1 00:00:00,080 --> 00:00:03,400 Speaker 1: An inquiry into alcohol fueled violence, which was requested more 2 00:00:03,440 --> 00:00:06,720 Speaker 1: than six months ago. It's looking as so it won't 3 00:00:06,760 --> 00:00:09,680 Speaker 1: actually be available until twenty twenty six. That's according to 4 00:00:09,720 --> 00:00:13,320 Speaker 1: a report in the Northern Territory News Now. Earlier this year, 5 00:00:13,400 --> 00:00:17,280 Speaker 1: residents of Gray raised the issue of drunk and disorderly behavior, 6 00:00:17,400 --> 00:00:22,560 Speaker 1: particularly around Victoria Drive and Essington Avenue. It's something that 7 00:00:22,600 --> 00:00:25,720 Speaker 1: we've spoken about on numerous occasions on the show, and 8 00:00:25,760 --> 00:00:28,880 Speaker 1: we know that the Member for Drysdale, Clinton Howe, then 9 00:00:29,040 --> 00:00:33,000 Speaker 1: formally approached the NT Liquor Commission on May one, that 10 00:00:33,120 --> 00:00:38,280 Speaker 1: followed a space of particularly violent bashings. He has again, 11 00:00:38,400 --> 00:00:41,360 Speaker 1: as I understand it, written to the Liquor Commission in 12 00:00:41,400 --> 00:00:44,320 Speaker 1: the last twenty four hours, and the Member for Drysdale, 13 00:00:44,360 --> 00:00:47,200 Speaker 1: Clinton Howe, joins me in the studio. Good morning Clinton 14 00:00:47,280 --> 00:00:51,360 Speaker 1: Morning listeners. Thanks so much for your time this morning. Now, 15 00:00:51,479 --> 00:00:54,480 Speaker 1: from your perspective, what is the latest here when it 16 00:00:54,480 --> 00:00:55,600 Speaker 1: comes to this situation. 17 00:00:56,080 --> 00:01:00,440 Speaker 2: Yeah, So I found out mainly yesterday I got media 18 00:01:00,480 --> 00:01:05,840 Speaker 2: inquiries from across the board that the Liquy Commission had 19 00:01:05,840 --> 00:01:08,960 Speaker 2: missed its own deadline, and so I wrote to the 20 00:01:08,959 --> 00:01:13,040 Speaker 2: Liquor Commission yesterday asking for basically an update and it 21 00:01:13,120 --> 00:01:18,240 Speaker 2: kind of please explain what's happened with incredible frustration as well. 22 00:01:19,440 --> 00:01:23,720 Speaker 2: I can say that this morning the via media. I 23 00:01:23,720 --> 00:01:27,000 Speaker 2: did media earlier this morning as well, and the Commissioner 24 00:01:27,040 --> 00:01:33,800 Speaker 2: actually joined that and gave a complete apology to myself 25 00:01:33,840 --> 00:01:38,440 Speaker 2: and the mayor as well because she supported. She also 26 00:01:38,560 --> 00:01:41,880 Speaker 2: gave a letter of support for this inquiry and so 27 00:01:42,360 --> 00:01:45,680 Speaker 2: I thank him for that, and he gave he did 28 00:01:45,720 --> 00:01:47,720 Speaker 2: give an update on what we're likely to see. So 29 00:01:48,840 --> 00:01:51,760 Speaker 2: he said there'll be probably looking at seven of the 30 00:01:51,760 --> 00:01:55,320 Speaker 2: takeaway liquor stores, which is good because I did ask that, 31 00:01:55,520 --> 00:01:58,320 Speaker 2: you know, we can't just focus on one, because what 32 00:01:58,360 --> 00:01:58,920 Speaker 2: if that's not. 33 00:01:58,920 --> 00:02:00,800 Speaker 3: The actual problem, al Right, you need to look at 34 00:02:00,800 --> 00:02:01,120 Speaker 3: them all. 35 00:02:01,440 --> 00:02:05,120 Speaker 2: So that was good. We do know we're probably not 36 00:02:05,160 --> 00:02:06,720 Speaker 2: going to get this till next. 37 00:02:06,560 --> 00:02:10,120 Speaker 1: Year, okay, so how late into next year? Any idea? 38 00:02:10,400 --> 00:02:13,800 Speaker 2: I do not know. So And for listeners out there, 39 00:02:14,160 --> 00:02:17,400 Speaker 2: because it is an independent commission, I really have no 40 00:02:17,480 --> 00:02:20,280 Speaker 2: ability to influence or you. 41 00:02:20,320 --> 00:02:21,960 Speaker 3: Know, no nobody does. 42 00:02:22,000 --> 00:02:25,160 Speaker 1: And look, I do think it's important that that independence remains. 