Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Breaking news in the Australian newspaper today the Northern Territory
Government launching an investigation into the IMPEX operated LNG processing
facility near Darwin after accusations that potential cancer causing emissions
have been significantly under report it now. The probe follows
revelations that volatile organic compounds may have been miscalculated for
(00:24):
the last seven years so according to the report by
Liam Mendes, scant details have been made public by impacts,
with the Northern Territory Government immediately ordering an investigation into
the major discrepancy when briefed last week and demanding an
investigation be expedited.
Speaker 2 (00:43):
Now.
Speaker 1 (00:43):
The Opposition leader Selena Ubo joins me on the line. Selena,
obviously these details are still flowing through, but what is
your reaction to this news today?
Speaker 2 (00:54):
Yeah, Katie, I'm quite shocked. I know that the Australian
did do that release of the article today and there
has to be an investigation. Absolutely no doubt than that.
There has to be some very tough questions answered, and
I think that the CLP has acted in the right
way and ordering this investigation. I fully support that, particularly
when you look at what the concerns are around health
(01:16):
for humans, health for territorians. I think that's huge news,
so support the investigation. I hope that it was just
last week that the clp knew and that they haven't
been holding on to this information any longer. But there
has to be an investigation, no doubt about that.
Speaker 1 (01:30):
Well, I mean on that this is obviously something that
the report says has been happening for the last seven years.
So is it something that you were aware of?
Speaker 2 (01:39):
Oh, absolutely not, Katie. This is definitely news to me.
I think it's a huge concern, and particularly if it
has happened under our labor government. If it's been happening
for several years, that makes me even more concerned about
what are the reporting mechanisms. I know there's been some
mentioned in the article about irregular data. How has that
picked up, How does that communicated? Is that looked at
(02:00):
to then make sure that something like this isn't dangerous
for territorians. I'm very concerned about this, Katie.
Speaker 1 (02:07):
Well, and I know that impets's senior vice president of
corporate Bill Townshend, has insisted that the air quality monitoring
in the Darwin region had consistently shown emission levels well
within government guidelines and said there was no increased health
risk to the community. But I think what we probably
need here is an independent you know, an independent body
(02:29):
telling us that.
Speaker 2 (02:30):
One hundred percent agree Katie. I mean, I very much
respect the work that Impact does and the impact it's
had for the territory economy, but that still doesn't take
away from what needs to give territories that peace of
mind and confidence that when industry is working here in
the territory, that territorians are safe and that we do
have those protections not just for territorians and health, but
(02:51):
also for the environment.
Speaker 1 (02:52):
I've no doubt some further questions to be asked. I'm
assuming as Parliament resumes today of the government on this.
Speaker 2 (02:59):
Yes, exactly right. Will be following up with the government
on this and getting some full information.
Speaker 1 (03:05):
Minister, sorry Opposition leader, I should say, I do want
to just take you across to another story, this time
in the ABC this morning. It's been revealed today that
INNT assistant ministers have spent thousands of dollars in travel.
That's according to this report. Now, as we both know,
the assistant minister role isn't recognized in Parliament, but a
(03:26):
freedom of information request reportedly found that three backbenches, Ollie Carlson,
Laurie Zeo and Coda Patel, spent a total of eleven
thousand dollars on travel since October last year. I mean, Selena,
this is on the back of the misuse of the
white cars that we've spoken about on numerous occasions. But
what is your reaction to these revelations.
Speaker 2 (03:49):
Yeah, I think it's interesting when we look at the
costings and the reporting of what those duties are. And
we did have assistant ministers when Labor was in government, Katie,
and in my first two years as a backbencher, I
was an assistant minister. I did gain a lot of
knowledge and a lot of skills from that role, So
I respect that position. I mean, when Leah was in opposition,
she did rubbish assistant ministers. I think Gary Higgins has
(04:12):
been quoted as saying when he was the opposition leader
that those positions were gammoned. I'm a good territory word
to describe something people aren't fully behind it. But in
terms of showing what those positions actually achieve, I think
that's pretty important for you know, Leah now as chief minister,
someone who didn't agree with those positions in opposition, who
(04:33):
suddenly then created those positions for all of her backbenches.
