Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Oh, it is budget day. We know the Treasurer Bill
(00:02):
Yan set to hand down his first ever budget. He
faced criticism last week from the Opposition after heading to
the Barra Classic to volunteer as a scrutinia the week
the budget was being handed down. Now, joining me in
the studio to talk more about the budget this morning
is the Opposition leader Selena Youubo.
Speaker 2 (00:20):
Good morning to you, Good morning Katie, and good morning
to your listeners.
Speaker 1 (00:22):
Good to have you in the studio now, Selena, what
areas do you think that the government really needs to
be focusing on when it comes to today's budget.
Speaker 2 (00:32):
Well, Katie, I think what territories are going to expect
is what are we going to see around job investment,
What are we going to see that grows the territory
economy because that was one of the key election promises
from the CLP is to rebuild the territory's economy and
we can't do that unless we're seeing projects that develop
our own source revenue. So it'd be really interesting to
(00:53):
see what kind of initiatives the CLP government is bringing
to the table when it comes to.
Speaker 3 (00:59):
Their first budget for today but for this term.
Speaker 2 (01:03):
So I think that will be a really key thing
on people's minds, and we'll be asking the questions.
Speaker 3 (01:08):
But I think so far what we've seen.
Speaker 2 (01:10):
With the pre budget releases, Katie is I think it's
going to be quite underwhelming, unfortunately for Territorious.
Speaker 1 (01:15):
So you reckon there's not going to be a huge
amount of spending. You think they're going to be trying
to sort of rain in.
Speaker 2 (01:21):
Some of that dit I think reeling in, just like
the treasurer was reeling in his barrel last week. Katie.
I don't think that there's going to be a lot
of imagination. I don't think there's going to be any
projects that are going to create more jobs for territories.
Speaker 3 (01:33):
I would love to be proven wrong with this.
Speaker 2 (01:37):
I'm going to be having my highlighter and my ruler
out as soon as the budget books hit my desk
today at ten o'clock.
Speaker 3 (01:43):
So we'll wait and see.
Speaker 2 (01:44):
But everything that the Colp government has released so far
in the last couple of weeks in the lead up
to today's budget, I don't have a lot of hope unfortunately.
Speaker 1 (01:53):
I mean, they I'm sure are going to come out
and say that they've got to rain in spending because
labor overspent and that there are projects that they're still
having to deliver that we really can't afford. I mean,
what do you say to the government when they are
going to I suspect they're going to come out and
say that today.
Speaker 2 (02:11):
Yeah, Katie, I think that obviously Leofanocciero's first budget as
a chief minister, and it's definitely Bill Yam's first budget
as Treasurer.
Speaker 3 (02:20):
I think what.
Speaker 2 (02:20):
We're going to see is the effects of cuts without
any economy growing as well. I think what we're going
to see today is, as I've said, an underwhelming budget.
I think we're going to see, unfortunately, from all accounts,
the level of debt continue to increase despite some of
the infrastructure cuts that Bill Yan as Treasurer has foreshadowed.
(02:43):
So I don't see a lot of hope unfortunately.
Speaker 1 (02:46):
I know the CLP last year released that twenty four
to twenty five midyear report on the Territory's Economic and
fiscal Outlook. It revealed a fiscal balance deficit surging to
two billion dollars in twenty four to twenty five, with
net debt and INCREASINCD by three hundred and fifteen million
dollars to reach eleven point one billion. I mean, is
(03:06):
it going to be difficult for the opposition to criticize
the government's management of the budget when you've had it
them a hospital pass.
Speaker 2 (03:15):
I think Katie acknowledged that there hasn't been obviously the
ideal fiscal outlook for the Northern Territory for many years. Unfortunately,
we know that that's no secret every year, that's what
the budget books have been telling us. I think the
colp will learn pretty quickly that you can't cut your
way out of debt and I think that's what we're
going to see a bit of that attempt today without
(03:35):
any of the benefits.
Speaker 1 (03:38):
Well wait and see. It's always interesting on budget day,
isn't it to see exactly what I get taken down
and going through the numbers. But look, yesterday they did.
