Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
And as I mentioned a little while ago, the latest
(00:02):
concept State of the State report it's been released and
according to the October twenty twenty five COMSEPT Report, the
territory has gone from eighth place to fourth place in
overall economic performance. It's best ranking in nearly a decade.
Now our current Chief Minister, Leofanocchio taking a very different approach.
You'd have to say to the former few chief ministers,
(00:23):
not throwing it in the bin, but using it as
a tool to say that the work her government is
doing is having a positive impact. Now she joins me
in the studio right now, Good morning to your Chief Minister.
Speaker 2 (00:34):
Good morning to you Katie and your wonderful listeners.
Speaker 3 (00:36):
So you didn't chuck it in the bin this time around.
Speaker 2 (00:38):
No way. That thing's in a picture frame in the office.
You're happy with that, very happy.
Speaker 1 (00:43):
Now, tell me there's no doubt that there's some good
news in these numbers. I mean the Northern Territory jumping
from eighth to fourth overall in economic performance. Where number
one in Australia for economic growth up five point four percent,
number one for population growth, which is surprising on one
point three percent. And that's seventy five percent above the
(01:03):
decade average. Now what do you attribute these numbers to.
Speaker 4 (01:07):
Yeah, look, it's great indicative data that things are on
the move in the right direction. So I just want
people to understand there's plenty more work to do, but
we have to celebrate these wins.
Speaker 2 (01:17):
Everyone will remember that Labor.
Speaker 4 (01:18):
Used to throw this report in the bin, discredited.
Speaker 2 (01:23):
Because they were failing.
Speaker 4 (01:24):
And what we've gone from is being the worst performing
economy in the nation, which we've been at for about
six years, I think, if not longer, to now moving
into fourth place. So it's going the right way. We've
taken a really strong approach to rebuilding our economy. We've
slashed approvals time frames, We've lifted the payroll tax free threshold,
(01:44):
we've abolished third party merits review. The home build scheme
is going gangbusters. There's been a lot of regulatory work
and a lot of focus on making the territory a
more competitive place to live, work, visit and invest.
Speaker 1 (01:57):
So you genuinely believe that these things that you've tried
in the first sort of twelve months have.
Speaker 3 (02:02):
Had that impact.
Speaker 1 (02:03):
And it's not just that we're going off a very
low base.
Speaker 4 (02:08):
We were on a very low base, there's no doubt
about it. But things are turning around and we need
that private sector confidence and private sector investment and that's
what we're starting to see. So it was great to see,
you know, the manganese story in today's paper around shipments
coming out of Pine Creek. We've also had Tenant Creek
Gold come online this year. There's things that are either
(02:30):
about to start or have just started, but there's plenty
more people willing to start, and I think that's the point.
When you create an environment where people feel confident to
invest and you have that private sector dollar being spent,
that's where the real growth in the economy is. That's
where the benefit to Territorians is.
Speaker 1 (02:47):
I mean, from the outside looking in, you touched on
a couple of those smaller projects, but we, like we
it doesn't feel as though there are any really big
major projects that have gotten off the ground. I mean
things like the shiplift and that we've been waiting for
years and years. So some people listening maybe thinking, you know,
will these changes and some of these sort of changes
to the economy were going to happen regardless of whether
(03:09):
your empower or whether labor was in power.
Speaker 3 (03:11):
What do you say to that, Yeah.
Speaker 4 (03:13):
Look, I disagree, hater, because what we've seen. You're right,
there is no one single project where everyone can point
to me and say Aha, it's that. Don't try and
claim it. What we're seeing across the board is people
spending money. So even our home build scheme, of which
we've delivered over a thousand of those ten thirty and
fifty thousand dollar grants, they're having a tremendous impact economy wide,
(03:34):
for territory wide. Then there's the confidence to invest. So
we're seeing people investing in building apartments again after years
and years of that never happening with Luck's apartments for example,
or or what's happening at Old Health House. And so
there's money being spent in a broader cross section of
our community by the private sector, not by government, which
(03:55):
which that dollar goes further. That's what's creating jobs, that's
what's creating stimulus, that's what will create the opportunity we need.
So there's plenty more work to do, but having a
strong regulatory environment is important. Certainty and government is important,
and our approval is fast tracked. Task Force Saying Yes
to Business report had forty eight recommendations we're implementing this
(04:15):
year so by by June next year, and we're well
and truly on track for those. So it's only going
to get better in terms of what we can do
to make the territory a better place.
Speaker 1 (04:24):
So you genuinely feel as though this is the start
of it. The economy is going to continue to improve
from this point.
Speaker 4 (04:31):
Well, that is absolutely our goal, Katie. We spend a
lot of energy, you know, crime in the economy, and lifestyle,
they're the three big things. And so even when you
look to that population data, our budget hopes for point
nine percent growth and we're seeing one point three percent
growth consistently. Now that's fantastic. They're tiny, tiny numbers, but
they're going up and that's what we want. So we
(04:52):
will continue to work hard, but we certainly hope those
numbers keep growing. But we'll do everything we can from
a government perspective to create the environment where the private
spec sector are the ones leading the charge, not the government.
Speaker 3 (05:04):
Chief Minister.
Speaker 1 (05:05):
I want to move to an issue which I've had
a number of listeners contact me about on the weekend.
As we all know, Saint Vincent De Paul's Osnam House
It moved from Stuart Park to Coconut Grove last year,
which was to be a temporary move until a permanent
site was secured. Now, over the weekend we learned that
a development application has been launched to extend the current
(05:26):
lease to September twenty twenty nine. Now, people who live
and work in the area are not happy.
Speaker 3 (05:34):
Why is this being extended.
