November 28, 2024 • 43 mins
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Well, speaking of Catherine, we have got Catherine representing in
the studio this morning because i've got the local member
Joe Hersey, good morning.
Speaker 2 (00:08):
Good morning Katie, and good morning to everyone, especially in Catherine,
but right across the territory.
Speaker 1 (00:13):
And Joel of course he's the Minister for various portfolios
including education. And we've got Selena Ruber as well, the
member four Anna Anam. I had to think about that
for a moment and Selena is indeed the opposition leader.
Great to have you in the studio.
Speaker 3 (00:27):
Thank you very much, Katie.
Speaker 4 (00:28):
Great to be here, and big shout out to kay
Town as well going home today as well, and well.
Speaker 1 (00:33):
From Alice Springs, the Speaker of the Northern Territories Legislative Assembly,
also the independent member for Aralu and Robin Lamley. Lovely
to have you in the studio.
Speaker 5 (00:43):
My pleasure. It's been too long, Katie.
Speaker 1 (00:45):
It has I've missed you and and these digs are amazing.
Speaker 5 (00:49):
Then you did the.
Speaker 1 (00:50):
New studio, I know, first time here for you today,
Robin and you were lovely surprised, as were we when
we first moved in.
Speaker 3 (00:57):
Now look it.
Speaker 1 (00:58):
Has been an incredibly big and I know that you've
all had an incredibly busy week in Parliament, but I
do actually want to go to a Council issue to
kick things off this morning, because after weeks of anger
from Cyclone Tracy survivors, the Lord Mayor yesterday confirmed on
the show that the VIP unveiling of the new Kinetic
sculpture has been canceled. The event was due to take
(01:21):
place this afternoon. Now, combat Scalis claim the event had
been canceled due to the Prime Minister Anthony Albanezi being
unable to attend. However, hundreds of protesters were expected to
attend well in protest against the sculpture, which they say
doesn't respect the survivors or those whose lives were lost
(01:41):
in the natural disaster. A group of survivors is calling
on the Council to return the money to the Federal
and Northern Territory governments, some even calling for the Mayor
to resign. Now, you know what I think is so
important to acknowledge here is the impact that Cyclone Tracy
(02:01):
has had on so many Territorians, not only Cyclone Tracy survivors,
not only those who've lost family members, but to be honest,
right around Australia. This is one of the biggest natural
disasters that we have ever experienced.
Speaker 5 (02:19):
Indeed, Katie, look, I don't have much of an opinion
of what's gone on in Darwin, but what I saw
in Parliament just yesterday morning we had a ministerial statement
a debate about Cyclone Tracy, and the level of emotion
(02:39):
around that in the room was incredible and it struck me, Katie,
that Darwin is moving into this period of commemorating the
fiftieth anniversary of Cyclone Tracy. Do not underestimate the level
of emotion of people throughout Darwin and Australia. People will
(03:05):
express their emotions in all sorts of different ways, mainly
in sadness, expressing it in sadness, but also in other
ways like anger. So I think my advice would be
to people is to be kind, be patient, and be
mindful of the traumatic impact this event had on so
(03:30):
many people, not just within Darwin but beyond.
Speaker 2 (03:34):
And I would have to one hundred percent say Robin
is spot on there, because yesterday I did live in
Darwin before Cycling Tracy, but left I read out a
speech from a girlfriend's mother and it was really tough.
And you know, the Member for Nelson lived through it
(03:55):
and it was heart wrenching listening to that. And I
think the council has they said they'd consulted, and you
know what they do up here. I'm the Member for Catherine,
not in Darwin, but I've certainly listened to a lot
of talk around it, and I think they totally missed
the mark and absolutely underestimated the emotion that it would
(04:17):
bring two people. It is a big event, just like
the Catherine flood was a huge event in Catherine, and
I think it is going to.
Speaker 6 (04:27):
Be a very emotional.
Speaker 2 (04:28):
All those celebrations that they're going to have, especially the
one on Christmas Day, I think, yeah, it will be
very emotional.
Speaker 1 (04:36):
I one hundred percent agree. And Selena, you're a Northern
Territory girl. You've been here your whole life. I believe
were your parents here.
Speaker 4 (04:45):
My parents are living in Bachelor at the time, so
a lot of the runway at the Bachelor airport was
used to bring in supplies and to evacuate people in
and out of the Northern Territory because the Darwin obviously
airport unusable at the time. So I've heard different stories
and obviously long term residents.
Speaker 3 (05:05):
We know that there's been a lot of trauma.
Speaker 4 (05:07):
I think very wise words that Robin shared with us
this this morning, and I think the intention of the
council has been honorable. But unfortunately, you know, we know
that there's a lot of emotion attached to any type
of trauma in the Northern Territory, and even fifty years on,
you know, we are seeing that raw trauma and emotion
come out. And I think there needs to be a
commemoration of such an important and historic and traumatic event
(05:31):
in the Northern Territory. But I think that the estimation,
underestimation of how much it means to people to have
that commemoration in the territory has been missed unfortunately.
Speaker 3 (05:43):
But I do believe that, you.
Speaker 4 (05:45):
Know, the intention was honorable and very well meaning, but
unfortunately it has caused a lot of disunity in the
community because people are not happy about the way things
were done with that goodwill intention.
Speaker 1 (06:00):
And you know, there are times, as all three of
you know, in a political career where you have to go, Okay,
well maybe I've made a misstep here, and you know,
maybe there does need to be an acknowledgment of that
misstep and I just wonder why the Council's sort of
hesitant to do that at this point. I can only
assume that it is because such a phenomenal amount of
(06:21):
money has obviously been invested into this kinetic sculpture. And look,
I know that there'll be some people who agree with
the kinetic sculpture, but we are being inundated with messages
phone calls every day, people saying that they do not
feel that it reflects the event that Cyclone Tracy was,
nor do they feel that it truly represents, you know,
(06:44):
the resilience that Darwin has shown in rebuilding. And we
know artwork will demonstrate, you know, or certainly bring out
different feelings for everybody. But I do feel that the
Council's made a misstep here, and sometimes the best thing
that you can do is ignore.
Speaker 2 (07:01):
I think you are correct there, Katie. I've listened to
the commentary around it from the council, I've listened to
the mayor speaking, and I am I am surprised that
there has not been some apology of Okay, we got
this wrong, or admission of getting it wrong, because I
(07:21):
you know, I get emails almost on a daily basis
about people's you know, discontent with what's going on. The
most significant sculpture for me, and I think correct me
if I'm wrong, is the twisted metal at Sanderson Middle.
Speaker 1 (07:39):
I think it's either casual.
Speaker 6 (07:42):
Senior College.
Speaker 2 (07:43):
I know, I know I've seen it, but that to
me tells an incredible story of the ferosty and just
the damage that was left behind, let alone all the
photos that you see out there. That that is something
I think it more worthy of, you know something in
(08:03):
that in along those lines.
Speaker 1 (08:05):
Well, look, we might take a really quick break because
when we come back there is so much to cover
off from throughout the week, and I know up for
discussion this morning, there's been talk of a poly pay
rise passing through, so I'll find out more about that
in just a couple of moments. You are listening to
Mix one oh four nine's three sixty. It is the
week that was, Well, it is indeed the week that was.
(08:26):
If you've just joined us in the studio this morning,
We've got Robin Lamley, Joe Hersey and Selena Yubo. Now
we have got a lot to discuss this week. I
think whenever Parliament sits, there certainly is a lot to
discuss but I have learned overnight that there's been a
pay rise for our Northern Territory politicians. As I understand it,
a lot of people hearing this maybe for the first
(08:47):
time this morning and thinking, goodness, may I'm living through
a cost of living crisis and our politicians are getting
a pay rise. But there was no increase in the
basic wage for the four years from twenty nineteen to
twenty twenty two. As I understand it, during the period,
the NT basic salary dropped well below the average basic
(09:07):
salary for all other states and territory jurisdictions. So how
exactly did this all sort of like, how does it
all kind of roll through? I guess, you know, for
the Territorians to understand.
Speaker 5 (09:21):
So every year the Remuneration Tribunal, which is a group
of three people at the moment appointed by the government,
decide what our entitlements will be as members of Parliament,
and this report that they produce every twelve months is
tabled routinely in Parliament at this time of year, so
(09:43):
the changes come into effect as of the first of January.
The table for this year, sorry, the report for this
year was tabled in Parliament last night and it does
include a polypay rise. Now this is always content.
Speaker 4 (10:00):
Says you.
Speaker 5 (10:00):
As you say, because people get to decide that whether
or not they think where you are pay rise. But look,
I've come out before when this has been debated and
in support of politicians getting fair pay rises like other workers.
(10:20):
As you said, Katie, we didn't have a pay rise
for four years from twenty nineteen to twenty twenty two.
That came off the back of COVID. The former government
felt that it was an austerity measure that we should
all have our pays frozen. That's fine if you're a
minister and you're well paid, like the three of us
are Opposition Leader, Minister and now Speaker. But a lot
(10:44):
of people in that chamber sit on that very basic wage,
which has been about one hundred and sixty five. It's
now going up to one hundred and seventy five, which
is about a four to five percent increase. Those people
have often taken a pay cut to come into politics.
They've got families, they've got commitments, they've got loans, and
(11:05):
that pay grade, even though it's a lot of money,
sits well below the lowest level of executive officer within
the Northern territory government. And I argue that these people
in particular need to have their incremental pay rise. Is
just like every public servant because they work hard, they
(11:26):
work long hours and they are face scrutiny, scrutiny, a
level of scrutiny like no other. So I support this.
It may not be good timing, it may not be
a good look, but I think it's a fair thing.
Speaker 1 (11:39):
So when did it So did it pass through this week?
Speaker 5 (11:43):
It was tabled in Parliament last night and it'll come
into effect Katie on the first of January.
