ADAM STEER, ABC DARWIN: ALP Senator Malarndirri McCarthy fronted estimates last night to ask the Federal Health Department about the PFAS blood testing in Katherine. Senator Good morning, what did you find out?
MALARNDIRRI MCCARTHY, SENATOR FOR THE NORTHERN TERRITORY: The Federal Health Department said that consultations will begin in Katherine at the end of March, however, the actual blood tests will take place around mid-Marc, which is a little bit confusing, because I said well wouldnt you want to consult with the community to let them know that your blood tests have started. But apparently it is going to happen the other way around.
STEER: So the blood tests will come and go before anyone knows about it? It sounds very confusing?
MCCARTHY: No no I didnt take it as that. I just took it as the Health department has been working and that is my interpretation, not tDepartmenty have worked with local GPs and certainly the Primary Health Network in Katherine.
STEER: Many people in Katherine feel this way that, they are being ignored by Canberra, people in Parliament House dont care about them. Do you think the Federal Health Department has been dragged kicking and screaming into the PFAS saga?
MCCARTHY: Certainly the people working in the Health Department wand who answered at estimates last night are very cognisant that this is important for the people of Katherine. But like most things Adam they do take time, and I think with questions from myself and others we just keep applying the blowtorch, so they cant take extra time they have to get there now.
STEER: What would you like to see happen immediately?
MCCARTHY: They just need to basically need to allow people to go in and start getting their bloods tests and this has really been the issue and what they explained in estimates last night that contracts have to be signed and they have to work out who is going to do. I did say to them that there had been local reports that the delay in rolling out blood tests in Katherine was due to doctor or nurse shortage. They disagreed with that. They just said it was contractual arrangements and I just said that people desperately need this to happen, when are you going to do it, and she said mid-March.
STEER: Meanwhile the Northern Territory Government will make their official response to the Royal Commission into youth detention in the Northern Territory later this morning. The Chief Minister is still angry that the Federal Government is unwilling to fund the recommendations of the Royal Commission. He called the Commission a $70 million political stunt designed to help the CLPs election prospects. Is Canberra failing Territorians by not handing out even more cash than they already do?
MCCARHY: Well Canberra definitely cant walk away from this. They definitely need to commit in far greater numbers not just with the Royal Commission but also with the concerns around the National Partnership on housing.
STEER: So that is what they should be doing? Giving us more money?
MCCARTHY: Well they have to commit and that is what they said they would do coming into the Royal Commission, thats what they said theyll do in terms of making sure the recommendations will be carried through and commitment means putting dollars there as well.
STTER: Their response to the Royal Commission is well well look at each of those individual, I think it was 12 or 16 recommendations, they would investigate further is that just more inquiries?
MCCARTHY: Look, its all very well for the Commonwealth than investigate those things, they can do more than one thing at once. They can certainly commit to working with the Northern Territory Government and placing the money where it is required and other legislative support.
STEER: Staying in the Territory Senator. Suggestions that child protection officers in the NT are unwilling to report underage sex because they dont want to create a second Stolen Generation or step on usual cultural practises. What is your reaction to that?
MCCARTHY: Look I think those reports that are out and obviously come from I think it was 2015 when those reports were around and what is happening today, and it is important to consistently find out what is currently happening. I know that the Northern Territory Dale Wakefield is on top of all of these things and in my conversations with her, particularly of late, these discussions with her department, and also Aboriginal organisations and families is quite critical in moving forward and those issues that are around and have been reported. And of course every child must be safe irrespective of their background.
STEER: Culturally though is it going on, is there older men having sex with underage women, under some cultural guise?
MCCARTHY: Well if it is, they need to be locked up.
STEER: So you think young girls who are being forced to marry or engage in sexual activity with older men, should they be removed from communities?
MCCARTHY: Look we have a law in the Northern Territory and that law is very clear. Every child needs to be safe. Now if this behaviour is going on it is intolerable irrespective of whether you are black white or brindle. Every child deserves to be safe and people know what the laws are in the Northern Territory.
STEER: You dont have to look too hard into court documents Senator to see a number of suspended sentences for men convicted for underage sex. Are the courts also being too lenient?
MCCARTHY: Well I think wed need to look at it as a case by case situation Adam. I am speaking more broadly that if there are people who are working in child protection, let me tell you and certainly reassure you, that every child deserves to be safe. If they are living on communities or living in Darwin or Alice Springs, irrespective of what their family situation is if they must be removed then they must be removed.
STEER: Meanwhile lets go back to Canberra. Rumours are swirling around Senator Nigel Scullion and his future as Indigenous Affairs Minister. DO you think he should keep his job?
MCCARTHY: I know that theres lots of conversations going on, and who knows we might not have Nigel Scullion before us for the Senate Committee tomorrow, but I think as the Northern Territory Chief Minister has also said it would be an absolute failure to not have a Territory voice in the cabinet. And I have been on the record in the past to say that. I think that is incredibly vital that Nigel Scullion remains part of the cabinet.
STEER: But if he loses his Indigenous Affairs portfolio, who should take over?
MCCARTHY: That is a question obviously for the Prime Minister and given his record recently with Indigenous Affairs it is a matter of whether he will listen to whoever is in that job and clearly he hasnt been listening to Nigel Scullion.
STEER: What else is going on in Canberra at the moment. It seems a bit crazy at the moment. Politicians are scared to transfer female staff from one office to another office because of unfounded innuendo and rumours.
MCCARTHY: Look I am not sure that has happened with Michaela Cash but it was certainly inappropriate and we are calling on her to provide an apology. People deserve to work in their workplace without feeling victimised.
STEER: Senator, Thank you for joining us today.
MCCARTHY: Thank you.
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