Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
As I mentioned, some great news on the weekend with
what looks like a world record broken, the mud Crab
breaking a world record for the longest and deepest underwater
drive at a depth of thirty meters. Now joining me
on the line right now is the Chief Minister of
the Northern Territory, Natasha Files.
Speaker 2 (00:16):
Good morning to your chief Minister.
Speaker 3 (00:18):
Good morning Katie, Good morning listener.
Speaker 1 (00:20):
Now, before we get into it, chief Minister, some pretty well,
pretty ingenious and some real territory innovation. I think you'd
have to say, with this record broken over the weekend,
it doesn't.
Speaker 3 (00:33):
Get more territory in than an electric land cruiser breaking
two records underwater and coming out with some barre in
their hands.
Speaker 2 (00:39):
Katie, it really doesn't. It was quite a sight to behold.
Speaker 1 (00:44):
And you know the interesting thing, a massive event, no
government sort of assistance, no counsel assistance. We're just talking
about territorians getting out there and getting it done. Katie.
Speaker 3 (00:56):
It was supported to activate Darwin, but I think absolutely
it's owned by those people that organized it in the
community getting behind it. So it was really terrific to
see thousands of people down at Middle Beach. I think
it was a bit of a long afternoon. It took
them a little longer, but well done. What an achievement
getting across the harbor. And as I said, I just
think it's a real territory and thing to do.
Speaker 1 (01:16):
Yeah. Absolutely, Now, Chief Finister, moving along and in what
seems like a bit of a rarity in politics, some
common sense has prevailed in Parliament after public pressure has
forced the Public Accounts Committee to determine that a vote
is going to take place following the tabling of the
petition Justice for Declan Lavity Action against Crime in the
(01:38):
Northern Territory. Now nearly twenty six thousand people have now
signed that petition and after being unable to get an
answer from the Attorney General about it on the show
last Thursday, Well, we know that those that sit on
the Public Accounts Committee voted to bring Samara Lavity's petition
back next month to debate Declan's Law and its nine
(01:58):
proposals in what they hope would see a change when
it comes to crime, Chief Minister, are you glad that
the Public Accounts Committee voted this way?
Speaker 3 (02:09):
So, Katie, just before I respond to your question again,
my thoughts are with the family and the friends of
young Jaclan Lavity, and there was a number of elements
to that petition and the government has takes the petition
as a whole very seriously. I understand the Public Account's
Committee has referred the petition back to be debated in
the Parliament and we've already addressed some of those measures
(02:30):
and we'll certainly look at more as that petition comes
back through the process.
Speaker 1 (02:35):
Well, last time we spoke, you did outline those plans
to tackle crime following the death of Declan and the
other tragic loss of life that we've seen in the
Northern Territory this year due to crime. Now since then,
so since last week, more than ten thousand additional people
have signed that petition calling for you to make further changes.
(02:55):
Have you seen the traction or read the comments on
that petition.
Speaker 3 (03:00):
Yes, Katie, and and we hear the frustrations in the
voices of territory and when it comes to crime and
antisocial behavior. And as I said, we've taken measures and
will continue to take measures to prevent crime and support
our community.
Speaker 1 (03:12):
Well, the last time a petition gained this kind of traction,
as I understand, was when the former Labor government floated
the idea of selling TiO. Twenty thousand people signed that
petition and Labour listened to the people and back down.
We know it was eventually sold under the COLP, but
your party, Labor listened to the will of the people.
(03:33):
Are you going to listen to what they're telling you
right now? I mean, twenty six thousand people is the
number that it's nearly at.
Speaker 2 (03:39):
You can't ignore that, Katie.
Speaker 3 (03:42):
We are and we will continue to listen. Yes, is
the short answer to that question.
Speaker 1 (03:46):
I mean many people though listening and thinking to themselves, well,
are you really, like I said, an additional ten thousand
then signing that petition after you made your announcement of
what you're going to do when it comes to crime
early last week.
Speaker 3 (04:00):
So, Katie, as I said, we have listened. We've made
changes and will continue to make more changes. We're working
with police, with our prosecutors, the Department of Justice, as
well as community based organizations to ensure that we have
the measures to stop crime before it happens, and to
make sure that there is tough consequences in place to
support our community.
Speaker 1 (04:19):
So sitting down with those experts, or sitting down with
those that work in the space have you got any
plans to sit down with Samara lavity O.
Speaker 3 (04:28):
Katie, of course, will always listen to those people that
have been victims and impacted by crime. There's processes through
the government and my door is always open in terms
of these.
Speaker 2 (04:38):
Reason you should invite her in for a meeting.
