Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
You are indeed listening to the week that was.
Speaker 2 (00:02):
It is Friday morning and joining us live in the
studio this morning, where we've got Steve Edgington here is
indeed the Minister for Health.
Speaker 1 (00:10):
Good morning to you are Joe.
Speaker 3 (00:11):
Oh, Good morning Katie, and good morning to all the
people up here in dartwhen it's.
Speaker 1 (00:15):
Great in the studio. How cold is it in Tenant
Creek you reckon today?
Speaker 3 (00:18):
Gee? Beautiful there. It's getting down to about twelve overnight,
but perfect weather about thirty during the day. We're back
to thirty. We did have a cold spell of rain
just the other week, but just perfect good a bit
like darn at the moment. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (00:33):
Nice.
Speaker 2 (00:33):
And Gary ship Way, head of news at the Northern
Territory News, good morning to you.
Speaker 4 (00:37):
Good morning Katie. Another big weekend ahead and massive weekend
the top all across Barunga.
Speaker 2 (00:46):
Yeah you can lent he got a bit of everything
on and speaking of a busy weekend, no doubt, a
very busy one. In Alice Springs where Chancey Paig, the
member of one of the members of the opposition, joins
me this small Good.
Speaker 5 (01:00):
Morning to you, Chancey, Good morning Katie.
Speaker 1 (01:03):
Chancey. All set for fink this weekend.
Speaker 5 (01:07):
Look, it's going to be a think and fabulous weekend.
Speaker 1 (01:11):
Ah is it cold there, mate?
Speaker 5 (01:14):
Oh well, look it's cold for you top enders, but
it's beautiful for us our Central I.
Speaker 1 (01:20):
Bet it is. Well.
Speaker 2 (01:21):
Look, there is so much to cover off on this morning,
and we are going to begin with the terrible news
that we continued to cover over the last week. Territorians,
of course, gathering on the steps of Parliament House for
a vigil earlier this week following the death of a
twenty four year old man in Alice Springs. We know
that Carl Hampden, a woolpery man from Alice Springs, spoke
(01:43):
on behalf of Kumanjai White's family and the EU and
Damou community, saying that members of the community were in pain. Now,
the ABC had reported that he was calling for an
independent well, he was calling for an independent investigation into
midst mister White's death, despite Northern Territory Police having refused
that request.
Speaker 1 (02:03):
We know that there are also calls for.
Speaker 2 (02:05):
CCTV to be released. Chancey, what is the feeling on
the ground at the moment.
Speaker 5 (02:12):
Look, Katie, I think talking to community members and family
members right across Central Australia. People are still very deeply
shaken by the distressing news and I think we've seen
this roll out right across the Northern Territory and the
country with the number of visuals being held this week.
I think, certainly I want to just really acknowledge the
(02:37):
amazing strength and resilience, particularly of the Woldbury communities who've
remained so calm and respectful during this really difficult time.
And I guess there is still a lot of work
and conversations unfolding at the moment around where to from
here and what that looks like. I think certainly there
(03:00):
is a huge volume of work in our community around
rebuilding trust, faith and addressing concerns that people have about
such an important institution in the Northern Territory being the
Northern Territory Police. So I can absolutely understand, Katie why
a number of community members and organizations have been calling
(03:22):
for an independent inquiry as a mechanism to help rebuild
public confidence for particular communities when it comes to the
Northern Territory Police.
Speaker 4 (03:34):
Chancey, you're a former Attorney general. It's Gary Chancey. Sorry,
you look you're a former attorney general. Is that something
you would have advocated for in your ministerial role. I mean,
I take on board it has been wonderful, there's been
so much calm. But I just have a sense that
(03:55):
police wouldn't react to someone to well, to people come
and interfering in what is really a proper play. And
I can understand the call from Marion. She's trying to
diffuse the situation, which is great. I'm just curious though,
it would have been a very difficult decision for you.
Speaker 5 (04:12):
Look, certainly, look, this is a decision that you know,
if I was in the role of the Attorney General,
I wouldn't I'd be excluding myself. I'm related to the
families who are in question at the moment and the
young person who has passed away, So I wouldn't be
in a position to make that decision. But you know,
I guess what we have seen over a short period
(04:33):
of time over the last few years, is a number
of incidences, whether it's that particular community or the larger
kind of population of Aboriginal territories in general, there is
a growing sentiment of you know, concerns growing about this,
and we've seen a number of people give testimony and
(04:56):
evidence in the coronial inquests for commen j Walker, which
is further I think created or raised a number of questions.
So you know, I don't think any organization is equipped
to review itself. So I think, you know, I do
really support and you know, thank Marion and Mulandiri for
offering and encouraging an independent inquiry. I think that there
(05:21):
is certainly work that needs to be done. And look,
one of the things I did when I was in
government was to provide funding through to the Anti Discrimination
Commission to commence those reviews in line with the Aboriginal
Justice Agreement around addressing systemic and internal racism within government departments.
