Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
One of the other areas that people have indeed got
concerns right now is with the investment into Central Australia.
Now we know that the Prime Minister Anthony Alberanezi did
announce earlier this year that two hundred and fifty million
dollars is going to be invested into Central Australia and
that is in an effort to really try to make
(00:21):
the community safer, tackle alcohol related crime and harm, and
also provide more opportunities for young people. So, working closely
with the Office of the Central Australian Regional Controller, Central
Australian Communities as well the Australian Government say that they
are going to be delivering on those next stage of
investments that will strengthen local communities across Central Australia, including
(00:45):
Alice Springs. Now joining me on the line to talk
more about how this money has been divvied up and
whether it's the right way is the mayor of Alice Springs,
Matt Patterson. Good morning to you, Matt.
Speaker 2 (00:57):
Good morning carry I'll do my best to try to
explain it. Hopefully It's been cold to me, but I'll
try my harder.
Speaker 1 (01:04):
Let's give it a go.
Speaker 2 (01:06):
Matte.
Speaker 1 (01:06):
We know that there is a significant amount of money here.
They're talking two hundred and fifty million dollars. I've added
it all up and can see that we're ninety four
million dollars short. I'm told that that's going into a
contingency fund. But what do you make of the way
that this money has been divvied up at this point.
Speaker 2 (01:25):
Look, I think it's obviously a very good start and
I welcome the investment. It's not often the Federal treasure
will talk about cedral Australia and his budget speech, so
I think that the ball is certainly moving and it's
a welcome investment from our end. There are some really good,
really good pieces of the pie that will be hopefully
(01:46):
spending the right area for Center Australia make some change.
I look at the Community and Regional Infrastructure Fund for
Central Australia, so fifty million dollars on in community infrastructure.
One of the things that we constantly told is that
there's not enough infrastructure for teenagers and young people in
Alice Springs. So hopefully that's something that we can certainly
tap into straight away. Now.
Speaker 1 (02:08):
Obviously plenty of different different initiatives and money going into
different areas. Forty million for on country learning to improve
school engagement, twenty three million for improving First Nations health outcomes,
nine million for strengthening community safety, three point nine for
a youth Services action plan, ten million to enhance digital connectivity.
(02:30):
But Matt, ninety four million dollars in a contingency fund.
Have you been told how exactly that's going to be spent?
Speaker 2 (02:40):
No, not as yet, But as I said, we just
did with the information in front of me and try
to spend what we can in the right areas. I
think you know, through the past we've thrown money at
it and expected to fix it really quickly and not
done it. So I appreciate that whilst there's ninety four
million dollars still in the buck are there's still consultations
(03:01):
going on with communities surrounding our springs around what that
investment looks like. So I certainly don't have a problem
with that ninety four million sitting there whilst the consultations
being completed.
Speaker 1 (03:13):
Yeah, And from what the Northern Territory Treasurer Evil Laula
had said to us on the show a bit earlier
this morning, she had said exactly that that it's a
contingency where there is going to be further consultation. You know,
there'd been discussion about a boarding facility and things like that,
So that further consultation and that funding will look at
what's you know, they'll be able to look at exactly
(03:33):
what they're going to invest it on.
Speaker 2 (03:36):
Yeah, and I mean one of the things that I've
been advocating for for a long time is having a
safe place for kids to go, and that's really the
piece that you know, I'm hoping we'll get picked up
through this consultation around having a place where children can
go after hours that's a safe place because having a
(03:56):
child on a street at the moment in our springs
is freezing col It's just you know, it's not safe
for anyone and we just need to wrap services around
these kids. So hopefully that comes out in the wash
out of that ninety four million.
Speaker 1 (04:10):
So, Matt, from your perspective, do you think that this
investment is going to see some change on the very
serious issues that you've been experiencing in Central Australia.
