Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Now we know that the Australian and the Northern Territory
governments they say that they're working together to deliver the
next stage of the two hundred and fifty million dollars
that's been earmarked for Central Australia in an effort to
improve community safety, tackle alcohol related harm and provide more
opportunities for young people. But questions are being raised after
(00:20):
that plan outlined in the budget, seem to be almost
one hundred million dollars short, well ninety four million dollars
as we understand it being kept in a contingency fund.
Now joining me on the line is Marion Scrimjaw, who
is the member for Lingiari.
Speaker 2 (00:36):
Good morning to you, Marion.
Speaker 3 (00:38):
Good morning Katie.
Speaker 2 (00:39):
How are you really good?
Speaker 1 (00:41):
Although unfortunately more issues with crime overnight all these vehicles stolen.
Speaker 3 (00:49):
Yeah. Look, I was talking to the owner of the
United Service station, Kin Dawen about what has been happening
at some of the serviceations both the night before and stuff.
And you know, like I think we've got to get
a focus on Darwin. The last time I was in Darwen,
(01:09):
and I've said this before, I was born and bred
and grew up in that town. It's not the same,
and we've got to you know, like like Alice Springs,
we've got to not shy away from dealing with that.
So I look forward to coming up to the top
end on Friday and we'll have some discussion with some
(01:33):
of the groups, but in touch with some of the
businesses that are feeling this issue, Katie, and certainly working
with Luke Gosling who is the Member for Solomon, because
I know he shares that same concern that we've got
to do something about it.
Speaker 1 (01:50):
Marion.
Speaker 2 (01:51):
Is the Northern Territory government taking this.
Speaker 1 (01:54):
Issue as seriously as they should be, because I interviewed
the Chief Minister on Tuesday and what people were.
Speaker 2 (02:02):
Really upset and disheartened.
Speaker 1 (02:04):
It truly sounded as though she felt as though the
policy settings that they've got are right, as though she
felt that, you know that they're giving the Northern Territory
Police the funding that they need and that it's you know,
it's up to them to allocate those resources the way
that they do. But people felt really disheartened after that interview.
Speaker 3 (02:29):
Yeah. Look, and this was the same with Alice Sprangs, Katie,
which is why I took a strong stance and we
need to and I'm looking forward to having this discussion
with the Chief Minister but also the Police Minister, but
also the Acting Commissioner, because there's a lot of resources
(02:49):
and funding that's coming from the federal government for Central
Australia and we need to have a look at and
as that bring out then you know, the Northern Territory
Police to make sure that resources are being applied to
the top end and particularly parts of my letters. You know, Catherine,
(03:09):
there are some serious issues in and around Catherine ten
and Creature seeing the same issues. I was there a
couple of weeks ago and we're seeing the same you know,
environments and crime playing out. So you know, like I
think we've got to be honest that there is right
across the nation. We're seeing this issue of crime and
(03:35):
you know, the spike right across the nation, and I
think we shouldn't show away from that there is a
crisis and there is a problem CADI and that we
need to do something about it, and that SEDROOL members
are certainly wanting to look at how do we you know,
get the resources and work with the Northern Territory government
(03:58):
but make sure people in the community feel safe. Yeah,
we spot on it's about it's about people safety.
Speaker 1 (04:04):
Well, and you know, at the end of the day,
no one's feeling overly safe when we've seen four people's.
Speaker 2 (04:09):
Lives lost in like sixty days.
Speaker 1 (04:13):
You know, we saw the terrible situation where a bloke
was allegedly killed in Rapid Creek. We then had a
terrible situation where deck Lan Lavity was allegedly stabbed. We
then had another terrible situation where the Federal Indigenous Affairs
Minister was in town and a woman was allegedly killed
(04:33):
in a domestic violence incident outside the hotel where they
were staying. And then last week to have an international
student allegedly murdered while in his accommodation, in his bed.
It is its heartbreaking, Marion.