Speaker 2 (05:40):
Now we know that you know the calls obviously from
Marion scrim Jaw, she had said, we've got this challenge
in Central Australia after the deaths of Kumenjai Walker, with
the Northern Territory Police had to investigate one of their
own for the killing of a young woolbery man at
Ewan Demou. Most would say that the process led to
(06:02):
the charging of a serving officer with the most serious
of criminal offenses, demonstrated the agency's integrity and independence, but
many of those involved in the investigation experienced ostracism and
the trial and coronial journey has resulted in resentment amongst
others from within the Northern Territory Police Force. Now, I
(06:23):
thought that was a really interesting and different sort of
take that Marian Scrimdaw had on this situation. I mean, Steve,
what do you say to that. You were a serving
police officer a number of years ago, now, but what
do you say to that?
Speaker 3 (06:36):
Oh, look, you know exactly what chance he said. Look,
when it comes to the role for people, you know,
my heartfelt thoughts are with them at the moment and
I express that on radio the other week. But this
is an absolute tragedy what's happened there. But when it
comes to investigations, it's important that police are at arms
(06:57):
length from the political side of the issues. If we
go back to the Kumunjai Walker case, it never got
off to a good start. We had the Chief Minister
fly to Undamu and make some of the worst comments
that I've ever heard, being a former police officer, stating
in front of a crowd there that there would be
consequences would flow. Now that whole investigation got off to
(07:21):
a bad start because of the comments from a Chief Minister.
What I'd like to see with this investigation and let's
look back on this. This has been going for ten
days now. We've got the very best detectives that are
highly trained to investigate these serious offenses. They're on the job,
they're investigating, they're looking at all of the evidence, they're
looking at CCTV. They've got the pathologists doing the necessary
(07:45):
work to determine a cause of death. All of that
work is underway at the moment. I've got full confidence
and what we need to do is step aside, let
the police get on with the job because they're the
experts in doing this sort of work. Now, when we
talk about independence, all of this work will be overseen
by the coroner. And this is an important point that
(08:05):
these investigations just don't finish at the end of the place.
There's a whole coronial process that follows on from that investigation.
So that's the process in place, and I've got full
confidence in that process.
Speaker 2 (08:16):
Well, we know the Northern Territory Coroner has indeed decided
to wait until July seven to hand down her findings
of course of the inquest into.
Speaker 1 (08:23):
The death of Kumen Jai Walker.
Speaker 2 (08:26):
Elizabeth Armitage planned to deliver her findings in you and
to move on June tenth, until the death of Kumanjai White,
So that is still to follow. Just on the situation
of the CCTV footage being released or calls by family
for it to be released, I mean, Steve, do you
think that that should happen?
Speaker 3 (08:47):
No, Look, it can't happen during an investigation. It's very
important that all of the events is collected, analyzed, assessed
by the investigators. They're the people that will take on
that surveillance or CCTV footage, have a look at that.
Compare that with witness accounts. There's a whole range of
(09:07):
investigation that needs to be part of that. Releasing that
in the middle of an investigation could be prejudicial to
the whole investigation. Witnesses that may not have been spoken
to might start forming an opinion based on what they
see on a CCTV camera rather than what they saw
in Cohl's on that day. So, look, I don't support
(09:27):
releasing it at this point. That'll be something for the
police to consider later on once the investigation is finished.
Speaker 4 (09:35):
Chancey, just a question. We got this week of action
going on and you're on the ground there, So are
you a little bit worried about how inflammatory it could
become because of the interstate commentary. I noticed the Amnesty
International put out in outrageous comment saying that because there's
been no police consequence, there's no consequence these police involved,
(09:58):
it's a license to kill, which is the outrageous for
Amnesty International. Really re just my thinking about where they're
going these days because it disappoints me. But is that
worry you because look, it has been calm, It's been
very good.
Speaker 5 (10:12):
Oh look, it has been amazingly calm right across the
entire Central Australian region. And again just really acknowledging the
leadership of the Wolprix community in continuing to call for calm,
continuing to work on, you know, actions that will deliver
(10:34):
what they believe is real justice outcome. So look, I
always worry when any individual or organization for any matter
in that case, ties to hijacker movement for their own
political purposes. I think that the Wolprix are doing a
phenomenal job along with all of the other Central Australian
(10:55):
Aboriginal communities in working through, in paying the appropriate respects
and working through with the community. What I am continually
in awe of is you know, the world through community,
continuing to work with what they call yappa, with non
Indigenous people drawing on the support the kindness during this time.
(11:19):
And I think that's where we need to continue to
work through. And I think the next couple of weeks
will be really crucial.
Speaker 1 (11:25):
Yeah, I think you're right. I'm so chancy.
Speaker 2 (11:28):
I mean, when you do have the likes of Amnesty
International saying things like that, do you think it's pretty unhelpful?
