Department of the Legislative Assembly, Northern Territory Government

Minutes of Proceedings - 2008-09-18

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

2. PRAYERS.

3. MINISTERIAL REPORTS:
      Masters Games 2008: The Minister for Sport and Recreation (Mr Hampton) reported on the program of events for the October 2008 Masters Games in Alice Springs.
      Mr Bohlin responded.
      Mr Wood responded.
      Mr Hampton replied.

      Community Housing, Funding: The Minister for Housing (Mr Knight) reported on grants and funding arrangements for the Community Housing Program.
      Ms Purick responded.
      Mr Knight replied.

      Tennant Creek, Alcohol Free Town: The Minister of Alcohol Policy (Dr Burns) reported on the licensing proposal to make Tennant Creek and surrounding areas a dry town.
      Mr Conlan responded.
      Mr Wood responded.
      Dr Burns replied.

      Ministerial Reports noted, pursuant to Standing Orders.

4. ACUTE CARE SERVICES NT REVIEW COMMITTEE - MOTION TO SUSPEND STANDING ORDERS - NEGATIVED:
      Suspension of Standing Orders: The Leader of the Opposition (Dr Burns) moved - That so much of Standing Orders be suspended as would prevent General Business, Notices Nos. 3 and 4 relating to Acute Care Services NT Review Committee, forthwith.
      Debate ensued.
      The Leader of Government Business (Ms Lawrie) moved - That the question be now put.
      Question - That the question be now put - put.
      The Assembly divided (the Speaker, Hon. J. L Aagaard, in the Chair) -

      AYES, 13 NOES, 12

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

      And so it was resolved in the affirmative.
      Question - That the motion be agreed to - put.
      The Assembly divided (the Speaker, Hon. J. L Aagaard, in the Chair) -

      AYES, 12 NOES, 13

      Mr Bohlin Mrs Aagaard
      Ms Carney Ms Anderson
      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 Ms McCarthy
      Mr Tollner Mr McCarthy
      Mr Westra van Holthe Ms Scrymgour
      Mr Wood Mr Vatskalis
      Ms Walker

      Motion negatived accordingly.
5. TRANSPORT LEGISLATION (ALCOHOL IGNITION LOCKS) AMENDMENT BILL 2008 (Serial 9):
      The Minister for Infrastructure and Transport (Ms Lawrie), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to provide for the use of alcohol ignition locks, and for other purposes.
      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, Transport Legislation (Alcohol Ignition Locks) Amendment Bill 2008 (Paper 48).

      On the motion of the Member for Braitling (Mr Giles) debate was adjourned.

6. LOCAL GOVERNMENT (CONSEQUENTIAL AMENDMENTS) BILL 2008 (Serial 5):
      The Minister for Local Government (Mr Knight), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to make amendments of a transitional or consequential nature to various Acts and subordinate legislation following the passage of the Local Government 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 (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2008 (Paper 49).

      On the motion of the Member for Katherine (Mr Westra van Holthe) debate was adjourned.
7. CLASSIFICATION OF PUBLICATIONS, FILMS AND COMPUTER GAMES AMENDMENT BILL 2008 (Serial 1); JUSTICE LEGISLATION AMENDMENT BILL 2008 (Serial 3); AND CRIMINAL CODE AMENDMENT (HIT AND RUN AND OTHER ENDANGERMENT OFFENCES) BILL 2008 (Serial 2) - MOTION TO PASS ALL STAGES, AGREED TO:
      Suspension of Standing Orders: The Minister for Justice and Attorney-General (Dr Burns), pursuant to notice, moved - That so much of Standing Orders be suspended as would prevent the following three Bills passing through all stages at this sittings -
Classification of Publications, Films and Computer Games Amendment Bill 2008 (Serial 1);
    Justice Legislation Amendment Bill 2008 (Serial 3); and
      Criminal Code Amendment (Hit and Run and Other Endangerment Offences) Bill 2008 (Serial 2).

          Question - put and passed.

      8. CLASSIFICATION OF PUBLICATIONS, FILMS AND COMPUTER GAMES AMENDMENT BILL 2008 (Serial 1):
          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.
          Bill read a second time.
          Leave granted for a motion for the third reading of the Bill to be moved forthwith.
          The Minister for Justice and Attorney-General (Dr Burns) moved - That the Bill be now read a third time.
          Debate ensued.
          Question - put and passed.
          The Bill was read a third time and passed to be a proposed law.
      9. JUSTICE LEGISLATION AMENDMENT BILL 2008 (Serial 3):
          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.
          ______________

          Visitors: The Speaker advised Members of the presence in the public galleries of Community Library Officers attending a Territory-wide library officers forum in Darwin this week.
          On behalf of all Members the Speaker extended a warm welcome to the visitors.
          _______________

          Debate continued.
          Question - put and passed.
          Bill read a second time.
          Leave granted for a motion for the third reading of the Bill to be moved forthwith.
          On the motion of the Minister for Justice and Attorney-General (Dr Burns) the Bill was read a third time and passed to be a proposed law.
      10. CRIMINAL CODE AMENDMENT (HIT AND RUN AND OTHER ENDANGERMENT OFFENCES) BILL 2008 (Serial 2):
          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.
          ______________

          Visitors: The Speaker advised Members of the presence in the public gallery of Mr Allister Langlands, Chief Executive of the Wood Group.
          On behalf of all Members the Speaker extended a warm welcome to the visitor.
          _______________

          Debate continued.
          _______________

          Visitors: The Speaker advised Members of the presence in the public gallery of Captain Terry Richardson, RFDS pilot; and wife Gaye who was a long term RFDS flight nurse and co-author of a book "Nurses with Altitude".
          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 12 Noon and 2pm.
          ______________

