Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
It has been a couple of weeks since we last
spoke to the Lord Mayor of Darwin, and in that time, well,
we saw the Four Corners report about security operating in
the top end make national headlines. Joining me on the
line right now is the Lord Mayor of Darwin, convat Scarless.
Speaker 2 (00:16):
Good morning to you. Con.
Speaker 3 (00:18):
Good morning Katie, and I'm absolutely jealous you're out there
and I'm stuck in the bloody office.
Speaker 2 (00:25):
Ah sucks to be you today. Con. You should be
here at the very spring staven with us. Mate. It's
gonna be a lot of fun.
Speaker 1 (00:32):
The crocodile races will get under way a bit later
this afternoon.
Speaker 3 (00:36):
And that's fantastic. That's really really good. I'm glad you
did it.
Speaker 2 (00:41):
Yeah, it is good. It's good.
Speaker 1 (00:42):
It's certainly a good time out here at the Berry
Springs Tavern. Now, Con, I do want to get your
reaction to the Four Corners report about a week and
a half ago vit Rana about a week ago into
security guards across the Northern Territory but specifically in the
top end. A lot of the vision as well did
show the security operating in our CBJ.
Speaker 2 (01:03):
What was your reaction.
Speaker 3 (01:06):
Once again, Four Corners very good at presenting one side
of the story and one side only. We heard from
a lot of people in Dowwin that actually they were
interviewed by the Four Corners, but they didn't say what
four Corners want to hear, so they were cut off
the program. The reality is they came and saw me.
They spoke to me about the patrol ofsers. I told
(01:27):
them that actually we do have problems in Darwin and
this people do a good job. They saw me video
telling me how there these people pulling that woman away
and in the glass and when I see when I
asked them to see the video, the video had no sound,
so I couldn't really make an informed decision. But then
I pointed out to them that there was a man
lining down on the street and the patrolos were trying
(01:50):
to help him and this woman was keeping going back
and push him aside, and one of the patroloss just
pull you back. And my point was this people trying
to help a person in distress, and the women in
the fear with their work. If it was me there
would have done exactly the same thing. That did not
go into the Four Corners either.
Speaker 1 (02:09):
So con do you feel as though the security have
made a difference, particularly you know in places like the CBD,
places like Karama where you have had people report and
indeed complain about anti social behavior and various criminal issues.
Speaker 3 (02:28):
I believe so, I believe they made a difference, and
not only in Karama, not only the CBD, but also
in Bandilla Bits where we had a localized at all
that worked really well, and the people actually they frequent there,
or the people they operated the businesses there, they have
said that they have made a difference. Yes, they're not perfect.
We understand that. One probably sometimes they've done things they
(02:48):
should have done, and our be first to criticize them
and draw their attention to that. But at the same
time we should look at the positive things. Four Corners
highlighted every single negative thing that people living down South
believe about Darwin. I would like to point out that
they're so good pointing out how bad the territory is.
But I recall very well a situation where minister from
(03:10):
South Australia complained to me bitterly about people may springs
being done in Adelaide, camping in their in their parks
and ask me if I can get them back, So
it's good to leave the inner Adelaide of Melbourne complain
about the territory, come and live here and see where
the reality is.
Speaker 1 (03:27):
So hang on a say, con So, what you're saying
is that you've had the mayor of Adelaide tell you
that people are coming from the Northern Territory and camping
in the CBD.
Speaker 3 (03:37):
In Adelaide it was a minister of the of the
of the state government, not in the maya, but that
happened before. And also that we have this. We hear
the same from Mount Asa every time our people go
down there years and they do course trouble the people
in Mount Asa and the local authorities asking us to
take them back. Australia as a free country made people
(03:59):
can move wherever they lot. If they cross problems, use
your police and whatever powers you've got to make sure
they don't cause problems. That's what we're doing in the
and that's the reason why we'll go to patrols of
the streets.
Speaker 1 (04:10):
I mean, I will say some of the vision that
we saw in that Four Corners report was it was
not good at all. You know, when you look at
at some of the behavior that was seen by security
guards was not good, you know, and there is no
doubt about that. Nobody condone that in any way, shape
or formal, that we certainly shouldn't, but that by and
large it has been very positive the reaction to those
(04:34):
security guards operating around the top end. So is it
something that well, firstly, I guess when does the current
funding from the council's perspective run out for that security It.
