Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Are renewed, refreshed and refocused Territory government. That's the way
the Chief Minister, Natasha Files describe the cabinet reshuffle earlier
this week. The Member for Fanny Bay, Brent Potter, has
been appointed the Minister for Police, Minister for Fire and
Emergency Services and the Minister for Veterans Affairs. Now many
including the Union, questioning the Chief Minister's decision to appoint
(00:23):
the least experienced member of cabinet to what many regard
as the most important portfolio right now, Brent Potter joins
me in the studio.
Speaker 2 (00:32):
Good morning to you.
Speaker 3 (00:33):
Brent, morning, Katie, morning listeners.
Speaker 1 (00:34):
Firstly, congratulations on your appointment to the cabinet.
Speaker 2 (00:37):
How are you feeling.
Speaker 4 (00:38):
Humbled to get the opportunity to serve and then serve
this portfolio? And how a lot of Territorians are listening
and eager to see what I'm going to do. But
it's extremely humbling to have this portfolio.
Speaker 1 (00:48):
Now? How did you wind up with arguably the most
important job in the Northern Territory right now, with what
many are saying is no experience.
Speaker 3 (00:58):
I've always said to.
Speaker 4 (00:58):
The Chief I'll serve where she wants me to serve
And that's the portfolio that she's given me, and I'm
grateful for it to sink my teeth into it.
Speaker 2 (01:05):
What did she say? Why did she believe that you're
the right person for the job.
Speaker 4 (01:08):
Just my background obviously a few listeners that don't know,
fifteen years in the army and I've worked with police
previously in uniform during that time and then as the
police advisor, and people say to me, well, what did
you learn?
Speaker 3 (01:20):
Is that were you see?
Speaker 4 (01:21):
An adviser gives advice and a minister makes decisions and
so seeing a lot of the briefs coming through and
seeing areas for improvement. And so I said to her
in the opportunity present, and I said, I think I
can do a lot of good here, make a lot
of change for territorianes.
Speaker 2 (01:32):
I mean, you've just touched on it there.
Speaker 1 (01:33):
You weren't a Coole Madison's advisor when she had the
police portfolio. Many feel that her decisions and time as
the police Minister will woe for like a lot of
people feel as though that was the beginning of our
downwards spiral when it came to crime. And for a
long time she wouldn't even acknowledge that we were in
a crime crisis, and locals in Alice feel that she
ignored the issues there. I mean, were you part of
(01:56):
that approach?
Speaker 4 (01:57):
Well, worked on a team at the time, and I've
given her frank and feeless advice and I'd continue to
do so for the chief at the moment. She said
that in her opening presser the circumstances during that period
of time, I don't think many saw coming with what
we would ask police to do during COVID and we've
seen the manifestation of that now through the attrition, and
it has taken time to come at it and we've
got work to do. But I think, you know, for
people to have those opinions, they're absolutely entitled to it.
(02:19):
And I think that she balanced a really tough set
of circumstances really well.
Speaker 1 (02:23):
Brent' was a deal done with the Chief Minister for
you to get to get a cabinet position? No, No,
it's not about doing the numbers or anything like that.
Speaker 4 (02:32):
She's got a certain amount of cabinet positions, and she's
got a certain amount of backbenches, and she chooses who
she wants in the cabinet.
Speaker 2 (02:37):
But there's lots of.
Speaker 1 (02:38):
People sort of scratching their heads. Though again I'll say,
you know, with yourself and Joel Bouten being being promotioned
to two massive jobs with again very minimal experience.
Speaker 4 (02:50):
Well, if you just look at our professional backgrounds, I
think we've got enough experience. And if someone can pull
the playbook out for me and say what is the
criteria for a particular portfolio, that I'm all is for it.
But I think being eager and sometimes bring a fresh
set of eyes to these portfolio are exactly what they needed.
And for all the negative we've gotten, there's been a
lot of people reach out saying this is the best
thing they've heard all day. So you know, I'm looking
forward to sinking my teeth into it.
Speaker 1 (03:10):
Look, there are some people that are, like you said,
very positive about this and sort of saying, look, maybe
he's you know, he's fearless enough to actually do what
we need to have happened in the Northern Territory. When
it comes to the crime issues that we've got, what
are your top priorities going to be stepping in?
Speaker 3 (03:25):
First? I just say it's leadership, not like a ship.
Speaker 4 (03:27):
So you have to make tough calls and that's why
I think I've been put in this position, and she
made that very clear from the start. And I've got
two priorities and I've said this to the recruit yes,
and I said in my opening addressed the first one
is to demonstrate that they are absolutely supported from myself
as the minister, but from the government. The Commission has
done an absolutely stallar job in the short period of
time he's been there. I reached out to some offices yesterday.
You may have sayen that there have been assaulteds. I've
(03:47):
reach out of them personally, had spoken to them and
they all said the same thing, that he's been really
supportive and they've seen the change. That's fantastic. But my
first objective is now on me to demonstrate that same
from the ministerial level down. And then the second one
is to deliver for territory. And the best way I
can put that is when a territory and calls for
a cop, they get a cop. Because I think everyone's
measure of success and improvement this space is going to
be different, you know, and it can be vastly different.
(04:09):
But I think at the end of the day, when
you call a copper, you get a copper.
Speaker 1 (04:12):
There's been I mean, there has been a lot of
criticism over recent months on that and the fact that
you know, it feels as though we're very under resource.