I think it's important for her leadership to be able
to say why those positions are there, what they're there
to achieve, and of course, as we've seen, how much
they cost and what's the rules around that.
Speaker 1 (04:47):
Well yeah, and I guess an this is an interesting
one because it's a little bit like you know, a
couple of weeks ago with the white car scandal, then
Joe Hersey had joined me on the show and it
was very difficult to see to really have a crack
at you guys, when then they had a minister who'd
done the same sort of thing. You know, it's a
similar scenario now, I guess, well, we've got these assistant ministers.
(05:11):
It's you know, have have racked up eleven thousand dollars
on travel since October last year. But then I know
that it was also reported by the ABC back in
twenty nineteen that when you were in one of those positions,
you too had racked up quite a substantial amount for travel,
four thy seven hundred for a trip to Canberra for
one night. So I think probably for people listening this morning.
(05:33):
What they want to be sure of is, as I
said last week on the white car stuff, that people
are not taking advantage of the privileges that you guys
have when you're in these positions, but also that there's
an actual outcome.
Speaker 2 (05:48):
Yeah, and I think that's really important, Katie. I know
the trip that was reported around me was around the
Native Title, a Native Title Minister's meeting which hadn't been
held for about two to three years, so the Chief
Minister at the time was unable to attend. So I
was able to be delegated that role, which is why
I did travel to Canberra, but for a you know,
(06:08):
it was a national minister's meeting. I guess here in
the territory there has to be some maybe some type
of guidelines. Is it an excursion to go around and
see the Beterloo, is an excursion to go over to
nilam Boy and to talk to different organizations or is
there are actually some outcomes that are attached to it?
And I think that's probably what maybe the COLP could
do to provide that comfort to territorians. What are the
(06:31):
outcomes for those for those trips or are they just
excursions and fun trips.
Speaker 1 (06:35):
Well, and you know, at the end of the day,
there does need to be outcomes because I don't think
any of us really want to see money being spent
willy nilly. It is our taxpayers dollars, it's not monopoly money.
So we need to make sure that it's being spent
appropriately and that there are tangible outcomes. So I'll certainly
be putting that question to them. Are there some guidelines
in place and what were those outcomes? But Selena, I
(06:56):
want to have a chat to you about the issue
of crime. It's something that has been on top of
the agenda for such a long time on this show
over recent years. Yesterday, of course, we spoke to the
Chief Minister about these crime statistics that were released on
Friday showing a drop in offending across the Northern Territory
now compared to the same period last year. There were
over twelve hundred fewer offenses recorded between January and August,
(07:20):
down seven point four percent overall. That includes major reductions
in assaults, break ins and commercial burglaries. Have you had
much of a chance to look through that recent crime
data and what do you make of it?
Speaker 2 (07:32):
Yeah, we've had a look Friday the release and tried
to particularly see some of the comparisons across our regions.
Of course Darlin, Palmers and Our Springs as our three
larger centers. I think it's important to recognize that there
has been the decrease in some of the property crime
and I think that's a good story for Territorians. It'd
be great to see what's actually making that happen. If
(07:54):
the government can pinpoint what are the steps and what
are the measures that are creating that it that decrease
around property crime, I think that would be helpful to
understand what is of concern though, Katie is those stats
that have increased, particularly around harm against a person, around
assaults against territories. This means Territorians harming territorianes or people
(08:16):
who are harming visitors who come to the territory. And
I think when it's crime against the person, unfortunately, it's
very personable when it comes to seeing what the safety
of people is in the community, in our cities, in
our regions, in our regions, it seems to be unalarmingly
quite large. Again, the Chief Minister, as the Police Minister
(08:38):
and her team have promised a plan. I'm very nervous
when it comes to you know, this summer season, this
wet season, and our regions, which unfortunately traditionally that's where
we see crime spike, both in property and personal offenses.
