Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
We might get straight into it because we have got
such a busy hour lined up. And last week the
Northern Territory Government, as I said earlier, unveiled this new
legislation in an effort to curb crime and anti social
behavior impacting the Northern Territory. So what it's going to
mean is that the governmental will basically a curfew can
be enabled to be enacted more flexibly, so the Northern
(00:21):
Territory Police Force will be able to administer the new
curfew legislation and any use of curfew in the territory
is going to depend on operational assessments made by the police.
Joining us on the line to talk a little bit
more about this and plenty of other things. Is the
Chief Minister evil Orla, good morning to your Chief minister.
Speaker 2 (00:39):
Morning Katie, good morning now, Chief.
Speaker 1 (00:41):
Minister, why was this needed when it was something that
you're already able to do, as demonstrated in Ola Springs.
Speaker 2 (00:48):
So the one in Alice Springs, we had to use
the Emergency Management Act and so there were a number
of steps that you had to take, So you had
to have an emergency management meeting, so the agency's Emergency
management meet. You had to then also have that the
executive level of government, so the ministers had to meet
to do that. So it was about and we saw
that there were a number of organizations that said that
(01:10):
they were going to you know, take us to court
because it was illegal. So really it was about bringing
in really clear legislation that's that that has been used
in New South Wales previously. That's clear for all of
us in the territory about that. So in the first instance,
it is the Commission of Police, so not political. It's
the Commission of Police who can announce a curfews to
(01:32):
put a curfew in place for those initial three days
and then the next step is to go through a minister.
So really it is about I thought, anyway, again a
common sense way of doing it, making sure that it
was clear that we had curfew legislation in the Northern
territory that we can enact that and you don't then
have people saying, oh, we're going to sue you, or
you haven't done this, or you haven't followed that process
(01:53):
or proceedure.
Speaker 1 (01:53):
So is there any concerns that that might happen from
the last time that you that you'd called for the
curfew and Ellis Spranks well.
Speaker 2 (02:01):
I think it might have been referred to the Ikak,
that's my understanding. But also there was a number of
groups I think was Naja were the ones that were
saying and we've also seen that today the Discrimination Commission
come out against it. So we heard loudly and clearly
from the people of Alice Springs how beneficial having that
(02:21):
curfew was and the positive impact for young people as well.
It gave them. It gave the agencies the time to
be able to then work with those kids identify the family.
So to me, there was nothing discriminatory about it. It
was across that CBD area and there was a benefit
to the community.
Speaker 1 (02:40):
I think it'd be hard pressed to find many everyday
territory instead have been impacted by crime, that think that
this is a bad idea. I think that a lot
of everyday people would be thinking, look, this does seem
like a common sense approach. However, you have now got
the likes of the Children's Commissioner late last week, saying
in a statement that she's deeply concerned that this led
to increases the likelihood of declarations that will target and
(03:04):
harm vulnerable and marginalized groups such as Aboriginal children and
young people. She says she's not been consulted prior to
the introduction of this bill, and there is a need
to ensure that these laws are balanced and proportionate. She's said.
In order to do so, the Northern Territory Government must
consult key stakeholders, including Legal Aid Services, PEAK bodies and
(03:25):
relevant oversight bodies, including herself and the Anti Discrimination Commissioner.
Chief Minister, what do you say to that, I mean,
are these laws balanced?
Speaker 2 (03:34):
Absolutely, they're balanced. And as I said, we've actually seen
them in place, so we've saw we've actually got the
evidence that it actually worked in our springs. So we've
seen that underway. We've seen at work and again we
didn't see the children. No child was arrested, but those
children were supported, their families were supported. It was the
(03:54):
additional resources that came in from territory families. I mean,
they're doing their job. Anti Discrimination Commission, the Children's Commission
are doing their job. But again we're doing our job
as well as politicians. We've listened to territory and the
police need to have a string in their bow, another
string in their bow around being able to get on
top of crime and whether that's Alice Springs or whether
(04:16):
that's a regional town like Catherine where they need to
do that, or it might be for example on the
road out to what I or the road coming in
from pep Manati. We need to be able to have
that to get for police, and police have been really
positive about curfew as well, and it will be. It
won't be a politician, will be the Commission of Police,
whoever that is that will have that option to support
(04:40):
police in what the work that they do.
Speaker 1 (04:42):
Well. I know that change is also passed around liquor
legislation last week. The bill targets those who refuse to
leave licensed premises with increased fines. It also aims to
directly address the harmful consumption of alcohol in prohibited public spaces,
providing ex officio officers such as Transit Safety Office, the
officers the authority to stop, search and seize containers of alcohol.
(05:05):
Why did the government go down this path and not
just re implement the two kilometer law.
Speaker 2 (05:10):
Well, but the two kilometer law we've already actually got
that the legislation across the whole of the regional areas
and across Darwin, so that's already in place.
Speaker 1 (05:21):
Sort of on a situation where that had been like
because I remember it being discussed in Parliament and the
Attorney General Chancey Paik saying that you know that the
decision had been made to decriminalize that public drinking so
that you know, so that Aboriginal people weren't being unfairly
sort of represented.
Speaker 2 (05:37):
But it is about being able to tip out their
alcohol and that came out in the police review. If
you look at the data in the police review, you
can see that there were large numbers of times where
police tipped out alcohol and then it's decreased over the years.
