Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Now, Parliament is back on in the Northern Territory this
week and there's plenty on the agenda with the rollout
of OC spray getting underway on Monday. Now, we learned
there'd been more than two hundred and fifty Territorians to
purchase OC spray on that first day of sales in
the NT, and we heard from the Chief Minister that
the systems in place immediately identified four people who were
(00:21):
ineligible to buy that spray. One is believed to have
been served with a notice to appear. Now, the average
age of the OC spray buyer is forty seven years old.
The Opposition leader Selena Ubo joins me on the line.
Good morning to you, Selena.
Speaker 2 (00:37):
Good morning Katie.
Speaker 1 (00:38):
Good to have you on the show. Now, Selena, more
than two hundred and fifty sales on that first day,
the system immediately pinned four people who were ineligible. What
do you make of those numbers?
Speaker 2 (00:51):
Yeah, I think it's interesting. There's been obviously a lot
of talk about the OC spray being available to the public.
Will it keep the community safer? The only time will tell.
But I think people who've wanted to get the OC
spray have gone out and got it.
Speaker 1 (01:05):
Do you reckon in terms of those four people. I
don't know whether there were many questions asked about this
yesterday in parliament, but in terms of those four people
that were pinned for being ineligible, do you know if like,
did the government have much to say yesterday about whether
they've now returned that OC spray or not.
Speaker 2 (01:23):
Yeah, Katie, I think yesterday it was eight people on
the prohibited person's list and six of the sprays were
retrieved from within the eighth, so I believe there's two
others that the police may be trying to track down.
So I'm sure we'll get an update. We'll hope we
get an update on that at some point today. I mean,
if the system's in place and it's doing its job,
that's great. We only, of course call and make sure
(01:46):
that the government's doing their job and making sure they
can continue to work on mechanisms and processes and programs
that are going to keep our community safe in the
long run. We know this is a I'm all change
for the tech, well big change for the territory, but
you know, a small focus in terms of community safety.
(02:07):
We want to make sure that that big focus on
long term community safety remains a priority of the government.
Speaker 1 (02:12):
Look, we're going to catch up with the Northern Territory
Police after ten o'clock this morning, so I'll try and
find out what the go is with those eight people
and with those you know, with the further sprays that
need to be returned. Selena, what do you reckon needs
to be monitored over the next twelve months while this
trial is underway to determine whether it is a success
or not.
Speaker 2 (02:32):
Yeah, Katie, I think the biggest thing that I've heard
is around misuse, and of course we don't want anyone
across the territory to be purchasing OC spray or getting
their hands on OC spray and misusing it in the
incorrect way. That will be the biggest thing my team
and I keep an eye on because that's what's been
articulated to us and the concerns that have been questioned
(02:53):
to us. We haven't received necessarily the answers from government
on that. We'll continue to monitor that, of course, But
if the retailers are happy with the process and they're
feeling comfortable, I think that's a good thing. Katie. The
people who purchased the OC spray, if they're feeling a
bit more safer and having that to keep them safe
in the community. That's a positive for them. We want
(03:14):
to make sure that there's no negative impact on the
community overall.
Speaker 1 (03:17):
Selena. Yesterday, Will Chance he made headlines after he suggested
that members of the COLP should be sprayed with OC
spray outside of Parliament if they're that confident with its use.
Speaker 2 (03:30):
Do you agree, Chance, he's been a bit cheeky too.
I mean we've heard from on a serious note though,
we've heard from police that the trained officers police and
also the transit officers. Anyone who's using OC spray in
a professional manner and a trained manner, they do have
to undergo that training, which does include being sprayed themselves
(03:53):
in that training, so that they know what the consequence, start,
the impact and what the mobility of a person who
is going to be spray in the face. What that
then allows them to do around that, you know, the
care and protection across the community in their roles. I think,
you know she is a bit cheeky of Chancey, of course,
I know, but I mean the police do it. You know,
(04:13):
the government's brought this in.