We all know that that review is obviously getting underway,
but what we've seen as well is the need for
those security guards to be operational. There's obviously that four
Corners report that we all saw earlier in the week,
or some saw earlier in the week. I mean, does
(04:33):
that present concerns for you or do you think that
we actually need to have those security continue because a
lot of the public feelers though we do well.
Speaker 3 (04:39):
Absolutely in the short term, we absolutely do need.
Speaker 4 (04:41):
I know that you've got family live in the electure
and they see what the security does in Prap and
I know that and it's very toy in the works
in the city. They see what they do in the
city and they feel safe for having them there. Do
I want them to be a substitute for police. Absolutely not.
And I'll say this to Nathan when we catch up.
I want to find a pathway to get officers in
those positions. We have a difficulty at the moment across
Astralia recruiting officers. We're at eight hundred and ninety eight.
(05:02):
The last time I checked retention, sorry, separations is going down,
so it was ten point one. I believe it's down
about nine point five. And that's taken at a point
in time on a pay cycle, So the next pay
cycle be a great number, yep, but it's taken at
a point in time and by the end of FIB
will have additional further sixty recruits in training constable, so
we're recruiting a prepetrician. I know the number fourteen is
(05:23):
thrown out, well, that's minus the people that are separated.
So if as a minister can demonstrate to people that
there is a long term career in the Northern Churretary
Police Force, it's a culture you want to be a
part of. Reduce that to a healthy number separation, but
continue to recruit what we're recruiting at well, then we'll
have enough officers to do that. And I'll make that
commitment to Nathan. If we can get to a point
where we've got excess police officers, then sure, let's look
at changing those contracts. But I think there is a tier.
(05:45):
There's a tier or measures that you want to implement.
So tps in town should be going around and being
a visual deterrent. They shouldn't be getting involved in everything,
and a point when it becomes criminal, that's when they
should be handing over to police and police coming.
Speaker 2 (05:57):
So I guess the problem's being if there's not police available, then.
Speaker 4 (06:01):
Full knowledge that right. So that's what I'm saying. We
can't get rid of the security now. And the footage
I saw on four corners, every one of those had
been investigated. That's what they said on there. It is
confronting footage, but it had been investigated. There is a
mechanism for it, and I think most people would agree
they feel safe for having them there. Obviously, I would
love that to be police, and I agree with Nathan
let's get to a point where can do it, but
that is going to take time on the journey of
(06:21):
fixing the problems that we see now.
Speaker 1 (06:24):
The Police Association, you would have heard them on the
show yesterday, you know, Nathan Finn has said that it's
difficult to see this move as anything other than downgrading
these significance and relevance of one of the most important
Northern Territory government departments at a time when the territory
is plagued by record levels of crime and the Northern
Territory Police Force is crippled by chronic understaffing and under resourcing.
(06:47):
When are you meeting with the police Association?
Speaker 4 (06:49):
What's the time now? So that's what nine one, I'm
meeting him. Think it's eleven o'clock today before lunch. We're
coming in. Nathan's absolutely entitled to his views, and I
absolutely love a challenge. So when someone says I'm the underdore,
let me prove you wrong. I look forward to working
with him and those comments. You know that he's entitled
to those. I wouldn't say that absolutely the comments of
all of his members. I've had members reach out saying
that they're happy with this. A lot of my exuldiers
(07:10):
have heard the news and their police officers now and
they're happy because they know how I work. But I
need to demonstrate to him that that actions speak loud
in the words, and I'll deliver on my commitments.
Speaker 2 (07:18):
To it's ready to prove yourself absolutely.
Speaker 4 (07:19):
I mean everyone that ever puts me as an underdog,
it drives me harder to prove them wrong.
Speaker 3 (07:24):
And I love nothing more than a challenge.
Speaker 1 (07:26):
Where do you think, like, what are the main areas
that you think we need to see improvement.
Speaker 2 (07:31):
Presumably it's the reduction of crime.
Speaker 3 (07:33):
Yeah, I listened. I think your metrics.
Speaker 4 (07:35):
Some people say it's crime statistics, some will say it's visual.
I'm of the opinion that crime statistics are one measure.
But at the end of the day, if you're walking
down the street, you shouldn't be seeing the any social behavior.
You shouldn't be seeing the public drinking. You shouldn't have
people coming into your homes at the rates that it's
all coming in and trying to get into your house
at the rates that it's occurring.
Speaker 3 (07:52):
I will say to Territorians.
Speaker 4 (07:53):
That you know you're never going to get one hundred
percent reduction, but I need a reduction. I want a reduction.
So that's the focus. And if terror Toreen's call for
a cop and they get one, that's probably the measure success.
Speaker 1 (08:02):
Let's talk about alcohol, because this two kilometer rule, it's
been a real point of contention. We then heard in
parliament last week the government was finally a little bit
more upfront and said yes that public drinking had been decriminalized.
It flew in the face of you know, of what
the Chief Minister and Chancey Paike had been telling us
on the show on previous occasions, there is no doubt
(08:23):
that we've got an issue at the moment with people
drinking in public places and the on flow of that.
I mean, we see today on the front page of
the Northern Territory News Marcia Langdon has made comments telling well,
she's actually told the coroner that extending alcohol bands across
the Northern Territory is an absolutely necessary public health measure.
(08:44):
In per App and Fanny Bay, you've got the liquor record.
It seems to be helping in some way. I mean,
do we need to make some changes like that across
the board here?
Speaker 3 (08:52):
Yeah?
Speaker 4 (08:52):
The chiefs when she tabled the three year liquor review,
made it very clear that everything would be considered. I
wouldn't go in this far and say this is the
exact measure we're going to run to Mindor.
