The Week That Was - 15th August 2025

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
It's time for the week that was.

Speaker 2 (00:01):
And in the studio with us today we have got
well Joe Hersey, the Minister for Education and a number
of other portfolios. Good morning to you, Joe.

Speaker 3 (00:10):
Good morning Katie, and good morning to the listeners.

Speaker 2 (00:13):
And we have got the head of news from the
Northern Territory News, Gary Shipway.

Speaker 1 (00:18):
Good morning Gary co.

Speaker 2 (00:19):
And on the line from Alice Springs. This morning we've
got Chancey Paig from the opposition. Good morning to your chancy.

Speaker 4 (00:26):
It's good to be with you, Katie.

Speaker 2 (00:27):
Now, look there's plenty to discuss, as always on a
Friday morning, and it has been revealed this morning the
latest crime stats have been released and the government say
that they show their law and order agenda is working
with fewer Territorians becoming victims of crime. In the last
six months between January and June twenty twenty five, the
number of victims fell by four point seven percent compared

(00:51):
to the same period in twenty twenty four. They say
that's six hundred and five fewer people affected by crime
across the Northern Territory. Now, in the first half of
twenty twenty five, house break ins have dropped by three
hundred and seventy five total property offenses by five hundred
and three. Now, taking a bit of a closer look,

(01:11):
the house break ins down thirty seven percent in Darwin,
Palmerston down thirty three percent, Alice Springs, well, sorry, thirty
three percent, I should say in Alice Springs, and commercial
break ins in Catherine down thirty six percent. Now, the
Chief Minister said that she's going to be continuing to
work with police, courts and corrections to deliver stronger laws

(01:32):
and enforcement as well as better victims support and faster justice.
She did say there needs to be some focus on
the root causes of crime and driving down domestic violence
and child sexual violence. Now, I say this every time
there's crime stats that come out. It's always a bit
of a dicey game when you look at crime stats

(01:52):
because they fluctuate, they're going up and down. You can
find from statistics just about anything you want to find
from statistics. But the number that I'm really interested in
is the fact that there has been six hundred and
five fewer people affected by crime across the Northern Territory.
I mean, we have heard anecdotally that people are feeling
as though there's been a bit of a reduction when

(02:13):
it comes to crime, in saying that I spoke to
a mum who had somebody in her kitchen yesterday morning
in Karama. I spoke to another mum who had some
weirdo try and get her son to get into a
car out in Palmerston. And I've spoken at length Joe
as well about the issues being experienced in Catherine when
it comes to crime.

Speaker 3 (02:34):
Yeah, that's right, Katie.

Speaker 5 (02:35):
And whilst you know, we have been working very hard
over the almost twelve months since we've been in government
of reducing crime right across the territory and that was
a mandate that we came in on. It is great
to see that there are six hundred and five less
victims since we've come to government. There are six hundred
and forty six more people in prison as well. But

(02:58):
you know, as you just read out, Katie, and I
know if I talk about the commercial break ins down
thirty six percent in Catherine, it's very cold comfort. I
know when I talk to the likes of Nikki at
the coffee club, so we know that it's not a
set and forget. We know that there is a lot
more work to do, which we will continue to do
over you know, the next year as well. But you know, anecdotally,

(03:21):
I do hear that people do feel safer as well.
I've spoken to many people that have been up here
as tourists that I know, or just people that I
run into out in the street and talk to them,
and they feel safer if they've been here before. We
actually spoke to some people that were at our stool
in the mall a couple of weeks ago when we're
in Parliament.

Speaker 3 (03:42):
So yeah, you know, I think it's a good start.

Speaker 5 (03:44):
It's we've certainly had a strong focus on law and
order and as you say, it's you know, they can
vary across the territory and for different things, but you
know the fact that we are seeing a bit of
a decrease it's certainly a step in the right direction
and I think people would acknowledge that.

Speaker 6 (04:06):
Yeah, Katie, look, I think the six hundred and five
figures is a good thing. I mean, less victims is
always a good thing. What concerned me about those figures
were the sex crimes aspect, and I think everyone would
agree with that that's an important focusing and the chiefs
said she's going to focus on that as a priority.

(04:28):
But yeah, look, and there's another in there with the
services people who you could see an increase in the
number of tax on people like police ambulance people, which
is concerning. And you can understand what police say, they've
got the hardest job in the world. So there are
a number of figures in there that the government really
has got to focus on. It's good that we're getting
property crime, house breakings down, but I mean, you know,

(04:51):
those things are important, but I think there's that violent
crime that needs to.

Speaker 5 (04:54):
Be absolutely I think also to acknowledge the hard work
that the police do each and every day out and
about in our communities to make sure that we are safe.
And yeah, they worked incredibly hard, absolutely incredibly hard, and
I work you know, quite closely at different times with
policing Catherine. We have patrollers meetings on Thursday three to

(05:15):
Sunday at seven o'clock in Catherine where the public housing,
the Klano community, the police all get together and then
disperse out into the community. And that you know, they've
had a youth crackdown over the last couple of weeks.

Speaker 1 (05:31):
I think in Catherine, Look, I want to chancey from
your perspective.

Speaker 2 (05:34):
I mean, we are seeing that the drops being felt
across the territory with hearse breakings down in Alice Springs
thirty three percent. I mean, is that being felt in
Alice Springs at this point in time?

