Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
We know that the race for the seat of Nightcliffe
is well and truly underway.
Speaker 2 (00:04):
At park Run on the.
Speaker 1 (00:05):
Weekend, will two of the candidates were there. Then I
saw some photos of Ed Smelt and Suki Doris Walker
out campaigning. My understanding is that Phil Scott has also
announced that he's going to be putting his hand up
and the COLP announcing their candidate as well.
Speaker 2 (00:20):
Now joining me in.
Speaker 1 (00:21):
The studio, he's the Chief Minister leafanokiarro. Good morning to
your chief Good morning Canadian to your listeners.
Speaker 2 (00:26):
Now talk us through Angin Perdell.
Speaker 1 (00:29):
I believe now I've spoken to a few people in Nightcliffe,
not many seem to know him well.
Speaker 3 (00:34):
He's not run before, so I guess the Labor and
the Greens candidate have had a crack plenty of times,
including a council But yeah, the party has pre selected
a jam Podell. He's a lawyer, he's lived in that
area for ten years and he's just really passionate about,
you know, giving Nightcliff the representation at needs. I think
(00:55):
he sees, like many people, that this Greens experiment hasn't worked,
that Labour also let that seat down very badly, and
that the best thing for Nightcliff would be a seat
at the table while in government. So the proposition for
us is really clear. And he's out and about. I
was with him yesterday at Nightcliff Markets and you know
he'll be out on the ground earning people's confidence.
Speaker 2 (01:16):
Any idea yet who.
Speaker 1 (01:17):
The COLP is going to preference, because it's looking more
and more likely to me that the COLP and Labor
are going to have to preference each other if you
don't want to get the Greens back in.
Speaker 4 (01:27):
Yeah, look that's a matter for the party, Katie.
Speaker 3 (01:29):
But I think there's still time for people to pop
out of the woodwork. So we've seen a few people
come through more might it might be a ten horse
race for all we know. So I think time will tell.
But you know, as I said, and Jen's proposition is
really clear. It gives people in Nightcliff an opportunity, you know,
for the next two and a half years to have
a seat at the table in government and then go
(01:50):
again at the next election.
Speaker 1 (01:52):
Well, look, Chief Inesster, there is a lot to cover
off on this morning, quite a few pretty serious issues
and in some breaking news this morning, the Member for
Forngleart Tansel Rahman has been accused of bullying by two
female staffers in what's been.
Speaker 2 (02:05):
Described as a very serious matter.
Speaker 1 (02:08):
Now. According to the report by Matt Garrick from the ABC,
he was the chair of the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee,
which was leading consultations into the Northern Territory's voluntary assisted
dying laws when the formal complaints were made late last year.
The ABC's confirmed through multiple sources that the allegations against
him were made by two staffers who'd been on the
(02:29):
road with the politician for those VAD consultations Chief Minister.
This report claims that the member swore and yelled at
staff while travel was undertaken. When did you become aware
of these accusations?
Speaker 3 (02:44):
So I became aware well after the fat Katie. But
ultimately these are really sensitive HR type matters and you know,
they just can't be ventilated in the public domain. They
were dealt with appropriately by the legislatve Assembly Speaker as
is appropriate, and so the matter has been resolved and
(03:06):
is completed and we move on.
Speaker 1 (03:08):
So what steps were taken if the matter has been
resolved and completely well, I'm.
Speaker 3 (03:12):
Not privy to all of that detail. I don't sit
on that committee or any committee. But I'm not part
of those conversations, Katie.
Speaker 1 (03:18):
And so I suppose as the leader of a party
and certainly of that party wing. I mean, these are
serious accusations and it's really serious for somebody to be
accused of yelling and swearing at stuff. So I guess
my question is, what did you do as the chief
minister to really pull him back into line and find
out what the goal was?
Speaker 3 (03:37):
Well, I think what's important is that these are allegations,
and so they were dealt with through the appropriate mechanisms.
And there's really not a lot more I can say
about that, except that I think.
Speaker 4 (03:48):
The timing of this is a bit cute. Katie.
Speaker 3 (03:50):
You know this all took place and was dealt with
last year, and now it's a by election and you
know there's the did you ask.
Speaker 2 (03:57):
Him to stand down from his chair roll over that matter?
Speaker 3 (04:01):
Well, I'm not going to go into personal conversations and
what took place.
Speaker 4 (04:05):
It's just a sensitive HR matter.
Speaker 3 (04:07):
And as your listeners would know, Katie, I mean many
of them are managers and employers. You just can't put
these things up on a poster out the front of
a show.
Speaker 1 (04:15):
Well, totally understand the point that you're making that it's
a HR matter, but as we know, when it comes
to politics, you know, questions need to be answered and
back sort of in twenty twenty one when there was
accusations made about Mick Dodson, well similar sort of situation
abusing or yelling at and swearing at women. You as
(04:39):
the opposition leader at the time, and Bill Yan, who
was also in opposition, really stood up and said that,
you know, the government of the day, Michael Gunner needed
to be strong on this and say that it was
not appropriate.