Speaker 1 (04:17):
Well, look, I do think it's worth noting though that
my understanding of the OC spray that is available to
us members of the public is not as high strength
as what the Northern Territory police use. But then I
have heard that discussion about sort of the duty of
care for people if you do spray somebody, but you know,
if someone's trying to attack you on you know, like
while you're out for a runner. If somebody tries to
(04:38):
sexually assault you and you spray them, then what are
you expected to render them assistance after they've tried to
inappropriately touch you? Like, I'm just not sure you know
where the lines are?
Speaker 2 (04:49):
Yeah, And Katie, I think that's probably a big concern
around the unanswered questions because there's been so many hypotheticals
that have been brought to our attention which we can't
answer and the government can answer either. So you know,
when we're talking about what is there a duty care?
Is there a liability? What happens after? What if someone
(05:10):
didn't have, you know, a malicious intent and was wrongly
you know, anticipated that they did. Like there's all these
different scenarios that we just we just can't answer, and
the government hasn't necessarily put out you know, a fax,
which is you know, the frequently asked questions around this,
and I think that would probably help people were going, well,
a scenario X, and this would be the consequence scenario
(05:32):
why this would be the consequence. So I think that
would really help, you know, I've been asking that for
the last week now, a frequently asked questions sort of
fact sheet, and I think that would help the general
community and plug in all these you know, unusual situations
that come to mind and unfortunately some real situations that
people have found themselves in. What would then be the
consequence around an action an impact for the OC spray
(05:56):
And I think if people can get a little bit
of clarity around that, I think that'll put people's maybe
give people a bit more peace of mind.
Speaker 1 (06:04):
Selena, let's move along. I know that the colp's proposed
changes to antidiscrimination legislation have been put on whold with
the government continuing talks with stakeholders. Is what they've said.
Is this a good move from your perspective?
Speaker 2 (06:18):
Well, I think this highlights Katie that unfortunately the government
hasn't been doing their job whilst they have been focused
on crime, law and order, which is of course a
huge variety across the Northern Territory. That really dropped the
ball on this one. They've had the time to be
able to go out and consult, which is what people
expect from a government. They did not send this very
important piece of legislation to the Scrutiny Committee, which is
(06:40):
what we've seen with six pieces of legislation out of
the twenty nine laws that have come to the Territory
Parliament so far. So this was something that we have
heard lots and lots of different takes on what people
want to see in or out of the Any Discrimination Bill. Unfortunately,
has not been a lot of consultation around this. That's
(07:03):
been a big concern and the government's found themselves at
a bit of a blunder with this one. Katie, do
you reckon.
Speaker 1 (07:07):
They're doing it? Do you think they're pandering to certain
groups or what do you thinks going on?
Speaker 2 (07:12):
I think absolutely, I think they have not kept their
eye on this very important bill. They've underestimated the impact
on the terris story, on the community, on stakeholders, on
community groups, on organizations, on our faith based sector. They
haven't done the hard work and the heavy lifting that
is expected of a bill of this type of complexity, Katie, And.
Speaker 1 (07:32):
So what do you reckon needs to happen from this
point with these bills, Seleater. I mean they're obviously they're
saying it's going to forward your head, but it's going
to take more time. By the sounds of it, you've
got concerns that they are pandering to certain groups. So
we're too from here.
Speaker 2 (07:45):
Well, we've been conducting our own round table sessions ourselves
in the timeframe that we expected the bill to be
put forward. We know as early as last week, Katie,
the Attorney General, Mari Clear Boothby wrote to stakeholders saying,
you know the Ended Discrimination Bill will come on this
Parliament sittings in September. It's obviously not now. They do
(08:06):
have time to be able to go out and consult properly,
which is what we hope they do. Also means us
in opposition, Katie, we can continue to do some of
our own work and particularly around roundtables and connections across
different community sector about the bill. That's not necessarily a
bad thing, but it just shows that if the ball
is dropped by the government, it does have a big
(08:27):
impact and it's really upset quite a lot of people
who have been anticipating this week and particularly the changes,
whether they want changes or don't want the changes. There's
a bit of a heightened state around this particular bill.
