Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
And I'd tell you Wash it was a shellacking, I
think is the only way to put it.
Speaker 2 (00:04):
On the weekend.
Speaker 1 (00:05):
At this stage, the SEALPS one seats in inner city suburbs, Palmerston,
the northern suburbs, Alice Springs, Tenant Creek, the seats that
Labor has retained at this stage.
Speaker 2 (00:15):
Around in the Bush.
Speaker 1 (00:16):
It is looking as though Nightcliffe and Fanny Bay are
interesting ones at this point in time, but they certainly
didn't pick up the seats in Namajira or Barkley as
they'd hoped for. In fact, the Labor party was smashed.
And joining us in the studio right now is the
Chief Minister, alent Lea Fanocchiaro. Good morning to you.
Speaker 3 (00:36):
Good morning Katie and all your wonderful listeners and every
single territory and thank you, and good morning.
Speaker 1 (00:41):
And a big congratulations to you. How are you feeling
this morning.
Speaker 3 (00:44):
It's a genuine privilege, Katie. I've put my hand up
to serve twelve years ago and now I get to
make sure that a CELP government I lead can deliver
on our promises to every single territory in and that
work started yesterday with meeting with the police Commissioner and
the Chief execs. It's so important that we move very
quickly to restore community safety. It was our commitment to
(01:05):
all of you listening, and it will be what we
deliver on.
Speaker 1 (01:08):
What do you think the weekend's result seats, Because as
I said my opener, the Labor Party got smashed.
Speaker 2 (01:16):
What do you think the result seats?
Speaker 3 (01:17):
It shows that people don't want to be ignored. They
deserve to be listened to. They expect to be listened to,
and they want to see from their politicians and political
parties that the policy reflects their concerns and aspirations for
the future. Now, Labor had failed to do that for
a very long time, and people felt that Labor it
had their chance. And clearly our message resonated with the
(01:40):
community because it came from the community, and that's what's
so powerful and important. People voted for hope and optimism
over the weekend. They voted for change and now it's
my job with the team to be able to deliver
that for everyone.
Speaker 2 (01:54):
Now.
Speaker 1 (01:54):
You hit the ground running yesterday obviously meeting with the
Northern Territory Police Commissioner and also with Ken Davie see
CEO of the Chief Minister in cabinet, What were those
discussions about really productive?
Speaker 3 (02:06):
It was an excellent few hours that we spent together
going through our most immediate priorities. Of course, my message
to the Police Commissioner and any police listening today is
that we have your back. We recognize this has been
a terrible time for police and that ends. And so
I wanted to convey to him how important it is
that the frontline understand the work ahead of us, what
(02:28):
our expectations are, and that they will be supported and
importantly around Declan's Law, making sure we're ready to go
for week one of Parliament to give police the power
they need.
Speaker 2 (02:38):
When is that week one of Parliament going to be.
Speaker 3 (02:40):
I'm just finalizing those details, Katie. Obviously there's a lot
of moving pieces come day two and I will continue
with that work, but we would expect it to be
you know, mid to late October, I would imagine, And
so it's important I spoke to Samara Lavity and said
Declan's Law is well and truly going to be ready
to go, and community expect that our police have the
(03:01):
powers they need to be able to do their job,
and we will absolutely have delivered on that by the
end of the year.
Speaker 1 (03:06):
Look, some listening might think, oh, mid to late October,
that seems quite a while away after saying you're going
to hit the ground running, but there's nothing stopping you
from still getting some changes happening, maybe not legislative, but
really getting some changes going before there.
Speaker 3 (03:20):
Oh, without question, absolutely, And that's what we talked about
yesterday with the Complice Commissioner. He's right on to it,
and we will notice change, you know, very very soon.
These things are big, big things to turn around. But
I can tell your listeners that no one is under
any illusion about what my priorities are, Katie, and that
is community safety.
Speaker 1 (03:41):
So how do you think you're going to ensure that
some of those concerns that Territorians have absolutely been screaming
out about, that they're going to really start to see
some of those changes sooner rather than later.
Speaker 3 (03:55):
Well, it really is important we do that legislative work. Sorry,
my voice this is abandoning me. It's been a very
big couple of days talking a lot, indeed, But you know,
our police need to know we have their back. They
need to be supported to be on the front line.
