November 25, 2025 • 8 mins
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Parliament sitting this week as well, and I've got the
Opposition leader Selena Ubo on the line. Good morning, Selena,
Good morning Katie.
Speaker 2 (00:06):
Good morning to you listeners. And hope everyone's doing well
after the massive weekend.
Speaker 1 (00:10):
Oh I know it was a big weekend. Were you
in Catherine or were you up here?
Speaker 2 (00:14):
I was in Catherine, Katie. My sister's been in hospital,
so I took the two little ones away. My elderly
dad didn't have to look at the look after their
money's owned during the yeah, Parkland periods, so it's just
him at the teenage niece and a couple of cats,
so a bit more quiet for him.
Speaker 1 (00:31):
Yeah, I'll be well. Look, I hope all of your
family's okay as well. It's been a big few days
for everybody, hasn't it. It has absolutely Hey, Selena, I'll
go back to the power lines in just a moment
before we get there.
Speaker 2 (00:43):
Though.
Speaker 1 (00:43):
The Chief Minister or the government announcing this morning that
they're going to be quadrupling the length of the band
drinking orders, with the Chief Minister saying the move is
backed by the police community. So she said that she's
announcing that they're further increasing public drinking bands, the seven
day band drinker what there is going to move to
twenty eight days from next month. I know you probably
(01:04):
haven't seen a lot of detail at this point, but
what's your what's your reaction? Is this a good move?
Speaker 2 (01:10):
Yeah, Katie, I think that the announcement is pretty straightforward
to increase that band. So it's basically a month ban.
If you do get put on a bdo the band
drinker order. I think that you know, we could recognize,
we've said this many times as a territory labor tea
when we're in government and also while we're in opposition,
that alcohol fueled violence in the Northern Territory is unfortunately
(01:32):
a big contributor to the crime and the violence that
we see across all of the Northern Territory. So if
this is a way to provide a bit of relief
and reprieve, particularly for police, then I think it's a positive.
But also want to think about it not being a
band aid solution, Katie. So are there some other medium
and long term measures that the seal Pick government are
going to focus on. That's what we'd be really keen
(01:54):
to understand. But I think it's a pretty straightforward announcement today.
Speaker 1 (01:57):
Look, we don't have a huge amount of detail at
the moment, but we'll certainly see what else we can
find out. Hey, Obviously, the discussion over the weekend moved
to power lines following on from the cyclone. I know
that you've called on the COLP to immediately reinstate the
underground power program for the northern suburbs of Darwin. As
we know, of course, more than nineteen five hundred households
(02:19):
lost power during FINA. Many of those households will some
still waiting for their power to be restored. Why do
you reckon this needs to happen urgently following cyclone Fena.
Speaker 2 (02:31):
Yeah, O, Katie, there was thirteen suburbs on the programmed list.
It was a costed case. It was when we were
in government. Labor invested sixty million dollars to this program,
thirteen suburbs over thirteen excusing over ten years to be
able to get that high voltage underground for safety essentially,
and particularly for reasons like what we've seen over the weekend.
(02:54):
Just less disruption, more connectivity, more safety when it comes
to the extreme weather events that only got to get
worse due to climate change. Katie but making sure that
we have a program that I guess future proofs some
of that safety for territorians. And obviously Darwen is our
capital city. We deserve to be able to see that
investment for territorians. And it's not just about cycling seasons,
(03:16):
about all the som seasons. We go through wet seasons
every year, so we's the preparedness in the long term.
So that's why I wanted to reinvigorate that really important conversation.
Speaker 1 (03:24):
Look, I don't disagree, but I know that straight up
people are going to say, if it was so important,
why didn't Labor get it sorted over the last eight years.
You know, some will be saying you should have you know,
you didn't own like that Labor didn't only restart it. Well,
you didn't after Marcus. So there will be people that
are kind of listening this morning going hang on a second,
(03:47):
you know you're playing politics.