And part of that is obviously police being busy doing
other things at sending domestic violence, attending other issues, and
(05:59):
so we've seen a decrease actually in the amount of
alcohol that's being tipped out over the last few years.
Speaker 1 (06:05):
But we're seeing a decrease so in the number of
people that are drinking publicly because I.
Speaker 2 (06:09):
Mean, no, they're definitely not, definitely not. So that's that's
about this, and this is the one that's really important
for me was I was the Transport Minister and one
of the most frustrating things was catching and I caught
buses to actually see what was going on, and you'd
see people and we all, all of us locals know
that people with water bottles that didn't have white clear
(06:32):
water in them, that was slightly yellow water in them,
and you know, the sharing of alcohol and people getting
on buses with that so having and but they didn't
have the legislation to support it. So now our transit
safety officers can approach people who are at bus interchanges
and be able to tip out their grog that they've
got regularly. It is about reducing alcohol in our public places.
Speaker 1 (06:54):
I mean, even like even what you've just said there
that yes, you know, it's definitely not sort of reducing
the level of public drinking that we're seeing. I mean,
we're seeing quite a bit of it at the moment.
You know, around near Stuart Park there is quite like
there's a large group of people that are just sort
of camped out there. Even last week near Marara there
(07:15):
was again a large group of people that were just
sort of camped out there. I don't know whether they've
been moved on over the course of the weekend, but
we really seem to have a situation where we've got
quite a large number of people camping around the city,
camping around in public places and drinking at the moment,
do you feel as other measures I know that you've
introduced these changes last week, but do you feel as
(07:36):
other measures that we've got at the moment are actually working.
I know that we have still got the likes of
Larachie Nation patrolling. Is all of that working?
Speaker 2 (07:46):
Yeah, I agree, Katie. At certain times of the year,
there's more people who come to town, and it's about
making sure we get on top of that. So we've
recently just put some extra dollars in There's treasure, I
put some extra dollars into the Return to Country program
to get people who are in town back home to
their communities. So that's one aspect of that. But it
(08:07):
is around making sure that there's like transit safety officers,
people police officers, our security guards that are transit safety,
our bus interchanges can actually tip out alcohol and then
that sends really strong messages to people that you can't
drink in these public places. The other one was and
that was through that Liquor Amendment bill. At a bottle shop,
(08:29):
the bottle shop operator can refuse service if someone can't
state where they're going to consume the alcohol. So that's
a really important one as well, so that there were
three parts to that legislation. The transit safety officers, increase
findes for people who won't leave the premises, but also
to be able to refuse service if someone can't say
(08:51):
where they're going to actually be able to consume, which
residents and where they're going to be able to where
they're going to be consuming alcohol. So to me, it's
continuing to tie. And I always use the analogy of
the balloon with alcohol, you continue to tighten to try
to make sure you know, the scourge of the Northern
Territory is alcohol consumption. So that Liquor Amendment Bill was
around that and the colp supported it. They could understand
(09:14):
how important.
Speaker 1 (09:14):
It was to yeah, well this is the thing. It's
something we've been grappling with for such a long period
of time. Chief Andster a few quick ones. Just firstly,
has there been an update on the Barkley Regional Council.
I understand a decision around the council was due around
the fifteenth of May.
Speaker 2 (09:30):
Actually I haven't seen the latest on that. There was,
as you say, a report that's gone around the Barkley
Regional Council I can check on that, but yeah, we
do need to see we do need to see a
council in place in the Barkley. And there's been very
frustrating in the Barkley because you've had the council in trouble.
Basically you've had Jlalakari as well in the community who
(09:51):
have run into some financial strife. So yeah, tough for
the tougher Tenant Creek, tough for the Barkley as well.
But I haven't got the latest on it, but I
do know that there was an independent report that was
being done around recommendations on how to improve governance in
the Barkley.
Speaker 1 (10:07):
All right, we might try to follow that up with
your office. Just another one. On the week that was
last week, Robin Lamley had raised the issue that had
been included in a report by the Order to General
Julie crisp So. In her May report, the Order to
General had said around the ship lift that key decisions
made surrounding the five hundred and fifteen million dollar Doo
and Shiplift project were not subject to governance oversight. It
(10:31):
included a land deal that, in exchange for four land
parcels from Pass Bailey saw the government transport transfer. I
should say that fifteen point one hectares of land and
sea to the company and Lisa further land parcel at
nominal value in order to construct the private marine facility
to be owned by the company. So the report which
was tabled last week identified that evidence to support key
(10:54):
decisions made by the government. Well that was that some
of that detail was not provided for audited scrutiny to
the Order to General. I mean, this is taxpayer's money.
Why was the information not provided?
Speaker 2 (11:08):
So a lot of a lot of that information and
we know that a lot of money. It's a half
a billion dollar project, but a lot of that those
negotiations have to be commercial in confidence. That's the reality
when you're dealing with a big project like that. So
some of those decisions or most of those decisions at
key points had to go to cabinets for cabinet backing
(11:29):
around the directions that it was going in. So, I mean,
the Orders to General is doing her job, but you know,
those decisions and when they are made and who don't
necessarily need to be out in the public arena, And
that's the fact around.
Speaker 1 (11:45):
I get that. I understand that there is obviously, you
know the Cabinet in confidence, and that there is also
a situation where you know where you are trying to
make sure that you're getting the best possible deal I
would hope for territories. But the report said that there
was no documented evidence based in OLLE modeling, risk assessments,
or cost and benefit analysis provided to support some of
(12:06):
those key decisions. I mean, many people listening would think
to themselves, surely that is paramount to be making sure
that we're getting the best value for dollar for territory
ins tax Bay a dollar.
