May 7, 2026 • 42 mins
Katie Woolf was joined by producer Kathleen Gazzola, Opposition leader Selena Uibo and Deputy Chief Minister Gerard Maley.
The panel discussed vigils held for Kumanjayi Little Baby, child protection and the NT Budget.
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
It's time for the week that was and another busy
morning ahead. I'm pleased to say that joining us in
the studio this morning is the Deputy Chief Minister Jared Maylee.
Speaker 2 (00:10):
Good morning, Good morning Katie, and good morning to your listeners.
Speaker 1 (00:12):
We've got the Opposition leader Selena Yubo, good morning, Good
morning Katie, and of course we've got our very own
Kathleen Gazola.
Speaker 3 (00:20):
Good morning to you, cat.
Speaker 1 (00:22):
Now, it has been a massive week. There's so much
going on around the Northern Territory. But I think that everybody, really,
We know that thousands of people actually turned out yesterday
to gather at vigils that were held nationwide to mourn
and to remember five year old Kumanjai little baby on
the one week anniversary of her body being found. And
(00:46):
you know, there are actually beautiful scenes I thought. I
unfortunately wasn't able to go, but I thought they were
beautiful scenes from the.
Speaker 3 (00:54):
Vigil here in Darwin.
Speaker 1 (00:56):
I saw two beautiful little girls in their pink dresses,
you know, twirling around, and I thought, how lovely to
see the way that the community's turned out. But I
thought it was really beautiful as well to see so
many kids there and just to see this little girl
whose life ended way, way, way sooner than it ever
(01:17):
should have to be honored and respected in the way
that she deserves. Not only here in Darwin, a thousand.
Speaker 3 (01:25):
People is what I'm told.
Speaker 1 (01:26):
In Alice Springs in Tasmania, I believe there was a vigil.
I think there was one in Cans as well. So
you know, to see this little girl honored by Australians, black,
white and brindle all around the nation is exactly what
her and her family deserve.
Speaker 2 (01:43):
Yeah, Katie, I went there last night. In fact, we
went with Selena and we walked out together and we
put a candle because we have to say, this is
way above politics. This is about the charitory, the charity
way of life, and people come together to support people
in a tough time. So it was great to go
there yesterday. I think three one hundred people there. It
was a really sombering experience for me, sitting quietly just remembering,
(02:04):
just thinking about their lives and how this impact on
their family. Because we all know someone who's young, and
you know we've got I've got kids myself, So for
me sitting there just reflecting for a few moments was
a very special time.
Speaker 1 (02:15):
It is, you know, like the thing is, we've actually
all all of us in this room, and I know
for a lot of people listening this morning.
Speaker 3 (02:21):
You know, we've all got.
Speaker 1 (02:22):
Little girls of varying ages. You know, I say, mine's
a little girl, but she's fifteen years years old. Jared,
I know your girls around the same age, and Selena
and Kat you've got babies, baby girls that are a
bit younger. But do you know what, Kumanjai, little baby
deserve to be able to grow up like our teenage girls, Jared,
And she deserved to be able to have a fulsome
(02:42):
and whole life. And it is an absolute tragedy. However,
you look at this what has occurred, and look a
little bit later this morning we will talk about, you know,
some of the other issues happening around the Northern Territory
in relation to child protection, etc.
Speaker 3 (02:59):
But I think it's so.
Speaker 1 (03:00):
It's very important that we remember this little girl and
respect this little girl and really try to throw our
arms around her family, particularly her mum, who I can't
even begin to imagine how her life would be going
at this point in time.
Speaker 3 (03:12):
And I know another statement.
Speaker 1 (03:14):
Was read at one of those Vigils yesterday by Leanne Little,
and you know there were words to the effect and
I don't want to paraphrase her without having it in
front of me, but there are words to the effect
of her not knowing how she's going to be able
to get through life without a beautiful little girl and
you can't even begin to imagine.
Speaker 4 (03:33):
No, that's right, I mean, you know, I think the
visuals were very important that it comes back to at
the end of the day, this is about a little girl.
You know, we've heard about the man accused of this
horrific crime, and we've heard about the issues and the
systemic issues time and time again, and that's been a
lot of the discussion this week, which I know has
been a very sensitive topic and a lot of calls
(03:55):
for not politicizing. So on that week anniversary, you know,
marking a week on, to just come back to that
bottom line, as this is about a little girl that
should have had her entire life in front of her
and it ended in the most horrific way.
Speaker 1 (04:11):
Yeah, look, what we might do this morning is I
might take a quick break.
Speaker 3 (04:15):
There is so much to discuss, and.
Speaker 1 (04:17):
I know that you know that there's been a bit
of conjecture about whether some of these discussions should happen
this week, you know, given the fact that there is
certainly the argument about not being a political football. But
there has been some really horrific reporting come through from
the Australian newspaper in the sense that there's been lives
(04:39):
of other young children in danger. So we will get
to that in just a couple of moments, but we're
going to take a quick moment's break and maybe a
quick pause for reflection, just to remember little Koman Jay,
little baby. You are listening to mix Ono four nine's
three sixty And look, we know when Parliament is sitting
there's always a lot to discuss, and everybody in here
(05:00):
just having a bit of a discussion about parliament this morning,
and we'll get to that in a little while. We'll
also get to the budget. But what I do want
to talk about is earlier in the week we spoke
to Minister for Children and Families here in the Northern Territory,
Robin Carr. Now she confirmed that three people have been
stood down in the Department of Children and Families as
(05:23):
the Minister also has launched an external investigation into the
events that led up to the death of five year
old Pumanjite Little Baby and Alice Springs. Now, reports revealed
in The Australian say that at least six welfare notifications
were made about the girl in the weeks before her disappearance,
with claims the department failed to act. Now, the Children
(05:44):
and Families Minister Robin carl says the stand down it's
a part of efforts to understand how the system has failed.
She has ordered an independent investigation and flag sweeping reforms
to child protection laws expected to be introduced to Parliament
next week. Now I want to speak as well about
an article that's in the Australian newspaper today. It is
(06:07):
being reported that a six week old baby girl was
rushed to Darwin Hospital this week allegedly who had allegedly
been sexually assaulted at less than twenty five days old,
but the infant was allowed to remain with its family
despite multiple separate reports of abuse being made within three weeks. Now,
in details that will heap further pressure on an already
(06:31):
underfire nt Department of Children and Families, the Australian has
revealed that multiple agencies made reports about the welfare of
the infant who has flown from a remote indigenous community
to the Royal Darwin Hospital with suspicious head injuries this week. Now,
this is a really like that is a horrifying situation
(06:55):
to read about. I think that everybody in this room
would agree with that. You know, the Minister acted very
quickly on Wednesday. I think it was that we'd had
her on the show saying that she'd stood down those
three staff members and said that there is going to
be that review, you know, I mean, Jered Obviously there
(07:16):
does need to be some work in this space and
any child, no matter where you are from, no matter
what your background, every child deserves to be safe.
Speaker 2 (07:27):
Look, Katie, I completely agree with that, and we've got
looks through the legislation and at the moment, the legislation
doesn't mention child's safety. It's not a main consideration. What
we want to do. We're going to look at changing
the lord to make sure that any decision about the
children must act in the child's best interest, doesn't matter
where they're from, what community, or who they are, who
their parents are. We need to make sure that the
(07:48):
Department make decisions in the best issues of the child
and in the safety of the child. I know the
ministers talked about going to have an independent review. We're
going to have someone who's appropriate and experienced reviewing entire department,
talking about the governance, talking about the workforce, talking about
the resources to make sure they've got the resources to
be able to do their job properly, which is keep
children safe, acting the best issues of children. So that's
(08:11):
going to happen very soon, and we're going to look
at the legislation and we're going to try and get
something in de Parliament as soon as possible to make
sure that everyone knows if you're going to make a child,
a decision about a child, it's got to be the
best interest of that child. We need to make sure
that that is paramount consideration for the young young children.
Speaker 1 (08:28):
I mean, Selena, what did you think of the actions
of the minister this week following on from these revelations
that were made in the Australian.
Speaker 5 (08:35):
I think, Katie, there's a lot to unpack there and
I think for listeners to understand and think about some
of the questions that we have as the opposition, which
is Minister Robin Caale came out and said that there's
going to be an external investigation. She's provided no information
of who is going to do that investigation, what body,
independent authority, external department, consultant. I have no idea, So
(08:59):
we'll be asking those questions. Who is actually doing the
external investigation. Maybe Jered has some inside he's in a
government minister. I think that's number one to understand, you know,
departments reviewing itself. That doesn't hit the mark.
Speaker 3 (09:13):
I don't think they can. I don't think they can. EA,
I don't think they can.
Speaker 5 (09:16):
But what I'm worried about Katie is we have no details.
So she's come out, you know, trying to you know,
speak strongly, but has provided no detail whatsoever. So that's
number one. Number two is even we heard quite clearly
over the last couple of days. While everyone has been
very respectful in allowing for the sorry business to take
place in Alice Springs and looking at little coming ja
(09:39):
little babies family and being able to support them as
best as possible, but there has been calls from child
Protection sector to say, do not rush legislation. Do not
rush laws in the Northern Territory that are reactive please
any changes they need to be thought out, they need
to be clarified. They need to be well positioned. They
need to be community led in the sense that they
(10:01):
are going to one put child safety as number one.
That's paramount, we know that. But two, please don't rush
and make knee jerk decisions and reactions when it comes
to child safety. Do it properly and we will be
there to support as a labor opposition if it's done properly.
So that would be the really second and important point
to make on that.
Speaker 1 (10:19):
I mean, Kathleen, look, we made this point yesterday. You
and I have been reporting in the Northern Territory for
a long long time. I mean I've been doing this
show for about eleven years. You've been reporting in the
territory for probably twenty years. About eight years ago we
were reporting on the absolute travesty that was a little
girl being raped.
Speaker 3 (10:38):
In Tenant Creek, a two year old girl that was
raped in Tenant Creek. And for me, you know.
Speaker 1 (10:43):
What it feels like as I read these reports, you know,
and I see this one particularly that's come through in
the Australian newspaper today, it.
Speaker 3 (10:53):
Feels like not a lot has changed.
Speaker 1 (10:55):
I don't know whether that is the right sentiment or not.
And I know that everybody in the room may have
differing opinions on that, and I know that you know
that people can do horrible things no matter whether you
live in the Northern Territory or whether you live in
another part of Australia. But fundamentally, I go back to
every child deserves to be safe. I you know, to
(11:17):
think that a two year old that that happened to
a two year old eight years ago, and then to
be in the situation that we're in again is horrible.
