Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Now, there is plenty happening in the Federal Parliament at
the moment, and quite a bit happening when it comes
to our local federal representative, Luke Gosling pushing for a
few different things right now. Now, I know that the
federal government's announced that they're moving to boost supermarket competition
in the Northern Territory. Jim Chalmer's announcing the Commonwealth it's
(00:21):
going to give the Northern Territory government about one point
two million dollars to help cut red tape and make
it easier for new supermarkets to open. Now, Luke Gosling
joins me on the line from Canberra. He's just stepped
out of the chamber, I believe. Good morning to you, Luke.
Speaker 2 (00:38):
Good morning Katie.
Speaker 1 (00:40):
Thanks so much for taking the time to have a
chat with us. Luke, you've been pushing for some competition
when it comes to our supermarkets for quite some time.
What are you hoping that this announcement's going to mean
for the Northern Territory.
Speaker 2 (00:54):
Well, then it's going to make it easier for a
new provider of supermarkets, goods groceries to set up in
the territory. Obviously there's been a lot of talk about Eldi,
but it's really setting the conditions to make it easier
for any new entry into our market to get set
(01:15):
up quickly by getting through any planning delays red tape.
So it's the federal government assisting the NT government to
help get some increased competition and lower grocery prices for
your listeners.
Speaker 1 (01:28):
Yeah. I know there's been a lot of talk about Eldie,
you and I have spoken about it before, but I'm like,
if they don't want to come here, can we try
someone else?
Speaker 2 (01:36):
Yeah? Absolutely, And during this process of trying to get
ELDI to who have gone right up into Northern Queensland
to also make the jump into the Northern Territory, there's
been many constituents, people in Darwen and Palmerston that have said,
why don't you try this mob or that mob if
(01:57):
Eldie just remain unin interested in coming up and helping
us with our lack of competition up here. So there
are other options, and this funding support to the ANTI
government to get rid of some of the red tape
and planning delays is really going to help get someone in.
So that's not just the two majors. There's going to
(02:19):
be a third player and that's what we're all working
towards now.
Speaker 1 (02:23):
Luke, I understand that there's also a bit of an
update when it comes to the aged care facility which
was announced before the election for us here in the
Northern Territory. Where are things at?
Speaker 2 (02:35):
Yeah, it's a big day today because the expression of
interest process is open today to identify a delivery partner
to take that sixty million dollars of federal funds to
build a new age care residential facility in Darwin or Palmerston.
(02:56):
The Northern Territory government has got some land in Palmerston
that they've identified for it, but the EERY process doesn't.
It's not just fixed to one location. That depends on
the AOI process and who's keen to take that sixty
(03:17):
million dollars and show the Anti government and the federal
government that they've got an age care solution and then
that funding helps them to build the facility. And then
there's a review on as well for how much funding
the service providers residential age care service providers get per
(03:37):
resident to help with that operation costs as well.
Speaker 1 (03:41):
So look, how soon do you hope that we have
a service provider well identified or locked in and how
quickly do you think that construction could get underwy.
Speaker 2 (03:54):
One thing? And I've met with the Minister this morning
and over the last couple of days to nail down
the EERI process how long it's open for. What will
happen then is that there will be a review to
see which ones look like they're the most credible, which
(04:17):
service providers linked with a builder is going to give
the most confidence to be able to build that facility
and operate that facility, and then they'll be asked to
put in a more detailed plan with a view to
construction getting underway in the dry season next year. So
(04:38):
over this period of Christmas and into the new year,
that detailed planning. Once the EERI process has identified the
likely provider, well, we.
Speaker 1 (04:50):
Know it's going to have such a big impact on
our hospital in a positive way in terms of getting
people into those beds, but also for those seniors that
actually need us specific specialized bed not being stuck at
a hospital you know where it's much more difficult I
would imagine for them to be able to get the
rehab and the other needs that they need to have
(05:11):
met needing to actually be able to do all of that.
Speaker 2 (05:16):
Yeah, that's right, Katie. For a long time, constituents have
identified and the previous NT government went through a process
to try and find a service provider with land available
from the NT government, but that wasn't successful. So that's
why the federal government has stepped in with the sixty million,
(05:37):
acknowledging the price of construction in the North and to
really be in partnership with the NT government to get
the one hundred and twenty beds up and running, to
not only take the pressure off our hospitals, but to
give senior Territorians a more dignified life living in a wonderful,
brand new facility. It's very much needed and if I
(05:59):
can just close off on that issue of the expressions
of interest, Katie, they closed on the twenty seventh of November,
so about a month from now, and then what will
be taking into account the ability for a provider to
co contribute some funding obviously we want then have some
skin in the game, and also we'll look at their
(06:20):
capacity to deliver within the period of around two years
to build it, so from this dry season to build
it in that period so that we can get our
seniors into it as quickly as possible.
