Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Let's get into it.
Speaker 2 (00:00):
The Chief Minister, Natasha Philes on the line, good morning
to you, Chief Minister.
Speaker 3 (00:05):
Morning Katie, morning listener.
Speaker 2 (00:06):
Chief Minister, you at tendered the funeral yesterday that was
held force a fat that service. You must be feeling
pretty devastated as the Chief Minister, that such a senseless
death has occurred.
Speaker 3 (00:20):
So, Katie, there was a prayer service yesterday for Safat
before his body is sent Backrome to his family and
I send my deepest condolences to those who knew and
loved him. And it's absolutely heartbreaking. We are just devastated
as a community. This is not the Northern Territory we
know and love.
Speaker 1 (00:39):
It's really not.
Speaker 2 (00:41):
I mean the fact that we have got an international
student who was staying at a home that was then
allegedly invaded and he's murdered inside that home. His parents
are not going to have him back in the way
that he left. It's utterly heartbreaking that this has happened
in the Northern Territory.
Speaker 3 (01:01):
It's awful and that alleged home invasion and murder and
police have got a perpetrator that is being held on bail.
But as a government, we don't want this for our community.
We're doing more than any other government to tackle crime,
make our community safer and make the territory stronger and safer,
which is what we want it to be.
Speaker 1 (01:18):
Chief Minister.
Speaker 2 (01:19):
The Labor government's been in now for six years and
things are not getting better. In fact, it's the opposite,
they're getting worse. In the last sixty days, we've had
four people killed. How can you be happy with that
and how can you be happy with the policy settings
that the Northern Territory government has right now when this
is happening in our territory.
Speaker 3 (01:39):
So Katie, we're focused. There's more police on the beat
than ever before, more consequences, more investment in things that
help prevent crime. But is there more work to do. Absolutely,
and we will continue to make those decisions to stop
this type of behavior so that we can have that
territory we all want it to be.
Speaker 2 (01:57):
What urgent action is the government take king following his death?
Speaker 3 (02:02):
So Katie, as you were aware, there is a number
of items that are happening. So in terms of we
looked at bail and we looked at the presumption against
bail for violent offenses involving a weapon. In the March sittings.
We've also got a nice strategy that we're developing. But
we're also Katie doing work around making sure that police
(02:25):
have the resources to do their job. And we know
that we need more police and that's why you're seeing recruitment.
You'll see a budget handed down today that is more
money for extra police, more money for justice, more money
to dress antisocial behavior and the social determinants that cause
these issues in our community.
Speaker 2 (02:43):
So obviously, besides the money that's being invested in today's budget,
the other things that you spoke about, they were announcements
that were made after the deaths of Decklan Lavity and
as we can see, unfortunately we're in a situation where
more has continued to happen. So I will ask again
what urgent action is the Northern Territory government taking following
(03:05):
this tragedy last week.
Speaker 3 (03:08):
So Katie, we are reviewing our bail laws for offenses
involving weapons, and we've got that Bailing Weapons Offenses reviewed
task for sit urgency looking at is there any more
work there. We've got Katie, law and justice groups in
remote communities. This is an issue across the Northern Territory
and we want to make sure that we're not leaving
(03:28):
one part of the territory behind. So there's a significant
amount of work. There's short term actions, there's longer term
actions so that we can have that safe, vibrant community
we want.
Speaker 1 (03:39):
Well at the moment though we don't.
Speaker 2 (03:40):
You know, we have seen somebody allegedly murdered inside his
own home, an international student. You know, the university pushes
so hard to try and get students here to Australia,
here to the Northern Territory to study. Then for something
like this to happen, it really demonstrates right now their territorians,
whether you are local or whether you are here to study.
Speaker 1 (04:02):
You are not safe in your home.
Speaker 2 (04:05):
So how can the government not be really looking to
do something very urgently to stop what we are seeing
right now? Are you prepared or are you still opposed
to seeking assistance from the federal government or from the
Federal police.