I would really be keen to see what the government's
plan is to be able to support that in some
way if there is a fulsome plan a particularly our
(08:59):
region and making sure that they're not forgotten Katie.
Speaker 1 (09:02):
Opposition Leader. I know the government have pointed to increase
police resources, stronger bail laws, and frontline operations as key
contributors to those crime stats going down. I mean, do
you acknowledge that some of the government's policies seem to
be having an impact.
Speaker 2 (09:18):
I think that's definitely part of the reason, Katie. But
there's also a bit a big gap what we're seeing
and what we're not hearing from the government. When it
comes to corrections. Who know that the government has basically
channeled most of their efforts into that pipeline into corrections
and into justice. What is happening in justice and what
(09:39):
happens after people exit prisons or correctional centers. I think
that's the part that the government is not talking about.
That's the part we're keen to see them get right,
because if we don't, that's where we're going to see
that cycle of crime and that cycle of offending behavior continue.
I think the government is well placed to be able
to do more than one thing at one time, so
(10:00):
that is an area we would like to see them
speak more about, because once someone's come out of corrections,
has their behavior been supported to change, that's going to
make the big difference when it comes to community safety.
Speaker 1 (10:12):
Opposition later, I know your press for time, as are
we this morning. What is on your agenda today in Parliament.
Speaker 2 (10:19):
Well, it's actually a bit of a light agenda this week, Katie. Interestingly,
the Member for Fong Limb spoke for three and a
half hours last week around the report on voluntary assisted dying,
which is so important. I know, something that many territories
want to see happen in the NT But I just
don't think we've even got three and a half hours
worth of legislation to speak on this week from the government.
(10:39):
So we'll be doing our best, Katie. We will be
scrutinizing what is before the House. There's only three bills
at the moment and two that are interconnected, which is
actually part of the work that Labor did a few
years ago when it comes to energy and being able
to support renewables in the Northern Territory and reliable energy
and sources being able to connect in the territory. So
(11:00):
we very much support that. It'll be very interesting to
see what sort of statements or reports the government decides
to bring on to fill their time.
Speaker 1 (11:07):
Well. My understanding as well, is it the Chiefiness is
going to introduce this bill to establish an Integrity and
Ethics Commissioner, that independent statutory office that consolidates integrity functions
including the NTIKAK and of course the Ombudsman into one body.
Have you seen any of that legislation. I know it's
being introduced today, but is it something that the Opposition's
(11:30):
going to be supporting.
Speaker 2 (11:32):
No, we found out in the media. I haven't seen it.
First answer. I found out this morning in a media
release and on the radio that this is going to
be introduced. Again, we very much welcome anything that improves
integrity and ethics in the Northern Territory. I think quite
interesting that the government's going to introduce it in a
week where they still refuse to publicly release the white
(11:55):
car policy, which is not a Cabinet document. It is
not confidential, it can be with the public, Katie, so
that if this is going to help them to read
by their own guidelines and to accept that Territorians want
to see some really well established integrity commission and that
integrated approach. This is something similar to what is in
(12:17):
the Australian Capital Territory in the Act and Canberra they
have a Combined Human Rights Commission. The model I understand
for this commission that's being proposed will be similar along
those lines. But until it's introduced, Katie, we'll do our
work once we see that writing. But I think this
is a really important one to have properly scrutinized, to
be able to provide the public with that confidence that
(12:41):
the Northern Territory Parliament, not just the government, but the
Northern Territory Parliament is wanting to see improvements when it
comes to integrity and ethics in the Northern Territory.
Speaker 1 (12:49):
Well, Opposition, Lady Selena, You're both always good to chat
with you. Thanks so much for your time this morning.
Speaker 2 (12:54):
Thanks very much.
