1 00:00:00,080 --> 00:00:02,360 Speaker 1: Well, let's have a chat with the minister to find 2 00:00:02,360 --> 00:00:07,200 Speaker 1: out more about those emergency payments. Minister Robin Carl joins 3 00:00:07,240 --> 00:00:09,320 Speaker 1: me on the show. Good morning to your minister. 4 00:00:10,160 --> 00:00:13,240 Speaker 2: Good morning Katie, and good morning so everybody listening this morning. 5 00:00:13,039 --> 00:00:16,239 Speaker 1: Now, Minister. Yesterday people in Darwin River were pretty upset 6 00:00:16,280 --> 00:00:19,880 Speaker 1: about the whole situation. They felt they'd been forgotten and 7 00:00:20,000 --> 00:00:23,759 Speaker 1: left behind. There was no talk of assistance for them. 8 00:00:24,320 --> 00:00:27,840 Speaker 1: It sounds as though things have definitely progressed. What's the 9 00:00:27,920 --> 00:00:28,840 Speaker 1: latest this morning. 10 00:00:29,640 --> 00:00:32,360 Speaker 2: So really good news this morning, Katie is people will 11 00:00:32,360 --> 00:00:35,080 Speaker 2: have seen there was a release to let people know 12 00:00:35,320 --> 00:00:39,040 Speaker 2: out of the Chief Minister's Office that immediate relief payments 13 00:00:39,080 --> 00:00:42,159 Speaker 2: will be made available to people across a range of areas. 14 00:00:42,200 --> 00:00:46,199 Speaker 2: So for those people who have been displaced and are 15 00:00:46,200 --> 00:00:49,760 Speaker 2: not in a secure evacuation center where everything is being 16 00:00:49,800 --> 00:00:53,040 Speaker 2: provided for them, they will have access to payments of 17 00:00:53,440 --> 00:00:55,640 Speaker 2: six hundred and eleven dollars per adult, three hundred and 18 00:00:55,680 --> 00:00:58,200 Speaker 2: nine dollars per child, which is capped at fifteen hundred 19 00:00:58,240 --> 00:01:02,320 Speaker 2: dollars per family. We'll also been able to announce that 20 00:01:02,360 --> 00:01:05,360 Speaker 2: we will have some temporary accommodation assistance up to one 21 00:01:05,959 --> 00:01:09,440 Speaker 2: hundred and sixty dollars per family for households who aren't 22 00:01:09,480 --> 00:01:12,319 Speaker 2: able to return home. And then when we get people 23 00:01:12,360 --> 00:01:15,160 Speaker 2: back home, there are also re establishment grants of up 24 00:01:15,160 --> 00:01:18,360 Speaker 2: to eight hundred and forty three dollars per household which 25 00:01:18,360 --> 00:01:21,920 Speaker 2: will help people who've lost essential items like their fridges 26 00:01:21,959 --> 00:01:24,760 Speaker 2: and their beds and their basic goods. So this is 27 00:01:24,880 --> 00:01:27,640 Speaker 2: really great news, but the really critical thing we need 28 00:01:27,680 --> 00:01:30,560 Speaker 2: to do, Katie, is make sure that we triage this, 29 00:01:30,680 --> 00:01:33,160 Speaker 2: that we roll this out as people are needing them, 30 00:01:33,680 --> 00:01:36,000 Speaker 2: and we I'm really pleased to be able to say 31 00:01:36,040 --> 00:01:38,199 Speaker 2: that the very first lot of money will be going 32 00:01:38,200 --> 00:01:41,479 Speaker 2: out the door today to the Murray Downs mob who've 33 00:01:41,520 --> 00:01:44,720 Speaker 2: been housed in Ali Kurung who are getting ready to 34 00:01:44,760 --> 00:01:47,560 Speaker 2: return home, so they will be the first cab off 35 00:01:47,600 --> 00:01:51,160 Speaker 2: the rank, and over the next week or so, the 36 00:01:51,360 --> 00:01:56,120 Speaker 2: department's workers who have just been putting in a mammoth effort. Katie, 37 00:01:56,120 --> 00:01:59,040 Speaker 2: there's about one hundred of the DCF staff who are 38 00:01:59,040 --> 00:02:03,640 Speaker 2: working across eight evacuation centers, helping around a thousand evacuees 39 00:02:03,760 --> 00:02:06,920 Speaker 2: as well as dealing with people on the ground in Catherine. 