Speaker 2 (03:48):
Here, No, Katie, if you look back at the time frame,
and I understand definitely people will sort of look at
that surface level, but in terms of the detail, we
completed nine underground schools. That was a priority because of
schools being used as emergency evacuation sensors, shelters like what
we've seen just on the recent happenings of the weekend
(04:08):
with cyclone Feenas. So nine schools were completed. That was
eight government schools and one Catholic school to be able
to have that stability in times of need, of course,
and not just for Darwin, but when people do get
evacuated for other weather events across the Northern territory. So
that was a three year program. Once that was completed, Katie,
then we committed to the ten year program for the
(04:29):
thirteen suburbs that was announced in twenty twenty two, and
all the planning that goes with that. It's very technical.
I learned a lot. I had the Essential Services portfolio
for a time, so I learned a lot about the
technical side of power and water and how all of
that connects in and the linking for particularly that program,
the Underground Powers program. But what happens when a government
(04:52):
of any persuasion cuts a program, Katie, it puts us
all back. So you know, if you do want to
play politics, the COLP cut it in twenty two, Well,
we recommitted in twenty nineteen, invested in twenty twenty two.
It's been cut in twenty twenty five by the CLP.
Again when you have to play catch up.
Speaker 1 (05:10):
The other part of the argument is how do we
fund it? You know, because I think that a lot
of people would actually love to see the underground power lines,
but how do we fund it? Now? I am going
to be speaking to the Minister for Northern Australia after you,
Madeline King. I mean, should we be lobbying the federal
government here for some additional funding.
Speaker 2 (05:27):
I think that could be part of the conversation. But
it's also what's the priorities of the government. So whether
it's a CLP territory government or a labor territory government, Katie,
what are the priorities? What is the CLP planning to
use at sixty million? Well, we heard from the Treasurer
and May it looks like they're wanting to build a
new prison. Would people prefer underground power would they prefer
a new hospital? They're the kind of conversations what if
(05:48):
the government doing that is going to benefit territorians in
general in the long term and at the moment there
are no plans about any of that money, Katie, So
we're really going to push the CLP government, particularly in
their budget for next year. What are they actually planning
to invest in territory and future.
Speaker 1 (06:05):
I think they're all fair discussions to have, Selena before
I let you go. We know this morning will overnight.
Of course the Northern territories. The Northern Territory made those changes.
Certainly in Parliament. Those changes have been made now as
I understand when it comes to will our eye Caack
and our different integrity Commission. So Parliament last night approving
the Integrity and Ethics Commissioner Bill of twenty twenty five,
(06:28):
not without some opposition though, how to go from your perspective.
Speaker 2 (06:33):
Yeah, Katie. Originally when this was proposed and introduced by
the Government, it was something that I welcome and I
think I spoke to you about it a couple of
weeks ago in October about that. The detail of the
bill though, has been we feel not satisfactory in a
really quite critical time to focus on the improvements of
(06:54):
integrity and ethics with this bill and the commission that
will be established. So it is putting together a couple
of the integrity bodies on Budsman's Office, health complaints offers,
the k pard me into kind of one super Commission.
Our concerns and the opposition is there's no extra resources.
I feel that this is sort of a cost saving measure,
(07:14):
but there's no extra resources to really make this commission
function properly, which I think we spoke about it. The
ACT Human Rights Commission was the model that this sort
of framework was being laid on a very different obviously,
pardon me. We want territory context for territory legislation, but
we feel that this has sort of been a bit
of a half baked process by the CLP and opportunity
(07:36):
really missed to improve and to provide people confidence that
our integrity bodies are able to do the work that
we expect, to show that our public offices and our
institutions are doing their job probably well.
Speaker 1 (07:50):
We will no doubt talk more about that probably on
the week that was on Friday. Selena, you'vo really good
to speak to you this morning. Appreciate your time.
Speaker 2 (07:58):
Thanks so much, Katie, have a great day.
Speaker 1 (08:00):
Thank you.
