Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Well, as I mentioned a short time ago, we know
that multiple youths are on the run after allegedly driving
dangerously through Catherine in a stolen car this morning. Police
say that the Toyota Highlux was stolen about one forty
this morning, with around ten youth spotted hanging out of
that car and riding in the tray. Authorities set up
a tied deflation device on the Catherine Bridge, stopping the vehicle.
(00:23):
A short time later. Three of the youths were arrested,
but seven managed to flee the scene. Anyone with informations
being urged to contact the Northern Territory Police on one
three to one Triple four. Now Selena Rubo, the Opposition
leader and a Member four Arnham, joins me in the.
Speaker 2 (00:41):
Studio right now.
Speaker 1 (00:42):
Good morning to you Opposition leader, and a very happy birthday.
Speaker 3 (00:46):
First off, good morning Katie, thank you so much, and
good morning to you listeners.
Speaker 1 (00:50):
It's great to have you in the studio ahead of
Parliament sitting.
Speaker 2 (00:53):
It's a massive day. I mean not only.
Speaker 1 (00:55):
Obviously a big day for you, but we also know
that the federal budget it's going to be handed down
this evening. Parliament sitting again in the Northern Territory today,
so there's plenty for us to have a chat about.
But Selena, I want to ask you first off about
this terrible incident from overnight, multiple youths on the run
after allegedly driving dangerously through Catherine in a stolen car.
(01:16):
Police saying that Toyota Highlux was stolen about one forty
this morning, about ten youths spotted hanging out of that
car and riding in the train. Now there's quite a
bit to take in from that story, but my first
instinct is that is so incredibly dangerous.
Speaker 3 (01:35):
Absolutely, Katie, it's very concerning to hear that that incident
has happened just last night, slash this morning, and particularly
in Catherine, my hometown. You know, the danger and the
aspects not just to the general public, but also those
young people who've been found to do the wrong thing.
Speaker 4 (01:52):
You know, a spur of the moment, silly and stupid.
Speaker 3 (01:55):
Decision can lead to tragedy, and we've seen that unfortunately
around the territory, specially on our roads. So that's why
when we're talking about young people and prevention and focusing
not just on the crisis point in those consequences, which
absolutely when someone does the wrong thing, whether it's a
young person or an adult, they have to face a consequence.
(02:16):
But what are the preventions and the programs that are
going to support, particularly young people in the territory to
not make those wrong choices, to have a pathway out
of the justice system, and to make those positive choices
so they can contribute to our community in a positive way.
And that's where our youth programs and the intervention around
that type of behavior is so important.
Speaker 1 (02:38):
Katie Selena, is Catherine going through a bit of a
bad sport at the moment. I mean, it wasn't the
only incident we know that. There was also the day
before yesterday there was a number of cars stolen, as
I understand it, and officers trying to intercept one of
those vehicles that have been stolen the occupants send fleeing
(02:59):
on foot near the.
Speaker 2 (02:59):
Cat and Sports ground.
Speaker 1 (03:01):
It does seem as though these more incidents coming out
of Catherine over the last few weeks.
Speaker 2 (03:06):
Would that be a fair assessment.
Speaker 3 (03:08):
I think what we've heard on the news and what
I've seen in and around Catherine when I've been home,
is that we've seen those spikes. Obviously, it does go
up and down just like any other town or community
in the territory, Katie. But again those programs are being
able to invest in the resources around young people. In particular, Catherine,
we've had very very hot weather. We haven't had a
(03:29):
lot of rain, so you know, people do go a
bit stir crazy and that's not in no way, shape
or form a you know, to get off scot free
for that type of behavior. But in terms of some
of the conditions that we're facing across different parts of
the territory, we need to have those programs for young
people so we can keep them engage, keep them busy,
(03:49):
get them in school, support them in school, and if
they're having issues at home, if they have a home
they're having issues, to make sure that is addressed and
that it's a whole of community response. All right.
Speaker 1 (03:59):
I want to talk to about the plans that the
colp have announced when it comes to reviewing the Territory's
Sacred Sites Act. The opposition I've read believe it is
more the move I should say, is nothing more than
employed to get around traditional owner approval for projects. So
essentially the lands Planning an Environment Minister Joshua Burgoyne said
(04:19):
the government's planning to introduce amendments to the nineteen eighty
nine an Aboriginal Sacred Sites Act when Parliament resumes today.
