Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
I mentioned before, thousands hit the pavement yesterday to take
part in the fiftieth City to serve. One of those
was the Chief Minister, Natasha Files, who joins me in
the studio.
Speaker 2 (00:09):
Good morning to your Chief Minister.
Speaker 3 (00:10):
Good morning Katie, Good morning listeners.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Well should I ask how's the legs this morning?
Speaker 3 (00:14):
Yeah, Katie, it's a bit difficult to bend over and
feeling a bit sol but what a great event. Record
number of entries. Well done to the volunteers and everyone involved.
Just great to see the community coming together, not just
people that were running in the different distances walking, but
also just along the path cheering people on, the volunteers
providing water. So well done, and how wonderful to see
(00:36):
all the young people taking part as well, you know,
whether they were running in the twelve k, the four k,
or even the one point ninety five the little kids race.
It was a fantastic thing to see so many of
our young people out there taking part. And a lot
of the schools got behind the event. I noticed that
clearly different school groups had encouraged families to attend and
do the shorter distances and just participate. And we want
(00:58):
people to have that you know, life long love of
exercise and looking after your health and your mental health,
and so it was just a great event to see
everyone out and about and well done for your time.
Speaker 2 (01:08):
A little bit fast there, Oh, I was running with
mister Batement too.
Speaker 1 (01:11):
I'm sure you've heard do the maths challenge, so he
pushed me along and made me run a bit faster.
Speaker 2 (01:15):
But well done to you as well.
Speaker 1 (01:16):
Taking secret is it, Katie, is to run with someone
who's faster than you. Now let's get on to some
of the serious issues of the last week or so.
There has been, like we've said, some fantastic events coming
up right around the Northern Territory. We know the Think
Desert Race is coming up this weekend. But there are
some serious concerns once again being raised around safety in
(01:37):
Central Australia. Now, last Thursday we saw a man stabbed
to death in broad daylight about three pm in the
Todd Mall. There was also two cars stolen and recovered
an eight youths in custody after two separate incidents in
Alice over the weekend.
Speaker 2 (01:53):
Chief Minister, what work is being done.
Speaker 1 (01:55):
To try and sort the crime issue in Alice Springs
right now?
Speaker 3 (01:58):
So Katie, those incident should not have happened, and that
incident involving the gentleman that was stabbed is under police investigation,
so I'll be careful with my comments. But Katie, we're
working across the spectrum to tackle these issues. We know
that supporting our police and giving them increased resources is important,
but we also know that we need to work in
other areas and make sure that we've got adequate housing,
(02:21):
that we've got kids going to school, and your listeners
know the enormous amount of work that we're doing right
across the spectrum.
Speaker 1 (02:26):
Now, there was also a paramedic assaulted who'd gone to assist.
Speaker 2 (02:32):
At that situation.
Speaker 1 (02:33):
So a female paramedic is assaulted again in broad daylight
after somebody has been stabbed. I mean, like, I'm at
the point where I don't even know what to say,
because some of these incidents are so mortifying and unbelievable that, like,
you can't believe he's still talking about them.
Speaker 3 (02:48):
To assault a paramedic who is their assisting is disgusting.
It is not our community standard. It is offensive, and Katie,
it's just unacceptable. These paramedics and our police officers and ours,
they go into situations that most of us would be
running away from. We call on them to help us
when we're most vulnerable, and then we make them vulnerable
and attack them. That is discussing behavior. We have strong
(03:11):
penalties and it is not our communities expectation.
Speaker 2 (03:14):
Are those penalties really strong enough?
Speaker 1 (03:16):
Because if we're not actually deterring people, because let's be
honest about it, we've had a number of situations throughout
this year where we have seen frontlines, frontline workers assault it.
So are those penalties actually strong enough?
Speaker 3 (03:28):
So, Katie, we will act if we need to do more.
There is strong penalties. We've also got campaigns which is
hands off, give our paramedics the space to do their job.
And we know that it can be stressful for families
or friends when there is paramedics rendering assistant, but you
need to give them space so that they can do
their job to help those when they're at their most vulnerable.
Speaker 1 (03:48):
Now, the stabbing Dess follows the fatal stabbing just months
ago of deck Lan Lavity and a number of other
violent deaths of Territorians this year. The Deputy leader of
the Opposition, Jared Maylee said, when Territory here of these
horrific deaths. They want action, they want answers and they
want change. He says, you need to do your job
and take immediate action. What immediate action is the Northern
(04:11):
Territory government taking right now?
Speaker 3 (04:13):
So Katie, we took immediate action at that time. And
there is also the work underway. And I've got an
update for you because we spoke about this last time
I caught up with you.
Speaker 2 (04:22):
But we've got that review of the.
Speaker 3 (04:23):
Bail and Weapons Task Force, so they're looking at those
specific issues. We've got that knife crime strategy which is
being developed, and we're also looking at the work that
Queensland's done in terms of the wanding, so having that
precinct areas.
