1 00:00:00,040 --> 00:00:02,560 Speaker 1: We missed her on the show last week due to illness, 2 00:00:02,560 --> 00:00:04,960 Speaker 1: and unfortunately that also meant that she missed out on 3 00:00:05,000 --> 00:00:08,240 Speaker 1: the swearing in of the INNTI Administrator. But I'm pleased 4 00:00:08,280 --> 00:00:11,559 Speaker 1: to say that the Speaker of the Northern Territories Legislative 5 00:00:11,600 --> 00:00:15,920 Speaker 1: Assembly also the independent member Ferarra Leuwin. Robin Lamley, joins 6 00:00:15,960 --> 00:00:17,080 Speaker 1: me on the line. 7 00:00:17,120 --> 00:00:19,880 Speaker 2: Good morning Robin, Good morning Katie. 8 00:00:20,040 --> 00:00:22,400 Speaker 1: Robin. We missed you last week and it meant that 9 00:00:22,480 --> 00:00:25,959 Speaker 1: you missed the swearing in. Were you disappointed you'd miss that? 10 00:00:27,000 --> 00:00:31,960 Speaker 2: Oh? Completely. I was wiped out last week for two 11 00:00:32,040 --> 00:00:37,280 Speaker 2: days Thursday and Friday, which coincided with the swearing in ceremonies. 12 00:00:37,479 --> 00:00:40,440 Speaker 2: I think some people thought I deliberately boycotted this. 13 00:00:40,640 --> 00:00:44,199 Speaker 1: Yes, that was the skeptics Robert, and I said, no, no, 14 00:00:44,320 --> 00:00:45,920 Speaker 1: she's meant to come on. She was sick. 15 00:00:46,960 --> 00:00:51,720 Speaker 2: No, it was the case that I was incapable of 16 00:00:51,840 --> 00:00:55,720 Speaker 2: leaving the house. I was so crooked that I absolutely 17 00:00:55,800 --> 00:00:59,840 Speaker 2: would never have walked away from my duties as Speaker 18 00:00:59,880 --> 00:01:02,800 Speaker 2: and I was looking forward to that swearing in ceremony 19 00:01:02,800 --> 00:01:06,119 Speaker 2: for lots of reasons. It was a big performance and 20 00:01:06,480 --> 00:01:11,560 Speaker 2: I saw the photos. There were lots of people involved. 21 00:01:12,080 --> 00:01:16,080 Speaker 2: There were soldiers marching about one hundred soldiers, which I 22 00:01:16,200 --> 00:01:19,679 Speaker 2: was looking forward to, and of course the protest that 23 00:01:19,800 --> 00:01:22,200 Speaker 2: was happening in the background, so it was quite a 24 00:01:22,240 --> 00:01:25,000 Speaker 2: spectacle that I missed. 25 00:01:25,280 --> 00:01:27,399 Speaker 1: Well, Robin, where pleased at your back and we're please 26 00:01:27,440 --> 00:01:30,440 Speaker 1: that you're feeling better. I mean, last week did draw 27 00:01:30,520 --> 00:01:33,959 Speaker 1: some criticism from some people for not allowing that protest 28 00:01:34,360 --> 00:01:37,640 Speaker 1: against the appointment of the administrator to go ahead. Given 29 00:01:37,680 --> 00:01:41,520 Speaker 1: the scenes with police and you know, with someone being arrested, 30 00:01:41,560 --> 00:01:44,880 Speaker 1: did you feel quite justified in banning the protest out 31 00:01:44,920 --> 00:01:45,720 Speaker 1: the front. 32 00:01:46,680 --> 00:01:50,280 Speaker 2: Look, one thing that I didn't make particularly clear in 33 00:01:50,360 --> 00:01:53,280 Speaker 2: the lead up to the swearing in ceremony is that 34 00:01:53,560 --> 00:01:57,000 Speaker 2: during the swearing in ceremony for Hugh Hegy three or 35 00:01:57,000 --> 00:02:01,280 Speaker 2: four years ago, the four corp of Parliament House was 36 00:02:01,280 --> 00:02:04,560 Speaker 2: closed off to the public too. So this was not 37 00:02:04,640 --> 00:02:10,399 Speaker 2: an unusual thing. And when you see the ceremonial proceedings 38 00:02:10,440 --> 00:02:14,080 Speaker 2: that took place last Friday, you will work out you 39 00:02:14,120 --> 00:02:17,600 Speaker 2: can see why the whole forecourt was taken up with 40 00:02:18,440 --> 00:02:24,640 Speaker 2: soldiers marching, cars coming in and out. It was not possible, 41 00:02:25,120 --> 00:02:28,480 Speaker 2: regardless of there being a protest or not, for the 42 00:02:28,520 --> 00:02:32,720 Speaker 2: public to be cruising in and out of there freely. 