Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Joining me in the studio is the Minister for Police
and also Veterans' Affairs, Brent Potter.
Speaker 2 (00:04):
Good morning to you, brand.
Speaker 3 (00:05):
Good morning Katie.
Speaker 2 (00:06):
Now, first off this morning, I did mention this just
a moment ago.
Speaker 1 (00:10):
A nurse who's also a member of the Northern Territories
Nepalese community. She was threatened at knife point last week
during an attempted carjacking and no longer feels safe living
in Darwin.
Speaker 2 (00:20):
That's what she's told the media.
Speaker 1 (00:22):
This wasn't the only serious incident, with Bangladeshi UNI student
hit with a hammer at a servo in another attempted carjacking.
We know the government is bolstering police numbers. That's a
long term plan. But people are being injured on our streets.
They're just going about their daily lives. What more can
be happening right now to keep people safe.
Speaker 4 (00:43):
Yeah, I think the second incident you spoke about, Katie,
they're related. There's a relation there for the same offenders.
And I'm angry with her. I heard her comments. I agree,
I'd be in the exact same position she is right now.
And I think Sydney's shown us more than anything that
some of these instances we end up being responding to
rather being able to prevent because they're just randomized. I
think in the short so you said the long term police, well,
(01:04):
to me, the short term is more police.
Speaker 3 (01:06):
In the long term, it is more around the investment in.
Speaker 1 (01:08):
The causes are we're going to have those police at.
Speaker 4 (01:11):
The Commission's got sixty eight graduating in June. We just
had a graduation early two graduations this year, so we.
Speaker 1 (01:17):
Just sort of like between now and June, and I know,
like I get what you're saying, but between now and June, right,
people are feeling like they call the police and they
don't get somebody out there, and those.
Speaker 4 (01:28):
Numbers identified in the police review, and I'm not disputing
that's why we put the money in Kadie. The only
thing I can do right now to change this, he's
get more police on the beat. We're seeing people return
to work after the police review. We're seeing the commissioner
change that culture in that organization. And when I was
down an aalys during the curfew, a couple of the
people in the specialist sales said he's really making an
impact culturally in the organization and people feel supported. Now
(01:49):
that's long term police officers in Alice Springs some of
the hardest places to police, and they're very happy with
the Commissioner. And I think that, yes, you're right, we
have to wait till June. But in saying that, we've
got officers in Alice Springs at the moment, they'll stay
there until June. We've got OSSes coming back to work.
The Territory Safety Division, which we announced December, was actually
out at the Eels game and commiserations the Eels fans.
Speaker 3 (02:08):
They were out at.
Speaker 4 (02:09):
The Eels game walking the beat and those weren't general duties.
That meant those general duties cars could be out responding
to calls, whereas previously we'd have to pull.
Speaker 3 (02:16):
Them for events.
Speaker 2 (02:17):
Look, i'll give you an example.
Speaker 1 (02:18):
I was contacted by a parent last week and I
have contacted the Northern Territory Police about this. But her
teen daughter was at soccer at Baggotoval last Thursday. Right
they were there. There was a number of teams. Luckily,
the littlies, you know, like the kids that are my
son's age, had already gone home. But a man's turned
up with a weapon. He's turned up with a weapon.
(02:38):
He was apparently threatening members of those senior teams. They're
mostly adults in those teams, thankfully, but.
Speaker 2 (02:45):
There are juniors there as well.
Speaker 1 (02:47):
Now, dogs apparently ended up bailing this blowcup and he's
left the scene.
Speaker 2 (02:51):
But they called the police. The police did not arrive.
Speaker 1 (02:54):
I don't know whether they arrived later in the evening,
but we're talking about some thirteen year.
Speaker 2 (02:58):
Old girls that are there.
Speaker 1 (03:00):
A bloke's turned up with a weapon. The police have
been called, and no one's turned up. Like to me,
that's really bloody scary.
Speaker 4 (03:09):
Yes, So I don't know the circumstances of it. What
I would say is, and I'm happy to go and
find out. For example, Katie, I've called police before. They've
not turned up that instant we had in Prap that
you and I'm aware of. Yeah, they never turned up
to Prap. But what I found out they used CCTV.
We're actually attending to the individual. So I'm happy to
follow up find out why they didn't attending person. Did
they actually attend the scene and go and deal with
the individual?
Speaker 1 (03:29):
I think they did later on, OK, right, But the
fact is you tell people that are scared, you know.
Speaker 2 (03:34):
And that's the point I think that I'm trying to
make right now.
Speaker 1 (03:36):
And I get what you're saying that the government's longer
term plan is that you're going to have more police
and that by June we're going to have sixty eight graduating.
But for right now, like for that nurse that's got
two eleven year olds and two teenagers holding her up
with a bloody knife, it's just appalling.
Speaker 4 (03:54):
The best solution out of that because and I'm not
going to go into the individuals of every those kids involved,
but no legislation change would have changed their offending right there.
Speaker 1 (04:03):
And I've said this before, and would re lowering the
criminal age of responsibility change.
Speaker 4 (04:09):
It wouldn't solve the problem, Kady, because like I said,
the criminals don't think they're going to get caught. Whether
they're a young adult or an adult, or they're young
or they're an adult, they don't think they're getting caught.