Speaker 3 (09:00):
But in Fanny Bay the accord works.
Speaker 4 (09:02):
You know, you have to have a reasonable you have
to demonstrate a residence of where you're going to consume
the outo. It's just a further measure. I know that
the Northern Suburbs Liquor coord had implemented whether they're still
enacting that is a different story.
Speaker 3 (09:11):
But some people that came.
Speaker 4 (09:12):
Through Fanny Bay would get us where you're drinking and
they're from Humpty Do, and they'd be unsure why. That's
the reason I think we need to look at everything
in turn. I listened last week to the week there
was when we were talking about what is decriminalized, what
is illegal? So I guess for listeners to simplify it,
the issue of the drinking only becomes an issue when
the behavior becomes criminal.
Speaker 1 (09:31):
And so let me just okay, so you can have
a group of people drinking in the CBD and they
can drink all they want until it becomes.
Speaker 4 (09:38):
Let me put it a different way. We can use
the CBD as an example. Obviously before midday there are
people out there drinking that have a problem, that are
drinking way too early, and we know that's going to
become a problem, so we should be there tipping it out.
But I'll give you an example. You go down to
a local park of an afternoon and you open a bar.
If we're going to criminalize it that if you're wanting
all in, that would be a criminal.
Speaker 1 (09:56):
But why don't we just make it that the cops
can actually check everybody's license right from the get go.
If you're drinking, you know, that's part of that's part
of that review.
Speaker 3 (10:03):
Absolutely, we'll look at it.
Speaker 4 (10:04):
What I would say is Section forty seven, which is
disorderly conduct and going. It absolutely covers all of the
any social behavior we see when someone starts drinking, and
so that is the mechanism where it becomes criminal. The
police will attend and it's a two thousand dollars fine.
It can lead up to six months in prison. But
I think infringing someone who just opens the container doesn't
change the issue.
Speaker 1 (10:24):
You guys have got right now, though, is that all
you've got to do is go for a walk down
the street and you can see people public drinking and
disorderly behavior. So you know what's the benchmark, I suppose,
And that's where a lot of people are feeling right
now that the government's actually not listening and they're hoping
that you'll provide a fresh approach where you'll actually go, no,
this is bullshit.
Speaker 2 (10:43):
What's happening is not okay, we're going to change it.
Speaker 3 (10:46):
I've always tried not to swear on radio. It now
you've done it, so it's opened it up, But.
Speaker 4 (10:49):
Listen, Like I said, the metric of success is walking
down and not seeing that behavior. And I know that
recently police have been really proactive and there's been tons
of leaders have tipped out in the city on their
recent operation running that through to Christmas. So there is
an alcohol targeted operation of tip out poor and secondary supply.
But you're right, you don't want to see it when
you walk down the street, and you should, but you
and I should, and everyone else is not doing the
(11:10):
wrong thing. Should be able to have a beer over
a platter on the foreshore and not be a problem.
We just need to go really tough on the commodity
at the moment, change the behavior because it's behavioral, and
then get more police back on the beat. But you've
got to have both at the same time. And we've
got a problem with that.
Speaker 1 (11:23):
And are you going to push for the police being
able to do what they've asked for in that review
and be able to actually check people's ideas if they
are publicly drinking, so that they can do a search,
see whether somebody is on the band Drinkers register, see
if somebody is drinking with someone who they've got a DVO.
Speaker 3 (11:39):
Again and the.
Speaker 4 (11:39):
Other one is if they're a role order and they
shouldn't be drinking. So I'm absolutely open. I've had a
chat with the commission and asked him about that, and
we're going to catch up later in the week again
because I guess the position I sort of take on
it anecdotal is if you rock up, the police officer
tip the alcohol out, there was a reason to attend,
and they've asked the question, well, at that point, can
they ask for their name.
Speaker 3 (11:57):
So that we can do follow up checks? And so
I'll work that through the chief.
Speaker 4 (12:00):
So no, the report spoke about it, so everything in
that report will be considered and we're looking at implementing this.
Speaker 2 (12:05):
Brent Alice Springs.
Speaker 1 (12:06):
What's going to be your focus in Alice Springs sixteen
break ins the night before last?
Speaker 2 (12:11):
That behavior is woeful.
Speaker 1 (12:12):
And it seems to go through stages it gets a
bit better, then it all turns bad again.
Speaker 2 (12:17):
What's your focus for our us?
Speaker 4 (12:19):
Listen to the police officers Alice, well done. They caught
three offenders in that. I've got the recent update on that,
so well done to them.
Speaker 3 (12:25):
Listen.
Speaker 4 (12:26):
I think that it's going to require more resources. I mean,
Summer's coming up. We do have Operation Drena that's going
to be implemented there. It isn't just and I say this,
I've said this to many people. Please can't be everything
to everyone. They're not teachers, they're not parents, they're not
social workers. They're there to catch criminals. And so at
the end of the day, if they're being attending a job,
the other part has failed or is not meeting the
expectation of the needs of that individual. So we're having
(12:46):
a full wrap around for Alice springs out of Christmas,
which will be led with Territory Families, Chief Means Department
and the Central Controller around other activities because if we
can keep people on homelands in community with activities to do,
and when they do come in stuff to do, it's
less likely to lead to the any social behavior which
we know leads a DVN crime.
Speaker 1 (13:05):
All right, I want to step away from police for
a moment and talk about the separation of police from
our fire service. How exactly is this going to work?
Is there going to be a standalone budget? How do
you see this rolling out?
Speaker 3 (13:18):
Yeah? So sorry, this is why I'm a due.