Speaker 5 (11:34):
Look, I think that what needs to happen is organizations
need to follow the appropriate you know, media and reporting guidelines,
same that we ask people to follow when someone dies
from a domestic violence dispute. To work with the with
the community and the families to make sure that you're
actually making sure that you're following through on their wishes
(11:57):
and their requests. And I think that I would just
be encouraging anyone who wants to participate in this dialogue
or conversation should really be working through with the local
community making sure that they are not putting them in
a compromise position by saying things that the community don't
agree with or that will divide the community because you know,
(12:21):
in central Australia, it's not urban and remote, it's not
black and white. We are all one community and we
all need to be working together during this time.
Speaker 1 (12:29):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (12:29):
On that note, we'll take a very quick break. You
are indeed listening to Mix one oh four nine.
Speaker 1 (12:35):
It is the week that was.
Speaker 2 (12:36):
If you have just joined us this morning on the
line from Alice Springs, we've got Chancey Paike.
Speaker 1 (12:41):
We've also got Steve.
Speaker 2 (12:43):
Edgington here from Tenant Creek and we've got Gary Shipway
Well here from the Northern Territory News just up the road. Now,
there is so much to discuss throughout this morning. There
always is throughout the week. But we know that a
parliamentary committee has dismissed claims made about the Darwin Waterfront Corporation.
The Opposition leader Selena Rubo referred the Darwin Waterfront to
(13:04):
the Public Accounts Committee to investigate claims of misusing public
funds and mismanaging conflict of interest. The Darwin Waterfront front
of the Committee earlier this week and unanimously, and the
committee then unanimously decided none of the allegations were substantiated.
The Attorney General Marie Claire Boothby called on the Opposition
(13:25):
leader to make a public apology to territorians and to
public servants. Now, I will declare for about the fifty
seventh time on the show that my husband is, of
course the chair of the Darwin Waterfront only has been
for the last five months. But certainly I want to
make sure that that is on the table. As I said,
I've said at numerous times, but what did you make
(13:46):
of the situation throughout the week, Steve.
Speaker 3 (13:49):
Well, you know, having a look at the PAC has
come out and they've dismissed these allegations, and I think
the important part is that the decision was unanimous. And
here we have a Public Accounts Committee consisting of COLP,
but we've got an independent member, Justine Davis, but also
a Labor person, Manual Brown, on that particular committee. So
(14:10):
to dismiss those baseless allegations, I think the committee has
done their job. But I think there's real questions that
need to be answered. We've had the leader of the
Opposition stand up in Parliament smearing public servants. The real
question I think we need to ask is was that
a decision by all of the Labor members the four
(14:31):
Labor members to bring that into parliament, smear public servants
with baseless allegations, or did the leader of the opposition
bring that in on her own? I think we need
to hear a bit more of that. Clearly, Manuel Brown
has been part of the committee dismissed the allegations, but
bringing that into parliament, smearing public servants' names, naming them
(14:51):
in parliament is just a low act by the leader
of the Opposition. Not only has she not apologized, there's
a lot of unanswered questions that need to be explained
by Was that a collective decision to bring that to
parliament or did she do it on her own?
Speaker 2 (15:04):
Chatsy Was it a collective decision or did she do
that herself?
Speaker 5 (15:09):
Oh, look, Katie, I think certainly when we're talking about
the Waterfront allegations, it was something that certainly Labor Opposition
and I know that many other members of Parliament had
heard for some time, particularly during the federal election campaign,
But it was.
Speaker 2 (15:25):
When you guys were in power. So if you'd heard it,
how did you not hear it while you're in power?
Speaker 3 (15:29):
Why didn't you do something?
Speaker 5 (15:30):
Certainly, Katie, if I can unfinish what I'm saying is
similar to the Member for Johnson bringing in the Indigenous
Employment Procurement some matter and looking to refer that to
a committee. This is something that was being raised at
a higher concern than it had previously been raised. So
the job of opposition is to bring matters forward so
(15:51):
that they can be addressed and that the community can
have confidence in those institutions and those organizations. So look,
I understand that a matter was brought to the Public
Accounts Committee. It's been worked through. I acknowledged that there
are members of that committee who have put out statements
saying that the government shut it down forty minutes early.
(16:14):
And I believe that, certainly this was the best way
to do it, having an independent member.
Speaker 2 (16:21):
Watch it get shut down early, Like did you watch it?
Speaker 5 (16:25):
Certainly, Katie. What I was told and what I've heard
and read in statements is that it was shut down
forty minutes early. And those statements from members of that committee.
Speaker 2 (16:36):
Like you could tell that it had gone They were
asking questions that weren't even part of the you know,
the evidence that have been put forward in the end,
what like it went for quite some time.
Speaker 1 (16:45):
I think that's absurd.
Speaker 4 (16:46):
Chancing For the life of me, I cannot understand why
the opposition did not get that briefing from the darn
Waterfront Corporation. I can't can't understand why you didn't do
the proper what I call the proper thing, get yourself
fully brief rather than rushing in and dancing to the
tune of an online publication which you guys previously banned
(17:06):
and called it an online block. I just find that
I really think that it probably it wasn't thought through
properly in the haste to get this up in front
of the public. Can you just tell us why didn't
you take that briefing?