Speaker 3 (04:19):
So, Katie, we will see in the Commonwealth budget today
investment into the Northern Territory and will continue to work
with canber. The safety of our community is absolutely paramount
and we're always working to make improvements, whether it's working
with police around something they need, whether it's working with
the courts, whether it's around working with the non government
organizations that are in this space. So it is grinding,
(04:41):
hard work. But as I've said, there is more police
on the beat than ever before, more consequences for crime
than ever before, and we will continue that investment.
Speaker 2 (04:49):
How many more innocent lives are going to be lost
while that hard grinding work gets underway.
Speaker 3 (04:56):
That work is underway, Katie, but.
Speaker 2 (04:58):
How many more lives are we going to see lost
while that hard grinding work that you speak of happens.
Speaker 3 (05:05):
So, Katie, we have put in place investments already, and
whether that's from providing season.
Speaker 1 (05:11):
But do you concede that they're not working? Like you know,
we've got a situation.
Speaker 2 (05:15):
Where lives are being lost, innocent people are dying.
Speaker 3 (05:20):
And Katie, as I said, we have done more than
any previous government to tackle crime and make our communities.
Speaker 1 (05:26):
So why is it getting worse?
Speaker 3 (05:28):
So, Katie, we have put the investment, whether it's in police,
whether it's in legislation, whether it's in tackling those issues
such as alcohol, which we know is one part of it,
whether it's about those issues around antisocial behavior and people
from remote communities and working with them providing those resources
in those remote communities. So, as you can see, there's
(05:49):
a huge amount of work that's been done and we
will continue that.
Speaker 2 (05:53):
Where is the bail review ash right now? I mean
you touched on that a couple of times. Where is
it at right now?
Speaker 3 (06:00):
That work is underway, and we've said if there is
anything they find at any point to come straight back
to us.
Speaker 2 (06:06):
So nothing's been found then, obviously if you've said that,
you know they need to come back to you straight away.
Obviously you guys don't feel as though anything needs to change.
Speaker 3 (06:14):
So Katie, we made the presumption against Baal for the
changes that we made in March, but we're also looking
at what we can do in that space. Is it
around the prohibitor or the controlled weapon, the definition of
a weapon. So that work is happening immediately.
Speaker 1 (06:30):
How long is it going to take?
Speaker 3 (06:33):
So, Katie, as I said, that work is happening and
anything that needs to be addressed will be addressed immediately.
We're developing a knife strategy. We don't want to see
knife crime take a hold in the Northern and Katie,
we are looking at what's been done in other jurisdictions.
The strategies both within Australia and internationally, so that we
(06:56):
can tackle that issue here in the territory.
Speaker 1 (06:58):
So she's going to start there.
Speaker 2 (07:00):
Look, honestly, people are going to be listening this morning
feeling utterly heartbroken I think the way things are going
right now, but also seemingly a lack of any new ideas,
any other action from you or from the government.
Speaker 3 (07:18):
Katie, As I said, there is more police on the beat,
there's more consequences for crime than ever before, and more
investment in the things that help prevent crime than ever before.
So we absolutely hear from our community and we are
frustrated by the unacceptable and tragic acts of violence we've
seen in our community recently.
Speaker 1 (07:35):
We are literally at a crisis point.
Speaker 2 (07:37):
I would think at this point in time, to have
four people's lives lost on the streets in the last
sixty days, I would think that the Northern Territory Government
would be calling crisis meetings.
Speaker 3 (07:51):
So Katie, we have been working and we will continue
that work across our government agencies. We're working with police,
we're working with our courts, we're working with the NGO
partners that are crucial to these issues. And as I said,
we will continue to invest in the things that prevent crime,
and we have done that investment and we will continue
(08:11):
into the future.
Speaker 2 (08:12):
So is the look, do we need the feeds? Do
we need Canberra to step in to help us address crime?
Speaker 3 (08:18):
So, Katie, this is something that's been discussed and raised
and in terms of Canberra, what we need is the
resourcing we need, the needs based funding the domestic and
family violence. You talk about four deaths for tragic deaths,
and we know that domestic and family violence is a
huge part of that. Assaults against a person is often
by someone that is known to that individual. So that
is where when you talk about Canberra what can they do,
(08:40):
it's that needs based funding in those key sas.
