Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
We now know that three Marines have been killed in
a horror crash during a military exercise off the coast
of the Northern Territory. The Marine Rotational four Star and
confirmed that three of their personnel had died, while another
five were flown to Royal dah And Hospital in a
serious condition following the Ospray crash over the Tiwi Islands
yesterday morning. Now recovery efforts are ongoing, is what a
(00:24):
spokesman had said yesterday. The Chief Minister, Natasha Files joins
me in the studio this morning.
Speaker 2 (00:29):
Good morning to your Chief Minister.
Speaker 3 (00:31):
Morning Katie, the morning listeners.
Speaker 2 (00:32):
Now, Chief Minister, what is the latest on this situation?
Speaker 4 (00:35):
So Katie, firstly, I'd just like to acknowledge the family
the friends of these service personnel. The Northern Territory has
got a long and established military relationship with the United States.
We do see the Marine Rotation come through the territory
each year and they integrate themselves into our community. They
provide community service at our schools. I was with a
(00:56):
group of them at the Palmerston PGA golf just last Sunday.
So they are in a unique way part of our
community and we are all devastated by this loss and
our thoughts are with the family and friends of everyone
on board.
Speaker 1 (01:08):
Yeah, it's actually a really good point that you make,
because I think very often, you know, we heard yesterday
that there was no confirmed Australian Defense Force personnel on.
Speaker 3 (01:17):
That or Spray.
Speaker 1 (01:17):
But the fact here is they are marines that are
integrated into our community right now. As you've said, they're
helping out at different events, They're at various different things
around the Northern Territory. So this is a devastating situation.
Speaker 4 (01:32):
And that marine rotation has been coming through the territory
for over a decade. It's something that's well established and
as I said, they certainly make sure that they are
a part of our community while we're here. So what
I can say, Katie and I will be getting fully briefed,
will be going into a meeting with the Northern Territory
Police Commissioner and other government authorities following this interview. But
(01:52):
we were able to yesterday obviously there was three tragic
deaths that were confirmed by the US military. All of
the rest of the personnel were evacuated to Darwin and
that was an enormous effort.
Speaker 3 (02:03):
Katie.
Speaker 4 (02:04):
We had helicopters taking people from the crash site directly
to Royal Dalen Hospital and then other patients were transported
on aeroplanes landing at the airport. The National Critical Care
and Trauma Response Team stood up essentially a small field
hospital there at CareFlight and they were able to triage patients.
So it was a very organized, structured response that saw
(02:26):
all of those people get the help that they needed yesterday.
Speaker 1 (02:30):
So at this point in time, we know that the
lives of three people have been lost.
Speaker 2 (02:35):
We know that five others are.
Speaker 1 (02:37):
Being treated at Royal Dahin Hospital in a serious condition.
Are you able to give us any kind of update
on those five people?
Speaker 4 (02:44):
So, Katie, one person was in a critical condition and
they were operated on yesterday and I spoke to that
yesterday afternoon. The rest of the patients, as I've just outlined,
were all brought into Darwin and later today our health
officials will provide an update on exactly how many went
into Royal Dale Hospital, how many remain in Rhodzolan Hospital.
Speaker 3 (03:02):
Our team at the hospital did a phenomenal job.
Speaker 4 (03:05):
They didn't know the numbers of casualties that they would
be dealing with, and they managed to in calling that
Code BROWN, which is a system response to an event
outside of the hospital that may impact the hospital. They
were able to clear emergency department space, they were able
to make beds in ICU. We had three operating theaters
prepared if they were needed. So it was a huge
(03:26):
effort from our teams.
Speaker 1 (03:27):
It sounds like it's been a massive effort from everybody
across the across those emergency areas to make sure that
everybody was treated in the way that was needed. Can
you tell me where exactly was the crash, so.
Speaker 4 (03:40):
Katie, the crash took place on Melville Island, so the
Tewey Islands, we have Bathurst and Melville. It took place
just slightly off the coast inland. It was over land Picataramal,
which is where the boarding house and the college is
nearby to there.
Speaker 3 (03:55):
That is where the crash took place.
Speaker 1 (03:58):
So was it near any any local infrastructure or where
anybody lives.
Speaker 4 (04:04):
So, Katie, I did speak to the Teawe Islands mayor
last night and no Territorians were injured or impacted by
the crash. It was the US military personnel, but people
did respond. So the clinic staff on the Tiwe Islands.
They responded, So there was definitely Territorians that were involved
(04:26):
in that response, you know, that were bystanders that suddenly
turned into to participating in an emergency response.
Speaker 1 (04:31):
But it wasn't There wasn't a danger to locals, is
what I'm getting to.
Speaker 3 (04:35):
No, that's not my understanding.
Speaker 4 (04:37):
Of of course there was a fire, but my understanding
is that fire was isolated to the aircraft.
Speaker 1 (04:42):
Okay, and so it was on land. So the local
clinic staff there were really the first to respond.