Parliament sitting this week as well, and I've got the
Opposition leader Selena Ubo on the line. Good morning, Selena,
Good morning Katie.
Speaker 2 (00:06):
Good morning to you listeners. And hope everyone's doing well
after the massive weekend.
Speaker 1 (00:10):
Oh I know it was a big weekend. Were you
in Catherine or were you up here?
Speaker 2 (00:14):
I was in Catherine, Katie. My sister's been in hospital,
so I took the two little ones away. My elderly
dad didn't have to look at the look after their
money's owned during the yeah, Parkland periods, so it's just
him at the teenage niece and a couple of cats,
so a bit more quiet for him.
Speaker 1 (00:31):
Yeah, I'll be well. Look, I hope all of your
family's okay as well. It's been a big few days
for everybody, hasn't it. It has absolutely Hey, Selena, I'll
go back to the power lines in just a moment
before we get there.
Speaker 2 (00:43):
Though.
Speaker 1 (00:43):
The Chief Minister or the government announcing this morning that
they're going to be quadrupling the length of the band
drinking orders, with the Chief Minister saying the move is
backed by the police community. So she said that she's
announcing that they're further increasing public drinking bands, the seven
day band drinker what there is going to move to
twenty eight days from next month. I know you probably
(01:04):
haven't seen a lot of detail at this point, but
what's your what's your reaction? Is this a good move?
Speaker 2 (01:10):
Yeah, Katie, I think that the announcement is pretty straightforward
to increase that band. So it's basically a month ban.
If you do get put on a bdo the band
drinker order. I think that you know, we could recognize,
we've said this many times as a territory labor tea
when we're in government and also while we're in opposition,
that alcohol fueled violence in the Northern Territory is unfortunately
(01:32):
a big contributor to the crime and the violence that
we see across all of the Northern Territory. So if
this is a way to provide a bit of relief
and reprieve, particularly for police, then I think it's a positive.
But also want to think about it not being a
band aid solution, Katie. So are there some other medium
and long term measures that the seal Pick government are
going to focus on. That's what we'd be really keen
(01:54):
to understand. But I think it's a pretty straightforward announcement today.
Speaker 1 (01:57):
Look, we don't have a huge amount of detail at
the moment, but we'll certainly see what else we can
find out. Hey, Obviously, the discussion over the weekend moved
to power lines following on from the cyclone. I know
that you've called on the COLP to immediately reinstate the
underground power program for the northern suburbs of Darwin. As
we know, of course, more than nineteen five hundred households
(02:19):
lost power during FINA. Many of those households will some
still waiting for their power to be restored. Why do
you reckon this needs to happen urgently following cyclone Fena.
Speaker 2 (02:31):
Yeah, O, Katie, there was thirteen suburbs on the programmed list.
It was a costed case. It was when we were
in government. Labor invested sixty million dollars to this program,
thirteen suburbs over thirteen excusing over ten years to be
able to get that high voltage underground for safety essentially,
and particularly for reasons like what we've seen over the weekend.
(02:54):
Just less disruption, more connectivity, more safety when it comes
to the extreme weather events that only got to get
worse due to climate change. Katie but making sure that
we have a program that I guess future proofs some
of that safety for territorians. And obviously Darwen is our
capital city. We deserve to be able to see that
investment for territorians. And it's not just about cycling seasons,
(03:16):
about all the som seasons. We go through wet seasons
every year, so we's the preparedness in the long term.
So that's why I wanted to reinvigorate that really important conversation.
Speaker 1 (03:24):
Look, I don't disagree, but I know that straight up
people are going to say, if it was so important,
why didn't Labor get it sorted over the last eight years.
You know, some will be saying you should have you know,
you didn't own like that Labor didn't only restart it. Well,
you didn't after Marcus. So there will be people that
are kind of listening this morning going hang on a second,
(03:47):
you know you're playing politics.