The Act has not been reviewed in thirty years, despite
an independent review into the Act being completed nearly a
decade ago. Selena, the Minister, said the Sacred Sites Act
hasn't been updated. Any updates are going to strengthen the
(04:42):
protection of sacred sites while ensuring the efficiency of regulatory
processes for the safe development of the Northern Territory. Do
you believe that it needs to be updated, Katie.
Speaker 3 (04:54):
This is really interesting because we know the COLP government
has met with some key stakeholders like the Abriginal Land
Councils here in the Northern Territory who actually represent traditional owners,
but also the Abstual Areas Protection Authority, but they haven't
actually provided any detail or specifics of what they intend
to do when it comes to updating the Sacred Sides Act.
(05:15):
We're quite concerned that, unfortunately, we believe it's becoming a
pattern of the CLP government of not going out for
public consultation and having those processes like the Scrutiny Committee.
They're picking and choosing what legislation goes through that process.
What gets scrutinized what doesn't, Katie, Essentially for listeners to understand.
Speaker 4 (05:34):
So this is a piece of legislation. We believe that, you.
Speaker 3 (05:38):
Know, the CLP, if they want to make some changes
that they want to improve the Act and the laws
that are under the Sacred Sites, they need to be
upfront about what it is they're going to change.
Speaker 2 (05:46):
They told you what they're going to change.
Speaker 3 (05:48):
No, Katie, we have requested some information. We know that
the intention is this week is to introduce those changes.
But when you're not telling your key stakeholders what you
intend to do with the law that governs some very
important parts of the Northern Territory, then you've got to
ask those questions of why they're not telling those key stakeholders,
(06:08):
let alone us.
Speaker 4 (06:09):
Look as members of.
Speaker 1 (06:10):
All I definitely think there needs to be that level
of respect when we talk about sacred sites. But I
know for a lot of people listening, they may also
be thinking, Katie, we've had a situation on a number
of occasions where projects have been held.
Speaker 2 (06:23):
Up or have not gone ahead.
Speaker 1 (06:25):
One of the things that caught everybody's attention, I think
last year was the change to Territory Day at Mindle Beach,
and that a location that had previously been used on
a number of occasions to celebrate Territory Day. They've then
sort of become concerns about there being a sacred side
area or an area there where traditional owners had some
(06:47):
worry about. So I guess to a lot of people listening,
they might be thinking to themselves, well, do we at
the very least need to have a look into this
and see how we might be able to do things
more efficiently or better.
Speaker 3 (06:58):
Yeah, Katie, and that exam Obviously it got work through
last year around Mindle and the fireworks. We know it
was a great community event. But when we're talking about development,
when we're talking about irreversible changes, when it comes to
development in the Northern Territory, all territories, whether they're black
or white, brindle brown, everything in between. Katie, I think
(07:19):
want to know and have comfort that the government is
doing the process and doing it in the right way.
I think that's really important. But when we're talking about
sacred sites, there has to be a multiple There might
have to be a multiple approach to the processes because
it often involves very, very different aspects when it comes
(07:40):
to lands and planning, when it comes to traditional owner consent,
free and prior consent when it comes to development, and
traditional owners also want to develop on their own land Kati,
So people have got to remember that as well.
Speaker 4 (07:52):
So sacred Sites is about the protection.
Speaker 3 (07:54):
The act is about the protection of those very important
custodial sites. If anything happens to those sites, there can't
be any changes. You can't reverse time when something is destroyed.
Speaker 1 (08:05):
Until can you believe that this move is nothing more
than employed to get around traditional owner approval for projects.
Speaker 3 (08:12):
Or Katie Again, we'd like to see what the actual
process is that the COLP government is proposing. The fact
that they haven't told that to land councils or the
Abaginal Areas Protection Authority gives us extremely great concern because
you would expect they would at least be upfront. The
CEP government would at least be up front with those
(08:32):
key stakeholders which this act specifically affects.