Speaker 2 (04:22):
Yeah, Look, my fingers are crossed. I go back to
the forty eight point eight million dollar announcement that was
announced earlier in the year. I mean that got more
place dweller Springs and that continued some services for the
next financial year. So hopefully we know this substantial investment,
we do to see some positive change code because we
need to. But I think that it's a very good start.
Speaker 1 (04:44):
And we also know that there's going to be fourteen
odd million on thirty additional police officers. There is money
going towards corrections, so that there's going to be more
facilities as I understand it for the prison. Even those
different measures, you would hope we'll go some way into
making some change.
Speaker 2 (05:03):
Yeah. Absolutely, And I've talked about having more police offices
not going to fix the problem, but it's about having
passive surveillance for the community and proactive policing. So it's
something that we know works when you have proactive policing.
And so if you've got thirty more police officers in
our Springs, I think that'll be welcomed by the community.
Speaker 1 (05:23):
Now, is there anywhere that you think the budgets and
the funding falls short.
Speaker 2 (05:29):
I look a lot at this stage. I think that
you know, for a town of twenty five thousand, you
know that services forty thousand. We have been reasonably looked
after in the budget, but now it is up to
us to continue to work with the FEDS in the
territory to see the roll out. Commitments are one thing,
but now we need to get the ball rolling and
start seeing some shovels in the ground for the infrastructure
(05:49):
stuff and seeing the social side of it from a
government point of view that rollout as well, because it's
okay to commit it, but we also need to see
it in the region and we'll do everything we can
to make sure we can keep that ball rolling as
quickly as we possibly can.
Speaker 1 (06:05):
Now, Matt, are you able to give us a bit
of an update on where things are at with the
footy competition in Central Australia. I know that there was
people that were at Trager Park as I understand it,
yesterday evening protesting the fact that some of that local
foot has not been able to be played. Where are
things at?
Speaker 2 (06:23):
So I met with Gil McGlaughlin earlier in the week
and we had a a pretty good conversation. I think
it'll be resolved by this week, but you know, hopefully,
you know, hopefully that gets moving and we get a resolution.
Just want to be clear though we're not. Football hasn't
stopped in our springs, the town competition and we still
(06:43):
have other rivals that are being access so I think
that's an important part for your listeners to understand as well.
Speaker 1 (06:48):
But I mean, is Trager Park being used as a
bit of a political football here for want of a
better word. You know, should those kids and should people
be able to get back onto the field.
Speaker 2 (07:00):
Well, it is our best facility and I hope people
can use it sooner rather than later. But as I've said,
we've got incredible facilities, sporting facilities in other springs that
are being utilized and they'll continue to be utilized so
people aren't missing out on sport.
Speaker 1 (07:14):
So what's holding it up right now? Is it still
the is it still the you know, the fixture from
the a f L.
Speaker 2 (07:21):
Yeah, it's just a bridge of license that we're trying
to work with AFL in Team good faith, AFL in
Tea and AFL to try to resolve it. And I'm
confident after having a discussion with AFL earlier in the
week that it will be resolved.
Speaker 1 (07:33):
Now, what about that big match with the Demons and
the GWS Giants. I think it is for a bit
later in the year. Is that going ahead.
Speaker 2 (07:41):
I'm very confident that will happen on the second of July, Kadian,
I think you should come down and have a look
at it as well. Why don't you come down to
our springs mate?
Speaker 1 (07:51):
How good would that be? The weather would be glorious.
Speaker 2 (07:54):
You go, We'll get you in the We'll get you
in the media box right off on the work trip.
Speaker 1 (07:58):
We'll give it outside broadcast going Maybe we need an
outside broadcast in Alas Springs. Tell my boss, will you?
Speaker 2 (08:05):
Yeah, Papasa, I'm sending my detail Matt Pattison.
Speaker 1 (08:09):
Good to catch up with you as always. Thank you
very much for your time today.
Speaker 2 (08:13):
Good on you, Katie.