Speaker 2 (04:37):
So what update is it?
Speaker 1 (04:38):
Because they are all things that you've spoken.
Speaker 2 (04:40):
To us about before.
Speaker 3 (04:41):
So Katie, we're expecting a report later this month on
that Bail and Weapons Task Force from that group and
any legislative changes will work through for that July sitting,
so the next time the Parliament comes back together after
the estimates, will make any legislative changes that are recommended.
Speaker 1 (04:58):
So that is into the edge weapon. So later this month,
you're expecting that report back.
Speaker 3 (05:03):
I've asked for an update to give us an indication
of that work. So we're trying to do things concurrently
so they can give us an update in the next
few weeks, and then the legislative changes that may need
to be brought forward, Katie, we can identify those and
start that work so that we can go into that
July sittings, not just wait for the report to be
dropped and then start drafting legislation.
Speaker 2 (05:23):
What do you anticipate's going to be in that report?
Speaker 3 (05:25):
So we're looking, Katie in that space around whether we
need to strengthen the penalties for weapons offenses and whether
any additional weapons should be included in the list of
prohibited and controlled weapons.
Speaker 1 (05:36):
Why is it taking so long? Because you know, I
take on board what you're saying. You are saying that
you're taking that action and that it is immediate action.
But can you understand how your idea of immediate might
be quite different to others because they're thinking, well, you're
saying exactly the same thing as you told us last time.
Speaker 2 (05:51):
Katie.
Speaker 3 (05:52):
I can assure your listeners we are acting with urgency
and we want to do this as quickly as possible,
but we need to make sure that we get it right,
that we don't make inadvertent changes that make our community
less safe, and that we actually target what we're trying
to achieve.
Speaker 1 (06:07):
So that's around the knife crime strategy that you're talking about.
Speaker 3 (06:11):
Separate, Katie. So there's a number of things happening. So
that's around the Bail and Weapons Task Force. We've also
we've seen around the world, Katie, communities have to tackle
knife crime as an issue and I acknowledge knife crime
is unacceptable in our community and so developing a knife
crime strategy for the Northern Territory is also underway.
Speaker 1 (06:32):
So again I'll ask, can you see how people are
getting incredibly frustrated because you're still working on this strategy.
Yet on Thursday last week there's another Territorian who has
lost their life because they were stabbed.
Speaker 3 (06:46):
So Katie, we are making we have made changes. We're
working in areas urgently in terms of knife crime. We've
seen this as an approach almost like a public health response,
so treating a disease, trying to vented and curate at
the same time. So there was enormous amount of work.
It started off in Scotland initially, and then you've seen
other jurisdictions develop knife crime strategy, so that is a
(07:08):
more medium term.
Speaker 1 (07:09):
Piece of work. So I just want to make it
really clear for our listeners. So where we're at right
now is around the knife crime strategy. When are we
expecting the outcome of that and when are we expecting
some changes?
Speaker 2 (07:21):
Katie.
Speaker 3 (07:22):
I think that we would expect to see a draft
version of that knife crime strategy. And this is not
just sitting with police, Katie. This involves education, This involves
public health in terms of warning of the injury mental health,
so it's quite comprehensive. I think by the end of
August is when I would expect it to have that document.
Speaker 2 (07:40):
End of August. That doesn't sound very immediate, but.
Speaker 3 (07:43):
Katie, we've made changes already. We're working to make those
recommendations from the Bail and Weapons Task Force as efficient
as possible. So there is a number of things happening.
It's not just waiting on one thing.
Speaker 1 (07:55):
So that with the changes then to bail and Task
with the Bail and Weapons task or so I'm just
trying to make it really understandable for our listeners. So
that update you're expecting at the end of July and
potentially going to Parliament for legislative changes that same months. Correct, okay,
or it was at the end of this month.
Speaker 2 (08:16):
Sorry, the report.
Speaker 3 (08:17):
I've asked for an update report by the end of
this month so that we can understand what's been identified
and then issue the directive if it needs legislative change,
that we can start that work to take into those
July sittings.
Speaker 1 (08:29):
And Look, the reason I want to get those sort
of timelines is because I think that that is what
the community is screaming out for right now.
Speaker 2 (08:35):
They are saying, hang on a second.
Speaker 1 (08:37):
You know, the Chief Finister saying that she's taking this,
she wants this to change immediately, she wants action.
Speaker 2 (08:42):
That's you know, that is going to have an impact.
Speaker 1 (08:44):
But a lot of people really thinking to themselves, it
does still.
Speaker 2 (08:47):
Seem like it's all quite a while away.
Speaker 3 (08:49):
Katie, absolutely not. I acknowledge that there is a problem.