The Northern Territory government did formally say that they're referring
the Darwin Shiplift project to the Public Accounts Committee for Investigation,
citing escalating costs and delays. The Treasurer billion announcing the
(03:59):
referral well yesterday morning, saying it was time for Territorians
to get answers on that project. Now it was originally
announced by the Colp government many years ago as one
hundred million dollar project. It then of course blew out
to four hundred million dollars in twenty nineteen and again
to five hundred and fifteen million dollars in twenty twenty two.
(04:20):
That project is now facing significant additional forecasting costs in
the order of hundreds of millions of dollars, Selena, How
did Labor allow it to blow out like that when
you guys were still in power?
Speaker 2 (04:35):
Yeah, Katie, I think it's really important for listeners and
territorians to understand that one hundred million dollar figure that
was plucked out of the air by former cop Chief
Minister Adam Giles was purely that it was a number
that was just put on a page, put on a paper,
and then they've rolled with it and ever since, there
was no realistic attempt of evaluation of what a ship
(04:57):
lift project would actually cost until we started doing the
work under the former Labour government in twenty eighteen. Katie,
There'll be listeners who would be aware that the Northern
Territories ordered to General did a analysis on the figures,
and particularly one hundred million dollar figure that was put
up by then Adam Giles' CLP Chief Minister and that
it was not based on any type of realistic projection
(05:20):
or form.
Speaker 1 (05:21):
So I get that, but then it blew out to
that four hundred million in twenty nineteen and then again
to five hundred and fifteen million, So it seems as
though there's just sort of been no idea how much
it's going to go.
Speaker 2 (05:32):
Exactly right, Katie, one hundred million figure has come from
no idea. It has come from something that's been completely
fabricated by former Chief Minister Adam Giles, and then the
COLP continues to use that figure and that is not
the realistic figure. It is not what's been done when
there's been economic projections and cost evaluations for that project.
What will be really great about the Shiftliffe project for
(05:54):
the Northern Territory, Katie, is it will bring in that income,
It will bring in that own source revenue. This will
be a really important part of the territory economy's future
rebuild and growth. So I think, you know, whilst the
COLPS put it through and referred it to the Public
Accounts Committee of the Northern Territory Parliament, I'm not sure
what they're wanting to find other than the reasons around
(06:15):
the costings. I don't have that detail unfortunately, Katie to share.
Speaker 3 (06:19):
So do you support that referral don't.
Speaker 2 (06:22):
I understand that the referral's been made to try and
unpick where the costings have then been evaluated. But I mean,
similar to what you asked the Chief Minister Katie yesterday,
why can't the colp get that from their own departments
in government?
Speaker 3 (06:36):
Because that's the consistency.
Speaker 2 (06:38):
Whilst the executive arm of government changes, you know, political
values can change at that leadership level, the work of
government continues and the work of what has been happening
around the Shiplift project, with all those ups and downs
and the challenges, has remained steady in the long run.
Speaker 1 (06:53):
My biggest concern with it is like, yes, it's the cost,
but it's also how long it's taken. And what I'm
really worried about is that we're going to wind up
in a situation where we don't win any of these
contracts or where we don't have any of these contracts
because it's taking so long to build. I get it
that there must be different reasons for that, but that's
why I suppose I think the referral might be a
(07:14):
good thing to try to get to the bottom of
it all so that we can make sure we don't
make the same mistakes again.
Speaker 3 (07:19):
If there's been mistake, I'll definitely share that frustration.
Speaker 2 (07:22):
Noing wants to see major project that's going to deliver
more for the territory's economy pulled back, delayed, not hit
the ground, So I understand that frustration, absolutely share it
as well. When we're talking about the future of the
territory's economy. This is going to be a game changer.
So I'll be very interested to see what the committee
comes back with. But overall, I think it's an important
part of the territory's future forward facing ideas around economy
(07:46):
and rebuild.
Speaker 1 (07:47):
So that it does sound as something you're going to
really be focusing on today is seeing whether there is
going to be some investment into major projects and different
things to really try and kick off the economy.