Speaker 4 (11:49):
So every RTD renuneration tribunal determination is tabled, as Robin said,
usually the last sittings week of the year and it's
usually a couple of weeks until it's actually in force,
which is the first of January that'll come into effect.
Speaker 2 (12:03):
And also the Chief Minister did speak to the Opposition leader.
Speaker 6 (12:08):
About this and we do share the view that.
Speaker 2 (12:12):
This is an independent tribunal and should be respected, as
in the case with independence of other remuneration tribunals look
in other jurisdictions.
Speaker 6 (12:22):
Yeah, I think it brings us up to.
Speaker 5 (12:24):
Just so we're on our average, Yeah, we're just below
the average of all state and territory jurisdictions, which is
where we should be.
Speaker 1 (12:31):
I do believe that politicians need to be renumerated appropriately.
I think, how on earth are you going to actually
encourage good people to want to be in politics if
they're not paid well, However, one hundred and seventy five
thousand dollars to the everyday territory and seems like a
heck of a lot of money. And so I think
that I would say to all of our politicians, and
(12:51):
I know that you three are incredibly hard working, but
to all of our politicians, you know, whatever you're getting paid,
you are getting paid to represent territorians in your electorate.
You know, make sure you never forget that. Make sure
you don't stop listening to them, because to the average
person listening this morning, one hundred and seventy five thousand
dollars seems like a heck of a lot of money.
Speaker 2 (13:12):
Yeah, that's right, Katie, and I think what we also
have to we have a responsibility to work hard.
Speaker 6 (13:19):
And I know that the three of us do work hard.
Speaker 2 (13:22):
And if the community or the constituents don't think you are,
they can beat you out at the next election. So
you know, that's where they can have their say.
Speaker 1 (13:32):
Well, and this is what we've seen, right, you know,
like no seat is safe anymore. That is you know,
that is the case right across the Northern Territory, right
across Australia. I think, and like I said, I you know,
I do think that politicians need to be paid a
reasonable amount of money. Otherwise you're not going.
Speaker 3 (13:47):
To get experienced guy you get monkey's Yeah, that's exactly right.
Speaker 1 (13:51):
But look, just to put it into perspective, Mark from
Darwin said, Hi, Katie, I love Robin Lamley, but one
hundred and sixty five thousand dollars a very basic wage.
Speaker 6 (13:59):
That is of touch.
Speaker 3 (14:00):
There's Mark from Darwin.
Speaker 5 (14:02):
Well, I guess it isn't a basic wage. And I'm
sorry if I actually said that. What I'm saying is
it's well below the executive a level of paid that
Northern Territory government, some Northern Territory government employees get. So
that's one hundred and sixty five or one hundred and
seventy five now is like an AO seven or eight
(14:24):
something like that. It's interesting when you're a minister. I
remember years ago sitting around a table with executives and
me as the minister, I as the minister, was the
lowest paid person sitting around the table. That's what you
compare it to, Katie. So when you're talking about new
members of Parliament who've come in from an IT background,
(14:45):
a professional background, getting paid a lot more than that
now sitting on what is not a particularly high level
for an executive, I think you just have to put
that into perspective. But I'm not saying that this is
pean arts. It's still a lot of money, but I
think it's fair when you look at the public service
(15:07):
pay grades.
Speaker 2 (15:08):
So just to add to that, Katie coming from private
business into this role, I think for Territorians to maybe
understand is that the role of a member of Parliament,
you're on call seven days a week, you know, twenty
four hours a day. And obviously we put ourselves up
(15:31):
to do that, and I'm not making a complaint about
that at all, but you work a lot more hours
than say I was working in my private business, where I,
you know, could have the flexibility of doing whatever I like.
But in saying that I love what I do, I
think we all love what we do and we certainly
don't do this for the money.
Speaker 6 (15:48):
That is for sure.
Speaker 1 (15:49):
Well, look it's always going to be a tough sell
because the text line is blowing up so much money,
you know, for a lot of normal people, it does
seem like an awful lot of But look, we are
going to move along because when we talk about, you know,
the pays of our politicians, we do also have to
bear in mind that you are making decisions about people's
(16:10):
lives every single day. You are, you know, pushing policy
in certain directions that shapes the Northern Territory. And one
of the areas this week that has absolutely made headlines
right around the nation as it should, is the fact
that the coroner, Elizabeth Armitage, handed down her findings into
the death of four Indigenous Territory women now. The coroner
(16:31):
made thirty five recommendations in total, including calling for a
significant funding boost to the sector, including for frontline emergency
service responses and women's shelters Now. She also recommended that
a peak body and ongoing specialist training for frontline workers,
and a permanent NT Police DV unit be established. She
(16:53):
called on the government to immediately release the one hundred
and eighty million dollars in in funding.
Speaker 6 (17:00):
Now.
Speaker 1 (17:00):
I do want to read the words as well of
the coroner that you know, she said that many of
the recommendations are not radical and that a lot of
the evidence are issues which have previously been raised. She said, though,
there really is no way to turn this around unless
those perpetrating the violence change. She said, it lies with
(17:22):
the men who are choosing to use violence. They must
stop blaming someone else. They must take responsibility and change
their attitudes and behaviors. And we spoke to John Patterson
earlier in the week from am Sad. I was you know,
he stood up and he said to those out there
listening this morning, if you are perpetrating this kind of violence,
(17:45):
you need to stop. And you know, I to have
a really highly respected, tough Aboriginal man standing up saying
this is enough, This has to end. I think we
need to see more of it from right across, you know,
right across, no matter where you come from. It's not
(18:05):
good enough. It's utterly heartbreaking.
Speaker 2 (18:08):
Were the Member for Malka in parliament say this is
not our culture and he stood up and spoke on
that as well. And I'd just like to say, Katie,
you know that the review took the inquest sorry began
seventeen months ago, and the Minister did stand up in
Parliament this week and say that she would, you know,
(18:29):
it would take.
Speaker 6 (18:30):
Time to address you know, the outcomes of that.
Speaker 2 (18:35):
It's critical that the current programs are appropriately assessed and
the service providers are given clear direction around expected outcomes
that are measurable and that demonstrate programs are achieving the
desired result, i e. A decreased in domestic violence, and
we've had an eighty one or eighty two percent increase
in domestic violence in Catherine alone. Katie, we have had
(18:58):
four women in the last two months die of domestic violence.
It is absolutely shocking and heartbreaking to hear that, and
it just more work needs to be done.
Speaker 6 (19:10):
We have said this week that we would in a
bipartisan approach.
Speaker 2 (19:15):
There has been a letter written to the federal Minister
for them to come up to the Terrans.
Speaker 3 (19:20):
Katie.
Speaker 4 (19:21):
We're really proud to have led that bipartisan approach. So
we now have Labor opposition, the CLP, government and the
cross Bench all agree to have a united front because
we know that this issue transcends politics in the Northern Territory.
We want to see action now. That's what the DV
sector's calling for. That's what the Northern Territory community is
calling for. That's absolutely what Coroner Amitage released today in
(19:43):
her recommendations. The blueprint is there, the one hundred and
eighty million dollars to fund the DV sector properly and
resource the It's just scratching the surface to be honest, Katie,
But that blueprint has been made by the DV sector.
The CLP hasn't real least a single cent yet and
we don't understand why because the blueprints there.
Speaker 3 (20:04):
It's not a labor blueprint, Katie.
Speaker 4 (20:05):
This was work that was done by the experts in
the field, by people who deal with the trauma of
supporting territories with DV and family violence right across the NT.
They really want to see this resource. We do as well.
We need to see the action. We don't want to
hear from the Minister, like we did in Parliament this
week that oh we need to take a step back
and have a look at this, that the work's been done. Essentially,
(20:28):
this is something people can act on now. We want
to see our government act on this now. We want
to see COLP commit the dollars because we've seen money
moved around already in the last couple of months.
Speaker 3 (20:38):
It's possible. We just need to make sure the will's
there as well as the action.
Speaker 2 (20:41):
But it also, sorry to tell, it is also clear
that the current approach to dealing with the domestic violence
scourge is not working.
Speaker 4 (20:50):
That's why the blueprints there and it needs to be
fun as Katie.
Speaker 2 (20:53):
You've seen an increase in under the previous labor government.
So the Minister was very clear.
Speaker 4 (20:59):
In taking a step back, which is ridiculous, that we
need action down to the sector. People are dying.
Speaker 2 (21:05):
We can not spend good money after bad it is.
We do need more funding for this, and.
Speaker 3 (21:12):
But we need action, Joe. We absolutely need action on this.
Speaker 5 (21:15):
I get sick of hearing about yes, we need action,
the posturing. I think all of the messaging around this
is really quite peculiar, Katie. It always strikes me how
people are so willing to jump up and down, which
(21:36):
of course makes us feel like we're doing something. But
yet the real problem is what you said before. It's
about these men, primarily men that are bashing and killing
their women. One hundred and eighty million or one hundred
and fifty million is cleaning up after the fact, how
do you prevent this from happening? I don't know the
(21:56):
answer to that, and.
Speaker 3 (21:57):
The CV sector does right there any.
Speaker 5 (22:00):
People many because the problem has increased, Selena, mainly under
your watch over the last eight years. I have to say,
how do you stop someone in their own home bashing
and killing their partner or their family member. It's like suicide.
It's one of those insidious things that you have to
try and control through education and awareness. But at the
(22:23):
end of the day, how do you get to that
place where you can stop that from happening. All you
can do is ask and hope and pray and educate people.
I think that despite the fact that it's become front
and center in the media in the public, we are
getting nowhere with this and I don't feel any sense
(22:44):
of confidence about how we're moving forward. It was wonderful
to see this bipartisan agreement in Parliament on Wednesday around
how we approach it, but what's it actually going to achieve.
I mean, everyone's going to have a talk first and
beat their fists on the but you know the reality
is this problem is getting worse and I don't think
we've nailed it yet.