It does need to be done with care and we
can only hope the government's actually going to do their job. Now.
Speaker 1 (08:44):
Now, I want to ask you yesterday or the day before,
actually it was revealed that a major gas facility in
Darwin has been leaking methane for nearly two decades now.
We spoke to the Environment Centers Kirsty Howie about this
on the show yesterday, about the Santos owned LNG tank
near Wickham and the claims that it's been leaking methane
since two thousand and six. Now Santos has not been
(09:06):
asked to solve that issue, despite the anti regulators allegedly
learning of that leak in twenty twenty. We did read
out a statement several times yesterday from Santos. Now Labor
was obviously in power at that time twenty twenty. Did
you have any idea why the public were not notified?
Speaker 2 (09:24):
Well, this is a huge concern for us in opposition
because we were in government for eight years and this
was not flagged to us at all. Case really, I
think that's a huge concern. I was a minister for
six years towards the second half of sorry in the
second term of our labor government. That's when we were
aware of the black Tip and the reservations of gas
(09:46):
going low there and that was very stressful. But nothing
about the methane leak at all. And it was the
Environment Center of the Northern Territory who brought it to
our attention as well. So how could the community the
expectation that we see, you know, our big industries in
the Northern Territory adhering to particular regulations around the environment
(10:07):
and workplace safety. How could something like this go on
for that many years and government not know about it.
It's quite phenomenal.
Speaker 1 (10:14):
And so but when the NT regulators allegedly did learn
of that leak in twenty twenty, I mean, did you
you became aware of it? Then? I'm assuming no, not
at all.
Speaker 2 (10:24):
This was literally brought to my attension last week case Jodjo.
It is not absolutely serious and that is a huge concern.
I think the questions around has there been an environmental impact,
what's going to be done now that it is known,
and it's been uncovered that this has been going on
for so long.
Speaker 1 (10:43):
I think, So do you think's to blame for? Like,
who do you think is to blame for you guys,
like when you were even in like when you're in government,
for you guys not being notified? Was it the department?
Speaker 2 (10:52):
Was it?
Speaker 1 (10:53):
You know? Like why were you like were you I
know you were a minister at that time as well?
Why was the whole cabinet not notified?
Speaker 2 (11:02):
Yeah, I don't want to focus on blame game, but
I do have a lot of questions that unfortunately are
un answered. If I get more detail, happy to share
that with you. But I think this is such a
bizarre situation to be made aware of after such a
long time, Katie. And that's the big concern. How could
something like this happen for so long in the territory
(11:23):
without the awareness but not even you know, the executive
of government awareness.
Speaker 1 (11:27):
Do you think do you think that there needs to
be some changes now? Well? What do you reckon needs
to you know, to sort of happen to avoid a
situation that could be similar to this again.
Speaker 2 (11:38):
Yeah, and I'm still learning with some of the areas
of regulation of what has been changed or not changed
under CLP government. I think what we see very clearly
in the territory is the conversation. People want to see
economic development, They want to see business and industry operate
within those frameworks and the expectation of the community, and
they want to see their environment protected. Getting all of
(12:01):
those three areas right I think is really important for
the territory and for the community with peace of mind
when something goes wrong in one of those three areas,
whether it's law, regulations, policy communication. In this case, I
think that there definitely has to be some learning points
that I'm really keen to get to the bottom of
it so I can provide some constructive commentary, help and
(12:23):
see what the government's doing around this area as well,
because we don't want to have a situation in the
territory where this ever happens again.
Speaker 1 (12:29):
Yeah, fair cool, Selena, What is on your agenda this
week as the opposition leader? I know, obviously you know
the government's got their different pieces of legislation that they're
probably keen to focus on. What are you guys keen
to hold them to account on?
Speaker 2 (12:43):
Yeah, Katie, we had three bits of legislation go through
which we supported in the labor opposition and that was fine.
We were very comfortable with that they all passed yesterday.