Speaker 4 (05:35):
Yeah, I wasn't aware of that, Katie, but it doesn't
surprise me. So we've been working over the last fourteen
months to find a piece of land for Saint Vinnie's
to go. Obviously, that was something Labor had promised Saint
Vinnie's and never delivered, and so then Vinnie's were forced
to go to that land on a temporary basis. They
were given two years and then we've been in government
(05:56):
one year and so it doesn't surprise me they're having
to extend. But what we are really focused on is
making sure that Lark Here and Saint Vinnie's, you know,
prepare their MoU or whatever formal relationship they're going to
have to run the new facility, and we are putting
the final touches on a location and land. So we
(06:17):
really want this to progress. And unfortunately we're in it's
the position it is in because of the legacy left behind.
Speaker 1 (06:24):
So I mean, how quickly are you expecting that things
are going to progress, because, like we're going to be
catching up with a couple of listeners this morning who've
got really serious concerns about this. They say that there's
been an increase in antisocial behavior. They say there's been
an increase in crime in the area. You know, they're
having to increase their security measures because they feel as
(06:45):
though it's having a big impact.
Speaker 2 (06:47):
Yeah, and I hear them.
Speaker 4 (06:48):
It's really not a good situation, you know. And I
was very surprised by the location that was chosen by
the previous labor government. But ultimately, all we can do
is work as fast as we can to get a
new site, and that just takes a little bit of time.
I think we're nearly there, but there's a budget process
that has to happen as well for next year, and
then of course Saint Vinnie's and Larakia need to do
(07:10):
their part around formalizing that service delivery.
Speaker 3 (07:13):
So how far off do.
Speaker 1 (07:14):
You think we are from another site being secured and
that news being on the horizon.
Speaker 4 (07:21):
Oh, look, somewhere between now and the next budget, which
is a bit of cold comfort for territory, and so
we're looking at May next year. But you know that's
about an eighteen month process to identify suitable land, have
the budget allocation required, and get the entities who will
ultimately be running it organized.
Speaker 3 (07:40):
So is it taking so long?
Speaker 1 (07:41):
Like, I don't get me wrong, I understand that this
was it was a decision that was made under the
form of government, So I understand that part.
Speaker 3 (07:48):
But why is it now taking so long?
Speaker 4 (07:50):
Well, I think on the whole it will be a
year and a half for us, which is not that
it is a huge amount of time when you're the
next door neighbor and I get that, but when you're
the government trying to find you think about that. We
had to do all of the suitability around where this
would go, what's land service, what lands hasn't been serviced? Like,
There's a whole range of things that have to happen.
And so in eighteen months, where really we think we
(08:13):
can put a lid on that and give certainty and
move forward ultimately. If Labor just had to delivered on
their promise for five five and a half years ago,
we wouldn't be in this situation.
Speaker 1 (08:23):
Well, I should think you'll be able to sort it out.
When they didn't seem to be able to.
Speaker 2 (08:26):
Well, they just I have no idea why they didn't.
We're very confident.
Speaker 1 (08:29):
Well, I guess it comes down to nobody really wanting
the service in the shore.
Speaker 4 (08:33):
But there's there's plenty of land around. We've done a
lot of work on this. I'm confident we have a
really good outcome. We've just got to, you know, finalize
those formalities, all right.
Speaker 1 (08:43):
Last day of parliamentary sittings last week, the Speaker accepted
a matter of privilege concerning the Member for Nightcliff. Now,
the Member for Nightcliff's been referred to the privilege as
Committee for the alleged misuse of her taxpayer funded electorate
office for electioneering, which you guys have seen is clear
breach of member entitlements. Now I know the Leader of
(09:04):
Government Business, Steve Edgington, saying that the Member for Nightcliff's
been absent from Parliament all afternoon, failing to represent her
electorate and instead appearing to choose an int Green's Party
event over her duty to represent the people.
Speaker 3 (09:18):
She was elected to serve.
Speaker 1 (09:20):
Now why was the government Why did you guys so
quickly move to refer the Member for Nightcliff to privilegious.
I mean, this is something that I sort of can't
remember happening in quite some time.
Speaker 2 (09:31):
Yes, So there's.
Speaker 4 (09:33):
Rules under the Parliament about a matter of privilege, and
so if a member believes that something has arisen that
requires that type of I suppose investigation you could call it,
they then have to put that case to the Speaker,
and it's actually the Speaker who determines whether or not
it's of an urgent nature enough to be addressed by
the Parliament and referred. So obviously the Member for Goiter
(09:54):
felt that that was an important issue. The Speaker has
then agreed that it could raise a matter of privilege.
So that's now gone to that Parliamentary Committee, which is
a bipartisan committee of the Parliament.
Speaker 2 (10:07):
So they'll now do whatever they need to do.
Speaker 4 (10:08):
I'm not on that committy, Katie, so I don't want
to preemp what they might consider, but they will then
look to the detail of it.
Speaker 1 (10:15):
But so obviously you see it as being a big
misuse of the office.
Speaker 4 (10:19):
Well, if they were campaigning from her electorate, offers then
that would be something that needed to be addressed. So
again it's before the committee, so I don't want to
you know, that's for them to now work through.
Speaker 1 (10:29):
The Anti Greens convener Jonathan Parry had said in a
statement to us on Friday that the member for Nightcliff
was traveling into state for a family matter and was
not at the event in question. He said advice received
prior to the event indicated that it was within acceptable
uses of the Electorate office and they have sought to
clarify this. I mean, do you accept that explanation?
Speaker 4 (10:52):
That may very well be the case, Katie, And so
again it'll go through the process now and if that
is the case, then that would be the outcome.
Speaker 1 (11:00):
Are you hoping comes of this, because some listening are
going to think that, you know, the rest of you
are just as bad.
Speaker 4 (11:07):
At the end of the day, if something like that
comes to a member's attention, this is the way to
go through the process. So the Greens have come out
with their statement. It will go to the committee and
what will come of that will come of that, and
that will be public.
Speaker 1 (11:20):
So I know that some will think it's a bit
rich though for the CLP to a further member for
Nightcliff when questions were last week being asked about your
backbenches with assistant minister titles and if they should be
traveling on the taxpayers purse, Like why do you think
it's appropriate for them to be traveling on the taxpayers purse?
