Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Towards the end of the show yesterday we learned that
the federal and territory governments signed an agreement to establish
the Defense Accommodation Precinct Darwin at Howard Springs. Now, the
agreement is going to enable the Department of Defense to
use the Howard Springs facility as an accommodation precinct from July,
so from now pretty much. And joining me in the
studio to tell us a little bit more about the
(00:21):
situation is the Chief Minister, Natasha Files, good morning to you.
Speaker 2 (00:24):
Good morning, Katie, Good morning listeners.
Speaker 1 (00:26):
Now, Chief Minister, this agreement was signed yesterday. How quickly
are we going to see defense personnel in there?
Speaker 3 (00:32):
So, Katie, defense personnel, as I understand, did arrive late yesterday.
So Howard Springs the former Impacts workers camp that became
the Center for National Resilience and saw sixty thousand people
quarantined there during the COVID pandemic. And I'd like to
point out not one case snuck out of their So
that is you know, the staff that worked their, our
health professionals, credit to them. But it is a unique facility, Katie.
(00:55):
It's three and a half thousand rooms, it's single quarters,
so with some of the difficulties that we had during
COVID and during the recent natural disaster in terms of families.
But this partnership with defense, I think is really good
for that facility and good for the top end.
Speaker 2 (01:13):
We do see when defense exercises.
Speaker 3 (01:15):
Are on that they do take up hotel accommodation, but
they're not necessarily eating in our restaurants or visiting the
bars because they're here to work and to participate in
a high level defense exercise.
Speaker 1 (01:26):
And so they're in there from yesterday.
Speaker 3 (01:29):
So Katie, it's been a big job Northern Territory government
officials working with Commonwealth officials.
Speaker 2 (01:35):
So as you're aware, we recently used it.
Speaker 3 (01:37):
For the natural disaster, and it's important for your listeners
to note, Katie, if the territory needed that for some reason,
we in the contract can go back into the facility.
So if there was some natural disaster, if we saw
a massive flood, and I don't want to see that again,
but we do know that when the wet season we
have cyclones and floods, we could utilize if needed. But
(01:59):
I think this is a really partnership with defense.
Speaker 1 (02:01):
How much will the Northern Territory government receive from Defense
to essentially lease that facility over the next five years.
Speaker 3 (02:07):
So the five year lease arrangement between the Commonwealth and
the Northern Territory government is estimated to cost the Commonwealth
fifty million per year. We get eighteen million per year, Katie,
but that will.
Speaker 1 (02:17):
Cover alsoly, so we don't get the full fifty So
eighteen it's so to set it up as a facility
for Defense is around fifty million a year and then eighteen.
Speaker 2 (02:26):
That will go towards.
Speaker 3 (02:28):
Some of it is rent, but making sure you know, water, sewerage, maintenance, pests, spray,
those types of things so that it's operational, and then
Defense will further spend to have it operationalized. So so
rent and maintenance, I guess you'd say, correct, So eighteen
million dollars per year, but it's going to cost them
fifty million obviously to continue.
Speaker 2 (02:47):
To operate it.
Speaker 1 (02:48):
How would it work like if you're in a situation
where you've got defense personnel in there and then you
need to evacuate flood you know, evacuees. I mean, whether
we like it or not, there was some bad behavior
that we'd seen at Howard Springs. We all know that
there was damage. Course, how would that then work when
you've got a large cohort that are there obviously to
work to get involved in exercises and then if you
(03:08):
ended up with people also evacuated from a community.
Speaker 3 (03:12):
So I could probably answer that in two parts, Katie.
So traditionally these military exercises go during the dry season,
which is the same time as our peak tourism season,
so that is generally the timing which we have less
although we have recently had significant rains through Central Australia
this dry season, so the season's alignment. It's also a
huge facility, and as we saw during COVID, you're able
(03:34):
to section parts of it off. But I think it
is important that stepping forward if that was the best facility.
You know, we do have other options in terms of
responding to natural disasters, but I think this is a
really good fit for this facility. We did look, Katie,
at whether we could use it for homelessness, shelter age care,
those types of things, but it's really not appropriate. It's
(03:54):
got steps. It is that workers camp style accommodation. For
your listeners to have that understanding.
Speaker 1 (04:01):
Now, in terms of that first cohort of over thirteen
hundred military personnel from Australia and partner nations scheduled to arrival.
It sounds as though some of them already have as
part of Exercise Talisman Saber. The facility is expected obviously
to relieve that pressure, like you touched on just a
moment ago on other accommodation around Darwin. How big an
(04:22):
impact has that had in previous years in terms of
defense personnel maybe staying at hotels around the place, and
they're needing those hotel rooms freely for tourists. So, Katie,
it's difficult because we want to grow tourism as a
huge part of our economy, and we know tourists want
to come to the top end and experience, you know,
our natural wonders, our great lifestyle. So when you have
(04:43):
large chunks of rooms blocked out for defense exercises, that
clearly has an impact.
Speaker 3 (04:47):
So it'll allow us to have certainty there. It will
also allow for these military exercises for those visiting forces
and services to have certainty and to potentially expand, remembering
that they do get you know, it does have catering
out there at Howard Springs, but those supplies come from
local contractors, so it does have a positive flow and
effect into our economy from this defense, but also allows
(05:09):
the growth with tourism.
Speaker 1 (05:11):
Now. Is all the repair work complete out there now.
Speaker 3 (05:14):
Katie, I knew that you'd be keen for an update
on that. My understanding is there is a portion still
to go, but there has been around two hundred and
eighty thousand dollars of repairs to date, and as I said, it's.
Speaker 2 (05:24):
A big facility.
Speaker 3 (05:25):
So we've got the personnel coming into areas that are
fresh and ready for them whilst we finish off that
other repair.