Speaker 2 (08:42):
So that's all you need from the federal government right now.
After everything that's happened, you feel as though that is
all you, as the leader of the Northern Territory need
right now from Canberra.
Speaker 3 (08:52):
That's not what I just said. You ask me what
I need from Canberra and I pointed out one thing
around that important needs based funding for domestic and family
violence because when you look at our statistics, but Katie,
in terms of alcohol, we know that that's a causal
factor behind a lot of antisocial behavior and crime. We're
continuing our work in that space. We've done more and
(09:13):
we will do more into the future.
Speaker 2 (09:15):
Chief Finister, how can you ensure the safety of international
students at this point.
Speaker 3 (09:22):
Katie, it's absolutely heartbreaking for that family and for the
international student community they like coming to the Northern Territory.
It's smaller than the Sydneys and Melbourne's and so we
are working closely nar our kid as Minister for International Education,
is working closely with charles Dale University and the other
international education providers so that we can work with them
(09:42):
to support that community now and also into the future.
Speaker 2 (09:45):
So I'll ask the same question again, how can you
ensure the safety of international students?
Speaker 3 (09:52):
So, Katie, it's around safety for our whole community, and
that's where I talk about more police on the beat
than ever before, more consequences for crime than ever before.
But in terms of in national students and their accommodation,
that is something that's been raised over the last week.
So we'll certainly work with international education providers around the
practical support so that these young people are in a
safe home when they come here.
Speaker 2 (10:12):
Now you speak about those police numbers, you told me
earlier in the year that there are hundreds of police
officers who were on leave.
Speaker 1 (10:21):
Where are those numbers at now?
Speaker 3 (10:23):
So, Katie, Acting Commissioner Murphy is reaching out to police
that are on leave or that have recently left the
Northern Territory Police Force to work with them to get
them on the beat. Some of the factors is that
people have taken well deserved leave after the efforts during COVID.
But we certainly are focused around making sure that we're
supporting everybody and that the role that they are in
(10:47):
suits them and that we can have them as a
part of our police force on the beat.
Speaker 1 (10:51):
Now.
Speaker 2 (10:51):
On the former police Commissioner, we've not spoken to you, obviously.
Since the agreement with Jamie Chalker was reached, there has
been a lot of questions asked about the letter that
went out to mister Chalker and the claims made in it.
My understanding is that that letter went out from the
Police Minister's office.
Speaker 3 (11:08):
Is that right, Katie. I'm not able to comment on
that matter, and I know that is frustrating, but I'm
unable to comment.
Speaker 2 (11:15):
Well, I guess what I am keen to find out
is did the government seek advice from the Solicitor General
before sending that letter.
Speaker 3 (11:22):
So Katie, there was a legal process, and I'm not
able to provide any commentary around this matter.
Speaker 2 (11:28):
I suppose what I'm trying to get to the bottom
of is if you know, if that legal advice was
sought from the Solicitor General, then you know we may
not be in a situation where presumably there's a substantial
payout to the former commissioner.
Speaker 3 (11:41):
So Katie, we were guided by the Solicitor General through
this matter, and I cannot publicly comment.
Speaker 2 (11:47):
All right, let's keep moving. There is a lot happening today.
The budget's being handed down. Can territorians expect further announcements.
You touched on it before. You said that there's going
to be money invested into the Northern Territory Police Force,
into other programs. But do you think that that's going
to be enough to quell the concerns from territorians around
crime and lawlessness.
Speaker 3 (12:08):
So, Katie, this budget invests in our future, It delivers
for all territorians. It will outline our economic position for
the Northern Territory, and it is very much about servicing
every territory, no matter whether they're in the city or
they're in a remote or regional area.
Speaker 2 (12:22):
And so when it comes to some of those initiatives
around crime, around the issues that we're experiencing.
Speaker 3 (12:28):
Katie, there's extra money for police, extra money for justice,
money to address any social behavior and the social determinants
that are a factor when we deal with crime and
antisocial behavior and community safety is and absolute priority.