Speaker 1 (08:35):
Can you see how some people, I suppose, just following
on from the situation that we'd seen last year with
Santos on the Tiwi Islands or around the Tiwi area,
can you see how some people might feel as though
the goldposts get changed or that you know that some
people and I'm not saying traditional owners, but sometimes you
have a situation where you know, third parties or lawyers
(08:56):
or others get involved and it ends up being you know,
like projects being stopped when they might not necessarily be
the will or the want, or they may actually be
an area you know, that can be developed or utilized.
Speaker 3 (09:11):
Yeah, Kaian again, I go back to the point where
people definitely need to have a say, particularly traditional owners
on country and what the decisions are. But also the
best thing about the territory is everyone does get to
have a say. And when you don't have processes that
provide the opportunity and the safeguards to have that say,
that's when we need to start to worry when it
(09:32):
becomes a my way or the highway process.
Speaker 4 (09:34):
And this is unfortunate.
Speaker 3 (09:35):
What we feel like the COLP government is starting to
show in terms of their true colors. We know territories,
whether it's for a project or against a project, we
know territories want to have their very important say, particularly
when it comes to develop in the territory, and particularly
when it comes to those economic opportunities. So we believe
those those processes should be if they are to be improved,
(09:56):
should definitely be improved. But we don't believe those process
should be removed.
Speaker 1 (10:01):
Well, look, we are going to catch up with the
minister in just a few minutes time. I want to
ask you. I know the COLP obviously took their three
million dollar free swimming lesson policy to last year's territory election,
one hundred and fifty dollars allocated to each Northern Territory
primary school student. It was seen as a great announcement
by many, but I know some in remote communities really
(10:22):
wondering how it's going to happen for them. Last week,
the Opposition asked a series of questions about this in
question Time.
Speaker 2 (10:29):
Why did you raise this and what are the concerns?
Speaker 3 (10:32):
Yeah, Katie, our Labor opposition recognizes and agrees that swimming
is a very important skill, particularly here in the Northern Territory.
In over On loves to enjoy the water, especially on
those very hot days. But what we've asked the we
don't dispute the election commitment that the COLP has took
to the election, and obviously they're in government now, but
what we asked the questions around around the costing. They've
(10:55):
spoken about Minister Hersey, Joehersey, the mempher Catherine has spoken
about but there will be no extra cost to schools.
But what we're uncovering now, Katie, through those questions, through
the consultation with schools not just in remote areas, but
now regional schools outside of Darwin and Palmerston. When on
talking about the top end examples, we're now starting to
(11:16):
hear that schools are being asked to use their school budget,
which is for schooling resources, to pay for this election commitment.
Speaker 4 (11:22):
And there's one region.
Speaker 2 (11:23):
It's not an additional budget. There's not an additional.
Speaker 3 (11:26):
Budget, which is why Katie, we've been asking these questions
of Joe Hersey. She's given us some spin off. She's
keep saying, you know, you don't agree with swimming lessons.
Absolutely we agree with swimming lessons. We just want to
know who is paying for these so called swee free
swimming lessons. And we have a regional school not that
far out of Darwin and Palmerston, Katie, on the Highway
I won't say the name of the school, and they're
(11:48):
being asked to cover the cost of the logistics of
up to six thousand dollars. So that's six thousand dollars
less in their school budget and less in their classrooms
for those students.
Speaker 1 (11:56):
Just to get it really clear in my brain, so
are they being asked to take the swimming lessons and
the transportation of kids out of the school budget is
what you're saying. They're not getting additional funding for those
swimming lessons as had been understood prior to the election.
Speaker 3 (12:11):
So there's two parts there, Katie. Nothing that we understand
for the logistics, so that's whether it's road transport, buses,
charter flights, et cetera, overnight accommodation if you're really really
far from your closest swimming pool. But the department has
as we understand, allocated one hundred and fifty dollars per student.
(12:31):
So that's whether it's a student here in per Op
Primary School who walks down the road to the prep
swimming pool, or one hundred and fifty dollars for a
student on Croker Island who would need to fly in
on a chartered flight to their closest swimming pool, which
would either be Jabbaru or Parmastae.
Speaker 2 (12:47):
I was really going to be able to afford that.
