1 00:00:00,280 --> 00:00:03,200 Speaker 1: Now the Prime Minister in Alice Springs. He arrived late 2 00:00:03,279 --> 00:00:06,160 Speaker 1: yesterday afternoon. He's been there this morning. Joining us on 3 00:00:06,200 --> 00:00:09,840 Speaker 1: the line is the Mayor of Alice Springs, Matt Patterson. 4 00:00:09,880 --> 00:00:13,520 Speaker 2: Good morning, Good morning, Kat. Good to have you on 5 00:00:13,560 --> 00:00:16,240 Speaker 2: the show. Matt. We know the Prime Minister is there. 6 00:00:16,280 --> 00:00:17,599 Speaker 2: Did you end up meeting with him? 7 00:00:19,040 --> 00:00:22,119 Speaker 3: Yeah, yesterday evening I met with the Prime Minister. We 8 00:00:22,120 --> 00:00:24,880 Speaker 3: also met as a councilor had a round table with 9 00:00:24,920 --> 00:00:28,040 Speaker 3: the Prime Minister as well, So there was good, good 10 00:00:28,080 --> 00:00:31,480 Speaker 3: discussion and good conversations that ensued from that meeting. 11 00:00:31,720 --> 00:00:33,640 Speaker 2: So what was discussed, Matt. 12 00:00:35,560 --> 00:00:38,560 Speaker 3: Look to the promise's credit. I mean, he had said 13 00:00:38,560 --> 00:00:41,160 Speaker 3: that he's here to listen to us, and each councilor 14 00:00:42,880 --> 00:00:46,879 Speaker 3: made their own personal suggestions. You know, I put on 15 00:00:46,920 --> 00:00:49,240 Speaker 3: the table the things that you and I have spoken 16 00:00:49,280 --> 00:00:51,360 Speaker 3: about many times to lum blue in the face. So 17 00:00:52,040 --> 00:00:55,360 Speaker 3: hopefully the Prime Minister takes some of that away and 18 00:00:55,400 --> 00:00:57,600 Speaker 3: we can move forward as a community. 19 00:00:57,840 --> 00:00:59,960 Speaker 1: Yeah, it looked to me. It doesn't seem as though 20 00:01:00,000 --> 00:01:03,240 Speaker 1: how any announcements have been made. I know the Federal 21 00:01:03,240 --> 00:01:06,480 Speaker 1: Attorney General had issued a statement about I think it 22 00:01:06,520 --> 00:01:11,360 Speaker 1: was fourteen odd million dollars in relation to public safety 23 00:01:11,600 --> 00:01:15,280 Speaker 1: and funding to deliver policing and other community safety support. 24 00:01:15,720 --> 00:01:17,960 Speaker 2: My understanding though, is that's a bit of a re announcement, 25 00:01:18,120 --> 00:01:18,479 Speaker 2: is it. 26 00:01:19,840 --> 00:01:23,240 Speaker 3: No, it's a new announcement, So new money. Madam Prime 27 00:01:23,240 --> 00:01:25,679 Speaker 3: Minister confirmed that on radio down here this morning. So 28 00:01:25,720 --> 00:01:28,400 Speaker 3: it's another fourteen point two million, another fourteen point two 29 00:01:28,440 --> 00:01:31,120 Speaker 3: or fourteen point six, but it's an extension of what 30 00:01:31,200 --> 00:01:35,280 Speaker 3: was announced last January, so it's new new money. I 31 00:01:35,280 --> 00:01:40,360 Speaker 3: think it's thirty five police and sixteen extra workers. Not police, 32 00:01:40,880 --> 00:01:42,400 Speaker 3: but thirty five extra plea. 33 00:01:42,520 --> 00:01:45,640 Speaker 1: So thirty five police and what did you say, fourteen 34 00:01:45,720 --> 00:01:47,280 Speaker 1: new workers. 35 00:01:47,480 --> 00:01:50,960 Speaker 3: Yeah, I'm not sure the exact announcement, but that's my understanding, 36 00:01:51,240 --> 00:01:54,040 Speaker 3: and you know, don't take it as gospel, but it's 37 00:01:54,120 --> 00:01:57,880 Speaker 3: fourteen point two million dollars announced for police and other 38 00:01:57,920 --> 00:01:59,920 Speaker 3: security measures in ali Spring. 39 00:02:00,080 --> 00:02:01,240 Speaker 2: Well that is a good thing. 40 00:02:01,640 --> 00:02:04,680 Speaker 1: I mean, Matt, how big and impact have the additional 41 00:02:04,720 --> 00:02:06,440 Speaker 1: police in Alice had. 42 00:02:08,600 --> 00:02:11,519 Speaker 3: Dramatic impact. I mean, you know, we've been able to 43 00:02:11,520 --> 00:02:14,600 Speaker 3: see place being proactive on the street and I thank 44 00:02:14,680 --> 00:02:18,360 Speaker 3: them for what they do. It has made an impact. 