1 00:00:00,120 --> 00:00:02,480 Speaker 1: I firstly want to cover off on the issues which 2 00:00:02,520 --> 00:00:05,680 Speaker 1: are of great concern obviously for the people of Alice Springs. 3 00:00:06,040 --> 00:00:08,239 Speaker 1: They were on display for all of Australia to see 4 00:00:08,320 --> 00:00:11,000 Speaker 1: last night on a current affair. So is anything going 5 00:00:11,039 --> 00:00:13,760 Speaker 1: to change? Well? Joining me on the line is the 6 00:00:13,800 --> 00:00:16,840 Speaker 1: Health Minister and Minister for Tourism, Natasha Files. 7 00:00:16,880 --> 00:00:20,000 Speaker 2: Good morning, Good morning, Katie, Good morning listeners. 8 00:00:20,200 --> 00:00:22,919 Speaker 1: Minister. Did you see that report overnight or have you 9 00:00:22,960 --> 00:00:23,920 Speaker 1: watched it this morning? 10 00:00:25,160 --> 00:00:27,520 Speaker 2: Katie? I didn't see that report but I will make 11 00:00:27,560 --> 00:00:31,800 Speaker 2: sure that I see it today. Certainly disappointing to hear 12 00:00:31,840 --> 00:00:33,720 Speaker 2: about that vision and I'll certainly make sure that I 13 00:00:33,760 --> 00:00:34,120 Speaker 2: see it. 14 00:00:34,280 --> 00:00:36,960 Speaker 1: Yeah, I reckon the whole of the Cabinet should actually 15 00:00:37,040 --> 00:00:40,000 Speaker 1: sit down and watch it because it was pretty concerning. 16 00:00:40,680 --> 00:00:42,840 Speaker 1: And I was going to ask you whether you were 17 00:00:42,920 --> 00:00:47,519 Speaker 1: concerned after viewing that footage, but you've not seen it. 18 00:00:48,560 --> 00:00:51,519 Speaker 1: I mean, are you worried though about what's going on 19 00:00:51,560 --> 00:00:52,800 Speaker 1: in Alice Springs at the moment? 20 00:00:54,000 --> 00:00:57,680 Speaker 2: Yes, Katie, I am worried and for me, we all 21 00:00:57,720 --> 00:00:59,960 Speaker 2: have to work together as a community, as a government 22 00:01:00,200 --> 00:01:03,040 Speaker 2: to make sure that we have our springs as a safe, 23 00:01:03,120 --> 00:01:07,360 Speaker 2: vibrant community. We need that community. It's a pivotal service 24 00:01:07,400 --> 00:01:09,840 Speaker 2: center to many remote communities, but it's also a key 25 00:01:10,280 --> 00:01:13,399 Speaker 2: tourism location and to have it proceeed through the way 26 00:01:13,440 --> 00:01:16,640 Speaker 2: it was presented last night certainly is disappointing and so 27 00:01:16,720 --> 00:01:19,280 Speaker 2: we need to be solution focused working with the community. 28 00:01:19,360 --> 00:01:21,320 Speaker 1: Well, I've got to say, what was in that vision 29 00:01:21,400 --> 00:01:24,160 Speaker 1: last night? You know, we've all been talking about it 30 00:01:24,200 --> 00:01:26,440 Speaker 1: for such a long period of time. This is not 31 00:01:26,640 --> 00:01:29,800 Speaker 1: new for Territorians, but I think the shocking part was 32 00:01:29,880 --> 00:01:32,360 Speaker 1: seeing it all there right in front of our eyes 33 00:01:32,440 --> 00:01:35,319 Speaker 1: for the whole of the nation to see. We know 34 00:01:35,440 --> 00:01:38,200 Speaker 1: that next month parcherm is kicking off in Ola Springs. 35 00:01:38,240 --> 00:01:42,040 Speaker 1: What kind of message does this send to tourists wanting 36 00:01:42,120 --> 00:01:43,559 Speaker 1: to travel to the Red Center. 37 00:01:45,000 --> 00:01:47,080 Speaker 2: So we need people to understand that there is more 38 00:01:47,080 --> 00:01:49,160 Speaker 2: to Alice Springs than what they saw last night, that 39 00:01:49,200 --> 00:01:52,320 Speaker 2: it's a vibrant community, that we have amazing festivals. As 40 00:01:52,320 --> 00:01:54,680 Speaker 2: a government, and the Chief Minister spoke about this yesterday, 41 00:01:54,720 --> 00:01:58,320 Speaker 2: we've put significant investment into the police in the community. 