Speaker 3 (04:46):
Has to ry new this year and we're in negotiation
with the government. The Council will not put money in
this kind of operations if we're not satisfied that they've
got beneficial effect on our city. Council will discuss with
the government ask certain parameters to be kept the caning
force our by laws because they're not authorized officers. But
(05:07):
the mere presence of these people in the city it
gives an air of confidence to our citizens. And also
the tears potential people are the social behavior retentions of
doing stupid things. They when you help the camera, you
can actually feel whever you like, can cut and paste
back in the studio. But the reality is they haven't
(05:27):
sold the rubbish they have saw. The domestic violence occures
because of alcohol. They keep talking about homeless people. We
know our homeless people, our social outreage. The team knows
every single of them that they come here and they
live in the past. Most of the homeless people they
saw there were people coming from communities and most of
(05:48):
them they come here to access alcohol.
Speaker 1 (05:50):
Con Can I ask when exactly does that funding for
the security Guard's end? And you said that you're in
discussions with the Northern Territory Guard, But when does the
current agreement end?
Speaker 3 (06:03):
My understanding is at the end of this year. So
we have to renew it or not renew it, and
that depends on the government and the council. But I'm
pretty sure the government.
Speaker 2 (06:11):
Are you going to be pushing for it? Are you
going to be pushing for it to be renewed?
Speaker 3 (06:16):
We support it, We supported because we see the benefits,
but us at the same time, we put conditions in place,
like we want to be informed, we want to have
the statistics, we want to know what the outcomes are.
But certainly we support anything but the gun will do
to improve safety in ours TIXX.
Speaker 2 (06:32):
Yeah, ken to you from.
Speaker 1 (06:32):
Our listeners this morning, because I know that a lot
of them do really support that security that we have got.
So if you want to send us a message and
let us know whether you think that that security should
be extended zero four double nine seven double one three
six zero con There is still that expectation as well
that oc spray is going to be used by crowd controllers.
(06:54):
It was an announcement that was made earlier in the
year by the Chief Minister, the CEO of Hospitality. It's
called for a timeline. Do you want to know when
this is rolling out and do you think it's a
good idea?
Speaker 3 (07:04):
Still, well, look that's a government decision that we don't
have any input on that. One. I said, believe you're
going to give some extra powers to people, the crowd controllers.
There should be some limitation, should be appropriate training, and
should be actually guidelines where and how can be used.
That applies not only on crowd controllers, applied to everybody,
(07:25):
even to the police. The police got sertain guidelines whether
they can use tasers or pepper spray, and if crowd
controllers will use pepper spray, there will be the guidelines,
clear guidelines and clear training.
Speaker 1 (07:39):
Corn Just lastly, because we are fast running out of time,
but the Darwin Christmas Pageant, it's happening again. This year,
forty floats already signing up to take part. It's a
wonderful event that happens in our CBD, you know, and
it does seem to really benefit our CBD in terms
of drawing people in.
Speaker 3 (08:00):
Yes, yes, Kate, and it was on my dream and
became a reality last year, and after we've seen how
successful it was, will continued this year. The Christmas pageant
will be on Saturday, eighteenth of November. It will be
followed by the lighting of our Christmas list in the mall.
As you said, we've got forty clothes already and they're
getting bigger and better. Sundral Village will open on Friday
(08:21):
twenty fourth of November. Yes, it draws a lot of
people here, and please the local businesses stay open because
last year you didn't, so you lost a lot of clients.
So this time we're going to have the same or
even bigger crowd. You were going to hear about ten
thousand people down the city asking for a drink, for
a coffee, for food, So the local business should stay
open and get some benefits out of Christmas parade. The
(08:44):
rest of us were the pleasure of seeing Christmas in
the city come.
Speaker 1 (08:49):
Sounds like a bit of a call out there to
those local businesses.
Speaker 2 (08:52):
You want to see them stay open.
Speaker 1 (08:53):
You want to see everybody celebrating Christmas and maybe even
doing a bit of Christmas shopping when they're there for
the pageants.
Speaker 3 (09:00):
Everybody's complaining how slow November and December is. Well, here
it is. We bring you ten thousand people at least
in the city. It's up to you now to make
the best of it. Don't just complain, just do something well.
Speaker 1 (09:12):
Convat Scarlets, the Lord Mayor of Darwin always good to
catch up with you. I appreciate your time. We'll talk
to you again next week.
Speaker 3 (09:19):
Next week in the studio, so it will be two
of us in the office.
Speaker 1 (09:24):
Yeah, I've got to tell you, Connor.
Speaker 2 (09:27):
I'm definitely having a bit of a lend today.
Speaker 1 (09:30):
I think having a bit more fun than actually getting
to work.
Speaker 3 (09:34):
Enjoy while it lasts.
