Department of the Legislative Assembly, Northern Territory Government

Minutes of Proceedings - 2010-06-08

    1. MEETING:
        The Assembly met at 10am, pursuant to resolution of the Assembly, dated Thursday 6 May 2010. The Speaker, the Honourable J. L. Aagaard, took the Chair.

    2. PRAYERS.

    3. STATEMENT BY SPEAKER – BEHAVIOUR OF MEMBERS:
        The Speaker made a statement on the standards of behaviour exhibited by Members during the past few sittings in the following terms:
            ……The complaints are not simply about the loudness of debate. They are mainly about rude and sometimes vulgar behaviour; in the words of many, childish behaviour.
    4. MESSAGE FROM THE ADMINISTRATOR:
        The Speaker laid on the Table the following Message from the Administrator –
        Message No. 19
        Assent to Proposed Laws

        I, Thomas Ian Pauling, AO QC the Administrator of the Northern Territory of Australia, advise the Legislative Assembly of, pursuant to section 7 of the Northern Territory (Self-Government Act) 1978 of the Commonwealth, the assent to the following proposed laws:


        20 May 2010
        Companies (Trustees and Personal Representatives) (National Uniform Legislation) Implementation Act 2010 (Act No 16 of 2010)
        Consumer Credit (National Uniform Legislation) Implementation Act 2010 (Act No 14 of 2010)
        Health Practitioner (National Uniform Legislation) Implementation Act 2010 (Act No 18 of 2010)
        Justice Legislation Amendment (Penalties) Act 2010 (Act No 12 of 2010)
        Liquor Legislation Amendment Act 2010 (Act No 17 of 2010)
        Petroleum Amendment and Related Matters Act 2010 (Act No 13 of 2010)
        Police Administration Amendment (Service Medal) Act 2010 (Act No 15 of 2010)
        Public Information Act 2010 (Act No 11 of 2010)


        Dated 27 May 2010.


        Thomas Ian Pauling, AO QC
        Administrator (Paper 790)
    5. PETITIONS:
        The Member for Macdonnell (Ms Anderson) presented Petition No. 33 from 90 petitioners relating to a secure care facility situated on the corner of Cotterill Road and Ross Highway, Alice Springs (Paper 791).
        Petition read.

        The Member for Macdonnell (Ms Anderson) presented Petition No. 34 from 39 petitioners, not conforming with Standing Orders, relating to an Objection to the Proposed Construction of a Secure Care Facility at Lot 9374 No. 10 Cotterill Road, Alice Springs (Paper 792).
        Petition read.
    6. BUILDING LEGISLATION AMENDMENT BILL 2010 (Serial 108):
        The Minister for Lands and Planning (Mr McCarthy), by leave, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the Building Act and Building Regulations.
        Bill read a first time.
        Mr McCarthy moved – That the Bill be now read a second time.
        Debate ensued.
        Paper tabled: Mr McCarthy laid on the Table the following Paper -
    Explanatory Statement, Building Legislation Amendment Bill 2010 (Paper 793).

        On the motion of the Member for Goyder (Ms Purick) debate was adjourned.
    7. HEALTH PRACTITIONER (NATIONAL UNIFORM LEGISLATION) IMPLEMENTATION AMENDMENT BILL 2010 (Serial 107):
        The Minister for Health (Mr Vatskalis), by leave, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the Health Practitioner (National Uniform Legislation) Implementation Act 2010.
        Bill read a first time.
        Mr Vatskalis moved – That the Bill be now read a second time.
        Debate ensued.
        Paper tabled: Mr Vatskalis laid on the Table the following Paper -
    Explanatory Statement, Health Practitioner (National Uniform Legislation) Implementation Amendment Bill 2010 (Paper 794).

