March 5, 2026 • 43 mins
Katie Woolf was joined by Health Minister Steve Edgington, Opposition Leader Selena Uibo and Sky News NT Bureau Chief Matt Cunningham.
The panel discussed flooding facing Katherine and issues around weather radars, petrol price increases, the Nightcliff By-election, Air Asia cancellation of flights out of Darwin to Bali and Kuala Lumpur and also the ACACIA health system bungle.
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Judio with us.
Speaker 2 (00:01):
Matt Cunningham from Sky News, Good morning, Matting.
Speaker 1 (00:04):
We've got the Minister for Health.
Speaker 2 (00:05):
He's also the Minister for Essential Services and various other portfolios.
Steve Edgington, good morning, Good morning Katie, and good morning
to all the listeners. And Selena Hubo, the leader of
the Opposition. Did you have to swim here?
Speaker 1 (00:16):
Selena?
Speaker 3 (00:17):
I was very like a good morning, Katie.
Speaker 4 (00:19):
I left Catherine yesterday morning nine meters at the bridge
and it's significantly gone up last night. So thinking of
everyone in Catherine and particularly in my electorates. Some of
the communities have been cut off, so thinking of them.
I've been madly texting a few people this morning, so
very many.
Speaker 1 (00:33):
So just on that.
Speaker 2 (00:34):
We are obviously keeping a really close eye on the
Catherine River, various other waterways in Catherine, I understand as well.
You know around the region will Beswick, for example, are
they having flooding issues at the moment.
Speaker 3 (00:47):
Yeah, they're in Lola flooding this morning.
Speaker 4 (00:49):
The o latest update I had as LO called Member
Katie was that the lower subdivision of Wiggler or best
with other people know the name, are people are being
moved to the top subdivision which is out of the
the flood level. That also includes the council office and
the clinic Katie, so they've got to move all the medicines.
They get some support of course with the emergency management team,
(01:10):
which is fantastic. The school becomes a bit of an
evacuation center for anyone from the lower sub that needs
to move to the top sub. The childcare center, the
age care center.
Speaker 3 (01:19):
They're all in the flooding regions.
Speaker 4 (01:21):
So thinking of the people that willgler today and particularly
all of those emergency responders who are supporting people to
make sure that they're safe.
Speaker 2 (01:28):
Steve, what's the word from the government. I would assume
that you're keeping a pretty close eye on various different
areas at the moment. You know, no talk of evacuation
from many communities, but even the Daily was looking like
they're getting some more rain.
Speaker 5 (01:39):
Well certainly, yeah, my understanding is that the Daily is
coming up again. But as Selena said, you know, the
river's up in Catherine Beswick certainly underwatch at the moment
as well. So what we have particularly in the big
rivers now, you know, we saw it all in the
Barkley just a week or two ago, and down in
Central Australia, but certainly the watch area appears to be
in the Big Rivers area at the moment.
Speaker 2 (02:01):
Yeah, Now, when we're talking about Catherine and the amount
of rain that they are currently receiving, it's a discussion
that we'd had earlier in the week as well about
the Barkley region. The rain radar in Catherine not currently working.
People are really pretty furious about this at the moment.
Speaker 4 (02:16):
Yeah, Katie and I had a rain gauge that links
to one of the rivers and creeks in my electorate
as well. I wrote to the Minister responsible two months ago.
Well actually it was back in November. It took two
months together a response. So you know, these are things
that particularly in the wet season, but when we're seeing
some of these extra phenomenons in the in the wet
with the extra rain, it's really important people like to
(02:37):
be well informed, and particularly those who are on properties
and stations, they really know what the triggers are when
they need to move their cat on livestock, when people
need to move from one subdivision to another subdivision in
a community. The rain gages really provide that insight and
that early information to be as best planned as possible
for emergency services and our community members and our pastoralists.
(02:58):
So it's really important that we have working measures and
that the materials are there to be able to make
those quick decisions and supported decisions.
Speaker 2 (03:06):
Look, one of our friends of the show, Mary Anne,
had been in contact with us earlier in the week,
and just like on obviously the Catherine rain radar not working.
Hopefully they can sort that out soon, But on Tenant
and the Barklay, she had said that one family that
she's friends with had their home flooded four times in
four weeks. She said, you know, obviously having a rain
radar is not going to stop that flooding, but they'd
(03:28):
at least have some warning and maybe be able to
prepare better. I mean, we spoke about this earlier in
the week, Steve. It's a bit of a joke.
Speaker 5 (03:37):
Really, Katie. This is a critical infrastructure and people are furious.
In the Barkley ten years people have been waiting. It
was decommissioned by the federal government back in twenty fifteen.
Here we are twenty twenty six, so we're approaching eleven
years without the radar. But the points that you raise
are particularly relevant because what the radar will give is
real time information, and yes there are events, but it
(04:00):
gives you the opportunity if you can see where that's,
where the lower is, where the rain is, where the windows,
you can start preparing and be prepared for when that
water hits you. But at the moment, pastor US, Aboriginal
communities in remote areas, business people that need to travel,
freight services, people using the roads, we don't have that
real time information, which is creating frustration anger amongst people
(04:23):
because ten years is far too long to be waiting.
Speaker 1 (04:25):
For this way too long.
Speaker 2 (04:27):
I mean, it's pretty wild matte like we're in. I know,
you know, the Northern Territory is vast. We've obviously got
plenty of you know, different different places that are more
populated than others. But to not be able to keep
a bit of an eye on what's going on, particularly
if you're trying to transport stock or anything else, it's ridiculous.
Speaker 6 (04:44):
He saw from the Cattleman's Association, you know, they raise
this just over a week ago. And I know whether
you saw those pitches from our cattle station and the
people there where they were just like ruins piled out
like an island and really no real time information about
what was going on. And you know, I don't think
(05:04):
that would be allowed to happen anywhere else in the country. No,
I don't know what sort of answers you've been getting,
Steve about why nothing's been done about that, but you know,
it just does seem absolutely absurd and ridiculous. And if
that was happening in part of New South Wales or
Queensland and Victoria wouldn't be stood for.
Speaker 5 (05:21):
Look. I spoke to Amber Driver on the phone just
yesterday evening and it's the biggest flood event that they've
seen in four generations out there at el Kedra. But again,
you know the feedback from people living in those areas
that they're just furious that that information isn't available. Yes, sir,
we do see rain events, we see flooding, we see
all of those things. But at the critical point when
(05:44):
you want to know where that's, where that low is,
it's just not there. And as we said, ten years
to be waiting for a weather radar, there's nowhere else
in Australia that would wait ten years for a weather What.
Speaker 2 (05:56):
Exactly is holding it up? I know we spoke about
this briefly yesterday. But what exactly is holding it up?
Speaker 5 (06:01):
Well, there was two things. Firstly, it was put into
the regional deal back in twenty nineteen, so we're talking
April twenty nineteen. I think there was about seventeen point
nine million dollars committed fifteen and that was from the
federal government to install the radar, have it built, and
there was two point five million operational money from the
Anti government committed. What we've seen is yes, there was
(06:22):
the COVID period as well, so there were some delays.
These weather radars aren't just built here in Australia. They're
built overseas. They have to you know, they're very technical
bits of equipment, so they're built overseas they come to Australia.
MI understanding is that it's now been sitting somewhere for
around about two years until some of the land issues
(06:43):
are being sorted. So the location has been identified, but
when it comes to land tenure, my understanding is that
they're still working through those issues.
Speaker 2 (06:52):
That has to be sorted sooner rather than later. This
is something that is impacting you know, various different people.
Speaker 1 (06:59):
Look, we'll talk more about the weather.
Speaker 2 (07:00):
We're certainly going to be heading down to Catherine after
eleven o'clock this morning and finding out exactly what's going.
Speaker 1 (07:06):
On in the area. So we're talking about that text.
Speaker 4 (07:09):
Unfortunately, a local business has had a flooded or rain
impact from their roof, so that sounds like it's it's
closed the business and maybe they're getting a bit of flooding.
I hope everyone's safe and looking after each other, but
they've just literally got that text now from all bugs.
Speaker 3 (07:26):
Yeah we're friends.
Speaker 1 (07:27):
Well look, I hope that everybody is okay.
Speaker 2 (07:29):
We will head down to Catherine after ten o'clock this
morning and talk more about it. Now, I just want
to take you across to another issue that is just
sort of bumbling along this morning.
Speaker 1 (07:40):
Those petrol prices.
Speaker 2 (07:41):
Now, this is something we've spoken about a bit throughout
the week and something that's really annoyed a lot of
our listeners.
Speaker 1 (07:46):
But I do just want to give people a bit
of an update when.
Speaker 2 (07:48):
It comes to the terminal gate price today in Darwin,
we were sitting at a dollar sixty six yesterday for
unleaded petrol that has jumped to a dollar seventy three
this morning at the terminal gate. Then when you go
across and take a look at the diesel a dollar
seventy eight point eight yesterday sitting at a dollar ninety
(08:08):
point five this morning. Matt, you said, you drive past
a couple of servos that were already over two dollars
this morning.
Speaker 6 (08:14):
Yeah, it's on the arp, isn't it. And you know,
this is the consequence of what's going on in the
Middle East at the moment. I mean, you know, it's
interesting seeing the politicians sort of, you know, get all
worked up about fuel prices, et cetera, et cetera. And
I've seen this game before. I mean, what haven't we
What we see in you know, crisis like this is
that you know, our politicians don't really have a lot
(08:37):
of control over the price of petrol at the bowser.
There are ways that they could have greater control. And
it was interesting this week, Katie. You know, Santos Man
managing director Kevin Gallagher was in town and we had
a long chat with him on Wednesday, and he spoke
(08:57):
a lot about the impact of the Middle East conflict
on energy prices and he was really strong on saying
what it's showing is the need for us to really
boost our own domestic energy security, which is something that
you know, he was saying, you know, we've kind of
had it pretty good over the past four decades really
when it comes to sort of world a period of
(09:18):
relative stability when it comes to world peace. But we're
heading into sort of more trying times and you're seeing
this week the impact of that. And so, you know,
he was making the point, and I think it's a
good one that we really need to develop our own
energy resources and make sure we have more resilience on
an energy front, so that when these sort of things happen,
(09:40):
these crises overseas that are beyond our control, that we
have a little bit more control locally over these sort
of price spots.
Speaker 1 (09:47):
Like, to me, that is such a logical thing to do.
Speaker 6 (09:50):
I won't play very well in the nightcliff By election
at all.
Speaker 2 (09:54):
I wouldn't suspect, but definitely, you know a point that
is so so logical, think in the sense that if
you can be self sufficient, gee, it makes life a
lot easier for us here in the Northern Territory, and
we've got all everything we need to be self sufficient,
but we're.
Speaker 3 (10:08):
Just not there.
Speaker 2 (10:10):
Look.
Speaker 5 (10:10):
Look, I think, yeah, it'd be great to be self sufficient.
