Well, as I mentioned a short time ago, we know that multiple youths are on the run after allegedly driving dangerously through Catherine in a stolen car this morning. Police say that the Toyota Highlux was stolen about one forty this morning, with around ten youth spotted hanging out of that car and riding in the tray. Authorities set up a tied deflation device on the Catherine Bridge, stopping the vehicle. A short time later. Three of the youths were arrested, but seven managed to flee the scene. Anyone with informations being urged to contact the Northern Territory Police on one three to one Triple four. Now Selena Rubo, the Opposition leader and a Member four Arnham, joins me in the.

Well, as I mentioned a short time ago, we know that multiple youths are on the run after allegedly driving dangerously through Catherine in a stolen car this morning. Police say that the Toyota Highlux was stolen about one forty this morning, with around ten youth spotted hanging out of that car and riding in the tray. Authorities set up a tied deflation device on the Catherine Bridge, stopping the vehicle. A short time later. Three of the youths were arrested, but seven managed to flee the scene. Anyone with informations being urged to contact the Northern Territory Police on one three to one Triple four. Now Selena Rubo, the Opposition leader and a Member four Arnham, joins me in the.

Studio right now.

Studio right now.

Good morning to you Opposition leader, and a very happy birthday.

Good morning to you Opposition leader, and a very happy birthday.

First off, good morning Katie, thank you so much, and good morning to you listeners.

First off, good morning Katie, thank you so much, and good morning to you listeners.

It's great to have you in the studio ahead of Parliament sitting.

It's great to have you in the studio ahead of Parliament sitting.

It's a massive day. I mean not only.

It's a massive day. I mean not only.

Obviously a big day for you, but we also know that the federal budget it's going to be handed down this evening. Parliament sitting again in the Northern Territory today, so there's plenty for us to have a chat about. But Selena, I want to ask you first off about this terrible incident from overnight, multiple youths on the run after allegedly driving dangerously through Catherine in a stolen car. Police saying that Toyota Highlux was stolen about one forty this morning, about ten youths spotted hanging out of that car and riding in the train. Now there's quite a bit to take in from that story, but my first instinct is that is so incredibly dangerous.

Obviously a big day for you, but we also know that the federal budget it's going to be handed down this evening. Parliament sitting again in the Northern Territory today, so there's plenty for us to have a chat about. But Selena, I want to ask you first off about this terrible incident from overnight, multiple youths on the run after allegedly driving dangerously through Catherine in a stolen car. Police saying that Toyota Highlux was stolen about one forty this morning, about ten youths spotted hanging out of that car and riding in the train. Now there's quite a bit to take in from that story, but my first instinct is that is so incredibly dangerous.

Absolutely, Katie, it's very concerning to hear that that incident has happened just last night, slash this morning, and particularly in Catherine, my hometown. You know, the danger and the aspects not just to the general public, but also those young people who've been found to do the wrong thing.

Absolutely, Katie, it's very concerning to hear that that incident has happened just last night, slash this morning, and particularly in Catherine, my hometown. You know, the danger and the aspects not just to the general public, but also those young people who've been found to do the wrong thing.

You know, a spur of the moment, silly and stupid.

You know, a spur of the moment, silly and stupid.

Decision can lead to tragedy, and we've seen that unfortunately around the territory, specially on our roads. So that's why when we're talking about young people and prevention and focusing not just on the crisis point in those consequences, which absolutely when someone does the wrong thing, whether it's a young person or an adult, they have to face a consequence. But what are the preventions and the programs that are going to support, particularly young people in the territory to not make those wrong choices, to have a pathway out of the justice system, and to make those positive choices so they can contribute to our community in a positive way. And that's where our youth programs and the intervention around that type of behavior is so important.

Decision can lead to tragedy, and we've seen that unfortunately around the territory, specially on our roads. So that's why when we're talking about young people and prevention and focusing not just on the crisis point in those consequences, which absolutely when someone does the wrong thing, whether it's a young person or an adult, they have to face a consequence. But what are the preventions and the programs that are going to support, particularly young people in the territory to not make those wrong choices, to have a pathway out of the justice system, and to make those positive choices so they can contribute to our community in a positive way. And that's where our youth programs and the intervention around that type of behavior is so important.