Speaker 2 (12:18):
Yes, I mean, and I mean if you read the report,
it's actually it steps out the timeline and we can
go back to I think it was twenty fifteen Adam Giles,
and that's been also reported by the Order to the General.
Adam Giles set this project up on a certain trajectory.
So there was land that was given to PASPAILI. Then
there was also one hundred million dollars that the Anti
(12:40):
government was going to allocate as well to that project,
and it was going to be owned and run by
pass Malee. So then there's been a whole heap of
work around where this project's gone. This project now is
owned owned by government. So the land is and the
area there that we're developing the ship lift is government land,
(13:03):
so where we've actually got the ship lift now. So
there has been some twists and turns and some changes
around that. As I said, anybody who's interested can go
and read the there's a timeline there around it. There.
Plus BMD now has that project four hundred and nineteen
million dollars, I announced Pearlson, who are going to be
the company that's doing the actual ship lifting component forty
(13:24):
eight million dollars. There's territory companies that are involved through
the acquirrying work. But as I said, some of those
some of those decisions are made behind closed doors, and
that's the fact. In order to general she's done her
work around that. But you know that's that's so you're confident,
you are.
Speaker 1 (13:41):
You're confident that we're getting the best possible deal for
territorians and that there's there's not any wastage of money.
Speaker 2 (13:48):
Absolutely, and said I've had discussions and conversations with Defense
as well. They can see the absolute benefit of this
project and it's our it's a step to another industry
in the territory. Having a maritime industry is really important
for us. As I said, we rely on mining, we
rely on on toil and gas. This is another option
for the territory having a strong maritime industry. We know
(14:09):
how strategically well worth placed. We also know the importance
with defense into the future. So this is a really
exciting project. I was out there about probably ten days ago.
There's excavators out there, there's dirt being moved, there's work
actually happening on the ship list, which is good to.
Speaker 1 (14:26):
See, Chief Minister. The COLP has released a statement this
morning saying that almost one thousand Northern Territory public service
employees have been the victim of an assault between July
twenty twenty two and March last year. That's according to
figures which have been obtained by the COLP. Now the
data shows nine hundred and fifty nine employees were either
assaulted or subjected to criminal behavior while going about their work.
(14:50):
The COLP opposition is saying that minimum sentence length should
be introduced for assaulting workers. Is this something that the
government's going to look at implementing.
Speaker 2 (15:00):
So yeah, First of all, nobody wants to see anybody
be abused or assaulted at work. And when we talk
about public servants. We're talking about police, correctional officers, you know,
health workers, nurses, even teachers. I mean I've been there
where I've been assaulted by a child when I was
principal and a teacher as well, and for varying reasons.
(15:22):
Often these children with a whole heap of behavioral issues.
So nobody wants to see anybody assaulted. And you know,
the CLP those facts and figures are ones that are
available to government. That's what the Office's Public Employment has
that data. There are already there are already strong imprisonments
and I think it's about sixteen years for assaults on workers.
(15:43):
So there is a well, you know it's never enough,
but you know, these are difficult. Often we're seeing people
at their very worst, so particularly people with mental health issues.
Alcohol is a huge issue going into our hospital systems
with police. But yeah, it's never enough really but again
(16:05):
there is up to sixteen years imprisonment for an assault
on a worker. But again that's why we've bought in
OC spray for our Transit Safety Office for example, So
that was when I was the Transport Minister, making sure
our transit safety officers can use their OC spray. So
it's one that you'll continue to do, continue to work on.
But you know, people just need to behave themselves and
(16:26):
actually have a bit of a bit of respect for
public servants.
Speaker 1 (16:29):
Chief Minister. We know parliament resumes this week. I'm going
to get to that in just a moment, but I
want to take you across to a listener question that
came through last week and it's around victims of crime,
and the question asks what do both the opposition leader
and also you as the leader of government plan to
do to support victims of crime. This person says that
they're only able to access support once. Well we know
(16:52):
that it is only able to be accessed there saying
once a year. But just to the specifics of this person,
and I need to be a bit careful here because
they do not like they can't be identified, but they
are still waiting on the court system. But they have
said where are you for the victims of crime? This
person's wife was was killed And again I'm not going
(17:16):
to go into to further detail because I don't want
to identify them, but they have said when it comes
to you know, their lives have been completely destroyed. They
can't live a normal life. They can't live in their home.
And as for financial support, well, it's even worse. For example,
we had a mortgage of six hundred and twenty dollars
(17:37):
a week. We had to walk away from our home
and rent a house. Now we you know, we were
on a double income. His wife is no longer with them,
so he's obviously juggling being on a single income, having
to move into a new home. And you know, saying,
where is both the government? What are the government's plans
(17:57):
And we'll ask this of the opposition as well, plans
to support people who are victims of crime. And in
this instance, we're talking about the most you know, the
most terribly tragic situation.
Speaker 2 (18:09):
Yeah, as I said, horrific sounds terrible. So Katie, we
have recently, so from the mid year, we have put
more money into victims of crime. I think it's about
five point seven million dollars boost from mid year, so
we have put a lot more money into victims of crime.