Speaker 4 (04:46):
So Katie, I think these are the questions that will
be answered overcoming days. But my understanding is yes, both
local police and anti health clinic staff were on site
very quickly. There's two clinics, there's a clinic on Melville
Island and a clinic also at Warmy Younger which was
a little bit closer. But they all responded amongst all
(05:08):
the other professionals that stood up, from anti police to
critical care and trauma, to CareFlight and Saint John's.
Speaker 1 (05:14):
I've no doubt that the response right now is going
to be really making sure that those injured are getting
the treatment that they absolutely need. But what is going
to be the response in terms of will the Northern
Territory police or will there be a local investigation into
how exactly this has happened, or is it managed by
Defense and US Defense what happens next?
Speaker 4 (05:36):
So Katie, there's some of the complexities and yesterday we're
working through all of that. So we're working with the
Commonwealth government and Defense. We're working with the United States
because it was obviously their aircraft. And then obviously we
have responsibility as the local jurisdiction. So all of that
is being worked through. Typically when there is an aircraft crash,
the ATSB is involved, but there is complexity is because
(06:00):
of different jurisdictions.
Speaker 3 (06:01):
So all of that is being worked through.
Speaker 1 (06:03):
Now, talk me through this code brown. It was declared
yesterday at the hospital. What exactly does that mean? It
touched on a moment ago, but what exactly does it mean?
Speaker 4 (06:12):
So a code brown, Katie, is a management tool in
response to an external emergency. It allows the hospital to plan,
to prepare, and to respond. So that is when I
spoke to they did work to move patients elsewhere. We
engage with die and private hospital. We shifted patients around
within the hospital. So incident management team meetings were held
(06:32):
and they prepared the hospital as best they could, not
understanding the full number of casualties that potentially would present
themselves to the hospital.
Speaker 2 (06:41):
So how is the hospital coping now?
Speaker 4 (06:43):
So, Katie, I'll get fully briefed after this interview. But
our medical and our specialists worked with the nursing staff
to bring as many beds as possible. As I mentioned,
we had three theaters, but it's things like bringing in
additional PCAs and cleaners so that we can turn things
over as quickly as possible.
Speaker 3 (07:00):
Well, Katie, some of our.
Speaker 4 (07:01):
Staff have been doing this for a long time and
have tragically been at the forefront of incidents such as
the Bali bombs. So I have absolute confidence in Northern
Territory health teams and the Code Brown was enacted to
best prepare that hospital and so that we could care
for these people. So tell me what happens as well
with the people that are already at the hospital. Are
(07:23):
they being transported to other locations? Are they still at
Royal Darwin Hospital. What's the situation with the patients that
were already there? Yeah, So in terms of territories that
were receiving medical care, it was always designed to ensure
that their safety came first and so that's where they
worked through could we move people to other locations? As
(07:43):
I said, we worked with Darwin Private Hospital. It was
adjusting people within the hospital, so we have a number
of wards, so it was preparing to deal with a
large influx of patients quickly that needed that emergency care
potentially to go into theater to then be stabilized. But
I think our health professionals are probably better to speak
to that.
Speaker 3 (08:02):
Katie.
Speaker 1 (08:02):
Well, we'll certainly put in a request to speak to them.
I guess the issue we've got sometimes is we're not
able to get them on the show, So that's why
we're keen to speak to you about it. Which other
locations were people transported to, so.
Speaker 4 (08:13):
Katie, when the incident was being responded to, there was
a mixture of both fixed wing and rotary so helicopters
and aeroplanes. So the helicopters were going straight from the
crash site to Royal Darwin Hospital. We have a helipad
there and some other patients were flown on their aeroplanes
from the crash site. As I understand, was just a
couple of kilometers from an airstrip on the Tiwi Islands
(08:37):
and so they were flown from the Tiwee Islands to
Darwin Airport and they were stabilized. That was the work
that the National Critical Care and Trauma Response Center Team
did with CareFlight and they stabilized patients and then transferred
them up to the hospital. So it was a mixture
of both aeroplanes and helicopters.
Speaker 1 (08:53):
Yeah, right, And so then what about the patients that
are at Royal dah And Hospital. Are they still all
at Royal Dahin Hospital or some of them had to
be transported elsewhere?
Speaker 4 (09:02):
So Katie, I will get more information on that. What
I can say is that everyone that needed care was
transported from the island into Darwin by yesterday evening. I
was provided with updates throughout the afternoon, so they absolutely
got the care that they needed. We also have at
Robertson Barracks, for example, there's medical care there, so depending
(09:23):
on what need of care they were required to get,
they were managed in that sense. So again I guess
what I'm getting to is what happens to everybody that
was already at the hospital, because presumably there's people in ICU.
It is going to be a stress on our hospital system.
The fact that the code brown had to be called
and we were essentially up until Thursday last week, already
(09:45):
in a code yellow. So, Katie, these codes that they call,
there's a number of them. They are different colors, and
some of them there might be an incident happening within
the hospital that needs people to respond to. Others are
bed pressures and demands. But the code brown was stood
up so that we could respond.
Speaker 3 (10:03):
And that mainly is the.
Speaker 4 (10:04):
Emergency department, the theaters, and potentially the intensive care beds.