Speaker 1 (05:32):
Two hundred and eighty grand already spent and a portion
still to go at this point, correct how much still
to go?
Speaker 2 (05:39):
So, Katie, we.
Speaker 3 (05:40):
Will be releasing a tend or I understand, for that
final repair work, and when that is finalized, we can
share that figure with you.
Speaker 1 (05:46):
So don't know how much that tender is going to
be for.
Speaker 3 (05:49):
I'm sorry, Katie, I don't have even any indication of
how much that is, but I'll certainly get that to
you next time we speak.
Speaker 1 (05:54):
Is it like windows or what else needs.
Speaker 2 (05:56):
To be done?
Speaker 3 (05:56):
That's my understanding, Katie, is that's for the windows. So
I was out at the vascility with the minister, federal
minister yesterday and it's certainly, you know, looking spick and span.
Speaker 2 (06:06):
They were really impressed. He hadn't been there before.
Speaker 3 (06:09):
Officials clearly had been, but he was really impressed at
the layout of it and the way that it could
operate to support defense. Because Katie, we have three bases
in the top end and then obviously going down to Tindle,
but they're full. Robertson Barracks has had a lot of
infiel and a lot of development over the years, and
so you know they needed that capacity to help them.
Speaker 1 (06:30):
Is there going to be any sort of if we
do have evacuate evacuees again, is there going to be
any mitigation work or work done to ensure that we
do not see the same level of damage, because I mean,
two hundred and eighty thousand dollars to date is an
awful lot of money.
Speaker 3 (06:46):
Yes, Katie, we of course, following any critical incident emergency
response review that workout how can we care for those individuals,
but what can we do to mitigate those types of
behaviors that we saw. There was work that was undertaken
at the time, but yes, we of course would review
that now.
Speaker 1 (07:03):
Jerry would sent me a message late yesterday he said Katie,
the IMPECX Camp recreation facilities were to be given to
the community when IMPECS left, regardless of the idea of
taking a lease over the camp. The recreation facilities should
still be open to the local community as reward for
the camp being built in the rural area, as promised
at the public meeting at Howard Springs.
Speaker 2 (07:24):
What do you make of that.
Speaker 3 (07:26):
So, Katie, I know that the facility was to be
handed or the Northern Tertory government could choose to take
that facility. I'm not aware of conversations around access to
the recreation facilities. I know Jerry is really keen on
a pool in the rural area, and this is something
going right back when Clare Martin was Chief Minister. I think,
or maybe Paul Henderson that they did try and work
(07:46):
with a Lichfield council to put a pool out there
and that didn't progress. But I'm not aware of the
comments that you've just articulated on behalf of Jerry.
Speaker 1 (07:53):
I mean, should the locals out there be allowed to
use the pool?
Speaker 3 (07:56):
So, Katie, we did look at with the Palmerston Pool
being upgraded significantly. But it's not straightforward to allow general
community access to a facility that has been designed and
is operational for restricted use, is my understanding. Now, I
do want to move along because it is a lot
to get into this morning, and just on some of
(08:17):
the other work being undertaken by Defense.
Speaker 1 (08:20):
The work at the airport now we now know that
it means the route between Darwin and Bali is off
for a month later this year, as we'd revealed on
the show last week. Are you concerned that this work
is going to impact other routes?
Speaker 3 (08:33):
Yes, Katie, we want to see this between the Darwin
Airport Development Group and Defense urgently solved. We need them
to come together to give certainty around the scheduled works
and the timeline because our.
Speaker 2 (08:46):
Airport is so vital.
Speaker 3 (08:47):
We respect it's a military runway, but it's our connection
to our family, our friends, and it also for our tourists.
Speaker 1 (08:54):
Who isn't passing the information on to the Northern Territory
government because last week I'd actually put this to the
Minister for Tourism based on messages that I had received
from a listener basically asking Katie, why can't your book
flights at this time, and it was news to Nicole Madison.
To her credit, she came back to me within half
an hour and had told us what the situation was,
(09:14):
and it was because of these runway works. But honestly,
I thought, what a situation to be in where the
Tourism Minister hasn't been notified that that's the case, Katie.
Speaker 3 (09:23):
As I outlined, this is a project between the federal
government Department of Defense and the Darwin Elopment Darwin Development
Group at the airport and it's not to do with NTG, but.
Speaker 2 (09:33):
It absolutely impacts our community.
Speaker 3 (09:34):
So we're calling on them to come together and to
have the most minimal disruption to the runway for the
reasons I outlined before.
Speaker 1 (09:42):
So are they passing that information onto the Northern Territory government.
Speaker 3 (09:45):
So, Katie, we've been working with them to get as
much information as possible. But my understanding is that it's
the Airport Development Group and Defense coming together to finalize
how these vital maintenance works will take place.
Speaker 2 (09:59):
That's what is being waited well, and.
Speaker 1 (10:00):
Look, everybody understands that that work needs to happen. I
think that's you know, that's not the point being made here.
The point being made is the fact that you know,
the Tourism Minister hadn't even been made aware that there's
going to be a month we can't catch a flight
between Darwin and Bali at the same time that she's
having discussions with me about trying to entice other airlines
(10:21):
to the Northern Territory and to Darwin. How on earth
are we going to get other airlines to start operating
out of Darwin if we don't even know what's going
on with the runway at this point in time in
terms of what flights can and can't leave.
Speaker 3 (10:33):
And that's why, Katie, we need those two organizations to
come together to come up with a plan with the
most minimal disruption on the runway access for both our
community and tourists alike, and then to share that with people.
So we really call on them to sort it out.
We all get the works need to take place. We've
seen runway works take place previous decades and it has
(10:54):
an impact, but we need them to come together to
have that plan. So exactly for your point, we're trying
to attract new airline, we want to support the airlines.