Speaker 4 (13:21):
Okay, they need to be their own agency, like every
other state and territory and they have a different role.
So you know, we want police to focus on community safety.
I need them to focus on bushfires, emergency management, search
and rescue, and all the stuff that comes with climate change.
They will have a stand alone budget, so at the
moment it's forty eight point seven million that will carry
over to them. There will be vacancies in that organization
that they will need to fill to because it is
a standalone. I think you're talking about HR. At the moment,
(13:44):
DC double D takes over HR functions for most departments.
Speaker 1 (13:46):
What does that mean, DC double D? Most people listening
will be one day.
Speaker 4 (13:50):
So the court basically the HR department that does corporate
in digital affairs for government, so they've been centralizing there.
But they will get their own person that they liaised
with like any other department with an executive structure.
Speaker 3 (14:01):
And I think you're speaking about a commissioner.
Speaker 4 (14:02):
Those are the pieces that I've asked the current police
commissioner who still has the portfolio, to tell me how
we structurally do this.
Speaker 2 (14:09):
Why will we do.
Speaker 1 (14:10):
That before we announce that we're going to actually make
this change, Like why wouldn't why wouldn't the government have
taken some of those steps or done some of that
investigating beforehand rather than you know, they've taken that advice.
Speaker 4 (14:21):
But now as the minister, it's on me to enact that.
And obviously I've got to get all the new briefings
and in fields and so I've had that chat with him.
One of the things is around what does it need
to be legislation changes to make it app which we
think we're identified that there will be, but to be
very clear for your for your listeners that the territory
control of function will still be held by the Police Commissioner.
So when we see a whole of agency response to
(14:42):
an event, you best serve with the police commissioner. So
the fire Commissioner or whatever the title ends up being,
that will deal with just the fire and emergency managers,
all right.
Speaker 2 (14:49):
So there's going to need to be legislative changes on.
Speaker 3 (14:52):
The face of it, Kagie that that's what it looks like.
Speaker 4 (14:54):
And so once I chat with the Commissioner again on Friday,
will have a clarity on it. And I've obviously reached
out to the union well and how to chat to
them this morning and then we'll catch up with the
firies later in the week as well.
Speaker 2 (15:05):
How about the actual budget.
Speaker 4 (15:06):
Well, at the moment, the budgets forty eight point seven million,
so there will be vacancies and that will be costed,
and so that will have to come part of it.
Speaker 2 (15:12):
Absolutely, it's going to need to be a new commissioner
and something.
Speaker 3 (15:15):
To be more with less, right, And that's the problem.
Speaker 4 (15:17):
You can't continue to ask police and the fires to
do more with less or other department's jobs, so there
will need to be more money.
Speaker 1 (15:23):
It's sort of sounding to me as though it's going
to take quite a while to actually separate these two entities.
If there's going to need to be legislative changes, if
there's going to need to be changes to the budget,
if you're going to need to actually recruit a chief
executive or a commissioner to that role as.
Speaker 4 (15:38):
Well, well we've got I actually don't think that's the
case at all. They're pretty much a standalone pillar within
p fares at the moment. So you know that you've
got Mark Spain there right now, who's leading that organization
under the commissioner, You've got all of the other hierarchy.
It doesn't change the service delivery. I actually think you'll
find it to be quite quick and I'm definitely as
the minister to see that as my number one of
my number one priorities to get it done.
Speaker 2 (15:57):
So how fast you reckon you can get it done.
Speaker 3 (15:59):
Well as fast as Brent can push Katie. You know
for people that.
Speaker 2 (16:02):
Need just refer to yourself in third person.
Speaker 3 (16:04):
Goodness you swear before and I've just done the third person.
Speaker 4 (16:07):
But I think at the end of the day it
is as fast as we can get it through. And
those that know me, you know that I don't have
an off switch, so it'll be.
Speaker 2 (16:13):
Moving on before the end of the year.
Speaker 4 (16:15):
I'll listen, it's at November, now, is it? I think
to be realistic, if it requires parliamentary change on legislation,
well it's not going to happen before November, so it'll
probably be looking into the next year. Look, we're not
I'd love to get done before the financial year though,
because you want to you want to set up a
fresh financial year with the funding.
Speaker 3 (16:30):
Does that make sense, Well.
Speaker 1 (16:31):
Yeah, presumably you'd have to wait until the next budget
if you're going to need additional funding is midyear.
Speaker 4 (16:36):
But all those things will be considered when the commissioner
comes comes back to me with what he's recommendation is.
Speaker 1 (16:41):
Now, I was planning on asking you a little bit
about veterans affairs, but we might have to get you
on another time for that because we have very fast
run out of time.
Speaker 2 (16:49):
Before we let you go.
Speaker 1 (16:50):
Before I let you go, though, Brent, you know, the
fact is there's now a lot of responsibility on your
shoulders when it comes to all of these portfolios, but
particularly the play sportfolio. People are very disillusioned with the
government's response right now when it comes to crime. They're
very upset with the state of things like personal safety
(17:10):
and crime.
Speaker 2 (17:12):
Can you turn things around?
Speaker 4 (17:13):
Give you a red dot crack, measure me on, measure
me on what I do. And you know I can't
do more than that. I've never made a commitment that
I wouldn't at least try to keep, and so that's
the commitment I made to Terry Toyins in the front line.
Speaker 3 (17:22):
So measure me on that.
Speaker 1 (17:23):
Minister Brent Potter, thanks for your time this morning. Much appreciated.
Speaker 2 (17:27):
Thank you.