Speaker 4 (11:25):
It is, and as you said, you know, we reported
on that incident eight years ago and then unfortunately there's
been time and time again equally horrific instances that have
come on. So you know, like the panel here, we're
all born and bred territories, which I mean, we're a
bit of a minority these days, and you've been here
(11:45):
for a very long time. Will fee sadly, I think,
and it's awful to say. Sometimes you hear these instances
and you're like not surprised that it's continuing on in
some ways, because it does feel that not much has changed.
I don't think you can say that there's not an
intent to want to make a change, and there.
Speaker 3 (12:03):
Is always good will.
Speaker 4 (12:06):
You know, Jared makes very good points, Selena makes very
good points, and I think we all need to come
to some kind of level of agreement on how to
move forward to make a change. You know, Matt Cunningham
was in Alice Springs for those riots and has reported
on it again, and he's said, you know, we throw
millions of dollars at these systemic issues to try and
(12:27):
make a change, and it feels like not much has changed.
So there needs to be something. You know, it's hard
to say what, but there needs to be a consensus
of everyone actually coming to an agreement.
Speaker 1 (12:39):
What's really interesting for me yesterday is, you know, I
interview a lot of people. You guys, you know everyone
knows that yesterday I'd interviewed a senator justint to and
Pa jimper Price before ten o'clock. Then I interviewed Marian Scrimjaw,
the member FILLINGIARI just after ten o'clock yesterday. Now they
had differing views obviously on how we deal with some
(13:01):
of these issues. But what I know, and what I
know from even standing in this room this morning with you,
Selena and Jared, is that while your views may be different,
ultimately everyone wants the same outcome, and that is for
kids to be safe. So what I'd love for us
to get to in the end is to somehow reach
a point where, you know, where we're not worried about
(13:21):
those political lines and we can let go of some
of that, you know, the anger that we feel towards
the person opposite us on the political spectrum about some
of the decisions that are being made or that might
be made to try and actually, you know, see some
really serious change in this space.
Speaker 3 (13:39):
Ok.
Speaker 2 (13:39):
I think this is this incident is going to be
the catalyst from our government to make a change. We
know that we're a new government and we've been trying
to deal with crime for the last two years and
we think crime is heading in the right direction. It's
still not perfect and still no way to go, but
the data is that it's trending down. Is that we're
really concentrating on that, and now this is an instant
where now we're Robin carl is going to run the
(14:01):
ball up. She's gone through the Act. We've read it,
I've read it, you know, just having the child's best interest,
that the simple principles number one wasn't done by the
previous labor government. You mentioned eight years and as these
little knicks around it, But I think this is going
to be an opportunity to make some real changes to
make sure that we don't have to worry about, you know,
the culture, which is important, don't get me wrong, but
(14:22):
I think the best insured the child is above that.
We need to make sure that the decisions are made
for the child's safety in the best insues of the child.
And Robin Carl has indicators you're going to do that
this independent review. You know, it's only been three days.
We're going to make sure we get the right person
do that. So it's only been three days, so we
don't want to do a reaction and make sure that
(14:42):
we get the right person. Just let me finish. You know,
we are not going to be the previous labor government
and just make a decision and just not think about it.
It's been three days. This is a super super important decision.
We need to get the right person and we need
to make sure that we get this right because, like
I said, this is going to be a point in
time that we can fix this legislation and we can
fix for the young people, the young people out there
(15:05):
who really do need some help.
Speaker 4 (15:06):
One thing we know is that there has been you know,
inquiries over many decades. We've obviously had the Little Children
of Sacre report. Howard Bath did a review as well
into child protection. Colin Gwinn as Children's Commissioner, looked into
the Tenant Creek case and found that departments within government
acting silos and so not sharing information. I think one
(15:28):
of the things that stood out to me with your
interview with Nathan Finn yesterday was that when police make
a notification or a report, then they don't find out
anything new that follows up. So in some ways it
feels like those agencies are still kind of not working together,
and that information sharing is so important for the historical
elements of you know, if a child has been put
(15:51):
into situations that sadly continue to happen, if that information
was there, perhaps another decision or more support could.
Speaker 3 (15:58):
Be preople about it.
Speaker 1 (15:59):
Yeah, And I think that's a really important point, is that,
you know, not like in every situation we're not talking
about children being removed, but if there are able to
be supports wrapped around as well, or if there is
different things that can be done to try to help
that situation more generally, you know, everybody would hope that
that is happening right now, but you know from some
(16:20):
of that reporting that we're now reading, you've you've got
to start scratching your head and you've got to start
wondering do things need to be dismantled a little bit
and try to fix this.
Speaker 3 (16:29):
I don't know.
Speaker 2 (16:30):
I know the Chief Minister wrote to alberan Esi when
she first come in office and listed six points of
what needed to be done, and one of that was
a review into the Aboriginal funding into Alice Springs in
the town camps. And we know that federal funding. You
spoke about it are millions of dollars coming in. I'm
a majority that comes from the federal government. We've asked
them to help to go and review this. There's been
crickets and that they haven't really done anything in relation
(16:52):
to that. We know two to fifty million dollars is
paid into Alice Springs, where what has that done? Nothing?
Reality is so we need to make sure that we've
asked the gout federal government and maybe I'm saying you
can go and talk to her friends in canber and
get them to help as well. They haven't responded, they
haven't listened to the cries of territorianes and our government,
and we need to do that because this is beyond
(17:13):
politics and we need to get this right. And this
is a really super important topic because if we can
get it right now and adjust it and it goes
back to budget, we know we're going to talk about budget.
We know we've got this twelve billion dollar debt. If
we weren't paying interest in that the million or two
million dollars per day, imagine the money we could use
that to be able to spend on scenarios about this.
So this is where it comes back to budget and overspending.
(17:35):
For eight years, we know ab government went from one
point right up to nine or twelve billion dollars of debt.
This is the reality of overspending.
Speaker 3 (17:42):
Well, look, I mean, Selena, I'm interested.
Speaker 1 (17:45):
Obviously, I'll I'll let you have your say because shared's
just spoken there for a little while, so I'll let
you have your say before I cut in.
Speaker 3 (17:51):
Thank no, thank you very much, Katie.
Speaker 5 (17:53):
I'm just going to say, going back to the possible
proposed legislation, obviously we haven't seen that, but we've heard
rumor since January twenty twenty five that the CLP was
going to make changes in the child protection space. Still nothing,
And then I think that in very poor taste, the
CLP is now using this horrific incident and tragedy in
Alice Springs as a catalyst and jerk at the word
(18:14):
himself a catalyst. So if there were plans already, if
there were things that could have been made better in
the child protection laws of the Northern Territory, why hasn't
the CLP done that last year? So we've heard rumor
since January twenty twenty five, literally holding our breath every
single sittings to see is this going to be introduced?
Is child protection amendments what we call changes everyone, you know,
(18:36):
amendments to laws in the Northern Territory around child protection.
Is it going to happen? Nothing so far, and now
the rumor is it's going to be next week on emergency.
So I think, well, you've been in a year and
a half. Jared, you said yourself, you've been in for
nowly two years, and it's time for you guys to
take response.
Speaker 1 (18:54):
I get what everybody's saying, and I understand the discussion
about not wanting to make the tragedy in Alice Springs.
Speaker 3 (19:00):
A political football.
Speaker 1 (19:01):
But if this isn't the point that we need to
make some change, what is.
Speaker 5 (19:06):
If it was identified back in January, Katie, I don't
understand why the government hasn't acted in that space. They've
had all this time to be able to go out
consult to see what could be better. We can offer
a bipartisan approach. If it's about making things better for
families and children and the safety of children in the
Northern Territory, we would happily do that work, Katie. Do
you think they're just doing it as a political well,
(19:27):
I would like to know why they didn't do it
last year, a year and a half ago, why they're
choosing this moment in time to do it, and what
are they actually going to do.
Speaker 2 (19:34):
The previous government did something eight years ago in that
poor child in Tenant Creek, we wouldn't be in a situation.
So we know the Labor government refused to act and
did nothing about it. We've come into office, we've dealt
with the crime issue, we're doing the economy in the
last le This is very important thing and we need
to make sure that we do it and we are
we're going to independent review that's coming. The department's doing
its own internal review. We need to make sure we
(19:55):
get this right and we're not going to do when
do you reaction?
Speaker 3 (19:57):
When do you reckon? We'll know who's going to be
conducted that review.
Speaker 2 (20:00):
I reckon next week.
Speaker 4 (20:02):
Okay, Well, I think it also in terms of the legislation,
if it has been taken that long to create or
draft that legislation, if it's just going to be introduced
in urgency next week, then that's going to get a
whole lot of criticism that it is being rushed and
that not allowing that kind of bipartisan approach. And we've
talked about that there needs to be a playing field
(20:24):
here that everyone is in agreement. So I don't know how.
Speaker 2 (20:26):
Agency are going to help the pieces of child first.
I think that's pretty simple to do. So may be
that there will be some adjustments or amendments, as the
Selena is mentioned, to make sure that anyone who is
dealing with the child protection space must act in the
best us of child. That would be that would be
a change. Right now we can act moving for I
know the labor did nothing over eight years, but we
are going to make sure that we act in the
(20:47):
best news of child.
Speaker 1 (20:48):
Talking that maybe it's a legislative change a little bit
like what we've seen I think to the Bail Act,
where there was that bit of wording change where it
was the judge had to have I can't remember exactly what.
Speaker 2 (20:59):
The word community safety.
Speaker 1 (21:01):
Yeah, community safety had to be sort of paramounts. So
are you talking that it might just be simply like
a wording change where safety, yes is the number.
Speaker 2 (21:11):
One, and that could happen on urgency, Because you're right,
we don't want to rush these things and we do
want to work with the often it happens.
Speaker 1 (21:17):
So if we are in a situation where that legislation,
like where that change is simply just as simple as
a wording change, how do you then get that message
through to an entire department.
Speaker 2 (21:29):
Well, that's what the Minister's office is going to do.
And I think the people in their department are good people,
and they work hard and they want to act in
the best use of the child, but they've got to
follow the legislation. So you might find that that's hamstrung
for some of these people who do want to do
the right thing, but they've got to follow the legislation,
so if we change that and brought it up to
the past, So that's the first consideration. That's what these
(21:49):
people do. They're there for a reason and they like
that job because they really care, like we all care
about young children. So if they can actually use the
legislation to assist them, it might be very very quick
and easy change, because that's that's what they want to
do by the hands wrung because the previous labor government
had it down the bottom and we're going to move
to the top.
Speaker 4 (22:04):
Hopefully there's some training that might educate them also as well,
and that's how they need to do that within the department.
