1 00:00:00,200 --> 00:00:03,040 Speaker 1: Joining me in the studio as she does most Monday mornings. 2 00:00:03,080 --> 00:00:06,399 Speaker 1: Did you see Chief Minister of the Northern Territory, Lea Finocchiaro. 3 00:00:06,480 --> 00:00:09,280 Speaker 2: Good morning to you, morning Katie, and tell your listeners. 4 00:00:08,840 --> 00:00:10,959 Speaker 1: Good to have you in the studio now. I do 5 00:00:11,039 --> 00:00:13,440 Speaker 1: want to just start off this morning. Last week there 6 00:00:13,480 --> 00:00:16,120 Speaker 1: was a lot of discussion about the Rainbow flags and 7 00:00:16,200 --> 00:00:18,720 Speaker 1: the Torres Strait Island of flags being removed from the 8 00:00:18,800 --> 00:00:22,920 Speaker 1: Royal Darwin and Palmerston Hospital foyers where they've been up 9 00:00:22,960 --> 00:00:28,400 Speaker 1: alongside the Australian, NTE and Aboriginal flags. Opinions very much 10 00:00:28,440 --> 00:00:32,320 Speaker 1: divided on this issue, some of well some listeners staunchly 11 00:00:32,360 --> 00:00:36,159 Speaker 1: wanting the flags up, others saying we cannot have flags 12 00:00:36,200 --> 00:00:39,640 Speaker 1: for every group. Chief Minister, why were the flags removed? 13 00:00:39,800 --> 00:00:43,480 Speaker 2: Yeah? My understanding is it breached the protocol for government buildings. 14 00:00:43,560 --> 00:00:46,720 Speaker 2: And I think what's really important in this whole debate 15 00:00:46,960 --> 00:00:49,600 Speaker 2: is just to be respectful number one, but number two, 16 00:00:50,080 --> 00:00:53,400 Speaker 2: there is no more unifying flag than the Northern Territory flag. 17 00:00:53,560 --> 00:00:55,840 Speaker 2: And you know, we have a lot of groups across 18 00:00:55,880 --> 00:00:59,480 Speaker 2: the territory. We have large, wonderful multicultural communities and so 19 00:00:59,560 --> 00:01:02,319 Speaker 2: it's very very important that we remember that at our 20 00:01:02,360 --> 00:01:05,440 Speaker 2: core we are all Territorian and I think that's what's 21 00:01:05,720 --> 00:01:07,640 Speaker 2: you know, what the focus of that policy is about. 22 00:01:07,720 --> 00:01:09,440 Speaker 3: So what exactly is the protocol. 23 00:01:09,520 --> 00:01:12,960 Speaker 1: It's the Australian flag, the Northern Territory flag and the 24 00:01:13,240 --> 00:01:14,120 Speaker 1: Indigenous flag. 25 00:01:14,400 --> 00:01:16,640 Speaker 2: I believe that's I believe that's the case, and you 26 00:01:16,720 --> 00:01:20,000 Speaker 2: see that often in the territory, you know, certainly when 27 00:01:20,040 --> 00:01:22,160 Speaker 2: we're doing press conferences and all those things. Those are 28 00:01:22,160 --> 00:01:25,800 Speaker 2: the three flags that we have. There's also that larger 29 00:01:25,880 --> 00:01:29,559 Speaker 2: debate raging nationally about as part of the federal election 30 00:01:29,680 --> 00:01:33,880 Speaker 2: about Peter Dutton saying he'd only have the Australian flag. 31 00:01:34,000 --> 00:01:36,720 Speaker 2: So it's one of those topics. It captures people's attention. 32 00:01:36,880 --> 00:01:39,920 Speaker 2: But I have to stress we are all Territorians. We're 33 00:01:39,920 --> 00:01:42,520 Speaker 2: all united under the territory flag and it's something we 34 00:01:42,520 --> 00:01:43,520 Speaker 2: should be really proud of. 35 00:01:43,760 --> 00:01:46,240 Speaker 1: What do you make of the discussion that then the 36 00:01:46,319 --> 00:01:51,200 Speaker 1: AMA and the Australian Salaried Medical Officers Association have you know, 37 00:01:51,280 --> 00:01:54,240 Speaker 1: they've come forward and really called for them to be 38 00:01:54,280 --> 00:01:59,440 Speaker 1: reinstated because they want people from the lgbt QIA plus 39 00:01:59,480 --> 00:02:03,480 Speaker 1: community to feel safe and welcomed when they enter those 40 00:02:03,520 --> 00:02:06,160 Speaker 1: health facilities. I mean, what do you say to anybody 41 00:02:06,160 --> 00:02:08,960 Speaker 1: out there that's listening this morning that you know that 42 00:02:09,200 --> 00:02:12,880 Speaker 1: is maybe feeling like they're not because those flags have 43 00:02:12,960 --> 00:02:13,560 Speaker 1: been removed. 44 00:02:13,840 --> 00:02:16,520 Speaker 2: People are safe. All people are safe. These are around 45 00:02:16,600 --> 00:02:21,079 Speaker 2: territory taxpayer funded health systems. You know, this is about 46 00:02:21,200 --> 00:02:24,560 Speaker 2: everyone being included, and so we can't have a flag 47 00:02:24,639 --> 00:02:27,960 Speaker 2: for every person in every group and every multicultural community 48 00:02:27,960 --> 00:02:30,680 Speaker 2: and every sporting club and whatever it might be. And 49 00:02:30,720 --> 00:02:33,840 Speaker 2: that's why I'm saying unifying under the territory flag is 50 00:02:33,919 --> 00:02:36,799 Speaker 2: really really important and it's not to the exclusion of 51 00:02:36,840 --> 00:02:39,280 Speaker 2: anyone else. Actually, it's to the inclusion of all. 52 00:02:39,560 --> 00:02:42,320 Speaker 3: So you stand by this decision absolutely. 53 00:02:42,360 --> 00:02:45,080 Speaker 2: I think it's the right decision and the right move 54 00:02:45,320 --> 00:02:48,639 Speaker 2: and you know, I think it's sensible. 