1 00:00:00,120 --> 00:00:03,199 Speaker 1: In what I would say was some pretty extraordinary scenes 2 00:00:03,240 --> 00:00:06,800 Speaker 1: in Parliament yesterday. Throughout question time there was real r 3 00:00:06,840 --> 00:00:10,440 Speaker 1: G Barjie about the appointment of the incoming administrator and 4 00:00:10,480 --> 00:00:14,800 Speaker 1: whether anyone could ask a question about the appointment of 5 00:00:15,000 --> 00:00:18,280 Speaker 1: that person into the role. Now the Opposition and the 6 00:00:18,280 --> 00:00:22,880 Speaker 1: Independent member Justine Davis attempting to move motions which would 7 00:00:22,920 --> 00:00:26,279 Speaker 1: look into that appointment. Now, as we spoke about yesterday, 8 00:00:26,320 --> 00:00:31,080 Speaker 1: the Northern Territory Speaker Robin Lanley had warned Territory politicians 9 00:00:31,120 --> 00:00:34,879 Speaker 1: that they would face penalties for speaking disrespectfully about the 10 00:00:34,920 --> 00:00:39,400 Speaker 1: new Northern Territory Administrator, despite that widespread outcry over his 11 00:00:39,560 --> 00:00:45,080 Speaker 1: past comments about Aboriginal people, women and the transgender community. Now, 12 00:00:45,080 --> 00:00:47,519 Speaker 1: in an email to members of Parliament, we know that 13 00:00:47,560 --> 00:00:51,160 Speaker 1: the Independent Farra Lun had reminded parliamentarians that they were 14 00:00:51,320 --> 00:00:55,520 Speaker 1: all bound by Standing Order thirty, which prohibits them from 15 00:00:55,560 --> 00:00:58,840 Speaker 1: referring to the Australian Head of State of the State 16 00:00:58,920 --> 00:01:02,960 Speaker 1: representative in a disrespectful manner or in a manner intended 17 00:01:03,000 --> 00:01:07,480 Speaker 1: to influence members during debate. Now, as I said on 18 00:01:07,520 --> 00:01:09,679 Speaker 1: the show yesterday, I would have thought that members of 19 00:01:09,720 --> 00:01:15,480 Speaker 1: Parliament could still ask questions about the administrator without being disrespectful, 20 00:01:15,800 --> 00:01:18,400 Speaker 1: and when we are talking about somebody who's been appointed 21 00:01:18,400 --> 00:01:21,760 Speaker 1: to the role but not yet sworn in. Now, what 22 00:01:21,840 --> 00:01:25,880 Speaker 1: we saw were ministers refusing to answer broad questions about 23 00:01:25,880 --> 00:01:30,200 Speaker 1: the code of conduct around public servants, ultimately asking what 24 00:01:30,240 --> 00:01:33,039 Speaker 1: would be the ramifications for a public servant if they 25 00:01:33,160 --> 00:01:36,360 Speaker 1: didn't abide by the code of conduct. Now there was 26 00:01:36,360 --> 00:01:39,800 Speaker 1: no naming of the administrator, but there was in some 27 00:01:39,880 --> 00:01:43,240 Speaker 1: cases a complete refusal to answer questions. Now, there was 28 00:01:43,280 --> 00:01:46,000 Speaker 1: also a push from the Colp government to not allow 29 00:01:46,040 --> 00:01:49,440 Speaker 1: the motion moved by Justine Davis to go ahead. Now, 30 00:01:49,480 --> 00:01:52,120 Speaker 1: her motion was along the lines that the Chief Minister, 31 00:01:52,800 --> 00:01:57,559 Speaker 1: in response to widespread community concern, requests the Governor General 32 00:01:57,680 --> 00:02:02,880 Speaker 1: review the process of the general appointment of administrators of 33 00:02:02,920 --> 00:02:05,640 Speaker 1: the Northern Territory. So she didn't even She then had 34 00:02:05,640 --> 00:02:10,400 Speaker 1: to change it so it couldn't specifically look into the 35 00:02:10,480 --> 00:02:14,160 Speaker 1: current or the incoming administrator. It had to be a 36 00:02:14,200 --> 00:02:18,560 Speaker 1: motion that looked more generally at the appointment of administrators 37 00:02:18,560 --> 00:02:21,799 Speaker 1: of the Northern Territory. Now, Steve Edgington stood and argued 38 00:02:21,800 --> 00:02:24,880 Speaker 1: that the motion was not within the standing orders. It 39 00:02:24,960 --> 00:02:27,880 Speaker 1: was disappointing, you know, it was disappointing. There are questions 40 00:02:27,919 --> 00:02:29,800 Speaker 1: being asked around the community and I do think that 41 00:02:29,840 --> 00:02:32,200 Speaker 1: they need to be answered now. In the end, the 42 00:02:32,200 --> 00:02:35,680 Speaker 1: Opposition leader attempted to censure the Chief Minister over the 43 00:02:35,680 --> 00:02:38,880 Speaker 1: government's refusal to answer those questions. So in just a 44 00:02:38,919 --> 00:02:40,720 Speaker 1: moment we are going to speak to the Chief Minister 45 00:02:40,760 --> 00:02:44,200 Speaker 1: of the Northern Territory, Leofanociaro will certainly be talking about 46 00:02:44,240 --> 00:02:48,079 Speaker 1: the administrator also, very keen though to get an update 47 00:02:48,120 --> 00:02:51,600 Speaker 1: on the situation in the daily. My understanding is that 48 00:02:52,000 --> 00:02:54,480 Speaker 1: the flooding or all the water, all the rain that 49 00:02:54,480 --> 00:02:56,320 Speaker 1: we've had is becoming a bit of a concern, so 50 00:02:56,320 --> 00:02:58,960 