42 00:01:58,360 --> 00:02:00,960 Speaker 2: Police have a direct mission to discover crime and increased 43 00:02:00,960 --> 00:02:04,560 Speaker 2: community confidence, and they've been around fifty Additional resources from 44 00:02:05,080 --> 00:02:08,800 Speaker 2: Comfortable Aboriginal Support are police officers. But in terms of 45 00:02:08,800 --> 00:02:11,480 Speaker 2: parchu More, it's an amazing event that brings people together 46 00:02:12,120 --> 00:02:14,880 Speaker 2: and it is simply spectacular. And so we need Alice 47 00:02:14,919 --> 00:02:19,120 Speaker 2: Springs people to understand that it's about festivals such as Parchma, 48 00:02:19,240 --> 00:02:20,799 Speaker 2: not the images they saw last night. 49 00:02:20,919 --> 00:02:22,520 Speaker 1: Yeah, but you know what, I think you're going to 50 00:02:22,560 --> 00:02:25,480 Speaker 1: be in a really tough situation here, minister, because what 51 00:02:25,600 --> 00:02:27,920 Speaker 1: happens if we have a tourist that goes to Alice 52 00:02:27,960 --> 00:02:31,440 Speaker 1: Springs and ends up being assaulted. I mean last night 53 00:02:31,639 --> 00:02:35,960 Speaker 1: again we've had we've had confirmation from the Alice Springs 54 00:02:36,000 --> 00:02:39,280 Speaker 1: Watch commander that there was another incident, this time a 55 00:02:39,320 --> 00:02:42,639 Speaker 1: group of ten to fifteen youths. As I understand, it's 56 00:02:42,639 --> 00:02:45,320 Speaker 1: set upon two men throwing rocks and sticks at them 57 00:02:45,760 --> 00:02:49,720 Speaker 1: and their car. It's bad enough that it's happening to locals, 58 00:02:49,760 --> 00:02:53,120 Speaker 1: but what's going to happen if this happens to two 59 00:02:53,160 --> 00:02:55,360 Speaker 1: tourists are in town for Parchment next month. 60 00:02:56,720 --> 00:02:59,280 Speaker 2: So, Cody, that's why we're investing in those resources, both 61 00:02:59,320 --> 00:03:01,600 Speaker 2: police resource that there's boots on the ground, and as 62 00:03:01,600 --> 00:03:04,560 Speaker 2: I said, police have that mission to discourage crime but 63 00:03:04,639 --> 00:03:07,960 Speaker 2: also increase the community confidence. So we certainly have invested 64 00:03:07,960 --> 00:03:10,160 Speaker 2: heavily in Ala Springs so that we can target and 65 00:03:10,240 --> 00:03:11,519 Speaker 2: reduce crime in that community. 66 00:03:11,840 --> 00:03:14,200 Speaker 1: It'd have to agree, though, that this does not lay 67 00:03:14,360 --> 00:03:16,880 Speaker 1: wholly and solely with the Northern Territory Police. I think 68 00:03:16,919 --> 00:03:19,200 Speaker 1: we've reached a point now where you know, the fact 69 00:03:19,240 --> 00:03:21,839 Speaker 1: that we've got fifty additional resources going to the Red 70 00:03:21,880 --> 00:03:25,400 Speaker 1: Center really demonstrates that, you know, despite the fact that 71 00:03:25,440 --> 00:03:27,959 Speaker 1: we've sort of been, you know, nothing to see here, 72 00:03:28,160 --> 00:03:30,360 Speaker 1: all of a sudden, now we've got these fifty additional 73 00:03:30,400 --> 00:03:34,800 Speaker 1: resources going down. There's clearly a big issue. But I 74 00:03:34,840 --> 00:03:37,280 Speaker 1: think that it's you know, it's more than a police issue. 