Speaker 1 (22:10):
Well, look, we're going to have to take a really
quick break. You are listening to Mix one oh four
nine's three sixty. It is the week that was. It's
been another massive week, but coming your way next we're
going to be talking about the budget. You are listening
to Mix one O four nine's three sixty. Now, as
I've been saying, it's been a massive week. And if
you've just joined us in the studio this morning, we've
got Kathleen Gazola, Selena Hubo and Jared Mayley. But we
(22:33):
know The budget was handed down by Bill Yan a
little bit earlier this week, and the Northern Territory budget
well a major focus on law and order as well
as the government says infrastructure and corrections. So a record
one point seventy three billion dollars to policing, courts and prisons,
including funding for more offices, new facilities and support programs.
(22:56):
Then the government saying that they're aiming to improve community safety,
strength and infrastructure and support long term growth across the
Northern Territory.
Speaker 3 (23:05):
Look a few sort of standouts for me.
Speaker 1 (23:07):
First off, you know the concerns around how much the
ship lift is costing, the blowout on that. One of
the massive standouts for me was when we spoke to
doctor John Zorbis throughout the week from the Australian Medical
Association and he sort of said, you know, when you
look at some of these numbers. Obviously the hospital operational funding,
he reckons it's been cut by twenty one million despite
(23:29):
requiring the one hundred and thirty million in emergency funding last
financial year. But he also welcomed, like he's welcomed the
eighteen million dollars for the new thirty two bed General
Hospital Ward and the sixteen million for the mental Health ward,
but said that there needs to really be an investment
in some of our hospital infrastructure.
Speaker 3 (23:48):
So they're my take homes. I'm sure that everybody.
Speaker 1 (23:51):
Else will have some different different take homes and reactions
from the budget.
Speaker 3 (23:55):
Who shall I go to first? Maybe you, Jared?
Speaker 2 (23:58):
Okay, Look, okay, GoF Look, this is a budget. You're right,
this focus on law and order. Law and order underpins
in Northern Charity everything you do, everything that we want
to do to moving forward, rebuilding economy, and that lifestyle
is about crime. So if we don't get that under control,
we are going to be in a world to hurt.
And we know under the previous government, crime is going
up and people were leaving and you hear all the stories.
(24:20):
I've come here, I've been assault who my car's been stolen,
I'm going they don't stop them at the town, They're
going to keep driving through. So we're really trying hard
and we've done some work and the data is going
in the right direction, but there's a long way to go.
Don't get me wrong with still crime out there is
an issue, but we're putting this money into the courts,
into corrections, and into the police because we need to
(24:43):
make sure that we get that right. And let's talk
about correction because the corrections minist we're really focusing here.
We've gone five h and twenty five million dollars into
that system. We're focusing on some work camps to be
able to break that cycle of defending. So these offenders
who come into the prison, we don't want to just
lock them up and put them in a cell.
Speaker 3 (25:00):
They've got to come out better people.
Speaker 1 (25:02):
That's something that stuck out to me over the last
couple of weeks is you know, are people doing those
rehab programs now they making a difference.
Speaker 2 (25:09):
Well, we think they are. You know, we've got sense
to a job. We'll focus on their work camps, which
are aren't done yet because they're only new. But there's
going to be two hundred beers in Catherine, two hundred
bearers at Holts. I think there's about twenty prisoners down
in Catherine, which you get the CDU which is just
north of Catherine, and the plan is to have those
two hundred odd prisoners the low and open road prisoners
can go out and get a structure, go into the work,
(25:31):
go out into some of the communities, And I've already
had people from Mataranka contact us. See when they're up
and running, can you send the work party down and
can you help clean up the reserves and the parks
and the roads and the gam all those sorts of things.
So this is about giving some of those people some structure.
They get up in the morning, they go to work,
and they go home. Sometimes they don't have that.
Speaker 1 (25:49):
Selena, what will your take homes from the budget? Any
real wins or real losses from your perspective.
Speaker 5 (25:56):
O, Katie, I don't think we have enough time on
your show for all of that, but will.
Speaker 2 (26:00):
Give you some of my mis at window.
Speaker 5 (26:04):
In the electric not in.
Speaker 3 (26:07):
The art of electric.
Speaker 5 (26:08):
Unfortunately, for some reason, a big part of the Northern
Territory is missed out on this budget.
Speaker 2 (26:12):
Million dollars for the Central arm Road. Do you forget
about that?
Speaker 5 (26:14):
But interesting, I'll be very interested. So the Treasury usually
goes out traditionally and does road shows across the Northern Territory,
Katie and each region to say what each region is getting,
how is that going to make the territory better, particularly
around the growth of the territory economy. So I think
it's looking a little bit thin I said in Parliament
the other day, particularly around the infrastructure budget. That's something
(26:36):
that's really stood out to me as missing out in
this budget. Katie was still going through the numbers and
what it means. But there used to be some very
detailed plans around the infrastructure budget that we're always released
on Budget Day and unfortunately it just hasn't hit the
mark for me this time. I'm a Bush member, you know,
I've got a lot of roads, a lot of unsealed roads,
We've got a lot of infrastructure that we're looking out.
(26:57):
But you know, just going to your point about the
comments doctor John's Orbis from the Australian Medical Association of
the Northern Territory, I think they were really keen to see,
from what I understand, some plans, some design and scopes,
just some plans essentially, Katie, about what the health infrastructure
looks like here in Darwin, in particular with the pressures
that are on Darwin Hospital. I think everyone has been
(27:18):
aware of that and knows that and unfortunately may have
experienced those pressures themselves. But there's only eight million dollars
in this budget that goes towards health infrastructure that's crazy. Yeah,
with all the extra money that's coming from the federal government,
this is the opportunity to make those plans happen. Katie,
I think this is really something the CLP's missed because
the planning that happens now is really going to make
(27:40):
a dent in making those pressures relieved for health in
the territory. Eight million dollars, Like, I'm really disappointed in
that for health.
Speaker 1 (27:48):
Yeah, look, healthless the area that Kathleen and I've certainly
spoken a lot about on the show.
Speaker 3 (27:53):
Kat you were talking about this. We've been talking about.
Speaker 1 (27:55):
This a little bit earlier in the week, obviously after
catching up with doctor John's orbis.
Speaker 4 (27:59):
Yeah, those were a pretty incredible figures that he revealed that,
you know, out of a four billion dollar infrastructure budget,
eight million was going towards health infrastructure. I mean, I
don't it's certainly not a flashy budget, but I also
don't think we could have expected that given the debt
situation that we're facing. It shouldn't come as a massive
surprise that the CLP were focused on corrections and policing,
(28:20):
given that was the main foundation that they're elected on
and obviously has copped a lot of criticism around overcrowding
and the need for extra police and to be able
to adhere to those different law changes. I mean, you know,
not to be a cynic, but after reporting on many
a budget, obviously you look at budgets in a government's
(28:41):
term and usually the first two kind of.
Speaker 3 (28:43):
Look at their election their election.
Speaker 4 (28:46):
Commitments, and you know, trying to maybe correct some spending decisions,
and then usually year three and four you come out
with a bit more spending to try and get in.
Speaker 3 (28:57):
Some way.
Speaker 2 (29:00):
Much there's no question about it.
Speaker 4 (29:01):
And we have seen obviously the debt situation is looking
a little bit better, but that's obviously based on some
projections that would be hoping some of that revenue from
fracking comes through.
Speaker 1 (29:11):
Yeah, And look, I mean, you know, on this show,
like we are a very good barometer of what every
day people are talking about and care about. And certainly
for a number of years, crime was dominating, you know,
it was dominating on the phone lines for us. It
was something that people contacting us every day about. And
don't get me wrong, they still are to some degree.
You know, in Catherine, today we're going to be catching
up with one of our listeners to talk about some
(29:33):
of the issues that they're experiencing at the moment with crime,
But at this point in time, one of the major
issues that gets raised with us is definitely health. And
it's never a criticism of the staff. Like we all
know that the staff, you know, from your cleaners to
your healthcare professionals to absolutely everybody working on the frontline
doing a phenomenal job. But you know, if you're waiting
(29:56):
for an ambulance to arrive because they're ramped at the
hospit at all because the hospital is overflowing, you know,
these are the kind of issues that that people are
concerned about and they're worrying about at the moment. In
addition to you know, the concerns that have been raised
quite a bit around maternity services. So there there are
some some areas within our health sector that need that investment.
(30:20):
And I do understand that when we're talking about funding
a brand new hospital, for example, we are going to
need serious buy in from the federal government. There's no
way that we can afford to do that ourselves. But
I guess for me, I scratch my head a little
bit when you know, you look at how much money
is being built or how much money is being spent
for the ship lift, And I get it, it's meant
to be nation building infrastructure, but you sort of scratch
(30:40):
your head and go, I wouldn't have minded a new hospital.
Speaker 2 (30:43):
Well, look, you know the ship lift was signed up
under the previous government and we agreed.
Speaker 4 (30:47):
This was the first announced under a dollar.
Speaker 3 (30:56):
Study.
Speaker 2 (30:58):
It was eight hundred billion dollar project back down I
can tell you. But look, I agree, and that's why
Leah went down South and got extra billion dollars for
the health. We've gone into the FEDS and they've come
to the party as well, because we know under the
previous government that the health was underfunded by two hundred
million a year. So that money that we've got from
the fees is just going to top that up to
bring it to where it is. And we need to
(31:20):
continue to working out and we know that this year
I think a two hundred and thirty one million dollars
increase in the health budget. And you're right, it's not enough,
but it's a start because we've got this massive debt.
We've got this massive debt from the previous government. We're
paying that interest off at two million dollars a day
or roughly whatever that is exactly. There's the consequences of overspending.
So we need to rain that in to make sure
(31:40):
that we can spend that money wisely next time on
things like the health, things like corrections like the police,
a hospital before the next selection, well maybe a hospital,
but you know that you're right, that's going to be
a federal issue. We need leave Gosling to come out
and talk to his labour buddies and say, yes, we
put the money on the table because we are keen
to do that.
Speaker 3 (31:58):
And then you know, we know hospital, we.
Speaker 2 (32:00):
Know that'll do, but they're going to stump up the cash.
Speaker 4 (32:03):
I mean, at the end of the day, we do
need that support from that course, we get a lot
of money from the federal government as it is.
Speaker 3 (32:10):
But and I will.
Speaker 1 (32:11):
Say we've spoken to Chris Hoskins on a number of occasions,
the CEO of the Department of Health, and he's spoken
about that need for a new hospital. I actually like
that real honesty from him at the moment in terms of,
you know, in terms of actually saying, all right, we
need to be having those discussions because we want to
make sure that we're not you know, in an old
hospital that's that's falling apart. And if we're not going
(32:33):
to do a total rebuild, well let's try and expand,
or let's try and do what we need to do
to make sure that if we're ever going to grow
this population, that our hospital can keep up.