Speaker 7 (23:05):
Selena, I think we haven't made it, which is why
we need to continue to highlight is exactly, Robert, we
need to highlight this issue and get through all that crap,
get through the talk, actually see some action.
Speaker 4 (23:17):
Fund the DV sector properly, which is what, like I said,
the one hundred and eighties literally just scratching the surface. Robert,
fund it properly. Make sure that we need space funded
in the territory. We have never been needspace funding the
territory for the DV sector. We absolutely need to be
and that's what the bipartisan approach will be continued to finish.
Speaker 2 (23:36):
It's not stopping, it's not going to stop, but there
the last eight years we have seen an increase under
your watch, Selena, because.
Speaker 3 (23:43):
We're not funded properly.
Speaker 4 (23:45):
Joe, how can we do things if we're not funded
properly in the Northern Territory.
Speaker 3 (23:48):
It's not a political issue. This is territory women that
are dying, Joe.
Speaker 4 (23:51):
You just said yourself, territory women who were dying, and
we're saying, oh, let's take a step back and think
about this.
Speaker 3 (23:57):
What is there to think about? What's the worst we
could do. We're going to save it territory in women's life.
Speaker 6 (24:01):
But as Minister Carl said in this we're not.
Speaker 4 (24:05):
Now because we're doing exactly what we're doing now. We're
just talking.
Speaker 2 (24:08):
The proper process needs to be followed to make sure
that the money is hitting the mark.
Speaker 3 (24:15):
The money is not enough anyway.
Speaker 1 (24:18):
In a previous interview i'd done with the domestic violence
sector just a month or so ago, I have been
told that we're in a situation at the moment where
for some women what they what they have is like
a security camera outside their home so that if somebody
then if the perpetrator does turn.
Speaker 3 (24:33):
Up to their house, that's home. That's yes. So that's
part of it.
Speaker 1 (24:37):
And then the other part of it is that there's
actually not enough for those like there's not enough funding
for women that are in those situations to actually be
able to get something like that. You know, to me,
that's a terrible situation. And Selena, the point you've made
there is a really valid one. That's if they've got
a home. The other thing I do want to say
is that I grew up in a family that's that's
(25:00):
a male dominated family. You know my dad, my you
know my mum and dad Obviously both raised us, but
my dad was a very prominent part of how myself
and my two brothers were raised. Now, if either of
my brothers put their hands on a woman, I don't
know exactly what my father's response would be. And I
know that not everybody grows up in a home like that.
(25:23):
I totally understand that, but I do think that there
needs to be a real push from blokes that this
is not okay. It is not okay to put your
hands on a woman, like you've said, Robin, and you know,
and I really like what you said Joe earlier that
in Parliament this week. You know that there was those
comments that this is not you know, this is not
(25:45):
part of culture because it's not right, like it's it's appalling.
And that was why, you know, when when we spoke
to John Patterson earlier in the week as well, I thought,
this is the kind of thing that we need to
be hearing every single day.
Speaker 5 (26:00):
May not be a part of the culture of Aboriginal people,
but it has become probably the biggest social problem that
Aboriginal people are facing. And I'm the facts speak for themselves.
Our prisons are full of people that have perpetrated domestic violence.
I think we have to be more extreme and a
bit more colorful around this. I think we should be
(26:21):
putting them all in pink overalls, these perpetrators of domestic violence,
and displaying them publicly, humiliating them, putting them through the
pain and suffering that they're putting women and children through.
I think we are still tiptoeing around the edges with this.
These people are pigs, They're violent, and you can give
(26:43):
every excuse in the world for this sort of behavior.
A lot of policy around this is driven by people's guilt.
They don't want to name and shame. They don't want
to really look at what the problem is and who's
perpetrating it. And I think that there are so many
well meaning people working in their DV sector, but we
still haven't really got to the to really addressing this problem.
Speaker 2 (27:08):
And I think also I would like to see a
lot of organizations and a lot of aboriginal organizations come
out and call this out, as the Member for Malka
did in parliament this week, because as Robin has said,
you know, the the the evidence speaks for itself. You know,
it is a scourge on our society.
Speaker 6 (27:32):
There are a lot of men and some women that
you know commit domestic.
Speaker 5 (27:37):
Vast majority of men and the vast majority in the
Northern Territory are Aboriginal people and that's not play around
with that. That's the facts, and you.
Speaker 1 (27:47):
Know we need to it's like, this is the Aboriginal
and victims and that's you know, the horrifying part as
well for me as somebody who works in the media,
is that that doesn't even make headlines around the nation.
Speaker 2 (28:00):
And for women killing Catherine in the last couple of months, Katie,
and not as much as a headline almost.
Speaker 4 (28:08):
It's disgusting, which is why we need to act now, Katie.
And regardless of what people think has or hasn't happened
in the past, this is the chance for the territory
to come together to draw the line in the sand
say we're moving forward together. We're demanding urgent action, not
stepping back and having a look and taking our time.
Urgent action now so we can save lives.
Speaker 6 (28:28):
Well, that's why the Chief Minister has written to the federal.
Speaker 4 (28:30):
And that's why we need that one hundred and eighty
million dollars that the CLP government promise out the door
so we can actually see those programs that Robin talks about.
We can actually see a difference when we're scratching the
surface of this horrific issue and traumatic issue for the
Northern Territory.
Speaker 1 (28:44):
We're going to take a really quick break. You are
listening to Mix one O four nine's three sixty.
Speaker 3 (28:49):
It is the week that was.
Speaker 1 (28:50):
You are listening to Mix ONEOW four point nine three sixty.
It is the week that was. Now if you have
just joined us, we've got Selena Yubo, We've got Joe
Hersey and indeed Robin Labley the studio. Now we know
that the COLP government remains firm on scrapping the alcohol
floor price, despite concerns from some that it is going
to result in harm. Now we know the People's Action
(29:12):
are the People's Alcohol Action Coalition spokesperson Doctor John Boffer
had joined us earlier in the week and said that
the floor price has resulted in a reduction in hospital
admissions in Alice Springs, adding that it's difficult to understand
why a government whose top priority is supposedly to lower
crime rates, including domestic violence, would remove the minimum unit price.
(29:32):
But I've got to tell you not a lot of
support for it. Not being scrapped from our listeners, Like
a lot of our listeners are saying, well, Katie, we've
got all these different alcohol restrictions in place. What works?
You know, what doesn't work? And does having a minimum
floor price actually work? Now? Doctor Boffer said that there
is evidence to support that it does work. I mean,
(29:56):
what's everybody's taste not?
Speaker 6 (29:58):
I think there's not.
Speaker 5 (30:00):
On Boffer, I've grown to respect. We've worked side by side,
sometimes hand in hand for several decades now, and I
agree with him now on a lot of his positions
when it comes to alcohol policy. But I dispute what
he says there there is no evidence to suggest that
(30:21):
the floor price works because when the study was done
in Alice Springs, it coincided with a raft of other
alcohol strategies being implemented, and it was impossible to pull
out which one was working and which one wasn't working,
and which one was working better than the others. So
I would maintain that the floor price has had a minimal,
(30:45):
if any impact on the consumption of alcohol.
Speaker 6 (30:48):
Do you reckon?
Speaker 5 (30:49):
Though?
Speaker 1 (30:49):
We could see things blow up once it is scrapped,
like we saw in Alice Springs, when the stronger futures
legislation ended.
Speaker 4 (30:56):
It's going to make I think a deeaper and easier
access for our problem drinkers, Katie. And that's where the
alcohol fueled harm across the territory. If GG becomes cheaper
to drink than water, then what do we expect is
going to happen across our communities.
Speaker 6 (31:11):
I think that's not going to happen that it's going to.
Speaker 3 (31:14):
Be very happy to be proven. Joe, very happy to
be proven.
Speaker 2 (31:18):
Hasn't taken into consideration that two days alcohol venues in
Alice Springs are closed everywhere across the.
Speaker 3 (31:26):
I think he knows. I think he advocated for it.
Didn't he think absolutely?
Speaker 6 (31:31):
He hasn't taken a chat to.
Speaker 3 (31:32):
Him and give him a call, Joe.
Speaker 6 (31:34):
The thing is right across the territory.
Speaker 2 (31:36):
Whether you're in Alice, Tenant Creek, Catherine or here in Darwin,
the hours are totally different. We've also seen you can
only get cask wine here in Darwin. You cannot get
cask wine in Catherine, Tenant or Ella Springs having for
years in ours, so you haven't in a plastic bottle
(31:58):
you can't now and all this is done is shift
people onto harder spirits which are in a glass bottle,
which now can be smashed and used as a weapon,
which I have seen in my community numerous times.
Speaker 3 (32:10):
So let's make it cheaper and easier to access. You know,
we've seen, is that what you're saying, Joe.
Speaker 6 (32:15):
Eight percent in the past eight years under labor.
Speaker 1 (32:18):
Of Some of the people that contact me are actually
people that are maybe seenors that want to be able
to get a bottle of wine or you know, like
a bottle of wine or I don't know whether you
get there's a cask or something that.
Speaker 3 (32:30):
Is a little bit cheaper after until after you.
Speaker 1 (32:33):
Know, something that is a little bit cheaper, and they
do feel as though it's a piece of legislation that's
impeded on their lives when they're drinking responsibly. Look to me,
you know what, I'm not a big drinker, so I
couldn't care less if we weren't allowed to drink five
days a week and you can only get a bottle
of wine on a Friday, I'd be like, no worries.
But I know that for a lot of people, they
don't feel that way, and I totally understand territory.
Speaker 2 (32:56):
A lot of people, sorry, Selena, I will stop in
a minute. But the flaw price punishes the majority for
the actions of a few, and that's actually where I
think it doesn't work either. And as I said before,
we've seen alcohol related assaults increased by thirty eight percent
under labor over the last eight years. And people are
not drinking less, they have just changed what they drink,
(33:18):
as I've said, to go onto more hardened spirits.
Speaker 3 (33:21):
Like Katie is.