Speaker 3 (04:50):
Look, it's terrible, Katie. And all of those incidents, you know,
two young people losing their lives and such sinkless murders.
I mean, those murders could have been avoided. The Aboriginal
woman who was killed in town, and I know speaking
to Linda just you know she's been absolutely affected by it,
(05:13):
and the same with her staff who were there has
just been rocked by You know that that senseless you know,
the violence that came out as that, but there are
so many of these incidences happening cases. We've got to
do something about it, the domestic and family violence strategies.
(05:35):
And it's not just alcohol. And I said just a
couple of weeks ago in Alice Spring the grog issues
that were impacting on Alice Springs. With those restrictions, that
has been that decraise, you know, in alcohol related incidences
in Alice Springs. But I think that we've got to
(05:55):
have a discussion and more of a focus on the
level of the liftid drugs that are there on the street.
And I'm not talking about marijuana, but I think, you know,
like let's talk about ice and meth amphetamine that are
on the street, and cocaine and that aboriginal These young
(06:16):
people are getting access to it, and that's where that
behavior is certainly one where there is no boundary and
people are carrying a lot of weapons and innocent people
are losing their lives because of this issue, and we've
got to do something about it.
Speaker 1 (06:33):
We have to, and we've got to we've got to
do it urgently.
Speaker 2 (06:37):
Marion.
Speaker 1 (06:38):
You know, two hundred and fifty million dollars for Central Australia.
From what I can gather going through where that money
is being invested, there seems to be some really good investments.
A lot of people scratching their heads about this ninety
four million dollar contingency fund.
Speaker 2 (06:53):
What's going to happen with that money?
Speaker 3 (06:57):
Katie. One of the commitments that Linda Bernie gave to
a lot of the Aboriginal leadership. So what I've been
at pains to do is to get a number of
Aboriginal leaders to stand up and to start working with government,
both the Northern Territory and the Commas, but also the
business community in everyone in Alice, France. That money will
(07:20):
be made. There will be a division made and they
will they will have a look at the in the
in stage two. What are they going to do with
this money and put it in their hands and the
community you know, represented from the business community, from tourism,
what will that ninety four minion look like and how
(07:41):
do we get this money rolled out? There's been substantial
money put in Katie. At the start there was one
hundred and twenty million, which was part of my election
commitment that was rolled out committed to in last year's budgets.
There was three hundred and thirty two million in terms
of of roads infrastructure with the Marini Loop and the
(08:04):
Santa Treza one hundred and fifty five point three of
the two hundred and fifty the Treasurer made there is
the commitment for the two point fifty we have rolled
out one hundred and fifty five. I think it's one
hundred and fifty five point three million is what's been
(08:25):
broken down, and I think for our government it is
being responsible. It's been cautious and making sure that we
are going to get the best outcome for the community.
We have to make a difference with this money taking.
It can't get lost either in the bureaucracy, nor should
we give money to organizations and nothing changes on the
(08:48):
ground and community.
Speaker 1 (08:50):
Are You'll be hard pressed to find anybody who disagrees
with that.
Speaker 3 (08:53):
Marion.
Speaker 2 (08:53):
I think you hit the nail on the head.
Speaker 1 (08:56):
Is there any money going towards you bring your school
to get that boarding house up and running?
Speaker 3 (09:01):
Not at the moment. And look, I've said to Yaprina
that I will support the board's aspirations as to what
they want to do. But the proposal that's been put forward,
it doesn't address the criteria and it's full of holds, Katie.
We've got to get to a point that if you're
(09:23):
going to have taxpayer dollars invested in this, we've got
to do the right thing here. So I've said to
the Principle of Yaparina and the board, I will work
with them over the next couple of months to look
at their proposal and we can refine that a bit more. Now.