Speaker 2 (09:36):
Thanks Mike,
It has been a couple of weeks since we last
spoke to the Lord Mayor of Darwin, and in that time, well,
we saw the Four Corners report about security operating in
the top end make national headlines. Joining me on the
line right now is the Lord Mayor of Darwin, convat Scarless.
Speaker 2 (00:16):
Good morning to you. Con.
Speaker 3 (00:18):
Good morning Katie, and I'm absolutely jealous you're out there
and I'm stuck in the bloody office.
Speaker 2 (00:25):
Ah sucks to be you today. Con. You should be
here at the very spring staven with us. Mate. It's
gonna be a lot of fun.
Speaker 1 (00:32):
The crocodile races will get under way a bit later
this afternoon.
Speaker 3 (00:36):
And that's fantastic. That's really really good. I'm glad you
did it.
Speaker 2 (00:41):
Yeah, it is good. It's good.
Speaker 1 (00:42):
It's certainly a good time out here at the Berry
Springs Tavern. Now, Con, I do want to get your
reaction to the Four Corners report about a week and
a half ago vit Rana about a week ago into
security guards across the Northern Territory but specifically in the
top end. A lot of the vision as well did
show the security operating in our CBJ.
Speaker 2 (01:03):
What was your reaction.
Speaker 3 (01:06):
Once again, Four Corners very good at presenting one side
of the story and one side only. We heard from
a lot of people in Dowwin that actually they were
interviewed by the Four Corners, but they didn't say what
four Corners want to hear, so they were cut off
the program. The reality is they came and saw me.
They spoke to me about the patrol ofsers. I told
(01:27):
them that actually we do have problems in Darwin and
this people do a good job. They saw me video
telling me how there these people pulling that woman away
and in the glass and when I see when I
asked them to see the video, the video had no sound,
so I couldn't really make an informed decision. But then
I pointed out to them that there was a man
lining down on the street and the patrolos were trying
(01:50):
to help him and this woman was keeping going back
and push him aside, and one of the patroloss just
pull you back. And my point was this people trying
to help a person in distress, and the women in
the fear with their work. If it was me there
would have done exactly the same thing. That did not
go into the Four Corners either.
Speaker 1 (02:09):
So con do you feel as though the security have
made a difference, particularly you know in places like the CBD,
places like Karama where you have had people report and
indeed complain about anti social behavior and various criminal issues.
Speaker 3 (02:28):
I believe so, I believe they made a difference, and
not only in Karama, not only the CBD, but also
in Bandilla Bits where we had a localized at all
that worked really well, and the people actually they frequent there,
or the people they operated the businesses there, they have
said that they have made a difference. Yes, they're not perfect.
We understand that. One probably sometimes they've done things they
(02:48):
should have done, and our be first to criticize them
and draw their attention to that. But at the same
time we should look at the positive things. Four Corners
highlighted every single negative thing that people living down South
believe about Darwin. I would like to point out that
they're so good pointing out how bad the territory is.
But I recall very well a situation where minister from
(03:10):
South Australia complained to me bitterly about people may springs
being done in Adelaide, camping in their in their parks
and ask me if I can get them back, So
it's good to leave the inner Adelaide of Melbourne complain
about the territory, come and live here and see where
the reality is.
Speaker 1 (03:27):
So hang on a say, con So, what you're saying
is that you've had the mayor of Adelaide tell you
that people are coming from the Northern Territory and camping
in the CBD.
Speaker 3 (03:37):
In Adelaide it was a minister of the of the
of the state government, not in the maya, but that
happened before. And also that we have this. We hear
the same from Mount Asa every time our people go
down there years and they do course trouble the people
in Mount Asa and the local authorities asking us to
take them back. Australia as a free country made people
(03:59):
can move wherever they lot. If they cross problems, use
your police and whatever powers you've got to make sure
they don't cause problems. That's what we're doing in the
and that's the reason why we'll go to patrols of
the streets.
Speaker 1 (04:10):
I mean, I will say some of the vision that
we saw in that Four Corners report was it was
not good at all. You know, when you look at
at some of the behavior that was seen by security
guards was not good, you know, and there is no
doubt about that. Nobody condone that in any way, shape
or formal, that we certainly shouldn't, but that by and
large it has been very positive the reaction to those
(04:34):
security guards operating around the top end. So is it
something that well, firstly, I guess when does the current
funding from the council's perspective run out for that security It.