Speaker 4 (33:22):
It really doesn't make sense that we're talking about you know,
we've just spoken very heavily and it is a heavy
topic and traumatic topic when we talk about domestic famine,
sexual violence in the Northern Territory in the horrific numbers
and the horrific outcomes and impact across the NT, and
then we talk about alcohol exacerbating a lot of the
circumstances that we see across the Northern Territory. We've seen
(33:45):
the very strong words of the coroner. Recommendation five was
about reducing the availability of alcohol in that In those
thirty five recommendations, we talk about the absolute harm that
is caused by access to easy and cheap grog and
that's you know, it is from problem drinkers. We know
that we acknowledge that territorians do deserve to have and
(34:07):
enjoy their drink do it responsibly. But we can't have
this conversation say oh, what's happening around alcohol related violence
and oh, actually we've got some anecdotal evidence here. There
is clear data and statistics from Abetual Congress, from the
Independent Researcher School of Mensi's Health, and the government is
ignoring that very clear evidence. So we say, what drives policy,
(34:30):
what drives laws of the Northern Territory, what drives these
regulations around grog? And it has to be data and statistics, Katie,
and people don't feel like it's made a difference, but
the data speaks to otherwise. So the government can't pick
and choose what data they want to look at just
because it makes them feel better.
Speaker 1 (34:46):
That will also be led by what territorians.
Speaker 4 (34:51):
Want think that I really honestly am trying to wrap
my head around. We talk about the d TV sector
and funding the DV sector and the SEALPIC government says, yes,
we need to take a step back and have a
proper review, but they've been in for three months and
they're automatically wanting to scrap the mim and floor price
unit without a review not working without a review, Katie.
(35:13):
That's the difference, right. They're saying review the DV sector
and the thirty five recommendations from the coroner. But we'll
actually forge ahead and do this change here around alcohol,
but we won't do a review process.
Speaker 3 (35:24):
So where's the equity there?
Speaker 6 (35:26):
So, as I've said, where's the equity there? Related assaults
have increased by.
Speaker 4 (35:29):
Thirty where's your alcohol review? Then to to Shaw, what
should be working? Because that's what you've said for the
DV sector while you're doing.
Speaker 3 (35:35):
That for the alcohol industry, it doesn't make sense.
Speaker 1 (35:39):
I don't wonder if we need I mean, how long
ago was the Riley review? It was a while ago
now seventeen, Yeah, So I do wonder whether we're at
the point where we need another alcohol we do, you reckon?
Speaker 5 (35:50):
We probably do. A new government should probably review all before.
Speaker 3 (35:54):
They make any changes to alcohol policy.
Speaker 1 (35:56):
That the big lines are lighting up, So you've got
everyone going this morning, lady.
Speaker 5 (36:01):
The responsible drinkers being front and center when it comes
to alcohol policy. Twenty years ago in Alice Springs, Alice
Springs has we all know the strongest and the biggest
raft of alcohol restrictions. Probably in the country, we're used
to being restricted when it comes to buying alcohol, buying
(36:24):
our opening hours. Everyone knows the story, so we kind
of accept the fact that this is the world we
live in. Alcohol is our greatest problem, probably just in
front of domestic violence. So we accept that. But what
I don't accept is things that don't work. And I
(36:47):
don't think the floor price has been particularly effective, at
least in Alice Springs. It hasn't. However, I will say
that before the floor price was brought in Alice Springs,
liquor had an agreement to not sell certain products and
not sell they bought in their own floor price to
some extent, so and I think that changed the landscape
(37:10):
in Alice Springs. So when the actual floor price was
bought in, it didn't make any difference to Alice Springs.
Speaker 2 (37:16):
So but I think also remembering that the floor price
has only seen a minimal Reduction's got a reduction, well
minimum a reduction, a minor reaction.
Speaker 3 (37:28):
Are they going to scratch?
Speaker 6 (37:32):
We are going to have to move along.
Speaker 1 (37:34):
We are going to have to move along very quickly, ladies.
I do just want to briefly discuss the fact that
the government has announced that they are going to be
providing additional funding to Legal Aid NT ensuring that the
justice system is efficient, fit for purpose and capable of
delivering high quality legal services to territory. And so now
I want to touch on this because it is something
(37:54):
that we've spoken about on the week, that was on
numerous occasions. So essentially what the Attorney General has said
is that there's going to be an extra five point
two three five million dollars in funding for Legal Aid
that's going to comprise of one point three to three
five million already allocated, three point nine million being reprioritized
from within the AG's office. And we also know that
(38:17):
a NAJA, so she's said recent developments with the North
Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency may mark a turning point after
more than two years of instability. She said, NAJA has
been in shambles, with widespread calls for the board's resignation
from the government and the sector. We understand that NAJA
held its AGM earlier this week to refresh its constitution
(38:40):
and renew its board. While we await formal confirmations of
the outcomes, we expect the entire board has stepped down
to enable a fresh start. Does anyone know if that
happened or not.
Speaker 4 (38:53):
I'm hoping I have heard, but I had the information
Katie that yes, I think all you know have to
get back to in your listeners. But I've heard that
all bar one of the board has stepped down and
only one remains and it'll be a new board. So
that's the only information I have in terms of not
no names.
Speaker 1 (39:11):
Well, look, that's the right thing to do.
Speaker 2 (39:13):
I spoke to the Attorney General this morning and asked
for an update on that and she hadn't heard that.
But if that's happened, well, I think that's a good thing.
But what we know, Katie, is that over many years,
the demand, the demand has increased due to the labour's
crime crisis.
Speaker 6 (39:27):
We know that it's going to increase labor now now
we are trying to fix it. There has been an
increase in that funding. You know.
Speaker 2 (39:35):
In addition, the broken justice system which sits between the
police and corrections, it.
Speaker 6 (39:40):
Does need reforms and the Attorney General.
Speaker 3 (39:42):
Is very different things.
Speaker 1 (39:45):
Yeah, well that's right. I mean there are two very
different things obvious, well not entirely, but you know, the
Najer issue is one thing, but then obviously legal.
Speaker 4 (39:53):
Legal a Katie, you know, the legal services in the
Northern Territory are the responsibility of the federal government in
terms of the funding. And again it's another area that
we are not funded properly for the territory. But our
territory opposition does welcome the injection that the CLPA government
has given to anti legal aid, but we find that
the again the hypocrisy of being able to get money
(40:16):
out the door for one thing and not for the
DV sector that one hundred and eighty million dollars is
also counteractive.
Speaker 5 (40:24):
In government has been why didn't you fix up Niger
or push the federal government to fix.
Speaker 4 (40:30):
The federal the federal organizations as well, No Robin, Just
so people do understand the injection that the CEP government
has given is territory money from a territory department into
an organization that should be funded probably by the federal government. Absolutely,
so we welcome that. We do welcome that, but we
need to continue to book pressure and make sure the
(40:52):
territory is not left out when it comes to our legal.
Speaker 3 (40:55):
SEP just like the DV set.
Speaker 1 (40:56):
We'll take a really quick break and then we might
talk a little bit more about that federal funding and
if we might see some changes, because it seems like
they are clearing the decks with legislation yesterday to get
an election going.
Speaker 3 (41:06):
So we'll wait and see.
Speaker 1 (41:07):
You are listening to mix one oh four nine's three
sixty before I let our panel go, if you have
just joined us Robin Lamley, Joe Hersey and Selena Rubo
in the studio with me. But we know that Anthony
Albanez he cleared the decks well for what he is
being described as a fresh agenda ahead of next year's election,
unit using the final full day of Federal Parliament to
(41:29):
ram through more than thirty pieces of legislation. Thirty pieces
of legislation in one day. It's wild, including you know
the social media band for those under the age of sixteen. Look,
it does seem as though they're edging to try and
head to an election early next year.
Speaker 3 (41:46):
What do you reckon?
Speaker 5 (41:47):
Yeah, he's under a lot of pressure. He might try
and hang in there till the end. But I think
the pundits are saying maybe May third of May. I yeh, yesterday, Yeah.
Speaker 1 (42:01):
Right, I don't think as early as February.
Speaker 2 (42:04):
I don't think things are going to get any better
for him.
Speaker 6 (42:06):
Could they get any worse? Potentially get worse. Absolutely, we
know that.
Speaker 1 (42:14):
If there's one thing I've learned in politics, it's like
when someone says things can't get worse, to go, hold
my bee.
Speaker 6 (42:20):
Why did you say that?
Speaker 3 (42:21):
Knock on what?
Speaker 1 (42:24):
But look, you know, however you look at it, it's
a lot of legislation to ram through in one day.
And the thing that I always worry about that kind
of thing, and as we've discussed on this show before,
you know, if you're ramming through legislation that quickly, are
we going to see you know, implications that are negative
because it's been rushed through.
Speaker 3 (42:41):
So time will tell.
Speaker 7 (42:42):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (42:43):
Yeah, the total opposite the Territory parliament this week, Katie,
we had two tiny little bits of legislation go through
in three days and that's a bit of a slow
week in Northern Territory parliament.
Speaker 1 (42:52):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (42:53):
Right, there was a lot going on in parliament this
week with fifty years of them.
Speaker 4 (42:58):
When we talk about laws a part for the territory,
we only got two through.
Speaker 3 (43:02):
So that's a very slow slow week of parliament.
Speaker 1 (43:04):
Well, look, certainly wasn't in Cambri yesterday. By the sounds
of it, I reckon people would have been hoping it
slowed down a little. We are going to have to
wrap up. Celia Rubo, the Opposition leader, Thanks, thank you
Kati this morning. Joe Hersey, the Education Minister, thank you
so much for your time.
Speaker 2 (43:18):
Katie, and Merry Christmas to everyone out there. If I
don't talk to you all beforehand.
Speaker 6 (43:22):
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (43:23):
And Robin Lamley, the Speaker of the Northern Territories Legislative Assembly,
Thank you for your time this morning.
Speaker 5 (43:28):
Thanks Katie.
