Department of the Legislative Assembly, Northern Territory Government

Minutes of Proceedings - 2009-10-20

    1. MEETING:
    The Assembly met at 10am. The Speaker, the Honourable J. L. Aagaard, took the Chair.

    2. PRAYERS.

    3. DISTINGUISHED VISITORS:
        The Speaker advised Members of the presence in the Speaker’s Gallery of Mr Neville Perkins OAM, former Member for Macdonnell and Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly and Mr Abdul Khan.
        On behalf of all Members the Speaker extended a warm welcome to the distinguished visitors.

    4. LEAVE OF ABSENCE – MEMBER FOR MACDONNELL:
        The Member for Nelson (Mr Wood) moved – That leave of absence be granted to the Member for Macdonnell (Ms Anderson) for the remainder of this sittings due to ill health in the family.
        Question – put and passed.

    5. VOLATILE SUBSTANCE ABUSE PREVENTION AMENDMENT BILL 2009 (Serial 71):
        The Minister for Health (Mr Vatskalis), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the Volatile Substance Abuse Prevention Act.
        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, Volatile Substance Abuse Prevention Amendment Bill 2009 (Paper 543).

        On the motion of the Member for Greatorex (Mr Conlan) debate was adjourned.

    6. RACING AND BETTING AMENDMENT BILL 2009 (Serial 65):
        The Treasurer (Ms Lawrie), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the Racing and Betting Act.
        Bill read a first time.
        Ms Lawrie moved – That the Bill be now read a second time.
        Debate ensued.
        Paper tabled: Ms Lawrie laid on the Table the following Paper –
    Explanatory Statement, Racing and Betting Amendment Bill 2009 (Serial 65) (Paper 544).

        On the motion of the Member for Port Darwin (Mr Elferink) debate was adjourned.
    7. LOCAL GOVERNMENT GRANTS COMMISSION AMENDMENT BILL 2009 (Serial 73):
        The Minister for Local Government (Mr Knight), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the Local Government Grants Commission Act.
        Bill read a first time.
        Mr Knight moved – That the Bill be now read a second time.
        Debate ensued.
        Paper tabled: Mr Knight laid on the Table the following Paper –
    Explanatory Statement, Local Government Grants Commission Amendment Bill 2009 (Paper 545).

        On the motion of the Member for Katherine (Mr Westra van Holthe) debate was adjourned.
    8. TREASURER'S ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT 2008/2009 - PAPER TABLED - MOTION TO NOTE REPORT:
        The Treasurer (Ms Lawrie) laid on the Table the Treasurer's Annual Financial Report 2008/2009 (Paper 546).
        Ms Lawrie made a statement relating thereto.
        Ms Lawrie moved – That the Assembly take note of the Paper.
        On the motion of the Member for Port Darwin (Mr Elferink) debate was adjourned.
        ______________

        Visitors: The Speaker advised Members of the presence in the public gallery of Moil Primary School Year 5/6 students accompanied by Ms Brenda Kellam and Mrs Rhonda Jones.
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    9. ALTERATION TO ORDER OF BUSINESS:
        The Leader of Government Business (Dr Burns) moved – That intervening business be postponed until after consideration forthwith of Government Business, Orders of the Day No. 2 relating to the Ministerial Statement on Indigenous Economic Development.
        Question – put and passed.
    10. INDIGENOUS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT – 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.
        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.
        Extension of time: On the motion of the Member for Johnston (Dr Burns) the Member for Nhulunbuy (Ms Walker) 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 Blain (Mr Mills) was granted an extension of time, pursuant to Standing Order 77.
        Debate continued.
        ________________

        Visitors: The Speaker advised Members of the presence in the public gallery of Moil Primary School Year 5/6 students accompanied by Ms Peta Costello, Mrs Shirley Russell and Ms Tamara Stenhouse.
        _______________