But it just allows those systems to come in when
we're discharging patients, Katie, and beds are being clean so
that the next patients can come into them. We just
heightened that whole process knowing that we had this emergency
external to the hospital that would have an impact on us.
Speaker 1 (10:24):
Yes, so if the hospital is already under stress, though
up until last Thursday it was in that cold yellow situation,
then a crash like this and something like this does
cause that additional strain on our health system. And nobody
would ever argue that the health stuff do a phenomenal
job in terms of dealing with all of that. But
what I'm trying to get to the bottom of is
what's happening with the Territorians that were already in the hospital.
(10:46):
Are they all still able to be treated at the hospital,
and how is the hospital now going with that additional
strain given the fact that we had the AMA on
the show just last week saying that we've got a
health system that's in crisis. So Katie, that is part
of the system and that's why their response is so
additional staff being brought into the hospital so that we
could make sure that we appropriately care for the patients
(11:07):
we have, as well as be prepared for this influx.
You know, we didn't know how many patients initially that
we would get into the hospital. So what supports now
being provided to the US in terms of the Marines
those that are injured, making sure that their families know
exactly what's going on, but also with the three lives
(11:28):
that have been lost.
Speaker 4 (11:29):
So Katie, there is a notification process that the US
military undertake, and so they have put out that statement
and then they allow themselves a period of time to
notify family and friends of the victims, and so all
of that is being undertaken by the US military presently.
We've been in constant contact with the US consul here
in Australia. They have been frequent visitors to the territory
(11:50):
and we have strong relationships, so we've been providing whatever
of information that we can share that can help bring
some comfort to those families.
Speaker 1 (11:58):
Now we are seeing more and more exercises here in
the Northern Territory. We know that you are due to
travel to the US to talk about investment into the
Northern Territory and also our strategic partnership when it comes
to defense. You know, with the questions that I'm asking
around our health system, what I'm trying to ascertain is
does a terrible incident like this demonstrate that we need
to bolster the health services if we are going to
(12:21):
host massive exercises like this, and are they discussions that
you're going to indeed have with Australia's Defense Minister and
Defense Force, but also with the US.
Speaker 4 (12:31):
So, Katie, we know that here in the territory we've
got the businesses that can deliver these projects that have
been identified by the Defense Strategic Review, and also the
allies that we have and the rotations and the activities
that come into the territory In terms of those additional
community based infrastructures that could be of benefit to defense
(12:51):
but also benefit the local community absolutely, and so you
know we have seen in this response the National Critical
Care and Trauma Response Team step up and help us
and that's something that is strategically based here in the
top end. So yes, I do think it's an opportunity
that we have because of our location in Northern Australia,
our remoteness, we need to make sure that we build
(13:11):
capacity for territorians. But also as we see you know,
I think the DSR, the Defense Strategic Review, points to
more activities in the North of Australia and so what.
Speaker 3 (13:21):
Else do we require in catering for that.
Speaker 1 (13:24):
And so that's part of the discussions that you're going
to be having when you.
Speaker 2 (13:27):
Are in the US.
Speaker 4 (13:28):
So my main point of the visit to the US
is to meet with key defense officials. I'm going to
the Pentacon, the Deputy Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Navy,
is around them ascertaining what the Northern Territory can offer,
that we've got great businesses here that can deliver the
projects that they want. But yes, as Chief Minister, I'm
very conscious that if we do see more activities there
(13:50):
will be more pressure on community infrastructure in the territory
and how do we work with the Commonwealth government here
to ensure that we have those resources.
Speaker 1 (13:57):
And presumably the discussions are going to change what following
on from the tragedy that occurred on the weekend.
Speaker 4 (14:03):
So Katie, it's very early days. I'll be of course
seeking some advice. You know, I had anticipated to head
off in the next week or so, but I'll get
all that advice and follow the protocols.
Speaker 2 (14:11):
So it may even be that it doesn't go ahead.
Speaker 4 (14:13):
Oh, Katie, I'll just follow advice. I think it's too
early to provide commentary on that.
Speaker 2 (14:17):
No, I agree. I think that you know we are
in a situation.
Speaker 1 (14:20):
I know where you're receiving all of those briefings after
you leave here this morning, so we will certainly do
our best to see that we can get the Police
Commissioner on and even somebody from health.
Speaker 4 (14:29):
I sorry, Yeah, We'll make sure that that information gets
back out for territories because I know that they're certainly
very keen to ascertain where things are at and also
that impact potentially on our local community.
Speaker 1 (14:41):
Yeah, look, before I do move on to Parliament resuming tomorrow.
Hats off to all of our medical professionals, you know,
the staff at Care Flight, the work that they would
have had to do over the course of the weekend,
those staff out there at the clinic as well locally
on the Teewee Islands, the police, all of those first responders,
but then you know getting to the hospital, the National
Critical Care Trauma Response Center, everybody that's been involved in
(15:03):
the response here, Hats off to each and every one
of those incredible Territorians that has really stepped up over
what's been a devastating weekend.
Speaker 4 (15:12):
So Katie, just to think in the space of less
than a couple of hours, the response that was stood up.
