July 6, 2026 • 9 mins
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
As you would have heard on the show earlier this morning,
we did catch up with the Opposition leader, Selena Ubo
and asked some questions about the revelations that were made
following that press conference with Manuel Brown yesterday. Now joining
us on the line is Minister Robin carl. She holds
a number of portfolios, including children and families. Good morning
to your minister.
Speaker 2 (00:21):
Good morning, Katie, and good morning to everybody on this
beautiful dry season day.
Speaker 1 (00:25):
It is a nice morning now, Minister. I understand you
heard Selena Ubo on the show a bit earlier this morning.
What did you make of the press conference yesterday with
Manuel Brown and then the comments made by the opposition
leader this morning?
Speaker 2 (00:43):
Katie, I just had to ring in because there was
two weeks ago we were in the studio, as you know,
having a discussion about this very issue, and Selena, is
the opposition leader, categorically said that her Manuel Brown's kids
had not been dry or child there was only one
child at the time under question, hadn't been driving a car.
(01:03):
That was not true. He'd done the right thing, he
was following all the rules. And then we have a
press conference at the weekend saying the exact opposite. It's
just incredible, and I think that it's a pattern that's developed,
it's been uncovered, and there's no question the Labor Party
has lost their integrity over this one.
Speaker 1 (01:22):
I was like, I felt a bit perplexed by it
and a bit annoyed if I'm really honest, because I
remember asking that question. I'd asked, you know, other questions
where I've been given one answer and then a week
later that answer changes. I don't know whether it's a
situation where Manual's not given those details to the opposition later,
(01:42):
or whether she's being very selective in the responses that
are provided.
Speaker 2 (01:47):
Well, I always find it really hard to believe that
she didn't really rake him over the cold and get
all of the information when this first came to light.
I don't believe, you know, I've known Manuel Brown now
for a couple of years, and I believe that he
would have given her all the information and she was
well aware of everything that went on, and that she's
(02:09):
just elected to be very selective and what she's admitted
in the public. And look, we've got a driver here
who's record very sadly includes a fatal crash, who has
chosen to keep speeding, putting other road users at risk.
And this is in the frame of Selena back in
twenty nineteen demanding speeding drivers be brought to account because
(02:33):
there are consequences when you put other roads users in
territories at risk. And here she is covering up for Manual.
One can only assume because he's the only thing between
her and losing the leadership.
Speaker 1 (02:44):
What do you reckon needs to happen here, Robin, Well,
if you.
Speaker 2 (02:48):
Cast your mind back, Katie to twenty nineteen, we had
three Labor MLAs who were dumped from the caucus for
actually talking out about their concerns around the labor government
at that time's approach to the territory economy. That was
Ken Vows, Jeff Connell Collins and Scott McConnell. And then
(03:09):
we had Mark Turner who allegedly was a little bit
naughty and found himself not just dumped from the caucus
but thrown out of the party. And here we have
someone getting a slap on the risk and being told
they can't be the opposition whip anymore. I think that
that sends a very very poor message to the territory.
(03:29):
It's hypocritical and It just shows that the trust, that
trust and respect and integrity are absolutely something that is
missing from this current Labor party.
Speaker 1 (03:40):
I mean, Robin, these questions being usked this morning as
well about this situation or where there's a four hundred
and fifty dollars allowance for people, you know, for those
that live outside of the Darwin area when they're in
Darwin or when they're traveling, a four hundred and fifty
dollars travel allowance that it Manuel was asked questions about
(04:01):
yesterday at that press conference and he reportedly confirmed that, yes,
he has used that allowance while staying at his private
residence in Palmerston. Do you think that's appropriate?
Speaker 2 (04:13):
No, it's not. And I think and I can't remember
the exact details of this, Katie, but a few years back,
I do recall a federal politician who was actually caught
out doing that and was actually sued and I think
had to repay all the money because you're not allowed
to claim money when you're actually not spending it for
the purpose of what that money is there for, and
(04:35):
that allowance is to cover accommodation costs, it's to cover
vehicle costs and transport costs and so on. So if
you own a property and you're living in your property,
the president is there that that is not okay. And look,
let's face it, the list is getting longer every single day.
