Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Now, the government yesterday announced that they're going to invest
in building up the ranks of the Northern Territory Police
Force by providing funding for an extra two hundred sworn
police officers. These two hundred officers are going to be
delivered over the next four years, and the extra officers
are going to be in addition to the current sworn
officer target of one thousand, six hundred and forty two
(00:22):
for the Northern Territory Police Force, taking the total to
one thousand, eight hundred and forty two over four years.
Now we also know this morning a further announcement of
additional CCTV operators and also call takers at the Joint
Emergency Communications Center.
Speaker 2 (00:41):
So quite a big couple of days.
Speaker 1 (00:43):
And joining me in the studio is the Police Minister,
Brent Potter.
Speaker 2 (00:46):
Good morning to you.
Speaker 3 (00:47):
Good morning Katie.
Speaker 1 (00:48):
Now, Minister, how did you arrive at that figure of
two hundred extra police?
Speaker 4 (00:53):
When I came in your radio last years the new
minister was discussions. I said there's more to come and
I was saying I wanted to understand what the force needed.
They went through budget process last year and the departmental
budget papers in and then we did budget and this
is a budget announcement, so this was in being worked
on before.
Speaker 1 (01:08):
Christmas, all right, So was it arrived though, because we
because you're looking at the crime stats and go on,
hang on a sec These crime stats have tripled over
five years, so we need this.
Speaker 4 (01:17):
Number absolutely, and as your listeners would know, we committed
fifty two officers in December fully funded.
Speaker 3 (01:23):
We've now announced another two hundred.
Speaker 4 (01:24):
So in the last sort of under six months we've
announced two hundred and fifty two officers and then today
another further twenty five officers.
Speaker 3 (01:31):
So yes, we need more.
Speaker 1 (01:33):
There's the ones today at the Jests Center or they.
Speaker 4 (01:35):
Will be sworn officers that they'll be our call takers
that you see in the gets, and they're not necessarily
sworn constables with our sworn officers through the auxiliary.
Speaker 2 (01:43):
Streams okay, so through the exhiliaryes.
Speaker 4 (01:45):
Some constables in there to oversee them, but generally speaking
they'll be auxiliaries.
Speaker 1 (01:48):
So I guess that takes us to around two hundred
and seventy five turn seventeen some five. Is that enough
to deal with the level of crime that we are
currently experienced in the Northern Territory?
Speaker 2 (02:01):
I mean many arguing it is at crisis point yep.
Speaker 4 (02:04):
I think what your listeners also need to understand very
very clearly is this is in addition to the standard
recruitment the Northern Territory Police has which covers their attrition.
So I know people are saying, well, there's two hundred
and you're losing one hundred and twenty two a year. Well,
we recruit more than one hundred and twenty two a
year anyway, and now we're putting in an additional two hundred.
I think to your point, yes it will, it will
absolutely go away to addressing crime. But we know if
(02:25):
we want to stop a long term we have to
address the poverty. We have to address the disadvantage, and
we've done that with over six billion dollars in co
funding by the federal government US around housing education.
Speaker 1 (02:35):
So when we look at the volume of police that
are going to need to be recruited over the coming years,
in addition, like obviously with your attrition rates and also
with what's being promised, how are we going to recruit them?
Speaker 4 (02:48):
I think the proposition that the Northern Territory Police Force
offers to anyone that wants to be a police officer,
especially those in interstate and in other jurisdictions. For example,
we know that in New Zealand the pay for a
police officer compared to what the North Territory pay is
almost double. Our Northern Territory police officer are some of
the best paid in the country, if not best paid,
and you get to police in some of the nicest
parts of Australia. So I think in terms of proposition,
(03:10):
it's there. We need to get out and recruit them.
It's fifty extra officers a year when.
Speaker 1 (03:13):
You can really like our lifestyle. What we offer is
going to be enough.
Speaker 4 (03:18):
We're going to have over sixty officers graduate before June
this year alone. It'll be one of our biggest graduating classes,
and I'm told the majority of those will end up
remaining in Darwin and Catherine. We don't have an issue
with recruitment. That's not an issue where I know other
jurisdictions like Victoria and w have had huge numbers of
officers transition. The morale that I'm seeing along the force
and I went to Alie Springs, they're all very upbeat,
(03:39):
very happy. They can see the change coming.