        On the motion of the Member for Greatorex (Mr Conlan) debate was adjourned.
    8. JUSTICE LEGISLATION AMENDMENT BILL 2010 (Serial 100):
        The Order of the Day having been read for the resumption of debate on the question – That the Bill be now read a second a time –
        Debate resumed.
        Question – put and passed.
        Bill read a second time.
        ________________________

        The Assembly resolved itself into Committee of the Whole for consideration of the Bill.
        In Committee

        (Deputy Speaker and Chair of Committees – Ms Walker in the Chair)

        Bill, by leave, taken as a whole.
        On the motion of the Minister for Justice and Attorney-General (Ms Lawrie) the following amendment was agreed to, after debate.
        In Clause 10, after proposed section 53A (4) -
          insert

          (5) In this section:

          confidential information, see section 53(5).


        Bill, as amended, agreed to.
        Bill to be reported with an amendment.
        ________________

        The Assembly resumed; the Speaker (Mrs Aagaard) took the Chair; the Deputy Speaker and Chair of Committees (Ms Walker) reported - That the Committee had agreed to the Bill, as amended.
        Report adopted.
        On the motion of the Minister for Justice and Attorney-General (Ms Lawrie) the Bill was read a third time and passed to be a proposed law.
    9. APPROPRIATION (2010/2011) BILL 2010 (Serial 99):
        The Order of the Day having been read for the resumption of debate on the question – That the Bill be now read a second time –
        Debate resumed.
        ________________

        Distinguished Visitor: The Speaker advised Members of the presence in the public gallery of Mr Darryl Manzie former Member for Sanderson and Minister of the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly.
        On behalf of all Members the Speaker extended a warm welcome to the distinguished visitor.
        ________________

        Debate resumed.
        Debate suspended.
        __________________

        Suspension of sittings: The sitting of the Assembly was suspended between 12.03pm and 2pm.
        __________________

        Visitors: The Speaker advised Members of the presence in the public gallery of Charles Darwin University Certificate III in Spoken and Written English, Australian Studies students, accompanied by Mr William Kelly and Ms Tahlo Rooke.

        On behalf of all Members the Speaker extended a warm welcome to the visitors.
    10. NOTICES:
        The following Notices were given –

        Dr Burns: To move - That, the Assembly at its rising on 10 June 2010 adjourn until 5.30pm on Friday 18 June 2010, or such other time as notified by the Speaker, with one hour’s notice being given to Government and Opposition Whips and Members by the Speaker, or such other time and/or date as may be advised by the Speaker pursuant to Sessional Order.

        Dr Burns: To move - That, the Routine of Business for Friday 18 June 2010 be as follows:
                (1) Prayers
                (2) Petitions
                (3) Notices
                (4) Government Business – Notices
                (5) Government Business - Orders of the Day
                    (a) In Committee: report of the Estimates Committee consideration of the Appropriation (2010-2011) Bill 2010 (Serial 99) and Government Owned Corporations Scrutiny Committee consideration of the financial and management practices of the Power and Water Corporation as referenced in its Statement of Corporate Intent for 2010/2011.
        Dr Burns: To move - That, pursuant to paragraph 2 of the Order of the Assembly, dated 5 May 2010, the Budget Papers 2010/2011 together with the Appropriation (2010-2011) Bill 2010 (Serial 99) be referred to the Estimates Committee for inquiry and report.

        Mr Mills: To move – That,
                The Northern Territory Parliament –

                (a) recognises that the resources sector makes up 26.5% of the Northern Territory’s Gross State Product and is responsible for many thousands of direct and indirect jobs and that the projects that this sector invests in require significant up-front capital;

                (b) recognises that resource companies provide significant community contributions in both financial and infrastructure investment in the Territory for instance, in power generation and other infrastructure on Groote Eylandt;

                (c) calls upon the Federal Rudd Labor Government to abandon its current pursuit of a Super Profits tax and recognise that such a tax will see the loss of many current jobs and a reduction in future investments made by this sector in the Territory economy, thus impacting on both the economic prosperity of the Territory andability of the Territory Government to provide necessary services due to the losses in income.

        Mr Mills: To present the Public Interest Disclosure Amendment Bill 2010 (Serial 112).

        Ms Lawrie: To present the Justice Legislation Amendment (Committals Reform) Bill 2010 (Serial 106).

