 00:05:00,240 --> 00:05:03,240 Speaker 2: to remain isolated, so to speak. So there has been 87 00:05:03,279 --> 00:05:06,560 Speaker 2: some discussion about that. But one of the things that 88 00:05:06,680 --> 00:05:09,280 Speaker 2: is causing a lot of frustration at the moment, Katie, 89 00:05:09,320 --> 00:05:13,320 Speaker 2: is that there's still many people in Tenant Creek that 90 00:05:13,400 --> 00:05:17,359 Speaker 2: have family outside of Tenant Creek. Now I've spoken about 91 00:05:17,360 --> 00:05:21,800 Speaker 2: this a couple of times to various people. There is 92 00:05:22,080 --> 00:05:25,200 Speaker 2: no process in place for any person in the lockdown 93 00:05:25,240 --> 00:05:28,159 Speaker 2: area to leave the lockdown area to visit to or 94 00:05:28,200 --> 00:05:32,719 Speaker 2: stay with the family in Darwin or Alice Springs or Catherine. 95 00:05:33,320 --> 00:05:37,520 Speaker 2: But there is a process for people to leave Tenant Creek. 96 00:05:37,560 --> 00:05:40,520 Speaker 2: If they're fully vaccinated and have had the appropriate tests, 97 00:05:40,720 --> 00:05:43,080 Speaker 2: they can leave Tenant Creek to go into state. Now, 98 00:05:43,920 --> 00:05:49,679 Speaker 2: this is again quite confusing for people here. There's many people, 99 00:05:49,720 --> 00:05:53,240 Speaker 2: as I said, here that have fully vaccinated and have 100 00:05:53,320 --> 00:05:57,080 Speaker 2: a COVID test result which is negative, that would like 101 00:05:57,160 --> 00:05:59,839 Speaker 2: to leave the lockdown area, but they're simply told that 102 00:05:59,839 --> 00:06:05,479 Speaker 2: they can't. But meanwhile, we've got international visitors coming over 103 00:06:05,520 --> 00:06:09,200 Speaker 2: the border and traveling freely around the territory. So this 104 00:06:09,279 --> 00:06:13,239 Speaker 2: is the different rules that people are very confused about. 105 00:06:13,400 --> 00:06:17,520 Speaker 2: But they're not only confused, they just can't understand how 106 00:06:17,600 --> 00:06:20,360 Speaker 2: all of these different rules are being applied across the territory. 107 00:06:20,760 --> 00:06:23,839 Speaker 2: But mainly the people that are disadvantage is the people 108 00:06:23,839 --> 00:06:24,520 Speaker 2: in Tenant Creek. 109 00:06:25,240 --> 00:06:27,480 Speaker 1: Steve, what is your message for the government this. 110 00:06:27,520 --> 00:06:32,400 Speaker 2: Morning, Well, the message is, look, get some more resources 111 00:06:32,400 --> 00:06:38,760 Speaker 2: into the testing area. These tests need to be analyzed. 112 00:06:38,880 --> 00:06:42,159 Speaker 2: People want their results turned around within the seventy two hours, 113 00:06:42,200 --> 00:06:45,280 Speaker 2: which they're being told they can no longer wait five days. 114 00:06:45,640 --> 00:06:48,919 Speaker 2: What we need is very clear information coming out about 115 00:06:49,640 --> 00:06:53,560 Speaker 2: when will this lockdown finish. Is it likely to be extended? 116 00:06:54,120 --> 00:06:57,880 Speaker 2: Unless the government can get on top of the testing regime, 117 00:06:58,160 --> 00:07:00,839 Speaker 2: we might not know the answers for another few Gee. 118 00:07:00,839 --> 00:07:03,400 Speaker 1: That makes it hard for people, you know, particularly as 119 00:07:03,400 --> 00:07:05,760 Speaker 1: we lead into Christmas. I know most people just want 120 00:07:05,800 --> 00:07:08,479 Speaker 1: to be able to enjoy their Christmas breakfast, Christmas lunch 121 00:07:08,480 --> 00:07:11,600 Speaker 1: with their family, with their loved ones. Makes it really 122 00:07:11,640 --> 00:07:14,640 Speaker 1: difficult as we talk about getting closer to Christmas. 