Speaker 2 (12:40):
What else can we expect some cost of living measures, Katie.
Speaker 3 (12:44):
We know that territorians are really struggling with the cost
of living. Interest rates are rising and we're seeing that
impact on to territorians. So we're making sure that there
is absolutely savings relief in there, whether it's on the
cost of power through our community service obligation, whether it's
vouchers for parents that have got kids at childcare and school,
or whether it's some of our older territories. So there's
(13:05):
absolutely financial assistance for territories within the budget.
Speaker 2 (13:08):
Chief Finister on Howard Springs, I want to ask you
about that very quickly. Obviously, the issues with damage out
there have been much greater than just that wear and
tear that you'd spoken to us about. How much are
those repairs going to cost?
Speaker 3 (13:21):
Oh, Katie, I don't have that figure in front of me,
but the facility has been stood down and all of
those people that were evacuated have been repatriated home.
Speaker 2 (13:30):
You must have an idea of how much it's going
to cost. I mean that tender went out, I understand
for looking at the scope of works. That was in
the vicinity of thirty thousand dollars just to look at
the scope of works required.
Speaker 3 (13:41):
So Katie, my understanding is the seventy five hectares, the
three and a half thousand odd rooms. They you know,
obviously working through the future of Howard Springs and what
we're going to do with that facility. So that was
around tradespeople to inspect the overall facility and make sure
that it's at a standards so that we can work
through its future going forward.
Speaker 2 (14:02):
So you're not prepared to tell territorians how much it's
going to cost.
Speaker 3 (14:06):
So Katie, there was wear and tear damage and we've
been through that in inches of time. I won't go
back over it. There was a domestic family violence incident
where windows were broken around I think it was less
than a dozen, but still unacceptable, and police are involved
there in terms of laying charges and if there's any
cost that can be recruited by the government, it certainly
will be from that individual.
Speaker 2 (14:25):
So hang on, you're saying there was only how many
windows broken or was that just as part of that incident?
Speaker 3 (14:31):
That was a part of that incident that happened after
we'd spoken that I was advised that there was some
windows broken during a family violence incident.
Speaker 2 (14:39):
Yeah, but then my understanding is that nine News Darwin
was out there just last week there was six hundred
windows broken.
Speaker 3 (14:46):
I haven't had that figure presented to me, Katie.
Speaker 2 (14:48):
How have you not had that figure presented to you
if Channel nine's gone out there and seen.
Speaker 3 (14:53):
That, Katie, I apologize, but I have not been advised
around six hundred windows. I'll take that question or notice.
Speaker 2 (15:01):
Yeah. Look, you know, I think the fact that you've
been on you said it was where and tear initially,
and then you know it's much more than that. And
now we're you know, we see in that report by
nine newsdar and six hundred windows and then you're still
talking about six It is making people question where you're
getting that advice from.
Speaker 3 (15:19):
So, Katie, as I've outlined, there's full assessments that are
being completed and at that point you know, repair work
will be the cost will be known.
Speaker 2 (15:27):
Okay, just finally, is that Code yellow still in place
at Royal dal And Hospital right now, Katie?
Speaker 3 (15:33):
I understand it is still in place, but they're looking
at their pressures have eased at Royal Dalwen and Palmerston
Hospital following that peak in demand, and they'll be looking
at that closely over the next twenty four hours.
Speaker 1 (15:44):
And so there is going to be some money.
Speaker 2 (15:46):
I know that you've already preempted some funding in the
budget today for the health system. Is there any other
money or anything else we should be aware of when
it comes to health given the fact that we have
had yet another Code yellow?
Speaker 3 (15:58):
So Katie, there is significant resources in the Northern Territory
budget for health, including work and we've been doing work
with age care mental health. And there is also money
in the budget for a new building at Rozalen Hospital
to help ease those bed pressures but also plan for
the future capacity of that facility.
Speaker 1 (16:16):
All right, Chief Benes, still we better leave it there.
Thank you for your time this morning, Take care Bye.
Let's get into it.
Speaker 2 (00:00):
The Chief Minister, Natasha Philes on the line, good morning
to you, Chief Minister.