And I know, I mean the maximum I think is
about forty thousand dollars. But I mean, I'm more than
(18:31):
happy if that person wants to contact my office around
specifics because I know obviously we can't talk on the
line around this, But you know, the victims of crime,
money does cover some around earnings or personal medical costs
and you know, resecuring your homes. But I mean this
one is an extreme example obviously. Yeah, but yeah, I'm
(18:52):
more than happy to have a conversation or work out
what can be done around that one.
Speaker 1 (18:56):
Yeah, look, we might, we might get you in contact.
If that person is for us to put the being contact,
we will do that. Can I just go? I'll peel
it back a little bit to those victims of crime
then that are maybe homeowners or business owners. Is it
a situation where they can only access support once a year?
Speaker 2 (19:13):
I thought it was three times a year. Again, I
will check on that. I thought it was three times
a year that they could access it. The maximums forty
thousand dollars, But around vehicles, I think it's four hundred dollars.
And I think most most people have their vehicles insured,
so there's that option as well. But I know it
the impacts then around their own personal insurance. But the maximum,
(19:35):
my understanding is the maximum is forty thousand dollars. We've
got about eleven point three million dollars now in that
bucket as I said, we have increased it. But of
course that's why we're you know, that's why we continue
to invest in another five hundred and seventy million dollars
into police. That's why we're bring in curfew legislation. You know,
my focus is absolutely on reducing crime in the Northern Territory.
(19:56):
Cheap day is when we have no stories, or good
weekend is when we're in stories about crime in the terity.
Speaker 1 (20:02):
Just quickly before I let you go, we know that
Parliament does resume this week. We've already spoken about some
of that legislation around the curfew. I understand that the
royalties legislation or around the mining that is going to
be passed this week. There's also an announcement happening around
Charles Dalwin University. What is on the agenda?
Speaker 2 (20:20):
Yeah, So a big one for me is the ad valorum.
So we're changing our royalty scheme from a profit based
to a value based royalty scheme. And I know that
will be good news for our mining industry because it
will be a simple competitive royalty scheme to encourage and
provide that certainty to our miners. But for the terrotory,
(20:40):
it will also see you know that's the aim is
to see more minds in the Northern Territory. So that
advalrum scheme will have four categories and depending on the
amount of processing, the lower the royalty will be. So
if you have substantial treatment of the ore that you've extracted,
you'll have a lower royalty scheme. So it'll range from
(21:01):
seven point five percent if you just you know, you're
just digging it out of the ground basically and crushing it,
down to two point five if you're fully processing it
to you know, an oxide or an are So yeah,
that will be legislation that I'll be introduced. I mean
I've introduced that will debate this week. But I think
it's a really important one for the Northern Territory around
(21:23):
that every other state has an adlorum scheme. We've have
had a profit based one. It's been in post I
think since the nineteen eighty So it's a solid change
to our legislation which will be an exciting one big change.
And obviously the curfew legislation will be debated as well.
So yeah, a good week in parliament. They're not Katie.
Can I just say this, This will be actually our
(21:45):
government's last full week of Parliament will then go into
estimates and then after estimates you have one day to
pass the budget. So this is the last full week
of our term of government. And I must say, you know,
and I'm not boasting here, but we have a very
we do it very very well with you know, our
labor government has been very strategic. I know a lot
of people don't watch parliament, a lot of people aren't
(22:08):
interested in parliament, but we do it very very well.
We're very strategic. We have done a great job as
a government around our parliamentary legislation. And I should get
the facts, but I think we probably have past the
most legislation of any government in history of in order territory.
Speaker 1 (22:24):
Well, you have had a big majority for quite some time.
Chief easier to do so.
Speaker 2 (22:29):
Counts the first term and there's only two of them.
Yea a government.
Speaker 1 (22:33):
I mean, well, I would expect you to say that
as the Chiefmentess, so I would expect you to certainly
be promoting the achieve their.
Speaker 2 (22:39):
General business day. The SELP completely stuff their sealped their
general business Day last Wednesday, and anybody who watched Parliament
would see that. So we're doing we do very well.
When it comes to Parliament, so you know that's that's
part of the equation. That's part of what you do
as a politician. But a lot of people don't watch
it or care.
Speaker 1 (22:56):
But no, well look what sometimes we sometimes we replay
the audio so that they get a bit of a
taste very quick. One senior Territory bureaucrat, Sean drabs he's
going to be leaving the Northern Territory Public Service in August.
I mean, was this a forced retirement?
Speaker 2 (23:13):
No, no, no, no, no no. He thinks he's at
the age where he needs to slow down a bit,
spend some more time with his wife and he and
his mother and they bought a property in Queensland. I
don't think he minds me saying that, And he's going
to be retiring to Queensland. I'm sure he'll still do
some bits and pieces, but he's had a big five
(23:36):
years in the Northern Territory. Tough job. Our CEO's are
tough jobs. I must say that there's a lot to
keep them very busy. But I'll no doubt talk more
closer to August around Shawn's career. But I thank Sean
for being an outstanding public Servant.
Speaker 1 (23:51):
Chief Minister Evil Lawler. We better leave it there. Thank
you so much for your time this morning.
Speaker 2 (23:56):
Thanks Katie, thank you
We might get straight into it because we have got
such a busy hour lined up. And last week the
Northern Territory Government, as I said earlier, unveiled this new
legislation in an effort to curb crime and anti social
behavior impacting the Northern Territory. So what it's going to
mean is that the governmental will basically a curfew can
be enabled to be enacted more flexibly, so the Northern
(00:21):
Territory Police Force will be able to administer the new
curfew legislation and any use of curfew in the territory
is going to depend on operational assessments made by the police.