Speaker 3 (04:17):
What needs to happen.
Speaker 1 (04:17):
It's appropriate that kids can literally hold a woman up
with a knife, two of them just get taken off.
Speaker 4 (04:23):
I don't think any anyone should hold anyone up with
a weapon, whether they're a kid or not. Now, the
eleven year old, for example, that you're referring to, the
best outcome there. You know, if he's not the primary
offender is getting back on community and have community accountable
for that case. And so is that what's is he
is back on community and community are dealing with him
because you should never have been in town. The reality
is he should never have been in town without his parents.
And this is the point we make that you can
(04:43):
go off and change bail legislation. It's not going to
solve the problem. It's going to make people feel better
for the first couple of hours until they're a victim again.
We need to address the parenting issue and get parents
at the table. So who put the kid back in?
Speaker 1 (04:54):
Do you reckon though, that the lowering or that the
raising of the criminal age of responsibility is working.
Speaker 4 (05:00):
I'd say we've got offenders that are still six and seven.
So regardless of what the age is, we're still seeing
offending and it's a good example.
Speaker 2 (05:06):
Do you think it's gotten worse.
Speaker 4 (05:07):
I think what it's done is more people are heightened
on it. As soon as we see a youth that
is under the age now and related to raising the age,
people are reporting on it. These were happening when the
criminal age was ten. We were having kids that were
seven and eight. I think what it has done, though,
is it has brought scrutiny onto the departments to make
sure they're managing these youth appropriately, because I think that
is what's failing. Now.
Speaker 2 (05:26):
Minister, do you think that your knife crime strategy is working?
Speaker 3 (05:28):
Yeah? I do.
Speaker 4 (05:29):
I think we've seen the reduction from the start of
the wanding when we first introduced the legislation to when
we've seen wanding operations occur, and the pickup that we've
identified is declining. As Sydney has showed us, you can't
stop people carrying weapons if they make that decision. What
you can do is detect it quicker and respond faster.
We've seen that in our springs and overwhelmingly from that
(05:49):
study that we did, we've confirmed that most people carry
them for self defense. That's the education piece, Like we
really want to stop it, we've got.
Speaker 3 (05:54):
To go down education.
Speaker 1 (05:55):
But most people carrying them for self defense, right, aren't
going out then threatening people and trying to steal their Well, no,
you are right.
Speaker 4 (06:02):
That weapon, whether it was a knife, a bottle, or however,
they were going to steal the car, they were going
to commit the eqrevents and they got a hold of
a weapon, being a knife, and knives are readily available
throughout our community, both in houses and shops. What I
would say is visible patrolling and wanting is working. We
have the education program in the schools, but in this instance,
those kids probably aren't attending school, so therefore they're not
getting that program that we need them to get.
Speaker 1 (06:22):
Minister literally, just as we're on air, the Northern Territory
Police and now calling for information after an aggravated robbery
occurred in Catherine early yesterday morning.
Speaker 2 (06:30):
You're probably aware of this.
Speaker 1 (06:31):
About five point thirty in the morning, police received reports
that an eighty three year old man was allegedly assaulted
and had his vehicle stolen by a group of three
female uthes. The incident occurred after the group allegedly asked
the victim to drive them home from a service station.
Now upon arrival at another street, the offenders allegedly assaulted
(06:55):
him several times before fleeing in the vehicle.
Speaker 2 (06:58):
The victim has.
Speaker 1 (06:58):
Since been conveyed to hospital to receive treatment for his injuries.
Speaker 2 (07:02):
I mean, look to me reading that, and I understand.
Speaker 1 (07:06):
That the government's got different, you know, different measures in place,
different things that you're trying to do right. But to
me reading that, if an eighty three year old man
can't be safe in a nice little town like Catherine
because there's three female youths assaulting him, things are out
of control.
Speaker 4 (07:23):
So I'm not going to comment on that one, k
because there's probably some more information that needs to come
out on that one. There'll probably be an ongoing investigation
and those youth will be identified. But to me, there's
probably more of that story you've alluded to that had
any interaction before at the service station, he's offered to
drive them home.
Speaker 3 (07:37):
I'm going to.
Speaker 2 (07:38):
Reserve judgment, so the reckon he's known to no, I'm.
Speaker 4 (07:39):
Not going to say until I get a brief. I've
got a brief on other information and other events have occurred,
but that one specifically, I'm probably sure there's more to
that now.
Speaker 1 (07:47):
Just in relation to the second international student being attacked,
you know that was that we know of. Obviously, we
also know that Seafat was murdered while sleeping in his
own bed last year. Does the government have a player
to ensure that international students feel safe and still want
to come to day?
Speaker 4 (08:03):
Yes, So I'm re establishing the multicultural advisory community that
sits within police, and they're going to do that from
a ministerial level and get those people at the table,
because I think that more than anything, they are some
of the They have some of the best indicators of
what's occurring on the ground and a majority of the
time they'll have some of the best solutions. And I
think that if we really want to address this, it
can't just be a government led police solution. We've got
to bring the multicultural community along with us with their ideas.