Speaker 4 (05:47):
Look, Katie, I think certainly Mike can acknowledge that there
has been a decrease when it comes to property crime,
both house breakings and commercial break ins. I think that
can be attributed to a range of things. Yes, I
can acknowledge that it is probably due to some of
the policy settings, but I think also we mustn't dismiss
it's the hard work and outlay of many territorians making

(06:09):
and spending money on securing their own properties. What I
do think is particularly alarming and cheeky is the Chief
Minister puts out the crime stats today. Now those statistics
are not available for the general public until after ten
thirty today, But nowhere in the press release do we
talk about where we're tracking in terms of assaults, sexual

(06:32):
assaults and serious assaults. And we know that they are up.
We know that serious assaults are up. Assaults on frontline
offices prescribed officers is up, and as Gary's rightly highlighted
sexual offenses is continuing to grow, so I can acknowledge
that there, yes, when it comes to property and commercial

(06:52):
break ins, there is movement in the right direction. But
in all other areas when it relates to offenses involving
harm and sexual assault from people, we are seeing an increase.

Speaker 2 (07:03):
Well, I've actually just got a pressure release that's come
through from the Northern Territory Police regarding an aggravated assault
in Alice Springs. Now seven female youths have been arrested
by the Northern Territory Police after an aggravated assault occurred
last night. Just after eleven thirty. Police received a report
that two females aged twenty three and twenty eight had
been physically assaulted by a group of youths in the

(07:26):
todd Male Now members from Strike Force Viper, the Social
Order Team and General Duties responded and all seven offenders
were located and arrested. Now the victims suffered minor injuries
and did not require medical treatment. The offenders aged eleven, eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen,
fourteen and fifteen. I mean, that is a woeful situation

(07:53):
to see kids at that age involved in that kind
of offending. And you know, Chancey, part of what you're
saying there is right in terms of you know, in
terms of some of the other areas that we are
still seeing incidents occurring. I mean even earlier this week
we saw a man who was threatened with a machete

(08:13):
in Nightcliff in the early hours of Sunday morning. Now,
Strikeforce triedent worked incredibly quickly, as it sounds as though
they have as well in Alice Springs last night, Strikeforce
viper but tried and here in Nightcliff worked incredibly quickly.
They ended up then arresting a thirteen, fourteen, and nineteen
year old. Now on Wednesday, police said on the show

(08:35):
that the fourteen and nineteen year old had been remanded
in custody waiting to face court, but that thirteen year
old was granted court bail pretty much the same day
and then went on to reoffend, landing him back in custody.
I mean, this is the concern is this is something
that a lot of people are really worried about right now.

(08:57):
It is that reoffending.

Speaker 4 (08:59):
Katie. I think like, let's absolutely be clear right now,
the police are doing all that they can and the
best that they can. This is where the questions need
to be asked to the government, where is this circuit
breaker that the government keep talking about that's having all
this positive impact. You know, we've got a government that
talks about boot camps. Katie. A boot camp shouldn't go

(09:21):
for three days. That's an excursion, not a program. Boot
Camps need to go longer to address the actual behavior
and change the attitudes of young people. Police are doing
what they can, but the government has spoken about addressing
all the social determinants and all of the work beforehand. Well,
where is it and what's happening?

Speaker 2 (09:42):
I did wonder with this boot camp, I mean three days,
and I am keen to try and catch up with
corrections early next week to find out a little bit
more about.

Speaker 1 (09:48):
This boot camp.

Speaker 2 (09:49):
But I did think to myself, goodness me, three days.
You know, I'd spoken to the police, the junior police
rangers yesterday. They go out for longer than that on
a survival camp. And to be honest, it sort of
sounds more difficult than what it does are going on
that boot camp.

Speaker 4 (10:03):
Okay, Katie, it's a you know, trying to say that
this is a boot camp is a joke. It's three days.
That doesn't give you the time to do anything. Boot
Camps should at least go for a number of weeks,
you know, whether it's four to twelve weeks. I mean,
you've got to be able to absolutely, you know, change

(10:26):
that young person's behavior, provide an avenue of discipline and
behavior change, and you know, improve their skills. Three days
you're not even really getting to learn who the young
person is and what they did wrong in the first place.
So for the government to come out and say, yay, success,
we've had you know, two or three people through a

(10:46):
boot camp is just ridiculous. Fine, still doesn't have one.

Speaker 1 (10:51):
I take on board what you're saying.

Speaker 2 (10:52):
But somebody has just messaged through and said, where were
your boot camps when you're in.

Speaker 4 (10:57):
Powerie, we had a number of probs in place. But
let's be clear, we are in opposition and we accept
that we're in opposition and our job is to hold
the government to account. They said that there would be
boot camps running across the territory. We're asking the questions,
these are your commitments, where are they?

Speaker 5 (11:15):
And what I'd say, Chancey, is that you were there
for eight years. We are in the situation that we're
in because of your you know, watering down of Bayo
Law's lack of consequences for people.

Speaker 4 (11:28):
The people are interested in a deflection, Joe. I think
they're interested in hearing from you today. What are you doing?
Where are the boot camps? And do you think three
days is enough?

Speaker 6 (11:38):
I think this raises a number of issues though. I
mean ordinary people will be saying eleven, twelve, thirteen fording,
you know, and they'll be asking what are their parents doing?
They'll want to know.

Speaker 3 (11:49):
Er there needs to be more parental responsibility.

Speaker 4 (11:52):
What are you doing about that, Joe? You are the government.