Speaker 3 (00:05):
Morning Katie, morning listener.
Speaker 2 (00:06):
Chief Minister, you at tendered the funeral yesterday that was
held force a fat that service. You must be feeling
pretty devastated as the Chief Minister, that such a senseless
death has occurred.
Speaker 3 (00:20):
So, Katie, there was a prayer service yesterday for Safat
before his body is sent Backrome to his family and
I send my deepest condolences to those who knew and
loved him. And it's absolutely heartbreaking. We are just devastated
as a community. This is not the Northern Territory we
know and love.
Speaker 1 (00:39):
It's really not.
Speaker 2 (00:41):
I mean the fact that we have got an international
student who was staying at a home that was then
allegedly invaded and he's murdered inside that home. His parents
are not going to have him back in the way
that he left. It's utterly heartbreaking that this has happened
in the Northern Territory.
Speaker 3 (01:01):
It's awful and that alleged home invasion and murder and
police have got a perpetrator that is being held on bail.
But as a government, we don't want this for our community.
We're doing more than any other government to tackle crime,
make our community safer and make the territory stronger and safer,
which is what we want it to be.
Speaker 1 (01:18):
Chief Minister.
Speaker 2 (01:19):
The Labor government's been in now for six years and
things are not getting better. In fact, it's the opposite,
they're getting worse. In the last sixty days, we've had
four people killed. How can you be happy with that
and how can you be happy with the policy settings
that the Northern Territory government has right now when this
is happening in our territory.
Speaker 3 (01:39):
So Katie, we're focused. There's more police on the beat
than ever before, more consequences, more investment in things that
help prevent crime. But is there more work to do. Absolutely,
and we will continue to make those decisions to stop
this type of behavior so that we can have that
territory we all want it to be.
Speaker 2 (01:57):
What urgent action is the government take king following his death?
Speaker 3 (02:02):
So Katie, as you were aware, there is a number
of items that are happening. So in terms of we
looked at bail and we looked at the presumption against
bail for violent offenses involving a weapon. In the March sittings.
We've also got a nice strategy that we're developing. But
we're also Katie doing work around making sure that police
(02:25):
have the resources to do their job. And we know
that we need more police and that's why you're seeing recruitment.
You'll see a budget handed down today that is more
money for extra police, more money for justice, more money
to dress antisocial behavior and the social determinants that cause
these issues in our community.
Speaker 2 (02:43):
So obviously, besides the money that's being invested in today's budget,
the other things that you spoke about, they were announcements
that were made after the deaths of Decklan Lavity and
as we can see, unfortunately we're in a situation where
more has continued to happen. So I will ask again
what urgent action is the Northern Territory government taking following
(03:05):
this tragedy last week.
Speaker 3 (03:08):
So Katie, we are reviewing our bail laws for offenses
involving weapons, and we've got that Bailing Weapons Offenses reviewed
task for sit urgency looking at is there any more
work there. We've got Katie, law and justice groups in
remote communities. This is an issue across the Northern Territory
and we want to make sure that we're not leaving
(03:28):
one part of the territory behind. So there's a significant
amount of work. There's short term actions, there's longer term
actions so that we can have that safe, vibrant community
we want.
Speaker 1 (03:39):
Well at the moment though we don't.
Speaker 2 (03:40):
You know, we have seen somebody allegedly murdered inside his
own home, an international student. You know, the university pushes
so hard to try and get students here to Australia,
here to the Northern Territory to study. Then for something
like this to happen, it really demonstrates right now their territorians,
whether you are local or whether you are here to study.
Speaker 1 (04:02):
You are not safe in your home.
Speaker 2 (04:05):
So how can the government not be really looking to
do something very urgently to stop what we are seeing
right now? Are you prepared or are you still opposed
to seeking assistance from the federal government or from the
Federal police.
Speaker 3 (04:19):
So, Katie, we will see in the Commonwealth budget today
investment into the Northern Territory and will continue to work
with canber. The safety of our community is absolutely paramount
and we're always working to make improvements, whether it's working
with police around something they need, whether it's working with
the courts, whether it's around working with the non government
organizations that are in this space. So it is grinding,
(04:41):
hard work. But as I've said, there is more police
on the beat than ever before, more consequences for crime
than ever before, and we will continue that investment.