Speaker 1: we'll find out more about that. We are also going 51 00:02:59,000 --> 00:03:01,280 Speaker 1: to be catching up with this Speaker of the Northern 52 00:03:01,360 --> 00:03:05,760 Speaker 1: Territories Legislative Assembly. She's also the Independent member Ferrara lew 53 00:03:05,800 --> 00:03:07,799 Speaker 1: and Robin Lamley, and we're going to catch up with 54 00:03:07,960 --> 00:03:09,840 Speaker 1: Justin Davis as well. She's going to join us just 55 00:03:09,880 --> 00:03:12,760 Speaker 1: after ten o'clock this morning. Before then, though, we are 56 00:03:12,760 --> 00:03:16,080 Speaker 1: going to be catching up with the Corrections Commissioner, Matthew 57 00:03:16,160 --> 00:03:19,079 Speaker 1: Varley's going to join us just before ten o'clock. Very 58 00:03:19,160 --> 00:03:21,079 Speaker 1: keen to talk a little bit more about how things 59 00:03:21,080 --> 00:03:24,720 Speaker 1: are going within corrections at the moment, and we'll also 60 00:03:25,040 --> 00:03:28,320 Speaker 1: continue a bit of that discussion about public housing. Brian 61 00:03:28,320 --> 00:03:30,200 Speaker 1: o'gallagher's going to join us on the show. A few 62 00:03:30,240 --> 00:03:31,960 Speaker 1: of you had said, Wolfe, you need to get Brian 63 00:03:32,040 --> 00:03:33,919 Speaker 1: on be good to have a chat to him because 64 00:03:33,960 --> 00:03:37,040 Speaker 1: Karama has been an area where there's been concern. So 65 00:03:37,080 --> 00:03:40,720 Speaker 1: we'll certainly catch up with Brian o'gallaghan now. Also we 66 00:03:40,760 --> 00:03:43,080 Speaker 1: know that we'll get the latest, of course in local 67 00:03:43,120 --> 00:03:45,240 Speaker 1: news with Kathleen. We'll whip around the nation. But the 68 00:03:45,280 --> 00:03:49,320 Speaker 1: big news yesterday the Reserve Bank has hiked rates for 69 00:03:49,360 --> 00:03:52,480 Speaker 1: the first time in more than two years and signaled 70 00:03:52,480 --> 00:03:54,920 Speaker 1: that there could be more to come with mortgage holders 71 00:03:54,920 --> 00:03:57,560 Speaker 1: to bear the brunt of dealing with the sharp and 72 00:03:57,760 --> 00:04:01,040 Speaker 1: unexpected jump in inflation. So we'll talk a little bit 73 00:04:01,080 --> 00:04:05,680 Speaker 1: more about that and certainly Kathleen will have some further 74 00:04:05,680 --> 00:04:09,000 Speaker 1: detail about it. Everything happening locally for us just after ten, 75 00:04:09,400 --> 00:04:11,640 Speaker 1: but I'm pleased to say we know Parliament is of 76 00:04:11,640 --> 00:04:14,280 Speaker 1: course underway this morning, so joining us live on the 77 00:04:14,360 --> 00:04:17,880 Speaker 1: line is the Chief Minister of the Northern Territory. For 78 00:04:17,920 --> 00:04:20,160 Speaker 1: the first time in twenty twenty six, leaf An oki 79 00:04:20,279 --> 00:04:21,560 Speaker 1: ro o. Good morning to you. 80 00:04:21,839 --> 00:04:23,640 Speaker 2: Good morning Katie, and good morning to your listens. I 81 00:04:23,680 --> 00:04:25,479 Speaker 2: don't think it's the first time this year. 82 00:04:25,520 --> 00:04:27,840 Speaker 1: It is, No, isn't it. 83 00:04:28,480 --> 00:04:28,680 Speaker 2: No? 84 00:04:29,160 --> 00:04:31,400 Speaker 1: Did we talk before? No, we didn't talk last week. 85 00:04:31,400 --> 00:04:34,200 Speaker 1: No we haven't. Had you been chasing you? No, I 86 00:04:34,279 --> 00:04:36,800 Speaker 1: wasn't back yet. Well I wasn't back yet. So it's 87 00:04:36,839 --> 00:04:37,920 Speaker 1: the first time for the year. 88 00:04:38,440 --> 00:04:39,720 Speaker 2: Okay, we happen yet. 89 00:04:39,760 --> 00:04:42,000 Speaker 1: Good to have you on the show now. Chief Minister 90 00:04:42,080 --> 00:04:44,960 Speaker 1: obviously delivered your year ahead speech on Monday. We're going 91 00:04:45,040 --> 00:04:47,400 Speaker 1: to get to that shortly, but I do want to 92 00:04:47,400 --> 00:04:50,080 Speaker 1: ask you some questions about the appointment of the administrator, 93 00:04:50,080 --> 00:04:53,719 Speaker 1: because this issue is not going away now. Yesterday in 94 00:04:53,760 --> 00:04:57,039 Speaker 1: Parliament I was pretty disappointed to see the Government doing 95 00:04:57,080 --> 00:05:01,520 Speaker 1: almost everything possible to stop most being moved and questions 96 00:05:01,560 --> 00:05:06,000 Speaker 1: being asked about the incoming administrator, David Connolly. Now I 97 00:05:06,080 --> 00:05:09,800 Speaker 1: get that the Speaker had warned that territory politicians would 98 00:05:09,800 --> 00:05:14,479 Speaker 1: face penalties for speaking disrespectfully about the incoming administrator, but 99 00:05:14,880 --> 00:05:19,719 Speaker 1: what we saw was the government well refusing really to 100 00:05:19,839 --> 00:05:21,360 Speaker 1: answer any scrutiny. 