Speaker 5 (17:17):
Oh look, a public briefing, a private briefing to an
opposition party or a particular member of Parliament to address
questions the public has been asking. Isn't the satisfactory response
to communities looking for this is an opportunity for the
community to see firsthand democracy in action and those questions
being asked. And also the Attorney General did have the
(17:41):
opportunity to provide the briefing that she was given and
she failed to do so. She then went on to
say she's made the assumption, Well, it's either fact or
it's not. You can't assume a fact.
Speaker 4 (17:52):
But see, you didn't take the briefing, so you'll never
know if what you're saying is correct. I mean, you
might have actually informed yourself a little bit better before
or you went in through this process. I mean surely
having that knowledge would have helped shape your position. I
mean it. I just think it's an excuse me. You didn't.
You denied them the opportunity to actually fully brief you
and it could have helped you with your thinking. I
(18:13):
don't just find it astounding.
Speaker 5 (18:16):
Look again, the position that I believe is important is
a briefing to the leader of the opposition or members
of the Legislative Assembly to address questions that the public
the community are asking. Is not a satisfactory response. This
is an opportunity.
Speaker 2 (18:32):
Would you have referred the Waterfront Corporation to the Public
Accounts Committee based on online allegations?
Speaker 5 (18:42):
Look, Katie, I'm a proud member of the Labor Party.
That is the position that the opposition took, and we
made sure that we provided the necessary steps to address
questions and concerns that the public had.
Speaker 3 (18:55):
All right, Look, there was plenty of opportunity for Labor
to test some of these allegations with a briefing. They
failed to do that. We've just heard from the Member
for Guaja that this was a collective decision to bring
it into parliament smear public servants. It's high time they
gave an apology to every public servant that was named
(19:15):
smeared because of these false allegations put forward by the
Labor Party. And it's they should really they should be
ashamed of themselves. Parliament's not to bring untested allegations into
parliament smear public servants. It's about listening and getting on
with the job and doing some real parliamentary business.
Speaker 1 (19:32):
Will there be an a policy Chancey, look.
Speaker 5 (19:35):
Katie again make the point Steve Harpering on this morning
the Attorney General could have provided the briefing that she
was provided. She failed to do so. We're doing our
job as opposition and bringing matters forward and I think
that that's important moving forward, will continue to bring forward
concerns that are raised by territorians.
Speaker 4 (19:54):
The chance you take those briefings, I just can't believe.
You know, help you shape your thinking, help shape your
argument and you can then come for still put the
pac if you want, but at least help inform your
thinking on it.
Speaker 2 (20:04):
Yeah, well, look let's move along because there is so
much to cover off this morning. And we know that
the maternity services at the Darwin Private Hospital or the
last baby's now been born at the Darwin Private Hospital
with maternity services ceasing today as I understand, we've heard
that the Royal Darwin Hospital has already had a number
of babies born as I understand it too. And a
(20:27):
bit of pressure there is what we're being told due
to the closure, needing to delay inductions. One source has
told us Steve, how are things going from your perspective?
Just well, I believe today's the last day at Darwin
Private but I actually my understanding is that the last
baby was born actually a few days ago on the weekend.
Speaker 3 (20:46):
I thought, Katie, that's correct. And look, you know, if
we trace back this decision by Hellscope, it's been felt
by many right across the Northern Terret's been felt by us.
We're disappointed, we're upset for every family that's affected by this.
But what I want to say is that yes, the
last baby has been born at the Yadahen Private Hospital,
(21:07):
but our staff at the Royal Dalen Hospital are well
prepared they're there to provide safe and supportive delivery of
babies at the Royal Dalen Hospital. So I think what
we need to acknowledge is the incredible amount of work
that's been going on at the Royal Dalen Hospital by
all of the staff involved to prepare for this day.
(21:28):
And today is the closure day. But we've heard that
the last baby is being born. But what I want
to do is reassure all families that we have the
staff in place, we have the capacity and will continue
to deliver safe birthing for everybody and include options for
those private, privately insured mothers who may want to take
up the hotel option or the return to home early option.
Speaker 2 (21:51):
Steve, we have had somebody get in contact with us,
a midwife at the dah And Private Hospital. I'm saying
just letting you know there is still a small number
of midwives, about five that Health Scope are refusing redundancy.
They're sending threatening emails. They're stating that they'll take us
(22:12):
to fair work if we don't accept their job offer
and terminate them and reduce their redundancy to zero. The
zero that they're saying they'll pay us. That's what they're saying.
They'll pay. Some have received redundancy for separate reasons, but
a small handful have not. I mean that must make
(22:32):
you feel pretty pieced off, to put it bluntly, given
the fact, you know, we're talking that some of these people,
some of these incredible people have you know, have got
decades of.