We need to make sure they have the laws in place,
the resources they need, the equipment they need, so that
(04:18):
works is happening. I need to be able to get
across everything, Katie, and then reprioritize, redirect, reassure, and so
this is about making an immediate change for our community
whilst continuing all of the work of government that needs
to happen. And I need to take a lot of
people on that journey with me, including the public service
(04:38):
and the community, and so that work will happen very systematically.
But it is very very clear, and I'm very encouraged
by my initial meetings and directions that people understand very
clearly what our priority is, because that is the priority
of every single territorium.
Speaker 2 (04:54):
Chief minister elect.
Speaker 1 (04:55):
A lot of people see the public services being slow
and cumbersome and full of bureaucracy. I mean, we can't
even get some ballards set up around the Sanderson Middle
School after cars hooning on there. What's your message going
to be to the public service Because for a lot
of years people have felt like the public service are
(05:15):
running the show, not the politicians who people elect.
Speaker 3 (05:19):
Yeah, and that's a symptom of having a government with
a hands off approach and without the skills and the
passion and the commitment to deliver. And that's why the
coop is different. So we've been very clear we need
a strong public service to deliver our reform agenda. I
made it very clear yesterday that public service jobs are safe.
I also made it very clear that we want to
(05:40):
be growing our own. We want to be investing in
professional development of territorians, our people, and making sure that
we give our public service the ability to make decisions,
take ownership of their areas, and be moving through these
things quicker. So there will be you know, there will
be changes in terms of how we do things, but
(06:02):
our people are an asset and we must be harnessing
the strength in the public service to deliver the outcomes
which is serving the community.
Speaker 2 (06:10):
When are you going to be choosing your ministry.
Speaker 3 (06:13):
So that work is all happening now. There will be
some changes to government department structures and things like that.
For example, it was our commitment to remove corrections from
attorney generals and justice you use justice out of territory
families into corrections. So there are some movements and so
once I finalize the movements, which will be very soon,
(06:33):
then we will announce the ministry and move forward as
a team ready to tackle these big issues coming days. Yeah,
very soon, very soon, Katie. I don't want to rush
to those types of decisions. We need to be running
a very steady ship. But certainly getting the mechanisms moving
on law and order and economic growth are already under
(06:54):
well and truly underway.
Speaker 2 (06:55):
When do you get sworn in?
Speaker 3 (06:58):
Yep, So that will be sometime this week, Katie. So
we're just working through all of those details and it
will it will all, it will all come to light
really soon. Now.
Speaker 1 (07:08):
One of the I mean, I think, by far and beyond,
the biggest issue that people voted on was the issue
of crime and personal safety. When do you think that
people are going to see a change in this space?
Speaker 3 (07:21):
Well, we really need to be working with our police,
and that's the work the Commissioner is doing now about
how we can redirect people back out onto the front
line and support really high visibility policing. He will let
me know if he needs a bigger budget, if he
needs more equipment. I've said to him in no uncertain
terms that we will do whatever it takes and I
(07:41):
mean that and we will deliver that. And so I'm
expecting change as soon as possible, as well as then
doing those longer term preparations.
Speaker 1 (07:50):
So I mean with some of the as you've said,
you know, with Declan's Law, with some of the other
measures including criminalizing bail breaches, electronic monitoring for people on bar,
the RAM raid legislation, etc. Is that going to be
introduced in the first week of parliament sitting.
Speaker 3 (08:05):
Yet We've got those laws are ready to go and
I will meet with Parliamentary Counsel this week to finalize
those So everything is on track. I'm very very much
looking forward to delivering on that. It was our promise
and everything that will absolutely be delivered by us.
Speaker 1 (08:22):
A few messages coming through about the health system this morning,
you know, people saying that they've been waiting an awful
long time.
Speaker 2 (08:28):
For surgery, for elective surgery.
Speaker 1 (08:30):
Somebody else's been waiting three months for an urgent operation.
What work are you going to be doing in this space?
Speaker 3 (08:37):
Yeah, it's certainly an issue that comes up all the time, Katie.
We all know people having terrible experiences and being in
wait lists that are just far too long. So this
is a huge issue. It's something we need to get
to the bottom of. And you know, unpicking eight years
of you know, labor failure. I mean, Territorians have determined
(08:58):
that it's not you know, that's not even my But
we have to get to the bottom of it and fast.
It's a big ship to turn around, but it's got
to be done if we're going to keep people here.