101 00:05:21,920 --> 00:05:26,760 Speaker 2: Why so, Katie, the Speaker made it really clear at 102 00:05:26,800 --> 00:05:30,400 Speaker 2: the start of parliament yesterday around the rules around what 103 00:05:30,440 --> 00:05:33,080 Speaker 2: you can and cannot say about a head of State 104 00:05:33,160 --> 00:05:36,520 Speaker 2: in the Parliament. So all the Leader of Government Business 105 00:05:36,680 --> 00:05:41,279 Speaker 2: was doing was raising the matters around what can and 106 00:05:41,320 --> 00:05:43,839 Speaker 2: cannot be said. It's then up to the Speaker to be, 107 00:05:44,080 --> 00:05:46,840 Speaker 2: you know, the referee on whether or not something does 108 00:05:46,920 --> 00:05:49,120 Speaker 2: or does not impinge on the rules of the Parliament. 109 00:05:49,120 --> 00:05:53,080 Speaker 2: But essentially it's an important mechanism to ensure there is 110 00:05:53,200 --> 00:05:57,640 Speaker 2: respect for different tiers of you know, government and authority. 111 00:05:57,640 --> 00:06:01,400 Speaker 2: I suppose you could say, including for example, you know, 112 00:06:01,440 --> 00:06:04,279 Speaker 2: comments you make about the Prime Minister or about federal 113 00:06:04,320 --> 00:06:07,040 Speaker 2: members of Parliament. So this is very it's very normal 114 00:06:07,160 --> 00:06:08,039 Speaker 2: rules for the Parliament. 115 00:06:08,120 --> 00:06:10,520 Speaker 1: All right, Well, look it doesn't rule me out from 116 00:06:10,560 --> 00:06:13,719 Speaker 1: asking questions. So Chief Finister, out of all the incredible 117 00:06:13,800 --> 00:06:17,360 Speaker 1: territorians that you could have chosen, why was David Connolly 118 00:06:17,800 --> 00:06:19,599 Speaker 1: your pick for this prestigious role. 119 00:06:20,440 --> 00:06:23,440 Speaker 2: So David Connolly, many people would know him from his 120 00:06:23,520 --> 00:06:26,760 Speaker 2: time at the Cattleman's Association. So he served as president 121 00:06:27,120 --> 00:06:31,800 Speaker 2: of the Cattleman's Association and was very significantly involved in 122 00:06:32,200 --> 00:06:35,400 Speaker 2: fighting for the rights of territory cattlemen and women around 123 00:06:35,400 --> 00:06:38,000 Speaker 2: the live cattle band. Now we all know that the 124 00:06:38,000 --> 00:06:41,720 Speaker 2: live cattle ban has meant to have delivered significant compensation 125 00:06:41,880 --> 00:06:45,919 Speaker 2: to territory pastoralists who were wrongfully done by when that 126 00:06:46,040 --> 00:06:48,359 Speaker 2: band kicked in. And so he was a powerful and 127 00:06:48,520 --> 00:06:52,680 Speaker 2: strong voice at a national level. He also sat on 128 00:06:52,720 --> 00:06:57,560 Speaker 2: the National Farmers Federation Board again at that Australia wide 129 00:06:57,720 --> 00:07:01,599 Speaker 2: high level, dealing with matazona agriculture for this country and 130 00:07:01,600 --> 00:07:05,279 Speaker 2: for the Northern Territory. So he has a very strong 131 00:07:05,400 --> 00:07:10,400 Speaker 2: background in agriculture, very proud and passionate Territorian, and with 132 00:07:10,560 --> 00:07:13,160 Speaker 2: our focus on rebuilding the economy, it made a lot 133 00:07:13,160 --> 00:07:15,400 Speaker 2: of sense to have someone who's got a bit of 134 00:07:15,440 --> 00:07:19,080 Speaker 2: fine in them, who's going to be able to be utilized, 135 00:07:19,440 --> 00:07:23,040 Speaker 2: you know, an additional voice, I suppose for the territory 136 00:07:23,280 --> 00:07:26,480 Speaker 2: on the matters that really really mattered to territory. 137 00:07:26,520 --> 00:07:28,920 Speaker 1: And how long has he lived in the Northern Territory. 138 00:07:29,000 --> 00:07:31,720 Speaker 1: I've had people raise concerns that he's only been in 139 00:07:31,760 --> 00:07:35,440 Speaker 1: the territory for about ten to fifteen years. Is that correct? 140 00:07:35,960 --> 00:07:39,600 Speaker 2: Yeah, I believe that's right, Katie. And how long? Yeah, 141 00:07:39,720 --> 00:07:41,720 Speaker 2: I think that ten to fifteen year mark is correct. 142 00:07:41,720 --> 00:07:46,040 Speaker 2: I don't know exactly, but you know, I think again, 143 00:07:47,120 --> 00:07:49,440 Speaker 2: we've never had an administrator born in the territory, and 144 00:07:49,480 --> 00:07:52,440 Speaker 2: I'm not saying that's not an opportunity for the future. 145 00:07:52,880 --> 00:07:56,760 Speaker 2: But he has shown through his action his absolute commitment. 146 00:07:56,760 --> 00:07:58,840 Speaker 2: And you will have a lot of listeners who've only 147 00:07:58,880 --> 00:08:01,600 Speaker 2: been here about that amount of time, and a lot 148 00:08:01,640 --> 00:08:06,240 Speaker 2: of them will feel incredibly devoted and protective and proud. 