Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Well, yesterday marked one year since the Leofanocchio lead COLP
government was elected. Now, as we know, the government won
with a seventeen seat majority. Labor decimated to just four seats,
losing the stronghold that that held in some seats for decades. Now,
the COLP came in with a clear mandate to fix crime.
(00:21):
One year in, many believe that they're on the right path.
Some feel their policies go too far, with more people
locked up than ever before and jails bursting at the seams.
Now the Chief Minister Leafanocchio joins me in the studio
for an extended interview today as we take a look
at the year that was. Good morning to your chief minister.
Speaker 2 (00:40):
Good morning Katie and to your listeners.
Speaker 1 (00:41):
Good to have you on the show. Now, Chief Minister,
how would you describe your first year for government?
Speaker 2 (00:47):
Oh? Look, I just want to thank territories right from
the start. You know, we were elected with an emphatic
majority a year ago and we promise people three key
things around reducing crime, rebuilding the economy and restoring our
live style. And we have us stuck so close to
that Katie, and kept in front of mine. It forms
our whole position as a government. And so one year on,
(01:08):
I think, you know, we've really put out a lot
of the data. And that's not to say job done.
It's about showing territories that in one year you can
achieve a lot of change. And I think the despair
in our community just on twelve months ago it was
really profound. Morale was really low, and people were questioning
whether there was a future for them here. And I
think the importance of us putting out the little wins.
(01:28):
You know, there's been some you know, some quite small
data changes, but meaningful changes, shows that in one year
we can achieve great things. Imagine what we can do
over the term. And so it's just about staying the
course and keeping going.
Speaker 1 (01:40):
There's definitely been some improvements when you look at those
crime stats. I mean, as I said, you came in
with a very clear mandate to fix crime. If you
look at the ALP's press release yesterday, the labor parties
say that, well, unfortunately you're not making the inroads that
you claim. They say, adult sexual assault is up twenty
(02:01):
five percent, child sexual assaults up two percent, serious assaults
up four percent, assaults on frontline workers up twelve percent
domestic violence five percent. Look, the stats matter, there is
no doubt about that. For me, what really matters is
the way that Territorians feel. And even last week I
(02:22):
had a situation where sus Shira, the CEO from the
Council of the Aging was assaulted. She had a group
of young Territorians throwing rocks at her. I mean, we
know that we're never going to be able to stop
every single incident of crime, but I just think when
you've got young people disrespecting seniors in our community, it's
(02:45):
utterly disgusting.
Speaker 2 (02:47):
It's not on and it shows just a profound level
of breakdown we've had over the last decade plus, Katie,
And so you know, we're starting from a really difficult position,
but that's not to say it can't be done now.
We want to live in a safer community now and
for our kids into the future. And that type of
lawless behavior is what we're seeing after a decade of
(03:07):
weak laws and no intervention in young people's lives to
correct them onto a better path. And that's why it's
so important the work we're doing, not just at the
point end and you know, yes, we've put you know,
six hundred and forty six more people into prison, Katie.
But we've also had six hundred and five less victims
in one year. And I think it's not rocket science
to draw a connection between both of those numbers. One
(03:30):
is going up, imprisonment now, that is going down, and
that's a number of victims. Now. We've done a number
of things, particularly around strengthening mandatory sentencing for assaults on workers,
and we've had four hundred and fifty one charged this
year alone, but there's there's plenty more work to do,
and that dealing with the root causes of crime stuff
is significant. Getting kids to school, I mean, Labor had
(03:51):
literally this list with like a thousand kids on it,
mostly Bush Aboriginal kids that were they had stopped going
to school for so long that Labor had just kicked
them off the role. They just weren't even counted anymore.
And so we've done a lot of work to bring
those kids back into the school system. And there's three
hundred and eighty eight more kids going to school now
than there was.
Speaker 1 (04:11):
Inactive abste role or something like that. I can't remember.
Speaker 2 (04:15):
They had a strange name. And so if you didn't
go to school for twenty eight days you went onto
this other list and you were basically forgotten about it
and allowed the data to look better than what it was.
But we've had three hundred and eighty eight of those
kids back into our schools, which means they've got a
chance at a stronger future. So it's about getting kids
on the right track, not into the justice system.
Speaker 1 (04:37):
I mean, you have copped quite a bit of criticism
from some that your policies are race based and unfairly
target indigenous territory, and so I know, we've had several
occasions where some of the policies, some of the legislation
that you've introduced. I mean, we're really not getting a
lot of pushback at all from victims of crime, but
(04:58):
you're certainly getting pushed back from some in the community
who say that if you're going to be locking kids up, well,
you need to be making sure that there are programs
in place for them. You need to be making sure
that if somebody's going to jail, that they're not then
sitting in a watchhouse, you know, for several weeks, unable
to take part in any kind of rehabilitation program. I mean,
(05:20):
what do you say to those that do feel as
though your policies are race base.
Speaker 2 (05:26):
That's just not true, Katie, I guess is the answer
to that. And there's been a lot of pushback and
activism and we've seen that flare up because we've come
in hard and strong, and that's ruffling a lot of
feathers and I get that. But we went elected twelve
months ago to maintain the status quo. We were elected
out of an absolute urgent need for change, and you know,
(05:46):
we've effectively been stemming the bleed on the territory for
the last twelve months. This is crisis mode government, where
you have to come in and try and reform everything
at every level, have a really clear focus on law
and order, backing our police, and then trying to do
that long, hard work of dealing with the root causes
of crime. But we've managed to get a good balance, Katie.
(06:07):
While we've increased the number of people in prison by
six forty six, we have actually had more people in
prison complete therapeutic programs than under Labor who did not
have that pressure in the system. So we are deeply committed,
and you don't have to accept my words for it.
The data the actions show it to be true. We
really want to put kids on a better path. Our
(06:28):
boot camps have started, our family responsibility agreements. We're up
to one hundred and thirty seven family responsibility agreements, which
are like contracts between the family and the government to
keep their kid on the right track. As I said,
three hundred and eighty eight more kids in school. We've
had eight boot camps. There's a lot of good work
being done, and the activist in the naysayers they don't
(06:49):
want to talk about the good work. But at the
end of the day, again, it's about sentiment. We're out
on the ground every day, Katie. Territories are constantly coming
up to me saying keep going, and that's what we've
got to do.