55 00:02:49,040 --> 00:02:52,880 Speaker 1: Meanwhile, well, a staffer from the Labor or Position Leader's office, 56 00:02:52,919 --> 00:02:56,840 Speaker 1: Selena Rubo, has reportedly been banned from entering Parliament House 57 00:02:56,880 --> 00:03:01,320 Speaker 1: for a week after being captured on CCTV entering a 58 00:03:01,440 --> 00:03:04,919 Speaker 1: lift near the fourth floor officers of the Opposition leader, 59 00:03:05,320 --> 00:03:09,280 Speaker 1: then exiting onto the fifth floor where the well your 60 00:03:09,320 --> 00:03:12,240 Speaker 1: officers are obviously on the fifth floor there now. The 61 00:03:12,320 --> 00:03:16,280 Speaker 1: staff member was then seen heading towards the fifth floor 62 00:03:16,440 --> 00:03:20,120 Speaker 1: men's toilets, where they'd plastered a poster of the nt 63 00:03:20,120 --> 00:03:24,720 Speaker 1: to Health Minister Steve Edgington superimposed over a rainbow on 64 00:03:24,800 --> 00:03:28,800 Speaker 1: the men's toilet wall. What's your understanding of this situation? 65 00:03:29,120 --> 00:03:31,680 Speaker 2: Yeah, I heard about it, Katie, and it's obviously really 66 00:03:31,760 --> 00:03:34,760 Speaker 2: pathetic poor behavior. I think the Speaker has taken strong 67 00:03:34,800 --> 00:03:38,720 Speaker 2: action in kicking this labor staffer out of Parliament House 68 00:03:38,760 --> 00:03:42,040 Speaker 2: for a week and hopefully Selena Yubo is you know, 69 00:03:42,160 --> 00:03:45,320 Speaker 2: counseling that staff member about appropriate behavior. But you know 70 00:03:45,480 --> 00:03:47,280 Speaker 2: what an offensive waste of time. 71 00:03:47,360 --> 00:03:49,520 Speaker 3: How did they apologize to a Minister Orgington? 72 00:03:49,600 --> 00:03:51,360 Speaker 2: Not that I know, I don't believe they do. 73 00:03:51,520 --> 00:03:52,120 Speaker 3: You think they should? 74 00:03:52,200 --> 00:03:57,440 Speaker 2: Yeah, absolutely, It's it's just a disgusting misuse of you know, 75 00:03:57,520 --> 00:03:59,960 Speaker 2: the opportunity to be doing something good for the territory. 76 00:04:00,040 --> 00:04:02,520 Speaker 2: It's just shenanigans that we don't need to see. And 77 00:04:02,560 --> 00:04:04,800 Speaker 2: obviously the speakers come down very hard. 78 00:04:05,000 --> 00:04:07,040 Speaker 1: I mean, I guess some people listening might sort of 79 00:04:07,080 --> 00:04:09,000 Speaker 1: be going, oh, is it that big a deal? You know, 80 00:04:09,160 --> 00:04:11,200 Speaker 1: it's the rate, like, you know, you guys took the 81 00:04:11,240 --> 00:04:12,160 Speaker 1: rainbow flag down. 82 00:04:12,360 --> 00:04:15,760 Speaker 2: Well you can't essentially graffiti Parliament House. I mean there's 83 00:04:15,760 --> 00:04:18,040 Speaker 2: a line, right, we work in Parliament House. We are 84 00:04:18,040 --> 00:04:21,000 Speaker 2: there to represent the people. There's a very very high 85 00:04:21,040 --> 00:04:24,279 Speaker 2: standard of integrity and respect placed on us and respect 86 00:04:24,320 --> 00:04:27,680 Speaker 2: for each other, and so that type of you know, 87 00:04:27,960 --> 00:04:28,840 Speaker 2: it's just pathetic. 88 00:04:29,320 --> 00:04:31,640 Speaker 1: All right. I want to talk about some really serious 89 00:04:31,640 --> 00:04:35,240 Speaker 1: issues impacting Territorians. Last week, you and I discussed the 90 00:04:35,360 --> 00:04:38,200 Speaker 1: overflowing jails. You spoke about the number of people on 91 00:04:38,279 --> 00:04:42,400 Speaker 1: remand in corrections facilities. We then had the Corrections Commissioner 92 00:04:42,480 --> 00:04:45,200 Speaker 1: on the show the following day he confirmed over fifty 93 00:04:45,279 --> 00:04:50,479 Speaker 1: percent of prisoners are on remand with those record prisoner numbers, 94 00:04:50,960 --> 00:04:53,240 Speaker 1: Chief Minister, what's the plan when it comes to the 95 00:04:53,360 --> 00:04:56,880 Speaker 1: courts and trying to get through these cases? 96 00:04:57,160 --> 00:04:59,560 Speaker 2: Yet we've got to about fifty three percent of all 97 00:04:59,600 --> 00:05:02,000 Speaker 2: people in prison are on remand so that means they 98 00:05:02,040 --> 00:05:04,720 Speaker 2: haven't had their day in court, they haven't been sentenced. 99 00:05:05,360 --> 00:05:09,039 Speaker 2: And so over Christmas, the Attorney General she made sure 100 00:05:09,080 --> 00:05:12,279 Speaker 2: courts were working longer hours and had much shorter stand 101 00:05:12,320 --> 00:05:15,640 Speaker 2: down than they normally would. We've appointed several new judges, 102 00:05:15,680 --> 00:05:18,520 Speaker 2: which is also going to help. We've spent millions of 103 00:05:18,560 --> 00:05:19,760 Speaker 2: dollars on legal aid to. 104 00:05:19,760 --> 00:05:21,800 Speaker 3: Make sure in permanently those new. 105 00:05:21,760 --> 00:05:25,480 Speaker 2: Judges they're acting judges. I'm not sure if the exact 106 00:05:25,480 --> 00:05:29,640 Speaker 2: status of that, but there's additional plus the money for 107 00:05:29,760 --> 00:05:32,440 Speaker 2: legal aid to make sure that those services are being 108 00:05:32,480 --> 00:05:35,320 Speaker 2: supported so we can have efficiency through the justice system. 