Speaker 1 (12:55):
Keate, thank you
Breaking news in the Australian newspaper today the Northern Territory
Government launching an investigation into the IMPEX operated LNG processing
facility near Darwin after accusations that potential cancer causing emissions
have been significantly under report it now. The probe follows
revelations that volatile organic compounds may have been miscalculated for
(00:24):
the last seven years so according to the report by
Liam Mendes, scant details have been made public by impacts,
with the Northern Territory Government immediately ordering an investigation into
the major discrepancy when briefed last week and demanding an
investigation be expedited.
Speaker 2 (00:43):
Now.
Speaker 1 (00:43):
The Opposition leader Selena Ubo joins me on the line. Selena,
obviously these details are still flowing through, but what is
your reaction to this news today?
Speaker 2 (00:54):
Yeah, Katie, I'm quite shocked. I know that the Australian
did do that release of the article today and there
has to be an investigation. Absolutely no doubt than that.
There has to be some very tough questions answered, and
I think that the CLP has acted in the right
way and ordering this investigation. I fully support that, particularly
when you look at what the concerns are around health
(01:16):
for humans, health for territorians. I think that's huge news,
so support the investigation. I hope that it was just
last week that the clp knew and that they haven't
been holding on to this information any longer. But there
has to be an investigation, no doubt about that.
Speaker 1 (01:30):
Well, I mean on that this is obviously something that
the report says has been happening for the last seven years.
So is it something that you were aware of?
Speaker 2 (01:39):
Oh, absolutely not, Katie. This is definitely news to me.
I think it's a huge concern, and particularly if it
has happened under our labor government. If it's been happening
for several years, that makes me even more concerned about
what are the reporting mechanisms. I know there's been some
mentioned in the article about irregular data. How has that
picked up, How does that communicated? Is that looked at
(02:00):
to then make sure that something like this isn't dangerous
for territorians. I'm very concerned about this, Katie.
Speaker 1 (02:07):
Well, and I know that impets's senior vice president of
corporate Bill Townshend, has insisted that the air quality monitoring
in the Darwin region had consistently shown emission levels well
within government guidelines and said there was no increased health
risk to the community. But I think what we probably
need here is an independent you know, an independent body
(02:29):
telling us that.
Speaker 2 (02:30):
One hundred percent agree Katie. I mean, I very much
respect the work that Impact does and the impact it's
had for the territory economy, but that still doesn't take
away from what needs to give territories that peace of
mind and confidence that when industry is working here in
the territory, that territorians are safe and that we do
have those protections not just for territorians and health, but
(02:51):
also for the environment.
Speaker 1 (02:52):
I've no doubt some further questions to be asked. I'm
assuming as Parliament resumes today of the government on this.
Speaker 2 (02:59):
Yes, exactly right. Will be following up with the government
on this and getting some full information.
Speaker 1 (03:05):
Minister, sorry Opposition leader, I should say, I do want
to just take you across to another story, this time
in the ABC this morning. It's been revealed today that
INNT assistant ministers have spent thousands of dollars in travel.
That's according to this report. Now, as we both know,
the assistant minister role isn't recognized in Parliament, but a
(03:26):
freedom of information request reportedly found that three backbenches, Ollie Carlson,
Laurie Zeo and Coda Patel, spent a total of eleven
thousand dollars on travel since October last year. I mean, Selena,
this is on the back of the misuse of the
white cars that we've spoken about on numerous occasions. But
what is your reaction to these revelations.
Speaker 2 (03:49):
Yeah, I think it's interesting when we look at the
costings and the reporting of what those duties are. And
we did have assistant ministers when Labor was in government, Katie,
and in my first two years as a backbencher, I
was an assistant minister. I did gain a lot of
knowledge and a lot of skills from that role, So
I respect that position. I mean, when Leah was in opposition,
she did rubbish assistant ministers. I think Gary Higgins has
(04:12):
been quoted as saying when he was the opposition leader
that those positions were gammoned. I'm a good territory word
to describe something people aren't fully behind it. But in
terms of showing what those positions actually achieve, I think
that's pretty important for you know, Leah now as chief minister,
someone who didn't agree with those positions in opposition, who
(04:33):
suddenly then created those positions for all of her backbenches.