75 00:03:37,320 --> 00:03:40,280 Speaker 1: You've said, the community and obviously others the government need 76 00:03:40,360 --> 00:03:43,280 Speaker 1: to get together. But at what point do we actually say, 77 00:03:43,400 --> 00:03:47,120 Speaker 1: all right, we need to really have a rethink about 78 00:03:47,160 --> 00:03:48,520 Speaker 1: the way that we're dealing with this. 79 00:03:50,040 --> 00:03:52,440 Speaker 2: So, Katie, there has also been worth other operations in 80 00:03:52,840 --> 00:03:55,560 Speaker 2: recent months. It includes operations Sherwood, in Ola Springs, in 81 00:03:55,600 --> 00:03:59,040 Speaker 2: the CBD and that features youth activities, engagement and that 82 00:03:59,120 --> 00:04:01,640 Speaker 2: support across my agency. So when you say it's not 83 00:04:01,760 --> 00:04:05,440 Speaker 2: just police's role, that's absolutely correct. We need multiple agencies 84 00:04:05,480 --> 00:04:08,760 Speaker 2: and NGO services to create a safe place, particularly for 85 00:04:08,800 --> 00:04:10,640 Speaker 2: those ten to seventeen year old so that they can 86 00:04:10,680 --> 00:04:14,640 Speaker 2: access the services, engage in activities but under supervision. So 87 00:04:15,360 --> 00:04:17,080 Speaker 2: there's certainly a lot of work in a lot of 88 00:04:17,120 --> 00:04:19,039 Speaker 2: agencies and NGOs and we're doing. 89 00:04:18,880 --> 00:04:21,960 Speaker 1: That, Minister. Are you concerned that we could end up 90 00:04:22,000 --> 00:04:24,039 Speaker 1: with something happening to a tourist when they do go 91 00:04:24,160 --> 00:04:25,080 Speaker 1: down for the festival? 92 00:04:26,320 --> 00:04:28,600 Speaker 2: Okay, any incident of crime, whether it's to a local 93 00:04:28,680 --> 00:04:30,919 Speaker 2: or a tourist, is unacceptable, and so that is why 94 00:04:31,120 --> 00:04:33,600 Speaker 2: you know, police have that role in terms of community 95 00:04:33,640 --> 00:04:37,000 Speaker 2: perception of safety and so that people feel safe in 96 00:04:37,040 --> 00:04:39,320 Speaker 2: their community. But it's also doing that deeper work which 97 00:04:39,320 --> 00:04:42,880 Speaker 2: I've just touched upon there around particularly in that youth space, 98 00:04:42,960 --> 00:04:45,400 Speaker 2: making sure there's resources to support these young people so 99 00:04:45,440 --> 00:04:48,640 Speaker 2: that they don't end up causing anti social behavior and 100 00:04:48,680 --> 00:04:49,920 Speaker 2: crime issues in the community. 101 00:04:50,360 --> 00:04:53,280 Speaker 1: Are you worried as the tourism minister, You know, you're 102 00:04:53,320 --> 00:04:55,359 Speaker 1: putting in a lot of hard work to promote the 103 00:04:55,400 --> 00:04:59,680 Speaker 1: Northern Territory to our interstate visitors, but we've still got 104 00:04:59,720 --> 00:05:03,600 Speaker 1: these issues with crime that are really underlying and they 105 00:05:03,640 --> 00:05:06,599 Speaker 1: are having a big impact on tourism. 106 00:05:07,000 --> 00:05:11,000 Speaker 2: So Katie, we certainly acknowledge the ongoing issues there and 107 00:05:11,040 --> 00:05:13,960 Speaker 2: that's why you're seeing those investments. We're working together with 108 00:05:14,000 --> 00:05:18,080 Speaker 2: the community looking at solutions so that people can feel safe, 109 00:05:18,080 --> 00:05:20,000 Speaker 2: so that we can work on those tourists into a 110 00:05:20,080 --> 00:05:22,760 Speaker 2: vibrant community is so important for the town but also 111 00:05:22,800 --> 00:05:25,240 Speaker 2: to the economy, and so there's a number of measures 112 00:05:25,279 --> 00:05:28,120 Speaker 2: in place. We'll continue working on that. We'll leave no 113 00:05:28,240 --> 00:05:30,479 Speaker 2: stone unturned in addressing the bus. 114 00:05:30,440 --> 00:05:32,440 Speaker 1: All right, we are going to move along because there 115 00:05:32,520 --> 00:05:36,560 Speaker 1: is a lot to unpack this morning, including the COVID update. 