149 00:08:06,240 --> 00:08:08,520 Speaker 1: Absolutely no doubt about that. I guess the point that 150 00:08:08,560 --> 00:08:12,000 Speaker 1: I'm raising is, you know, when we'd spoken before Christmas, 151 00:08:12,080 --> 00:08:15,360 Speaker 1: we've talked about some of the different people who listeners 152 00:08:15,640 --> 00:08:18,640 Speaker 1: had said that you know, would be suitable for the job, 153 00:08:18,720 --> 00:08:21,960 Speaker 1: and you know, some of them included incredible territorians like 154 00:08:22,000 --> 00:08:27,800 Speaker 1: Billa Warra, Lee Stelle, Cornell had had Reese kershaw Ian Q. 155 00:08:28,200 --> 00:08:30,040 Speaker 1: There are all the sorts of names that had been 156 00:08:30,120 --> 00:08:32,800 Speaker 1: raised with me. Now I'm certainly not privy to the 157 00:08:32,840 --> 00:08:37,000 Speaker 1: appointment process, but I guess what I'm asking is, you know, 158 00:08:37,240 --> 00:08:41,680 Speaker 1: why was David Connolly I guess a better choice than 159 00:08:41,840 --> 00:08:43,920 Speaker 1: any of the others, given the fact that he has 160 00:08:43,960 --> 00:08:45,800 Speaker 1: only been here for that short amount of time. 161 00:08:46,559 --> 00:08:49,320 Speaker 2: I think there are lots of incredible territorians and that's 162 00:08:49,320 --> 00:08:51,280 Speaker 2: something we can all be proud of. And we've just 163 00:08:51,320 --> 00:08:54,560 Speaker 2: had Australia Day and dozens of them right across the 164 00:08:54,640 --> 00:08:58,600 Speaker 2: territory have been highlighted for their achievements. And so you know, 165 00:08:59,520 --> 00:09:03,640 Speaker 2: David I shouldn't even call him that, his honor. He's 166 00:09:03,679 --> 00:09:08,040 Speaker 2: been the administrator since Monday, his honor. You know, we're 167 00:09:08,080 --> 00:09:10,760 Speaker 2: excited about the job ahead. We know he's going to 168 00:09:10,800 --> 00:09:13,240 Speaker 2: be a passionate fighter for the territory. And you know, 169 00:09:13,440 --> 00:09:15,760 Speaker 2: while we wait for the swearing and ceremony which will 170 00:09:15,760 --> 00:09:18,559 Speaker 2: happen on the twenty seventh, when the Governor General comes 171 00:09:18,600 --> 00:09:22,360 Speaker 2: to the territory to do that service, you know, people 172 00:09:22,400 --> 00:09:24,920 Speaker 2: will then be able to judge him on his actions 173 00:09:24,960 --> 00:09:27,480 Speaker 2: and his service. But you know, I know this has 174 00:09:27,520 --> 00:09:29,560 Speaker 2: caused some controversy, but I don't think there has been 175 00:09:29,600 --> 00:09:34,120 Speaker 2: an administrator in history that hasn't attracted, you know, this 176 00:09:34,240 --> 00:09:36,480 Speaker 2: level of debate around whether or not well they were 177 00:09:36,520 --> 00:09:37,760 Speaker 2: the best person, or whether. 178 00:09:37,600 --> 00:09:39,960 Speaker 1: Or not and the reason so that, you know, let's 179 00:09:40,000 --> 00:09:43,520 Speaker 1: be honest, the reason for that is those social media posts. 180 00:09:43,600 --> 00:09:47,080 Speaker 1: Chief Minister. When did you learn about those social media posts? 181 00:09:48,040 --> 00:09:50,240 Speaker 2: I've answered this a number of times. Obviously when it 182 00:09:50,280 --> 00:09:52,719 Speaker 2: came into the media, so I saw them. I think 183 00:09:52,760 --> 00:09:55,280 Speaker 2: it was the anti news printed a few of them 184 00:09:55,280 --> 00:09:57,160 Speaker 2: in the media, and so. 185 00:09:57,679 --> 00:10:00,480 Speaker 1: You know, well, was he not vision So this is 186 00:10:00,520 --> 00:10:02,800 Speaker 1: the thing that everybody is sort of asking at the moment, 187 00:10:02,800 --> 00:10:05,319 Speaker 1: whether you you know, whether you see those social media 188 00:10:05,360 --> 00:10:07,880 Speaker 1: posts as being offensive, whether you don't see them as 189 00:10:07,920 --> 00:10:12,640 Speaker 1: being offensive, whatever, whatever your thoughts are. One would think 190 00:10:12,760 --> 00:10:16,560 Speaker 1: that the Northern Territory government, before putting any names forward, 191 00:10:16,640 --> 00:10:20,240 Speaker 1: as the administrator would, would have vetted his social media 192 00:10:20,280 --> 00:10:21,560 Speaker 1: at the very least. 193 00:10:21,920 --> 00:10:25,240 Speaker 2: So there's an initial assessment done by the territory and 194 00:10:25,280 --> 00:10:28,679 Speaker 2: then it goes to the federal government. So under the 195 00:10:28,679 --> 00:10:31,280 Speaker 2: way our Self Government Act works, this is actually an 196 00:10:31,320 --> 00:10:33,000 Speaker 2: appointment by the Governor General. 197 00:10:33,160 --> 00:10:36,520 Speaker 1: But you guys nominate the person. So I think you like, 198 00:10:36,880 --> 00:10:39,280 Speaker 1: I think that you need to make that really clear. 199 00:10:39,440 --> 00:10:42,800 Speaker 1: The Northern Territory government nominates the person. Yes, the federal 200 00:10:42,800 --> 00:10:45,760 Speaker 1: government might have to go through those approval processes. Did 201 00:10:45,800 --> 00:10:49,080 Speaker 1: the federal government at any point any of those federal 202 00:10:49,080 --> 00:10:53,520 Speaker 1: officers contact your office to say, hey, we're concerned about 203 00:10:53,559 --> 00:10:55,840 Speaker 1: some of these social media posts. 204 00:10:56,400 --> 00:10:58,800 Speaker 2: This had There was nothing that came to me that 205 00:10:58,920 --> 00:11:01,040 Speaker 2: raised any concern. Want to be really. 206 00:11:01,920 --> 00:11:03,440 Speaker 1: About those social media posts? 207 00:11:03,480 --> 00:11:05,400 Speaker 2: Yeah, I want to I want to be really really clear. 