Speaker 1 (07:00):
Look, there are plenty of messages coming through on the
tech sign. I'll get to those shortly. I'm just sort
of staying on this point though. You have got the
likes of the Northern Territory's Aboriginal Land Councils just a
few weeks ago accused your government of human rights abuses.
The Central Land Council Deputy chair Barbara Show earlier this year,
describing the government's prison policies as stacking and racking Aboriginal
(07:23):
people in overcrowded jails. Are you concerned, as the leader
of the whole of the Northern Territory that you've got
the land councils and some Aboriginal people who don't agree
with your policies when you look at you know, bridging
the gap between Indigenous and non Indigenous territorians and you
know taking everybody along on that journey.
Speaker 2 (07:44):
And again, Katie, it's really easy to drag this debate
down into a race bait debate, and that's what some
people are choosing to do, and that's a matter for them.
At the end of the day. The way to close
the gap is to give Aboriginal kids on communities a
better chance at life by having a steady education, by
having food, by having housing, by having parents who look
(08:06):
after them, love and care for them. These are the
issues we need to be coming together on and it's
easy for land counsels or whoever else to throw stones
at me. I would challenge back, what are you doing
about it? Because we're seeing a lot of talk and
not a lot of alternatives. And now it's easy to
point into the future and say, oh, well the expert advice,
(08:26):
Well what is that? Because we've just had ten years
of labour telling us every single day to weere all
nauseated that they were following expert advice, and it got
us to where we are now. So quite frankly, it
is very important that we pursue a different path. And
again that ruffles feathers, That makes people who used to
have more power uncomfortable because the dynamic has shifted. But
(08:48):
that's not my problem. My problem is fixing the territory
and making sure that we build a stronger territory for everyone,
for all territories and people. Here in my language when
I speak, we talk territories, not different groups of people,
because we are one and we are stronger together.
Speaker 1 (09:04):
All right, Chief Minister, We know that one of the
other issues that you've obviously got at the moment is
the overcrowding of the jails and the delays through the courts.
What work have you done in this space in the
last year and do you plan to further improve these delays.
I know there was an announcement over the weekend in
relation to the court system, so we might touch on
that first off.
Speaker 2 (09:25):
Yeah, it's been a really important part of it, of course,
with you know, additional funding for our please and supported police.
But if we don't support corrections in our courts, the
whole system falls apart. It really is a three way effort.
So with our one point five billion dollar investment just
into police, courts and corrections, we're seeing some great movement.
So I talked earlier about in our correction system, we've
(09:47):
had more people completing programs than our delabor equally in
our courts. We've got four new full time local court judges,
four new prosecutors. We've put twenty people who are in
the DPP into permanent positions. We've and I'm really proud
of these numbers, Katie. So everyone knows that remand has
been really, really high, and that that means someone's been
(10:09):
arrested and they're sitting in a watchhouse or in prison
waiting for their day in court. We've despite the huge increase,
remember that six forty six more people flushed into the system,
we have still dropped remand by seven percent, So that
means people are sitting there waiting for their day in
court is seven percent faster. We've got a.
Speaker 1 (10:29):
So is that through push pushing things through the court
system more quickly. With the appointment of further judges.
Speaker 2 (10:34):
Yeah, more judges. It's also our targeted intervention groups, so
they've been doing the response around trying to early resolve matters.
So we've had two hundred and ninety cases of people
on ramand alone finalized just through this process. So plus
funding legally, I mean we've given Legal Aid an eighty
(10:55):
percent increase in funds so that we don't have unrepresented
litigants so that the system moves. So there's been a
lot of work. It's not just one thing.
Speaker 1 (11:02):
Look, we've got we always get messages people asking about
boot camps. Now, a lot of our listeners were not
really impressed with the sound of the boot camp that
was announced a little bit earlier this year where we
had a few participants out for a few days. You know,
they want to see more when it comes to boot camps.
(11:22):
One particular person, when in Nooney had asked a little
bit earlier this morning, what's going on with the boot
camp that had been promised she believed for Alice Springs.
Speaker 2 (11:32):
Yes, yeah, that's right. So there's a facility called Paperbark
which we have completed one half of it and are
still completing the construction or sort of the refit of
the second half and that will be where we base
see Alice Springs boot Camp young people from. But we
have been taking some of the youth out on camps
(11:53):
to get them more engaged in skills training, to show
them there are better pathways. So we've had three in
Alice Rings, four in ten and one in Darwem And
basically some of the things those young people have been doing,
for example, is accessing skills training, work experience, showing them
that there is a different side of life, a more
(12:14):
structured side of life, better passways. And so we will
continue that work and that development of boot camps. This
is not you know, that's our boot camp done, but
this is what we can roll out right now to
help those people who are in prison right now while
we're building up our fame.
Speaker 1 (12:29):
I mean, it does seem like a lot of you know,
like a lot of supervision, a lot of you know,
a lot of guards. I guess you'd say needed for
one particular person or two people or whatever to go
on a three day boot camp. Yeah. I mean, honestly,
I'd caught up with the police junior rangers and what
they do sounded like it was you know, it sounded
like it was more difficult than what some of these
(12:50):
kids were doing on that boot camp. And that was
certainly the sentiment from some of our listeners.
Speaker 2 (12:55):
And I don't disagree. Our junior police rangers are amazing.
And what you've got is engage volunteering kids with parents
who support them really having a crack, and with kids
in youth justice, you of have kids who have not
been supported, have barely been raised half the time, have
no structure, and very little prospects going forward if we
(13:15):
don't do something about it now. So it's very, very difficult,
and it is unfortunately, it's extremely intensive on personnel. But
we have to keep trying and we have to keep
pushing forward. All right, many of.
Speaker 1 (13:27):
The policy changes that we're seeing are also impacting police now.
On Friday, the Police Association held their annual conference, where
a number of their concerns were raised. Some of those
concerns relate to changes which your government's implemented, like the
creation of those police public safety offices to be deployed
to hotspot areas to deal with anti social behavior. And
(13:48):
there are some concerns around the OC spray trial. Also,
of course, some serious concerns around the retention bonus. First, off.
Did you leave that conference early on Friday? No.
Speaker 2 (14:00):
I stayed for the amount of time that we were
required to stay. We had the photo afterwards, and then
I walked out with one of the executive members and
we went we.