Speaker 5 (11:55):
Yes, that's exactly right, and we've got attendants officers out
there on the streets. Police can do what they do
these The Minister Carl has also got the circuit Breaker
teams working across I know that circuit Breaker working, Catherine.

Speaker 3 (12:11):
They work from Thursday to Sunday.

Speaker 5 (12:13):
I know that that program will be extended to seven
days a week. So yeah, we are making sure that
we are putting in some measures to address these issues.

Speaker 3 (12:24):
But the fact of the matter is.

Speaker 4 (12:26):
Where these kids are part of circuit breaker. I mean
the government claim that circuit Breaker is supposed to be
a prevention and identifying were these kids identified beforehand? At
being at risk.

Speaker 3 (12:38):
Were those ones that were last night.

Speaker 5 (12:39):
I don't know that it's literally something that just thread morning,
but I mean that's where the circuit breaker team and
the attendance officers, that's.

Speaker 3 (12:47):
The whole idea of it that they will follow up on.
The will absolutely get into that as well.

Speaker 2 (12:52):
I will be very interested to find out whether they
are part of that circuit breaker program. I mean, for me,
and I've been talking about this literally for the last
eight years, ten years, you know, eleven eleven year olds,
twelve year olds, thirteen year olds, fourteen and fifteen. You know,
then you talk about the incident in Nightcliff and again teenagers.
I mean, the thing that concerns me about that incident

(13:12):
in Nightcliff and at this stage the one in Alice Springs.
From what we're told, those offenders were all dealt with
under the provisions of the Youth Justice Act of two
thousand and five. So I don't know whether that means
that they're taken home or exactly what that means.

Speaker 1 (13:27):
But I do know with the incident in Nightcliff that at.

Speaker 2 (13:31):
Least one of those youths, as I confirmed with the
Northern Territory Police on Wednesday, was then released.

Speaker 1 (13:39):
On court bail and was then back in.

Speaker 2 (13:43):
Police custody within a couple of days for reoffending.

Speaker 1 (13:48):
Now to me, I question, how is that person then.

Speaker 2 (13:52):
Able to get that court bail and end up back
out on the streets within forty eight you know, to
fifty however many hours and able to reoffend.

Speaker 6 (14:02):
And I think that's again we've we've discussed this previously,
how the judiciary has the tools and obviously the community
would like to see them use it. I think there's
also when you look at the number of diversionary programs
that we have available, I think there's a lot to
be learned by diversionary programs that are being run into state.
There's a lot of diversionary programs and effort put into

(14:24):
the root causes of crime. And so this fall work
for the Youth Justice Minister in Queensland, and I know
we had a lot of diversion on country programs, intensive
case management and that comes down to the boot camps too.
I mean we say they're only doing a few days,
a few weeks. A lot of it comes down to
how long are these people? What's their sentence in terms
of how long are they going to be there before

(14:45):
there's any value?

Speaker 1 (14:46):
So yeah, good point, good point.

Speaker 2 (14:49):
That always has an effect that I do want to
just right, somebody has message through in Catherine. Joel And said,
the town of Catherine's been under siege and out of
control crime. It's happening every night for the month of
July and August. Another night of crime last night in Catherine. Apparently,
what are you doing to try and curb this issue
in Catherine.

Speaker 5 (15:09):
Yes, so, as I've said Katie, I'm well aware of
what's going on in Catherine. And as a government, we
have strengthened the laws and we just see that by
you know, we've got six hundred and five less victims,
We've got six hundred and forty six more people in jail.
You know, we are we have strengthened the laws. There's
so many things that we've brought in over the last
second months.

Speaker 2 (15:29):
Like why do you reckon we're in a situation. I
know when I spoke to Nikki from the coffee club
earlier in the week, the thing that she was quite
upset by is that I if I remember correctly from
what she had seen, was that at least one of
those offenders or maybe two that were involved in one
of the incidents at the coffee club. You know they

(15:50):
were back then back out on the streets. So where
do you think things are breaking down? I mean, is
it a situation here where the government is putting that
legislation in place and and trying to make it more
difficult for people to get bail if they're involved in
violent offending. But there are some in the judiciary who
who well.

Speaker 5 (16:10):
You know that you know there is that separation of
powers for a reason. But there are people in the
judiciary obviously that you know, are reading the legislation differently
to the community expectation. You can strengthen the law and
strengthen the law, which we have been continuing to do.
There are nowhere near as many people getting bail as
what there was, But I absolutely agree with you that,

(16:32):
like for example, the one in Nightcliffe, there the fact
that somebody got out of bail. That does not pass
the pub desk, It does not pass any community expectation.
And we will continue to work at making sure that
you know, in the future this this doesn't happen and
the laws are strengthened accordingly.

Speaker 2 (16:48):
Look, we're going to have to take a really quick break.
You are listening to Mix one O four nine's three sixty.
It is the week that was. Well, you are listening
to the week that was in the studio with us
this morning. We've got Gary ship head of News at
the NT News. We've also got Joe Hersey, the Minister
for Education Public Employment as well, and from the Opposition,
we've got Labour's Chancey Paige in Alice Springs. Now, speaking

(17:12):
of Alice Springs, we know that the Alice Springs based
People's Alcohol Action Coalition they've taken aim at Endeavor Drinks
and Coals after the coalition claimed that the company had
made the decision to sell low priced wine while the
other seven takeaway outlets in Alice Springs have agreed to
keep the price at a dollar thirty a drink. That's
despite the colp's repeal of the minimum unit price provisions

(17:36):
of the Liquor Act that took effect on the first
of March. Now we have heard now from Endeva Group.
They've come back to us and said that following the
Northern Territory government's decision to remove the minimum unit pricing,
their price setting in the Northern Territory is going to
continue to reflect our values and our commitment, they say

(17:57):
to responsible service and the world of the community, and
that bwsn Allen Springs has voluntarily imposed a range of
volume restrictions over recent years, and they go into some
of those restrictions.