Speaker 3 (22:44):
Experience exactly, and you know, staff that have put their
heart and soul into performing their duties at the private
hospital here and down. Look, what I would say is
that if there are and what I'm hearing is that
the disputes around payments, look, I would encourage Healthscirpe to
get to the table. Healthcope have made the decision to
(23:06):
close the maternity ward at the private hospital. Healthcope should
be at the table working with all staff members. They're
the ones that decided to close. It's really upsetting for
me to hear that after all of this work that
the staff have put in, now there's disputes over payments. Yes,
we know that the Fair Work Act is in place,
but what I'd like to see is Healthscope come to
(23:27):
the table, work with all the affected staff and make
sure that they're leaving under good team.
Speaker 1 (23:31):
Do you reckon they will?
Speaker 2 (23:32):
Given the fact they're under so much stress on a
national stage at this point in time. You know they're
in like they're in the situation that they are in.
Do you think that we've got any chance of that
happening for these midwives?
Speaker 3 (23:45):
Well, you know, when you look at it overall, there's
a combination of receivership and administration. I suppose the real
question is can that be managed at the local level
through the senior staff at the private hospital or is
it being managed at a high level or distant through
the administrators and receivers There's a couple of unanswered questions
and a lack of information around that. But what I
(24:06):
would say is that Health Scope through their administrators, need
to come to the table and work out a proper
exit strategy for the staff. They've really shown a very
strong commitment over many years.
Speaker 4 (24:18):
On a bigger scale though a Healthscope. There was talking
for other providers coming in to fill the gap nationally. Healthscope,
Are you being kept informed about what's happening there?
Speaker 3 (24:30):
Yeah, so I've kept in We had an emergency minister's
meeting just over a week ago. So the federal government
is the lead agency when it comes to working very
closely with the receivers and the administrators. What I have
heard is that there are other health providers that are
stepping up. They want to have a look at what
the situation is, do their due diligence around. But my
(24:52):
understanding is that there are health providers out there that
are keen to look at not only Dawn, but the
thirty seven hospitals affected right around the country. When it
comes to staff, jeez, wouldn't it be great to see
a new provider come in quickly, continue to employ those
staff and get through these really difficult times for everybody.
Speaker 4 (25:11):
So in terms of the mums that may want to
take advantage of the accommodation at the macure just ma cure.
Speaker 1 (25:18):
Isn't he A yeah?
Speaker 4 (25:19):
I think so, yeah, yeah, I want to take advantage
of that. What's the process? Do they have to register
for that before they have the birth? They do it
after they've had to make a decision, after they've had
the birth.
Speaker 3 (25:29):
Yeah, So as a private patient, when the mother and
the family comes to the hospital, they will register as
a private patient and after the birth, the normal clinical
assessments will be made. No mothers will be I want
to make it clear, no mothers will be leaving the
hospital unless it's clinically safe for them to do so.
(25:50):
Once they've registered as that private patient, they have the
opportunity to have their obstetrician in the hospital to deliver
the baby, and they have that option of whether they
want to go to the airport macure or go home,
so that we've got a care package in place to
support them. There'll be a twenty four to seven hotline
that all mothers and families can contact should there be
(26:12):
any issues after they leave the hospital, but we'll also
have the domicillory maternity midwives in place to visit them
as well.
Speaker 2 (26:20):
Chancey, what do you make of it all? I mean,
obviously in Allie Springs and even where Steve is a
local member and Tenant Creek, you know there aren't those
private services readily available like we've had up here in
the top end. But it's certainly a blo, isn't it
to maternity services?
Speaker 5 (26:37):
Absolutely, Katie? I mean, everyone deserves access to you safe,
affordable maternity care, and no matter of where they live,
in what their background, we know that that service that
was delivered by health Scope's been a really important service
for families in the top end. But you know, Katie.
I think it also does raise questions. The Chief Minister
(27:00):
and Steve who's on the phone with us now as
a Health minister, had known about health ghost Plan closer
since last year and they hadn't done anything. So you know,
that's hardly what you'd call a year of action and certainty.
Right here, we know and hopefully we can work to
get another provider in because we know that this is
a particularly important service in the Darwin Greater region as
(27:22):
well for families to access this important service.
Speaker 1 (27:25):
Stevie makes a fair point.
Speaker 2 (27:27):
You guys have known for a long time, why not
have sorted something out sooner.
Speaker 3 (27:31):
Look, as I said, right from the outset, there was
some discussion last year that we may we might, we
might close. There was no certainty around that, and I
need you to make the point that, you know, what
did Labor know about this before they went to the election.
I think that's a question that needs to be asked
at some point, what did Labor know about this? But
(27:51):
let's get back to the real issues. That decision was
made by Hellscope on the twentieth of February. They made
the decision on the twentieth of February that they were closing.
What could or couldn't have been done before that was
always up in the air. There was no final decision
until the twentieth of February. What we have done is
stepped in right from the very outset to ensure that
every expectant mother that would normally give birth at the
(28:15):
private hospital is able to give birth at the public hospital.
Right from the start, we've made it very clear that
the number of births at the private hospital, and this
was Hellscope's information, had dropped down to around about two
hundred and fifty per year. That's an increase for out.