But I think you know the immediate issues that we're
seeing and those increases at the gate price. What we
have seen during the week is that those increases at
the gate price haven't reflected in many were not many,
but some cases the pump at the prices at the pump,
the prices on display have really been different, and we're
(10:32):
what we're hearing is that some people are feeling that
they've been there's been some price gouging around fuel, and
they're the things that, yes, we can understand what the
gate price is now, but realistically what we've seen is
some of that pricing at the pump has been different
to the gate price and we've seen some increases. This
is the stuff that affects the local people and I
(10:53):
haven't seen too much from out Bush, but when the
prices start going up at the pump here in Darwin,
this gets from inflicted out Bush where people are really
struggling as it is with weather events. What they like,
what they don't need is fuel price is increasing when
there's no justici walking.
Speaker 6 (11:08):
What's the highest you've seen out Bush?
Speaker 2 (11:10):
Well?
Speaker 5 (11:10):
I saw something on Facebook the other day where diesel
had jumped to about three dollars.
Speaker 4 (11:15):
A later three dollars twenty Katie at Rum and guineas
the highest petrol in the Northern territory.
Speaker 3 (11:22):
Unfortunately, that's for diesel.
Speaker 4 (11:24):
Gapuyak in my electric not far off is about three
three dollars ten a leader for diesel. So, as she
was saying, you know, the big concern whilst you know
a majority of our population in the territory, we'll see
those increases here in our urban area, particularly Dale and Palmerston,
which is a big concern because everyone's struggling with the
cost of living these days.
Speaker 3 (11:43):
But we'll also see that push out to the bush.
Speaker 4 (11:45):
Obviously, it costs more to get some of the fuel
out to some of those remote regions, but places like
Rum and Guinea Gapuyak do have those very high leader
costings right now. So unfortunately we'll start to see the
jump there and that's yeah, just an indication of where
people will be hitting their pockets.
Speaker 3 (12:03):
Unfortunately.
Speaker 2 (12:04):
One of the things that listeners have been saying to
us as well is that and you touched on this Steve,
that the cost that is on the advertising board out
the front, then sometimes when you go to pay it
the pump, it's different. Now if that is happening, I
would assume that that I would think that that's illegal.
Speaker 5 (12:19):
Well, no doubt. And you know what we would say
is that where those prices clearly differ. If you're driving
into a service station, you see it clearly on the
notice board there, this is what you're expecting to pay.
You get to the pump, and all of a sudden
you're charged whether it's five, ten, fifteen cents difference. You know,
our advice is that people should be taking that up
with the a triple C I agree, and clearly dealing
(12:40):
with it there and then on the spot, because it's
in my view, clearly dishonest. If you're advertising one price,
but when you get to the pump it's a different price,
there's something clearly wrong.
Speaker 3 (12:50):
Steve can I ask.
Speaker 4 (12:50):
I know when Labor was forming government, we introduced the
myfuel nt app. That was something that the cop opposition
said that they were going to grap.
Speaker 3 (13:00):
Is that still on the cards.
Speaker 4 (13:01):
Now that you're in government or are you going to
keep that because I know lots of people use that
as a comparison. Declare my dad, you know you've got
it every single day. That's something you're still looking at
you should have seen the line. Is really important that
people can compare prices.
Speaker 5 (13:16):
It hasn't been a consideration. My fuel in Tea is
still up on the on the web and people.
Speaker 3 (13:23):
Yeah, and advertising it on his Facebook the other day.
Speaker 2 (13:26):
So obviously it's when it comes to petrol prices. We've
heard some interesting lines, have we over the years, Matt.
We had Adam Giles up end of the Pineapple. Adam
Giles told us then we had what are gonna tell us?
Speaker 1 (13:41):
He was going to he was winning.
Speaker 6 (13:42):
Hard launched that fuel.
Speaker 1 (13:46):
It's going to change the world.
Speaker 6 (13:48):
I mean, it's it's good for people, to be honest.
I don't know whether it's had a huge downward impact
on petrol price.
Speaker 2 (13:53):
No, I don't think it's changed the price. But I
think it is convenient for us, that's for sure.
Speaker 6 (13:57):
I mean, you know, shout out, but that that always.
Speaker 1 (14:02):
Make it a bit cheaper.
Speaker 5 (14:03):
And that's what we say is you know, if you've
got a trusted place where you go to get feel
keep doing that. But be mindful that what we're hearing
in some cases seeing at the moment that the advertised
prices are different to what's at the pump, So be
mindful of that and if you are having problems, report
that to the atriple.
Speaker 1 (14:21):
Absolutely, let's take a really quick break.
Speaker 2 (14:22):
There so much on the agenda this week. Very keen
to talk about the Nightcliff By election.
Speaker 1 (14:27):
Us joined as well.
Speaker 2 (14:28):
We've got a great line up this morning, Matt Cunningham,
Steve Edgington and Selena Ubo. Now, while we know the
Nightcliff By election it's happening tomorrow, still plenty of people
need to get out there and vow. We caught up
with all four of the candidates over the last couple
of days. They had the opportunity to speak to our
listeners to learn more about them, and well they could
(14:49):
really tell us what they stood for.
Speaker 1 (14:51):
It's going to be an interesting race.
Speaker 2 (14:53):
What's your tip, Matt Cunningham, You live in the electrics.
Speaker 6 (14:56):
Harder to break, could go to one of three ways,
not a twelfth Man fan, harder to pick.
Speaker 3 (15:13):
Than a.
Speaker 6 (15:15):
Look, look, the CLP won't win. I'm pretty comfortable saying that.
I agree, probably a three way race. I don't look,
I don't know. It's going to be tough for Labor.
I think the preferences, I think the preferences are kind
of favoring Phil Scott. You know, so I think all
the three other candidates have got him second, which means
(15:35):
he could even finish third and still win. You know,
if he finishes third gets enough of the fourth candidate,
and that's what happened in the general election in the
twenty twenty four election, where the Greens finished third and one.
So you know it's going to come down to preferences.
It's a really weird by election, and Nightcliff, where I leave,
is a really weird place compared to.
Speaker 3 (15:54):
The rest of the.
Speaker 6 (15:57):
I mean, you know there's an old saying another one.
You know, a politician will promise you a bridge even
if there's no water to build it over. This is
the first election I've seen in my life where none
of the candidates except possibly Ed Smelt but I'll get
to that next second. Are promising to build anything? Yeah,
just all campaigning on what they're going to stop, what
they're going to ban, what they're going to save. I'm
(16:17):
going to ban fracking, stop middle arm, save lead point,
none of which you're in the electorate right, and they're
the main campaign issues. It Smelts promising to build a
big battery in Nightcliff, which I think is really just
a kind of front cover for the fact that later
supports fracking when they're pushed on the issue. So it's,
you know, like it's and I could, you know, as
someone who lives in the electorate and has kids who
(16:38):
go to school there and kids who play as boarding clubs,
I could give you a list as long as my
arm of things that need to be done in that electorate.
But I don't see anyone proposing this.
Speaker 1 (16:46):
Isn't that bizarre.
Speaker 2 (16:47):
Look, we the main thing that gets brought up with us,
and for every candidate that we had on the show,
the main thing that people were messaging through about remained
crime and safety. People were messaging through saying, you know, Katie,
this has happened to me, or that's happened to me.
Can the candidates please explain to us how they're going
to make Nightcliff a safer place to live?
Speaker 3 (17:06):
Now?
Speaker 1 (17:07):
It was real.
Speaker 2 (17:07):
I found it really quite fascinating actually catching up with
all the candidates. So I actually thought Suki performed really
quite well when she came in for an interview, saying
with Ed Smelt. Phil was over the phone, you know,
when we sort of asked him about the donations from
Climate two hundred. He wasn't sure whether they donated to him.
You know, it was that bit of just that sort
of convenient sort of forgetfulness. I don't know what you
(17:30):
might call it. That, you know, that happened. And then
Arjen came in and was like coughing and spluttering into
the microphone. It was quite difficult to be able to
sort of, you know, to work out exactly what he
stands for. For Nightcliff, it seemed very cool, you know.
Speaker 6 (17:46):
The comedy gold moment of the campaign so far as
being when when Arjon was on ABC Radio and was
asked whether he supported fracking and he does. I mean,
if the CLP candidate I can't even tell you your
support fracking then and.
Speaker 2 (17:59):
That's a real concerned It is a worry. I think
it's going to be an interesting, a really interesting race
to see exactly who does win. I think the point
that you've made, Matt, is a really important one for
people to realize that pretty much everybody's preferenced Phil Scott
in number two. Whether people follow those preferences or not,
I guess remains to be seen.
Speaker 1 (18:19):
I did actually ask ed, I.
Speaker 2 (18:21):
Think one of the most important questions that people want
to know is Duly going to come back as the electoral.
Speaker 4 (18:28):
Yes, I love that and Electric officers, as we know,
makes such a big difference for that extra community you.
Speaker 3 (18:33):
Know connection, which other was great.
Speaker 4 (18:36):
But yeah, Katie, we think you know, our labour team's
really focused on supporting ed Smell. He's a great candidate,
very community minded, lives in the Electric locally, you know,
has that what we you know, some of the deliverables
that he has been able to achieve with the darhwn
City Council role that he's held. I think it will
be tight. We're absolutely not taking any vote for granted.
(18:56):
Our labor team knows that we're trying to regain the
trust of Nightcliff Photos Again. We've had that amazing legacy
of holding the seat for twenty four years over two
different members with Jane Agard and then Natasha Files unfortunately
lost in August twenty twenty four because of as Matt's explained,
with the preference systemat McNamara. First, Greens don't want to
take that away because that was historic, But there will
(19:18):
be very It will come down to the why we
believe and we're going to work very, very hard to
continue to support ed right up until six pm on
tomorrow on Saturday, the seventh of March, to try and
get him over the line.
Speaker 3 (19:30):
We think he will be.
Speaker 4 (19:30):
A fantastic advocate for the three suburbs in the Nightcliff electorate,
So looking forward to continuing to support him that it
really is going to be close.
Speaker 2 (19:40):
Steve, I mean, what do you think, do you think's
in with any kind of chance? Well?
Speaker 5 (19:44):
I think he is. But you know there's a whole
range of issues at Nightcliff. We've heard about the preferencing issue.
We know that the last election was really resolved around preferencing.
But what we have is a very strong candidate. An
John's been here for ten years. He's a lawyer, his
wife is nurse, he's been in the community. But as
Matt said, one of the key issues being spoken about
(20:05):
his crime. Now when it comes to crime, as you
can see, the COLP has been focused on crime right
from the very outset. Labour has a problem here because
we know that over the eight years that they were
in government there was very little focus on crime. So
what people are talking about on the doors at the
moment is certainly they're concerned about crime. What we can
do is offer somebody a seat at the table. So
(20:26):
by winning that by election, an John will be part
of the COLP team. We're focused on reducing crime, rebuilding
the economy and restoring our lifestyle. So aar John's been
out there, he's been talking to people on the doors.
We're hearing exactly the same as what Matt said. Crime
is an issue. COLP are the ones that can tackle.
Speaker 3 (20:43):
That head okaty. This is the big difference.
Speaker 4 (20:44):
Like the colper in government, they have the ability to
offer some tangible commitments to the people of Nightcliff.
Speaker 3 (20:50):
The voter is in Nightcliff for this by election.