Speaker 3 (04:51):
And it's an entirely different context and we stand by
it because what we're talking about is staff of the
Legislative Assembly HR issue to be resolved by you know,
the Clerk and the Speaker, and so that has all
taken place. So but he is a member of Parliament
and look, you're somebody who I believe conducts herself to
(05:12):
the highest you know, to the highest degree. Well in
my interactions with you, so I would imagine that you're
pretty like you know that you're going well, hang on
a second, I hope that you're not treating people in
your office in this way. We all want everyone to
be treating everyone very well, Katie. Of course, there's very
high expectations on us, and I'm I'm not shying away
(05:34):
from any of that, and I understand that this is,
you know, of interest to people, but at the end
of the day that there are very much limitations on
what can be said publicly about this out of respect
for all parties involved, and ultimately it rested with the
Speaker and that's how it was dealt with.
Speaker 1 (05:50):
So can I just confirm so you're saying it's been
dealt with by the Speaker's office in terms of of
these allegations that have been correct. Yes, and so for
you though, as the chief Minister and he's a member
of your team, did you have any discussions with him,
did you you know, did you ask him to stand
down in that cheer role because I understand now that
(06:10):
he's not in it, Lori's e oh.
Speaker 4 (06:12):
It's yeah.
Speaker 3 (06:13):
So what we ended up doing, a bit like with
what I've just done with the Assistant Ministry is it's
been a really good opportunity for everyone to learn something different.
So we did a very wholesale movement of people throughout
our committees to give them different opportunities, experiences but look,
at the end of the day, I think this has
become a political football and a by election. Katie and
(06:34):
both the Labor and Green's members effusively praised the work
of doctor Rahman on that committee and doing the voluntary
assisted dying work. So you know, I'm just very conscious
of the environment that this is being raised in, not
to diminish it in.
Speaker 1 (06:49):
Any way, but that people deserve the right to know
whether their local member has you know, been involved in
this kind of behavior.
Speaker 3 (06:57):
Well, I think there's you know, information being put out
by ABC. There are hr considerations at play which require
a level of confidentiality and respect and dignity to all
of those involved, and that it's been dealt with appropriately,
and so you know, we continue with the business of government.
Speaker 1 (07:14):
I'm going to get ready to move on, but I
just want to ask you. The Deputy Opposition leader, Duran Young,
who's also a member of the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee,
said a safe workplace was non negotiable for everyone in
the territory. He said, if these allegations are true, then
you should come forward and explain why this behavior was
allowed to occur and why it was not called out.
Speaker 2 (07:36):
Why didn't you call it out.
Speaker 3 (07:37):
Well, I've just been through all of that, Katie. And
as I said, you know, the member for Daily also
stood up in Parliament and effusively praised the work of
doctor Rahman, as did the outgoing Greens members.
Speaker 4 (07:48):
So I think then they knew this.
Speaker 3 (07:51):
Well you know who knows, Katie that they are on
the committee. So the context is very important to this.
And as I said, it's just one of those matters.
Speaker 4 (08:00):
Which you know, I'm sure maintenance, so.
Speaker 3 (08:01):
You feel appreciate nothing to see here, it's not nothing
to see. It's just it's been dealt with appropriately, and
I think people can have confidence in that.
Speaker 1 (08:09):
I guess the issue is so you know, for like
for those listening that are maybe in his electorate, I
am as well. I'm sort of going, well, hang on
a sec. How are none of us aware of.
Speaker 3 (08:18):
This because of the very nature of it, Katie, As
I said, you know, this is a this is a
matter for the Legislative Assembly and via the speaker in
that employee type relationship. So it's just not something like
like any entity or any business or any organization.
Speaker 4 (08:35):
You just can't you know, go out publicly on that stuff.
Speaker 1 (08:38):
Chief Manestop. I'm gonna have to forge your head because
there's quite a bit I want to get through this morning.
Speaker 3 (08:41):
Now.
Speaker 1 (08:42):
The situation in Alice Springs, it's blowing up again. Machete
wielding youths arrested outside the hospital yesterday. On Friday, there
was a fight on the street in broad daylight with
people brandishing machetes. What is going on in Alice Springs
right now?
Speaker 3 (08:56):
Yeah, look it looks pretty bad, Katie, but it's some
of it has been fighting between families over legacy issues,
so very deliberate sort of attacks on each other and
then others is just incredibly bad behavior. And I think
what this reinforces is just that hard work of dealing
(09:17):
with this continues, which is why our focus into twenty
twenty six remains reducing crime.
Speaker 4 (09:23):
That number one.
Speaker 3 (09:23):
Priority has to stay because whilst we've made some really
strong results and the data is starting to look good,
it's all about how people feel. It's all about the sentiment.
It's all about people reclaiming their lives back.
Speaker 2 (09:38):
It's cold comfort as well.
Speaker 1 (09:39):
And you know, if you're at the hospital yesterday morning
and you're seeing this kind of thing happening, I mean
you were very critical of the former government when there
was violence on the street in Alice Springs. You know,
some listening this morning are going to say, well, things
don't seem to have changed much. Does this demonstrate that
your policies are not working?
Speaker 4 (09:57):
I think that's the difference, Katie.
