Visitors: The Speaker advised Members of the presence in the public galleries of staff from the Department of Justice.

On behalf of all Members the Speaker extended a warm welcome to the visitors.

The Treasurer (Ms Lawrie), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend legislation administered by the Treasurer and the Victims of Crime Assistance 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 -

On the motion of the Member for Port Darwin (Mr Elferink) debate was adjourned.

The Leader of Government Business (Dr Burns), pursuant to notice, moved - That the Assembly appoint an Estimates Committee 2010/2011 and a Government Owned Corporations Scrutiny Committee 2010/2011, pursuant to the terms circulated to Members below (Paper 770):

A. INTRODUCTION


1. That, notwithstanding anything contained in Standing Orders and Sessional Orders there be appointed an Estimates Committee of the Legislative Assembly for the purposes of examining and reporting on the estimates of proposed expenditure contained in the Appropriation Bill 2010/2011.

2. That the Schedule to the Appropriation Bill 2010/2011 and related budget documents be referred to the Estimates Committee for examination and report on proposed expenditure when the Bill has been presented.

3. That the Committee may not vote on but may examine and report on the proposed expenditure contained in the Bill by no later than 18 June 2010.

4. That the Committee examine the proposed expenditure contained in the Bill by portfolio units in accordance with the Schedule published by the Estimates Committeeand that the proposed expenditure be considered on an output by output basis for each portfolio unit.

5. That the Committee consider the Appropriation Bill and related Budget Papers. To the extent that transactions of other public sector entities are included in the Budget Papers, these transactions can be questioned by the Committee. This would apply to Community Service Obligations paid to and dividends received from the Power and Water Corporation, a Government Owned Corporation under the Government Owned Corporations Act. The Statement of Corporate Intent for the Power and Water Corporation for 2010/2011 stands referred to the Government Owned Corporations Scrutiny Committee.


B. MEMBERSHIP


6. The membership of the Estimates Committee shall consist of the membership of the Public Accounts Committee.

7. The Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee shall be the Chairman of the Estimates Committee.

8. The Committee, before the commencement of business, shall elect one of its members to be Deputy Chairman.

9. Other Members of the Assembly may not vote on any matters before the Committee.

10. Other Members of the Assembly may participate in public hearings of the Committee, provided that at any time participating Members are limited to seven (7) Members comprising the Chair, two (2) Government Members, three (3) Opposition Members and one (1) Independent Member.

11. Members may be substituted from time to time, subject to notification to the Chairman, and in accordance with conditions provided for in paragraph 10 above.

12. The Committee may proceed with business despite a vacancy in its membership.

13. The Chairman of the Committee and the Deputy Chairman when acting as Chairman shall have a deliberative and a casting vote.

14. The quorum of the Committee is to be 4 of the members of the Committee.


15. If at any time a quorum is not present, the Chairman will suspend proceedings of the Committee until a quorum is present, or adjourn the Committee until a time and/or date to be fixed.

C. SITTING TIMES

16. The Estimates Committee will meet in accordance with the dates and times in the Schedule adopted by the Assembly or as otherwise ordered by the Committee and advised by the Chairman.


17. Unless otherwise ordered by the Committee the Committee shall sit during the following periods:


(a) on Friday 11 June 2010;

(b) on Tuesday 15 June, 2010;

(c) on Wednesday 16 June, 2010;

(d) on Thursday 17 June, 2010;

(d) on Friday 18 June, 2010; and

(e) the Committee arrange by published schedule the order, time allotted to Ministers, Speaker and Government Owned Corporation up to a maximum of 7 hours for each Minister and Government Owned Corporation hearing; and the overall maximum time for questioning during the Estimates and Government Owned Scrutiny Committees hearings being 50 hours;

(f) the Committee may suspend the hearings from time to time.