Speaker 4 (12:48):
Absolutely not.
Speaker 3 (12:49):
So we just really want a clear answer from Joe Hersey,
who is the minister. She keeps saying, you know, we've
allocated this money, no school is going to be worse off.
We are now finding that is not the case, Katie.
So we'll can to ask those questions.
Speaker 2 (13:01):
Yeah, we'll see what we can find out as well. Selena.
Before I let you go this morning.
Speaker 1 (13:04):
I do want to ask the federal budget obviously being
handed down tonight. I know you've been very clear right
for a number of years now about wanting some additional funding,
needs based funding when it comes to domestic violence. Are
you expecting that that could be handed down in the
federal budget tonight or what else would Territory labor like
to say?
Speaker 4 (13:21):
Yeah, Katie, that's a big one.
Speaker 3 (13:23):
We know that health wise, we're the least funded for
our hospital services in the country and that's got to
change absolutely when we look at the health data and
statistics here in the Northern Territory. We also know that
domestic violence needs to be funded on a needs base
pro rata rather than the population basis, which unfortunately the
(13:43):
territory has always been funded on in one percent of
the federal budget does not make a difference to us here.
It's merely a drop in the ocean for the Northern territory.
So we want to make sure that whatever the outcomes
are for this federal labor budget, that the territory is
better off. We know, we believe our opposition believes the
territory is always better off when we have a labor government.
(14:04):
At the rains in Canberra, we want to make sure
that those key areas are funded around health and domestic violence.
But we're really hoping that we'll see the continuation of
some great infrastructure funding as well, updating our roads. We've
seen some great improvements for businesses, agribusinesses, our pastoral businesses
who have seen the benefits when our roads do get upgraded,
(14:27):
particularly in those regional areas and continue to be a
hub for economic growth in all the territories. So we
really hope that we will see the continuation of that
work under the budget tonight.
Speaker 1 (14:36):
Well let's wait and see what comes out. Selena Hubo,
the Opposition leader, thank you so much for your time.
Speaker 2 (14:41):
Have a great birthday.
Speaker 4 (14:42):
Thank you very much, Katie, thank you
Well, as I mentioned a short time ago, we know
that multiple youths are on the run after allegedly driving
dangerously through Catherine in a stolen car this morning. Police
say that the Toyota Highlux was stolen about one forty
this morning, with around ten youth spotted hanging out of
that car and riding in the tray. Authorities set up
a tied deflation device on the Catherine Bridge, stopping the vehicle.
(00:23):
A short time later. Three of the youths were arrested,
but seven managed to flee the scene. Anyone with informations
being urged to contact the Northern Territory Police on one
three to one Triple four. Now Selena Rubo, the Opposition
leader and a Member four Arnham, joins me in the.
Speaker 2 (00:41):
Studio right now.
Speaker 1 (00:42):
Good morning to you Opposition leader, and a very happy birthday.
Speaker 3 (00:46):
First off, good morning Katie, thank you so much, and
good morning to you listeners.
Speaker 1 (00:50):
It's great to have you in the studio ahead of
Parliament sitting.
Speaker 2 (00:53):
It's a massive day. I mean not only.
Speaker 1 (00:55):
Obviously a big day for you, but we also know
that the federal budget it's going to be handed down
this evening. Parliament sitting again in the Northern Territory today,
so there's plenty for us to have a chat about.
But Selena, I want to ask you first off about
this terrible incident from overnight, multiple youths on the run
after allegedly driving dangerously through Catherine in a stolen car.
(01:16):
Police saying that Toyota Highlux was stolen about one forty
this morning, about ten youths spotted hanging out of that
car and riding in the train. Now there's quite a
bit to take in from that story, but my first
instinct is that is so incredibly dangerous.
Speaker 3 (01:35):
Absolutely, Katie, it's very concerning to hear that that incident
has happened just last night, slash this morning, and particularly
in Catherine, my hometown. You know, the danger and the
aspects not just to the general public, but also those
young people who've been found to do the wrong thing.
Speaker 4 (01:52):
You know, a spur of the moment, silly and stupid.