        Ms Lawrie: To present the Transport of Dangerous Goods by Road and Rail (National Uniform Legislation) Bill 2010 (Serial 110).

        Ms Lawrie: To present the Statute Law Revision Bill 2010 (Serial 111).

        Mr Vatskalis: To move – That so much of Standing Orders be suspended as would prevent the Health Practitioner (National Uniform Legislation) Implementation Amendment Bill 2010 (Serial 107) being passed through all stages on Thursday 10 June 2010.

        Mr Hampton: To present the Environmental Offences and Penalties Amendment Bill 2010 (Serial 109).

        Mr McCarthy: To move – That so much of Standing Orders be suspended as would prevent the Building Legislation Amendment Bill 2010 (Serial 108) being passed through all stages on Thursday 10 June 2010.

        Mr Chandler: To move – That,
                1. Pursuant to clause 4A of the Inquiries Act, the Legislative Assembly establish an independent inquiry to report on breaches of environmental standards within the Northern Territory;

                2. The inquiry have specific reference to the Port of Darwin and operations at East Arm, the Port of Gove and operations, and the discharge of sewage from outfalls into Darwin Harbour;
                3. The inquiry is also to look at the matter of the appropriateness of the current EIS provisions and make specific recommendations on changes that are needed in the EIS process and other environmental standard, regulations and laws so as to strengthen the protection of our environment;
                4. It is recommended that the Administrator appoint the Independent EPA to undertake the inquiry and provide it with the powers inferred by the Inquiries Act;
                5. The Northern Territory Government provide the necessary resources to undertake this inquiry; and
                6. The inquiry report to this parliament no later than 31 December 2010.
        Mr Bohlin: To move – That,

                The Territory Parliament –

                (a) acknowledges the costs associated with the involvement of children in sport in the Northern Territory;

                (b) further recognises that it can cost families hundreds of dollars per child, per sport to register, insure and outfit children to take part in sporting clubs in the Northern Territory and this can be a heavy impost on the family budget; and

                (c) calls on the Territory and Federal Governments to take immediate steps to reduce the cost of sports participation for Territory Families and such steps ensure, as far as possible, that any child who wants to play sport can play sport and is not prevented from doing so due to cost.
    11. QUESTIONS:
        2.08pm Mr Chandler to Mr Hampton and referred to Mr Vatskalis.
        2.12pm Mr Chandler to Mr Hampton and referred to Mr Vatskalis – supplementary.
        Paper tabled: Mr Vatskalis laid on the Table the following Paper –
    Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Waters (Paper 795).

        2.13pm Ms Walker to Mr Henderson.
        2.17pm Mr Westra van Holthe to Ms McCarthy.
        2.20pm Mr Gunner to Mr Hampton.
        2.23pm Mr Wood to Mr McCarthy.
        2.25pm Mr Giles to Ms McCarthy.
        2.28pm Ms Scrymgour to Mr McCarthy.
        2.31pm Mr Mills to Mr Henderson.
        2.35pm Ms Walker to Mr Henderson.
        2.38pm Ms Anderson to Mr Hampton.
        2.39pm Mr Mills to Mr Henderson.
        2.43pm Mr Gunner to Mr Vatskalis.
        2.46pm Ms Purick to Ms Lawrie.
        2.49pm Mr Wood to Dr Burns.
        2.51pm Ms Purick to Ms Lawrie.
        2.55pm Ms Scrymgour to Mr Henderson.
        2.59pm Mr Westra van Holthe to Mr Vatskalis.
        3.02pm Ms Walker to Dr Burns.
        3.04pm Mr Wood to Dr Burns.
        3.06pm Mr Westra van Holthe to Mr Vatskalis.