116 00:05:36,640 --> 00:05:38,680 Speaker 1: I know, I understand that you're actually out at Royal 117 00:05:39,080 --> 00:05:43,240 Speaker 1: Hospital this morning for this. Is it role of the 118 00:05:43,320 --> 00:05:47,920 Speaker 1: phase two of the first rollout of the vaccine. 119 00:05:48,200 --> 00:05:52,680 Speaker 2: That's next week, Katie. Sorry, we're seeing that's okay. We're 120 00:05:52,720 --> 00:05:55,400 Speaker 2: seeing the vaccine roll out really well. In the Northern Territory. 121 00:05:55,440 --> 00:05:58,440 Speaker 2: Over three thy seven hundred territori ines, our frontline workers 122 00:05:58,520 --> 00:06:01,120 Speaker 2: have been vaccinated. And what we seen this week is 123 00:06:01,440 --> 00:06:05,080 Speaker 2: those first people that got the the were given the 124 00:06:05,160 --> 00:06:07,800 Speaker 2: vaccine three weeks ago, are getting their second dose, Katie. 125 00:06:07,800 --> 00:06:10,640 Speaker 2: So that's as fully vaccinated and so by the end 126 00:06:10,680 --> 00:06:13,040 Speaker 2: of this week we'll have completed everybody in Phase one. A. 127 00:06:13,200 --> 00:06:15,720 Speaker 2: Of course there'll be some individuals through their circumstance that 128 00:06:15,760 --> 00:06:18,279 Speaker 2: didn't get vaccinated, and next week we move into that 129 00:06:18,360 --> 00:06:19,159 Speaker 2: one B faith. 130 00:06:19,560 --> 00:06:22,760 Speaker 1: Is there any update on those COVID hotspots at this 131 00:06:22,839 --> 00:06:25,320 Speaker 1: point in time? Has there been any change since yesterday? 132 00:06:26,480 --> 00:06:28,839 Speaker 2: I think that's really important question, Katie. We still have 133 00:06:28,920 --> 00:06:31,040 Speaker 2: the hot spots policy and so people must be warned 134 00:06:31,040 --> 00:06:33,080 Speaker 2: if they choose to travel into state. We could declare 135 00:06:33,080 --> 00:06:36,039 Speaker 2: a hotspot at any point. We did see cases in 136 00:06:36,120 --> 00:06:39,360 Speaker 2: Brisbane and Sydney over the weekend. The Chief Health Officer 137 00:06:39,440 --> 00:06:45,200 Speaker 2: participated in emergency AHPPC meetings. From that he issued directions 138 00:06:45,240 --> 00:06:48,919 Speaker 2: if you've been in specific locations at specific times, you 139 00:06:49,040 --> 00:06:51,880 Speaker 2: must isolate and get tested if you had sense to 140 00:06:51,880 --> 00:06:54,640 Speaker 2: return to the Northern Territory. So we still have that 141 00:06:54,680 --> 00:06:57,400 Speaker 2: hot spot policy, but as we see the vaccine rolled 142 00:06:57,440 --> 00:07:00,240 Speaker 2: out widely, it's less and less likely that will see 143 00:07:00,320 --> 00:07:02,919 Speaker 2: in a whole states and whole city lockdown. Now. 144 00:07:03,080 --> 00:07:05,000 Speaker 1: I know that there's been a lot of discussion about 145 00:07:05,000 --> 00:07:08,240 Speaker 1: the rollout of the astrosenica vaccine. The Chief Minesster said 146 00:07:08,279 --> 00:07:11,000 Speaker 1: on the show yesterday it's not been delayed and should 147 00:07:11,080 --> 00:07:14,600 Speaker 1: arrive before March twenty two. Is this in line with 148 00:07:14,640 --> 00:07:17,040 Speaker 1: the schedule that you have for the rollout. 149 00:07:17,840 --> 00:07:20,840 Speaker 2: Yes, Katie. So when we first started our vaccimation program, 150 00:07:20,920 --> 00:07:24,120 Speaker 2: Fizer was the only vaccine approved by the Australian TGA, 151 00:07:24,240 --> 00:07:26,960 Speaker 2: so we started rolling out with FISA. In that period, 152 00:07:27,560 --> 00:07:30,560 Speaker 2: the Astrosenica vaccine was approved and the Commonwealth said there's 153 00:07:30,600 --> 00:07:33,600 Speaker 2: doses available if you wish to use them. We didn't 154 00:07:33,640 --> 00:07:36,480 Speaker 2: need those doses to complete one A. We have enough 155 