Incumbent Palmerston Mayor Athina Pascoe-Bell says she wants to serve another term to deliver more infrastructure, continue community initiatives and help local businesses thrive, with more focus on growing tourism

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
But we are continuing our discussions when it comes to
the local government election and taking a closer look at
the different areas, who's running and what they're standing for.
Now today we are going to be focusing on Palmerston
and the mayoral race for Palmerston. Six people have put
their hand up for the role. Raj Sampson, Rajwin, Rob Waters,

(00:24):
Danny Evely, Athena Pasco Bell, the current mayor, Appa Roe
Adari and Cindy Mebngari Roberts. Now today we're catching up
with three of the the mayoral hopefuls and we're gonna
kick things off with the current sitting mayor, Athena pasco Bell.
Good morning to you.

Speaker 2 (00:44):
Good morning Katie.

Speaker 1 (00:45):
Now, Athena, We've got six minutes and I've got a
series of questions. It's up to you how long you take,
but we'll try and get through them all. Are you
ready ready? Let's do it all right, Athena, why did
you decide to put your hand up to run for
mayor game?

Speaker 2 (01:01):
As you know, I've been the mayor for seven years
and I've led a very effective and committed council. We
have a lot more that we would like to do
in the community and I believe that I'm the best
placed person to do that and to continue being mayor
for the City of Palmerston. So we have a lot
of infrastructure that we're still looking to deliver. There's a

(01:23):
lot of community development work that we're undertaking, and we're
also now supporting local business and trying to get local
businesses to develop as well asina.

Speaker 1 (01:33):
In terms of qualifications and work experience, what qualifications and
work experience do you have which you think make you
best placed for the position.

Speaker 2 (01:44):
I've been a leader no matter where I've worked for
over twenty five years, and I've led teams in the
Northern Territory Government for about fifteen years before i became mayor.
I have two degrees, a Bachelor of Environmental Management and
I've also recent completed a Bachelor of Laws and being
admitted as a lawyer into the Supreme Court of the

(02:04):
Northern Territory. Obviously, I've got the experience, the skills and
the knowledge of being on council for the last ten
years actually but seven as mayor, and i also led
very effective teams in the Northern Territory Government. When I
work there a.

Speaker 1 (02:21):
Scene of what do you see as the most important
issues in Palmerston right now.

Speaker 2 (02:28):
Probably the most important issues, and they are across between
Council and the Northern Territory Government. You know, people are
still concerned about crime, which is not essentially a council issue,
but we work very collaboratively with the Northern Territory Police
and we also have a lot of social issues that
need addressing. So the Council works continually with local service

(02:51):
providers and also the Northern Territory Government to make sure
that we've got support for the people who need it.
As far as the Council's concerned, you know, we're making
sure that everyone in our community feels included and is
supported to live here in Palmerston. And we want Palmestan
to be the best place for people to live in
the Northern Territory because we want sticky population, so we

(03:14):
want people to stay here in Palmerston and to know
that it is a fantastic place to raise a family.
And so that's what I think we need to be
focusing on as well as you know, driving economic growth
and supporting our local small businesses. And we're also now
just starting to look into tourism as well and what

(03:35):
the City of Palmeston can do in terms of tourism
and what are.

Speaker 1 (03:39):
Your top three commitments or I guess policy platforms for voters.

Speaker 2 (03:46):
Look, firstly, you know, I am committed to running an
effective and accountable council for another term. I want to
see all of our existing programs continue, so our absolute
favorites like the Parmerson Youth Festival, Christmas in Wonderland, Flicknis
Live at the Lakes, Wrecky in the Park, as well

(04:08):
as delivering our significant community infrastructure program, so delivering the
Cold Community Hub. We also have Driver Community Center on
the cards. And then also having another look at our
strategic objectives in the next council term.

Speaker 1 (04:25):
Now we have been asking and we're going to continue
to ask all of the candidates. Are you a member
of a political party or have you ever been?

Speaker 2 (04:33):
I'm not a member of a political party and I
never have been, and I have no intention of joining
a party.

Speaker 1 (04:39):
Fair girl, Now why should people vote for you?

Speaker 2 (04:44):
Look, I am truly committed to the role of mayor.
When I became the mayor seven years ago, i left
my government job completely resigned and focused on being the
mayor full time. The community have seen the outcome of
a dedicated mayor overseeing the governance of the council and
also listening to the community. So we have spent a

(05:10):
lot of effort consulting continually with our community, including our
strategic direction, which is our Community Plan. I don't believe
any of the other mayor candidates have made a commitment
that they will lead their businesses or their jobs to
take on the role full time. So I have a
proven track record, I'm experienced, and my intentions are all

(05:33):
genuine as you've all seen for the last seven years.

Speaker 1 (05:36):
Athena, you've got about a minute left. Is there anything
else you'd like to add quickly.

Speaker 2 (05:40):
I've really enjoyed my time being mayor and I've enjoyed
seeing the City of Palmerston community evolve into an absolutely
desirable and wonderful place to be living. We have a
lot more work to do and I'd like to lead
the next council to be able to do that well.

Speaker 1 (05:58):
Athena pasco Bell really appreciate your time this morning. Thanks
so much for your time and having a chat with us.

Speaker 2 (06:05):
Thank you very much.

Speaker 1 (06:06):
Thank you