Well, when Parliament resumes today, we know that Justine Davis, the Independent Member for Johnson, is going to seek leave to table the coroner's recommendations which we yesterday handed down into the deaths of four Indigenous women. She will move that motion demanding that the government take immediate and decisive action to fully resource and implement these recommendations. The Member for Johnson says lives are at stake and the time for excuses and delays is over. She says that we've heard from the colp them say over and over again that they're going to deliver the one hundred and eighty million dollars for domestic, family and sexual violence that they promised before the election. Now joining us on the line is Justine Davis. Good morning to you, Justine.

Well, when Parliament resumes today, we know that Justine Davis, the Independent Member for Johnson, is going to seek leave to table the coroner's recommendations which we yesterday handed down into the deaths of four Indigenous women. She will move that motion demanding that the government take immediate and decisive action to fully resource and implement these recommendations. The Member for Johnson says lives are at stake and the time for excuses and delays is over. She says that we've heard from the colp them say over and over again that they're going to deliver the one hundred and eighty million dollars for domestic, family and sexual violence that they promised before the election. Now joining us on the line is Justine Davis. Good morning to you, Justine.

Hi, Katie, how are you going?

Hi, Katie, how are you going?

Not too bad? Justine? What was your reaction to the findings and recommendations that were handed down yesterday?

Not too bad? Justine? What was your reaction to the findings and recommendations that were handed down yesterday?

I think the Corona did an incredible job both in honorary the women whose lives were lost and outlining a really clear map for what needs to happen from here to make sure that this stops happening and does not happen.

I think the Corona did an incredible job both in honorary the women whose lives were lost and outlining a really clear map for what needs to happen from here to make sure that this stops happening and does not happen.

Ever, again, what do you think the most urgent recommendations are to get in place.

Ever, again, what do you think the most urgent recommendations are to get in place.

I think the most I think she stepped through a really clear pathway to address those recommendations. So she said, we need to have leadership to make sure that the recommendations can be put in place and can be followed and implemented in a really clear way. So re establishing the ECRO, which was the inter departmental committee which developed the plan, that the one hundred and eighty million dollars refers to establishing a peak body. Incredibly, the northern territory with the highest rates of domestic violence in Australia is the Islands, and then from there I'm working through the it's the rest of the recommendations. They're very clear, they're very accessible, they're very well spelt out well.

I think the most I think she stepped through a really clear pathway to address those recommendations. So she said, we need to have leadership to make sure that the recommendations can be put in place and can be followed and implemented in a really clear way. So re establishing the ECRO, which was the inter departmental committee which developed the plan, that the one hundred and eighty million dollars refers to establishing a peak body. Incredibly, the northern territory with the highest rates of domestic violence in Australia is the Islands, and then from there I'm working through the it's the rest of the recommendations. They're very clear, they're very accessible, they're very well spelt out well.

And she said yesterday that many of her recommendations are not radical and that a lot of the evidence is issues which have previously been raised. She said, though, that there really is no way to turn this around unless those perpetrating the violence. It lies with the men who are choosing to use this violence. They must stop blaming someone else. They must take responsibility and change their attitudes and behaviors. How do we do that?

And she said yesterday that many of her recommendations are not radical and that a lot of the evidence is issues which have previously been raised. She said, though, that there really is no way to turn this around unless those perpetrating the violence. It lies with the men who are choosing to use this violence. They must stop blaming someone else. They must take responsibility and change their attitudes and behaviors. How do we do that?

Yeah, and look, I'm I was really glad to hear this is a problem that where men are killing women, and I was really glad to hear her say that very directly, and we need to put things in place to change and address that. There is hardly anything she made reference that in her report, there is hardly any work being done with men at the moment. We know the kind of work that needs to be done where there are men who are able to secure places in some of the very limited men's behavior change programs at the moment they only operate in Dawe and Allie Springs and a little bit of reach into your communities. We know that when men the data is that has an impact. So we need to put things in place to make sure that we're addressing this problem, this problem before that happened, including addressing men's violence.

Yeah, and look, I'm I was really glad to hear this is a problem that where men are killing women, and I was really glad to hear her say that very directly, and we need to put things in place to change and address that. There is hardly anything she made reference that in her report, there is hardly any work being done with men at the moment. We know the kind of work that needs to be done where there are men who are able to secure places in some of the very limited men's behavior change programs at the moment they only operate in Dawe and Allie Springs and a little bit of reach into your communities. We know that when men the data is that has an impact. So we need to put things in place to make sure that we're addressing this problem, this problem before that happened, including addressing men's violence.