43 00:02:32,919 --> 00:02:36,079 Speaker 2: It had to be cordoned off for Hugh Heggy swearing in, 44 00:02:36,480 --> 00:02:39,520 Speaker 2: and it had to be cordoned off for David Connolly 45 00:02:39,639 --> 00:02:40,760 Speaker 2: swearing in and. 46 00:02:40,800 --> 00:02:43,840 Speaker 1: Robin For you from your perspective, I mean, was it 47 00:02:43,880 --> 00:02:46,200 Speaker 1: a like was it a safety concern? But was it 48 00:02:46,240 --> 00:02:48,959 Speaker 1: also a discussion with the nt police like about a 49 00:02:49,040 --> 00:02:53,200 Speaker 1: juggling of resources? What sort of you know, what tipped 50 00:02:53,200 --> 00:02:55,160 Speaker 1: you over the edge to say, nah, you can't be 51 00:02:55,240 --> 00:02:57,080 Speaker 1: on this You know you can't be in this area. 52 00:02:57,120 --> 00:02:59,480 Speaker 1: I know you've articulated, you know what had happened last time, 53 00:02:59,480 --> 00:03:01,400 Speaker 1: But what sort of tipped it over the edge for 54 00:03:01,440 --> 00:03:03,880 Speaker 1: you that no, it's not appropriate that it happens. 55 00:03:05,000 --> 00:03:10,560 Speaker 2: Well, I received the application from the group wanting to 56 00:03:10,639 --> 00:03:15,280 Speaker 2: protest about two weeks beforehand, or maybe ten days beforehand, 57 00:03:15,760 --> 00:03:17,560 Speaker 2: and as soon as I looked at it up, I thought, 58 00:03:18,200 --> 00:03:24,000 Speaker 2: there is this is one of the most official functions 59 00:03:24,120 --> 00:03:31,120 Speaker 2: that Parliament House facilitates during a three to four year period. 60 00:03:31,400 --> 00:03:35,880 Speaker 2: It is unlikely that that having a protest at the 61 00:03:35,880 --> 00:03:39,600 Speaker 2: front is compatible with what needs to take place for 62 00:03:39,640 --> 00:03:42,960 Speaker 2: that official function. So before I even knew much about 63 00:03:43,520 --> 00:03:46,880 Speaker 2: the size and the passion of the protest that was intended. 64 00:03:47,400 --> 00:03:50,800 Speaker 2: I was very skeptical as to whether the two could 65 00:03:50,880 --> 00:03:56,200 Speaker 2: happen simultaneously. So yeah, I came from a point of 66 00:03:56,320 --> 00:03:59,040 Speaker 2: I don't think this can happen too. It's not going 67 00:03:59,080 --> 00:04:02,200 Speaker 2: to happen very quick. And after the clerk on my 68 00:04:02,320 --> 00:04:06,640 Speaker 2: behalf met with the police, they already intended to cordon 69 00:04:06,720 --> 00:04:12,160 Speaker 2: off the various areas on the periphery of the Parliament 70 00:04:12,200 --> 00:04:16,839 Speaker 2: House precinct anyway, So it kind of went from me 71 00:04:17,000 --> 00:04:20,839 Speaker 2: worrying about the use of the forecourt, which when I 72 00:04:20,880 --> 00:04:24,159 Speaker 2: reflected on the fact that it's never open to the 73 00:04:24,160 --> 00:04:27,400 Speaker 2: public or haven't been for the last two swearing in ceremonies, 74 00:04:28,279 --> 00:04:30,240 Speaker 2: it became a bigger issue when the