109 00:05:35,680 --> 00:05:38,640 Speaker 2: But more needs to be done, so the Attorney General 110 00:05:38,720 --> 00:05:41,120 Speaker 2: is working on that. We've also we're really trying to 111 00:05:41,160 --> 00:05:44,960 Speaker 2: push hard to increase the audio visual opportunities for court 112 00:05:45,000 --> 00:05:47,960 Speaker 2: work and working out how we can have less prisoner 113 00:05:48,000 --> 00:05:51,240 Speaker 2: movements because that will then free up police and corrections 114 00:05:51,279 --> 00:05:53,599 Speaker 2: officers to be able to do their job better. So 115 00:05:53,720 --> 00:05:57,320 Speaker 2: just so people understand, if you're in remand at Palmerston Watchhouse, 116 00:05:57,360 --> 00:05:59,880 Speaker 2: for example, it would be a police paddy wagon or 117 00:06:00,040 --> 00:06:02,520 Speaker 2: corrections officers who then have to pick you up, drive 118 00:06:02,560 --> 00:06:05,000 Speaker 2: into town, drop you off to the cells. All day 119 00:06:05,040 --> 00:06:07,240 Speaker 2: you'll be in court, then they'll come back pick you up. 120 00:06:07,560 --> 00:06:09,880 Speaker 2: You know, it's a lot of time out of what 121 00:06:10,000 --> 00:06:12,720 Speaker 2: could be you know, catching bad guys, and that's what 122 00:06:12,720 --> 00:06:14,680 Speaker 2: we want our police doing out on the front line, 123 00:06:14,680 --> 00:06:17,039 Speaker 2: catching bad guys. So you know, we're trying to really 124 00:06:17,080 --> 00:06:20,320 Speaker 2: build some efficiency in the system, but it's so broken, Katie. 125 00:06:20,320 --> 00:06:22,960 Speaker 2: We're working on it, but it's absolutely imperfect. 126 00:06:23,000 --> 00:06:24,920 Speaker 1: So are there sort of other options here? I mean, 127 00:06:25,000 --> 00:06:26,880 Speaker 1: is there more that could be done? Could the hours 128 00:06:26,960 --> 00:06:30,320 Speaker 1: be sort of extended, Could we look at additional judges? 129 00:06:30,760 --> 00:06:33,159 Speaker 1: Are we looking at a potential remand center? 130 00:06:33,520 --> 00:06:36,320 Speaker 2: Yeah? So a remand center isn't part of our corrections 131 00:06:36,400 --> 00:06:38,640 Speaker 2: master plan. That doesn't mean it's off the table, it's 132 00:06:38,680 --> 00:06:41,520 Speaker 2: just not part of our emergency response right now. We 133 00:06:41,600 --> 00:06:46,240 Speaker 2: identified a women's prison as being a much better way 134 00:06:46,279 --> 00:06:48,560 Speaker 2: to deliver additional numbers as long as as well as 135 00:06:48,560 --> 00:06:51,280 Speaker 2: all the other movements. Of course, ninety six more beds 136 00:06:51,279 --> 00:06:53,800 Speaker 2: should come online this week in Alice Springs. We had 137 00:06:53,839 --> 00:06:56,800 Speaker 2: the forty eight last week, so it's all on track. 138 00:06:57,400 --> 00:06:59,800 Speaker 2: Of course, then we need more correction stuff, so we've 139 00:06:59,800 --> 00:07:02,240 Speaker 2: got I think thirty two in the college right now. 140 00:07:02,279 --> 00:07:05,160 Speaker 2: They'll march out in April, which will be very helpful 141 00:07:05,200 --> 00:07:07,880 Speaker 2: for corrections. We've got three squads of police in the 142 00:07:07,920 --> 00:07:11,720 Speaker 2: Police College right now, which is awesome, and the first 143 00:07:11,760 --> 00:07:14,720 Speaker 2: lot or march out mid March, so it's all on track. 144 00:07:14,880 --> 00:07:17,600 Speaker 2: Of course. We like the community and your listeners wanted 145 00:07:17,640 --> 00:07:21,080 Speaker 2: all this yesterday, but you know, at the August election 146 00:07:21,200 --> 00:07:23,040 Speaker 2: was a turning point for the territory and for the 147 00:07:23,040 --> 00:07:25,000 Speaker 2: first time in a long time, we're moving forward and 148 00:07:25,480 --> 00:07:27,640 Speaker 2: we've just got to get all of the systems moving 149 00:07:27,680 --> 00:07:28,400 Speaker 2: in the right direction. 150 00:07:28,480 --> 00:07:28,960 Speaker 3: Do you reckon? 151 00:07:29,080 --> 00:07:31,240 Speaker 1: Like, I know the Remand center is not part of 152 00:07:31,240 --> 00:07:33,520 Speaker 1: the plan, but do you reckon? Because even talking to 153 00:07:33,560 --> 00:07:36,240 Speaker 1: the Corrections Commissioner, he was saying that the needs and 154 00:07:36,280 --> 00:07:41,080 Speaker 1: demands of some of those prisoners, particularly when they're on remand, 155 00:07:41,080 --> 00:07:43,560 Speaker 1: are quite different to those that are in there permanently. 156 00:07:43,680 --> 00:07:46,600 Speaker 1: So would it potentially make things a bit smoother, maybe 157 00:07:46,640 --> 00:07:49,000 Speaker 1: a little bit easier even in terms of the transportation 158 00:07:49,120 --> 00:07:51,440 Speaker 1: and that kind of thing, if there was a Romand 159 00:07:51,520 --> 00:07:55,520 Speaker 1: specific center, or have we just got too many prisoners 160 00:07:55,560 --> 00:07:57,680 Speaker 1: on remand, Like that's the reality. 