We put a matter of public importance about education and
holding the government to accounts around the Better Fair Schools Agreement,
making sure that that money is resourced for our schools
(13:04):
and our students, but not for other Purposesdially.
Speaker 1 (13:07):
Did you ask some more questions about, you know, the
electricity bills that I know you and I spoke about
as well.
Speaker 2 (13:13):
Yes, I asked that apparently the education is Joe Hersey says, no,
none of the Better Fare School Agreement funding is going
to be used for those power bills, so I'm not
sure who's paying for them now, Katie. So we'll definitely
be following up with those questions. And now the any
Discrimination Bill has been pulled, so we're actually not sure.
There's only one other piece of legislation on the schedule,
(13:36):
and the government does control the parliamentary schedule, so there's
only one other piece of legislation that is up for debate,
and that's something that we've got a few questions about,
but predominantly we look like we're going to support that,
So I hope we don't go back to the old
Adam Giles Day's Katie, where there's a lot of ministerial
statements and reports and not much lawmaking in the territory Parliament.
Speaker 1 (13:58):
Well, we'll wait to see, I suppose. But yeah, well
I hope there's plenty of changes going on because I
know people want to see some action. There's no doubt
about that, Selena. In terms of and I don't expect
you to reveal what you're going to be asking about
in question time, but any other issues that you guys
are quite keen to sort of focus on this week.
Speaker 2 (14:18):
Yeah, A lot is around the twelve months into the
COLP government. What are the commitments that they haven't delivered
on or haven't budgeted on. What's the timeframe for those commitments.
We asked a few of those questions yesterday, Katie. But
health is a big one as well. We haven't heard
the government come up and speak openly or put out
plans around how they're going to improve our health system
(14:40):
in the territory, and I think that's something we cannot
afford to slip. In the end, we'll be holding them
to account on that.
Speaker 1 (14:46):
As Selena literally just got a message that comes through
that said get akd RDH is meant to be a
major hospital. Yes, why the heck is ultrasound and MRI
unavailable from four pm Monday to Friday, sonographer only on call.
I don't know much about that, but we always get
(15:07):
messages about health and you know, concerns around health. Obviously,
we've spoken last week about the pharmacy situation, and the
week before we've spoken on numerous occasions about those maternity services.
So yeah, it's I think that health is one that
needs some heavy focus.
Speaker 2 (15:24):
Yeah, I agree, And we asked questions yesterday Katie about
the pharmacists, and also the independent members for Johnson did
as well. We're hearing directly from pharmacists that their pay
is being docked when they're taking protected action, which is
not the way that the process works, And the Health
Minister sort of bumbled away with his answer, sort of
fobbed it off to Joe Hersey's Public Employment minister. She
(15:47):
didn't have an answer for us either, So well, it's
either the government lying or the pharmacist could you know,
contacting us who are very concerned and upset, And I'm
going to believe the pharmacist, Katie.
Speaker 1 (15:56):
Hey, the other issue that's been raised with us that
we did us the chief about yesterday. But I know
that there's people with a lot of concerns is Tenant
Creek and the crime that's being experienced in Tenant Creek.
We've spoke to the Mayor of Tenant last week about
those worries and certainly ask the Chief Minister whether additional
police need to be surged into Tenant Creek. She said that,
(16:18):
you know, that's not something that she's been that she's
had a request for at this point, but she'd go
and check. But certainly in Tenant Creek we are hearing
that the issues there of crime are not good.
Speaker 2 (16:30):
Well, Katie, I've put the challenge to the Chief Minister
ly if Nokiara, if she wants to go and check,
she should go and spend a week in Tenant Creek,
actually listen to those concerns, be on the ground, spend
a few nights there. Don't fly in and out on
the police plane. Actually spend time on the ground, go
out into some of the areas of concern and hear
what people in the Barkley would like to see, and
(16:51):
then support that from her government.
Speaker 1 (16:53):
Opposition leader Selena Hubo good to chat with you this morning.
Thanks so much for your time.