40 00:02:07,160 --> 00:02:09,320 Speaker 2: To really make sure that we do as much as 41 00:02:09,320 --> 00:02:12,000 Speaker 2: we possibly can to get people to get back to 42 00:02:12,080 --> 00:02:15,760 Speaker 2: their homes, to feel that they are getting a little 43 00:02:15,760 --> 00:02:18,359 Speaker 2: bit more control back in their life as soon as possible. 44 00:02:18,480 --> 00:02:22,520 Speaker 1: Now, Minister, I understand that flooding affected one side overnight. 45 00:02:22,560 --> 00:02:25,560 Speaker 1: I think that one is in Catherine. What's the situation 46 00:02:25,840 --> 00:02:28,440 Speaker 1: for those people that need to access the Department of 47 00:02:28,520 --> 00:02:29,600 Speaker 1: Children and Families there. 48 00:02:30,360 --> 00:02:33,200 Speaker 2: Yeah, you're absolutely correct, Katie. We had two sites in 49 00:02:33,320 --> 00:02:36,880 Speaker 2: Catherine where they were putting where people could access to 50 00:02:36,919 --> 00:02:40,320 Speaker 2: get the relief assistance. One was the Catherine High School. 51 00:02:40,360 --> 00:02:44,040 Speaker 2: The other one was the Arts and Cultural Center. Unfortunately, 52 00:02:44,040 --> 00:02:46,960 Speaker 2: overnight there was some flood damage that occurred there. They're 53 00:02:47,040 --> 00:02:50,600 Speaker 2: absolutely working as hard as they can to repair that site. 54 00:02:50,720 --> 00:02:54,240 Speaker 2: But in the interim, the department are identifying an alternate 55 00:02:54,320 --> 00:02:57,200 Speaker 2: site and they're expecting that that new location will be 56 00:02:57,240 --> 00:03:01,000 Speaker 2: available from around midday today. So people keep an eye 57 00:03:01,040 --> 00:03:04,000 Speaker 2: on the secure NTI socials keep an eye on the 58 00:03:04,080 --> 00:03:07,359 Speaker 2: DCF page as well. That will give the information. Will 59 00:03:07,400 --> 00:03:10,040 Speaker 2: also put out an announcement to let people know when 60 00:03:10,080 --> 00:03:13,359 Speaker 2: that opens and where are But in the interim, they 61 00:03:13,400 --> 00:03:16,480 Speaker 2: still can go to the Catherine High School and please 62 00:03:16,639 --> 00:03:19,360 Speaker 2: please be patient. There's a lot of work to do 63 00:03:19,440 --> 00:03:23,600 Speaker 2: in this space and we understand everybody is under incredible stress, 64 00:03:23,880 --> 00:03:26,480 Speaker 2: but the team are working really really hard to make 65 00:03:26,520 --> 00:03:29,880 Speaker 2: sure that these payments are processed to people as smoothly 66 00:03:29,919 --> 00:03:30,600 Speaker 2: as possible. 67 00:03:30,760 --> 00:03:33,880 Speaker 1: Now, for those that are in Darwin River and you 68 00:03:33,919 --> 00:03:35,880 Speaker 1: know in some of the areas not just Catherine, that 69 00:03:36,040 --> 00:03:38,880 Speaker 1: are eligible to access payments, where are they going to, 70 00:03:39,040 --> 00:03:41,120 Speaker 1: Where do they need to get their payment from or 71 00:03:41,120 --> 00:03:42,320 Speaker 1: who do they need to speak to? 72 00:03:42,960 --> 00:03:45,280 Speaker 2: Yeah, so what we'll be doing over the next twenty 73 00:03:45,320 --> 00:03:48,280 Speaker 2: four to forty eight hours, Katie is planning how we're 74 00:03:48,280 --> 00:03:51,160 Speaker 2: going to triage these out. So it's really critical that 75 00:03:51,240 --> 00:03:54,240 Speaker 2: money is given to people as they're returning to their 76 00:03:54,280 --> 00:03:57,240 Speaker 2: home so that they can actually get the products and 77 00:03:57,280 --> 00:03:59,880 Speaker 2: the items that they need, so they can get back 78 00:03:59,880 --> 00:04:02,560 Speaker 2: into their homes, that they can actually get some assistance 79 00:04:02,640 --> 00:04:05,960 Speaker 2: to see exactly where things are at, whether they need 80 00:04:05,960 --> 00:04:09,400 Speaker 2: assistance with cleaning, what the damage is to their furniture, 81 00:04:09,400 --> 00:04:12,040 Speaker 2: their