Speaker 1 (06:35):
Luca quick One. Yesterday on the show, we spoke about
the latest domain house price Starter showing the median price
in Darwin sitting at six hundred and fifty six thousand
dollars with a steady increase and it's jumped in the
last six months. We caught up with Ruth from the
Property Council. She said the numbers can't be ignored and
that she's spoken to you and I think nationally the
(06:56):
Property Council has also reached out to the Housing Minister
about the time bias scheme and that six hundred thousand
dollar cap being lifted. Where are things at from your perspective, Yeah.
Speaker 2 (07:08):
I have been in touch with the Property Council and
other stakeholders as well. Just for your listeners to understand
how that was set. It was taking into account. The
idea of this program is to get first homeowners into
their first home, so then the definition of a home
(07:29):
is both units, apartments and houses. There's been about twelve
hundred people in Darwen and Palmerston utilize this facility to
get into their first home. When it comes to houses,
and that's the data you're referring to. We know that
there's very few offerings every weekend for a standalone house.
(07:55):
So I've written to the Housing Minister to let her
know that there is for houses an increase in the market,
which means that people that want to get into a
house are finding it difficult to use the five percent
setting and that it be reviewed. There's a lot of
(08:18):
homes under six hundred, when units and apartments and so
forth that people are wanting to get into, and as
I said, about twelve hundred so far I've done that.
But yeah, there's a difference between a home and a house.
A home can also be a unit.
Speaker 1 (08:34):
That's right, and we have all and things like that
come into play as well for a lot of those
first time buyers and sometimes your body corporate fees they're
really expensive and so go all right, well can we
do it different? So just to confirm, So you've written
to the Housing Minister and you're hoping to have that reviewed.
Speaker 2 (08:51):
Yeah, absolutely, I mean our policy is to review it
over time to make sure it keeps up with the market.
So far it's doing that for those wanting to get
into a first home when that home is a unit
or an apartment. But as I said in my letter
to the Minister. We're seeing an increase in the market
for standalone houses, so we'll be reviewing that over time.
(09:15):
The NT Treasury is where we've been tracking the median,
which is the middle rate for dwellings, so we'll keep
an eye on that. And it's now with the Minister.
Brought it to her attention that for houses we will
(09:36):
need to see an increase over.
Speaker 1 (09:38):
Time, which I think is a good move. I think
people will be pleased to hear that loud quick one
before I let you go. I know that there's also
the federal government's released the terms of reference or a
Productivity Commission inquiry into regional air fes. Is this going
to help us to get those prices down?
Speaker 2 (09:56):
Yeah? Absolutely, it's going to help to the biggest way.
It's going to help when this come out of a
deep dive we did in the Aviation white Paper. And
obviously I'm talking to the Ministry a lot about we
pay fifty percent more for our regional airfares than others
going between capitals down south. So the Productivity Commission we'll
(10:17):
be looking at competition pricing practices and so what happens
then is the airport itself, but also the operators and
everyone in that supply chain of providing services aviation services.
We're going to look at the profit margins across that
supply chain. Who's taking how much, where and when and
(10:38):
who's paying. Now we know that anecdotally it's US that's
paying territorians of pain, but this is a deliberative process
where people have to go on the record and explain
how they are making sure that territorians are getting a
fair deal. We know we're not currently, but this dissects
each part of the supply chain to see who is
(11:01):
gouging and by how much. And that pressure will mean
that you know, we can continue to have well, not
only safe, but we can start to have more affordable
as well as more reliable air services in remote areas.
And obviously for the territory, that's incredibly important to connect
people around the territory and connect people to down South
(11:22):
as well.
Speaker 1 (11:23):
Yeah, hey, Luke, will have to let you go, We've
got to get across to the national news. But I
will mention the fact that you are still hoping to
find a couple of families who served in the Korean War.
Will their family member did so I'll give that a
mention a bit later on. Thanks so much for your
time this morning.