208 00:11:05,440 --> 00:11:07,680 Speaker 2: If I had my chance, or if I had the 209 00:11:07,720 --> 00:11:10,880 Speaker 2: opportunity to make this decision again, I would still give 210 00:11:10,960 --> 00:11:12,000 Speaker 2: him a chance to prove him. 211 00:11:12,200 --> 00:11:15,640 Speaker 1: Even with those social media posts, correct, So you don't 212 00:11:15,760 --> 00:11:18,320 Speaker 1: find any of them offensive, well, you're not concerned that 213 00:11:18,360 --> 00:11:21,319 Speaker 1: they could be divisive within the territory. 214 00:11:21,600 --> 00:11:25,800 Speaker 2: I fully accept that there are very many views on this, Katie, 215 00:11:25,840 --> 00:11:29,800 Speaker 2: I genuinely do. And as with other administrators who've attracted 216 00:11:29,800 --> 00:11:34,040 Speaker 2: controversy for other reasons, do I am very well, let 217 00:11:34,040 --> 00:11:36,360 Speaker 2: me finish that. I'm very respectful of that. But there 218 00:11:36,360 --> 00:11:40,360 Speaker 2: are people on both sides of this, of this Ledger. 219 00:11:40,720 --> 00:11:43,240 Speaker 2: People can absolutely make their own minds up and that 220 00:11:43,559 --> 00:11:47,640 Speaker 2: and I'm extremely respectful of that. But he has, you know, 221 00:11:48,760 --> 00:11:51,840 Speaker 2: his honor is the administrator. The Prime Minister has been 222 00:11:51,920 --> 00:11:52,320 Speaker 2: very clear. 223 00:11:52,440 --> 00:11:57,920 Speaker 1: He's not been sworn in yet though. 224 00:11:57,800 --> 00:12:00,640 Speaker 2: Has he No, no, but he he is officially the administrator. 225 00:12:00,640 --> 00:12:03,319 Speaker 2: It started on Monday. It's so many that the Governor 226 00:12:03,360 --> 00:12:07,000 Speaker 2: General made the commission of appointment. It started on the 227 00:12:07,000 --> 00:12:13,280 Speaker 2: first of February. So the confusion is that there are 228 00:12:13,320 --> 00:12:17,640 Speaker 2: just some executive powers that don't get invested. I suppose 229 00:12:17,679 --> 00:12:20,080 Speaker 2: you could say until the twenty seventh at the swearing 230 00:12:20,120 --> 00:12:22,800 Speaker 2: in by the Governor General, so then in the interim 231 00:12:22,840 --> 00:12:25,040 Speaker 2: there's an acting But this is exactly the same thing 232 00:12:25,080 --> 00:12:28,040 Speaker 2: that happened with Ted Egan. I think it was about 233 00:12:28,040 --> 00:12:33,400 Speaker 2: twenty days between his commission of appointment and the swearing 234 00:12:33,400 --> 00:12:36,880 Speaker 2: in process, so again it's not unusual for this to happen. 235 00:12:37,040 --> 00:12:39,840 Speaker 1: All right, Chief Minister, I want to ask, with these 236 00:12:39,840 --> 00:12:42,840 Speaker 1: social media posts, you're now saying that despite those social 237 00:12:42,840 --> 00:12:45,960 Speaker 1: media posts, you would still you would still select him 238 00:12:45,960 --> 00:12:48,720 Speaker 1: for this role. Why did you feel so differently when 239 00:12:48,720 --> 00:12:51,840 Speaker 1: Brent Potter who was the Minister for Police, and his 240 00:12:52,000 --> 00:12:55,160 Speaker 1: social media posts were obviously you know, people were screaming 241 00:12:55,200 --> 00:12:57,839 Speaker 1: out about that. Why did you feel so differently? Then? 242 00:12:58,920 --> 00:13:00,800 Speaker 2: Look, at the end of the day, day that we 243 00:13:00,960 --> 00:13:05,640 Speaker 2: have an administrator in place, with all the approval processes 244 00:13:05,679 --> 00:13:10,560 Speaker 2: have happened, is the administrator? And I understand there are 245 00:13:10,600 --> 00:13:12,800 Speaker 2: different views on this, and I'm not here to be 246 00:13:12,880 --> 00:13:15,040 Speaker 2: the arbiter of them one way or the other, but 247 00:13:15,240 --> 00:13:19,160 Speaker 2: I believe the opportunity now is for his honor to 248 00:13:19,240 --> 00:13:22,559 Speaker 2: prove himself and territories will continue to make their own 249 00:13:22,640 --> 00:13:26,280 Speaker 2: judgments on that performance, as they have with every other 250 00:13:26,559 --> 00:13:27,959 Speaker 2: chief administrator. 251 00:13:28,040 --> 00:13:30,800 Speaker 1: Can you see how people would think that's hypocritical though, 252 00:13:30,960 --> 00:13:34,080 Speaker 1: that you were calling for Brent Potter to stand down, 253 00:13:34,520 --> 00:13:37,440 Speaker 1: but then you are saying with David Connolly, give him 254 00:13:37,480 --> 00:13:37,960 Speaker 1: a chance. 255 00:13:39,200 --> 00:13:42,480 Speaker 2: If people want to draw that conclusion, Katie, Again, my 256 00:13:42,640 --> 00:13:44,920 Speaker 2: job is I mean, there are so many things happening. 