We've got a Labor party in disarray, we've got an
(04:56):
opposition leader who is desperately trying to hang on to
her leadership. You've got to look at what's happened. They've
targeted people specifically for political game without any apology. They
targeted the administrator, they targeted the territory coordinator, executives at
the Waterfront Corporation, and yet when it comes down to
their own people, they are not prepared to take action.
(05:19):
It's just not good enough.
Speaker 1 (05:20):
So, Robin, would you back a change to entitlements where
if somebody is staying in their own private property, they're
not entitled to that four hundred and fifty dollars allowance.
Speaker 2 (05:31):
Well, I think if they've got their own property and
that's something they're not paying for accommodation, they should absolutely
not be able to claim an accommodation allowance. Absolutely.
Speaker 1 (05:40):
How many of them do you reckon? Are like as
in from your side, from you know, independence alp where
whichever side of politics, how many of them, do you
think maybe though, because Selena Ubo had said that there's
ten members that obviously you know, live outside of I'm
assuming the Darwin Center that are in title to this
(06:01):
when they're here for parliament.
Speaker 2 (06:04):
Yeah, that's specifically for regional MLAs. I think if you
are having to pay rent, if you you know, if
you've got a property where you have to pay rent,
if you are, you know, incurring costs specifically related to
your workers in MLA, then support to you that, especially
if you're let's say, for example, you're paying rent in
(06:25):
your home electorate, if you're paying mortgage payments in your
home electorate. It's not just similar to the federal approach
to people who might get recruited to example, for a
remote area where they've got their primary residence in one place,
but they're moving somewhere else and they get some concessions
around that. I don't think that's unreasonable. But isn't that
what we're talking about?
Speaker 1 (06:45):
It isn't that what we're talking about with manual, Like
presumably you know, he's got a mortgage and then when
he's in town, he's claiming that allowance you know for that.
Speaker 2 (06:57):
I think it's linked to just how far where you're
prime residencies, so whatever your primary residence is. And I
think I think what we do is we need to
have a look and make sure it's okay. Like I
think we need to really have a look and make
sure that the money that is being provided in that
allowance is spent appropriately, that it's being claimed appropriately, and
(07:19):
that there's no other concern there. And I think that
that's a fair thing to do. I think these things
are revisited fairly regularly. But I think, you know, if
we really get back to it, the real issue here
is we've got a member of the Labor Party who
has repeatedly been dishonest about what has happened. We've got
an opposition leader who is repeatedly, ruthlessly, relentlessly gone after
(07:42):
other senior public servants and seal people much much less,
and is not prepared to hold her team to account.
It's just not okay.
Speaker 1 (07:51):
Do you think that Seleni Eubon needs to stand down?
Speaker 2 (07:56):
I think her days are numbered without question, with question.
Speaker 1 (08:00):
From her own team. Or do you think that it
is more a situation here where you know where she
actually you know she needs to do that herself.
Speaker 2 (08:11):
Well, to be honest with you, if I found myself
in that position where I'd lost the respect of my colleagues,
where I'd lost the respect and confidence of the community,
that if I was in a leadership role like that,
I would absolutely go I shouldn't be here. This is
not okay, it's causing damage to my brand, whatever that
happens to be. I should not do this. I will
(08:32):
do the right thing, and I will step aside. So
that's what I would do, and I actually do. Recall
in that very same interview a couple of weeks back,
Katie her making a point that I was an honest
person and always did the right thing, so I'm not
calling on her to be the same thing. And let's
face it, that's what Natasha Files did for much much less,
(08:55):
much less.
Speaker 1 (08:55):
Well, Robin Carl Minister for various portfolios. Appreciate you having
a chat with us this morning. Thanks so much for
your time.