Katie Selena, is Catherine going through a bit of a bad sport at the moment. I mean, it wasn't the only incident we know that. There was also the day before yesterday there was a number of cars stolen, as I understand it, and officers trying to intercept one of those vehicles that have been stolen the occupants send fleeing on foot near the.

Katie Selena, is Catherine going through a bit of a bad sport at the moment. I mean, it wasn't the only incident we know that. There was also the day before yesterday there was a number of cars stolen, as I understand it, and officers trying to intercept one of those vehicles that have been stolen the occupants send fleeing on foot near the.

Cat and Sports ground.

Cat and Sports ground.

It does seem as though these more incidents coming out of Catherine over the last few weeks.

It does seem as though these more incidents coming out of Catherine over the last few weeks.

Would that be a fair assessment.

Would that be a fair assessment.

I think what we've heard on the news and what I've seen in and around Catherine when I've been home, is that we've seen those spikes. Obviously, it does go up and down just like any other town or community in the territory, Katie. But again those programs are being able to invest in the resources around young people. In particular, Catherine, we've had very very hot weather. We haven't had a lot of rain, so you know, people do go a bit stir crazy and that's not in no way, shape or form a you know, to get off scot free for that type of behavior. But in terms of some of the conditions that we're facing across different parts of the territory, we need to have those programs for young people so we can keep them engage, keep them busy, get them in school, support them in school, and if they're having issues at home, if they have a home they're having issues, to make sure that is addressed and that it's a whole of community response. All right.

I think what we've heard on the news and what I've seen in and around Catherine when I've been home, is that we've seen those spikes. Obviously, it does go up and down just like any other town or community in the territory, Katie. But again those programs are being able to invest in the resources around young people. In particular, Catherine, we've had very very hot weather. We haven't had a lot of rain, so you know, people do go a bit stir crazy and that's not in no way, shape or form a you know, to get off scot free for that type of behavior. But in terms of some of the conditions that we're facing across different parts of the territory, we need to have those programs for young people so we can keep them engage, keep them busy, get them in school, support them in school, and if they're having issues at home, if they have a home they're having issues, to make sure that is addressed and that it's a whole of community response. All right.

I want to talk to about the plans that the colp have announced when it comes to reviewing the Territory's Sacred Sites Act. The opposition I've read believe it is more the move I should say, is nothing more than employed to get around traditional owner approval for projects. So essentially the lands Planning an Environment Minister Joshua Burgoyne said the government's planning to introduce amendments to the nineteen eighty nine an Aboriginal Sacred Sites Act when Parliament resumes today. The Act has not been reviewed in thirty years, despite an independent review into the Act being completed nearly a decade ago. Selena, the Minister, said the Sacred Sites Act hasn't been updated. Any updates are going to strengthen the protection of sacred sites while ensuring the efficiency of regulatory processes for the safe development of the Northern Territory. Do you believe that it needs to be updated, Katie.

I want to talk to about the plans that the colp have announced when it comes to reviewing the Territory's Sacred Sites Act. The opposition I've read believe it is more the move I should say, is nothing more than employed to get around traditional owner approval for projects. So essentially the lands Planning an Environment Minister Joshua Burgoyne said the government's planning to introduce amendments to the nineteen eighty nine an Aboriginal Sacred Sites Act when Parliament resumes today. The Act has not been reviewed in thirty years, despite an independent review into the Act being completed nearly a decade ago. Selena, the Minister, said the Sacred Sites Act hasn't been updated. Any updates are going to strengthen the protection of sacred sites while ensuring the efficiency of regulatory processes for the safe development of the Northern Territory. Do you believe that it needs to be updated, Katie.