It may be it's not in this budget, and I
made that clear to them that it wasn't in this budget,
(09:46):
but I will work with them to look at when
that proposal is that a point where I think it
is sufficient, you know, and it's going to address some
of the issues. For example, their existing proposal only deals
with about twenty children at the moment on Alice Springs,
where we're looking at there's nearly one hundred kids on
(10:07):
the street, and we need to look at what do
we need to do to provide a safe and secure
facility that is going to keep these young people safe
and that they've got somewhere where we can re engage
them back in the education system, getting the therapeutic care
because a lot of them have fadd and other issues.
(10:29):
And we need to start addressing this case. We can't
keep ignoring it. And it's the same with Darwin. I
think if we look right across the Northern Territory, there
are kids that have been that have fallen through the
cracks here and we need to we need to start
addressing it in a proper way and then in a
real way. And its government, the federal government. There is
(10:51):
a lot of money in the system at the moment.
We've going to make sure we're getting the outcomes for
the community and for these individuals.
Speaker 1 (10:58):
And this is where a lot of people have feeling
quite perplexed because, as you've said, there's.
Speaker 2 (11:02):
A lot of money going into it.
Speaker 1 (11:03):
You know, the Northern Territory government have now been in
power for the last six seven nearly seven years, and Marian,
it seems to be getting worse in the Northern Territory
right now. And I think that you know what people
have liked over the last six months or so is
your absolute honesty and the fact that you acknowledge that
there is a really serious issue and that you seem
(11:25):
to be trying your best to get stuck into it.
But they're really bloody frustrated with the Northern Territory Government.
Speaker 3 (11:33):
Yeah, and look, Katie, anyone who knows me, I hate
the spin of any any you know, whether it's a
fifth flaw or whether it's in Federal Parliament. I think,
you know, people want answers and people want us as
elected members to do what we can do to make
sure that they are feeling safe and that their needs
(11:55):
are going to be addressed. You know, we're not always
going to have people happy with us. But I think
if people conceive that we're not spinning the truth and
that we're doing the best that we can to try
and deal with some of this issues, but being honest,
that there is a crisis and there is a problem
(12:15):
and we've just got to work through this. And if
it's as I've said many times Katie, whether it's on
your show or whether it's with other media, if they
need the support of the federal government, all the Northern
Charity the government needs to do is just there are
three federal members who are willing and able and committed
(12:40):
to dealing with this. And I know Luke Gosling, you know,
in terms of Darwin, we've just got all work together
to try and get the best outcome for the community.
Speaker 1 (12:51):
So, Marion, have the Northern Territory government asked you for
any additional support or help at this point for the
top end or the Northern Territory more generally.
Speaker 3 (13:03):
Oh, look, Katie, I know that Natasha has spoken to
the Prime Minister, to Linda Bernie. There has been discussions
in terms of the top end because whilst we've focused
on Central Australia and you know the issues that have
been in Central Australia, we do need to look at
(13:24):
the whole of the Northern Territory and you know that's
I know that certainly Natasha. I know Chancey Pate for
Kate Warden as well, and now that they've resolved the issues,
I think with the Commissioner, I think the Acting Commissioner,
I have a lot of respects for Michael Murphy and
(13:44):
I think we just need to work with him to
get the police resourcing and other you know, other funding
to organizations that are at the cold face of all
of these matters, but work with the business community because
if our economy gets hit because of the crime, we're
going to see people shut shop and leave the territory
(14:07):
and that's not good for the territory economy. So you know,
they need to there needs to be less spitten. There
needs to be you know, sometimes the are heads have
to come out of the sand and we need to
address the bleeding obvious that there is a major issue
in Darwin and you know in a lot of our
(14:28):
remote community as well.
Speaker 1 (14:30):
Marion, we are going to have to cut it short
because we've got to head off to the National news.
I always appreciate your time and we will talk to
you again very soon.
Speaker 2 (14:39):
No worries.
Speaker 3 (14:40):
I always enjoy talking to you.