Speaker 2 (07:58):
Yeah, Katie, and I've heard the CLPS speak about, you know, oh,
we're going to take away whatever Labour did with their
pet projects. They still haven't to this day, you know,
nine months of being in government, talked about what a
labor pet project was, so very.
Speaker 1 (08:12):
Mean, like the museum or the is it the museum,
the State art the art.
Speaker 3 (08:16):
Gallery, art galleries, Yes, things like that.
Speaker 2 (08:17):
Yeah, I mean like I'm not sure how big your
pets are, Katie, but I wouldn't call that a pet project.
I think that's very disrespectful to again talking about territory lifestyle,
one of the CLP's key core values from the territory election.
That adds to the territory lifestyle, but it also creates
opportunity around tourism. So I mean, I'm not telling listeners
anything new or anything different, but I mean when we're
(08:39):
talking about that, it is really diminishing the importance of
some of those major projects which will also provide income
and tourism value for the territory.
Speaker 1 (08:47):
Now, Selena, I know you are pressed for time because
the budget's being handed down at tree o'clock. Hey, but
I want to ask you really serious concerns continuing to
be raised in Nightcliff at the moment when it comes
to crime. Police last week arrested and charged a team
or who sexually assaulted women when exercising along the foreshore.
He also targeted women at the hospital in the car park.
Then on Thursday afternoon, a teenage boy was arrested after
(09:11):
allegedly terrorizing people, including children, with a metal pole. Then
yesterday we learned of another incident on Friday, a sixteen
year old male and fifteen year old female arrested in
relation to the alleged aggravated robbery and assault of a
worker in Nightcliffe on Friday morning. Now it all happened
about ten forty in the morning. I think it's safe
(09:34):
to say that the people of Nightcliff, they are upset
after what happened to Linford Fike. Now they are becoming
angry and frustrated about the ongoing issues that they are
seeing in the suburb. And I know that they're not alone.
You know, this is something that does happen in other locations,
But what do you think could be happening right now
(09:56):
to try and minimize the issues that they're facing in Nightcliff.
Speaker 2 (10:00):
And I know it's been a huge concern hearing about
that increase in unacceptable behavior, but particularly crime, crime that's
happening and being experienced here in Dawn in the top end,
but also of course the rest of the territory.
Speaker 3 (10:14):
We've got different stories of.
Speaker 2 (10:15):
Course from Catherine, where I am but I think what
people really want to see is that action. Katie that
the Chief Minister is also the police Minister. With Leofanochiara
at the Helm. You know, she's talked about vague reform
pieces that are coming, etc. But people don't want to
hear that anymore. It's CLP promised they were to be action.
They promised that they would prevent and stop crime in
(10:35):
the first place. We need to see more of that.
That is something that my Labor Opposition team and I
will support, but so far we're not seeing any of
that from the Chief Minister.
Speaker 3 (10:44):
And I know you.
Speaker 1 (10:45):
Always cop criticism when we talk about crime from our listeners.
They say, well, Label's in power for you know how
many years and did nothing to stop it. But I
want to ask you about something that you did that
the Labor Party did introduce, and that is that private
security in different areas.
Speaker 3 (10:59):
Now.
Speaker 1 (10:59):
I know it's ideal to have private security operating. We
would all rather see police out there on the beach,
but certainly a nightcliff that's something that the Member for Nightcliff,
Cat macnamara is now calling for. I mean, do you
think that that is something that the government should look
at implementing.
Speaker 2 (11:14):
Oh, I think that's a very practical solution and idea.
And of course cat McNamara is the member for Nightcliff,
knows her community and if she's listening and reflecting and
providing some of those practical solutions that government can take
on very quickly, mightor add Katie in terms of an
action piece to be able to promote and secure, you know,
the Nightcliff area and community safety, then they should absolutely
(11:37):
do that, and they should do it quickly.
Speaker 1 (11:39):
Well, Selena you bo the Opposition leader, really appreciate your
time this morning.
Speaker 3 (11:43):
I'll let you go.