Joining us on the line to talk a little bit
more about this and plenty of other things. Is the
Chief Minister evil Orla, good morning to your Chief minister.
Speaker 2 (00:39):
Morning Katie, good morning now, Chief.
Speaker 1 (00:41):
Minister, why was this needed when it was something that
you're already able to do, as demonstrated in Ola Springs.
Speaker 2 (00:48):
So the one in Alice Springs, we had to use
the Emergency Management Act and so there were a number
of steps that you had to take, So you had
to have an emergency management meeting, so the agency's Emergency
management meet. You had to then also have that the
executive level of government, so the ministers had to meet
to do that. So it was about and we saw
that there were a number of organizations that said that
(01:10):
they were going to you know, take us to court
because it was illegal. So really it was about bringing
in really clear legislation that's that that has been used
in New South Wales previously. That's clear for all of
us in the territory about that. So in the first instance,
it is the Commission of Police, so not political. It's
the Commission of Police who can announce a curfews to
(01:32):
put a curfew in place for those initial three days
and then the next step is to go through a minister.
So really it is about I thought, anyway, again a
common sense way of doing it, making sure that it
was clear that we had curfew legislation in the Northern
territory that we can enact that and you don't then
have people saying, oh, we're going to sue you, or
you haven't done this, or you haven't followed that process
(01:53):
or proceedure.
Speaker 1 (01:53):
So is there any concerns that that might happen from
the last time that you that you'd called for the
curfew and Ellis Spranks well.
Speaker 2 (02:01):
I think it might have been referred to the Ikak,
that's my understanding. But also there was a number of
groups I think was Naja were the ones that were
saying and we've also seen that today the Discrimination Commission
come out against it. So we heard loudly and clearly
from the people of Alice Springs how beneficial having that
(02:21):
curfew was and the positive impact for young people as well.
It gave them. It gave the agencies the time to
be able to then work with those kids identify the family.
So to me, there was nothing discriminatory about it. It
was across that CBD area and there was a benefit
to the community.
Speaker 1 (02:40):
I think it'd be hard pressed to find many everyday
territory instead have been impacted by crime, that think that
this is a bad idea. I think that a lot
of everyday people would be thinking, look, this does seem
like a common sense approach. However, you have now got
the likes of the Children's Commissioner late last week, saying
in a statement that she's deeply concerned that this led
to increases the likelihood of declarations that will target and
(03:04):
harm vulnerable and marginalized groups such as Aboriginal children and
young people. She says she's not been consulted prior to
the introduction of this bill, and there is a need
to ensure that these laws are balanced and proportionate. She's said.
In order to do so, the Northern Territory Government must
consult key stakeholders, including Legal Aid Services, PEAK bodies and
(03:25):
relevant oversight bodies, including herself and the Anti Discrimination Commissioner.
Chief Minister, what do you say to that, I mean,
are these laws balanced?
Speaker 2 (03:34):
Absolutely, they're balanced. And as I said, we've actually seen
them in place, so we've saw we've actually got the
evidence that it actually worked in our springs. So we've
seen that underway. We've seen at work and again we
didn't see the children. No child was arrested, but those
children were supported, their families were supported. It was the
(03:54):
additional resources that came in from territory families. I mean,
they're doing their job. Anti Discrimination Commission, the Children's Commission
are doing their job. But again we're doing our job
as well as politicians. We've listened to territory and the
police need to have a string in their bow, another
string in their bow around being able to get on
top of crime and whether that's Alice Springs or whether
(04:16):
that's a regional town like Catherine where they need to
do that, or it might be for example on the
road out to what I or the road coming in
from pep Manati. We need to be able to have
that to get for police, and police have been really
positive about curfew as well, and it will be. It
won't be a politician, will be the Commission of Police,
whoever that is that will have that option to support
(04:40):
police in what the work that they do.
Speaker 1 (04:42):
Well. I know that change is also passed around liquor
legislation last week. The bill targets those who refuse to
leave licensed premises with increased fines. It also aims to
directly address the harmful consumption of alcohol in prohibited public spaces,
providing ex officio officers such as Transit Safety Office, the
officers the authority to stop, search and seize containers of alcohol.
(05:05):
Why did the government go down this path and not
just re implement the two kilometer law.
Speaker 2 (05:10):
Well, but the two kilometer law we've already actually got
that the legislation across the whole of the regional areas
and across Darwin, so that's already in place.
Speaker 1 (05:21):
Sort of on a situation where that had been like
because I remember it being discussed in Parliament and the
Attorney General Chancey Paik saying that you know that the
decision had been made to decriminalize that public drinking so
that you know, so that Aboriginal people weren't being unfairly
sort of represented.
Speaker 2 (05:37):
But it is about being able to tip out their
alcohol and that came out in the police review. If
you look at the data in the police review, you
can see that there were large numbers of times where
police tipped out alcohol and then it's decreased over the years.
And part of that is obviously police being busy doing
other things at sending domestic violence, attending other issues, and
(05:59):
so we've seen a decrease actually in the amount of
alcohol that's being tipped out over the last few years.
Speaker 1 (06:05):
But we're seeing a decrease so in the number of
people that are drinking publicly because I.