43 00:02:25,160 --> 00:02:27,480 Speaker 1: So I do think it's really important that the Liquor 44 00:02:27,520 --> 00:02:30,520 Speaker 1: Commission does remain independent. But I also think it's really 45 00:02:30,560 --> 00:02:33,200 Speaker 1: important that they hear the concerns of territory. And so 46 00:02:33,200 --> 00:02:35,720 Speaker 1: I mean, based on what he said, what's the reason 47 00:02:35,840 --> 00:02:36,640 Speaker 1: for that delay? 48 00:02:37,800 --> 00:02:41,280 Speaker 2: So they spoke about inquiries. I believe in Alice Springs 49 00:02:42,440 --> 00:02:46,680 Speaker 2: and what I'd say, and this is I give my 50 00:02:46,760 --> 00:02:51,120 Speaker 2: sincere thanks to the journalists from multiple outlets, so yourself 51 00:02:51,240 --> 00:02:56,680 Speaker 2: ABC and I know Anti News as well, for putting 52 00:02:56,680 --> 00:03:00,520 Speaker 2: actually a spotlight on this and that that pressure. I 53 00:03:00,520 --> 00:03:04,560 Speaker 2: think it gives Palmerston a voice. It can amplify my 54 00:03:04,800 --> 00:03:10,200 Speaker 2: voice in representing what the locals want. And so yeah, 55 00:03:10,240 --> 00:03:12,320 Speaker 2: I thank all the journalists out there who have actually 56 00:03:12,360 --> 00:03:14,960 Speaker 2: put a spotlight on this because this is what we 57 00:03:15,000 --> 00:03:20,359 Speaker 2: need for Palmerston. Palmerston can sometimes look. The fact is crime. 58 00:03:20,840 --> 00:03:24,520 Speaker 2: We heard crime down the Stuart Highway in multiple spots. 59 00:03:24,520 --> 00:03:28,079 Speaker 2: Alice Springs got a lot of attention Catherine as well, 60 00:03:28,120 --> 00:03:31,640 Speaker 2: and for very good reason. But have no doubt in 61 00:03:31,720 --> 00:03:35,040 Speaker 2: Palmerston and especially in my electorate. And I'll also say 62 00:03:35,040 --> 00:03:39,120 Speaker 2: in Matt Curle's electorate. A plane crime is just as 63 00:03:39,160 --> 00:03:43,120 Speaker 2: bad when it hots up. And we're entering the wet 64 00:03:43,160 --> 00:03:47,960 Speaker 2: season where we're seeing that increase in visitors and anti 65 00:03:48,000 --> 00:03:51,720 Speaker 2: social behavior. So I'm really keen to make sure we're 66 00:03:51,760 --> 00:03:53,000 Speaker 2: not seeing a repeat of the past. 67 00:03:53,080 --> 00:03:53,480 Speaker 3: Clinton. 68 00:03:53,520 --> 00:03:56,760 Speaker 1: Somebody has just messaged through and asked whether there's any 69 00:03:56,760 --> 00:03:59,520 Speaker 1: opportunity for you to request of the Liquor Commission that 70 00:03:59,560 --> 00:04:02,960 Speaker 1: they put some interim measures in place here, because. 71 00:04:02,760 --> 00:04:03,360 Speaker 3: You're spot on. 72 00:04:04,080 --> 00:04:06,680 Speaker 1: Palmerston does have serious issues when it comes to crime. 73 00:04:06,680 --> 00:04:08,720 Speaker 1: And I've spoken about this before to you, when I've 74 00:04:08,760 --> 00:04:10,800 Speaker 1: spoken about it on the show. You know, I've been 75 00:04:10,840 --> 00:04:13,400 Speaker 1: out there before driving my kids to soccer and there's. 76 00:04:13,240 --> 00:04:15,800 Speaker 3: People absolutely pissed. 