45 00:02:19,200 --> 00:02:22,040 Speaker 3: The proactiveness, you know, just stopping things before they happen. 46 00:02:22,800 --> 00:02:26,160 Speaker 3: People feel safe and they see it, you know, you know, 47 00:02:26,200 --> 00:02:28,840 Speaker 3: my inboxes for people saying that it's the first time 48 00:02:28,840 --> 00:02:30,880 Speaker 3: for a long time they're going out for dinner down 49 00:02:30,919 --> 00:02:34,120 Speaker 3: the street or going to the movie. So it has 50 00:02:34,160 --> 00:02:38,320 Speaker 3: been successful. The resources tied of the curfew obviously have 51 00:02:38,360 --> 00:02:41,760 Speaker 3: obviously worked, and if you can keep the place here 52 00:02:41,800 --> 00:02:45,120 Speaker 3: for as long as you possibly can, it'll be greatly appreciated. 53 00:02:45,200 --> 00:02:46,040 Speaker 3: I'm sure. Yeah. 54 00:02:46,320 --> 00:02:50,440 Speaker 1: Look, I can only imagine that it's been a big help. 55 00:02:50,720 --> 00:02:53,960 Speaker 1: We know that curfew ended, has like has there been 56 00:02:54,040 --> 00:02:56,519 Speaker 1: much of a difference from your perspective since the ending 57 00:02:56,560 --> 00:02:59,960 Speaker 1: of that curfew, Matt, Yeah, I. 58 00:03:00,080 --> 00:03:03,040 Speaker 3: Mean the crime's definitely gone down. It's not there's not 59 00:03:03,080 --> 00:03:05,640 Speaker 3: a zero crime like you know, there never will be. 60 00:03:05,680 --> 00:03:07,919 Speaker 3: And I'll acknowledge that that things have pushed out to 61 00:03:07,960 --> 00:03:10,880 Speaker 3: the suburbs, but it's certainly not as dramatic as it 62 00:03:11,080 --> 00:03:15,120 Speaker 3: was pre curfew, Katie. So it's certainly not at those levels. 63 00:03:15,320 --> 00:03:17,440 Speaker 3: And we know we spoke about it before. The weather's 64 00:03:17,440 --> 00:03:21,040 Speaker 3: getting colder again down here and that always helps operation 65 00:03:21,200 --> 00:03:24,919 Speaker 3: cold weather. So you know, we'll wait and see if 66 00:03:24,919 --> 00:03:29,720 Speaker 3: it continues on, but it's certainly been you're better of late. 67 00:03:29,760 --> 00:03:33,200 Speaker 1: Yeah, h Now, tell me, has there been any word 68 00:03:33,480 --> 00:03:36,360 Speaker 1: on an order of the services being delivered. 69 00:03:38,160 --> 00:03:39,840 Speaker 3: I look, it was certainly mentioned last night. It was 70 00:03:39,880 --> 00:03:43,240 Speaker 3: something that I had touched on as well. I think 71 00:03:44,240 --> 00:03:46,080 Speaker 3: I think it's about what we just watched this space 72 00:03:46,120 --> 00:03:49,040 Speaker 3: and then, you know, hopefully we see something come out 73 00:03:49,080 --> 00:03:51,080 Speaker 3: of it. Minister Bernie did who was in the meeting 74 00:03:51,160 --> 00:03:55,160 Speaker 3: as well, had said that she's looking at the situation. 75 00:03:55,360 --> 00:03:58,760 Speaker 3: So we'll just I'll just follow it and hopefully, you know, 76 00:03:59,040 --> 00:04:01,760 Speaker 3: the organizations coming are held accountable. 77 00:04:02,360 --> 00:04:05,440 Speaker 1: Matt from your perspective, I mean, how long did the 78 00:04:05,440 --> 00:04:07,840 Speaker 1: PM say that he's leaving sort of lunchtime today or 79 00:04:07,880 --> 00:04:10,800 Speaker 1: how much long is he there for? And any understanding 80 00:04:10,840 --> 00:04:13,280 Speaker 1: of what the plans are for the Prime Minister today 81 00:04:13,320 --> 00:04:15,440 Speaker 1: in terms of getting out and speaking to locals. 