Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Let's get into it because, as I mentioned, the Acting
Prime Minister and Defense Minister Richard Miles is in the
Northern Territory today to announce plans to increase Australia's commitment
to the Ukraine. Mister Miles is set to travel to
the Robertson Barracks in Palmerston to welcome home the latest
rotation of the seventy ADF personnel from the United Kingdom,
and he joins me on the line right now. Good
(00:23):
morning to you, Acting Prime Minister.
Speaker 2 (00:25):
Good morning Katie. How are you?
Speaker 1 (00:27):
Yeah, very well, thank you so much for your time
this morning. Now, Minister, when are you heading out to
the Robertson Barracks to welcome those personnel back.
Speaker 2 (00:35):
Look, we'll be heading out there later this morning and
it's going to be a real honor actually to meet
them on their return. I had the privilege of seeing
one of the earlier rotations in Britain earlier this year,
working with the new Ukrainian recruits. And I mean they
were doing the sort of training that might occur at
(00:57):
one level on any given day out at roberts And Barracks,
but another level this was completely different because this was
training being provided to people who were new recruits who
started this year in civilian life in Ukraine but had
put up their hands to engage in a conflict which
(01:18):
has a very high casualty rate. And there was a
level of seriousness and gravity about what our Australian personnel
were doing in training these people which was actually very poignant.
And they are making a difference. They're certainly giving people
the skills to stay alive and to be able to
keep in the fight in Ukraine, and they are playing
(01:41):
a really, really important role. And so in welcoming them
back today, we're also announcing that we're extending our commitment
to this program by another year. We're previously committed to
doing this training through the course of twenty twenty three,
will now do this through the course of twenty twenty
four as well in a slightly expanded way. So we're
(02:01):
very pleased to be able to make that an out.
Speaker 1 (02:03):
What will extending that commitment mean, Obviously it does mean
extra defense personnel going over and helping out and doing
that training, as you've touched on, but I'm assuming additional
financial support.
Speaker 2 (02:17):
Well, I mean there is a cost to this obviously,
and this was reported in way so yesterday, So it's
about one hundred and eighty six million dollars over the
course of the two years, so that includes this year
and next year. The extended training will include some training
for young or junior officers. Right now, the training that
(02:40):
we are doing is literally to noncommissioned personnel, so as
soldiers as they are coming into the Ukrainian forces will
be doing some junior officer training as well next year,
so it's a slightly expanded range of training. But this
is it's the kind of it's kind of infantry training
that you would see at one level each and every
day out Robertson Barracks. That this is very proximate. Like
(03:04):
you know, when I was looking at the people who
were doing the training there in Britain, I mean what
what what kept coming really forward in my mind was
the idea that the exercises that they were doing there
they would be doing for real in just a matter
of weeks. And that s the gravity of this is
just on a completely different scale to their you know,
(03:28):
their daily work here in Australia. And when I was
speaking to Australians who are doing this, you know, they
very very much felt the significance of the moment and
the difference that they were making. So it's really useful.
There are skills that we've got to give to these
new recruits. I think that's also probably a point to
understand where the war is now out in Ukraine, we
(03:51):
really are talking about a civilian army. We're talking about
people who who are coming up the street and putting
their hand up to engage in this fight. And so
being able to impart this knowledge from people who have
been professional soldiers for a long time in this Australian
is a really really useful and important contribution that we
can make now.
Speaker 1 (04:12):
I mean, it is, as you've said, it is such
an important thing to do. I know that we have
spoken to defense personnel on this very subject and on
this very training on the show before and speaking to
them really gives you that first hand account of just
how important this training is. You know, when you talk
about the next rotation though heading off, when are they
due to head off and are we going to see
(04:34):
those increased numbers then.
Speaker 2 (04:37):
Yeah, so we'll see increased numbers from the beginning of
next year. I mean they're basically three month rotation, so
we've had four through the course of this year and
that will be the tempo going into next year to
put some numbers on it. Whereas we've had about seventy
people going over per rotation this year, next year it'll
be ninety, so it will be finally expanded and that
(04:58):
picks up that junior officer training we will be done
in addition to the recruit training that has been done
through the course of this year. But those increased numbers
will pick up from the beginning of next year.
