Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Joining me live on the line is the Minister for
Logistics and Infrastructure, Bill Yan. Good morning, Bill.
Speaker 2 (00:06):
Good morning, Katie, Good morning to everyone on the top
end bell.
Speaker 3 (00:09):
Was the power out at Parliament House?
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Yes? It did.
Speaker 4 (00:13):
Did the power drop out here for like.
Speaker 2 (00:16):
A few seconds and before the emergency.
Speaker 4 (00:18):
Generator kicked in. So I'm where.
Speaker 2 (00:21):
I've got a message through from Power and Water that
a number of people in around Dale, between Daren and
cat Out. I do hear that some areas are coming
back on, which is good to see. But yeah, I
know the incident management team with Power order of meeting
at the moment, and I suppose once you get more
of an idea from those guys, then we'll get a
(00:42):
bit of an idea. So most of the power I'm told
us back on in the urban areas, yeah, as you know,
some of those ruralers may take a little bit longer.
And of course still trying to figure out what that
causes only very short time. So as soon as we
find out, I suppose.
Speaker 4 (00:59):
We'll be able to everybody know.
Speaker 2 (01:00):
But we've got the crews out there doing everything they
can to restore power. But it was a localized fault.
I'm led to believe on the power Water network at
channel line, the trip generation and distribution. So as you said, Katie,
hopefully it's hasn't caughted and it caused any flow on effects.
We sincerely hope that it hasn't. Yeah, every body get
(01:22):
said power back on pretty quick.
Speaker 1 (01:23):
Bell, I got to tell you I went through many years.
They're working well, both for Power and Order and also
for the Minister for Essential Services, and yeah, it's it's
never good when there's massive power outages like this. I
mean literally thousands of customers I would estimate based on
those suburbs, but no indication at this point in time
that it's you know that it's any sort of further
(01:45):
damage or you're sort of still waiting to hear as well.
Speaker 2 (01:49):
No, No, I think we're all sort of getting the
same message. I think you're getting callers coming through. I'm
getting bippings from power Water, and as I know that
Minister Edgington is as well, because he's I'm the shareholding
minister and the h ol course is the minister responsible
for day to day operations here. So we're both getting
briefed as Power more than noting. So as we get information, Katie,
(02:11):
we're certainly happy to share what we can, but I
know that we've got most of the urban areas back,
but yeah, the rule will take a little bit longer.
I'm certainly hoping Katherine is back online asap.
Speaker 1 (02:23):
Absolutely well, we'll certainly keep in contact with you about that, Minister.
Let's go across to the things that we invited you
on the show to talk about this morning, though, we
spoke yesterday about some really serious concerns around rock throwing
incidents in Catherine, after we'd heard earlier this week about
one truck driver's windscreen being shattered after rocks were thrown
near the Catherine Bridge.
Speaker 3 (02:44):
Now it is a worry, there's no doubt about it.
Speaker 1 (02:46):
We've seen similar situations in Alice Springs and Tenant Creek
over the year, but the police confirmed yesterday there's been
eleven incidents over the last two weeks. I mean, are
we going to wind up in a situation here wherein
needs to be police or security escorts near Catherine.
Speaker 2 (03:04):
I certainly hope not, Katie, and we never want to
see a repeated that incident in Central Australia where the
tow truck driver on a call out helping police had
his window down and got hit in the eye at
the driving on the traffic lights. Nowlson lost his eye.
That was absolutely tragic, and of course at the consequences
(03:24):
are far far reaching, and this is the same I
suppose at the end of the day, And Katherine, Katie,
these kids don't understand the danger that they're putting the
community and people in We all know what the ability
are for the cause and what can happen when these
things happen. But I know the police have been working
(03:45):
from what I'm told, I working with children and Fambers
and the Circuit Breaker team and klin our Youth patrol too,
in try and engage with those kids down there and
reinforce that education and the dangers of what they're doing.
Because they seem to think it's fun, Katie, trust me,
it's not bloody fun. No, the consequences can be catastrophic
and these kids need to understand that. So the police
(04:08):
are ONLP. I believe the police are doing extra patrols
around the place where they can, and the police I
know have obtained some images of the people that they
have interest in responsible for this. So let's hope that
the police and of course children families that circuit breaker
them can engage with those kids in Catherine, well, I
(04:32):
need to be sure they need to be built with
as well, k because I said, this is serious and
dangerous behavior and it's not only the the cause of fatality.