police sort of 75 00:04:30,240 --> 00:04:33,240 Speaker 2: stepped in and said, well, we're concerned about this protest 76 00:04:33,279 --> 00:04:36,000 Speaker 2: and how it might impact on the safety of the 77 00:04:36,040 --> 00:04:40,159 Speaker 2: people involved in the swearing in ceremony. So it was 78 00:04:40,320 --> 00:04:46,440 Speaker 2: just a progression from being concerned to this can't happen 79 00:04:46,480 --> 00:04:49,839 Speaker 2: and we have to maintain security. And look, you know, 80 00:04:49,880 --> 00:04:54,159 Speaker 2: in the crazy world we live in, you can't be 81 00:04:54,240 --> 00:04:57,799 Speaker 2: too careful when it comes to dignitaries of the ilk 82 00:04:57,800 --> 00:05:01,800 Speaker 2: of the Governor General new administrator. They are the heads 83 00:05:01,800 --> 00:05:04,480 Speaker 2: of our state. As I've said, yeah five hundred times 84 00:05:04,520 --> 00:05:05,440 Speaker 2: over the last month. 85 00:05:05,800 --> 00:05:08,480 Speaker 1: Well, and Robin, we know that Parliament begins next week 86 00:05:08,600 --> 00:05:12,240 Speaker 1: again now that David Connolly's officially been sworn in. Will 87 00:05:12,279 --> 00:05:15,080 Speaker 1: there be any changes or does it sort of remain 88 00:05:15,120 --> 00:05:18,920 Speaker 1: the same, that same warning around reflecting on the administrator 89 00:05:19,279 --> 00:05:20,599 Speaker 1: inside the house. 90 00:05:20,960 --> 00:05:24,359 Speaker 2: It stays the same, Katie. This is a rule, and 91 00:05:24,400 --> 00:05:26,720 Speaker 2: I would remind people this is a rule that is 92 00:05:26,920 --> 00:05:32,600 Speaker 2: in effect in all Westminster parliaments throughout the world, and 93 00:05:32,640 --> 00:05:36,360 Speaker 2: that's over one hundred and thirty parliaments have this rule. 94 00:05:36,480 --> 00:05:41,360 Speaker 2: You cannot reflect or disrespect be disrespectful to the head 95 00:05:41,360 --> 00:05:44,760 Speaker 2: of state, and that includes the administrator, the Governor General 96 00:05:44,839 --> 00:05:47,960 Speaker 2: and the governor generals of the different states and territories 97 00:05:48,000 --> 00:05:54,599 Speaker 2: in Australia. So that rule remains in place. Look, I've 98 00:05:54,600 --> 00:05:58,720 Speaker 2: copped it on the chin. The interpretation of that has 99 00:05:59,080 --> 00:06:02,000 Speaker 2: stopped people from being able to stand in Parliament and 100 00:06:02,040 --> 00:06:04,840 Speaker 2: say what they want. But I can't see how that 101 00:06:04,920 --> 00:06:08,840 Speaker 2: particular rule can be interpreted in any other way. And 102 00:06:08,880 --> 00:06:11,440 Speaker 2: I challenge people who have been critical to come up 103 00:06:11,440 --> 00:06:15,359 Speaker 2: with a different interpretation because we really struggle with it. 104 00:06:15,440 --> 00:06:20,760 Speaker 2: And I try to be as inclusive and as and 105 00:06:20,880 --> 00:06:23,279 Speaker 2: to allow freedom of speech as much as possible in 106 00:06:23,279 --> 00:06:26,440 Speaker 2: the Parliament. But that doesn't change. In answer to your question, 107 00:06:26,760 --> 00:06:30,120 Speaker 2: when we go back to Parliament next Tuesday, we sit 108 00:06:30,240 --> 00:06:34,560 Speaker 2: for two weeks, I will be ensuring that people are 109 00:06:34,960 --> 00:06:38,080 Speaker 2: respectful to the new administrator, Robert. 