123 00:07:15,440 --> 00:07:18,239 Speaker 2: Well, it certainly is, and you know, the mask mandate 124 00:07:18,320 --> 00:07:22,400 Speaker 2: to continues right around the Berkley region, Katie. But in 125 00:07:22,440 --> 00:07:26,600 Speaker 2: the meantime, you know, we had the minute acting Chief 126 00:07:26,640 --> 00:07:29,960 Speaker 2: Minister announcing the lockdown last Friday, But of course at 127 00:07:29,960 --> 00:07:33,320 Speaker 2: the same time, the Minister for Health was closing down 128 00:07:33,400 --> 00:07:36,520 Speaker 2: the Epinara Health Clinic and the canteen Creek Health Clinic. 129 00:07:36,640 --> 00:07:39,920 Speaker 2: So the people in the Berkley are very frustrated around 130 00:07:39,920 --> 00:07:42,720 Speaker 2: the way health services are being delivered. So we've got 131 00:07:42,720 --> 00:07:45,960 Speaker 2: people at canteen Creek and Epinara that have a mask 132 00:07:46,080 --> 00:07:50,640 Speaker 2: mandate but they don't have a medical service. Are those 133 00:07:51,000 --> 00:07:53,200 Speaker 2: three hours away from Tenet Creek and they don't even 134 00:07:53,200 --> 00:07:55,560 Speaker 2: have a medical service in their community. 135 00:07:55,040 --> 00:07:58,720 Speaker 1: And so is Epinar and canteen Creek, those two clinics 136 00:07:58,760 --> 00:08:00,160 Speaker 1: run by the Northern Territory. 137 00:08:01,160 --> 00:08:05,080 Speaker 2: Yes they are. And what we've seen is complete chaos 138 00:08:05,120 --> 00:08:09,320 Speaker 2: and dysfunction by the Gunner Labor government because those two 139 00:08:09,360 --> 00:08:12,320 Speaker 2: clinics have been on reduced services since April this year. 140 00:08:12,760 --> 00:08:14,920 Speaker 2: But of course at the same time, what we've had 141 00:08:15,000 --> 00:08:18,080 Speaker 2: is the Gunner government telling people in the Barklay that 142 00:08:18,120 --> 00:08:21,440 Speaker 2: your vaccination rates are too low, encouraging people to get 143 00:08:21,720 --> 00:08:24,520 Speaker 2: a vaccination. But the question I have for the Health 144 00:08:24,560 --> 00:08:27,560 Speaker 2: minister is how do these people actually get a vaccination 145 00:08:27,720 --> 00:08:29,120 Speaker 2: when the health clinic is closed. 146 00:08:30,080 --> 00:08:32,960 Speaker 1: Well, Steve Edgington, there seems like there's still lots of 147 00:08:33,040 --> 00:08:35,880 Speaker 1: questions that remain unanswered at this point in time. Let's 148 00:08:35,880 --> 00:08:38,319 Speaker 1: hope that some of them get answered today. If there 149 00:08:38,400 --> 00:08:40,520 Speaker 1: is a press conference, we are going to have to 150 00:08:40,600 --> 00:08:43,080 Speaker 1: leave it there. We really appreciate your time. I really 151 00:08:43,120 --> 00:08:45,760 Speaker 1: hope that you know that in the next few hours 152 00:08:45,760 --> 00:08:48,000 Speaker 1: we do get that clarity for the people of Tenant 153 00:08:48,080 --> 00:08:50,959 Speaker 1: Creek and indeed all of the surrounding areas. 154 00:08:52,240 --> 00:08:54,440 Speaker 2: Thank you, Katie, and good morning to all the listeners. 155 00:08:54,480 --> 00:08:57,520 Speaker 1: And Merry Christmas, you too, Yeah, you too, Thanks Steve. 156 00:08:57,520 --> 00:08:58,520 Speaker 1: We appreciate your time.