Speaker 4 (32:41):
And I mean looking at ancient history, you know, we
inherited all of this infrastructure when we got self government.
You know what I mean.
Speaker 3 (32:49):
We're one hundred and.
Speaker 4 (32:49):
Fifty years behind in infrastructure across the Northern Territory, isn't
at and we're looking at having to build a whole
new community community at Daily River, which hasn't been done
since government, you know what I mean. So we do
need the federal government to stump up and really look
at some of the things here in the Northern Territory
and to support us regardless instead of just focusing on
(33:10):
the southeast of Australia.
Speaker 1 (33:11):
Now, look, I want to move along to one of
the other announcements that was made this week by the
Northern Territory government, and that's the fact that they're going
to ramp up referrals for income management for parents of truants,
so kids that aren't going to school under a plan
to more than half the number of chronic absentees by
the end of the year. So income management for truancies
been in place for seven months and so far forty
(33:34):
nine families have been referred, thirty seven referrals accepted, and
just five of those families have sent their children back
to school. So nonetheless, the government says the strategy remains
central to its plan to reduce the number of students
on the intensive support role to eight hundred by the
end of the year and five hundred by the end
of twenty twenty seven. Currently, oney seven hundred and eighty
(33:55):
one students are on that role, meaning that they've been
skipping school for twenty consecutive days. It's a huge number
of kids that aren't going to school. I don't know
whether the you know, whether the income management or the
finding will work, but I think we can all agree
that an education is, you know, is your chance for
(34:16):
a step up in life, no matter where you come from.
Speaker 3 (34:19):
But yeah, I don't know, is it like, is this
gonna work?
Speaker 5 (34:22):
Jared?
Speaker 2 (34:22):
Look, Katie, we know that every child deserves the right
to go to school, and it's a government's job to
provide the school and provide the services. But this is
a community thing as well. Parents need to send their
kids to school. It's you know, the government can do
so much, but we need to work with the community,
work with parents to be able to get these kids
to school. And having a child not go to school
is better for the rest of their life is going
to affect them. And like I said, as the question Minister,
(34:44):
I've been in I've speak to some of the detaining
and they haven't been to school. So we need to
make sure we do what we can to get these
children to school. And if it takes us to find
the parents, that's what we're going to do because it's
a parential responsibility. The government have stepped up, we need
to do more. There's a lot more work in this space.
A lot of children don't go to school, but we
need to extend the message out there that we're going
to do it. Weekend. Families and communities need to work
(35:06):
with us because every child has a right to go
to school and we're going to keep doing what we
can to make sure that those children get to get
some sort of education.
Speaker 3 (35:14):
I agree.
Speaker 1 (35:14):
One thing I do sort of worry about, or I
do think about, is are there going to be some
supports in place for the school as well, or how
does the school sort of manage if you do have
you know, kids that are there that really don't want
to be there, that you know, hopefully not sort of
doing the wrong thing, but potentially doing the wrong thing,
and you know, making sure that the teachers and the
rest of the students that everybody and that kid, you know,
(35:37):
it's got the support in place so that they stay.
Speaker 2 (35:41):
And that's what I'm saying where the government has got
to step up and make sure the schools have got
those resources. But again, even if you are a disrupted child,
you need to get to school and maybe need to
have a different type of program because some children are
good at maths, some children are better at hands on
so everyone learns thing differently, so we need to have
a program that's adaptable. I can tell you I wasn't
very good at school and reading and writing. I was
(36:01):
more out in the bush and doing sort of stuff.
But I still went to school and I still learn
it basic maths in the English and so everyone deserves
that right. So we as a government need to put
those resources in which we are doing and Minister Hersey's
doing a good job. But this is again about community,
about family, working together with the government to give those
children that right that they deserve, which is to go
to school.
Speaker 5 (36:21):
Yeah, Katie, of course I've got an education background and
agree that education has to be an important part of
the territory moving forward, supporting our kids, supporting our teachers, principals,
school communities, families in particular. But it would be great
if the CLP could learn from the failed policies of
the past. The punitive measures when it comes to attendance
(36:43):
has not worked in the Northern Territory and I would
go as far to say, Katie, it will never work.
Even the colp's former Senator Nigel Scullion has admitted openly
and publicly from years ago that that was not a measure,
a punitive measure and approach to attendance was not a
measure that they should have pursued and it failed. And
then the SEEALP we have come back in and then
(37:04):
they've brought out they've dusted off this old policy, this
failed policy, and they're not getting the results that they
should be. That money should be better utilized for exactly
what you've outlined, Katie, for all of those different support
structures for families, whatever make up that family is, for
the cares and the foster families as well, making sure
they're supporting kids who are in care, and for our
(37:24):
teachers and our principals who are doing the hard yards
day in and day out. For school infrastructure as well, Katie,
making sure our schools, no matter where they are, particularly
Bush schools, are not forgotten, that they are not politicized,
and that they have the funding in school education investment
that they deserve.
Speaker 2 (37:40):
It would be a great opportunity to hear the opposition
to use policy and her budget replies speech, and this
will be an opportunity to go in parliam and say
this is what we're going to do. And there was
no policy, and that speech or whoever card to see
been criticized, But you know it's you've got to have
(38:02):
up an alternity view and what's your alternity view? You
can throw as many grades and talk about as what
you want, but what are you going to do about
We're doing something. We're making sure that we are children
go to school.
Speaker 1 (38:14):
We're going to take a really quick break. There isn't
much time left. The hour always flies by. You are
listening to Mix one O four nine's three sixty.
Speaker 3 (38:21):
It is the week that was.
Speaker 1 (38:22):
You are listening to Mix one O four point nine
three sixty, it is the week that was. And if
you've just joined us, we've missed a busy hour with
Jered Mayley, Selena Ubo and Kathleen Gazola. Now, before we
wrap up federal budget getting handed down next week, what
are we hoping to see, aside from cash for the
territory for various different issues.
Speaker 5 (38:43):
Hopefully Jared's maybe in your hospital I've been asking for
have you asked for one?
Speaker 3 (38:47):
Have you done?
Speaker 2 (38:49):
We asked for thirty five million from attorney, we've got ten.
Speaker 5 (38:51):
So THEO eight months time an opportunity to.
Speaker 2 (38:57):
Stump up here, So let's see what happens. Hopefully they've
been in there fighting.
Speaker 1 (39:00):
What do you think of Olbow's announcements or he's sort
of you know, he's alluded to the fact that he
wants to, you know, to make the country more sort
of you know, not so reliant on other other countries
when it comes to our fuel, et cetera. I mean,
it'll be interesting to see what detail is in there.
But what do you think of that discussion? I think
it's it's a very important one to be had at
(39:20):
the moment.
Speaker 2 (39:20):
Well, it could be good for the charity because we
know we've got the Beaterloo gas sitting there. It's in Australia,
it's like two hundred years, it's uncontracted gas. It's being developed.
Our few resources there with criticals, there's javas, there's there's
some gold mines happening. We've got a lot here in
the territory to offer. We just need an infrastructure some
of those things to get that up and running. Maybe
(39:40):
some tax concession.
Speaker 1 (39:41):
Any word on whether they're going to give us some
infrastructure funding, Jarro, you want to let the get out.
Speaker 2 (39:46):
Of the bagpost. You're talking to to not to me.
Maybe Selena might know about her labor to see what
they do for us. But you know, let's fingers cross
that we do get some benefit, because you're right, the
fed ship in I think seventy five the center of
our budget is a lot of.
Speaker 5 (40:01):
It's a huge amain and we need to keep sitting
around with their fingers crossed that they're actually asking the
federal government for specific requests for the territory and that
they're advocating at that highest level for some good projects
for some good funding and from some you know, like
we've spoken about some specific requests would be great. I
hope they're not just sitting around with.
Speaker 2 (40:23):
They've got the key here. Let's see how how well
they performed and.
Speaker 3 (40:26):
What they to advocate for the Northern Terrior.
Speaker 1 (40:29):
Have there been some discussions with the federal representatives about
what we actually need.
Speaker 2 (40:33):
I know that we've had some discussion with the feeds
riding to the treasure of what we want. So we've
had done those lists by.
Speaker 3 (40:40):
Writing a list like Santa Claus and budget Christmas stage approach.
Speaker 2 (40:46):
To the budget.
Speaker 4 (40:48):
That's hope r Anti Treasury was given the right figures
from the Commonwealth and that doesn't change our budget.
Speaker 1 (40:55):
Yeap, one hundred percent. Well, look, it'll be interesting. It'll
be another busy week next week. But Kathleen Gazoli selena
Ubo Opposition leader, thank you as always for your time
this morning.
Speaker 5 (41:05):
Thank you, Katie, and I'll just do a big shout out.
We have the Never Never Festival in Madaranka this weekend.
So the Maderanka Rodeo or Rodeo however you want to say.
It is on Saturday evening four pm at the Madaranka Showgrounds.
It is a really fantastic event, really great community event,
family friendly.
Speaker 3 (41:22):
So if you're.
Speaker 5 (41:23):
Looking for something to do this weekend you want to
dust off your boots and get your cowboy hat on,
cowgirl hat on, please come to Mataranka. They're really worried
about this tourist drive market being slow, so any dollars
that go into our Madaranka businesses will be greatly appreciated.
It's also a fantastic event and then Mother's Day Market
stall on Sunday with all the community putting out some
(41:43):
wonderful crafts and some schools putting in some fundraising. So
big shout out to all the crew of Matteranka. Really
looking forward to this weekend at the Never Never Festival.
Speaker 3 (41:51):
Awesome stuff.
Speaker 1 (41:52):
And Jered Mailey, the Deputy Chief Minister, thank you as
always for your time this morning.
Speaker 2 (41:56):
I thank you and probably my shadow is going to
be to do it for Dolly Day. Yeah, we're all
we're wearing blue. You know, like you said, Katy, I've
got young children. I know how special it is and
how important it is that I really want to make
sure that for me is a big thing.
Speaker 3 (42:10):
Yeah, and online for Dolly Day.
Speaker 5 (42:13):
So please do if you can.
Speaker 1 (42:15):
Yeah, we caught up with Tick Everett yesterday and spoke
about what that money goes towards as well. And you
know they've got that full time like counseling service over
the phone, so so I think that's.
Speaker 3 (42:26):
An incredible thing and an incredible, incredible.
Speaker 1 (42:30):
Legacy for their girl, Dolly. So we have all got
our blue on today. We'll make sure we pop a
photo up. Thank you all so much for your time
this morning, for the week that was.