Speaker 3 (04:46):
Has to ry new this year and we're in negotiation
with the government. The Council will not put money in
this kind of operations if we're not satisfied that they've
got beneficial effect on our city. Council will discuss with
the government ask certain parameters to be kept the caning
force our by laws because they're not authorized officers. But
(05:07):
the mere presence of these people in the city it
gives an air of confidence to our citizens. And also
the tears potential people are the social behavior retentions of
doing stupid things. They when you help the camera, you
can actually feel whever you like, can cut and paste
back in the studio. But the reality is they haven't
(05:27):
sold the rubbish they have saw. The domestic violence occures
because of alcohol. They keep talking about homeless people. We
know our homeless people, our social outreage. The team knows
every single of them that they come here and they
live in the past. Most of the homeless people they
saw there were people coming from communities and most of
(05:48):
them they come here to access alcohol.
Speaker 1 (05:50):
Con Can I ask when exactly does that funding for
the security Guard's end? And you said that you're in
discussions with the Northern Territory Guard, But when does the
current agreement end?
Speaker 3 (06:03):
My understanding is at the end of this year. So
we have to renew it or not renew it, and
that depends on the government and the council. But I'm
pretty sure the government.
Speaker 2 (06:11):
Are you going to be pushing for it? Are you
going to be pushing for it to be renewed?
Speaker 3 (06:16):
We support it, We supported because we see the benefits,
but us at the same time, we put conditions in place,
like we want to be informed, we want to have
the statistics, we want to know what the outcomes are.
But certainly we support anything but the gun will do
to improve safety in ours TIXX.
Speaker 2 (06:32):
Yeah, ken to you from.
Speaker 1 (06:32):
Our listeners this morning, because I know that a lot
of them do really support that security that we have got.
So if you want to send us a message and
let us know whether you think that that security should
be extended zero four double nine seven double one three
six zero con There is still that expectation as well
that oc spray is going to be used by crowd controllers.
(06:54):
It was an announcement that was made earlier in the
year by the Chief Minister, the CEO of Hospitality. It's
called for a timeline. Do you want to know when
this is rolling out and do you think it's a
good idea?
Speaker 3 (07:04):
Still, well, look that's a government decision that we don't
have any input on that. One. I said, believe you're
going to give some extra powers to people, the crowd controllers.
There should be some limitation, should be appropriate training, and
should be actually guidelines where and how can be used.
That applies not only on crowd controllers, applied to everybody,
(07:25):
even to the police. The police got sertain guidelines whether
they can use tasers or pepper spray, and if crowd
controllers will use pepper spray, there will be the guidelines,
clear guidelines and clear training.
Speaker 1 (07:39):
Corn Just lastly, because we are fast running out of time,
but the Darwin Christmas Pageant, it's happening again. This year,
forty floats already signing up to take part. It's a
wonderful event that happens in our CBD, you know, and
it does seem to really benefit our CBD in terms
of drawing people in.
Speaker 3 (08:00):
Yes, yes, Kate, and it was on my dream and
became a reality last year, and after we've seen how
successful it was, will continued this year. The Christmas pageant
will be on Saturday, eighteenth of November. It will be
followed by the lighting of our Christmas list in the mall.
As you said, we've got forty clothes already and they're
getting bigger and better. Sundral Village will open on Friday
(08:21):
twenty fourth of November. Yes, it draws a lot of
people here, and please the local businesses stay open because
last year you didn't, so you lost a lot of clients.
So this time we're going to have the same or
even bigger crowd. You were going to hear about ten
thousand people down the city asking for a drink, for
a coffee, for food, So the local business should stay
open and get some benefits out of Christmas parade. The
(08:44):
rest of us were the pleasure of seeing Christmas in
the city come.
Speaker 1 (08:49):
Sounds like a bit of a call out there to
those local businesses.
Speaker 2 (08:52):
You want to see them stay open.
Speaker 1 (08:53):
You want to see everybody celebrating Christmas and maybe even
doing a bit of Christmas shopping when they're there for
the pageants.
Speaker 3 (09:00):
Everybody's complaining how slow November and December is. Well, here
it is. We bring you ten thousand people at least
in the city. It's up to you now to make
the best of it. Don't just complain, just do something well.
Speaker 1 (09:12):
Convat Scarlets, the Lord Mayor of Darwin always good to
catch up with you. I appreciate your time. We'll talk
to you again next week.
Speaker 3 (09:19):
Next week in the studio, so it will be two
of us in the office.
Speaker 1 (09:24):
Yeah, I've got to tell you, Connor.
Speaker 2 (09:27):
I'm definitely having a bit of a lend today.
Speaker 1 (09:30):
I think having a bit more fun than actually getting
to work.
Speaker 3 (09:34):
Enjoy while it lasts.
Speaker 2 (09:36):
Thanks Mike,
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