Speaker 1 (18:11):
I mean, Chancey, when.

Speaker 2 (18:12):
You look at some of these changes when it comes
to alcohol, I mean, do you think it's fair to
say that you know that that alone would be causing
increased or concerning behavior when it comes to other issues
in the community.

Speaker 4 (18:32):
Look, I think Katie, what we are seeing here and
certainly talking to people in and around town, is you know,
people are horrified that with the restrictions being pulled when
it comes to the minimum unit price. You know, we
are seeing eight dollar bottles of wine on the shelves
and they are becoming a hot property for people. You know,

(18:52):
it's a dollar a standard drink is disgracefully low, and
this is a direct result of scrapping the minimum floor price.
What we do need to see is leadership here and
we do need Cole's and BWS to be doing better
in this space because this is going to cause greater

(19:13):
harm in our community when this cheap alcohol is getting
in the hands of problem drinkers.

Speaker 5 (19:19):
I think, Katie, you know, what we know is that
the minimum floor price was not making any difference, hence
why it has been removed. But what we do know
is when that stronger futures lapsed, that was when the
carnage and the rivers of grog flowed in our springs.
And you know, I think it's very interesting that Chancey
who was with the government at that time, who was

(19:42):
you know, he was all about his shares and part
of that government that allowed those rivers of grog to flow.
I mean, we know now that that minimum floor price
did not work, and clearly that's what it says. So
I think there's it's a bit rich when you say
the minimum floor price was not working.

Speaker 4 (20:05):
But Katie, I think there's also reflect absolute desperate attempt
to deflect. Joe. There are people who have problems with
drinking alcohol, and you talk about being tough on consequences
and accountability, will take accountability for your actions. You have
made grog cheaper for problem drinkers to get their hands

(20:26):
on and to drink more and to cause more harm
in the community.

Speaker 5 (20:29):
Oh, we know, Chancy, that that's it's very easy to
say that, but we know that does not work because
people are paying up to five hundred dollars for alcohol
in remote communities, So it's not about the price and there.

Speaker 4 (20:42):
And you're saying it's not a problem to make grog cheaper.
That is a disgrace.

Speaker 2 (20:46):
Look, I mean, I guess this argument's been happening for
a number of years. There's no doubt about that, and
certainly when the Stronger Future's legislation lapsed, it was something
that we're talking about in depth. You've always got that
argument from the other side of the fence. So I
gets you know, people saying, well, particularly to the show,
we have people that are maybe a little more senior

(21:06):
in their years saying, why shouldn't I be allowed to
go and buy a bottle of wine at a price
that I can actually you know, afford. Then on the
flip side, of course, with those alcohol restrictions, anecdotally, we
certainly heard when some of the hours were reduced in
other springs and with some of the restrictions when they

(21:27):
came into place, that it did make a difference.

Speaker 1 (21:30):
I mean, it's a really difficult one.

Speaker 2 (21:32):
I think when you look at alcohol and the misuse
of alcohol around the Northern Territory. I maintain that I
really believe if we're going to have a BDR, if
we're going to have various alcohol restrictions in place across
the Northern Territory, particularly with the BDR, we have to
work out a way that it is more effective and
more efficient so that people who are problem drinkers are

(21:54):
not actually able to get their hands on alcohol. But
we can't deny the fact that we've still got people
who are going to get their hands on alcohol. Just
a week or so ago, we had somebody the police
ended up seizing a number of bottles of rum if
I remember correctly, they were destined for the Daily Region.

Speaker 6 (22:11):
Daily River. It was an extraordining amount of alcohol. And
then that subsequently led to a house being raided. Yep,
more alcohol was being held. So yeah, look, people will
pay whatever it takes, and that's always been the case.
If you're addicted to something, you'll pay the price no

(22:31):
matter what it is.

Speaker 2 (22:32):
So yeah, this is the thing. Look I do want
to discuss so as well. You know, we're talking again
about issues of crime. We're obviously talking those crime stats,
we're talking about alcohol and alice springs. All the while
we know the Northern Territory Police pay negotiations, Well, they're
now off to the Police Arbitration Tribunal after the force
overwhelmingly rejected the government's latest offer, and twenty members of

(22:58):
the Northern Territory Police Association recently took part in that ballot,
an eighty one percent voted no for the consent agreement
to offer. Joe as the Minister for Public Employment, have
we had a situation in recent years where a pay
negotiation offer for the Northern Territory Police has had to

(23:19):
go to the arbitration tribunal.

Speaker 5 (23:23):
I'm not sure about that, Katie. Whether it's gone to
the arbitration, I don't think so. But what I can
tell you is that these negotiations between the NTPA, the
Commissioner of Public Service, because this is actually whilst it
sits under me, I'm not the one in the room
doing the negotiations, so that sits with the Commissioner and

(23:44):
the Commissioner of Police and the NTPA, and those negotiations
have continued to go on in good faith. And then
it was always that if there was a vote no,
that it would go to the arbitrary tribunal.