Speaker 2 (11:01):
We've got here. We know how Vidal our air services are.
Speaker 1 (11:04):
Are you confident that they're going to be able to
do that? Katie?
Speaker 3 (11:07):
I am confident, and you know the Assistant Ministry yesterday
certainly was getting across these issues from defenses perspective. So
I'm confident we'll get sorted. But we just need to
understand the information. No one's saying it doesn't need to happen.
We just want to understand the when and what the
impact is so we can work around it well.
Speaker 1 (11:23):
And are you worried? Then? Obviously we know that this
is just impacting that Bali route, but are you concerned
because we do have even a lot of our domestic
routes travel at night time. I don't know exactly what
the reason is why Jetstars decided to cancel this one,
aside from saying that it is as a result of
that work that's underway. But what's to stop any of
the airlines canceling other routes at this point?
Speaker 2 (11:45):
And Katie, for.
Speaker 3 (11:46):
The airlines, they will be dealing with an impact to
runway access here in Darwin, but that plane will either
be coming from or returning to a location that may
have a curfew, for example. So that's why the information
as soon as possible is vital, so the airlines can
make the adjustments that may be needed or understand there
won't be an impact and we can understand the services.
Speaker 1 (12:07):
So you're essentially calling on the Department of Defense and
also the Airport Development Group to provide that information as
soon as possible.
Speaker 2 (12:14):
Absolutely, all right.
Speaker 1 (12:15):
I do want to move along and ask about these
protesters out at Lee Point yesterday demonstrating against a housing
development in which three people have reportedly ended up being arrested.
The group of protesters blockaded the entrance to the former
defense facility. They're at Lee Point. It is all in
an effort to stop Defense Housing authorities proposed mixed use
(12:36):
development at the former Commonwealth site. Now they're concerned that
this development is going to damage ecosystems at Lee Point.
That's clearing at the site is unsustainable and will have
lasting environmental impacts. Is the government concerned about the issues
being raised by these protesters.
Speaker 3 (12:54):
So, Katie, that site has always been Defense used to
hold the old radio towers. Defense back in the eighties
and nineties talked about the fact they needed that into
the future. This housing project has been long talked about,
long planned. We did see the Federal Minister for Environment,
Tanya Plibisec take on board the concerns of residents around
(13:18):
the Gordian finches under the EPBC, which is Commonwealth legislation.
She reviewed what was being planned and reviewed the wildlife
and she has expanded the corridors and also an area
around the water source, the dam where the birds are
getting water. So I think that there has been a
(13:38):
thorough review of this. Just because someone doesn't like that
final outcome doesn't mean there hasn't been a process around us.
Speaker 1 (13:46):
So you're confident that that's enough, that enough has been
done here.
Speaker 3 (13:49):
That's the advice I've got from the Commonwealth government who've
reviewed this.
Speaker 1 (13:52):
Now, those people that were blockading that development yesterday, are
they going to face fines? From your perspective or from
your understanding with the police?
Speaker 2 (14:00):
Ok that would be a question for police. I'm sorry,
I don't have that information.
Speaker 1 (14:03):
Now, Okay, let's move along because there is so much happening,
and we know that the coroner has well, there's been
a has heard throughout this the last couple of weeks.
We know that the coronial inquest does indeed continue into
the deaths of four Aboriginal women, and the Coroner heard
that there's been a one hundred and seventeen percent increase
(14:24):
in DV reports to police in the last ten years
and it is projected to increase by another seventy three
percent in the next decade. That is according to a
report by the ABC Now. The inquiry has repeatedly heard
evidence about relentless pressure on emergency and community services to
handle an overwhelming number of requests for help, with the
(14:46):
Northern Territory suffering the highest rates of domestic violence in
the country. The coroner described the situation as a crisis
with domestic and family violence response systems facing a complete
breakdown because of being overwhelmed. Chief Minister, there's no doubt
that an enormous amount of work does need to happen here.
But at the pointy end, we have heard during the
(15:09):
inquest that calls are going to the call center, to
the police call center, and there aren't enough police crews
to go out to those callouts. Why does the government
keep saying that there are more police than ever before
when it's becoming increasingly obvious that we don't have enough.
Speaker 3 (15:24):
So, Katie, if I could answer that in a couple
of different portions, of information. So essentially there's more police
resources than ever before.
Speaker 2 (15:32):
Do we need more?
Speaker 3 (15:34):
That is certainly the work that I want to undertake
understanding what we need across the board in terms of resources.
So there is more resources than ever before, but do
we need more? Of course, there's work to do in
that space.
Speaker 1 (15:46):
I do we do need more? Well, that's the work that.
Speaker 3 (15:48):
We're undertaking with the electronic rostering and then reviewing police
resources with that in terms of the coronial, and I
want to respect the process that is underway. A coronial
is undertaken to look at systemic government based issues in
the tragic death of individuals of Territorians. And so we
know domestic and family and sexual violence is a huge
(16:09):
issue in the Northern Territory. There was increased budget for
that sector and for those programs. We want to make
sure that we address the behaviors I find it. I
just find it apparent I don't understand the people that
you're meant to love, you then commit a violent crime
to them. And so we know that the large number
of victims are women and children, and that's why those
men's behavior change programs that help perpetrators address their violent
(16:35):
behaviors are so important, and we've got two of those
in the territory, run by Catholic Care in the top
end and Tongue and Geer in our springs, and they're
the programs that will stop that statistic of seventy three
percent from coming into play.
Speaker 1 (16:47):
Look, I agree, and I certainly you know, we know
that the coronial is obviously continuing on, so I'm very
cognizant of that. But you know, hearing last week that
we're in a situation we're at jesk so at the
police call center, that you've got evidence that's being provided
with I are saying that there is not enough cruise
to be able to send out at the pointy end
(17:10):
to intervene when it really is at that terrible point.