Are renewed, refreshed and refocused Territory government. That's the way
the Chief Minister, Natasha Files describe the cabinet reshuffle earlier
this week. The Member for Fanny Bay, Brent Potter, has
been appointed the Minister for Police, Minister for Fire and
Emergency Services and the Minister for Veterans Affairs. Now many
including the Union, questioning the Chief Minister's decision to appoint
(00:23):
the least experienced member of cabinet to what many regard
as the most important portfolio right now, Brent Potter joins
me in the studio.
Speaker 2 (00:32):
Good morning to you.
Speaker 3 (00:33):
Brent, morning, Katie, morning listeners.
Speaker 1 (00:34):
Firstly, congratulations on your appointment to the cabinet.
Speaker 2 (00:37):
How are you feeling.
Speaker 4 (00:38):
Humbled to get the opportunity to serve and then serve
this portfolio? And how a lot of Territorians are listening
and eager to see what I'm going to do. But
it's extremely humbling to have this portfolio.
Speaker 1 (00:48):
Now? How did you wind up with arguably the most
important job in the Northern Territory right now, with what
many are saying is no experience.
Speaker 3 (00:58):
I've always said to.
Speaker 4 (00:58):
The Chief I'll serve where she wants me to serve
And that's the portfolio that she's given me, and I'm
grateful for it to sink my teeth into it.
Speaker 2 (01:05):
What did she say? Why did she believe that you're
the right person for the job.
Speaker 4 (01:08):
Just my background obviously a few listeners that don't know,
fifteen years in the army and I've worked with police
previously in uniform during that time and then as the
police advisor, and people say to me, well, what did
you learn?
Speaker 3 (01:20):
Is that were you see?
Speaker 4 (01:21):
An adviser gives advice and a minister makes decisions and
so seeing a lot of the briefs coming through and
seeing areas for improvement. And so I said to her
in the opportunity present, and I said, I think I
can do a lot of good here, make a lot
of change for territorianes.
Speaker 2 (01:32):
I mean, you've just touched on it there.
Speaker 1 (01:33):
You weren't a Coole Madison's advisor when she had the
police portfolio. Many feel that her decisions and time as
the police Minister will woe for like a lot of
people feel as though that was the beginning of our
downwards spiral when it came to crime. And for a
long time she wouldn't even acknowledge that we were in
a crime crisis, and locals in Alice feel that she
ignored the issues there. I mean, were you part of
(01:56):
that approach?
Speaker 4 (01:57):
Well, worked on a team at the time, and I've
given her frank and feeless advice and I'd continue to
do so for the chief at the moment. She said
that in her opening presser the circumstances during that period
of time, I don't think many saw coming with what
we would ask police to do during COVID and we've
seen the manifestation of that now through the attrition, and
it has taken time to come at it and we've
got work to do. But I think, you know, for
people to have those opinions, they're absolutely entitled to it.
(02:19):
And I think that she balanced a really tough set
of circumstances really well.
Speaker 1 (02:23):
Brent' was a deal done with the Chief Minister for
you to get to get a cabinet position? No, No,
it's not about doing the numbers or anything like that.
Speaker 4 (02:32):
She's got a certain amount of cabinet positions, and she's
got a certain amount of backbenches, and she chooses who
she wants in the cabinet.
Speaker 2 (02:37):
But there's lots of.
Speaker 1 (02:38):
People sort of scratching their heads. Though again I'll say,
you know, with yourself and Joel Bouten being being promotioned
to two massive jobs with again very minimal experience.
Speaker 4 (02:50):
Well, if you just look at our professional backgrounds, I
think we've got enough experience. And if someone can pull
the playbook out for me and say what is the
criteria for a particular portfolio, that I'm all is for it.
But I think being eager and sometimes bring a fresh
set of eyes to these portfolio are exactly what they needed.
And for all the negative we've gotten, there's been a
lot of people reach out saying this is the best
thing they've heard all day. So you know, I'm looking
forward to sinking my teeth into it.
Speaker 1 (03:10):
Look, there are some people that are, like you said,
very positive about this and sort of saying, look, maybe
he's you know, he's fearless enough to actually do what
we need to have happened in the Northern Territory. When
it comes to the crime issues that we've got, what
are your top priorities going to be stepping in?
Speaker 3 (03:25):
First? I just say it's leadership, not like a ship.
Speaker 4 (03:27):
So you have to make tough calls and that's why
I think I've been put in this position, and she
made that very clear from the start. And I've got
two priorities and I've said this to the recruit yes,
and I said in my opening addressed the first one
is to demonstrate that they are absolutely supported from myself
as the minister, but from the government. The Commission has
done an absolutely stallar job in the short period of
time he's been there. I reached out to some offices yesterday.
You may have sayen that there have been assaulteds. I've
(03:47):
reach out of them personally, had spoken to them and
they all said the same thing, that he's been really
supportive and they've seen the change. That's fantastic. But my
first objective is now on me to demonstrate that same
from the ministerial level down. And then the second one
is to deliver for territory. And the best way I
can put that is when a territory and calls for
a cop, they get a cop. Because I think everyone's
measure of success and improvement this space is going to
be different, you know, and it can be vastly different.
(04:09):
But I think at the end of the day, when
you call a copper, you get a copper.
Speaker 1 (04:12):
There's been I mean, there has been a lot of
criticism over recent months on that and the fact that
you know, it feels as though we're very under resource.