Speaker 1 (14:09):
Meant to do a media event though, well, look, I.
Speaker 2 (14:11):
Think the media were there. I could see some of
them at the back of the room, and I'm sorry
if that offended people that I didn't do a press
conference about it, but all about my remarks were recorded.
Speaker 1 (14:22):
Had it been pre planned that you were going to do.
Speaker 2 (14:24):
A press I don't know that it is traditional that
the media are there, so look, it is what it is.
I wasn't there for that. I headed back to the office.
I was speaking with one of the NTPA members. But
it was a good opportunity. So I've been going to
that conference for about a decade. It was my first
time as chief and first time as police minister, and
(14:45):
I used it as an opportunity to really thank our
police and talk to them about the success that we've
been having, particularly around making sure our frontline understand that
we want to hear what they need to make their
job better, and a lot of our law reform has
been quite literally from cops on the front line that
I've been going out and about with. And so I
(15:05):
reinforced to all of the delegates there to please encourage
their members to have the confidence to raise concerns about
what's working and not working so we can get things.
Speaker 1 (15:14):
Do you feel like those messages are not being passed
through by the association or what's going on? Oh no, no.
Speaker 2 (15:19):
So these are all delegates of the association. So when
I'm out and about, like I was in Noulan Boy
last week, I sat down with the coppers out there
and I said, you know, if it's something's bothering, if
something's annoying you, if you think it could be better,
you know, flush it up the chain of command. So
I just used it as an opportunity. Need to express
that to delegates because they're right across the territory. So
it's a good way to get our message out around
(15:39):
be empowered to make change. And I think that's a
real focus for us now.
Speaker 1 (15:44):
Just going back to that point of view, not then
staying for that press conference, I mean, are you are
you still holding regular press conferences a year in I know,
obviously come in here and you speak to me. I
understand you speak to the ABC as well, but it
is obviously important to hold those press conferences doing that. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (16:00):
Absolutely, you know, when we've got something to announce or
respond to, we're out in the media. I think we
probably have someone in the media every day, Katie, And
you know, yeah, I'm obviously part of that mix is No,
there's no issue with that, and.
Speaker 1 (16:15):
All right, I mean, I guess it's just about making
sure that you are getting your message out to the
broader public. But in terms of the police, how do
you ensure that you've got the support of the police
when they are the ones that are implementing many of
the changes you want delivered around lowering crime. But then,
to be really blunts, some of them are really pissed
(16:36):
about this retention bonus and about some of the other
changes that are being made. I know, it's a real
mix bag then with some of the other policy changes
where they are really happy about it. But you know, like,
how are you going to juggle that?
Speaker 2 (16:50):
Yeah, look, it's it's one of those things you're not
always going to agree with the Police Association. And we've
done a lot of reform that our police are really
really happy with, and it's it's going great. Obviously, now
we've reached a pay deal that the Police Association support,
so that will still have to go to members. You know,
concerns are raised around the fact that we've still got
(17:12):
the Justice blow inquiry outstanding, and I'd love to see
that completed too, But it's it's running it.
Speaker 1 (17:17):
How far off do you reckon it?
Speaker 2 (17:19):
I well, Justice Blower is currently at the Supreme Court
at the moment, so I guess it just depends how
long that is going to take up his time. So
we need to you know, we need to land a
few things. We need to land that. The paid deal
will obviously give great confidence to police if that's the
way they decide to vote. There is concern around, some
(17:40):
concern around the PPSOS. But again, you know, when I
was talking about the Police Public Safety Officers, Katie, there
were a lot of delegates in that room nodding in support.
Speaker 1 (17:48):
All right, what about this retention body and they're going
to relook at it.
Speaker 2 (17:50):
Yeah No, so no, we're not. This is just been
caught up in the politics of the EBA and it's
really unfortunate because it's becoming a really hot issue within police.
But you know, the NTPA have a leadership role to
play here too, so we promised twelve months because it
had to deal with an immediate issue, and we've dropped
(18:11):
nutrition down to five point nine percent. We then, on
top of that, in good faith, gave three million dollars
for four years and wrapped it into the EBA on
the request of the Police Association because they preferred that
all members get more money than some members get a bonus.
So we have gone above and beyond what we ever
said we would do on this.
Speaker 1 (18:30):
And do you think they're being a bit greedy.
Speaker 2 (18:32):
No, I don't think it's greed. I think it's just
political in response to the EBA. But it's creating division
that we don't need and it's irresponsible.
Speaker 1 (18:40):
All right, let's take a bit of a break. You
are listening to Mix one oh four nine's three sixty.
We are joined by the Chief Minister, Lea Finocchio for
a bit of a longer interview. This morning, it has
been one year since the COLP government was elected. If
you've got a question or a comment from the Chief
Minister or for the Chief Minister, I should say love
to hear from you this morning. Well, if you have
(19:01):
just joined us. We are joined by the Chief Minister
of the Northern Territory, Leofanochi are Oh. It is twelve
months since the COLP government was elected and we've spoken
quite a bit this morning about crime. You know, it
was the number one issue that people were voting on
at the election at this time last year. But look,
one of the other areas that people certainly want to
see things improve is the economy. Now we have seen
(19:25):
some improvements in this space, but Chief Minister, what measures
are being taken in an effort to really try to
get things moving and what will you gauge as a success.
Speaker 2 (19:35):
Yeah, I have to say, driving into Darwin, it's so
great to see two cranes in the sky. And we've
got the other crane out at larak Here Culture Center
as well. So we've had some really great data. We've
done some big things over the last twelve months, you know, approvals,
fast tracked task for as Territory Coordinator, for example, abolishing
third party merits review, lifting the payroll tax free threshold
(19:57):
for small business, lots and lots of major reform. Woman
was starting to see that really paying off. So a
couple of weeks ago com sext Day of the State's
report came out and it had the I'm just so
excited about this had the territory as the fastest population
growth in the country and the fastest growing economy at
three times faster than the next fastest jurisdiction, which is amazing.
(20:18):
It's just amazing, and so that's really lifted us. We
really are ready to tackle the next year head on.
You know, we let on annual growth rates, we led
on building approvals. So it shows that what we've been
doing to restore confidence and give certainty into the territories working,
and we've just got to keep going.