161 00:07:57,520 --> 00:07:59,640 Speaker 2: That is true. We do have too many on remand, 162 00:07:59,680 --> 00:08:02,239 Speaker 2: and that's why the Attorney General is working to clear 163 00:08:02,280 --> 00:08:05,320 Speaker 2: that backyard because it's ridiculous. How can you have more 164 00:08:05,360 --> 00:08:07,680 Speaker 2: on remand than you have in sentence? It's just it's 165 00:08:07,720 --> 00:08:11,200 Speaker 2: a joke, right, It's insane. So let's just like park 166 00:08:11,240 --> 00:08:14,080 Speaker 2: that we recognize that we're working on that. But yeah, 167 00:08:14,120 --> 00:08:16,480 Speaker 2: you're right, So when you're on remand, you also can't 168 00:08:16,520 --> 00:08:19,520 Speaker 2: be made to do programs, So there is an argument 169 00:08:19,560 --> 00:08:21,680 Speaker 2: for it. I'm not denying that because of course, once 170 00:08:21,720 --> 00:08:24,640 Speaker 2: you're sentenced a sentence prisoner, we can then do the 171 00:08:24,720 --> 00:08:28,560 Speaker 2: corrective work. It's called corrections to correct behavior. We want 172 00:08:28,600 --> 00:08:32,720 Speaker 2: the programs, behavior change, education, all of those things, whereas 173 00:08:32,720 --> 00:08:34,719 Speaker 2: when someone's on remind, you can't do that. So there 174 00:08:34,760 --> 00:08:37,520 Speaker 2: is an argument that you can treat that large group 175 00:08:37,559 --> 00:08:41,679 Speaker 2: differently because they're not accessing programs. However, we would like 176 00:08:41,800 --> 00:08:44,480 Speaker 2: prisons on remand accessing programs because some of them are 177 00:08:44,520 --> 00:08:47,040 Speaker 2: on remand for a very long time. So we're looking 178 00:08:47,080 --> 00:08:49,920 Speaker 2: at what options we have, bearing in mind that there 179 00:08:50,000 --> 00:08:53,000 Speaker 2: is no guilty conviction for these people that they do 180 00:08:53,040 --> 00:08:55,199 Speaker 2: have a right to say, you know, I'm not doing 181 00:08:55,240 --> 00:08:58,679 Speaker 2: this like I shouldn't be here. So it is something 182 00:08:58,720 --> 00:09:01,559 Speaker 2: we're exploring now because if we can deliver programs in remand, 183 00:09:01,920 --> 00:09:03,000 Speaker 2: that would be fantastic. 184 00:09:03,120 --> 00:09:05,920 Speaker 1: And Chief Minister, what of the arguments that you know, 185 00:09:06,040 --> 00:09:08,160 Speaker 1: Duran Young from the Labour Party was on the week 186 00:09:08,160 --> 00:09:10,000 Speaker 1: that was on Friday and said, you know there could 187 00:09:10,000 --> 00:09:13,120 Speaker 1: be people who are on remand that actually end up 188 00:09:13,240 --> 00:09:14,800 Speaker 1: they shouldn't spend any time in jail. 189 00:09:14,920 --> 00:09:15,920 Speaker 3: I mean, what of that argument? 190 00:09:16,000 --> 00:09:18,520 Speaker 2: Yeah, that happens a lot. So I think in the 191 00:09:18,559 --> 00:09:21,960 Speaker 2: local court the average remind is about one hundred and 192 00:09:22,000 --> 00:09:25,560 Speaker 2: twenty days, and in the Supreme Court it's about three 193 00:09:25,640 --> 00:09:28,560 Speaker 2: hundred and fifty days. So it's a long time. And 194 00:09:28,640 --> 00:09:31,319 Speaker 2: often you'll be reading the newspaper, for example, when you'll 195 00:09:31,320 --> 00:09:34,240 Speaker 2: see that the judge's comment is something like time is served. 196 00:09:34,640 --> 00:09:36,920 Speaker 2: That means because they've been in prison so long, they're 197 00:09:36,920 --> 00:09:39,840 Speaker 2: not having to do any additional prison time. So you 198 00:09:39,880 --> 00:09:42,600 Speaker 2: can see the system's broken, Katie, and justice, you know, 199 00:09:42,720 --> 00:09:46,400 Speaker 2: Safest Streets is not just about police, it's about courts, 200 00:09:46,440 --> 00:09:49,120 Speaker 2: and it's also about corrections. So we have to work 201 00:09:49,160 --> 00:09:52,679 Speaker 2: hard in equal measures in all three. And our focus 202 00:09:52,840 --> 00:09:55,600 Speaker 2: very much at this point is on corrections because we've 203 00:09:56,040 --> 00:09:58,440 Speaker 2: police have better powers. Now we continue to give them 204 00:09:58,480 --> 00:10:02,040 Speaker 2: better powers, and police said doing well, we need that 205 00:10:02,120 --> 00:10:04,160 Speaker 2: extra support in our prison system, and then get our 206 00:10:04,200 --> 00:10:05,120 Speaker 2: courts moving well. 207 00:10:05,160 --> 00:10:08,880 Speaker 1: Talking about our watch houses for example, like right now, 208 00:10:08,920 --> 00:10:12,520 Speaker 1: as I understand it, we've got two hundred and seventeen 209 00:10:12,800 --> 00:10:16,200 Speaker 1: corrections prisoners across the board in our various watch houses 210 00:10:16,480 --> 00:10:19,680 Speaker 1: comparatively to twenty four police prisoners. 211 00:10:19,880 --> 00:10:23,280 Speaker 2: That's right, And so it's a very difficult situation. And 212 00:10:23,280 --> 00:10:26,240 Speaker 2: this is a legacy we inherited under labor, which is 213 00:10:26,720 --> 00:10:29,520 Speaker 2: it's ridiculous really. I mean, if they were filling up 214 00:10:29,520 --> 00:10:32,079 Speaker 2: police watchhouses, they knew we needed more prisons. I mean 215 00:10:32,080 --> 00:10:34,080 Speaker 2: that in and of itself is an admission that you 216 00:10:34,160 --> 00:10:37,520 Speaker 2: need more space, and yet they didn't. So it's you know, 217 00:10:37,600 --> 00:10:40,479 Speaker 2: police are managing with corrections as best they can. 218 00:10:40,320 --> 00:10:43,520 Speaker 1: And look in a place like Catherine, I mean eighteen 219 00:10:43,760 --> 00:10:48,239 Speaker 1: corrections prisoners in the watchouse, one police prisoner in the watchouse. 