Speaker 2 (14:42):
Katie's marrying, Yeah, you two. Thank you
Now we know that the Australian and the Northern Territory
governments they say that they're working together to deliver the
next stage of the two hundred and fifty million dollars
that's been earmarked for Central Australia in an effort to
improve community safety, tackle alcohol related harm and provide more
opportunities for young people. But questions are being raised after
(00:20):
that plan outlined in the budget, seem to be almost
one hundred million dollars short, well ninety four million dollars
as we understand it being kept in a contingency fund.
Now joining me on the line is Marion Scrimjaw, who
is the member for Lingiari.
Speaker 2 (00:36):
Good morning to you, Marion.
Speaker 3 (00:38):
Good morning Katie.
Speaker 2 (00:39):
How are you really good?
Speaker 1 (00:41):
Although unfortunately more issues with crime overnight all these vehicles stolen.
Speaker 3 (00:49):
Yeah. Look, I was talking to the owner of the
United Service station, Kin Dawen about what has been happening
at some of the serviceations both the night before and stuff.
And you know, like I think we've got to get
a focus on Darwin. The last time I was in Darwen,
(01:09):
and I've said this before, I was born and bred
and grew up in that town. It's not the same,
and we've got to you know, like like Alice Springs,
we've got to not shy away from dealing with that.
So I look forward to coming up to the top
end on Friday and we'll have some discussion with some
(01:33):
of the groups, but in touch with some of the
businesses that are feeling this issue, Katie, and certainly working
with Luke Gosling who is the Member for Solomon, because
I know he shares that same concern that we've got
to do something about it.
Speaker 1 (01:50):
Marion.
Speaker 2 (01:51):
Is the Northern Territory government taking this.
Speaker 1 (01:54):
Issue as seriously as they should be, because I interviewed
the Chief Minister on Tuesday and what people were.
Speaker 2 (02:02):
Really upset and disheartened.
Speaker 1 (02:04):
It truly sounded as though she felt as though the
policy settings that they've got are right, as though she
felt that, you know that they're giving the Northern Territory
Police the funding that they need and that it's you know,
it's up to them to allocate those resources the way
that they do. But people felt really disheartened after that interview.
Speaker 3 (02:29):
Yeah. Look, and this was the same with Alice Sprangs, Katie,
which is why I took a strong stance and we
need to and I'm looking forward to having this discussion
with the Chief Minister but also the Police Minister, but
also the Acting Commissioner, because there's a lot of resources
(02:49):
and funding that's coming from the federal government for Central
Australia and we need to have a look at and
as that bring out then you know, the Northern Territory
Police to make sure that resources are being applied to
the top end and particularly parts of my letters. You know, Catherine,
(03:09):
there are some serious issues in and around Catherine ten
and Creature seeing the same issues. I was there a
couple of weeks ago and we're seeing the same you know,
environments and crime playing out. So you know, like I
think we've got to be honest that there is right
across the nation. We're seeing this issue of crime and
(03:35):
you know, the spike right across the nation, and I
think we shouldn't show away from that there is a
crisis and there is a problem CADI and that we
need to do something about it, and that SEDROOL members
are certainly wanting to look at how do we you know,
get the resources and work with the Northern Territory government
(03:58):
but make sure people in the community feel safe. Yeah,
we spot on it's about it's about people safety.
Speaker 1 (04:04):
Well, and you know, at the end of the day,
no one's feeling overly safe when we've seen four people's.
Speaker 2 (04:09):
Lives lost in like sixty days.
Speaker 1 (04:13):
You know, we saw the terrible situation where a bloke
was allegedly killed in Rapid Creek. We then had a
terrible situation where deck Lan Lavity was allegedly stabbed. We
then had another terrible situation where the Federal Indigenous Affairs
Minister was in town and a woman was allegedly killed
(04:33):
in a domestic violence incident outside the hotel where they
were staying. And then last week to have an international
student allegedly murdered while in his accommodation, in his bed.
It is its heartbreaking, Marion.