We are working across government to tackle these issues. We
had urgent bail changes. There is potentially more to come.
I've asked for the updates so I've got the information
based on evidence around what needs to be done. We've
got that knife crime strategy under development, and we're also
looking at that wanding and we've already had police come
back from Queensland where they have implemented that around how
(09:12):
we can look So you feel as though those two
bodies of work are going to make a big impact
on the very serious issues that we've got with crime
right now. The evidence from around the world shows us, Katie,
with knife crime. Yes, if you get it right, it
does make a difference and we absolutely need to do that.
Speaker 2 (09:28):
Okay.
Speaker 1 (09:29):
On Friday, during the week that wallis, Brent Porter said
that additional police and getting police back to work is
part of the answer. When is the review into the
police force going to get underway?
Speaker 3 (09:40):
So, Katie, in terms of our police force, we've been
working with the Acting Commissioner around ensuring that they've got
the resources to do their job. It's a significant part
of the Northern Territory government budget. He's been working and
we've spoken about this around making sure that everyone is
out on the beat, everyone is working together. And I
think that there has certainly been pro ressmade.
Speaker 2 (10:00):
But as part of.
Speaker 1 (10:01):
The EBA negotiations, I know that it was agreed that
there was going to be a review. Is that review
getting underwagh yet? When's that going to happen.
Speaker 3 (10:08):
So, Katie, that was my understanding was the electronic rostering
was a key component to that, So understanding the rostering system,
but I'd have to get some more specific information, which
I'm happy to do.
Speaker 1 (10:17):
That'd be good to find out exactly what the situation
is and when that review is going to get underway,
because I think that if we are talking about police
and making sure that we've got enough of them, we
need to really see what, you know, what that review finds.
We are getting a lot of concerns out of Catherine
right now.
Speaker 2 (10:34):
Good hard working Territorians.
Speaker 1 (10:36):
Have spoken with us on the show about the spiking
crime that they're experiencing and their serious concerns. What is
the government's response to the spiking crime.
Speaker 3 (10:44):
In Catherine, So, Katie, there is significant police resources in Catherine,
so more police on the beat than ever before, and
additional resources have been deployed into Catherine, including the Mounted Police,
is my understanding, Katie. We've also got a number of
pieces of work happening, particularly targeted that youth. I'm not
saying all of the crimes or anti social behavior caused
(11:05):
is by youth, but there's specific projects in the Catherine region.
But I acknowledge the concerns. I've spoken to their mayor
and local business owners down there, the absolute real concerns
coming out of Catherine.
Speaker 1 (11:15):
When are you going to head to Catherine and speak
to some of those business owners?
Speaker 3 (11:18):
As I said, Katie, I've already spoken to people from
Catherine last week. Just because I can't be in a
location doesn't mean I can't listen to the community directly.
Did you speak though two business owners who were impacted
by crime?
Speaker 2 (11:32):
Yes, Katie, because I've got to I do.
Speaker 1 (11:33):
Want to just read out a couple of questions that
we got from listeners last week.
Speaker 2 (11:37):
From Catherine so Beck at Willow Blue.
Speaker 1 (11:39):
She'd said, is it true that even when with the
high crime rates at the moment, that the government have
reduced the funding to the Resecure Grant through Victims of
Crime in the next budget. This is what we use
to help with broken windows as a result of crime.
There is a current limit of three claims within twelve months.
A lot of businesses have already use those three claims
(12:01):
within just a few months. It's so disappointing to hear
that we had the Finance Minister, so the Treasurer and
Catherine to talk about the upcoming budget. Yeah, she couldn't
be bothered facing up to any of the small businesses
that have been so impacted by crime and that will
be impacted in the future by this reduction of that funding,
(12:22):
Chief Minister, is that the case is there a reduction
when it comes to those businesses with that be secure?
Speaker 3 (12:30):
No, Katie. So we provided two million dollars additional to
victims of crime. The question you raised around three claims
within a year. I've asked for information on that because
we've provided the additional resources to victims of crime to
support the community. We've also got the bi Secure program
and the Alcohol Secure grants. But in terms of that
three times within a year period, I've asked for information
(12:52):
on that because if that needs to be changed, that
we're very open to that.
Speaker 1 (12:56):
Isn't it a bloody embarrassing situation for us to be
in though, even having to change that policy to enable
a business to be able to access.
Speaker 2 (13:06):
More than three times.
Speaker 1 (13:06):
I mean a business shouldn't be getting broken into, correct,
there's three times.
Speaker 2 (13:10):
They shouldn't be getting broken into once, Katie.
Speaker 3 (13:12):
It's absolutely unacceptable, but we've got support there when it
does happen. But also those big Secure programs allow businesses
to make permanent security improvements so that they can, through
that environmental design, protect their businesses. So at this point
in time, you are looking into increasing that three claims
per year. I'd heard that directly from Catherine last week,
(13:34):
and I've asked for advice around why that's there and
can it be shaping off the back of us providing
additional funding to victims of it?
