1 00:00:00,120 --> 00:00:00,520 Speaker 1: We know that. 2 00:00:01,120 --> 00:00:04,840 Speaker 2: Unfortunately, we learned over the weekend for Territory Police Force, 3 00:00:05,200 --> 00:00:09,080 Speaker 2: well for Territory Police officers were assaulted in two separate 4 00:00:09,119 --> 00:00:12,240 Speaker 2: incidents in Alice Springs. Now joining me on the line 5 00:00:12,240 --> 00:00:15,760 Speaker 2: to tell us more about the situation. Police Association President 6 00:00:15,800 --> 00:00:17,520 Speaker 2: Paul Mchughue, Good morning to you, Paul. 7 00:00:18,760 --> 00:00:19,560 Speaker 1: Good morning Cadie. 8 00:00:19,560 --> 00:00:22,080 Speaker 2: Here. Are you going not too bad? Paul? What happened 9 00:00:22,160 --> 00:00:23,160 Speaker 2: with these assaults? 10 00:00:24,320 --> 00:00:27,360 Speaker 1: Yeah, look, obviously a very serious yet again another serious 11 00:00:27,360 --> 00:00:31,080 Speaker 1: assault on several of our members. And this was primarily 12 00:00:31,120 --> 00:00:36,320 Speaker 1: one incident, one offender allegedly thrashing out at our offices. 13 00:00:36,680 --> 00:00:39,760 Speaker 1: Obviously they looked like they went to a residence just 14 00:00:39,800 --> 00:00:42,240 Speaker 1: to simply conduct a welfare check. I mean, that's what 15 00:00:42,320 --> 00:00:44,440 Speaker 1: we do. That's what we go out and make sure 16 00:00:44,479 --> 00:00:48,920 Speaker 1: people are okay, and somebody has become quite violent and aggressive, 17 00:00:48,920 --> 00:00:53,360 Speaker 1: and you know, obviously several of our officers were assaulted 18 00:00:53,400 --> 00:00:57,560 Speaker 1: in that particular incidence, one of course requiring hospital assessment, 19 00:00:58,160 --> 00:01:02,200 Speaker 1: so obviously that was extremely serious. And then and others 20 00:01:02,240 --> 00:01:04,880 Speaker 1: receiving injuries at the same time. So yet again we've 21 00:01:04,920 --> 00:01:07,480 Speaker 1: seen you know, and also on the same night, of course, 22 00:01:07,800 --> 00:01:09,440 Speaker 1: one of our officers at the front counter of there 23 00:01:09,480 --> 00:01:13,480 Speaker 1: analys also being assaulted. So it's a far too common occurrence, 24 00:01:13,560 --> 00:01:17,240 Speaker 1: something we talk about far too regularly, but obviously something 25 00:01:17,280 --> 00:01:17,640 Speaker 1: needs to. 26 00:01:17,600 --> 00:01:23,119 Speaker 2: Happen, Paul Fursley. Are all of those officers okay? Yeah? 27 00:01:23,240 --> 00:01:29,360 Speaker 1: I believe so. We've had our local NTPA representatives down 28 00:01:29,360 --> 00:01:32,200 Speaker 1: there and Alice touching base with those officers to make 29 00:01:32,240 --> 00:01:36,039 Speaker 1: sure they're okay. We've got plenty of support network down there, 30 00:01:36,040 --> 00:01:39,800 Speaker 1: and I believe they're all okay. But of course, what 31 00:01:39,840 --> 00:01:42,440 Speaker 1: we've got to consider in these matters is, you know, 32 00:01:42,640 --> 00:01:44,800 Speaker 1: these aren't just police officers. They're victims. You know, they 33 00:01:44,840 --> 00:01:49,200 Speaker 1: are victims time and time again of cowardly, vicious assaults 34 00:01:49,200 --> 00:01:52,640 Speaker 1: and that cumulative effect over a long period of time 35 00:01:52,760 --> 00:01:56,840 Speaker 1: has a very detrimental effect on that person's well being 36 00:01:56,840 --> 00:01:59,600 Speaker 1: and mental health. And we need to be seen to 37 00:01:59,600 --> 00:02:02,200 Speaker 1: be doing as much as we possibly can to think 38 00:02:02,240 --> 00:02:05,160 Speaker 1: about them as they're victims. Are they our frontline workers 39 00:02:05,160 --> 00:02:08,560 Speaker 1: out there keeping us safe, and they do not deserve 40 00:02:08,840 --> 00:02:10,919 Speaker 1: what's been happening of late, and that is too many 41 00:02:10,919 --> 00:02:12,120 Speaker 1: assaults on those officers. 