220 00:10:48,760 --> 00:10:51,839 Speaker 1: We don't have correction staff in Catherine's. So that's actually 221 00:10:51,920 --> 00:10:54,679 Speaker 1: then being managed by the Northern Territory polights. And I 222 00:10:54,760 --> 00:10:56,880 Speaker 1: know everyone's trying to work as a team here, but 223 00:10:57,000 --> 00:10:58,760 Speaker 1: this is a shit show, to put it mildly. 224 00:10:58,920 --> 00:11:02,360 Speaker 2: Yeah, there's I'm not denying that, Katie, absolutely, and I 225 00:11:02,360 --> 00:11:04,480 Speaker 2: think that's why there was a change of government, right. 226 00:11:04,640 --> 00:11:07,680 Speaker 2: So you know, the police are doing a great job 227 00:11:07,720 --> 00:11:10,559 Speaker 2: with what they can do to support corrections and everyone's 228 00:11:10,760 --> 00:11:14,920 Speaker 2: there's a team territory approach on reducing crime across every 229 00:11:14,960 --> 00:11:17,960 Speaker 2: agency and we've seen great results right across the board, 230 00:11:18,320 --> 00:11:22,160 Speaker 2: even with children and families having some great results, and 231 00:11:22,240 --> 00:11:24,120 Speaker 2: so we just have to keep plugging through and that's 232 00:11:24,120 --> 00:11:26,160 Speaker 2: why the plans are working. Some of them just take 233 00:11:26,200 --> 00:11:29,120 Speaker 2: time to build that capacity. But by the middle of 234 00:11:29,120 --> 00:11:31,360 Speaker 2: the year things will be a little bit better because 235 00:11:31,360 --> 00:11:34,400 Speaker 2: we'll have more staff, more space. But that it doesn't end. 236 00:11:34,480 --> 00:11:38,080 Speaker 2: We have to just keep doing that really important work 237 00:11:38,120 --> 00:11:40,360 Speaker 2: to create that space in the system. 238 00:11:40,520 --> 00:11:42,960 Speaker 1: Hey, just a quick one on Alice Springs. How long 239 00:11:42,960 --> 00:11:45,440 Speaker 1: are the South Australian Police going to remain in Alice 240 00:11:45,480 --> 00:11:46,400 Speaker 1: Springs helping out. 241 00:11:46,559 --> 00:11:49,240 Speaker 2: I believe they're leaving today. Maybe it's tomorrow, Kady, but 242 00:11:49,280 --> 00:11:53,280 Speaker 2: it's definitely this week, and they've done a great job. 243 00:11:53,360 --> 00:11:56,600 Speaker 2: So there's ten that we're here every week for four weeks, 244 00:11:56,960 --> 00:11:59,720 Speaker 2: So Alice Springs will only be down ten police until 245 00:11:59,760 --> 00:12:02,760 Speaker 2: mid March, and then we are sending eleven from our 246 00:12:03,080 --> 00:12:06,160 Speaker 2: recruit squad down to Alice Springs, so we're keeping that 247 00:12:06,320 --> 00:12:09,840 Speaker 2: high number of police in Alice Territory. Cops in Alice, 248 00:12:09,840 --> 00:12:12,080 Speaker 2: it's just the essay ones they'll lose, but we'll replace 249 00:12:12,160 --> 00:12:14,360 Speaker 2: them with our own cops come mid March. 250 00:12:14,440 --> 00:12:16,800 Speaker 1: Are you concerned that we're losing those You know that 251 00:12:16,840 --> 00:12:19,959 Speaker 1: we're losing those South Australian Police and that support for 252 00:12:20,040 --> 00:12:21,200 Speaker 1: our Northern Territory place. 253 00:12:21,760 --> 00:12:24,760 Speaker 2: I'm not Ludlow's had an incredible result and so has 254 00:12:24,760 --> 00:12:27,480 Speaker 2: a Fugitive Task Force. It there's never going to be 255 00:12:27,600 --> 00:12:30,480 Speaker 2: no crime Katie. And honestly, my heart breaks with people 256 00:12:30,480 --> 00:12:34,559 Speaker 2: in Alice Springs. They are so you know, just effectively 257 00:12:34,600 --> 00:12:37,040 Speaker 2: traumatized by what has happened to them over so long. 258 00:12:37,679 --> 00:12:39,800 Speaker 2: But the numbers are looking really good. But I've been 259 00:12:39,840 --> 00:12:42,760 Speaker 2: really clear that the data really is irrelevant. Anyone who 260 00:12:42,800 --> 00:12:45,120 Speaker 2: wants to look at crime stats can do that. What 261 00:12:45,160 --> 00:12:47,719 Speaker 2: I care about most is made we've done our job. 262 00:12:47,760 --> 00:12:51,360 Speaker 2: When people feel safe, that's really important. And I can't 263 00:12:51,400 --> 00:12:53,840 Speaker 2: say that people in Alice Springs feel safe. That people 264 00:12:53,880 --> 00:12:58,520 Speaker 2: are feeling slightly better, people are feeling optimistic about the future, 265 00:12:58,559 --> 00:13:00,720 Speaker 2: but we've got to stay the course and show them 266 00:13:01,080 --> 00:13:03,720 Speaker 2: that Alice Springs can again be a safe place to live. 267 00:13:03,760 --> 00:13:05,480 Speaker 1: And a bit of good news this morning Air North 268 00:13:05,480 --> 00:13:08,280 Speaker 1: announcing flights from Alice Springs to Cairns. We will be 269 00:13:08,320 --> 00:13:10,199 Speaker 1: catching up with Air North in a little while. But 270 00:13:10,480 --> 00:13:11,880 Speaker 1: do you think this what do you think it's going 271 00:13:11,920 --> 00:13:13,360 Speaker 1: to mean for locals and tourism. 