I think it's important for her leadership to be able
to say why those positions are there, what they're there
to achieve, and of course, as we've seen, how much
they cost and what's the rules around that.
Speaker 1 (04:47):
Well yeah, and I guess an this is an interesting
one because it's a little bit like you know, a
couple of weeks ago with the white car scandal, then
Joe Hersey had joined me on the show and it
was very difficult to see to really have a crack
at you guys, when then they had a minister who'd
done the same sort of thing. You know, it's a
similar scenario now, I guess, well, we've got these assistant ministers.
(05:11):
It's you know, have have racked up eleven thousand dollars
on travel since October last year. But then I know
that it was also reported by the ABC back in
twenty nineteen that when you were in one of those positions,
you too had racked up quite a substantial amount for travel,
four thy seven hundred for a trip to Canberra for
one night. So I think probably for people listening this morning.
(05:33):
What they want to be sure of is, as I
said last week on the white car stuff, that people
are not taking advantage of the privileges that you guys
have when you're in these positions, but also that there's
an actual outcome.
Speaker 2 (05:48):
Yeah, and I think that's really important, Katie. I know
the trip that was reported around me was around the
Native Title, a Native Title Minister's meeting which hadn't been
held for about two to three years, so the Chief
Minister at the time was unable to attend. So I
was able to be delegated that role, which is why
I did travel to Canberra, but for a you know,
(06:08):
it was a national minister's meeting. I guess here in
the territory there has to be some maybe some type
of guidelines. Is it an excursion to go around and
see the Beterloo, is an excursion to go over to
nilam Boy and to talk to different organizations or is
there are actually some outcomes that are attached to it?
And I think that's probably what maybe the COLP could
do to provide that comfort to territorians. What are the
(06:31):
outcomes for those for those trips or are they just
excursions and fun trips.
Speaker 1 (06:35):
Well, and you know, at the end of the day,
there does need to be outcomes because I don't think
any of us really want to see money being spent
willy nilly. It is our taxpayers dollars, it's not monopoly money.
So we need to make sure that it's being spent
appropriately and that there are tangible outcomes. So I'll certainly
be putting that question to them. Are there some guidelines
in place and what were those outcomes? But Selena, I
(06:56):
want to have a chat to you about the issue
of crime. It's something that has been on top of
the agenda for such a long time on this show
over recent years. Yesterday, of course, we spoke to the
Chief Minister about these crime statistics that were released on
Friday showing a drop in offending across the Northern Territory
now compared to the same period last year. There were
over twelve hundred fewer offenses recorded between January and August,
(07:20):
down seven point four percent overall. That includes major reductions
in assaults, break ins and commercial burglaries. Have you had
much of a chance to look through that recent crime
data and what do you make of it?
Speaker 2 (07:32):
Yeah, we've had a look Friday the release and tried
to particularly see some of the comparisons across our regions.
Of course Darlin, Palmers and Our Springs as our three
larger centers. I think it's important to recognize that there
has been the decrease in some of the property crime
and I think that's a good story for Territorians. It'd
be great to see what's actually making that happen. If
(07:54):
the government can pinpoint what are the steps and what
are the measures that are creating that it that decrease
around property crime, I think that would be helpful to
understand what is of concern though, Katie is those stats
that have increased, particularly around harm against a person, around
assaults against territories. This means Territorians harming territorianes or people
(08:16):
who are harming visitors who come to the territory. And
I think when it's crime against the person, unfortunately, it's
very personable when it comes to seeing what the safety
of people is in the community, in our cities, in
our regions, in our regions, it seems to be unalarmingly
quite large. Again, the Chief Minister, as the Police Minister
(08:38):
and her team have promised a plan. I'm very nervous
when it comes to you know, this summer season, this
wet season, and our regions, which unfortunately traditionally that's where
we see crime spike, both in property and personal offenses.