(08:25):
So I've re established that, but I think when we
talk about crime like this has occurred to the taxi
driver and the woman that had her car stolen, it
can affect any territory and I'm not going to shy
away from that. I think what needs to happen, though,
is when these youth get before the courts, the courts
have an absolute understanding of the impact they're having on community,
and the courts can do that. They did that after
Todd tab An incident. All of those youth were remanded.
(08:48):
The toos down in Ala Springs wrote a joint letter
to the judiciary saying we want them remanded, we don't
want them in our community and the judiciary complied.
Speaker 2 (08:55):
Do you think the courts are being solved.
Speaker 4 (08:56):
No. I think that they weigh up everything that's put
before them. But it's been really good to have some
of the tos in these communities come forward and say, no,
those youth need to be remanded for a period of
time because, let's be really frank, he a lot of
them need an NDAs assessment, a lot of them need
health outcomes, and they're not attending health appointments when they're
out in the streets. So sometimes reminded detention is the
best opportunity for that time.
Speaker 2 (09:16):
I'm going to be really blunt with you.
Speaker 1 (09:17):
I think a lot of the people in the community
at the moment to rat the point where you know
that may well be the case, but they are impeding
on safety of absolutely everybody. And you know, if somebody
needs an NDIS assessment, a general member of the public
who's been held up with the knife, by a knife
or with a knife, really you know, it doesn't feel
(09:39):
sorry what I'm saying if that occurs the offender.
Speaker 4 (09:41):
But what I'm saying is put them in the remand
sentence them, hold them and then we can do those assessments.
So I'm not saying keep them on the street to
do the end. I'm in agreement saying those youth that
commit those offenses should be put behind bars and remand
until their sentence. And that worked in our Springs when
the tos actually said the juju do this and they complied.
Speaker 1 (09:57):
Now, look, there's a bit I want to cover off
on the shorting for time. Sydney shoppers obviously starting to
return to the size of that terrible stabbing attack which
rocked the nation.
Speaker 2 (10:08):
There are a new.
Speaker 1 (10:09):
Call for authorities to consider legalizing the possession of pepper
spray for self defense.
Speaker 2 (10:14):
What do you think of that?
Speaker 4 (10:15):
Oh, listen, it's something I'll have a chat to the
commissioner about. I think you know, I'm aware there's people
that have bought products off the shelf from Bunnings and
things like that that they use for themselves. What do
you you said on all the follow the Facebook group?
Because I think that's a good indication of understanding how
territories are right. People are saying they carry flys brain
all this, or what I would say is they're not
intended for that. Let me have a chat to the commissioner.
I think that what occurred in Sydney is definitely a
(10:38):
mental health issue.
Speaker 3 (10:39):
Wasn't decided not wasn't a terrorist incident.
Speaker 4 (10:42):
We need to work through that, and I know that
police are actively getting briefings from Sydney and nationally on it,
and if we need to make changes, we will. But
I think that in the short term, when you call
an officer, we should be able to get your police
officer straight away to deal with it, so you're not
putting yourself in additional harm.
Speaker 2 (10:54):
But if you.
Speaker 1 (10:54):
Can't, like if an officer isn't able to come out,
I mean, should you be able to use pepper spray
if someone.
Speaker 4 (10:59):
Hold I'm not an expert on whether we should be
handing OC spray over to everyday territories. I'm happy to
get the advice from the Police Commission WA.
Speaker 2 (11:07):
They do.
Speaker 3 (11:07):
I know that.
Speaker 4 (11:08):
I know that there's some people that have come from
WA and have made it very clear to me that
they would like to see those measures here, and I'm
happy to look at w A. I've always said I'll
look at any good legislation that keeps territory safe, So.
Speaker 2 (11:17):
It is something that you're happy to have a look at.
Speaker 4 (11:20):
As of now, I'm happy to go and have a
chat to the commissioner and find out what his thoughts
are and how it's regulated and policed in WA And
I guess ultimately how many uses of force have been
unjustified by members of the public with it, because I
think that's the important piece.
Speaker 3 (11:32):
But I'm happy to ask here, sir.
Speaker 1 (11:33):
Look very keen to hear from our listeners this morning,
if you if you think it's a good idea zero
four double nine seven double one three six zero bring
onto another topic. With all the incidents and coverage of
youth crime and the conditions at don Dale, what do
you make of the media and not being able to
go into Don Dae.
Speaker 3 (11:49):
Yeah, that was the first I heard it on the weekend.
I'm unsure.
Speaker 4 (11:52):
I know that we had the fire out there recently
and the Minister can probably give you more details to
why that request was denied, but I know that some
of the youth don't also want to be seen by
the media. I don't know the details of it. I'm
happy to ask Nari, But.
Speaker 1 (12:05):
I mean, do you think if we're if we're saying
that this facility is not fit for purpose, then you
know we should allow the media in to go and
have a.
Speaker 2 (12:11):
Look at it.
Speaker 4 (12:12):
Well, I think we've acknowledged that it's not fit for
purpose for youth, and that we've got a new facility
built and they'll move into that. And as you've heard recently,
we're going to need we need those sales and we're
going to have to use them to get some women
out of the main presence. So it is fit for purpose,
it's just not fit for youth.
Speaker 1 (12:25):
I suppose the other side of this argument though, is
that you know, the media, really we're there to, you know,
to open that broader picture for the general public. If
the media is not able to go into don Dale
and look at those conditions, some would see that as
censorship by the government.