Speaker 3 (42:38):
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (42:39):
You are listening to Mix one O four nine's three
sixty
It's time for the week that was and another busy
morning ahead. I'm pleased to say that joining us in
the studio this morning is the Deputy Chief Minister Jared Maylee.
Speaker 2 (00:10):
Good morning, Good morning Katie, and good morning to your listeners.
Speaker 1 (00:12):
We've got the Opposition leader Selena Yubo, good morning, Good
morning Katie, and of course we've got our very own
Kathleen Gazola.
Speaker 3 (00:20):
Good morning to you, cat.
Speaker 1 (00:22):
Now, it has been a massive week. There's so much
going on around the Northern Territory. But I think that everybody, really,
We know that thousands of people actually turned out yesterday
to gather at vigils that were held nationwide to mourn
and to remember five year old Kumanjai little baby on
the one week anniversary of her body being found. And
(00:46):
you know, there are actually beautiful scenes I thought. I
unfortunately wasn't able to go, but I thought they were
beautiful scenes from the.
Speaker 3 (00:54):
Vigil here in Darwin.
Speaker 1 (00:56):
I saw two beautiful little girls in their pink dresses,
you know, twirling around, and I thought, how lovely to
see the way that the community's turned out. But I
thought it was really beautiful as well to see so
many kids there and just to see this little girl
whose life ended way, way, way sooner than it ever
(01:17):
should have to be honored and respected in the way
that she deserves. Not only here in Darwin, a thousand.
Speaker 3 (01:25):
People is what I'm told.
Speaker 1 (01:26):
In Alice Springs in Tasmania, I believe there was a vigil.
I think there was one in Cans as well. So
you know, to see this little girl honored by Australians, black,
white and brindle all around the nation is exactly what
her and her family deserve.
Speaker 2 (01:43):
Yeah, Katie, I went there last night. In fact, we
went with Selena and we walked out together and we
put a candle because we have to say, this is
way above politics. This is about the charitory, the charity
way of life, and people come together to support people
in a tough time. So it was great to go
there yesterday. I think three one hundred people there. It
was a really sombering experience for me, sitting quietly just remembering,
(02:04):
just thinking about their lives and how this impact on
their family. Because we all know someone who's young, and
you know we've got I've got kids myself, So for
me sitting there just reflecting for a few moments was
a very special time.
Speaker 1 (02:15):
It is, you know, like the thing is, we've actually
all all of us in this room, and I know
for a lot of people listening this morning.
Speaker 3 (02:21):
You know, we've all got.
Speaker 1 (02:22):
Little girls of varying ages. You know, I say, mine's
a little girl, but she's fifteen years years old. Jared,
I know your girls around the same age, and Selena
and Kat you've got babies, baby girls that are a
bit younger. But do you know what, Kumanjai, little baby
deserve to be able to grow up like our teenage girls, Jared,
And she deserved to be able to have a fulsome
(02:42):
and whole life. And it is an absolute tragedy. However,
you look at this what has occurred, and look a
little bit later this morning we will talk about, you know,
some of the other issues happening around the Northern Territory
in relation to child protection, etc.
Speaker 3 (02:59):
But I think it's so.
Speaker 1 (03:00):
It's very important that we remember this little girl and
respect this little girl and really try to throw our
arms around her family, particularly her mum, who I can't
even begin to imagine how her life would be going
at this point in time.
Speaker 3 (03:12):
And I know another statement.
Speaker 1 (03:14):
Was read at one of those Vigils yesterday by Leanne Little,
and you know there were words to the effect and
I don't want to paraphrase her without having it in
front of me, but there are words to the effect
of her not knowing how she's going to be able
to get through life without a beautiful little girl and
you can't even begin to imagine.
Speaker 4 (03:33):
No, that's right, I mean, you know, I think the
visuals were very important that it comes back to at
the end of the day, this is about a little girl.
You know, we've heard about the man accused of this
horrific crime, and we've heard about the issues and the
systemic issues time and time again, and that's been a
lot of the discussion this week, which I know has
been a very sensitive topic and a lot of calls
(03:55):
for not politicizing. So on that week anniversary, you know,
marking a week on, to just come back to that
bottom line, as this is about a little girl that
should have had her entire life in front of her
and it ended in the most horrific way.
Speaker 1 (04:11):
Yeah, look, what we might do this morning is I
might take a quick break.
Speaker 3 (04:15):
There is so much to discuss, and.
Speaker 1 (04:17):
I know that you know that there's been a bit
of conjecture about whether some of these discussions should happen
this week, you know, given the fact that there is
certainly the argument about not being a political football. But
there has been some really horrific reporting come through from
the Australian newspaper in the sense that there's been lives
(04:39):
of other young children in danger. So we will get
to that in just a couple of moments, but we're
going to take a quick moment's break and maybe a
quick pause for reflection, just to remember little Koman Jay,
little baby. You are listening to mix Ono four nine's
three sixty And look, we know when Parliament is sitting
there's always a lot to discuss, and everybody in here
(05:00):
just having a bit of a discussion about parliament this morning,
and we'll get to that in a little while. We'll
also get to the budget. But what I do want
to talk about is earlier in the week we spoke
to Minister for Children and Families here in the Northern Territory,
Robin Carr. Now she confirmed that three people have been
stood down in the Department of Children and Families as
(05:23):
the Minister also has launched an external investigation into the
events that led up to the death of five year
old Pumanjite Little Baby and Alice Springs. Now, reports revealed
in The Australian say that at least six welfare notifications
were made about the girl in the weeks before her disappearance,
with claims the department failed to act. Now, the Children
(05:44):
and Families Minister Robin carl says the stand down it's
a part of efforts to understand how the system has failed.
She has ordered an independent investigation and flag sweeping reforms
to child protection laws expected to be introduced to Parliament
next week. Now I want to speak as well about
an article that's in the Australian newspaper today. It is
(06:07):
being reported that a six week old baby girl was
rushed to Darwin Hospital this week allegedly who had allegedly
been sexually assaulted at less than twenty five days old,
but the infant was allowed to remain with its family
despite multiple separate reports of abuse being made within three weeks. Now,
in details that will heap further pressure on an already
(06:31):
underfire nt Department of Children and Families, the Australian has
revealed that multiple agencies made reports about the welfare of
the infant who has flown from a remote indigenous community
to the Royal Darwin Hospital with suspicious head injuries this week. Now,
this is a really like that is a horrifying situation
(06:55):
to read about. I think that everybody in this room
would agree with that. You know, the Minister acted very
quickly on Wednesday. I think it was that we'd had
her on the show saying that she'd stood down those
three staff members and said that there is going to
be that review, you know, I mean, Jered Obviously there
(07:16):
does need to be some work in this space and
any child, no matter where you are from, no matter
what your background, every child deserves to be safe.
Speaker 2 (07:27):
Look, Katie, I completely agree with that, and we've got
looks through the legislation and at the moment, the legislation
doesn't mention child's safety. It's not a main consideration. What
we want to do. We're going to look at changing
the lord to make sure that any decision about the
children must act in the child's best interest, doesn't matter
where they're from, what community, or who they are, who
their parents are. We need to make sure that the
(07:48):
Department make decisions in the best issues of the child
and in the safety of the child. I know the
ministers talked about going to have an independent review. We're
going to have someone who's appropriate and experienced reviewing entire department,
talking about the governance, talking about the workforce, talking about
the resources to make sure they've got the resources to
be able to do their job properly, which is keep
children safe, acting the best issues of children. So that's
(08:11):
going to happen very soon, and we're going to look
at the legislation and we're going to try and get
something in de Parliament as soon as possible to make
sure that everyone knows if you're going to make a child,
a decision about a child, it's got to be the
best interest of that child. We need to make sure
that that is paramount consideration for the young young children.
Speaker 1 (08:28):
I mean, Selena, what did you think of the actions
of the minister this week following on from these revelations
that were made in the Australian.
Speaker 5 (08:35):
I think, Katie, there's a lot to unpack there and
I think for listeners to understand and think about some
of the questions that we have as the opposition, which
is Minister Robin Caale came out and said that there's
going to be an external investigation. She's provided no information
of who is going to do that investigation, what body,
independent authority, external department, consultant. I have no idea, So
(08:59):
we'll be asking those questions. Who is actually doing the
external investigation. Maybe Jered has some inside he's in a
government minister. I think that's number one to understand, you know,
departments reviewing itself. That doesn't hit the mark.
Speaker 3 (09:13):
I don't think they can. I don't think they can. EA,
I don't think they can.
Speaker 5 (09:16):
But what I'm worried about Katie is we have no details.
So she's come out, you know, trying to you know,
speak strongly, but has provided no detail whatsoever. So that's
number one. Number two is even we heard quite clearly
over the last couple of days. While everyone has been
very respectful in allowing for the sorry business to take
place in Alice Springs and looking at little coming ja
(09:39):
little babies family and being able to support them as
best as possible, but there has been calls from child
Protection sector to say, do not rush legislation. Do not
rush laws in the Northern Territory that are reactive please
any changes they need to be thought out, they need
to be clarified. They need to be well positioned. They
need to be community led in the sense that they
(10:01):
are going to one put child safety as number one.
That's paramount, we know that. But two, please don't rush
and make knee jerk decisions and reactions when it comes
to child safety. Do it properly and we will be
there to support as a labor opposition if it's done properly.
So that would be the really second and important point
to make on that.
Speaker 1 (10:19):
I mean, Kathleen, look, we made this point yesterday. You
and I have been reporting in the Northern Territory for
a long long time. I mean I've been doing this
show for about eleven years. You've been reporting in the
territory for probably twenty years. About eight years ago we
were reporting on the absolute travesty that was a little
girl being raped.
Speaker 3 (10:38):
In Tenant Creek, a two year old girl that was
raped in Tenant Creek. And for me, you know.
Speaker 1 (10:43):
What it feels like as I read these reports, you know,
and I see this one particularly that's come through in
the Australian newspaper today, it.
Speaker 3 (10:53):
Feels like not a lot has changed.
Speaker 1 (10:55):
I don't know whether that is the right sentiment or not.
And I know that everybody in the room may have
differing opinions on that, and I know that you know
that people can do horrible things no matter whether you
live in the Northern Territory or whether you live in
another part of Australia. But fundamentally, I go back to
every child deserves to be safe. I you know, to
(11:17):
think that a two year old that that happened to
a two year old eight years ago, and then to
be in the situation that we're in again is horrible.