Speaker 2 (13:42):
Should it be increased?
Speaker 1 (13:43):
I mean, realistically, if someone's broken into five times or
they should be able to access it, shouldn't they.
Speaker 3 (13:48):
So, Katie, I'm not going to disagree with the comment
that you just made, but we've also got that biz
secure where we provide support to businesses so that they
can permanently make changes, which Katie, we shouldn't broken windows,
we shouldn't see crime, but around the world people have
to put in place measures to protect their homes and businesses.
Speaker 2 (14:06):
Now, I'm just.
Speaker 1 (14:07):
Very I'm just very aware that we're running out of
tom I've got another listener question though, and this person says,
I want the relevant politician to come on air and
tell us, Katie, the strategy by strategy, what territory families
are doing productively to address the Catherine situation. We're here
from the poor police, but I want to know what
other departments are doing.
Speaker 2 (14:26):
Question Scrubby. Excellent question, Katie.
Speaker 3 (14:28):
So the Catherine Youth Coordination Meeting is held bi weekly
and that brings together government, police and community service providers
to review and coordinate the service delivery responses to young
people who are engaging it at risk behavior. Further, we've
got the Youth Outreach and Engagement Center which is near
the Catherine High School and forty young people visit that facility.
We've also got programs such as Youth Bus to transport
(14:51):
people home safely. So there is absolutely work being done
away from just police.
Speaker 1 (14:55):
So from your perspective, you know, the week before last
and we had a situation where there's literal ten and
eleven year old kids on the streets throwing rocks at cars,
throwing rocks at windows, breaking into businesses.
Speaker 2 (15:08):
Where are they going? Why are they on the street,
and why are they not at school when it is
during the day.
Speaker 3 (15:13):
Absolutely, Katie, they should be at school because kids at
school don't commit crime. We also have to understand if
they're not committing a crime, but it's risky behavior, where
are the parents because the Care and Protection Acts says
that young people should be in a safe environment and
being out on the streets late at night is not safe.
So there is a number of initiatives, both NGO and
(15:34):
government working to identify these young people and ensure that
they have a safe place and that they are not
participating in at risk behavior that then leads to those
types of activities.
Speaker 1 (15:44):
I mean, it just seems unbelievable to me that it
continues to happen. And we all understand that this is complex,
but it's just reached the point where people have absolutely
had enough.
Speaker 3 (15:53):
Oh, I completely understand they're frustrated. I'm frustrated, but I
acknowledge the issues and we are working across the board
to stop this from happening within our communities.
Speaker 1 (16:04):
Okay, finally this morning onto something very different. But the
Competition Watchdog has called for airlines to pass on falling
fuel costs via ticket prices, as it's worn that consumers
are not being served well enough by domestic airlines. So
in its final airline monitoring report, the A Triple C
said there was evidence market domination by Quantus and Virgin
(16:26):
Australia was hurting customers with service reliability worse and fares
higher than in twenty nineteen, Chief Minister, do you think
it's time for these airlines to get a bit fairer?
Speaker 2 (16:38):
Yes, Katie.
Speaker 3 (16:39):
We need competitive flights because it's lower costs for Territorians
who might need to go back to the East Coast
or down south for family or friend commitments. But also
it means that tourists can get into the territory. So
we work with domestic aviation to lift capacity and bring
competition to the territory. But absolutely they need to listen
to the A Triple c's calls.
Speaker 1 (16:58):
Have we had any movement in terms of the Northern
Territory bringing in that more competition. I know we've spoken
about other airlines, any movement to this stage.
Speaker 3 (17:06):
There's nothing public yet Katie, but we're absolutely as I
just said, working with different carriers to bring competition into
the territory. Who are you talking to King to keep
those commercial in confidence? But the Minister for Tourism, which
encompasses the aviation, is working really hard because we know
that we want to see the recommendations from the A
Triple C. Like the airlines that are here now passing
(17:26):
on those cost savings, but at the same time, we
know more carriers into the territory brings competition and drives prices.
We are struggling a bit though at the moment, aren't
we in terms of those tourism numbers. I mean, we're
about to catch up with somebody in tourism talking about
the vacancy rates within those hotel rooms.
Speaker 1 (17:40):
We are struggling at the moment, Katie.
Speaker 3 (17:42):
We've invested an additional thirty five point five million in
the budget to tourism we had the Summer Start's early campaign.
We continue to work with this sector. But yes, we're
seeing occupancy rates for May lower than we would like
to see them, and so we'll continue in that space
to work hard.
Speaker 1 (17:58):
Chief Minister of the Northern Territory Natasha Files, we're gonna
have to leave it there.