So Justine today you are indeed going to be moving that motion in Parliament. What is your hope with doing that?

So Justine today you are indeed going to be moving that motion in Parliament. What is your hope with doing that?

Oh? Look, my great hope is that we see some action. I heard the Chief Minister say earlier this morning that the intention of the government is to take their time in looking at the recommendations of the coroner. It's kind of heartbreaking, Katie. Women are dying. This is a really clearly a clean map. One of the things that the current is said, which I think we all can take hope from, is that the story is not it's not hopeless. We know what we need to do, We know that we can put things in place, and every delay is another delay that puts women and children at risk. So my hope is that fellow, my fellow members of Parliament will join with me in saying, yes, we need to take action now. We needed to take action yesterday, we needed to take action last month. We cannot keep delaying this. We don't need more research, we don't need more consultation. We need to be putting in place what we know will work well.

Oh? Look, my great hope is that we see some action. I heard the Chief Minister say earlier this morning that the intention of the government is to take their time in looking at the recommendations of the coroner. It's kind of heartbreaking, Katie. Women are dying. This is a really clearly a clean map. One of the things that the current is said, which I think we all can take hope from, is that the story is not it's not hopeless. We know what we need to do, We know that we can put things in place, and every delay is another delay that puts women and children at risk. So my hope is that fellow, my fellow members of Parliament will join with me in saying, yes, we need to take action now. We needed to take action yesterday, we needed to take action last month. We cannot keep delaying this. We don't need more research, we don't need more consultation. We need to be putting in place what we know will work well.

We actually had in August last year. In August twenty twenty three, there were domestic violence advocates calling for one hundred and eighty million dollars in funding back then and at the time the Labor government only committed twenty million dollars. We then know that we're heading into an election and both sides of politics decided to you know that they then commit to that one hundred and eighty million. But now we have very clear framework of what needs to be done, but it's not the first time that we've actually had a bit of a framework in place and not acted over a lot of years.

We actually had in August last year. In August twenty twenty three, there were domestic violence advocates calling for one hundred and eighty million dollars in funding back then and at the time the Labor government only committed twenty million dollars. We then know that we're heading into an election and both sides of politics decided to you know that they then commit to that one hundred and eighty million. But now we have very clear framework of what needs to be done, but it's not the first time that we've actually had a bit of a framework in place and not acted over a lot of years.

That's right, that's right, and I mean I think you know, there's been a very clear commitment within the Chamber, within Parliament, a bipartisan commitment that this is an urgent issue that needs to be addressed. It's been going on for far too long. I mean, I want to look forward, not backwards. At this point we have an opportunity to do something about it. The COLP we've seen in government. They are very clear that they're a government of action. They're clear that they can take urgent action on things like locking out ten year olds. Why can't they take urgent action on this? You know, that would be my question.

That's right, that's right, and I mean I think you know, there's been a very clear commitment within the Chamber, within Parliament, a bipartisan commitment that this is an urgent issue that needs to be addressed. It's been going on for far too long. I mean, I want to look forward, not backwards. At this point we have an opportunity to do something about it. The COLP we've seen in government. They are very clear that they're a government of action. They're clear that they can take urgent action on things like locking out ten year olds. Why can't they take urgent action on this? You know, that would be my question.

Now, Justine. I also know that the COLP government today announcing that they're going to be introducing legislation this week to reduce the floor price of alcohol. This is something that quite a few Territorians have been calling for on this show, saying it hasn't worked. I mean, what are your concerns though with it being scrapped.

Now, Justine. I also know that the COLP government today announcing that they're going to be introducing legislation this week to reduce the floor price of alcohol. This is something that quite a few Territorians have been calling for on this show, saying it hasn't worked. I mean, what are your concerns though with it being scrapped.