Speaker 3 (12:40):
So I can understand people's position on that.
Speaker 4 (12:42):
And I'm not the minister for that portfolio, and I've
always been pretty open with the media to come and
look at police and I know the commissioner has as well,
So I'm happy to follow up and ask for more
details and come back to you, Katian, And that's why
come on the show.
Speaker 2 (12:50):
But we know as well, like you've just touched on
that at all.
Speaker 4 (12:54):
Going into those Yeah, okay, so it'll be a mix,
is what I've heard from the commissioner today, But yeah,
we need those beds. The reality is that we need beds.
We need our police watchhouses back. And you talk about
getting a police responsible police at the moment of filling
in on those watchhouts, I just need them back.
Speaker 3 (13:10):
We need our police on the street.
Speaker 4 (13:11):
The fastest way to get more prison beds is to
reuse these facilities and repurpose them.
Speaker 1 (13:15):
Great.
Speaker 4 (13:16):
You know there'll be some people that say it's a negative. Well,
I think Territorians want to feel safe right now and
this is one of the mechanisms I can do that.
Speaker 1 (13:22):
I think that a lot of Territorians are at the
point where they're going if there's criminals on the street,
we need a big at jarb.
Speaker 4 (13:28):
This from day night. There are criminals that need to
be behind bars, and we need more beds. And clearly
the rate isn't declining at the rate that we would
like it to see of reoffending. But in some instances
being in prison is the chance to get those programs
to rehabilitate people.
Speaker 1 (13:40):
Now, look, we are fast strutting out of time, but
I want to ask you, how do you feel things
are going in Alice Springs with that curfew ending.
Speaker 3 (13:47):
Yeah, listen, I think I think it's steady staate.
Speaker 4 (13:49):
As I've said before, we're going to see peaks and troughs,
and you know, I think the best gauge will be
Alla Springs residents. The Chief's been very clear will take
strong measures in Alice Springs and Intended Creek and Catherine Darwin.
Speaker 3 (13:59):
When we need to.
Speaker 4 (14:00):
Curfews are resource intensive and I know people would like
to see them across the territory, and you know Catherine
as an example, has had an increase in police resources
over the same period. We're not afraid to reintroduce those
measures if they know we see spikes in any social
behavior and crime. What I would say is, though a
collaborative approach with the traditional owners down there and in
the outstations, with the service providers and the additional police
(14:21):
is the way to solve this long term curfews give
us a break, but we need the service providers that
have paid a lot of money to.
Speaker 3 (14:26):
Come to the table.
Speaker 2 (14:27):
Just with your other portfolio had on.
Speaker 1 (14:29):
We know the government's announced an investment of two point
five to five million dollars over three years to support veterans,
the veterans community, bringing that total funding for defense in
the Northern Territory for the budget for twenty twenty four
to three point one million dollars. This funding is going
to go to facilitating new and existing initiatives. Tell us
a little bit more about what it's going towards.
Speaker 4 (14:48):
Yeah, we have about ten thousand veterans in Northern Territory
still serving but also price serving. This may not seem
like a huge bucket of money for some people, but
in the veterans.
Speaker 3 (14:56):
Space, it is.
Speaker 4 (14:56):
It will really allow the first veteran strategy we announced
last year being Operation Thrive, to be fully funded, to
do the recognition services, to do the employment education pathways
for veterans. I want to see veterans that transition out
of defense to stay and dalt. They have a very
unique set of skills that a lot of industry needs.
This will go a long way to connecting them together
and making this a place that veterans want to call home.
(15:18):
I mean, I stayed in Darwin and chose to stay
down because of how much I loved it, but I
also love the service I did here and it was
an easy transition. I want that to be the same
for everyone. But it also comes in a fitting week
with ANZAC Day. This Thursday, I'm about to go to
dal and High's ANZAC ceremony. We launched check You Mats,
which is a campaign around mental health, and I mean
from my family, it could be more fitting with lose
(15:38):
my father in law two weeks ago. So this all
comes at the right time. Sorry, Okay, it comes at
the right time, I think, because we don't talk about
a mental health enough. So anyone listening out there, if
you need to talk to someone, you don't have to
be a veteran breach in check you mate, because you
know those outcomes are final.
Speaker 3 (15:54):
But this money will go a long way to helping them.
Speaker 1 (15:55):
And Mate, on that note, I am very sorry to
you and family, particularly your wife and her siblings on
the loss of your father in law. I know that
there wasn't wasn't a seat. I don't think in the
church last week when Tommy was fair world, a wonderful
bloke and a real loss. I think you know, to
(16:16):
the whole community.
Speaker 3 (16:17):
Yeah, thanks Gudy, and he really he loved listening to
your show.
Speaker 4 (16:19):
And sometimes we didn't necessarily agree on the politics at home,
but we do appreciate the shoutdow you did for him
two weeks ago and playing his songs. So yeah, if
you're listening you need help, reach out to mate.
Speaker 2 (16:30):
Absolutely absolutely.
Speaker 1 (16:31):
Brent Potter, Minister for Police and Veterans Affairs, really appreciate
your time this morning.