Speaker 3 (04:41):
Oh, Katie, I mean, I don't particularly want to speak
through the media, but I'd be more than happy to
meet with her along with any other tragic victim of crime.
Speaker 1 (04:52):
Now, I understand that you are obviously listening to those experts,
but your job is, as elected by the people of
the Northern Territory to listen to them and their will.
Speaker 2 (05:01):
How are you going to juggle.
Speaker 1 (05:03):
Their expectations when they're clearly not in line with what
the experts are telling you.
Speaker 3 (05:09):
So, Katie, through that Vail and Weapon Offens's Review Task Force,
we listened to the experts, but we also took into
account the expectation of our community. So I think that's
an example where we do listen to the expert advice,
but at the same time listen to the community and
make those changes and make decisions based on that.
Speaker 1 (05:26):
But since you made that announcement and I'm probably sounding
like a broken record here. But since you made that announcement,
an additional ten thousand people sign that petition. I mean,
nearly twenty six thousand people is an enormous number, Katie.
Speaker 3 (05:43):
I understand the petition calls on a number of measures reforms.
Some of those we've been able to work through and delivered,
and there's some that that work will continue. So I
think that is explaining to your listeners where we are
continuing to respond to the community's calls by making to
meet that expectation what's.
Speaker 1 (06:02):
Going to come of this debate around that petition in parliament.
Speaker 3 (06:07):
So, Katie, that's part of our parliamentary process where petitions
are tabled within the House and then they're referred off
to the Public Accounts Committee for them to look at
them in detail, and then they've made the recommendation that
it comes back and it's debated within the Parliament. So
we'll outline our response to that petition, and as I
(06:29):
just said to you, there's a number of elements that
it specifically calls for, some that we've already done and
some were continuing to work through.
Speaker 1 (06:36):
All right now, Not only did the Public Accounts Committee
determine that that debate's going to go ahead. But after
the pressure that was placed on them on the show
on Thursday and also by the Independent Member for Ora
lu and Robin Lamley, who is obviously part of that committee,
it is looking as though they have now written well
to the Attorney General, to the leader of the opposition,
(06:56):
the Independence basically saying that they to see some change
now to that Public Accounts Committee so that it no
longer consists of just five members, but increasing that number
up to six so that there is that fairness, you know,
the three members of government and then three non government members.
Why do you think this hasn't happened sooner?
Speaker 3 (07:19):
The Katie committees and the committee structure is a matter
for the Parliament and they vary from each assembly, which
is the four years that parliaments are elected for. So
there's some committees that come into place for a set
period of time, there's some committees that are always there,
and then the structure of the committees. Traditionally it was
very much government and opposition because we didn't have independence
(07:40):
apart from Jerry Wood for a long time. And then
obviously you've seen a change with more independence and people
have left the sealor Peter become independent. So the committee
structures is a question I guess for the Parliament itself
and the whole.
Speaker 1 (07:53):
So you guys have got the majority. You guys have
got the majority in parliament, correct, But.
Speaker 3 (07:58):
Each committe there's been committees that have been changed the
structure over the years to reflect the diversity of the Parliament.
Speaker 1 (08:06):
Okay, over the weekend, there's still quite an enormous amount
of crime that's taken place. One of the ones that
I do just want to draw your attention to is
a terrible situation where a minibus driver on Thursday last
week was hospitalized with multiple injuries after a brutal attack
in Palmerston. That mail driver was flagged down on Temple
terrast by two people wanting to use the bus on
(08:28):
Thursday afternoon, an altercation broke out. One of the passengers
allegedly assaulted the driver, knocking him to the ground. He
was taken a Royal Day and Hospital with a broken
leg and multiple broken teeth. Chief Minister, it is incidents
like this, there are ones that are entirely frustrating the
community and that are making people feel as though they're
(08:50):
not being heard. We all understand that there's always going
to be elements of crime, but I guess it demonstrates
just how vicious some of these incidents are. Katie.
Speaker 3 (09:00):
That's completely unacceptable. It frustrates and angers me that someone
doing their job, providing a service, making sure that people
without a vehicle can get around town, has to put
up with quite awful behavior and has left them, you know,
not only with serious injuries, as I understand, but you
know they'll live with the consequences of that for the
rest of their life. And so we absolutely need to
(09:22):
make sure that we have those resources in place and
consequences to deter people. But that behavior and I do
need to be careful. It's a matter that's under police investigation.
Is completely unacceptable and frustrates me.
Speaker 1 (09:34):
Well, you're heading off today, of course to Canberra, as
I understand it, for the Facing North event. It is
a wonderful event where really we sprook the Northern Territory
and what a great place it is to do business.