77 00:04:16,040 --> 00:04:19,359 Speaker 1: Yeah, asleep on the road, you know, fighting all sorts 78 00:04:19,360 --> 00:04:21,880 Speaker 1: of things going on, and that's kind of across the road, 79 00:04:22,120 --> 00:04:25,360 Speaker 1: like right near the school, right near the the soccer. 80 00:04:25,440 --> 00:04:28,120 Speaker 1: Like it's an it's a serious issue. So is there 81 00:04:28,200 --> 00:04:30,560 Speaker 1: any chance here that there could be some kind of 82 00:04:30,720 --> 00:04:32,400 Speaker 1: interim measures put in place? 83 00:04:33,160 --> 00:04:36,119 Speaker 2: Look, it's a good question, And to the listeners text 84 00:04:36,120 --> 00:04:38,080 Speaker 2: that in my shorter answers, I don't know, but I 85 00:04:38,120 --> 00:04:41,680 Speaker 2: can definitely ask like so, and this is this is 86 00:04:41,800 --> 00:04:45,440 Speaker 2: why we need the inquiry. Clinton, How isn't the expert 87 00:04:45,480 --> 00:04:49,400 Speaker 2: on alcohol nice? This is what the commission does? Yea, 88 00:04:49,720 --> 00:04:50,160 Speaker 2: And so. 89 00:04:51,839 --> 00:04:54,400 Speaker 1: Yeah, I mean paint a picture for our listeners though, 90 00:04:54,839 --> 00:04:57,039 Speaker 1: for those who maybe haven't been out there for a 91 00:04:57,080 --> 00:05:00,039 Speaker 1: while or don't live in Palmerston, don't live around that 92 00:05:00,120 --> 00:05:03,800 Speaker 1: area or in your electrode, Like, how serious is this 93 00:05:04,080 --> 00:05:05,360 Speaker 1: from your perspective? 94 00:05:05,600 --> 00:05:06,039 Speaker 3: Is there? 95 00:05:06,800 --> 00:05:08,760 Speaker 1: You know, like what are you seeing? What are people 96 00:05:08,800 --> 00:05:10,039 Speaker 1: experiencing every day? 97 00:05:10,200 --> 00:05:13,760 Speaker 2: Yeah, definitely. So look this, as I've said before, this 98 00:05:13,839 --> 00:05:17,320 Speaker 2: was a major reason of me entering politics. So Palmerston 99 00:05:17,440 --> 00:05:21,839 Speaker 2: had just edited it was becoming unlivable. It genuinely was. 100 00:05:22,320 --> 00:05:24,599 Speaker 2: And there's a few factors that build into that. It's 101 00:05:24,720 --> 00:05:30,080 Speaker 2: the complete over density of public housing. It is then 102 00:05:30,240 --> 00:05:35,320 Speaker 2: on top of that, so we've got that over density 103 00:05:35,360 --> 00:05:40,200 Speaker 2: of public housing, ease of access to alcohol when visitors 104 00:05:40,200 --> 00:05:43,400 Speaker 2: are coming in, and then just basically pissing up in 105 00:05:43,440 --> 00:05:46,960 Speaker 2: the parks in the street. As you said, Across where 106 00:05:46,960 --> 00:05:49,840 Speaker 2: I'm focusing on, we've got the Gray Primary School, which 107 00:05:50,040 --> 00:05:52,839 Speaker 2: is like just the most amazing school and the staff 108 00:05:52,839 --> 00:05:57,960 Speaker 2: do such an incredible job, and you've got kids walking 109 00:05:58,240 --> 00:06:02,920 Speaker 2: home going to school and they're seeing drunks, disorderly behavior. 110 00:06:04,720 --> 00:06:08,640 Speaker 2: Look Throughout the year, we've implemented a range of new 111 00:06:08,720 --> 00:06:12,719 Speaker 2: laws and we've done that for good reason, and I 112 00:06:12,760 --> 00:06:15,800 Speaker 2: think we're starting to see some improvement, but we are 113 00:06:15,839 --> 00:06:19,760 Speaker 2: not job done in Palmerston. So what I you know? 114 00:06:19,800 --> 00:06:23,119 Speaker 2: And then we've got the new commissioner in Commissioner Doyle, 115 00:06:23,160 --> 00:06:28,080 Speaker 2: and I've got real confidence in the Commissioner, and I 116 00:06:28,120 --> 00:06:31,800 Speaker 2: would say, now's his time to you know, he's got 117 00:06:31,800 --> 00:06:34,000 Speaker 2: the reins, now's his time to make the changes he 118 00:06:34,040 --> 00:06:36,360 Speaker 2: wants to do and change up that policing. 