Speaker 2 (11:39):
Good on you, Katie, Thanks you
Now, there is plenty happening in the Federal Parliament at
the moment, and quite a bit happening when it comes
to our local federal representative, Luke Gosling pushing for a
few different things right now. Now, I know that the
federal government's announced that they're moving to boost supermarket competition
in the Northern Territory. Jim Chalmer's announcing the Commonwealth it's
(00:21):
going to give the Northern Territory government about one point
two million dollars to help cut red tape and make
it easier for new supermarkets to open. Now, Luke Gosling
joins me on the line from Canberra. He's just stepped
out of the chamber, I believe. Good morning to you, Luke.
Speaker 2 (00:38):
Good morning Katie.
Speaker 1 (00:40):
Thanks so much for taking the time to have a
chat with us. Luke, you've been pushing for some competition
when it comes to our supermarkets for quite some time.
What are you hoping that this announcement's going to mean
for the Northern Territory.
Speaker 2 (00:54):
Well, then it's going to make it easier for a
new provider of supermarkets, goods groceries to set up in
the territory. Obviously there's been a lot of talk about Eldi,
but it's really setting the conditions to make it easier
for any new entry into our market to get set
(01:15):
up quickly by getting through any planning delays red tape.
So it's the federal government assisting the NT government to
help get some increased competition and lower grocery prices for
your listeners.
Speaker 1 (01:28):
Yeah. I know there's been a lot of talk about Eldie,
you and I have spoken about it before, but I'm like,
if they don't want to come here, can we try
someone else?
Speaker 2 (01:36):
Yeah? Absolutely, And during this process of trying to get
ELDI to who have gone right up into Northern Queensland
to also make the jump into the Northern Territory, there's
been many constituents, people in Darwen and Palmerston that have said,
why don't you try this mob or that mob if
(01:57):
Eldie just remain unin interested in coming up and helping
us with our lack of competition up here. So there
are other options, and this funding support to the ANTI
government to get rid of some of the red tape
and planning delays is really going to help get someone in.
So that's not just the two majors. There's going to
(02:19):
be a third player and that's what we're all working
towards now.
Speaker 1 (02:23):
Luke, I understand that there's also a bit of an
update when it comes to the aged care facility which
was announced before the election for us here in the
Northern Territory. Where are things at?
Speaker 2 (02:35):
Yeah, it's a big day today because the expression of
interest process is open today to identify a delivery partner
to take that sixty million dollars of federal funds to
build a new age care residential facility in Darwin or Palmerston.
(02:56):
The Northern Territory government has got some land in Palmerston
that they've identified for it, but the EERY process doesn't.
It's not just fixed to one location. That depends on
the AOI process and who's keen to take that sixty
(03:17):
million dollars and show the Anti government and the federal
government that they've got an age care solution and then
that funding helps them to build the facility. And then
there's a review on as well for how much funding
the service providers residential age care service providers get per
(03:37):
resident to help with that operation costs as well.
Speaker 1 (03:41):
So look, how soon do you hope that we have
a service provider well identified or locked in and how
quickly do you think that construction could get underwy.
Speaker 2 (03:54):
One thing? And I've met with the Minister this morning
and over the last couple of days to nail down
the EERI process how long it's open for. What will
happen then is that there will be a review to
see which ones look like they're the most credible, which
(04:17):
service providers linked with a builder is going to give
the most confidence to be able to build that facility
and operate that facility, and then they'll be asked to
put in a more detailed plan with a view to
construction getting underway in the dry season next year. So
(04:38):
over this period of Christmas and into the new year,
that detailed planning. Once the EERI process has identified the
likely provider, well, we.
Speaker 1 (04:50):
Know it's going to have such a big impact on
our hospital in a positive way in terms of getting
people into those beds, but also for those seniors that
actually need us specific specialized bed not being stuck at
a hospital you know where it's much more difficult I
would imagine for them to be able to get the
rehab and the other needs that they need to have
(05:11):
met needing to actually be able to do all of that.
Speaker 2 (05:16):
Yeah, that's right, Katie. For a long time, constituents have
identified and the previous NT government went through a process
to try and find a service provider with land available
from the NT government, but that wasn't successful. So that's
why the federal government has stepped in with the sixty million,
(05:37):
acknowledging the price of construction in the North and to
really be in partnership with the NT government to get
the one hundred and twenty beds up and running, to
not only take the pressure off our hospitals, but to
give senior Territorians a more dignified life living in a wonderful,
brand new facility. It's very much needed and if I
(05:59):
can just close off on that issue of the expressions
of interest, Katie, they closed on the twenty seventh of November,
so about a month from now, and then what will
be taking into account the ability for a provider to
co contribute some funding obviously we want then have some
skin in the game, and also we'll look at their
(06:20):
capacity to deliver within the period of around two years
to build it, so from this dry season to build
it in that period so that we can get our
seniors into it as quickly as possible.