        Debate continued.
        Extension of time: On the motion of the Member for Johnston (Dr Burns) the Member for Arafura (Ms Scrymgour) was granted an extension of time, pursuant to Standing Order 77.
        Debate continued.
        _______________

        Visitors: The Speaker advised Members of the presence in the public gallery of Nightcliff Middle School Year 7 students accompanied by Mr David Poad.
        On behalf of all Members the Speaker extended a warm welcome to the visitors.
        ________________
        Debate continued.
        Debate suspended.
        ________________

        Suspension of sittings: The sittings of the Assembly was suspended between 11.58am and 2pm.
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    11. QUESTIONS:
        2pm Mr Elferink to Mr Knight and referred to Ms Lawrie.
        2.06pm Ms Scrymgour to Mr Henderson.
        2.09pm Mr Elferink to Mr Knight.
        2.11pm Mr Gunner to Ms Lawrie.
        2.13pm Mr Elferink to Mr Knight.
        2.15pm Mr Wood to Ms McCarthy.
        2.17pm Ms Walker to Ms Lawrie.
        2.19pm Mr Elferink to Mr Knight.
        2.22pm Mr Wood to Mr Hampton.
        2.25pm Ms Scrymgour to Mr Knight.
        2.29pm Mr Elferink to Mr Knight.
        2.31pm Mr Gunner to Mr Vatskalis.
        2.35pm Mr Elferink to Mr Knight.
        2.37pm Mr Wood to Mr Henderson.
        2.40pm Mr Gunner to Dr Burns.
        Paper tabled: Dr Burns laid on the Table the following Paper –
    Growing International Trade, Priority Action Plan, 2009 - 2013 (Paper 566).

        2.44pm Mr Elferink to Mr Knight.
        2.48pm Ms Walker to Mr Vatskalis.
        2.51pm Mr Elferink to Mr Knight.
        2.56pm Ms Scrymgour to Mr McCarthy.
        2.59pm Mr Elferink to Mr Knight.

        The Leader of Government Business (Dr Burns) asked that further questions be placed on the Written Question Paper.
    12. INDIGENOUS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT – STATEMENT NOTED:
        The Order of the Day having been read for the resumption of debate, suspended earlier this day, on the question – That the Assembly take note of the Statement –
        Debate resumed.
        Extension of time: On the motion of the Member for Fannie Bay (Mr Gunner) the Member for Stuart (Mr Hampton) was granted an extension of time, pursuant to Standing Order 77.
        Debate continued.
        Question – put and passed.
    13. SALE OF LAND (RIGHTS AND DUTIES OF PARTIES) BILL 2009, DRAFT EXPOSURE BILL – PAPER TABLED – PAPER NOTED:
        The Treasurer (Ms Lawrie) laid on the Table an Exposure Draft Bill – entitled Sale of Land (Rights and Duties of Parties) Bill 2009 (Paper 567).
        Ms Lawrie made a statement relating thereto.
        Ms Lawrie moved – That the Assembly takes note of the Paper.
        Debate ensued.
        Question – put and passed.
    14. STRATEGIC REVIEW OF THE NORTHERN TERRITORY AUDITOR-GENERAL’S OFFICE – PAPER TABLED – MOTION TO NOTE REPORT:
        The Chief Minister (Mr Henderson) laid on the Table a Report entitled Strategic Review of The Northern Territory Auditor-General’s Office, dated September 2009 (Paper 568).
        Mr Henderson made a statement relating thereto.
        Leave granted to Mr Henderson to continue his remarks at a later hour.
        Debate adjourned.
    15. PRIMARY INDUSTRY PRODUCTION - MINISTERIAL STATEMENT – MOTION TO NOTE STATEMENT:
        The Minister for Primary Industry, Fisheries and Resources (Mr Vatskalis) made a statement relating to the primary production in the Northern Territory.
        Mr Vatskalis moved – That the Assembly take note of the Statement.
        Debate ensued.
        Paper tabled: Mr Vatskalis laid on the Table the following Paper –
    Growing our Primary Industries, partnerships for productivity (Paper 569).
        Debate continued.
        Extension of time: On the motion of the Member for Brennan (Mr Chandler) the Member for Nelson (Mr Wood) was granted an extension of time, pursuant to Standing Order 77.
        Debate continued.
        Quorum: The Member for Fong Lim (Mr Tollner) drew the Deputy Speaker’s attention to the state of the Assembly.
        The Bells having been rung -
        And a Quorum having been obtained.
        The Assembly resumed.
        Debate continued.
        Quorum: The Member for Greatorex (Mr Conlan) drew the Speaker’s attention to the state of the Assembly.
        The Bells having been rung -
        And a Quorum having been obtained.
        The Assembly resumed.
        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 Minister for Sport and Recreation (Mr Hampton) debate was adjourned.
    16. MATTER OF PUBLIC IMPORTANCE – POWER, WATER AND SEWERAGE SERVICES:
        The Speaker advised the Assembly that the Member for Port Darwin (Mr Elferink) had proposed the following definite Matter of Public Importance for discussion this day:
                The failure of the Territory Labor government to provide for effective delivery of power, water and sewerage services to the people of the Northern Territory Northern Territory.
        The proposed discussion having received the necessary support -
        Discussion ensued.