Speaker 3 (23:57):
But what I can tell you and.

Speaker 5 (23:59):
Big shout out the police that do a great work
every day out there in the community. Today, the Commissioner
and the Police Commissioner and the president of the NTPA
will get back in the room and hopefully have an answer,
you know, on how those negotiations will be done, hopefully
by the end of today.

Speaker 6 (24:17):
Yes, I think it's no doubt that the public would
love to see this issue resolved because they do value
their police force, and time and time again you'll get
people commenting and say, look, police worth every cent you
pay them. So it'd be good if Obviously people want
it to get resolved, and so did the police and
what was it? Four percent? Was it?

Speaker 3 (24:37):
It was?

Speaker 5 (24:38):
They went with a four four three three over a
four year period and that was what they voted no against.
So those negotiations will be ongoing today and as I said,
I hope by the end of today will have a resolution.
And I think that's a positive, you know, because yeah,
as you said, Gary, the police work hard each and

(24:59):
every day and when someone calls with an emergency, they
want to know that the police are going to rock
up there and they do a fantastic job.

Speaker 2 (25:06):
It's no doubt, like it's no doubt it's a point
of contention. I know quite a large number of Northern
Territory Police officers, and I was talking to a couple
of them as early as sort of last week who
were saying, you know, this really needs to get sorted out.
It wasn't just the pay negotiation, but the thing that
they some of them are quite upset about, of course,
is that retention bonus as well. You know, in a

(25:27):
unit of police, you might have one person who happens
to fall on the ten years or the twenty years,
but then you've got others that have maybe worked seventeen
that then don't get that retention bonus, and they're not
real happy about it. So I don't know where this
all lands. But what I do know is much of
the legislative changes that we're saying come through from the
Northern Territory government are sort of, you know, are falling

(25:48):
on the shoulders I guess of Northern Territory police in
many ways. And the last thing we want is the
moving into state or not wanting to work. I mean, Chancey,
what do you make.

Speaker 3 (25:58):
Of it all?

Speaker 4 (26:00):
Look, Katie, I think you're absolutely right. There are a
lot of legislative changes are putting more work on the police,
and the police are asking for a very simple recognition
of that through their ABA negotiations. I think the CLP
misled police about the retention bonus. You know, we're hearing
ninety percent of officers have now found out they won't
get it. But Katie, just going back, you know the

(26:23):
minister there on in the studio with you, Joehersey, talking
about you know, the tribunal and not being aware of
it's there or not.

Speaker 3 (26:30):
That is that's actually not what I said. That's misleading.

Speaker 5 (26:34):
I did not say that I'm not aware of the
police Arbatrue triemunal.

Speaker 3 (26:38):
I absolutely do so when.

Speaker 2 (26:40):
That's it had whether she was aware, if it had
happened in the past, like whether they'd be previous negosociations.

Speaker 4 (26:48):
So Katie, what I want to know is, you know,
the government have to sign off to take it to
the tribunal. So was that Joehersey or was that Leafanocchiaro
who signed off to take it to the tribunal.

Speaker 5 (27:01):
These negotiations, chances all sit under me. The police retention
sits with the Police Minister as the Chief Minister, and
the if the negotiations were not like if the vote
went to know it would go to the Police Arbitrary
Arbitration Tribunal and find that, Joe, that is.

Speaker 3 (27:21):
Something that sits under me. Yes, and that's where that
was going.

Speaker 5 (27:24):
So we have gone back to negotiations with the NTPA,
and as I just said, I think it'll be a
great result for everyone by the end of today, and
I look forward.

Speaker 4 (27:36):
To sad because I don't think you truly understand how
OCPU works. You either signed off to take it to
the tribunal or you're back at the negotiating table. That's
the simple fact.

Speaker 5 (27:45):
I think negotiations in good faith that you are not
aware of chancy And whilst it's all well to snipe
from the sidelines, we are working in good faith with
the NTPA, continuing to make sure that we expediate this
process to the best outcome for all police across the
territory and I think they absolutely deserve it.

Speaker 2 (28:06):
We are going to have to take a quick break
because I'm very keen to come back and talk about
the local government elections. They've been going off throughout the week,
so we're going to take a really quick break. You
are listening to Mix one O four ninees three sixty.

Speaker 1 (28:19):
It is the week that was.

Speaker 2 (28:20):
You are listening to Mix one O four nine's three sixty,
it is the week that was. If you've just joined us, well,
it's been a busy hour so far. We have of
course got Chancey Peg on the line from Alice Springs
in the studio. We've got Joe Hersey and also Gary Shipway.
Now I tell you Wash, it's been a very very
interesting week. If you've been covering the local government election.

(28:43):
I don't know how it's going in Alice Springs, Chancey,
we'll find out. But up here in Darwin, well, there's
been some concerns. There's been some issues with the early
voting centers. Some candidates well, they learned on Monday that
they were not able to hand out their how to
vote cards the Darwin Council facilities. We'd asked the See
of the City of Darwin about this after some had

(29:05):
questioned who was running the election, whether it was the
Northern Territory Electoral Commission or the council. Then it was
reported in the Northern Territory News that at least eight
candidates vying for the top spot on the Darwin City
Council accused the Council of being undemocratic as they demand
the Northern Territory Electoral Commissioner postponed the election until action

(29:28):
is taken.

Speaker 4 (29:29):
Now.

Speaker 2 (29:29):
I spoke to the Northern Territory Electoral Commissioner yesterday. She
confirmed that the election would not be postponed.