18. The Estimates Committee may sit only when the Assembly is not sitting.


D. HEARING PROCEDURE


19. All hearings of the Estimates Committee are open to the public unless the Committee otherwise orders.

20. The Committee will consider proposed expenditure on an output by output basis, following procedures agreed to by the Estimates Committee in accordance with the other provisions of this Order and Standing Orders.

21. Unless the Committee otherwise determines, the Minister (or Speaker) may make an opening statement lasting up to five (5) minutes which may be extended with the leave of the Committee.

22. Members of the Committee may ask for explanations from a Minister (or Speaker) relating to proposed expenditure and outputs.

23. An initial question should be directed to the Minister (or Speaker) in the first instance and then officers of the relevant departments may provide assistance to a Minister (or Speaker) in providing information. Ministers (or Speaker) may defer to the Chief Executive Officer (who may defer to another officer) who may then be directly questioned on subsequent questions on the same subject. Questions may be ruled by the Chair as not appropriate for an officer to answer, whereupon a Minister (or Speaker) may choose to provide information or take such matters on notice.

24. Officers may answer questions at the request of the Minister (or Speaker), but shall not be required to comment on policy matters, including giving an opinion and the Minister (or Speaker) or CEO may at any time intervene and answer questions that are asked of departmental officers.

25. All questions should conform to Standing Orders 112, 113 and 114 (general rules for questions).

E. QUESTIONS TAKEN ON NOTICE AT HEARINGS AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

26. The Minister (or Speaker) may advise the Estimates Committee that an answer to a question or part of a question will be provided later to the Committee.


At that time the Chairman shall note the question or that part of the question taken on notice and any clarification required. The text of questions on notice will be distributed to the Minister (or Speaker) by the Committee Secretariat.

27. A Minister (or Speaker) may also give the Committee additional information about an answer given by them or on their behalf.

28. The additional information or answer, is to be written and given by a time decided by the Committee and may be included in a volume of additional information to be laid on the table of the Assembly by the Chairman of the Committee at the time of its report or at a later date, which shall be no later than the next sittings of the Assembly and may be authorised for publication by the Committee prior to that material being tabled in the Assembly.

F. HANSARD REPORT AND OTHER TABLED DOCUMENTS


29. The Clerk of the Legislative Assembly is authorised to publish an unedited transcript of the Estimates Committee proceedings in a manner similar to that used for the daily Hansard as soon as practicable after the Committee's proceedings are concluded.

30. Evidence taken in public by the Committee and documents presented to the Committee are deemed to be authorised for publication by the Committee, unless the Committee otherwise orders.

31. The provisions of Standing Order 274 and section 22 of the Legislative Assembly (Powers and Privileges) Act as applicable to the Committee, are limited to documents prepared for and submitted to the Committee, evidence taken by the Committee or a report of such evidence.


G. BROADCASTING AND TELEVISING OF PROCEEDINGS

32. Sound and vision broadcast and re-broadcast of the hearings of the Estimates Committee will be allowed, subject to the same conditions which apply to the sittings of the Assembly and as determined by the Committee.

H. DISORDER

33. At an Estimates Committee hearing the Chairman may, after a warning, order any Member of the Assembly whose conduct, in the opinion of the Chairman, continues to be disorderly or disruptive to withdraw from the Committee for a period of 1 hour.


34. A member ordered to withdraw in accordance with the direction of the Chairman must immediately withdraw for the stated period.

35. If a Member persistently disrupts the business of the Committee:


(a) The Chair may name the Member;

(b) If the Member named is a member of the Estimates Committee, suspend the sittings until the Chair has reported the offence to the Speaker;

(c) If the Member named is not a member of the Estimates Committee, orders that the Member withdraw from the sittings of the Committee until the Chair has reported the offence to the Speaker.

36. As soon as practicable, the Chair advises the Speaker who then gives notice that the member of the Estimates Committee be replaced.