Speaker 1 (08:14):
Thank you
One of the other areas that people have indeed got
concerns right now is with the investment into Central Australia.
Now we know that the Prime Minister Anthony Alberanezi did
announce earlier this year that two hundred and fifty million
dollars is going to be invested into Central Australia and
that is in an effort to really try to make
(00:21):
the community safer, tackle alcohol related crime and harm, and
also provide more opportunities for young people. So, working closely
with the Office of the Central Australian Regional Controller, Central
Australian Communities as well the Australian Government say that they
are going to be delivering on those next stage of
investments that will strengthen local communities across Central Australia, including
(00:45):
Alice Springs. Now joining me on the line to talk
more about how this money has been divvied up and
whether it's the right way is the mayor of Alice Springs,
Matt Patterson. Good morning to you, Matt.
Speaker 2 (00:57):
Good morning carry I'll do my best to try to
explain it. Hopefully It's been cold to me, but I'll
try my harder.
Speaker 1 (01:04):
Let's give it a go.
Speaker 2 (01:06):
Matte.
Speaker 1 (01:06):
We know that there is a significant amount of money here.
They're talking two hundred and fifty million dollars. I've added
it all up and can see that we're ninety four
million dollars short. I'm told that that's going into a
contingency fund. But what do you make of the way
that this money has been divvied up at this point.
Speaker 2 (01:25):
Look, I think it's obviously a very good start and
I welcome the investment. It's not often the Federal treasure
will talk about cedral Australia and his budget speech, so
I think that the ball is certainly moving and it's
a welcome investment from our end. There are some really good,
really good pieces of the pie that will be hopefully
(01:46):
spending the right area for Center Australia make some change.
I look at the Community and Regional Infrastructure Fund for
Central Australia, so fifty million dollars on in community infrastructure.
One of the things that we constantly told is that
there's not enough infrastructure for teenagers and young people in
Alice Springs. So hopefully that's something that we can certainly
tap into straight away. Now.
Speaker 1 (02:08):
Obviously plenty of different different initiatives and money going into
different areas. Forty million for on country learning to improve
school engagement, twenty three million for improving First Nations health outcomes,
nine million for strengthening community safety, three point nine for
a youth Services action plan, ten million to enhance digital connectivity.
(02:30):
But Matt, ninety four million dollars in a contingency fund.
Have you been told how exactly that's going to be spent?
Speaker 2 (02:40):
No, not as yet, But as I said, we just
did with the information in front of me and try
to spend what we can in the right areas. I
think you know, through the past we've thrown money at
it and expected to fix it really quickly and not
done it. So I appreciate that whilst there's ninety four
million dollars still in the buck are there's still consultations
(03:01):
going on with communities surrounding our springs around what that
investment looks like. So I certainly don't have a problem
with that ninety four million sitting there whilst the consultations
being completed.
Speaker 1 (03:13):
Yeah, And from what the Northern Territory Treasurer Evil Laula
had said to us on the show a bit earlier
this morning, she had said exactly that that it's a
contingency where there is going to be further consultation. You know,
there'd been discussion about a boarding facility and things like that,
So that further consultation and that funding will look at
what's you know, they'll be able to look at exactly
(03:33):
what they're going to invest it on.
Speaker 2 (03:36):
Yeah, and I mean one of the things that I've
been advocating for for a long time is having a
safe place for kids to go, and that's really the
piece that you know, I'm hoping we'll get picked up
through this consultation around having a place where children can
go after hours that's a safe place because having a
(03:56):
child on a street at the moment in our springs
is freezing col It's just you know, it's not safe
for anyone and we just need to wrap services around
these kids. So hopefully that comes out in the wash
out of that ninety four million.
Speaker 1 (04:10):
So, Matt, from your perspective, do you think that this
investment is going to see some change on the very
serious issues that you've been experiencing in Central Australia.