42 00:02:13,120 --> 00:02:15,639 Speaker 2: Paul, You know what do we need to see change here? 43 00:02:15,680 --> 00:02:17,720 Speaker 2: Because as you said, you and I have discussed this 44 00:02:17,800 --> 00:02:21,720 Speaker 2: on numerous occasions. Unfortunately, we've heard so many times of 45 00:02:21,800 --> 00:02:25,280 Speaker 2: our police officers being assaulted. Unfortunately, they're not the only 46 00:02:25,320 --> 00:02:29,040 Speaker 2: ones on the frontline who are in these situations. We've 47 00:02:29,080 --> 00:02:31,680 Speaker 2: heard the same for our paramedics and others as well. 48 00:02:31,720 --> 00:02:34,520 Speaker 2: But for our police. You know, what what can we 49 00:02:34,560 --> 00:02:37,519 Speaker 2: do here? What needs to change? Yeah? 50 00:02:37,520 --> 00:02:41,600 Speaker 1: Well, obviously you know there are good maximum sentences in 51 00:02:41,680 --> 00:02:44,480 Speaker 1: place for assaulting police officers and workers generally. And of 52 00:02:44,520 --> 00:02:47,960 Speaker 1: course now i'm here i represent the police officers as 53 00:02:48,000 --> 00:02:50,200 Speaker 1: by the Police Association, but we all know there are 54 00:02:50,200 --> 00:02:52,960 Speaker 1: other front line workers out there doing an amazing job 55 00:02:53,400 --> 00:02:55,960 Speaker 1: who all fall into this category and they are out 56 00:02:55,960 --> 00:03:01,120 Speaker 1: there keeping us safe. Right now, the maximum sentences are sufficient, 57 00:03:01,240 --> 00:03:06,080 Speaker 1: it's the minimum sentencing provisions that need some urgent assessment. 58 00:03:06,120 --> 00:03:08,679 Speaker 1: Now we were pleased. I was very pleased. I know 59 00:03:08,800 --> 00:03:12,080 Speaker 1: many of our officers will pleased. At last Friday, Judge 60 00:03:12,120 --> 00:03:15,720 Speaker 1: Birchdown in our Spring sentenced an offender to ten months 61 00:03:15,720 --> 00:03:19,000 Speaker 1: imprisonment for assaulting a police officer the file disgusting act 62 00:03:19,440 --> 00:03:21,360 Speaker 1: of spitting twice in the face of one of our 63 00:03:21,360 --> 00:03:24,639 Speaker 1: remote sergeants down in that part of Australia, and that 64 00:03:25,120 --> 00:03:28,600 Speaker 1: judge in his sentencing commented that the public needs to 65 00:03:28,639 --> 00:03:31,600 Speaker 1: know the courts would not tolerate assaults on police officers. Now, 66 00:03:31,639 --> 00:03:34,680 Speaker 1: that's the message that we need to get out there. 67 00:03:34,680 --> 00:03:37,880 Speaker 1: We need to make sure we're helping the victims, sending 68 00:03:37,880 --> 00:03:40,440 Speaker 1: a message that we are listening, and the police and 69 00:03:40,480 --> 00:03:42,840 Speaker 1: all frontline workers are part of that as well. 70 00:03:43,120 --> 00:03:46,600 Speaker 2: So really, it does sound as though, you know, if 71 00:03:46,640 --> 00:03:48,560 Speaker 2: we've got a judge who's come out and said that, 72 00:03:48,600 --> 00:03:51,840 Speaker 2: it does sound as though in some instances the penalties 73 00:03:51,840 --> 00:03:54,840 Speaker 2: are there and they are receiving half sentences. But it's 74 00:03:54,840 --> 00:03:58,000 Speaker 2: about making sure that people know that so that we 75 00:03:58,040 --> 00:04:00,240 Speaker 2: can try and avoid this from happening in the first place. 76 00:04:01,240 --> 00:04:04,360 Speaker 1: Exactly right. I mean, we know more than ever you know. 77 00:04:04,480 --> 00:04:07,200 Speaker 1: We know what we're dealing with across the country, the 78 00:04:07,240 --> 00:04:10,520 Speaker 1: pandemic that we're dealing with. We know police very much 79 00:04:10,600 --> 00:04:12,320 Speaker 1: of the front line of that. On our borders, at 80 00:04:12,320 --> 00:04:16,560 Speaker 1: our airports. They are stretched extremely thin at the moment. 