00:07:36,480 --> 00:07:39,120 Speaker 2: of the Fizer. The challenge for the territory is our 156 00:07:39,280 --> 00:07:42,920 Speaker 2: population spread over a vast geographical area. The challenge in 157 00:07:42,960 --> 00:07:45,760 Speaker 2: other places is the size of the population. So we 158 00:07:45,840 --> 00:07:48,680 Speaker 2: haven't needed the Astrosenica to date, but it will arrive 159 00:07:48,720 --> 00:07:51,120 Speaker 2: in the coming days ahead of that Phase one beat 160 00:07:51,160 --> 00:07:51,960 Speaker 2: starting next week. 161 00:07:52,440 --> 00:07:55,520 Speaker 1: In some other countries they're actually suspending the rollout of 162 00:07:55,520 --> 00:07:59,160 Speaker 1: the astrosenica vaccine at this point. Italy, France, Germany and 163 00:07:59,240 --> 00:08:03,040 Speaker 1: Spain in several other European countries in suspending the roll 164 00:08:03,080 --> 00:08:06,400 Speaker 1: out of the astrosenica vaccine due to serious side effects 165 00:08:06,680 --> 00:08:09,160 Speaker 1: from some people. Are you keeping an eye on this 166 00:08:09,320 --> 00:08:12,280 Speaker 1: and should we maybe just avoid this vaccine if we 167 00:08:12,320 --> 00:08:13,120 Speaker 1: don't have it yet? 168 00:08:14,480 --> 00:08:17,360 Speaker 2: Really important for territories to understand, Katie. Both fire and 169 00:08:17,400 --> 00:08:21,080 Speaker 2: Astrosenica have been approved, They've been through the rigorous testing processes, 170 00:08:21,320 --> 00:08:24,400 Speaker 2: they're safe and they're effective. The World Health Organization and 171 00:08:24,480 --> 00:08:27,800 Speaker 2: other leading public health agencies and experts have found no 172 00:08:27,880 --> 00:08:31,480 Speaker 2: casual link between astrosenica and those blood clots. I acknowledge 173 00:08:31,560 --> 00:08:33,640 Speaker 2: we have seen some of those European countries to have 174 00:08:33,760 --> 00:08:37,080 Speaker 2: pause the use of it, but we have very high 175 00:08:37,120 --> 00:08:40,800 Speaker 2: levels of strenuous, rigorous testing and the TGA will be 176 00:08:40,840 --> 00:08:44,119 Speaker 2: watching all of this closely. Both the FITHER and Astrodenka 177 00:08:44,200 --> 00:08:45,200 Speaker 2: are safe and effective. 178 00:08:45,520 --> 00:08:48,000 Speaker 1: Minister, have you had the COVID vaccine yet? 179 00:08:49,120 --> 00:08:51,760 Speaker 2: I haven't been vaccinated yet, Katie, but I certainly when 180 00:08:51,960 --> 00:08:55,400 Speaker 2: it comes time, I will be absolutely getting vaccinated my family. 181 00:08:55,520 --> 00:08:58,120 Speaker 2: So I look forward to that. The most important cohort 182 00:08:58,280 --> 00:09:00,160 Speaker 2: was those frontline workers, and I think we still that 183 00:09:00,200 --> 00:09:02,880 Speaker 2: over the weekend with a doctor through no fault of 184 00:09:02,920 --> 00:09:05,880 Speaker 2: their own in Brisbane, caring for people who are infected, 185 00:09:06,040 --> 00:09:09,440 Speaker 2: became infected themselves. So we've been vaccinating those highest risk 186 00:09:09,520 --> 00:09:12,960 Speaker 2: fultline workers will now shift across towards other health workers 187 00:09:12,960 --> 00:09:15,679 Speaker 2: and other vulnerable people, and I certainly will be getting 188 00:09:15,720 --> 00:09:16,960 Speaker 2: vaccinated when it's appropriate. 189 00:09:16,960 --> 00:09:21,079 Speaker 1: And would you feel safe having that astrosenica vaccine. 190 00:09:21,400 --> 00:09:24,360 Speaker 2: I'd feel very comfortable getting either FISA or Astrozenica, which 191 00:09:24,360 --> 00:09:27,080 Speaker 2: have both been others said, rigorously tested and approved by 192 00:09:27,120 --> 00:09:28,840 Speaker 2: the TGA here in Australia. 