Speaker 1 (05:10):
Now, when you talk about those increased numbers, I guess
you know we are indeed helping out in that conflict.
But there are a lot of people wondering, you know
why when we're talking those increased numbers numbers as well,
why are we not having more numbers here in the
Northern Territory And with the extra hundred troops to Darwin
after the DSR, surely we need more here than anywhere else.
Speaker 2 (05:35):
Well, what we what the DFR made clear was that
if you like, the platform from which Australia can project,
and the ability to project was a key thesis, a
key principle within the DSR. The platform for Australia's projection
(05:56):
is Australia's north. That's kind of obvious, but the SR
made that very clear and so it does speak about
the need for an increased commitment to Northern Australia obviously
includes Darwin. And we're seeing that. I mean, we're seeing
that with the consolidation of the Infantry Brigade here in
(06:17):
the Northern in Darwin. We're seeing that with an increased
investment of infrastructure into bases around Darwin. And so that
emphasis on the North and we also see it in
North Queensland and north western Australia is very much a
part of what the DSR is about, and it's very
(06:38):
much a part of what the government is seeking to
do in terms of providing a focus to our defense forts,
which gives us the capability to project So I mean,
looking forward Darwin, Darwin is a critical part of Australia's
defense capability and Darwin really, you know, we need to
(06:59):
be seen, we do see as very much a national asset.
Speaker 1 (07:02):
I mean, do we need more here though, I guess
that's the main point. That is something that you know
that people are really asking us this morning on the
techt line as well, we talk about bolstering those numbers
and you're seeing that, I guess in other parts of Australia,
places like Townsville, which I can understand. But that is
really the question from territories this morning. Should we have
those numbers increased further than what the government has committed to?
Speaker 2 (07:26):
Well, as I say, there is an increased commitment to
darn an increase in terms of personnel, and increase in
expenditure on infrastructure, and that's the that does come out
of the Defense Strategic Review and it comes out of
the government's response to it. But I think, you know,
and we are taking those steps. I think going forward
(07:46):
that's only going to continue to grow because you know,
this is where this is where we need to be postured.
This is what we need to have a defense force
which is northern faced and has a growing presence here,
and that's exactly what the government's doing.
Speaker 1 (08:04):
I mean, is it correct though, that we're still going
to have fewer troops here than what we did ten
years ago.
Speaker 2 (08:12):
Well, I think the answer that question is we are
increasing our troops from now and we are consolidating one
brigade in Darwin and that begins the process of growing
numbers here. I mean, it is right that there were
(08:32):
numbers that were taken out of darh And a decade ago,
but we will we're in the process of growing those
numbers now.
Speaker 1 (08:40):
Minister. On the conflict in Gaza, I know the Federal
government has a will by some by some Israel and
Jewish groups being condemned and the Federal opposition as well
for backing this UN resolution calling for an immediate cease
firing Gaza, in a move that placed Australia at odds
with its closest allies were the US, and I know
(09:02):
that Britain abstained, but Australia was among one hundred and
fifty three nations to back the non binding resolution, which
Israel said would embolden Hamas and which the coalition lashed
as being a cynical ploy to save inner city seats
from the Greens. Why did the government take this step
(09:22):
after you know, well, this step after the US opposed as.
Speaker 2 (09:29):
Well. The starting point here is that what we're seeing
in the Middle East is an unfolding tragedy, and the
focus of our international efforts has been around the preservation
of innocent lives, be they innocent Israelis or innocent Palestinians.