Speaker 4 (20:52):
They haven't come out and done that, so I think
it is an opportunity that they have lost. They have
the edge, they have the budget, They are able to
promise things that they should be able to deliver as
a government. They haven't done this with airje one, so
it really begs the question are they serious about it?
Speaker 5 (21:05):
We're already We're already delivering across Darwen and Palmerston. Katie
will continue to do that.
Speaker 3 (21:11):
What we.
Speaker 5 (21:13):
Know, what we're hearing is it and Matt really I've
said there's been no strong commitments from Labor what we're
doing is getting on with the job. We're delivering every
day of the week.
Speaker 6 (21:23):
To be fair, there've been none from the CLP, who
are the party of government. I mean, I don't know
why the CLP. I mean, I just think they're kind
of running dead. But I think if they wanted to
win it, I'd go out and say, all right, I'm
going to you know, I'm going to redevelop the sporting
precinct at Nightcliff High School, which is which is like
like something that is desperately needed. You know, you've got
the kids over.
Speaker 2 (21:43):
I don't think the CLP want to win it. I
don't think they need another another candidate. I think they
need another one. I think they're quite happy with their
what is it twenty members I'm.
Speaker 1 (21:52):
Going to call it. I think they.
Speaker 2 (21:55):
Well seventeen Yep, they've they've gone. Do you know what,
We'll put somebody in. We'll give We'll give it a crack.
You know, we don't want to look like we're not trying,
but we don't genuinely think we're going to.
Speaker 5 (22:06):
We look, the CLP hasn't held the seat for a
long time. What we do have is a strong candon.
We're out there on the doors. We're supported by a good,
strong team doing the work in Nightcliff. And look, a
lot of the votes have probably already been cast as
we speak, large number. What we'll see tomorrow is the
final voters there. There will be a last opportunity to
talk to our members as they go into the polling booth.
(22:28):
We'll do that. We'll share our positive story around crime,
rebuilding the economy, and restoring our lifestyle, and that's what
people will hear.
Speaker 1 (22:37):
On the booth tomorrow, just very quickly.
Speaker 2 (22:38):
One of the interesting things that Agent had said on
the show yesterday was that he would like to push
for the Nightcliff police station to actually be used and
I thought, well, hang on a sec. The COLP government's
already in Like, if we were able to use it
in a different way, that is something that should be
happening now, you know, if it was something that the
government was truly sort of focused on. I know that
there are police in there, but if we're going to
(22:59):
use it in a different way, it shouldn't actually matter
whether there's a seal P person in the seat in
Nightcliff or whether it's somebody else. It should quite literally
come down to a safety you know, a safety issue.
But my understanding as well, and that correct me if
I'm wrong that the police have always like it's an
operational police decision as to who's based there at the
Nightcliff Police Station. Is the line that we've been given
(23:21):
in the past.
Speaker 6 (23:21):
Well that's the line we've been given. And a Chief
Minister's line is that it's a glorified office block, which
it is, right, I mean, you know, converted back, converted
into a bowling alley and hand it back to the
people who used to own the bloody planet. Like it's
the greatest misuse of public funds. You know, you could
imagine to have it sitting there, this massive police station
(23:43):
in the middle of an area that has had some
pretty horrific crimes occur, and it doesn't have any frontline
police you know.
Speaker 5 (23:50):
But it just highlights, you know, Labour's mismanagement of the
budget building a police station that was open between eight
and four. There's been many, many other exams. We've got
a shadeless structure on Kavanagh Street. The COLP is focused
and I encourage everybody to get to the polling boost
and vote for around.
Speaker 3 (24:06):
Jim Well Katie.
Speaker 4 (24:08):
I was just going to say, you know, Steve's in government,
Celp's in government. Leef Andokieria is the police Minister. She's
also our chief minister. Of course, she has the power
to be able to direct some of that operation Tho's focus,
and she hasn't. She walked away from Nightcliff, she walked
away from the station, something that she criticized a lot
in opposition, and I acknowledged Labor could have done better,
but she had the power to do it. She still does,
(24:29):
and she just fobs it off and says, no, actually,
I've got nothing to do here.
Speaker 3 (24:33):
You know, it's up to the police itself.
Speaker 4 (24:34):
But she wanted that police station changed operationally, she would
fight for it, and she hasn't.
Speaker 1 (24:39):
Or right, we will move.
Speaker 2 (24:41):
Along because one of the other things that we've discussed
quite a bit this week is well the Administrator joined
us on the show for the first time. David Connolly
was in the studio on Monday morning. It was an
interesting interview, I think, to say the least. He said
that his store is open to his opponents to discuss
how the office of the Administrat could help to tone
(25:01):
down blokey sort of talk. That's a little bit clumsy.
Speaker 1 (25:04):
He said.
Speaker 2 (25:05):
It's now a matter for them whether they wish to
speak to him or not, but they'll find that. I
understand that this office is bigger than the person, and
it's always been about bringing territorians together. I've had a
few people say to me it sort of felt like
it was a case of I'm sorry, not sorry. Throughout
that interview, Selena, you and I spoke about this a
little bit earlier in the week. You said, you know,
(25:26):
you sort of said, well, he's gonna have to get
stuck into the job now, and the actions will speak
louder than words.
Speaker 4 (25:32):
I suppose, yeah, Katie, and I think that most people
see that a supposed apology forty eight hours before the
swearing in was too little, too late, And I think
there's still a lot of people that have been hurt
by this appointment still do not understand Katie. While Leafanokiaro
has pushed for this anti administrator to be sworn in,
(25:52):
I think there has been enough concerns raised across the
community about the importance of the role the unity it
should bring, regardless of politics, and we haven't seen that
in this appointment. I think Matt did a really interesting
editorial a couple of weeks ago, which I agree with Matt.
I think your observations were spot on. This is a
chance to bring the community together that've absolutely missed the ball,
(26:13):
and I almost feel like it's been a deliberate move
by Lefanokiarra and her team to divide the community because
unfortunately that reflects the politics that we're seeing from the
anti government today.
Speaker 2 (26:22):
Did you support the appointment of David Connolly as our
next administrator?
Speaker 5 (26:28):
Well, the issue of the administrator, as we've had, there's
been a range of issues leading up to his appointment,
but all of the social media posts, but the fact
is he is the administrator. He's came out and he's
made that apology and moving forward. He has spoken here
on radio and he said that he wants to get
out and he wants to work with the people, and
he wants to meet with the people that have obviously
(26:49):
had concerns about that appointment. So I think what we're
hearing at the moment is an administrator that is willing
to work with the people. He's clearly apologized for any
past in discretion around social media post and I think
what we need to do is how do we move
forward the administrator is keen to move forward. He's keen
to bring people together, and that's what he's committed to doing.
(27:09):
So the question we need, what we need to do
is get behind the administrator now, because he's there for
the next three years. He's been supported by the federal
government and he was sworn in by the Governor General
just last week.
Speaker 6 (27:21):
The question that Steve was whether you supported the appointment.
Speaker 5 (27:25):
Yes, everybody supported the appointment in the seal. Do you
think people in your electric support the appointment. Well, there's
been no feedback at all from anyone in my electric
regarding the appointment.
Speaker 3 (27:36):
In a couple of weeks, I'll be talking to Steve
on his behalf.
Speaker 5 (27:40):
Well, I think talking to constituents is fine, but what
I want to say is that nobody has contacted me
directly from my electorate to say, hey, that's the.
Speaker 2 (27:49):
Wrong appoint have been an unnecessary loss of skin though
like politically, do you know what I mean? Like you
sort of go the appointment of an administrator shouldn't really
be a point of discussion like it has.
Speaker 6 (28:01):
The last few necessary loss of skin, particularly for someone
in an electorate that takes in many Aboriginal communities. And
is held by a very slim margin. I mean, are
you worried about the potential that you could lose your
seat over this?
Speaker 5 (28:16):
And then look, I'm the person on the ground where
the government there is a separation between the government and
the administrator. The government of the day is out doing
the work on the ground. They're the ones that control
the budget, how the budget is spent. So when I
get on the ground and talk to people in my electorate,
what we're talking about is the issues that affect people
on the ground today and how we're responding to those
(28:37):
issues and the electric But what I will just say
once more is it nobody directly from my electorate has
contacted me and said, hey, you've made the wrong decision,
but moving forward, the administrator has made an apology and
what he wants to do is work with everybody across
the board. So I think it's time to move forward.
Speaker 1 (28:54):
Okatie.
Speaker 4 (28:55):
Watching this unfold, it's quite fascinating. Originally, Leafanokia, as the
chief minister responsible for the selection and the appointment, said oh,
I wasn't aware. I wasn't made aware of these posts,
and then later on we're here, Oh actually, yeah, there
were some Bill Yen on your show a couple of
weeks ago, said, oh yeah, came to cabinet. We were
kind of made aware of some not all, but some
(29:15):
of the posts. So someone's not telling the truth. And
it sounds like the back you know, backstepping and moving
away from accountability for this decision that Leah has made.
That she's made her whole team try and stand up
against sorry, stand up and support and made some very
you know, some people very uncomfortable within her own party
and supporters. The r P people have reached out to
(29:38):
me and some of my team to say they've been
unhappy about this appointment. And so it has been interesting
to see it unfold that there was a dismissal of
knowing anything at first, and then it was sort of
changed to oh yeah, yeah, but we'll you know, we
would do it again, and then it sort of changed,
oh well, now he's in, let's just give him a go. So,
you know, when is it a point of accountability and
whose accountability is this? This is Leafinocchio's decision as the
(30:02):
chief Minister, and it is hers to own.
Speaker 3 (30:04):
She's not owning it.
Speaker 2 (30:06):
Look, we are going to have to take a really
quick break. You are listening to Mix ONEO four point nine.
It is the week that was. If you've just joined us,
well you've been missing out because in the studio with
us today we have got Selina Hubo, the opposition leader.
Speaker 1 (30:18):
We've got Matt Cunningham.
Speaker 2 (30:19):
From Sky News, and we have of course got Steve Edgington,
who's the Minister for Health and Public Housing, various other portfolios. Now, look,
one of the stories that really got people pretty annoyed
earlier in the week was when we found out that
Air Asia had begun informing passengers that it was going
to scrap it's Darwin DEMPASA and Darwin KL services from
(30:41):
April twenty seven, leaving Quantus and Jetstar the primary providers
of regional air services for the foreseeable future. Now. Air
Asia obviously released a formal statement then on Tuesday, but
social media showed that the airline had begun sort of
contacting those passengers. Well, Kathleen was one of those passengers.
It was content acted my producer they'd begun contacting them
(31:03):
on Monday. People furious about this. You know, I think
that we all agree that you're like to be able
to fly the one place that you can generally fly
for a fairly reasonable amount, is BALI not many? You know,
people are people are annoyed. We spoke to the Minister
(31:25):
for Asian Relations and Trade, Robin Carl earlier in the week.
She seemed pissed off as well, to be pretty blunt
about it, but also very annoyed that you know that
we have this what's the incentive call when we're trying
to get the airlines to come and operate. Yes, so
she had said that she's now asked the department to
review that and basically, you know, if we are going
(31:46):
to offer that scheme to different airlines that they have
to be operational for a certain period of time before
they're able to pull out. Now we don't know exactly
how much they were entitled to. She said that that
was commercial in confidence. I mean, we're still talking about
taxpayers dollars here, though none of us have any idea
how much it could be.