        The Leader of Government Business (Dr Burns) asked that further questions be placed on the Written Question Paper.
    12. APPROPRIATION (2010/2011) BILL 2010 (Serial 99):
        The Order of the Day having been read for the resumption of debate, suspended earlier this day, on the question – That the Bill be now read a second time –
        Debate resumed.
        Quorum: The Member for Goyder (Ms Purick) drew the attention of the Assembly to the state of the House.
        The Speaker called for a Quorum and the Bells having not been rung -
        A Quorum having been obtained.
        The Assembly resumed.
        Debate continued.
        Extension of time: On the motion of the Member for Katherine (Mr Westra van Holthe) the Member for Macdonnell (Ms Anderson) was granted an extension of time, pursuant to Standing Order 77.
        Debate continued.
        Extension of time: On the motion of the Member for Katherine (Mr Westra van Holthe) the Member for Arafura (Ms Scrymgour) was granted an extension of time, pursuant to Standing Order 77.
        Debate continued.
        Extension of time: On the motion of the Member for Braitling (Mr Giles) the Member for Katherine (Mr Westra van Holthe) was granted an extension of time, pursuant to Standing Order 77.
        Debate continued.
        Extension of time: On the motion of the Member for Brennan (Mr Chandler) the Member for Sanderson (Mr Styles) was granted an extension of time, pursuant to Standing Order 77.
        Debate continued.
        On the motion of the Leader of Government Business (Dr Burns) debate was adjourned.
    13. WOMEN’S POLICY ACHIEVEMENTS – MOTION TO NOTE STATEMENT:
        The Order of the Day having been read for the resumption of debate on the question – That the Assembly take note of the Statement –
        Debate resumed.
        On the motion of the Leader of Government Business (Dr Burns) debate was adjourned.
    14. PORTFOLIO BUDGET STATEMENT, DEPARTMENT OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY – PAPER TABLED:
        The Speaker laid on the Table the Department of the Legislative Assembly Portfolio Budget Statement 2010 – 2011 (Paper 798).
    15. STRATEGIC INDIGENOUS HOUSING AND INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM, JUNE 2010 REPORT TO THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY – PAPER TABLED – MOTION TO NOTE REPORT:
        The Speaker (Mrs Aagaard) laid on the Table the Auditor-General’s Strategic Indigenous Housing And Infrastructure Program, June 2010 Report To The Legislative Assembly. (Paper 799)
        The Leader of Government Business (Dr Burns) moved – That the Report be printed.
        Question – put and passed.
        Dr Burns moved - That the Assembly take note of the Report and that leave be granted to continue his remarks at a later hour.
        Leave granted - debate adjourned.
    16. MATTER OF PUBLIC IMPORTANCE – INDIGENOUS HOUSING:
        The Speaker advised the Assembly the Member for Braitling (Mr Giles) had proposed the following definite Matter of Public Importance for discussion this day:
            The failure of the Northern Territory Government to effectively reduce overcrowding in Indigenous Housing identified in the Little Children are Sacred Report.

        The proposed discussion having received the necessary support –
        Discussion ensued.
        _______________________

        Suspension of Member: The Member for Braitling (Mr Giles) having been warned by the Speaker about his unruly interjections and then having continued to loudly interject -
        The Speaker (Mrs Aagaard) thereupon ordered the Member for Braitling (Mr Giles) to withdraw from the Chamber for a period of one hour, pursuant to Standing Order 240A, effective from 7.29pm.
        Accordingly the Member for Braitling (Mr Giles) withdrew from the Chamber.
        _______________________

        Discussion continued.
        Discussion concluded.
    17. ADJOURNMENT:
        The Leader of Government Business (Dr Burns) at 8.37pm moved - That the Assembly do now adjourn.
        Debate ensued.
        Paper tabled: Dr Burns laid on the Table the following Paper –
    Article – Liberals raise cash by going commercial, Mark Davis National Editor, 8 June 2010 (Paper 800).

        And the Assembly adjourned at 9.21pm, until tomorrow at 10am, 9 June 2010.
    ________________
        PAPERS:
        The following Papers were deemed to have been presented on Tuesday 8 June 2010:

        Regulations 2010
        No. 6, Superannuation Amendment Regulations (Paper 796)
        No. 7, Penalty Units Regulations (Paper 797)
    ____________________
        ATTENDANCE:
        All Members attended the sittings.
Last updated: 04 Aug 2016