Speaker 2 (06:09):
Mean, no, they're definitely not, definitely not. So that's that's
about this, and this is the one that's really important
for me was I was the Transport Minister and one
of the most frustrating things was catching and I caught
buses to actually see what was going on, and you'd
see people and we all, all of us locals know
that people with water bottles that didn't have white clear
(06:32):
water in them, that was slightly yellow water in them,
and you know, the sharing of alcohol and people getting
on buses with that so having and but they didn't
have the legislation to support it. So now our transit
safety officers can approach people who are at bus interchanges
and be able to tip out their grog that they've
got regularly. It is about reducing alcohol in our public places.
Speaker 1 (06:54):
I mean, even like even what you've just said there
that yes, you know, it's definitely not sort of reducing
the level of public drinking that we're seeing. I mean,
we're seeing quite a bit of it at the moment.
You know, around near Stuart Park there is quite like
there's a large group of people that are just sort
of camped out there. Even last week near Marara there
(07:15):
was again a large group of people that were just
sort of camped out there. I don't know whether they've
been moved on over the course of the weekend, but
we really seem to have a situation where we've got
quite a large number of people camping around the city,
camping around in public places and drinking at the moment,
do you feel as other measures I know that you've
introduced these changes last week, but do you feel as
(07:36):
other measures that we've got at the moment are actually working.
I know that we have still got the likes of
Larachie Nation patrolling. Is all of that working?
Speaker 2 (07:46):
Yeah, I agree, Katie. At certain times of the year,
there's more people who come to town, and it's about
making sure we get on top of that. So we've
recently just put some extra dollars in There's treasure, I
put some extra dollars into the Return to Country program
to get people who are in town back home to
their communities. So that's one aspect of that. But it
(08:07):
is around making sure that there's like transit safety officers,
people police officers, our security guards that are transit safety,
our bus interchanges can actually tip out alcohol and then
that sends really strong messages to people that you can't
drink in these public places. The other one was and
that was through that Liquor Amendment bill. At a bottle shop,
(08:29):
the bottle shop operator can refuse service if someone can't
state where they're going to consume the alcohol. So that's
a really important one as well, so that there were
three parts to that legislation. The transit safety officers, increase
findes for people who won't leave the premises, but also
to be able to refuse service if someone can't say
(08:51):
where they're going to actually be able to consume, which
residents and where they're going to be able to where
they're going to be consuming alcohol. So to me, it's
continuing to tie. And I always use the analogy of
the balloon with alcohol, you continue to tighten to try
to make sure you know, the scourge of the Northern
Territory is alcohol consumption. So that Liquor Amendment Bill was
around that and the colp supported it. They could understand
(09:14):
how important.
Speaker 1 (09:14):
It was to yeah, well this is the thing. It's
something we've been grappling with for such a long period
of time. Chief Andster a few quick ones. Just firstly,
has there been an update on the Barkley Regional Council.
I understand a decision around the council was due around
the fifteenth of May.
Speaker 2 (09:30):
Actually I haven't seen the latest on that. There was,
as you say, a report that's gone around the Barkley
Regional Council I can check on that, but yeah, we
do need to see we do need to see a
council in place in the Barkley. And there's been very
frustrating in the Barkley because you've had the council in trouble.
Basically you've had Jlalakari as well in the community who
(09:51):
have run into some financial strife. So yeah, tough for
the tougher Tenant Creek, tough for the Barkley as well.
But I haven't got the latest on it, but I
do know that there was an independent report that was
being done around recommendations on how to improve governance in
the Barkley.
Speaker 1 (10:07):
All right, we might try to follow that up with
your office. Just another one. On the week that was
last week, Robin Lamley had raised the issue that had
been included in a report by the Order to General
Julie crisp So. In her May report, the Order to
General had said around the ship lift that key decisions
made surrounding the five hundred and fifteen million dollar Doo
and Shiplift project were not subject to governance oversight. It
(10:31):
included a land deal that, in exchange for four land
parcels from Pass Bailey saw the government transport transfer. I
should say that fifteen point one hectares of land and
sea to the company and Lisa further land parcel at
nominal value in order to construct the private marine facility
to be owned by the company. So the report which
was tabled last week identified that evidence to support key
(10:54):
decisions made by the government. Well that was that some
of that detail was not provided for audited scrutiny to
the Order to General. I mean, this is taxpayer's money.
Why was the information not provided?
Speaker 2 (11:08):
So a lot of a lot of that information and
we know that a lot of money. It's a half
a billion dollar project, but a lot of that those
negotiations have to be commercial in confidence. That's the reality
when you're dealing with a big project like that. So
some of those decisions or most of those decisions at
key points had to go to cabinets for cabinet backing
(11:29):
around the directions that it was going in. So, I mean,
the Orders to General is doing her job, but you know,
those decisions and when they are made and who don't
necessarily need to be out in the public arena, And
that's the fact around.
Speaker 1 (11:45):
I get that. I understand that there is obviously, you
know the Cabinet in confidence, and that there is also
a situation where you know where you are trying to
make sure that you're getting the best possible deal I
would hope for territories. But the report said that there
was no documented evidence based in OLLE modeling, risk assessments,
or cost and benefit analysis provided to support some of
(12:06):
those key decisions. I mean, many people listening would think
to themselves, surely that is paramount to be making sure
that we're getting the best value for dollar for territory
ins tax Bay a dollar.