          Visitors: The Speaker advised Members of the presence in the public gallery of Mr Michael Crutchfield MP, Member for South Barwon, Victoria; and Parliamentary Secretary for Water and Environment, accompanied by Ms Julie Hobbs.
          On behalf of all Members the Speaker extended a warm welcome to the visitors.
      11. QUESTIONS:
          2.01pm Mr Mills to Mr Henderson.
          2.03pm Ms Walker to Mr Henderson.
          2.07pm Mr Mills to Mr Henderson.
          2.11pm Ms Walker to Mr McCarthy.
          2.13pm Mr Giles to Ms Scrymgour.
          2.19pm Mr Gunner to Ms Lawrie.
          2.22pm Ms Purick to Ms Lawrie.
          2.26pm Mr McCarthy to Ms Anderson.
          2.28pm Ms Purick to Ms Lawrie.
          2.33pm Mr Gunner to Ms Lawrie.
          2.35pm Ms Purick to Ms Lawrie.
          2.37pm Mr Gunner to Ms Lawrie.
          2.38pm Mr Wood to Mr Knight.
          2.45pm Ms Walker to Dr Burns.
          2.48pm Ms Purick to Ms Lawrie.
          2.53pm Mr McCarthy to Mr Vatskalis.
          2.57pm Ms Purick to Ms Lawrie.

          The Leader of Government Business (Ms Lawrie) asked that further questions be placed on the Written Question Paper.
      12. CRIMINAL CODE AMENDMENT (HIT AND RUN AND OTHER ENDANGERMENT OFFENCES) BILL 2008 (Serial 2):
          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.
          Question - put and passed.
          Bill read a second time.
          The Assembly resolved itself into Committee of the Whole to consider the Bill.
          ____________________

          In Committee
          (Deputy Speaker and Chairman of Committees - Ms Walker)

          Bill, by leave, taken as a whole.
          Debate ensued.
          Bill agreed to.
          Bill to be reported without amendment.
          _____________________

          The Assembly resumed, the Speaker took the Chair; the Deputy Speaker and Chairman of Committees (Ms Walker) reported that the Assembly had agreed to the Bill, without amendment.
          And the Report was adopted.
          On the motion of the Minister for Justice and Attorney-General (Dr Burns) the Bill was read a third time and passed to be a proposed law.
      13. DOMESTIC AND FAMILY VIOLENCE AMENDMENT, DRAFT BILL - PAPER TABLED - MOTION TO NOTE PAPER:
          The Minister for Justice and Attorney-General (Dr Burns) laid on the Table a draft bill entitled Domestic and Family Violence Amendment Bill (Paper 55).
          Dr Burns made a tabling statement relating thereto.
          Dr Burns moved - That the Assembly take note of the Paper and that he have leave to continue his remarks at a later hour.
          Leave granted - Debate adjourned.
      13. INCREASING POLICE PRESENCE, MAKING COMMUNITIES SAFER - MINISTERIAL STATEMENT - MOTION TO NOTE STATEMENT:
          The Chief Minister (Mr Henderson) made a statement relating to the government's efforts in increasing in police numbers and profile in the Territory community.
          Mr Henderson moved - That the Assembly take note of the Statement.
          Debate ensued.
          The Leader of Government Business (Ms Lawrie) moved - That the debate be adjourned.
          Question - That the debate be adjourned - put.
          Debate ensued.
          Question - put.
          The Assembly divided (the Speaker, Hon. J. L Aagaard, in the Chair) -

          AYES, 13 NOES, 11

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

          And so it was resolved in the affirmative.
          Debate adjourned.
      14. NEXT MEETING:
          The Leader of Government Business (Ms Lawrie) moved - That the Assembly at its rising adjourn until Tuesday 21 October 2008 at 10am or such other time and/or date as may be set by the Speaker, pursuant to Sessional Order.
          Question - put and passed.
          _______________

          Suspension of sittings: The sittings of the Assembly was suspended between 6.03pm and 6.45pm.
          _______________
      15. MATTER OF PUBLIC IMPORTANCE - LOCAL GOVERNMENT REFORM:
          The Speaker advised the Assembly that the Member for Katherine (Mr Westra van Holthe) had proposed the following definite Matter of Public Importance for discussion this day:
              "The failure of the Territory Government to take heed of community concerns about Local Government Reform.".

          The proposed discussion having received the necessary support -
          Discussion ensued.
          Discussion concluded.

      16. ADJOURNMENT:
          The Leader of Government Business (Ms Lawrie) moved - That the Assembly do now adjourn.
          Debate ensued.
          Papers tabled: The Member for Port Darwin (Mr Elferink), by leave, laid on the Table the following Papers -
      Speed and Red Light Cameras, Performance Indicators (Paper 56).

          Debate continued.
          And the Assembly adjourned at 9.54pm until Tuesday 21 October 2008 at 10am or such other time and/or date as may be set by the Speaker, pursuant to Sessional Order.
          ________________

          PAPERS:
          There following Papers were deemed to have been presented on Thursday 18 September 2008 -

          Annual Reports:
          Charles Darwin University, year ended 31 December 2007 (Paper 50)
          Northern Territory Licensing Commission, 2006/2007 (Paper 52)

          Financial Management Act:
          Transfer of Excess Allocations, pursuant to section 20, dated 30 June 2008 (Paper 54)

          Financial Statements
          Charles Darwin University, year ended 31 December 2007(Paper 51)

          Surveillance Devices Act
          Ombudsman's Report to the Hon. Paul Henderson, Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services and the Legislative Assembly for year 2007-2008, pursuant to section 64(1), dated 18 August 2008 (Paper 53)
      _________________
          ATTENDANCE:
          All Members attended the sittings.


          Mr Ian McNeill
          Clerk of the Legislative Assembly
      Last updated: 04 Aug 2016