I think we should be extremely proud of those that
were involved. And it was a big, wide ranging effort
right across the bord and we've just spoken a little
bit about some of the efforts and processes, but there
was a huge team effort and so acknowledge those people
(15:32):
that their Sunday morning did not go as they would
have anticipated.
Speaker 1 (15:37):
Yeah, now I do want to move on to other
issues this week. We know that Parliament of course resumes tomorrow.
You've written to the Opposition leader Leofanocchiaro to confirm that
standing orders are going to be suspended so the petition
in titled Justice for deck Lan Lavity can be debated,
Chief Minister, Will that debate happen for longer than sixteen minutes?
Speaker 4 (16:00):
The short answer is yes, how that will happen? I
haven't got finalized. I was speaking to the Speaker of
the Northern Territory Parliament on Friday afternoon around the processes
because when we suspend standing orders, and this is parliament
jargon that your listeners are probably going to get lost in.
But essentially we usually suspend the standing orders, but the
processes around whatever's being debated, the time lengths, that usually stays.
(16:21):
But in this case we were the government that allowed
these petitions to be debated. Previously they were tabled and
that was it, but traditionally it's only two and two
for four minutes. I think that this is a really
important petition and I want to see the debate in
a much more fullsome manner.
Speaker 1 (16:36):
So what kind what do you mean by a more
fulsome manner? How long do you anticipate that could be?
Speaker 4 (16:41):
So, Katie, I think every member if the Parliament should
be able to speak on this.
Speaker 2 (16:44):
Petition for more than three minutes or two minutes.
Speaker 3 (16:46):
And I think Katie, that the time length.
Speaker 4 (16:48):
You know, we need to be conscious of lots of
things on the agenda, but yes, I think the time
length also needs to be longer than four minutes.
Speaker 2 (16:54):
So does the buck stop with you here?
Speaker 1 (16:56):
I mean you're the Chief Minister, surely you can say
as the leader of the Northern Tier, this does deserve
to have a fullsome debate. It's what the community is
calling out for, it's what the community wants.
Speaker 2 (17:08):
Surely you can make that happen.
Speaker 4 (17:09):
Yes, And the other conversations that I was having with
the Speaker, he's like the school teacher, the school principal
of the parliament.
Speaker 3 (17:14):
He enacts the processes.
Speaker 4 (17:16):
So we were having those conversations and they're continuing just
to finalize how we would make those arrangements under the
standing orders. But yes, it'll be longer than sixteen minutes,
and yes, every member of the Parliament will be able to.
Speaker 2 (17:25):
Speak, and that will be tomorrow morning, Katie.
Speaker 4 (17:28):
That's what I've indicated publicly is that will bring that
debate on first thing tomorrow morning.
Speaker 1 (17:32):
Now, when's the government going to announce the knife crime strategy.
Speaker 4 (17:36):
Yeah, Katie, that will be announced later today. It's just
obviously been a tricky period of twenty four hours, just
giving respect to the situation that we've been dealing with
in an emergency sense, but also ensuring that we get
that strategy out because there is no place for knife
crime in the Northern Territory.
Speaker 2 (17:52):
So it was going to be today.
Speaker 3 (17:54):
I was going to step out this morning.
Speaker 4 (17:56):
Always like to do those things before I talk to you,
So you've got that full information just unfortunately with the
events that have taken place, but I do anticipate it'll
be released today yep, and we'll certainly be able to
speak to it.
Speaker 3 (18:07):
Yeah, all right.
Speaker 1 (18:07):
We might try to speak to you or somebody else
throughout the week about that because it is, Yes, it
is incredibly important that we do get some further detail
on that, Chief Minister, just on the debate that's going
to be happening tomorrow, based on what is potentially going
to be said by both sides of Parliament, also the
independence and some of what.
Speaker 2 (18:25):
You are going to hear.
Speaker 1 (18:27):
I've no doubt that there'll be local members who are
keen to share experiences that maybe their constituents have been
through some of the terrible incidents that we have seen
when it comes to crime across the Northern Territory and
concerns that people have got with their personal safety. Do
you think in any way that that debate is going
to lead you to reconsider the way in which your
(18:48):
government's currently dealing with crime.
Speaker 4 (18:50):
So, Katie, we take that petition incredibly seriously and we'll
outline and respond to what we have done and continue
to do. And so there is a number of elements
the petition speaks to you, and there's a number of
measures that we've put in place and we continue to
look at, but.
Speaker 2 (19:03):
So potentially changes.
Speaker 4 (19:06):
So Katie, we always ensure that we continually monitor these situations,
that we have the most contemporary resource allocation, the most
contemporary legislation, and so we will outline in terms to
that petition, there's a number of elements that it speaks
to what we have already done to date and what
we intend to do.
Speaker 2 (19:25):
All right, Chief Minister, we better leave it there.
Speaker 1 (19:27):
Thank you very much for your time, and no doubt
we'll be receiving some further information throughout this morning, following
on from the tragedy on the weekend.