Speaker 2 (09:08):
Now, Chief Minister.
Speaker 1 (09:09):
One thing that I've been contacted about by a couple
of people is, well, Shane Stone, the president of the COLP,
introducing you, but almost doing his own celebration speech before
introducing you on the weekend. How did you feel about that?
I thought it was great.
Speaker 3 (09:23):
I was very proud to be up on stage and
have Shane introduce me. And he's done an incredible job
leading the party during the election and so you know,
I was very proud to be introduced as the Chief
Minister elect by a former Chief minister.
Speaker 1 (09:40):
I mean somebody's message through and said it was an
odd move by Shane Stone to hold the limelight and
waffle campaign strategy before the actual winner of the mic.
I guess in terms of the optics from you know
what evil Laula had been saying last week, you know,
insinuating that you're a lightweight and that the the men
of the CELP were going to be running the show.
Speaker 2 (10:03):
It sort of didn't do a lot to help that.
Speaker 3 (10:06):
Well, people can make their own judgments, you know. I
think Evil ALA's rhetoric has landed where it's landed Katie's,
so I'm not too worried about that. But look, people
can make their own judgments. I myself was very proud
to stand there, and you know, the hard work began
yesterday and we will continue to fight for a better territory.
(10:26):
And we are just so full of hope and optimism
about the future. And the feedback we've had even just
yesterday and today is that people feel that hope.
Speaker 2 (10:34):
And if we.
Speaker 3 (10:36):
Can give people a bit of joy back, a bit
of fight back, a bit of future forward facing momentum,
then we've done our job. You know, this is an
important turning point for the territory and now we have
to deliver those commitments to our community and rebuild the territory.
Speaker 1 (10:52):
Yeah. Look, there is a lot of optimism. You know,
there was a lot of optimism from yesterday morning. People
are feeling that bit of hope again.
Speaker 2 (11:01):
I mean, I do just.
Speaker 1 (11:02):
Want to ask you in terms of the low voter turnout,
and some of those numbers as they were starting to
flow through from the Electoral commission website, some of it
was all over the show. To put it mildly, what
did you make of it?
Speaker 3 (11:17):
Yeah, look, I mean we have a new electoral Commissioner
and probably know in new staff. I think overall the
election went really well. There's certainly, you know, an election
review will obviously happen, and I think there's important feedback
that can be provided from all of the candidates, all
of the parties and territories about their experience. Something I
(11:38):
raised months ago that I was really concerned about was
the reduction in school based polling booths on the Saturday
on the actual election day, And certainly feedback I saw
coming through the booths was that people had been bouncing
from school to school trying to find one that actually
was a polling booth. So I think we can do
a lot better at advertising where locations are and making
(11:59):
sure people really have that opportunity to vote. But I'm
sure a large number of people who didn't vote were
probably also labor voters, Katie that just couldn't bring themselves
to come out that day.
Speaker 2 (12:11):
Leah, Before I let you go.
Speaker 1 (12:13):
One question that I asked Michael Gunner eight years ago
when he was elected as the Chief Minister was what
kind of chief minister he hoped to be?
Speaker 3 (12:21):
Now?
Speaker 1 (12:22):
He told me that he hoped to be excitingly boring,
and unfortunately.
Speaker 2 (12:26):
It ended up anything Bush.
Speaker 1 (12:28):
You know that government also had said that they were
going to be open and transparent and ended up being
anything Bush. What kind of chief minister do you.
Speaker 2 (12:37):
Hope to be?
Speaker 3 (12:39):
Thank you, Katie. I hope to be a chief minister
like I've been a local member. I want to be
someone that people feel really comfortable to approach. I want
to be out on the ground always, at the small
morning tees, the seniors groups, the sports, the school assemblies.
I want people to know that we have their ear,
that we are there for them, and I want my
(13:01):
entire team to recognize that this is about the territory,
This is about its people and how they feel about
the future. And so the tone I want to set
for my new government is one about having a deep
rooted connection with our people and making sure that our
policies and decision making reflect their aspirations and hope for
the future.
Speaker 1 (13:22):
Now, how did your children feel about you being elected
the chief Minister.
Speaker 3 (13:25):
Before I let you go, I think they were more
interested in One wanted a zuperduper out of the freezer,
the other one had lost her earring. It was all
pretty normal stuff at our house, I have to say, Katie.