Speaker 2 (18:01):
Thanks for your time this morning. Take care,
I mentioned before, thousands hit the pavement yesterday to take
part in the fiftieth City to serve. One of those
was the Chief Minister, Natasha Files, who joins me in
the studio.
Speaker 2 (00:09):
Good morning to your Chief Minister.
Speaker 3 (00:10):
Good morning Katie, Good morning listeners.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Well should I ask how's the legs this morning?
Speaker 3 (00:14):
Yeah, Katie, it's a bit difficult to bend over and
feeling a bit sol but what a great event. Record
number of entries. Well done to the volunteers and everyone involved.
Just great to see the community coming together, not just
people that were running in the different distances walking, but
also just along the path cheering people on, the volunteers
providing water. So well done, and how wonderful to see
(00:36):
all the young people taking part as well, you know,
whether they were running in the twelve k, the four k,
or even the one point ninety five the little kids race.
It was a fantastic thing to see so many of
our young people out there taking part. And a lot
of the schools got behind the event. I noticed that
clearly different school groups had encouraged families to attend and
do the shorter distances and just participate. And we want
(00:58):
people to have that you know, life long love of
exercise and looking after your health and your mental health,
and so it was just a great event to see
everyone out and about and well done for your time.
Speaker 2 (01:08):
A little bit fast there, Oh, I was running with
mister Batement too.
Speaker 1 (01:11):
I'm sure you've heard do the maths challenge, so he
pushed me along and made me run a bit faster.
Speaker 2 (01:15):
But well done to you as well.
Speaker 1 (01:16):
Taking secret is it, Katie, is to run with someone
who's faster than you. Now let's get on to some
of the serious issues of the last week or so.
There has been, like we've said, some fantastic events coming
up right around the Northern Territory. We know the Think
Desert Race is coming up this weekend. But there are
some serious concerns once again being raised around safety in
(01:37):
Central Australia. Now, last Thursday we saw a man stabbed
to death in broad daylight about three pm in the
Todd Mall. There was also two cars stolen and recovered
an eight youths in custody after two separate incidents in
Alice over the weekend.
Speaker 2 (01:53):
Chief Minister, what work is being done.
Speaker 1 (01:55):
To try and sort the crime issue in Alice Springs
right now?
Speaker 3 (01:58):
So Katie, those incident should not have happened, and that
incident involving the gentleman that was stabbed is under police investigation,
so I'll be careful with my comments. But Katie, we're
working across the spectrum to tackle these issues. We know
that supporting our police and giving them increased resources is important,
but we also know that we need to work in
other areas and make sure that we've got adequate housing,
(02:21):
that we've got kids going to school, and your listeners
know the enormous amount of work that we're doing right
across the spectrum.
Speaker 1 (02:26):
Now, there was also a paramedic assaulted who'd gone to assist.
Speaker 2 (02:32):
At that situation.
Speaker 1 (02:33):
So a female paramedic is assaulted again in broad daylight
after somebody has been stabbed. I mean, like, I'm at
the point where I don't even know what to say,
because some of these incidents are so mortifying and unbelievable that, like,
you can't believe he's still talking about them.
Speaker 3 (02:48):
To assault a paramedic who is their assisting is disgusting.
It is not our community standard. It is offensive, and Katie,
it's just unacceptable. These paramedics and our police officers and ours,
they go into situations that most of us would be
running away from. We call on them to help us
when we're most vulnerable, and then we make them vulnerable
and attack them. That is discussing behavior. We have strong
(03:11):
penalties and it is not our communities expectation.
Speaker 2 (03:14):
Are those penalties really strong enough?
Speaker 1 (03:16):
Because if we're not actually deterring people, because let's be
honest about it, we've had a number of situations throughout
this year where we have seen frontlines, frontline workers assault it.
So are those penalties actually strong enough?
Speaker 3 (03:28):
So, Katie, we will act if we need to do more.
There is strong penalties. We've also got campaigns which is
hands off, give our paramedics the space to do their job.
And we know that it can be stressful for families
or friends when there is paramedics rendering assistant, but you
need to give them space so that they can do
their job to help those when they're at their most vulnerable.
Speaker 1 (03:48):
Now, the stabbing Dess follows the fatal stabbing just months
ago of deck Lan Lavity and a number of other
violent deaths of Territorians this year. The Deputy leader of
the Opposition, Jared Maylee said, when Territory here of these
horrific deaths. They want action, they want answers and they
want change. He says, you need to do your job
and take immediate action. What immediate action is the Northern
(04:11):
Territory government taking right now?
Speaker 3 (04:13):
So Katie, we took immediate action at that time. And
there is also the work underway. And I've got an
update for you because we spoke about this last time
I caught up with you.
Speaker 2 (04:22):
But we've got that review of the.
Speaker 3 (04:23):
Bail and Weapons Task Force, so they're looking at those
specific issues. We've got that knife crime strategy which is
being developed, and we're also looking at the work that
Queensland's done in terms of the wanding, so having that
precinct areas.