Speaker 2 (04:22):
Yeah, Look, my fingers are crossed. I go back to
the forty eight point eight million dollar announcement that was
announced earlier in the year. I mean that got more
place dweller Springs and that continued some services for the
next financial year. So hopefully we know this substantial investment,
we do to see some positive change code because we
need to. But I think that it's a very good start.
Speaker 1 (04:44):
And we also know that there's going to be fourteen
odd million on thirty additional police officers. There is money
going towards corrections, so that there's going to be more
facilities as I understand it for the prison. Even those
different measures, you would hope we'll go some way into
making some change.
Speaker 2 (05:03):
Yeah. Absolutely, And I've talked about having more police offices
not going to fix the problem, but it's about having
passive surveillance for the community and proactive policing. So it's
something that we know works when you have proactive policing.
And so if you've got thirty more police officers in
our Springs, I think that'll be welcomed by the community.
Speaker 1 (05:23):
Now, is there anywhere that you think the budgets and
the funding falls short.
Speaker 2 (05:29):
I look a lot at this stage. I think that
you know, for a town of twenty five thousand, you
know that services forty thousand. We have been reasonably looked
after in the budget, but now it is up to
us to continue to work with the FEDS in the
territory to see the roll out. Commitments are one thing,
but now we need to get the ball rolling and
start seeing some shovels in the ground for the infrastructure
(05:49):
stuff and seeing the social side of it from a
government point of view that rollout as well, because it's
okay to commit it, but we also need to see
it in the region and we'll do everything we can
to make sure we can keep that ball rolling as
quickly as we possibly can.
Speaker 1 (06:05):
Now, Matt, are you able to give us a bit
of an update on where things are at with the
footy competition in Central Australia. I know that there was
people that were at Trager Park as I understand it,
yesterday evening protesting the fact that some of that local
foot has not been able to be played. Where are
things at?
Speaker 2 (06:23):
So I met with Gil McGlaughlin earlier in the week
and we had a a pretty good conversation. I think
it'll be resolved by this week, but you know, hopefully,
you know, hopefully that gets moving and we get a resolution.
Just want to be clear though we're not. Football hasn't
stopped in our springs, the town competition and we still
(06:43):
have other rivals that are being access so I think
that's an important part for your listeners to understand as well.
Speaker 1 (06:48):
But I mean, is Trager Park being used as a
bit of a political football here for want of a
better word. You know, should those kids and should people
be able to get back onto the field.
Speaker 2 (07:00):
Well, it is our best facility and I hope people
can use it sooner rather than later. But as I've said,
we've got incredible facilities, sporting facilities in other springs that
are being utilized and they'll continue to be utilized so
people aren't missing out on sport.
Speaker 1 (07:14):
So what's holding it up right now? Is it still
the is it still the you know, the fixture from
the a f L.
Speaker 2 (07:21):
Yeah, it's just a bridge of license that we're trying
to work with AFL in Team good faith, AFL in
Tea and AFL to try to resolve it. And I'm
confident after having a discussion with AFL earlier in the
week that it will be resolved.
Speaker 1 (07:33):
Now, what about that big match with the Demons and
the GWS Giants. I think it is for a bit
later in the year. Is that going ahead.
Speaker 2 (07:41):
I'm very confident that will happen on the second of July, Kadian,
I think you should come down and have a look
at it as well. Why don't you come down to
our springs mate?
Speaker 1 (07:51):
How good would that be? The weather would be glorious.
Speaker 2 (07:54):
You go, We'll get you in the We'll get you
in the media box right off on the work trip.
Speaker 1 (07:58):
We'll give it outside broadcast going Maybe we need an
outside broadcast in Alas Springs. Tell my boss, will you?
Speaker 2 (08:05):
Yeah, Papasa, I'm sending my detail Matt Pattison.
Speaker 1 (08:09):
Good to catch up with you as always. Thank you
very much for your time today.
Speaker 2 (08:13):
Good on you, Katie.
Speaker 1 (08:14):
Thank you
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