But of course they're very proud and walking in as
a family made me so proud. And my husband Sam
has been an absolute trooper taking care of our family
(13:46):
while I've been serving our community. And so you know,
you can't do it without them. And in my speech
I made a very big thank you to all of
our families because it's there the bedrock. They're why we
get up every day to fight. They're our reason for
making sure we go and serve our community, and so
without them we would be nothing. They are everything and
they're why we fight every day.
Speaker 2 (14:06):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (14:06):
Look, and I think that you know, on behalf of
the Northern Territory, we all hope that you do succeed
in this job because if you do, the Northern Territory does,
and that's the big message for all of our leaders.
Speaker 2 (14:18):
But also you know, I.
Speaker 1 (14:20):
Think that listening to territorians and hearing those concerns is
so very very important. One last thing before I let
you go. I mean, sixteen seats is what you're looking at.
The Last time the COLP lead on such a huge majority,
it turned into a bit of a rabble and there
(14:41):
was some really big concerns, you know, with people not
behaving in the way that you would expect your ministers
and parliamentarians to behave.
Speaker 2 (14:50):
How are you going to stop that from happening.
Speaker 3 (14:52):
Well, our team are just such good people, Katie. I
am so confident about this team going forward. In fact,
all twenty five of our candidates were exceptional. These are
people who've put their hand up because they could see
how bad things had gotten and they wanted to be
part of the change, part of the future, part of
the solution, not part of the problem. And so I
(15:15):
know my parliamentary team have worked tirelessly over the last
four years. We work extremely well together and are looking
forward to this new challenge and new opportunity to serve.
And the new ones coming in are just so full
of pride and optimism and they are really ready to
put their shoulder to the wheel, be strong local members
(15:35):
and local voices, being part of a strong government that's
delivering on the expectations of our people, and so I'm
very proud of the team and I know we would
do a really good job of leading the territory out
of this mess.
Speaker 1 (15:47):
Liasanokiao, the new Chief Minister of the Northern Territory, Thanks
so much for your time this morning.
Speaker 3 (15:53):
Thank you, take care everyone.
Speaker 2 (15:54):
Thank you.
And I'd tell you Wash it was a shellacking, I
think is the only way to put it.
Speaker 2 (00:04):
On the weekend.
Speaker 1 (00:05):
At this stage, the SEALPS one seats in inner city suburbs, Palmerston,
the northern suburbs, Alice Springs, Tenant Creek, the seats that
Labor has retained at this stage.
Speaker 2 (00:15):
Around in the Bush.
Speaker 1 (00:16):
It is looking as though Nightcliffe and Fanny Bay are
interesting ones at this point in time, but they certainly
didn't pick up the seats in Namajira or Barkley as
they'd hoped for. In fact, the Labor party was smashed.
And joining us in the studio right now is the
Chief Minister, alent Lea Fanocchiaro. Good morning to you.
Speaker 3 (00:36):
Good morning Katie and all your wonderful listeners and every
single territory and thank you, and good morning.
Speaker 1 (00:41):
And a big congratulations to you. How are you feeling
this morning.
Speaker 3 (00:44):
It's a genuine privilege, Katie. I've put my hand up
to serve twelve years ago and now I get to
make sure that a CELP government I lead can deliver
on our promises to every single territory in and that
work started yesterday with meeting with the police Commissioner and
the Chief execs. It's so important that we move very
quickly to restore community safety. It was our commitment to
(01:05):
all of you listening, and it will be what we
deliver on.
Speaker 1 (01:08):
What do you think the weekend's result seats, Because as
I said my opener, the Labor Party got smashed.
Speaker 2 (01:16):
What do you think the result seats?
Speaker 3 (01:17):
It shows that people don't want to be ignored. They
deserve to be listened to. They expect to be listened to,
and they want to see from their politicians and political
parties that the policy reflects their concerns and aspirations for
the future. Now, Labor had failed to do that for
a very long time, and people felt that Labor it
had their chance. And clearly our message resonated with the
(01:40):
community because it came from the community, and that's what's
so powerful and important. People voted for hope and optimism
over the weekend. They voted for change and now it's
my job with the team to be able to deliver
that for everyone.
Speaker 2 (01:54):
Now.