Speaker 1 (20:38):
I think we all hope so right like many of
us have invested our lives here, you know, we own
our properties or we're paying off properties. We want to
see the Northern Territory flourish. I guess what I saw though,
you know when the last government was elected is Michael
Gunner was very positive as well for a year and
then things really deteriorated, and they deteriorated fairly fast. So
(21:00):
you know, what people are wanting to hear this morning,
I suppose is not just that you know, things are
on the up and up, but how do we make
some really meaningful change when it comes to the economy
so that we don't end up in the dire straits
that we've been again.
Speaker 2 (21:14):
So it's twofold. One is the reducing crime part is
actually intrinsically linked to a strong economy. You can't have
one without the other. So the messaging and the work
we've been doing on law and order is getting through
and around the country. There is a buzz about the territory.
Then there's the economic work. So as I mentioned, you know,
backing in small business by lifting the payroll free threshold
(21:37):
by a million dollars so up to two point five
and removing the apprentice and training wages. That's a big deal.
That is the nation's best payroll tax scheme. The Territory
Coordinator again best in class around the country in terms
of approvals processes and planning the territory. We've got the
Territory Energy Link going now, so that all of that
(21:58):
work is happening. There's been tons and tons and the
messages we've been sending around certainty to business make a
huge difference. Our strong backing of the five key areas
of economic growth around mining, energy, agriculture, defense and tourism.
Again and narrow focus, but very very important, key pillars
(22:19):
of our economy. So that is the work that we've
done and will continue to do to make sure that
these things lived, as well as raining and government spending,
making sure we're delivering projects on time, making sure we're
funding necessary and enabling infrastructure in that government side of
the house.
Speaker 1 (22:34):
All right, Chief Minister, we are going to have to
get ready to wrap up. But a couple of comments.
I've got one here from Mickey Barrett, the Full Will
Drive NT President on behalf of Full Will Drive int
and Full Will Drivers and campus in general. I'd like
to publicly pass on a thank you to the Chief
Minister and the whole team in relation to securing Litchfield
East Full Will Drive Recreation Reserve. They didn't make any
(22:57):
pre election promises about it to get votes, but once
in they just work behind the scenes to make it happen.
Now I'll read the rest of that out a little later.
Another one, Katie, can you please ask the Chief Minister
if the residents of North Crest are going to receive.
Speaker 2 (23:12):
A dump key.
Speaker 1 (23:13):
We are in an unincorporated area and we pay our
rates to the Chief Minister's office. Other homeowners pay their
rates to a council and have access to a dump
Will they get a dump key?
Speaker 2 (23:23):
I would love to see North Crest get a dump key.
I was a local member out there for a very
long time. So this is a vexed issue for that
community because they aren't part of a council. So they
do pay rates, but it goes to the developer to
do the rubbish and all of that type of stuff,
and so it really comes down to City of Darwin
then giving access with a key, and there's all these complicated,
(23:44):
little nuanced arrangements for North Crest. So I'd like to
see all of that put to bed for the people
of North Crest because they deserve to be in a
council just like everyone else.
Speaker 1 (23:53):
All Right, David Wonnelli says, good morning Katie and Chief
Minister Leah. All I can say is keep up the
good work. I'm one hundred and fifty percent behind you.
The only other thing I can say is we need
another prison and a youth center, less bail and more
police and more prison guards. At least some of us
in the public are starting to feel safer, but there
are still a lot of antisocial behavior issues going on
(24:17):
out there, so please keep up that hard work. So
more of a comment, I guess you'd say, Scott in
Aanula Katie, can you please ask the Chief Minister the
judges are still giving bail and suspended sentences. Can the
laws be made to make it impossible for these weak
judges to give a suspended sentence for or bail for
a violent crime.
Speaker 2 (24:38):
Yeah, look, it's look, it's nearly impossible. Right. We looked
at this and we did Declan's Law, both versions of
Declan's Law. That we've got the strongest bow laws in
the country. It is making a huge difference. We have
got an increase in people not being bailed of forty
four percent. That's over three thousand people did not get
bail this year since January. Actually, it's huge. It is working,
(25:02):
and we just have to continue to monitor and set
the expectation around what our laws look like and that
they meet the community's expectations. So it's always a work
in progress, but we do have very strong bowl laws here.
Speaker 1 (25:15):
All right, Chief Minister, we are gonna have to wrap up.
But what would you say is your biggest achievement for
the year.
Speaker 2 (25:22):
I think our biggest achievement is maintaining our very narrow focus,
because it's very easy in government to get distracted by
all sorts of things and get dragged down rabbit holes
and you know, not be focused on your core things.
So delivering our election commitments has just been something we
are smashing through and staying true to the crime economy
lifestyle as well, and I think that is why we're
(25:44):
having some really strong success, because we are staying very
very disciplined and very very focused.
Speaker 1 (25:49):
The biggest regret for the year, I don't know.
Speaker 2 (25:52):
That I have a biggest regret, probably if I had
any regret of being not seeing my kids as much
as I should. To be honest, Katie, if I'm pertuggle, yeah, yeah,
if I'm perfectly honest. But look, you always, you know,
every day I go over the day in my head
and I think about the things we did well, the
things we could have done better. And so just like
every territory in life, is this constant learning journey, right,
I don't have any major big regrets. It's just I
(26:15):
learn every day and we put our best foot forward
the next day.
Speaker 1 (26:18):
Well, I tell you what. The listeners have appreciated the
extended interview. The tech Sign's going off just a very
quick one. What are your goals for the next twelve months.
Speaker 2 (26:26):
Yep, So we've got lots lots to do. So crime continues,
but we want to have a particular focus on that
sexual offending, assaults, violent crime. Housing public housing remains a huge,
huge issue for people.
Speaker 1 (26:40):
So when are we going to see an announcement around that.
Speaker 2 (26:42):
Yeah, it should be soon. It should really be soon.
I'm hoping within the month. So we need to do
a lot more. But our public housing, our police public
safety offices are going to be a big part of
that housing reform. So we've still got that reform to do.
We've got the OC spray trial to roll out. Then
there are projects like you know, shiplift and all sorts
(27:02):
of things, Katie, So there's plenty on the boil.
Speaker 1 (27:04):
All right, Chief Minister, we better leave it there. Thanks
so much for your time this morning. Really appreciate it.
Speaker 2 (27:09):
Thank you.