Speaker 2 (04:49):
How many more innocent lives are going to be lost
while that hard grinding work gets underway.
Speaker 3 (04:56):
That work is underway, Katie, but.
Speaker 2 (04:58):
How many more lives are we going to see lost
while that hard grinding work that you speak of happens.
Speaker 3 (05:05):
So, Katie, we have put in place investments already, and
whether that's from providing season.
Speaker 1 (05:11):
But do you concede that they're not working? Like you know,
we've got a situation.
Speaker 2 (05:15):
Where lives are being lost, innocent people are dying.
Speaker 3 (05:20):
And Katie, as I said, we have done more than
any previous government to tackle crime and make our communities.
Speaker 1 (05:26):
So why is it getting worse?
Speaker 3 (05:28):
So, Katie, we have put the investment, whether it's in police,
whether it's in legislation, whether it's in tackling those issues
such as alcohol, which we know is one part of it,
whether it's about those issues around antisocial behavior and people
from remote communities and working with them providing those resources
in those remote communities. So, as you can see, there's
(05:49):
a huge amount of work that's been done and we
will continue that.
Speaker 2 (05:53):
Where is the bail review ash right now? I mean
you touched on that a couple of times. Where is
it at right now?
Speaker 3 (06:00):
That work is underway, and we've said if there is
anything they find at any point to come straight back
to us.
Speaker 2 (06:06):
So nothing's been found then, obviously if you've said that,
you know they need to come back to you straight away.
Obviously you guys don't feel as though anything needs to change.
Speaker 3 (06:14):
So Katie, we made the presumption against Baal for the
changes that we made in March, but we're also looking
at what we can do in that space. Is it
around the prohibitor or the controlled weapon, the definition of
a weapon. So that work is happening immediately.
Speaker 1 (06:30):
How long is it going to take?
Speaker 3 (06:33):
So, Katie, as I said, that work is happening and
anything that needs to be addressed will be addressed immediately.
We're developing a knife strategy. We don't want to see
knife crime take a hold in the Northern and Katie,
we are looking at what's been done in other jurisdictions.
The strategies both within Australia and internationally, so that we
(06:56):
can tackle that issue here in the territory.
Speaker 1 (06:58):
So she's going to start there.
Speaker 2 (07:00):
Look, honestly, people are going to be listening this morning
feeling utterly heartbroken I think the way things are going
right now, but also seemingly a lack of any new ideas,
any other action from you or from the government.
Speaker 3 (07:18):
Katie, As I said, there is more police on the beat,
there's more consequences for crime than ever before, and more
investment in the things that help prevent crime than ever before.
So we absolutely hear from our community and we are
frustrated by the unacceptable and tragic acts of violence we've
seen in our community recently.
Speaker 1 (07:35):
We are literally at a crisis point.
Speaker 2 (07:37):
I would think at this point in time, to have
four people's lives lost on the streets in the last
sixty days, I would think that the Northern Territory Government
would be calling crisis meetings.
Speaker 3 (07:51):
So Katie, we have been working and we will continue
that work across our government agencies. We're working with police,
we're working with our courts, we're working with the NGO
partners that are crucial to these issues. And as I said,
we will continue to invest in the things that prevent crime,
and we have done that investment and we will continue
(08:11):
into the future.
Speaker 2 (08:12):
So is the look, do we need the feeds? Do
we need Canberra to step in to help us address crime?
Speaker 3 (08:18):
So, Katie, this is something that's been discussed and raised
and in terms of Canberra, what we need is the
resourcing we need, the needs based funding the domestic and
family violence. You talk about four deaths for tragic deaths,
and we know that domestic and family violence is a
huge part of that. Assaults against a person is often
by someone that is known to that individual. So that
is where when you talk about Canberra what can they do,
(08:40):
it's that needs based funding in those key sas.
Speaker 2 (08:42):
So that's all you need from the federal government right now.