Speaker 2 (12:18):
Yes, I mean, and I mean if you read the report,
it's actually it steps out the timeline and we can
go back to I think it was twenty fifteen Adam Giles,
and that's been also reported by the Order to the General.
Adam Giles set this project up on a certain trajectory.
So there was land that was given to PASPAILI. Then
there was also one hundred million dollars that the Anti
(12:40):
government was going to allocate as well to that project,
and it was going to be owned and run by
pass Malee. So then there's been a whole heap of
work around where this project's gone. This project now is
owned owned by government. So the land is and the
area there that we're developing the ship lift is government land,
(13:03):
so where we've actually got the ship lift now. So
there has been some twists and turns and some changes
around that. As I said, anybody who's interested can go
and read the there's a timeline there around it. There.
Plus BMD now has that project four hundred and nineteen
million dollars, I announced Pearlson, who are going to be
the company that's doing the actual ship lifting component forty
(13:24):
eight million dollars. There's territory companies that are involved through
the acquirrying work. But as I said, some of those
some of those decisions are made behind closed doors, and
that's the fact. In order to general she's done her
work around that. But you know that's that's so you're confident,
you are.
Speaker 1 (13:41):
You're confident that we're getting the best possible deal for
territorians and that there's there's not any wastage of money.
Speaker 2 (13:48):
Absolutely, and said I've had discussions and conversations with Defense
as well. They can see the absolute benefit of this
project and it's our it's a step to another industry
in the territory. Having a maritime industry is really important
for us. As I said, we rely on mining, we
rely on on toil and gas. This is another option
for the territory having a strong maritime industry. We know
(14:09):
how strategically well worth placed. We also know the importance
with defense into the future. So this is a really
exciting project. I was out there about probably ten days ago.
There's excavators out there, there's dirt being moved, there's work
actually happening on the ship list, which is good to.
Speaker 1 (14:26):
See, Chief Minister. The COLP has released a statement this
morning saying that almost one thousand Northern Territory public service
employees have been the victim of an assault between July
twenty twenty two and March last year. That's according to
figures which have been obtained by the COLP. Now the
data shows nine hundred and fifty nine employees were either
assaulted or subjected to criminal behavior while going about their work.
(14:50):
The COLP opposition is saying that minimum sentence length should
be introduced for assaulting workers. Is this something that the
government's going to look at implementing.
Speaker 2 (15:00):
So yeah, First of all, nobody wants to see anybody
be abused or assaulted at work. And when we talk
about public servants. We're talking about police, correctional officers, you know,
health workers, nurses, even teachers. I mean I've been there
where I've been assaulted by a child when I was
principal and a teacher as well, and for varying reasons.
(15:22):
Often these children with a whole heap of behavioral issues.
So nobody wants to see anybody assaulted. And you know,
the CLP those facts and figures are ones that are
available to government. That's what the Office's Public Employment has
that data. There are already there are already strong imprisonments
and I think it's about sixteen years for assaults on workers.
(15:43):
So there is a well, you know it's never enough,
but you know, these are difficult. Often we're seeing people
at their very worst, so particularly people with mental health issues.
Alcohol is a huge issue going into our hospital systems
with police. But yeah, it's never enough really but again
(16:05):
there is up to sixteen years imprisonment for an assault
on a worker. But again that's why we've bought in
OC spray for our Transit Safety Office for example, So
that was when I was the Transport Minister, making sure
our transit safety officers can use their OC spray. So
it's one that you'll continue to do, continue to work on.
But you know, people just need to behave themselves and
(16:26):
actually have a bit of a bit of respect for
public servants.
Speaker 1 (16:29):
Chief Minister. We know parliament resumes this week. I'm going
to get to that in just a moment, but I
want to take you across to a listener question that
came through last week and it's around victims of crime,
and the question asks what do both the opposition leader
and also you as the leader of government plan to
do to support victims of crime. This person says that
they're only able to access support once. Well we know
(16:52):
that it is only able to be accessed there saying
once a year. But just to the specifics of this person,
and I need to be a bit careful here because
they do not like they can't be identified, but they
are still waiting on the court system. But they have
said where are you for the victims of crime? This
person's wife was was killed And again I'm not going
(17:16):
to go into to further detail because I don't want
to identify them, but they have said when it comes
to you know, their lives have been completely destroyed. They
can't live a normal life. They can't live in their home.
And as for financial support, well, it's even worse. For example,
we had a mortgage of six hundred and twenty dollars
(17:37):
a week. We had to walk away from our home
and rent a house. Now we you know, we were
on a double income. His wife is no longer with them,
so he's obviously juggling being on a single income, having
to move into a new home. And you know, saying,
where is both the government? What are the government's plans
(17:57):
And we'll ask this of the opposition as well, plans
to support people who are victims of crime. And in
this instance, we're talking about the most you know, the
most terribly tragic situation.
Speaker 2 (18:09):
Yeah, as I said, horrific sounds terrible. So Katie, we
have recently, so from the mid year, we have put
more money into victims of crime. I think it's about
five point seven million dollars boost from mid year, so
we have put a lot more money into victims of crime.
And I know, I mean the maximum I think is
about forty thousand dollars. But I mean, I'm more than
(18:31):
happy if that person wants to contact my office around
specifics because I know obviously we can't talk on the
line around this, But you know, the victims of crime,
money does cover some around earnings or personal medical costs
and you know, resecuring your homes. But I mean this
one is an extreme example obviously. Yeah, but yeah, I'm
(18:52):
more than happy to have a conversation or work out
what can be done around that one.