Speaker 2 (16:36):
Thanks so much for joining us. Thanks Cody, thank you,
Joining me in the studio is the Minister for Police
and also Veterans' Affairs, Brent Potter.
Speaker 2 (00:04):
Good morning to you, brand.
Speaker 3 (00:05):
Good morning Katie.
Speaker 2 (00:06):
Now, first off this morning, I did mention this just
a moment ago.
Speaker 1 (00:10):
A nurse who's also a member of the Northern Territories
Nepalese community. She was threatened at knife point last week
during an attempted carjacking and no longer feels safe living
in Darwin.
Speaker 2 (00:20):
That's what she's told the media.
Speaker 1 (00:22):
This wasn't the only serious incident, with Bangladeshi UNI student
hit with a hammer at a servo in another attempted carjacking.
We know the government is bolstering police numbers. That's a
long term plan. But people are being injured on our streets.
They're just going about their daily lives. What more can
be happening right now to keep people safe.
Speaker 4 (00:43):
Yeah, I think the second incident you spoke about, Katie,
they're related. There's a relation there for the same offenders.
And I'm angry with her. I heard her comments. I agree,
I'd be in the exact same position she is right now.
And I think Sydney's shown us more than anything that
some of these instances we end up being responding to
rather being able to prevent because they're just randomized. I
think in the short so you said the long term police, well,
(01:04):
to me, the short term is more police.
Speaker 3 (01:06):
In the long term, it is more around the investment in.
Speaker 1 (01:08):
The causes are we're going to have those police at.
Speaker 4 (01:11):
The Commission's got sixty eight graduating in June. We just
had a graduation early two graduations this year, so we.
Speaker 1 (01:17):
Just sort of like between now and June, and I know,
like I get what you're saying, but between now and June, right,
people are feeling like they call the police and they
don't get somebody out there, and those.
Speaker 4 (01:28):
Numbers identified in the police review, and I'm not disputing
that's why we put the money in Kadie. The only
thing I can do right now to change this, he's
get more police on the beat. We're seeing people return
to work after the police review. We're seeing the commissioner
change that culture in that organization. And when I was
down an aalys during the curfew, a couple of the
people in the specialist sales said he's really making an
impact culturally in the organization and people feel supported. Now
(01:49):
that's long term police officers in Alice Springs some of
the hardest places to police, and they're very happy with
the Commissioner. And I think that, yes, you're right, we
have to wait till June. But in saying that, we've
got officers in Alice Springs at the moment, they'll stay
there until June. We've got OSSes coming back to work.
The Territory Safety Division, which we announced December, was actually
out at the Eels game and commiserations the Eels fans.
Speaker 3 (02:08):
They were out at.
Speaker 4 (02:09):
The Eels game walking the beat and those weren't general duties.
That meant those general duties cars could be out responding
to calls, whereas previously we'd have to pull.
Speaker 3 (02:16):
Them for events.
Speaker 2 (02:17):
Look, i'll give you an example.
Speaker 1 (02:18):
I was contacted by a parent last week and I
have contacted the Northern Territory Police about this. But her
teen daughter was at soccer at Baggotoval last Thursday. Right
they were there. There was a number of teams. Luckily,
the littlies, you know, like the kids that are my
son's age, had already gone home. But a man's turned
up with a weapon. He's turned up with a weapon.
(02:38):
He was apparently threatening members of those senior teams. They're
mostly adults in those teams, thankfully, but.
Speaker 2 (02:45):
There are juniors there as well.
Speaker 1 (02:47):
Now, dogs apparently ended up bailing this blowcup and he's
left the scene.
Speaker 2 (02:51):
But they called the police. The police did not arrive.
Speaker 1 (02:54):
I don't know whether they arrived later in the evening,
but we're talking about some thirteen year.
Speaker 2 (02:58):
Old girls that are there.
Speaker 1 (03:00):
A bloke's turned up with a weapon. The police have
been called, and no one's turned up. Like to me,
that's really bloody scary.
Speaker 4 (03:09):
Yes, So I don't know the circumstances of it. What
I would say is, and I'm happy to go and
find out. For example, Katie, I've called police before. They've
not turned up that instant we had in Prap that
you and I'm aware of. Yeah, they never turned up
to Prap. But what I found out they used CCTV.
We're actually attending to the individual. So I'm happy to
follow up find out why they didn't attending person. Did
they actually attend the scene and go and deal with
the individual?
Speaker 1 (03:29):
I think they did later on, OK, right, But the
fact is you tell people that are scared, you know.
Speaker 2 (03:34):
And that's the point I think that I'm trying to
make right now.
Speaker 1 (03:36):
And I get what you're saying that the government's longer
term plan is that you're going to have more police
and that by June we're going to have sixty eight graduating.
But for right now, like for that nurse that's got
two eleven year olds and two teenagers holding her up
with a bloody knife, it's just appalling.
Speaker 4 (03:54):
The best solution out of that because and I'm not
going to go into the individuals of every those kids involved,
but no legislation change would have changed their offending right there.
Speaker 1 (04:03):
And I've said this before, and would re lowering the
criminal age of responsibility change.
Speaker 4 (04:09):
It wouldn't solve the problem, Kady, because like I said,
the criminals don't think they're going to get caught. Whether
they're a young adult or an adult, or they're young
or they're an adult, they don't think they're getting caught.