257 00:13:45,000 --> 00:13:48,480 Speaker 2: This is not something I don't but if people do, 258 00:13:48,679 --> 00:13:52,120 Speaker 2: I also accept that. But you know, we're literally about 259 00:13:52,120 --> 00:13:57,960 Speaker 2: to have flooding in daily river get highlighting. This does 260 00:13:58,040 --> 00:14:00,800 Speaker 2: not occupy my time. 261 00:14:01,200 --> 00:14:05,000 Speaker 1: Chief. It comes down to the decision making process, and 262 00:14:05,040 --> 00:14:07,640 Speaker 1: it comes down to a concern I guess that people 263 00:14:07,720 --> 00:14:10,040 Speaker 1: might have where they're going, well, is this a job 264 00:14:10,559 --> 00:14:11,240 Speaker 1: for the boys? 265 00:14:12,440 --> 00:14:15,160 Speaker 2: Well, who's the boy? I don't know. I don't, I 266 00:14:15,160 --> 00:14:15,520 Speaker 2: don't know. 267 00:14:15,600 --> 00:14:17,960 Speaker 1: That's where I think people are scratching their heads because 268 00:14:17,960 --> 00:14:20,200 Speaker 1: they're sort of going, well, you know, you're sort of 269 00:14:20,360 --> 00:14:22,320 Speaker 1: you're prepared to kind of die in a ditch over 270 00:14:22,360 --> 00:14:25,960 Speaker 1: this appointment when there's plenty of other really wonderful territorians 271 00:14:25,960 --> 00:14:28,320 Speaker 1: who could also have been appointed. And I get it 272 00:14:28,400 --> 00:14:30,920 Speaker 1: right that you know, some people are really offended by 273 00:14:30,960 --> 00:14:34,320 Speaker 1: the posts. Some people may not be, but you know, 274 00:14:34,360 --> 00:14:37,400 Speaker 1: the concern here is about that decision making process and 275 00:14:37,440 --> 00:14:40,960 Speaker 1: about that appointment process and whether the best possible person 276 00:14:41,280 --> 00:14:42,640 Speaker 1: has been selected for the job. 277 00:14:44,560 --> 00:14:47,280 Speaker 2: And in our view, the best possible person has been 278 00:14:47,320 --> 00:14:49,720 Speaker 2: selected for the job. But I accept that other people 279 00:14:49,840 --> 00:14:52,960 Speaker 2: do not share that view, and that is democracy, Katie. 280 00:14:53,120 --> 00:14:56,360 Speaker 2: But his honor, the Honorable David Connolly is the twenty 281 00:14:56,360 --> 00:15:00,760 Speaker 2: fourth Administrator of the Northern Territory and he now going 282 00:15:00,800 --> 00:15:03,840 Speaker 2: to have the opportunity to prove why he is the 283 00:15:03,880 --> 00:15:07,560 Speaker 2: administrator and my time is being spent on running the territory. 284 00:15:07,600 --> 00:15:10,240 Speaker 1: Do you think that he's going to be able to 285 00:15:10,280 --> 00:15:13,120 Speaker 1: bring the community together? You know, do you think he's 286 00:15:13,160 --> 00:15:15,800 Speaker 1: going to have the ability when you've got the NLC saying, 287 00:15:15,840 --> 00:15:18,720 Speaker 1: you know, as an Indigenous person, it's hurtful and we 288 00:15:18,840 --> 00:15:22,400 Speaker 1: wanted administrator who's neutral, who's willing to work with Indigenous 289 00:15:22,400 --> 00:15:27,000 Speaker 1: people right across the territory. Do you genuinely believe you'll 290 00:15:27,040 --> 00:15:28,880 Speaker 1: be able to bring territorians together? 291 00:15:29,240 --> 00:15:33,200 Speaker 2: Yeah, I really do. I really believe that territorians are 292 00:15:33,240 --> 00:15:36,760 Speaker 2: really going to love him. You know, he is a 293 00:15:36,880 --> 00:15:43,640 Speaker 2: big character, fierce advocate, passionate, but you know, incredibly warm 294 00:15:43,720 --> 00:15:46,640 Speaker 2: all at the same time. And so you know, just 295 00:15:47,000 --> 00:15:49,760 Speaker 2: I was talking to doctor Maria Murray yesterday at Daily 296 00:15:49,840 --> 00:15:51,760 Speaker 2: River last night because I wanted to get an update 297 00:15:51,800 --> 00:15:55,040 Speaker 2: on the flood situation on the ground, and she could 298 00:15:55,040 --> 00:15:58,400 Speaker 2: not have said nicer things about him. You know, she 299 00:15:58,920 --> 00:16:02,520 Speaker 2: was absolutely in his praises. She actually threatened Katie's he said, 300 00:16:03,120 --> 00:16:06,920 Speaker 2: and in the way that only Miriam could and she said, 301 00:16:07,000 --> 00:16:09,000 Speaker 2: you look after him, or don't you come out here? 302 00:16:09,360 --> 00:16:09,560 Speaker 1: You know. 303 00:16:09,760 --> 00:16:12,640 Speaker 2: So there are many views on this. I respect all 304 00:16:12,680 --> 00:16:15,560 Speaker 2: of them. But you know, we had his honor of 305 00:16:15,560 --> 00:16:18,240 Speaker 2: the administrator. David Conley is the twenty fourth Administrator of 306 00:16:18,240 --> 00:16:21,280 Speaker 2: the Northern Territory and it's over to him now. 307 00:16:21,360 --> 00:16:24,200 Speaker 1: Just on that real operational kind of perspective with the appointment. 308 00:16:24,200 --> 00:16:26,000 Speaker 1: And I know that we've said that he's not sworn 309 00:16:26,000 --> 00:16:27,840 Speaker 1: in yet you've said he's already in that role, so 310 00:16:28,560 --> 00:16:30,600 Speaker 1: you know you're referring to him as his honor and 311 00:16:30,840 --> 00:16:33,960 Speaker 1: obviously in Parliament yesterday. But what's the situation like in 312 00:16:34,040 --> 00:16:37,240 Speaker 1: terms of legislation or anything being signed off by the 313 00:16:37,280 --> 00:16:39,800 Speaker 1: administrator during this period or can. 314 00:16:39,720 --> 00:16:43,840 Speaker 2: It not be no? So any of that, I guess 315 00:16:43,840 --> 00:16:46,400 Speaker 2: I'll call it like the legal bits and pieces, the 316 00:16:46,520 --> 00:16:51,880 Speaker 2: executive functions that is. Chief Justice Michael Grant is like 317 00:16:51,920 --> 00:16:55,240 Speaker 2: the acting administrator because the powers that have been invested 318 00:16:55,320 --> 00:16:58,760 Speaker 2: in him to do that work. So there's continuity there. 