I would really be keen to see what the government's
plan is to be able to support that in some
way if there is a fulsome plan a particularly our
(08:59):
region and making sure that they're not forgotten Katie.
Speaker 1 (09:02):
Opposition Leader. I know the government have pointed to increase
police resources, stronger bail laws, and frontline operations as key
contributors to those crime stats going down. I mean, do
you acknowledge that some of the government's policies seem to
be having an impact.
Speaker 2 (09:18):
I think that's definitely part of the reason, Katie. But
there's also a bit a big gap what we're seeing
and what we're not hearing from the government. When it
comes to corrections. Who know that the government has basically
channeled most of their efforts into that pipeline into corrections
and into justice. What is happening in justice and what
(09:39):
happens after people exit prisons or correctional centers. I think
that's the part that the government is not talking about.
That's the part we're keen to see them get right,
because if we don't, that's where we're going to see
that cycle of crime and that cycle of offending behavior continue.
I think the government is well placed to be able
to do more than one thing at one time, so
(10:00):
that is an area we would like to see them
speak more about, because once someone's come out of corrections,
has their behavior been supported to change, that's going to
make the big difference when it comes to community safety.
Speaker 1 (10:12):
Opposition later, I know your press for time, as are
we this morning. What is on your agenda today in Parliament.
Speaker 2 (10:19):
Well, it's actually a bit of a light agenda this week, Katie. Interestingly,
the Member for Fong Limb spoke for three and a
half hours last week around the report on voluntary assisted dying,
which is so important. I know, something that many territories
want to see happen in the NT But I just
don't think we've even got three and a half hours
worth of legislation to speak on this week from the government.
(10:39):
So we'll be doing our best, Katie. We will be
scrutinizing what is before the House. There's only three bills
at the moment and two that are interconnected, which is
actually part of the work that Labor did a few
years ago when it comes to energy and being able
to support renewables in the Northern Territory and reliable energy
and sources being able to connect in the territory. So
(11:00):
we very much support that. It'll be very interesting to
see what sort of statements or reports the government decides
to bring on to fill their time.
Speaker 1 (11:07):
Well. My understanding as well, is it the Chiefiness is
going to introduce this bill to establish an Integrity and
Ethics Commissioner, that independent statutory office that consolidates integrity functions
including the NTIKAK and of course the Ombudsman into one body.
Have you seen any of that legislation. I know it's
being introduced today, but is it something that the Opposition's
(11:30):
going to be supporting.
Speaker 2 (11:32):
No, we found out in the media. I haven't seen it.
First answer. I found out this morning in a media
release and on the radio that this is going to
be introduced. Again, we very much welcome anything that improves
integrity and ethics in the Northern Territory. I think quite
interesting that the government's going to introduce it in a
week where they still refuse to publicly release the white
(11:55):
car policy, which is not a Cabinet document. It is
not confidential, it can be with the public, Katie, so
that if this is going to help them to read
by their own guidelines and to accept that Territorians want
to see some really well established integrity commission and that
integrated approach. This is something similar to what is in
(12:17):
the Australian Capital Territory in the Act and Canberra they
have a Combined Human Rights Commission. The model I understand
for this commission that's being proposed will be similar along
those lines. But until it's introduced, Katie, we'll do our
work once we see that writing. But I think this
is a really important one to have properly scrutinized, to
be able to provide the public with that confidence that
(12:41):
the Northern Territory Parliament, not just the government, but the
Northern Territory Parliament is wanting to see improvements when it
comes to integrity and ethics in the Northern Territory.
Speaker 1 (12:49):
Well, Opposition, Lady Selena, You're both always good to chat
with you. Thanks so much for your time this morning.
Speaker 2 (12:54):
Thanks very much.
Speaker 1 (12:55):
Keate, thank you
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