Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
We know that yesterday it emerged there is serious concerns
in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Gallery that
it may not go ahead. In Alice Springs, the Minister
for Infrastructure Bill Yan claiming the Federal government will not
support the proposed multi million dollar gallery and Alice Springs
in its current design and location. Now the Treasurer and
(00:21):
Infrastructure Minister Bill Yan telling the ABC and Alice Springs
that without the Federal government's financial support, the project would
be untenable. We know the Federal government had promised eighty
million dollars towards the gallery, with the Northern Territory government
contributing sixty nine million. Now joining me on the line
is the Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Catherine King. Good morning
(00:44):
to you, minister.
Speaker 2 (00:46):
Good morning Kate. Lovely to be with you.
Speaker 1 (00:47):
Yeah, lovely to have you on the show. Now, Minister,
the Northern Territory Treasurer reckons that your government is no
longer going to back the Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander
Art Gallery project in its current design and location. Is
that the case?
Speaker 2 (01:02):
So the first thing I'd say is the commos eighty
million dollars remains on the table, and in fact, sixteen
million dollars under the contract that we have with the
Northern Territory Government has in fact already been paid to them.
They haven't spent any of that yet, they tell us,
so they'll have to account for that. Basically, what's happened
we've made We made an election commitment back in twenty
twenty two when we're in opposition for the average on
(01:24):
the Torres Straight Islander Art Gallery. We reached agreement on
the scope and signed a contract with the previous Northern
Territory government. The new government has come in and said
they want to change the scope of that. They've come
to ask for a request for a variation in the
contract and I haven't made a decision about that yet.
It is fair to say though that there is I
(01:45):
have asked for some soundings to be taken on the
ground in Alice Springs. I've done that obviously through Marion
scring Draw, the federal member there. As you know, you
know I don't live in Alice Springs. It's good to
know what's actually happening on the ground. She has raised
some concerns with the project, which she has been raising
pretty consistently about it being scaled back, and its location
now on the car park of anzac Oval, and its
(02:08):
closeness to an alcohol facility. She's raised those concerns. They're
being raised in the community with her. I'll continue taking soundings,
but I have not made a decision as yet, and
any decision. You know, what it sounded like yesterday was
frankly the Northern Territory government. You know, basically they issued
me an automation decide tomorrow or not, which is a
pretty weird way of trying to work with the Commonwealth
(02:31):
that you know, in essence that it looked like they
were trying to push us to take the blame for
them wanting to cancel the project yesterday. But that's where
it sits today. I will make a decision. I will
make a decision about that request for a contract variation shortly,
but our money is on the table. Any decision to
cancel the project really will sit with the Northern Territory government.
Speaker 1 (02:53):
All right, So money's on the table. It has not
been scrapped at this point in time. You are waiting
for some feedback those variations and the location, I mean, Minister,
I guess the issue with this location is every location
that's been sort of sought over the last few years.
You know, there's been concerns with it or somebody's had
a worry about it. The other issue. As you I'm
(03:16):
sure full well know as the Minister for Infrastructure, you know,
we'll delivering grants to the Northern Territory on a regular
basis and funding to the Northern Territory on a regular basis.
But we're in a heck of a lot of debt,
you know, so that scaling back of the project, I
suppose for a lot of taxpayers listening, they might be thinking, okay,
well that's fair enough, if we've got to live within
(03:37):
our means here.
Speaker 2 (03:39):
Well, what we've got, as I said, is also the
change of location on the site as well, so that
that is part of the variation. Now, we're already investing
hugely in particularly in Ellis and I've got twenty million
dollars for the CBD redevelopment, twenty million dollars for the
Gap Project redevelopment. We're doing a skate park there. There's
over two hundred million dollars I'm putting in for our
(04:01):
regional roads. So we're investing very heavily as it is
I understand you know that costs change, scope changes, But
the heart of this is what we're trying to do
is deliver an art gallery and cultural precinct in the
heart of our country that celebrates First Nations people. If
you've got First Nations people on the grounds saying, you know,
(04:24):
the change in scope now, remembering we had reached agreement
with the previous government about the location and scope, and
now that you've had a change of government, I have
wanted to change that. If you've now got people on
the ground saying this is really problematic, what I want
to see happen is work done to try and get
a resolution to this so that we can actually deliver
(04:46):
what we would all like to see, and that is
a cultural and arts precinct that celebrates First Nations people
right in the heart found nation. I stand willing to
continue to work with the Northern Territory government to deliver that,
but they've also got to make make sure that it's
in the interests of the community that it happens in
the way that people can support.