Speaker 1 (03:40):
I mean, the Police Association sees that two hundred isn't enough.
Speaker 4 (03:45):
Well that's not what the agency would say that they need.
The agency says they need two hundred, and we've given them.
Speaker 2 (03:50):
What's the review going to say.
Speaker 4 (03:51):
Well, the review is it is going to be basically
in line with what the agency asked for, because you've
got to remember, the review interviews the agency and asks
them what they're asking for, what they think they need.
It also asked the union obviously, and they put a
written submission. But this was all done pre budget in
December and has been approved. But what is separate to
the budget, which is the Territory Safety Division announcement that
we did in December at fifty two. Now they're already
(04:12):
at twenty one. They'll be fully fledged by Juni in Nightcliffe.
Speaker 1 (04:15):
Look, I guess the issue we've got right now is
all of these announcements seem great. You know, the additional
two hundred police over four years sounds like a great number.
It sounds like plenty of officers. The fifty two that
were announced in December again sounds wonderful. Twenty one of
those who've already got the twenty five announced this morning
for the Joint Emergency Communications Center again sounds like a
good move, but a lot of people saying to themselves
(04:38):
this morning, what do we do in the meantime while
we're short.
Speaker 4 (04:41):
Well, in the meantime, we need to get people back
to work and part of that demonstration is providing a
work environment people want to work in, and that has
definitely changing.
Speaker 3 (04:49):
The new commissioner.
Speaker 4 (04:50):
You've got a new Chief Minister, a new Police Minister,
and a new police commission and we also announced three
assistant commissioners very recently, Janelle Talk and Matt Hollanby and
Tennline like my Peter Kennon's all just been announced. So
it's a complete change to the hierarchy. The organization is changing,
the cultures changing, and they're very upbeat, especially those analys
when I went down there, they're grateful for what.
Speaker 3 (05:11):
Is being an activity.
Speaker 2 (05:12):
Again that's a really good thing.
Speaker 1 (05:13):
But the level of crime being experienced on the street
at the moment is unbelievable.
Speaker 2 (05:18):
To put it really mildly.
Speaker 1 (05:20):
I mean, even just a few moments ago when we
caught up with Nathan Finn, he said overnight, the large
majority of officers that we had sort of rostered on
for Darwin, we're out at don Dale dealing with the
disturbance out there. So he reckons we had one other
unit available with two officers for a period of time.
I mean, in your eyes, is that good enough.
Speaker 4 (05:40):
Let's just be very clear. There was vans on the
road that got called to don Dale, got called to
an incident. So they were on shift and they've been
called to an incident and that is for the watch
commanders to manage across Darwin.
Speaker 3 (05:51):
So while there were still.
Speaker 1 (05:53):
Two hundred jobs on screen, he said, they weren't attended to.
Speaker 4 (05:56):
And there will be some jobs there that are absolute
priority jobs. There'll be other jobs. And this is the
problem with the jest. There are people calling for superfluous
reasons and around people.
Speaker 1 (06:05):
Calling for things like breaking entries, and there are people
calling like I spoke to the Casuarina Club earlier this week.
They had a group of yous trying to get in,
you know, trying to break in. Their security and their
staff were able to diffuse that. But ordinarily you would
have police out there to attend. No one's criticizing the
police because we all understand they've got a massive job.
(06:26):
But the point is that people expect that they're going
to be able to call the police in a dangerous
situation and that they're going to there's going to be
enough police for them to go out, And that's what.
Speaker 4 (06:36):
I'm telling you. We've announced more police resources to meet
that demand. But secondly, it's.
Speaker 2 (06:39):
About getting in the meantime.
Speaker 4 (06:41):
Sercondly, it's about getting those that are not at our
work back to work. And I know that it's been
much contention, but this is exactly why we're converting police
to constables. So we're were twenty five extra officers in
our springs that we don't to be people.
Speaker 1 (06:52):
They're also sort of asking, I mean, are we in
a situation right now where we do need assistance from
the federal police.
Speaker 4 (06:59):
No, we don't need assistance from the federal play. And secondly,
the issue with that is they're not trained. They don't
understand the territory environment. And I know people say call
the military, Well, that's not what the military is there
to do. There's been many reviews done and said the
military is not there for social disobedience, even in some
of the responses to high risk weather events. That's not
what They'refore, we have enough resources. We do need to
move them around. We do need to get people back
(07:20):
to work. I think when you look at it from
a holistic point of view, new hierarchy, new government, new funding,
new police officers coming creates an environment where the workload
will go down, people feel better support.