Well, yesterday marked one year since the Leofanocchio lead COLP
government was elected. Now, as we know, the government won
with a seventeen seat majority. Labor decimated to just four seats,
losing the stronghold that that held in some seats for decades. Now,
the COLP came in with a clear mandate to fix crime.
(00:21):
One year in, many believe that they're on the right path.
Some feel their policies go too far, with more people
locked up than ever before and jails bursting at the seams.
Now the Chief Minister Leafanocchio joins me in the studio
for an extended interview today as we take a look
at the year that was. Good morning to your chief minister.
Speaker 2 (00:40):
Good morning Katie and to your listeners.
Speaker 1 (00:41):
Good to have you on the show. Now, Chief Minister,
how would you describe your first year for government?
Speaker 2 (00:47):
Oh? Look, I just want to thank territories right from
the start. You know, we were elected with an emphatic
majority a year ago and we promise people three key
things around reducing crime, rebuilding the economy and restoring our
live style. And we have us stuck so close to
that Katie, and kept in front of mine. It forms
our whole position as a government. And so one year on,
(01:08):
I think, you know, we've really put out a lot
of the data. And that's not to say job done.
It's about showing territories that in one year you can
achieve a lot of change. And I think the despair
in our community just on twelve months ago it was
really profound. Morale was really low, and people were questioning
whether there was a future for them here. And I
think the importance of us putting out the little wins.
(01:28):
You know, there's been some you know, some quite small
data changes, but meaningful changes, shows that in one year
we can achieve great things. Imagine what we can do
over the term. And so it's just about staying the
course and keeping going.
Speaker 1 (01:40):
There's definitely been some improvements when you look at those
crime stats. I mean, as I said, you came in
with a very clear mandate to fix crime. If you
look at the ALP's press release yesterday, the labor parties
say that, well, unfortunately you're not making the inroads that
you claim. They say, adult sexual assault is up twenty
(02:01):
five percent, child sexual assaults up two percent, serious assaults
up four percent, assaults on frontline workers up twelve percent
domestic violence five percent. Look, the stats matter, there is
no doubt about that. For me, what really matters is
the way that Territorians feel. And even last week I
(02:22):
had a situation where sus Shira, the CEO from the
Council of the Aging was assaulted. She had a group
of young Territorians throwing rocks at her. I mean, we
know that we're never going to be able to stop
every single incident of crime, but I just think when
you've got young people disrespecting seniors in our community, it's
(02:45):
utterly disgusting.
Speaker 2 (02:47):
It's not on and it shows just a profound level
of breakdown we've had over the last decade plus, Katie,
And so you know, we're starting from a really difficult position,
but that's not to say it can't be done now.
We want to live in a safer community now and
for our kids into the future. And that type of
lawless behavior is what we're seeing after a decade of
(03:07):
weak laws and no intervention in young people's lives to
correct them onto a better path. And that's why it's
so important the work we're doing, not just at the
point end and you know, yes, we've put you know,
six hundred and forty six more people into prison, Katie.
But we've also had six hundred and five less victims
in one year. And I think it's not rocket science
to draw a connection between both of those numbers. One
(03:30):
is going up, imprisonment now, that is going down, and
that's a number of victims. Now. We've done a number
of things, particularly around strengthening mandatory sentencing for assaults on workers,
and we've had four hundred and fifty one charged this
year alone, but there's there's plenty more work to do,
and that dealing with the root causes of crime stuff
is significant. Getting kids to school, I mean, Labor had
(03:51):
literally this list with like a thousand kids on it,
mostly Bush Aboriginal kids that were they had stopped going
to school for so long that Labor had just kicked
them off the role. They just weren't even counted anymore.
And so we've done a lot of work to bring
those kids back into the school system. And there's three
hundred and eighty eight more kids going to school now
than there was.
Speaker 1 (04:11):
Inactive abste role or something like that. I can't remember.
Speaker 2 (04:15):
They had a strange name. And so if you didn't
go to school for twenty eight days you went onto
this other list and you were basically forgotten about it
and allowed the data to look better than what it was.
But we've had three hundred and eighty eight of those
kids back into our schools, which means they've got a
chance at a stronger future. So it's about getting kids
on the right track, not into the justice system.
Speaker 1 (04:37):
I mean, you have copped quite a bit of criticism
from some that your policies are race based and unfairly
target indigenous territory, and so I know, we've had several
occasions where some of the policies, some of the legislation
that you've introduced. I mean, we're really not getting a
lot of pushback at all from victims of crime, but
(04:58):
you're certainly getting pushed back from some in the community
who say that if you're going to be locking kids up, well,
you need to be making sure that there are programs
in place for them. You need to be making sure
that if somebody's going to jail, that they're not then
sitting in a watchhouse, you know, for several weeks, unable
to take part in any kind of rehabilitation program. I mean,
(05:20):
what do you say to those that do feel as
though your policies are race base.
Speaker 2 (05:26):
That's just not true, Katie, I guess is the answer
to that. And there's been a lot of pushback and
activism and we've seen that flare up because we've come
in hard and strong, and that's ruffling a lot of
feathers and I get that. But we went elected twelve
months ago to maintain the status quo. We were elected
out of an absolute urgent need for change, and you know,
(05:46):
we've effectively been stemming the bleed on the territory for
the last twelve months. This is crisis mode government, where
you have to come in and try and reform everything
at every level, have a really clear focus on law
and order, backing our police, and then trying to do
that long, hard work of dealing with the root causes
of crime. But we've managed to get a good balance, Katie.
(06:07):
While we've increased the number of people in prison by
six forty six, we have actually had more people in
prison complete therapeutic programs than under Labor who did not
have that pressure in the system. So we are deeply committed,
and you don't have to accept my words for it.
The data the actions show it to be true. We
really want to put kids on a better path. Our
(06:28):
boot camps have started, our family responsibility agreements. We're up
to one hundred and thirty seven family responsibility agreements, which
are like contracts between the family and the government to
keep their kid on the right track. As I said,
three hundred and eighty eight more kids in school. We've
had eight boot camps. There's a lot of good work
being done, and the activist in the naysayers they don't
(06:49):
want to talk about the good work. But at the
end of the day, again, it's about sentiment. We're out
on the ground every day, Katie. Territories are constantly coming
up to me saying keep going, and that's what we've
got to do.