Speaker 2 (09:04):
Thanks Katie, thank you
As you would have heard on the show earlier this morning,
we did catch up with the Opposition leader, Selena Ubo
and asked some questions about the revelations that were made
following that press conference with Manuel Brown yesterday. Now joining
us on the line is Minister Robin carl. She holds
a number of portfolios, including children and families. Good morning
to your minister.
Speaker 2 (00:21):
Good morning, Katie, and good morning to everybody on this
beautiful dry season day.
Speaker 1 (00:25):
It is a nice morning now, Minister. I understand you
heard Selena Ubo on the show a bit earlier this morning.
What did you make of the press conference yesterday with
Manuel Brown and then the comments made by the opposition
leader this morning?
Speaker 2 (00:43):
Katie, I just had to ring in because there was
two weeks ago we were in the studio, as you know,
having a discussion about this very issue, and Selena, is
the opposition leader, categorically said that her Manuel Brown's kids
had not been dry or child there was only one
child at the time under question, hadn't been driving a car.
(01:03):
That was not true. He'd done the right thing, he
was following all the rules. And then we have a
press conference at the weekend saying the exact opposite. It's
just incredible, and I think that it's a pattern that's developed,
it's been uncovered, and there's no question the Labor Party
has lost their integrity over this one.
Speaker 1 (01:22):
I was like, I felt a bit perplexed by it
and a bit annoyed if I'm really honest, because I
remember asking that question. I'd asked, you know, other questions
where I've been given one answer and then a week
later that answer changes. I don't know whether it's a
situation where Manual's not given those details to the opposition later,
(01:42):
or whether she's being very selective in the responses that
are provided.
Speaker 2 (01:47):
Well, I always find it really hard to believe that
she didn't really rake him over the cold and get
all of the information when this first came to light.
I don't believe, you know, I've known Manuel Brown now
for a couple of years, and I believe that he
would have given her all the information and she was
well aware of everything that went on, and that she's
(02:09):
just elected to be very selective and what she's admitted
in the public. And look, we've got a driver here
who's record very sadly includes a fatal crash, who has
chosen to keep speeding, putting other road users at risk.
And this is in the frame of Selena back in
twenty nineteen demanding speeding drivers be brought to account because
(02:33):
there are consequences when you put other roads users in
territories at risk. And here she is covering up for Manual.
One can only assume because he's the only thing between
her and losing the leadership.
Speaker 1 (02:44):
What do you reckon needs to happen here, Robin, Well,
if you.
Speaker 2 (02:48):
Cast your mind back, Katie to twenty nineteen, we had
three Labor MLAs who were dumped from the caucus for
actually talking out about their concerns around the labor government
at that time's approach to the territory economy. That was
Ken Vows, Jeff Connell Collins and Scott McConnell. And then
(03:09):
we had Mark Turner who allegedly was a little bit
naughty and found himself not just dumped from the caucus
but thrown out of the party. And here we have
someone getting a slap on the risk and being told
they can't be the opposition whip anymore. I think that
that sends a very very poor message to the territory.
(03:29):
It's hypocritical and It just shows that the trust, that
trust and respect and integrity are absolutely something that is
missing from this current Labor party.
Speaker 1 (03:40):
I mean, Robin, these questions being usked this morning as
well about this situation or where there's a four hundred
and fifty dollars allowance for people, you know, for those
that live outside of the Darwin area when they're in
Darwin or when they're traveling, a four hundred and fifty
dollars travel allowance that it Manuel was asked questions about
(04:01):
yesterday at that press conference and he reportedly confirmed that, yes,
he has used that allowance while staying at his private
residence in Palmerston. Do you think that's appropriate?
Speaker 2 (04:13):
No, it's not. And I think and I can't remember
the exact details of this, Katie, but a few years back,
I do recall a federal politician who was actually caught
out doing that and was actually sued and I think
had to repay all the money because you're not allowed
to claim money when you're actually not spending it for
the purpose of what that money is there for, and
(04:35):
that allowance is to cover accommodation costs, it's to cover
vehicle costs and transport costs and so on. So if
you own a property and you're living in your property,
the president is there that that is not okay. And look,
let's face it, the list is getting longer every single day.