Speaker 2 (07:29):
How many people are on leave.
Speaker 3 (07:31):
The numbers fluctuway.
Speaker 4 (07:32):
I want to use one hundred and twenty two, which
is what I've seen in previous reports, and that flu
but you remember they've earned some of them are taking
short leave, somewhere on long term leave. It's not as
simple as saying one hundred and twenty who are not
turning up to work. That may be a number on
the de So.
Speaker 1 (07:44):
I'm just trying to get to the bottom of you know,
like I say, with all of the numbers that have
been announced, I think people see that as a positive thing.
But what they're really worried about right now is that
this crime continues to be a huge issue on the streets.
Right now, you are saying that you're trying to get
officers back from leave and that that's going to make
a difference or back from various types of leave that
they're on. But in the meantime, what assurances can you
(08:07):
give to territorians that if they've got, you know, an example,
if they've got kids trying to break into their homes
with golf clubs, that if they call the police, that
they're going to be able to get somebody out there.
Speaker 4 (08:18):
So I can guarantee them that by June, the Territory
Safety Division will be fifty two officers in Darwen and
they will be servicing the Darwin region and they'll be
responding to those calls assistance that just be patient. Well, no,
but obviously the Commissioner is working to get people back
to working. On some days they'll have a full compliment.
On other days they may not. With people calling in
sick that I cannot control, nor can the Commissioner. But
(08:38):
the pali's being converted to constables. I've said this on
ABC yesterday. I would love to see a Territory Safety
Division in our springs so that we don't have to
pull resources from Darwin. I think converting palies to constables
gives them twenty five positions additional in oalys of constables
they didn't have before, which can be used to do
social order.
Speaker 1 (08:55):
All right, So in Alice Springs, are you going to
extend that curfew?
Speaker 3 (08:58):
Are we looking at at the moment.
Speaker 4 (08:59):
I think would be remissive any government to not seriously
look at an extension there, or if it's not the extension,
but continuing the operation of the resourcing it's working. I
know there's been many people who've criticized it, but there
is an overwhelming support in Allie Springs. I was there
two days ago, drove through it about nine point thirty at
night and people were out having a great time. There
was no youth in the CBD. And I'm seeing a
(09:21):
reduction in the amount of Ministry reports I'm getting from
the Department around crime, which means anecdotally, I would say
it's down. And I heard Gavin speaking before and he's
saying it's a good thing.
Speaker 3 (09:30):
He's right.
Speaker 4 (09:30):
The town camps are experiencing it, and this is where
the federal government needs to be getting in there, because
they obviously oversee the town camps and support those people there.
Speaker 1 (09:38):
In terms of an audit, is that something that needs
to happen. I mean, like people are sick of the
money being poured in and there doesn't seem to be
a change.
Speaker 4 (09:46):
We've got a sort of a conference or a meeting
next week. I believed by all of those agencies in
Alice Springs. I think it might be Monday or Tuesday,
Gavin as he alluded to, and that's where that discussion
will happen. I think there's been some really good comes
from the areunder lawmakers down there in some of the
discussions they're having with the judiciary around how they want
to see the outcomes there, and that's having an effect
(10:07):
on the ground in terms of youth being diverted or
being remanded. And that's important because they are the traditional
lawmakers and it's their country that other people are coming
on too and causing disturbance.
Speaker 1 (10:15):
What do you make of these of the groups coming
out and saying that the curfew is unlawful.
Speaker 4 (10:21):
Well, if they want to spend time being academic about
whether it is or isn't lawful, go and contest it,
take it to the court. But I think if you
go and ask it Alice Spring's residence, if they care
whether what someone's saying, whether it being unlawful, they don't.
They see it that it's working. We've got sound legal
advice in the solicit for Northern Territory that says that
it is justified and legal. We're getting on with the
supporting Ali Spring's residence and as the Chief said today
(10:43):
and our other press, if we need to look at
it across the territory in other locations, we absolutely will.
Speaker 1 (10:47):
So the likes of Catherine, even some people up here
in Darwin are saying, let's do it.