Speaker 1 (04:42):
That's exactly right, And it's not only the danger element,
but also when you look at like the logistics element
of it as well. And we've spoken to Louise Blato
about this yesterday that you know, if we wind up
in a situation where trucks can't get through and there's
various issues, they are carrying livestock, et cetera, you know,
this is like, this is how we get our freight,
(05:02):
this is how we get our goods.
Speaker 2 (05:05):
Yeah, and we've seen that and this has happened in Tenant,
it happens in Alice, and they said it's high risk,
dangerous behavior that these kids seem to think it's fun
and we know that it's not. So I know the
police are doing as much as I can down our
way to try and deal with this. It's so hard
to deal with, Katie, but it's getting out there. And
if we're going to identify those kids, engage with those
(05:27):
kids and letting them know how dangerous it is and
if need be going further, if there needs to be
prosecution for this, well it needs to happen because the
measuree needs to get out among young people across the
territory of how dangerous and how we responsible this behavior is.
Because we've seen it in the States where people throwing
(05:47):
rocks of rock's gone through a windscreen and killed somebody,
and I believe has happened here in Australia. We don't
want to see that in the territory.
Speaker 1 (05:54):
Kadi, We absolutely don't, absolutely don't.
Speaker 3 (05:57):
Minister. Let's move along.
Speaker 1 (05:58):
I know the Government's introduce the Transport Legislation Amendment Bill
in an effort to modernize outdated transport laws, closed safety
gaps and cut red tape.
Speaker 3 (06:07):
Now this bill.
Speaker 1 (06:08):
Includes stronger penalties for repeat offenders, such as culmative licensed
disqualifications for drink and drug drivers. Can you explain to
us how the change is going to make a tangible
difference in road safety and really deter dangerous driving in
the end.
Speaker 2 (06:26):
Yeah, sure, Katie, this is like a good change in
this was something that the Department along would Police put together.
So the way that you used to work, if you
were done for multiple drink and drug driving offenses nine
times out of ten, or pretty well ten times out
it can. That's the way the law was written.
Speaker 4 (06:42):
You would serve.
Speaker 2 (06:43):
Those offenses concurrently. So if you'd done one and you're
on a year off, and then you've done another one,
and you've done another one or done a heat together,
then you would serve them concurrently, so that all be
put together, you might do six months or twelve months
or license.
Speaker 4 (06:58):
Now what the change would.
Speaker 2 (07:00):
For those people who repeatedly commit offenses in this space
for drink and drug driving. If you continue to commit offenses,
the courts now, oh excuse me, katie, they can Now
they can do these offenses cumulatively. So if you get
done once and you get done again, then you get
done again and again and again. Rather than putting all
(07:21):
those offenses together and giving you one penalty of law,
they say, well, you would have got three months for
this one, six months for that one, twelve months for
that one, and another three months for that one, so
they can add them all together. All of a sudden,
These people who are repeat defenders may be off the
road much much longer. So when that scenario gave, that
person may be off the road for two years.
Speaker 1 (07:41):
Yeah, right, So when are you expecting this to become operational, like,
when's it going to kick in?
Speaker 2 (07:47):
Well, the legislation has passed Parliament, now it has to
go over to the administrative for a cent. That takes
a little bit of a time period for that to happen,
and then effectively, Katie, it becomes laws were open to
see this out and operational within three or four weeks,
that would be my hope. We need to then be
(08:07):
able to give, of course, the courts the opportunity to
understand they've been consulted as part of this, but then
understand and have a look at how then they may
apply it. Because these repeat defenders, we know there's heaps
of them out there and drinking, drug driving is then
along with speed not wearing seat belts are the number
one killers on our own. What we need to deal
(08:29):
with this, we need to stop it from happening, and
this is one step and dealing with that issue.
Speaker 3 (08:34):
Minister, it's not the only change.
Speaker 1 (08:36):
We know that there's also going to be increased powers
for transit officers to address anti social behavior through the
use of OC spray on that public transport.
Speaker 3 (08:46):
How are you going to.
Speaker 1 (08:47):
Ensure that those measures sort of strike the right balance
between safety and protecting the rights of passengers and those
on public transport as.
Speaker 2 (08:56):
Well well our public transfer safety off I have already
been able to use OC spray kase they've had that
ability for a few years.