Speaker 3 (09:59):
This is we've had an excellent summer by all accounts,
and so the data will get washed up very soon
as Operation Ludlow finished. But you know, we have wonderful
feedback from businesses over summer saying just how different it
was that the town's feeling good.
Speaker 4 (10:13):
I had one business I'm going to say.
Speaker 3 (10:15):
To me that him and his wife were even going
to the movies that night, which sounds so simple, but
that was what was. People were deprived of us even
just going to the movies.
Speaker 4 (10:23):
You know.
Speaker 3 (10:23):
So things are definitely better. There's still heaps of work
to do, Katie. We are not shoying away from that,
which is why our reform in child protection will happen
this year. Youth Justice Act Trench two will happen. Some
big Traffic Act stuff that police in Alice specifically want
is being done so that there's plenty more to come.
Speaker 1 (10:42):
Chief Minister, I want to talk about health this is
something that is absolutely high on the agenda for a
lot of our listeners. Now, my understanding is that today's
actually the final day that Alia Vmuri, the private obstetrician,
is going to operate in the Northern Territory. Her remaining patients, well,
they've had to try, and some of them, well some
(11:02):
of them, those expectant mothers actually traveling into.
Speaker 2 (11:05):
State to give birth.
Speaker 1 (11:06):
Now, you must be concerned that we no longer have
a private ob here in the Northern Territory and that
women are going into State two.
Speaker 3 (11:14):
Yeah, birth, I absolutely am, Katie. This is a really
sad chapter for the territory and you know it's been
well ventilated. Healthscope made the decision to pull out because
our population was declining, baby numbers were dropping off, and
it wasn't commercially viable for them. Now that is a
really poor outcome for Territorians, for families, for people looking
(11:36):
to move here. And we've seen that with people making decisions.
I know people who've made decisions to go into state
to have their baby.
Speaker 4 (11:42):
So this's why it's real.
Speaker 3 (11:44):
Yeah, it's a real, genuine, horrible problem. And so we've
been very clear about making sure that whoever and we
now know that the new owners will be this rebadged
health scope not for profit.
Speaker 2 (11:56):
But are they gonna have a maternity war?
Speaker 3 (11:57):
Well, this is what we're working through. So the Minutes
for Health was just interstate meeting with the receivers and
said in no uncertain terms that the new operator must
bring back maternity and we force them though, well, we've
looked at the different leverages that we have and we
will continue to work with them. We because they're still
building that new entity, we've not met with them, but
(12:18):
as soon as we can, we will, and then we
will start that negotiation. And this is sort of separate
to them some of the concerns people have been having
about the public system obviously, but it's a huge blow
for us and I just you know, some people might
wonder sometimes why I'm constantly going on about rebuilding our economy,
and I know it seems like a hard link to make,
but this is exactly that when the economy is strong
(12:40):
and people are living and growing and moving here, hospitals
and services can be delivered.
Speaker 2 (12:45):
God get it right.
Speaker 1 (12:46):
I think everybody listening gets that as well. But at
the moment, you know, like in the meantime, then the
big reals needs to be done. There's a big hole now.
Last week on the show, Luke Gosling said his understanding
was that the Northern Territory government had only formally submitted
its more detailed ten million dollar funding request to the
federal Health Minister Mark Butler on the eleventh of February.
Why on earth has it taken so long?
Speaker 3 (13:08):
Look, this is politics at it's worst, Katie. It really
is disgusting. I mean we have been We've written to
the health federal health minister I think four times.
Speaker 4 (13:17):
Minister Edgington has met with them several times.
Speaker 3 (13:20):
The federal government was very quick to bawt out Tasmania
and other small regional areas. We asked for thirty five
million originally, which they rejected. We've been asking for ten
for god, it must be a year now, Katie, and
it still hasn't come through.
Speaker 1 (13:34):
But have you guys, did you actually put in that
formal and detailed Yes, player, yes we have for the
eleventh of February.
Speaker 4 (13:41):
That is my understanding.
Speaker 3 (13:42):
I have been told that the federal government have had
that information. They are dragging this out so that Luke
Goslin can have a pedal stool for a minute in
the sun and it's disgusting. It comes at the expense
of people's health care.
Speaker 1 (13:54):
To be honest with you, I feel like the federal
government and the Northern Territory government are both stuffing around
on this all the while we've got mums who are
taking up pedestal fans to give birth in hospital.
Speaker 4 (14:06):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (14:06):
Look, we are getting to the bottom of this air
con issue, but most of it is absolute rubbish and
being peddled again by.
Speaker 2 (14:13):
Moms are telling us. We've had mums message us.
Speaker 1 (14:16):
So Katie, I need to get my husband to bring
up a pedestal fan. Like I think the claim that
the aircorn's working to full capacity is bullshit and really
the government needs to get up there and have a
look at it.
Speaker 3 (14:28):
Well we have been, Katie, and to you know, some
of the accusations that for five hundred days, you know,
the air co it's just not true, right, So there's
a lot of I think what's happened is we've got
a terrible situation where health Scope's pulled out and then
there's politics being played to inflate this to bigger than
bend her right now. We want I was just talking
to a mother on the weekend at Nightcliff Markets actually
(14:49):
who had a great experience, So you know it's the
people there are doing an amazing job with what they've got.