white goods, et cetera. But that immediate assistance is 82 00:04:12,080 --> 00:04:14,800 Speaker 2: to make sure they've got food that they can actually 83 00:04:14,800 --> 00:04:17,120 Speaker 2: take with them any personal items that they might need 84 00:04:17,160 --> 00:04:19,080 Speaker 2: to take home that they might not have access to 85 00:04:19,120 --> 00:04:22,240 Speaker 2: once they return. So that program will be triaged over 86 00:04:22,240 --> 00:04:24,640 Speaker 2: the next twenty four to foot ails and as soon 87 00:04:24,680 --> 00:04:27,479 Speaker 2: as we have the details of that, will be constantly 88 00:04:27,520 --> 00:04:30,560 Speaker 2: pushing that out so people will know when it's their 89 00:04:30,640 --> 00:04:33,520 Speaker 2: turn to be able to actually go and get this assistance. 90 00:04:33,560 --> 00:04:36,240 Speaker 1: All right, So it's going to be triarged. It sounds 91 00:04:36,320 --> 00:04:39,240 Speaker 1: like there's going to be a bit of a timeline. Obviously. 92 00:04:39,279 --> 00:04:42,000 Speaker 1: I've got some listeners in Darwen River. Someone's just messaged 93 00:04:42,040 --> 00:04:44,760 Speaker 1: and said, so they are eligible. 94 00:04:44,279 --> 00:04:49,520 Speaker 2: For the money, so if they've been evacuated. So we're 95 00:04:49,560 --> 00:04:54,279 Speaker 2: talking about the areas around so the communities that have 96 00:04:54,320 --> 00:04:57,719 Speaker 2: been evacuated. So for example, we've got people from Plumpo, 97 00:04:57,800 --> 00:05:01,280 Speaker 2: We've got people from Daily River, We've got Beswick Community, 98 00:05:01,320 --> 00:05:04,440 Speaker 2: We've got a whole range of communities that have been impacted. Certainly, 99 00:05:04,440 --> 00:05:07,080 Speaker 2: the people in Catherine who have already been advised of 100 00:05:07,160 --> 00:05:11,440 Speaker 2: their eligibility are actually progressing through the system. They're very clear. 101 00:05:11,480 --> 00:05:16,080 Speaker 2: Details about who and when that access can be obtained 102 00:05:16,160 --> 00:05:19,840 Speaker 2: will be released over the next twenty four to forty 103 00:05:19,880 --> 00:05:24,599 Speaker 2: eight hours, and we'll make sure that people who are 104 00:05:24,640 --> 00:05:28,520 Speaker 2: impacted have that very clear information about where they can 105 00:05:28,560 --> 00:05:30,200 Speaker 2: access and how they access that money. 106 00:05:30,320 --> 00:05:33,400 Speaker 1: So just to be really clear, our residents of Darwin 107 00:05:33,480 --> 00:05:36,560 Speaker 1: River going to be able to access those payments, because 108 00:05:36,560 --> 00:05:40,000 Speaker 1: they're obviously listening this morning and really want that answer. 109 00:05:40,520 --> 00:05:43,960 Speaker 2: Yeah. So essentially in that space, Darlen River's getting an 110 00:05:43,960 --> 00:05:47,839 Speaker 2: air impact assessment right now as we speak, and we're 111 00:05:47,880 --> 00:05:51,680 Speaker 2: getting police footage to see what exactly is going on, 112 00:05:52,080 --> 00:05:54,599 Speaker 2: and then we will once we've got that intel, we'll 113 00:05:54,640 --> 00:05:56,880 Speaker 2: be able to know exactly what is able to be 114 00:05:56,920 --> 00:05:59,320 Speaker 2: done and how quickly we can get assistance to them. 115 00:05:59,400 --> 00:06:01,160 Speaker 1: So hopefully throughout the day we'll have a bit of 116 00:06:01,160 --> 00:06:02,200 Speaker 1: a clearer understanding. 