There's no doubt though this issue with crime, and this
issue that continues to plague us does have an impact, Katie.
Speaker 3 (09:53):
We know our challenges and that's why there's more police
something beat than ever before. More consequences and we will
continue to invest in the those things that prevent crime.
It frustrates us as a government and that's why we
don't ignore it. We continue to listen and continue to act.
Speaker 1 (10:07):
What else can we expect in terms of what you
and what the Northern Territory Government are really going to
be pushing at that Facing North events.
Speaker 3 (10:15):
So, Katie, the Territory Government, along with the Dull and
Major Business Group and our acknowledged chair av Albain, will
be leading a delegation over two hundred people. And this
is about us showing the rest of the nation that
don't stick to the stereotypes that you've got of us,
that we've got new and exciting economic opportunities here maritime, agribusiness,
minerals and resource. So we really want to share with
(10:36):
the rest of Australia and those parliamentary and industry leaders
the opportunities in Northern Australia.
Speaker 1 (10:42):
Part of that is well is being able to get
flights in and out of the Northern Territory and trying
to get them at a reasonable price. And this is
something that you and I have definitely spoken about before.
Is there any updates on the airlines because we did
speak to the CEO of Bondza a couple of weeks
ago and he said that he'd be meeting with the
Northern Territory government and indeed the airport.
Speaker 2 (11:03):
Has this happened and where are things at, so Katie.
Speaker 3 (11:08):
Since we announced the package working with the Airport Development
Group twenty million dollars to attract more flight, there has
been meetings. It is commercial and confidence, but that's exactly
why we announced that package, to get more flight, more
opportunities for territories and visitors to come to the territory
and equally, you know, to be able to visit family
(11:29):
and friends into state.
Speaker 1 (11:30):
He did say that, you know that red tape and
bureaucracy would be the thing that held them back.
Speaker 2 (11:36):
Has there been much discussion about.
Speaker 3 (11:38):
That, so Katie, we've put this attraction fund in place.
We truly want to see accessible and affordable air services.
It's a key priority for us and that's why we're
not only at the negotiating table, but we've put some
serious dollars to get those airlines into the territory.
Speaker 1 (11:53):
Chief Minister, we'll leave it there for this morning. Thank
you for your time.
Speaker 2 (11:55):
As always, take care
As I mentioned, some great news on the weekend with
what looks like a world record broken, the mud Crab
breaking a world record for the longest and deepest underwater
drive at a depth of thirty meters. Now joining me
on the line right now is the Chief Minister of
the Northern Territory, Natasha Files.
Speaker 2 (00:16):
Good morning to your chief Minister.
Speaker 3 (00:18):
Good morning Katie, Good morning listener.
Speaker 1 (00:20):
Now, before we get into it, chief Minister, some pretty well,
pretty ingenious and some real territory innovation. I think you'd
have to say, with this record broken over the weekend,
it doesn't.
Speaker 3 (00:33):
Get more territory in than an electric land cruiser breaking
two records underwater and coming out with some barre in
their hands.
Speaker 2 (00:39):
Katie, it really doesn't. It was quite a sight to behold.
Speaker 1 (00:44):
And you know the interesting thing, a massive event, no
government sort of assistance, no counsel assistance. We're just talking
about territorians getting out there and getting it done. Katie.
Speaker 3 (00:56):
It was supported to activate Darwin, but I think absolutely
it's owned by those people that organized it in the
community getting behind it. So it was really terrific to
see thousands of people down at Middle Beach. I think
it was a bit of a long afternoon. It took
them a little longer, but well done. What an achievement
getting across the harbor. And as I said, I just
think it's a real territory and thing to do.
Speaker 1 (01:16):
Yeah. Absolutely, Now, Chief Finister, moving along and in what
seems like a bit of a rarity in politics, some
common sense has prevailed in Parliament after public pressure has
forced the Public Accounts Committee to determine that a vote
is going to take place following the tabling of the
petition Justice for Declan Lavity Action against Crime in the
(01:38):
Northern Territory. Now nearly twenty six thousand people have now
signed that petition and after being unable to get an
answer from the Attorney General about it on the show
last Thursday, Well, we know that those that sit on
the Public Accounts Committee voted to bring Samara Lavity's petition
back next month to debate Declan's Law and its nine
(01:58):
proposals in what they hope would see a change when
it comes to crime, Chief Minister, are you glad that
the Public Accounts Committee voted this way?