Speaker 1 (06:35):
Luca quick One. Yesterday on the show, we spoke about
the latest domain house price Starter showing the median price
in Darwin sitting at six hundred and fifty six thousand
dollars with a steady increase and it's jumped in the
last six months. We caught up with Ruth from the
Property Council. She said the numbers can't be ignored and
that she's spoken to you and I think nationally the
(06:56):
Property Council has also reached out to the Housing Minister
about the time bias scheme and that six hundred thousand
dollar cap being lifted. Where are things at from your perspective, Yeah.
Speaker 2 (07:08):
I have been in touch with the Property Council and
other stakeholders as well. Just for your listeners to understand
how that was set. It was taking into account. The
idea of this program is to get first homeowners into
their first home, so then the definition of a home
(07:29):
is both units, apartments and houses. There's been about twelve
hundred people in Darwen and Palmerston utilize this facility to
get into their first home. When it comes to houses,
and that's the data you're referring to. We know that
there's very few offerings every weekend for a standalone house.
(07:55):
So I've written to the Housing Minister to let her
know that there is for houses an increase in the market,
which means that people that want to get into a
house are finding it difficult to use the five percent
setting and that it be reviewed. There's a lot of
(08:18):
homes under six hundred, when units and apartments and so
forth that people are wanting to get into, and as
I said, about twelve hundred so far I've done that.
But yeah, there's a difference between a home and a house.
A home can also be a unit.
Speaker 1 (08:34):
That's right, and we have all and things like that
come into play as well for a lot of those
first time buyers and sometimes your body corporate fees they're
really expensive and so go all right, well can we
do it different? So just to confirm, So you've written
to the Housing Minister and you're hoping to have that reviewed.
Speaker 2 (08:51):
Yeah, absolutely, I mean our policy is to review it
over time to make sure it keeps up with the market.
So far it's doing that for those wanting to get
into a first home when that home is a unit
or an apartment. But as I said in my letter
to the Minister. We're seeing an increase in the market
for standalone houses, so we'll be reviewing that over time.
(09:15):
The NT Treasury is where we've been tracking the median,
which is the middle rate for dwellings, so we'll keep
an eye on that. And it's now with the Minister.
Brought it to her attention that for houses we will
(09:36):
need to see an increase over.
Speaker 1 (09:38):
Time, which I think is a good move. I think
people will be pleased to hear that loud quick one
before I let you go. I know that there's also
the federal government's released the terms of reference or a
Productivity Commission inquiry into regional air fes. Is this going
to help us to get those prices down?
Speaker 2 (09:56):
Yeah? Absolutely, it's going to help to the biggest way.
It's going to help when this come out of a
deep dive we did in the Aviation white Paper. And
obviously I'm talking to the Ministry a lot about we
pay fifty percent more for our regional airfares than others
going between capitals down south. So the Productivity Commission we'll
(10:17):
be looking at competition pricing practices and so what happens
then is the airport itself, but also the operators and
everyone in that supply chain of providing services aviation services.
We're going to look at the profit margins across that
supply chain. Who's taking how much, where and when and
(10:38):
who's paying. Now we know that anecdotally it's US that's
paying territorians of pain, but this is a deliberative process
where people have to go on the record and explain
how they are making sure that territorians are getting a
fair deal. We know we're not currently, but this dissects
each part of the supply chain to see who is
(11:01):
gouging and by how much. And that pressure will mean
that you know, we can continue to have well, not
only safe, but we can start to have more affordable
as well as more reliable air services in remote areas.
And obviously for the territory, that's incredibly important to connect
people around the territory and connect people to down South
(11:22):
as well.
Speaker 1 (11:23):
Yeah, hey, Luke, will have to let you go, We've
got to get across to the national news. But I
will mention the fact that you are still hoping to
find a couple of families who served in the Korean War.
Will their family member did so I'll give that a
mention a bit later on. Thanks so much for your
time this morning.
Speaker 2 (11:39):
Good on you, Katie, Thanks you
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