(09:54):
We've had a focus on humanitarian concerns, and that is
that's me consistent, and that's been also pretty consistent with
the position of other countries around the world, which would
include the United States. If you look at the positions
in detail that have been taken by our closest friends
(10:15):
and allies, you do see an enormous amount of concern
for humanitarian issues, for the preservation of innocent lives, and
those concerns are being expressed by the United States as well. Now,
we took a position in relation to the General Assembly
(10:35):
vote a couple of nights ago. We take each resolution
on its terms. On this occasion, issued a statement jointly
with Canada and New Zealand, two countries with whom we
have a lot in common, both Five Eyes countries, which
expressed our position, and in expressing our position, made clear
(10:59):
our condemnation of Hamas and the terrorist attacks which occurred
on the seventh of October, made clear our support for
Israel's right to defend itself, but also made clear that
in defending itself there needs to be a focus on
humanitarian issues and the preservation of innocent lives. Now that
(11:22):
position has been consistent, and I think every country who
is dealing with this gets the complexity and the difficulty,
but the messages are pretty clear. Yes, Israel definitely has
a right to defend itself. What Harmas did was absolutely appalling,
But in defending itself there has to be a focus
(11:43):
on the preservation of innocent lives and moving towards a
sea spire would do that. But we have also made
clear and made clear a couple of months ago, that
any seaspire cannot be one sided, that there needs to
be the really of hostages by Hamas. And again that
(12:03):
is a position that we have consistently put so you know,
I don't if you look at what we've done in
the last fourt out ours, it is consistent with what
we've been saying really from the outset of this latest issue,
and I think you can see consistently.
Speaker 1 (12:22):
It does seem though. It does seem as though the
party is divided on this. I mean, the move obviously
follows Labor MP Josh Burns's declaration on the ground in
Israel this week that a premature seaspyre would only allow
Hamas to regroup to attack. I mean, is the party
(12:42):
divided on this? And where do you stand when you
have got different members saying various different things.
Speaker 2 (12:49):
Well, I don't accept that the party is divided. I
mean Josh Burns is making a valid point, which is
that a seaspire cannot be one side. And again that's
a position that we have been putting and put the
other night in the statement that we made in casting
our voat in the General Assembly. Sea fires can't be
(13:12):
one sided. There does need to be a release of
hostages by Hummas. I mean this is an issue which
is complex and it's really easy for people to jump
in and pick an aspect of what the government has
said or done and try and line it up against
other points on the journey. But if you actually take
(13:34):
the totality of what we have said, the positions that
we have taken in all of the texture, there has
been a consistency from the start. And yet we want
to see a move towards a seafire. A seafly cannot
be one sided. Humus must release hostages and that has
to be a part of it.
Speaker 1 (13:54):
So, Acting Prime Minister, does the government still believe that
Israel has a right to defend itself.
Speaker 2 (14:01):
We do, and we made that clear in the statement
that we issued in casting the vote that we did
in the General Assembly. Again that these are not positions
which can be articulated in twenty words. These are positions
which which which are It's a deeply complex issue, and
we made clear that Israel does have a right to
(14:23):
defend itself because it does, I mean the position what
what Hamas did on the seventh of October was an outrage,
an absolute outrage. Innocent Israelis were targeted and attacked, and
that made the acts that occurred then really acts of murder.
And in the context of that, Israel absolutely has a
(14:43):
light to defend itself, a position that we have consistently held,
a position that we still hold. But in defending itself,
it is really important that humanitarian issues are placed front
and center. We've seen a significant loss of innocent Powerian
lives and innocent lives being lost being a Palestinians or
(15:04):
Israelis have exactly the same value, and that's a position
that we've maintained as well indicted and really the position
that we took in the General Assembly, And in taking
that position, we wanted to issue a statement so that
we could explain our position in its full complexity, articulates
all of what I've just articulated.
Speaker 1 (15:23):
Now, Minister, before I let you go a topic that
we have discussed in well I think. I mean it's
something that we've spoken about on numerous occasions around the
Northern Territory, and that is you know, that is immigration.
I know that the announcement was made that you are
indeed having those numbers. Are there any plans from the
(15:43):
federal government? You know, we see as people moved to
Australia from other locations, and we see the strain that
that has on those capital cities. But why not have
people spend some time in regional Australia and really try
to push to you know, to have people work in
places like Darwin or places like Alice Springs even more remote.