Speaker 2 (16:57):
Thank you very much, Katie, thank you
Now, Parliament is back on in the Northern Territory this
week and there's plenty on the agenda with the rollout
of OC spray getting underway on Monday. Now, we learned
there'd been more than two hundred and fifty Territorians to
purchase OC spray on that first day of sales in
the NT, and we heard from the Chief Minister that
the systems in place immediately identified four people who were
(00:21):
ineligible to buy that spray. One is believed to have
been served with a notice to appear. Now, the average
age of the OC spray buyer is forty seven years old.
The Opposition leader Selena Ubo joins me on the line.
Good morning to you, Selena.
Speaker 2 (00:37):
Good morning Katie.
Speaker 1 (00:38):
Good to have you on the show. Now, Selena, more
than two hundred and fifty sales on that first day,
the system immediately pinned four people who were ineligible. What
do you make of those numbers?
Speaker 2 (00:51):
Yeah, I think it's interesting. There's been obviously a lot
of talk about the OC spray being available to the public.
Will it keep the community safer? The only time will tell.
But I think people who've wanted to get the OC
spray have gone out and got it.
Speaker 1 (01:05):
Do you reckon in terms of those four people. I
don't know whether there were many questions asked about this
yesterday in parliament, but in terms of those four people
that were pinned for being ineligible, do you know if like,
did the government have much to say yesterday about whether
they've now returned that OC spray or not.
Speaker 2 (01:23):
Yeah, Katie, I think yesterday it was eight people on
the prohibited person's list and six of the sprays were
retrieved from within the eighth, so I believe there's two
others that the police may be trying to track down.
So I'm sure we'll get an update. We'll hope we
get an update on that at some point today. I mean,
if the system's in place and it's doing its job,
that's great. We only, of course call and make sure
(01:46):
that the government's doing their job and making sure they
can continue to work on mechanisms and processes and programs
that are going to keep our community safe in the
long run. We know this is a I'm all change
for the tech, well big change for the territory, but
you know, a small focus in terms of community safety.
(02:07):
We want to make sure that that big focus on
long term community safety remains a priority of the government.
Speaker 1 (02:12):
Look, we're going to catch up with the Northern Territory
Police after ten o'clock this morning, so I'll try and
find out what the go is with those eight people
and with those you know, with the further sprays that
need to be returned. Selena, what do you reckon needs
to be monitored over the next twelve months while this
trial is underway to determine whether it is a success
or not.
Speaker 2 (02:32):
Yeah, Katie, I think the biggest thing that I've heard
is around misuse, and of course we don't want anyone
across the territory to be purchasing OC spray or getting
their hands on OC spray and misusing it in the
incorrect way. That will be the biggest thing my team
and I keep an eye on because that's what's been
articulated to us and the concerns that have been questioned
(02:53):
to us. We haven't received necessarily the answers from government
on that. We'll continue to monitor that, of course, But
if the retailers are happy with the process and they're
feeling comfortable, I think that's a good thing. Katie. The
people who purchased the OC spray, if they're feeling a
bit more safer and having that to keep them safe
in the community. That's a positive for them. We want
(03:14):
to make sure that there's no negative impact on the
community overall.
Speaker 1 (03:17):
Selena. Yesterday, Will Chance he made headlines after he suggested
that members of the COLP should be sprayed with OC
spray outside of Parliament if they're that confident with its use.
Speaker 2 (03:30):
Do you agree, Chance, he's been a bit cheeky too.
I mean we've heard from on a serious note though,
we've heard from police that the trained officers police and
also the transit officers. Anyone who's using OC spray in
a professional manner and a trained manner, they do have
to undergo that training, which does include being sprayed themselves
(03:53):
in that training, so that they know what the consequence, start,
the impact and what the mobility of a person who
is going to be spray in the face. What that
then allows them to do around that, you know, the
care and protection across the community in their roles. I think,
you know she is a bit cheeky of Chancey, of course,
I know, but I mean the police do it. You know,
(04:13):
the government's brought this in.