Speaker 3 (01:55):
Decision can lead to tragedy, and we've seen that unfortunately
around the territory, specially on our roads. So that's why
when we're talking about young people and prevention and focusing
not just on the crisis point in those consequences, which
absolutely when someone does the wrong thing, whether it's a
young person or an adult, they have to face a consequence.
(02:16):
But what are the preventions and the programs that are
going to support, particularly young people in the territory to
not make those wrong choices, to have a pathway out
of the justice system, and to make those positive choices
so they can contribute to our community in a positive way.
And that's where our youth programs and the intervention around
that type of behavior is so important.
Speaker 1 (02:38):
Katie Selena, is Catherine going through a bit of a
bad sport at the moment. I mean, it wasn't the
only incident we know that. There was also the day
before yesterday there was a number of cars stolen, as
I understand it, and officers trying to intercept one of
those vehicles that have been stolen the occupants send fleeing
(02:59):
on foot near the.
Speaker 2 (02:59):
Cat and Sports ground.
Speaker 1 (03:01):
It does seem as though these more incidents coming out
of Catherine over the last few weeks.
Speaker 2 (03:06):
Would that be a fair assessment.
Speaker 3 (03:08):
I think what we've heard on the news and what
I've seen in and around Catherine when I've been home,
is that we've seen those spikes. Obviously, it does go
up and down just like any other town or community
in the territory, Katie. But again those programs are being
able to invest in the resources around young people. In particular, Catherine,
we've had very very hot weather. We haven't had a
(03:29):
lot of rain, so you know, people do go a
bit stir crazy and that's not in no way, shape
or form a you know, to get off scot free
for that type of behavior. But in terms of some
of the conditions that we're facing across different parts of
the territory, we need to have those programs for young
people so we can keep them engage, keep them busy,
(03:49):
get them in school, support them in school, and if
they're having issues at home, if they have a home
they're having issues, to make sure that is addressed and
that it's a whole of community response. All right.
Speaker 1 (03:59):
I want to talk to about the plans that the
colp have announced when it comes to reviewing the Territory's
Sacred Sites Act. The opposition I've read believe it is
more the move I should say, is nothing more than
employed to get around traditional owner approval for projects. So
essentially the lands Planning an Environment Minister Joshua Burgoyne said
(04:19):
the government's planning to introduce amendments to the nineteen eighty
nine an Aboriginal Sacred Sites Act when Parliament resumes today.
The Act has not been reviewed in thirty years, despite
an independent review into the Act being completed nearly a
decade ago. Selena, the Minister, said the Sacred Sites Act
hasn't been updated. Any updates are going to strengthen the
(04:42):
protection of sacred sites while ensuring the efficiency of regulatory
processes for the safe development of the Northern Territory. Do
you believe that it needs to be updated, Katie.
Speaker 3 (04:54):
This is really interesting because we know the COLP government
has met with some key stakeholders like the Abriginal Land
Councils here in the Northern Territory who actually represent traditional owners,
but also the Abstual Areas Protection Authority, but they haven't
actually provided any detail or specifics of what they intend
to do when it comes to updating the Sacred Sides Act.
(05:15):
We're quite concerned that, unfortunately, we believe it's becoming a
pattern of the CLP government of not going out for
public consultation and having those processes like the Scrutiny Committee.
They're picking and choosing what legislation goes through that process.
What gets scrutinized what doesn't, Katie, Essentially for listeners to understand.
Speaker 4 (05:34):
So this is a piece of legislation. We believe that, you.
Speaker 3 (05:38):
Know, the CLP, if they want to make some changes
that they want to improve the Act and the laws
that are under the Sacred Sites, they need to be
upfront about what it is they're going to change.
Speaker 2 (05:46):
They told you what they're going to change.
Speaker 3 (05:48):
No, Katie, we have requested some information. We know that
the intention is this week is to introduce those changes.
But when you're not telling your key stakeholders what you
intend to do with the law that governs some very
important parts of the Northern Territory, then you've got to
ask those questions of why they're not telling those key stakeholders,
(06:08):
let alone us.
Speaker 4 (06:09):
Look as members of.
Speaker 1 (06:10):
All I definitely think there needs to be that level
of respect when we talk about sacred sites. But I
know for a lot of people listening, they may also
be thinking, Katie, we've had a situation on a number
of occasions where projects have been held.