319 00:16:58,800 --> 00:17:03,680 Speaker 2: It continues on. But his honor, the Honorable David Connolly 320 00:17:03,840 --> 00:17:04,840 Speaker 2: is the administrator. 321 00:17:04,920 --> 00:17:07,000 Speaker 1: All right, Chief Minister, let's have a chat about this 322 00:17:07,080 --> 00:17:10,240 Speaker 1: situation in the Daily at the moment. So my understanding 323 00:17:10,280 --> 00:17:13,520 Speaker 1: is that has the emergency center had to be stood up? 324 00:17:13,520 --> 00:17:14,160 Speaker 1: What's happening? 325 00:17:14,720 --> 00:17:17,639 Speaker 2: Yeah, it did, so there's no reason for anyone to panic. 326 00:17:17,680 --> 00:17:21,800 Speaker 2: But we have stood up all of our emergency mechanisms 327 00:17:21,840 --> 00:17:24,720 Speaker 2: to make sure that we are supporting the community of Daily. 328 00:17:24,960 --> 00:17:28,800 Speaker 2: So yesterday the Emergency Operations Center was stood up. We 329 00:17:28,840 --> 00:17:32,280 Speaker 2: put in place Superintendent David Moore to be the incident 330 00:17:32,320 --> 00:17:37,439 Speaker 2: management controller. And so that means just to remind everyone 331 00:17:37,440 --> 00:17:40,400 Speaker 2: from the cyclone. In that emergency center, we have all 332 00:17:40,440 --> 00:17:44,359 Speaker 2: of the response agencies. A Bureau of Meteorology is embedded 333 00:17:44,440 --> 00:17:47,919 Speaker 2: in there so that everyone has the very best information. 334 00:17:48,280 --> 00:17:50,479 Speaker 2: And I'm told that in the Daily River we actually 335 00:17:50,480 --> 00:17:55,480 Speaker 2: have excellent monitoring, so we know really well what river 336 00:17:55,560 --> 00:18:00,120 Speaker 2: movements look like. This morning it moved to a minor flooding. 337 00:18:00,920 --> 00:18:05,800 Speaker 2: The categorization got lifted to minor flooding. So things are 338 00:18:05,920 --> 00:18:09,440 Speaker 2: like our response will escalate over the course of today. 339 00:18:10,480 --> 00:18:13,919 Speaker 2: It's possible that by the weekend it becomes major flooding. 340 00:18:14,040 --> 00:18:16,879 Speaker 2: But today is really about all of the planning to 341 00:18:16,960 --> 00:18:19,400 Speaker 2: put in place about what needs to happen to keep 342 00:18:20,040 --> 00:18:23,200 Speaker 2: everyone safe. When I spoke to doctor Miriam Rose last night, 343 00:18:23,560 --> 00:18:26,360 Speaker 2: she was saying that the community was you know, well 344 00:18:26,400 --> 00:18:31,360 Speaker 2: and truly undertaking preparations, which is good. And Saint Francis 345 00:18:31,480 --> 00:18:35,720 Speaker 2: Davia's school has decided to close today for obvious reasons, 346 00:18:36,440 --> 00:18:38,840 Speaker 2: but those children are likely to be moved to Saint 347 00:18:38,920 --> 00:18:41,920 Speaker 2: John so that they can have you know, continuity of education. 348 00:18:42,080 --> 00:18:44,960 Speaker 2: So it's definitely a lot of eyes are on this, Katie. 349 00:18:45,119 --> 00:18:46,800 Speaker 1: Does it show that there needs to be a bit 350 00:18:46,840 --> 00:18:49,840 Speaker 1: more sort of done to make that community more flood resilient? 351 00:18:50,920 --> 00:18:53,159 Speaker 2: Well, look, I don't know the details of it, but 352 00:18:53,200 --> 00:18:56,200 Speaker 2: people familiar with the Daily know that she is one 353 00:18:56,240 --> 00:18:58,800 Speaker 2: heck of a river, So you know, I guess, I 354 00:18:58,800 --> 00:19:01,000 Speaker 2: guess this does come up every few years with the 355 00:19:01,080 --> 00:19:04,919 Speaker 2: daily rising, but it's really because of that monitoring. It 356 00:19:04,960 --> 00:19:09,679 Speaker 2: allows us to understand the flow and have time to 357 00:19:09,720 --> 00:19:13,280 Speaker 2: evacuate where needed. So all of that work was started 358 00:19:13,359 --> 00:19:16,240 Speaker 2: yesterday and it will be done today and we may 359 00:19:16,320 --> 00:19:19,240 Speaker 2: see escalations in response over the course of the day, 360 00:19:19,320 --> 00:19:22,560 Speaker 2: certainly over the course of the next few days. And 361 00:19:22,760 --> 00:19:25,840 Speaker 2: I believe you've got the Police Commissioner on tomorrow you're 362 00:19:26,000 --> 00:19:29,720 Speaker 2: on your show, Katie. He is the territory controller now 363 00:19:29,920 --> 00:19:32,359 Speaker 2: that the EOC has been stood up, so we're in 364 00:19:32,520 --> 00:19:34,000 Speaker 2: more full emergency mode. 365 00:19:34,040 --> 00:19:36,000 Speaker 1: Yeah, for sure, we'll talk more to him about that. 366 00:19:36,119 --> 00:19:38,159 Speaker 1: Hey quickly, because I know you pressed for time, but 367 00:19:38,200 --> 00:19:41,200 Speaker 1: of course you did deliver a year head speech on Monday. 