Speaker 1 (04:17):
Well, look, I do think it's worth noting though that
my understanding of the OC spray that is available to
us members of the public is not as high strength
as what the Northern Territory police use. But then I
have heard that discussion about sort of the duty of
care for people if you do spray somebody, but you know,
if someone's trying to attack you on you know, like
while you're out for a runner. If somebody tries to
(04:38):
sexually assault you and you spray them, then what are
you expected to render them assistance after they've tried to
inappropriately touch you? Like, I'm just not sure you know
where the lines are?
Speaker 2 (04:49):
Yeah, And Katie, I think that's probably a big concern
around the unanswered questions because there's been so many hypotheticals
that have been brought to our attention which we can't
answer and the government can answer either. So you know,
when we're talking about what is there a duty care?
Is there a liability? What happens after? What if someone
(05:10):
didn't have, you know, a malicious intent and was wrongly
you know, anticipated that they did. Like there's all these
different scenarios that we just we just can't answer, and
the government hasn't necessarily put out you know, a fax,
which is you know, the frequently asked questions around this,
and I think that would probably help people were going, well,
a scenario X, and this would be the consequence scenario
(05:32):
why this would be the consequence. So I think that
would really help, you know, I've been asking that for
the last week now, a frequently asked questions sort of
fact sheet, and I think that would help the general
community and plug in all these you know, unusual situations
that come to mind and unfortunately some real situations that
people have found themselves in. What would then be the
consequence around an action an impact for the OC spray
(05:56):
And I think if people can get a little bit
of clarity around that, I think that'll put people's maybe
give people a bit more peace of mind.
Speaker 1 (06:04):
Selena, let's move along. I know that the colp's proposed
changes to antidiscrimination legislation have been put on whold with
the government continuing talks with stakeholders. Is what they've said.
Is this a good move from your perspective?
Speaker 2 (06:18):
Well, I think this highlights Katie that unfortunately the government
hasn't been doing their job whilst they have been focused
on crime, law and order, which is of course a
huge variety across the Northern Territory. That really dropped the
ball on this one. They've had the time to be
able to go out and consult, which is what people
expect from a government. They did not send this very
important piece of legislation to the Scrutiny Committee, which is
(06:40):
what we've seen with six pieces of legislation out of
the twenty nine laws that have come to the Territory
Parliament so far. So this was something that we have
heard lots and lots of different takes on what people
want to see in or out of the Any Discrimination Bill. Unfortunately,
has not been a lot of consultation around this. That's
(07:03):
been a big concern and the government's found themselves at
a bit of a blunder with this one. Katie, do
you reckon.
Speaker 1 (07:07):
They're doing it? Do you think they're pandering to certain
groups or what do you thinks going on?
Speaker 2 (07:12):
I think absolutely, I think they have not kept their
eye on this very important bill. They've underestimated the impact
on the terris story, on the community, on stakeholders, on
community groups, on organizations, on our faith based sector. They
haven't done the hard work and the heavy lifting that
is expected of a bill of this type of complexity, Katie, And.
Speaker 1 (07:32):
So what do you reckon needs to happen from this
point with these bills, Seleater. I mean they're obviously they're
saying it's going to forward your head, but it's going
to take more time. By the sounds of it, you've
got concerns that they are pandering to certain groups. So
we're too from here.
Speaker 2 (07:45):
Well, we've been conducting our own round table sessions ourselves
in the timeframe that we expected the bill to be
put forward. We know as early as last week, Katie,
the Attorney General, Mari Clear Boothby wrote to stakeholders saying,
you know the Ended Discrimination Bill will come on this
Parliament sittings in September. It's obviously not now. They do
(08:06):
have time to be able to go out and consult properly,
which is what we hope they do. Also means us
in opposition, Katie, we can continue to do some of
our own work and particularly around roundtables and connections across
different community sector about the bill. That's not necessarily a
bad thing, but it just shows that if the ball
is dropped by the government, it does have a big
(08:27):
impact and it's really upset quite a lot of people
who have been anticipating this week and particularly the changes,
whether they want changes or don't want the changes. There's
a bit of a heightened state around this particular bill.