Speaker 4 (32:05):
Yeah, Katie, I'd love to know from Steve and his
team when they found out, because we found out secondhand,
similar to many other people, once they were starting to
get those text messages and the next morning it came out.
But how long did the cop know because they obviously
have a deal with the company, and why didn't they
front foot and tell territorians what was happening.
Speaker 5 (32:23):
Well, I think Katie, you know obviously we're extremely angry
and disappointed with this decision by Air Asia. You know,
when it comes to territory attraction, what we want to
see is airlines here and we want to ensure that
there's sufficient routes and a number of routes available for people.
We want to see choice for our all territories when
it comes to travel, and I think that's important. That's
(32:45):
the work that we're doing. But when it comes to
Air Asia, what I can say is that we are
extremely disappointed because Steve Well, I think the issue around
whether we who knew that's a matter for the minister.
I don't have that information. It certainly doesn't come under
my portfoit. I don't have that information here at the moment.
Speaker 3 (33:02):
Surely, as ministers, I don't have.
Speaker 5 (33:05):
That information here. That's a question for the relevant minister.
But what I do want to say is that yes,
we are disappointed, and you know, when we support airlines
to do the job, we want some certainty and some
security around. Seeing them pull out is extremely disappointing.
Speaker 1 (33:22):
I mean, look, it.
Speaker 2 (33:23):
Just adds to the ongoing winch that all of us
have about how much it costs to fly anywhere from
the Northern Territory.
Speaker 1 (33:29):
And you know that when it comes to.
Speaker 2 (33:30):
Choice, that's a huge you know, it has a huge impact.
If you've got other airlines that are flying to various
differ different destinations, it makes a big difference in terms
of trying to bring those prices down. You know, when
you talk earlier about petrol prices. One of the other
things that we constantly get annoyed about when you live
in the end is trying to fly anywhere.
Speaker 6 (33:51):
Yeah, and look, the long term solution, Katie is, you know,
economic development and population growth, because we see these airlines
come and go, and for as long as we're foring
them financial incentives to come for a fixed period of time,
they'll come for that fixed period of time and then
they will leave. You know, you know, the glory days
of aviation. You know, during my time here was during
(34:13):
you know, the lead up to and during the Impacts boom,
when our population was growing at such a rate that
airlines wanted to fly here because it was profitable because
their planes were full coming in and out Tiger ten
bucks to Melbourne. You know it was great. Now if
you get it for under five hundred, you're pretty happy,
so you know, it is it is a real It's
(34:33):
one of the biggest you know, deterrens to living in
this place. And I mean, you know, paradoxically it's one
of the issues with attracting people to live here is
the cost of airfas. But then you need to attract
more people to live here to bring the cost of
those airfares down. So you know, it's a difficult one.
I don't know. I honestly, I don't really know what
the solution is, but the solutions to create lots of
(34:56):
well paying jobs here so people come.
Speaker 4 (34:57):
And live here and then very disappointed obviously, and particularly
for those customers who will miss out, because it is
important for local territories to be able to travel in
and other territory, for people to come, for visitors to come,
for our economy to grow and boost due to tourism,
and also those internal flights around Northern Territory.
Speaker 3 (35:14):
I think is so important.
Speaker 4 (35:15):
People are suffering some a significant high costs when you're
just traveling, you know, an hour and twenty minutes within
the territory on a commercial line.
Speaker 3 (35:23):
It's really really tough.
Speaker 4 (35:25):
So I think that this particular decision, and while it
might have been a commercial decision, unfortunately the COLP you know,
they're great, they are out there for photo opportunities when
things are going well, but where were they when this faulted?
And I think that you know, being able to stand
up in front and tell territories what's going on, understanding
there may be some you know, confidentiality around the commercial
(35:45):
and confidence agreement, but being able to let people know,
so they're not starting to find out via text message
from the airline that they're you know, their travel their
plan travel has now been cut and they don't have
another way to get to where they're going. So I
think it's been the biggest disappointment. There is a federal
inquiry into airfares across the country.
Speaker 3 (36:04):
I've written a submission to that.
Speaker 4 (36:05):
Katie on behalf of our labor team to really encourage
the committee to come to the Northern Territory, not just
to Darwin, but to other parts of the NT to
hear directly from territorians, our businesses, our workers, and some
of our FIFO community members who are coming in and out,
but not necessarily here and as Matt said, attracting workers'
(36:26):
long term to set routes here in the territory. I
think it's really important. I hope that the committee does
come to the NT.
Speaker 5 (36:31):
But what I would say, Katie is certainly air Asia
has committed to refunding airfares, and what I would say
is that our government is certainly working with the airline
and Body.
Speaker 1 (36:42):
High trying to mitigate. Then you're not going.
Speaker 5 (36:45):
Trying to mitigate, trying to mitigate the impact on customers.
But on a more positive note, I suppose Dilly Is
announced that they'll be running the Dah and Dilly service
twice per week, commencing on the twenty fourth of May.
So that's some good news for.
Speaker 1 (37:00):
Territories, some good news.
Speaker 6 (37:02):
Good joint Dilly worth a visit, is it.
Speaker 2 (37:04):
Yeah? Now, just before we do get ready to wrap up,
I do actually want to just head across to something
that's been pretty pretty heavy. I think you'd have to
say throughout this week, Matt, I know that you've been
keeping a close eye on the inquiry into the controversial
health patient record system, Akasha. Now we are due to
catch up with john's Orbis, the AMA's Northern Territory President,
(37:27):
this morning as well after ten o'clock. But tell us
a little bit about what you've heard throughout this week.
Speaker 6 (37:32):
Well, well, John Zorbis gave a thirty minute presentation to
the inquiry the committee on Tuesday. That was the most
devastating thing I have ever listened to, I think in
the Northern Territory like that. We went for about two
(37:53):
hours on Tuesday afternoon and we heard from john's Orbis.
We'd heard from the executives of the Health Department the
week before, who had actually described AKEASHA as a resounding success.
I mean, that is one of the most extraordinary statements
I've ever heard. You heard another executive say that there
were no issues when it came to patient risk associated
with a KASHA. He just basically came out and called
(38:15):
bull dust on what we had been told by executives.
He said that there are hundreds of tickets at the
moment associated with bugs in that Acacia system and with
patient risk from Acacia. He also said that the way
that risk is assessed in our hospitals is at a
(38:36):
lower level. Serious incidents written off at a lower level.
In Northern territory hospitals to what they are inter state
and that is perhaps why they're saying there's no risk.
We heard that a kasha has cost three hundred and
thirty five million dollars so far and it's lucky if
it's one third implemented. It is an absolute disaster. And
then after we heard from John Zorbers, we heard from
(38:57):
contractors who'd worked for DCDD who are saying it's not
a kasha that's the problem. It's not the system itself,
it's the toxic work environment within DCDD that has led
to this absolute debarcle a work environment where people, anyone
who raised issues, who raised concerns about things that were
going wrong, were basically frozen out. They were labeled trouble makers.
(39:22):
In some cases they were just marched out the door
because they're contractors and they can be. And then of
course we know the tragic story of Sean Joyce and
his sister Kara, you know, really bravely gave evidence to
that inquiry on Tuesday as well, and she didn't mince
her words. She attributes her brother's death to that toxic
(39:43):
work environment. I mean, it is an absolute scandal what
has happened here and amid that scandal, you have the
chief executive of nt Health two weeks ago, at that
same inquiry describe a Kasha as a resounding success.
Speaker 1 (39:59):
I mean, Steve, how can can it be?
Speaker 6 (40:01):
Well?
Speaker 5 (40:01):
Look, look, what we do know is that this all
started under Labor. It was badly mismanaged right from the start.
But when it comes to the role out of Acacia,
at the moment, Akasha is operating in Alice Springs, Tenant Creek,
Catherine Darwin and Nullen Boys and Palmeston, I should say
what we have seen since coming to government is another
one hundred and seventy enhancements of the Acacia system. But
(40:25):
looking back on what these issues around the Labor roll out,
we did see a number of problems. We've heard about
the risk and the reason why it's stopped back in
February twenty twenty four, but the budget blowout of sixty
one million dollars, the increase from two fifty nine to
three twenty. What I can say is that what we
(40:46):
have done since then is worked and worked and worked
to get Acacia as best as we can at the moment.
There are further enhancements to come, but what we have
done at the moment is a further one hundred and
seventy enhancements of the Acacia system and it is operating.
Speaker 6 (41:01):
It's only a third implemented. One third was the evidence.
So how much is it going to cost for the
extra next two thirds to be implemented. Well, we don't
have that cost at the moment, about six d billion.
We don't have the full cost at the moment. What
we are doing is rolling out those enhancements at the
moment within budget. There's been a one hundred and seventy
different enhancements since coming to government, and what we do
(41:23):
have is online at the moment and it's operating in
all of the hospitals here. The legacy systems that it's
intended to replace, though, are they still operating and what's
the cost of continuing them going?
Speaker 5 (41:35):
The legacy systems around Chasis for example, I was down
in Allo Springs when they switched on Akasha I think
late last year. I was down there for the switchover.
Kasis was switched off as a Casha came on line.
So the actual Acacia system is what's being used in
hospitals as we speak.
Speaker 6 (41:53):
What about the extra burden? I mean, you heard John
Zilbers say that. He said, they're a frontline staff who
have literally worked in war zones, who have been reduced
to tears by this system. What's your response to that, like,
what's being done to fix that? That's that's just well.
Speaker 5 (42:12):
What I want to do is sit down with John's
Orbis and have that discussion because a lot of these
issues were during the initial role out of the system.
Speaker 2 (42:21):
It's an emergency now they're there now.
Speaker 5 (42:25):
And it's operating at the moment, So ACACIA is operating
in every hospital in the Northern Territory.
Speaker 6 (42:30):
What I do want to do and it's.
Speaker 5 (42:32):
As fully functional, but as I said, we're working on that.
We've put in in place at one hundred and seventy
enhancements so far. There is more work to be done
with ACACIA and that's what look, that's what we've been
left with coming into government, that's what labor has left us.
We're doing the best that we can with the system
that we've got. We are working to improve the system constantly.
And when it comes to John's Orbis, I rang him yesterday.
(42:55):
We've exchanged mystic calls, but I will be catching up
with John to.
Speaker 2 (42:59):
Get a better under he's going to be with us
and so we'll definitely talk more about that. We are
going to have to take a really quick break. I'm
really sorry, Selena. We'll take a really quick break just
because we are fast running out of time. You are
listening to Mix one O four ninees three sixty. It
is the week that was. You are listening to Mix
one O four nine's three sixty. That's about it for
us this morning. It's been a massive morning. Big thank
(43:20):
you to Matt Cunningham, thanks so much for your time today.
Speaker 1 (43:23):
Thanks Katie and Steve Edgington.
Speaker 2 (43:26):
Minister for Health than various other portfolios, thank you for
your time today.
Speaker 5 (43:29):
Thanks Katie, and just want to put a shout out
to all those and Catherine take care. All the warnings
are out there at the moment, so stay safe and
obviously keep away from the floodaball.