Speaker 3 (19:35):
Thank you take care
We now know that three Marines have been killed in
a horror crash during a military exercise off the coast
of the Northern Territory. The Marine Rotational four Star and
confirmed that three of their personnel had died, while another
five were flown to Royal dah And Hospital in a
serious condition following the Ospray crash over the Tiwi Islands
yesterday morning. Now recovery efforts are ongoing, is what a
(00:24):
spokesman had said yesterday. The Chief Minister, Natasha Files joins
me in the studio this morning.
Speaker 2 (00:29):
Good morning to your Chief Minister.
Speaker 3 (00:31):
Morning Katie, the morning listeners.
Speaker 2 (00:32):
Now, Chief Minister, what is the latest on this situation?
Speaker 4 (00:35):
So Katie, firstly, I'd just like to acknowledge the family
the friends of these service personnel. The Northern Territory has
got a long and established military relationship with the United States.
We do see the Marine Rotation come through the territory
each year and they integrate themselves into our community. They
provide community service at our schools. I was with a
(00:56):
group of them at the Palmerston PGA golf just last Sunday.
So they are in a unique way part of our
community and we are all devastated by this loss and
our thoughts are with the family and friends of everyone
on board.
Speaker 1 (01:08):
Yeah, it's actually a really good point that you make,
because I think very often, you know, we heard yesterday
that there was no confirmed Australian Defense Force personnel on.
Speaker 3 (01:17):
That or Spray.
Speaker 1 (01:17):
But the fact here is they are marines that are
integrated into our community right now. As you've said, they're
helping out at different events, They're at various different things
around the Northern Territory. So this is a devastating situation.
Speaker 4 (01:32):
And that marine rotation has been coming through the territory
for over a decade. It's something that's well established and
as I said, they certainly make sure that they are
a part of our community while we're here. So what
I can say, Katie and I will be getting fully briefed,
will be going into a meeting with the Northern Territory
Police Commissioner and other government authorities following this interview. But
(01:52):
we were able to yesterday obviously there was three tragic
deaths that were confirmed by the US military. All of
the rest of the personnel were evacuated to Darwin and
that was an enormous effort.
Speaker 3 (02:03):
Katie.
Speaker 4 (02:04):
We had helicopters taking people from the crash site directly
to Royal Dalen Hospital and then other patients were transported
on aeroplanes landing at the airport. The National Critical Care
and Trauma Response Team stood up essentially a small field
hospital there at CareFlight and they were able to triage patients.
So it was a very organized, structured response that saw
(02:26):
all of those people get the help that they needed yesterday.
Speaker 1 (02:30):
So at this point in time, we know that the
lives of three people have been lost.
Speaker 2 (02:35):
We know that five others are.
Speaker 1 (02:37):
Being treated at Royal Dahin Hospital in a serious condition.
Are you able to give us any kind of update
on those five people?
Speaker 4 (02:44):
So, Katie, one person was in a critical condition and
they were operated on yesterday and I spoke to that
yesterday afternoon. The rest of the patients, as I've just outlined,
were all brought into Darwin and later today our health
officials will provide an update on exactly how many went
into Royal Dale Hospital, how many remain in Rhodzolan Hospital.
Speaker 3 (03:02):
Our team at the hospital did a phenomenal job.
Speaker 4 (03:05):
They didn't know the numbers of casualties that they would
be dealing with, and they managed to in calling that
Code BROWN, which is a system response to an event
outside of the hospital that may impact the hospital. They
were able to clear emergency department space, they were able
to make beds in ICU. We had three operating theaters
prepared if they were needed. So it was a huge
(03:26):
effort from our teams.
Speaker 1 (03:27):
It sounds like it's been a massive effort from everybody
across the across those emergency areas to make sure that
everybody was treated in the way that was needed. Can
you tell me where exactly was the crash, so.
Speaker 4 (03:40):
Katie, the crash took place on Melville Island, so the
Tewey Islands, we have Bathurst and Melville. It took place
just slightly off the coast inland. It was over land Picataramal,
which is where the boarding house and the college is
nearby to there.
Speaker 3 (03:55):
That is where the crash took place.
Speaker 1 (03:58):
So was it near any any local infrastructure or where
anybody lives.
Speaker 4 (04:04):
So, Katie, I did speak to the Teawe Islands mayor
last night and no Territorians were injured or impacted by
the crash. It was the US military personnel, but people
did respond. So the clinic staff on the Tiwe Islands.
They responded, So there was definitely Territorians that were involved
(04:26):
in that response, you know, that were bystanders that suddenly
turned into to participating in an emergency response.
Speaker 1 (04:31):
But it wasn't There wasn't a danger to locals, is
what I'm getting to.
Speaker 3 (04:35):
No, that's not my understanding.
Speaker 4 (04:37):
Of of course there was a fire, but my understanding
is that fire was isolated to the aircraft.
Speaker 1 (04:42):
Okay, and so it was on land. So the local
clinic staff there were really the first to respond.