Speaker 2 (04:37):
So what update is it?
Speaker 1 (04:38):
Because they are all things that you've spoken.
Speaker 2 (04:40):
To us about before.
Speaker 3 (04:41):
So Katie, we're expecting a report later this month on
that Bail and Weapons Task Force from that group and
any legislative changes will work through for that July sitting,
so the next time the Parliament comes back together after
the estimates, will make any legislative changes that are recommended.
Speaker 1 (04:58):
So that is into the edge weapon. So later this month,
you're expecting that report back.
Speaker 3 (05:03):
I've asked for an update to give us an indication
of that work. So we're trying to do things concurrently
so they can give us an update in the next
few weeks, and then the legislative changes that may need
to be brought forward, Katie, we can identify those and
start that work so that we can go into that
July sittings, not just wait for the report to be
dropped and then start drafting legislation.
Speaker 2 (05:23):
What do you anticipate's going to be in that report?
Speaker 3 (05:25):
So we're looking, Katie in that space around whether we
need to strengthen the penalties for weapons offenses and whether
any additional weapons should be included in the list of
prohibited and controlled weapons.
Speaker 1 (05:36):
Why is it taking so long? Because you know, I
take on board what you're saying. You are saying that
you're taking that action and that it is immediate action.
But can you understand how your idea of immediate might
be quite different to others because they're thinking, well, you're
saying exactly the same thing as you told us last time.
Speaker 2 (05:51):
Katie.
Speaker 3 (05:52):
I can assure your listeners we are acting with urgency
and we want to do this as quickly as possible,
but we need to make sure that we get it right,
that we don't make inadvertent changes that make our community
less safe, and that we actually target what we're trying
to achieve.
Speaker 1 (06:07):
So that's around the knife crime strategy that you're talking about.
Speaker 3 (06:11):
Separate, Katie. So there's a number of things happening. So
that's around the Bail and Weapons Task Force. We've also
we've seen around the world, Katie, communities have to tackle
knife crime as an issue and I acknowledge knife crime
is unacceptable in our community and so developing a knife
crime strategy for the Northern Territory is also underway.
Speaker 1 (06:32):
So again I'll ask, can you see how people are
getting incredibly frustrated because you're still working on this strategy.
Yet on Thursday last week there's another Territorian who has
lost their life because they were stabbed.
Speaker 3 (06:46):
So Katie, we are making we have made changes. We're
working in areas urgently in terms of knife crime. We've
seen this as an approach almost like a public health response,
so treating a disease, trying to vented and curate at
the same time. So there was enormous amount of work.
It started off in Scotland initially, and then you've seen
other jurisdictions develop knife crime strategy, so that is a
(07:08):
more medium term.
Speaker 1 (07:09):
Piece of work. So I just want to make it
really clear for our listeners. So where we're at right
now is around the knife crime strategy. When are we
expecting the outcome of that and when are we expecting
some changes?
Speaker 2 (07:21):
Katie.
Speaker 3 (07:22):
I think that we would expect to see a draft
version of that knife crime strategy. And this is not
just sitting with police, Katie. This involves education, This involves
public health in terms of warning of the injury mental health,
so it's quite comprehensive. I think by the end of
August is when I would expect it to have that document.
Speaker 2 (07:40):
End of August. That doesn't sound very immediate, but.
Speaker 3 (07:43):
Katie, we've made changes already. We're working to make those
recommendations from the Bail and Weapons Task Force as efficient
as possible. So there is a number of things happening.
It's not just waiting on one thing.
Speaker 1 (07:55):
So that with the changes then to bail and Task
with the Bail and Weapons task or so I'm just
trying to make it really understandable for our listeners. So
that update you're expecting at the end of July and
potentially going to Parliament for legislative changes that same months. Correct, okay,
or it was at the end of this month.
Speaker 2 (08:16):
Sorry, the report.
Speaker 3 (08:17):
I've asked for an update report by the end of
this month so that we can understand what's been identified
and then issue the directive if it needs legislative change,
that we can start that work to take into those
July sittings.
Speaker 1 (08:29):
And Look, the reason I want to get those sort
of timelines is because I think that that is what
the community is screaming out for right now.
Speaker 2 (08:35):
They are saying, hang on a second.
Speaker 1 (08:37):
You know, the Chief Finister saying that she's taking this,
she wants this to change immediately, she wants action.
Speaker 2 (08:42):
That's you know, that is going to have an impact.
Speaker 1 (08:44):
But a lot of people really thinking to themselves, it
does still.
Speaker 2 (08:47):
Seem like it's all quite a while away.
Speaker 3 (08:49):
Katie, absolutely not. I acknowledge that there is a problem.
