1 00:00:00,160 --> 00:00:03,680 Speaker 1: We know that yesterday it emerged there is serious concerns 2 00:00:03,800 --> 00:00:07,080 Speaker 1: in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Gallery that 3 00:00:07,240 --> 00:00:10,920 Speaker 1: it may not go ahead. In Alice Springs, the Minister 4 00:00:11,000 --> 00:00:14,040 Speaker 1: for Infrastructure Bill Yan claiming the Federal government will not 5 00:00:14,160 --> 00:00:17,720 Speaker 1: support the proposed multi million dollar gallery and Alice Springs 6 00:00:18,160 --> 00:00:21,400 Speaker 1: in its current design and location. Now the Treasurer and 7 00:00:21,520 --> 00:00:24,720 Speaker 1: Infrastructure Minister Bill Yan telling the ABC and Alice Springs 8 00:00:24,760 --> 00:00:28,640 Speaker 1: that without the Federal government's financial support, the project would 9 00:00:28,640 --> 00:00:32,520 Speaker 1: be untenable. We know the Federal government had promised eighty 10 00:00:32,560 --> 00:00:35,880 Speaker 1: million dollars towards the gallery, with the Northern Territory government 11 00:00:35,960 --> 00:00:39,760 Speaker 1: contributing sixty nine million. Now joining me on the line 12 00:00:39,800 --> 00:00:44,560 Speaker 1: is the Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Catherine King. Good morning 13 00:00:44,600 --> 00:00:45,280 Speaker 1: to you, minister. 14 00:00:46,040 --> 00:00:47,760 Speaker 2: Good morning Kate. Lovely to be with you. 15 00:00:47,840 --> 00:00:49,800 Speaker 1: Yeah, lovely to have you on the show. Now, Minister, 16 00:00:49,920 --> 00:00:53,159 Speaker 1: the Northern Territory Treasurer reckons that your government is no 17 00:00:53,280 --> 00:00:56,040 Speaker 1: longer going to back the Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander 18 00:00:56,240 --> 00:01:00,480 Speaker 1: Art Gallery project in its current design and location. Is 19 00:01:00,520 --> 00:01:01,240 Speaker 1: that the case? 20 00:01:02,160 --> 00:01:04,440 Speaker 2: So the first thing I'd say is the commos eighty 21 00:01:04,600 --> 00:01:07,759 Speaker 2: million dollars remains on the table, and in fact, sixteen 22 00:01:07,800 --> 00:01:10,160 Speaker 2: million dollars under the contract that we have with the 23 00:01:10,200 --> 00:01:13,080 Speaker 2: Northern Territory Government has in fact already been paid to them. 24 00:01:13,480 --> 00:01:15,959 Speaker 2: They haven't spent any of that yet, they tell us, 25 00:01:16,000 --> 00:01:19,360 Speaker 2: so they'll have to account for that. Basically, what's happened 26 00:01:19,400 --> 00:01:21,800 Speaker 2: we've made We made an election commitment back in twenty 27 00:01:21,840 --> 00:01:24,560 Speaker 2: twenty two when we're in opposition for the average on 28 00:01:24,600 --> 00:01:27,800 Speaker 2: the Torres Straight Islander Art Gallery. We reached agreement on 29 00:01:27,880 --> 00:01:30,920 Speaker 2: the scope and signed a contract with the previous Northern 30 00:01:31,000 --> 00:01:34,080 Speaker 2: Territory government. The new government has come in and said 31 00:01:34,080 --> 00:01:36,640 Speaker 2: they want to change the scope of that. They've come 32 00:01:36,680 --> 00:01:39,200 Speaker 2: to ask for a request for a variation in the 33 00:01:39,240 --> 00:01:42,600 Speaker 2: contract and I haven't made a decision about that yet. 34 00:01:42,959 --> 00:01:45,440 Speaker 2: It is fair to say though that there is I 35 00:01:45,480 --> 00:01:48,720 Speaker 2: have asked for some soundings to be taken on the 36 00:01:48,720 --> 00:01:51,280 Speaker 2: ground in Alice Springs. I've done that