Speaker 4 (04:46):
So Katie, I think these are the questions that will
be answered overcoming days. But my understanding is yes, both
local police and anti health clinic staff were on site
very quickly. There's two clinics, there's a clinic on Melville
Island and a clinic also at Warmy Younger which was
a little bit closer. But they all responded amongst all
(05:08):
the other professionals that stood up, from anti police to
critical care and trauma, to CareFlight and Saint John's.
Speaker 1 (05:14):
I've no doubt that the response right now is going
to be really making sure that those injured are getting
the treatment that they absolutely need. But what is going
to be the response in terms of will the Northern
Territory police or will there be a local investigation into
how exactly this has happened, or is it managed by
Defense and US Defense what happens next?
Speaker 4 (05:36):
So Katie, there's some of the complexities and yesterday we're
working through all of that. So we're working with the
Commonwealth government and Defense. We're working with the United States
because it was obviously their aircraft. And then obviously we
have responsibility as the local jurisdiction. So all of that
is being worked through. Typically when there is an aircraft crash,
the ATSB is involved, but there is complexity is because
(06:00):
of different jurisdictions.
Speaker 3 (06:01):
So all of that is being worked through.
Speaker 1 (06:03):
Now, talk me through this code brown. It was declared
yesterday at the hospital. What exactly does that mean? It
touched on a moment ago, but what exactly does it mean?
Speaker 4 (06:12):
So a code brown, Katie, is a management tool in
response to an external emergency. It allows the hospital to plan,
to prepare, and to respond. So that is when I
spoke to they did work to move patients elsewhere. We
engage with die and private hospital. We shifted patients around
within the hospital. So incident management team meetings were held
(06:32):
and they prepared the hospital as best they could, not
understanding the full number of casualties that potentially would present
themselves to the hospital.
Speaker 2 (06:41):
So how is the hospital coping now?
Speaker 4 (06:43):
So, Katie, I'll get fully briefed after this interview. But
our medical and our specialists worked with the nursing staff
to bring as many beds as possible. As I mentioned,
we had three theaters, but it's things like bringing in
additional PCAs and cleaners so that we can turn things
over as quickly as possible.
Speaker 3 (07:00):
Well, Katie, some of our.
Speaker 4 (07:01):
Staff have been doing this for a long time and
have tragically been at the forefront of incidents such as
the Bali bombs. So I have absolute confidence in Northern
Territory health teams and the Code Brown was enacted to
best prepare that hospital and so that we could care
for these people. So tell me what happens as well
with the people that are already at the hospital. Are
(07:23):
they being transported to other locations? Are they still at
Royal Darwin Hospital. What's the situation with the patients that
were already there? Yeah, So in terms of territories that
were receiving medical care, it was always designed to ensure
that their safety came first and so that's where they
worked through could we move people to other locations? As
(07:43):
I said, we worked with Darwin Private Hospital. It was
adjusting people within the hospital, so we have a number
of wards, so it was preparing to deal with a
large influx of patients quickly that needed that emergency care
potentially to go into theater to then be stabilized. But
I think our health professionals are probably better to speak
to that.
Speaker 3 (08:02):
Katie.
Speaker 1 (08:02):
Well, we'll certainly put in a request to speak to them.
I guess the issue we've got sometimes is we're not
able to get them on the show, So that's why
we're keen to speak to you about it. Which other
locations were people transported to, so.
Speaker 4 (08:13):
Katie, when the incident was being responded to, there was
a mixture of both fixed wing and rotary so helicopters
and aeroplanes. So the helicopters were going straight from the
crash site to Royal Darwin Hospital. We have a helipad
there and some other patients were flown on their aeroplanes
from the crash site. As I understand, was just a
couple of kilometers from an airstrip on the Tiwi Islands
(08:37):
and so they were flown from the Tiwee Islands to
Darwin Airport and they were stabilized. That was the work
that the National Critical Care and Trauma Response Center Team
did with CareFlight and they stabilized patients and then transferred
them up to the hospital. So it was a mixture
of both aeroplanes and helicopters.
Speaker 1 (08:53):
Yeah, right, And so then what about the patients that
are at Royal dah And Hospital. Are they still all
at Royal Dahin Hospital or some of them had to
be transported elsewhere?
Speaker 4 (09:02):
So Katie, I will get more information on that. What
I can say is that everyone that needed care was
transported from the island into Darwin by yesterday evening. I
was provided with updates throughout the afternoon, so they absolutely
got the care that they needed. We also have at
Robertson Barracks, for example, there's medical care there, so depending
(09:23):
on what need of care they were required to get,
they were managed in that sense. So again I guess
what I'm getting to is what happens to everybody that
was already at the hospital, because presumably there's people in ICU.
It is going to be a stress on our hospital system.
The fact that the code brown had to be called
and we were essentially up until Thursday last week, already
(09:45):
in a code yellow. So, Katie, these codes that they call,
there's a number of them. They are different colors, and
some of them there might be an incident happening within
the hospital that needs people to respond to. Others are
bed pressures and demands. But the code brown was stood
up so that we could respond.
Speaker 3 (10:03):
And that mainly is the.
Speaker 4 (10:04):
Emergency department, the theaters, and potentially the intensive care beds.