Speaker 1 (05:05):
I mean to any territory and particularly in Alice Springs.
Listening this morning, some of those tourism operators you know
they are desperate for this to happen, and for it
to happen quickly. You know, what do you say to
anybody listening this morning who is really very happy for
it to go ahead in the location and the scope
that the colp government have put forward.
Speaker 2 (05:27):
Well, what I'd say is, again, I have a contract
variation before me. I'll make a decision about that. What
happens after that is really going to be then a
matter for the Northern Territory government.
Speaker 1 (05:37):
Minister, how long do you anticipate you'll need to review
you know that revised sort of you know the revised plans.
Speaker 2 (05:44):
Well, I'll make a decision. When I make a decision.
I don't make that on the basis of a threat,
a threat or an ultimatum from a state government. I've
worked for a long time really collaboratively with state governments,
and I know very well that it's always in your
best interest to work pretty closely together their own sort
of what happened yesterday I think was pretty unfortunate in
the sort of history of Commonwealth state relations. It's not
(06:05):
really the way you operate. I'll take the time to
make the decision that I think is the right one
for the interests of both the Commonwealth and in terms
of the people of our spring.
Speaker 1 (06:15):
Minister, before I let you go, the Member for Aarra
lu And Robin Lamley, she has weighed in. She's an independent.
She said if a National Art Gallery cannot be built,
then the money should be allocated well to building a
brand new Alice Springs Hospital or a Central Australian hospital.
What do you think of that?
Speaker 2 (06:33):
Well? And number one, it's a bit hypothetical right at
this stage, because I haven't made a decision about that,
and as I said, any decision to cancel the project
or not proceed will be a decision for the Northern
Territory Government, not me. It's their project. They are managing
and running the project, so that'll be their decision to make.
But any decision for any money to be redirected to
(06:53):
it that their new projects and they then have to
go through a process of determining for new project.
Speaker 1 (06:58):
Minister. Do you feel a so the Northern Territory Treasurer
is sort of you know, trying to sort of you know,
to pull out of the project and lay the blame
at your fee.
Speaker 2 (07:09):
Well, I couldn't possibly say, Kate, but it feels a
little it feels it feels a little a little like
that to me, and I've been around a while, it
certainly feels a little bit like that. As I said,
our money stays is on the table. We want to
see this. And I made the announced, like I made
the decision in opposition, that this was a really important project,
not just for Alice and I really love the place
(07:32):
and think that it deserves to have an art gallery
and a cultural pressing. But also, how is it seems
crazy to me that we don't have something like that.
Our First Nations people are right at the heart of
this country. Why have we not got something celebrating them
right at the heart of this country. Let's get it right.
Let's take the time to get it right. And that's
my view. And so we stand ready to keep working
(07:53):
with the Northern Territory government on what we think is
a really important project. But any decision that they make
to walk away will be a just for them, and
they'll need to own that decision. I don't think they
should lay the blame at our feet.
Speaker 1 (08:06):
Is the location going to have to change though for
you to provide that?
Speaker 2 (08:09):
Fine? As I said, we already reached agreement with the
previous Northern Territory government on that on on that side,
on a different part of that site, but on that site,
so we had already reached there was already an agreement
in place to build it there. The new government has
changed that so that that is really you know, they
made an election commitment they were going to save anzac
(08:31):
Oval and they've moved it to the car park, which
is a really small and site. So we had reached agreement,
so to some extent, I think, you know, again it'll
be you know, I'll make a decision. I'll make a
decision shortly. It will then be up to the Northern
Territory government to decide what it wants to do next.
You know, it will be a matter for them. I
(08:51):
think it'll be sad if the gallery doesn't go ahead,
but again that'll be a decision for them.
Speaker 1 (08:55):
Well, Federal Infrastructure Minister Catherine King, really appreciate you taking
the time to have a chat with us today.
Speaker 2 (09:01):
Always good to talk to you, Kate, Thank you, thanks
so much.