117 00:06:02,760 --> 00:06:05,480 Speaker 2: Absolutely, and I want to reassure the residents in Dalen 118 00:06:05,520 --> 00:06:08,480 Speaker 2: River that the Chief Minister is well across what's been 119 00:06:08,520 --> 00:06:12,039 Speaker 2: going on for them, and she's very she has given 120 00:06:12,160 --> 00:06:15,120 Speaker 2: absolute instruction that we need to get help to them 121 00:06:15,160 --> 00:06:16,000 Speaker 2: as soon as we can. 122 00:06:16,120 --> 00:06:22,400 Speaker 1: Chiefess. I mean sorry Minister, just in terms of the payments, 123 00:06:22,560 --> 00:06:24,960 Speaker 1: you know, like for people that have been evacuated to 124 00:06:25,040 --> 00:06:27,120 Speaker 1: Darwin and I know that you did touch on this 125 00:06:27,160 --> 00:06:29,680 Speaker 1: a moment ago, but in terms of those payments for 126 00:06:29,680 --> 00:06:33,000 Speaker 1: people evacuated to Darwin, so they're not able to then 127 00:06:33,279 --> 00:06:36,920 Speaker 1: access that money until they go back to their community, 128 00:06:36,960 --> 00:06:37,719 Speaker 1: is that correct? 129 00:06:38,160 --> 00:06:41,159 Speaker 2: Well, the substantial difference for the people who've been evacuated 130 00:06:41,200 --> 00:06:44,640 Speaker 2: to dar And Katie is that they are being provided accommodation, meals, 131 00:06:44,760 --> 00:06:48,520 Speaker 2: essential supplies. We've got support for them in terms of 132 00:06:48,920 --> 00:06:52,960 Speaker 2: chaplaincy and psychosocial support. We've got health and education support 133 00:06:53,040 --> 00:06:55,479 Speaker 2: services for them. So everything that they need is being 134 00:06:55,520 --> 00:06:58,720 Speaker 2: provided to them. Our main concern is what happens when 135 00:06:58,760 --> 00:07:01,840 Speaker 2: they return home. Need to make sure that when they're 136 00:07:01,839 --> 00:07:04,520 Speaker 2: returning home that they have the funding that they need 137 00:07:04,560 --> 00:07:07,040 Speaker 2: to be able to restock their fridges, make sure that 138 00:07:07,040 --> 00:07:09,520 Speaker 2: those essential items are available to them as they get 139 00:07:09,560 --> 00:07:10,280 Speaker 2: back to their home. 140 00:07:10,600 --> 00:07:14,040 Speaker 1: Minniester, I am still receiving messages from people sort of 141 00:07:14,160 --> 00:07:18,679 Speaker 1: out in Darwen River area. Someone said, Katie, please please 142 00:07:18,800 --> 00:07:23,400 Speaker 1: mention the affected people at Berry Springs. Berry Springs pet 143 00:07:23,440 --> 00:07:26,360 Speaker 1: Meat is crying out for help. People in Darwin River 144 00:07:26,760 --> 00:07:30,840 Speaker 1: are inundated with water and they are crying out for help. 145 00:07:31,560 --> 00:07:35,360 Speaker 2: So the immediate advice I've got in relation to Darlan River, Katie, 146 00:07:35,440 --> 00:07:39,640 Speaker 2: is that both police and Northern Territory Emergency Services are 147 00:07:39,720 --> 00:07:42,800 Speaker 2: working to assess what's going on there, look at what 148 00:07:42,840 --> 00:07:45,680 Speaker 2: the damage is, and then we will actually roll out 149 00:07:45,680 --> 00:07:49,440 Speaker 2: the support as it's identified as being needed. I think 150 00:07:49,480 --> 00:07:53,400 Speaker 2: the thing that everybody knows this is such an unprecedented situation. 151 00:07:54,160 --> 00:07:57,240 Speaker 2: I do not recall I've been here for thirty odd years. 152 00:07:57,280 --> 00:07:59,560 Speaker 2: I know people who've been here much longer than I 153 00:07:59,680 --> 00:08:03,320 Speaker 2: have saying exactly the same thing. They have never witnessed 154 00:08:03,320 --> 00:08:07,400 Speaker 2: such widespread flooding across so many areas, all at the 155 00:08:07,480 --> 00:08:11,480 Speaker 2: same time, ever before. And as we saw with the 156 00:08:11,640 --> 00:08:15,360 Speaker 2: pump station that's recently flash flooding in Darwin. Who would 157 00:08:15,360 --> 00:08:18,760 Speaker 2: have thought that that could ever have happened. And so 158 00:08:18,920 --> 00:08:21,720 Speaker 2: I have to commend all of the emergency services, all 159 00:08:21,720 --> 00:08:25,320 Speaker 2: of the frontline services. They are literally working day and 160 00:08:25,480 --> 00:08:28,800 Speaker 2: night to make sure that we get assistance to people 161 00:08:29,160 --> 00:08:32,960 Speaker 2: when and where it's needed. It's a massive, massive job. 162 00:08:33,080 --> 00:08:36,960 Speaker 2: That's why the emergency relief has been triggered by the 163 00:08:37,040 --> 00:08:41,280 Speaker 2: Chief Minister in conjunction with the Federal Minister. We absolutely 164 00:08:41,480 --> 00:08:46,880 Speaker 2: understand that assistance is needed. This is a continuing, evolving emergency. 