Well, speaking of Catherine, we have got Catherine representing in
the studio this morning because i've got the local member
Joe Hersey, good morning.
Speaker 2 (00:08):
Good morning Katie, and good morning to everyone, especially in Catherine,
but right across the territory.
Speaker 1 (00:13):
And Joel of course he's the Minister for various portfolios
including education. And we've got Selena Ruber as well, the
member four Anna Anam. I had to think about that
for a moment and Selena is indeed the opposition leader.
Great to have you in the studio.
Speaker 3 (00:27):
Thank you very much, Katie.
Speaker 4 (00:28):
Great to be here, and big shout out to kay
Town as well going home today as well, and well.
Speaker 1 (00:33):
From Alice Springs, the Speaker of the Northern Territories Legislative Assembly,
also the independent member for Aralu and Robin Lamley. Lovely
to have you in the studio.
Speaker 5 (00:43):
My pleasure. It's been too long, Katie.
Speaker 1 (00:45):
It has I've missed you and and these digs are amazing.
Speaker 5 (00:49):
Then you did the.
Speaker 1 (00:50):
New studio, I know, first time here for you today,
Robin and you were lovely surprised, as were we when
we first moved in.
Speaker 3 (00:57):
Now look it.
Speaker 1 (00:58):
Has been an incredibly big and I know that you've
all had an incredibly busy week in Parliament, but I
do actually want to go to a Council issue to
kick things off this morning, because after weeks of anger
from Cyclone Tracy survivors, the Lord Mayor yesterday confirmed on
the show that the VIP unveiling of the new Kinetic
sculpture has been canceled. The event was due to take
(01:21):
place this afternoon. Now, combat Scalis claim the event had
been canceled due to the Prime Minister Anthony Albanezi being
unable to attend. However, hundreds of protesters were expected to
attend well in protest against the sculpture, which they say
doesn't respect the survivors or those whose lives were lost
(01:41):
in the natural disaster. A group of survivors is calling
on the Council to return the money to the Federal
and Northern Territory governments, some even calling for the Mayor
to resign. Now, you know what I think is so
important to acknowledge here is the impact that Cyclone Tracy
(02:01):
has had on so many Territorians, not only Cyclone Tracy survivors,
not only those who've lost family members, but to be honest,
right around Australia. This is one of the biggest natural
disasters that we have ever experienced.
Speaker 5 (02:19):
Indeed, Katie, look, I don't have much of an opinion
of what's gone on in Darwin, but what I saw
in Parliament just yesterday morning we had a ministerial statement
a debate about Cyclone Tracy, and the level of emotion
(02:39):
around that in the room was incredible and it struck me, Katie,
that Darwin is moving into this period of commemorating the
fiftieth anniversary of Cyclone Tracy. Do not underestimate the level
of emotion of people throughout Darwin and Australia. People will
(03:05):
express their emotions in all sorts of different ways, mainly
in sadness, expressing it in sadness, but also in other
ways like anger. So I think my advice would be
to people is to be kind, be patient, and be
mindful of the traumatic impact this event had on so
(03:30):
many people, not just within Darwin but beyond.
Speaker 2 (03:34):
And I would have to one hundred percent say Robin
is spot on there, because yesterday I did live in
Darwin before Cycling Tracy, but left I read out a
speech from a girlfriend's mother and it was really tough.
And you know, the Member for Nelson lived through it
(03:55):
and it was heart wrenching listening to that. And I
think the council has they said they'd consulted, and you
know what they do up here. I'm the Member for Catherine,
not in Darwin, but I've certainly listened to a lot
of talk around it, and I think they totally missed
the mark and absolutely underestimated the emotion that it would
(04:17):
bring two people. It is a big event, just like
the Catherine flood was a huge event in Catherine, and
I think it is going to.
Speaker 6 (04:27):
Be a very emotional.
Speaker 2 (04:28):
All those celebrations that they're going to have, especially the
one on Christmas Day, I think, yeah, it will be
very emotional.
Speaker 1 (04:36):
I one hundred percent agree. And Selena, you're a Northern
Territory girl. You've been here your whole life. I believe
were your parents here.
Speaker 4 (04:45):
My parents are living in Bachelor at the time, so
a lot of the runway at the Bachelor airport was
used to bring in supplies and to evacuate people in
and out of the Northern Territory because the Darwin obviously
airport unusable at the time. So I've heard different stories
and obviously long term residents.
Speaker 3 (05:05):
We know that there's been a lot of trauma.
Speaker 4 (05:07):
I think very wise words that Robin shared with us
this this morning, and I think the intention of the
council has been honorable. But unfortunately, you know, we know
that there's a lot of emotion attached to any type
of trauma in the Northern Territory, and even fifty years on,
you know, we are seeing that raw trauma and emotion
come out. And I think there needs to be a
commemoration of such an important and historic and traumatic event
(05:31):
in the Northern Territory. But I think that the estimation,
underestimation of how much it means to people to have
that commemoration in the territory has been missed unfortunately.
Speaker 3 (05:43):
But I do believe that, you.
Speaker 4 (05:45):
Know, the intention was honorable and very well meaning, but
unfortunately it has caused a lot of disunity in the
community because people are not happy about the way things
were done with that goodwill intention.
Speaker 1 (06:00):
And you know, there are times, as all three of
you know, in a political career where you have to go, Okay,
well maybe I've made a misstep here, and you know,
maybe there does need to be an acknowledgment of that
misstep and I just wonder why the Council's sort of
hesitant to do that at this point. I can only
assume that it is because such a phenomenal amount of
(06:21):
money has obviously been invested into this kinetic sculpture. And look,
I know that there'll be some people who agree with
the kinetic sculpture, but we are being inundated with messages
phone calls every day, people saying that they do not
feel that it reflects the event that Cyclone Tracy was,
nor do they feel that it truly represents, you know,
(06:44):
the resilience that Darwin has shown in rebuilding. And we
know artwork will demonstrate, you know, or certainly bring out
different feelings for everybody. But I do feel that the
Council's made a misstep here, and sometimes the best thing
that you can do is ignore.
Speaker 2 (07:01):
I think you are correct there, Katie. I've listened to
the commentary around it from the council, I've listened to
the mayor speaking, and I am I am surprised that
there has not been some apology of Okay, we got
this wrong, or admission of getting it wrong, because I
(07:21):
you know, I get emails almost on a daily basis
about people's you know, discontent with what's going on. The
most significant sculpture for me, and I think correct me
if I'm wrong, is the twisted metal at Sanderson Middle.
Speaker 1 (07:39):
I think it's either casual.
Speaker 6 (07:42):
Senior College.
Speaker 2 (07:43):
I know, I know I've seen it, but that to
me tells an incredible story of the ferosty and just
the damage that was left behind, let alone all the
photos that you see out there. That that is something
I think it more worthy of, you know something in
(08:03):
that in along those lines.
Speaker 1 (08:05):
Well, look, we might take a really quick break because
when we come back there is so much to cover
off from throughout the week, and I know up for
discussion this morning, there's been talk of a poly pay
rise passing through, so I'll find out more about that
in just a couple of moments. You are listening to
Mix one oh four nine's three sixty. It is the
week that was, Well, it is indeed the week that was.
(08:26):
If you've just joined us in the studio this morning,
We've got Robin Lamley, Joe Hersey and Selena Yubo. Now
we have got a lot to discuss this week. I
think whenever Parliament sits, there certainly is a lot to
discuss but I have learned overnight that there's been a
pay rise for our Northern Territory politicians. As I understand it,
a lot of people hearing this maybe for the first
(08:47):
time this morning and thinking, goodness, may I'm living through
a cost of living crisis and our politicians are getting
a pay rise. But there was no increase in the
basic wage for the four years from twenty nineteen to
twenty twenty two. As I understand it, during the period,
the NT basic salary dropped well below the average basic
(09:07):
salary for all other states and territory jurisdictions. So how
exactly did this all sort of like, how does it
all kind of roll through? I guess, you know, for
the Territorians to understand.
Speaker 5 (09:21):
So every year the Remuneration Tribunal, which is a group
of three people at the moment appointed by the government,
decide what our entitlements will be as members of Parliament,
and this report that they produce every twelve months is
tabled routinely in Parliament at this time of year, so
(09:43):
the changes come into effect as of the first of January.
The table for this year, sorry, the report for this
year was tabled in Parliament last night and it does
include a polypay rise. Now this is always content.
Speaker 4 (10:00):
Says you.
Speaker 5 (10:00):
As you say, because people get to decide that whether
or not they think where you are pay rise. But look,
I've come out before when this has been debated and
in support of politicians getting fair pay rises like other workers.
(10:20):
As you said, Katie, we didn't have a pay rise
for four years from twenty nineteen to twenty twenty two.
That came off the back of COVID. The former government
felt that it was an austerity measure that we should
all have our pays frozen. That's fine if you're a
minister and you're well paid, like the three of us
are Opposition Leader, Minister and now Speaker. But a lot
(10:44):
of people in that chamber sit on that very basic wage,
which has been about one hundred and sixty five. It's
now going up to one hundred and seventy five, which
is about a four to five percent increase. Those people
have often taken a pay cut to come into politics.
They've got families, they've got commitments, they've got loans, and
(11:05):
that pay grade, even though it's a lot of money,
sits well below the lowest level of executive officer within
the Northern territory government. And I argue that these people
in particular need to have their incremental pay rise. Is
just like every public servant because they work hard, they
(11:26):
work long hours and they are face scrutiny, scrutiny, a
level of scrutiny like no other. So I support this.
It may not be good timing, it may not be
a good look, but I think it's a fair thing.
Speaker 1 (11:39):
So when did it So did it pass through this week?
Speaker 5 (11:43):
It was tabled in Parliament last night and it'll come
into effect Katie on the first of January.
Speaker 4 (11:49):
So every RTD renuneration tribunal determination is tabled, as Robin said,
usually the last sittings week of the year and it's
usually a couple of weeks until it's actually in force,
which is the first of January that'll come into effect.