We are working across government to tackle these issues. We
had urgent bail changes. There is potentially more to come.
I've asked for the updates so I've got the information
based on evidence around what needs to be done. We've
got that knife crime strategy under development, and we're also
looking at that wanding and we've already had police come
back from Queensland where they have implemented that around how
(09:12):
we can look So you feel as though those two
bodies of work are going to make a big impact
on the very serious issues that we've got with crime
right now. The evidence from around the world shows us, Katie,
with knife crime. Yes, if you get it right, it
does make a difference and we absolutely need to do that.
Speaker 2 (09:28):
Okay.
Speaker 1 (09:29):
On Friday, during the week that wallis, Brent Porter said
that additional police and getting police back to work is
part of the answer. When is the review into the
police force going to get underway?
Speaker 3 (09:40):
So, Katie, in terms of our police force, we've been
working with the Acting Commissioner around ensuring that they've got
the resources to do their job. It's a significant part
of the Northern Territory government budget. He's been working and
we've spoken about this around making sure that everyone is
out on the beat, everyone is working together. And I
think that there has certainly been pro ressmade.
Speaker 2 (10:00):
But as part of.
Speaker 1 (10:01):
The EBA negotiations, I know that it was agreed that
there was going to be a review. Is that review
getting underwagh yet? When's that going to happen.
Speaker 3 (10:08):
So, Katie, that was my understanding was the electronic rostering
was a key component to that, So understanding the rostering system,
but I'd have to get some more specific information, which
I'm happy to do.
Speaker 1 (10:17):
That'd be good to find out exactly what the situation
is and when that review is going to get underway,
because I think that if we are talking about police
and making sure that we've got enough of them, we
need to really see what, you know, what that review finds.
We are getting a lot of concerns out of Catherine
right now.
Speaker 2 (10:34):
Good hard working Territorians.
Speaker 1 (10:36):
Have spoken with us on the show about the spiking
crime that they're experiencing and their serious concerns. What is
the government's response to the spiking crime.
Speaker 3 (10:44):
In Catherine, So, Katie, there is significant police resources in Catherine,
so more police on the beat than ever before, and
additional resources have been deployed into Catherine, including the Mounted Police,
is my understanding, Katie. We've also got a number of
pieces of work happening, particularly targeted that youth. I'm not
saying all of the crimes or anti social behavior caused
(11:05):
is by youth, but there's specific projects in the Catherine region.
But I acknowledge the concerns. I've spoken to their mayor
and local business owners down there, the absolute real concerns
coming out of Catherine.
Speaker 1 (11:15):
When are you going to head to Catherine and speak
to some of those business owners?
Speaker 3 (11:18):
As I said, Katie, I've already spoken to people from
Catherine last week. Just because I can't be in a
location doesn't mean I can't listen to the community directly.
Did you speak though two business owners who were impacted
by crime?
Speaker 2 (11:32):
Yes, Katie, because I've got to I do.
Speaker 1 (11:33):
Want to just read out a couple of questions that
we got from listeners last week.
Speaker 2 (11:37):
From Catherine so Beck at Willow Blue.
Speaker 1 (11:39):
She'd said, is it true that even when with the
high crime rates at the moment, that the government have
reduced the funding to the Resecure Grant through Victims of
Crime in the next budget. This is what we use
to help with broken windows as a result of crime.
There is a current limit of three claims within twelve months.
A lot of businesses have already use those three claims
(12:01):
within just a few months. It's so disappointing to hear
that we had the Finance Minister, so the Treasurer and
Catherine to talk about the upcoming budget. Yeah, she couldn't
be bothered facing up to any of the small businesses
that have been so impacted by crime and that will
be impacted in the future by this reduction of that funding,
(12:22):
Chief Minister, is that the case is there a reduction
when it comes to those businesses with that be secure?
Speaker 3 (12:30):
No, Katie. So we provided two million dollars additional to
victims of crime. The question you raised around three claims
within a year. I've asked for information on that because
we've provided the additional resources to victims of crime to
support the community. We've also got the bi Secure program
and the Alcohol Secure grants. But in terms of that
three times within a year period, I've asked for information
(12:52):
on that because if that needs to be changed, that
we're very open to that.
Speaker 1 (12:56):
Isn't it a bloody embarrassing situation for us to be
in though, even having to change that policy to enable
a business to be able to access.
Speaker 2 (13:06):
More than three times.
Speaker 1 (13:06):
I mean a business shouldn't be getting broken into, correct,
there's three times.
Speaker 2 (13:10):
They shouldn't be getting broken into once, Katie.
Speaker 3 (13:12):
It's absolutely unacceptable, but we've got support there when it
does happen. But also those big Secure programs allow businesses
to make permanent security improvements so that they can, through
that environmental design, protect their businesses. So at this point
in time, you are looking into increasing that three claims
per year. I'd heard that directly from Catherine last week,
(13:34):
and I've asked for advice around why that's there and
can it be shaping off the back of us providing
additional funding to victims of it?