368 00:19:41,760 --> 00:19:46,040 Speaker 1: What con territorians expect from the Colp government for twenty 369 00:19:46,119 --> 00:19:48,840 Speaker 1: twenty six. I know that crime was obviously a big 370 00:19:48,880 --> 00:19:52,720 Speaker 1: focus last year and no doubt continues to be, but really, 371 00:19:53,000 --> 00:19:55,919 Speaker 1: what kind of year are you, as the Chief Minister, 372 00:19:56,240 --> 00:19:58,480 Speaker 1: hoping to deliver for territorians. 373 00:19:58,760 --> 00:20:01,920 Speaker 2: Yeah, thanks, Katie. So last year was about action, certainty 374 00:20:01,960 --> 00:20:05,880 Speaker 2: in security and this year is about growth, certainty and security. 375 00:20:06,000 --> 00:20:09,440 Speaker 2: And so I underpinned my speech which it's too much 376 00:20:09,480 --> 00:20:12,919 Speaker 2: to go into now, but I basically outlined in reducing crime, 377 00:20:13,240 --> 00:20:15,760 Speaker 2: rebuilding the economy and restoring our lifestyle, all of the 378 00:20:15,800 --> 00:20:18,480 Speaker 2: things we've been working on. I want to reassure your 379 00:20:18,520 --> 00:20:21,720 Speaker 2: listeners that you know we've had a nine point two 380 00:20:21,720 --> 00:20:24,560 Speaker 2: percent reduction in the number of victims. But crime and 381 00:20:24,600 --> 00:20:27,760 Speaker 2: reducing crime will remain our number one priority in twenty 382 00:20:27,840 --> 00:20:30,600 Speaker 2: twenty six. But one of the excite or two very 383 00:20:30,640 --> 00:20:34,120 Speaker 2: exciting announcements I made was an extension to the Home 384 00:20:34,119 --> 00:20:37,359 Speaker 2: Build grant scheme. That's our fifty thousand and thirty thousand 385 00:20:37,440 --> 00:20:40,920 Speaker 2: dollars grants will go right through to September twenty twenty seven, 386 00:20:41,000 --> 00:20:44,080 Speaker 2: giving certainty to first homeowners and people who want to 387 00:20:44,080 --> 00:20:46,639 Speaker 2: build a home and to builders. So that was great. 388 00:20:47,040 --> 00:20:50,600 Speaker 2: And the second is very exciting. It's our very first 389 00:20:50,720 --> 00:20:54,399 Speaker 2: use of the Territory Coordinators' powers in the creation of 390 00:20:54,400 --> 00:20:58,240 Speaker 2: a territory development area that we've called the Northern Marine Complex, 391 00:20:58,920 --> 00:21:02,160 Speaker 2: which takes in the Darwin Shiplift and the Marine Industry 392 00:21:02,400 --> 00:21:05,640 Speaker 2: Park into one single integrated maritime precinct. 393 00:21:05,680 --> 00:21:08,640 Speaker 1: See if I know that the Environment Center had said, well, Dad, 394 00:21:08,720 --> 00:21:12,280 Speaker 1: claim that this new marine Northern Marine complexity East Arm 395 00:21:12,440 --> 00:21:15,240 Speaker 1: was the sign that the Middle Arm precinct is dead 396 00:21:15,320 --> 00:21:17,919 Speaker 1: and buried and not economically viable. 397 00:21:18,080 --> 00:21:21,080 Speaker 2: Is that the case, No, that's not the case at all. 398 00:21:21,359 --> 00:21:23,520 Speaker 2: What this is doing is making sure that we are 399 00:21:23,600 --> 00:21:27,679 Speaker 2: utilizing the near billion dollar investment by Territory taxpayers on 400 00:21:27,720 --> 00:21:32,040 Speaker 2: the ship lift into a precinct that is sophisticated and 401 00:21:32,160 --> 00:21:36,359 Speaker 2: ready for market, because there is no other facility between 402 00:21:36,440 --> 00:21:40,080 Speaker 2: Cans and Perth like this in our country, and we 403 00:21:40,119 --> 00:21:43,719 Speaker 2: are very well positioned as the gateway to Asia, and 404 00:21:43,800 --> 00:21:45,960 Speaker 2: so we need to make sure we have the very 405 00:21:46,119 --> 00:21:50,720 Speaker 2: very best eyes pulling this complete project together. We don't 406 00:21:50,760 --> 00:21:53,080 Speaker 2: want it to be done in bits and pieces. It's 407 00:21:53,080 --> 00:21:55,840 Speaker 2: got to be a complete project so that we are 408 00:21:55,880 --> 00:22:00,000 Speaker 2: delivering a product that market wants and needs and will utilize, 409 00:22:00,280 --> 00:22:03,720 Speaker 2: which will then mean a better outcomes for Territorians in 410 00:22:03,760 --> 00:22:06,520 Speaker 2: the sense that we will have a very strong maritime 411 00:22:06,560 --> 00:22:10,680 Speaker 2: industry which creates plenty of business opportunities, job growth, all 412 00:22:10,720 --> 00:22:12,680 Speaker 2: of those wonderful things we want for the territory. 413 00:22:12,760 --> 00:22:15,320 Speaker 1: Chief Minness Deleah Finocchiaro, we better leave it there. We're 414 00:22:15,359 --> 00:22:17,480 Speaker 1: due to catch up with the Speaker as well. It's 415 00:22:17,480 --> 00:22:19,160 Speaker 1: a busy morning, you guys have all got to get 416 00:22:19,160 --> 00:22:19,840 Speaker 1: into Parliament. 417 00:22:19,880 --> 00:22:22,159 Speaker 2: Thank you for your time, no worries, take care everyone. 418 00:22:22,240 --> 00:22:22,920 Speaker 1: Thank you.