But it just allows those systems to come in when
we're discharging patients, Katie, and beds are being clean so
that the next patients can come into them. We just
heightened that whole process knowing that we had this emergency
external to the hospital that would have an impact on us.
Speaker 1 (10:24):
Yes, so if the hospital is already under stress, though
up until last Thursday it was in that cold yellow situation,
then a crash like this and something like this does
cause that additional strain on our health system. And nobody
would ever argue that the health stuff do a phenomenal
job in terms of dealing with all of that. But
what I'm trying to get to the bottom of is
what's happening with the Territorians that were already in the hospital.
(10:46):
Are they all still able to be treated at the hospital,
and how is the hospital now going with that additional
strain given the fact that we had the AMA on
the show just last week saying that we've got a
health system that's in crisis. So Katie, that is part
of the system and that's why their response is so
additional staff being brought into the hospital so that we
could make sure that we appropriately care for the patients
(11:07):
we have, as well as be prepared for this influx.
You know, we didn't know how many patients initially that
we would get into the hospital. So what supports now
being provided to the US in terms of the Marines
those that are injured, making sure that their families know
exactly what's going on, but also with the three lives
(11:28):
that have been lost.
Speaker 4 (11:29):
So Katie, there is a notification process that the US
military undertake, and so they have put out that statement
and then they allow themselves a period of time to
notify family and friends of the victims, and so all
of that is being undertaken by the US military presently.
We've been in constant contact with the US consul here
in Australia. They have been frequent visitors to the territory
(11:50):
and we have strong relationships, so we've been providing whatever
of information that we can share that can help bring
some comfort to those families.
Speaker 1 (11:58):
Now we are seeing more and more exercises here in
the Northern Territory. We know that you are due to
travel to the US to talk about investment into the
Northern Territory and also our strategic partnership when it comes
to defense. You know, with the questions that I'm asking
around our health system, what I'm trying to ascertain is
does a terrible incident like this demonstrate that we need
to bolster the health services if we are going to
(12:21):
host massive exercises like this, and are they discussions that
you're going to indeed have with Australia's Defense Minister and
Defense Force, but also with the US.
Speaker 4 (12:31):
So, Katie, we know that here in the territory we've
got the businesses that can deliver these projects that have
been identified by the Defense Strategic Review, and also the
allies that we have and the rotations and the activities
that come into the territory In terms of those additional
community based infrastructures that could be of benefit to defense
(12:51):
but also benefit the local community absolutely, and so you
know we have seen in this response the National Critical
Care and Trauma Response Team step up and help us
and that's something that is strategically based here in the
top end. So yes, I do think it's an opportunity
that we have because of our location in Northern Australia,
our remoteness, we need to make sure that we build
(13:11):
capacity for territorians. But also as we see you know,
I think the DSR, the Defense Strategic Review, points to
more activities in the North of Australia and so what.
Speaker 3 (13:21):
Else do we require in catering for that.
Speaker 1 (13:24):
And so that's part of the discussions that you're going
to be having when you.
Speaker 2 (13:27):
Are in the US.
Speaker 4 (13:28):
So my main point of the visit to the US
is to meet with key defense officials. I'm going to
the Pentacon, the Deputy Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Navy,
is around them ascertaining what the Northern Territory can offer,
that we've got great businesses here that can deliver the
projects that they want. But yes, as Chief Minister, I'm
very conscious that if we do see more activities there
(13:50):
will be more pressure on community infrastructure in the territory
and how do we work with the Commonwealth government here
to ensure that we have those resources.
Speaker 1 (13:57):
And presumably the discussions are going to change what following
on from the tragedy that occurred on the weekend.
Speaker 4 (14:03):
So Katie, it's very early days. I'll be of course
seeking some advice. You know, I had anticipated to head
off in the next week or so, but I'll get
all that advice and follow the protocols.
Speaker 2 (14:11):
So it may even be that it doesn't go ahead.
Speaker 4 (14:13):
Oh, Katie, I'll just follow advice. I think it's too
early to provide commentary on that.
Speaker 2 (14:17):
No, I agree. I think that you know we are
in a situation.
Speaker 1 (14:20):
I know where you're receiving all of those briefings after
you leave here this morning, so we will certainly do
our best to see that we can get the Police
Commissioner on and even somebody from health.
Speaker 4 (14:29):
I sorry, Yeah, We'll make sure that that information gets
back out for territories because I know that they're certainly
very keen to ascertain where things are at and also
that impact potentially on our local community.
Speaker 1 (14:41):
Yeah, look, before I do move on to Parliament resuming tomorrow.
Hats off to all of our medical professionals, you know,
the staff at Care Flight, the work that they would
have had to do over the course of the weekend,
those staff out there at the clinic as well locally
on the Teewee Islands, the police, all of those first responders,
but then you know getting to the hospital, the National
Critical Care Trauma Response Center, everybody that's been involved in
(15:03):
the response here, Hats off to each and every one
of those incredible Territorians that has really stepped up over
what's been a devastating weekend.
Speaker 4 (15:12):
So Katie, just to think in the space of less
than a couple of hours, the response that was stood up.