37. If any objection is taken to a ruling or decision of the Chair:

(a) The objection must be taken at once and stated in writing;

(b) The Chair as soon as practicable advises the Speaker who makes a ruling on the matters; and

(c) The Estimates Committee may continue to meet but not further examine the matter then under consideration and which is the subject of the objection.

I. REPORT OF ESTIMATES COMMITTEE

38. A report of the Estimates Committee will be presented by the Chairman to the Committee-of-the-Whole Assembly and the report should contain any resolution or expression of opinion of the Committee.


39. When the Report of the Estimates Committee is presented it shall be taken into consideration forthwith, together with the Report of the Government Owned Corporations Scrutiny Committee.

40. The following time limits shall apply to consideration of the reports of the Committees on the question:


"that the proposed expenditure be agreed to and that the resolutions or expressions of opinion as agreed to by the committees in relation to the proposed expenditure or outputs with reference to the Appropriation Bill 2010/2011; and

the transactions of public sector entities included in the Budget Papers and applicable Community Service Obligations paid to and dividends received from the Power and Water Corporation, a Government Owned Corporation under the Government Owned Corporations Act, be noted."

41. When the consideration of the reports of the Committees has been completed the following question is proposed and put forthwith:

"that the remainder of the Bill be agreed to".

42. When the Bill has been agreed to by the Committee-of-the-Whole and reported to the Assembly, the third reading may be taken into consideration forthwith.
__________________

1. That, notwithstanding anything contained in Standing Orders and Sessional Orders there be appointed a Committee of the Legislative Assembly to be known as the Government Owned Corporations Scrutiny Committee for the purpose of examining and reporting on the activities, performance, practices and financial management of the Power and Water Corporation, a Government Owned Corporation under the Government Owned Corporations Act, with reference to the Power and Water Corporation’s Statement of Corporate Intent for 2010/2011.

MEMBERSHIP

2. The membership of the Government Owned Corporations Scrutiny Committee shall consist of the membership of the Public Accounts Committee.

3. The Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee shall be the Chairman of the Government Owned Corporations Scrutiny Committee.

4. The Committee, before the commencement of business, shall elect one of its members to be Deputy Chairman.

5. Other Members of the Assembly may not vote on any matters before the Committee.

6. Other Members of the Assembly may participate in public hearings of the Committee, provided that at any time participating Members are limited to seven (7) Members comprising the Chair, two (2) Government Members, three (3) Opposition Members and one (1) Independent Member.

7. Members may be substituted from time to time, subject to notification to the Chairman, and in accordance with conditions provided in for paragraph 6 above.

8. The Committee may proceed with business despite a vacancy in its membership.

9. The Chairman of the Committee and the Deputy Chairman when acting as Chairman shall have a deliberative and a casting vote.

10. The quorum of the Committee is to be 4 of the members of the Committee.

11. If at any time a quorum is not present, the Chairman will suspend proceedings of the Committee until a quorum is present, or adjourn the Committee until a time and/or date to be fixed.

SITTING TIMES

12. The Government Owned Corporations Scrutiny Committee will meet in accordance with the dates and times in the Schedule published by the Government Owned Corporations Scrutiny Committee and advised by the Chairman.

13. The Government Owned Corporations Scrutiny Committee may sit only when the Assembly is not sitting.

14. The Committee shall sit on Friday 18 June 2010 for 3 hours from 1.30pm to 4.30pm.

HEARING PROCEDURE

15. All hearings of the Committee are open to the public unless the Committee otherwise orders.

16. The Committee will examine the financial and budgetary activities of the Power and Water Corporation following similar procedures to that of the Estimates Committee and in accordance with the provisions of this Order and Standing Orders.

17. Unless the Committee otherwise determines, the Chairman of the Board of the Power and Water Corporation may make an opening statement lasting up to five (5) minutes which may be extended with the leave of the Committee.

18. Members of the Committee may ask questions for the purpose of examining the activities, performance, practices and financial management of the Power and Water Corporation with reference to its Statement of Corporate Intent for 2010/2011.