Speaker 4 (10:51):
Very different environment in darn with the youth, the type
of youth and what they're committing and where they're coming from.
Catherine has youth and adults that are coming from out
in the Big Rivers region Intocaine and causing disturbances. And
I know that there was a series the other day
that was related to youth that had been in detention
for a period of time. As soon as they got
out there went and reoffended again. So they're back in
remand police did a fantastic job catching them.
Speaker 2 (11:13):
We are so sick of people, you know, like this.
Speaker 4 (11:15):
Happening sentence in attention that they weren't bailed, they were
on detention, serve, their sentence got released like anyone going
to prison, you know, you're free afterwards, and they reoffended,
they're back in.
Speaker 1 (11:24):
There and then well so then obviously last time at
door and we saw the situation that unfolded.
Speaker 2 (11:30):
The police are out there.
Speaker 1 (11:31):
Nathan Finn had told us that they were having chair
legs thrown it at police, all sorts of things.
Speaker 2 (11:36):
What are you told from that incident overnight?
Speaker 3 (11:38):
Yeah, so I'm told now that they're off the roof.
Speaker 4 (11:41):
I was told that it was all instigated by I
believe a very small, if not one individual that has
rallied the rest of them up. They've obviously got onto
the roof. They've injured a police officer. I'm unsure on
the specifics of it, but I know they've injured a
police officer. I'll follow up through the department and try
and reach out to that member. They've come off the roof. Now,
let's be really clear, these are some of our worst offenders.
That's why they're in don Dale serving a sentence or
(12:02):
waiting on remand they've can engage in criminal behavior at
the very least criminal damage, and there's probably others. They'll
be arrested, they'll be charged, and they'll spend probably more
time in don Dale.
Speaker 1 (12:11):
Nathan Fin set up to four buildings that there was
fire data.
Speaker 4 (12:14):
You know, so that the data or the information I
got was definitely one and then potentially two other smaller
fires that were extinguished. Our fire emergency service is an
amazing job. I know it happened over a shift change.
And to those fireries out there listening, thank you for
staying around and for those that come on shift, thank
you for assisting and supporting those that have just come off.
Speaker 1 (12:30):
So with those buildings that have been damaged, any idea
how extensively or with the building that's been damaged.
Speaker 3 (12:35):
I don't know.
Speaker 4 (12:36):
But secondly, or sit on a comment, because I know
the fire investigators will do a criminal investigation and these criminals,
these youth offenders that were out there serving a sentence
have and will be put before the court again.
Speaker 1 (12:46):
I mean, people are getting like they people are really
over some of the youth offending that we are saying
around the place. I mean, what's the feedback that you
are receiving from our police that are on the front
line every day catching youth offenders after they've in some
cases tried to ram their vehicles and been engaged in
(13:07):
very bad behavior in many cases filming it, sharing it
on social media and the consequence in a lot of ways,
for a lot of Territorians, it doesn't feel like it
fits the crime.
Speaker 4 (13:18):
I'll give you an example, what's happening in our springs,
because I think this goes to the point where we've
been talking about the legislation's there, the resources from police there,
they get to the court and then in some instant
doesn't mean expectation. What's happened is some of the runder
men that the lawmakers. Then they've signed an open letter
to the judiciary saying, hey, with these particular youth that
have engaged in this behavior, can you try and keep
them out of the community for a little bit longer
or words the effect of and they've used traditional language
(13:40):
and sort of brought it back to cultural lawmaking, and
every one of those ones that was involved in the
incident the Todd tavern has been remanded and saying with
those on the desert traders break and enter. And I
think that's the point I've tried to make to everyone.
The laws there. Sometimes we just need to get the community,
the expectation of community relay through.
Speaker 3 (13:59):
And it's really good to see the.
Speaker 4 (14:01):
Are and of men down in Alice Springs leading that
charge culturally and relaying it to judiciary and the judiciary listening.
And we've had periods of significant quiet behavior in our
springs and it's great for residents down there, and we'll
continue to do what we need to and I think
we need to look at that across Darwin, Catherine, Tenn
and Creek with the TS.
Speaker 1 (14:17):
All Right, Brent Potter, we are going to have to
leave it there. But I think we got you back
tomorrow for the week.
Speaker 3 (14:21):
Going back for a week to was tomorrow.