I think that we know that there's an incredibly that there's a completely clear correlation. Alcohol does not cause violence, but it can exacerbates it, particularly physical violence and physical harm in terms of domestic violence, Jess, alcohol is frequently a contributor. Anything that we can do to make women safer, we need to be doing. I know on your show before we've had conversation about you know, what is the data, and you know there's lots of backlipsing forwards about what does the data show in terms of the impact of reducing floor prices. I think that we know that it doesn't do harm. Sorry, sorry. We know that reducing floor prices is not going to make things better, and that's all we should be doing. And we know that there's a risk that might make things worse, and to make things worse if this government does anything that's going to make things work and put women more at risk, I think that's shameful. My understanding of the data, and I've spent a lot of time trying to understand this and talk to people who are experts in this field, is that there is a definite correlation between reducing the fraud price and people's access to alcohol and therefore harm that can be caused by alcohol, whether or not, you know, we can debate about that data. But the issue is that if there's any kind of risk that this is going to cause harm. I heard Matt Cunningham on your show say, well, it's not really a biggie a little bit of inconvenience for me. If it's going to keep people safe, why wouldn't we do it? I agree, why wouldn't we do it?

I think that we know that there's an incredibly that there's a completely clear correlation. Alcohol does not cause violence, but it can exacerbates it, particularly physical violence and physical harm in terms of domestic violence, Jess, alcohol is frequently a contributor. Anything that we can do to make women safer, we need to be doing. I know on your show before we've had conversation about you know, what is the data, and you know there's lots of backlipsing forwards about what does the data show in terms of the impact of reducing floor prices. I think that we know that it doesn't do harm. Sorry, sorry. We know that reducing floor prices is not going to make things better, and that's all we should be doing. And we know that there's a risk that might make things worse, and to make things worse if this government does anything that's going to make things work and put women more at risk, I think that's shameful. My understanding of the data, and I've spent a lot of time trying to understand this and talk to people who are experts in this field, is that there is a definite correlation between reducing the fraud price and people's access to alcohol and therefore harm that can be caused by alcohol, whether or not, you know, we can debate about that data. But the issue is that if there's any kind of risk that this is going to cause harm. I heard Matt Cunningham on your show say, well, it's not really a biggie a little bit of inconvenience for me. If it's going to keep people safe, why wouldn't we do it? I agree, why wouldn't we do it?

Yeah? I suppose the other side of it is, you know, there's a lot of people going, well, I'm a law abiding citizen. I'm somebody who doesn't, you know, drinking excess and then choose to commit domestic violence. So why does there need to be a rule that's across the board, you know, just to play devil's advocate.

Yeah? I suppose the other side of it is, you know, there's a lot of people going, well, I'm a law abiding citizen. I'm somebody who doesn't, you know, drinking excess and then choose to commit domestic violence. So why does there need to be a rule that's across the board, you know, just to play devil's advocate.

Yeah, and I hear people say that, and I mean I give the same kind of response I think that Matt did that This isn't a big inconvenience to people, This isn't a violation of our fundamental human rights. It's something that we're putting in place to try and keep the most vulnerable people in our community safe, and that needs to be our driving principle in the decisions that we're making right now.

Yeah, and I hear people say that, and I mean I give the same kind of response I think that Matt did that This isn't a big inconvenience to people, This isn't a violation of our fundamental human rights. It's something that we're putting in place to try and keep the most vulnerable people in our community safe, and that needs to be our driving principle in the decisions that we're making right now.

Just before I let you go this morning, someone's message through and said, Hey, Katie, I understand that Justine and Cash might be working together on a private member's bill, but that person can't find out exactly what it's to do with. Is that something that you're in a situation to tell us about or are we preempting a little bit there?

Just before I let you go this morning, someone's message through and said, Hey, Katie, I understand that Justine and Cash might be working together on a private member's bill, but that person can't find out exactly what it's to do with. Is that something that you're in a situation to tell us about or are we preempting a little bit there?

Oh no, they may be talking about the Voluntary Assistant Dying bill. So yeah, So kat Member for Nightcliff cabled the report on that, and I moved or gave nose of a motion that the recommendations be implemented. That would mean that we would then try and put legislation. It's a bit of a long journey from here I've talked about, but I know it's something incredibly important to people in this community. So we will be continuing to do everything we can to try and bring back the right to people in the Northern Territory to die with dignity.

Oh no, they may be talking about the Voluntary Assistant Dying bill. So yeah, So kat Member for Nightcliff cabled the report on that, and I moved or gave nose of a motion that the recommendations be implemented. That would mean that we would then try and put legislation. It's a bit of a long journey from here I've talked about, but I know it's something incredibly important to people in this community. So we will be continuing to do everything we can to try and bring back the right to people in the Northern Territory to die with dignity.