81 00:04:16,600 --> 00:04:20,200 Speaker 1: We've got a lot of resourcing concerns on the front line. 82 00:04:20,320 --> 00:04:23,760 Speaker 1: The last thing we need is our police attacked on 83 00:04:23,800 --> 00:04:26,560 Speaker 1: a regular basis, put off the road because of these 84 00:04:26,640 --> 00:04:29,760 Speaker 1: violent attacks and those sorts of messages such as Judge 85 00:04:29,760 --> 00:04:33,800 Speaker 1: Birchers are welcome, but we haven't seen that enough, and 86 00:04:33,839 --> 00:04:38,159 Speaker 1: the government certainly haven't committed yet despite us speaking with 87 00:04:38,200 --> 00:04:40,240 Speaker 1: them for several years over this to look at those 88 00:04:40,279 --> 00:04:43,839 Speaker 1: minimum sentencing provisions to protect our police and the rest 89 00:04:43,839 --> 00:04:45,080 Speaker 1: of the front line people. 90 00:04:44,920 --> 00:04:47,960 Speaker 2: So that legislation does still need to change. Paul, is 91 00:04:48,000 --> 00:04:48,679 Speaker 2: that what you're saying. 92 00:04:49,480 --> 00:04:52,680 Speaker 1: Yeah, what I'm saying is obviously there are provisions there, 93 00:04:52,680 --> 00:04:55,600 Speaker 1: but right now somebody can have sold an officer and 94 00:04:56,120 --> 00:04:58,920 Speaker 1: walk straight out of court the moment they walk in 95 00:04:58,920 --> 00:05:03,200 Speaker 1: to receive that that sentence. There's no minimum sentencing that 96 00:05:03,360 --> 00:05:07,000 Speaker 1: to us if they're causing serious harm or physical harm 97 00:05:07,040 --> 00:05:10,960 Speaker 1: to one of our officers. I'm sorry, but that's not 98 00:05:11,000 --> 00:05:13,040 Speaker 1: good enough. If you're allowed to just simply get up 99 00:05:13,040 --> 00:05:15,400 Speaker 1: and walk out free. You need to simply be able 100 00:05:15,440 --> 00:05:18,479 Speaker 1: to say as strong send a strong meases the community. 101 00:05:18,520 --> 00:05:21,520 Speaker 1: The judge needs to send that strong message that they 102 00:05:21,520 --> 00:05:24,760 Speaker 1: can only do that on a regular basis if there 103 00:05:24,800 --> 00:05:26,520 Speaker 1: are those minimum sentences in place. 104 00:05:27,480 --> 00:05:30,719 Speaker 2: Paul mque is there anything else happening in your sector 105 00:05:30,760 --> 00:05:32,400 Speaker 2: at the moment that I should be aware of. I 106 00:05:32,440 --> 00:05:35,560 Speaker 2: know that there's always a lot going on for our 107 00:05:35,560 --> 00:05:37,680 Speaker 2: police force, but anything else we should be aware of 108 00:05:37,760 --> 00:05:38,240 Speaker 2: this morning. 109 00:05:39,160 --> 00:05:42,120 Speaker 1: Yeah, look, obviously there's always a whole lot going on 110 00:05:42,200 --> 00:05:44,599 Speaker 1: in the police space. You know, what we need to 111 00:05:44,640 --> 00:05:46,760 Speaker 1: know is what the public needs to know is our 112 00:05:46,800 --> 00:05:48,920 Speaker 1: police are out there doing an incredible job. I went 113 00:05:48,960 --> 00:05:52,800 Speaker 1: to a graduation last Friday. We saw fifty one constables 114 00:05:52,800 --> 00:05:57,040 Speaker 1: and tan original community police officers graduate on Friday. They're 115 00:05:57,080 --> 00:06:00,640 Speaker 1: off to all parts of the territory to help heap safe. 116 00:06:00,680 --> 00:06:04,360 Speaker 1: But you know, I can tell you we've got nearly 117 00:06:04,400 --> 00:06:06,960 Speaker 1: one hundred police tied up on COVID duties at the moment, 118 00:06:07,000 --> 00:06:10,080 Speaker 1: and that is an enormous