Speaker 2 (16:05):
Yeah. Look, it's a good question, and I think the
starting point there is that in articulating a migration of strategy,
the first thing we are doing here is actually trying
to think about our migration system in terms of the
contribution it can make to our national economy. I mean,
the very fact of having a migration strategy means that
(16:27):
in the sense we're trying to grip this up in
a way that hasn't been done previously and certainly the
issue of what kind of skilled migration we need and
where we need it are really important aspects that we
have thought about in terms of articulating the strategy. And
we do want to have a migration system which is
(16:50):
much more focused on being able to build our economy
through having people come with the skills that our economy needs.
And so those are definitely issues that are all being
considered across the board. It is a reduction in the intake,
but that has to be seen in a context where
(17:11):
the last couple of years we've had record numbers of
people coming in, which in part is a correction from
the pandemic and the fact that you know, because of
the pandemic we had borders closed for a couple of years.
But we do need to get those migration numbers down
to a more normal pre pandemic number. But in doing that,
(17:35):
we are definitely trying to make sure that the scheme
is much more directed to providing our country with the
skills that it needs.
Speaker 1 (17:46):
I mean, would you look at incentivizing though people heading
to places like Northern Australia. We've got you know, we've
got a skill shortage across a lot of different areas.
Even when you look at the health sector at the moment,
would you look at incentivizing to try and get people
that are migrating to Australia to actually spend time in
places like Northern Australia.
Speaker 2 (18:06):
Yeah, I mean, I think the question that you're asked
highlights the fact that when you look at the question
of migration, you see really differing needs around the country.
I mean, you're right in pointing out that the situation
and Dale is very different to the situation in Sydney,
and there are programs which do provide incentives now in
areas like health for doctors for example. So thinking about
(18:29):
how this can work for localities is definitely something that
is in our thinking.
Speaker 1 (18:34):
Well, acting Prime Minister and also Minister for Defense. We
really appreciate your time this morning, Richard Miles, thank you
so very much for your time. Thanks Katy, thank you
Let's get into it because, as I mentioned, the Acting
Prime Minister and Defense Minister Richard Miles is in the
Northern Territory today to announce plans to increase Australia's commitment
to the Ukraine. Mister Miles is set to travel to
the Robertson Barracks in Palmerston to welcome home the latest
rotation of the seventy ADF personnel from the United Kingdom,
and he joins me on the line right now. Good
(00:23):
morning to you, Acting Prime Minister.
Speaker 2 (00:25):
Good morning Katie. How are you?
Speaker 1 (00:27):
Yeah, very well, thank you so much for your time
this morning. Now, Minister, when are you heading out to
the Robertson Barracks to welcome those personnel back.
Speaker 2 (00:35):
Look, we'll be heading out there later this morning and
it's going to be a real honor actually to meet
them on their return. I had the privilege of seeing
one of the earlier rotations in Britain earlier this year,
working with the new Ukrainian recruits. And I mean they
were doing the sort of training that might occur at
(00:57):
one level on any given day out at roberts And Barracks,
but another level this was completely different because this was
training being provided to people who were new recruits who
started this year in civilian life in Ukraine but had
put up their hands to engage in a conflict which
(01:18):
has a very high casualty rate. And there was a
level of seriousness and gravity about what our Australian personnel
were doing in training these people which was actually very poignant.
And they are making a difference. They're certainly giving people
the skills to stay alive and to be able to
keep in the fight in Ukraine, and they are playing
(01:41):
a really, really important role. And so in welcoming them
back today, we're also announcing that we're extending our commitment
to this program by another year. We're previously committed to
doing this training through the course of twenty twenty three,
will now do this through the course of twenty twenty
four as well in a slightly expanded way. So we're
(02:01):
very pleased to be able to make that an out.
Speaker 1 (02:03):
What will extending that commitment mean, Obviously it does mean
extra defense personnel going over and helping out and doing
that training, as you've touched on, but I'm assuming additional
financial support.