This is really interesting because we know the COLP government has met with some key stakeholders like the Abriginal Land Councils here in the Northern Territory who actually represent traditional owners, but also the Abstual Areas Protection Authority, but they haven't actually provided any detail or specifics of what they intend to do when it comes to updating the Sacred Sides Act. We're quite concerned that, unfortunately, we believe it's becoming a pattern of the CLP government of not going out for public consultation and having those processes like the Scrutiny Committee. They're picking and choosing what legislation goes through that process. What gets scrutinized what doesn't, Katie, Essentially for listeners to understand.

This is really interesting because we know the COLP government has met with some key stakeholders like the Abriginal Land Councils here in the Northern Territory who actually represent traditional owners, but also the Abstual Areas Protection Authority, but they haven't actually provided any detail or specifics of what they intend to do when it comes to updating the Sacred Sides Act. We're quite concerned that, unfortunately, we believe it's becoming a pattern of the CLP government of not going out for public consultation and having those processes like the Scrutiny Committee. They're picking and choosing what legislation goes through that process. What gets scrutinized what doesn't, Katie, Essentially for listeners to understand.

So this is a piece of legislation. We believe that, you.

So this is a piece of legislation. We believe that, you.

Know, the CLP, if they want to make some changes that they want to improve the Act and the laws that are under the Sacred Sites, they need to be upfront about what it is they're going to change.

Know, the CLP, if they want to make some changes that they want to improve the Act and the laws that are under the Sacred Sites, they need to be upfront about what it is they're going to change.

They told you what they're going to change.

They told you what they're going to change.

No, Katie, we have requested some information. We know that the intention is this week is to introduce those changes. But when you're not telling your key stakeholders what you intend to do with the law that governs some very important parts of the Northern Territory, then you've got to ask those questions of why they're not telling those key stakeholders, let alone us.

No, Katie, we have requested some information. We know that the intention is this week is to introduce those changes. But when you're not telling your key stakeholders what you intend to do with the law that governs some very important parts of the Northern Territory, then you've got to ask those questions of why they're not telling those key stakeholders, let alone us.

Look as members of.

Look as members of.

All I definitely think there needs to be that level of respect when we talk about sacred sites. But I know for a lot of people listening, they may also be thinking, Katie, we've had a situation on a number of occasions where projects have been held.

All I definitely think there needs to be that level of respect when we talk about sacred sites. But I know for a lot of people listening, they may also be thinking, Katie, we've had a situation on a number of occasions where projects have been held.

Up or have not gone ahead.

Up or have not gone ahead.

One of the things that caught everybody's attention, I think last year was the change to Territory Day at Mindle Beach, and that a location that had previously been used on a number of occasions to celebrate Territory Day. They've then sort of become concerns about there being a sacred side area or an area there where traditional owners had some worry about. So I guess to a lot of people listening, they might be thinking to themselves, well, do we at the very least need to have a look into this and see how we might be able to do things more efficiently or better.

One of the things that caught everybody's attention, I think last year was the change to Territory Day at Mindle Beach, and that a location that had previously been used on a number of occasions to celebrate Territory Day. They've then sort of become concerns about there being a sacred side area or an area there where traditional owners had some worry about. So I guess to a lot of people listening, they might be thinking to themselves, well, do we at the very least need to have a look into this and see how we might be able to do things more efficiently or better.

Yeah, Katie, and that exam Obviously it got work through last year around Mindle and the fireworks. We know it was a great community event. But when we're talking about development, when we're talking about irreversible changes, when it comes to development in the Northern Territory, all territories, whether they're black or white, brindle brown, everything in between. Katie, I think want to know and have comfort that the government is doing the process and doing it in the right way. I think that's really important. But when we're talking about sacred sites, there has to be a multiple There might have to be a multiple approach to the processes because it often involves very, very different aspects when it comes to lands and planning, when it comes to traditional owner consent, free and prior consent when it comes to development, and traditional owners also want to develop on their own land Kati, So people have got to remember that as well.