That's utterly heartbreaking and it does totally go against what
we have been hearing from the government that we've got
enough police.
Speaker 3 (17:23):
So, Katie, that electronic rostering, and we spoke about this
last time I talked with you, particularly in Darwin and
Ala Springs, the bigger centers, making sure that we've got
those resources operational at the right time of the day
to respond to the community's needs. And that's why that
electronic rostering work is so important. But as we have said,
we will independently that data let that guide the review
(17:46):
into police resourcing.
Speaker 1 (17:48):
All right, So the Minister said on Friday during the
week that was that she hopes that it's going to
get underway and be done and dusted within six months.
Speaker 3 (17:56):
Is that fast enough, Katie. That's where and when we
spoke last time. Rather than waiting for all of that
rostering work to be done territory wide, focusing on those
bigger centers and also doing work concurrently, it doesn't mean
that we can you know, we can start to get
information that can feed that police resourcing. So we heard
from the Police Association around over time.
Speaker 2 (18:15):
Now there's some overtime.
Speaker 3 (18:16):
Katie, that can't be avoided because it might be a
specific person to an operation that needs to Then you know,
if information comes through out of ours, they then need that.
But if we are seeing significant hours of overtime, which
we saw during estimates, using that information as well as
the electronic monstering to guide us towards those police resources
is what I'm keen to achieve.
Speaker 1 (18:35):
All right. Well, I've got a couple of issues that
I want to discuss really quickly. We spoke to the
Nursing and with Free Federation yesterday about the EBA which
has been reached. It is good news, but in the
same line, we've seen a number of code yellows. We
know that there is one at the moment due to
an electronic fault out at Palmerston last month, though we
had two across Darwin and Palmerston. Do you think that
(18:58):
this agreement on when the EBA is going to entice
small nurses to work in the Northern Territory.
Speaker 3 (19:04):
So we worked really closely with the Nursing and midwif
Free Federation to make sure that our hard working nurses
and midwives got what they needed to do their job
and recognize their efforts. So I am confident that resolving this.
There'll always be issues and ideas that we can work on,
but having this matter settled and giving that pay rise
to those workers was really important to me and now
(19:26):
we can continue to work in partnership with the federation.
Speaker 1 (19:29):
Are you concerned about the level of code yellows that
we are seeing, So, Katie.
Speaker 3 (19:33):
For your listeners, when you're in a hospital, there's a
number of different codes. They all have a color that
are called to help people in that complex working environment,
understand what is going on. So a code yellow means
there's something that could impact the delivery of care and
to make sure it's safe that code yellow is called.
And sometimes there's things that are internal external. But Katie,
(19:57):
we of course want to work so that we're not
seeing those codes.
Speaker 1 (20:00):
Called well it applying them down. I mean, it is
still a pretty serious situation to be in a code yellow, Katie.
Speaker 3 (20:08):
Since I've been the Minister, I've made it very clear
that Territorians need to understand what is happening within their
health services. We have publicly put out a press release
every time one of those is called. There is varying
factors as to why they're called. Sometimes it might be
that there's been a telecommunications outage, for example at Nulan
Boy Hospital, so we make sure that we share that information.
(20:28):
We've got two billion in the budget for health and
as I just outlined, we will keep working with those
that work in the health system.
Speaker 1 (20:35):
A very quick one. Last week we spoke quite a
bit about fuel disclosure records showing that backbench MLA Duran
Young had spent more than seven thousand dollars on fuel
purchases over a four month period from December last year.
Of this, more than two and a half thousand dollars
was spent on private travel in New South Wales and Queensland.
The records also showed the Northern Territories Attorney General Chancey
(20:57):
Paike wrapped up more than seven hundred dollar in fuel
costs on private travel between Adelaide and the Northern Territory
from late last year to early this year. Now, from
what I can gather, this isn't against the rules that
are set out by the Renumeration Tribunal. But Chief Minister,
do you think that using a government to issued fuel
card while interstate not on government business passes the PUB test?
Speaker 3 (21:20):
So, Katie, these entitlements are set by that independent tribunal
and people do receive those entitlements as part of their job.
Different members take different entitlements. They are independently reviewed each
year to make sure that their contemporary and meet community expectation.
Speaker 1 (21:36):
So do you think they passed the pub test?
Speaker 2 (21:38):
So, Katie?
Speaker 3 (21:39):
It varies in terms of what entitlements different members take.
Speaker 1 (21:42):
Yep.
Speaker 2 (21:43):
If you ask me, does I think it past the
pub test?
Speaker 3 (21:46):
No? The simple headline does not, But I think it
is important for your listeners to understand that this is entitlement.
Everyone has different entitlements with their jobs. There's tax around
those entitlements, but they are reviewed each year and they
do vary between Bush and Urban members.
Speaker 1 (22:01):
Do you think the tribunal needs to look into it?
I mean it is a bit embarrassing for your government
that this has sort of come to the fore that
a fuel card is being used interstate when you're not
away for work.
Speaker 3 (22:11):
So Katie and I do not understand the fine detail
around the tax and the fringe benefits enough. But what
I will do is we will make sure the independent
Tribunal they take information and then do their review.
Speaker 2 (22:23):
We will raise this.
Speaker 3 (22:24):
Issue with them so that we can all be assured
that they have looked at it in detail to ensure
it's contemporary and meets community expectation. Is it something you
would do so, Katie, different members have different entitlements, and Katie,
I'm in a different situation. I don't have a government vehicle.
So I think that I've explained how it works to
(22:45):
your listeners. It's part of their employment entitlements, and different
people take different entitlements.
Speaker 1 (22:49):
Chief Finister, we are going to have to leave it there.
Thank you very much for your time today.