We all know that that review is obviously getting underway,
but what we've seen as well is the need for
those security guards to be operational. There's obviously that four
Corners report that we all saw earlier in the week,
or some saw earlier in the week. I mean, does
(04:33):
that present concerns for you or do you think that
we actually need to have those security continue because a
lot of the public feelers though we do well.
Speaker 3 (04:39):
Absolutely in the short term, we absolutely do need.
Speaker 4 (04:41):
I know that you've got family live in the electure
and they see what the security does in Prap and
I know that and it's very toy in the works
in the city. They see what they do in the
city and they feel safe for having them there. Do
I want them to be a substitute for police. Absolutely not.
And I'll say this to Nathan when we catch up.
I want to find a pathway to get officers in
those positions. We have a difficulty at the moment across
Astralia recruiting officers. We're at eight hundred and ninety eight.
(05:02):
The last time I checked retention, sorry, separations is going down,
so it was ten point one. I believe it's down
about nine point five. And that's taken at a point
in time on a pay cycle, So the next pay
cycle be a great number, yep, but it's taken at
a point in time and by the end of FIB
will have additional further sixty recruits in training constable, so
we're recruiting a prepetrician. I know the number fourteen is
(05:23):
thrown out, well, that's minus the people that are separated.
So if as a minister can demonstrate to people that
there is a long term career in the Northern Churretary
Police Force, it's a culture you want to be a
part of. Reduce that to a healthy number separation, but
continue to recruit what we're recruiting at well, then we'll
have enough officers to do that. And I'll make that
commitment to Nathan. If we can get to a point
where we've got excess police officers, then sure, let's look
at changing those contracts. But I think there is a tier.
(05:45):
There's a tier or measures that you want to implement.
So tps in town should be going around and being
a visual deterrent. They shouldn't be getting involved in everything,
and a point when it becomes criminal, that's when they
should be handing over to police and police coming.
Speaker 2 (05:57):
So I guess the problem's being if there's not police available, then.
Speaker 4 (06:01):
Full knowledge that right. So that's what I'm saying. We
can't get rid of the security now. And the footage
I saw on four corners, every one of those had
been investigated. That's what they said on there. It is
confronting footage, but it had been investigated. There is a
mechanism for it, and I think most people would agree
they feel safe for having them there. Obviously, I would
love that to be police, and I agree with Nathan
let's get to a point where can do it, but
that is going to take time on the journey of
(06:21):
fixing the problems that we see now.
Speaker 1 (06:24):
The Police Association, you would have heard them on the
show yesterday, you know, Nathan Finn has said that it's
difficult to see this move as anything other than downgrading
these significance and relevance of one of the most important
Northern Territory government departments at a time when the territory
is plagued by record levels of crime and the Northern
Territory Police Force is crippled by chronic understaffing and under resourcing.
(06:47):
When are you meeting with the police Association?
Speaker 4 (06:49):
What's the time now? So that's what nine one, I'm
meeting him. Think it's eleven o'clock today before lunch. We're
coming in. Nathan's absolutely entitled to his views, and I
absolutely love a challenge. So when someone says I'm the underdore,
let me prove you wrong. I look forward to working
with him and those comments. You know that he's entitled
to those. I wouldn't say that absolutely the comments of
all of his members. I've had members reach out saying
that they're happy with this. A lot of my exuldiers
(07:10):
have heard the news and their police officers now and
they're happy because they know how I work. But I
need to demonstrate to him that that actions speak loud
in the words, and I'll deliver on my commitments.
Speaker 2 (07:18):
To it's ready to prove yourself absolutely.
Speaker 4 (07:19):
I mean everyone that ever puts me as an underdog,
it drives me harder to prove them wrong.
Speaker 3 (07:24):
And I love nothing more than a challenge.
Speaker 1 (07:26):
Where do you think, like, what are the main areas
that you think we need to see improvement.
Speaker 2 (07:31):
Presumably it's the reduction of crime.
Speaker 3 (07:33):
Yeah, I listened. I think your metrics.
Speaker 4 (07:35):
Some people say it's crime statistics, some will say it's visual.
I'm of the opinion that crime statistics are one measure.
But at the end of the day, if you're walking
down the street, you shouldn't be seeing the any social behavior.
You shouldn't be seeing the public drinking. You shouldn't have
people coming into your homes at the rates that it's
all coming in and trying to get into your house
at the rates that it's occurring.
Speaker 3 (07:52):
I will say to Territorians.
Speaker 4 (07:53):
That you know you're never going to get one hundred
percent reduction, but I need a reduction. I want a reduction.
So that's the focus. And if terror Toreen's call for
a cop and they get one, that's probably the measure success.
Speaker 1 (08:02):
Let's talk about alcohol, because this two kilometer rule, it's
been a real point of contention. We then heard in
parliament last week the government was finally a little bit
more upfront and said yes that public drinking had been decriminalized.
It flew in the face of you know, of what
the Chief Minister and Chancey Paike had been telling us
on the show on previous occasions, there is no doubt
(08:23):
that we've got an issue at the moment with people
drinking in public places and the on flow of that.
I mean, we see today on the front page of
the Northern Territory News Marcia Langdon has made comments telling well,
she's actually told the coroner that extending alcohol bands across
the Northern Territory is an absolutely necessary public health measure.
(08:44):
In per App and Fanny Bay, you've got the liquor record.
It seems to be helping in some way. I mean,
do we need to make some changes like that across
the board here?
Speaker 3 (08:52):
Yeah?
Speaker 4 (08:52):
The chiefs when she tabled the three year liquor review,
made it very clear that everything would be considered. I
wouldn't go in this far and say this is the
exact measure we're going to run to Mindor.