Speaker 1 (11:43):
I know you've got to get to Parliament. Thanks so much,
Thank you so much, Katie,
Oh, it is budget day. We know the Treasurer Bill
(00:02):
Yan set to hand down his first ever budget. He
faced criticism last week from the Opposition after heading to
the Barra Classic to volunteer as a scrutinia the week
the budget was being handed down. Now, joining me in
the studio to talk more about the budget this morning
is the Opposition leader Selena Youubo.
Speaker 2 (00:20):
Good morning to you, Good morning Katie, and good morning
to your listeners.
Speaker 1 (00:22):
Good to have you in the studio now, Selena, what
areas do you think that the government really needs to
be focusing on when it comes to today's budget.
Speaker 2 (00:32):
Well, Katie, I think what territories are going to expect
is what are we going to see around job investment,
What are we going to see that grows the territory
economy because that was one of the key election promises
from the CLP is to rebuild the territory's economy and
we can't do that unless we're seeing projects that develop
our own source revenue. So it'd be really interesting to
(00:53):
see what kind of initiatives the CLP government is bringing
to the table when it comes to.
Speaker 3 (00:59):
Their first budget for today but for this term.
Speaker 2 (01:03):
So I think that will be a really key thing
on people's minds, and we'll be asking the questions.
Speaker 3 (01:08):
But I think so far what we've seen.
Speaker 2 (01:10):
With the pre budget releases, Katie is I think it's
going to be quite underwhelming, unfortunately for Territorious.
Speaker 1 (01:15):
So you reckon there's not going to be a huge
amount of spending. You think they're going to be trying
to sort of rain in.
Speaker 2 (01:21):
Some of that dit I think reeling in, just like
the treasurer was reeling in his barrel last week. Katie.
I don't think that there's going to be a lot
of imagination. I don't think there's going to be any
projects that are going to create more jobs for territories.
Speaker 3 (01:33):
I would love to be proven wrong with this.
Speaker 2 (01:37):
I'm going to be having my highlighter and my ruler
out as soon as the budget books hit my desk
today at ten o'clock.
Speaker 3 (01:43):
So we'll wait and see.
Speaker 2 (01:44):
But everything that the Colp government has released so far
in the last couple of weeks in the lead up
to today's budget, I don't have a lot of hope unfortunately.
Speaker 1 (01:53):
I mean, they I'm sure are going to come out
and say that they've got to rain in spending because
labor overspent and that there are projects that they're still
having to deliver that we really can't afford. I mean,
what do you say to the government when they are
going to I suspect they're going to come out and
say that today.
Speaker 2 (02:11):
Yeah, Katie, I think that obviously Leofanocciero's first budget as
a chief minister, and it's definitely Bill Yam's first budget
as Treasurer.
Speaker 3 (02:20):
I think what.
Speaker 2 (02:20):
We're going to see is the effects of cuts without
any economy growing as well. I think what we're going
to see today is, as I've said, an underwhelming budget.
I think we're going to see, unfortunately, from all accounts,
the level of debt continue to increase despite some of
the infrastructure cuts that Bill Yan as Treasurer has foreshadowed.
(02:43):
So I don't see a lot of hope unfortunately.
Speaker 1 (02:46):
I know the CLP last year released that twenty four
to twenty five midyear report on the Territory's Economic and
fiscal Outlook. It revealed a fiscal balance deficit surging to
two billion dollars in twenty four to twenty five, with
net debt and INCREASINCD by three hundred and fifteen million
dollars to reach eleven point one billion. I mean, is
(03:06):
it going to be difficult for the opposition to criticize
the government's management of the budget when you've had it
them a hospital pass.
Speaker 2 (03:15):
I think Katie acknowledged that there hasn't been obviously the
ideal fiscal outlook for the Northern Territory for many years. Unfortunately,
we know that that's no secret every year, that's what
the budget books have been telling us. I think the
colp will learn pretty quickly that you can't cut your
way out of debt and I think that's what we're
going to see a bit of that attempt today without
(03:35):
any of the benefits.
Speaker 1 (03:38):
Well wait and see. It's always interesting on budget day,
isn't it to see exactly what I get taken down
and going through the numbers. But look, yesterday they did.