Speaker 1 (43:39):
Yeah, do take care.
Speaker 2 (43:40):
We'll talk more about that and Selena, you both thank
you so much for your time.
Speaker 1 (43:43):
The Opposition leader
Judio with us.
Speaker 2 (00:01):
Matt Cunningham from Sky News, Good morning, Matting.
Speaker 1 (00:04):
We've got the Minister for Health.
Speaker 2 (00:05):
He's also the Minister for Essential Services and various other portfolios.
Steve Edgington, good morning, Good morning Katie, and good morning
to all the listeners. And Selena Hubo, the leader of
the Opposition. Did you have to swim here?
Speaker 1 (00:16):
Selena?
Speaker 3 (00:17):
I was very like a good morning, Katie.
Speaker 4 (00:19):
I left Catherine yesterday morning nine meters at the bridge
and it's significantly gone up last night. So thinking of
everyone in Catherine and particularly in my electorates. Some of
the communities have been cut off, so thinking of them.
I've been madly texting a few people this morning, so
very many.
Speaker 1 (00:33):
So just on that.
Speaker 2 (00:34):
We are obviously keeping a really close eye on the
Catherine River, various other waterways in Catherine, I understand as well.
You know around the region will Beswick, for example, are
they having flooding issues at the moment.
Speaker 3 (00:47):
Yeah, they're in Lola flooding this morning.
Speaker 4 (00:49):
The o latest update I had as LO called Member
Katie was that the lower subdivision of Wiggler or best
with other people know the name, are people are being
moved to the top subdivision which is out of the
the flood level. That also includes the council office and
the clinic Katie, so they've got to move all the medicines.
They get some support of course with the emergency management team,
(01:10):
which is fantastic. The school becomes a bit of an
evacuation center for anyone from the lower sub that needs
to move to the top sub. The childcare center, the
age care center.
Speaker 3 (01:19):
They're all in the flooding regions.
Speaker 4 (01:21):
So thinking of the people that willgler today and particularly
all of those emergency responders who are supporting people to
make sure that they're safe.
Speaker 2 (01:28):
Steve, what's the word from the government. I would assume
that you're keeping a pretty close eye on various different
areas at the moment. You know, no talk of evacuation
from many communities, but even the Daily was looking like
they're getting some more rain.
Speaker 5 (01:39):
Well certainly, yeah, my understanding is that the Daily is
coming up again. But as Selena said, you know, the
river's up in Catherine Beswick certainly underwatch at the moment
as well. So what we have particularly in the big
rivers now, you know, we saw it all in the
Barkley just a week or two ago, and down in
Central Australia, but certainly the watch area appears to be
in the Big Rivers area at the moment.
Speaker 2 (02:01):
Yeah, Now, when we're talking about Catherine and the amount
of rain that they are currently receiving, it's a discussion
that we'd had earlier in the week as well about
the Barkley region. The rain radar in Catherine not currently working.
People are really pretty furious about this at the moment.
Speaker 4 (02:16):
Yeah, Katie and I had a rain gauge that links
to one of the rivers and creeks in my electorate
as well. I wrote to the Minister responsible two months ago.
Well actually it was back in November. It took two
months together a response. So you know, these are things
that particularly in the wet season, but when we're seeing
some of these extra phenomenons in the in the wet
with the extra rain, it's really important people like to
(02:37):
be well informed, and particularly those who are on properties
and stations, they really know what the triggers are when
they need to move their cat on livestock, when people
need to move from one subdivision to another subdivision in
a community. The rain gages really provide that insight and
that early information to be as best planned as possible
for emergency services and our community members and our pastoralists.
(02:58):
So it's really important that we have working measures and
that the materials are there to be able to make
those quick decisions and supported decisions.
Speaker 2 (03:06):
Look, one of our friends of the show, Mary Anne,
had been in contact with us earlier in the week,
and just like on obviously the Catherine rain radar not working.
Hopefully they can sort that out soon, But on Tenant
and the Barklay, she had said that one family that
she's friends with had their home flooded four times in
four weeks. She said, you know, obviously having a rain
radar is not going to stop that flooding, but they'd
(03:28):
at least have some warning and maybe be able to
prepare better. I mean, we spoke about this earlier in
the week, Steve. It's a bit of a joke.
Speaker 5 (03:37):
Really, Katie. This is a critical infrastructure and people are furious.
In the Barkley ten years people have been waiting. It
was decommissioned by the federal government back in twenty fifteen.
Here we are twenty twenty six, so we're approaching eleven
years without the radar. But the points that you raise
are particularly relevant because what the radar will give is
real time information, and yes there are events, but it
(04:00):
gives you the opportunity if you can see where that's,
where the lower is, where the rain is, where the windows,
you can start preparing and be prepared for when that
water hits you. But at the moment, pastor US, Aboriginal
communities in remote areas, business people that need to travel,
freight services, people using the roads, we don't have that
real time information, which is creating frustration anger amongst people
(04:23):
because ten years is far too long to be waiting.
Speaker 1 (04:25):
For this way too long.
Speaker 2 (04:27):
I mean, it's pretty wild matte like we're in. I know,
you know, the Northern Territory is vast. We've obviously got
plenty of you know, different different places that are more
populated than others. But to not be able to keep
a bit of an eye on what's going on, particularly
if you're trying to transport stock or anything else, it's ridiculous.
Speaker 6 (04:44):
He saw from the Cattleman's Association, you know, they raise
this just over a week ago. And I know whether
you saw those pitches from our cattle station and the
people there where they were just like ruins piled out
like an island and really no real time information about
what was going on. And you know, I don't think
(05:04):
that would be allowed to happen anywhere else in the country. No,
I don't know what sort of answers you've been getting,
Steve about why nothing's been done about that, but you know,
it just does seem absolutely absurd and ridiculous. And if
that was happening in part of New South Wales or
Queensland and Victoria wouldn't be stood for.
Speaker 5 (05:21):
Look. I spoke to Amber Driver on the phone just
yesterday evening and it's the biggest flood event that they've
seen in four generations out there at el Kedra. But again,
you know the feedback from people living in those areas
that they're just furious that that information isn't available. Yes, sir,
we do see rain events, we see flooding, we see
all of those things. But at the critical point when
(05:44):
you want to know where that's, where that low is,
it's just not there. And as we said, ten years
to be waiting for a weather radar, there's nowhere else
in Australia that would wait ten years for a weather What.
Speaker 2 (05:56):
Exactly is holding it up? I know we spoke about
this briefly yesterday. But what exactly is holding it up?
Speaker 5 (06:01):
Well, there was two things. Firstly, it was put into
the regional deal back in twenty nineteen, so we're talking
April twenty nineteen. I think there was about seventeen point
nine million dollars committed fifteen and that was from the
federal government to install the radar, have it built, and
there was two point five million operational money from the
Anti government committed. What we've seen is yes, there was
(06:22):
the COVID period as well, so there were some delays.
These weather radars aren't just built here in Australia. They're
built overseas. They have to you know, they're very technical
bits of equipment, so they're built overseas they come to Australia.
MI understanding is that it's now been sitting somewhere for
around about two years until some of the land issues
(06:43):
are being sorted. So the location has been identified, but
when it comes to land tenure, my understanding is that
they're still working through those issues.
Speaker 2 (06:52):
That has to be sorted sooner rather than later. This
is something that is impacting you know, various different people.
Speaker 1 (06:59):
Look, we'll talk more about the weather.
Speaker 2 (07:00):
We're certainly going to be heading down to Catherine after
eleven o'clock this morning and finding out exactly what's going.
Speaker 1 (07:06):
On in the area. So we're talking about that text.
Speaker 4 (07:09):
Unfortunately, a local business has had a flooded or rain
impact from their roof, so that sounds like it's it's
closed the business and maybe they're getting a bit of flooding.
I hope everyone's safe and looking after each other, but
they've just literally got that text now from all bugs.
Speaker 3 (07:26):
Yeah we're friends.
Speaker 1 (07:27):
Well look, I hope that everybody is okay.
Speaker 2 (07:29):
We will head down to Catherine after ten o'clock this
morning and talk more about it. Now, I just want
to take you across to another issue that is just
sort of bumbling along this morning.
Speaker 1 (07:40):
Those petrol prices.
Speaker 2 (07:41):
Now, this is something we've spoken about a bit throughout
the week and something that's really annoyed a lot of
our listeners.
Speaker 1 (07:46):
But I do just want to give people a bit
of an update when.
Speaker 2 (07:48):
It comes to the terminal gate price today in Darwin,
we were sitting at a dollar sixty six yesterday for
unleaded petrol that has jumped to a dollar seventy three
this morning at the terminal gate. Then when you go
across and take a look at the diesel a dollar
seventy eight point eight yesterday sitting at a dollar ninety
(08:08):
point five this morning. Matt, you said, you drive past
a couple of servos that were already over two dollars
this morning.
Speaker 6 (08:14):
Yeah, it's on the arp, isn't it. And you know,
this is the consequence of what's going on in the
Middle East at the moment. I mean, you know, it's
interesting seeing the politicians sort of, you know, get all
worked up about fuel prices, et cetera, et cetera. And
I've seen this game before. I mean, what haven't we
What we see in you know, crisis like this is
that you know, our politicians don't really have a lot
(08:37):
of control over the price of petrol at the bowser.
There are ways that they could have greater control. And
it was interesting this week, Katie. You know, Santos Man
managing director Kevin Gallagher was in town and we had
a long chat with him on Wednesday, and he spoke
(08:57):
a lot about the impact of the Middle East conflict
on energy prices and he was really strong on saying
what it's showing is the need for us to really
boost our own domestic energy security, which is something that
you know, he was saying, you know, we've kind of
had it pretty good over the past four decades really
when it comes to sort of world a period of
(09:18):
relative stability when it comes to world peace. But we're
heading into sort of more trying times and you're seeing
this week the impact of that. And so, you know,
he was making the point, and I think it's a
good one that we really need to develop our own
energy resources and make sure we have more resilience on
an energy front, so that when these sort of things happen,
(09:40):
these crises overseas that are beyond our control, that we
have a little bit more control locally over these sort
of price spots.
Speaker 1 (09:47):
Like, to me, that is such a logical thing to do.
Speaker 6 (09:50):
I won't play very well in the nightcliff By election
at all.
Speaker 2 (09:54):
I wouldn't suspect, but definitely, you know a point that
is so so logical, think in the sense that if
you can be self sufficient, gee, it makes life a
lot easier for us here in the Northern Territory, and
we've got all everything we need to be self sufficient,
but we're.
Speaker 3 (10:08):
Just not there.
Speaker 2 (10:10):
Look.
Speaker 5 (10:10):
Look, I think, yeah, it'd be great to be self sufficient.
But I think you know the immediate issues that we're
seeing and those increases at the gate price. What we
have seen during the week is that those increases at
the gate price haven't reflected in many were not many,
but some cases the pump at the prices at the pump,
the prices on display have really been different, and we're
(10:32):
what we're hearing is that some people are feeling that
they've been there's been some price gouging around fuel, and
they're the things that, yes, we can understand what the
gate price is now, but realistically what we've seen is
some of that pricing at the pump has been different
to the gate price and we've seen some increases. This
is the stuff that affects the local people and I
(10:53):
haven't seen too much from out Bush, but when the
prices start going up at the pump here in Darwin,
this gets from inflicted out Bush where people are really
struggling as it is with weather events. What they like,
what they don't need is fuel price is increasing when
there's no justici walking.