Yeah, Katie, and that exam Obviously it got work through last year around Mindle and the fireworks. We know it was a great community event. But when we're talking about development, when we're talking about irreversible changes, when it comes to development in the Northern Territory, all territories, whether they're black or white, brindle brown, everything in between. Katie, I think want to know and have comfort that the government is doing the process and doing it in the right way. I think that's really important. But when we're talking about sacred sites, there has to be a multiple There might have to be a multiple approach to the processes because it often involves very, very different aspects when it comes to lands and planning, when it comes to traditional owner consent, free and prior consent when it comes to development, and traditional owners also want to develop on their own land Kati, So people have got to remember that as well.

So sacred Sites is about the protection.

So sacred Sites is about the protection.

The act is about the protection of those very important custodial sites. If anything happens to those sites, there can't be any changes. You can't reverse time when something is destroyed.

The act is about the protection of those very important custodial sites. If anything happens to those sites, there can't be any changes. You can't reverse time when something is destroyed.

Until can you believe that this move is nothing more than employed to get around traditional owner approval for projects.

Until can you believe that this move is nothing more than employed to get around traditional owner approval for projects.

Or Katie Again, we'd like to see what the actual process is that the COLP government is proposing. The fact that they haven't told that to land councils or the Abaginal Areas Protection Authority gives us extremely great concern because you would expect they would at least be upfront. The CEP government would at least be up front with those key stakeholders which this act specifically affects.

Or Katie Again, we'd like to see what the actual process is that the COLP government is proposing. The fact that they haven't told that to land councils or the Abaginal Areas Protection Authority gives us extremely great concern because you would expect they would at least be upfront. The CEP government would at least be up front with those key stakeholders which this act specifically affects.

Can you see how some people, I suppose, just following on from the situation that we'd seen last year with Santos on the Tiwi Islands or around the Tiwi area, can you see how some people might feel as though the goldposts get changed or that you know that some people and I'm not saying traditional owners, but sometimes you have a situation where you know, third parties or lawyers or others get involved and it ends up being you know, like projects being stopped when they might not necessarily be the will or the want, or they may actually be an area you know, that can be developed or utilized.

Can you see how some people, I suppose, just following on from the situation that we'd seen last year with Santos on the Tiwi Islands or around the Tiwi area, can you see how some people might feel as though the goldposts get changed or that you know that some people and I'm not saying traditional owners, but sometimes you have a situation where you know, third parties or lawyers or others get involved and it ends up being you know, like projects being stopped when they might not necessarily be the will or the want, or they may actually be an area you know, that can be developed or utilized.

Yeah, Kaian again, I go back to the point where people definitely need to have a say, particularly traditional owners on country and what the decisions are. But also the best thing about the territory is everyone does get to have a say. And when you don't have processes that provide the opportunity and the safeguards to have that say, that's when we need to start to worry when it becomes a my way or the highway process.

Yeah, Kaian again, I go back to the point where people definitely need to have a say, particularly traditional owners on country and what the decisions are. But also the best thing about the territory is everyone does get to have a say. And when you don't have processes that provide the opportunity and the safeguards to have that say, that's when we need to start to worry when it becomes a my way or the highway process.

And this is unfortunate.

And this is unfortunate.

What we feel like the COLP government is starting to show in terms of their true colors. We know territories, whether it's for a project or against a project, we know territories want to have their very important say, particularly when it comes to develop in the territory, and particularly when it comes to those economic opportunities. So we believe those those processes should be if they are to be improved, should definitely be improved. But we don't believe those process should be removed.

What we feel like the COLP government is starting to show in terms of their true colors. We know territories, whether it's for a project or against a project, we know territories want to have their very important say, particularly when it comes to develop in the territory, and particularly when it comes to those economic opportunities. So we believe those those processes should be if they are to be improved, should definitely be improved. But we don't believe those process should be removed.

Well, look, we are going to catch up with the minister in just a few minutes time. I want to ask you. I know the COLP obviously took their three million dollar free swimming lesson policy to last year's territory election, one hundred and fifty dollars allocated to each Northern Territory primary school student. It was seen as a great announcement by many, but I know some in remote communities really wondering how it's going to happen for them. Last week, the Opposition asked a series of questions about this in question Time.