110 00:06:38,120 --> 00:06:40,599 Speaker 1: I want to talk about Alice Springs. How are things 111 00:06:40,640 --> 00:06:42,440 Speaker 1: going in Alice at the moment? I know that Saint 112 00:06:42,480 --> 00:06:44,200 Speaker 1: John had told us a little bit earlier in the 113 00:06:44,200 --> 00:06:46,240 Speaker 1: week that someone had had to be rescued from the 114 00:06:46,279 --> 00:06:49,160 Speaker 1: todd Again. Has it all calmed down a little bit 115 00:06:49,240 --> 00:06:51,600 Speaker 1: or is it still quite wet? And is that you 116 00:06:51,680 --> 00:06:53,160 Speaker 1: know that waterway pretty flooded. 117 00:06:54,160 --> 00:06:58,800 Speaker 2: This has been the weirdest three weeks that I recall 118 00:06:59,480 --> 00:07:02,039 Speaker 2: over living in this town for thirty years. In terms 119 00:07:02,080 --> 00:07:06,920 Speaker 2: of weather, you will never see Central Australia more green. 120 00:07:07,080 --> 00:07:10,480 Speaker 2: It is like fluorescent green. The whole place. There is 121 00:07:11,440 --> 00:07:15,880 Speaker 2: green buffle grass everywhere. The trees are green, the gardens 122 00:07:15,920 --> 00:07:20,600 Speaker 2: are green, the whole The whole region is going to 123 00:07:20,640 --> 00:07:27,240 Speaker 2: explode in flowers and flies within the next week or two, 124 00:07:27,280 --> 00:07:30,800 Speaker 2: if it hasn't already. But look, the river is still 125 00:07:30,840 --> 00:07:35,280 Speaker 2: trickling through. We had rain this morning more rain. There's 126 00:07:35,480 --> 00:07:37,520 Speaker 2: the forecast for the next couple of weeks I heard 127 00:07:37,600 --> 00:07:42,200 Speaker 2: yesterday is not for the dry, hot conditions that you 128 00:07:42,360 --> 00:07:44,520 Speaker 2: would expect at this time of year to come back, 129 00:07:44,560 --> 00:07:49,640 Speaker 2: and there's more moisture around. So it's just been peculiar, 130 00:07:49,800 --> 00:07:52,640 Speaker 2: really nice, really mild. I think it got down to 131 00:07:52,680 --> 00:07:56,920 Speaker 2: about twenty degrees yesterday, So ah, what a contrast for 132 00:07:57,120 --> 00:07:59,800 Speaker 2: previous years. You know, a couple of years ago we 133 00:07:59,800 --> 00:08:04,160 Speaker 2: were sitting over forty three degrees January, Feverary March. Very much. 134 00:08:04,320 --> 00:08:06,280 Speaker 1: I mean, has it meant, though, Robin, that you've sort 135 00:08:06,320 --> 00:08:08,120 Speaker 1: of got more people in town? I know there's been 136 00:08:08,200 --> 00:08:10,240 Speaker 1: quite a few issues when it comes to crime. I 137 00:08:10,240 --> 00:08:13,600 Speaker 1: mean last week we saw that terrible situation unfold where 138 00:08:13,600 --> 00:08:16,040 Speaker 1: the police were targeted. Do you think that you've got 139 00:08:16,040 --> 00:08:17,880 Speaker 1: more people in town? What's going on? 140 00:08:18,680 --> 00:08:22,400 Speaker 2: Definitely, there are a lot of people in town. The 141 00:08:22,520 --> 00:08:26,280 Speaker 2: roads are cut all throughout Central Australia. If they're not 142 00:08:26,400 --> 00:08:31,040 Speaker 2: cut there, they're really difficult to drive on. Muddy, messy, 143 00:08:32,240 --> 00:08:34,320 Speaker 2: So yeah, a lot of people are in town. I 144 00:08:34,440 --> 00:08:39,319 Speaker 2: just heard an interview with the manager of Aboriginal hostels. 