Speaker 1 (01:54):
You hit the ground running yesterday obviously meeting with the
Northern Territory Police Commissioner and also with Ken Davie see
CEO of the Chief Minister in cabinet, What were those
discussions about really productive?
Speaker 3 (02:06):
It was an excellent few hours that we spent together
going through our most immediate priorities. Of course, my message
to the Police Commissioner and any police listening today is
that we have your back. We recognize this has been
a terrible time for police and that ends. And so
I wanted to convey to him how important it is
that the frontline understand the work ahead of us, what
(02:28):
our expectations are, and that they will be supported and
importantly around Declan's Law, making sure we're ready to go
for week one of Parliament to give police the power
they need.
Speaker 2 (02:38):
When is that week one of Parliament going to be.
Speaker 3 (02:40):
I'm just finalizing those details, Katie. Obviously there's a lot
of moving pieces come day two and I will continue
with that work, but we would expect it to be
you know, mid to late October, I would imagine, And
so it's important I spoke to Samara Lavity and said
Declan's Law is well and truly going to be ready
to go, and community expect that our police have the
(03:01):
powers they need to be able to do their job,
and we will absolutely have delivered on that by the
end of the year.
Speaker 1 (03:06):
Look, some listening might think, oh, mid to late October,
that seems quite a while away after saying you're going
to hit the ground running, but there's nothing stopping you
from still getting some changes happening, maybe not legislative, but
really getting some changes going before there.
Speaker 3 (03:20):
Oh, without question, absolutely, And that's what we talked about
yesterday with the Complice Commissioner. He's right on to it,
and we will notice change, you know, very very soon.
These things are big, big things to turn around. But
I can tell your listeners that no one is under
any illusion about what my priorities are, Katie, and that
is community safety.
Speaker 1 (03:41):
So how do you think you're going to ensure that
some of those concerns that Territorians have absolutely been screaming
out about, that they're going to really start to see
some of those changes sooner rather than later.
Speaker 3 (03:55):
Well, it really is important we do that legislative work. Sorry,
my voice this is abandoning me. It's been a very
big couple of days talking a lot, indeed, But you know,
our police need to know we have their back. They
need to be supported to be on the front line.
We need to make sure they have the laws in place,
the resources they need, the equipment they need, so that
(04:18):
works is happening. I need to be able to get
across everything, Katie, and then reprioritize, redirect, reassure, and so
this is about making an immediate change for our community
whilst continuing all of the work of government that needs
to happen. And I need to take a lot of
people on that journey with me, including the public service
(04:38):
and the community, and so that work will happen very systematically.
But it is very very clear, and I'm very encouraged
by my initial meetings and directions that people understand very
clearly what our priority is, because that is the priority
of every single territorium.
Speaker 2 (04:54):
Chief minister elect.
Speaker 1 (04:55):
A lot of people see the public services being slow
and cumbersome and full of bureaucracy. I mean, we can't
even get some ballards set up around the Sanderson Middle
School after cars hooning on there. What's your message going
to be to the public service Because for a lot
of years people have felt like the public service are
(05:15):
running the show, not the politicians who people elect.
Speaker 3 (05:19):
Yeah, and that's a symptom of having a government with
a hands off approach and without the skills and the
passion and the commitment to deliver. And that's why the
coop is different. So we've been very clear we need
a strong public service to deliver our reform agenda. I
made it very clear yesterday that public service jobs are safe.
I also made it very clear that we want to
(05:40):
be growing our own. We want to be investing in
professional development of territorians, our people, and making sure that
we give our public service the ability to make decisions,
take ownership of their areas, and be moving through these
things quicker. So there will be you know, there will
be changes in terms of how we do things, but
(06:02):
our people are an asset and we must be harnessing
the strength in the public service to deliver the outcomes
which is serving the community.
Speaker 2 (06:10):
When are you going to be choosing your ministry.
Speaker 3 (06:13):
So that work is all happening now. There will be
some changes to government department structures and things like that.
For example, it was our commitment to remove corrections from
attorney generals and justice you use justice out of territory
families into corrections. So there are some movements and so
once I finalize the movements, which will be very soon,
(06:33):
then we will announce the ministry and move forward as
a team ready to tackle these big issues coming days. Yeah,
very soon, very soon, Katie. I don't want to rush
to those types of decisions. We need to be running
a very steady ship. But certainly getting the mechanisms moving
on law and order and economic growth are already under
(06:54):
well and truly underway.