Speaker 4 (09:04):
I believe a.
Speaker 2 (09:06):
Couple of changes in the legislation we've done for the
transit officers. Was the change from being able to use
spray because it was very prescriptive in the legislation, allowed
them to use the OC gel, which is.
Speaker 4 (09:19):
A more targeted product.
Speaker 2 (09:21):
So rather than a spray, which is more of an aerosolt,
can float around and other people may be affected rather
than the person you're trying to deal with, so a
more direct the jail is much more targeted. But the
other piece that we introduced was how safety officers were
hamstrung in the effect they pretty well had to wait
for an offense to happen before they could tell someone.
Speaker 4 (09:42):
The leave, we'll get off the bus or to your
with them.
Speaker 2 (09:45):
So we've made the change to the legislation where they
can determine if a person is about to commit an
offense that then they can actually step in rather than
have to wait for that offense to happen, So that's
a that's a game change, a katie, So they don't
have to wait for someone to actually be assaulted.
Speaker 4 (10:02):
If they are of the.
Speaker 2 (10:03):
Belief that someone is imminent or about.
Speaker 4 (10:06):
To be assaulted, they can step in and deal with
it and.
Speaker 2 (10:09):
Do it relatively to get off the bus or stop
them from actually getting on the bus. So we can
be a little bit proactive in dealing with those matters
and hopefully reduce those issues on our public sector network,
which would be.
Speaker 3 (10:23):
Great, Minister.
Speaker 1 (10:24):
I know we're pressed for time. You've got to get
into Parliament. I've got a few listener questions in a moment.
But I am a little confused when it comes to
these transit safety officers because I thought they were going
to be replaced by the ppsos, and I know that
the government's introducing amendments to the Police Administration Act today
to formally create the position of the Police Public Safety Officer.
(10:46):
So what's the goal with the transit safety officers still
going to be operating once this news stream of PPSO
kicks in.
Speaker 2 (10:53):
Well, we're hoping to see the majority of our PPSO
or so, the majority of our trans officers move across
the ppsos, but in the interim period because we can't
move everybody at once, Katie, and there is going to
be like a probably a four or five month period
before that will take place. We've got to make sure
they've got the correct legislative framework in place while that
(11:15):
transition happens. And we've said that some of our transit
officers may not want to go.
Speaker 4 (11:21):
Across to PPSOS.
Speaker 2 (11:22):
We're certainly hoping that the majority do because it'll be
a great career path and a great step up for them.
Speaker 4 (11:28):
But those that don't can remain in the job.
Speaker 2 (11:30):
But they still need that legislative change. Minister those legislative powers.
Speaker 1 (11:33):
I mean, is that sort of really what's happening here though,
where the majority of them actually don't want to become ppsos.
Speaker 2 (11:42):
Well, I think the information sessions have been going out
across our Housing Safety Offices and Transit Safety office about
or what the roles are. Part of that piece that
we're doing today is we have to bring in the
piece of legislation to create position with the in the
Police Administration Act I believe it is, and that way
(12:03):
also we can now then create the terms and conditions
and all those other bits which we haven't been able
to really lock down as yet, so we'll be able
to go back to everybody and say, hey, here's what
the terms and conditions are going to be, because that's
been a little bit difficult to explain until we could
actually get this piece of legislation locked in, and it's
something that come to light just a little while ago.
Speaker 1 (12:24):
Yep, all right, Minister. A few listener questions. I got
one yesterday, Katie. Could you please help clear up the
mixed messages I'm getting in relation to all the new
vehicle green slip laws. My vehicle's well over ten years old.
On a recent visit to my mechanic to obtain a
green slip, he mentioned that he mentioned that would be
the last one required even on my vehicles older than
(12:46):
ten years. When I visited the MVR to complete the
red Joe process, the MVR representative said, to her knowledge,
they are still required for vehicles over ten years old.
What's the go exactly, Minister.
Speaker 2 (12:59):
Yeah, no, we made that announcement a little while ago.
Speaker 4 (13:01):
Katie.
Speaker 2 (13:02):
About the changes to inspections we're now working through, I
suppose I don't believe it's the regulatory change to implement that,
so there's a little bit of work that we have
to do to get that implemented.
Speaker 4 (13:16):
So we're working through that.
Speaker 2 (13:17):
Another department is so hopefully we'll see that rolling out
soon and then I'll be able to come back out
and provide some more.