272 00:13:13,520 --> 00:13:16,200 Speaker 2: It's fantastic And you know this is off the back 273 00:13:16,240 --> 00:13:19,360 Speaker 2: of the Air Asia announcement with the Barley flights again 274 00:13:19,520 --> 00:13:23,400 Speaker 2: to Dempesta and international connection. If we can get Alice 275 00:13:23,400 --> 00:13:26,640 Speaker 2: Springs to Cans working really well, there's opportunity to expand 276 00:13:26,640 --> 00:13:29,160 Speaker 2: it from Perth. And then that means people in the 277 00:13:29,200 --> 00:13:32,840 Speaker 2: Red Center not only able to get into Queensland easily, 278 00:13:33,280 --> 00:13:36,400 Speaker 2: but also into Perth, which again a major international hub. 279 00:13:36,640 --> 00:13:40,640 Speaker 2: So we're starting to see that connectivity we so desperately need, 280 00:13:41,080 --> 00:13:43,160 Speaker 2: you know, at Affordableish prices. 281 00:13:43,400 --> 00:13:44,160 Speaker 3: It has to happen. 282 00:13:44,240 --> 00:13:46,800 Speaker 2: It has to happen. It has to happen. So it's 283 00:13:46,840 --> 00:13:49,720 Speaker 2: good news. I hope people in Alice Springs are thinking, oh, 284 00:13:49,760 --> 00:13:52,240 Speaker 2: you know, maybe we can go to Kansas holiday. 285 00:13:52,440 --> 00:13:54,520 Speaker 1: And I hope that it means that people come to 286 00:13:54,640 --> 00:13:57,920 Speaker 1: Central Australia as they get to Alice Springs. And this 287 00:13:58,000 --> 00:13:59,800 Speaker 1: is the next step for Alice Springs right like they've 288 00:13:59,800 --> 00:14:03,080 Speaker 1: got real reputation to rebuild. They want people back there. 289 00:14:03,400 --> 00:14:05,400 Speaker 1: We have to get people back to the Red Center. 290 00:14:05,480 --> 00:14:08,839 Speaker 1: It is an absolute duel in the Northern Territories, Crown, 291 00:14:08,960 --> 00:14:12,199 Speaker 1: but this issue of crime has been just plaguing us 292 00:14:12,200 --> 00:14:13,040 Speaker 1: for far too long. 293 00:14:13,080 --> 00:14:16,080 Speaker 2: It's devastated that community in more ways than one. Katie, 294 00:14:16,120 --> 00:14:19,040 Speaker 2: and slowly but surely, you know, Brick by brick, we 295 00:14:19,080 --> 00:14:22,240 Speaker 2: rebuild that town from the ashes up. You know, we 296 00:14:22,320 --> 00:14:25,360 Speaker 2: believe in Alice Springs. We've poured tens of millions of 297 00:14:25,360 --> 00:14:29,480 Speaker 2: dollars into infrastructure projects, save dan zac Oval, you know, 298 00:14:29,560 --> 00:14:32,720 Speaker 2: supported the council. We've done a lot already. There's so 299 00:14:32,840 --> 00:14:35,000 Speaker 2: much more to do and I want those people in 300 00:14:35,040 --> 00:14:39,560 Speaker 2: Alice Springs to feel heard, understood, supported, and that's our mission. 301 00:14:39,760 --> 00:14:43,080 Speaker 1: Chiefiness to the ABC this morning reporting that one hundred 302 00:14:43,200 --> 00:14:46,240 Speaker 1: and twenty people have been fined and three people arrested 303 00:14:46,280 --> 00:14:50,040 Speaker 1: since those new nuisance public drinking laws came into effect, 304 00:14:50,320 --> 00:14:54,000 Speaker 1: and a lot of them were apparently those sleeping rough 305 00:14:54,560 --> 00:14:56,480 Speaker 1: Are the laws working as you'd hoped? 306 00:14:56,640 --> 00:14:59,600 Speaker 2: Yeah, that's a great result, and I think, you know, 307 00:14:59,640 --> 00:15:02,240 Speaker 2: certainly when I go around, you see the reductions in 308 00:15:02,840 --> 00:15:04,880 Speaker 2: that public drinking, which is what we want because that 309 00:15:05,000 --> 00:15:08,360 Speaker 2: often leads to violence and break ins later on in 310 00:15:08,400 --> 00:15:11,920 Speaker 2: the day. And for those people who think, oh, you 311 00:15:11,960 --> 00:15:14,000 Speaker 2: know these you know there's all these poor people who 312 00:15:14,040 --> 00:15:15,920 Speaker 2: shouldn't have to pay a fine. Well, if they're spending 313 00:15:15,960 --> 00:15:19,160 Speaker 2: their money on grog, you know, they can spend it 314 00:15:19,240 --> 00:15:21,360 Speaker 2: paying the territory and we can use that to build 315 00:15:21,440 --> 00:15:23,840 Speaker 2: roads in hire or police I mean, it's just ridiculous. 316 00:15:23,880 --> 00:15:24,800 Speaker 3: I mean, that's the argument. 317 00:15:24,840 --> 00:15:27,480 Speaker 1: I suppose that some people that are being fined can't 318 00:15:27,480 --> 00:15:29,920 Speaker 1: afford then to pay that fine, and that they might 319 00:15:30,000 --> 00:15:33,040 Speaker 1: end up in jail because of unpaid fines. What do 320 00:15:33,080 --> 00:15:34,920 Speaker 1: you say to those that are worried about. 321 00:15:35,040 --> 00:15:37,080 Speaker 2: If they can't afford to pay a fine, how can 322 00:15:37,120 --> 00:15:40,280 Speaker 2: they afford to be fine for public nuisance drinking in 323 00:15:40,320 --> 00:15:42,640 Speaker 2: the first place. I mean, it's just if you're not 324 00:15:43,080 --> 00:15:46,200 Speaker 2: a nuisance public drinker, you won't get a fine and 325 00:15:46,280 --> 00:15:48,280 Speaker 2: off your go. So what's the message, Get off the 326 00:15:48,280 --> 00:15:52,840 Speaker 2: get off the grug, and you know, be an upstanding citizen. 