Well, look, we are going to catch up with the minister in just a few minutes time. I want to ask you. I know the COLP obviously took their three million dollar free swimming lesson policy to last year's territory election, one hundred and fifty dollars allocated to each Northern Territory primary school student. It was seen as a great announcement by many, but I know some in remote communities really wondering how it's going to happen for them. Last week, the Opposition asked a series of questions about this in question Time.

Why did you raise this and what are the concerns?

Why did you raise this and what are the concerns?

Yeah, Katie, our Labor opposition recognizes and agrees that swimming is a very important skill, particularly here in the Northern Territory. In over On loves to enjoy the water, especially on those very hot days. But what we've asked the we don't dispute the election commitment that the COLP has took to the election, and obviously they're in government now, but what we asked the questions around around the costing. They've spoken about Minister Hersey, Joehersey, the mempher Catherine has spoken about but there will be no extra cost to schools. But what we're uncovering now, Katie, through those questions, through the consultation with schools not just in remote areas, but now regional schools outside of Darwin and Palmerston. When on talking about the top end examples, we're now starting to hear that schools are being asked to use their school budget, which is for schooling resources, to pay for this election commitment.

Yeah, Katie, our Labor opposition recognizes and agrees that swimming is a very important skill, particularly here in the Northern Territory. In over On loves to enjoy the water, especially on those very hot days. But what we've asked the we don't dispute the election commitment that the COLP has took to the election, and obviously they're in government now, but what we asked the questions around around the costing. They've spoken about Minister Hersey, Joehersey, the mempher Catherine has spoken about but there will be no extra cost to schools. But what we're uncovering now, Katie, through those questions, through the consultation with schools not just in remote areas, but now regional schools outside of Darwin and Palmerston. When on talking about the top end examples, we're now starting to hear that schools are being asked to use their school budget, which is for schooling resources, to pay for this election commitment.

And there's one region.

And there's one region.

It's not an additional budget. There's not an additional.

It's not an additional budget. There's not an additional.

Budget, which is why Katie, we've been asking these questions of Joe Hersey. She's given us some spin off. She's keep saying, you know, you don't agree with swimming lessons. Absolutely we agree with swimming lessons. We just want to know who is paying for these so called swee free swimming lessons. And we have a regional school not that far out of Darwin and Palmerston, Katie, on the Highway I won't say the name of the school, and they're being asked to cover the cost of the logistics of up to six thousand dollars. So that's six thousand dollars less in their school budget and less in their classrooms for those students.

Budget, which is why Katie, we've been asking these questions of Joe Hersey. She's given us some spin off. She's keep saying, you know, you don't agree with swimming lessons. Absolutely we agree with swimming lessons. We just want to know who is paying for these so called swee free swimming lessons. And we have a regional school not that far out of Darwin and Palmerston, Katie, on the Highway I won't say the name of the school, and they're being asked to cover the cost of the logistics of up to six thousand dollars. So that's six thousand dollars less in their school budget and less in their classrooms for those students.

Just to get it really clear in my brain, so are they being asked to take the swimming lessons and the transportation of kids out of the school budget is what you're saying. They're not getting additional funding for those swimming lessons as had been understood prior to the election.

Just to get it really clear in my brain, so are they being asked to take the swimming lessons and the transportation of kids out of the school budget is what you're saying. They're not getting additional funding for those swimming lessons as had been understood prior to the election.

So there's two parts there, Katie. Nothing that we understand for the logistics, so that's whether it's road transport, buses, charter flights, et cetera, overnight accommodation if you're really really far from your closest swimming pool. But the department has as we understand, allocated one hundred and fifty dollars per student. So that's whether it's a student here in per Op Primary School who walks down the road to the prep swimming pool, or one hundred and fifty dollars for a student on Croker Island who would need to fly in on a chartered flight to their closest swimming pool, which would either be Jabbaru or Parmastae.