Speaker 3 (04:17):
What needs to happen.
Speaker 1 (04:17):
It's appropriate that kids can literally hold a woman up
with a knife, two of them just get taken off.
Speaker 4 (04:23):
I don't think any anyone should hold anyone up with
a weapon, whether they're a kid or not. Now, the
eleven year old, for example, that you're referring to, the
best outcome there. You know, if he's not the primary
offender is getting back on community and have community accountable
for that case. And so is that what's is he
is back on community and community are dealing with him
because you should never have been in town. The reality
is he should never have been in town without his parents.
And this is the point we make that you can
(04:43):
go off and change bail legislation. It's not going to
solve the problem. It's going to make people feel better
for the first couple of hours until they're a victim again.
We need to address the parenting issue and get parents
at the table. So who put the kid back in?
Speaker 1 (04:54):
Do you reckon though, that the lowering or that the
raising of the criminal age of responsibility is working.
Speaker 4 (05:00):
I'd say we've got offenders that are still six and seven.
So regardless of what the age is, we're still seeing
offending and it's a good example.
Speaker 2 (05:06):
Do you think it's gotten worse.
Speaker 4 (05:07):
I think what it's done is more people are heightened
on it. As soon as we see a youth that
is under the age now and related to raising the age,
people are reporting on it. These were happening when the
criminal age was ten. We were having kids that were
seven and eight. I think what it has done, though,
is it has brought scrutiny onto the departments to make
sure they're managing these youth appropriately, because I think that
is what's failing. Now.
Speaker 2 (05:26):
Minister, do you think that your knife crime strategy is working?
Speaker 3 (05:28):
Yeah? I do.
Speaker 4 (05:29):
I think we've seen the reduction from the start of
the wanding when we first introduced the legislation to when
we've seen wanding operations occur, and the pickup that we've
identified is declining. As Sydney has showed us, you can't
stop people carrying weapons if they make that decision. What
you can do is detect it quicker and respond faster.
We've seen that in our springs and overwhelmingly from that
(05:49):
study that we did, we've confirmed that most people carry
them for self defense. That's the education piece, Like we
really want to stop it, we've got.
Speaker 3 (05:54):
To go down education.
Speaker 1 (05:55):
But most people carrying them for self defense, right, aren't
going out then threatening people and trying to steal their Well, no,
you are right.
Speaker 4 (06:02):
That weapon, whether it was a knife, a bottle, or however,
they were going to steal the car, they were going
to commit the eqrevents and they got a hold of
a weapon, being a knife, and knives are readily available
throughout our community, both in houses and shops. What I
would say is visible patrolling and wanting is working. We
have the education program in the schools, but in this instance,
those kids probably aren't attending school, so therefore they're not
getting that program that we need them to get.
Speaker 1 (06:22):
Minister literally, just as we're on air, the Northern Territory
Police and now calling for information after an aggravated robbery
occurred in Catherine early yesterday morning.
Speaker 2 (06:30):
You're probably aware of this.
Speaker 1 (06:31):
About five point thirty in the morning, police received reports
that an eighty three year old man was allegedly assaulted
and had his vehicle stolen by a group of three
female uthes. The incident occurred after the group allegedly asked
the victim to drive them home from a service station.
Now upon arrival at another street, the offenders allegedly assaulted
(06:55):
him several times before fleeing in the vehicle.
Speaker 2 (06:58):
The victim has.
Speaker 1 (06:58):
Since been conveyed to hospital to receive treatment for his injuries.
Speaker 2 (07:02):
I mean, look to me reading that, and I understand.
Speaker 1 (07:06):
That the government's got different, you know, different measures in place,
different things that you're trying to do right. But to
me reading that, if an eighty three year old man
can't be safe in a nice little town like Catherine
because there's three female youths assaulting him, things are out
of control.
Speaker 4 (07:23):
So I'm not going to comment on that one, k
because there's probably some more information that needs to come
out on that one. There'll probably be an ongoing investigation
and those youth will be identified. But to me, there's
probably more of that story you've alluded to that had
any interaction before at the service station, he's offered to
drive them home.
Speaker 3 (07:37):
I'm going to.
Speaker 2 (07:38):
Reserve judgment, so the reckon he's known to no, I'm.
Speaker 4 (07:39):
Not going to say until I get a brief. I've
got a brief on other information and other events have occurred,
but that one specifically, I'm probably sure there's more to
that now.
Speaker 1 (07:47):
Just in relation to the second international student being attacked,
you know that was that we know of. Obviously, we
also know that Seafat was murdered while sleeping in his
own bed last year. Does the government have a player
to ensure that international students feel safe and still want
to come to day?
Speaker 4 (08:03):
Yes, So I'm re establishing the multicultural advisory community that
sits within police, and they're going to do that from
a ministerial level and get those people at the table,
because I think that more than anything, they are some
of the They have some of the best indicators of
what's occurring on the ground and a majority of the
time they'll have some of the best solutions. And I
think that if we really want to address this, it
can't just be a government led police solution. We've got
to bring the multicultural community along with us with their ideas.
