PM arrives in Tennant

PRIME Minister Malcolm Turnbull will dine with Tennant Creek community groups and leaders at a special dinner tonight.

Mr Turnbull, who will become only the second PM ever to stay in the beleaguered town, has vowed he will take the opportunity to see first-hand the good and the bad during his two-day visit.

And he has promised that anyone who wants to have a chat will have that opportunity as he gets “right around the community.”

Mr Turnbull said that while there are planned meetings, there is plenty of casual time that will be spent speaking with Tennant residents about the things that are important to them. His visit follows a sustained campaign by the NT News and the Sunday Territorian to travel to the troubled town.

PRIME Minister Malcolm Turnbull said he will take the opportunity to have a good close look around Tennant Creek and see first-hand the good and the bad during his two-day visit to the town starting today.

And he has promised that anyone who wants to have a chat, will have that opportunity as he gets “right around the community.”

Mr Turnbull told the Sunday Territorian yesterday that while there are planned meetings, there is plenty of casual time that will be spent speaking with Tennant residents about the things that are important to them and to hear their thoughts and ideas for their community.

“I will have the opportunity to look around the community in a relaxed and unofficial manner,” he said.

The Prime Minister, who is only the second PM to ever stop and stay in Tennant Creek, said he will be based in the remote desert township for his two days in the NT.

He revealed yesterday an extensive list of people from the troubled township he will be meeting with.

First up will be the town’s Mayor Steve Edgington.

It was Mr Edgington’s recent meeting with the Prime Minister in Canberra to discuss Tennant Creek’s serious dysfunction issues that is responsible for Mr Turnbull’s visit.

The Prime Minister also has meetings planned with the Tennant Creek Regional Economic Development Committee and Community Development Program; the Cultural authority group; families from the Community Liv- ing Areas; local businesses; the Youth Night Patrol team; police and members of Operation Haven.

The Prime Minister will also talk with community groups and leaders at a dinner tonight.

Mr Turnbull reaffirmed his promise that his visit will be about listening to people’s experiences in order to form a path forward in partnership with the community, its leaders, the Territory and local governments.

“I am bringing this delegation together to continue to map the pathways to reduce harm to children and for greater economic development for the Barkly region.”

CLP federal Indigenous Affairs Minister Senator Nigel Scullion and the Minister for Social Services Dan Tehan, who had similar meetings in Tennant Creek two weeks ago, will join the Prime Minister in Tennant Creek, as will Northern Territory Chief Minister Michael Gunner.

Mr Gunner said it will be a privilege to show the Prime around Tennant Creek, the town he went to primary and high school in.

He has offered Mr Turnbull the “resources, people and facilities of the NT Government” should he require them.