Speaker 4 (13:24):
Information on that.
Speaker 2 (13:25):
But it's a piece of work that's on the way.
Speaker 4 (13:27):
We're hoping to set it.
Speaker 2 (13:28):
As soon as we can. The department's been pretty busy
dealing with this omnibus bill that we bought into place.
We bought him this week, so now the team are
freed up to start working on some other stuff, so
we should see that pretty soon.
Speaker 1 (13:42):
So another listener question, so if my car is two
thousand and seven, will I still need a regio check
as of twenty twenty six?
Speaker 3 (13:51):
When does it take effect?
Speaker 2 (13:53):
Well, and that will be we said once we make
those changes, Katie. So the time you'll need an expect
now as if your vehicle's been out of regio for
more than twelve months, if you get a pinky from
the police or MVR for a defect, you'll need to
go and get an inspection. Or on the sale of
(14:14):
a vehicle like NT register so when you sell it,
the either the seller or a buyer will be required
to get an inspection on that vehicle and any vehicles
coming in from interstate, so they'll require that compliance check
and a regio inspection. So we're working through I said
that those changes now and then will be implementing those
(14:34):
as soon as we can.
Speaker 3 (14:35):
All right, Minister, I know you pressed for time.
Speaker 1 (14:36):
A lot of discussion yesterday though about the state of
our roads, some of the transport routes as well NT
roads getting their fair share of funding from the federal government.
I mean, I know it's sort of it goes past politics.
I think when you're talking about our roads and when
you're talking about our you know those different transport links
and roots all around Australia. But there does seem to
(14:59):
be some I'll concerned at the moment about the state
of some of our Northern Territory roads.
Speaker 2 (15:05):
Yeah, and when you look at the size of our
road network, Katie, it's absolutely enormous. We know that seventy
percent of our raids are unsealed, but we get money
from the Commonwealth and we do pretty well with the
funding from the Commonworth as far as the territory versus
Commonwealth split. But is the funding enough to get everything done. Honestly, Cardie,
(15:25):
I don't think it is part of the issue. We
see on some of these raids are quite bad at
the moment. We're damaged in those two wet seasons, so
they've been patched and patched. The federal government comes to
the party with money to deal with some of those
issues from those big weather events on our national network
and the smaller networks, and we're trying to work through
(15:48):
and get them done. Like the Barkley Highway is one
in particular that's pretty bad at the moment, and we've
got contractors out there now starting work on some of that.
We're trying to pick up some of those dirt roads
that were damage during those two bare wets. But yeah,
it takes a little bit of time and the budgety
position that we're left in, Katie, I'd love to.
Speaker 4 (16:09):
Try out four billion dollars to do all the raids,
but I.
Speaker 2 (16:11):
Just we don't have the money.
Speaker 4 (16:13):
So we're working through a lot of those.
Speaker 2 (16:15):
As we can, and particularly those critical ones. The one
thing we've been talking to the Feds about and all
the states have is that when there's damage to road
from major flood events and things like that, is rather
than just getting the money to fix save, the same
is to upgrade. I know there's a part on the
(16:35):
Stewart Highway there needs and decree. Every time we have
a flood, it washes.
Speaker 4 (16:39):
Out and it's miserable.
Speaker 2 (16:40):
So rather than just giving us the money to fix
it as what it was, we'll stump up a few
more bucks so we can actually go in and do
the repairs so we don't have to come back and
fix it next year. So the Common author are working
on that with us, which is good to see.
Speaker 1 (16:54):
Minister a really quick one to finish off from Clayton.
He wants to know, Katie, could you please ask Minister
Gan why these of the road between blythe River and
ram and Ginning hasn't been graded for nearly two years
and why it currently doesn't have a grading contract in place.
Speaker 2 (17:11):
Well, I'd have to take that one, I noticed, Katy.
I'm not specifically sure about that exact exact part of
the road, and I know that I know that neck
of the woods, but I don't have that information off
the top of my head. But I'm happy to go
back and ask the department and provide a response back
to you so that you can let it know.
Speaker 1 (17:28):
Sounds like a planned bill. Yan Minister for Logistics and Infrastructure,
also Treasurer of the Northern Territory. Thanks so much for
your time this morning. I'll let you get into parliament
jeers k.