obviously through Marion 37 00:01:51,360 --> 00:01:53,680 Speaker 2: scring Draw, the federal member there. As you know, you 38 00:01:53,680 --> 00:01:55,480 Speaker 2: know I don't live in Alice Springs. It's good to 39 00:01:55,520 --> 00:01:58,000 Speaker 2: know what's actually happening on the ground. She has raised 40 00:01:58,040 --> 00:02:00,000 Speaker 2: some concerns with the project, which she has been raising 41 00:02:00,080 --> 00:02:04,360 Speaker 2: pretty consistently about it being scaled back, and its location 42 00:02:04,520 --> 00:02:07,960 Speaker 2: now on the car park of anzac Oval, and its 43 00:02:08,120 --> 00:02:12,359 Speaker 2: closeness to an alcohol facility. She's raised those concerns. They're 44 00:02:12,360 --> 00:02:15,480 Speaker 2: being raised in the community with her. I'll continue taking soundings, 45 00:02:15,480 --> 00:02:18,040 Speaker 2: but I have not made a decision as yet, and 46 00:02:18,120 --> 00:02:21,520 Speaker 2: any decision. You know, what it sounded like yesterday was 47 00:02:21,560 --> 00:02:24,359 Speaker 2: frankly the Northern Territory government. You know, basically they issued 48 00:02:24,360 --> 00:02:27,240 Speaker 2: me an automation decide tomorrow or not, which is a 49 00:02:27,240 --> 00:02:30,480 Speaker 2: pretty weird way of trying to work with the Commonwealth 50 00:02:31,720 --> 00:02:34,040 Speaker 2: that you know, in essence that it looked like they 51 00:02:34,080 --> 00:02:36,560 Speaker 2: were trying to push us to take the blame for 52 00:02:36,600 --> 00:02:39,400 Speaker 2: them wanting to cancel the project yesterday. But that's where 53 00:02:39,440 --> 00:02:42,000 Speaker 2: it sits today. I will make a decision. I will 54 00:02:42,000 --> 00:02:45,640 Speaker 2: make a decision about that request for a contract variation shortly, 55 00:02:46,280 --> 00:02:49,680 Speaker 2: but our money is on the table. Any decision to 56 00:02:49,760 --> 00:02:53,800 Speaker 2: cancel the project really will sit with the Northern Territory government. 57 00:02:53,440 --> 00:02:55,960 Speaker 1: All right, So money's on the table. It has not 58 00:02:56,080 --> 00:02:58,800 Speaker 1: been scrapped at this point in time. You are waiting 59 00:02:58,840 --> 00:03:03,320 Speaker 1: for some feedback those variations and the location, I mean, Minister, 60 00:03:03,400 --> 00:03:06,280 Speaker 1: I guess the issue with this location is every location 61 00:03:06,400 --> 00:03:09,440 Speaker 1: that's been sort of sought over the last few years. 62 00:03:09,600 --> 00:03:12,839 Speaker 1: You know, there's been concerns with it or somebody's had 63 00:03:13,120 --> 00:03:15,960 Speaker 1: a worry about it. The other issue. As you I'm 64 00:03:16,040 --> 00:03:20,120 Speaker 1: sure full well know as the Minister for Infrastructure, you know, 65 00:03:20,560 --> 00:03:24,120 Speaker 1: we'll delivering grants to the Northern Territory on a regular 66 00:03:24,200 --> 00:03:27,320 Speaker 1: basis and funding to the Northern Territory on a regular basis. 67 00:03:27,360 --> 00:03:29,040 Speaker 1: But we're in a heck of a lot of debt, 68 00:03:29,560 --> 00:03:31,840 Speaker 1: you know, so that scaling back of the project, I 69 00:03:31,880 --> 00:03:35,040 Speaker 1: suppose for a lot of taxpayers listening, they might be thinking, okay, 70 00:03:35,120 --> 00:03:37,080 Speaker 1: well that's fair enough, if we've got to live within 71 00:03:37,120 --> 00:03:38,000 Speaker 1: our means here. 72 00:03:39,280 --> 00:03:41,680 Speaker 2: Well, what we've got, as I said, is also the 73 00:03:42,160 --> 00:03:45,040 