It does need to be done with care and we
can only hope the government's actually going to do their job. Now.
Speaker 1 (08:44):
Now, I want to ask you yesterday or the day before,
actually it was revealed that a major gas facility in
Darwin has been leaking methane for nearly two decades now.
We spoke to the Environment Centers Kirsty Howie about this
on the show yesterday, about the Santos owned LNG tank
near Wickham and the claims that it's been leaking methane
since two thousand and six. Now Santos has not been
(09:06):
asked to solve that issue, despite the anti regulators allegedly
learning of that leak in twenty twenty. We did read
out a statement several times yesterday from Santos. Now Labor
was obviously in power at that time twenty twenty. Did
you have any idea why the public were not notified?
Speaker 2 (09:24):
Well, this is a huge concern for us in opposition
because we were in government for eight years and this
was not flagged to us at all. Case really, I
think that's a huge concern. I was a minister for
six years towards the second half of sorry in the
second term of our labor government. That's when we were
aware of the black Tip and the reservations of gas
(09:46):
going low there and that was very stressful. But nothing
about the methane leak at all. And it was the
Environment Center of the Northern Territory who brought it to
our attention as well. So how could the community the
expectation that we see, you know, our big industries in
the Northern Territory adhering to particular regulations around the environment
(10:07):
and workplace safety. How could something like this go on
for that many years and government not know about it.
It's quite phenomenal.
Speaker 1 (10:14):
And so but when the NT regulators allegedly did learn
of that leak in twenty twenty, I mean, did you
you became aware of it? Then? I'm assuming no, not
at all.
Speaker 2 (10:24):
This was literally brought to my attension last week case Jodjo.
It is not absolutely serious and that is a huge concern.
I think the questions around has there been an environmental impact,
what's going to be done now that it is known,
and it's been uncovered that this has been going on
for so long.
Speaker 1 (10:43):
I think, So do you think's to blame for? Like,
who do you think is to blame for you guys,
like when you were even in like when you're in government,
for you guys not being notified? Was it the department?
Speaker 2 (10:52):
Was it?
Speaker 1 (10:53):
You know? Like why were you like were you I
know you were a minister at that time as well?
Why was the whole cabinet not notified?
Speaker 2 (11:02):
Yeah, I don't want to focus on blame game, but
I do have a lot of questions that unfortunately are
un answered. If I get more detail, happy to share
that with you. But I think this is such a
bizarre situation to be made aware of after such a
long time, Katie. And that's the big concern. How could
something like this happen for so long in the territory
(11:23):
without the awareness but not even you know, the executive
of government awareness.
Speaker 1 (11:27):
Do you think do you think that there needs to
be some changes now? Well? What do you reckon needs
to you know, to sort of happen to avoid a
situation that could be similar to this again.
Speaker 2 (11:38):
Yeah, and I'm still learning with some of the areas
of regulation of what has been changed or not changed
under CLP government. I think what we see very clearly
in the territory is the conversation. People want to see
economic development, They want to see business and industry operate
within those frameworks and the expectation of the community, and
they want to see their environment protected. Getting all of
(12:01):
those three areas right I think is really important for
the territory and for the community with peace of mind
when something goes wrong in one of those three areas,
whether it's law, regulations, policy communication. In this case, I
think that there definitely has to be some learning points
that I'm really keen to get to the bottom of
it so I can provide some constructive commentary, help and
(12:23):
see what the government's doing around this area as well,
because we don't want to have a situation in the
territory where this ever happens again.
Speaker 1 (12:29):
Yeah, fair cool, Selena, What is on your agenda this
week as the opposition leader? I know, obviously you know
the government's got their different pieces of legislation that they're
probably keen to focus on. What are you guys keen
to hold them to account on?
Speaker 2 (12:43):
Yeah, Katie, we had three bits of legislation go through
which we supported in the labor opposition and that was fine.
We were very comfortable with that they all passed yesterday.