Speaker 3 (09:00):
But in Fanny Bay the accord works.
Speaker 4 (09:02):
You know, you have to have a reasonable you have
to demonstrate a residence of where you're going to consume
the outo. It's just a further measure. I know that
the Northern Suburbs Liquor coord had implemented whether they're still
enacting that is a different story.
Speaker 3 (09:11):
But some people that came.
Speaker 4 (09:12):
Through Fanny Bay would get us where you're drinking and
they're from Humpty Do, and they'd be unsure why. That's
the reason I think we need to look at everything
in turn. I listened last week to the week there
was when we were talking about what is decriminalized, what
is illegal? So I guess for listeners to simplify it,
the issue of the drinking only becomes an issue when
the behavior becomes criminal.
Speaker 1 (09:31):
And so let me just okay, so you can have
a group of people drinking in the CBD and they
can drink all they want until it becomes.
Speaker 4 (09:38):
Let me put it a different way. We can use
the CBD as an example. Obviously before midday there are
people out there drinking that have a problem, that are
drinking way too early, and we know that's going to
become a problem, so we should be there tipping it out.
But I'll give you an example. You go down to
a local park of an afternoon and you open a bar.
If we're going to criminalize it that if you're wanting
all in, that would be a criminal.
Speaker 1 (09:56):
But why don't we just make it that the cops
can actually check everybody's license right from the get go.
If you're drinking, you know, that's part of that's part
of that review.
Speaker 3 (10:03):
Absolutely, we'll look at it.
Speaker 4 (10:04):
What I would say is Section forty seven, which is
disorderly conduct and going. It absolutely covers all of the
any social behavior we see when someone starts drinking, and
so that is the mechanism where it becomes criminal. The
police will attend and it's a two thousand dollars fine.
It can lead up to six months in prison. But
I think infringing someone who just opens the container doesn't
change the issue.
Speaker 1 (10:24):
You guys have got right now, though, is that all
you've got to do is go for a walk down
the street and you can see people public drinking and
disorderly behavior. So you know what's the benchmark, I suppose,
And that's where a lot of people are feeling right
now that the government's actually not listening and they're hoping
that you'll provide a fresh approach where you'll actually go, no,
this is bullshit.
Speaker 2 (10:43):
What's happening is not okay, we're going to change it.
Speaker 3 (10:46):
I've always tried not to swear on radio. It now
you've done it, so it's opened it up, But.
Speaker 4 (10:49):
Listen, Like I said, the metric of success is walking
down and not seeing that behavior. And I know that
recently police have been really proactive and there's been tons
of leaders have tipped out in the city on their
recent operation running that through to Christmas. So there is
an alcohol targeted operation of tip out poor and secondary supply.
But you're right, you don't want to see it when
you walk down the street, and you should, but you
and I should, and everyone else is not doing the
(11:10):
wrong thing. Should be able to have a beer over
a platter on the foreshore and not be a problem.
We just need to go really tough on the commodity
at the moment, change the behavior because it's behavioral, and
then get more police back on the beat. But you've
got to have both at the same time. And we've
got a problem with that.
Speaker 1 (11:23):
And are you going to push for the police being
able to do what they've asked for in that review
and be able to actually check people's ideas if they
are publicly drinking, so that they can do a search,
see whether somebody is on the band Drinkers register, see
if somebody is drinking with someone who they've got a DVO.
Speaker 3 (11:39):
Again and the.
Speaker 4 (11:39):
Other one is if they're a role order and they
shouldn't be drinking. So I'm absolutely open. I've had a
chat with the commission and asked him about that, and
we're going to catch up later in the week again
because I guess the position I sort of take on
it anecdotal is if you rock up, the police officer
tip the alcohol out, there was a reason to attend,
and they've asked the question, well, at that point, can
they ask for their name.
Speaker 3 (11:57):
So that we can do follow up checks? And so
I'll work that through the chief.
Speaker 4 (12:00):
So no, the report spoke about it, so everything in
that report will be considered and we're looking at implementing this.
Speaker 2 (12:05):
Brent Alice Springs.
Speaker 1 (12:06):
What's going to be your focus in Alice Springs sixteen
break ins the night before last?
Speaker 2 (12:11):
That behavior is woeful.
Speaker 1 (12:12):
And it seems to go through stages it gets a
bit better, then it all turns bad again.
Speaker 2 (12:17):
What's your focus for our us?
Speaker 4 (12:19):
Listen to the police officers Alice, well done. They caught
three offenders in that. I've got the recent update on that,
so well done to them.
Speaker 3 (12:25):
Listen.
Speaker 4 (12:26):
I think that it's going to require more resources. I mean,
Summer's coming up. We do have Operation Drena that's going
to be implemented there. It isn't just and I say this,
I've said this to many people. Please can't be everything
to everyone. They're not teachers, they're not parents, they're not
social workers. They're there to catch criminals. And so at
the end of the day, if they're being attending a job,
the other part has failed or is not meeting the
expectation of the needs of that individual. So we're having
(12:46):
a full wrap around for Alice springs out of Christmas,
which will be led with Territory Families, Chief Means Department
and the Central Controller around other activities because if we
can keep people on homelands in community with activities to do,
and when they do come in stuff to do, it's
less likely to lead to the any social behavior which
we know leads a DVN crime.
Speaker 1 (13:05):
All right, I want to step away from police for
a moment and talk about the separation of police from
our fire service. How exactly is this going to work?
Is there going to be a standalone budget? How do
you see this rolling out?
Speaker 3 (13:18):
Yeah? So sorry, this is why I'm a due.