82 00:04:17,160 --> 00:04:18,919 Speaker 3: I know, I'm not sure when he's leaving. I know 83 00:04:18,960 --> 00:04:22,000 Speaker 3: that he's at a school this morning just to talk 84 00:04:22,040 --> 00:04:25,560 Speaker 3: to students and some teachers there. So I think that 85 00:04:25,560 --> 00:04:28,640 Speaker 3: that's good that you know, credit where credits. Shu Kadie 86 00:04:29,040 --> 00:04:32,400 Speaker 3: have been quite critical he's here. Our springs is a 87 00:04:32,400 --> 00:04:34,560 Speaker 3: political football, but I do take my hat off to him. 88 00:04:34,560 --> 00:04:37,239 Speaker 3: He's he's come and listened to the community. He's listened 89 00:04:37,240 --> 00:04:42,480 Speaker 3: to a range of stakeholders, and I have to acknowledge that. Look, hopefully, 90 00:04:42,680 --> 00:04:45,200 Speaker 3: you know, as I said, he's always welcome, and hopefully 91 00:04:45,200 --> 00:04:47,920 Speaker 3: he comes back, you know, shortly. 92 00:04:48,520 --> 00:04:50,440 Speaker 1: Matt, Obviously I agree. I think it is a good 93 00:04:50,440 --> 00:04:53,560 Speaker 1: thing that he's there. You know, it couldn't come couldn't 94 00:04:53,560 --> 00:04:55,080 Speaker 1: have come soon enough. He should have been there a 95 00:04:55,080 --> 00:04:58,159 Speaker 1: few weeks ago. But mate, do you think it's going 96 00:04:58,200 --> 00:04:59,960 Speaker 1: to make a difference. Do you think that we are 97 00:05:00,080 --> 00:05:04,479 Speaker 1: on the cusp of really seeing things turn around in Alice? 98 00:05:05,520 --> 00:05:08,880 Speaker 3: Yeah, look, I hope so. I mean, you know, I 99 00:05:08,880 --> 00:05:13,320 Speaker 3: think tourism industry had just started, you know, getting back, 100 00:05:13,320 --> 00:05:16,279 Speaker 3: we're in our tourism season. Obviously, BONSA has not helped, 101 00:05:17,120 --> 00:05:18,920 Speaker 3: and I'm sure it's just sort of watched this space. 102 00:05:19,000 --> 00:05:22,080 Speaker 3: But you know, I think we need decision makers to 103 00:05:22,080 --> 00:05:26,240 Speaker 3: come to our springs so they can understand the local 104 00:05:26,279 --> 00:05:28,400 Speaker 3: sentiment before they make a decision. You know, we talk 105 00:05:28,440 --> 00:05:32,000 Speaker 3: about policing, that police use so much of their resourcing 106 00:05:32,520 --> 00:05:35,440 Speaker 3: dealing with domestic violence, and domestic violence is a national 107 00:05:35,440 --> 00:05:38,000 Speaker 3: conversation been in the spotlight as it deserves to be 108 00:05:38,080 --> 00:05:41,560 Speaker 3: over the past week. So those sort of things, you know, 109 00:05:41,640 --> 00:05:44,120 Speaker 3: we really need to pull those out, so the Prime 110 00:05:44,120 --> 00:05:48,680 Speaker 3: Minister understands we probably wouldn't need all these extra police resources, 111 00:05:48,760 --> 00:05:50,680 Speaker 3: Katie if the ambulance was at the top of the 112 00:05:50,720 --> 00:05:53,960 Speaker 3: cliff in regards to domestic violence, and we could be 113 00:05:54,160 --> 00:05:56,479 Speaker 3: more proactive at something that needs to be addressed in 114 00:05:56,520 --> 00:05:58,280 Speaker 3: our springs but also nationally. 115 00:05:58,680 --> 00:06:00,840 Speaker 1: Not just on just a bit of a change of 116 00:06:01,279 --> 00:06:03,400 Speaker 1: pace there. But you did touch on it a second ago, 117 00:06:03,440 --> 00:06:05,440 Speaker 1: and we've been talking about it this morning, this situation 118 00:06:05,520 --> 00:06:07,839 Speaker 1: with Bonsa, So I've literally just while you and I 119 00:06:07,880 --> 00:06:11,640 Speaker 1: are chatting, I have just received a statement from Tim Jordan, 120 00:06:11,680 --> 00:06:15,880 Speaker 1: the CEO of Bonsa, saying that Bonza has temporarily suspended 121 00:06:15,920 --> 00:06:19,359 Speaker 1: services due to be operated today as discussions are currently 122 00:06:19,440 --> 00:06:24,200 Speaker 1: underway regarding the ongoing viability of the business. We apologize 123 00:06:24,200 --> 00:06:26,560 Speaker 1: to our customers who are impacted by this, and we're 124 00:06:26,600 --> 00:06:29,880 Speaker 1: working as quickly as possible to determine a way forward 125 00:06:29,960 --> 00:06:34,200 Speaker 1: that ensures there is ongoing competition in the Australian domestic 126 00:06:34,400 --> 00:06:39,760 Speaker 1: aviation market. Firstly, Matt, what kind of impact has Bonza 127 00:06:39,920 --> 00:06:42,680 Speaker 1: had from your perspective, You know, when it comes to 128 00:06:42,720 --> 00:06:46,080 Speaker 1: people being able to travel in and out of Central Australia. 