Speaker 4 (14:55):
Do we need more money for health? Absolutely?
Speaker 3 (14:58):
Even the billion dollars I just came back from Sydney
with is not going to go far enough. But if
the federal government want to play games that Luke gos
and can stay in the sun, there's not much we.
Speaker 4 (15:08):
Can do about that.
Speaker 3 (15:09):
You can to stump up the ten million and stop
mucking around, or you know, like what do we do?
Speaker 1 (15:16):
Look and you know, I want to just say no,
one's discounting the hard work of the marors and staff
up at the hospital. I gave birth to both of
my children up there and had a fantastic experience. I
know that a lot of Northern Territory women have. But
to me, you know, even the situation on the weekend
where we see the roof continuing to crumble at Royal
dal And Hospital, to me, we need a new hospital.
(15:37):
But how are we going to get there if we've
got this toing and froing when it comes to politics,
And I do think that everybody needs to get there,
sit at the table and work this out for the
betterment of all Territorians, you know, put your politics aside
and work this out so that we can try to
get the funding that we need, so that every Territorian
can get the health care that they deserve.
Speaker 4 (15:57):
I couldn't agree more, Katie. And that's why Minister's dive
veging ten.
Speaker 3 (16:00):
He's literally just gotten off the plane meeting with Mark Butler,
the federal Health Minister, and still no commitment around that
ten despite it being asked for. So he's spoken with
him absolutely.
Speaker 4 (16:13):
I think it was yesterday.
Speaker 3 (16:14):
Okay, sorry, No, I wouldn't been yesterday, would have been Friday, yes,
so you know, and and still nothing.
Speaker 4 (16:21):
So it's we've got to sort this. It's a really
big challenge.
Speaker 3 (16:24):
And again, you know, if labor want to fight us
on every and every little battle, it's going to be
a really.
Speaker 1 (16:31):
I mean, we need the federal government, however you want
to look at it, we need them. And in this
other breaking US today, it's being reported that the International
Monetary Fund has issued a warning that the federal government
may need to bail out heavily indebted states and territories
like the Northern Territory and Victoria.
Speaker 2 (16:49):
I mean it's a pretty embarrassing.
Speaker 1 (16:50):
Situation for us, but it's also a situation that after
talking about the hospital, then it makes me go, well,
we really do need to work constructively with one another.
Speaker 2 (17:00):
This debarcle.
Speaker 4 (17:01):
It is our debt out, yeah absolutely.
Speaker 3 (17:04):
I mean, previous labor government added a billion dollars a
year to the debt a billion dollars and there's nothing
to show for it except a territory that was in
absolute free fall. Guys doing now, yep. So we're moving
forward with titan belts. We're making sure we're growing the
size of the pie and the economy. I mean even
just our payroll tax reforms, which just hit the one
(17:26):
year mark, which has delivered huge savings to hundreds of
territory businesses.
Speaker 4 (17:31):
That's we've we've.
Speaker 3 (17:32):
Generated more in payroll tax last year then we even
though we're able to deliver that subsidy because it's stimulating
economic growth.
Speaker 4 (17:40):
So we're working really hard.
Speaker 3 (17:41):
To go back to my earlier comment about rebuilding the economy.
That's where the game changer is. But we need the
federal government to see how special the territory is and
that we have everything this country needs to be successful
with with Beaterloo coming online this year, our Feurer Resources
hopefully making FID later in the year. You know, the
defense national security component we can provide this country, it's indisputable.
Speaker 4 (18:06):
We're a big part of this nation.
Speaker 3 (18:07):
We just want to be treated like it, Katie, and
that's all we're asking for.
Speaker 1 (18:11):
Chief Minister. I know your very pressed for time. I
want to ask you really quickly. I understand that the
Daily River residents they're going to be heading home today. Yeah.
Speaker 3 (18:19):
Correct, We've been able to do the assessments of houses
that will continue throughout today.
Speaker 4 (18:24):
Everyone's really keen to get back home, as you can.
Speaker 3 (18:26):
Imagine, it's been a long time, and so we will
support everyone to get back home later this afternoon.
Speaker 4 (18:32):
Into the evening and resettle everyone.
Speaker 1 (18:35):
I can't let you go without mentioning the fact that
tomorrow is the funeral of a.
Speaker 2 (18:39):
Great man, Ted Egan.
Speaker 1 (18:41):
I know that there will be a lot of Territorians
very keen to pay their respects for Ted an exceptional territorium.
Speaker 3 (18:49):
Yeah, we've got his state funeral tomorrow's I'm heading down
to Alice Springs today and I know lots of people
in Darwin actually are going down to pay their respects.
I'm expecting it to be a very large funeral, but
a celebration of life Katie, a life well lived, a
contribution well made, and teneris of the family.
Speaker 4 (19:06):
We're thinking of them all.
Speaker 1 (19:07):
Lea Finocchio, Chief Minister of the Northern Territory, A lot
to cover off on this morning.
Speaker 2 (19:12):
Really appreciate your time. Thank you, take care, thank you.