Speaker 2 (06:55):
When do you get sworn in?
Speaker 3 (06:58):
Yep, So that will be sometime this week, Katie. So
we're just working through all of those details and it
will it will all, it will all come to light
really soon. Now.
Speaker 1 (07:08):
One of the I mean, I think, by far and beyond,
the biggest issue that people voted on was the issue
of crime and personal safety. When do you think that
people are going to see a change in this space?
Speaker 3 (07:21):
Well, we really need to be working with our police,
and that's the work the Commissioner is doing now about
how we can redirect people back out onto the front
line and support really high visibility policing. He will let
me know if he needs a bigger budget, if he
needs more equipment. I've said to him in no uncertain
terms that we will do whatever it takes and I
(07:41):
mean that and we will deliver that. And so I'm
expecting change as soon as possible, as well as then
doing those longer term preparations.
Speaker 1 (07:50):
So I mean with some of the as you've said,
you know, with Declan's Law, with some of the other
measures including criminalizing bail breaches, electronic monitoring for people on bar,
the RAM raid legislation, etc. Is that going to be
introduced in the first week of parliament sitting.
Speaker 3 (08:05):
Yet We've got those laws are ready to go and
I will meet with Parliamentary Counsel this week to finalize
those So everything is on track. I'm very very much
looking forward to delivering on that. It was our promise
and everything that will absolutely be delivered by us.
Speaker 1 (08:22):
A few messages coming through about the health system this morning,
you know, people saying that they've been waiting an awful
long time.
Speaker 2 (08:28):
For surgery, for elective surgery.
Speaker 1 (08:30):
Somebody else's been waiting three months for an urgent operation.
What work are you going to be doing in this space?
Speaker 3 (08:37):
Yeah, it's certainly an issue that comes up all the time, Katie.
We all know people having terrible experiences and being in
wait lists that are just far too long. So this
is a huge issue. It's something we need to get
to the bottom of. And you know, unpicking eight years
of you know, labor failure. I mean, Territorians have determined
(08:58):
that it's not you know, that's not even my But
we have to get to the bottom of it and fast.
It's a big ship to turn around, but it's got
to be done if we're going to keep people here.
Speaker 2 (09:08):
Now, Chief Minister.
Speaker 1 (09:09):
One thing that I've been contacted about by a couple
of people is, well, Shane Stone, the president of the COLP,
introducing you, but almost doing his own celebration speech before
introducing you on the weekend. How did you feel about that?
I thought it was great.
Speaker 3 (09:23):
I was very proud to be up on stage and
have Shane introduce me. And he's done an incredible job
leading the party during the election and so you know,
I was very proud to be introduced as the Chief
Minister elect by a former Chief minister.
Speaker 1 (09:40):
I mean somebody's message through and said it was an
odd move by Shane Stone to hold the limelight and
waffle campaign strategy before the actual winner of the mic.
I guess in terms of the optics from you know
what evil Laula had been saying last week, you know,
insinuating that you're a lightweight and that the the men
of the CELP were going to be running the show.
Speaker 2 (10:03):
It sort of didn't do a lot to help that.
Speaker 3 (10:06):
Well, people can make their own judgments, you know. I
think Evil ALA's rhetoric has landed where it's landed Katie's,
so I'm not too worried about that. But look, people
can make their own judgments. I myself was very proud
to stand there, and you know, the hard work began
yesterday and we will continue to fight for a better territory.
(10:26):
And we are just so full of hope and optimism
about the future. And the feedback we've had even just
yesterday and today is that people feel that hope.
Speaker 2 (10:34):
And if we.
Speaker 3 (10:36):
Can give people a bit of joy back, a bit
of fight back, a bit of future forward facing momentum,
then we've done our job. You know, this is an
important turning point for the territory and now we have
to deliver those commitments to our community and rebuild the territory.
Speaker 1 (10:52):
Yeah. Look, there is a lot of optimism. You know,
there was a lot of optimism from yesterday morning. People
are feeling that bit of hope again.
Speaker 2 (11:01):
I mean, I do just.
Speaker 1 (11:02):
Want to ask you in terms of the low voter turnout,
and some of those numbers as they were starting to
flow through from the Electoral commission website, some of it
was all over the show. To put it mildly, what
did you make of it?