The Northern Territory government did formally say that they're referring
the Darwin Shiplift project to the Public Accounts Committee for Investigation,
citing escalating costs and delays. The Treasurer billion announcing the
(03:59):
referral well yesterday morning, saying it was time for Territorians
to get answers on that project. Now it was originally
announced by the Colp government many years ago as one
hundred million dollar project. It then of course blew out
to four hundred million dollars in twenty nineteen and again
to five hundred and fifteen million dollars in twenty twenty two.
(04:20):
That project is now facing significant additional forecasting costs in
the order of hundreds of millions of dollars, Selena, How
did Labor allow it to blow out like that when
you guys were still in power?
Speaker 2 (04:35):
Yeah, Katie, I think it's really important for listeners and
territorians to understand that one hundred million dollar figure that
was plucked out of the air by former cop Chief
Minister Adam Giles was purely that it was a number
that was just put on a page, put on a paper,
and then they've rolled with it and ever since, there
was no realistic attempt of evaluation of what a ship
(04:57):
lift project would actually cost until we started doing the
work under the former Labour government in twenty eighteen. Katie,
There'll be listeners who would be aware that the Northern
Territories ordered to General did a analysis on the figures,
and particularly one hundred million dollar figure that was put
up by then Adam Giles' CLP Chief Minister and that
it was not based on any type of realistic projection
(05:20):
or form.
Speaker 1 (05:21):
So I get that, but then it blew out to
that four hundred million in twenty nineteen and then again
to five hundred and fifteen million, So it seems as
though there's just sort of been no idea how much
it's going to go.
Speaker 2 (05:32):
Exactly right, Katie, one hundred million figure has come from
no idea. It has come from something that's been completely
fabricated by former Chief Minister Adam Giles, and then the
COLP continues to use that figure and that is not
the realistic figure. It is not what's been done when
there's been economic projections and cost evaluations for that project.
What will be really great about the Shiftliffe project for
(05:54):
the Northern Territory, Katie, is it will bring in that income,
It will bring in that own source revenue. This will
be a really important part of the territory economy's future
rebuild and growth. So I think, you know, whilst the
COLPS put it through and referred it to the Public
Accounts Committee of the Northern Territory Parliament, I'm not sure
what they're wanting to find other than the reasons around
(06:15):
the costings. I don't have that detail unfortunately, Katie to share.
Speaker 3 (06:19):
So do you support that referral don't.
Speaker 2 (06:22):
I understand that the referral's been made to try and
unpick where the costings have then been evaluated. But I mean,
similar to what you asked the Chief Minister Katie yesterday,
why can't the colp get that from their own departments
in government?
Speaker 3 (06:36):
Because that's the consistency.
Speaker 2 (06:38):
Whilst the executive arm of government changes, you know, political
values can change at that leadership level, the work of
government continues and the work of what has been happening
around the Shiplift project, with all those ups and downs
and the challenges, has remained steady in the long run.
Speaker 1 (06:53):
My biggest concern with it is like, yes, it's the cost,
but it's also how long it's taken. And what I'm
really worried about is that we're going to wind up
in a situation where we don't win any of these
contracts or where we don't have any of these contracts
because it's taking so long to build. I get it
that there must be different reasons for that, but that's
why I suppose I think the referral might be a
(07:14):
good thing to try to get to the bottom of
it all so that we can make sure we don't
make the same mistakes again.
Speaker 3 (07:19):
If there's been mistake, I'll definitely share that frustration.
Speaker 2 (07:22):
Noing wants to see major project that's going to deliver
more for the territory's economy pulled back, delayed, not hit
the ground, So I understand that frustration, absolutely share it
as well. When we're talking about the future of the
territory's economy. This is going to be a game changer.
So I'll be very interested to see what the committee
comes back with. But overall, I think it's an important
part of the territory's future forward facing ideas around economy
(07:46):
and rebuild.
Speaker 1 (07:47):
So that it does sound as something you're going to
really be focusing on today is seeing whether there is
going to be some investment into major projects and different
things to really try and kick off the economy.