Speaker 1 (29:36):
I mean, what you garry. It was an interesting one, wasn't.

Speaker 6 (29:40):
These elections have been absolutely ferocious. Yeah, I never something
like it. And you know, you see some churchy politics
in terms of the territory elections in the federal elections
against a lot of argibarji, but this has been ferocious,
and I think a lot of it's to do with that.
None of these people, these are all people who run
into penadive part except the Greens at the moment. And

(30:02):
you know, and there it's dog eat dog. Everyone everyone
wants to win. And you've seen it not only with
the how at this polling booth, but you've seen it
with deals, handshake deals being broken for where you're positioning,
We're swapping your preferences, ugly online posts. It's been ferocious.

Speaker 2 (30:21):
It's been nasty in a lot of ways. It's been
really nasty. I mean, Chancey, how has it been in
Alice Springs. Has there been that level of nastiness?

Speaker 4 (30:30):
Has there?

Speaker 2 (30:30):
It been going fairly smoothly in Alice when it comes
to the council elections. I know it's obviously out in
the remote remote areas as well.

Speaker 4 (30:39):
Yeah, look, Katie, we've obviously mobile polling has been happening
out across the bush and all by all accounts, that's
been really well, quite calm and not confrontational at all. Look,
I went down and voted earlier this week in Alla Springs.
It seemed to be very respectful. Alice Springs obviously has
different rules at the moment where people are able to

(31:01):
canvas right at the front of the Alice Springstown Council
polling booth. So look, it is, it is different. I
do acknowledge that the land in Darwin is owned by
the Darwin City Council and they've looked they've made these rules.
But you know, maybe council could have done a better
job explaining those rules. But you know, I guess if

(31:24):
it's something that we're going to see and people are
going to raise, then that's something that the government could
consider creating new rules for those council elections. But you know,
I do make the point that one of the loudest
voices in Darwin is Peter Stey Styles, who you know,
was in cabinet with the CLP who banned you know,

(31:48):
canvassing on polling day. So it's a bit rich for
him to be complaining.

Speaker 6 (31:51):
I see Peter's the books got in second.

Speaker 3 (31:53):
I was just about to say.

Speaker 2 (31:55):
That, hey, do you know one of the things that
I've been wondering though over the last you know, over
the last week or so. And I don't know what
everybody's thoughts are on this, but we've obviously seen you know,
these issues with the how to vote carden and you know,
and people may be getting frustrated about that. But one
of the you know, one of the other things that
we have seen is what you touched on, Gary is

(32:16):
some absolute, like really nasty, nasty conduct online, you know,
the damaging of core flutes and that kind of thing.

Speaker 3 (32:26):
As well.

Speaker 2 (32:27):
We know that it always gets a little bit nasty
when it comes to elections. I think that Chancey and
Joe you guys probably have a better understanding of that
the most. But some of what I've seen online, some
of the behavior, some of the conduct, some of the
slandering of other people. It just makes me question whether
there needs to be some stricter guidelines in place, or
some stricter rules and regulations, whether the legislation needs to

(32:51):
change when it comes to who can put their hand
up to run for mayor or counsel. Now not saying
that we need to cut people out or anything like that.
The you know, the criteria, I guess, or the bar
in a lot of ways is really quite low. I
don't know whether there needs to be some changes in
that space, or whether there needs to be a fee

(33:14):
that's paid in order to put your hand up to run.
I know that that may present some different challenges depending
on geographically where you are across the Northern Territory. But
what's the situation for a like, for somebody putting their
hand up for the Northern Territory election, Joe or chance? You?

Speaker 1 (33:31):
I don't know whether you know. Do you have to
pay a certain amount of money?

Speaker 4 (33:34):
Yeah?

Speaker 3 (33:35):
You do. You do have to pay to put your
hand up.

Speaker 5 (33:39):
Yeah, Off the top of my head, I can't even
remember how much that is, but you do have to pay.

Speaker 3 (33:43):
But I'd just like to go.

Speaker 5 (33:44):
You know, some of the slanderous things that people say
on social media. I think people really need to have
a good you know that. We know there's keyboard worries
out there, but people really need to have a good
look at if you can't say that to someone's face,
don't sit it on social media and just getting to
the you know because I know in Catherine we've had
some issues down there with the polling around candidates and

(34:07):
where you can stand and where you can be.

Speaker 3 (34:09):
But I think maybe the.

Speaker 5 (34:10):
Electoral Commission needs to work out and source some good
places that are easily accessible for all of the voters
to go, because everyone has a democratic right to go
and have their vote. But we have it in our
shopping center in Catherine. We have one shopping center. Only
not everyone wants to be humbug going to do their
shopping with people. John, the owner of the shopping center, says, no,

(34:30):
you can't be in here, there's a ten meter law.
And then you know, the Electoral Commission will say, well
you can stand out here, but it's not clear.

Speaker 3 (34:39):
So I think there.

Speaker 5 (34:40):
Does need to be some areas where, you know, there's
one particular place in Catherine which is very easily accessible.

Speaker 3 (34:47):
You just get out of your car, you walk in there.

Speaker 5 (34:49):
It's just a private business, is not so public as
the shopping center.

Speaker 3 (34:52):
And I don't know why they don't source them.