Speaker 2 (12:03):
And also the Chief Minister did speak to the Opposition leader.
Speaker 6 (12:08):
About this and we do share the view that.
Speaker 2 (12:12):
This is an independent tribunal and should be respected, as
in the case with independence of other remuneration tribunals look
in other jurisdictions.
Speaker 6 (12:22):
Yeah, I think it brings us up to.
Speaker 5 (12:24):
Just so we're on our average, Yeah, we're just below
the average of all state and territory jurisdictions, which is
where we should be.
Speaker 1 (12:31):
I do believe that politicians need to be renumerated appropriately.
I think, how on earth are you going to actually
encourage good people to want to be in politics if
they're not paid well, However, one hundred and seventy five
thousand dollars to the everyday territory and seems like a
heck of a lot of money. And so I think
that I would say to all of our politicians, and
(12:51):
I know that you three are incredibly hard working, but
to all of our politicians, you know, whatever you're getting paid,
you are getting paid to represent territorians in your electorate.
You know, make sure you never forget that. Make sure
you don't stop listening to them, because to the average
person listening this morning, one hundred and seventy five thousand
dollars seems like a heck of a lot of money.
Speaker 2 (13:12):
Yeah, that's right, Katie, and I think what we also
have to we have a responsibility to work hard.
Speaker 6 (13:19):
And I know that the three of us do work hard.
Speaker 2 (13:22):
And if the community or the constituents don't think you are,
they can beat you out at the next election. So
you know, that's where they can have their say.
Speaker 1 (13:32):
Well, and this is what we've seen, right, you know,
like no seat is safe anymore. That is you know,
that is the case right across the Northern Territory, right
across Australia. I think, and like I said, I you know,
I do think that politicians need to be paid a
reasonable amount of money. Otherwise you're not going.
Speaker 3 (13:47):
To get experienced guy you get monkey's Yeah, that's exactly right.
Speaker 1 (13:51):
But look, just to put it into perspective, Mark from
Darwin said, Hi, Katie, I love Robin Lamley, but one
hundred and sixty five thousand dollars a very basic wage.
Speaker 6 (13:59):
That is of touch.
Speaker 3 (14:00):
There's Mark from Darwin.
Speaker 5 (14:02):
Well, I guess it isn't a basic wage. And I'm
sorry if I actually said that. What I'm saying is
it's well below the executive a level of paid that
Northern Territory government, some Northern Territory government employees get. So
that's one hundred and sixty five or one hundred and
seventy five now is like an AO seven or eight
(14:24):
something like that. It's interesting when you're a minister. I
remember years ago sitting around a table with executives and
me as the minister, I as the minister, was the
lowest paid person sitting around the table. That's what you
compare it to, Katie. So when you're talking about new
members of Parliament who've come in from an IT background,
(14:45):
a professional background, getting paid a lot more than that
now sitting on what is not a particularly high level
for an executive, I think you just have to put
that into perspective. But I'm not saying that this is
pean arts. It's still a lot of money, but I
think it's fair when you look at the public service
(15:07):
pay grades.
Speaker 2 (15:08):
So just to add to that, Katie coming from private
business into this role, I think for Territorians to maybe
understand is that the role of a member of Parliament,
you're on call seven days a week, you know, twenty
four hours a day. And obviously we put ourselves up
(15:31):
to do that, and I'm not making a complaint about
that at all, but you work a lot more hours
than say I was working in my private business, where I,
you know, could have the flexibility of doing whatever I like.
But in saying that I love what I do, I
think we all love what we do and we certainly
don't do this for the money.
Speaker 6 (15:48):
That is for sure.
Speaker 1 (15:49):
Well, look it's always going to be a tough sell
because the text line is blowing up so much money,
you know, for a lot of normal people, it does
seem like an awful lot of But look, we are
going to move along because when we talk about, you know,
the pays of our politicians, we do also have to
bear in mind that you are making decisions about people's
(16:10):
lives every single day. You are, you know, pushing policy
in certain directions that shapes the Northern Territory. And one
of the areas this week that has absolutely made headlines
right around the nation as it should, is the fact
that the coroner, Elizabeth Armitage, handed down her findings into
the death of four Indigenous Territory women now. The coroner
(16:31):
made thirty five recommendations in total, including calling for a
significant funding boost to the sector, including for frontline emergency
service responses and women's shelters Now. She also recommended that
a peak body and ongoing specialist training for frontline workers,
and a permanent NT Police DV unit be established. She
(16:53):
called on the government to immediately release the one hundred
and eighty million dollars in in funding.
Speaker 6 (17:00):
Now.
Speaker 1 (17:00):
I do want to read the words as well of
the coroner that you know, she said that many of
the recommendations are not radical and that a lot of
the evidence are issues which have previously been raised. She said, though,
there really is no way to turn this around unless
those perpetrating the violence change. She said, it lies with
(17:22):
the men who are choosing to use violence. They must
stop blaming someone else. They must take responsibility and change
their attitudes and behaviors. And we spoke to John Patterson
earlier in the week from am Sad. I was you know,
he stood up and he said to those out there
listening this morning, if you are perpetrating this kind of violence,
(17:45):
you need to stop. And you know, I to have
a really highly respected, tough Aboriginal man standing up saying
this is enough, This has to end. I think we
need to see more of it from right across, you know,
right across, no matter where you come from. It's not
(18:05):
good enough. It's utterly heartbreaking.
Speaker 2 (18:08):
Were the Member for Malka in parliament say this is
not our culture and he stood up and spoke on
that as well. And I'd just like to say, Katie,
you know that the review took the inquest sorry began
seventeen months ago, and the Minister did stand up in
Parliament this week and say that she would, you know,
(18:29):
it would take.
Speaker 6 (18:30):
Time to address you know, the outcomes of that.
Speaker 2 (18:35):
It's critical that the current programs are appropriately assessed and
the service providers are given clear direction around expected outcomes
that are measurable and that demonstrate programs are achieving the
desired result, i e. A decreased in domestic violence, and
we've had an eighty one or eighty two percent increase
in domestic violence in Catherine alone. Katie, we have had
(18:58):
four women in the last two months die of domestic violence.
It is absolutely shocking and heartbreaking to hear that, and
it just more work needs to be done.
Speaker 6 (19:10):
We have said this week that we would in a
bipartisan approach.
Speaker 2 (19:15):
There has been a letter written to the federal Minister
for them to come up to the Terrans.
Speaker 3 (19:20):
Katie.
Speaker 4 (19:21):
We're really proud to have led that bipartisan approach. So
we now have Labor opposition, the CLP, government and the
cross Bench all agree to have a united front because
we know that this issue transcends politics in the Northern Territory.
We want to see action now. That's what the DV
sector's calling for. That's what the Northern Territory community is
calling for. That's absolutely what Coroner Amitage released today in
(19:43):
her recommendations. The blueprint is there, the one hundred and
eighty million dollars to fund the DV sector properly and
resource the It's just scratching the surface to be honest, Katie,
But that blueprint has been made by the DV sector.
The CLP hasn't real least a single cent yet and
we don't understand why because the blueprints there.
Speaker 3 (20:04):
It's not a labor blueprint, Katie.
Speaker 4 (20:05):
This was work that was done by the experts in
the field, by people who deal with the trauma of
supporting territories with DV and family violence right across the NT.
They really want to see this resource. We do as well.
We need to see the action. We don't want to
hear from the Minister, like we did in Parliament this
week that oh we need to take a step back
and have a look at this, that the work's been done. Essentially,
(20:28):
this is something people can act on now. We want
to see our government act on this now. We want
to see COLP commit the dollars because we've seen money
moved around already in the last couple of months.
Speaker 3 (20:38):
It's possible. We just need to make sure the will's
there as well as the action.
Speaker 2 (20:41):
But it also, sorry to tell, it is also clear
that the current approach to dealing with the domestic violence
scourge is not working.
Speaker 4 (20:50):
That's why the blueprints there and it needs to be
fun as Katie.
Speaker 2 (20:53):
You've seen an increase in under the previous labor government.
So the Minister was very clear.
Speaker 4 (20:59):
In taking a step back, which is ridiculous, that we
need action down to the sector. People are dying.
Speaker 2 (21:05):
We can not spend good money after bad it is.
We do need more funding for this, and.
Speaker 3 (21:12):
But we need action, Joe. We absolutely need action on this.
Speaker 5 (21:15):
I get sick of hearing about yes, we need action,
the posturing. I think all of the messaging around this
is really quite peculiar, Katie. It always strikes me how
people are so willing to jump up and down, which
(21:36):
of course makes us feel like we're doing something. But
yet the real problem is what you said before. It's
about these men, primarily men that are bashing and killing
their women. One hundred and eighty million or one hundred
and fifty million is cleaning up after the fact, how
do you prevent this from happening? I don't know the
(21:56):
answer to that, and.
Speaker 3 (21:57):
The CV sector does right there any.
Speaker 5 (22:00):
People many because the problem has increased, Selena, mainly under
your watch over the last eight years. I have to say,
how do you stop someone in their own home bashing
and killing their partner or their family member. It's like suicide.
It's one of those insidious things that you have to
try and control through education and awareness. But at the
(22:23):
end of the day, how do you get to that
place where you can stop that from happening. All you
can do is ask and hope and pray and educate people.
I think that despite the fact that it's become front
and center in the media in the public, we are
getting nowhere with this and I don't feel any sense
(22:44):
of confidence about how we're moving forward. It was wonderful
to see this bipartisan agreement in Parliament on Wednesday around
how we approach it, but what's it actually going to achieve.
I mean, everyone's going to have a talk first and
beat their fists on the but you know the reality
is this problem is getting worse and I don't think
we've nailed it yet.
Speaker 7 (23:05):
Selena, I think we haven't made it, which is why
we need to continue to highlight is exactly, Robert, we
need to highlight this issue and get through all that crap,
get through the talk, actually see some action.