Speaker 2 (07:58):
Yeah, Katie, and I've heard the CLPS speak about, you know, oh,
we're going to take away whatever Labour did with their
pet projects. They still haven't to this day, you know,
nine months of being in government, talked about what a
labor pet project was, so very.
Speaker 1 (08:12):
Mean, like the museum or the is it the museum,
the State art the art.
Speaker 3 (08:16):
Gallery, art galleries, Yes, things like that.
Speaker 2 (08:17):
Yeah, I mean like I'm not sure how big your
pets are, Katie, but I wouldn't call that a pet project.
I think that's very disrespectful to again talking about territory lifestyle,
one of the CLP's key core values from the territory election.
That adds to the territory lifestyle, but it also creates
opportunity around tourism. So I mean, I'm not telling listeners
anything new or anything different, but I mean when we're
(08:39):
talking about that, it is really diminishing the importance of
some of those major projects which will also provide income
and tourism value for the territory.
Speaker 1 (08:47):
Now, Selena, I know you are pressed for time because
the budget's being handed down at tree o'clock. Hey, but
I want to ask you really serious concerns continuing to
be raised in Nightcliff at the moment when it comes
to crime. Police last week arrested and charged a team
or who sexually assaulted women when exercising along the foreshore.
He also targeted women at the hospital in the car park.
Then on Thursday afternoon, a teenage boy was arrested after
(09:11):
allegedly terrorizing people, including children, with a metal pole. Then
yesterday we learned of another incident on Friday, a sixteen
year old male and fifteen year old female arrested in
relation to the alleged aggravated robbery and assault of a
worker in Nightcliffe on Friday morning. Now it all happened
about ten forty in the morning. I think it's safe
(09:34):
to say that the people of Nightcliff, they are upset
after what happened to Linford Fike. Now they are becoming
angry and frustrated about the ongoing issues that they are
seeing in the suburb. And I know that they're not alone.
You know, this is something that does happen in other locations,
But what do you think could be happening right now
(09:56):
to try and minimize the issues that they're facing in Nightcliff.
Speaker 2 (10:00):
And I know it's been a huge concern hearing about
that increase in unacceptable behavior, but particularly crime, crime that's
happening and being experienced here in Dawn in the top end,
but also of course the rest of the territory.
Speaker 3 (10:14):
We've got different stories of.
Speaker 2 (10:15):
Course from Catherine, where I am but I think what
people really want to see is that action. Katie that
the Chief Minister is also the police Minister. With Leofanochiara
at the Helm. You know, she's talked about vague reform
pieces that are coming, etc. But people don't want to
hear that anymore. It's CLP promised they were to be action.
They promised that they would prevent and stop crime in
(10:35):
the first place. We need to see more of that.
That is something that my Labor Opposition team and I
will support, but so far we're not seeing any of
that from the Chief Minister.
Speaker 3 (10:44):
And I know you.
Speaker 1 (10:45):
Always cop criticism when we talk about crime from our listeners.
They say, well, Label's in power for you know how
many years and did nothing to stop it. But I
want to ask you about something that you did that
the Labor Party did introduce, and that is that private
security in different areas.
Speaker 3 (10:59):
Now.
Speaker 1 (10:59):
I know it's ideal to have private security operating. We
would all rather see police out there on the beach,
but certainly a nightcliff that's something that the Member for Nightcliff,
Cat macnamara is now calling for. I mean, do you
think that that is something that the government should look
at implementing.
Speaker 2 (11:14):
Oh, I think that's a very practical solution and idea.
And of course cat McNamara is the member for Nightcliff,
knows her community and if she's listening and reflecting and
providing some of those practical solutions that government can take
on very quickly, mightor add Katie in terms of an
action piece to be able to promote and secure, you know,
the Nightcliff area and community safety, then they should absolutely
(11:37):
do that, and they should do it quickly.
Speaker 1 (11:39):
Well, Selena you bo the Opposition leader, really appreciate your
time this morning.
Speaker 3 (11:43):
I'll let you go.
Speaker 1 (11:43):
I know you've got to get to Parliament. Thanks so much,
Thank you so much, Katie,
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