We know that yesterday it emerged there is serious concerns
in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Gallery that
it may not go ahead. In Alice Springs, the Minister
for Infrastructure Bill Yan claiming the Federal government will not
support the proposed multi million dollar gallery and Alice Springs
in its current design and location. Now the Treasurer and
(00:21):
Infrastructure Minister Bill Yan telling the ABC and Alice Springs
that without the Federal government's financial support, the project would
be untenable. We know the Federal government had promised eighty
million dollars towards the gallery, with the Northern Territory government
contributing sixty nine million. Now joining me on the line
is the Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Catherine King. Good morning
(00:44):
to you, minister.
Speaker 2 (00:46):
Good morning Kate. Lovely to be with you.
Speaker 1 (00:47):
Yeah, lovely to have you on the show. Now, Minister,
the Northern Territory Treasurer reckons that your government is no
longer going to back the Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander
Art Gallery project in its current design and location. Is
that the case?
Speaker 2 (01:02):
So the first thing I'd say is the commos eighty
million dollars remains on the table, and in fact, sixteen
million dollars under the contract that we have with the
Northern Territory Government has in fact already been paid to them.
They haven't spent any of that yet, they tell us,
so they'll have to account for that. Basically, what's happened
we've made We made an election commitment back in twenty
twenty two when we're in opposition for the average on
(01:24):
the Torres Straight Islander Art Gallery. We reached agreement on
the scope and signed a contract with the previous Northern
Territory government. The new government has come in and said
they want to change the scope of that. They've come
to ask for a request for a variation in the
contract and I haven't made a decision about that yet.
It is fair to say though that there is I
(01:45):
have asked for some soundings to be taken on the
ground in Alice Springs. I've done that obviously through Marion
scring Draw, the federal member there. As you know, you
know I don't live in Alice Springs. It's good to
know what's actually happening on the ground. She has raised
some concerns with the project, which she has been raising
pretty consistently about it being scaled back, and its location
now on the car park of anzac Oval, and its
(02:08):
closeness to an alcohol facility. She's raised those concerns. They're
being raised in the community with her. I'll continue taking soundings,
but I have not made a decision as yet, and
any decision. You know, what it sounded like yesterday was
frankly the Northern Territory government. You know, basically they issued
me an automation decide tomorrow or not, which is a
pretty weird way of trying to work with the Commonwealth
(02:31):
that you know, in essence that it looked like they
were trying to push us to take the blame for
them wanting to cancel the project yesterday. But that's where
it sits today. I will make a decision. I will
make a decision about that request for a contract variation shortly,
but our money is on the table. Any decision to
cancel the project really will sit with the Northern Territory government.
Speaker 1 (02:53):
All right, So money's on the table. It has not
been scrapped at this point in time. You are waiting
for some feedback those variations and the location, I mean, Minister,
I guess the issue with this location is every location
that's been sort of sought over the last few years.
You know, there's been concerns with it or somebody's had
a worry about it. The other issue. As you I'm
(03:16):
sure full well know as the Minister for Infrastructure, you know,
we'll delivering grants to the Northern Territory on a regular
basis and funding to the Northern Territory on a regular basis.
But we're in a heck of a lot of debt,
you know, so that scaling back of the project, I
suppose for a lot of taxpayers listening, they might be thinking, okay,
well that's fair enough, if we've got to live within
(03:37):
our means here.
Speaker 2 (03:39):
Well, what we've got, as I said, is also the
change of location on the site as well, so that
that is part of the variation. Now, we're already investing
hugely in particularly in Ellis and I've got twenty million
dollars for the CBD redevelopment, twenty million dollars for the
Gap Project redevelopment. We're doing a skate park there. There's
over two hundred million dollars I'm putting in for our
(04:01):
regional roads. So we're investing very heavily as it is
I understand you know that costs change, scope changes, But
the heart of this is what we're trying to do
is deliver an art gallery and cultural precinct in the
heart of our country that celebrates First Nations people. If
you've got First Nations people on the grounds saying, you know,
(04:24):
the change in scope now, remembering we had reached agreement
with the previous government about the location and scope, and
now that you've had a change of government, I have
wanted to change that. If you've now got people on
the ground saying this is really problematic, what I want
to see happen is work done to try and get
a resolution to this so that we can actually deliver
(04:46):
what we would all like to see, and that is
a cultural and arts precinct that celebrates First Nations people
right in the heart found nation. I stand willing to
continue to work with the Northern Territory government to deliver that,
but they've also got to make make sure that it's
in the interests of the community that it happens in
the way that people can support.
