Subjects: YiSSA short term accommodation in Darwin, NT child protection laws, Northern Territory Remote Aboriginal Investment
ADAM STEER, HOST: The Northern Territory Government has confirmed it’s rejected an offer from the Commonwealth to split the costs of keeping a major Darwin homelessness shelter open. Whilst the YiSSA short stay accommodation sits on crown land, the accommodation blocks are owned by Ausco and leased to the Northern Territory Government under a five-year agreement worth between $2.5 million and $3 million per year. The 300-room short stay facility in Marara is due to close within weeks because of what the Territory Government says is an unreasonable asking price given by the facility’s owner. Federal Indigenous Australians Minister Malarndirri McCarthy says the Federal Government’s offered to go halves in purchasing the shelter but the Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro, speaking on commercial radio earlier today, says it would be a waste of taxpayer money.
I caught up with the Federal Minister for Indigenous Australians and Northern Territory Senator Malarndirri McCarthy earlier today, and I started by asking her how much extra money is the Federal Government offering.
MALARNDIRRI McCARTHY, MINISTER FOR INDIGENOUS AUSTRALIANS: I noticed in the Chief Minister’s interview that she was unable to say what the figure was and I get the sense that she hasn’t been fully briefed on it Adam, because if she was aware she’d realise that this is a really good opportunity for the Northern Territory Government but also more importantly, for the families and residents and staff at YiSSA.
HOST: So how much are you offering in total to pay to help keep that facility open?
MINISTER: $3.5 million. $6.5 million in total to purchase the 300-room facility, of the demountables on Batten Road. The Northern Territory Government expressed that it would only pay $3 million. The Commonwealth has come in to say we will pay the other $3.5 million, in order to keep the families and the staff at YiSSA, and to have more of a long-term plan, with the condition of up to five years to be able to do this properly. If the Northern Territory Government has other plans going forward, we’d clearly want to see that. But for now, I believe this is an extraordinarily good offer and one that does matter for the sake of those families at YiSSA.
HOST: So, the owners, Ausco are seeking a total payment of $6.5 million. So, what you’re suggesting is the Northern Territory’s offer of $3 million plus the new federal offer of $3.5 million, would total the $6.5 million required. Is that it?
MINISTER: That’s correct Adam and Ausco have expressed that. Given the timeframe is up until the expiration of the lease which is October, we are now four weeks ago from that date, this offer will no doubt expire. And I really do encourage the Chief Minister to reconsider and reflect on her comments. I do believe she does not have the full story. I have written to her this afternoon, urging her to reconsider because this is an important offer and it does matter. It is not wasted taxpayers’ money on families who are escaping domestic and family violence, people on renal dialysis. There is no transition plan right now. Those families can tell you that.
HOST: Territory taxpayer though, would be then required to pay for the upkeep of that facility, is that correct?
MINISTER: Well, it’s all within that $6.5 million. There is ongoing funding. This already occurs with Yilli Rreung, which has the contract to run the facility, along with Mission Australia. That funding is still intact and ongoing and it’s important that they still have certainty about their future.
HOST: The Northen Territory Government says the buildings’ owner is asking too much and ripping taxpayers off and they are organising a better alternative. Isn’t that just careful use of taxpayer dollars Minister?
MINISTER: This is interesting to see that Adam, because in the letter exchange from the Northern Territory Government, the offer they’ve put back or the suggestion they’ve put back is for a $40 million precinct and for the life of me I cannot see how a $40 million precinct right now is going to work, in terms of these residents. Hundreds of residents right now who only have a couple of weeks left in that facility. Stressful time for Yilli and for Mission Australia, and more importantly, for those families Adam. I cannot say enough how important it has been to be able to try and keep everyone at the table. And even Ausco. And that’s why I stepped into this, to try and keep the Northern Territory Government at the table with us, while I negotiated with Ausco. And I do believe that this is still a significant offer and I certainly hope the Northern Territory Government and the Chief Minister will take it up.
HOST: The Child Protection Minister in the Northen Territory Robyn Cahill is due to make an announcement in the next week or two with details of a transition plan for the YiSSA residents. Are you aware of any details there?
MINISTER: At this point in time those plans have not been made certainly public to me and the Commonwealth. I think it’s important to see what the Minister has in mind. But may I say this though, that these negotiations have been done in good faith Adam. And I just sincerely hope it stays on path. I’ve had a fair few commitments made to me about the importance of YiSSA and that site at Batten Road and I’ve taken that at face value and made this offer. And I sincerely hope it can be taken up.
HOST: Meanwhile the controversial child protection reforms passed by the Northern Territory Government last month take effect today. The Aboriginal legal services are wanting a meeting with the Federal Government about it. They say 800 people have signed an open letter they’ve sent to you. Is there anything the Federal Government is considering doing now that those laws have passed?
MINISTER: I met with NAAJA on Friday, in terms of making an announcement about $2 million that we’ve allocated to assist them in the throughcare program with the justice system. They gave me the letter when I was there, I certainly have that with me in Canberra today. I’ve been in Cabinet. I’ve certainly made my colleagues aware of it and we will always be listening to the people of the Northern Territory to see what we can do.
HOST: But is anything being considered?
MINISTER: Well, clearly the laws are in place. What was told to me by NAAJA is that they are now preparing what they need to do in each of the communities to try and inform people about what’s going to happen from here. In terms of the Commonwealth, clearly, we are very concerned about the Aboriginal Child Placement Principle not being looked at. We know that safety matters for every single child, Adam. But so does the kinship care relationship of children in their families.
HOST: Are you still considering financial penalties for states that don’t meet their Closing the Gap obligations? Or is that really an empty threat?
MINISTER: Well, it’s already happening. I included it in the Northern Territory Remote Aboriginal Investment. It is the first of any federal funding agreement across the country and I have included it in this agreement in the Northern Territory where we have Aboriginal Community Controlled organisations at the table, so that if I am to sign off on any funding for the Northern Territory, I not only get a report from the Northern Territory Government but I also get it from the Aboriginal community sector as well.
HOST: But you’re not really going to withhold money for services are you, because it’s the people on the ground that would suffer from that?
MINISTER: Well, this will be the test, won’t it? That’s why we have included in the clause and this is in parallel with all of our agreements, even the Northern Territory, to the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.
HOST: Minister, good to hear from you, thankyou.
MINISTER: Thankyou Adam.