We know that the race for the seat of Nightcliffe
is well and truly underway.
Speaker 2 (00:04):
At park Run on the.
Speaker 1 (00:05):
Weekend, will two of the candidates were there. Then I
saw some photos of Ed Smelt and Suki Doris Walker
out campaigning. My understanding is that Phil Scott has also
announced that he's going to be putting his hand up
and the COLP announcing their candidate as well.
Speaker 2 (00:20):
Now joining me in.
Speaker 1 (00:21):
The studio, he's the Chief Minister leafanokiarro. Good morning to
your chief Good morning Canadian to your listeners.
Speaker 2 (00:26):
Now talk us through Angin Perdell.
Speaker 1 (00:29):
I believe now I've spoken to a few people in Nightcliffe,
not many seem to know him well.
Speaker 3 (00:34):
He's not run before, so I guess the Labor and
the Greens candidate have had a crack plenty of times,
including a council But yeah, the party has pre selected
a jam Podell. He's a lawyer, he's lived in that
area for ten years and he's just really passionate about,
you know, giving Nightcliff the representation at needs. I think
(00:55):
he sees, like many people, that this Greens experiment hasn't worked,
that Labour also let that seat down very badly, and
that the best thing for Nightcliff would be a seat
at the table while in government. So the proposition for
us is really clear. And he's out and about. I
was with him yesterday at Nightcliff Markets and you know
he'll be out on the ground earning people's confidence.
Speaker 2 (01:16):
Any idea yet who.
Speaker 1 (01:17):
The COLP is going to preference, because it's looking more
and more likely to me that the COLP and Labor
are going to have to preference each other if you
don't want to get the Greens back in.
Speaker 4 (01:27):
Yeah, look that's a matter for the party, Katie.
Speaker 3 (01:29):
But I think there's still time for people to pop
out of the woodwork. So we've seen a few people
come through more might it might be a ten horse
race for all we know. So I think time will tell.
But you know, as I said, and Jen's proposition is
really clear. It gives people in Nightcliff an opportunity, you know,
for the next two and a half years to have
a seat at the table in government and then go
(01:50):
again at the next election.
Speaker 1 (01:52):
Well, look, Chief Inesster, there is a lot to cover
off on this morning, quite a few pretty serious issues
and in some breaking news this morning, the Member for
Forngleart Tansel Rahman has been accused of bullying by two
female staffers in what's been.
Speaker 2 (02:05):
Described as a very serious matter.
Speaker 1 (02:08):
Now. According to the report by Matt Garrick from the ABC,
he was the chair of the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee,
which was leading consultations into the Northern Territory's voluntary assisted
dying laws when the formal complaints were made late last year.
The ABC's confirmed through multiple sources that the allegations against
him were made by two staffers who'd been on the
(02:29):
road with the politician for those VAD consultations Chief Minister.
This report claims that the member swore and yelled at
staff while travel was undertaken. When did you become aware
of these accusations?
Speaker 3 (02:44):
So I became aware well after the fat Katie. But
ultimately these are really sensitive HR type matters and you know,
they just can't be ventilated in the public domain. They
were dealt with appropriately by the legislatve Assembly Speaker as
is appropriate, and so the matter has been resolved and
(03:06):
is completed and we move on.
Speaker 1 (03:08):
So what steps were taken if the matter has been
resolved and completely well, I'm.
Speaker 3 (03:12):
Not privy to all of that detail. I don't sit
on that committee or any committee. But I'm not part
of those conversations, Katie.
Speaker 1 (03:18):
And so I suppose as the leader of a party
and certainly of that party wing. I mean, these are
serious accusations and it's really serious for somebody to be
accused of yelling and swearing at stuff. So I guess
my question is, what did you do as the chief
minister to really pull him back into line and find
out what the goal was?
Speaker 3 (03:37):
Well, I think what's important is that these are allegations,
and so they were dealt with through the appropriate mechanisms.
And there's really not a lot more I can say
about that, except that I think.
Speaker 4 (03:48):
The timing of this is a bit cute. Katie.
Speaker 3 (03:50):
You know this all took place and was dealt with
last year, and now it's a by election and you
know there's the did you ask.
Speaker 2 (03:57):
Him to stand down from his chair roll over that matter?
Speaker 3 (04:01):
Well, I'm not going to go into personal conversations and
what took place.
Speaker 4 (04:05):
It's just a sensitive HR matter.
Speaker 3 (04:07):
And as your listeners would know, Katie, I mean many
of them are managers and employers. You just can't put
these things up on a poster out the front of
a show.
Speaker 1 (04:15):
Well, totally understand the point that you're making that it's
a HR matter, but as we know, when it comes
to politics, you know, questions need to be answered and
back sort of in twenty twenty one when there was
accusations made about Mick Dodson, well similar sort of situation
abusing or yelling at and swearing at women. You as
(04:39):
the opposition leader at the time, and Bill Yan, who
was also in opposition, really stood up and said that,
you know, the government of the day, Michael Gunner needed
to be strong on this and say that it was
not appropriate.