Speaker 2 (14:22):
Good stuff. Thank you,
Now, the government yesterday announced that they're going to invest
in building up the ranks of the Northern Territory Police
Force by providing funding for an extra two hundred sworn
police officers. These two hundred officers are going to be
delivered over the next four years, and the extra officers
are going to be in addition to the current sworn
officer target of one thousand, six hundred and forty two
(00:22):
for the Northern Territory Police Force, taking the total to
one thousand, eight hundred and forty two over four years.
Now we also know this morning a further announcement of
additional CCTV operators and also call takers at the Joint
Emergency Communications Center.
Speaker 2 (00:41):
So quite a big couple of days.
Speaker 1 (00:43):
And joining me in the studio is the Police Minister,
Brent Potter.
Speaker 2 (00:46):
Good morning to you.
Speaker 3 (00:47):
Good morning Katie.
Speaker 1 (00:48):
Now, Minister, how did you arrive at that figure of
two hundred extra police?
Speaker 4 (00:53):
When I came in your radio last years the new
minister was discussions. I said there's more to come and
I was saying I wanted to understand what the force needed.
They went through budget process last year and the departmental
budget papers in and then we did budget and this
is a budget announcement, so this was in being worked
on before.
Speaker 1 (01:08):
Christmas, all right, So was it arrived though, because we
because you're looking at the crime stats and go on,
hang on a sec These crime stats have tripled over
five years, so we need this.
Speaker 4 (01:17):
Number absolutely, and as your listeners would know, we committed
fifty two officers in December fully funded.
Speaker 3 (01:23):
We've now announced another two hundred.
Speaker 4 (01:24):
So in the last sort of under six months we've
announced two hundred and fifty two officers and then today
another further twenty five officers.
Speaker 3 (01:31):
So yes, we need more.
Speaker 1 (01:33):
There's the ones today at the Jests Center or they.
Speaker 4 (01:35):
Will be sworn officers that they'll be our call takers
that you see in the gets, and they're not necessarily
sworn constables with our sworn officers through the auxiliary.
Speaker 2 (01:43):
Streams okay, so through the exhiliaryes.
Speaker 4 (01:45):
Some constables in there to oversee them, but generally speaking
they'll be auxiliaries.
Speaker 1 (01:48):
So I guess that takes us to around two hundred
and seventy five turn seventeen some five. Is that enough
to deal with the level of crime that we are
currently experienced in the Northern Territory?
Speaker 2 (02:01):
I mean many arguing it is at crisis point yep.
Speaker 4 (02:04):
I think what your listeners also need to understand very
very clearly is this is in addition to the standard
recruitment the Northern Territory Police has which covers their attrition.
So I know people are saying, well, there's two hundred
and you're losing one hundred and twenty two a year. Well,
we recruit more than one hundred and twenty two a
year anyway, and now we're putting in an additional two hundred.
I think to your point, yes it will, it will
absolutely go away to addressing crime. But we know if
(02:25):
we want to stop a long term we have to
address the poverty. We have to address the disadvantage, and
we've done that with over six billion dollars in co
funding by the federal government US around housing education.
Speaker 1 (02:35):
So when we look at the volume of police that
are going to need to be recruited over the coming years,
in addition, like obviously with your attrition rates and also
with what's being promised, how are we going to recruit them?
Speaker 4 (02:48):
I think the proposition that the Northern Territory Police Force
offers to anyone that wants to be a police officer,
especially those in interstate and in other jurisdictions. For example,
we know that in New Zealand the pay for a
police officer compared to what the North Territory pay is
almost double. Our Northern Territory police officer are some of
the best paid in the country, if not best paid,
and you get to police in some of the nicest
parts of Australia. So I think in terms of proposition,
(03:10):
it's there. We need to get out and recruit them.
It's fifty extra officers a year when.
Speaker 1 (03:13):
You can really like our lifestyle. What we offer is
going to be enough.
Speaker 4 (03:18):
We're going to have over sixty officers graduate before June
this year alone. It'll be one of our biggest graduating classes,
and I'm told the majority of those will end up
remaining in Darwin and Catherine. We don't have an issue
with recruitment. That's not an issue where I know other
jurisdictions like Victoria and w have had huge numbers of
officers transition. The morale that I'm seeing along the force
and I went to Alie Springs, they're all very upbeat,
(03:39):
very happy. They can see the change coming.