Speaker 4 (13:21):
Okay, they need to be their own agency, like every
other state and territory and they have a different role.
So you know, we want police to focus on community safety.
I need them to focus on bushfires, emergency management, search
and rescue, and all the stuff that comes with climate change.
They will have a stand alone budget, so at the
moment it's forty eight point seven million that will carry
over to them. There will be vacancies in that organization
that they will need to fill to because it is
a standalone. I think you're talking about HR. At the moment,
(13:44):
DC double D takes over HR functions for most departments.
Speaker 1 (13:46):
What does that mean, DC double D? Most people listening
will be one day.
Speaker 4 (13:50):
So the court basically the HR department that does corporate
in digital affairs for government, so they've been centralizing there.
But they will get their own person that they liaised
with like any other department with an executive structure.
Speaker 3 (14:01):
And I think you're speaking about a commissioner.
Speaker 4 (14:02):
Those are the pieces that I've asked the current police
commissioner who still has the portfolio, to tell me how
we structurally do this.
Speaker 2 (14:09):
Why will we do.
Speaker 1 (14:10):
That before we announce that we're going to actually make
this change, Like why wouldn't why wouldn't the government have
taken some of those steps or done some of that
investigating beforehand rather than you know, they've taken that advice.
Speaker 4 (14:21):
But now as the minister, it's on me to enact that.
And obviously I've got to get all the new briefings
and in fields and so I've had that chat with him.
One of the things is around what does it need
to be legislation changes to make it app which we
think we're identified that there will be, but to be
very clear for your for your listeners that the territory
control of function will still be held by the Police Commissioner.
So when we see a whole of agency response to
(14:42):
an event, you best serve with the police commissioner. So
the fire Commissioner or whatever the title ends up being,
that will deal with just the fire and emergency managers,
all right.
Speaker 2 (14:49):
So there's going to need to be legislative changes on.
Speaker 3 (14:52):
The face of it, Kagie that that's what it looks like.
Speaker 4 (14:54):
And so once I chat with the Commissioner again on Friday,
will have a clarity on it. And I've obviously reached
out to the union well and how to chat to
them this morning and then we'll catch up with the
firies later in the week as well.
Speaker 2 (15:05):
How about the actual budget.
Speaker 4 (15:06):
Well, at the moment, the budgets forty eight point seven million,
so there will be vacancies and that will be costed,
and so that will have to come part of it.
Speaker 2 (15:12):
Absolutely, it's going to need to be a new commissioner
and something.
Speaker 3 (15:15):
To be more with less, right, And that's the problem.
Speaker 4 (15:17):
You can't continue to ask police and the fires to
do more with less or other department's jobs, so there
will need to be more money.
Speaker 1 (15:23):
It's sort of sounding to me as though it's going
to take quite a while to actually separate these two entities.
If there's going to need to be legislative changes, if
there's going to need to be changes to the budget,
if you're going to need to actually recruit a chief
executive or a commissioner to that role as.
Speaker 4 (15:38):
Well, well we've got I actually don't think that's the
case at all. They're pretty much a standalone pillar within
p fares at the moment. So you know that you've
got Mark Spain there right now, who's leading that organization
under the commissioner, You've got all of the other hierarchy.
It doesn't change the service delivery. I actually think you'll
find it to be quite quick and I'm definitely as
the minister to see that as my number one of
my number one priorities to get it done.
Speaker 2 (15:57):
So how fast you reckon you can get it done.
Speaker 3 (15:59):
Well as fast as Brent can push Katie. You know
for people that.
Speaker 2 (16:02):
Need just refer to yourself in third person.
Speaker 3 (16:04):
Goodness you swear before and I've just done the third person.
Speaker 4 (16:07):
But I think at the end of the day it
is as fast as we can get it through. And
those that know me, you know that I don't have
an off switch, so it'll be.
Speaker 2 (16:13):
Moving on before the end of the year.
Speaker 4 (16:15):
I'll listen, it's at November, now, is it? I think
to be realistic, if it requires parliamentary change on legislation,
well it's not going to happen before November, so it'll
probably be looking into the next year. Look, we're not
I'd love to get done before the financial year though,
because you want to you want to set up a
fresh financial year with the funding.
Speaker 3 (16:30):
Does that make sense, Well.
Speaker 1 (16:31):
Yeah, presumably you'd have to wait until the next budget
if you're going to need additional funding is midyear.
Speaker 4 (16:36):
But all those things will be considered when the commissioner
comes comes back to me with what he's recommendation is.
Speaker 1 (16:41):
Now, I was planning on asking you a little bit
about veterans affairs, but we might have to get you
on another time for that because we have very fast
run out of time.
Speaker 2 (16:49):
Before we let you go.
Speaker 1 (16:50):
Before I let you go, though, Brent, you know, the
fact is there's now a lot of responsibility on your
shoulders when it comes to all of these portfolios, but
particularly the play sportfolio. People are very disillusioned with the
government's response right now when it comes to crime. They're
very upset with the state of things like personal safety
(17:10):
and crime.
Speaker 2 (17:12):
Can you turn things around?
Speaker 4 (17:13):
Give you a red dot crack, measure me on, measure
me on what I do. And you know I can't
do more than that. I've never made a commitment that
I wouldn't at least try to keep, and so that's
the commitment I made to Terry Toyins in the front line.
Speaker 3 (17:22):
So measure me on that.
Speaker 1 (17:23):
Minister Brent Potter, thanks for your time this morning. Much appreciated.
Speaker 2 (17:27):
Thank you.
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