193 00:09:29,040 --> 00:09:31,800 Speaker 1: Now, a question that we've had from a listener if 194 00:09:31,840 --> 00:09:34,120 Speaker 1: you've been vaccinated, So when we get to the point 195 00:09:34,160 --> 00:09:38,479 Speaker 1: where everybody is obviously getting vaccinated, if you have been vaccinated, 196 00:09:38,640 --> 00:09:41,000 Speaker 1: you go on holidays and you come back to the 197 00:09:41,040 --> 00:09:44,840 Speaker 1: Northern Territory from a hot spot, will you still have 198 00:09:44,920 --> 00:09:48,240 Speaker 1: to quarantine or will that vaccination mean that you are 199 00:09:48,360 --> 00:09:50,120 Speaker 1: fine to move around freely. 200 00:09:51,360 --> 00:09:54,000 Speaker 2: So at this stage you would still have to quarantine, Katie, 201 00:09:54,080 --> 00:09:56,679 Speaker 2: but that's because we still have the hot spot's policy. 202 00:09:56,679 --> 00:09:59,120 Speaker 2: But as we see more and more people vaccinated, we'll 203 00:09:59,120 --> 00:10:02,920 Speaker 2: see less and less that widespread lockdown situation. Hopefully that 204 00:10:03,040 --> 00:10:05,520 Speaker 2: is our aim. So of course, as the vaccine rolls 205 00:10:05,559 --> 00:10:07,400 Speaker 2: out over the coming months and we see the general 206 00:10:07,440 --> 00:10:10,679 Speaker 2: population vaccinated, our health advice and we've been led all 207 00:10:10,679 --> 00:10:13,000 Speaker 2: the way by our Chief Health Officer and his team 208 00:10:13,360 --> 00:10:16,240 Speaker 2: that clinical advice around what to do. The decisions to 209 00:10:16,320 --> 00:10:19,000 Speaker 2: keep territory and safe. I imagine we'll change, but at 210 00:10:19,000 --> 00:10:21,280 Speaker 2: the moment we still have the hotspot policy even if 211 00:10:21,320 --> 00:10:22,080 Speaker 2: you're vaccinated. 212 00:10:22,720 --> 00:10:27,319 Speaker 1: Minister, I am being absolutely inundated with messages this morning. 213 00:10:27,880 --> 00:10:30,280 Speaker 1: I do still want to ask you about Dundee and 214 00:10:30,320 --> 00:10:32,240 Speaker 1: about the health clinic out there, because we've had a 215 00:10:32,280 --> 00:10:35,480 Speaker 1: lot of people contact us about that yesterday. But the 216 00:10:35,520 --> 00:10:38,240 Speaker 1: main thing that people are messaging so far this morning 217 00:10:38,559 --> 00:10:43,320 Speaker 1: is Minister, the promoting, obviously of the current affair report 218 00:10:43,400 --> 00:10:45,360 Speaker 1: last night had been We all knew that it was 219 00:10:45,400 --> 00:10:48,920 Speaker 1: coming for some time. People want to know why on 220 00:10:48,960 --> 00:10:51,960 Speaker 1: earth you didn't watch it, Katie. 221 00:10:51,960 --> 00:10:54,199 Speaker 2: I was in the meeting yesterday evening and I've had 222 00:10:54,200 --> 00:10:56,640 Speaker 2: commitments since very early this morning. But I will watch 223 00:10:56,679 --> 00:11:00,880 Speaker 2: that today and when my time commitments allow to see 224 00:11:00,920 --> 00:11:03,640 Speaker 2: that viewing. But as I've just outlined, we've got a 225 00:11:03,720 --> 00:11:06,559 Speaker 2: number of measures in place where a solution folkus working 226 00:11:06,559 --> 00:11:08,319 Speaker 2: with the community to address these issues. 227 00:11:08,480 --> 00:11:12,360 Speaker 1: Is there anything that's going to change at this point 228 00:11:12,360 --> 00:11:15,520 Speaker 1: in time? Is the government going to do anything differently 229 00:11:15,559 --> 00:11:19,800 Speaker 1: aside from those additional resources for our springs? Are you 230 00:11:19,880 --> 00:11:23,000 Speaker 1: going to do anything differently to try and deal with 231 00:11:23,040 --> 00:11:25,560 Speaker 1: the extreme issues that they've got. 232 00:11:25,440 --> 00:11:29,440 Speaker 2: At the moment. So, Katie, in addition to increasing the 233 00:11:29,480 --> 00:11:33,319 Speaker 2: police president, in addition to increasing the youth engagement and outreach. 