But it's inappropriate for that office to be used, and
(11:41):
I get that there's rules in place, but do you
see the conclusions that people would be drawing.
Speaker 2 (11:46):
Look, I don't. I can see how.
Speaker 4 (11:49):
I can see how from the territory's perspective that might
mighty the warners, but they really are separate issues and
just I'm glad I have the opportunity to address this
because our assistant ministers perform really important functions of government.
And so, for example, Ollie Carlson, the Member for Wannguri,
as Assistant Treasurer, I've had her travel a number of
(12:10):
times to Nolan Boy to support me directly with the
transition after Rio Mind closes. So she's been out there
building relationships with Retingu and Good Much Corporations and providing
that important advice to me. And then when I went out,
I brought her with me so that we had that
continuity so that there are very significant roles that they
(12:31):
can play, and we have such a highly capable team.
I don't know why any cabinet would want to stop
their assistant ministers from but why not.
Speaker 1 (12:39):
Formalize that thing, you know, why not make sure that
they're from the discussion that we'd had on the week
that was last week. My understanding, and please correct me
if I'm wrong, is that they're not. They don't have
to swear an oath or they don't have to actually
you know, go through that's the processes, and I get
you know, taxpayers are not going to be accepting in
any way. I think if they were getting paid more
sure to do a set minister's roles. But I think
(13:01):
that if they're then dealing with potentially confidential information or
they're then taking on this additional responsibility, should it actually
be formalized so that territories can be rest assured that
they're not accessing informational or you know, delving into things
that they shouldn't be.
Speaker 4 (13:18):
No, well they're not, and so cabinet confidence remains absolute. Catie,
this is this is on other issues or perhaps projects
like you know, if I reflect back to when I
was I think we called it parliamentary secretary back in
those days, which is more of a federal term. You know,
I worked on a military project, excuse me. And you
(13:38):
know there's other things, so it just it just depends.
But you know, these are these are important people who've
been elected by the community to do an important job.
And I think eleven thousand dollars over three members and
five or six trips shows actually have responsible We're being
in spending money and the territory is a big place,
and you know, even just for for the member for
(13:58):
Onenguri for example, you know, to get to Nullen Boyd
two or three times. It does cost money, but is
it worth it?
Speaker 2 (14:04):
Absolutely well.
Speaker 1 (14:05):
But how can the public be sure then if there's
not a report or some kind of information that comes
out that actually demonstrates that that money is being used
to their.
Speaker 2 (14:14):
Expectation, Well, it's an extension of what we do.
Speaker 4 (14:17):
So when ministers travel, there's no report as such on that,
I mean.
Speaker 1 (14:22):
But generally you send out a media release letting people
know that a minister is traveling. There used to be
an expectation that the amount was at the bottom of
and that continues on. So I mean, something like the
Nullanboy project. That's a really sensitive I mean, that's been
going on.
Speaker 4 (14:40):
For about six years, so it's really there's not really
anything to report except to say that we're really value
Nullanboy and we really value working with our traditional owner
groups out there to get a really strong resolution and
make sure that we're working to hold Rio accountable for
that transition. So as there are points in time for that,
(15:01):
for example, where things can.
Speaker 2 (15:02):
Be said, of course we will.
Speaker 4 (15:04):
But there's a lot of work that happens that isn't
you know at a stage that really you can notify
people about yet.
Speaker 1 (15:10):
So those roles are not gammon like you guys have
called them when in opposition.
Speaker 4 (15:13):
Sure it was a long time ago, Katie, And look,
make no mistake, I think some of Labor's were absolutely gammon.
Speaker 1 (15:19):
But how can you not like this is a tough part, right,
Like at the moment you do seem to have the
goodwill of territorians, but you've got to be careful you
don't take the piece.
Speaker 2 (15:30):
But we're not. And I think that's the thing.
Speaker 4 (15:31):
If it were just titles for title's sake and people
weren't doing that work, then that would be just a fuss, right,
it's just a label to give some make someone feel good,
and that was certainly our interpretation of what labor we're doing.
We're actually using our assistant ministers to perform really critical
roles of government, which not only expands their knowledge, which
which gives better outcomes for the community, but it assists
(15:54):
us in leveraging more resources to do more work, which
gets more things done. So I think that's the point
of different friends, and we can take it. I get
that people are having a crack at the moment, and
that's fine, but we're talking about eleven thousand dollars in
multiple instances of travel that have benefited things like our
economy or the future of somewhere like Noulan Boy, and
(16:15):
that's just important business of government.
Speaker 1 (16:17):
I guess the tough thing is is it's on the
back of the white carm issues, which you.
Speaker 3 (16:22):
And I have spoken about before.
Speaker 1 (16:24):
So you know, I suppose what you're asking people to
do is just trust you, whereas by very nature, people
don't really trust politicians. So if all the facts are
laid out, if they're on the table, people are able
to see the rules, then it's much easier for them
to make up their own minds.
Speaker 2 (16:40):
Yeah, sure.
Speaker 4 (16:41):
And again with assistant ministers, they're able we get them
doing work that we would otherwise do, which allows us
to you know, double the amount of impact that we
can have and so that travel is in accordance with
our travel. And again when there's milestones, will absolutely tell
people about it. But some of it is just you know,
(17:01):
some of it is just business as usual type of stuff.
Speaker 2 (17:04):
Others is very very like this.
Speaker 4 (17:06):
As I said, the Nulan boy issue has been going
on for many, many years. So it's it's a very
slow but important process.
Speaker 1 (17:12):
All Right, I want to move along because there's quite
a bit to still get through, and I know your
press for time. The legislation to overhaul integrity bodies that
was introduced, the Integrity and Ethics Commissioner Bill. That legislation
establishes the new Integrity and Ethics Commissioner, the IEC, and
implements the key recommendations of the recent McClintock highly report.
Speaker 3 (17:34):
What are the first steps.