145 00:08:40,080 --> 00:08:43,000 Speaker 2: We've got quite a number of Aboriginal hostels in town. 146 00:08:43,080 --> 00:08:47,800 Speaker 2: They're booming over. People are stuck here and that kind 147 00:08:47,800 --> 00:08:52,000 Speaker 2: of leads to tension. People sort of feeling frustrated, not 148 00:08:52,080 --> 00:08:55,800 Speaker 2: much to do, sometimes not money, not much money. So yeah, 149 00:08:55,880 --> 00:09:00,240 Speaker 2: I think we are seeing an increase in problematic your 150 00:09:00,280 --> 00:09:05,319 Speaker 2: social behavior. Let's hope the sky is clear and people 151 00:09:05,320 --> 00:09:06,840 Speaker 2: can head home again fairly soon. 152 00:09:07,000 --> 00:09:08,120 Speaker 1: Yeah, this is. 153 00:09:08,120 --> 00:09:11,000 Speaker 2: A normal part of life here in Central Australia as 154 00:09:11,000 --> 00:09:13,400 Speaker 2: it is in Darwen. People come in, they get stuck 155 00:09:13,440 --> 00:09:17,240 Speaker 2: when it rains and they find themselves in trouble. 156 00:09:17,520 --> 00:09:19,560 Speaker 1: Well due to catch up with the police commissioner on 157 00:09:19,600 --> 00:09:21,520 Speaker 1: the show tomorrow morning, so we'll talk a little more 158 00:09:21,559 --> 00:09:24,480 Speaker 1: to him about it, Robin before I let you go 159 00:09:25,000 --> 00:09:28,400 Speaker 1: with your hat still on. As the local Alice Springs 160 00:09:28,400 --> 00:09:30,480 Speaker 1: in LA, have you got a bit of an update 161 00:09:30,520 --> 00:09:33,079 Speaker 1: on that petition that was launched in Alice Springs due 162 00:09:33,160 --> 00:09:35,319 Speaker 1: to the Jacana bills or what's going on there. 163 00:09:36,040 --> 00:09:40,760 Speaker 2: Look, the lady who put it together is extremely discussed 164 00:09:40,800 --> 00:09:44,560 Speaker 2: to contact. I've tried getting onto her many many times. 165 00:09:45,320 --> 00:09:50,200 Speaker 2: I don't know exactly what's happened that I think Jakana 166 00:09:50,280 --> 00:09:54,400 Speaker 2: have got the message. I'm led to believe that people 167 00:09:54,400 --> 00:09:57,959 Speaker 2: are being contacted by Jacana, and they're trying to make 168 00:09:58,000 --> 00:09:59,920 Speaker 2: amends and put these things out. 169 00:10:00,120 --> 00:10:02,840 Speaker 1: We've got a bit of a response from Jacana. I'll 170 00:10:02,880 --> 00:10:05,000 Speaker 1: read part of it out to you. They say that 171 00:10:05,040 --> 00:10:08,920 Speaker 1: they take customer service and compliance obligations seriously. They're committed 172 00:10:08,960 --> 00:10:12,199 Speaker 1: to providing timely and accurate billing for their customers. They 173 00:10:12,240 --> 00:10:15,280 Speaker 1: reckon from time to time, a small proportion of customers 174 00:10:15,360 --> 00:10:18,840 Speaker 1: experience delays in receiving their electricity bills due to operational 175 00:10:18,880 --> 00:10:22,839 Speaker 1: issues arising from billing processes. Now, they said, in the 176 00:10:22,880 --> 00:10:26,120 Speaker 1: electricity market, there are a number of functions undertaken by 177 00:10:26,120 --> 00:10:30,440 Speaker 1: different entities, and the network operator owns and maintains electricity meters, 178 00:10:30,840 --> 00:10:32,920 Speaker 1: so that's in relation to the meter data. It's then 179 00:10:33,040 --> 00:10:36,920 Speaker 1: sent to retailers who use it to build customers, so 180 00:10:37,360 --> 00:10:40,079 Speaker 1: I mean it goes on. They say they're reviewing their 181 00:10:40,080 --> 00:10:44,720 Speaker 1: customer communications to ensure messages are clear, accurate, and appropriately timed. 