119 00:06:36,680 --> 00:06:38,640 Speaker 1: What do you I mean, like, what do you want 120 00:06:38,680 --> 00:06:41,520 Speaker 1: to happen here in an ideal world? 121 00:06:41,880 --> 00:06:42,840 Speaker 3: What's the outcome? 122 00:06:43,360 --> 00:06:48,200 Speaker 2: Yeah, So I think first and foremost there's a few 123 00:06:48,200 --> 00:06:50,760 Speaker 2: parts to this that I want to see. So on 124 00:06:50,800 --> 00:06:54,240 Speaker 2: the alcohol side, I want a public inquiry to take place. 125 00:06:54,520 --> 00:06:57,760 Speaker 2: That way, all the residents that I represent can come 126 00:06:57,800 --> 00:07:00,640 Speaker 2: and put their case forward. What we know now will 127 00:07:00,680 --> 00:07:04,000 Speaker 2: be seven businesses can put their case forward and the 128 00:07:04,040 --> 00:07:08,080 Speaker 2: commission can make their determination. So that's one aspect of it. 129 00:07:08,160 --> 00:07:10,800 Speaker 2: On the housing side, I've been very clear I want 130 00:07:10,840 --> 00:07:15,720 Speaker 2: to reduce the housing density throughout my electorate and specifically 131 00:07:15,720 --> 00:07:19,640 Speaker 2: in Grand Driver. I would be focusing on the super 132 00:07:19,680 --> 00:07:23,200 Speaker 2: dense areas first and that would be what we call 133 00:07:23,320 --> 00:07:25,920 Speaker 2: out their sin city, which is the flats at twenty 134 00:07:26,000 --> 00:07:26,720 Speaker 2: nine Victoria. 135 00:07:26,880 --> 00:07:28,520 Speaker 3: I'll get messages about them regularly. 136 00:07:28,920 --> 00:07:33,320 Speaker 2: Yeah, and I make I make no apologies. I want 137 00:07:33,320 --> 00:07:36,640 Speaker 2: to see it bulldozed. There are a number of residents 138 00:07:36,680 --> 00:07:39,560 Speaker 2: in there that don't even sleep their katie because they 139 00:07:39,560 --> 00:07:42,400 Speaker 2: don't feel safe, so they'll use it for the day 140 00:07:42,600 --> 00:07:45,960 Speaker 2: and then they're going to families property somewhere else in 141 00:07:46,000 --> 00:07:46,960 Speaker 2: Palmerston at night. 142 00:07:47,240 --> 00:07:50,480 Speaker 1: I've got seniors in there who well, if people are 143 00:07:50,520 --> 00:07:54,200 Speaker 1: not appreciating and looking after the public housing that they 144 00:07:54,240 --> 00:07:57,120 Speaker 1: are provided, it is a privilege, it is not a right. 145 00:07:57,600 --> 00:08:00,200 Speaker 1: And other people in that building should not be leaving 146 00:08:00,240 --> 00:08:04,080 Speaker 1: because they feel unsafe. To me, that is a clear 147 00:08:04,200 --> 00:08:06,880 Speaker 1: indication that the way in which that public housing is 148 00:08:07,680 --> 00:08:09,960 Speaker 1: meant to work it is not happening. 149 00:08:10,240 --> 00:08:13,720 Speaker 2: Yeah and yeah, and so this is why this is like, 150 00:08:14,080 --> 00:08:16,800 Speaker 2: this is the big ticket I think in fixing this 151 00:08:16,920 --> 00:08:20,840 Speaker 2: and the appointment the minister Steve Egen has just appointed 152 00:08:20,920 --> 00:08:25,640 Speaker 2: Tom Lemming as the new CEO and that is a 153 00:08:25,680 --> 00:08:30,800 Speaker 2: great choice. So mister Lemming has come in, he's identified 154 00:08:31,400 --> 00:08:34,960 Speaker 2: it's refreshing to hear like he knows the issues. 