QUESTIONS

19. Questions shall be put directly to the Chairman of the Board of the Power and Water Corporation, the Managing Director and other officers may assist the Chairman in the provision of relevant information. Otherwise, questions shall adhere with the general terms and conditions applying to questioning of the Estimates Committee at paragraphs 23, 24 and 25.

20. The Chairman or other witnesses will advise when evidence is of a commercially sensitive or confidential nature and may request that such evidence be heard 'in camera'. The Chairman of the Committee will invite the Chairman or the witnesses to give the reasons for the request.

21. Questions and explanations should be brief and avoid irrelevance and tedious repetition.


QUESTIONS TAKEN ON NOTICE AT HEARINGS AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

22. The Chairman of the Power and Water Corporation may advise the Committee that an answer to a question or part of a question will be provided later to the Committee.

23. At that time the Chairman of the Committee shall note the question or that part of the question taken on notice and any clarification required. The text of questions on notice will be distributed to the Chairman of the Power and Water Corporation by the Committee Secretariat.

24. The Chairman of the Power and Water Corporation may also give the Committee additional information about an answer given by the witnesses or on their behalf.

25. The additional information or answer, is to be written and given by a time decided by the Committee and may be included in a volume of additional information to be laid on the table of the Assembly by the Chairman of the Committee at the time of its report or at a later date, which shall be no later than the next sittings of the Assembly and may be authorised for publication by the Committee prior to that material being tabled in the Assembly.



HANSARD REPORT AND OTHER TABLED DOCUMENTS


26. The Clerk of the Legislative Assembly is authorised to publish an unedited transcript of the Government Owned Corporations Scrutiny Committee proceedings in a manner similar to that used for the daily Hansard as soon as practicable after the Committee's proceedings are concluded.

27. Evidence taken in public by the Committee and documents presented to the Committee are deemed to be authorised for publication by the Committee, unless the Committee otherwise orders.

28. The provisions of Standing Order 274 and section 22 of the Legislative Assembly (Powers and Privileges) Act as applicable to the Committee, are limited to documents prepared for and submitted to the Committee, evidence taken by the Committee or a report of such evidence.


BROADCASTING AND TELEVISING OF PROCEEDINGS


29. Sound and vision broadcast and re-broadcast of the hearings of the Committee will be allowed, subject to the same conditions which apply to the sittings of the Assembly and as determined by the Committee.


DISORDER


30. At a Committee hearing the Chairman may, after a warning, order any Member of the Assembly whose conduct, in the opinion of the Chairman, continues to be disorderly or disruptive to withdraw from the Committee for a period of 1 hour.

31. A Member ordered to withdraw in accordance with the direction of the Chairman must immediately withdraw for the stated period.

32. If a Member persistently disrupts the business of the Committee:


(a) The Chair may name the Member;

(b) If the Member named is a member of the Government Owned Corporations Scrutiny Committee, suspend the sittings until the Chair has reported the offence to the Speaker;

(c) If the Member named is not a member of the Government Owned Corporations Scrutiny Committee, orders that the Member withdraw from the sittings of the Committee until the Chair has reported the offence to the Speaker.

33. As soon as practicable, the Chair advises the Speaker who then gives notice that the member of the Government Owned Corporations Scrutiny Committee be replaced.

34. If any objection is taken to a ruling or decision of the Chair:

(a) The objection must be taken at once and stated in writing;

(b) The Chair as soon as practicable advises the Speaker who makes a ruling on the matters; and

(c) The Government Owned Corporations Scrutiny Committee may continue to meet but not further examine the matter then under consideration and which is the subject of the objection.

REPORT OF GOVERNMENT OWNED CORPORATIONS SCRUTINY COMMITTEE


35. A report of the Government Owned Corporations Scrutiny Committee will be presented by the Chairman to the Committee-of-the-Whole Assembly and the report should contain any resolution or expression of opinion of the Committee.