        Quorum: The Member for Fong Lim (Mr Tollner) drew the Speaker’s attention to the state of the Assembly.
        The Bells having been rung -
        And a Quorum having been obtained.
        The Assembly resumed.

        Discussion continued.
        Discussion concluded.

    17. ADJOURNMENT:
        The Minister for Health (Mr Vatskalis) moved - That the Assembly do now adjourn.
        Debate ensued.
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        Statement by Speaker: The Speaker made an explanation of her reasons for interrupting the Member for Sanderson (Mr Styles) during his debate on the Primary Industry Production Ministerial Statement this day when he had made reference to proceedings at an Environment Committee meeting conducted on Friday 16 October 2009.
        _________________

        Debate continued.
        And the Assembly adjourned at 9.48pm until Wednesday, 21 October 2009 at 10am.
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        PAPERS:
        The following Papers were deemed to have been presented on 20 October 2009 –

        Annual Reports
        Charles Darwin University, 31December 2009 (Paper 547)
        Charles Darwin University, 31December 2009, Financial Statements (Paper 548)
        Community Justice Centre, 2008/09 (Paper 555)
        Department of Health and Families, 2008/09 (Paper 549)
        Department of Justice, 2008/09 (Paper 559)
        Director of Public Prosecutions, 2008/09 (Paper 560)
        Electricity Safety Regulator, 2008/09, Electricity Reform Act (Paper 553)

        Legislative Assembly Members’ Superannuation Trust, 2008/09 (Paper 563)
        Lands, Planning and Mining Tribunal, 2008/09 (Paper 556)
        Mental Health Review Tribunal, 2008/09 (Paper 552)
        Northern Territory Anti-Discrimination Commission, 2008/09 (Paper 557)
        Northern Territory Community Visitor Program, 2008/09 (Paper 550)
        Northern Territory Information Commissioner, 2008/09 (Paper 551)
        Northern Territory Government and Public Authorities’ Superannuation Scheme, 2008/09 (Paper 562)
        Northern Territory Treasury, 2008/09 (Paper 565)
        Northern Territory Treasury Corporation, 2009 (Paper 564)
        Power and Water Corporation, 2008/09 (Paper 570)
        Professional Standards Councils, 2008/09 (Paper 558)
        Utilities Commission, 2008/09 (Paper 561)
        Workers Rehabilitation and Compensation Advisory Council, 2008/09 (Paper 554)
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        ATTENDANCE:
        All Members attended the sittings, except Ms Anderson on leave.
Last updated: 04 Aug 2016