Speaker 3 (17:40):
Do you have a great day you too, Thank you
Joining me live on the line is the Minister for
Logistics and Infrastructure, Bill Yan. Good morning, Bill.
Speaker 2 (00:06):
Good morning, Katie, Good morning to everyone on the top
end bell.
Speaker 3 (00:09):
Was the power out at Parliament House?
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Yes? It did.
Speaker 4 (00:13):
Did the power drop out here for like.
Speaker 2 (00:16):
A few seconds and before the emergency.
Speaker 4 (00:18):
Generator kicked in. So I'm where.
Speaker 2 (00:21):
I've got a message through from Power and Water that
a number of people in around Dale, between Daren and
cat Out. I do hear that some areas are coming
back on, which is good to see. But yeah, I
know the incident management team with Power order of meeting
at the moment, and I suppose once you get more
of an idea from those guys, then we'll get a
(00:42):
bit of an idea. So most of the power I'm told
us back on in the urban areas, yeah, as you know,
some of those ruralers may take a little bit longer.
And of course still trying to figure out what that
causes only very short time. So as soon as we
find out, I suppose.
Speaker 4 (00:59):
We'll be able to everybody know.
Speaker 2 (01:00):
But we've got the crews out there doing everything they
can to restore power. But it was a localized fault.
I'm led to believe on the power Water network at
channel line, the trip generation and distribution. So as you said, Katie,
hopefully it's hasn't caughted and it caused any flow on effects.
We sincerely hope that it hasn't. Yeah, every body get
(01:22):
said power back on pretty quick.
Speaker 1 (01:23):
Bell, I got to tell you I went through many years.
They're working well, both for Power and Order and also
for the Minister for Essential Services, and yeah, it's it's
never good when there's massive power outages like this. I
mean literally thousands of customers I would estimate based on
those suburbs, but no indication at this point in time
that it's you know that it's any sort of further
(01:45):
damage or you're sort of still waiting to hear as well.
Speaker 2 (01:49):
No, No, I think we're all sort of getting the
same message. I think you're getting callers coming through. I'm
getting bippings from power Water, and as I know that
Minister Edgington is as well, because he's I'm the shareholding
minister and the h ol course is the minister responsible
for day to day operations here. So we're both getting
briefed as Power more than noting. So as we get information, Katie,
(02:11):
we're certainly happy to share what we can, but I
know that we've got most of the urban areas back,
but yeah, the rule will take a little bit longer.
I'm certainly hoping Katherine is back online asap.
Speaker 1 (02:23):
Absolutely well, we'll certainly keep in contact with you about that, Minister.
Let's go across to the things that we invited you
on the show to talk about this morning, though, we
spoke yesterday about some really serious concerns around rock throwing
incidents in Catherine, after we'd heard earlier this week about
one truck driver's windscreen being shattered after rocks were thrown
near the Catherine Bridge.
Speaker 3 (02:44):
Now it is a worry, there's no doubt about it.
Speaker 1 (02:46):
We've seen similar situations in Alice Springs and Tenant Creek
over the year, but the police confirmed yesterday there's been
eleven incidents over the last two weeks. I mean, are
we going to wind up in a situation here wherein
needs to be police or security escorts near Catherine.
Speaker 2 (03:04):
I certainly hope not, Katie, and we never want to
see a repeated that incident in Central Australia where the
tow truck driver on a call out helping police had
his window down and got hit in the eye at
the driving on the traffic lights. Nowlson lost his eye.
That was absolutely tragic, and of course at the consequences
(03:24):
are far far reaching, and this is the same I
suppose at the end of the day, And Katherine, Katie,
these kids don't understand the danger that they're putting the
community and people in We all know what the ability
are for the cause and what can happen when these
things happen. But I know the police have been working
(03:45):
from what I'm told, I working with children and Fambers
and the Circuit Breaker team and klin our Youth patrol too,
in try and engage with those kids down there and
reinforce that education and the dangers of what they're doing.
Because they seem to think it's fun, Katie, trust me,
it's not bloody fun. No, the consequences can be catastrophic
and these kids need to understand that. So the police
(04:08):
are ONLP. I believe the police are doing extra patrols
around the place where they can, and the police I
know have obtained some images of the people that they
have interest in responsible for this. So let's hope that
the police and of course children families that circuit breaker
them can engage with those kids in Catherine, well, I
(04:32):
need to be sure they need to be built with
as well, k because I said, this is serious and
dangerous behavior and it's not only the the cause of fatality.