36. When the Report of the Committee is presented it shall be taken into consideration forthwith, together with the Report of the Estimates Committee.

37. The following time limits shall apply to consideration of the reports of the Committees on the question:


"that the proposed expenditure be agreed to and that the resolutions or expressions of opinion as agreed to by the committees in relation to the proposed expenditure or outputs with reference to the Appropriation Bill 2010/2011, or the activities, performance, practices and financial management of the Power and Water Corporation with reference to its Statements of Corporate Intent for 2010/2011, be noted "

Debate ensued.
Question – put and passed.

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. XE "MOTIONS (Substantive):Women’s Policy Achievements – Note (Ms McCarthy_"
Debate suspended.

The Order of the Day having been read for the resumption of debate, pursuant to resolution of the Assembly dated 4 May 2010, on the question - That the Bill be now read a second time -
The Leader of the Opposition (Mr Mills) responded to the Budget at 11am pursuant to resolution of 4 May 2010.
On the motion of the Leader of Government Business (Dr Burns) debate was adjourned.

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 Port Darwin (Mr Elferink) the Member for Wanguri (Mr Henderson) was granted an extension of time, pursuant to Standing Order 77.
Debate continued.
Debate suspended.
_________________

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

Visitors: The Speaker advised Members of the presence in the public galleries of Timor Leste – Workers Union delegates undertaking a study tour.
On behalf of all Members the Speaker extended a warm welcome to the visitors.

The following notices were given –

Ms Lawrie: To present the Justice Legislation Amendment Bill 2010 (Serial 100).

Ms Lawrie: To present the Financial Transaction Reports Amendment Bill 2010 (Serial 101).
Ms Lawrie: To present the Personal Property Securities (National Uniform Legislation) Implementation Bill 2010 (Serial 103).
Mr Vatskalis: To present the Tobacco Control Legislation Amendment Bill 2010 (Serial 104).

Pursuant to Standing Order 122, the Notice of Motion in the name of Mr Elferink referring to the Standing Orders Committee re a request to review the conduct of the Estimates and Government Owned Scrutiny Committee, was withdrawn.

2pm Mr Mills to Ms Lawrie.
2.02pm Ms Scrymgour to Ms Lawrie.
2.06pm Mr Mills to Ms Lawrie and referred to Dr Burns.
2.07pm Ms Walker to Ms Lawrie.
2.10pm Mr Mills to Ms Lawrie and referred to Mr Vatskalis.
2.14pm Ms Anderson to Mr McCarthy.
2.16pm Mr Gunner to Mr Henderson.
2.19pm Mr Mills to Dr Burns.
2.22pm Ms Walker to Dr Burns.
2.23pm Mr Wood to Mr McCarthy.
2.27pm Mr Mills to Ms Lawrie.
2.30pm Mr Gunner to Dr Burns.
2.33pm Mr Elferink to Ms Lawrie.
2.37pm Ms Anderson to Mr Henderson.
2.39pm Ms Scrymgour to Mr McCarthy.
2.42pm Mr Chandler to Mr Hampton.
2.45pm Ms Walker to Mr Hampton.
2.47pm Mr Chandler to Mr Hampton.
2.50pm Ms Scrymgour to Dr Burns.
2.53pm Mr Wood to Mr McCarthy.
2.57pm Ms Purick to Mr Vatskalis.
3pm Mr Gunner to Ms Lawrie.

The Leader of Government Business (Dr Burns) asked that further questions be placed on the Written Question Paper.

The Speaker laid on the Table a Report to the Legislative Assembly, pursuant to paragraphs 5.3 and 7.9(c) of the Administrative Arrangements Tabled 29 November 2007 for the provision of travel and communication entitlements for Members of the Legislative Assembly of the Northern Territory for calendar year 2009 –

for year 2009.

Paper tabled: The Speaker laid on the Table the following Paper –

The Chief Minister (Mr Henderson) moved - That the Report be printed.
Question – put and passed.