Speaker 3 (04:51):
And it's an entirely different context and we stand by
it because what we're talking about is staff of the
Legislative Assembly HR issue to be resolved by you know,
the Clerk and the Speaker, and so that has all
taken place. So but he is a member of Parliament
and look, you're somebody who I believe conducts herself to
(05:12):
the highest you know, to the highest degree. Well in
my interactions with you, so I would imagine that you're
pretty like you know that you're going well, hang on
a second, I hope that you're not treating people in
your office in this way. We all want everyone to
be treating everyone very well, Katie. Of course, there's very
high expectations on us, and I'm I'm not shying away
(05:34):
from any of that, and I understand that this is,
you know, of interest to people, but at the end
of the day that there are very much limitations on
what can be said publicly about this out of respect
for all parties involved, and ultimately it rested with the
Speaker and that's how it was dealt with.
Speaker 1 (05:50):
So can I just confirm so you're saying it's been
dealt with by the Speaker's office in terms of of
these allegations that have been correct. Yes, and so for
you though, as the chief Minister and he's a member
of your team, did you have any discussions with him,
did you you know, did you ask him to stand
down in that cheer role because I understand now that
(06:10):
he's not in it, Lori's e oh.
Speaker 4 (06:12):
It's yeah.
Speaker 3 (06:13):
So what we ended up doing, a bit like with
what I've just done with the Assistant Ministry is it's
been a really good opportunity for everyone to learn something different.
So we did a very wholesale movement of people throughout
our committees to give them different opportunities, experiences but look,
at the end of the day, I think this has
become a political football and a by election. Katie and
(06:34):
both the Labor and Green's members effusively praised the work
of doctor Rahman on that committee and doing the voluntary
assisted dying work. So you know, I'm just very conscious
of the environment that this is being raised in, not
to diminish it in.
Speaker 1 (06:49):
Any way, but that people deserve the right to know
whether their local member has you know, been involved in
this kind of behavior.
Speaker 3 (06:57):
Well, I think there's you know, information being put out
by ABC. There are hr considerations at play which require
a level of confidentiality and respect and dignity to all
of those involved, and that it's been dealt with appropriately,
and so you know, we continue with the business of government.
Speaker 1 (07:14):
I'm going to get ready to move on, but I
just want to ask you. The Deputy Opposition leader, Duran Young,
who's also a member of the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee,
said a safe workplace was non negotiable for everyone in
the territory. He said, if these allegations are true, then
you should come forward and explain why this behavior was
allowed to occur and why it was not called out.
Speaker 2 (07:36):
Why didn't you call it out.
Speaker 3 (07:37):
Well, I've just been through all of that, Katie. And
as I said, you know, the member for Daily also
stood up in Parliament and effusively praised the work of
doctor Rahman, as did the outgoing Greens members.
Speaker 4 (07:48):
So I think then they knew this.
Speaker 3 (07:51):
Well you know who knows, Katie that they are on
the committee. So the context is very important to this.
And as I said, it's just one of those matters.
Speaker 4 (08:00):
Which you know, I'm sure maintenance, so.
Speaker 3 (08:01):
You feel appreciate nothing to see here, it's not nothing
to see. It's just it's been dealt with appropriately, and
I think people can have confidence in that.
Speaker 1 (08:09):
I guess the issue is so you know, for like
for those listening that are maybe in his electorate, I
am as well. I'm sort of going, well, hang on
a sec. How are none of us aware of.
Speaker 3 (08:18):
This because of the very nature of it, Katie, As
I said, you know, this is a this is a
matter for the Legislative Assembly and via the speaker in
that employee type relationship. So it's just not something like
like any entity or any business or any organization.
Speaker 4 (08:35):
You just can't you know, go out publicly on that stuff.
Speaker 1 (08:38):
Chief Manestop. I'm gonna have to forge your head because
there's quite a bit I want to get through this morning.
Speaker 3 (08:41):
Now.
Speaker 1 (08:42):
The situation in Alice Springs, it's blowing up again. Machete
wielding youths arrested outside the hospital yesterday. On Friday, there
was a fight on the street in broad daylight with
people brandishing machetes. What is going on in Alice Springs
right now?
Speaker 3 (08:56):
Yeah, look it looks pretty bad, Katie, but it's some
of it has been fighting between families over legacy issues,
so very deliberate sort of attacks on each other and
then others is just incredibly bad behavior. And I think
what this reinforces is just that hard work of dealing
(09:17):
with this continues, which is why our focus into twenty
twenty six remains reducing crime.
Speaker 4 (09:23):
That number one.
Speaker 3 (09:23):
Priority has to stay because whilst we've made some really
strong results and the data is starting to look good,
it's all about how people feel. It's all about the sentiment.
It's all about people reclaiming their lives back.
Speaker 2 (09:38):
It's cold comfort as well.
Speaker 1 (09:39):
And you know, if you're at the hospital yesterday morning
and you're seeing this kind of thing happening, I mean
you were very critical of the former government when there
was violence on the street in Alice Springs. You know,
some listening this morning are going to say, well, things
don't seem to have changed much. Does this demonstrate that
your policies are not working?
Speaker 4 (09:57):
I think that's the difference, Katie.