stretch on our front line 119 00:06:10,080 --> 00:06:12,880 Speaker 1: and something we're very concerned about. And we've raised this 120 00:06:12,960 --> 00:06:15,599 Speaker 1: with the Minister and the Commissioner, and we need to 121 00:06:15,680 --> 00:06:19,040 Speaker 1: know that the government are thinking about this in advance 122 00:06:19,120 --> 00:06:21,560 Speaker 1: because COVID is not going anywhere and we need to 123 00:06:21,600 --> 00:06:23,960 Speaker 1: make sure our front line are properly resourced and right 124 00:06:24,000 --> 00:06:25,400 Speaker 1: now they're pretty stretched. 125 00:06:25,279 --> 00:06:27,680 Speaker 2: So we need it. Sounds like we need more officers, 126 00:06:27,760 --> 00:06:30,599 Speaker 2: but I mean, you know, even like you said, there 127 00:06:30,720 --> 00:06:34,520 Speaker 2: was those recruit squads last week, how do we you know, like, 128 00:06:34,600 --> 00:06:36,680 Speaker 2: how do we try to make some change here? Paul, 129 00:06:36,720 --> 00:06:39,680 Speaker 2: if we are finding it more difficult to sort of 130 00:06:39,720 --> 00:06:43,280 Speaker 2: resource the usual areas that require that resourcing, eye fighting 131 00:06:43,320 --> 00:06:47,080 Speaker 2: crime and you know some of the issues that we've 132 00:06:47,080 --> 00:06:49,040 Speaker 2: got around the territory at the moment that we speak 133 00:06:49,080 --> 00:06:52,000 Speaker 2: about very often on this show, but also making sure 134 00:06:52,320 --> 00:06:54,919 Speaker 2: that we keep the territory safe when it comes to COVID. 135 00:06:56,120 --> 00:06:58,960 Speaker 1: Yeah, well, obviously day to day policing doesn't stop just 136 00:06:59,000 --> 00:07:01,440 Speaker 1: because COVIDS here, but COVID is well and truly here 137 00:07:01,480 --> 00:07:03,960 Speaker 1: for quite a long period of time. We see what's 138 00:07:03,960 --> 00:07:06,880 Speaker 1: happening in New South Wales. There is obviously an emergency 139 00:07:06,880 --> 00:07:10,120 Speaker 1: meeting going on this morning. Our police are at the 140 00:07:10,160 --> 00:07:12,679 Speaker 1: front line of that. The moment we need to stand 141 00:07:12,760 --> 00:07:15,320 Speaker 1: up a border, we need to boost the border protection 142 00:07:15,600 --> 00:07:18,720 Speaker 1: police are called in to do that. Heaven forbid. What 143 00:07:18,760 --> 00:07:22,440 Speaker 1: we saw initially in the COVID response was a lockdown 144 00:07:22,440 --> 00:07:25,440 Speaker 1: of all our biosecurity areas in northern territory, which is 145 00:07:25,440 --> 00:07:27,520 Speaker 1: all our remote communities. If we need to do that, 146 00:07:28,280 --> 00:07:30,480 Speaker 1: we are well and truly under resource for the gap 147 00:07:30,520 --> 00:07:32,840 Speaker 1: for that. So the government needs to sit down and say, well, 148 00:07:32,840 --> 00:07:37,400 Speaker 1: if other states have done it. Victoria at Queensland, New 149 00:07:37,440 --> 00:07:39,920 Speaker 1: South Wales They all looked at this and gone, we 150 00:07:39,960 --> 00:07:42,960 Speaker 1: need extra police right now. We haven't had the same 151 00:07:43,000 --> 00:07:45,480 Speaker 1: from the anti government. They need to simply get on 152 00:07:45,560 --> 00:07:49,800 Speaker 1: board and submit and commit to having more police if 153 00:07:49,800 --> 00:07:52,080 Speaker 1: they want the police to do the COVID response work. 154 00:07:52,360 --> 00:07:53,160 Speaker 1: It's as simple as that. 155 00:07:53,680 --> 00:07:57,440 Speaker 2: Police Association President, Paul McHugh, I always appreciate your time. 156 00:07:57,520 --> 00:07:59,520 Speaker 2: Thanks so much for having a chat with us this morning. 157 00:08:00,480 --> 00:08:01,960 Speaker 1: Got on you. Thanks Katty, thank you