Speaker 4 (11:25):
It is, and as you said, you know, we reported
on that incident eight years ago and then unfortunately there's
been time and time again equally horrific instances that have
come on. So you know, like the panel here, we're
all born and bred territories, which I mean, we're a
bit of a minority these days, and you've been here
(11:45):
for a very long time. Will fee sadly, I think,
and it's awful to say. Sometimes you hear these instances
and you're like not surprised that it's continuing on in
some ways, because it does feel that not much has changed.
I don't think you can say that there's not an
intent to want to make a change, and there.
Speaker 3 (12:03):
Is always good will.
Speaker 4 (12:06):
You know, Jared makes very good points, Selena makes very
good points, and I think we all need to come
to some kind of level of agreement on how to
move forward to make a change. You know, Matt Cunningham
was in Alice Springs for those riots and has reported
on it again, and he's said, you know, we throw
millions of dollars at these systemic issues to try and
(12:27):
make a change, and it feels like not much has changed.
So there needs to be something. You know, it's hard
to say what, but there needs to be a consensus
of everyone actually coming to an agreement.
Speaker 1 (12:39):
What's really interesting for me yesterday is, you know, I
interview a lot of people. You guys, you know everyone
knows that yesterday I'd interviewed a senator justint to and
Pa jimper Price before ten o'clock. Then I interviewed Marian Scrimjaw,
the member FILLINGIARI just after ten o'clock yesterday. Now they
had differing views obviously on how we deal with some
(13:01):
of these issues. But what I know, and what I
know from even standing in this room this morning with you,
Selena and Jared, is that while your views may be different,
ultimately everyone wants the same outcome, and that is for
kids to be safe. So what I'd love for us
to get to in the end is to somehow reach
a point where, you know, where we're not worried about
(13:21):
those political lines and we can let go of some
of that, you know, the anger that we feel towards
the person opposite us on the political spectrum about some
of the decisions that are being made or that might
be made to try and actually, you know, see some
really serious change in this space.
Speaker 3 (13:39):
Ok.
Speaker 2 (13:39):
I think this is this incident is going to be
the catalyst from our government to make a change. We
know that we're a new government and we've been trying
to deal with crime for the last two years and
we think crime is heading in the right direction. It's
still not perfect and still no way to go, but
the data is that it's trending down. Is that we're
really concentrating on that, and now this is an instant
where now we're Robin carl is going to run the
(14:01):
ball up. She's gone through the Act. We've read it,
I've read it, you know, just having the child's best interest,
that the simple principles number one wasn't done by the
previous labor government. You mentioned eight years and as these
little knicks around it, But I think this is going
to be an opportunity to make some real changes to
make sure that we don't have to worry about, you know,
the culture, which is important, don't get me wrong, but
(14:22):
I think the best insured the child is above that.
We need to make sure that the decisions are made
for the child's safety in the best insues of the child.
And Robin Carl has indicators you're going to do that
this independent review. You know, it's only been three days.
We're going to make sure we get the right person
do that. So it's only been three days, so we
don't want to do a reaction and make sure that
(14:42):
we get the right person. Just let me finish. You know,
we are not going to be the previous labor government
and just make a decision and just not think about it.
It's been three days. This is a super super important decision.
We need to get the right person and we need
to make sure that we get this right because, like
I said, this is going to be a point in
time that we can fix this legislation and we can
fix for the young people, the young people out there
(15:05):
who really do need some help.
Speaker 4 (15:06):
One thing we know is that there has been you know,
inquiries over many decades. We've obviously had the Little Children
of Sacre report. Howard Bath did a review as well
into child protection. Colin Gwinn as Children's Commissioner, looked into
the Tenant Creek case and found that departments within government
acting silos and so not sharing information. I think one
(15:28):
of the things that stood out to me with your
interview with Nathan Finn yesterday was that when police make
a notification or a report, then they don't find out
anything new that follows up. So in some ways it
feels like those agencies are still kind of not working together,
and that information sharing is so important for the historical
elements of you know, if a child has been put
(15:51):
into situations that sadly continue to happen, if that information
was there, perhaps another decision or more support could.
Speaker 3 (15:58):
Be preople about it.
Speaker 1 (15:59):
Yeah, And I think that's a really important point, is that,
you know, not like in every situation we're not talking
about children being removed, but if there are able to
be supports wrapped around as well, or if there is
different things that can be done to try to help
that situation more generally, you know, everybody would hope that
that is happening right now, but you know from some
(16:20):
of that reporting that we're now reading, you've you've got
to start scratching your head and you've got to start
wondering do things need to be dismantled a little bit
and try to fix this.
Speaker 3 (16:29):
I don't know.
Speaker 2 (16:30):
I know the Chief Minister wrote to alberan Esi when
she first come in office and listed six points of
what needed to be done, and one of that was
a review into the Aboriginal funding into Alice Springs in
the town camps. And we know that federal funding. You
spoke about it are millions of dollars coming in. I'm
a majority that comes from the federal government. We've asked
them to help to go and review this. There's been
crickets and that they haven't really done anything in relation
(16:52):
to that. We know two to fifty million dollars is
paid into Alice Springs, where what has that done? Nothing?
Reality is so we need to make sure that we've
asked the gout federal government and maybe I'm saying you
can go and talk to her friends in canber and
get them to help as well. They haven't responded, they
haven't listened to the cries of territorianes and our government,
and we need to do that because this is beyond
(17:13):
politics and we need to get this right. And this
is a really super important topic because if we can
get it right now and adjust it and it goes
back to budget, we know we're going to talk about budget.
We know we've got this twelve billion dollar debt. If
we weren't paying interest in that the million or two
million dollars per day, imagine the money we could use
that to be able to spend on scenarios about this.
So this is where it comes back to budget and overspending.
(17:35):
For eight years, we know ab government went from one
point right up to nine or twelve billion dollars of debt.
This is the reality of overspending.
Speaker 3 (17:42):
Well, look, I mean, Selena, I'm interested.
Speaker 1 (17:45):
Obviously, I'll I'll let you have your say because shared's
just spoken there for a little while, so I'll let
you have your say before I cut in.
Speaker 3 (17:51):
Thank no, thank you very much, Katie.
Speaker 5 (17:53):
I'm just going to say, going back to the possible
proposed legislation, obviously we haven't seen that, but we've heard
rumor since January twenty twenty five that the CLP was
going to make changes in the child protection space. Still nothing,
And then I think that in very poor taste, the
CLP is now using this horrific incident and tragedy in
Alice Springs as a catalyst and jerk at the word
(18:14):
himself a catalyst. So if there were plans already, if
there were things that could have been made better in
the child protection laws of the Northern Territory, why hasn't
the CLP done that last year? So we've heard rumor
since January twenty twenty five, literally holding our breath every
single sittings to see is this going to be introduced?
Is child protection amendments what we call changes everyone, you know,
(18:36):
amendments to laws in the Northern Territory around child protection.
Is it going to happen? Nothing so far, and now
the rumor is it's going to be next week on emergency.
So I think, well, you've been in a year and
a half. Jared, you said yourself, you've been in for
nowly two years, and it's time for you guys to
take response.
Speaker 1 (18:54):
I get what everybody's saying, and I understand the discussion
about not wanting to make the tragedy in Alice Springs.
Speaker 3 (19:00):
A political football.
Speaker 1 (19:01):
But if this isn't the point that we need to
make some change, what is.
Speaker 5 (19:06):
If it was identified back in January, Katie, I don't
understand why the government hasn't acted in that space. They've
had all this time to be able to go out
consult to see what could be better. We can offer
a bipartisan approach. If it's about making things better for
families and children and the safety of children in the
Northern Territory, we would happily do that work, Katie. Do
you think they're just doing it as a political well,
(19:27):
I would like to know why they didn't do it
last year, a year and a half ago, why they're
choosing this moment in time to do it, and what
are they actually going to do.
Speaker 2 (19:34):
The previous government did something eight years ago in that
poor child in Tenant Creek, we wouldn't be in a situation.
So we know the Labor government refused to act and
did nothing about it. We've come into office, we've dealt
with the crime issue, we're doing the economy in the
last le This is very important thing and we need
to make sure that we do it and we are
we're going to independent review that's coming. The department's doing
its own internal review. We need to make sure we
(19:55):
get this right and we're not going to do when
do you reaction?
Speaker 3 (19:57):
When do you reckon? We'll know who's going to be
conducted that review.
Speaker 2 (20:00):
I reckon next week.
Speaker 4 (20:02):
Okay, Well, I think it also in terms of the legislation,
if it has been taken that long to create or
draft that legislation, if it's just going to be introduced
in urgency next week, then that's going to get a
whole lot of criticism that it is being rushed and
that not allowing that kind of bipartisan approach. And we've
talked about that there needs to be a playing field
(20:24):
here that everyone is in agreement. So I don't know how.
Speaker 2 (20:26):
Agency are going to help the pieces of child first.
I think that's pretty simple to do. So may be
that there will be some adjustments or amendments, as the
Selena is mentioned, to make sure that anyone who is
dealing with the child protection space must act in the
best us of child. That would be that would be
a change. Right now we can act moving for I
know the labor did nothing over eight years, but we
are going to make sure that we act in the
(20:47):
best news of child.
Speaker 1 (20:48):
Talking that maybe it's a legislative change a little bit
like what we've seen I think to the Bail Act,
where there was that bit of wording change where it
was the judge had to have I can't remember exactly what.
Speaker 2 (20:59):
The word community safety.
Speaker 1 (21:01):
Yeah, community safety had to be sort of paramounts. So
are you talking that it might just be simply like
a wording change where safety, yes is the number.
Speaker 2 (21:11):
One, and that could happen on urgency, Because you're right,
we don't want to rush these things and we do
want to work with the often it happens.
Speaker 1 (21:17):
So if we are in a situation where that legislation,
like where that change is simply just as simple as
a wording change, how do you then get that message
through to an entire department.
Speaker 2 (21:29):
Well, that's what the Minister's office is going to do.
And I think the people in their department are good people,
and they work hard and they want to act in
the best use of the child, but they've got to
follow the legislation. So you might find that that's hamstrung
for some of these people who do want to do
the right thing, but they've got to follow the legislation,
so if we change that and brought it up to
the past, So that's the first consideration. That's what these
(21:49):
people do. They're there for a reason and they like
that job because they really care, like we all care
about young children. So if they can actually use the
legislation to assist them, it might be very very quick
and easy change, because that's that's what they want to
do by the hands wrung because the previous labor government
had it down the bottom and we're going to move
to the top.
Speaker 4 (22:04):
Hopefully there's some training that might educate them also as well,
and that's how they need to do that within the department.
