KATIE WOOLF, MIX 104.9 DARWIN: Senator for the Northern Territory, Malarndirri McCarthy, good morning.
SENATOR MALARNDIRRI MCCARTHY, SENATOR FOR THE NORTHERN TERRITORY: Good morning Katie, and good morning to all your listeners.
WOOLF: Malarndirri I know yesterday you asked a number of questions regarding the Citys Deal for Darwin. It was part of the Senate Estimates process is that correct?
MCCARTHY: that's right we had the Senate Estimates their process recently and I asked quite a number of questions around the Darwin City Deal because the other cities well and truly way ahead of us, Katie.
WOOLF: They are at this stage. I mean what was the response because obviously it was all signed off think it was May last year and we keep hearing that it is happening but Im just not sure where it is at.
MCCARTHY: Thats why I was asking the Commonwealth or Infrastructure Australia where is it? And it was in May youre right, it was in May last year that the memorandum of understanding was signed between the Territory Government and Darwin City and certainly the Commonwealth. But then when I was asking questions at the Senate Estimates, I said where is it at now, youve signed the MOU, they said more work needs to be taking place in terms of conversations around it. And I said well, we actually need to start seeing things moving. How much more talking needs to take place here?
WOOLF: Yeah. So are they waiting on information from the Northern Territory Government or they waiting on, what are they sort of waiting on and what further conversation does need to happen?
MCCARTHY: Well look I think I kind of felt it went around in circles Katie and then and it was a little bit disappointing but I'm going to keep on it with the Senate Estimates. I was told that basically, the Government has stated publicly its clear intention to develop a city Deal for Darwin. And the Minister recently stated in a public interview in Darwin that he is committed to pursuing a city deal but we dont know exactly what that means going forward. If you look at Council they have already had their MOU and they have signed contracts to go forward. The same with the other cities, I think Launceston is another one, and Western Sydney. We are kind of champing at the bit here to get beyond the MOU.
WOOLF: is likely that we won't hear anything until the federal budget is announced?
MCCARTHY: That's a really good question and it's very possible that it is the case. I guess the opportunity that I am using in Canberra is to constantly keep it on the public debate so that they recognise that the people of Darwin and Palmerston want to see things happen up here, that it shouldnt just be the eastern states in the southern cities getting the commitment from the Commonwealth.
WOOLF: There is no doubt about that now I do you feel as though you know it's something that we've spoken about for quite a long time the city's Deal. I really hope you know that we are able to move forward sooner rather than later because I think it could have a big impact for us here in Darwin.
MCCARTHY: Absolutely and we've already seen I think there's been in the article just around Cavanagh and some of the ideas in terms of moving forward, We've heard about the game we think Cavanagh's street and the shade structure and the heating. I think the NSW University was brought on board to do a bit of a study, we do want to see more advanced approach now by the Commonwealth.
WOOLF: Well Malarndirri McCarthy please do keep us up to date when you do those questions we appreciate your time this morning.
MCCARTHY: No worries Katie, thank you.