Speaker 2: change of location on the site as well, so that 74 00:03:45,040 --> 00:03:48,120 Speaker 2: that is part of the variation. Now, we're already investing 75 00:03:48,560 --> 00:03:51,520 Speaker 2: hugely in particularly in Ellis and I've got twenty million 76 00:03:51,560 --> 00:03:55,120 Speaker 2: dollars for the CBD redevelopment, twenty million dollars for the 77 00:03:55,160 --> 00:03:58,600 Speaker 2: Gap Project redevelopment. We're doing a skate park there. There's 78 00:03:58,640 --> 00:04:01,640 Speaker 2: over two hundred million dollars I'm putting in for our 79 00:04:01,680 --> 00:04:04,920 Speaker 2: regional roads. So we're investing very heavily as it is 80 00:04:05,800 --> 00:04:09,440 Speaker 2: I understand you know that costs change, scope changes, But 81 00:04:09,840 --> 00:04:12,040 Speaker 2: the heart of this is what we're trying to do 82 00:04:12,160 --> 00:04:16,000 Speaker 2: is deliver an art gallery and cultural precinct in the 83 00:04:16,040 --> 00:04:20,520 Speaker 2: heart of our country that celebrates First Nations people. If 84 00:04:20,560 --> 00:04:23,680 Speaker 2: you've got First Nations people on the grounds saying, you know, 85 00:04:24,080 --> 00:04:26,800 Speaker 2: the change in scope now, remembering we had reached agreement 86 00:04:26,800 --> 00:04:32,040 Speaker 2: with the previous government about the location and scope, and 87 00:04:32,080 --> 00:04:34,000 Speaker 2: now that you've had a change of government, I have 88 00:04:34,360 --> 00:04:37,120 Speaker 2: wanted to change that. If you've now got people on 89 00:04:37,160 --> 00:04:40,760 Speaker 2: the ground saying this is really problematic, what I want 90 00:04:40,839 --> 00:04:43,480 Speaker 2: to see happen is work done to try and get 91 00:04:43,520 --> 00:04:46,440 Speaker 2: a resolution to this so that we can actually deliver 92 00:04:46,600 --> 00:04:48,960 Speaker 2: what we would all like to see, and that is 93 00:04:49,000 --> 00:04:52,640 Speaker 2: a cultural and arts precinct that celebrates First Nations people 94 00:04:52,839 --> 00:04:55,960 Speaker 2: right in the heart found nation. I stand willing to 95 00:04:55,960 --> 00:04:58,680 Speaker 2: continue to work with the Northern Territory government to deliver that, 96 00:04:59,040 --> 00:05:00,880 Speaker 2: but they've also got to make make sure that it's 97 00:05:00,880 --> 00:05:03,159 Speaker 2: in the interests of the community that it happens in 98 00:05:03,200 --> 00:05:04,960 Speaker 2: the way that people can support. 99 00:05:05,520 --> 00:05:08,880 Speaker 1: I mean to any territory and particularly in Alice Springs. 100 00:05:08,880 --> 00:05:11,440 Speaker 1: Listening this morning, some of those tourism operators you know 101 00:05:11,520 --> 00:05:15,080 Speaker 1: they are desperate for this to happen, and for it 102 00:05:15,120 --> 00:05:17,680 Speaker 1: to happen quickly. You know, what do you say to 103 00:05:17,720 --> 00:05:20,840 Speaker 1: anybody listening this morning who is really very happy for 104 00:05:20,880 --> 00:05:24,240 Speaker 1: it to go ahead in the location and the scope 105 00:05:24,320 --> 00:05:26,320 Speaker 1: that the colp government have put forward. 106 00:05:27,320 --> 00:05:29,880 Speaker 2: Well, what I'd say is, again, I have a contract 107 00:05:29,960 --> 00:05:33,479 Speaker 2: variation before me. I'll make a decision about that. What 108 00:05:33,600 --> 00:05:35,680 Speaker 2: happens after that is really going to be then a 109 00:05:35,680 --> 00:05:37,279 Speaker 2: matter for the Northern Territory government. 