After everything that's happened, you feel as though that is
all you, as the leader of the Northern Territory need
right now from Canberra.
Speaker 3 (08:52):
That's not what I just said. You ask me what
I need from Canberra and I pointed out one thing
around that important needs based funding for domestic and family
violence because when you look at our statistics, but Katie,
in terms of alcohol, we know that that's a causal
factor behind a lot of antisocial behavior and crime. We're
continuing our work in that space. We've done more and
(09:13):
we will do more into the future.
Speaker 2 (09:15):
Chief Finister, how can you ensure the safety of international
students at this point.
Speaker 3 (09:22):
Katie, it's absolutely heartbreaking for that family and for the
international student community they like coming to the Northern Territory.
It's smaller than the Sydneys and Melbourne's and so we
are working closely nar our kid as Minister for International Education,
is working closely with charles Dale University and the other
international education providers so that we can work with them
(09:42):
to support that community now and also into the future.
Speaker 2 (09:45):
So I'll ask the same question again, how can you
ensure the safety of international students?
Speaker 3 (09:52):
So, Katie, it's around safety for our whole community, and
that's where I talk about more police on the beat
than ever before, more consequences for crime than ever before.
But in terms of in national students and their accommodation,
that is something that's been raised over the last week.
So we'll certainly work with international education providers around the
practical support so that these young people are in a
safe home when they come here.
Speaker 2 (10:12):
Now you speak about those police numbers, you told me
earlier in the year that there are hundreds of police
officers who were on leave.
Speaker 1 (10:21):
Where are those numbers at now?
Speaker 3 (10:23):
So, Katie, Acting Commissioner Murphy is reaching out to police
that are on leave or that have recently left the
Northern Territory Police Force to work with them to get
them on the beat. Some of the factors is that
people have taken well deserved leave after the efforts during COVID.
But we certainly are focused around making sure that we're
supporting everybody and that the role that they are in
(10:47):
suits them and that we can have them as a
part of our police force on the beat.
Speaker 1 (10:51):
Now.
Speaker 2 (10:51):
On the former police Commissioner, we've not spoken to you, obviously.
Since the agreement with Jamie Chalker was reached, there has
been a lot of questions asked about the letter that
went out to mister Chalker and the claims made in it.
My understanding is that that letter went out from the
Police Minister's office.
Speaker 3 (11:08):
Is that right, Katie. I'm not able to comment on
that matter, and I know that is frustrating, but I'm
unable to comment.
Speaker 2 (11:15):
Well, I guess what I am keen to find out
is did the government seek advice from the Solicitor General
before sending that letter.
Speaker 3 (11:22):
So Katie, there was a legal process, and I'm not
able to provide any commentary around this matter.
Speaker 2 (11:28):
I suppose what I'm trying to get to the bottom
of is if you know, if that legal advice was
sought from the Solicitor General, then you know we may
not be in a situation where presumably there's a substantial
payout to the former commissioner.
Speaker 3 (11:41):
So Katie, we were guided by the Solicitor General through
this matter, and I cannot publicly comment.
Speaker 2 (11:47):
All right, let's keep moving. There is a lot happening today.
The budget's being handed down. Can territorians expect further announcements.
You touched on it before. You said that there's going
to be money invested into the Northern Territory Police Force,
into other programs. But do you think that that's going
to be enough to quell the concerns from territorians around
crime and lawlessness.
Speaker 3 (12:08):
So, Katie, this budget invests in our future, It delivers
for all territorians. It will outline our economic position for
the Northern Territory, and it is very much about servicing
every territory, no matter whether they're in the city or
they're in a remote or regional area.
Speaker 2 (12:22):
And so when it comes to some of those initiatives
around crime, around the issues that we're experiencing.
Speaker 3 (12:28):
Katie, there's extra money for police, extra money for justice,
money to address any social behavior and the social determinants
that are a factor when we deal with crime and
antisocial behavior and community safety is and absolute priority.
Speaker 2 (12:40):
What else can we expect some cost of living measures, Katie.