Speaker 1 (03:40):
I mean, the Police Association sees that two hundred isn't enough.
Speaker 4 (03:45):
Well that's not what the agency would say that they need.
The agency says they need two hundred, and we've given them.
Speaker 2 (03:50):
What's the review going to say.
Speaker 4 (03:51):
Well, the review is it is going to be basically
in line with what the agency asked for, because you've
got to remember, the review interviews the agency and asks
them what they're asking for, what they think they need.
It also asked the union obviously, and they put a
written submission. But this was all done pre budget in
December and has been approved. But what is separate to
the budget, which is the Territory Safety Division announcement that
we did in December at fifty two. Now they're already
(04:12):
at twenty one. They'll be fully fledged by Juni in Nightcliffe.
Speaker 1 (04:15):
Look, I guess the issue we've got right now is
all of these announcements seem great. You know, the additional
two hundred police over four years sounds like a great number.
It sounds like plenty of officers. The fifty two that
were announced in December again sounds wonderful. Twenty one of
those who've already got the twenty five announced this morning
for the Joint Emergency Communications Center again sounds like a
good move, but a lot of people saying to themselves
(04:38):
this morning, what do we do in the meantime while
we're short.
Speaker 4 (04:41):
Well, in the meantime, we need to get people back
to work and part of that demonstration is providing a
work environment people want to work in, and that has
definitely changing.
Speaker 3 (04:49):
The new commissioner.
Speaker 4 (04:50):
You've got a new Chief Minister, a new Police Minister,
and a new police commission and we also announced three
assistant commissioners very recently, Janelle Talk and Matt Hollanby and
Tennline like my Peter Kennon's all just been announced. So
it's a complete change to the hierarchy. The organization is changing,
the cultures changing, and they're very upbeat, especially those analys
when I went down there, they're grateful for what.
Speaker 3 (05:11):
Is being an activity.
Speaker 2 (05:12):
Again that's a really good thing.
Speaker 1 (05:13):
But the level of crime being experienced on the street
at the moment is unbelievable.
Speaker 2 (05:18):
To put it really mildly.
Speaker 1 (05:20):
I mean, even just a few moments ago when we
caught up with Nathan Finn, he said overnight, the large
majority of officers that we had sort of rostered on
for Darwin, we're out at don Dale dealing with the
disturbance out there. So he reckons we had one other
unit available with two officers for a period of time.
I mean, in your eyes, is that good enough.
Speaker 4 (05:40):
Let's just be very clear. There was vans on the
road that got called to don Dale, got called to
an incident. So they were on shift and they've been
called to an incident and that is for the watch
commanders to manage across Darwin.
Speaker 3 (05:51):
So while there were still.
Speaker 1 (05:53):
Two hundred jobs on screen, he said, they weren't attended to.
Speaker 4 (05:56):
And there will be some jobs there that are absolute
priority jobs. There'll be other jobs. And this is the
problem with the jest. There are people calling for superfluous
reasons and around people.
Speaker 1 (06:05):
Calling for things like breaking entries, and there are people
calling like I spoke to the Casuarina Club earlier this week.
They had a group of yous trying to get in,
you know, trying to break in. Their security and their
staff were able to diffuse that. But ordinarily you would
have police out there to attend. No one's criticizing the
police because we all understand they've got a massive job.
(06:26):
But the point is that people expect that they're going
to be able to call the police in a dangerous
situation and that they're going to there's going to be
enough police for them to go out, And that's what.
Speaker 4 (06:36):
I'm telling you. We've announced more police resources to meet
that demand. But secondly, it's.
Speaker 2 (06:39):
About getting in the meantime.
Speaker 4 (06:41):
Sercondly, it's about getting those that are not at our
work back to work. And I know that it's been
much contention, but this is exactly why we're converting police
to constables. So we're were twenty five extra officers in
our springs that we don't to be people.
Speaker 1 (06:52):
They're also sort of asking, I mean, are we in
a situation right now where we do need assistance from
the federal police.
Speaker 4 (06:59):
No, we don't need assistance from the federal play. And secondly,
the issue with that is they're not trained. They don't
understand the territory environment. And I know people say call
the military, Well, that's not what the military is there
to do. There's been many reviews done and said the
military is not there for social disobedience, even in some
of the responses to high risk weather events. That's not
what They'refore, we have enough resources. We do need to
move them around. We do need to get people back
(07:20):
to work. I think when you look at it from
a holistic point of view, new hierarchy, new government, new funding,
new police officers coming creates an environment where the workload
will go down, people feel better support.