(08:25):
So I've re established that, but I think when we
talk about crime like this has occurred to the taxi
driver and the woman that had her car stolen, it
can affect any territory and I'm not going to shy
away from that. I think what needs to happen, though,
is when these youth get before the courts, the courts
have an absolute understanding of the impact they're having on community,
and the courts can do that. They did that after
Todd tab An incident. All of those youth were remanded.
(08:48):
The toos down in Ala Springs wrote a joint letter
to the judiciary saying we want them remanded, we don't
want them in our community and the judiciary complied.
Speaker 2 (08:55):
Do you think the courts are being solved.
Speaker 4 (08:56):
No. I think that they weigh up everything that's put
before them. But it's been really good to have some
of the tos in these communities come forward and say, no,
those youth need to be remanded for a period of
time because, let's be really frank, he a lot of
them need an NDAs assessment, a lot of them need
health outcomes, and they're not attending health appointments when they're
out in the streets. So sometimes reminded detention is the
best opportunity for that time.
Speaker 2 (09:16):
I'm going to be really blunt with you.
Speaker 1 (09:17):
I think a lot of the people in the community
at the moment to rat the point where you know
that may well be the case, but they are impeding
on safety of absolutely everybody. And you know, if somebody
needs an NDIS assessment, a general member of the public
who's been held up with the knife, by a knife
or with a knife, really you know, it doesn't feel
(09:39):
sorry what I'm saying if that occurs the offender.
Speaker 4 (09:41):
But what I'm saying is put them in the remand
sentence them, hold them and then we can do those assessments.
So I'm not saying keep them on the street to
do the end. I'm in agreement saying those youth that
commit those offenses should be put behind bars and remand
until their sentence. And that worked in our Springs when
the tos actually said the juju do this and they complied.
Speaker 1 (09:57):
Now, look, there's a bit I want to cover off
on the shorting for time. Sydney shoppers obviously starting to
return to the size of that terrible stabbing attack which
rocked the nation.
Speaker 2 (10:08):
There are a new.
Speaker 1 (10:09):
Call for authorities to consider legalizing the possession of pepper
spray for self defense.
Speaker 2 (10:14):
What do you think of that?
Speaker 4 (10:15):
Oh, listen, it's something I'll have a chat to the
commissioner about. I think you know, I'm aware there's people
that have bought products off the shelf from Bunnings and
things like that that they use for themselves. What do
you you said on all the follow the Facebook group?
Because I think that's a good indication of understanding how
territories are right. People are saying they carry flys brain
all this, or what I would say is they're not
intended for that. Let me have a chat to the commissioner.
I think that what occurred in Sydney is definitely a
(10:38):
mental health issue.
Speaker 3 (10:39):
Wasn't decided not wasn't a terrorist incident.
Speaker 4 (10:42):
We need to work through that, and I know that
police are actively getting briefings from Sydney and nationally on it,
and if we need to make changes, we will. But
I think that in the short term, when you call
an officer, we should be able to get your police
officer straight away to deal with it, so you're not
putting yourself in additional harm.
Speaker 2 (10:54):
But if you.
Speaker 1 (10:54):
Can't, like if an officer isn't able to come out,
I mean, should you be able to use pepper spray
if someone.
Speaker 4 (10:59):
Hold I'm not an expert on whether we should be
handing OC spray over to everyday territories. I'm happy to
get the advice from the Police Commission WA.
Speaker 2 (11:07):
They do.
Speaker 3 (11:07):
I know that.
Speaker 4 (11:08):
I know that there's some people that have come from
WA and have made it very clear to me that
they would like to see those measures here, and I'm
happy to look at w A. I've always said I'll
look at any good legislation that keeps territory safe, So.
Speaker 2 (11:17):
It is something that you're happy to have a look at.
Speaker 4 (11:20):
As of now, I'm happy to go and have a
chat to the commissioner and find out what his thoughts
are and how it's regulated and policed in WA And
I guess ultimately how many uses of force have been
unjustified by members of the public with it, because I
think that's the important piece.
Speaker 3 (11:32):
But I'm happy to ask here, sir.
Speaker 1 (11:33):
Look very keen to hear from our listeners this morning,
if you if you think it's a good idea zero
four double nine seven double one three six zero bring
onto another topic. With all the incidents and coverage of
youth crime and the conditions at don Dale, what do
you make of the media and not being able to
go into Don Dae.
Speaker 3 (11:49):
Yeah, that was the first I heard it on the weekend.
I'm unsure.
Speaker 4 (11:52):
I know that we had the fire out there recently
and the Minister can probably give you more details to
why that request was denied, but I know that some
of the youth don't also want to be seen by
the media. I don't know the details of it. I'm
happy to ask Nari, But.
Speaker 1 (12:05):
I mean, do you think if we're if we're saying
that this facility is not fit for purpose, then you
know we should allow the media in to go and
have a.
Speaker 2 (12:11):
Look at it.
Speaker 4 (12:12):
Well, I think we've acknowledged that it's not fit for
purpose for youth, and that we've got a new facility
built and they'll move into that. And as you've heard recently,
we're going to need we need those sales and we're
going to have to use them to get some women
out of the main presence. So it is fit for purpose,
it's just not fit for youth.
Speaker 1 (12:25):
I suppose the other side of this argument though, is
that you know, the media, really we're there to, you know,
to open that broader picture for the general public. If
the media is not able to go into don Dale
and look at those conditions, some would see that as
censorship by the government.