Speaker 2 (02:17):
Well, I mean there is a cost to this obviously,
and this was reported in way so yesterday, So it's
about one hundred and eighty six million dollars over the
course of the two years, so that includes this year
and next year. The extended training will include some training
for young or junior officers. Right now, the training that
(02:40):
we are doing is literally to noncommissioned personnel, so as
soldiers as they are coming into the Ukrainian forces will
be doing some junior officer training as well next year,
so it's a slightly expanded range of training. But this
is it's the kind of it's kind of infantry training
that you would see at one level each and every
day out Robertson Barracks. That this is very proximate. Like
(03:04):
you know, when I was looking at the people who
were doing the training there in Britain, I mean what
what what kept coming really forward in my mind was
the idea that the exercises that they were doing there
they would be doing for real in just a matter
of weeks. And that s the gravity of this is
just on a completely different scale to their you know,
(03:28):
their daily work here in Australia. And when I was
speaking to Australians who are doing this, you know, they
very very much felt the significance of the moment and
the difference that they were making. So it's really useful.
There are skills that we've got to give to these
new recruits. I think that's also probably a point to
understand where the war is now out in Ukraine, we
(03:51):
really are talking about a civilian army. We're talking about
people who who are coming up the street and putting
their hand up to engage in this fight. And so
being able to impart this knowledge from people who have
been professional soldiers for a long time in this Australian
is a really really useful and important contribution that we
can make now.
Speaker 1 (04:12):
I mean, it is, as you've said, it is such
an important thing to do. I know that we have
spoken to defense personnel on this very subject and on
this very training on the show before and speaking to
them really gives you that first hand account of just
how important this training is. You know, when you talk
about the next rotation though heading off, when are they
due to head off and are we going to see
(04:34):
those increased numbers then.
Speaker 2 (04:37):
Yeah, so we'll see increased numbers from the beginning of
next year. I mean they're basically three month rotation, so
we've had four through the course of this year and
that will be the tempo going into next year to
put some numbers on it. Whereas we've had about seventy
people going over per rotation this year, next year it'll
be ninety, so it will be finally expanded and that
(04:58):
picks up that junior officer training we will be done
in addition to the recruit training that has been done
through the course of this year. But those increased numbers
will pick up from the beginning of next year.
Speaker 1 (05:10):
Now, when you talk about those increased numbers, I guess
you know we are indeed helping out in that conflict.
But there are a lot of people wondering, you know
why when we're talking those increased numbers numbers as well,
why are we not having more numbers here in the
Northern Territory And with the extra hundred troops to Darwin
after the DSR, surely we need more here than anywhere else.
Speaker 2 (05:35):
Well, what we what the DFR made clear was that
if you like, the platform from which Australia can project,
and the ability to project was a key thesis, a
key principle within the DSR. The platform for Australia's projection
(05:56):
is Australia's north. That's kind of obvious, but the SR
made that very clear and so it does speak about
the need for an increased commitment to Northern Australia obviously
includes Darwin. And we're seeing that. I mean, we're seeing
that with the consolidation of the Infantry Brigade here in
(06:17):
the Northern in Darwin. We're seeing that with an increased
investment of infrastructure into bases around Darwin. And so that
emphasis on the North and we also see it in
North Queensland and north western Australia is very much a
part of what the DSR is about, and it's very
(06:38):
much a part of what the government is seeking to
do in terms of providing a focus to our defense forts,
which gives us the capability to project So I mean,
looking forward Darwin, Darwin is a critical part of Australia's
defense capability and Darwin really, you know, we need to
(06:59):
be seen, we do see as very much a national asset.
Speaker 1 (07:02):
I mean, do we need more here though, I guess
that's the main point. That is something that you know
that people are really asking us this morning on the
techt line as well, we talk about bolstering those numbers
and you're seeing that, I guess in other parts of Australia,
places like Townsville, which I can understand. But that is
really the question from territories this morning. Should we have
those numbers increased further than what the government has committed to?