Speaker 2 (28:29):
Free can that is Do you think that it's a
situation where private health has just become too expensive for people?
Do you think it's a situation where our population has
stopped growing so severely that we don't have moms giving
birth at the private hospital?
Speaker 1 (28:44):
But what is it?
Speaker 3 (28:44):
I think this is a big issue that needs to
be discussed at the national level. What's the cost of
health insurance? What returns of people getting from paying their
health insurance? Are those services of ailable? And I think
what is the gap? And I think what I have
learnt through this process, Katie, is that I've spoken to
a number of people. The gap, the gap in fees
(29:06):
now is anywhere between six and ten thousand dollars to
have a previously have a baby at the Royal at
the Royal the private hospital, I should say, so the
gap itself the fees, is that a deterrent to people
engaging with private health insurance? These are the unanswered questions,
but these are some of the challenges that has been
(29:26):
raised with men.
Speaker 4 (29:28):
I was going to say, I have said this before
in this program, having had a child born at the
Dune private and a child born at the public hospital.
I mean, the public hospital is fantastic, it is very
I don't know how many mums are going to take
up this offer of the hotel. I don't think that
because I know when our births we just wanted to
(29:50):
got the all clear and go home and start our
home life again. So yeah, I'm not sure if that's
going to be a waste.
Speaker 1 (29:56):
Now, I wonder whether it's going to work. Steve, what
is the guy with that?
Speaker 2 (29:59):
Do you have to sort of have a hotel room
that is there and booked by the Department of Health
all the time, or do you have to like, how
does it work?
Speaker 3 (30:07):
So let's make it clear that this is being covered
by the private health insurance. So when there are rooms
that have been set aside, and what we do know
is I think the information I have is that there's
already nine families that are very interested in this package
to go to the hotel. Yes, there we will be
rooms set aside. All of those costs will be covered
by the private insurance. This isn't taxpayers money we're talking about.
(30:30):
This is a plan that's been put together by our
anti health staff and the private insurers, and this has
been worked out over a number of months. We've got
to that stage. Everything's in place. Today we have the
closing of the private hospital, a sad day for everybody
here in the Northern Territory. But what I want to
do is reassure everybody that ant Health is well prepared
(30:52):
and you can expect the very best possible service, a
safe delivery of your baby at the Royal dalm Hospital.
Speaker 2 (30:58):
Well look, we will get ready to take a break,
but I will just say to you all of those
staff that have worked at the Darwin Private Hospital in
the maternity ward. I know some of you have been
there for a long long time, for decades. In fact,
we are thinking of you today and certainly I know
so many mums and families dads out in the community
(31:19):
so grateful for the beautiful care that you have given
them over the years. So a big thank you to
everybody that has indeed worked at the Darwin Private Hospital
there in the maternity ward, if you've just joined us
in the studio this morning. We've got the Health Minister,
Steve Edgington, We've got the head of news at the
NT News, Gary Shipway, and in Alice Springs we've got
(31:39):
Chancey Paig for the opposition. Now we know that there
is a bit of an update when it comes to
voluntary assisted dying legislation. A parliamentary committee conducting an inquiry
into voluntary assisted dying in the Northern Territory has met twice,
with briefings to begin in July. The committee is to
prepare a consultation, consult with remote communities, evaluate the voluntary
(32:03):
assisted dying models and safeguards, as well as identify any
challenges and provide drafting instructions for model legislation. Now co
chairs of the Voluntary Assisted Dying Expert Panel or Advisory
Panel have also been invited to brief the committee. As
well as land councils and the Aboriginal medical bodies. Chancey,
(32:25):
I might head to you first in Central Australia. What
do you make of this latest update on the voluntary
assisted dying legislation and now going to the committee and
the update that they've provided.
Speaker 5 (32:39):
Oh, look, business just an attempt at the government to
kick the can down the road, Kadi. Between August twenty
to twenty three, and may you know there was a
huge volume of work done by an independent group made
up of really really qualified individuals across the territory, met
with sixty organizations ninety eighths have missed and absolutely went
(33:01):
out and spoke to territorians. What we do need to do, Katie,
And what would be a much better step is for
the government to work with the opposition and the crossbench
develop and have Parliamentary Council create a draft bill that
we could then put out as a draft exposure bill
so that we're actually consulting on something. At the moment
(33:25):
we're going out and talking to people about the more talk,
no action. So Katie, you know, I am all up.
This is not the government saying that they're going to
do voluntary assisted dying But if we don't have a
bill drafted to actually go and talk to people, people
can actually black and white how it would be implemented,
(33:49):
how it would be operationalized, then we're really not going
out and talking to people about the finer detail that
people want to see. So I am absolutely supportive of
a process that lets us develop a draft bill and
then go out and consult on that draft bill. What
we make with.
Speaker 2 (34:08):
These discussions that you know that the government sort of
had saying that there wasn't enough consultation with indigenous communities.