Speaker 3 (12:40):
So I can understand people's position on that.
Speaker 4 (12:42):
And I'm not the minister for that portfolio, and I've
always been pretty open with the media to come and
look at police and I know the commissioner has as well,
So I'm happy to follow up and ask for more
details and come back to you, Katian, And that's why
come on the show.
Speaker 2 (12:50):
But we know as well, like you've just touched on
that at all.
Speaker 4 (12:54):
Going into those Yeah, okay, so it'll be a mix,
is what I've heard from the commissioner today, But yeah,
we need those beds. The reality is that we need beds.
We need our police watchhouses back. And you talk about
getting a police responsible police at the moment of filling
in on those watchhouts, I just need them back.
Speaker 3 (13:10):
We need our police on the street.
Speaker 4 (13:11):
The fastest way to get more prison beds is to
reuse these facilities and repurpose them.
Speaker 1 (13:15):
Great.
Speaker 4 (13:16):
You know there'll be some people that say it's a negative. Well,
I think Territorians want to feel safe right now and
this is one of the mechanisms I can do that.
Speaker 1 (13:22):
I think that a lot of Territorians are at the
point where they're going if there's criminals on the street,
we need a big at jarb.
Speaker 4 (13:28):
This from day night. There are criminals that need to
be behind bars, and we need more beds. And clearly
the rate isn't declining at the rate that we would
like it to see of reoffending. But in some instances
being in prison is the chance to get those programs
to rehabilitate people.
Speaker 1 (13:40):
Now, look, we are fast strutting out of time, but
I want to ask you, how do you feel things
are going in Alice Springs with that curfew ending.
Speaker 3 (13:47):
Yeah, listen, I think I think it's steady staate.
Speaker 4 (13:49):
As I've said before, we're going to see peaks and troughs,
and you know, I think the best gauge will be
Alla Springs residents. The Chief's been very clear will take
strong measures in Alice Springs and Intended Creek and Catherine Darwin.
Speaker 3 (13:59):
When we need to.
Speaker 4 (14:00):
Curfews are resource intensive and I know people would like
to see them across the territory, and you know Catherine
as an example, has had an increase in police resources
over the same period. We're not afraid to reintroduce those
measures if they know we see spikes in any social
behavior and crime. What I would say is, though a
collaborative approach with the traditional owners down there and in
the outstations, with the service providers and the additional police
(14:21):
is the way to solve this long term curfews give
us a break, but we need the service providers that
have paid a lot of money to.
Speaker 3 (14:26):
Come to the table.
Speaker 2 (14:27):
Just with your other portfolio had on.
Speaker 1 (14:29):
We know the government's announced an investment of two point
five to five million dollars over three years to support veterans,
the veterans community, bringing that total funding for defense in
the Northern Territory for the budget for twenty twenty four
to three point one million dollars. This funding is going
to go to facilitating new and existing initiatives. Tell us
a little bit more about what it's going towards.
Speaker 4 (14:48):
Yeah, we have about ten thousand veterans in Northern Territory
still serving but also price serving. This may not seem
like a huge bucket of money for some people, but
in the veterans.
Speaker 3 (14:56):
Space, it is.
Speaker 4 (14:56):
It will really allow the first veteran strategy we announced
last year being Operation Thrive, to be fully funded, to
do the recognition services, to do the employment education pathways
for veterans. I want to see veterans that transition out
of defense to stay and dalt. They have a very
unique set of skills that a lot of industry needs.
This will go a long way to connecting them together
and making this a place that veterans want to call home.
(15:18):
I mean, I stayed in Darwin and chose to stay
down because of how much I loved it, but I
also love the service I did here and it was
an easy transition. I want that to be the same
for everyone. But it also comes in a fitting week
with ANZAC Day. This Thursday, I'm about to go to
dal and High's ANZAC ceremony. We launched check You Mats,
which is a campaign around mental health, and I mean
from my family, it could be more fitting with lose
(15:38):
my father in law two weeks ago. So this all
comes at the right time. Sorry, Okay, it comes at
the right time, I think, because we don't talk about
a mental health enough. So anyone listening out there, if
you need to talk to someone, you don't have to
be a veteran breach in check you mate, because you
know those outcomes are final.
Speaker 3 (15:54):
But this money will go a long way to helping them.
Speaker 1 (15:55):
And Mate, on that note, I am very sorry to
you and family, particularly your wife and her siblings on
the loss of your father in law. I know that
there wasn't wasn't a seat. I don't think in the
church last week when Tommy was fair world, a wonderful
bloke and a real loss. I think you know, to
(16:16):
the whole community.
Speaker 3 (16:17):
Yeah, thanks Gudy, and he really he loved listening to
your show.
Speaker 4 (16:19):
And sometimes we didn't necessarily agree on the politics at home,
but we do appreciate the shoutdow you did for him
two weeks ago and playing his songs. So yeah, if
you're listening you need help, reach out to mate.
Speaker 2 (16:30):
Absolutely absolutely.
Speaker 1 (16:31):
Brent Potter, Minister for Police and Veterans Affairs, really appreciate
your time this morning.
Speaker 2 (16:36):
Thanks so much for joining us. Thanks Cody, thank you,
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