Speaker 6 (11:08):
What's the highest you've seen out Bush?
Speaker 2 (11:10):
Well?
Speaker 5 (11:10):
I saw something on Facebook the other day where diesel
had jumped to about three dollars.
Speaker 4 (11:15):
A later three dollars twenty Katie at Rum and guineas
the highest petrol in the Northern territory.
Speaker 3 (11:22):
Unfortunately, that's for diesel.
Speaker 4 (11:24):
Gapuyak in my electric not far off is about three
three dollars ten a leader for diesel. So, as she
was saying, you know, the big concern whilst you know
a majority of our population in the territory, we'll see
those increases here in our urban area, particularly Dale and Palmerston,
which is a big concern because everyone's struggling with the
cost of living these days.
Speaker 3 (11:43):
But we'll also see that push out to the bush.
Speaker 4 (11:45):
Obviously, it costs more to get some of the fuel
out to some of those remote regions, but places like
Rum and Guinea Gapuyak do have those very high leader
costings right now. So unfortunately we'll start to see the
jump there and that's yeah, just an indication of where
people will be hitting their pockets.
Speaker 3 (12:03):
Unfortunately.
Speaker 2 (12:04):
One of the things that listeners have been saying to
us as well is that and you touched on this Steve,
that the cost that is on the advertising board out
the front, then sometimes when you go to pay it
the pump, it's different. Now if that is happening, I
would assume that that I would think that that's illegal.
Speaker 5 (12:19):
Well, no doubt. And you know what we would say
is that where those prices clearly differ. If you're driving
into a service station, you see it clearly on the
notice board there, this is what you're expecting to pay.
You get to the pump, and all of a sudden
you're charged whether it's five, ten, fifteen cents difference. You know,
our advice is that people should be taking that up
with the a triple C I agree, and clearly dealing
(12:40):
with it there and then on the spot, because it's
in my view, clearly dishonest. If you're advertising one price,
but when you get to the pump it's a different price,
there's something clearly wrong.
Speaker 3 (12:50):
Steve can I ask.
Speaker 4 (12:50):
I know when Labor was forming government, we introduced the
myfuel nt app. That was something that the cop opposition
said that they were going to grap.
Speaker 3 (13:00):
Is that still on the cards.
Speaker 4 (13:01):
Now that you're in government or are you going to
keep that because I know lots of people use that
as a comparison. Declare my dad, you know you've got
it every single day. That's something you're still looking at
you should have seen the line. Is really important that
people can compare prices.
Speaker 5 (13:16):
It hasn't been a consideration. My fuel in Tea is
still up on the on the web and people.
Speaker 3 (13:23):
Yeah, and advertising it on his Facebook the other day.
Speaker 2 (13:26):
So obviously it's when it comes to petrol prices. We've
heard some interesting lines, have we over the years, Matt.
We had Adam Giles up end of the Pineapple. Adam
Giles told us then we had what are gonna tell us?
Speaker 1 (13:41):
He was going to he was winning.
Speaker 6 (13:42):
Hard launched that fuel.
Speaker 1 (13:46):
It's going to change the world.
Speaker 6 (13:48):
I mean, it's it's good for people, to be honest.
I don't know whether it's had a huge downward impact
on petrol price.
Speaker 2 (13:53):
No, I don't think it's changed the price. But I
think it is convenient for us, that's for sure.
Speaker 6 (13:57):
I mean, you know, shout out, but that that always.
Speaker 1 (14:02):
Make it a bit cheaper.
Speaker 5 (14:03):
And that's what we say is you know, if you've
got a trusted place where you go to get feel
keep doing that. But be mindful that what we're hearing
in some cases seeing at the moment that the advertised
prices are different to what's at the pump, So be
mindful of that and if you are having problems, report
that to the atriple.
Speaker 1 (14:21):
Absolutely, let's take a really quick break.
Speaker 2 (14:22):
There so much on the agenda this week. Very keen
to talk about the Nightcliff By election.
Speaker 1 (14:27):
Us joined as well.
Speaker 2 (14:28):
We've got a great line up this morning, Matt Cunningham,
Steve Edgington and Selena Ubo. Now, while we know the
Nightcliff By election it's happening tomorrow, still plenty of people
need to get out there and vow. We caught up
with all four of the candidates over the last couple
of days. They had the opportunity to speak to our
listeners to learn more about them, and well they could
(14:49):
really tell us what they stood for.
Speaker 1 (14:51):
It's going to be an interesting race.
Speaker 2 (14:53):
What's your tip, Matt Cunningham, You live in the electrics.
Speaker 6 (14:56):
Harder to break, could go to one of three ways,
not a twelfth Man fan, harder to pick.
Speaker 3 (15:13):
Than a.
Speaker 6 (15:15):
Look, look, the CLP won't win. I'm pretty comfortable saying that.
I agree, probably a three way race. I don't look,
I don't know. It's going to be tough for Labor.
I think the preferences, I think the preferences are kind
of favoring Phil Scott. You know, so I think all
the three other candidates have got him second, which means
(15:35):
he could even finish third and still win. You know,
if he finishes third gets enough of the fourth candidate,
and that's what happened in the general election in the
twenty twenty four election, where the Greens finished third and one.
So you know it's going to come down to preferences.
It's a really weird by election, and Nightcliff, where I leave,
is a really weird place compared to.
Speaker 3 (15:54):
The rest of the.
Speaker 6 (15:57):
I mean, you know there's an old saying another one.
You know, a politician will promise you a bridge even
if there's no water to build it over. This is
the first election I've seen in my life where none
of the candidates except possibly Ed Smelt but I'll get
to that next second. Are promising to build anything? Yeah,
just all campaigning on what they're going to stop, what
they're going to ban, what they're going to save. I'm
(16:17):
going to ban fracking, stop middle arm, save lead point,
none of which you're in the electorate right, and they're
the main campaign issues. It Smelts promising to build a
big battery in Nightcliff, which I think is really just
a kind of front cover for the fact that later
supports fracking when they're pushed on the issue. So it's,
you know, like it's and I could, you know, as
someone who lives in the electorate and has kids who
(16:38):
go to school there and kids who play as boarding clubs,
I could give you a list as long as my
arm of things that need to be done in that electorate.
But I don't see anyone proposing this.
Speaker 1 (16:46):
Isn't that bizarre.
Speaker 2 (16:47):
Look, we the main thing that gets brought up with us,
and for every candidate that we had on the show,
the main thing that people were messaging through about remained
crime and safety. People were messaging through saying, you know, Katie,
this has happened to me, or that's happened to me.
Can the candidates please explain to us how they're going
to make Nightcliff a safer place to live?
Speaker 3 (17:06):
Now?
Speaker 1 (17:07):
It was real.
Speaker 2 (17:07):
I found it really quite fascinating actually catching up with
all the candidates. So I actually thought Suki performed really
quite well when she came in for an interview, saying
with Ed Smelt. Phil was over the phone, you know,
when we sort of asked him about the donations from
Climate two hundred. He wasn't sure whether they donated to him.
You know, it was that bit of just that sort
of convenient sort of forgetfulness. I don't know what you
(17:30):
might call it. That, you know, that happened. And then
Arjen came in and was like coughing and spluttering into
the microphone. It was quite difficult to be able to
sort of, you know, to work out exactly what he
stands for. For Nightcliff, it seemed very cool, you know.
Speaker 6 (17:46):
The comedy gold moment of the campaign so far as
being when when Arjon was on ABC Radio and was
asked whether he supported fracking and he does. I mean,
if the CLP candidate I can't even tell you your
support fracking then and.
Speaker 2 (17:59):
That's a real concerned It is a worry. I think
it's going to be an interesting, a really interesting race
to see exactly who does win. I think the point
that you've made, Matt, is a really important one for
people to realize that pretty much everybody's preferenced Phil Scott
in number two. Whether people follow those preferences or not,
I guess remains to be seen.
Speaker 1 (18:19):
I did actually ask ed, I.
Speaker 2 (18:21):
Think one of the most important questions that people want
to know is Duly going to come back as the electoral.
Speaker 4 (18:28):
Yes, I love that and Electric officers, as we know,
makes such a big difference for that extra community you.
Speaker 3 (18:33):
Know connection, which other was great.
Speaker 4 (18:36):
But yeah, Katie, we think you know, our labour team's
really focused on supporting ed Smell. He's a great candidate,
very community minded, lives in the Electric locally, you know,
has that what we you know, some of the deliverables
that he has been able to achieve with the darhwn
City Council role that he's held. I think it will
be tight. We're absolutely not taking any vote for granted.
(18:56):
Our labor team knows that we're trying to regain the
trust of Nightcliff Photos Again. We've had that amazing legacy
of holding the seat for twenty four years over two
different members with Jane Agard and then Natasha Files unfortunately
lost in August twenty twenty four because of as Matt's explained,
with the preference systemat McNamara. First, Greens don't want to
take that away because that was historic, But there will
(19:18):
be very It will come down to the why we
believe and we're going to work very, very hard to
continue to support ed right up until six pm on
tomorrow on Saturday, the seventh of March, to try and
get him over the line.
Speaker 3 (19:30):
We think he will be.
Speaker 4 (19:30):
A fantastic advocate for the three suburbs in the Nightcliff electorate,
So looking forward to continuing to support him that it
really is going to be close.
Speaker 2 (19:40):
Steve, I mean, what do you think, do you think's
in with any kind of chance? Well?
Speaker 5 (19:44):
I think he is. But you know there's a whole
range of issues at Nightcliff. We've heard about the preferencing issue.
We know that the last election was really resolved around preferencing.
But what we have is a very strong candidate. An
John's been here for ten years. He's a lawyer, his
wife is nurse, he's been in the community. But as
Matt said, one of the key issues being spoken about
(20:05):
his crime. Now when it comes to crime, as you
can see, the COLP has been focused on crime right
from the very outset. Labour has a problem here because
we know that over the eight years that they were
in government there was very little focus on crime. So
what people are talking about on the doors at the
moment is certainly they're concerned about crime. What we can
do is offer somebody a seat at the table. So
(20:26):
by winning that by election, an John will be part
of the COLP team. We're focused on reducing crime, rebuilding
the economy and restoring our lifestyle. So aar John's been
out there, he's been talking to people on the doors.
We're hearing exactly the same as what Matt said. Crime
is an issue. COLP are the ones that can tackle.
Speaker 3 (20:43):
That head okaty. This is the big difference.
Speaker 4 (20:44):
Like the colper in government, they have the ability to
offer some tangible commitments to the people of Nightcliff.
Speaker 3 (20:50):
The voter is in Nightcliff for this by election.
Speaker 4 (20:52):
They haven't come out and done that, so I think
it is an opportunity that they have lost. They have
the edge, they have the budget, They are able to
promise things that they should be able to deliver as
a government. They haven't done this with airje one, so
it really begs the question are they serious about it?
Speaker 5 (21:05):
We're already We're already delivering across Darwen and Palmerston. Katie
will continue to do that.