Speaker 2 (22:53):
Always good to catch up. Thank you
Towards the end of the show yesterday we learned that
the federal and territory governments signed an agreement to establish
the Defense Accommodation Precinct Darwin at Howard Springs. Now, the
agreement is going to enable the Department of Defense to
use the Howard Springs facility as an accommodation precinct from July,
so from now pretty much. And joining me in the
studio to tell us a little bit more about the
(00:21):
situation is the Chief Minister, Natasha Files, good morning to you.
Speaker 2 (00:24):
Good morning, Katie, Good morning listeners.
Speaker 1 (00:26):
Now, Chief Minister, this agreement was signed yesterday. How quickly
are we going to see defense personnel in there?
Speaker 3 (00:32):
So, Katie, defense personnel, as I understand, did arrive late yesterday.
So Howard Springs the former Impacts workers camp that became
the Center for National Resilience and saw sixty thousand people
quarantined there during the COVID pandemic. And I'd like to
point out not one case snuck out of their So
that is you know, the staff that worked their, our
health professionals, credit to them. But it is a unique facility, Katie.
(00:55):
It's three and a half thousand rooms, it's single quarters,
so with some of the difficulties that we had during
COVID and during the recent natural disaster in terms of families.
But this partnership with defense, I think is really good
for that facility and good for the top end.
Speaker 2 (01:13):
We do see when defense exercises.
Speaker 3 (01:15):
Are on that they do take up hotel accommodation, but
they're not necessarily eating in our restaurants or visiting the
bars because they're here to work and to participate in
a high level defense exercise.
Speaker 1 (01:26):
And so they're in there from yesterday.
Speaker 3 (01:29):
So Katie, it's been a big job Northern Territory government
officials working with Commonwealth officials.
Speaker 2 (01:35):
So as you're aware, we recently used it.
Speaker 3 (01:37):
For the natural disaster, and it's important for your listeners
to note, Katie, if the territory needed that for some reason,
we in the contract can go back into the facility.
So if there was some natural disaster, if we saw
a massive flood, and I don't want to see that again,
but we do know that when the wet season we
have cyclones and floods, we could utilize if needed. But
(01:59):
I think this is a really partnership with defense.
Speaker 1 (02:01):
How much will the Northern Territory government receive from Defense
to essentially lease that facility over the next five years.
Speaker 3 (02:07):
So the five year lease arrangement between the Commonwealth and
the Northern Territory government is estimated to cost the Commonwealth
fifty million per year. We get eighteen million per year, Katie,
but that will.
Speaker 1 (02:17):
Cover alsoly, so we don't get the full fifty So
eighteen it's so to set it up as a facility
for Defense is around fifty million a year and then eighteen.
Speaker 2 (02:26):
That will go towards.
Speaker 3 (02:28):
Some of it is rent, but making sure you know, water, sewerage, maintenance, pests, spray,
those types of things so that it's operational, and then
Defense will further spend to have it operationalized. So so
rent and maintenance, I guess you'd say, correct, So eighteen
million dollars per year, but it's going to cost them
fifty million obviously to continue.
Speaker 2 (02:47):
To operate it.
Speaker 1 (02:48):
How would it work like if you're in a situation
where you've got defense personnel in there and then you
need to evacuate flood you know, evacuees. I mean, whether
we like it or not, there was some bad behavior
that we'd seen at Howard Springs. We all know that
there was damage. Course, how would that then work when
you've got a large cohort that are there obviously to
work to get involved in exercises and then if you
(03:08):
ended up with people also evacuated from a community.
Speaker 3 (03:12):
So I could probably answer that in two parts, Katie.
So traditionally these military exercises go during the dry season,
which is the same time as our peak tourism season,
so that is generally the timing which we have less
although we have recently had significant rains through Central Australia
this dry season, so the season's alignment. It's also a
huge facility, and as we saw during COVID, you're able
(03:34):
to section parts of it off. But I think it
is important that stepping forward if that was the best facility.
You know, we do have other options in terms of
responding to natural disasters, but I think this is a
really good fit for this facility. We did look, Katie,
at whether we could use it for homelessness, shelter age care,
those types of things, but it's really not appropriate. It's
(03:54):
got steps. It is that workers camp style accommodation. For
your listeners to have that understanding.
Speaker 1 (04:01):
Now, in terms of that first cohort of over thirteen
hundred military personnel from Australia and partner nations scheduled to arrival.
It sounds as though some of them already have as
part of Exercise Talisman Saber. The facility is expected obviously
to relieve that pressure, like you touched on just a
moment ago on other accommodation around Darwin. How big an
(04:22):
impact has that had in previous years in terms of
defense personnel maybe staying at hotels around the place, and
they're needing those hotel rooms freely for tourists. So, Katie,
it's difficult because we want to grow tourism as a
huge part of our economy, and we know tourists want
to come to the top end and experience, you know,
our natural wonders, our great lifestyle. So when you have
(04:43):
large chunks of rooms blocked out for defense exercises, that
clearly has an impact.
Speaker 3 (04:47):
So it'll allow us to have certainty there. It will
also allow for these military exercises for those visiting forces
and services to have certainty and to potentially expand, remembering
that they do get you know, it does have catering
out there at Howard Springs, but those supplies come from
local contractors, so it does have a positive flow and
effect into our economy from this defense, but also allows
(05:09):
the growth with tourism.
Speaker 1 (05:11):
Now. Is all the repair work complete out there now.
Speaker 3 (05:14):
Katie, I knew that you'd be keen for an update
on that. My understanding is there is a portion still
to go, but there has been around two hundred and
eighty thousand dollars of repairs to date, and as I said, it's.
Speaker 2 (05:24):
A big facility.
Speaker 3 (05:25):
So we've got the personnel coming into areas that are
fresh and ready for them whilst we finish off that
other repair.