Speaker 1 (17:36):
And how quickly are we anticipating that this is going
like this change is going to get underway?
Speaker 4 (17:41):
Yeah, and this is really important reform after what's been
a really sorry, sad tale for the IKAC unfortunately, and
you know, people have talked a lot about people losing
confidence in the system. It's cost about thirty five million
dollars since its inception, and so we need to get
this right. Integrity is critical. It's really really important that
people do have confidence. And so with the McClintock highly report,
(18:04):
there was a very clear plan going forward. We've implemented
it in full. So this is not cherry picking. This
is doing what the report says. That legislation will be
debated in November, and what it will mean is that
early into the new year, probably end of quarter one,
I would imagine that will all be the new Integrity
Ethics Commission will be established. Once the legislation is passed,
(18:25):
we'll be able to go to recruitment for the new
Commissioner and all of the transitional provisions that are already
in PRA place. So it's business as usual for Health
Complaints commission and Ombitsman and Information Commissioner and EYECAC. They
are still performing their roles to the fullness of their
duties and this would just bring them into one model
which should provide better support, better oversight, and better resourcing
(18:50):
for all of those really important functions.
Speaker 1 (18:52):
Why did you not have this go to the Scrutiny
Committee because.
Speaker 4 (18:56):
We wanted it to reflect the McClintock highly report. Those
those two people are eminent in this issue of integrity,
and so it is really important that the structure be
delivered in accordance with that report.
Speaker 1 (19:11):
And you didn't feel that it still could even if
it went through the Scrutiny Committee.
Speaker 4 (19:15):
Well, there may have been a myriad of recommendations about
a range of other things that this bill doesn't do,
Like this bill doesn't change powers, for example, So we're
not tinkering around with powers and watering things down or
changing anything.
Speaker 2 (19:27):
This is about the structure. So the structure is very clear.
Speaker 4 (19:30):
But let's not forget the bill is out on the
table for consultation now, so if people want to read it,
if they're concerned about it, all of the members of
Parliament are available and talking to their communities about it.
So it's going through the proper process. But we've had
a report from eminent professionals around what it should look like,
and we are delivering exactly what it should look like.
Speaker 1 (19:49):
Okay, Chief Minister, I want to move to a tragic situation.
The coroner's report was handed down on Friday into the
death of a little girl in the rural area as
away at childcare. I mean, it's the kind of tragedy
that no family should ever have to deal with. The coroner,
Elizabeth Armitage, recommended that the government conduct a supervision audit
(20:11):
across all childcare centers in the NT and impose penalties
on any that failed to rectify identified issues in a
timely manner. Chief, Is this something that your government's going
to commit to.
Speaker 4 (20:25):
Yeah, this is an absolute tragedy and just I think
everyone's collective hearts are with the family. It's just been awful,
and so were really pleased this coronial as conclude, and
we've got the recommendation, so we will now work through
all of those and of course explain to territories what
the next steps look like. So that's still very fresh, Katie,
but suffice to say, we are very, very committed to this,
(20:48):
and most, if not all, of your listeners will either
have put their kids through childcare like I have, or
be putting their kids through childcare now. And I'm getting
goosebumps just talking about it. You know, it is they're
our children, they're our future. They're the love of our lives, Katie,
and we need to make sure that they are protected.
And so you know, this is a very serious coronial
that we'll of course respond to.
Speaker 3 (21:10):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (21:11):
Look, I read through those recommendations on air on Friday.
Some of them it is heart wrenching stuff. I cannot
begin to imagine how that little family feels.
Speaker 3 (21:22):
But I guess that's why.
Speaker 1 (21:23):
You know, that recommendation of a supervision audit across all
child care centers in the Northern Territory, to me seems
like real common sense and something that should happen as
quickly as possible.
Speaker 3 (21:36):
Surely you're great.
Speaker 4 (21:37):
Yeah, there's lots of the recommendations that are really practical
and sensible, Katie. And that's that's something governments can work with.
You know, when you have coronial recommendations that are intangible,
you know, it becomes really difficult for a government to respond.
But when you have really clear cut steps that you
can take to make a system better, makes it very
easy to say yes, and it makes it even easier
(21:57):
to implement. So it's very early days. We will not
drag our feet, make no mistake, Katie. And to your
listeners who are concerned This is really urgent and important,
and we're looking at it right now very quickly.
Speaker 1 (22:10):
The Darwin and Casuarina bus into changes they closed today
were school students well informed of those changes, because the
ABC was reporting that some kids were left in limbo
with buses arriving earlier and lots of uncertainty about where
they now catch the bus.
Speaker 2 (22:25):
Yeah, well that should have been communicated.
Speaker 4 (22:27):
I'm not across all of the bus details, and I
don't have kids to catch a bus, so I don't
know it intimately, Katie. But there are now the existing
stops at Trau Roads, Cautuccio Street and Bradshood Terrace. That's
where people will be catching the buses from and routes one, one,
h two and twenty four, and the school buses will
depart from Trau Roads. So that might answer some of
(22:48):
your listener's questions there. But this is a big commitment
of us to support a more efficient bus system and
drive down antisocial behavior, which we've been able to drop
incidents on buses by twenty percent over the last year,
so plenty more work to do again, but this will
be another big step and I'll tell you what I
can speak for everyone listening from Palmerstan that we can't
wait for the Barmston devot to.
Speaker 2 (23:10):
Get sorted out as well.
Speaker 4 (23:12):
So I know the Treasurer is looking at that closely,
but I think we'll see. I think we'll see the
community really embrace his change once people get used to
it and change is heard. And we apologize if there
has been any communication issues or inconvenience cause, but moving forward,
this will be.
Speaker 2 (23:28):
A great step forward for territory bus users.
Speaker 1 (23:30):
Chief Minister Leathanociaro, we better let you go. Thanks very
much for your time this morning.
Speaker 2 (23:34):
Take care everyone.