Speaker 3 (21:11):
What we.
Speaker 5 (21:13):
Know, what we're hearing is it and Matt really I've
said there's been no strong commitments from Labor what we're
doing is getting on with the job. We're delivering every
day of the week.
Speaker 6 (21:23):
To be fair, there've been none from the CLP, who
are the party of government. I mean, I don't know
why the CLP. I mean, I just think they're kind
of running dead. But I think if they wanted to
win it, I'd go out and say, all right, I'm
going to you know, I'm going to redevelop the sporting
precinct at Nightcliff High School, which is which is like
like something that is desperately needed. You know, you've got
the kids over.
Speaker 2 (21:43):
I don't think the CLP want to win it. I
don't think they need another another candidate. I think they
need another one. I think they're quite happy with their
what is it twenty members I'm.
Speaker 1 (21:52):
Going to call it. I think they.
Speaker 2 (21:55):
Well seventeen Yep, they've they've gone. Do you know what,
We'll put somebody in. We'll give We'll give it a crack.
You know, we don't want to look like we're not trying,
but we don't genuinely think we're going to.
Speaker 5 (22:06):
We look, the CLP hasn't held the seat for a
long time. What we do have is a strong candon.
We're out there on the doors. We're supported by a good,
strong team doing the work in Nightcliff. And look, a
lot of the votes have probably already been cast as
we speak, large number. What we'll see tomorrow is the
final voters there. There will be a last opportunity to
talk to our members as they go into the polling booth.
(22:28):
We'll do that. We'll share our positive story around crime,
rebuilding the economy, and restoring our lifestyle, and that's what
people will hear.
Speaker 1 (22:37):
On the booth tomorrow, just very quickly.
Speaker 2 (22:38):
One of the interesting things that Agent had said on
the show yesterday was that he would like to push
for the Nightcliff police station to actually be used and
I thought, well, hang on a sec. The COLP government's
already in Like, if we were able to use it
in a different way, that is something that should be
happening now, you know, if it was something that the
government was truly sort of focused on. I know that
there are police in there, but if we're going to
(22:59):
use it in a different way, it shouldn't actually matter
whether there's a seal P person in the seat in
Nightcliff or whether it's somebody else. It should quite literally
come down to a safety you know, a safety issue.
But my understanding as well, and that correct me if
I'm wrong that the police have always like it's an
operational police decision as to who's based there at the
Nightcliff Police Station. Is the line that we've been given
(23:21):
in the past.
Speaker 6 (23:21):
Well that's the line we've been given. And a Chief
Minister's line is that it's a glorified office block, which
it is, right, I mean, you know, converted back, converted
into a bowling alley and hand it back to the
people who used to own the bloody planet. Like it's
the greatest misuse of public funds. You know, you could
imagine to have it sitting there, this massive police station
(23:43):
in the middle of an area that has had some
pretty horrific crimes occur, and it doesn't have any frontline
police you know.
Speaker 5 (23:50):
But it just highlights, you know, Labour's mismanagement of the
budget building a police station that was open between eight
and four. There's been many, many other exams. We've got
a shadeless structure on Kavanagh Street. The COLP is focused
and I encourage everybody to get to the polling boost
and vote for around.
Speaker 3 (24:06):
Jim Well Katie.
Speaker 4 (24:08):
I was just going to say, you know, Steve's in government,
Celp's in government. Leef Andokieria is the police Minister. She's
also our chief minister. Of course, she has the power
to be able to direct some of that operation Tho's focus,
and she hasn't. She walked away from Nightcliff, she walked
away from the station, something that she criticized a lot
in opposition, and I acknowledged Labor could have done better,
but she had the power to do it. She still does,
(24:29):
and she just fobs it off and says, no, actually,
I've got nothing to do here.
Speaker 3 (24:33):
You know, it's up to the police itself.
Speaker 4 (24:34):
But she wanted that police station changed operationally, she would
fight for it, and she hasn't.
Speaker 1 (24:39):
Or right, we will move.
Speaker 2 (24:41):
Along because one of the other things that we've discussed
quite a bit this week is well the Administrator joined
us on the show for the first time. David Connolly
was in the studio on Monday morning. It was an
interesting interview, I think, to say the least. He said
that his store is open to his opponents to discuss
how the office of the Administrat could help to tone
(25:01):
down blokey sort of talk. That's a little bit clumsy.
Speaker 1 (25:04):
He said.
Speaker 2 (25:05):
It's now a matter for them whether they wish to
speak to him or not, but they'll find that. I
understand that this office is bigger than the person, and
it's always been about bringing territorians together. I've had a
few people say to me it sort of felt like
it was a case of I'm sorry, not sorry. Throughout
that interview, Selena, you and I spoke about this a
little bit earlier in the week. You said, you know,
(25:26):
you sort of said, well, he's gonna have to get
stuck into the job now, and the actions will speak
louder than words.
Speaker 4 (25:32):
I suppose, yeah, Katie, and I think that most people
see that a supposed apology forty eight hours before the
swearing in was too little, too late, And I think
there's still a lot of people that have been hurt
by this appointment still do not understand Katie. While Leafanokiaro
has pushed for this anti administrator to be sworn in,
(25:52):
I think there has been enough concerns raised across the
community about the importance of the role the unity it
should bring, regardless of politics, and we haven't seen that
in this appointment. I think Matt did a really interesting
editorial a couple of weeks ago, which I agree with Matt.
I think your observations were spot on. This is a
chance to bring the community together that've absolutely missed the ball,
(26:13):
and I almost feel like it's been a deliberate move
by Lefanokiarra and her team to divide the community because
unfortunately that reflects the politics that we're seeing from the
anti government today.
Speaker 2 (26:22):
Did you support the appointment of David Connolly as our
next administrator?
Speaker 5 (26:28):
Well, the issue of the administrator, as we've had, there's
been a range of issues leading up to his appointment,
but all of the social media posts, but the fact
is he is the administrator. He's came out and he's
made that apology and moving forward. He has spoken here
on radio and he said that he wants to get
out and he wants to work with the people, and
he wants to meet with the people that have obviously
(26:49):
had concerns about that appointment. So I think what we're
hearing at the moment is an administrator that is willing
to work with the people. He's clearly apologized for any
past in discretion around social media post and I think
what we need to do is how do we move
forward the administrator is keen to move forward. He's keen
to bring people together, and that's what he's committed to doing.
(27:09):
So the question we need, what we need to do
is get behind the administrator now, because he's there for
the next three years. He's been supported by the federal
government and he was sworn in by the Governor General
just last week.
Speaker 6 (27:21):
The question that Steve was whether you supported the appointment.
Speaker 5 (27:25):
Yes, everybody supported the appointment in the seal. Do you
think people in your electric support the appointment. Well, there's
been no feedback at all from anyone in my electric
regarding the appointment.
Speaker 3 (27:36):
In a couple of weeks, I'll be talking to Steve
on his behalf.
Speaker 5 (27:40):
Well, I think talking to constituents is fine, but what
I want to say is that nobody has contacted me
directly from my electorate to say, hey, that's the.
Speaker 2 (27:49):
Wrong appoint have been an unnecessary loss of skin though
like politically, do you know what I mean? Like you
sort of go the appointment of an administrator shouldn't really
be a point of discussion like it has.
Speaker 6 (28:01):
The last few necessary loss of skin, particularly for someone
in an electorate that takes in many Aboriginal communities. And
is held by a very slim margin. I mean, are
you worried about the potential that you could lose your
seat over this?
Speaker 5 (28:16):
And then look, I'm the person on the ground where
the government there is a separation between the government and
the administrator. The government of the day is out doing
the work on the ground. They're the ones that control
the budget, how the budget is spent. So when I
get on the ground and talk to people in my electorate,
what we're talking about is the issues that affect people
on the ground today and how we're responding to those
(28:37):
issues and the electric But what I will just say
once more is it nobody directly from my electorate has
contacted me and said, hey, you've made the wrong decision,
but moving forward, the administrator has made an apology and
what he wants to do is work with everybody across
the board. So I think it's time to move forward.
Speaker 1 (28:54):
Okatie.
Speaker 4 (28:55):
Watching this unfold, it's quite fascinating. Originally, Leafanokia, as the
chief minister responsible for the selection and the appointment, said oh,
I wasn't aware. I wasn't made aware of these posts,
and then later on we're here, Oh actually, yeah, there
were some Bill Yen on your show a couple of
weeks ago, said, oh yeah, came to cabinet. We were
kind of made aware of some not all, but some
(29:15):
of the posts. So someone's not telling the truth. And
it sounds like the back you know, backstepping and moving
away from accountability for this decision that Leah has made.
That she's made her whole team try and stand up
against sorry, stand up and support and made some very
you know, some people very uncomfortable within her own party
and supporters. The r P people have reached out to
(29:38):
me and some of my team to say they've been
unhappy about this appointment. And so it has been interesting
to see it unfold that there was a dismissal of
knowing anything at first, and then it was sort of
changed to oh yeah, yeah, but we'll you know, we
would do it again, and then it sort of changed,
oh well, now he's in, let's just give him a go. So,
you know, when is it a point of accountability and
whose accountability is this? This is Leafinocchio's decision as the
(30:02):
chief Minister, and it is hers to own.
Speaker 3 (30:04):
She's not owning it.
Speaker 2 (30:06):
Look, we are going to have to take a really
quick break. You are listening to Mix ONEO four point nine.
It is the week that was. If you've just joined us,
well you've been missing out because in the studio with
us today we have got Selina Hubo, the opposition leader.
Speaker 1 (30:18):
We've got Matt Cunningham.
Speaker 2 (30:19):
From Sky News, and we have of course got Steve Edgington,
who's the Minister for Health and Public Housing, various other portfolios. Now, look,
one of the stories that really got people pretty annoyed
earlier in the week was when we found out that
Air Asia had begun informing passengers that it was going
to scrap it's Darwin DEMPASA and Darwin KL services from
(30:41):
April twenty seven, leaving Quantus and Jetstar the primary providers
of regional air services for the foreseeable future. Now. Air
Asia obviously released a formal statement then on Tuesday, but
social media showed that the airline had begun sort of
contacting those passengers. Well, Kathleen was one of those passengers.
It was content acted my producer they'd begun contacting them
(31:03):
on Monday. People furious about this. You know, I think
that we all agree that you're like to be able
to fly the one place that you can generally fly
for a fairly reasonable amount, is BALI not many? You know,
people are people are annoyed. We spoke to the Minister
(31:25):
for Asian Relations and Trade, Robin Carl earlier in the week.
She seemed pissed off as well, to be pretty blunt
about it, but also very annoyed that you know that
we have this what's the incentive call when we're trying
to get the airlines to come and operate. Yes, so
she had said that she's now asked the department to
review that and basically, you know, if we are going
(31:46):
to offer that scheme to different airlines that they have
to be operational for a certain period of time before
they're able to pull out. Now we don't know exactly
how much they were entitled to. She said that that
was commercial in confidence. I mean, we're still talking about
taxpayers dollars here, though none of us have any idea
how much it could be.