Speaker 1 (18:56):
Yeah, look, we might, we might get you in contact.
If that person is for us to put the being contact,
we will do that. Can I just go? I'll peel
it back a little bit to those victims of crime
then that are maybe homeowners or business owners. Is it
a situation where they can only access support once a year?
Speaker 2 (19:13):
I thought it was three times a year. Again, I
will check on that. I thought it was three times
a year that they could access it. The maximums forty
thousand dollars, But around vehicles, I think it's four hundred dollars.
And I think most most people have their vehicles insured,
so there's that option as well. But I know it
the impacts then around their own personal insurance. But the maximum,
(19:35):
my understanding is the maximum is forty thousand dollars. We've
got about eleven point three million dollars now in that
bucket as I said, we have increased it. But of
course that's why we're you know, that's why we continue
to invest in another five hundred and seventy million dollars
into police. That's why we're bring in curfew legislation. You know,
my focus is absolutely on reducing crime in the Northern Territory.
(19:56):
Cheap day is when we have no stories, or good
weekend is when we're in stories about crime in the terity.
Speaker 1 (20:02):
Just quickly before I let you go, we know that
Parliament does resume this week. We've already spoken about some
of that legislation around the curfew. I understand that the
royalties legislation or around the mining that is going to
be passed this week. There's also an announcement happening around
Charles Dalwin University. What is on the agenda?
Speaker 2 (20:20):
Yeah, So a big one for me is the ad valorum.
So we're changing our royalty scheme from a profit based
to a value based royalty scheme. And I know that
will be good news for our mining industry because it
will be a simple competitive royalty scheme to encourage and
provide that certainty to our miners. But for the terrotory,
(20:40):
it will also see you know that's the aim is
to see more minds in the Northern Territory. So that
advalrum scheme will have four categories and depending on the
amount of processing, the lower the royalty will be. So
if you have substantial treatment of the ore that you've extracted,
you'll have a lower royalty scheme. So it'll range from
(21:01):
seven point five percent if you just you know, you're
just digging it out of the ground basically and crushing it,
down to two point five if you're fully processing it
to you know, an oxide or an are So yeah,
that will be legislation that I'll be introduced. I mean
I've introduced that will debate this week. But I think
it's a really important one for the Northern Territory around
(21:23):
that every other state has an adlorum scheme. We've have
had a profit based one. It's been in post I
think since the nineteen eighty So it's a solid change
to our legislation which will be an exciting one big change.
And obviously the curfew legislation will be debated as well.
So yeah, a good week in parliament. They're not Katie.
Can I just say this, This will be actually our
(21:45):
government's last full week of Parliament will then go into
estimates and then after estimates you have one day to
pass the budget. So this is the last full week
of our term of government. And I must say, you know,
and I'm not boasting here, but we have a very
we do it very very well with you know, our
labor government has been very strategic. I know a lot
of people don't watch parliament, a lot of people aren't
(22:08):
interested in parliament, but we do it very very well.
We're very strategic. We have done a great job as
a government around our parliamentary legislation. And I should get
the facts, but I think we probably have past the
most legislation of any government in history of in order territory.
Speaker 1 (22:24):
Well, you have had a big majority for quite some time.
Chief easier to do so.
Speaker 2 (22:29):
Counts the first term and there's only two of them.
Yea a government.
Speaker 1 (22:33):
I mean, well, I would expect you to say that
as the Chiefmentess, so I would expect you to certainly
be promoting the achieve their.
Speaker 2 (22:39):
General business day. The SELP completely stuff their sealped their
general business Day last Wednesday, and anybody who watched Parliament
would see that. So we're doing we do very well.
When it comes to Parliament, so you know that's that's
part of the equation. That's part of what you do
as a politician. But a lot of people don't watch
it or care.
Speaker 1 (22:56):
But no, well look what sometimes we sometimes we replay
the audio so that they get a bit of a
taste very quick. One senior Territory bureaucrat, Sean drabs he's
going to be leaving the Northern Territory Public Service in August.
I mean, was this a forced retirement?
Speaker 2 (23:13):
No, no, no, no, no no. He thinks he's at
the age where he needs to slow down a bit,
spend some more time with his wife and he and
his mother and they bought a property in Queensland. I
don't think he minds me saying that, And he's going
to be retiring to Queensland. I'm sure he'll still do
some bits and pieces, but he's had a big five
(23:36):
years in the Northern Territory. Tough job. Our CEO's are
tough jobs. I must say that there's a lot to
keep them very busy. But I'll no doubt talk more
closer to August around Shawn's career. But I thank Sean
for being an outstanding public Servant.
Speaker 1 (23:51):
Chief Minister Evil Lawler. We better leave it there. Thank
you so much for your time this morning.
Speaker 2 (23:56):
Thanks Katie, thank you
Popular Podcasts
Bookmarked by Reese's Book Club
Welcome to Bookmarked by Reese’s Book Club — the podcast where great stories, bold women, and irresistible conversations collide! Hosted by award-winning journalist Danielle Robay, each week new episodes balance thoughtful literary insight with the fervor of buzzy book trends, pop culture and more. Bookmarked brings together celebrities, tastemakers, influencers and authors from Reese's Book Club and beyond to share stories that transcend the page. Pull up a chair. You’re not just listening — you’re part of the conversation.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!