So there's two parts there, Katie. Nothing that we understand for the logistics, so that's whether it's road transport, buses, charter flights, et cetera, overnight accommodation if you're really really far from your closest swimming pool. But the department has as we understand, allocated one hundred and fifty dollars per student. So that's whether it's a student here in per Op Primary School who walks down the road to the prep swimming pool, or one hundred and fifty dollars for a student on Croker Island who would need to fly in on a chartered flight to their closest swimming pool, which would either be Jabbaru or Parmastae.

I was really going to be able to afford that.

I was really going to be able to afford that.

Absolutely not.

Absolutely not.

So we just really want a clear answer from Joe Hersey, who is the minister. She keeps saying, you know, we've allocated this money, no school is going to be worse off. We are now finding that is not the case, Katie. So we'll can to ask those questions.

So we just really want a clear answer from Joe Hersey, who is the minister. She keeps saying, you know, we've allocated this money, no school is going to be worse off. We are now finding that is not the case, Katie. So we'll can to ask those questions.

Yeah, we'll see what we can find out as well. Selena. Before I let you go this morning.

Yeah, we'll see what we can find out as well. Selena. Before I let you go this morning.

I do want to ask the federal budget obviously being handed down tonight. I know you've been very clear right for a number of years now about wanting some additional funding, needs based funding when it comes to domestic violence. Are you expecting that that could be handed down in the federal budget tonight or what else would Territory labor like to say?

I do want to ask the federal budget obviously being handed down tonight. I know you've been very clear right for a number of years now about wanting some additional funding, needs based funding when it comes to domestic violence. Are you expecting that that could be handed down in the federal budget tonight or what else would Territory labor like to say?

Yeah, Katie, that's a big one.

Yeah, Katie, that's a big one.

We know that health wise, we're the least funded for our hospital services in the country and that's got to change absolutely when we look at the health data and statistics here in the Northern Territory. We also know that domestic violence needs to be funded on a needs base pro rata rather than the population basis, which unfortunately the territory has always been funded on in one percent of the federal budget does not make a difference to us here. It's merely a drop in the ocean for the Northern territory. So we want to make sure that whatever the outcomes are for this federal labor budget, that the territory is better off. We know, we believe our opposition believes the territory is always better off when we have a labor government. At the rains in Canberra, we want to make sure that those key areas are funded around health and domestic violence. But we're really hoping that we'll see the continuation of some great infrastructure funding as well, updating our roads. We've seen some great improvements for businesses, agribusinesses, our pastoral businesses who have seen the benefits when our roads do get upgraded, particularly in those regional areas and continue to be a hub for economic growth in all the territories. So we really hope that we will see the continuation of that work under the budget tonight.

We know that health wise, we're the least funded for our hospital services in the country and that's got to change absolutely when we look at the health data and statistics here in the Northern Territory. We also know that domestic violence needs to be funded on a needs base pro rata rather than the population basis, which unfortunately the territory has always been funded on in one percent of the federal budget does not make a difference to us here. It's merely a drop in the ocean for the Northern territory. So we want to make sure that whatever the outcomes are for this federal labor budget, that the territory is better off. We know, we believe our opposition believes the territory is always better off when we have a labor government. At the rains in Canberra, we want to make sure that those key areas are funded around health and domestic violence. But we're really hoping that we'll see the continuation of some great infrastructure funding as well, updating our roads. We've seen some great improvements for businesses, agribusinesses, our pastoral businesses who have seen the benefits when our roads do get upgraded, particularly in those regional areas and continue to be a hub for economic growth in all the territories. So we really hope that we will see the continuation of that work under the budget tonight.

Well let's wait and see what comes out. Selena Hubo, the Opposition leader, thank you so much for your time.

Well let's wait and see what comes out. Selena Hubo, the Opposition leader, thank you so much for your time.

Have a great birthday.

Have a great birthday.

Thank you very much, Katie, thank you

Thank you very much, Katie, thank you