We put a matter of public importance about education and
holding the government to accounts around the Better Fair Schools Agreement,
making sure that that money is resourced for our schools
(13:04):
and our students, but not for other Purposesdially.
Speaker 1 (13:07):
Did you ask some more questions about, you know, the
electricity bills that I know you and I spoke about
as well.
Speaker 2 (13:13):
Yes, I asked that apparently the education is Joe Hersey says, no,
none of the Better Fare School Agreement funding is going
to be used for those power bills, so I'm not
sure who's paying for them now, Katie. So we'll definitely
be following up with those questions. And now the any
Discrimination Bill has been pulled, so we're actually not sure.
There's only one other piece of legislation on the schedule,
(13:36):
and the government does control the parliamentary schedule, so there's
only one other piece of legislation that is up for debate,
and that's something that we've got a few questions about,
but predominantly we look like we're going to support that,
So I hope we don't go back to the old
Adam Giles Day's Katie, where there's a lot of ministerial
statements and reports and not much lawmaking in the territory Parliament.
Speaker 1 (13:58):
Well, we'll wait to see, I suppose. But yeah, well
I hope there's plenty of changes going on because I
know people want to see some action. There's no doubt
about that, Selena. In terms of and I don't expect
you to reveal what you're going to be asking about
in question time, but any other issues that you guys
are quite keen to sort of focus on this week.
Speaker 2 (14:18):
Yeah, A lot is around the twelve months into the
COLP government. What are the commitments that they haven't delivered
on or haven't budgeted on. What's the timeframe for those commitments.
We asked a few of those questions yesterday, Katie. But
health is a big one as well. We haven't heard
the government come up and speak openly or put out
plans around how they're going to improve our health system
(14:40):
in the territory, and I think that's something we cannot
afford to slip. In the end, we'll be holding them
to account on that.
Speaker 1 (14:46):
As Selena literally just got a message that comes through
that said get akd RDH is meant to be a
major hospital. Yes, why the heck is ultrasound and MRI
unavailable from four pm Monday to Friday, sonographer only on call.
I don't know much about that, but we always get
(15:07):
messages about health and you know, concerns around health. Obviously,
we've spoken last week about the pharmacy situation, and the
week before we've spoken on numerous occasions about those maternity services.
So yeah, it's I think that health is one that
needs some heavy focus.
Speaker 2 (15:24):
Yeah, I agree, And we asked questions yesterday Katie about
the pharmacists, and also the independent members for Johnson did
as well. We're hearing directly from pharmacists that their pay
is being docked when they're taking protected action, which is
not the way that the process works, And the Health
Minister sort of bumbled away with his answer, sort of
fobbed it off to Joe Hersey's Public Employment minister. She
(15:47):
didn't have an answer for us either, So well, it's
either the government lying or the pharmacist could you know,
contacting us who are very concerned and upset, And I'm
going to believe the pharmacist, Katie.
Speaker 1 (15:56):
Hey, the other issue that's been raised with us that
we did us the chief about yesterday. But I know
that there's people with a lot of concerns is Tenant
Creek and the crime that's being experienced in Tenant Creek.
We've spoke to the Mayor of Tenant last week about
those worries and certainly ask the Chief Minister whether additional
police need to be surged into Tenant Creek. She said that,
(16:18):
you know, that's not something that she's been that she's
had a request for at this point, but she'd go
and check. But certainly in Tenant Creek we are hearing
that the issues there of crime are not good.
Speaker 2 (16:30):
Well, Katie, I've put the challenge to the Chief Minister
ly if Nokiara, if she wants to go and check,
she should go and spend a week in Tenant Creek,
actually listen to those concerns, be on the ground, spend
a few nights there. Don't fly in and out on
the police plane. Actually spend time on the ground, go
out into some of the areas of concern and hear
what people in the Barkley would like to see, and
(16:51):
then support that from her government.
Speaker 1 (16:53):
Opposition leader Selena Hubo good to chat with you this morning.
Thanks so much for your time.
Speaker 2 (16:57):
Thank you very much, Katie, thank you
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