Speaker 1 (22:10):
Well, look, we're going to have to take a really
quick break. You are listening to Mix one oh four
nine's three sixty. It is the week that was. It's
been another massive week, but coming your way next we're
going to be talking about the budget. You are listening
to Mix one O four nine's three sixty. Now, as
I've been saying, it's been a massive week. And if
you've just joined us in the studio this morning, we've
got Kathleen Gazola, Selena Hubo and Jared Mayley. But we
(22:33):
know The budget was handed down by Bill Yan a
little bit earlier this week, and the Northern Territory budget
well a major focus on law and order as well
as the government says infrastructure and corrections. So a record
one point seventy three billion dollars to policing, courts and prisons,
including funding for more offices, new facilities and support programs.
(22:56):
Then the government saying that they're aiming to improve community safety,
strength and infrastructure and support long term growth across the
Northern Territory.
Speaker 3 (23:05):
Look a few sort of standouts for me.
Speaker 1 (23:07):
First off, you know the concerns around how much the
ship lift is costing, the blowout on that. One of
the massive standouts for me was when we spoke to
doctor John Zorbis throughout the week from the Australian Medical
Association and he sort of said, you know, when you
look at some of these numbers. Obviously the hospital operational funding,
he reckons it's been cut by twenty one million despite
(23:29):
requiring the one hundred and thirty million in emergency funding last
financial year. But he also welcomed, like he's welcomed the
eighteen million dollars for the new thirty two bed General
Hospital Ward and the sixteen million for the mental Health ward,
but said that there needs to really be an investment
in some of our hospital infrastructure.
Speaker 3 (23:48):
So they're my take homes. I'm sure that everybody.
Speaker 1 (23:51):
Else will have some different different take homes and reactions
from the budget.
Speaker 3 (23:55):
Who shall I go to first? Maybe you, Jared?
Speaker 2 (23:58):
Okay, Look, okay, GoF Look, this is a budget. You're right,
this focus on law and order. Law and order underpins
in Northern Charity everything you do, everything that we want
to do to moving forward, rebuilding economy, and that lifestyle
is about crime. So if we don't get that under control,
we are going to be in a world to hurt.
And we know under the previous government, crime is going
up and people were leaving and you hear all the stories.
(24:20):
I've come here, I've been assault who my car's been stolen,
I'm going they don't stop them at the town, They're
going to keep driving through. So we're really trying hard
and we've done some work and the data is going
in the right direction, but there's a long way to go.
Don't get me wrong with still crime out there is
an issue, but we're putting this money into the courts,
into corrections, and into the police because we need to
(24:43):
make sure that we get that right. And let's talk
about correction because the corrections minist we're really focusing here.
We've gone five h and twenty five million dollars into
that system. We're focusing on some work camps to be
able to break that cycle of defending. So these offenders
who come into the prison, we don't want to just
lock them up and put them in a cell.
Speaker 3 (25:00):
They've got to come out better people.
Speaker 1 (25:02):
That's something that stuck out to me over the last
couple of weeks is you know, are people doing those
rehab programs now they making a difference.
Speaker 2 (25:09):
Well, we think they are. You know, we've got sense
to a job. We'll focus on their work camps, which
are aren't done yet because they're only new. But there's
going to be two hundred beers in Catherine, two hundred
bearers at Holts. I think there's about twenty prisoners down
in Catherine, which you get the CDU which is just
north of Catherine, and the plan is to have those
two hundred odd prisoners the low and open road prisoners
can go out and get a structure, go into the work,
(25:31):
go out into some of the communities, And I've already
had people from Mataranka contact us. See when they're up
and running, can you send the work party down and
can you help clean up the reserves and the parks
and the roads and the gam all those sorts of things.
So this is about giving some of those people some structure.
They get up in the morning, they go to work,
and they go home. Sometimes they don't have that.
Speaker 1 (25:49):
Selena, what will your take homes from the budget? Any
real wins or real losses from your perspective.
Speaker 5 (25:56):
O, Katie, I don't think we have enough time on
your show for all of that, but will.
Speaker 2 (26:00):
Give you some of my mis at window.
Speaker 5 (26:04):
In the electric not in.
Speaker 3 (26:07):
The art of electric.
Speaker 5 (26:08):
Unfortunately, for some reason, a big part of the Northern
Territory is missed out on this budget.
Speaker 2 (26:12):
Million dollars for the Central arm Road. Do you forget
about that?
Speaker 5 (26:14):
But interesting, I'll be very interested. So the Treasury usually
goes out traditionally and does road shows across the Northern Territory,
Katie and each region to say what each region is getting,
how is that going to make the territory better, particularly
around the growth of the territory economy. So I think
it's looking a little bit thin I said in Parliament
the other day, particularly around the infrastructure budget. That's something
(26:36):
that's really stood out to me as missing out in
this budget. Katie was still going through the numbers and
what it means. But there used to be some very
detailed plans around the infrastructure budget that we're always released
on Budget Day and unfortunately it just hasn't hit the
mark for me this time. I'm a Bush member, you know,
I've got a lot of roads, a lot of unsealed roads,
We've got a lot of infrastructure that we're looking out.
(26:57):
But you know, just going to your point about the
comments doctor John's Orbis from the Australian Medical Association of
the Northern Territory, I think they were really keen to see,
from what I understand, some plans, some design and scopes,
just some plans essentially, Katie, about what the health infrastructure
looks like here in Darwin, in particular with the pressures
that are on Darwin Hospital. I think everyone has been
(27:18):
aware of that and knows that and unfortunately may have
experienced those pressures themselves. But there's only eight million dollars
in this budget that goes towards health infrastructure that's crazy. Yeah,
with all the extra money that's coming from the federal government,
this is the opportunity to make those plans happen. Katie,
I think this is really something the CLP's missed because
the planning that happens now is really going to make
(27:40):
a dent in making those pressures relieved for health in
the territory. Eight million dollars, Like, I'm really disappointed in
that for health.
Speaker 1 (27:48):
Yeah, look, healthless the area that Kathleen and I've certainly
spoken a lot about on the show.
Speaker 3 (27:53):
Kat you were talking about this. We've been talking about.
Speaker 1 (27:55):
This a little bit earlier in the week, obviously after
catching up with doctor John's orbis.
Speaker 4 (27:59):
Yeah, those were a pretty incredible figures that he revealed that,
you know, out of a four billion dollar infrastructure budget,
eight million was going towards health infrastructure. I mean, I
don't it's certainly not a flashy budget, but I also
don't think we could have expected that given the debt
situation that we're facing. It shouldn't come as a massive
surprise that the CLP were focused on corrections and policing,
(28:20):
given that was the main foundation that they're elected on
and obviously has copped a lot of criticism around overcrowding
and the need for extra police and to be able
to adhere to those different law changes. I mean, you know,
not to be a cynic, but after reporting on many
a budget, obviously you look at budgets in a government's
(28:41):
term and usually the first two kind of.
Speaker 3 (28:43):
Look at their election their election.
Speaker 4 (28:46):
Commitments, and you know, trying to maybe correct some spending decisions,
and then usually year three and four you come out
with a bit more spending to try and get in.
Speaker 3 (28:57):
Some way.
Speaker 2 (29:00):
Much there's no question about it.
Speaker 4 (29:01):
And we have seen obviously the debt situation is looking
a little bit better, but that's obviously based on some
projections that would be hoping some of that revenue from
fracking comes through.
Speaker 1 (29:11):
Yeah, And look, I mean, you know, on this show,
like we are a very good barometer of what every
day people are talking about and care about. And certainly
for a number of years, crime was dominating, you know,
it was dominating on the phone lines for us. It
was something that people contacting us every day about. And
don't get me wrong, they still are to some degree.
You know, in Catherine, today we're going to be catching
up with one of our listeners to talk about some
(29:33):
of the issues that they're experiencing at the moment with crime,
But at this point in time, one of the major
issues that gets raised with us is definitely health. And
it's never a criticism of the staff. Like we all
know that the staff, you know, from your cleaners to
your healthcare professionals to absolutely everybody working on the frontline
doing a phenomenal job. But you know, if you're waiting
(29:56):
for an ambulance to arrive because they're ramped at the
hospit at all because the hospital is overflowing, you know,
these are the kind of issues that that people are
concerned about and they're worrying about at the moment. In
addition to you know, the concerns that have been raised
quite a bit around maternity services. So there there are
some some areas within our health sector that need that investment.
(30:20):
And I do understand that when we're talking about funding
a brand new hospital, for example, we are going to
need serious buy in from the federal government. There's no
way that we can afford to do that ourselves. But
I guess for me, I scratch my head a little
bit when you know, you look at how much money
is being built or how much money is being spent
for the ship lift, And I get it, it's meant
to be nation building infrastructure, but you sort of scratch
(30:40):
your head and go, I wouldn't have minded a new hospital.
Speaker 2 (30:43):
Well, look, you know the ship lift was signed up
under the previous government and we agreed.
Speaker 4 (30:47):
This was the first announced under a dollar.
Speaker 3 (30:56):
Study.
Speaker 2 (30:58):
It was eight hundred billion dollar project back down I
can tell you. But look, I agree, and that's why
Leah went down South and got extra billion dollars for
the health. We've gone into the FEDS and they've come
to the party as well, because we know under the
previous government that the health was underfunded by two hundred
million a year. So that money that we've got from
the fees is just going to top that up to
bring it to where it is. And we need to
(31:20):
continue to working out and we know that this year
I think a two hundred and thirty one million dollars
increase in the health budget. And you're right, it's not enough,
but it's a start because we've got this massive debt.
We've got this massive debt from the previous government. We're
paying that interest off at two million dollars a day
or roughly whatever that is exactly. There's the consequences of overspending.
So we need to rain that in to make sure
(31:40):
that we can spend that money wisely next time on
things like the health, things like corrections like the police,
a hospital before the next selection, well maybe a hospital,
but you know that you're right, that's going to be
a federal issue. We need leave Gosling to come out
and talk to his labour buddies and say, yes, we
put the money on the table because we are keen
to do that.
Speaker 3 (31:58):
And then you know, we know hospital, we.
Speaker 2 (32:00):
Know that'll do, but they're going to stump up the cash.
Speaker 4 (32:03):
I mean, at the end of the day, we do
need that support from that course, we get a lot
of money from the federal government as it is.
Speaker 3 (32:10):
But and I will.
Speaker 1 (32:11):
Say we've spoken to Chris Hoskins on a number of occasions,
the CEO of the Department of Health, and he's spoken
about that need for a new hospital. I actually like
that real honesty from him at the moment in terms of,
you know, in terms of actually saying, all right, we
need to be having those discussions because we want to
make sure that we're not you know, in an old
hospital that's that's falling apart. And if we're not going
(32:33):
to do a total rebuild, well let's try and expand,
or let's try and do what we need to do
to make sure that if we're ever going to grow
this population, that our hospital can keep up.