Speaker 3 (09:59):
This is we've had an excellent summer by all accounts,
and so the data will get washed up very soon
as Operation Ludlow finished. But you know, we have wonderful
feedback from businesses over summer saying just how different it
was that the town's feeling good.
Speaker 4 (10:13):
I had one business I'm going to say.
Speaker 3 (10:15):
To me that him and his wife were even going
to the movies that night, which sounds so simple, but
that was what was. People were deprived of us even
just going to the movies.
Speaker 4 (10:23):
You know.
Speaker 3 (10:23):
So things are definitely better. There's still heaps of work
to do, Katie. We are not shoying away from that,
which is why our reform in child protection will happen
this year. Youth Justice Act Trench two will happen. Some
big Traffic Act stuff that police in Alice specifically want
is being done so that there's plenty more to come.
Speaker 1 (10:42):
Chief Minister, I want to talk about health this is
something that is absolutely high on the agenda for a
lot of our listeners. Now, my understanding is that today's
actually the final day that Alia Vmuri, the private obstetrician,
is going to operate in the Northern Territory. Her remaining patients, well,
they've had to try, and some of them, well some
(11:02):
of them, those expectant mothers actually traveling into.
Speaker 2 (11:05):
State to give birth.
Speaker 1 (11:06):
Now, you must be concerned that we no longer have
a private ob here in the Northern Territory and that
women are going into State two.
Speaker 3 (11:14):
Yeah, birth, I absolutely am, Katie. This is a really
sad chapter for the territory and you know it's been
well ventilated. Healthscope made the decision to pull out because
our population was declining, baby numbers were dropping off, and
it wasn't commercially viable for them. Now that is a
really poor outcome for Territorians, for families, for people looking
(11:36):
to move here. And we've seen that with people making decisions.
I know people who've made decisions to go into state
to have their baby.
Speaker 4 (11:42):
So this's why it's real.
Speaker 3 (11:44):
Yeah, it's a real, genuine, horrible problem. And so we've
been very clear about making sure that whoever and we
now know that the new owners will be this rebadged
health scope not for profit.
Speaker 2 (11:56):
But are they gonna have a maternity war?
Speaker 3 (11:57):
Well, this is what we're working through. So the Minutes
for Health was just interstate meeting with the receivers and
said in no uncertain terms that the new operator must
bring back maternity and we force them though, well, we've
looked at the different leverages that we have and we
will continue to work with them. We because they're still
building that new entity, we've not met with them, but
(12:18):
as soon as we can, we will, and then we
will start that negotiation. And this is sort of separate
to them some of the concerns people have been having
about the public system obviously, but it's a huge blow
for us and I just you know, some people might
wonder sometimes why I'm constantly going on about rebuilding our economy,
and I know it seems like a hard link to make,
but this is exactly that when the economy is strong
(12:40):
and people are living and growing and moving here, hospitals
and services can be delivered.
Speaker 2 (12:45):
God get it right.
Speaker 1 (12:46):
I think everybody listening gets that as well. But at
the moment, you know, like in the meantime, then the
big reals needs to be done. There's a big hole now.
Last week on the show, Luke Gosling said his understanding
was that the Northern Territory government had only formally submitted
its more detailed ten million dollar funding request to the
federal Health Minister Mark Butler on the eleventh of February.
Why on earth has it taken so long?
Speaker 3 (13:08):
Look, this is politics at it's worst, Katie. It really
is disgusting. I mean we have been We've written to
the health federal health minister I think four times.
Speaker 4 (13:17):
Minister Edgington has met with them several times.
Speaker 3 (13:20):
The federal government was very quick to bawt out Tasmania
and other small regional areas. We asked for thirty five
million originally, which they rejected. We've been asking for ten
for god, it must be a year now, Katie, and
it still hasn't come through.
Speaker 1 (13:34):
But have you guys, did you actually put in that
formal and detailed Yes, player, yes we have for the
eleventh of February.
Speaker 4 (13:41):
That is my understanding.
Speaker 3 (13:42):
I have been told that the federal government have had
that information. They are dragging this out so that Luke
Goslin can have a pedal stool for a minute in
the sun and it's disgusting. It comes at the expense
of people's health care.
Speaker 1 (13:54):
To be honest with you, I feel like the federal
government and the Northern Territory government are both stuffing around
on this all the while we've got mums who are
taking up pedestal fans to give birth in hospital.
Speaker 4 (14:06):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (14:06):
Look, we are getting to the bottom of this air
con issue, but most of it is absolute rubbish and
being peddled again by.
Speaker 2 (14:13):
Moms are telling us. We've had mums message us.
Speaker 1 (14:16):
So Katie, I need to get my husband to bring
up a pedestal fan. Like I think the claim that
the aircorn's working to full capacity is bullshit and really
the government needs to get up there and have a
look at it.
Speaker 3 (14:28):
Well we have been, Katie, and to you know, some
of the accusations that for five hundred days, you know,
the air co it's just not true, right, So there's
a lot of I think what's happened is we've got
a terrible situation where health Scope's pulled out and then
there's politics being played to inflate this to bigger than
bend her right now. We want I was just talking
to a mother on the weekend at Nightcliff Markets actually
(14:49):
who had a great experience, So you know it's the
people there are doing an amazing job with what they've got.