327 00:15:52,880 --> 00:15:54,520 Speaker 2: I don't know how many times I can say this. 328 00:15:54,600 --> 00:15:57,920 Speaker 2: If you're doing the right thing, there's absolutely no problem. 329 00:15:58,440 --> 00:16:00,280 Speaker 2: And it's a bit like I've been asked a lot, 330 00:16:00,320 --> 00:16:03,640 Speaker 2: Katie by another outlet about air conditioning prisons, and I say, 331 00:16:03,720 --> 00:16:05,800 Speaker 2: if you want to live in air conditioning, stay at home, 332 00:16:06,120 --> 00:16:08,240 Speaker 2: get a job, have a good life, and you won't 333 00:16:08,320 --> 00:16:10,240 Speaker 2: end up in prison. You want to go to prison, 334 00:16:10,320 --> 00:16:11,080 Speaker 2: it's going to be hot. 335 00:16:11,160 --> 00:16:13,000 Speaker 3: Well, we don't have an air conditioner in here today. 336 00:16:13,400 --> 00:16:16,520 Speaker 2: So maybe you haven't been a good girl over the weekend, Katie. 337 00:16:16,600 --> 00:16:18,760 Speaker 1: Maybe I'm in trouble. Maybe this is my boss putting 338 00:16:18,800 --> 00:16:21,080 Speaker 1: me on notice. Hey, I want to move along the 339 00:16:21,080 --> 00:16:23,680 Speaker 1: budget road show. Bill, Yeah, he's hit the road and 340 00:16:23,680 --> 00:16:28,080 Speaker 1: he's traveling around talking about the territory's finances. Understand that 341 00:16:28,160 --> 00:16:31,560 Speaker 1: road show is going to be in Darwin tomorrow tomorrow. 342 00:16:32,360 --> 00:16:34,840 Speaker 2: So what we really want to do we acknowledge the 343 00:16:34,880 --> 00:16:37,440 Speaker 2: fact that for ten years, you know, labor really haven't 344 00:16:37,480 --> 00:16:41,120 Speaker 2: talked to the territories about the economy. And what's really 345 00:16:41,160 --> 00:16:43,760 Speaker 2: important to us is to create the jobs and opportunities 346 00:16:43,800 --> 00:16:45,720 Speaker 2: of the future. We have to bring people on that 347 00:16:45,800 --> 00:16:49,600 Speaker 2: journey with us. Now we have a debilitating level of debt. 348 00:16:49,680 --> 00:16:51,920 Speaker 2: So what Bill Yan the Treasure is trying to do 349 00:16:52,400 --> 00:16:55,920 Speaker 2: over the next week is give everyday Territorians the opportunity 350 00:16:55,960 --> 00:16:59,160 Speaker 2: to understand that better. It's really important for people to 351 00:16:59,200 --> 00:17:01,920 Speaker 2: know where we are in order to know and be 352 00:17:02,040 --> 00:17:04,160 Speaker 2: on the journey with us of where we've got to go. 353 00:17:04,760 --> 00:17:07,440 Speaker 2: And so next week then I'll give a presentation about 354 00:17:07,440 --> 00:17:10,160 Speaker 2: the year ahead and our priorities for twenty twenty five. 355 00:17:10,640 --> 00:17:13,600 Speaker 2: But that presentation that I'll do will make much more 356 00:17:13,680 --> 00:17:16,320 Speaker 2: sense if people have absorbed the one that Bill Yam 357 00:17:16,320 --> 00:17:19,920 Speaker 2: will do. So it's really about our twelve billion dollar debt. 358 00:17:20,400 --> 00:17:24,040 Speaker 2: Just how how many budget blowouts they've been as we've 359 00:17:24,080 --> 00:17:28,359 Speaker 2: uncovered things obviously going through the next budget process, projects 360 00:17:28,359 --> 00:17:30,960 Speaker 2: that are blown out by tens of tens of millions, 361 00:17:31,000 --> 00:17:33,680 Speaker 2: if not hundreds of millions. So we just want people 362 00:17:33,720 --> 00:17:36,200 Speaker 2: to really understand that. Of course, where. 363 00:17:35,960 --> 00:17:38,119 Speaker 1: Are some of those projects that have sort of maybe 364 00:17:38,200 --> 00:17:41,320 Speaker 1: surprised you, well, some of the ongoing operating costs that 365 00:17:41,359 --> 00:17:44,400 Speaker 1: maybe have surprised you as you've del delved into things. 366 00:17:44,520 --> 00:17:46,880 Speaker 2: Well, I think on operating costs, well, you know there's 367 00:17:46,880 --> 00:17:49,240 Speaker 2: one hundred million in Tiger Brennan Overpass, just for one 368 00:17:49,240 --> 00:17:51,280 Speaker 2: off the top of my head, Katie, one hundred million, 369 00:17:51,280 --> 00:17:53,679 Speaker 2: I mean, it's extraordinary. That's you know, two schools you 370 00:17:53,680 --> 00:17:57,639 Speaker 2: could build. So another on operating costs, what labor weren't 371 00:17:57,680 --> 00:18:01,000 Speaker 2: doing is putting operating costs into their pro projects going forward. 372 00:18:01,400 --> 00:18:04,919 Speaker 2: So they might be have allocated money for a project, 373 00:18:05,280 --> 00:18:07,520 Speaker 2: that project's then blown out, which means we have to 374 00:18:07,520 --> 00:18:10,119 Speaker 2: borrow more money and then excuse me, and then the 375 00:18:10,200 --> 00:18:12,480 Speaker 2: next year's budget there's no money to run the bloody thing. 376 00:18:12,720 --> 00:18:14,960 Speaker 3: So like, what kind of what example is that because 377 00:18:15,280 --> 00:18:15,920 Speaker 3: I built that. 378 00:18:16,080 --> 00:18:19,760 Speaker 2: What's an example is the Art Gallery at State Square, 379 00:18:19,800 --> 00:18:22,239 Speaker 2: for example, that's had a budget blow out, that's not 380 00:18:22,280 --> 00:18:25,200 Speaker 2: scheduled to come online for two more years, but there's 381 00:18:25,200 --> 00:18:28,399 Speaker 2: no forecasted operational funding for that, which means we have 382 00:18:28,440 --> 00:18:30,640 Speaker 2: to work out, well, how many millions. 