Speaker 1 (05:05):
I mean to any territory and particularly in Alice Springs.
Listening this morning, some of those tourism operators you know
they are desperate for this to happen, and for it
to happen quickly. You know, what do you say to
anybody listening this morning who is really very happy for
it to go ahead in the location and the scope
that the colp government have put forward.
Speaker 2 (05:27):
Well, what I'd say is, again, I have a contract
variation before me. I'll make a decision about that. What
happens after that is really going to be then a
matter for the Northern Territory government.
Speaker 1 (05:37):
Minister, how long do you anticipate you'll need to review
you know that revised sort of you know the revised plans.
Speaker 2 (05:44):
Well, I'll make a decision. When I make a decision.
I don't make that on the basis of a threat,
a threat or an ultimatum from a state government. I've
worked for a long time really collaboratively with state governments,
and I know very well that it's always in your
best interest to work pretty closely together their own sort
of what happened yesterday I think was pretty unfortunate in
the sort of history of Commonwealth state relations. It's not
(06:05):
really the way you operate. I'll take the time to
make the decision that I think is the right one
for the interests of both the Commonwealth and in terms
of the people of our spring.
Speaker 1 (06:15):
Minister, before I let you go, the Member for Aarra
lu And Robin Lamley, she has weighed in. She's an independent.
She said if a National Art Gallery cannot be built,
then the money should be allocated well to building a
brand new Alice Springs Hospital or a Central Australian hospital.
What do you think of that?
Speaker 2 (06:33):
Well? And number one, it's a bit hypothetical right at
this stage, because I haven't made a decision about that,
and as I said, any decision to cancel the project
or not proceed will be a decision for the Northern
Territory Government, not me. It's their project. They are managing
and running the project, so that'll be their decision to make.
But any decision for any money to be redirected to
(06:53):
it that their new projects and they then have to
go through a process of determining for new project.
Speaker 1 (06:58):
Minister. Do you feel a so the Northern Territory Treasurer
is sort of you know, trying to sort of you know,
to pull out of the project and lay the blame
at your fee.
Speaker 2 (07:09):
Well, I couldn't possibly say, Kate, but it feels a
little it feels it feels a little a little like
that to me, and I've been around a while, it
certainly feels a little bit like that. As I said,
our money stays is on the table. We want to
see this. And I made the announced, like I made
the decision in opposition, that this was a really important project,
not just for Alice and I really love the place
(07:32):
and think that it deserves to have an art gallery
and a cultural pressing. But also, how is it seems
crazy to me that we don't have something like that.
Our First Nations people are right at the heart of
this country. Why have we not got something celebrating them
right at the heart of this country. Let's get it right.
Let's take the time to get it right. And that's
my view. And so we stand ready to keep working
(07:53):
with the Northern Territory government on what we think is
a really important project. But any decision that they make
to walk away will be a just for them, and
they'll need to own that decision. I don't think they
should lay the blame at our feet.
Speaker 1 (08:06):
Is the location going to have to change though for
you to provide that?
Speaker 2 (08:09):
Fine? As I said, we already reached agreement with the
previous Northern Territory government on that on on that side,
on a different part of that site, but on that site,
so we had already reached there was already an agreement
in place to build it there. The new government has
changed that so that that is really you know, they
made an election commitment they were going to save anzac
(08:31):
Oval and they've moved it to the car park, which
is a really small and site. So we had reached agreement,
so to some extent, I think, you know, again it'll
be you know, I'll make a decision. I'll make a
decision shortly. It will then be up to the Northern
Territory government to decide what it wants to do next.
You know, it will be a matter for them. I
(08:51):
think it'll be sad if the gallery doesn't go ahead,
but again that'll be a decision for them.
Speaker 1 (08:55):
Well, Federal Infrastructure Minister Catherine King, really appreciate you taking
the time to have a chat with us today.
Speaker 2 (09:01):
Always good to talk to you, Kate, Thank you, thanks
so much.
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