Speaker 1 (05:32):
Two hundred and eighty grand already spent and a portion
still to go at this point, correct how much still
to go?
Speaker 2 (05:39):
So, Katie, we.
Speaker 3 (05:40):
Will be releasing a tend or I understand, for that
final repair work, and when that is finalized, we can
share that figure with you.
Speaker 1 (05:46):
So don't know how much that tender is going to
be for.
Speaker 3 (05:49):
I'm sorry, Katie, I don't have even any indication of
how much that is, but I'll certainly get that to
you next time we speak.
Speaker 1 (05:54):
Is it like windows or what else needs.
Speaker 2 (05:56):
To be done?
Speaker 3 (05:56):
That's my understanding, Katie, is that's for the windows. So
I was out at the vascility with the minister, federal
minister yesterday and it's certainly, you know, looking spick and span.
Speaker 2 (06:06):
They were really impressed. He hadn't been there before.
Speaker 3 (06:09):
Officials clearly had been, but he was really impressed at
the layout of it and the way that it could
operate to support defense. Because Katie, we have three bases
in the top end and then obviously going down to Tindle,
but they're full. Robertson Barracks has had a lot of
infiel and a lot of development over the years, and
so you know they needed that capacity to help them.
Speaker 1 (06:30):
Is there going to be any sort of if we
do have evacuate evacuees again, is there going to be
any mitigation work or work done to ensure that we
do not see the same level of damage, because I mean,
two hundred and eighty thousand dollars to date is an
awful lot of money.
Speaker 3 (06:46):
Yes, Katie, we of course, following any critical incident emergency
response review that workout how can we care for those individuals,
but what can we do to mitigate those types of
behaviors that we saw. There was work that was undertaken
at the time, but yes, we of course would review
that now.
Speaker 1 (07:03):
Jerry would sent me a message late yesterday he said Katie,
the IMPECX Camp recreation facilities were to be given to
the community when IMPECS left, regardless of the idea of
taking a lease over the camp. The recreation facilities should
still be open to the local community as reward for
the camp being built in the rural area, as promised
at the public meeting at Howard Springs.
Speaker 2 (07:24):
What do you make of that.
Speaker 3 (07:26):
So, Katie, I know that the facility was to be
handed or the Northern Tertory government could choose to take
that facility. I'm not aware of conversations around access to
the recreation facilities. I know Jerry is really keen on
a pool in the rural area, and this is something
going right back when Clare Martin was Chief Minister. I think,
or maybe Paul Henderson that they did try and work
(07:46):
with a Lichfield council to put a pool out there
and that didn't progress. But I'm not aware of the
comments that you've just articulated on behalf of Jerry.
Speaker 1 (07:53):
I mean, should the locals out there be allowed to
use the pool?
Speaker 3 (07:56):
So, Katie, we did look at with the Palmerston Pool
being upgraded significantly. But it's not straightforward to allow general
community access to a facility that has been designed and
is operational for restricted use, is my understanding. Now, I
do want to move along because it is a lot
to get into this morning, and just on some of
(08:17):
the other work being undertaken by Defense.
Speaker 1 (08:20):
The work at the airport now we now know that
it means the route between Darwin and Bali is off
for a month later this year, as we'd revealed on
the show last week. Are you concerned that this work
is going to impact other routes?
Speaker 3 (08:33):
Yes, Katie, we want to see this between the Darwin
Airport Development Group and Defense urgently solved. We need them
to come together to give certainty around the scheduled works
and the timeline because our.
Speaker 2 (08:46):
Airport is so vital.
Speaker 3 (08:47):
We respect it's a military runway, but it's our connection
to our family, our friends, and it also for our tourists.
Speaker 1 (08:54):
Who isn't passing the information on to the Northern Territory
government because last week I'd actually put this to the
Minister for Tourism based on messages that I had received
from a listener basically asking Katie, why can't your book
flights at this time, and it was news to Nicole Madison.
To her credit, she came back to me within half
an hour and had told us what the situation was,
(09:14):
and it was because of these runway works. But honestly,
I thought, what a situation to be in where the
Tourism Minister hasn't been notified that that's the case, Katie.
Speaker 3 (09:23):
As I outlined, this is a project between the federal
government Department of Defense and the Darwin Elopment Darwin Development
Group at the airport and it's not to do with NTG, but.
Speaker 2 (09:33):
It absolutely impacts our community.
Speaker 3 (09:34):
So we're calling on them to come together and to
have the most minimal disruption to the runway for the
reasons I outlined before.
Speaker 1 (09:42):
So are they passing that information onto the Northern Territory government.
Speaker 3 (09:45):
So, Katie, we've been working with them to get as
much information as possible. But my understanding is that it's
the Airport Development Group and Defense coming together to finalize
how these vital maintenance works will take place.
Speaker 2 (09:59):
That's what is being waited well, and.
Speaker 1 (10:00):
Look, everybody understands that that work needs to happen. I
think that's you know, that's not the point being made here.
The point being made is the fact that you know,
the Tourism Minister hadn't even been made aware that there's
going to be a month we can't catch a flight
between Darwin and Bali at the same time that she's
having discussions with me about trying to entice other airlines
(10:21):
to the Northern Territory and to Darwin. How on earth
are we going to get other airlines to start operating
out of Darwin if we don't even know what's going
on with the runway at this point in time in
terms of what flights can and can't leave.
Speaker 3 (10:33):
And that's why, Katie, we need those two organizations to
come together to come up with a plan with the
most minimal disruption on the runway access for both our
community and tourists alike, and then to share that with people.
So we really call on them to sort it out.
We all get the works need to take place. We've
seen runway works take place previous decades and it has
(10:54):
an impact, but we need them to come together to
have that plan. So exactly for your point, we're trying
to attract new airline, we want to support the airlines.