Speaker 2 (07:29):
How many people are on leave.
Speaker 3 (07:31):
The numbers fluctuway.
Speaker 4 (07:32):
I want to use one hundred and twenty two, which
is what I've seen in previous reports, and that flu
but you remember they've earned some of them are taking
short leave, somewhere on long term leave. It's not as
simple as saying one hundred and twenty who are not
turning up to work. That may be a number on
the de So.
Speaker 1 (07:44):
I'm just trying to get to the bottom of you know,
like I say, with all of the numbers that have
been announced, I think people see that as a positive thing.
But what they're really worried about right now is that
this crime continues to be a huge issue on the streets.
Right now, you are saying that you're trying to get
officers back from leave and that that's going to make
a difference or back from various types of leave that
they're on. But in the meantime, what assurances can you
(08:07):
give to territorians that if they've got, you know, an example,
if they've got kids trying to break into their homes
with golf clubs, that if they call the police, that
they're going to be able to get somebody out there.
Speaker 4 (08:18):
So I can guarantee them that by June, the Territory
Safety Division will be fifty two officers in Darwen and
they will be servicing the Darwin region and they'll be
responding to those calls assistance that just be patient. Well, no,
but obviously the Commissioner is working to get people back
to working. On some days they'll have a full compliment.
On other days they may not. With people calling in
sick that I cannot control, nor can the Commissioner. But
(08:38):
the pali's being converted to constables. I've said this on
ABC yesterday. I would love to see a Territory Safety
Division in our springs so that we don't have to
pull resources from Darwin. I think converting palies to constables
gives them twenty five positions additional in oalys of constables
they didn't have before, which can be used to do
social order.
Speaker 1 (08:55):
All right, So in Alice Springs, are you going to
extend that curfew?
Speaker 3 (08:58):
Are we looking at at the moment.
Speaker 4 (08:59):
I think would be remissive any government to not seriously
look at an extension there, or if it's not the extension,
but continuing the operation of the resourcing it's working. I
know there's been many people who've criticized it, but there
is an overwhelming support in Allie Springs. I was there
two days ago, drove through it about nine point thirty at
night and people were out having a great time. There
was no youth in the CBD. And I'm seeing a
(09:21):
reduction in the amount of Ministry reports I'm getting from
the Department around crime, which means anecdotally, I would say
it's down. And I heard Gavin speaking before and he's
saying it's a good thing.
Speaker 3 (09:30):
He's right.
Speaker 4 (09:30):
The town camps are experiencing it, and this is where
the federal government needs to be getting in there, because
they obviously oversee the town camps and support those people there.
Speaker 1 (09:38):
In terms of an audit, is that something that needs
to happen. I mean, like people are sick of the
money being poured in and there doesn't seem to be
a change.
Speaker 4 (09:46):
We've got a sort of a conference or a meeting
next week. I believed by all of those agencies in
Alice Springs. I think it might be Monday or Tuesday,
Gavin as he alluded to, and that's where that discussion
will happen. I think there's been some really good comes
from the areunder lawmakers down there in some of the
discussions they're having with the judiciary around how they want
to see the outcomes there, and that's having an effect
(10:07):
on the ground in terms of youth being diverted or
being remanded. And that's important because they are the traditional
lawmakers and it's their country that other people are coming
on too and causing disturbance.
Speaker 1 (10:15):
What do you make of these of the groups coming
out and saying that the curfew is unlawful.
Speaker 4 (10:21):
Well, if they want to spend time being academic about
whether it is or isn't lawful, go and contest it,
take it to the court. But I think if you
go and ask it Alice Spring's residence, if they care
whether what someone's saying, whether it being unlawful, they don't.
They see it that it's working. We've got sound legal
advice in the solicit for Northern Territory that says that
it is justified and legal. We're getting on with the
supporting Ali Spring's residence and as the Chief said today
(10:43):
and our other press, if we need to look at
it across the territory in other locations, we absolutely will.
Speaker 1 (10:47):
So the likes of Catherine, even some people up here
in Darwin are saying, let's do it.