Speaker 3 (23:35):
Thank you,
And as I mentioned a little while ago, the latest
(00:02):
concept State of the State report it's been released and
according to the October twenty twenty five COMSEPT Report, the
territory has gone from eighth place to fourth place in
overall economic performance. It's best ranking in nearly a decade.
Now our current Chief Minister, Leofanocchio taking a very different approach.
You'd have to say to the former few chief ministers,
(00:23):
not throwing it in the bin, but using it as
a tool to say that the work her government is
doing is having a positive impact. Now she joins me
in the studio right now, Good morning to your Chief Minister.
Speaker 2 (00:34):
Good morning to you Katie and your wonderful listeners.
Speaker 3 (00:36):
So you didn't chuck it in the bin this time around.
Speaker 2 (00:38):
No way. That thing's in a picture frame in the office.
You're happy with that, very happy.
Speaker 1 (00:43):
Now, tell me there's no doubt that there's some good
news in these numbers. I mean the Northern Territory jumping
from eighth to fourth overall in economic performance. Where number
one in Australia for economic growth up five point four percent,
number one for population growth, which is surprising on one
point three percent. And that's seventy five percent above the
(01:03):
decade average. Now what do you attribute these numbers to.
Speaker 4 (01:07):
Yeah, look, it's great indicative data that things are on
the move in the right direction. So I just want
people to understand there's plenty more work to do, but
we have to celebrate these wins.
Speaker 2 (01:17):
Everyone will remember that Labor.
Speaker 4 (01:18):
Used to throw this report in the bin, discredited.
Speaker 2 (01:23):
Because they were failing.
Speaker 4 (01:24):
And what we've gone from is being the worst performing
economy in the nation, which we've been at for about
six years, I think, if not longer, to now moving
into fourth place. So it's going the right way. We've
taken a really strong approach to rebuilding our economy. We've
slashed approvals time frames, We've lifted the payroll tax free threshold,
(01:44):
we've abolished third party merits review. The home build scheme
is going gangbusters. There's been a lot of regulatory work
and a lot of focus on making the territory a
more competitive place to live, work, visit and invest.
Speaker 1 (01:57):
So you genuinely believe that these things that you've tried
in the first sort of twelve months have.
Speaker 3 (02:02):
Had that impact.
Speaker 1 (02:03):
And it's not just that we're going off a very
low base.
Speaker 4 (02:08):
We were on a very low base, there's no doubt
about it. But things are turning around and we need
that private sector confidence and private sector investment and that's
what we're starting to see. So it was great to see,
you know, the manganese story in today's paper around shipments
coming out of Pine Creek. We've also had Tenant Creek
Gold come online this year. There's things that are either
(02:30):
about to start or have just started, but there's plenty
more people willing to start, and I think that's the point.
When you create an environment where people feel confident to
invest and you have that private sector dollar being spent,
that's where the real growth in the economy is. That's
where the benefit to Territorians is.
Speaker 1 (02:47):
I mean, from the outside looking in, you touched on
a couple of those smaller projects, but we, like we
it doesn't feel as though there are any really big
major projects that have gotten off the ground. I mean
things like the shiplift and that we've been waiting for
years and years. So some people listening maybe thinking, you know,
will these changes and some of these sort of changes
to the economy were going to happen regardless of whether
(03:09):
your empower or whether labor was in power.
Speaker 3 (03:11):
What do you say to that, Yeah.
Speaker 4 (03:13):
Look, I disagree, hater, because what we've seen. You're right,
there is no one single project where everyone can point
to me and say Aha, it's that. Don't try and
claim it. What we're seeing across the board is people
spending money. So even our home build scheme, of which
we've delivered over a thousand of those ten thirty and
fifty thousand dollar grants, they're having a tremendous impact economy wide,
(03:34):
for territory wide. Then there's the confidence to invest. So
we're seeing people investing in building apartments again after years
and years of that never happening with Luck's apartments for example,
or or what's happening at Old Health House. And so
there's money being spent in a broader cross section of
our community by the private sector, not by government, which
(03:55):
which that dollar goes further. That's what's creating jobs, that's
what's creating stimulus, that's what will create the opportunity we need.
So there's plenty more work to do, but having a
strong regulatory environment is important. Certainty and government is important,
and our approval is fast tracked. Task Force Saying Yes
to Business report had forty eight recommendations we're implementing this
(04:15):
year so by by June next year, and we're well
and truly on track for those. So it's only going
to get better in terms of what we can do
to make the territory a better place.
Speaker 1 (04:24):
So you genuinely feel as though this is the start
of it. The economy is going to continue to improve
from this point.
Speaker 4 (04:31):
Well, that is absolutely our goal, Katie. We spend a
lot of energy, you know, crime in the economy, and lifestyle,
they're the three big things. And so even when you
look to that population data, our budget hopes for point
nine percent growth and we're seeing one point three percent
growth consistently. Now that's fantastic. They're tiny, tiny numbers, but
they're going up and that's what we want. So we
(04:52):
will continue to work hard, but we certainly hope those
numbers keep growing. But we'll do everything we can from
a government perspective to create the environment where the private
spec sector are the ones leading the charge, not the government.
Speaker 3 (05:04):
Chief Minister.
Speaker 1 (05:05):
I want to move to an issue which I've had
a number of listeners contact me about on the weekend.
As we all know, Saint Vincent De Paul's Osnam House
It moved from Stuart Park to Coconut Grove last year,
which was to be a temporary move until a permanent
site was secured. Now, over the weekend we learned that
a development application has been launched to extend the current
(05:26):
lease to September twenty twenty nine. Now, people who live
and work in the area are not happy.
Speaker 3 (05:34):
Why is this being extended.