Speaker 1 (07:00):
Look, there are plenty of messages coming through on the
tech sign. I'll get to those shortly. I'm just sort
of staying on this point though. You have got the
likes of the Northern Territory's Aboriginal Land Councils just a
few weeks ago accused your government of human rights abuses.
The Central Land Council Deputy chair Barbara Show earlier this year,
describing the government's prison policies as stacking and racking Aboriginal
(07:23):
people in overcrowded jails. Are you concerned, as the leader
of the whole of the Northern Territory that you've got
the land councils and some Aboriginal people who don't agree
with your policies when you look at you know, bridging
the gap between Indigenous and non Indigenous territorians and you
know taking everybody along on that journey.
Speaker 2 (07:44):
And again, Katie, it's really easy to drag this debate
down into a race bait debate, and that's what some
people are choosing to do, and that's a matter for them.
At the end of the day. The way to close
the gap is to give Aboriginal kids on communities a
better chance at life by having a steady education, by
having food, by having housing, by having parents who look
(08:06):
after them, love and care for them. These are the
issues we need to be coming together on and it's
easy for land counsels or whoever else to throw stones
at me. I would challenge back, what are you doing
about it? Because we're seeing a lot of talk and
not a lot of alternatives. And now it's easy to
point into the future and say, oh, well the expert advice,
(08:26):
Well what is that? Because we've just had ten years
of labour telling us every single day to weere all
nauseated that they were following expert advice, and it got
us to where we are now. So quite frankly, it
is very important that we pursue a different path. And
again that ruffles feathers, That makes people who used to
have more power uncomfortable because the dynamic has shifted. But
(08:48):
that's not my problem. My problem is fixing the territory
and making sure that we build a stronger territory for everyone,
for all territories and people. Here in my language when
I speak, we talk territories, not different groups of people,
because we are one and we are stronger together.
Speaker 1 (09:04):
All right, Chief Minister, We know that one of the
other issues that you've obviously got at the moment is
the overcrowding of the jails and the delays through the courts.
What work have you done in this space in the
last year and do you plan to further improve these delays.
I know there was an announcement over the weekend in
relation to the court system, so we might touch on
that first off.
Speaker 2 (09:25):
Yeah, it's been a really important part of it, of course,
with you know, additional funding for our please and supported police.
But if we don't support corrections in our courts, the
whole system falls apart. It really is a three way effort.
So with our one point five billion dollar investment just
into police, courts and corrections, we're seeing some great movement.
So I talked earlier about in our correction system, we've
(09:47):
had more people completing programs than our delabor equally in
our courts. We've got four new full time local court judges,
four new prosecutors. We've put twenty people who are in
the DPP into permanent positions. We've and I'm really proud
of these numbers, Katie. So everyone knows that remand has
been really, really high, and that that means someone's been
(10:09):
arrested and they're sitting in a watchhouse or in prison
waiting for their day in court. We've despite the huge increase,
remember that six forty six more people flushed into the system,
we have still dropped remand by seven percent, So that
means people are sitting there waiting for their day in
court is seven percent faster. We've got a.
Speaker 1 (10:29):
So is that through push pushing things through the court
system more quickly. With the appointment of further judges.
Speaker 2 (10:34):
Yeah, more judges. It's also our targeted intervention groups, so
they've been doing the response around trying to early resolve matters.
So we've had two hundred and ninety cases of people
on ramand alone finalized just through this process. So plus
funding legally, I mean we've given Legal Aid an eighty
(10:55):
percent increase in funds so that we don't have unrepresented
litigants so that the system moves. So there's been a
lot of work. It's not just one thing.
Speaker 1 (11:02):
Look, we've got we always get messages people asking about
boot camps. Now, a lot of our listeners were not
really impressed with the sound of the boot camp that
was announced a little bit earlier this year where we
had a few participants out for a few days. You know,
they want to see more when it comes to boot camps.
(11:22):
One particular person, when in Nooney had asked a little
bit earlier this morning, what's going on with the boot
camp that had been promised she believed for Alice Springs.
Speaker 2 (11:32):
Yes, yeah, that's right. So there's a facility called Paperbark
which we have completed one half of it and are
still completing the construction or sort of the refit of
the second half and that will be where we base
see Alice Springs boot Camp young people from. But we
have been taking some of the youth out on camps
(11:53):
to get them more engaged in skills training, to show
them there are better pathways. So we've had three in
Alice Rings, four in ten and one in Darwem And
basically some of the things those young people have been doing,
for example, is accessing skills training, work experience, showing them
that there is a different side of life, a more
(12:14):
structured side of life, better passways. And so we will
continue that work and that development of boot camps. This
is not you know, that's our boot camp done, but
this is what we can roll out right now to
help those people who are in prison right now while
we're building up our fame.
Speaker 1 (12:29):
I mean, it does seem like a lot of you know,
like a lot of supervision, a lot of you know,
a lot of guards. I guess you'd say needed for
one particular person or two people or whatever to go
on a three day boot camp. Yeah. I mean, honestly,
I'd caught up with the police junior rangers and what
they do sounded like it was you know, it sounded
like it was more difficult than what some of these
(12:50):
kids were doing on that boot camp. And that was
certainly the sentiment from some of our listeners.
Speaker 2 (12:55):
And I don't disagree. Our junior police rangers are amazing.
And what you've got is engage volunteering kids with parents
who support them really having a crack, and with kids
in youth justice, you of have kids who have not
been supported, have barely been raised half the time, have
no structure, and very little prospects going forward if we
(13:15):
don't do something about it now. So it's very, very difficult,
and it is unfortunately, it's extremely intensive on personnel. But
we have to keep trying and we have to keep
pushing forward. All right, many of.
Speaker 1 (13:27):
The policy changes that we're seeing are also impacting police now.
On Friday, the Police Association held their annual conference, where
a number of their concerns were raised. Some of those
concerns relate to changes which your government's implemented, like the
creation of those police public safety offices to be deployed
to hotspot areas to deal with anti social behavior. And
(13:48):
there are some concerns around the OC spray trial. Also,
of course, some serious concerns around the retention bonus. First, off.
Did you leave that conference early on Friday? No.
Speaker 2 (14:00):
I stayed for the amount of time that we were
required to stay. We had the photo afterwards, and then
I walked out with one of the executive members and
we went we.