110 00:05:37,520 --> 00:05:40,679 Speaker 1: Minister, how long do you anticipate you'll need to review 111 00:05:41,200 --> 00:05:44,320 Speaker 1: you know that revised sort of you know the revised plans. 112 00:05:44,839 --> 00:05:46,960 Speaker 2: Well, I'll make a decision. When I make a decision. 113 00:05:47,000 --> 00:05:49,000 Speaker 2: I don't make that on the basis of a threat, 114 00:05:49,240 --> 00:05:52,080 Speaker 2: a threat or an ultimatum from a state government. I've 115 00:05:52,080 --> 00:05:55,080 Speaker 2: worked for a long time really collaboratively with state governments, 116 00:05:55,320 --> 00:05:57,880 Speaker 2: and I know very well that it's always in your 117 00:05:57,880 --> 00:06:00,480 Speaker 2: best interest to work pretty closely together their own sort 118 00:06:00,480 --> 00:06:03,520 Speaker 2: of what happened yesterday I think was pretty unfortunate in 119 00:06:03,560 --> 00:06:05,800 Speaker 2: the sort of history of Commonwealth state relations. It's not 120 00:06:05,839 --> 00:06:08,760 Speaker 2: really the way you operate. I'll take the time to 121 00:06:08,760 --> 00:06:10,799 Speaker 2: make the decision that I think is the right one 122 00:06:10,839 --> 00:06:13,880 Speaker 2: for the interests of both the Commonwealth and in terms 123 00:06:13,920 --> 00:06:15,479 Speaker 2: of the people of our spring. 124 00:06:15,760 --> 00:06:18,080 Speaker 1: Minister, before I let you go, the Member for Aarra 125 00:06:18,160 --> 00:06:21,480 Speaker 1: lu And Robin Lamley, she has weighed in. She's an independent. 126 00:06:21,600 --> 00:06:24,599 Speaker 1: She said if a National Art Gallery cannot be built, 127 00:06:24,600 --> 00:06:27,839 Speaker 1: then the money should be allocated well to building a 128 00:06:27,839 --> 00:06:31,560 Speaker 1: brand new Alice Springs Hospital or a Central Australian hospital. 129 00:06:31,560 --> 00:06:32,360 Speaker 1: What do you think of that? 130 00:06:33,720 --> 00:06:36,000 Speaker 2: Well? And number one, it's a bit hypothetical right at 131 00:06:36,000 --> 00:06:38,440 Speaker 2: this stage, because I haven't made a decision about that, 132 00:06:38,520 --> 00:06:40,880 Speaker 2: and as I said, any decision to cancel the project 133 00:06:41,000 --> 00:06:43,040 Speaker 2: or not proceed will be a decision for the Northern 134 00:06:43,120 --> 00:06:47,359 Speaker 2: Territory Government, not me. It's their project. They are managing 135 00:06:47,400 --> 00:06:49,920 Speaker 2: and running the project, so that'll be their decision to make. 136 00:06:50,560 --> 00:06:53,960 Speaker 2: But any decision for any money to be redirected to 137 00:06:53,960 --> 00:06:55,880 Speaker 2: it that their new projects and they then have to 138 00:06:55,920 --> 00:06:58,800 Speaker 2: go through a process of determining for new project. 139 00:06:58,880 --> 00:07:02,040 Speaker 1: Minister. Do you feel a so the Northern Territory Treasurer 140 00:07:02,279 --> 00:07:05,640 Speaker 1: is sort of you know, trying to sort of you know, 141 00:07:05,760 --> 00:07:07,880 Speaker 1: to pull out of the project and lay the blame 142 00:07:07,880 --> 00:07:08,480 Speaker 1: at your fee. 143 00:07:09,880 --> 00:07:13,280 Speaker 2: Well, I couldn't possibly say, Kate, but it feels a 144 00:07:13,320 --> 00:07:15,880 Speaker 2: little it feels it feels a little a little like 145 00:07:15,920 --> 00:07:17,480 Speaker 2: that to me, and I've been around a while, it 146 00:07:17,600 --> 00:07:20,320 Speaker 2: certainly feels a little bit like that. As I said, 147 00:07:20,320 --> 00:07:23,080 Speaker 2: our money stays is on the