Speaker 4 (05:35):
Yeah, I wasn't aware of that, Katie, but it doesn't
surprise me. So we've been working over the last fourteen
months to find a piece of land for Saint Vinnie's
to go. Obviously, that was something Labor had promised Saint
Vinnie's and never delivered, and so then Vinnie's were forced
to go to that land on a temporary basis. They
were given two years and then we've been in government
(05:56):
one year and so it doesn't surprise me they're having
to extend. But what we are really focused on is
making sure that Lark Here and Saint Vinnie's, you know,
prepare their MoU or whatever formal relationship they're going to
have to run the new facility, and we are putting
the final touches on a location and land. So we
(06:17):
really want this to progress. And unfortunately we're in it's
the position it is in because of the legacy left behind.
Speaker 1 (06:24):
So I mean, how quickly are you expecting that things
are going to progress, because, like we're going to be
catching up with a couple of listeners this morning who've
got really serious concerns about this. They say that there's
been an increase in antisocial behavior. They say there's been
an increase in crime in the area. You know, they're
having to increase their security measures because they feel as
(06:45):
though it's having a big impact.
Speaker 2 (06:47):
Yeah, and I hear them.
Speaker 4 (06:48):
It's really not a good situation, you know. And I
was very surprised by the location that was chosen by
the previous labor government. But ultimately, all we can do
is work as fast as we can to get a
new site, and that just takes a little bit of time.
I think we're nearly there, but there's a budget process
that has to happen as well for next year, and
then of course Saint Vinnie's and Larakia need to do
(07:10):
their part around formalizing that service delivery.
Speaker 3 (07:13):
So how far off do.
Speaker 1 (07:14):
You think we are from another site being secured and
that news being on the horizon.
Speaker 4 (07:21):
Oh, look, somewhere between now and the next budget, which
is a bit of cold comfort for territory, and so
we're looking at May next year. But you know that's
about an eighteen month process to identify suitable land, have
the budget allocation required, and get the entities who will
ultimately be running it organized.
Speaker 3 (07:40):
So is it taking so long?
Speaker 1 (07:41):
Like, I don't get me wrong, I understand that this
was it was a decision that was made under the
form of government, So I understand that part.
Speaker 3 (07:48):
But why is it now taking so long?
Speaker 4 (07:50):
Well, I think on the whole it will be a
year and a half for us, which is not that
it is a huge amount of time when you're the
next door neighbor and I get that, but when you're
the government trying to find you think about that. We
had to do all of the suitability around where this
would go, what's land service, what lands hasn't been serviced? Like,
There's a whole range of things that have to happen.
And so in eighteen months, where really we think we
(08:13):
can put a lid on that and give certainty and
move forward ultimately. If Labor just had to delivered on
their promise for five five and a half years ago,
we wouldn't be in this situation.
Speaker 1 (08:23):
Well, I should think you'll be able to sort it out.
When they didn't seem to be able to.
Speaker 2 (08:26):
Well, they just I have no idea why they didn't.
We're very confident.
Speaker 1 (08:29):
Well, I guess it comes down to nobody really wanting
the service in the shore.
Speaker 4 (08:33):
But there's there's plenty of land around. We've done a
lot of work on this. I'm confident we have a
really good outcome. We've just got to, you know, finalize
those formalities, all right.
Speaker 1 (08:43):
Last day of parliamentary sittings last week, the Speaker accepted
a matter of privilege concerning the Member for Nightcliff. Now,
the Member for Nightcliff's been referred to the privilege as
Committee for the alleged misuse of her taxpayer funded electorate
office for electioneering, which you guys have seen is clear
breach of member entitlements. Now I know the Leader of
(09:04):
Government Business, Steve Edgington, saying that the Member for Nightcliff's
been absent from Parliament all afternoon, failing to represent her
electorate and instead appearing to choose an int Green's Party
event over her duty to represent the people.
Speaker 3 (09:18):
She was elected to serve.
Speaker 1 (09:20):
Now why was the government Why did you guys so
quickly move to refer the Member for Nightcliff to privilegious.
I mean, this is something that I sort of can't
remember happening in quite some time.
Speaker 2 (09:31):
Yes, So there's.
Speaker 4 (09:33):
Rules under the Parliament about a matter of privilege, and
so if a member believes that something has arisen that
requires that type of I suppose investigation you could call it,
they then have to put that case to the Speaker,
and it's actually the Speaker who determines whether or not
it's of an urgent nature enough to be addressed by
the Parliament and referred. So obviously the Member for Goiter
(09:54):
felt that that was an important issue. The Speaker has
then agreed that it could raise a matter of privilege.
So that's now gone to that Parliamentary Committee, which is
a bipartisan committee of the Parliament.
Speaker 2 (10:07):
So they'll now do whatever they need to do.
Speaker 4 (10:08):
I'm not on that committy, Katie, so I don't want
to preemp what they might consider, but they will then
look to the detail of it.
Speaker 1 (10:15):
But so obviously you see it as being a big
misuse of the office.
Speaker 4 (10:19):
Well, if they were campaigning from her electorate, offers then
that would be something that needed to be addressed. So
again it's before the committee, so I don't want to
you know, that's for them to now work through.
Speaker 1 (10:29):
The Anti Greens convener Jonathan Parry had said in a
statement to us on Friday that the member for Nightcliff
was traveling into state for a family matter and was
not at the event in question. He said advice received
prior to the event indicated that it was within acceptable
uses of the Electorate office and they have sought to
clarify this. I mean, do you accept that explanation?
Speaker 4 (10:52):
That may very well be the case, Katie, And so
again it'll go through the process now and if that
is the case, then that would be the outcome.
Speaker 1 (11:00):
Are you hoping comes of this, because some listening are
going to think that, you know, the rest of you
are just as bad.
Speaker 4 (11:07):
At the end of the day, if something like that
comes to a member's attention, this is the way to
go through the process. So the Greens have come out
with their statement. It will go to the committee and
what will come of that will come of that, and
that will be public.
Speaker 1 (11:20):
So I know that some will think it's a bit
rich though for the CLP to a further member for
Nightcliff when questions were last week being asked about your
backbenches with assistant minister titles and if they should be
traveling on the taxpayers purse, Like why do you think
it's appropriate for them to be traveling on the taxpayers purse?