Speaker 1 (14:09):
Meant to do a media event though, well, look, I.
Speaker 2 (14:11):
Think the media were there. I could see some of
them at the back of the room, and I'm sorry
if that offended people that I didn't do a press
conference about it, but all about my remarks were recorded.
Speaker 1 (14:22):
Had it been pre planned that you were going to do.
Speaker 2 (14:24):
A press I don't know that it is traditional that
the media are there, so look, it is what it is.
I wasn't there for that. I headed back to the office.
I was speaking with one of the NTPA members. But
it was a good opportunity. So I've been going to
that conference for about a decade. It was my first
time as chief and first time as police minister, and
(14:45):
I used it as an opportunity to really thank our
police and talk to them about the success that we've
been having, particularly around making sure our frontline understand that
we want to hear what they need to make their
job better, and a lot of our law reform has
been quite literally from cops on the front line that
I've been going out and about with. And so I
(15:05):
reinforced to all of the delegates there to please encourage
their members to have the confidence to raise concerns about
what's working and not working so we can get things.
Speaker 1 (15:14):
Do you feel like those messages are not being passed
through by the association or what's going on? Oh no, no.
Speaker 2 (15:19):
So these are all delegates of the association. So when
I'm out and about, like I was in Noulan Boy
last week, I sat down with the coppers out there
and I said, you know, if it's something's bothering, if
something's annoying you, if you think it could be better,
you know, flush it up the chain of command. So
I just used it as an opportunity. Need to express
that to delegates because they're right across the territory. So
it's a good way to get our message out around
(15:39):
be empowered to make change. And I think that's a
real focus for us now.
Speaker 1 (15:44):
Just going back to that point of view, not then
staying for that press conference, I mean, are you are
you still holding regular press conferences a year in I know,
obviously come in here and you speak to me. I
understand you speak to the ABC as well, but it
is obviously important to hold those press conferences doing that. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (16:00):
Absolutely, you know, when we've got something to announce or
respond to, we're out in the media. I think we
probably have someone in the media every day, Katie, And
you know, yeah, I'm obviously part of that mix is No,
there's no issue with that, and.
Speaker 1 (16:15):
All right, I mean, I guess it's just about making
sure that you are getting your message out to the
broader public. But in terms of the police, how do
you ensure that you've got the support of the police
when they are the ones that are implementing many of
the changes you want delivered around lowering crime. But then,
to be really blunts, some of them are really pissed
(16:36):
about this retention bonus and about some of the other
changes that are being made. I know, it's a real
mix bag then with some of the other policy changes
where they are really happy about it. But you know, like,
how are you going to juggle that?
Speaker 2 (16:50):
Yeah, look, it's it's one of those things you're not
always going to agree with the Police Association. And we've
done a lot of reform that our police are really
really happy with, and it's it's going great. Obviously, now
we've reached a pay deal that the Police Association support,
so that will still have to go to members. You know,
concerns are raised around the fact that we've still got
(17:12):
the Justice blow inquiry outstanding, and I'd love to see
that completed too, But it's it's running it.
Speaker 1 (17:17):
How far off do you reckon it?
Speaker 2 (17:19):
I well, Justice Blower is currently at the Supreme Court
at the moment, so I guess it just depends how
long that is going to take up his time. So
we need to you know, we need to land a
few things. We need to land that. The paid deal
will obviously give great confidence to police if that's the
way they decide to vote. There is concern around, some
(17:40):
concern around the PPSOS. But again, you know, when I
was talking about the Police Public Safety Officers, Katie, there
were a lot of delegates in that room nodding in support.
Speaker 1 (17:48):
All right, what about this retention body and they're going
to relook at it.
Speaker 2 (17:50):
Yeah No, so no, we're not. This is just been
caught up in the politics of the EBA and it's
really unfortunate because it's becoming a really hot issue within police.
But you know, the NTPA have a leadership role to
play here too, so we promised twelve months because it
had to deal with an immediate issue, and we've dropped
(18:11):
nutrition down to five point nine percent. We then, on
top of that, in good faith, gave three million dollars
for four years and wrapped it into the EBA on
the request of the Police Association because they preferred that
all members get more money than some members get a bonus.
So we have gone above and beyond what we ever
said we would do on this.
Speaker 1 (18:30):
And do you think they're being a bit greedy.
Speaker 2 (18:32):
No, I don't think it's greed. I think it's just
political in response to the EBA. But it's creating division
that we don't need and it's irresponsible.
Speaker 1 (18:40):
All right, let's take a bit of a break. You
are listening to Mix one oh four nine's three sixty.
We are joined by the Chief Minister, Lea Finocchio for
a bit of a longer interview. This morning, it has
been one year since the COLP government was elected. If
you've got a question or a comment from the Chief
Minister or for the Chief Minister, I should say love
to hear from you this morning. Well, if you have
(19:01):
just joined us. We are joined by the Chief Minister
of the Northern Territory, Leofanochi are Oh. It is twelve
months since the COLP government was elected and we've spoken
quite a bit this morning about crime. You know, it
was the number one issue that people were voting on
at the election at this time last year. But look,
one of the other areas that people certainly want to
see things improve is the economy. Now we have seen
(19:25):
some improvements in this space, but Chief Minister, what measures
are being taken in an effort to really try to
get things moving and what will you gauge as a success.
Speaker 2 (19:35):
Yeah, I have to say, driving into Darwin, it's so
great to see two cranes in the sky. And we've
got the other crane out at larak Here Culture Center
as well. So we've had some really great data. We've
done some big things over the last twelve months, you know, approvals,
fast tracked task for as Territory Coordinator, for example, abolishing
third party merits review, lifting the payroll tax free threshold
(19:57):
for small business, lots and lots of major reform. Woman
was starting to see that really paying off. So a
couple of weeks ago com sext Day of the State's
report came out and it had the I'm just so
excited about this had the territory as the fastest population
growth in the country and the fastest growing economy at
three times faster than the next fastest jurisdiction, which is amazing.
(20:18):
It's just amazing, and so that's really lifted us. We
really are ready to tackle the next year head on.
You know, we let on annual growth rates, we led
on building approvals. So it shows that what we've been
doing to restore confidence and give certainty into the territories working,
and we've just got to keep going.