table. We want to 148 00:07:23,120 --> 00:07:25,640 Speaker 2: see this. And I made the announced, like I made 149 00:07:25,640 --> 00:07:29,520 Speaker 2: the decision in opposition, that this was a really important project, 150 00:07:29,520 --> 00:07:32,560 Speaker 2: not just for Alice and I really love the place 151 00:07:32,600 --> 00:07:34,800 Speaker 2: and think that it deserves to have an art gallery 152 00:07:34,800 --> 00:07:38,600 Speaker 2: and a cultural pressing. But also, how is it seems 153 00:07:38,600 --> 00:07:40,680 Speaker 2: crazy to me that we don't have something like that. 154 00:07:41,120 --> 00:07:43,160 Speaker 2: Our First Nations people are right at the heart of 155 00:07:43,160 --> 00:07:45,640 Speaker 2: this country. Why have we not got something celebrating them 156 00:07:45,720 --> 00:07:48,160 Speaker 2: right at the heart of this country. Let's get it right. 157 00:07:48,240 --> 00:07:50,360 Speaker 2: Let's take the time to get it right. And that's 158 00:07:50,400 --> 00:07:53,559 Speaker 2: my view. And so we stand ready to keep working 159 00:07:53,560 --> 00:07:55,520 Speaker 2: with the Northern Territory government on what we think is 160 00:07:55,560 --> 00:07:58,520 Speaker 2: a really important project. But any decision that they make 161 00:07:58,640 --> 00:08:01,280 Speaker 2: to walk away will be a just for them, and 162 00:08:01,720 --> 00:08:03,600 Speaker 2: they'll need to own that decision. I don't think they 163 00:08:03,600 --> 00:08:06,200 Speaker 2: should lay the blame at our feet. 164 00:08:06,440 --> 00:08:08,680 Speaker 1: Is the location going to have to change though for 165 00:08:08,760 --> 00:08:09,880 Speaker 1: you to provide that? 166 00:08:09,960 --> 00:08:13,760 Speaker 2: Fine? As I said, we already reached agreement with the 167 00:08:13,800 --> 00:08:17,840 Speaker 2: previous Northern Territory government on that on on that side, 168 00:08:18,320 --> 00:08:20,560 Speaker 2: on a different part of that site, but on that site, 169 00:08:20,640 --> 00:08:23,000 Speaker 2: so we had already reached there was already an agreement 170 00:08:23,040 --> 00:08:25,640 Speaker 2: in place to build it there. The new government has 171 00:08:25,720 --> 00:08:28,400 Speaker 2: changed that so that that is really you know, they 172 00:08:28,960 --> 00:08:30,960 Speaker 2: made an election commitment they were going to save anzac 173 00:08:31,040 --> 00:08:33,360 Speaker 2: Oval and they've moved it to the car park, which 174 00:08:33,400 --> 00:08:37,960 Speaker 2: is a really small and site. So we had reached agreement, 175 00:08:38,120 --> 00:08:41,200 Speaker 2: so to some extent, I think, you know, again it'll 176 00:08:41,240 --> 00:08:43,280 Speaker 2: be you know, I'll make a decision. I'll make a 177 00:08:43,280 --> 00:08:45,760 Speaker 2: decision shortly. It will then be up to the Northern 178 00:08:45,840 --> 00:08:48,120 Speaker 2: Territory government to decide what it wants to do next. 179 00:08:48,920 --> 00:08:51,480 Speaker 2: You know, it will be a matter for them. I 180 00:08:51,480 --> 00:08:53,720 Speaker 2: think it'll be sad if the gallery doesn't go ahead, 181 00:08:53,760 --> 00:08:55,640 Speaker 2: but again that'll be a decision for them. 182 00:08:55,880 --> 00:08:59,760 Speaker 1: Well, Federal Infrastructure Minister Catherine King, really appreciate you taking 183 00:08:59,760 --> 00:09:01,240 Speaker 1: the time to have a chat with us today. 184 00:09:01,960 --> 00:09:04,160 Speaker 2: Always good to talk to you, Kate, Thank you, thanks 185 00:09:04,240 --> 00:09:04,640 Speaker 2: so much.