Speaker 1 (04:42):
That's exactly right, And it's not only the danger element,
but also when you look at like the logistics element
of it as well. And we've spoken to Louise Blato
about this yesterday that you know, if we wind up
in a situation where trucks can't get through and there's
various issues, they are carrying livestock, et cetera, you know,
this is like, this is how we get our freight,
(05:02):
this is how we get our goods.
Speaker 2 (05:05):
Yeah, and we've seen that and this has happened in Tenant,
it happens in Alice, and they said it's high risk,
dangerous behavior that these kids seem to think it's fun
and we know that it's not. So I know the
police are doing as much as I can down our
way to try and deal with this. It's so hard
to deal with, Katie, but it's getting out there. And
if we're going to identify those kids, engage with those
(05:27):
kids and letting them know how dangerous it is and
if need be going further, if there needs to be
prosecution for this, well it needs to happen because the
measuree needs to get out among young people across the
territory of how dangerous and how we responsible this behavior is.
Because we've seen it in the States where people throwing
(05:47):
rocks of rock's gone through a windscreen and killed somebody,
and I believe has happened here in Australia. We don't
want to see that in the territory.
Speaker 1 (05:54):
Kadi, We absolutely don't, absolutely don't.
Speaker 3 (05:57):
Minister. Let's move along.
Speaker 1 (05:58):
I know the Government's introduce the Transport Legislation Amendment Bill
in an effort to modernize outdated transport laws, closed safety
gaps and cut red tape.
Speaker 3 (06:07):
Now this bill.
Speaker 1 (06:08):
Includes stronger penalties for repeat offenders, such as culmative licensed
disqualifications for drink and drug drivers. Can you explain to
us how the change is going to make a tangible
difference in road safety and really deter dangerous driving in
the end.
Speaker 2 (06:26):
Yeah, sure, Katie, this is like a good change in
this was something that the Department along would Police put together.
So the way that you used to work, if you
were done for multiple drink and drug driving offenses nine
times out of ten, or pretty well ten times out
it can. That's the way the law was written.
Speaker 4 (06:42):
You would serve.
Speaker 2 (06:43):
Those offenses concurrently. So if you'd done one and you're
on a year off, and then you've done another one,
and you've done another one or done a heat together,
then you would serve them concurrently, so that all be
put together, you might do six months or twelve months
or license.
Speaker 4 (06:58):
Now what the change would.
Speaker 2 (07:00):
For those people who repeatedly commit offenses in this space
for drink and drug driving. If you continue to commit offenses,
the courts now, oh excuse me, katie, they can Now
they can do these offenses cumulatively. So if you get
done once and you get done again, then you get
done again and again and again. Rather than putting all
(07:21):
those offenses together and giving you one penalty of law,
they say, well, you would have got three months for
this one, six months for that one, twelve months for
that one, and another three months for that one, so
they can add them all together. All of a sudden,
These people who are repeat defenders may be off the
road much much longer. So when that scenario gave, that
person may be off the road for two years.
Speaker 1 (07:41):
Yeah, right, So when are you expecting this to become operational, like,
when's it going to kick in?
Speaker 2 (07:47):
Well, the legislation has passed Parliament, now it has to
go over to the administrative for a cent. That takes
a little bit of a time period for that to happen,
and then effectively, Katie, it becomes laws were open to
see this out and operational within three or four weeks,
that would be my hope. We need to then be
(08:07):
able to give, of course, the courts the opportunity to
understand they've been consulted as part of this, but then
understand and have a look at how then they may
apply it. Because these repeat defenders, we know there's heaps
of them out there and drinking, drug driving is then
along with speed not wearing seat belts are the number
one killers on our own. What we need to deal
(08:29):
with this, we need to stop it from happening, and
this is one step and dealing with that issue.
Speaker 3 (08:34):
Minister, it's not the only change.
Speaker 1 (08:36):
We know that there's also going to be increased powers
for transit officers to address anti social behavior through the
use of OC spray on that public transport.
Speaker 3 (08:46):
How are you going to.
Speaker 1 (08:47):
Ensure that those measures sort of strike the right balance
between safety and protecting the rights of passengers and those
on public transport as.
Speaker 2 (08:56):
Well well our public transfer safety off I have already
been able to use OC spray kase they've had that
ability for a few years.