Speaker 3 (11:17):
Yeah, look, I mean we have a new electoral Commissioner
and probably know in new staff. I think overall the
election went really well. There's certainly, you know, an election
review will obviously happen, and I think there's important feedback
that can be provided from all of the candidates, all
of the parties and territories about their experience. Something I
(11:38):
raised months ago that I was really concerned about was
the reduction in school based polling booths on the Saturday
on the actual election day, And certainly feedback I saw
coming through the booths was that people had been bouncing
from school to school trying to find one that actually
was a polling booth. So I think we can do
a lot better at advertising where locations are and making
(11:59):
sure people really have that opportunity to vote. But I'm
sure a large number of people who didn't vote were
probably also labor voters, Katie that just couldn't bring themselves
to come out that day.
Speaker 2 (12:11):
Leah, Before I let you go.
Speaker 1 (12:13):
One question that I asked Michael Gunner eight years ago
when he was elected as the Chief Minister was what
kind of chief minister he hoped to be?
Speaker 3 (12:21):
Now?
Speaker 1 (12:22):
He told me that he hoped to be excitingly boring,
and unfortunately.
Speaker 2 (12:26):
It ended up anything Bush.
Speaker 1 (12:28):
You know that government also had said that they were
going to be open and transparent and ended up being
anything Bush. What kind of chief minister do you.
Speaker 2 (12:37):
Hope to be?
Speaker 3 (12:39):
Thank you, Katie. I hope to be a chief minister
like I've been a local member. I want to be
someone that people feel really comfortable to approach. I want
to be out on the ground always, at the small
morning tees, the seniors groups, the sports, the school assemblies.
I want people to know that we have their ear,
that we are there for them, and I want my
(13:01):
entire team to recognize that this is about the territory,
This is about its people and how they feel about
the future. And so the tone I want to set
for my new government is one about having a deep
rooted connection with our people and making sure that our
policies and decision making reflect their aspirations and hope for
the future.
Speaker 1 (13:22):
Now, how did your children feel about you being elected
the chief Minister.
Speaker 3 (13:25):
Before I let you go, I think they were more
interested in One wanted a zuperduper out of the freezer,
the other one had lost her earring. It was all
pretty normal stuff at our house, I have to say, Katie.
But of course they're very proud and walking in as
a family made me so proud. And my husband Sam
has been an absolute trooper taking care of our family
(13:46):
while I've been serving our community. And so you know,
you can't do it without them. And in my speech
I made a very big thank you to all of
our families because it's there the bedrock. They're why we
get up every day to fight. They're our reason for
making sure we go and serve our community, and so
without them we would be nothing. They are everything and
they're why we fight every day.
Speaker 2 (14:06):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (14:06):
Look, and I think that you know, on behalf of
the Northern Territory, we all hope that you do succeed
in this job because if you do, the Northern Territory does,
and that's the big message for all of our leaders.
Speaker 2 (14:18):
But also you know, I.
Speaker 1 (14:20):
Think that listening to territorians and hearing those concerns is
so very very important. One last thing before I let
you go. I mean, sixteen seats is what you're looking at.
The Last time the COLP lead on such a huge majority,
it turned into a bit of a rabble and there
(14:41):
was some really big concerns, you know, with people not
behaving in the way that you would expect your ministers
and parliamentarians to behave.
Speaker 2 (14:50):
How are you going to stop that from happening.
Speaker 3 (14:52):
Well, our team are just such good people, Katie. I
am so confident about this team going forward. In fact,
all twenty five of our candidates were exceptional. These are
people who've put their hand up because they could see
how bad things had gotten and they wanted to be
part of the change, part of the future, part of
the solution, not part of the problem. And so I
(15:15):
know my parliamentary team have worked tirelessly over the last
four years. We work extremely well together and are looking
forward to this new challenge and new opportunity to serve.
And the new ones coming in are just so full
of pride and optimism and they are really ready to
put their shoulder to the wheel, be strong local members
(15:35):
and local voices, being part of a strong government that's
delivering on the expectations of our people, and so I'm
very proud of the team and I know we would
do a really good job of leading the territory out
of this mess.
Speaker 1 (15:47):
Liasanokiao, the new Chief Minister of the Northern Territory, Thanks
so much for your time this morning.
Speaker 3 (15:53):
Thank you, take care everyone.
Speaker 2 (15:54):
Thank you.
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