Speaker 2 (13:42):
Should it be increased?
Speaker 1 (13:43):
I mean, realistically, if someone's broken into five times or
they should be able to access it, shouldn't they.
Speaker 3 (13:48):
So, Katie, I'm not going to disagree with the comment
that you just made, but we've also got that biz
secure where we provide support to businesses so that they
can permanently make changes, which Katie, we shouldn't broken windows,
we shouldn't see crime, but around the world people have
to put in place measures to protect their homes and businesses.
Speaker 2 (14:06):
Now, I'm just.
Speaker 1 (14:07):
Very I'm just very aware that we're running out of
tom I've got another listener question though, and this person says,
I want the relevant politician to come on air and
tell us, Katie, the strategy by strategy, what territory families
are doing productively to address the Catherine situation. We're here
from the poor police, but I want to know what
other departments are doing.
Speaker 2 (14:26):
Question Scrubby. Excellent question, Katie.
Speaker 3 (14:28):
So the Catherine Youth Coordination Meeting is held bi weekly
and that brings together government, police and community service providers
to review and coordinate the service delivery responses to young
people who are engaging it at risk behavior. Further, we've
got the Youth Outreach and Engagement Center which is near
the Catherine High School and forty young people visit that facility.
We've also got programs such as Youth Bus to transport
(14:51):
people home safely. So there is absolutely work being done
away from just police.
Speaker 1 (14:55):
So from your perspective, you know, the week before last
and we had a situation where there's literal ten and
eleven year old kids on the streets throwing rocks at cars,
throwing rocks at windows, breaking into businesses.
Speaker 2 (15:08):
Where are they going? Why are they on the street,
and why are they not at school when it is
during the day.
Speaker 3 (15:13):
Absolutely, Katie, they should be at school because kids at
school don't commit crime. We also have to understand if
they're not committing a crime, but it's risky behavior, where
are the parents because the Care and Protection Acts says
that young people should be in a safe environment and
being out on the streets late at night is not safe.
So there is a number of initiatives, both NGO and
(15:34):
government working to identify these young people and ensure that
they have a safe place and that they are not
participating in at risk behavior that then leads to those
types of activities.
Speaker 1 (15:44):
I mean, it just seems unbelievable to me that it
continues to happen. And we all understand that this is complex,
but it's just reached the point where people have absolutely
had enough.
Speaker 3 (15:53):
Oh, I completely understand they're frustrated. I'm frustrated, but I
acknowledge the issues and we are working across the board
to stop this from happening within our communities.
Speaker 1 (16:04):
Okay, finally this morning onto something very different. But the
Competition Watchdog has called for airlines to pass on falling
fuel costs via ticket prices, as it's worn that consumers
are not being served well enough by domestic airlines. So
in its final airline monitoring report, the A Triple C
said there was evidence market domination by Quantus and Virgin
(16:26):
Australia was hurting customers with service reliability worse and fares
higher than in twenty nineteen, Chief Minister, do you think
it's time for these airlines to get a bit fairer?
Speaker 2 (16:38):
Yes, Katie.
Speaker 3 (16:39):
We need competitive flights because it's lower costs for Territorians
who might need to go back to the East Coast
or down south for family or friend commitments. But also
it means that tourists can get into the territory. So
we work with domestic aviation to lift capacity and bring
competition to the territory. But absolutely they need to listen
to the A Triple c's calls.
Speaker 1 (16:58):
Have we had any movement in terms of the Northern
Territory bringing in that more competition. I know we've spoken
about other airlines, any movement to this stage.
Speaker 3 (17:06):
There's nothing public yet Katie, but we're absolutely as I
just said, working with different carriers to bring competition into
the territory. Who are you talking to King to keep
those commercial in confidence? But the Minister for Tourism, which
encompasses the aviation, is working really hard because we know
that we want to see the recommendations from the A
Triple C. Like the airlines that are here now passing
(17:26):
on those cost savings, but at the same time, we
know more carriers into the territory brings competition and drives prices.
We are struggling a bit though at the moment, aren't
we in terms of those tourism numbers. I mean, we're
about to catch up with somebody in tourism talking about
the vacancy rates within those hotel rooms.
Speaker 1 (17:40):
We are struggling at the moment, Katie.
Speaker 3 (17:42):
We've invested an additional thirty five point five million in
the budget to tourism we had the Summer Start's early campaign.
We continue to work with this sector. But yes, we're
seeing occupancy rates for May lower than we would like
to see them, and so we'll continue in that space
to work hard.
Speaker 1 (17:58):
Chief Minister of the Northern Territory Natasha Files, we're gonna
have to leave it there.
Speaker 2 (18:01):
Thanks for your time this morning. Take care,
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