Speaker 2 (34:54):
I know the Northern Territory Electoral Commission because I did
actually put those questions to the commissioner yesterday in terms
of whether they need to source different locations that are
more easily accessible. And you know, if people are worried
about about sort of being annoyed while they go in
to do their shopping and not wanting those how to
vote cards, or when they go to the Casuarina Library
to get a book, not worrying about, you know, about

(35:14):
being bailed up by a political candidate trying to tell
them why they should.

Speaker 1 (35:17):
Vote for them.

Speaker 2 (35:18):
I you know, I take that on board, and I
do I know that there is always a review conducted
after an election happens where they look at ways in
which they could do things differently. But again I'll go
back to I do wonder whether there needs to be
some legislative changes when it comes to not only you know,
people putting their hand up to run for counsel, but

(35:40):
also when it comes to advertising material or different material
and and you know, not being able to sort of
to say outrageous things about other people and get away.

Speaker 1 (35:52):
With it up per se.

Speaker 6 (35:53):
Yeah, I think, well, there is laws that the electoral
Commissions in act putting because you false broadcasting false information
and during election is an offense. So the issue is
tracking down who's the perpetrator of that behind that And.

Speaker 2 (36:09):
The line that they were using was that is it
no truth in that. I've got to I'll have to
get Crystal to tell us exactly what the line is,
but that no truth in political advertising for the council elections.
So is that that you take everything as if it's
not correct? I mean, as I said, I'll get Crystal
to find the actual you know, the actual line that is.

Speaker 1 (36:31):
What they say. But for me, it.

Speaker 2 (36:33):
Seems as though the rules are quite different in some
ways when it comes to the council election comparatively to
what they are for the Northern Territory election. And I
just think could we unify things a little bit so
it's not such a dirty, messy race.

Speaker 5 (36:49):
Well, I think, Katie, I've had I've just had someone
message me and it was when they ran for council
before it was one hundred dollars and if you won,
you got the one hundred dollars back yep, one hundred
dollars is you know, whilst it's a lot of money
for some people, if you're running to stand as an
elected member, it's probably.

Speaker 3 (37:08):
Not that much money.

Speaker 5 (37:10):
But I think there does need to be some guidelines
in place, and certainly for what you can say on
social media.

Speaker 2 (37:17):
That's exactly right, Katie.

Speaker 4 (37:20):
I think look after this election there will be a
report produced by the Electoral Commissioner. Normally most governments in
the Territory have an opportunity to review the Electoral Act
in their term, so certainly this is probably something that
Joe could and we'll probably raise with her colleagues and
look at any reform. I mean, how counsel does preferencing

(37:42):
is different in our springs to how we do it
in the territory election, so there's a lot of differences here.
But I think the message that I want to leave
people is like, just be really mindful when you're looking
at flyers in pamphlets, make sure that it's authorized, because
a lot of the stuff that's flowing around, regardless of
who you are and what side of the political spectrum

(38:04):
you come from, everything should be absolutely authorized and if
it's not. It needs to be reported to the Commission,
and you know, look it is. I think we all
take our hats off to people who put their hand up,
particularly in council, because it's a hard campaign to run
and there's lots of issues and obviously sometimes they can

(38:25):
become conflated with what's a territory issue or a federal issue.
So look, I think it'll be interesting to see that lands,
particularly Katie for us. In Alice Springs, there's twenty five
candidates for eight seats, so we're going to see a
whole new council most likely.

Speaker 2 (38:40):
And who looks there's not many that have been on
council for a while that have put their hand up
for mayor and Alice Springs either is there is there
one or two?

Speaker 4 (38:49):
Look at at this stage there's only one person who's
been on council who's running for mayor, and that's Elie Melkie,
who's been around a long time and lots of people
know him in Alice. So I think regardless of where
the election falls this year, right across the towns, I
think we're going to see a whole new council which
is going to be interesting for our towns because they're

(39:12):
all going to be learning and working out how council works.
And I guess, as Joe and I would know, when
you're going through a campaign, lots of people are promising
things in these council elections that are actually they don't
have jurisdiction over. So it'll be interesting to see.

Speaker 5 (39:28):
And well, I think that's interesting in itself. If you're
going to run for council, know what your jurisdiction is
and basically Rhodes rates and rubbish and work with the
Government of the data.

Speaker 2 (39:39):
Well, and this is part of you know, that's part
of what I mean as well when you look at
the legislation and you look at what and I know
that that doesn't come down to legislation, but I do
think it's just it's highlighted a lot of things for
me this election, and some of it is exactly what
you've pointed out. Their chancey. If you've got people that
are putting their hand up that you know that they

(40:00):
they don't even know what they're actually able to sort
of make promises about, it makes it a really interesting race.

Speaker 3 (40:08):
Maybe they should be a rape payer.

Speaker 6 (40:10):
I think you're also seeing how disciplined the actually territory
elections are because most both parties have a no talk policy,
only certain people allowed to speak. Here, you've got so
many everyone's talking, and it's just say that Doggie told
them that everyone's.

Speaker 4 (40:27):
Gary Joe and are going to take that. We're disciplined.

Speaker 1 (40:33):
I don't know if that's how I describe either of.

Speaker 6 (40:34):
You, far more than what's happening right now.

Speaker 3 (40:38):
Are you all right?

Speaker 2 (40:39):
We're going to take a really quick break. You are
listening to Mix one O four nine's three sixty.

Speaker 1 (40:44):
It is the week that was.