Speaker 2 (07:26):
Well, as I say, there is an increased commitment to
darn an increase in terms of personnel, and increase in
expenditure on infrastructure, and that's the that does come out
of the Defense Strategic Review and it comes out of
the government's response to it. But I think, you know,
and we are taking those steps. I think going forward
(07:46):
that's only going to continue to grow because you know,
this is where this is where we need to be postured.
This is what we need to have a defense force
which is northern faced and has a growing presence here,
and that's exactly what the government's doing.
Speaker 1 (08:04):
I mean, is it correct though, that we're still going
to have fewer troops here than what we did ten
years ago.
Speaker 2 (08:12):
Well, I think the answer that question is we are
increasing our troops from now and we are consolidating one
brigade in Darwin and that begins the process of growing
numbers here. I mean, it is right that there were
(08:32):
numbers that were taken out of darh And a decade ago,
but we will we're in the process of growing those
numbers now.
Speaker 1 (08:40):
Minister. On the conflict in Gaza, I know the Federal
government has a will by some by some Israel and
Jewish groups being condemned and the Federal opposition as well
for backing this UN resolution calling for an immediate cease
firing Gaza, in a move that placed Australia at odds
with its closest allies were the US, and I know
(09:02):
that Britain abstained, but Australia was among one hundred and
fifty three nations to back the non binding resolution, which
Israel said would embolden Hamas and which the coalition lashed
as being a cynical ploy to save inner city seats
from the Greens. Why did the government take this step
(09:22):
after you know, well, this step after the US opposed as.
Speaker 2 (09:29):
Well. The starting point here is that what we're seeing
in the Middle East is an unfolding tragedy, and the
focus of our international efforts has been around the preservation
of innocent lives, be they innocent Israelis or innocent Palestinians.
(09:54):
We've had a focus on humanitarian concerns, and that is
that's me consistent, and that's been also pretty consistent with
the position of other countries around the world, which would
include the United States. If you look at the positions
in detail that have been taken by our closest friends
(10:15):
and allies, you do see an enormous amount of concern
for humanitarian issues, for the preservation of innocent lives, and
those concerns are being expressed by the United States as well. Now,
we took a position in relation to the General Assembly
(10:35):
vote a couple of nights ago. We take each resolution
on its terms. On this occasion, issued a statement jointly
with Canada and New Zealand, two countries with whom we
have a lot in common, both Five Eyes countries, which
expressed our position, and in expressing our position, made clear
(10:59):
our condemnation of Hamas and the terrorist attacks which occurred
on the seventh of October, made clear our support for
Israel's right to defend itself, but also made clear that
in defending itself there needs to be a focus on
humanitarian issues and the preservation of innocent lives. Now that
(11:22):
position has been consistent, and I think every country who
is dealing with this gets the complexity and the difficulty,
but the messages are pretty clear. Yes, Israel definitely has
a right to defend itself. What Harmas did was absolutely appalling,
But in defending itself there has to be a focus
(11:43):
on the preservation of innocent lives and moving towards a
sea spire would do that. But we have also made
clear and made clear a couple of months ago, that
any seaspire cannot be one sided, that there needs to
be the really of hostages by Hamas. And again that
(12:03):
is a position that we have consistently put so you know,
I don't if you look at what we've done in
the last fourt out ours, it is consistent with what
we've been saying really from the outset of this latest issue,
and I think you can see consistently.
Speaker 1 (12:22):
It does seem though. It does seem as though the
party is divided on this. I mean, the move obviously
follows Labor MP Josh Burns's declaration on the ground in
Israel this week that a premature seaspyre would only allow
Hamas to regroup to attack. I mean, is the party
(12:42):
divided on this? And where do you stand when you
have got different members saying various different things.
Speaker 2 (12:49):
Well, I don't accept that the party is divided. I
mean Josh Burns is making a valid point, which is
that a seaspire cannot be one side. And again that's
a position that we have been putting and put the
other night in the statement that we made in casting
our voat in the General Assembly. Sea fires can't be
(13:12):
one sided. There does need to be a release of
hostages by Hummas. I mean this is an issue which
is complex and it's really easy for people to jump
in and pick an aspect of what the government has
said or done and try and line it up against
other points on the journey. But if you actually take
(13:34):
the totality of what we have said, the positions that
we have taken in all of the texture, there has
been a consistency from the start. And yet we want
to see a move towards a seafire. A seafly cannot
be one sided. Humus must release hostages and that has
to be a part of it.