Speaker 3 (04:50):
Look, it's terrible, Katie. And all of those incidents, you know,
two young people losing their lives and such sinkless murders.
I mean, those murders could have been avoided. The Aboriginal
woman who was killed in town, and I know speaking
to Linda just you know she's been absolutely affected by it,
(05:13):
and the same with her staff who were there has
just been rocked by You know that that senseless you know,
the violence that came out as that, but there are
so many of these incidences happening cases. We've got to
do something about it, the domestic and family violence strategies.
(05:35):
And it's not just alcohol. And I said just a
couple of weeks ago in Alice Spring the grog issues
that were impacting on Alice Springs. With those restrictions, that
has been that decraise, you know, in alcohol related incidences
in Alice Springs. But I think that we've got to
(05:55):
have a discussion and more of a focus on the
level of the liftid drugs that are there on the street.
And I'm not talking about marijuana, but I think, you know,
like let's talk about ice and meth amphetamine that are
on the street, and cocaine and that aboriginal These young
(06:16):
people are getting access to it, and that's where that
behavior is certainly one where there is no boundary and
people are carrying a lot of weapons and innocent people
are losing their lives because of this issue, and we've
got to do something about it.
Speaker 1 (06:33):
We have to, and we've got to we've got to
do it urgently.
Speaker 2 (06:37):
Marion.
Speaker 1 (06:38):
You know, two hundred and fifty million dollars for Central Australia.
From what I can gather going through where that money
is being invested, there seems to be some really good investments.
A lot of people scratching their heads about this ninety
four million dollar contingency fund.
Speaker 2 (06:53):
What's going to happen with that money?
Speaker 3 (06:57):
Katie. One of the commitments that Linda Bernie gave to
a lot of the Aboriginal leadership. So what I've been
at pains to do is to get a number of
Aboriginal leaders to stand up and to start working with government,
both the Northern Territory and the Commas, but also the
business community in everyone in Alice, France. That money will
(07:20):
be made. There will be a division made and they
will they will have a look at the in the
in stage two. What are they going to do with
this money and put it in their hands and the
community you know, represented from the business community, from tourism,
what will that ninety four minion look like and how
(07:41):
do we get this money rolled out? There's been substantial
money put in Katie. At the start there was one
hundred and twenty million, which was part of my election
commitment that was rolled out committed to in last year's budgets.
There was three hundred and thirty two million in terms
of of roads infrastructure with the Marini Loop and the
(08:04):
Santa Treza one hundred and fifty five point three of
the two hundred and fifty the Treasurer made there is
the commitment for the two point fifty we have rolled
out one hundred and fifty five. I think it's one
hundred and fifty five point three million is what's been
(08:25):
broken down, and I think for our government it is
being responsible. It's been cautious and making sure that we
are going to get the best outcome for the community.
We have to make a difference with this money taking.
It can't get lost either in the bureaucracy, nor should
we give money to organizations and nothing changes on the
(08:48):
ground and community.
Speaker 1 (08:50):
Are You'll be hard pressed to find anybody who disagrees
with that.
Speaker 3 (08:53):
Marion.
Speaker 2 (08:53):
I think you hit the nail on the head.
Speaker 1 (08:56):
Is there any money going towards you bring your school
to get that boarding house up and running?
Speaker 3 (09:01):
Not at the moment. And look, I've said to Yaprina
that I will support the board's aspirations as to what
they want to do. But the proposal that's been put forward,
it doesn't address the criteria and it's full of holds, Katie.
We've got to get to a point that if you're
(09:23):
going to have taxpayer dollars invested in this, we've got
to do the right thing here. So I've said to
the Principle of Yaparina and the board, I will work
with them over the next couple of months to look
at their proposal and we can refine that a bit more. Now.