182 00:10:45,080 --> 00:10:48,440 Speaker 1: They understand that receiving bills later than expected can create 183 00:10:48,520 --> 00:10:53,080 Speaker 1: stress and financial pressure, particularly when it doesn't align with 184 00:10:53,160 --> 00:10:56,960 Speaker 1: household budgeting, and that customers who need support are encouraged 185 00:10:57,000 --> 00:11:00,439 Speaker 1: to contact them. We're going to catch up with Steve 186 00:11:00,520 --> 00:11:03,240 Speaker 1: Edgington hopefully on the show tomorrow as the Minister for 187 00:11:03,360 --> 00:11:05,760 Speaker 1: Essential Services, so we want to talk a bit more 188 00:11:05,840 --> 00:11:08,000 Speaker 1: about it with him as well. I mean, really, what 189 00:11:08,240 --> 00:11:11,000 Speaker 1: is your message to Jacana and to the Minister with 190 00:11:11,160 --> 00:11:11,880 Speaker 1: these bills. 191 00:11:12,960 --> 00:11:18,160 Speaker 2: Look, the problem I think Jakana has is that they're 192 00:11:18,480 --> 00:11:22,319 Speaker 2: obviously running a really tight machine. They don't want to 193 00:11:22,360 --> 00:11:27,959 Speaker 2: spend a lot of time ringing people and looking after 194 00:11:28,040 --> 00:11:34,160 Speaker 2: those relationships unless there is a big problem, and unless 195 00:11:34,600 --> 00:11:38,559 Speaker 2: Robin Lanley writes a story in her newsletter and creates trouble, 196 00:11:39,000 --> 00:11:43,839 Speaker 2: unless someone goes to an extreme measure to hold them 197 00:11:43,880 --> 00:11:48,880 Speaker 2: to account. Jacana is so impersonal, and whether they like 198 00:11:48,960 --> 00:11:51,360 Speaker 2: it or not, there are people out there that are 199 00:11:51,360 --> 00:11:55,760 Speaker 2: too busy or find it too difficult to navigate the 200 00:11:55,800 --> 00:11:58,720 Speaker 2: world that they've created for themselves online. In terms of 201 00:11:58,760 --> 00:12:03,640 Speaker 2: billing and communicating, my message to them would be provide 202 00:12:03,720 --> 00:12:08,080 Speaker 2: people on the ground, whether it's temporarily or permanently, to 203 00:12:08,160 --> 00:12:12,520 Speaker 2: talk to people, to have people available to sort things out. 204 00:12:13,800 --> 00:12:16,360 Speaker 2: The only time I get a response from Jacana, well, 205 00:12:16,360 --> 00:12:18,640 Speaker 2: the only time I ever asked for a response. There 206 00:12:18,720 --> 00:12:23,480 Speaker 2: is a problem, and I'm resourceful, I've got time and 207 00:12:23,520 --> 00:12:25,760 Speaker 2: it's my job to do that. But if you're working 208 00:12:25,800 --> 00:12:28,720 Speaker 2: full time, or you don't have a computer in front 209 00:12:28,760 --> 00:12:31,720 Speaker 2: of you, and for fifty other reasons you can't be 210 00:12:31,760 --> 00:12:35,720 Speaker 2: bothered or you just don't know how, then negotiating with 211 00:12:36,080 --> 00:12:39,000 Speaker 2: Jacana is extremely difficult and I think they need to 212 00:12:39,040 --> 00:12:39,520 Speaker 2: address it. 213 00:12:39,720 --> 00:12:42,200 Speaker 1: Yeah, well, Robin will stay on to it. We'll see 214 00:12:42,240 --> 00:12:45,040 Speaker 1: what we can. We'll see if we can name get 215 00:12:45,040 --> 00:12:48,600 Speaker 1: some further detail from the minister as well. Robin Lambley 216 00:12:48,679 --> 00:12:50,360 Speaker 1: always good to catch up with you. Thank you so 217 00:12:50,440 --> 00:12:51,840 Speaker 1: much for your time and we'll talk to you next 218 00:12:51,880 --> 00:12:53,400 Speaker 1: week when parliament's back underway. 219 00:12:54,160 --> 00:12:55,800 Speaker 2: Thanks Katie, thanks to you too.