Speaker 4 (09:04):
I believe a.
Speaker 2 (09:06):
Couple of changes in the legislation we've done for the
transit officers. Was the change from being able to use
spray because it was very prescriptive in the legislation, allowed
them to use the OC gel, which is.
Speaker 4 (09:19):
A more targeted product.
Speaker 2 (09:21):
So rather than a spray, which is more of an aerosolt,
can float around and other people may be affected rather
than the person you're trying to deal with, so a
more direct the jail is much more targeted. But the
other piece that we introduced was how safety officers were
hamstrung in the effect they pretty well had to wait
for an offense to happen before they could tell someone.
Speaker 4 (09:42):
The leave, we'll get off the bus or to your
with them.
Speaker 2 (09:45):
So we've made the change to the legislation where they
can determine if a person is about to commit an
offense that then they can actually step in rather than
have to wait for that offense to happen, So that's
a that's a game change, a katie, So they don't
have to wait for someone to actually be assaulted.
Speaker 4 (10:02):
If they are of the.
Speaker 2 (10:03):
Belief that someone is imminent or about.
Speaker 4 (10:06):
To be assaulted, they can step in and deal with
it and.
Speaker 2 (10:09):
Do it relatively to get off the bus or stop
them from actually getting on the bus. So we can
be a little bit proactive in dealing with those matters
and hopefully reduce those issues on our public sector network,
which would be.
Speaker 3 (10:23):
Great, Minister.
Speaker 1 (10:24):
I know we're pressed for time. You've got to get
into Parliament. I've got a few listener questions in a moment.
But I am a little confused when it comes to
these transit safety officers because I thought they were going
to be replaced by the ppsos, and I know that
the government's introducing amendments to the Police Administration Act today
to formally create the position of the Police Public Safety Officer.
(10:46):
So what's the goal with the transit safety officers still
going to be operating once this news stream of PPSO
kicks in.
Speaker 2 (10:53):
Well, we're hoping to see the majority of our PPSO
or so, the majority of our trans officers move across
the ppsos, but in the interim period because we can't
move everybody at once, Katie, and there is going to
be like a probably a four or five month period
before that will take place. We've got to make sure
they've got the correct legislative framework in place while that
(11:15):
transition happens. And we've said that some of our transit
officers may not want to go.
Speaker 4 (11:21):
Across to PPSOS.
Speaker 2 (11:22):
We're certainly hoping that the majority do because it'll be
a great career path and a great step up for them.
Speaker 4 (11:28):
But those that don't can remain in the job.
Speaker 2 (11:30):
But they still need that legislative change. Minister those legislative powers.
Speaker 1 (11:33):
I mean, is that sort of really what's happening here though,
where the majority of them actually don't want to become ppsos.
Speaker 2 (11:42):
Well, I think the information sessions have been going out
across our Housing Safety Offices and Transit Safety office about
or what the roles are. Part of that piece that
we're doing today is we have to bring in the
piece of legislation to create position with the in the
Police Administration Act I believe it is, and that way
(12:03):
also we can now then create the terms and conditions
and all those other bits which we haven't been able
to really lock down as yet, so we'll be able
to go back to everybody and say, hey, here's what
the terms and conditions are going to be, because that's
been a little bit difficult to explain until we could
actually get this piece of legislation locked in, and it's
something that come to light just a little while ago.
Speaker 1 (12:24):
Yep, all right, Minister. A few listener questions. I got
one yesterday, Katie. Could you please help clear up the
mixed messages I'm getting in relation to all the new
vehicle green slip laws. My vehicle's well over ten years old.
On a recent visit to my mechanic to obtain a
green slip, he mentioned that he mentioned that would be
the last one required even on my vehicles older than
(12:46):
ten years. When I visited the MVR to complete the
red Joe process, the MVR representative said, to her knowledge,
they are still required for vehicles over ten years old.
What's the go exactly, Minister.
Speaker 2 (12:59):
Yeah, no, we made that announcement a little while ago.
Speaker 4 (13:01):
Katie.
Speaker 2 (13:02):
About the changes to inspections we're now working through, I
suppose I don't believe it's the regulatory change to implement that,
so there's a little bit of work that we have
to do to get that implemented.
Speaker 4 (13:16):
So we're working through that.
Speaker 2 (13:17):
Another department is so hopefully we'll see that rolling out
soon and then I'll be able to come back out
and provide some more.