Speaker 2 (11:01):
We've got here. We know how Vidal our air services are.
Speaker 1 (11:04):
Are you confident that they're going to be able to
do that? Katie?
Speaker 3 (11:07):
I am confident, and you know the Assistant Ministry yesterday
certainly was getting across these issues from defenses perspective. So
I'm confident we'll get sorted. But we just need to
understand the information. No one's saying it doesn't need to happen.
We just want to understand the when and what the
impact is so we can work around it well.
Speaker 1 (11:23):
And are you worried? Then? Obviously we know that this
is just impacting that Bali route, but are you concerned
because we do have even a lot of our domestic
routes travel at night time. I don't know exactly what
the reason is why Jetstars decided to cancel this one,
aside from saying that it is as a result of
that work that's underway. But what's to stop any of
the airlines canceling other routes at this point?
Speaker 2 (11:45):
And Katie, for.
Speaker 3 (11:46):
The airlines, they will be dealing with an impact to
runway access here in Darwin, but that plane will either
be coming from or returning to a location that may
have a curfew, for example. So that's why the information
as soon as possible is vital, so the airlines can
make the adjustments that may be needed or understand there
won't be an impact and we can understand the services.
Speaker 1 (12:07):
So you're essentially calling on the Department of Defense and
also the Airport Development Group to provide that information as
soon as possible.
Speaker 2 (12:14):
Absolutely, all right.
Speaker 1 (12:15):
I do want to move along and ask about these
protesters out at Lee Point yesterday demonstrating against a housing
development in which three people have reportedly ended up being arrested.
The group of protesters blockaded the entrance to the former
defense facility. They're at Lee Point. It is all in
an effort to stop Defense Housing authorities proposed mixed use
(12:36):
development at the former Commonwealth site. Now they're concerned that
this development is going to damage ecosystems at Lee Point.
That's clearing at the site is unsustainable and will have
lasting environmental impacts. Is the government concerned about the issues
being raised by these protesters.
Speaker 3 (12:54):
So, Katie, that site has always been Defense used to
hold the old radio towers. Defense back in the eighties
and nineties talked about the fact they needed that into
the future. This housing project has been long talked about,
long planned. We did see the Federal Minister for Environment,
Tanya Plibisec take on board the concerns of residents around
(13:18):
the Gordian finches under the EPBC, which is Commonwealth legislation.
She reviewed what was being planned and reviewed the wildlife
and she has expanded the corridors and also an area
around the water source, the dam where the birds are
getting water. So I think that there has been a
(13:38):
thorough review of this. Just because someone doesn't like that
final outcome doesn't mean there hasn't been a process around us.
Speaker 1 (13:46):
So you're confident that that's enough, that enough has been
done here.
Speaker 3 (13:49):
That's the advice I've got from the Commonwealth government who've
reviewed this.
Speaker 1 (13:52):
Now, those people that were blockading that development yesterday, are
they going to face fines? From your perspective or from
your understanding with the police?
Speaker 2 (14:00):
Ok that would be a question for police. I'm sorry,
I don't have that information.
Speaker 1 (14:03):
Now, Okay, let's move along because there is so much happening,
and we know that the coroner has well, there's been
a has heard throughout this the last couple of weeks.
We know that the coronial inquest does indeed continue into
the deaths of four Aboriginal women, and the Coroner heard
that there's been a one hundred and seventeen percent increase
(14:24):
in DV reports to police in the last ten years
and it is projected to increase by another seventy three
percent in the next decade. That is according to a
report by the ABC Now. The inquiry has repeatedly heard
evidence about relentless pressure on emergency and community services to
handle an overwhelming number of requests for help, with the
(14:46):
Northern Territory suffering the highest rates of domestic violence in
the country. The coroner described the situation as a crisis
with domestic and family violence response systems facing a complete
breakdown because of being overwhelmed. Chief Minister, there's no doubt
that an enormous amount of work does need to happen here.
But at the pointy end, we have heard during the
(15:09):
inquest that calls are going to the call center, to
the police call center, and there aren't enough police crews
to go out to those callouts. Why does the government
keep saying that there are more police than ever before
when it's becoming increasingly obvious that we don't have enough.
Speaker 3 (15:24):
So, Katie, if I could answer that in a couple
of different portions, of information. So essentially there's more police
resources than ever before.
Speaker 2 (15:32):
Do we need more?
Speaker 3 (15:34):
That is certainly the work that I want to undertake
understanding what we need across the board in terms of resources.
So there is more resources than ever before, but do
we need more? Of course, there's work to do in
that space.
Speaker 1 (15:46):
I do we do need more? Well, that's the work that.
Speaker 3 (15:48):
We're undertaking with the electronic rostering and then reviewing police
resources with that in terms of the coronial, and I
want to respect the process that is underway. A coronial
is undertaken to look at systemic government based issues in
the tragic death of individuals of Territorians. And so we
know domestic and family and sexual violence is a huge
(16:09):
issue in the Northern Territory. There was increased budget for
that sector and for those programs. We want to make
sure that we address the behaviors I find it. I
just find it apparent I don't understand the people that
you're meant to love, you then commit a violent crime
to them. And so we know that the large number
of victims are women and children, and that's why those
men's behavior change programs that help perpetrators address their violent
(16:35):
behaviors are so important, and we've got two of those
in the territory, run by Catholic Care in the top
end and Tongue and Geer in our springs, and they're
the programs that will stop that statistic of seventy three
percent from coming into play.
Speaker 1 (16:47):
Look, I agree, and I certainly you know, we know
that the coronial is obviously continuing on, so I'm very
cognizant of that. But you know, hearing last week that
we're in a situation we're at jesk so at the
police call center, that you've got evidence that's being provided
with I are saying that there is not enough cruise
to be able to send out at the pointy end
(17:10):
to intervene when it really is at that terrible point.