But it's inappropriate for that office to be used, and
(11:41):
I get that there's rules in place, but do you
see the conclusions that people would be drawing.
Speaker 2 (11:46):
Look, I don't. I can see how.
Speaker 4 (11:49):
I can see how from the territory's perspective that might
mighty the warners, but they really are separate issues and
just I'm glad I have the opportunity to address this
because our assistant ministers perform really important functions of government.
And so, for example, Ollie Carlson, the Member for Wannguri,
as Assistant Treasurer, I've had her travel a number of
(12:10):
times to Nolan Boy to support me directly with the
transition after Rio Mind closes. So she's been out there
building relationships with Retingu and Good Much Corporations and providing
that important advice to me. And then when I went out,
I brought her with me so that we had that
continuity so that there are very significant roles that they
(12:31):
can play, and we have such a highly capable team.
I don't know why any cabinet would want to stop
their assistant ministers from but why not.
Speaker 1 (12:39):
Formalize that thing, you know, why not make sure that
they're from the discussion that we'd had on the week
that was last week. My understanding, and please correct me
if I'm wrong, is that they're not. They don't have
to swear an oath or they don't have to actually
you know, go through that's the processes, and I get
you know, taxpayers are not going to be accepting in
any way. I think if they were getting paid more
sure to do a set minister's roles. But I think
(13:01):
that if they're then dealing with potentially confidential information or
they're then taking on this additional responsibility, should it actually
be formalized so that territories can be rest assured that
they're not accessing informational or you know, delving into things
that they shouldn't be.
Speaker 4 (13:18):
No, well they're not, and so cabinet confidence remains absolute. Catie,
this is this is on other issues or perhaps projects
like you know, if I reflect back to when I
was I think we called it parliamentary secretary back in
those days, which is more of a federal term. You know,
I worked on a military project, excuse me. And you
(13:38):
know there's other things, so it just it just depends.
But you know, these are these are important people who've
been elected by the community to do an important job.
And I think eleven thousand dollars over three members and
five or six trips shows actually have responsible We're being
in spending money and the territory is a big place,
and you know, even just for for the member for
(13:58):
Onenguri for example, you know, to get to Nullen Boyd
two or three times. It does cost money, but is
it worth it?
Speaker 2 (14:04):
Absolutely well.
Speaker 1 (14:05):
But how can the public be sure then if there's
not a report or some kind of information that comes
out that actually demonstrates that that money is being used
to their.
Speaker 2 (14:14):
Expectation, Well, it's an extension of what we do.
Speaker 4 (14:17):
So when ministers travel, there's no report as such on that,
I mean.
Speaker 1 (14:22):
But generally you send out a media release letting people
know that a minister is traveling. There used to be
an expectation that the amount was at the bottom of
and that continues on. So I mean, something like the
Nullanboy project. That's a really sensitive I mean, that's been
going on.
Speaker 4 (14:40):
For about six years, so it's really there's not really
anything to report except to say that we're really value
Nullanboy and we really value working with our traditional owner
groups out there to get a really strong resolution and
make sure that we're working to hold Rio accountable for
that transition. So as there are points in time for that,
(15:01):
for example, where things can.
Speaker 2 (15:02):
Be said, of course we will.
Speaker 4 (15:04):
But there's a lot of work that happens that isn't
you know at a stage that really you can notify
people about yet.
Speaker 1 (15:10):
So those roles are not gammon like you guys have
called them when in opposition.
Speaker 4 (15:13):
Sure it was a long time ago, Katie, And look,
make no mistake, I think some of Labor's were absolutely gammon.
Speaker 1 (15:19):
But how can you not like this is a tough part, right,
Like at the moment you do seem to have the
goodwill of territorians, but you've got to be careful you
don't take the piece.
Speaker 2 (15:30):
But we're not. And I think that's the thing.
Speaker 4 (15:31):
If it were just titles for title's sake and people
weren't doing that work, then that would be just a fuss, right,
it's just a label to give some make someone feel good,
and that was certainly our interpretation of what labor we're doing.
We're actually using our assistant ministers to perform really critical
roles of government, which not only expands their knowledge, which
which gives better outcomes for the community, but it assists
(15:54):
us in leveraging more resources to do more work, which
gets more things done. So I think that's the point
of different friends, and we can take it. I get
that people are having a crack at the moment, and
that's fine, but we're talking about eleven thousand dollars in
multiple instances of travel that have benefited things like our
economy or the future of somewhere like Noulan Boy, and
(16:15):
that's just important business of government.
Speaker 1 (16:17):
I guess the tough thing is is it's on the
back of the white carm issues, which you.
Speaker 3 (16:22):
And I have spoken about before.
Speaker 1 (16:24):
So you know, I suppose what you're asking people to
do is just trust you, whereas by very nature, people
don't really trust politicians. So if all the facts are
laid out, if they're on the table, people are able
to see the rules, then it's much easier for them
to make up their own minds.
Speaker 2 (16:40):
Yeah, sure.
Speaker 4 (16:41):
And again with assistant ministers, they're able we get them
doing work that we would otherwise do, which allows us
to you know, double the amount of impact that we
can have and so that travel is in accordance with
our travel. And again when there's milestones, will absolutely tell
people about it. But some of it is just you know,
(17:01):
some of it is just business as usual type of stuff.
Speaker 2 (17:04):
Others is very very like this.
Speaker 4 (17:06):
As I said, the Nulan boy issue has been going
on for many, many years. So it's it's a very
slow but important process.
Speaker 1 (17:12):
All Right, I want to move along because there's quite
a bit to still get through, and I know your
press for time. The legislation to overhaul integrity bodies that
was introduced, the Integrity and Ethics Commissioner Bill. That legislation
establishes the new Integrity and Ethics Commissioner, the IEC, and
implements the key recommendations of the recent McClintock highly report.
Speaker 3 (17:34):
What are the first steps.