Speaker 4 (14:55):
Do we need more money for health? Absolutely?
Speaker 3 (14:58):
Even the billion dollars I just came back from Sydney
with is not going to go far enough. But if
the federal government want to play games that Luke gos
and can stay in the sun, there's not much we.
Speaker 4 (15:08):
Can do about that.
Speaker 3 (15:09):
You can to stump up the ten million and stop
mucking around, or you know, like what do we do?
Speaker 1 (15:16):
Look and you know, I want to just say no,
one's discounting the hard work of the marors and staff
up at the hospital. I gave birth to both of
my children up there and had a fantastic experience. I
know that a lot of Northern Territory women have. But
to me, you know, even the situation on the weekend
where we see the roof continuing to crumble at Royal
dal And Hospital, to me, we need a new hospital.
(15:37):
But how are we going to get there if we've
got this toing and froing when it comes to politics,
And I do think that everybody needs to get there,
sit at the table and work this out for the
betterment of all Territorians, you know, put your politics aside
and work this out so that we can try to
get the funding that we need, so that every Territorian
can get the health care that they deserve.
Speaker 4 (15:57):
I couldn't agree more, Katie. And that's why Minister's dive
veging ten.
Speaker 3 (16:00):
He's literally just gotten off the plane meeting with Mark Butler,
the federal Health Minister, and still no commitment around that
ten despite it being asked for. So he's spoken with
him absolutely.
Speaker 4 (16:13):
I think it was yesterday.
Speaker 3 (16:14):
Okay, sorry, No, I wouldn't been yesterday, would have been Friday, yes,
so you know, and and still nothing.
Speaker 4 (16:21):
So it's we've got to sort this. It's a really
big challenge.
Speaker 3 (16:24):
And again, you know, if labor want to fight us
on every and every little battle, it's going to be
a really.
Speaker 1 (16:31):
I mean, we need the federal government, however you want
to look at it, we need them. And in this
other breaking US today, it's being reported that the International
Monetary Fund has issued a warning that the federal government
may need to bail out heavily indebted states and territories
like the Northern Territory and Victoria.
Speaker 2 (16:49):
I mean it's a pretty embarrassing.
Speaker 1 (16:50):
Situation for us, but it's also a situation that after
talking about the hospital, then it makes me go, well,
we really do need to work constructively with one another.
Speaker 2 (17:00):
This debarcle.
Speaker 4 (17:01):
It is our debt out, yeah absolutely.
Speaker 3 (17:04):
I mean, previous labor government added a billion dollars a
year to the debt a billion dollars and there's nothing
to show for it except a territory that was in
absolute free fall. Guys doing now, yep. So we're moving
forward with titan belts. We're making sure we're growing the
size of the pie and the economy. I mean even
just our payroll tax reforms, which just hit the one
(17:26):
year mark, which has delivered huge savings to hundreds of
territory businesses.
Speaker 4 (17:31):
That's we've we've.
Speaker 3 (17:32):
Generated more in payroll tax last year then we even
though we're able to deliver that subsidy because it's stimulating
economic growth.
Speaker 4 (17:40):
So we're working really hard.
Speaker 3 (17:41):
To go back to my earlier comment about rebuilding the economy.
That's where the game changer is. But we need the
federal government to see how special the territory is and
that we have everything this country needs to be successful
with with Beaterloo coming online this year, our Feurer Resources
hopefully making FID later in the year. You know, the
defense national security component we can provide this country, it's indisputable.
Speaker 4 (18:06):
We're a big part of this nation.
Speaker 3 (18:07):
We just want to be treated like it, Katie, and
that's all we're asking for.
Speaker 1 (18:11):
Chief Minister. I know your very pressed for time. I
want to ask you really quickly. I understand that the
Daily River residents they're going to be heading home today. Yeah.
Speaker 3 (18:19):
Correct, We've been able to do the assessments of houses
that will continue throughout today.
Speaker 4 (18:24):
Everyone's really keen to get back home, as you can.
Speaker 3 (18:26):
Imagine, it's been a long time, and so we will
support everyone to get back home later this afternoon.
Speaker 4 (18:32):
Into the evening and resettle everyone.
Speaker 1 (18:35):
I can't let you go without mentioning the fact that
tomorrow is the funeral of a.
Speaker 2 (18:39):
Great man, Ted Egan.
Speaker 1 (18:41):
I know that there will be a lot of Territorians
very keen to pay their respects for Ted an exceptional territorium.
Speaker 3 (18:49):
Yeah, we've got his state funeral tomorrow's I'm heading down
to Alice Springs today and I know lots of people
in Darwin actually are going down to pay their respects.
I'm expecting it to be a very large funeral, but
a celebration of life Katie, a life well lived, a
contribution well made, and teneris of the family.
Speaker 4 (19:06):
We're thinking of them all.
Speaker 1 (19:07):
Lea Finocchio, Chief Minister of the Northern Territory, A lot
to cover off on this morning.
Speaker 2 (19:12):
Really appreciate your time. Thank you, take care, thank you.
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