Speaker 2 (40:45):
Well, if you've just joined us, you've missed a busy
hour joining me still in the studio right now, Gary
ship By, head of news at the NT News, and
of course Joe Hersey, the Education Minister and Minister for
Public Employment, and of course Chancey Peig, the labor opposite
member in Alice Springs. Now, just to go back to
that line, so the election laws do not include truth

(41:07):
in advertising.

Speaker 1 (41:08):
For election material.

Speaker 2 (41:10):
So that's what I was trying to get to and
where I think it does need to change. So you know, accordingly,
it is up to each elector to assess whether someone's
telling the truth in their campaigns or not. Like to me,
that's something that actually needs to change. I think that
if you've got people saying, you know, whatever they like,
it's a.

Speaker 1 (41:28):
Bit of a worry, sure is. Yeah.

Speaker 2 (41:31):
Anyway, hey, before we wrap up, we have only got
a moment. But over the last week or so, it's
been incredibly busy up here in the Top End, Chancey.
I know you were here as well last week or
the week before as well. There's lots of different events on.
Anecdotally certainly feeling as though things are buzzing. I caught
up with Tourism Top End yesterday their general manager, Sam Bennett,

(41:53):
and she said that, yeah, there has been a lot
of visitors to town.

Speaker 1 (41:57):
She'd also told.

Speaker 2 (41:57):
Us about the World Archaeology Conference, which I know Gary's
told us about before as well.

Speaker 1 (42:03):
I think there was like, yeah.

Speaker 6 (42:05):
Over two thousand people here, yeah, fifteen hundred online and
that generated twelve million dollars into the economy, which is extraordinary.

Speaker 2 (42:12):
Well, and when you look at event tourism, but also
when you look at you know, at the you know,
like conference tourism as well, you know, it's been a
great thing to see town bustling in the way it is.

Speaker 6 (42:25):
And look, I don't know if people understand how important
the announcement yesterday was about the Goday Australia event, because
what that does next year it brings all the travel
agents who were selling the territory selling a tourism product
here to Darwin and it's very significant to have that.
I think it's about two hundred maybe three hundred, and

(42:46):
it's very significant to have those people here because that
again puts the territory in front of these people and
they'll be out there having a look at everything. So
I think that's a great degree.

Speaker 5 (42:55):
Absolutely, I think that's fantastic and to put the territory
on a global stage be really exciting. But you know,
not only a global stage for tourism with that event
next year.

Speaker 3 (43:06):
We've had the cricket.

Speaker 5 (43:08):
Twenty cricket here this week that's been absolutely fantastic.

Speaker 3 (43:11):
I got to one of the games the other nights.

Speaker 5 (43:13):
Crowds were extraordinary, absolutely unbelievable, and the vibe there was
just unreal. People were you know, I saw people in
the crowd and they absolutely loved it. But also we've
got the Supercross coming oh yeah, the motocross motocross and
eighty percent of the tickets have been sold already overseas

(43:34):
and the interstate.

Speaker 6 (43:36):
So the supercars not supercars, the solo cars are here.

Speaker 1 (43:41):
At the moment yep.

Speaker 2 (43:42):
And I know last week as well, like we had
the Aboriginal Art Fair, we had the there was like
there was so much on as well as the Darwin Festival.
Like it's all happening and there's been a real sort
of showcase of culture as well, hasn't there, Chancy.

Speaker 4 (43:56):
Oh yeah, look, I think Katie, we know that we're
a unique jurist and it's great that we embrace it
with these festivals, whether it's the dar and Aboriginal Art Fair,
Indigenous Fashion Awards, Motor Sports, cricket, all of these dar
and Festival. I mean it's amazing and I think it's
also important. You know, we've got great events popping up
along the track as well, whether it's Desert Mob in

(44:19):
Alis or the events in Katherine and Tenant Creek. They're
all great for the economy and they draw people, draw
people to the territory and I think that's that's wonderful.

Speaker 3 (44:30):
Just took the words out of my mouth. He On
Todd has been.

Speaker 5 (44:33):
Confirmed by the you know the government to support it
again this weekend. And tomorrow we've got the Catherine Races,
Katie Big.

Speaker 3 (44:40):
It's a big day on the calendar in Catherine.

Speaker 4 (44:43):
So see Joe, You'll have your you'll have your backside
track side, Joe, I will.

Speaker 3 (44:49):
Be absolutely.

Speaker 5 (44:51):
I volunteer for Roach Tree on the gate every year
and then I go to the races later on the afternoon.

Speaker 1 (44:57):
Well look, it sounds like it's going to be a
busy weekend.

Speaker 2 (44:59):
We are going to have to leave it there, Chancey
pay Good to have you on the show from Alice
Springs this morning.

Speaker 1 (45:04):
Appreciate your time, no worries.

Speaker 4 (45:06):
Thanks Katie, thanks everyone for participating.

Speaker 1 (45:08):
Thank you.

Speaker 2 (45:09):
And Joe Hersey in Darwin from Catherine. Good to have
you in the studio this morning as well.

Speaker 5 (45:14):
Thanks Katie, and thanks listeners. Everyone have a great weekend
and see you at the races.

Speaker 2 (45:18):
And Gary Shipway of course from the NT and News.
Great to have you in the studio too.

Speaker 6 (45:22):
Thank you. And I just want to wish everyone at
the Master Builders a good time.

Speaker 1 (45:26):
Oh yes, I'll be there to MC it's always a big.

Speaker 2 (45:29):
Kneezer yed Hee's definitely good stuff. Good on you, Gary,
Thank you all so much for your time this morning.