Speaker 2 (06:23):
Up or have not gone ahead.
Speaker 1 (06:25):
One of the things that caught everybody's attention, I think
last year was the change to Territory Day at Mindle Beach,
and that a location that had previously been used on
a number of occasions to celebrate Territory Day. They've then
sort of become concerns about there being a sacred side
area or an area there where traditional owners had some
(06:47):
worry about. So I guess to a lot of people listening,
they might be thinking to themselves, well, do we at
the very least need to have a look into this
and see how we might be able to do things
more efficiently or better.
Speaker 3 (06:58):
Yeah, Katie, and that exam Obviously it got work through
last year around Mindle and the fireworks. We know it
was a great community event. But when we're talking about development,
when we're talking about irreversible changes, when it comes to
development in the Northern Territory, all territories, whether they're black
or white, brindle brown, everything in between. Katie, I think
(07:19):
want to know and have comfort that the government is
doing the process and doing it in the right way.
I think that's really important. But when we're talking about
sacred sites, there has to be a multiple There might
have to be a multiple approach to the processes because
it often involves very, very different aspects when it comes
(07:40):
to lands and planning, when it comes to traditional owner consent,
free and prior consent when it comes to development, and
traditional owners also want to develop on their own land Kati,
So people have got to remember that as well.
Speaker 4 (07:52):
So sacred Sites is about the protection.
Speaker 3 (07:54):
The act is about the protection of those very important
custodial sites. If anything happens to those sites, there can't
be any changes. You can't reverse time when something is destroyed.
Speaker 1 (08:05):
Until can you believe that this move is nothing more
than employed to get around traditional owner approval for projects.
Speaker 3 (08:12):
Or Katie Again, we'd like to see what the actual
process is that the COLP government is proposing. The fact
that they haven't told that to land councils or the
Abaginal Areas Protection Authority gives us extremely great concern because
you would expect they would at least be upfront. The
CEP government would at least be up front with those
(08:32):
key stakeholders which this act specifically affects.
Speaker 1 (08:35):
Can you see how some people, I suppose, just following
on from the situation that we'd seen last year with
Santos on the Tiwi Islands or around the Tiwi area,
can you see how some people might feel as though
the goldposts get changed or that you know that some
people and I'm not saying traditional owners, but sometimes you
have a situation where you know, third parties or lawyers
(08:56):
or others get involved and it ends up being you know,
like projects being stopped when they might not necessarily be
the will or the want, or they may actually be
an area you know, that can be developed or utilized.
Speaker 3 (09:11):
Yeah, Kaian again, I go back to the point where
people definitely need to have a say, particularly traditional owners
on country and what the decisions are. But also the
best thing about the territory is everyone does get to
have a say. And when you don't have processes that
provide the opportunity and the safeguards to have that say,
that's when we need to start to worry when it
(09:32):
becomes a my way or the highway process.
Speaker 4 (09:34):
And this is unfortunate.
Speaker 3 (09:35):
What we feel like the COLP government is starting to
show in terms of their true colors. We know territories,
whether it's for a project or against a project, we
know territories want to have their very important say, particularly
when it comes to develop in the territory, and particularly
when it comes to those economic opportunities. So we believe
those those processes should be if they are to be improved,
(09:56):
should definitely be improved. But we don't believe those process
should be removed.
Speaker 1 (10:01):
Well, look, we are going to catch up with the
minister in just a few minutes time. I want to
ask you. I know the COLP obviously took their three
million dollar free swimming lesson policy to last year's territory election,
one hundred and fifty dollars allocated to each Northern Territory
primary school student. It was seen as a great announcement
by many, but I know some in remote communities really
(10:22):
wondering how it's going to happen for them. Last week,
the Opposition asked a series of questions about this in
question Time.
Speaker 2 (10:29):
Why did you raise this and what are the concerns?
Speaker 3 (10:32):
Yeah, Katie, our Labor opposition recognizes and agrees that swimming
is a very important skill, particularly here in the Northern Territory.