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 –
On the motion of the Leader of Government Business (Dr Burns) debate was adjourned.

The Order of the Day having been read of the resumption of debate on the question – That the Bill be now read a second time –
Debate resumed.

Extension of time: On the motion of the Member for Barkly (Mr McCarthy) the Member for Wanguri (Mr Henderson) was granted an extension of time, pursuant to Standing Order 77.
Debate continued.
Pairs: The Deputy Speaker laid on the Table the further Pair arrangements for this sittings period:

Debate continued.
On the motion of the Minister for Parks and Wildlife (Mr Hampton) debate was adjourned.

The Leader of Government Business (Dr Burns) moved – That Business of the Day relating to the noting of the Ministerial Statement on Women’s Policy Achievements, be called on forthwith.

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.
Debate suspended pursuant to Standing Order 93.

The Speaker laid on the Table a Letter from the Member for Greatorex (Mr Conlan), dated 4 May 2010 re interstate Travel acquittal requirements pursuant to the Remuneration Tribunal Determination No.1 of 2009, paragraph 3.15 re Health Reform Plan (Paper 776).

The Leader of the Opposition (Mr Mills), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the Information Act.
Bill read a first time.
Mr Mills moved – That the Bill be now read a second time.
Paper tabled: Mr Mills, by leave, laid on the Table the following Paper –

On the motion of the Minister for Business and Employment (Mr Knight) debate was adjourned.

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.
Question – put and negatived.

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.
Question – put and negatived.

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.
Question – put and negatived.

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.
Question – put and negatived.

The Order of the Day having been read for the resumption of debate on the motion –
That,

1. The Assembly acknowledge ongoing problems with some public housing tenants who continue to interfere with the quiet enjoyment of others by anti-social behaviour; and

2. The Chief Minister show his support for Alice Springs by addressing public housing issues, including providing more public housing, and improve eviction processes for public housing tenants who breach the terms of their leases. (Suspended 25 November 2009 – Ms Anderson)

Debate resumed.
Question – put and passed.

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.
Question - put.
The Assembly divided (the Speaker, Hon. J. L Aagaard, in the Chair) -

AYES, 10 NOES, 11

Mr Bohlin Mrs Aagaard
Mr Chandler Dr Burns
Mr Conlan Mr Gunner
Mr Elferink Mr Hampton
Mr Giles Mr Henderson
Mr Mills Mr Knight
Ms Purick Ms Lawrie
Mr Styles Mr McCarthy
Mr Tollner Ms Scrymgour
Mr Westra van Holthe Mr Vatskalis
Ms Walker

Motion negatived accordingly.

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.
Question - put.
The Assembly divided (the Speaker, Hon. J. L Aagaard, in the Chair) -

AYES, 10 NOES, 11

Mr Bohlin Mrs Aagaard
Mr Chandler Dr Burns
Mr Conlan Mr Gunner
Mr Elferink Mr Hampton
Mr Giles Mr Henderson
Mr Mills Mr Knight
Ms Purick Ms Lawrie
Mr Styles Mr McCarthy
Mr Tollner Ms Scrymgour
Mr Westra van Holthe Mr Vatskalis
Ms Walker

Motion negatived accordingly.

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.
Question – put and negatived.

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.
Question – put and passed.
Leave granted for the third reading of the Bill to be moved forthwith.
On the motion of the Leader of the Opposition (Mr Mills) the Bill was read a third time and passed to be a proposed law.

The Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 41A, at 9.06pm proposed the question - That the Assembly do now adjourn.
Debate ensued.
And the Assembly adjourned at 9.37pm, until Thursday 6 May 2010 at 10am.
________________

PAPERS:
The following Papers were deemed to have been presented on Wednesday 5 May 2010 –

Annual Report
Commercial Passenger Vehicle Board, 2008/2009 (Paper 771)

ATTENDANCE:
All Members attended the sittings.