383 00:18:30,280 --> 00:18:32,119 Speaker 3: A year is that they think they're going to run it? 384 00:18:32,160 --> 00:18:34,280 Speaker 2: Well, exactly, they don't care about any of these. 385 00:18:34,200 --> 00:18:35,920 Speaker 3: So how much is that blown out? By? 386 00:18:36,080 --> 00:18:38,000 Speaker 2: Oh, I can't remember off the top of my head. 387 00:18:38,000 --> 00:18:41,680 Speaker 2: I believe Bill's talking about it tomorrow, but it's one 388 00:18:41,720 --> 00:18:43,560 Speaker 2: in a number. I mean, the art Gallery and Alice 389 00:18:43,600 --> 00:18:44,679 Speaker 2: Springs is the same. 390 00:18:44,840 --> 00:18:46,960 Speaker 1: But the problem is as well though, well, yeah, that's 391 00:18:47,000 --> 00:18:49,040 Speaker 1: exactly right. We've got the Art Gallery and Alice Springs 392 00:18:49,040 --> 00:18:50,920 Speaker 1: as well, that's been built. But then we've also got 393 00:18:51,080 --> 00:18:54,520 Speaker 1: our existing museum and art gallery and so you know, 394 00:18:54,640 --> 00:18:57,560 Speaker 1: that's heartbreaking where people are saying that that needs money 395 00:18:57,600 --> 00:19:01,720 Speaker 1: invested into it too. So how how are we actually 396 00:19:01,880 --> 00:19:06,000 Speaker 1: going to then manage these three facilities and have them 397 00:19:06,000 --> 00:19:08,120 Speaker 1: operating and pay for them to be operational? 398 00:19:08,560 --> 00:19:11,200 Speaker 2: That is the million dollar question, Katie. 399 00:19:11,680 --> 00:19:12,480 Speaker 3: It'll be more than it is. 400 00:19:12,480 --> 00:19:14,480 Speaker 2: It will be much more than it'd be tens of 401 00:19:14,480 --> 00:19:17,920 Speaker 2: millions and this is the situation we're facing. So we're 402 00:19:17,960 --> 00:19:21,000 Speaker 2: being lumbered with infrastructure we can't afford, we've paid too 403 00:19:21,119 --> 00:19:24,640 Speaker 2: much for, there's no money allocated to run it. We've 404 00:19:24,640 --> 00:19:28,200 Speaker 2: got competing pressures. Obviously, correctional infrastructure is more important to 405 00:19:28,280 --> 00:19:31,040 Speaker 2: us at the moment than art galleries, but we've got 406 00:19:31,080 --> 00:19:34,119 Speaker 2: to balance that lifestyle piece. So you know, doing a 407 00:19:34,160 --> 00:19:36,359 Speaker 2: budget is a juggle at the best of times, and 408 00:19:36,400 --> 00:19:38,880 Speaker 2: we're at the worst of times, so it's very hard. 409 00:19:38,880 --> 00:19:41,600 Speaker 2: And that's why the road shows so important, because growing 410 00:19:41,640 --> 00:19:44,480 Speaker 2: our economy is the only way out of this mess. 411 00:19:44,760 --> 00:19:47,119 Speaker 2: And I want people to understand that. When we're passing 412 00:19:47,240 --> 00:19:51,280 Speaker 2: laws like Territory Coordinator, it's because the territory is in 413 00:19:51,320 --> 00:19:55,520 Speaker 2: a desperate position. We must be highly competitive, attract private 414 00:19:55,560 --> 00:19:59,120 Speaker 2: sector investment and get our economy flourishing, or we're going 415 00:19:59,119 --> 00:20:01,280 Speaker 2: to be in a world of for much longer than 416 00:20:01,320 --> 00:20:03,440 Speaker 2: anyone deserves us to be in. And we don't want 417 00:20:03,440 --> 00:20:05,520 Speaker 2: that for the territory. And that's why we're going to 418 00:20:05,560 --> 00:20:08,199 Speaker 2: make the big decisions needed to unlock the potential that 419 00:20:08,240 --> 00:20:09,000 Speaker 2: the territory has. 420 00:20:09,119 --> 00:20:10,760 Speaker 1: Chief Minister, we are going to let you go, but 421 00:20:10,880 --> 00:20:13,880 Speaker 1: just quickly this morning. We know that after ten o'clock 422 00:20:14,400 --> 00:20:17,680 Speaker 1: the Austin Asher's state funeral is going to get under way. 423 00:20:17,760 --> 00:20:19,160 Speaker 3: An incredible territorian. 424 00:20:19,720 --> 00:20:22,200 Speaker 2: Yeah, it's very sad today there will be a state 425 00:20:22,240 --> 00:20:26,120 Speaker 2: funeral for the Honorable Austin Ash KCAC. You know, a 426 00:20:26,160 --> 00:20:30,640 Speaker 2: former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, administrator, well known 427 00:20:30,680 --> 00:20:34,280 Speaker 2: and loved, treasured territory identity. You know, we're certainly going 428 00:20:34,359 --> 00:20:37,880 Speaker 2: to miss him at the training awards every single year 429 00:20:38,080 --> 00:20:40,719 Speaker 2: at bombing of Darwin, and our thoughts and prayers are 430 00:20:40,720 --> 00:20:43,840 Speaker 2: with his family. But ninety nine years of age, incredible 431 00:20:43,840 --> 00:20:46,679 Speaker 2: contribution and we'll give him the send of he deserves. Today. 432 00:20:46,880 --> 00:20:49,800 Speaker 1: Lea Fanko, Chief Minister of the Northern Territory, good to 433 00:20:49,800 --> 00:20:50,280 Speaker 1: speak with you. 434 00:20:50,320 --> 00:20:51,760 Speaker 2: Thank you for you to take everyone