Speaker 3 (02:09):
So, Katie, just before I respond to your question again,
my thoughts are with the family and the friends of
young Jaclan Lavity, and there was a number of elements
to that petition and the government has takes the petition
as a whole very seriously. I understand the Public Account's
Committee has referred the petition back to be debated in
the Parliament and we've already addressed some of those measures
(02:30):
and we'll certainly look at more as that petition comes
back through the process.
Speaker 1 (02:35):
Well, last time we spoke, you did outline those plans
to tackle crime following the death of Declan and the
other tragic loss of life that we've seen in the
Northern Territory this year due to crime. Now since then,
so since last week, more than ten thousand additional people
have signed that petition calling for you to make further changes.
(02:55):
Have you seen the traction or read the comments on
that petition.
Speaker 3 (03:00):
Yes, Katie, and and we hear the frustrations in the
voices of territory and when it comes to crime and
antisocial behavior. And as I said, we've taken measures and
will continue to take measures to prevent crime and support
our community.
Speaker 1 (03:12):
Well, the last time a petition gained this kind of traction,
as I understand, was when the former Labor government floated
the idea of selling TiO. Twenty thousand people signed that
petition and Labour listened to the people and back down.
We know it was eventually sold under the COLP, but
your party, Labor listened to the will of the people.
(03:33):
Are you going to listen to what they're telling you
right now? I mean, twenty six thousand people is the
number that it's nearly at.
Speaker 2 (03:39):
You can't ignore that, Katie.
Speaker 3 (03:42):
We are and we will continue to listen. Yes, is
the short answer to that question.
Speaker 1 (03:46):
I mean many people though listening and thinking to themselves, well,
are you really, like I said, an additional ten thousand
then signing that petition after you made your announcement of
what you're going to do when it comes to crime
early last week.
Speaker 3 (04:00):
So, Katie, as I said, we have listened. We've made
changes and will continue to make more changes. We're working
with police, with our prosecutors, the Department of Justice, as
well as community based organizations to ensure that we have
the measures to stop crime before it happens, and to
make sure that there is tough consequences in place to
support our community.
Speaker 1 (04:19):
So sitting down with those experts, or sitting down with
those that work in the space have you got any
plans to sit down with Samara lavity O.
Speaker 3 (04:28):
Katie, of course, will always listen to those people that
have been victims and impacted by crime. There's processes through
the government and my door is always open in terms
of these.
Speaker 2 (04:38):
Reason you should invite her in for a meeting.
Speaker 3 (04:41):
Oh, Katie, I mean, I don't particularly want to speak
through the media, but I'd be more than happy to
meet with her along with any other tragic victim of crime.
Speaker 1 (04:52):
Now, I understand that you are obviously listening to those experts,
but your job is, as elected by the people of
the Northern Territory to listen to them and their will.
Speaker 2 (05:01):
How are you going to juggle.
Speaker 1 (05:03):
Their expectations when they're clearly not in line with what
the experts are telling you.
Speaker 3 (05:09):
So, Katie, through that Vail and Weapon Offens's Review Task Force,
we listened to the experts, but we also took into
account the expectation of our community. So I think that's
an example where we do listen to the expert advice,
but at the same time listen to the community and
make those changes and make decisions based on that.
Speaker 1 (05:26):
But since you made that announcement and I'm probably sounding
like a broken record here. But since you made that announcement,
an additional ten thousand people sign that petition. I mean,
nearly twenty six thousand people is an enormous number, Katie.
Speaker 3 (05:43):
I understand the petition calls on a number of measures reforms.
Some of those we've been able to work through and delivered,
and there's some that that work will continue. So I
think that is explaining to your listeners where we are
continuing to respond to the community's calls by making to
meet that expectation what's.
Speaker 1 (06:02):
Going to come of this debate around that petition in parliament.
Speaker 3 (06:07):
So, Katie, that's part of our parliamentary process where petitions
are tabled within the House and then they're referred off
to the Public Accounts Committee for them to look at
them in detail, and then they've made the recommendation that
it comes back and it's debated within the Parliament. So
we'll outline our response to that petition, and as I
(06:29):
just said to you, there's a number of elements that
it specifically calls for, some that we've already done and
some were continuing to work through.
Speaker 1 (06:36):
All right now, Not only did the Public Accounts Committee
determine that that debate's going to go ahead. But after
the pressure that was placed on them on the show
on Thursday and also by the Independent Member for Ora
lu and Robin Lamley, who is obviously part of that committee,
it is looking as though they have now written well
to the Attorney General, to the leader of the opposition,
(06:56):
the Independence basically saying that they to see some change
now to that Public Accounts Committee so that it no
longer consists of just five members, but increasing that number
up to six so that there is that fairness, you know,
the three members of government and then three non government members.