We've got a Labor party in disarray, we've got an
(04:56):
opposition leader who is desperately trying to hang on to
her leadership. You've got to look at what's happened. They've
targeted people specifically for political game without any apology. They
targeted the administrator, they targeted the territory coordinator, executives at
the Waterfront Corporation, and yet when it comes down to
their own people, they are not prepared to take action.
(05:19):
It's just not good enough.
Speaker 1 (05:20):
So, Robin, would you back a change to entitlements where
if somebody is staying in their own private property, they're
not entitled to that four hundred and fifty dollars allowance.
Speaker 2 (05:31):
Well, I think if they've got their own property and
that's something they're not paying for accommodation, they should absolutely
not be able to claim an accommodation allowance. Absolutely.
Speaker 1 (05:40):
How many of them do you reckon? Are like as
in from your side, from you know, independence alp where
whichever side of politics, how many of them, do you
think maybe though, because Selena Ubo had said that there's
ten members that obviously you know, live outside of I'm
assuming the Darwin Center that are in title to this
(06:01):
when they're here for parliament.
Speaker 2 (06:04):
Yeah, that's specifically for regional MLAs. I think if you
are having to pay rent, if you you know, if
you've got a property where you have to pay rent,
if you are, you know, incurring costs specifically related to
your workers in MLA, then support to you that, especially
if you're let's say, for example, you're paying rent in
(06:25):
your home electorate, if you're paying mortgage payments in your
home electorate. It's not just similar to the federal approach
to people who might get recruited to example, for a
remote area where they've got their primary residence in one place,
but they're moving somewhere else and they get some concessions
around that. I don't think that's unreasonable. But isn't that
what we're talking about?
Speaker 1 (06:45):
It isn't that what we're talking about with manual, Like
presumably you know, he's got a mortgage and then when
he's in town, he's claiming that allowance you know for that.
Speaker 2 (06:57):
I think it's linked to just how far where you're
prime residencies, so whatever your primary residence is. And I
think I think what we do is we need to
have a look and make sure it's okay. Like I
think we need to really have a look and make
sure that the money that is being provided in that
allowance is spent appropriately, that it's being claimed appropriately, and
(07:19):
that there's no other concern there. And I think that
that's a fair thing to do. I think these things
are revisited fairly regularly. But I think, you know, if
we really get back to it, the real issue here
is we've got a member of the Labor Party who
has repeatedly been dishonest about what has happened. We've got
an opposition leader who is repeatedly, ruthlessly, relentlessly gone after
(07:42):
other senior public servants and seal people much much less,
and is not prepared to hold her team to account.
It's just not okay.
Speaker 1 (07:51):
Do you think that Seleni Eubon needs to stand down?
Speaker 2 (07:56):
I think her days are numbered without question, with question.
Speaker 1 (08:00):
From her own team. Or do you think that it
is more a situation here where you know where she
actually you know she needs to do that herself.
Speaker 2 (08:11):
Well, to be honest with you, if I found myself
in that position where I'd lost the respect of my colleagues,
where I'd lost the respect and confidence of the community,
that if I was in a leadership role like that,
I would absolutely go I shouldn't be here. This is
not okay, it's causing damage to my brand, whatever that
happens to be. I should not do this. I will
(08:32):
do the right thing, and I will step aside. So
that's what I would do, and I actually do. Recall
in that very same interview a couple of weeks back,
Katie her making a point that I was an honest
person and always did the right thing, so I'm not
calling on her to be the same thing. And let's
face it, that's what Natasha Files did for much much less,
(08:55):
much less.
Speaker 1 (08:55):
Well, Robin Carl Minister for various portfolios. Appreciate you having
a chat with us this morning. Thanks so much for
your time.
Speaker 2 (09:04):
Thanks Katie, thank you
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