Speaker 4 (13:24):
Information on that.
Speaker 2 (13:25):
But it's a piece of work that's on the way.
Speaker 4 (13:27):
We're hoping to set it.
Speaker 2 (13:28):
As soon as we can. The department's been pretty busy
dealing with this omnibus bill that we bought into place.
We bought him this week, so now the team are
freed up to start working on some other stuff, so
we should see that pretty soon.
Speaker 1 (13:42):
So another listener question, so if my car is two
thousand and seven, will I still need a regio check
as of twenty twenty six?
Speaker 3 (13:51):
When does it take effect?
Speaker 2 (13:53):
Well, and that will be we said once we make
those changes, Katie. So the time you'll need an expect
now as if your vehicle's been out of regio for
more than twelve months, if you get a pinky from
the police or MVR for a defect, you'll need to
go and get an inspection. Or on the sale of
(14:14):
a vehicle like NT register so when you sell it,
the either the seller or a buyer will be required
to get an inspection on that vehicle and any vehicles
coming in from interstate, so they'll require that compliance check
and a regio inspection. So we're working through I said
that those changes now and then will be implementing those
(14:34):
as soon as we can.
Speaker 3 (14:35):
All right, Minister, I know you pressed for time.
Speaker 1 (14:36):
A lot of discussion yesterday though about the state of
our roads, some of the transport routes as well NT
roads getting their fair share of funding from the federal government.
I mean, I know it's sort of it goes past politics.
I think when you're talking about our roads and when
you're talking about our you know those different transport links
and roots all around Australia. But there does seem to
(14:59):
be some I'll concerned at the moment about the state
of some of our Northern Territory roads.
Speaker 2 (15:05):
Yeah, and when you look at the size of our
road network, Katie, it's absolutely enormous. We know that seventy
percent of our raids are unsealed, but we get money
from the Commonwealth and we do pretty well with the
funding from the Commonworth as far as the territory versus
Commonwealth split. But is the funding enough to get everything done. Honestly, Cardie,
(15:25):
I don't think it is part of the issue. We
see on some of these raids are quite bad at
the moment. We're damaged in those two wet seasons, so
they've been patched and patched. The federal government comes to
the party with money to deal with some of those
issues from those big weather events on our national network
and the smaller networks, and we're trying to work through
(15:48):
and get them done. Like the Barkley Highway is one
in particular that's pretty bad at the moment, and we've
got contractors out there now starting work on some of that.
We're trying to pick up some of those dirt roads
that were damage during those two bare wets. But yeah,
it takes a little bit of time and the budgety
position that we're left in, Katie, I'd love to.
Speaker 4 (16:09):
Try out four billion dollars to do all the raids,
but I.
Speaker 2 (16:11):
Just we don't have the money.
Speaker 4 (16:13):
So we're working through a lot of those.
Speaker 2 (16:15):
As we can, and particularly those critical ones. The one
thing we've been talking to the Feds about and all
the states have is that when there's damage to road
from major flood events and things like that, is rather
than just getting the money to fix save, the same
is to upgrade. I know there's a part on the
(16:35):
Stewart Highway there needs and decree. Every time we have
a flood, it washes.
Speaker 4 (16:39):
Out and it's miserable.
Speaker 2 (16:40):
So rather than just giving us the money to fix
it as what it was, we'll stump up a few
more bucks so we can actually go in and do
the repairs so we don't have to come back and
fix it next year. So the Common author are working
on that with us, which is good to see.
Speaker 1 (16:54):
Minister a really quick one to finish off from Clayton.
He wants to know, Katie, could you please ask Minister
Gan why these of the road between blythe River and
ram and Ginning hasn't been graded for nearly two years
and why it currently doesn't have a grading contract in place.
Speaker 2 (17:11):
Well, I'd have to take that one, I noticed, Katy.
I'm not specifically sure about that exact exact part of
the road, and I know that I know that neck
of the woods, but I don't have that information off
the top of my head. But I'm happy to go
back and ask the department and provide a response back
to you so that you can let it know.
Speaker 1 (17:28):
Sounds like a planned bill. Yan Minister for Logistics and Infrastructure,
also Treasurer of the Northern Territory. Thanks so much for
your time this morning. I'll let you get into parliament
jeers k.
Speaker 3 (17:40):
Do you have a great day you too, Thank you
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