Speaker 3 (12:44):
We know that territorians are really struggling with the cost
of living. Interest rates are rising and we're seeing that
impact on to territorians. So we're making sure that there
is absolutely savings relief in there, whether it's on the
cost of power through our community service obligation, whether it's
vouchers for parents that have got kids at childcare and school,
or whether it's some of our older territories. So there's
(13:05):
absolutely financial assistance for territories within the budget.
Speaker 2 (13:08):
Chief Finister on Howard Springs, I want to ask you
about that very quickly. Obviously, the issues with damage out
there have been much greater than just that wear and
tear that you'd spoken to us about. How much are
those repairs going to cost?
Speaker 3 (13:21):
Oh, Katie, I don't have that figure in front of me,
but the facility has been stood down and all of
those people that were evacuated have been repatriated home.
Speaker 2 (13:30):
You must have an idea of how much it's going
to cost. I mean that tender went out, I understand
for looking at the scope of works. That was in
the vicinity of thirty thousand dollars just to look at
the scope of works required.
Speaker 3 (13:41):
So Katie, my understanding is the seventy five hectares, the
three and a half thousand odd rooms. They you know,
obviously working through the future of Howard Springs and what
we're going to do with that facility. So that was
around tradespeople to inspect the overall facility and make sure
that it's at a standards so that we can work
through its future going forward.
Speaker 2 (14:02):
So you're not prepared to tell territorians how much it's
going to cost.
Speaker 3 (14:06):
So Katie, there was wear and tear damage and we've
been through that in inches of time. I won't go
back over it. There was a domestic family violence incident
where windows were broken around I think it was less
than a dozen, but still unacceptable, and police are involved
there in terms of laying charges and if there's any
cost that can be recruited by the government, it certainly
will be from that individual.
Speaker 2 (14:25):
So hang on, you're saying there was only how many
windows broken or was that just as part of that incident?
Speaker 3 (14:31):
That was a part of that incident that happened after
we'd spoken that I was advised that there was some
windows broken during a family violence incident.
Speaker 2 (14:39):
Yeah, but then my understanding is that nine News Darwin
was out there just last week there was six hundred
windows broken.
Speaker 3 (14:46):
I haven't had that figure presented to me, Katie.
Speaker 2 (14:48):
How have you not had that figure presented to you
if Channel nine's gone out there and seen.
Speaker 3 (14:53):
That, Katie, I apologize, but I have not been advised
around six hundred windows. I'll take that question or notice.
Speaker 2 (15:01):
Yeah. Look, you know, I think the fact that you've
been on you said it was where and tear initially,
and then you know it's much more than that. And
now we're you know, we see in that report by
nine newsdar and six hundred windows and then you're still
talking about six It is making people question where you're
getting that advice from.
Speaker 3 (15:19):
So, Katie, as I've outlined, there's full assessments that are
being completed and at that point you know, repair work
will be the cost will be known.
Speaker 2 (15:27):
Okay, just finally, is that Code yellow still in place
at Royal dal And Hospital right now, Katie?
Speaker 3 (15:33):
I understand it is still in place, but they're looking
at their pressures have eased at Royal Dalwen and Palmerston
Hospital following that peak in demand, and they'll be looking
at that closely over the next twenty four hours.
Speaker 1 (15:44):
And so there is going to be some money.
Speaker 2 (15:46):
I know that you've already preempted some funding in the
budget today for the health system. Is there any other
money or anything else we should be aware of when
it comes to health given the fact that we have
had yet another Code yellow?
Speaker 3 (15:58):
So Katie, there is significant resources in the Northern Territory
budget for health, including work and we've been doing work
with age care mental health. And there is also money
in the budget for a new building at Rozalen Hospital
to help ease those bed pressures but also plan for
the future capacity of that facility.
Speaker 1 (16:16):
All right, Chief Benes, still we better leave it there.
Thank you for your time this morning, Take care Bye.
Popular Podcasts
United States of Kennedy
United States of Kennedy is a podcast about our cultural fascination with the Kennedy dynasty. Every week, hosts Lyra Smith and George Civeris go into one aspect of the Kennedy story.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.