234 00:11:33,640 --> 00:11:35,559 Speaker 2: Of course, we'll look at other measures. We're working on 235 00:11:35,640 --> 00:11:39,240 Speaker 2: legislation to give police greater powers. We will see ringleaders 236 00:11:39,320 --> 00:11:42,199 Speaker 2: legislation in Parliament which targets adults and young adults to 237 00:11:42,320 --> 00:11:45,440 Speaker 2: encourage youth. So we certainly want to break that cycle 238 00:11:45,480 --> 00:11:48,439 Speaker 2: of crime and we're happy to look at whatever ideas 239 00:11:48,440 --> 00:11:51,559 Speaker 2: people come up with and have that open debate about them. 240 00:11:51,679 --> 00:11:54,120 Speaker 1: Minister, I do want to ask you now about Dundee. 241 00:11:54,360 --> 00:11:56,480 Speaker 1: We know that we've had a number of people get 242 00:11:56,520 --> 00:11:59,079 Speaker 1: in contact with us. Yesterday we spoke to one of 243 00:11:59,120 --> 00:12:03,440 Speaker 1: the committee members, the Dundee Progress Association, there again calling 244 00:12:03,480 --> 00:12:06,400 Speaker 1: for there to be a clinic out at Dundee. Where 245 00:12:06,400 --> 00:12:08,679 Speaker 1: are you at with this? Are you re looking at it? 246 00:12:10,160 --> 00:12:12,840 Speaker 2: So Kti. It's always a challenge providing health services. The 247 00:12:12,840 --> 00:12:16,040 Speaker 2: Northern Church of Government provides acute health services hospital health 248 00:12:16,040 --> 00:12:19,120 Speaker 2: services in partnership with the Commonwealth Government and the Commonwealth 249 00:12:19,160 --> 00:12:22,120 Speaker 2: Government is responsible through the Northern Territory Primary Health Network 250 00:12:22,440 --> 00:12:25,480 Speaker 2: for those primary health care services. And so we have 251 00:12:25,640 --> 00:12:28,160 Speaker 2: been looking at the clinical service options for Dundee. Be 252 00:12:28,520 --> 00:12:32,000 Speaker 2: certainly I've heard in my time as the Minister the 253 00:12:32,120 --> 00:12:35,600 Speaker 2: views of that community engage with their previous local member, 254 00:12:36,040 --> 00:12:38,440 Speaker 2: Gary Higgins, a favorite of yours, kat and also the 255 00:12:38,480 --> 00:12:41,320 Speaker 2: new member, Ian Sloan and I have spoken about this issue. 256 00:12:41,360 --> 00:12:43,839 Speaker 2: So what the PHN and the Northern Church of Government 257 00:12:43,840 --> 00:12:46,360 Speaker 2: are doing is looking at what the needs of those 258 00:12:46,440 --> 00:12:49,599 Speaker 2: Dundee residents are and the key health service delivery stakeholders. 259 00:12:49,600 --> 00:12:52,000 Speaker 2: So how can we provide exactly what they need and 260 00:12:52,040 --> 00:12:53,120 Speaker 2: the best way to deliver that. 261 00:12:53,280 --> 00:12:55,720 Speaker 1: And is it taking into account the fact that obviously 262 00:12:55,760 --> 00:12:59,240 Speaker 1: the population grows, you know, when the fishing season grows, 263 00:12:59,360 --> 00:13:01,880 Speaker 1: or when there's peace there, obviously visiting when the tourist 264 00:13:01,960 --> 00:13:02,800 Speaker 1: season is on. 265 00:13:04,000 --> 00:13:06,520 Speaker 2: Yes, Katie, So it does take all of that intoto account. 