Speaker 1 (20:38):
I think we all hope so right like many of
us have invested our lives here, you know, we own
our properties or we're paying off properties. We want to
see the Northern Territory flourish. I guess what I saw though,
you know when the last government was elected is Michael
Gunner was very positive as well for a year and
then things really deteriorated, and they deteriorated fairly fast. So
(21:00):
you know, what people are wanting to hear this morning,
I suppose is not just that you know, things are
on the up and up, but how do we make
some really meaningful change when it comes to the economy
so that we don't end up in the dire straits
that we've been again.
Speaker 2 (21:14):
So it's twofold. One is the reducing crime part is
actually intrinsically linked to a strong economy. You can't have
one without the other. So the messaging and the work
we've been doing on law and order is getting through
and around the country. There is a buzz about the territory.
Then there's the economic work. So as I mentioned, you know,
backing in small business by lifting the payroll free threshold
(21:37):
by a million dollars so up to two point five
and removing the apprentice and training wages. That's a big deal.
That is the nation's best payroll tax scheme. The Territory
Coordinator again best in class around the country in terms
of approvals processes and planning the territory. We've got the
Territory Energy Link going now, so that all of that
(21:58):
work is happening. There's been tons and tons and the
messages we've been sending around certainty to business make a
huge difference. Our strong backing of the five key areas
of economic growth around mining, energy, agriculture, defense and tourism.
Again and narrow focus, but very very important, key pillars
(22:19):
of our economy. So that is the work that we've
done and will continue to do to make sure that
these things lived, as well as raining and government spending,
making sure we're delivering projects on time, making sure we're
funding necessary and enabling infrastructure in that government side of
the house.
Speaker 1 (22:34):
All right, Chief Minister, we are going to have to
get ready to wrap up. But a couple of comments.
I've got one here from Mickey Barrett, the Full Will
Drive NT President on behalf of Full Will Drive int
and Full Will Drivers and campus in general. I'd like
to publicly pass on a thank you to the Chief
Minister and the whole team in relation to securing Litchfield
East Full Will Drive Recreation Reserve. They didn't make any
(22:57):
pre election promises about it to get votes, but once
in they just work behind the scenes to make it happen.
Now I'll read the rest of that out a little later.
Another one, Katie, can you please ask the Chief Minister
if the residents of North Crest are going to receive.
Speaker 2 (23:12):
A dump key.
Speaker 1 (23:13):
We are in an unincorporated area and we pay our
rates to the Chief Minister's office. Other homeowners pay their
rates to a council and have access to a dump
Will they get a dump key?
Speaker 2 (23:23):
I would love to see North Crest get a dump key.
I was a local member out there for a very
long time. So this is a vexed issue for that
community because they aren't part of a council. So they
do pay rates, but it goes to the developer to
do the rubbish and all of that type of stuff,
and so it really comes down to City of Darwin
then giving access with a key, and there's all these complicated,
(23:44):
little nuanced arrangements for North Crest. So I'd like to
see all of that put to bed for the people
of North Crest because they deserve to be in a
council just like everyone else.
Speaker 1 (23:53):
All Right, David Wonnelli says, good morning Katie and Chief
Minister Leah. All I can say is keep up the
good work. I'm one hundred and fifty percent behind you.
The only other thing I can say is we need
another prison and a youth center, less bail and more
police and more prison guards. At least some of us
in the public are starting to feel safer, but there
are still a lot of antisocial behavior issues going on
(24:17):
out there, so please keep up that hard work. So
more of a comment, I guess you'd say, Scott in
Aanula Katie, can you please ask the Chief Minister the
judges are still giving bail and suspended sentences. Can the
laws be made to make it impossible for these weak
judges to give a suspended sentence for or bail for
a violent crime.
Speaker 2 (24:38):
Yeah, look, it's look, it's nearly impossible. Right. We looked
at this and we did Declan's Law, both versions of
Declan's Law. That we've got the strongest bow laws in
the country. It is making a huge difference. We have
got an increase in people not being bailed of forty
four percent. That's over three thousand people did not get
bail this year since January. Actually, it's huge. It is working,
(25:02):
and we just have to continue to monitor and set
the expectation around what our laws look like and that
they meet the community's expectations. So it's always a work
in progress, but we do have very strong bowl laws here.
Speaker 1 (25:15):
All right, Chief Minister, we are gonna have to wrap up.
But what would you say is your biggest achievement for
the year.
Speaker 2 (25:22):
I think our biggest achievement is maintaining our very narrow focus,
because it's very easy in government to get distracted by
all sorts of things and get dragged down rabbit holes
and you know, not be focused on your core things.
So delivering our election commitments has just been something we
are smashing through and staying true to the crime economy
lifestyle as well, and I think that is why we're
(25:44):
having some really strong success, because we are staying very
very disciplined and very very focused.
Speaker 1 (25:49):
The biggest regret for the year, I don't know.
Speaker 2 (25:52):
That I have a biggest regret, probably if I had
any regret of being not seeing my kids as much
as I should. To be honest, Katie, if I'm pertuggle, yeah, yeah,
if I'm perfectly honest. But look, you always, you know,
every day I go over the day in my head
and I think about the things we did well, the
things we could have done better. And so just like
every territory in life, is this constant learning journey, right,
I don't have any major big regrets. It's just I
(26:15):
learn every day and we put our best foot forward
the next day.
Speaker 1 (26:18):
Well, I tell you what. The listeners have appreciated the
extended interview. The tech Sign's going off just a very
quick one. What are your goals for the next twelve months.
Speaker 2 (26:26):
Yep, So we've got lots lots to do. So crime continues,
but we want to have a particular focus on that
sexual offending, assaults, violent crime. Housing public housing remains a huge,
huge issue for people.
Speaker 1 (26:40):
So when are we going to see an announcement around that.
Speaker 2 (26:42):
Yeah, it should be soon. It should really be soon.
I'm hoping within the month. So we need to do
a lot more. But our public housing, our police public
safety offices are going to be a big part of
that housing reform. So we've still got that reform to do.
We've got the OC spray trial to roll out. Then
there are projects like you know, shiplift and all sorts
(27:02):
of things, Katie, So there's plenty on the boil.
Speaker 1 (27:04):
All right, Chief Minister, we better leave it there. Thanks
so much for your time this morning. Really appreciate it.
Speaker 2 (27:09):
Thank you.
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