Speaker 5 (34:15):
Look, Katie, I think again that is just completely unsubstantiated
and not true. We absolutely have seen and we've heard
many original people talking about this, for it or against it.
But again, why play into the hands of allowing third
parties to fear manger and scare manger on a process
(34:37):
when we don't have an actual bill to talk about
what the reform is, what we're going to propose, how
it's going to work. That's where I'm really worried, Katie,
is if we go out and we have consultation, what
are we consulting on. We're going out and asking people
what particular questions. If we have a draft Bill. Then
(34:58):
we've actually got something in black, back and white. It's
not saying that the government are going to do it,
it's saying, this is what the Parliament is proposing, what
are your thoughts, and then it'll be a conscious vote
for all members of Parliament. That's where we need to be,
not going out and consulting again and again and wasting time.
Speaker 2 (35:17):
I think it's a fair point to make. I mean,
I've said it numerous times on the show. I'm supportive
of voluntary assisted dying legislation because at the end of
the day, the keyword is voluntary. It is a person's
choice when they are terminally ill or when they are
battling a terminal illness. It is their choice when they
(35:38):
get to that end of life stage, or it should be.
And it's happening in every other stage and territory you know,
around Australia. I mean, Steve, why are we dragging our heels?
Speaker 3 (35:48):
Well, we're not dragging our hills. What we've got is
the committee report. We've got a committee now, the Legal
and Constitutional Affairs Committee. They've already met twice. As we've
already said, you know, when you look at the makeup
of that committee, that committee, which includes Labor, have agreed
to work together, work in a bipartisan, bipartisan way to
come up with the consultation package, interview and reassess all
(36:14):
of the information before them. What they will do at
the end of that consultation processes decide whether to put
drafting instructions. And I think when we start talking about
a bill, getting out and talking to people before and
then putting that into drafting instructions is a normal and
proper process. When we talk about consultation. It's quite incredible
(36:35):
to hear from the Member for Guaja about consultation because
I know both the Chancey and I have the two
largest electorates in the Northern Territory. I know that many
many people haven't seen or heard about this legislation. We
know that I shouldn't say the legislation about the proposed
voluntary assisted dying.
Speaker 2 (36:56):
And I think and it hasn't gone out as far
and wide.
Speaker 3 (36:59):
As it should not to the people on the ground. Yes,
there has been a consultation with a various number of organizations.
There's been consultation in Tenet Creek. But what we're talking,
what I'm talking about is right out there in the
Bush where people often don't hear about these things, but
we know that this is a very important topic for many,
many many territories for a whole range of reasons. And
(37:20):
I think what we need to do is give everybody
the opportunity to give their views, and at the end
of that process, what the committee will do, by working
together is come up with a process, and that may
include the drafting instructions for some legislation. So I think
let's follow the process and get that out of the way.
Speaker 5 (37:37):
That's absolutely not entirely correct. You can go out with
a draft exposure bill, as governments do. We've done it
on a number of issues previously, and then you have
something tangible to talk to people and show people in
writing how something can and will work.
Speaker 3 (37:55):
What I'm decided on that process. Now process it's been
decided by the committee.
Speaker 5 (38:00):
Is going out this protra which is going to go
out and say to people, Hey, this is essentially a
concept or an idea, rather than actually saying this is
what is being proposed and we're asking for your feedback.
This is what it will look like, this is how
it will work. And Katie like, hello, these are remote communities,
(38:23):
very educated people. We absolutely need to involve them in
the process. But having a committee with the chair who
is just spearheading and saying they're going to get to
every remote community in four months is not genuine consultation anyway.
So this whole process is going to be flawed.
Speaker 2 (38:42):
Now.
Speaker 5 (38:42):
I am going to catch up.
Speaker 2 (38:43):
With TNSIL this morning after ten o'clock, so I will
I'll ask some further questions about it. Gary keen to
hear your thoughts.
Speaker 4 (38:51):
I'm just wondering why all the work of martial parents
been ignored. I mean, I was part of that government
when that happened, and it was very dramatic, very very
difficult time for all members of Parliament. A lot of
work was done and you know what, and it seems
to me that a lot of what Marshall pown put
in place has been ignored. It's already there. I just
(39:11):
wonder what's the case.
Speaker 3 (39:13):
I don't think it's been ignored, and I think what
we have learned, you know, we've seen the process where
that was basically stamped out by the federal government. But
the role of this committee is to look at all
of the information. I'm sure that they will be looking
at the previous work that has been done. Part of
that committee is to look at all of the information
that's available. I haven't got the full details of the
(39:36):
list of information they'll be going through, but what we
do know is that this is a bipartisan committee. It
includes labor. What they've decided to do is go out
and do this consultation and let's allow that to take
its place now. And what we will see is proper
consultation with everybody across the Northern Territory and that I
(39:57):
suspect will lead to the drafting instruction for legislation.
Speaker 2 (40:00):
We will have to take a very quick break. You
are listening to Mix one O four nine's three sixty.