It may be it's not in this budget, and I
made that clear to them that it wasn't in this budget,
(09:46):
but I will work with them to look at when
that proposal is that a point where I think it
is sufficient, you know, and it's going to address some
of the issues. For example, their existing proposal only deals
with about twenty children at the moment on Alice Springs,
where we're looking at there's nearly one hundred kids on
(10:07):
the street, and we need to look at what do
we need to do to provide a safe and secure
facility that is going to keep these young people safe
and that they've got somewhere where we can re engage
them back in the education system, getting the therapeutic care
because a lot of them have fadd and other issues.
(10:29):
And we need to start addressing this case. We can't
keep ignoring it. And it's the same with Darwin. I
think if we look right across the Northern Territory, there
are kids that have been that have fallen through the
cracks here and we need to we need to start
addressing it in a proper way and then in a
real way. And its government, the federal government. There is
(10:51):
a lot of money in the system at the moment.
We've going to make sure we're getting the outcomes for
the community and for these individuals.
Speaker 1 (10:58):
And this is where a lot of people have feeling
quite perplexed because, as you've said, there's.
Speaker 2 (11:02):
A lot of money going into it.
Speaker 1 (11:03):
You know, the Northern Territory government have now been in
power for the last six seven nearly seven years, and Marian,
it seems to be getting worse in the Northern Territory
right now. And I think that you know what people
have liked over the last six months or so is
your absolute honesty and the fact that you acknowledge that
there is a really serious issue and that you seem
(11:25):
to be trying your best to get stuck into it.
But they're really bloody frustrated with the Northern Territory Government.
Speaker 3 (11:33):
Yeah, and look, Katie, anyone who knows me, I hate
the spin of any any you know, whether it's a
fifth flaw or whether it's in Federal Parliament. I think,
you know, people want answers and people want us as
elected members to do what we can do to make
sure that they are feeling safe and that their needs
(11:55):
are going to be addressed. You know, we're not always
going to have people happy with us. But I think
if people conceive that we're not spinning the truth and
that we're doing the best that we can to try
and deal with some of this issues, but being honest,
that there is a crisis and there is a problem
(12:15):
and we've just got to work through this. And if
it's as I've said many times Katie, whether it's on
your show or whether it's with other media, if they
need the support of the federal government, all the Northern
Charity the government needs to do is just there are
three federal members who are willing and able and committed
(12:40):
to dealing with this. And I know Luke Gosling, you know,
in terms of Darwin, we've just got all work together
to try and get the best outcome for the community.
Speaker 1 (12:51):
So, Marion, have the Northern Territory government asked you for
any additional support or help at this point for the
top end or the Northern Territory more generally.
Speaker 3 (13:03):
Oh, look, Katie, I know that Natasha has spoken to
the Prime Minister, to Linda Bernie. There has been discussions
in terms of the top end because whilst we've focused
on Central Australia and you know the issues that have
been in Central Australia, we do need to look at
(13:24):
the whole of the Northern Territory and you know that's
I know that certainly Natasha. I know Chancey Pate for
Kate Warden as well, and now that they've resolved the issues,
I think with the Commissioner, I think the Acting Commissioner,
I have a lot of respects for Michael Murphy and
(13:44):
I think we just need to work with him to
get the police resourcing and other you know, other funding
to organizations that are at the cold face of all
of these matters, but work with the business community because
if our economy gets hit because of the crime, we're
going to see people shut shop and leave the territory
(14:07):
and that's not good for the territory economy. So you know,
they need to there needs to be less spitten. There
needs to be you know, sometimes the are heads have
to come out of the sand and we need to
address the bleeding obvious that there is a major issue
in Darwin and you know in a lot of our
(14:28):
remote community as well.
Speaker 1 (14:30):
Marion, we are going to have to cut it short
because we've got to head off to the National news.
I always appreciate your time and we will talk to
you again very soon.
Speaker 2 (14:39):
No worries.
Speaker 3 (14:40):
I always enjoy talking to you.
Speaker 2 (14:42):
Katie's marrying, Yeah, you two. Thank you
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