I think we should be extremely proud of those that
were involved. And it was a big, wide ranging effort
right across the bord and we've just spoken a little
bit about some of the efforts and processes, but there
was a huge team effort and so acknowledge those people
(15:32):
that their Sunday morning did not go as they would
have anticipated.
Speaker 1 (15:37):
Yeah, now I do want to move on to other
issues this week. We know that Parliament of course resumes tomorrow.
You've written to the Opposition leader Leofanocchiaro to confirm that
standing orders are going to be suspended so the petition
in titled Justice for deck Lan Lavity can be debated,
Chief Minister, Will that debate happen for longer than sixteen minutes?
Speaker 4 (16:00):
The short answer is yes, how that will happen? I
haven't got finalized. I was speaking to the Speaker of
the Northern Territory Parliament on Friday afternoon around the processes
because when we suspend standing orders, and this is parliament
jargon that your listeners are probably going to get lost in.
But essentially we usually suspend the standing orders, but the
processes around whatever's being debated, the time lengths, that usually stays.
(16:21):
But in this case we were the government that allowed
these petitions to be debated. Previously they were tabled and
that was it, but traditionally it's only two and two
for four minutes. I think that this is a really
important petition and I want to see the debate in
a much more fullsome manner.
Speaker 1 (16:36):
So what kind what do you mean by a more
fulsome manner? How long do you anticipate that could be?
Speaker 4 (16:41):
So, Katie, I think every member if the Parliament should
be able to speak on this.
Speaker 2 (16:44):
Petition for more than three minutes or two minutes.
Speaker 3 (16:46):
And I think Katie, that the time length.
Speaker 4 (16:48):
You know, we need to be conscious of lots of
things on the agenda, but yes, I think the time
length also needs to be longer than four minutes.
Speaker 2 (16:54):
So does the buck stop with you here?
Speaker 1 (16:56):
I mean you're the Chief Minister, surely you can say
as the leader of the Northern Tier, this does deserve
to have a fullsome debate. It's what the community is
calling out for, it's what the community wants.
Speaker 2 (17:08):
Surely you can make that happen.
Speaker 4 (17:09):
Yes, And the other conversations that I was having with
the Speaker, he's like the school teacher, the school principal
of the parliament.
Speaker 3 (17:14):
He enacts the processes.
Speaker 4 (17:16):
So we were having those conversations and they're continuing just
to finalize how we would make those arrangements under the
standing orders. But yes, it'll be longer than sixteen minutes,
and yes, every member of the Parliament will be able to.
Speaker 2 (17:25):
Speak, and that will be tomorrow morning, Katie.
Speaker 4 (17:28):
That's what I've indicated publicly is that will bring that
debate on first thing tomorrow morning.
Speaker 1 (17:32):
Now, when's the government going to announce the knife crime strategy.
Speaker 4 (17:36):
Yeah, Katie, that will be announced later today. It's just
obviously been a tricky period of twenty four hours, just
giving respect to the situation that we've been dealing with
in an emergency sense, but also ensuring that we get
that strategy out because there is no place for knife
crime in the Northern Territory.
Speaker 2 (17:52):
So it was going to be today.
Speaker 3 (17:54):
I was going to step out this morning.
Speaker 4 (17:56):
Always like to do those things before I talk to you,
So you've got that full information just unfortunately with the
events that have taken place, but I do anticipate it'll
be released today yep, and we'll certainly be able to
speak to it.
Speaker 3 (18:07):
Yeah, all right.
Speaker 1 (18:07):
We might try to speak to you or somebody else
throughout the week about that because it is, Yes, it
is incredibly important that we do get some further detail
on that, Chief Minister, just on the debate that's going
to be happening tomorrow, based on what is potentially going
to be said by both sides of Parliament, also the
independence and some of what.
Speaker 2 (18:25):
You are going to hear.
Speaker 1 (18:27):
I've no doubt that there'll be local members who are
keen to share experiences that maybe their constituents have been
through some of the terrible incidents that we have seen
when it comes to crime across the Northern Territory and
concerns that people have got with their personal safety. Do
you think in any way that that debate is going
to lead you to reconsider the way in which your
(18:48):
government's currently dealing with crime.
Speaker 4 (18:50):
So, Katie, we take that petition incredibly seriously and we'll
outline and respond to what we have done and continue
to do. And so there is a number of elements
the petition speaks to you, and there's a number of
measures that we've put in place and we continue to
look at, but.
Speaker 2 (19:03):
So potentially changes.
Speaker 4 (19:06):
So Katie, we always ensure that we continually monitor these situations,
that we have the most contemporary resource allocation, the most
contemporary legislation, and so we will outline in terms to
that petition, there's a number of elements that it speaks
to what we have already done to date and what
we intend to do.
Speaker 2 (19:25):
All right, Chief Minister, we better leave it there.
Speaker 1 (19:27):
Thank you very much for your time, and no doubt
we'll be receiving some further information throughout this morning, following
on from the tragedy on the weekend.
Speaker 3 (19:35):
Thank you take care
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