129 00:06:48,240 --> 00:06:51,719 Speaker 3: Yeah, obviously, so disappointing to hear that at the moment. 130 00:06:53,040 --> 00:06:55,599 Speaker 3: My breaks for the teos and business industries down here. 131 00:06:56,320 --> 00:07:00,160 Speaker 3: Look at it. This has been very positive because you know, 132 00:07:00,160 --> 00:07:04,560 Speaker 3: we've obviously seen tourists come in and the flights have 133 00:07:04,680 --> 00:07:07,039 Speaker 3: been full, the plans has been full, so you know, 134 00:07:07,120 --> 00:07:12,480 Speaker 3: it's obviously been pretty successful. You know people have just 135 00:07:12,600 --> 00:07:15,520 Speaker 3: and for residents as well to get away for a 136 00:07:15,520 --> 00:07:18,800 Speaker 3: weekend has been quite beneficial. So you know, we'll keep 137 00:07:18,800 --> 00:07:23,520 Speaker 3: monitoring it. The tourism industry had asked government and the 138 00:07:23,520 --> 00:07:27,560 Speaker 3: fedral government for a rebound package, and I think with 139 00:07:27,680 --> 00:07:30,320 Speaker 3: this news, I mean it's even more imperative that something 140 00:07:30,680 --> 00:07:34,400 Speaker 3: supported for the tourism industry. So you know, we'll watch 141 00:07:34,440 --> 00:07:36,840 Speaker 3: this space and hopefully we can have competition because it's 142 00:07:36,840 --> 00:07:39,000 Speaker 3: so expensive to get out of here without bondser and 143 00:07:39,040 --> 00:07:40,880 Speaker 3: you know they're always welcome in our springs. 144 00:07:41,200 --> 00:07:41,440 Speaker 2: Yeah. 145 00:07:41,520 --> 00:07:43,760 Speaker 1: Look, I hope that it's not the end for Bonser. 146 00:07:43,840 --> 00:07:46,320 Speaker 1: I think for regional Australia it has helped a lot. 147 00:07:46,360 --> 00:07:48,600 Speaker 1: I know there's been cancelations and things like that. It 148 00:07:49,000 --> 00:07:50,760 Speaker 1: took a little while to get things off the ground 149 00:07:51,000 --> 00:07:53,920 Speaker 1: here in Darwin with one of those routes to the 150 00:07:53,920 --> 00:07:57,080 Speaker 1: Gold Coast. But by and large it's meant that so 151 00:07:57,240 --> 00:07:59,720 Speaker 1: many people are able to fly around Australia to more 152 00:07:59,760 --> 00:08:02,640 Speaker 1: read all parts of Australia at a more reasonable price. 153 00:08:04,320 --> 00:08:10,320 Speaker 3: I know, and you know it's regional Australia is you know, 154 00:08:11,040 --> 00:08:13,480 Speaker 3: tourism is affecting region Australia more than anywhere else. So 155 00:08:13,520 --> 00:08:15,760 Speaker 3: it certainly needs to be addressed. And you know, I 156 00:08:15,880 --> 00:08:18,000 Speaker 3: just ask governments just to have a look at it. 157 00:08:18,040 --> 00:08:20,440 Speaker 3: And you know, if they bail out, concious what can 158 00:08:20,480 --> 00:08:23,480 Speaker 3: they do to help bonds are because regional Australia needs 159 00:08:23,480 --> 00:08:25,400 Speaker 3: it as a whole, so we can get in and 160 00:08:25,440 --> 00:08:27,960 Speaker 3: out of out of the place. But you know, we'll 161 00:08:28,040 --> 00:08:32,959 Speaker 3: watch the space and hopefully, you know, hopefully bonds keep 162 00:08:32,960 --> 00:08:34,800 Speaker 3: flying into Weller Springs. And I know that they were 163 00:08:34,800 --> 00:08:37,640 Speaker 3: here supported by the Aviation Fund from the Northern Territory government, 164 00:08:37,720 --> 00:08:40,040 Speaker 3: so they've played their part. But we'll see what can 165 00:08:40,080 --> 00:08:41,080 Speaker 3: happen at a federal level. 166 00:08:41,520 --> 00:08:43,960 Speaker 1: Well. Matt Patterson, good to speak with you this morning, mate. 167 00:08:44,000 --> 00:08:45,679 Speaker 1: I appreciate your time as always. 168 00:08:46,600 --> 00:08:47,960 Speaker 2: Good on you, thank you, thank you.