Speaker 1 (17:36):
And how quickly are we anticipating that this is going
like this change is going to get underway?
Speaker 4 (17:41):
Yeah, and this is really important reform after what's been
a really sorry, sad tale for the IKAC unfortunately, and
you know, people have talked a lot about people losing
confidence in the system. It's cost about thirty five million
dollars since its inception, and so we need to get
this right. Integrity is critical. It's really really important that
people do have confidence. And so with the McClintock highly report,
(18:04):
there was a very clear plan going forward. We've implemented
it in full. So this is not cherry picking. This
is doing what the report says. That legislation will be
debated in November, and what it will mean is that
early into the new year, probably end of quarter one,
I would imagine that will all be the new Integrity
Ethics Commission will be established. Once the legislation is passed,
(18:25):
we'll be able to go to recruitment for the new
Commissioner and all of the transitional provisions that are already
in PRA place. So it's business as usual for Health
Complaints commission and Ombitsman and Information Commissioner and EYECAC. They
are still performing their roles to the fullness of their
duties and this would just bring them into one model
which should provide better support, better oversight, and better resourcing
(18:50):
for all of those really important functions.
Speaker 1 (18:52):
Why did you not have this go to the Scrutiny
Committee because.
Speaker 4 (18:56):
We wanted it to reflect the McClintock highly report. Those
those two people are eminent in this issue of integrity,
and so it is really important that the structure be
delivered in accordance with that report.
Speaker 1 (19:11):
And you didn't feel that it still could even if
it went through the Scrutiny Committee.
Speaker 4 (19:15):
Well, there may have been a myriad of recommendations about
a range of other things that this bill doesn't do,
Like this bill doesn't change powers, for example, So we're
not tinkering around with powers and watering things down or
changing anything.
Speaker 2 (19:27):
This is about the structure. So the structure is very clear.
Speaker 4 (19:30):
But let's not forget the bill is out on the
table for consultation now, so if people want to read it,
if they're concerned about it, all of the members of
Parliament are available and talking to their communities about it.
So it's going through the proper process. But we've had
a report from eminent professionals around what it should look like,
and we are delivering exactly what it should look like.
Speaker 1 (19:49):
Okay, Chief Minister, I want to move to a tragic situation.
The coroner's report was handed down on Friday into the
death of a little girl in the rural area as
away at childcare. I mean, it's the kind of tragedy
that no family should ever have to deal with. The coroner,
Elizabeth Armitage, recommended that the government conduct a supervision audit
(20:11):
across all childcare centers in the NT and impose penalties
on any that failed to rectify identified issues in a
timely manner. Chief, Is this something that your government's going
to commit to.
Speaker 4 (20:25):
Yeah, this is an absolute tragedy and just I think
everyone's collective hearts are with the family. It's just been awful,
and so were really pleased this coronial as conclude, and
we've got the recommendation, so we will now work through
all of those and of course explain to territories what
the next steps look like. So that's still very fresh, Katie,
but suffice to say, we are very, very committed to this,
(20:48):
and most, if not all, of your listeners will either
have put their kids through childcare like I have, or
be putting their kids through childcare now. And I'm getting
goosebumps just talking about it. You know, it is they're
our children, they're our future. They're the love of our lives, Katie,
and we need to make sure that they are protected.
And so you know, this is a very serious coronial
that we'll of course respond to.
Speaker 3 (21:10):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (21:11):
Look, I read through those recommendations on air on Friday.
Some of them it is heart wrenching stuff. I cannot
begin to imagine how that little family feels.
Speaker 3 (21:22):
But I guess that's why.
Speaker 1 (21:23):
You know, that recommendation of a supervision audit across all
child care centers in the Northern Territory, to me seems
like real common sense and something that should happen as
quickly as possible.
Speaker 3 (21:36):
Surely you're great.
Speaker 4 (21:37):
Yeah, there's lots of the recommendations that are really practical
and sensible, Katie. And that's that's something governments can work with.
You know, when you have coronial recommendations that are intangible,
you know, it becomes really difficult for a government to respond.
But when you have really clear cut steps that you
can take to make a system better, makes it very
easy to say yes, and it makes it even easier
(21:57):
to implement. So it's very early days. We will not
drag our feet, make no mistake, Katie. And to your
listeners who are concerned This is really urgent and important,
and we're looking at it right now very quickly.
Speaker 1 (22:10):
The Darwin and Casuarina bus into changes they closed today
were school students well informed of those changes, because the
ABC was reporting that some kids were left in limbo
with buses arriving earlier and lots of uncertainty about where
they now catch the bus.
Speaker 2 (22:25):
Yeah, well that should have been communicated.
Speaker 4 (22:27):
I'm not across all of the bus details, and I
don't have kids to catch a bus, so I don't
know it intimately, Katie. But there are now the existing
stops at Trau Roads, Cautuccio Street and Bradshood Terrace. That's
where people will be catching the buses from and routes one, one,
h two and twenty four, and the school buses will
depart from Trau Roads. So that might answer some of
(22:48):
your listener's questions there. But this is a big commitment
of us to support a more efficient bus system and
drive down antisocial behavior, which we've been able to drop
incidents on buses by twenty percent over the last year,
so plenty more work to do again, but this will
be another big step and I'll tell you what I
can speak for everyone listening from Palmerstan that we can't
wait for the Barmston devot to.
Speaker 2 (23:10):
Get sorted out as well.
Speaker 4 (23:12):
So I know the Treasurer is looking at that closely,
but I think we'll see. I think we'll see the
community really embrace his change once people get used to
it and change is heard. And we apologize if there
has been any communication issues or inconvenience cause, but moving forward,
this will be.
Speaker 2 (23:28):
A great step forward for territory bus users.
Speaker 1 (23:30):
Chief Minister Leathanociaro, we better let you go. Thanks very
much for your time this morning.
Speaker 2 (23:34):
Take care everyone.
Speaker 3 (23:35):
Thank you,
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