Why do you think this hasn't happened sooner?
Speaker 3 (07:19):
The Katie committees and the committee structure is a matter
for the Parliament and they vary from each assembly, which
is the four years that parliaments are elected for. So
there's some committees that come into place for a set
period of time, there's some committees that are always there,
and then the structure of the committees. Traditionally it was
very much government and opposition because we didn't have independence
(07:40):
apart from Jerry Wood for a long time. And then
obviously you've seen a change with more independence and people
have left the sealor Peter become independent. So the committee
structures is a question I guess for the Parliament itself
and the whole.
Speaker 1 (07:53):
So you guys have got the majority. You guys have
got the majority in parliament, correct, But.
Speaker 3 (07:58):
Each committe there's been committees that have been changed the
structure over the years to reflect the diversity of the Parliament.
Speaker 1 (08:06):
Okay, over the weekend, there's still quite an enormous amount
of crime that's taken place. One of the ones that
I do just want to draw your attention to is
a terrible situation where a minibus driver on Thursday last
week was hospitalized with multiple injuries after a brutal attack
in Palmerston. That mail driver was flagged down on Temple
terrast by two people wanting to use the bus on
(08:28):
Thursday afternoon, an altercation broke out. One of the passengers
allegedly assaulted the driver, knocking him to the ground. He
was taken a Royal Day and Hospital with a broken
leg and multiple broken teeth. Chief Minister, it is incidents
like this, there are ones that are entirely frustrating the
community and that are making people feel as though they're
(08:50):
not being heard. We all understand that there's always going
to be elements of crime, but I guess it demonstrates
just how vicious some of these incidents are. Katie.
Speaker 3 (09:00):
That's completely unacceptable. It frustrates and angers me that someone
doing their job, providing a service, making sure that people
without a vehicle can get around town, has to put
up with quite awful behavior and has left them, you know,
not only with serious injuries, as I understand, but you
know they'll live with the consequences of that for the
rest of their life. And so we absolutely need to
(09:22):
make sure that we have those resources in place and
consequences to deter people. But that behavior and I do
need to be careful. It's a matter that's under police investigation.
Is completely unacceptable and frustrates me.
Speaker 1 (09:34):
Well, you're heading off today, of course to Canberra, as
I understand it, for the Facing North event. It is
a wonderful event where really we sprook the Northern Territory
and what a great place it is to do business.
There's no doubt though this issue with crime, and this
issue that continues to plague us does have an impact, Katie.
Speaker 3 (09:53):
We know our challenges and that's why there's more police
something beat than ever before. More consequences and we will
continue to invest in the those things that prevent crime.
It frustrates us as a government and that's why we
don't ignore it. We continue to listen and continue to act.
Speaker 1 (10:07):
What else can we expect in terms of what you
and what the Northern Territory Government are really going to
be pushing at that Facing North events.
Speaker 3 (10:15):
So, Katie, the Territory Government, along with the Dull and
Major Business Group and our acknowledged chair av Albain, will
be leading a delegation over two hundred people. And this
is about us showing the rest of the nation that
don't stick to the stereotypes that you've got of us,
that we've got new and exciting economic opportunities here maritime, agribusiness,
minerals and resource. So we really want to share with
(10:36):
the rest of Australia and those parliamentary and industry leaders
the opportunities in Northern Australia.
Speaker 1 (10:42):
Part of that is well is being able to get
flights in and out of the Northern Territory and trying
to get them at a reasonable price. And this is
something that you and I have definitely spoken about before.
Is there any updates on the airlines because we did
speak to the CEO of Bondza a couple of weeks
ago and he said that he'd be meeting with the
Northern Territory government and indeed the airport.
Speaker 2 (11:03):
Has this happened and where are things at, so Katie.
Speaker 3 (11:08):
Since we announced the package working with the Airport Development
Group twenty million dollars to attract more flight, there has
been meetings. It is commercial and confidence, but that's exactly
why we announced that package, to get more flight, more
opportunities for territories and visitors to come to the territory
and equally, you know, to be able to visit family
(11:29):
and friends into state.
Speaker 1 (11:30):
He did say that, you know that red tape and
bureaucracy would be the thing that held them back.
Speaker 2 (11:36):
Has there been much discussion about.
Speaker 3 (11:38):
That, so Katie, we've put this attraction fund in place.
We truly want to see accessible and affordable air services.
It's a key priority for us and that's why we're
not only at the negotiating table, but we've put some
serious dollars to get those airlines into the territory.
Speaker 1 (11:53):
Chief Minister, we'll leave it there for this morning. Thank
you for your time.
Speaker 2 (11:55):
As always, take care
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