That's utterly heartbreaking and it does totally go against what
we have been hearing from the government that we've got
enough police.
Speaker 3 (17:23):
So, Katie, that electronic rostering, and we spoke about this
last time I talked with you, particularly in Darwin and
Ala Springs, the bigger centers, making sure that we've got
those resources operational at the right time of the day
to respond to the community's needs. And that's why that
electronic rostering work is so important. But as we have said,
we will independently that data let that guide the review
(17:46):
into police resourcing.
Speaker 1 (17:48):
All right, So the Minister said on Friday during the
week that was that she hopes that it's going to
get underway and be done and dusted within six months.
Speaker 3 (17:56):
Is that fast enough, Katie. That's where and when we
spoke last time. Rather than waiting for all of that
rostering work to be done territory wide, focusing on those
bigger centers and also doing work concurrently, it doesn't mean
that we can you know, we can start to get
information that can feed that police resourcing. So we heard
from the Police Association around over time.
Speaker 2 (18:15):
Now there's some overtime.
Speaker 3 (18:16):
Katie, that can't be avoided because it might be a
specific person to an operation that needs to Then you know,
if information comes through out of ours, they then need that.
But if we are seeing significant hours of overtime, which
we saw during estimates, using that information as well as
the electronic monstering to guide us towards those police resources
is what I'm keen to achieve.
Speaker 1 (18:35):
All right. Well, I've got a couple of issues that
I want to discuss really quickly. We spoke to the
Nursing and with Free Federation yesterday about the EBA which
has been reached. It is good news, but in the
same line, we've seen a number of code yellows. We
know that there is one at the moment due to
an electronic fault out at Palmerston last month, though we
had two across Darwin and Palmerston. Do you think that
(18:58):
this agreement on when the EBA is going to entice
small nurses to work in the Northern Territory.
Speaker 3 (19:04):
So we worked really closely with the Nursing and midwif
Free Federation to make sure that our hard working nurses
and midwives got what they needed to do their job
and recognize their efforts. So I am confident that resolving this.
There'll always be issues and ideas that we can work on,
but having this matter settled and giving that pay rise
to those workers was really important to me and now
(19:26):
we can continue to work in partnership with the federation.
Speaker 1 (19:29):
Are you concerned about the level of code yellows that
we are seeing, So, Katie.
Speaker 3 (19:33):
For your listeners, when you're in a hospital, there's a
number of different codes. They all have a color that
are called to help people in that complex working environment,
understand what is going on. So a code yellow means
there's something that could impact the delivery of care and
to make sure it's safe that code yellow is called.
And sometimes there's things that are internal external. But Katie,
(19:57):
we of course want to work so that we're not
seeing those codes.
Speaker 1 (20:00):
Called well it applying them down. I mean, it is
still a pretty serious situation to be in a code yellow, Katie.
Speaker 3 (20:08):
Since I've been the Minister, I've made it very clear
that Territorians need to understand what is happening within their
health services. We have publicly put out a press release
every time one of those is called. There is varying
factors as to why they're called. Sometimes it might be
that there's been a telecommunications outage, for example at Nulan
Boy Hospital, so we make sure that we share that information.
(20:28):
We've got two billion in the budget for health and
as I just outlined, we will keep working with those
that work in the health system.
Speaker 1 (20:35):
A very quick one. Last week we spoke quite a
bit about fuel disclosure records showing that backbench MLA Duran
Young had spent more than seven thousand dollars on fuel
purchases over a four month period from December last year.
Of this, more than two and a half thousand dollars
was spent on private travel in New South Wales and Queensland.
The records also showed the Northern Territories Attorney General Chancey
(20:57):
Paike wrapped up more than seven hundred dollar in fuel
costs on private travel between Adelaide and the Northern Territory
from late last year to early this year. Now, from
what I can gather, this isn't against the rules that
are set out by the Renumeration Tribunal. But Chief Minister,
do you think that using a government to issued fuel
card while interstate not on government business passes the PUB test?
Speaker 3 (21:20):
So, Katie, these entitlements are set by that independent tribunal
and people do receive those entitlements as part of their job.
Different members take different entitlements. They are independently reviewed each
year to make sure that their contemporary and meet community expectation.
Speaker 1 (21:36):
So do you think they passed the pub test?
Speaker 2 (21:38):
So, Katie?
Speaker 3 (21:39):
It varies in terms of what entitlements different members take.
Speaker 1 (21:42):
Yep.
Speaker 2 (21:43):
If you ask me, does I think it past the
pub test?
Speaker 3 (21:46):
No? The simple headline does not, But I think it
is important for your listeners to understand that this is entitlement.
Everyone has different entitlements with their jobs. There's tax around
those entitlements, but they are reviewed each year and they
do vary between Bush and Urban members.
Speaker 1 (22:01):
Do you think the tribunal needs to look into it?
I mean it is a bit embarrassing for your government
that this has sort of come to the fore that
a fuel card is being used interstate when you're not
away for work.
Speaker 3 (22:11):
So Katie and I do not understand the fine detail
around the tax and the fringe benefits enough. But what
I will do is we will make sure the independent
Tribunal they take information and then do their review.
Speaker 2 (22:23):
We will raise this.
Speaker 3 (22:24):
Issue with them so that we can all be assured
that they have looked at it in detail to ensure
it's contemporary and meets community expectation. Is it something you
would do so, Katie, different members have different entitlements, and Katie,
I'm in a different situation. I don't have a government vehicle.
So I think that I've explained how it works to
(22:45):
your listeners. It's part of their employment entitlements, and different
people take different entitlements.
Speaker 1 (22:49):
Chief Finister, we are going to have to leave it there.
Thank you very much for your time today.
Speaker 2 (22:53):
Always good to catch up. Thank you
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