Well, if you can keep us up to date, that would be really great. I know that a lot of our listeners do want to be aware of what's going on with that Voluntary Assistant Dying bill, and a lot of support really for that. Justine have you been out to Have you been at that rally this morning on the territory part.

Well, if you can keep us up to date, that would be really great. I know that a lot of our listeners do want to be aware of what's going on with that Voluntary Assistant Dying bill, and a lot of support really for that. Justine have you been out to Have you been at that rally this morning on the territory part.

I was it that rally this morning? Yes, many people, they're the concerns. Yeah, I couldn't give you a number, but there there were a lot of people out the front of Parliament House. I wasn't there for all of it, but I share the concerns of people that you know, we've talked about that. I've talked about that with you before that this is a really big challenge to our democracy, to I democratic principles, to the good, good process and good decision making. We don't have to be anti develop Sorry. The drive is not being anti development. The drive is let's do things properly. Let's respect the laws that we have in place at the moment. They're there for a reason. I think people are really concerned at the person who's been put in as the interim territory coordinator. The fact that whoever you know, however great he is, and you know, people have been you know, including you, I think you said word. The fact that he headed up impacts for ten years rings alarm bells from me.

I was it that rally this morning? Yes, many people, they're the concerns. Yeah, I couldn't give you a number, but there there were a lot of people out the front of Parliament House. I wasn't there for all of it, but I share the concerns of people that you know, we've talked about that. I've talked about that with you before that this is a really big challenge to our democracy, to I democratic principles, to the good, good process and good decision making. We don't have to be anti develop Sorry. The drive is not being anti development. The drive is let's do things properly. Let's respect the laws that we have in place at the moment. They're there for a reason. I think people are really concerned at the person who's been put in as the interim territory coordinator. The fact that whoever you know, however great he is, and you know, people have been you know, including you, I think you said word. The fact that he headed up impacts for ten years rings alarm bells from me.

If I'm about the fact that he works for the Labor Party, Like are you concerned that he works for the Labor Party.

If I'm about the fact that he works for the Labor Party, Like are you concerned that he works for the Labor Party.

Well, what I want to know if I've got decisions, if I've got someone who's making decisions about my future, my kid's future, the territory future, what I want to know is that they have no vested interests. It doesn't pass the pub test for me. If people have clear links to to industry, to political parties. I want them to be properly independent. I get to have in play.

Well, what I want to know if I've got decisions, if I've got someone who's making decisions about my future, my kid's future, the territory future, what I want to know is that they have no vested interests. It doesn't pass the pub test for me. If people have clear links to to industry, to political parties. I want them to be properly independent. I get to have in play.

But I know, even when I started this job, Justine, people criticize me because I worked for a labor minister, and they said that there was no way that I'd be able to hold a labor government to account or to be able to do my job properly. And so I kind of like, I sort of don't subscribe to that that you can't still do your hello. I don't really subscribe to the fact that I think it can still do your job despite your work experience.

But I know, even when I started this job, Justine, people criticize me because I worked for a labor minister, and they said that there was no way that I'd be able to hold a labor government to account or to be able to do my job properly. And so I kind of like, I sort of don't subscribe to that that you can't still do your hello. I don't really subscribe to the fact that I think it can still do your job despite your work experience.

I think there's a very very big issue about what about people's trust in our processes, whether or not you can do your job. If people don't trust you to do it well, then it's going to undermine your ability to do it. And I don't think it's the same working as an advisor for government as heading up a major industry for ten years, an industry that this legislation is designed to protect and promote. Luck, I think it raises serious of putting these laws in place, and what the intentions are of the law well.

I think there's a very very big issue about what about people's trust in our processes, whether or not you can do your job. If people don't trust you to do it well, then it's going to undermine your ability to do it. And I don't think it's the same working as an advisor for government as heading up a major industry for ten years, an industry that this legislation is designed to protect and promote. Luck, I think it raises serious of putting these laws in place, and what the intentions are of the law well.

I will certainly leave it open to discussion for our listeners. Justine, I really appreciate you coming on the show this morning. I know you're busy, busy and have to get into Parliament, so thank you so much for having a chat with me. Thiss Q, thank you to talk soon you too,

I will certainly leave it open to discussion for our listeners. Justine, I really appreciate you coming on the show this morning. I know you're busy, busy and have to get into Parliament, so thank you so much for having a chat with me. Thiss Q, thank you to talk soon you too,