Speaker 4 (23:17):
Fund the DV sector properly, which is what, like I said,
the one hundred and eighties literally just scratching the surface. Robert,
fund it properly. Make sure that we need space funded
in the territory. We have never been needspace funding the
territory for the DV sector. We absolutely need to be
and that's what the bipartisan approach will be continued to finish.
Speaker 2 (23:36):
It's not stopping, it's not going to stop, but there
the last eight years we have seen an increase under
your watch, Selena, because.
Speaker 3 (23:43):
We're not funded properly.
Speaker 4 (23:45):
Joe, how can we do things if we're not funded
properly in the Northern Territory.
Speaker 3 (23:48):
It's not a political issue. This is territory women that
are dying, Joe.
Speaker 4 (23:51):
You just said yourself, territory women who were dying, and
we're saying, oh, let's take a step back and think
about this.
Speaker 3 (23:57):
What is there to think about? What's the worst we
could do. We're going to save it territory in women's life.
Speaker 6 (24:01):
But as Minister Carl said in this we're not.
Speaker 4 (24:05):
Now because we're doing exactly what we're doing now. We're
just talking.
Speaker 2 (24:08):
The proper process needs to be followed to make sure
that the money is hitting the mark.
Speaker 3 (24:15):
The money is not enough anyway.
Speaker 1 (24:18):
In a previous interview i'd done with the domestic violence
sector just a month or so ago, I have been
told that we're in a situation at the moment where
for some women what they what they have is like
a security camera outside their home so that if somebody
then if the perpetrator does turn.
Speaker 3 (24:33):
Up to their house, that's home. That's yes. So that's
part of it.
Speaker 1 (24:37):
And then the other part of it is that there's
actually not enough for those like there's not enough funding
for women that are in those situations to actually be
able to get something like that. You know, to me,
that's a terrible situation. And Selena, the point you've made
there is a really valid one. That's if they've got
a home. The other thing I do want to say
is that I grew up in a family that's that's
(25:00):
a male dominated family. You know my dad, my you
know my mum and dad Obviously both raised us, but
my dad was a very prominent part of how myself
and my two brothers were raised. Now, if either of
my brothers put their hands on a woman, I don't
know exactly what my father's response would be. And I
know that not everybody grows up in a home like that.
(25:23):
I totally understand that, but I do think that there
needs to be a real push from blokes that this
is not okay. It is not okay to put your
hands on a woman, like you've said, Robin, and you know,
and I really like what you said Joe earlier that
in Parliament this week. You know that there was those
comments that this is not you know, this is not
(25:45):
part of culture because it's not right, like it's it's appalling.
And that was why, you know, when when we spoke
to John Patterson earlier in the week as well, I thought,
this is the kind of thing that we need to
be hearing every single day.
Speaker 5 (26:00):
May not be a part of the culture of Aboriginal people,
but it has become probably the biggest social problem that
Aboriginal people are facing. And I'm the facts speak for themselves.
Our prisons are full of people that have perpetrated domestic violence.
I think we have to be more extreme and a
bit more colorful around this. I think we should be
(26:21):
putting them all in pink overalls, these perpetrators of domestic violence,
and displaying them publicly, humiliating them, putting them through the
pain and suffering that they're putting women and children through.
I think we are still tiptoeing around the edges with this.
These people are pigs, They're violent, and you can give
(26:43):
every excuse in the world for this sort of behavior.
A lot of policy around this is driven by people's guilt.
They don't want to name and shame. They don't want
to really look at what the problem is and who's
perpetrating it. And I think that there are so many
well meaning people working in their DV sector, but we
still haven't really got to the to really addressing this problem.
Speaker 2 (27:08):
And I think also I would like to see a
lot of organizations and a lot of aboriginal organizations come
out and call this out, as the Member for Malka
did in parliament this week, because as Robin has said,
you know, the the the evidence speaks for itself. You know,
it is a scourge on our society.
Speaker 6 (27:32):
There are a lot of men and some women that
you know commit domestic.
Speaker 5 (27:37):
Vast majority of men and the vast majority in the
Northern Territory are Aboriginal people and that's not play around
with that. That's the facts, and you.
Speaker 1 (27:47):
Know we need to it's like, this is the Aboriginal
and victims and that's you know, the horrifying part as
well for me as somebody who works in the media,
is that that doesn't even make headlines around the nation.
Speaker 2 (28:00):
And for women killing Catherine in the last couple of months, Katie,
and not as much as a headline almost.
Speaker 4 (28:08):
It's disgusting, which is why we need to act now, Katie.
And regardless of what people think has or hasn't happened
in the past, this is the chance for the territory
to come together to draw the line in the sand
say we're moving forward together. We're demanding urgent action, not
stepping back and having a look and taking our time.
Urgent action now so we can save lives.
Speaker 6 (28:28):
Well, that's why the Chief Minister has written to the federal.
Speaker 4 (28:30):
And that's why we need that one hundred and eighty
million dollars that the CLP government promise out the door
so we can actually see those programs that Robin talks about.
We can actually see a difference when we're scratching the
surface of this horrific issue and traumatic issue for the
Northern Territory.
Speaker 1 (28:44):
We're going to take a really quick break. You are
listening to Mix one O four nine's three sixty.
Speaker 3 (28:49):
It is the week that was.
Speaker 1 (28:50):
You are listening to Mix ONEOW four point nine three sixty.
It is the week that was. Now if you have
just joined us, we've got Selena Yubo, We've got Joe
Hersey and indeed Robin Labley the studio. Now we know
that the COLP government remains firm on scrapping the alcohol
floor price, despite concerns from some that it is going
to result in harm. Now we know the People's Action
(29:12):
are the People's Alcohol Action Coalition spokesperson Doctor John Boffer
had joined us earlier in the week and said that
the floor price has resulted in a reduction in hospital
admissions in Alice Springs, adding that it's difficult to understand
why a government whose top priority is supposedly to lower
crime rates, including domestic violence, would remove the minimum unit price.
(29:32):
But I've got to tell you not a lot of
support for it. Not being scrapped from our listeners, Like
a lot of our listeners are saying, well, Katie, we've
got all these different alcohol restrictions in place. What works?
You know, what doesn't work? And does having a minimum
floor price actually work? Now? Doctor Boffer said that there
is evidence to support that it does work. I mean,
(29:56):
what's everybody's taste not?
Speaker 6 (29:58):
I think there's not.
Speaker 5 (30:00):
On Boffer, I've grown to respect. We've worked side by side,
sometimes hand in hand for several decades now, and I
agree with him now on a lot of his positions
when it comes to alcohol policy. But I dispute what
he says there there is no evidence to suggest that
(30:21):
the floor price works because when the study was done
in Alice Springs, it coincided with a raft of other
alcohol strategies being implemented, and it was impossible to pull
out which one was working and which one wasn't working,
and which one was working better than the others. So
I would maintain that the floor price has had a minimal,
(30:45):
if any impact on the consumption of alcohol.
Speaker 6 (30:48):
Do you reckon?
Speaker 5 (30:49):
Though?
Speaker 1 (30:49):
We could see things blow up once it is scrapped,
like we saw in Alice Springs, when the stronger futures
legislation ended.
Speaker 4 (30:56):
It's going to make I think a deeaper and easier
access for our problem drinkers, Katie. And that's where the
alcohol fueled harm across the territory. If GG becomes cheaper
to drink than water, then what do we expect is
going to happen across our communities.
Speaker 6 (31:11):
I think that's not going to happen that it's going to.
Speaker 3 (31:14):
Be very happy to be proven. Joe, very happy to
be proven.
Speaker 2 (31:18):
Hasn't taken into consideration that two days alcohol venues in
Alice Springs are closed everywhere across the.
Speaker 3 (31:26):
I think he knows. I think he advocated for it.
Didn't he think absolutely?
Speaker 6 (31:31):
He hasn't taken a chat to.
Speaker 3 (31:32):
Him and give him a call, Joe.
Speaker 6 (31:34):
The thing is right across the territory.
Speaker 2 (31:36):
Whether you're in Alice, Tenant Creek, Catherine or here in Darwin,
the hours are totally different. We've also seen you can
only get cask wine here in Darwin. You cannot get
cask wine in Catherine, Tenant or Ella Springs having for
years in ours, so you haven't in a plastic bottle
(31:58):
you can't now and all this is done is shift
people onto harder spirits which are in a glass bottle,
which now can be smashed and used as a weapon,
which I have seen in my community numerous times.
Speaker 3 (32:10):
So let's make it cheaper and easier to access. You know,
we've seen, is that what you're saying, Joe.
Speaker 6 (32:15):
Eight percent in the past eight years under labor.
Speaker 1 (32:18):
Of Some of the people that contact me are actually
people that are maybe seenors that want to be able
to get a bottle of wine or you know, like
a bottle of wine or I don't know whether you
get there's a cask or something that.
Speaker 3 (32:30):
Is a little bit cheaper after until after you.
Speaker 1 (32:33):
Know, something that is a little bit cheaper, and they
do feel as though it's a piece of legislation that's
impeded on their lives when they're drinking responsibly. Look to me,
you know what, I'm not a big drinker, so I
couldn't care less if we weren't allowed to drink five
days a week and you can only get a bottle
of wine on a Friday, I'd be like, no worries.
But I know that for a lot of people, they
don't feel that way, and I totally understand territory.
Speaker 2 (32:56):
A lot of people, sorry, Selena, I will stop in
a minute. But the flaw price punishes the majority for
the actions of a few, and that's actually where I
think it doesn't work either. And as I said before,
we've seen alcohol related assaults increased by thirty eight percent
under labor over the last eight years. And people are
not drinking less, they have just changed what they drink,
(33:18):
as I've said, to go onto more hardened spirits.
Speaker 3 (33:21):
Like Katie is.