165 00:08:46,880 --> 00:08:49,080 Speaker 2: There are some areas where we haven't even had water 166 00:08:49,120 --> 00:08:52,120 Speaker 2: peak yet, so we have no doubt that there will 167 00:08:52,160 --> 00:08:54,640 Speaker 2: be some spaces where this is going to get even 168 00:08:54,840 --> 00:08:58,080 Speaker 2: more difficult in the next few days, but at other 169 00:08:58,160 --> 00:09:00,760 Speaker 2: places where things will start to prove, and that is 170 00:09:00,800 --> 00:09:03,880 Speaker 2: why it's really important that we triage everything so that 171 00:09:03,920 --> 00:09:07,040 Speaker 2: we deliver that support when it's needed as people are 172 00:09:07,080 --> 00:09:08,280 Speaker 2: able to return home. 173 00:09:08,480 --> 00:09:11,520 Speaker 1: Minister, really quick message from one of our listeners, Tigues 174 00:09:11,520 --> 00:09:14,480 Speaker 1: from the DO. She said, the re establishment grants for 175 00:09:14,520 --> 00:09:18,680 Speaker 1: flood victims are means tested. Why are people whom work 176 00:09:18,679 --> 00:09:21,680 Speaker 1: and pay tax is less entitled to help than people 177 00:09:21,760 --> 00:09:24,960 Speaker 1: who don't work. If assistance is being offered, it should 178 00:09:24,960 --> 00:09:27,360 Speaker 1: be for everyone. What a kick in the teeth to 179 00:09:27,480 --> 00:09:29,640 Speaker 1: have to deal with losing so much and then be 180 00:09:29,760 --> 00:09:33,400 Speaker 1: told that because you contribute to society you're not entitled 181 00:09:33,400 --> 00:09:35,120 Speaker 1: to the well needed assistance. 182 00:09:37,240 --> 00:09:41,960 Speaker 2: Look, I'm not aware that their means tested. I believe 183 00:09:42,000 --> 00:09:45,720 Speaker 2: they're needs tested. But the framework around as sent these 184 00:09:45,760 --> 00:09:49,240 Speaker 2: grants is set by the federal government. I can have 185 00:09:49,280 --> 00:09:50,640 Speaker 2: a look at that and I can get back to you, 186 00:09:50,720 --> 00:09:51,600 Speaker 2: Katie and let you know. 187 00:09:52,080 --> 00:09:56,480 Speaker 1: Minister for Well Families and Children, Rob and Carl really 188 00:09:56,520 --> 00:09:58,520 Speaker 1: appreciate your having a quick chat with us this morning. 189 00:09:58,600 --> 00:09:59,880 Speaker 1: Thank you so much for your time. 190 00:10:00,360 --> 00:10:02,760 Speaker 2: No thanks Katie, And look, just to everybody out there, 191 00:10:02,840 --> 00:10:06,320 Speaker 2: please take care that story about someone getting caught on 192 00:10:06,360 --> 00:10:09,679 Speaker 2: a causeway again. Please if something's flooded, do not cross it. 193 00:10:10,160 --> 00:10:13,040 Speaker 2: And just for now, please keep boiling your water because, 194 00:10:13,080 --> 00:10:15,800 Speaker 2: as you said, just as you were coming into this conversation, 195 00:10:16,200 --> 00:10:18,840 Speaker 2: the chow hasn't done the final testing yet. We're really 196 00:10:18,880 --> 00:10:22,280 Speaker 2: hopeful that that requirement to boil water will be lifted 197 00:10:22,320 --> 00:10:24,880 Speaker 2: later today, but for now, please do not take the 198 00:10:24,960 --> 00:10:26,880 Speaker 2: risk and make sure that you boil your water before 199 00:10:26,920 --> 00:10:27,520 Speaker 2: you drink it. 200 00:10:27,679 --> 00:10:30,360 Speaker 1: Good advice, Minister, Thanks so much for your time this morning. 201 00:10:30,960 --> 00:10:32,360 Speaker 2: Thanks Katie, thank you.