Speaker 2 (03:48):
Here, No, Katie, if you look back at the time frame,
and I understand definitely people will sort of look at
that surface level, but in terms of the detail, we
completed nine underground schools. That was a priority because of
schools being used as emergency evacuation sensors, shelters like what
we've seen just on the recent happenings of the weekend
(04:08):
with cyclone Feenas. So nine schools were completed. That was
eight government schools and one Catholic school to be able
to have that stability in times of need, of course,
and not just for Darwin, but when people do get
evacuated for other weather events across the Northern territory. So
that was a three year program. Once that was completed, Katie,
then we committed to the ten year program for the
(04:29):
thirteen suburbs that was announced in twenty twenty two, and
all the planning that goes with that. It's very technical.
I learned a lot. I had the Essential Services portfolio
for a time, so I learned a lot about the
technical side of power and water and how all of
that connects in and the linking for particularly that program,
the Underground Powers program. But what happens when a government
(04:52):
of any persuasion cuts a program, Katie, it puts us
all back. So you know, if you do want to
play politics, the COLP cut it in twenty two, Well,
we recommitted in twenty nineteen, invested in twenty twenty two.
It's been cut in twenty twenty five by the CLP.
Again when you have to play catch up.
Speaker 1 (05:10):
The other part of the argument is how do we
fund it? You know, because I think that a lot
of people would actually love to see the underground power lines,
but how do we fund it? Now? I am going
to be speaking to the Minister for Northern Australia after you,
Madeline King. I mean, should we be lobbying the federal
government here for some additional funding.
Speaker 2 (05:27):
I think that could be part of the conversation. But
it's also what's the priorities of the government. So whether
it's a CLP territory government or a labor territory government, Katie,
what are the priorities? What is the CLP planning to
use at sixty million? Well, we heard from the Treasurer
and May it looks like they're wanting to build a
new prison. Would people prefer underground power would they prefer
a new hospital? They're the kind of conversations what if
(05:48):
the government doing that is going to benefit territorians in
general in the long term and at the moment there
are no plans about any of that money, Katie, So
we're really going to push the CLP government, particularly in
their budget for next year. What are they actually planning
to invest in territory and future.
Speaker 1 (06:05):
I think they're all fair discussions to have, Selena before
I let you go. We know this morning will overnight.
Of course the Northern territories. The Northern Territory made those changes.
Certainly in Parliament. Those changes have been made now as
I understand when it comes to will our eye Caack
and our different integrity Commission. So Parliament last night approving
the Integrity and Ethics Commissioner Bill of twenty twenty five,
(06:28):
not without some opposition though, how to go from your perspective.
Speaker 2 (06:33):
Yeah, Katie. Originally when this was proposed and introduced by
the Government, it was something that I welcome and I
think I spoke to you about it a couple of
weeks ago in October about that. The detail of the
bill though, has been we feel not satisfactory in a
really quite critical time to focus on the improvements of
(06:54):
integrity and ethics with this bill and the commission that
will be established. So it is putting together a couple
of the integrity bodies on Budsman's Office, health complaints offers,
the k pard me into kind of one super Commission.
Our concerns and the opposition is there's no extra resources.
I feel that this is sort of a cost saving measure,
(07:14):
but there's no extra resources to really make this commission
function properly, which I think we spoke about it. The
ACT Human Rights Commission was the model that this sort
of framework was being laid on a very different obviously,
pardon me. We want territory context for territory legislation, but
we feel that this has sort of been a bit
of a half baked process by the CLP and opportunity
(07:36):
really missed to improve and to provide people confidence that
our integrity bodies are able to do the work that
we expect, to show that our public offices and our
institutions are doing their job probably well.
Speaker 1 (07:50):
We will no doubt talk more about that probably on
the week that was on Friday. Selena, you'vo really good
to speak to you this morning. Appreciate your time.
Speaker 2 (07:58):
Thanks so much, Katie, have a great day.
Speaker 1 (08:00):
Thank you.
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