Speaker 4 (32:05):
Yeah, Katie, I'd love to know from Steve and his
team when they found out, because we found out secondhand,
similar to many other people, once they were starting to
get those text messages and the next morning it came out.
But how long did the cop know because they obviously
have a deal with the company, and why didn't they
front foot and tell territorians what was happening.
Speaker 5 (32:23):
Well, I think Katie, you know obviously we're extremely angry
and disappointed with this decision by Air Asia. You know,
when it comes to territory attraction, what we want to
see is airlines here and we want to ensure that
there's sufficient routes and a number of routes available for people.
We want to see choice for our all territories when
it comes to travel, and I think that's important. That's
(32:45):
the work that we're doing. But when it comes to
Air Asia, what I can say is that we are
extremely disappointed because Steve Well, I think the issue around
whether we who knew that's a matter for the minister.
I don't have that information. It certainly doesn't come under
my portfoit. I don't have that information here at the moment.
Speaker 3 (33:02):
Surely, as ministers, I don't have.
Speaker 5 (33:05):
That information here. That's a question for the relevant minister.
But what I do want to say is that yes,
we are disappointed, and you know, when we support airlines
to do the job, we want some certainty and some
security around. Seeing them pull out is extremely disappointing.
Speaker 1 (33:22):
I mean, look, it.
Speaker 2 (33:23):
Just adds to the ongoing winch that all of us
have about how much it costs to fly anywhere from
the Northern Territory.
Speaker 1 (33:29):
And you know that when it comes to.
Speaker 2 (33:30):
Choice, that's a huge you know, it has a huge impact.
If you've got other airlines that are flying to various
differ different destinations, it makes a big difference in terms
of trying to bring those prices down. You know, when
you talk earlier about petrol prices. One of the other
things that we constantly get annoyed about when you live
in the end is trying to fly anywhere.
Speaker 6 (33:51):
Yeah, and look, the long term solution, Katie is, you know,
economic development and population growth, because we see these airlines
come and go, and for as long as we're foring
them financial incentives to come for a fixed period of time,
they'll come for that fixed period of time and then
they will leave. You know, you know, the glory days
of aviation. You know, during my time here was during
(34:13):
you know, the lead up to and during the Impacts boom,
when our population was growing at such a rate that
airlines wanted to fly here because it was profitable because
their planes were full coming in and out Tiger ten
bucks to Melbourne. You know it was great. Now if
you get it for under five hundred, you're pretty happy,
so you know, it is it is a real It's
(34:33):
one of the biggest you know, deterrens to living in
this place. And I mean, you know, paradoxically it's one
of the issues with attracting people to live here is
the cost of airfas. But then you need to attract
more people to live here to bring the cost of
those airfares down. So you know, it's a difficult one.
I don't know. I honestly, I don't really know what
the solution is, but the solutions to create lots of
(34:56):
well paying jobs here so people come.
Speaker 4 (34:57):
And live here and then very disappointed obviously, and particularly
for those customers who will miss out, because it is
important for local territories to be able to travel in
and other territory, for people to come, for visitors to come,
for our economy to grow and boost due to tourism,
and also those internal flights around Northern Territory.
Speaker 3 (35:14):
I think is so important.
Speaker 4 (35:15):
People are suffering some a significant high costs when you're
just traveling, you know, an hour and twenty minutes within
the territory on a commercial line.
Speaker 3 (35:23):
It's really really tough.
Speaker 4 (35:25):
So I think that this particular decision, and while it
might have been a commercial decision, unfortunately the COLP you know,
they're great, they are out there for photo opportunities when
things are going well, but where were they when this faulted?
And I think that you know, being able to stand
up in front and tell territories what's going on, understanding
there may be some you know, confidentiality around the commercial
(35:45):
and confidence agreement, but being able to let people know,
so they're not starting to find out via text message
from the airline that they're you know, their travel their
plan travel has now been cut and they don't have
another way to get to where they're going. So I
think it's been the biggest disappointment. There is a federal
inquiry into airfares across the country.
Speaker 3 (36:04):
I've written a submission to that.
Speaker 4 (36:05):
Katie on behalf of our labor team to really encourage
the committee to come to the Northern Territory, not just
to Darwin, but to other parts of the NT to
hear directly from territorians, our businesses, our workers, and some
of our FIFO community members who are coming in and out,
but not necessarily here and as Matt said, attracting workers'
(36:26):
long term to set routes here in the territory. I
think it's really important. I hope that the committee does
come to the NT.
Speaker 5 (36:31):
But what I would say, Katie is certainly air Asia
has committed to refunding airfares, and what I would say
is that our government is certainly working with the airline
and Body.
Speaker 1 (36:42):
High trying to mitigate. Then you're not going.
Speaker 5 (36:45):
Trying to mitigate, trying to mitigate the impact on customers.
But on a more positive note, I suppose Dilly Is
announced that they'll be running the Dah and Dilly service
twice per week, commencing on the twenty fourth of May.
So that's some good news for.
Speaker 1 (37:00):
Territories, some good news.
Speaker 6 (37:02):
Good joint Dilly worth a visit, is it.
Speaker 2 (37:04):
Yeah? Now, just before we do get ready to wrap up,
I do actually want to just head across to something
that's been pretty pretty heavy. I think you'd have to
say throughout this week, Matt, I know that you've been
keeping a close eye on the inquiry into the controversial
health patient record system, Akasha. Now we are due to
catch up with john's Orbis, the AMA's Northern Territory President,
(37:27):
this morning as well after ten o'clock. But tell us
a little bit about what you've heard throughout this week.
Speaker 6 (37:32):
Well, well, John Zorbis gave a thirty minute presentation to
the inquiry the committee on Tuesday. That was the most
devastating thing I have ever listened to, I think in
the Northern Territory like that. We went for about two
(37:53):
hours on Tuesday afternoon and we heard from john's Orbis.
We'd heard from the executives of the Health Department the
week before, who had actually described AKEASHA as a resounding success.
I mean, that is one of the most extraordinary statements
I've ever heard. You heard another executive say that there
were no issues when it came to patient risk associated
with a KASHA. He just basically came out and called
(38:15):
bull dust on what we had been told by executives.
He said that there are hundreds of tickets at the
moment associated with bugs in that Acacia system and with
patient risk from Acacia. He also said that the way
that risk is assessed in our hospitals is at a
(38:36):
lower level. Serious incidents written off at a lower level.
In Northern territory hospitals to what they are inter state
and that is perhaps why they're saying there's no risk.
We heard that a kasha has cost three hundred and
thirty five million dollars so far and it's lucky if
it's one third implemented. It is an absolute disaster. And
then after we heard from John Zorbers, we heard from
(38:57):
contractors who'd worked for DCDD who are saying it's not
a kasha that's the problem. It's not the system itself,
it's the toxic work environment within DCDD that has led
to this absolute debarcle a work environment where people, anyone
who raised issues, who raised concerns about things that were
going wrong, were basically frozen out. They were labeled trouble makers.
(39:22):
In some cases they were just marched out the door
because they're contractors and they can be. And then of
course we know the tragic story of Sean Joyce and
his sister Kara, you know, really bravely gave evidence to
that inquiry on Tuesday as well, and she didn't mince
her words. She attributes her brother's death to that toxic
(39:43):
work environment. I mean, it is an absolute scandal what
has happened here and amid that scandal, you have the
chief executive of nt Health two weeks ago, at that
same inquiry describe a Kasha as a resounding success.
Speaker 1 (39:59):
I mean, Steve, how can can it be?
Speaker 6 (40:01):
Well?
Speaker 5 (40:01):
Look, look, what we do know is that this all
started under Labor. It was badly mismanaged right from the start.
But when it comes to the role out of Acacia,
at the moment, Akasha is operating in Alice Springs, Tenant Creek,
Catherine Darwin and Nullen Boys and Palmeston, I should say
what we have seen since coming to government is another
one hundred and seventy enhancements of the Acacia system. But
(40:25):
looking back on what these issues around the Labor roll out,
we did see a number of problems. We've heard about
the risk and the reason why it's stopped back in
February twenty twenty four, but the budget blowout of sixty
one million dollars, the increase from two fifty nine to
three twenty. What I can say is that what we
(40:46):
have done since then is worked and worked and worked
to get Acacia as best as we can at the moment.
There are further enhancements to come, but what we have
done at the moment is a further one hundred and
seventy enhancements of the Acacia system and it is operating.
Speaker 6 (41:01):
It's only a third implemented. One third was the evidence.
So how much is it going to cost for the
extra next two thirds to be implemented. Well, we don't
have that cost at the moment, about six d billion.
We don't have the full cost at the moment. What
we are doing is rolling out those enhancements at the
moment within budget. There's been a one hundred and seventy
different enhancements since coming to government, and what we do
(41:23):
have is online at the moment and it's operating in
all of the hospitals here. The legacy systems that it's
intended to replace, though, are they still operating and what's
the cost of continuing them going?
Speaker 5 (41:35):
The legacy systems around Chasis for example, I was down
in Allo Springs when they switched on Akasha I think
late last year. I was down there for the switchover.
Kasis was switched off as a Casha came on line.
So the actual Acacia system is what's being used in
hospitals as we speak.
Speaker 6 (41:53):
What about the extra burden? I mean, you heard John
Zilbers say that. He said, they're a frontline staff who
have literally worked in war zones, who have been reduced
to tears by this system. What's your response to that, like,
what's being done to fix that? That's that's just well.
Speaker 5 (42:12):
What I want to do is sit down with John's
Orbis and have that discussion because a lot of these
issues were during the initial role out of the system.
Speaker 2 (42:21):
It's an emergency now they're there now.
Speaker 5 (42:25):
And it's operating at the moment, So ACACIA is operating
in every hospital in the Northern Territory.
Speaker 6 (42:30):
What I do want to do and it's.
Speaker 5 (42:32):
As fully functional, but as I said, we're working on that.
We've put in in place at one hundred and seventy
enhancements so far. There is more work to be done
with ACACIA and that's what look, that's what we've been
left with coming into government, that's what labor has left us.
We're doing the best that we can with the system
that we've got. We are working to improve the system constantly.
And when it comes to John's Orbis, I rang him yesterday.
(42:55):
We've exchanged mystic calls, but I will be catching up
with John to.
Speaker 2 (42:59):
Get a better under he's going to be with us
and so we'll definitely talk more about that. We are
going to have to take a really quick break. I'm
really sorry, Selena. We'll take a really quick break just
because we are fast running out of time. You are
listening to Mix one O four ninees three sixty. It
is the week that was. You are listening to Mix
one O four nine's three sixty. That's about it for
us this morning. It's been a massive morning. Big thank
(43:20):
you to Matt Cunningham, thanks so much for your time today.
Speaker 1 (43:23):
Thanks Katie and Steve Edgington.
Speaker 2 (43:26):
Minister for Health than various other portfolios, thank you for
your time today.
Speaker 5 (43:29):
Thanks Katie, and just want to put a shout out
to all those and Catherine take care. All the warnings
are out there at the moment, so stay safe and
obviously keep away from the floodaball.
Speaker 1 (43:39):
Yeah, do take care.
Speaker 2 (43:40):
We'll talk more about that and Selena, you both thank
you so much for your time.
Speaker 1 (43:43):
The Opposition leader
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