155 00:08:35,120 --> 00:08:35,360 Speaker 3: Yep. 156 00:08:36,120 --> 00:08:38,480 Speaker 2: And the way he's described it, which I think was 157 00:08:38,520 --> 00:08:41,880 Speaker 2: spot on, is the social license at the moment doesn't 158 00:08:41,880 --> 00:08:49,280 Speaker 2: exist for the housing and that's Bothy residents tenants, and 159 00:08:49,320 --> 00:08:52,720 Speaker 2: so he wants to get that social license back and 160 00:08:52,800 --> 00:08:54,920 Speaker 2: to do that you have to fix the problems. 161 00:08:55,320 --> 00:08:57,840 Speaker 1: So for you, a public inquiry is what you'd like 162 00:08:57,880 --> 00:09:01,160 Speaker 1: to see into the alcohol is shoes and what's going 163 00:09:01,160 --> 00:09:03,760 Speaker 1: on there with those licenses. You also want to see 164 00:09:03,840 --> 00:09:06,480 Speaker 1: a reduction in the housing supply. I mean, in an 165 00:09:06,520 --> 00:09:11,040 Speaker 1: ideal world, you'd see Sin City bulldoze and do you think. 166 00:09:10,960 --> 00:09:12,280 Speaker 3: That that would sort things out? 167 00:09:12,640 --> 00:09:15,880 Speaker 2: It would make a huge difference. Then my next focus 168 00:09:15,880 --> 00:09:19,400 Speaker 2: would be probably after that would be Cornwallace Circuit in 169 00:09:19,440 --> 00:09:24,079 Speaker 2: Gray as well, which again has real dense housing and 170 00:09:24,120 --> 00:09:27,960 Speaker 2: there's real opportunity in this. We have some really old 171 00:09:28,080 --> 00:09:31,920 Speaker 2: stock and I genuinely believe we are spending more money. 172 00:09:31,960 --> 00:09:33,920 Speaker 2: If you zoom out and looked at five or ten 173 00:09:34,000 --> 00:09:37,440 Speaker 2: year timeframes, what are we actually spending on maintenance and 174 00:09:37,480 --> 00:09:42,960 Speaker 2: repairs in these properties? And so it's a heck of. 175 00:09:42,960 --> 00:09:46,920 Speaker 1: A lot and those wait times are like nine years 176 00:09:46,960 --> 00:09:49,280 Speaker 1: in some cases. So I think we need to make 177 00:09:49,320 --> 00:09:51,160 Speaker 1: sure we've got people in there that are going to 178 00:09:51,200 --> 00:09:53,079 Speaker 1: do the right thing, that are going to look after 179 00:09:53,080 --> 00:09:55,280 Speaker 1: those properties. Clinton we are going to have. 180 00:09:55,240 --> 00:09:57,480 Speaker 3: To leave it there. Please keep us up today. 181 00:09:57,400 --> 00:09:59,920 Speaker 1: As to any movement when it comes to the Liquor 182 00:10:00,000 --> 00:10:02,079 Speaker 1: Commission looking into these licenses. 183 00:10:02,120 --> 00:10:03,280 Speaker 3: We'll talk to you again very soon. 184 00:10:03,480 --> 00:10:06,559 Speaker 2: Just say just quickly Katie before we go. The other 185 00:10:06,600 --> 00:10:09,520 Speaker 2: piece which is great is the police public safety Officers 186 00:10:09,920 --> 00:10:12,200 Speaker 2: and they will be coming online at the Starter next 187 00:10:12,280 --> 00:10:14,640 Speaker 2: year and they are going to be focusing on housing 188 00:10:14,720 --> 00:10:17,400 Speaker 2: and public areas and this is to free up police 189 00:10:17,440 --> 00:10:21,120 Speaker 2: as then as well, so that capability. You know, I 190 00:10:21,160 --> 00:10:23,679 Speaker 2: think with all this coming online, pushing in all these 191 00:10:23,679 --> 00:10:26,880 Speaker 2: different directions, we're going to see some really positive changes. 192 00:10:27,120 --> 00:10:29,560 Speaker 1: Clinton Howe, the member for Drysdale. Good to have you 193 00:10:29,600 --> 00:10:31,120 Speaker 1: on the show. Thanks so much for your time.