Speaker 4 (10:51):
Very different environment in darn with the youth, the type
of youth and what they're committing and where they're coming from.
Catherine has youth and adults that are coming from out
in the Big Rivers region Intocaine and causing disturbances. And
I know that there was a series the other day
that was related to youth that had been in detention
for a period of time. As soon as they got
out there went and reoffended again. So they're back in
remand police did a fantastic job catching them.
Speaker 2 (11:13):
We are so sick of people, you know, like this.
Speaker 4 (11:15):
Happening sentence in attention that they weren't bailed, they were
on detention, serve, their sentence got released like anyone going
to prison, you know, you're free afterwards, and they reoffended,
they're back in.
Speaker 1 (11:24):
There and then well so then obviously last time at
door and we saw the situation that unfolded.
Speaker 2 (11:30):
The police are out there.
Speaker 1 (11:31):
Nathan Finn had told us that they were having chair
legs thrown it at police, all sorts of things.
Speaker 2 (11:36):
What are you told from that incident overnight?
Speaker 3 (11:38):
Yeah, so I'm told now that they're off the roof.
Speaker 4 (11:41):
I was told that it was all instigated by I
believe a very small, if not one individual that has
rallied the rest of them up. They've obviously got onto
the roof. They've injured a police officer. I'm unsure on
the specifics of it, but I know they've injured a
police officer. I'll follow up through the department and try
and reach out to that member. They've come off the roof. Now,
let's be really clear, these are some of our worst offenders.
That's why they're in don Dale serving a sentence or
(12:02):
waiting on remand they've can engage in criminal behavior at
the very least criminal damage, and there's probably others. They'll
be arrested, they'll be charged, and they'll spend probably more
time in don Dale.
Speaker 1 (12:11):
Nathan Fin set up to four buildings that there was
fire data.
Speaker 4 (12:14):
You know, so that the data or the information I
got was definitely one and then potentially two other smaller
fires that were extinguished. Our fire emergency service is an
amazing job. I know it happened over a shift change.
And to those fireries out there listening, thank you for
staying around and for those that come on shift, thank
you for assisting and supporting those that have just come off.
Speaker 1 (12:30):
So with those buildings that have been damaged, any idea
how extensively or with the building that's been damaged.
Speaker 3 (12:35):
I don't know.
Speaker 4 (12:36):
But secondly, or sit on a comment, because I know
the fire investigators will do a criminal investigation and these criminals,
these youth offenders that were out there serving a sentence
have and will be put before the court again.
Speaker 1 (12:46):
I mean, people are getting like they people are really
over some of the youth offending that we are saying
around the place. I mean, what's the feedback that you
are receiving from our police that are on the front
line every day catching youth offenders after they've in some
cases tried to ram their vehicles and been engaged in
(13:07):
very bad behavior in many cases filming it, sharing it
on social media and the consequence in a lot of ways,
for a lot of Territorians, it doesn't feel like it
fits the crime.
Speaker 4 (13:18):
I'll give you an example, what's happening in our springs,
because I think this goes to the point where we've
been talking about the legislation's there, the resources from police there,
they get to the court and then in some instant
doesn't mean expectation. What's happened is some of the runder
men that the lawmakers. Then they've signed an open letter
to the judiciary saying, hey, with these particular youth that
have engaged in this behavior, can you try and keep
them out of the community for a little bit longer
or words the effect of and they've used traditional language
(13:40):
and sort of brought it back to cultural lawmaking, and
every one of those ones that was involved in the
incident the Todd tavern has been remanded and saying with
those on the desert traders break and enter. And I
think that's the point I've tried to make to everyone.
The laws there. Sometimes we just need to get the community,
the expectation of community relay through.
Speaker 3 (13:59):
And it's really good to see the.
Speaker 4 (14:01):
Are and of men down in Alice Springs leading that
charge culturally and relaying it to judiciary and the judiciary listening.
And we've had periods of significant quiet behavior in our
springs and it's great for residents down there, and we'll
continue to do what we need to and I think
we need to look at that across Darwin, Catherine, Tenn
and Creek with the TS.
Speaker 1 (14:17):
All Right, Brent Potter, we are going to have to
leave it there. But I think we got you back
tomorrow for the week.
Speaker 3 (14:21):
Going back for a week to was tomorrow.
Speaker 2 (14:22):
Good stuff. Thank you,
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