Speaker 1 (13:54):
So, Acting Prime Minister, does the government still believe that
Israel has a right to defend itself.
Speaker 2 (14:01):
We do, and we made that clear in the statement
that we issued in casting the vote that we did
in the General Assembly. Again that these are not positions
which can be articulated in twenty words. These are positions
which which which are It's a deeply complex issue, and
we made clear that Israel does have a right to
(14:23):
defend itself because it does, I mean the position what
what Hamas did on the seventh of October was an outrage,
an absolute outrage. Innocent Israelis were targeted and attacked, and
that made the acts that occurred then really acts of murder.
And in the context of that, Israel absolutely has a
(14:43):
light to defend itself, a position that we have consistently held,
a position that we still hold. But in defending itself,
it is really important that humanitarian issues are placed front
and center. We've seen a significant loss of innocent Powerian
lives and innocent lives being lost being a Palestinians or
(15:04):
Israelis have exactly the same value, and that's a position
that we've maintained as well indicted and really the position
that we took in the General Assembly, And in taking
that position, we wanted to issue a statement so that
we could explain our position in its full complexity, articulates
all of what I've just articulated.
Speaker 1 (15:23):
Now, Minister, before I let you go a topic that
we have discussed in well I think. I mean it's
something that we've spoken about on numerous occasions around the
Northern Territory, and that is you know, that is immigration.
I know that the announcement was made that you are
indeed having those numbers. Are there any plans from the
(15:43):
federal government? You know, we see as people moved to
Australia from other locations, and we see the strain that
that has on those capital cities. But why not have
people spend some time in regional Australia and really try
to push to you know, to have people work in
places like Darwin or places like Alice Springs even more remote.
Speaker 2 (16:05):
Yeah. Look, it's a good question, and I think the
starting point there is that in articulating a migration of strategy,
the first thing we are doing here is actually trying
to think about our migration system in terms of the
contribution it can make to our national economy. I mean,
the very fact of having a migration strategy means that
(16:27):
in the sense we're trying to grip this up in
a way that hasn't been done previously and certainly the
issue of what kind of skilled migration we need and
where we need it are really important aspects that we
have thought about in terms of articulating the strategy. And
we do want to have a migration system which is
(16:50):
much more focused on being able to build our economy
through having people come with the skills that our economy needs.
And so those are definitely issues that are all being
considered across the board. It is a reduction in the intake,
but that has to be seen in a context where
(17:11):
the last couple of years we've had record numbers of
people coming in, which in part is a correction from
the pandemic and the fact that you know, because of
the pandemic we had borders closed for a couple of years.
But we do need to get those migration numbers down
to a more normal pre pandemic number. But in doing that,
(17:35):
we are definitely trying to make sure that the scheme
is much more directed to providing our country with the
skills that it needs.
Speaker 1 (17:46):
I mean, would you look at incentivizing though people heading
to places like Northern Australia. We've got you know, we've
got a skill shortage across a lot of different areas.
Even when you look at the health sector at the moment,
would you look at incentivizing to try and get people
that are migrating to Australia to actually spend time in
places like Northern Australia.
Speaker 2 (18:06):
Yeah, I mean, I think the question that you're asked
highlights the fact that when you look at the question
of migration, you see really differing needs around the country.
I mean, you're right in pointing out that the situation
and Dale is very different to the situation in Sydney,
and there are programs which do provide incentives now in
areas like health for doctors for example. So thinking about
(18:29):
how this can work for localities is definitely something that
is in our thinking.
Speaker 1 (18:34):
Well, acting Prime Minister and also Minister for Defense. We
really appreciate your time this morning, Richard Miles, thank you
so very much for your time. Thanks Katy, thank you
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