266 00:13:06,600 --> 00:13:11,040 Speaker 2: And so there has been technologic technological sorry upgrades in 267 00:13:11,120 --> 00:13:14,240 Speaker 2: Dundee which allow an opportunity for Telly Health Services which 268 00:13:14,280 --> 00:13:17,439 Speaker 2: provides some primary health care. But we do understand their 269 00:13:17,480 --> 00:13:19,920 Speaker 2: concerns around some of that emergency care. So we'll keep 270 00:13:19,920 --> 00:13:22,760 Speaker 2: working with the PHM and the community to drive and 271 00:13:22,800 --> 00:13:25,360 Speaker 2: deliver services. It's always a challenge, Katie, in the Northern 272 00:13:25,440 --> 00:13:29,880 Speaker 2: Territory with last distances and a small population spread across 273 00:13:29,880 --> 00:13:31,160 Speaker 2: those geographical areas. 274 00:13:31,240 --> 00:13:33,680 Speaker 1: All right, Minister, One other very serious issue I do 275 00:13:33,720 --> 00:13:36,400 Speaker 1: want to ask you about this morning is we know 276 00:13:36,720 --> 00:13:39,560 Speaker 1: that it has been confirmed that a three year old 277 00:13:39,559 --> 00:13:44,280 Speaker 1: boy was sexually assaulted in his yard in Karama. We 278 00:13:44,320 --> 00:13:47,400 Speaker 1: spoke about this on are yesterday. The Northern Territory Police 279 00:13:47,520 --> 00:13:52,000 Speaker 1: have confirmed that this incident did take place. Do you 280 00:13:52,040 --> 00:13:55,280 Speaker 1: think it's appropriate? Well, actually, let me first ask you 281 00:13:56,200 --> 00:13:59,600 Speaker 1: were the government notified of this, Katie. 282 00:13:59,600 --> 00:14:02,280 Speaker 2: I became aware of the incident yesterday. It's a horrific incident. 283 00:14:02,320 --> 00:14:04,640 Speaker 2: I do need to be careful with my comments because 284 00:14:04,640 --> 00:14:07,680 Speaker 2: it's now a matter before the court. But the advice 285 00:14:07,720 --> 00:14:10,560 Speaker 2: I have is that police acted quickly in arresting the 286 00:14:10,600 --> 00:14:13,400 Speaker 2: perpetrator and placing him in custody, and I would suggest 287 00:14:13,400 --> 00:14:15,320 Speaker 2: further questions need to be faced to police. 288 00:14:15,480 --> 00:14:17,320 Speaker 1: I will ask you, though, do you think that it 289 00:14:17,400 --> 00:14:21,440 Speaker 1: is appropriate the police took that number of days up 290 00:14:21,520 --> 00:14:24,880 Speaker 1: until yesterday to notify the government of this very serious incident, 291 00:14:26,160 --> 00:14:26,680 Speaker 1: So cadd that. 292 00:14:26,680 --> 00:14:28,400 Speaker 2: Would be a question for police. There's a number of 293 00:14:28,400 --> 00:14:31,480 Speaker 2: factors that I'm not privy to understanding around what communications 294 00:14:31,480 --> 00:14:33,360 Speaker 2: they provide. I think we can all agree it's an 295 00:14:33,360 --> 00:14:35,920 Speaker 2: absolutely horrific incident that took place in our community. It's 296 00:14:35,960 --> 00:14:37,760 Speaker 2: now before the court and I don't want to say 297 00:14:37,800 --> 00:14:40,240 Speaker 2: anything that might prejudice that case. 298 00:14:40,320 --> 00:14:42,080 Speaker 1: But I don't think it's going to prejudice the case 299 00:14:42,120 --> 00:14:45,000 Speaker 1: by asking whether it's appropriate or not if the government 300 00:14:45,120 --> 00:14:47,240 Speaker 1: was notified of it. 301 00:14:47,280 --> 00:14:49,960 Speaker 2: So Katie, I've said that police acted quickly, they arrested 302 00:14:49,960 --> 00:14:53,600 Speaker 2: the perpetrator and any further questions should be faced to police. 303 00:14:53,360 --> 00:14:56,800 Speaker 1: All right, Natasha Files, the Minister for Health and also 304 00:14:56,880 --> 00:14:59,600 Speaker 1: the Minister for Tourism. I appreciate your time this morning. 305 00:15:00,160 --> 00:15:02,440 Speaker 1: Once you've had a look at that current affair report, 306 00:15:02,600 --> 00:15:05,560 Speaker 1: be very keen to hear your thoughts. Thank you.