In over On loves to enjoy the water, especially on
those very hot days. But what we've asked the we
don't dispute the election commitment that the COLP has took
to the election, and obviously they're in government now, but
what we asked the questions around around the costing. They've
(10:55):
spoken about Minister Hersey, Joehersey, the mempher Catherine has spoken
about but there will be no extra cost to schools.
But what we're uncovering now, Katie, through those questions, through
the consultation with schools not just in remote areas, but
now regional schools outside of Darwin and Palmerston. When on
talking about the top end examples, we're now starting to
(11:16):
hear that schools are being asked to use their school budget,
which is for schooling resources, to pay for this election commitment.
Speaker 4 (11:22):
And there's one region.
Speaker 2 (11:23):
It's not an additional budget. There's not an additional.
Speaker 3 (11:26):
Budget, which is why Katie, we've been asking these questions
of Joe Hersey. She's given us some spin off. She's
keep saying, you know, you don't agree with swimming lessons.
Absolutely we agree with swimming lessons. We just want to
know who is paying for these so called swee free
swimming lessons. And we have a regional school not that
far out of Darwin and Palmerston, Katie, on the Highway
I won't say the name of the school, and they're
(11:48):
being asked to cover the cost of the logistics of
up to six thousand dollars. So that's six thousand dollars
less in their school budget and less in their classrooms
for those students.
Speaker 1 (11:56):
Just to get it really clear in my brain, so
are they being asked to take the swimming lessons and
the transportation of kids out of the school budget is
what you're saying. They're not getting additional funding for those
swimming lessons as had been understood prior to the election.
Speaker 3 (12:11):
So there's two parts there, Katie. Nothing that we understand
for the logistics, so that's whether it's road transport, buses,
charter flights, et cetera, overnight accommodation if you're really really
far from your closest swimming pool. But the department has
as we understand, allocated one hundred and fifty dollars per student.
(12:31):
So that's whether it's a student here in per Op
Primary School who walks down the road to the prep
swimming pool, or one hundred and fifty dollars for a
student on Croker Island who would need to fly in
on a chartered flight to their closest swimming pool, which
would either be Jabbaru or Parmastae.
Speaker 2 (12:47):
I was really going to be able to afford that.
Speaker 4 (12:48):
Absolutely not.
Speaker 3 (12:49):
So we just really want a clear answer from Joe Hersey,
who is the minister. She keeps saying, you know, we've
allocated this money, no school is going to be worse off.
We are now finding that is not the case, Katie.
So we'll can to ask those questions.
Speaker 2 (13:01):
Yeah, we'll see what we can find out as well. Selena.
Before I let you go this morning.
Speaker 1 (13:04):
I do want to ask the federal budget obviously being
handed down tonight. I know you've been very clear right
for a number of years now about wanting some additional funding,
needs based funding when it comes to domestic violence. Are
you expecting that that could be handed down in the
federal budget tonight or what else would Territory labor like
to say?
Speaker 4 (13:21):
Yeah, Katie, that's a big one.
Speaker 3 (13:23):
We know that health wise, we're the least funded for
our hospital services in the country and that's got to
change absolutely when we look at the health data and
statistics here in the Northern Territory. We also know that
domestic violence needs to be funded on a needs base
pro rata rather than the population basis, which unfortunately the
(13:43):
territory has always been funded on in one percent of
the federal budget does not make a difference to us here.
It's merely a drop in the ocean for the Northern territory.
So we want to make sure that whatever the outcomes
are for this federal labor budget, that the territory is
better off. We know, we believe our opposition believes the
territory is always better off when we have a labor government.
(14:04):
At the rains in Canberra, we want to make sure
that those key areas are funded around health and domestic violence.
But we're really hoping that we'll see the continuation of
some great infrastructure funding as well, updating our roads. We've
seen some great improvements for businesses, agribusinesses, our pastoral businesses
who have seen the benefits when our roads do get upgraded,
(14:27):
particularly in those regional areas and continue to be a
hub for economic growth in all the territories. So we
really hope that we will see the continuation of that
work under the budget tonight.
Speaker 1 (14:36):
Well let's wait and see what comes out. Selena Hubo,
the Opposition leader, thank you so much for your time.
Speaker 2 (14:41):
Have a great birthday.
Speaker 4 (14:42):
Thank you very much, Katie, thank you
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