Speaker 4 (33:22):
It really doesn't make sense that we're talking about you know,
we've just spoken very heavily and it is a heavy
topic and traumatic topic when we talk about domestic famine,
sexual violence in the Northern Territory in the horrific numbers
and the horrific outcomes and impact across the NT, and
then we talk about alcohol exacerbating a lot of the
circumstances that we see across the Northern Territory. We've seen
(33:45):
the very strong words of the coroner. Recommendation five was
about reducing the availability of alcohol in that In those
thirty five recommendations, we talk about the absolute harm that
is caused by access to easy and cheap grog and
that's you know, it is from problem drinkers. We know
that we acknowledge that territorians do deserve to have and
(34:07):
enjoy their drink do it responsibly. But we can't have
this conversation say oh, what's happening around alcohol related violence
and oh, actually we've got some anecdotal evidence here. There
is clear data and statistics from Abetual Congress, from the
Independent Researcher School of Mensi's Health, and the government is
ignoring that very clear evidence. So we say, what drives policy,
(34:30):
what drives laws of the Northern Territory, what drives these
regulations around grog? And it has to be data and statistics, Katie,
and people don't feel like it's made a difference, but
the data speaks to otherwise. So the government can't pick
and choose what data they want to look at just
because it makes them feel better.
Speaker 1 (34:46):
That will also be led by what territorians.
Speaker 4 (34:51):
Want think that I really honestly am trying to wrap
my head around. We talk about the d TV sector
and funding the DV sector and the SEALPIC government says, yes,
we need to take a step back and have a
proper review, but they've been in for three months and
they're automatically wanting to scrap the mim and floor price
unit without a review not working without a review, Katie.
(35:13):
That's the difference, right. They're saying review the DV sector
and the thirty five recommendations from the coroner. But we'll
actually forge ahead and do this change here around alcohol,
but we won't do a review process.
Speaker 3 (35:24):
So where's the equity there?
Speaker 6 (35:26):
So, as I've said, where's the equity there? Related assaults
have increased by.
Speaker 4 (35:29):
Thirty where's your alcohol review? Then to to Shaw, what
should be working? Because that's what you've said for the
DV sector while you're doing.
Speaker 3 (35:35):
That for the alcohol industry, it doesn't make sense.
Speaker 1 (35:39):
I don't wonder if we need I mean, how long
ago was the Riley review? It was a while ago
now seventeen, Yeah, So I do wonder whether we're at
the point where we need another alcohol we do, you reckon?
Speaker 5 (35:50):
We probably do. A new government should probably review all before.
Speaker 3 (35:54):
They make any changes to alcohol policy.
Speaker 1 (35:56):
That the big lines are lighting up, So you've got
everyone going this morning, lady.
Speaker 5 (36:01):
The responsible drinkers being front and center when it comes
to alcohol policy. Twenty years ago in Alice Springs, Alice
Springs has we all know the strongest and the biggest
raft of alcohol restrictions. Probably in the country, we're used
to being restricted when it comes to buying alcohol, buying
(36:24):
our opening hours. Everyone knows the story, so we kind
of accept the fact that this is the world we
live in. Alcohol is our greatest problem, probably just in
front of domestic violence. So we accept that. But what
I don't accept is things that don't work. And I
(36:47):
don't think the floor price has been particularly effective, at
least in Alice Springs. It hasn't. However, I will say
that before the floor price was brought in Alice Springs,
liquor had an agreement to not sell certain products and
not sell they bought in their own floor price to
some extent, so and I think that changed the landscape
(37:10):
in Alice Springs. So when the actual floor price was
bought in, it didn't make any difference to Alice Springs.
Speaker 2 (37:16):
So but I think also remembering that the floor price
has only seen a minimal Reduction's got a reduction, well
minimum a reduction, a minor reaction.
Speaker 3 (37:28):
Are they going to scratch?
Speaker 6 (37:32):
We are going to have to move along.
Speaker 1 (37:34):
We are going to have to move along very quickly, ladies.
I do just want to briefly discuss the fact that
the government has announced that they are going to be
providing additional funding to Legal Aid NT ensuring that the
justice system is efficient, fit for purpose and capable of
delivering high quality legal services to territory. And so now
I want to touch on this because it is something
(37:54):
that we've spoken about on the week, that was on
numerous occasions. So essentially what the Attorney General has said
is that there's going to be an extra five point
two three five million dollars in funding for Legal Aid
that's going to comprise of one point three to three
five million already allocated, three point nine million being reprioritized
from within the AG's office. And we also know that
(38:17):
a NAJA, so she's said recent developments with the North
Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency may mark a turning point after
more than two years of instability. She said, NAJA has
been in shambles, with widespread calls for the board's resignation
from the government and the sector. We understand that NAJA
held its AGM earlier this week to refresh its constitution
(38:40):
and renew its board. While we await formal confirmations of
the outcomes, we expect the entire board has stepped down
to enable a fresh start. Does anyone know if that
happened or not.
Speaker 4 (38:53):
I'm hoping I have heard, but I had the information
Katie that yes, I think all you know have to
get back to in your listeners. But I've heard that
all bar one of the board has stepped down and
only one remains and it'll be a new board. So
that's the only information I have in terms of not
no names.
Speaker 1 (39:11):
Well, look, that's the right thing to do.
Speaker 2 (39:13):
I spoke to the Attorney General this morning and asked
for an update on that and she hadn't heard that.
But if that's happened, well, I think that's a good thing.
But what we know, Katie, is that over many years,
the demand, the demand has increased due to the labour's
crime crisis.
Speaker 6 (39:27):
We know that it's going to increase labor now now
we are trying to fix it. There has been an
increase in that funding. You know.
Speaker 2 (39:35):
In addition, the broken justice system which sits between the
police and corrections, it.
Speaker 6 (39:40):
Does need reforms and the Attorney General.
Speaker 3 (39:42):
Is very different things.
Speaker 1 (39:45):
Yeah, well that's right. I mean there are two very
different things obvious, well not entirely, but you know, the
Najer issue is one thing, but then obviously legal.
Speaker 4 (39:53):
Legal a Katie, you know, the legal services in the
Northern Territory are the responsibility of the federal government in
terms of the funding. And again it's another area that
we are not funded properly for the territory. But our
territory opposition does welcome the injection that the CLPA government
has given to anti legal aid, but we find that
the again the hypocrisy of being able to get money
(40:16):
out the door for one thing and not for the
DV sector that one hundred and eighty million dollars is
also counteractive.
Speaker 5 (40:24):
In government has been why didn't you fix up Niger
or push the federal government to fix.
Speaker 4 (40:30):
The federal the federal organizations as well, No Robin, Just
so people do understand the injection that the CEP government
has given is territory money from a territory department into
an organization that should be funded probably by the federal government. Absolutely,
so we welcome that. We do welcome that, but we
need to continue to book pressure and make sure the
(40:52):
territory is not left out when it comes to our legal.
Speaker 3 (40:55):
SEP just like the DV set.
Speaker 1 (40:56):
We'll take a really quick break and then we might
talk a little bit more about that federal funding and
if we might see some changes, because it seems like
they are clearing the decks with legislation yesterday to get
an election going.
Speaker 3 (41:06):
So we'll wait and see.
Speaker 1 (41:07):
You are listening to mix one oh four nine's three
sixty before I let our panel go, if you have
just joined us Robin Lamley, Joe Hersey and Selena Rubo
in the studio with me. But we know that Anthony
Albanez he cleared the decks well for what he is
being described as a fresh agenda ahead of next year's election,
unit using the final full day of Federal Parliament to
(41:29):
ram through more than thirty pieces of legislation. Thirty pieces
of legislation in one day. It's wild, including you know
the social media band for those under the age of sixteen. Look,
it does seem as though they're edging to try and
head to an election early next year.
Speaker 3 (41:46):
What do you reckon?
Speaker 5 (41:47):
Yeah, he's under a lot of pressure. He might try
and hang in there till the end. But I think
the pundits are saying maybe May third of May. I yeh, yesterday, Yeah.
Speaker 1 (42:01):
Right, I don't think as early as February.
Speaker 2 (42:04):
I don't think things are going to get any better
for him.
Speaker 6 (42:06):
Could they get any worse? Potentially get worse. Absolutely, we
know that.
Speaker 1 (42:14):
If there's one thing I've learned in politics, it's like
when someone says things can't get worse, to go, hold
my bee.
Speaker 6 (42:20):
Why did you say that?
Speaker 3 (42:21):
Knock on what?
Speaker 1 (42:24):
But look, you know, however you look at it, it's
a lot of legislation to ram through in one day.
And the thing that I always worry about that kind
of thing, and as we've discussed on this show before,
you know, if you're ramming through legislation that quickly, are
we going to see you know, implications that are negative
because it's been rushed through.
Speaker 3 (42:41):
So time will tell.
Speaker 7 (42:42):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (42:43):
Yeah, the total opposite the Territory parliament this week, Katie,
we had two tiny little bits of legislation go through
in three days and that's a bit of a slow
week in Northern Territory parliament.
Speaker 1 (42:52):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (42:53):
Right, there was a lot going on in parliament this
week with fifty years of them.
Speaker 4 (42:58):
When we talk about laws a part for the territory,
we only got two through.
Speaker 3 (43:02):
So that's a very slow slow week of parliament.
Speaker 1 (43:04):
Well, look, certainly wasn't in Cambri yesterday. By the sounds
of it, I reckon people would have been hoping it
slowed down a little. We are going to have to
wrap up. Celia Rubo, the Opposition leader, Thanks, thank you
Kati this morning. Joe Hersey, the Education Minister, thank you
so much for your time.
Speaker 2 (43:18):
Katie, and Merry Christmas to everyone out there. If I
don't talk to you all beforehand.
Speaker 6 (43:22):
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (43:23):
And Robin Lamley, the Speaker of the Northern Territories Legislative Assembly,
Thank you for your time this morning.
Speaker 5 (43:28):
Thanks Katie.
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