It is the week that was before we get ready
to wrap up this morning. If you have just joined us,
you have missed out because in the studio we've got
the Health Minister, Steve Edgington, We've got Gary Shipway, the
head of news at the NT News, and we have
got the Member for Gauger, Chancey Paig in Alice Springs.
(40:22):
Now I tell you what, Gary Shipway, this story on
the front page or certainly leading news at the NT
News today. Are we going to have octopus at the glenty.
Speaker 1 (40:34):
What is going on?
Speaker 4 (40:35):
Yep, quick tragedy. We will have two tons less of octopus.
I'm going to go a Saturday because the one wee
get octopus, I reckon play Sunday. It's called it's one
of the most popular foods and it'll be gone, you know,
so get there early because there will be another other
Greek organizations with it. But yeah, I know this is
very sad for the Clemians because this was only the
(40:55):
only fundraising opportunity. And yeah, there's happened. Well, health Health
went out there. It was a health inspector went out there,
found that they weren't meeting conditions they deem to be
proper for the handling of the octopus, and subsequently they
(41:15):
didn't want to take the health risk that people will
could get sick.
Speaker 2 (41:21):
We're talking fifty grand of seafood. Steve, have these health
officials gone too far?
Speaker 3 (41:28):
Well, you look, the health officials have been out on
the ground. They've looked at all of the situation there.
They've looked at the handling of this octopus. Does it
meet food handling requirements, does it meet the safety requirements
for consumption? I think the health officials have had to
look right through this and they've made that decision. But
I think you know, when it comes to Glente, I
(41:49):
think what we need to do is continue to promote
the positives around Glenty and we know that this has
been an amazing festival for a number of years and
hopefully this won't be dampner for people. Let's encourage everyone
to get along there and support to all of the Greeks.
The Colnians are no doubt to devastated by this years,
but I think everyone should get along there, get out
(42:12):
there and support them. They've done some great work over
the years and we need to acknowledge it.
Speaker 4 (42:16):
Look, there's no doubt there's going to be Look, there
will be plenty of everything that's for.
Speaker 1 (42:20):
You, for everyone.
Speaker 4 (42:23):
Yes, so you'll still have lots of fun. It's still
going to be the great occasion.
Speaker 3 (42:26):
It is the food, the entertainment. Look, you really can't
miss Glenty if you're in Dahe.
Speaker 1 (42:31):
No you can't.
Speaker 2 (42:32):
I mean, Chancey, it's certainly a bit of a concern
for us here for the Glenty. But Alice Springs, you
guys are gearing up and we touched on this early
in the show, but a massive weekend in central Australia.
Speaker 5 (42:44):
Yeah, no, look, certainly, you know, hopefully they can resolve
those issues up in the top end for glenty. We
know it's an amazing festival down here. A't think weekend
so everyone's got the phink fever. We've had lots really
happy to see. The Stewart highways have just been packed
with you know, cars, dirt bikes, trailers, campers, everything. So
(43:08):
it's not only good social event for everyone and really
makes the community come together and feel good, but it's
good for the economics of the town. So you know,
people spending money in our shops and in our communities
and getting out in that beautiful red soil. So I
think main main thing, Katie is just encourage everyone to
(43:30):
drink responsibly and don't be an idiot and get behind
the wheel, you know, make sure that you do things
safely because we know that unfortunately this is a while.
It's a great weekend for all of us. It's a
very busy weekend for our hospital and health professionals in
our springs. Kids. Sometimes people think there are ten football
and you know get carried away a bit.
Speaker 1 (43:52):
Yeah they do, there is no doubt.
Speaker 2 (43:53):
Well, it has been wonderful to have you all on
the show this morning. Steve Edgington, the Minister for Health,
thanks so much for your time this morning.
Speaker 3 (44:00):
Thanks Katie. And just to finish off, get along to Glenty.
It's going to be a great you know, there's going
to be some fantastic food, plenty of entertainment, so get
along and support to the Greek festival.
Speaker 1 (44:09):
Absolutely.
Speaker 2 (44:10):
Head of News at the NT News, Gary Shipway, good
to see you this morning, mate.
Speaker 4 (44:14):
Thank you. Don't forget to try the Methos beer.
Speaker 1 (44:17):
Oh there you go.
Speaker 2 (44:19):
And Chancey Pig the member for Gaga. Good good to
have you on the show this morning.
Speaker 5 (44:26):
No worries Katie, and certainly shout out to everyone up
in Darwen. Have a great long weekend, enjoy Glenty. We've
got the Barunga Festival on in the middle of the territory,
so shout out to all that amazing concerts and stuff
going on their activities. And then certainly think down here
in beautiful Central Australia. So I think this weekend safe
(44:48):
to say there is certainly something for everyone, so really
really great time to celebrate being territorial.
Speaker 1 (44:56):
Yeah it is.
Speaker 2 (44:57):
It truly is wonderful to have you all on the show,
Thanks so much for your time. You are indeed listening
to Mix one O four nine's three sixty