Speaker 4 (32:41):
And I mean looking at ancient history, you know, we
inherited all of this infrastructure when we got self government.
You know what I mean.
Speaker 3 (32:49):
We're one hundred and.
Speaker 4 (32:49):
Fifty years behind in infrastructure across the Northern Territory, isn't
at and we're looking at having to build a whole
new community community at Daily River, which hasn't been done
since government, you know what I mean. So we do
need the federal government to stump up and really look
at some of the things here in the Northern Territory
and to support us regardless instead of just focusing on
(33:10):
the southeast of Australia.
Speaker 1 (33:11):
Now, look, I want to move along to one of
the other announcements that was made this week by the
Northern Territory government, and that's the fact that they're going
to ramp up referrals for income management for parents of truants,
so kids that aren't going to school under a plan
to more than half the number of chronic absentees by
the end of the year. So income management for truancies
been in place for seven months and so far forty
(33:34):
nine families have been referred, thirty seven referrals accepted, and
just five of those families have sent their children back
to school. So nonetheless, the government says the strategy remains
central to its plan to reduce the number of students
on the intensive support role to eight hundred by the
end of the year and five hundred by the end
of twenty twenty seven. Currently, oney seven hundred and eighty
(33:55):
one students are on that role, meaning that they've been
skipping school for twenty consecutive days. It's a huge number
of kids that aren't going to school. I don't know
whether the you know, whether the income management or the
finding will work, but I think we can all agree
that an education is, you know, is your chance for
(34:16):
a step up in life, no matter where you come from.
Speaker 3 (34:19):
But yeah, I don't know, is it like, is this
gonna work?
Speaker 5 (34:22):
Jared?
Speaker 2 (34:22):
Look, Katie, we know that every child deserves the right
to go to school, and it's a government's job to
provide the school and provide the services. But this is
a community thing as well. Parents need to send their
kids to school. It's you know, the government can do
so much, but we need to work with the community,
work with parents to be able to get these kids
to school. And having a child not go to school
is better for the rest of their life is going
to affect them. And like I said, as the question Minister,
(34:44):
I've been in I've speak to some of the detaining
and they haven't been to school. So we need to
make sure we do what we can to get these
children to school. And if it takes us to find
the parents, that's what we're going to do because it's
a parential responsibility. The government have stepped up, we need
to do more. There's a lot more work in this space.
A lot of children don't go to school, but we
need to extend the message out there that we're going
to do it. Weekend. Families and communities need to work
(35:06):
with us because every child has a right to go
to school and we're going to keep doing what we
can to make sure that those children get to get
some sort of education.
Speaker 3 (35:14):
I agree.
Speaker 1 (35:14):
One thing I do sort of worry about, or I
do think about, is are there going to be some
supports in place for the school as well, or how
does the school sort of manage if you do have
you know, kids that are there that really don't want
to be there, that you know, hopefully not sort of
doing the wrong thing, but potentially doing the wrong thing,
and you know, making sure that the teachers and the
rest of the students that everybody and that kid, you know,
(35:37):
it's got the support in place so that they stay.
Speaker 2 (35:41):
And that's what I'm saying where the government has got
to step up and make sure the schools have got
those resources. But again, even if you are a disrupted child,
you need to get to school and maybe need to
have a different type of program because some children are
good at maths, some children are better at hands on
so everyone learns thing differently, so we need to have
a program that's adaptable. I can tell you I wasn't
very good at school and reading and writing. I was
(36:01):
more out in the bush and doing sort of stuff.
But I still went to school and I still learn
it basic maths in the English and so everyone deserves
that right. So we as a government need to put
those resources in which we are doing and Minister Hersey's
doing a good job. But this is again about community,
about family, working together with the government to give those
children that right that they deserve, which is to go
to school.
Speaker 5 (36:21):
Yeah, Katie, of course I've got an education background and
agree that education has to be an important part of
the territory moving forward, supporting our kids, supporting our teachers, principals,
school communities, families in particular. But it would be great
if the CLP could learn from the failed policies of
the past. The punitive measures when it comes to attendance
(36:43):
has not worked in the Northern Territory and I would
go as far to say, Katie, it will never work.
Even the colp's former Senator Nigel Scullion has admitted openly
and publicly from years ago that that was not a measure,
a punitive measure and approach to attendance was not a
measure that they should have pursued and it failed. And
then the SEEALP we have come back in and then
(37:04):
they've brought out they've dusted off this old policy, this
failed policy, and they're not getting the results that they
should be. That money should be better utilized for exactly
what you've outlined, Katie, for all of those different support
structures for families, whatever make up that family is, for
the cares and the foster families as well, making sure
they're supporting kids who are in care, and for our
(37:24):
teachers and our principals who are doing the hard yards
day in and day out. For school infrastructure as well, Katie,
making sure our schools, no matter where they are, particularly
Bush schools, are not forgotten, that they are not politicized,
and that they have the funding in school education investment
that they deserve.
Speaker 2 (37:40):
It would be a great opportunity to hear the opposition
to use policy and her budget replies speech, and this
will be an opportunity to go in parliam and say
this is what we're going to do. And there was
no policy, and that speech or whoever card to see
been criticized, But you know it's you've got to have
(38:02):
up an alternity view and what's your alternity view? You
can throw as many grades and talk about as what
you want, but what are you going to do about
We're doing something. We're making sure that we are children
go to school.
Speaker 1 (38:14):
We're going to take a really quick break. There isn't
much time left. The hour always flies by. You are
listening to Mix one O four nine's three sixty.
Speaker 3 (38:21):
It is the week that was.
Speaker 1 (38:22):
You are listening to Mix one O four point nine
three sixty, it is the week that was. And if
you've just joined us, we've missed a busy hour with
Jered Mayley, Selena Ubo and Kathleen Gazola. Now, before we
wrap up federal budget getting handed down next week, what
are we hoping to see, aside from cash for the
territory for various different issues.
Speaker 5 (38:43):
Hopefully Jared's maybe in your hospital I've been asking for
have you asked for one?
Speaker 3 (38:47):
Have you done?
Speaker 2 (38:49):
We asked for thirty five million from attorney, we've got ten.
Speaker 5 (38:51):
So THEO eight months time an opportunity to.
Speaker 2 (38:57):
Stump up here, So let's see what happens. Hopefully they've
been in there fighting.
Speaker 1 (39:00):
What do you think of Olbow's announcements or he's sort
of you know, he's alluded to the fact that he
wants to, you know, to make the country more sort
of you know, not so reliant on other other countries
when it comes to our fuel, et cetera. I mean,
it'll be interesting to see what detail is in there.
But what do you think of that discussion? I think
it's it's a very important one to be had at
(39:20):
the moment.
Speaker 2 (39:20):
Well, it could be good for the charity because we
know we've got the Beaterloo gas sitting there. It's in Australia,
it's like two hundred years, it's uncontracted gas. It's being developed.
Our few resources there with criticals, there's javas, there's there's
some gold mines happening. We've got a lot here in
the territory to offer. We just need an infrastructure some
of those things to get that up and running. Maybe
(39:40):
some tax concession.
Speaker 1 (39:41):
Any word on whether they're going to give us some
infrastructure funding, Jarro, you want to let the get out.
Speaker 2 (39:46):
Of the bagpost. You're talking to to not to me.
Maybe Selena might know about her labor to see what
they do for us. But you know, let's fingers cross
that we do get some benefit, because you're right, the
fed ship in I think seventy five the center of
our budget is a lot of.
Speaker 5 (40:01):
It's a huge amain and we need to keep sitting
around with their fingers crossed that they're actually asking the
federal government for specific requests for the territory and that
they're advocating at that highest level for some good projects
for some good funding and from some you know, like
we've spoken about some specific requests would be great. I
hope they're not just sitting around with.
Speaker 2 (40:23):
They've got the key here. Let's see how how well
they performed and.
Speaker 3 (40:26):
What they to advocate for the Northern Terrior.
Speaker 1 (40:29):
Have there been some discussions with the federal representatives about
what we actually need.
Speaker 2 (40:33):
I know that we've had some discussion with the feeds
riding to the treasure of what we want. So we've
had done those lists by.
Speaker 3 (40:40):
Writing a list like Santa Claus and budget Christmas stage approach.
Speaker 2 (40:46):
To the budget.
Speaker 4 (40:48):
That's hope r Anti Treasury was given the right figures
from the Commonwealth and that doesn't change our budget.
Speaker 1 (40:55):
Yeap, one hundred percent. Well, look, it'll be interesting. It'll
be another busy week next week. But Kathleen Gazoli selena
Ubo Opposition leader, thank you as always for your time
this morning.
Speaker 5 (41:05):
Thank you, Katie, and I'll just do a big shout out.
We have the Never Never Festival in Madaranka this weekend.
So the Maderanka Rodeo or Rodeo however you want to say.
It is on Saturday evening four pm at the Madaranka Showgrounds.
It is a really fantastic event, really great community event,
family friendly.
Speaker 3 (41:22):
So if you're.
Speaker 5 (41:23):
Looking for something to do this weekend you want to
dust off your boots and get your cowboy hat on,
cowgirl hat on, please come to Mataranka. They're really worried
about this tourist drive market being slow, so any dollars
that go into our Madaranka businesses will be greatly appreciated.
It's also a fantastic event and then Mother's Day Market
stall on Sunday with all the community putting out some
(41:43):
wonderful crafts and some schools putting in some fundraising. So
big shout out to all the crew of Matteranka. Really
looking forward to this weekend at the Never Never Festival.
Speaker 3 (41:51):
Awesome stuff.
Speaker 1 (41:52):
And Jered Mailey, the Deputy Chief Minister, thank you as
always for your time this morning.
Speaker 2 (41:56):
I thank you and probably my shadow is going to
be to do it for Dolly Day. Yeah, we're all
we're wearing blue. You know, like you said, Katy, I've
got young children. I know how special it is and
how important it is that I really want to make
sure that for me is a big thing.
Speaker 3 (42:10):
Yeah, and online for Dolly Day.
Speaker 5 (42:13):
So please do if you can.
Speaker 1 (42:15):
Yeah, we caught up with Tick Everett yesterday and spoke
about what that money goes towards as well. And you
know they've got that full time like counseling service over
the phone, so so I think that's.
Speaker 3 (42:26):
An incredible thing and an incredible, incredible.
Speaker 1 (42:30):
Legacy for their girl, Dolly. So we have all got
our blue on today. We'll make sure we pop a
photo up. Thank you all so much for your time
this morning, for the week that was.
Speaker 3 (42:38):
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (42:39):
You are listening to Mix one O four nine's three
sixty
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