Department of the Legislative Assembly, Northern Territory Government

Minutes of Proceedings - 2011-10-20

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

    2. PRAYERS.

    3. STATEMENT BY SPEAKER:
        The Speaker advised Members of an electrical switchboard fire in Parliament House last night and normal services in the building were progressively being brought back on line.
    4. ELECTORAL AND OTHER LEGISLATION AMENDMENT BILL 2011 (Serial 179):
        The Chief Minister (Mr Henderson), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the Electoral Act, Local Government Act and Local Government (Electoral) Regulations.
        Bill read a first time.
        Mr Henderson moved – That the Bill be now read a second time.
        Debate ensued.
        Paper tabled: Mr Henderson laid on the Table the following Paper –
    Explanatory Statement, Electoral and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2011 (Paper 1508).

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

    5. MEDICINES, POISONS AND THERAPEUTIC GOODS BILL 2011 (Serial 180):
        The Minister for Health (Mr Vatskalis), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act about medicines, poisons and therapeutic goods.
        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, Medicines, Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Bill 2011 (Paper 1509).

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

    6. SELECT COMMITTEE ON YOUTH SUICIDE – MEMBERSHIP CHANGE – MOTION AGREED TO:
        The Member for Port Darwin (Mr Elferink), by leave, moved - That,

        (a) the Member for Macdonnell (Ms Anderson) be discharged from service on the Select Committee on Youth Suicide; and

        (b) the terms of reference of the Select Committee on Youth Suicides in the Northern Territory be amended by omitting paragraph (4).

        Debate ensued.
        Question – put and passed.
    7. BUSINESS NAMES (NATIONAL UNIFORM LEGISLATION) REQUEST BILL 2011 (Serial 170):
        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.
        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.
    8. GREENEST TERRITORY GOVERNMENT – MINISTERIAL STATEMENT – 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 Barkly (Mr McCarthy) the Member for Johnston (Dr Burns) was granted an extension of time, pursuant to Standing Order 77.

        Debate continued.
        Extension of time: On the motion of the Member for Arafura (Ms Scrymgour) the Member for Barkly (Mr McCarthy) was granted an extension of time, pursuant to Standing Order 77.

        Debate suspended.
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        Suspension of sittings: The sittings of the Assembly were suspended between 12 Noon and 2pm.
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    9. NOTICES:
        The following Notices were given:

        Mr Henderson: To present the Statute Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2011 (Serial 183).

        Ms Purick: To move - That, the NT Government provide a comprehensive summary of the impact of the implementation of a Northern Regional Marine Plan to the Northern Territory economy with particular reference to:
                1. what discussions have taken place between the Northern Territory Government and the Commonwealth Government;

                2. what will be the economic impact if areas become unavailable to the commercial fishing industry including the northern prawn fisheries, off shore net fisheries, line fisheries;

                3. what will be the impact on charter and recreational fishing;

                4. what will be the impact on the oil and gas industry;

                5. what will be the impact to the shipping to and from Northern Territory ports; and

                6. what will be the impact on marine based tourism industry.

        Mr Mills: To move – That this Assembly consider a review of the dress code for Members of the Assembly, once the following benchmarks have been met:
                  1. the rate of imprisonment in the Northern Territory is reduced by half from its current level of 660 prisoners per 100,000 population;

                  2. that 100% of all children of school age are enrolled in school;

                  3. that school attendance in urban schools is increased by 5%, in remote schools by 10% and in very remote schools by 20%;

                  4. that the percentage of children that meet the national standard in reading at year 9 level is increased by 23% to the national average;

                  5. that the percentage of children that meet the nations standard in numeracy at year 9 is increased by 20% to the national average; and

                  6. that the proportion of family income spent on renting a 3 bedroom home is below the national average.
      10. QUESTIONS:
          2.02pm Mr Mills to Mr Henderson.
          2.06pm Mr Mills to Mr Henderson, supplementary.
          2.07pm Ms Scrymgour to Mr Henderson.
          2.12pm Mr Bohlin to Mr Henderson.
          2.15pm Ms Walker to Mr Henderson.
          2.19pm Mr Conlan to Mr Henderson.
          2.23pm Mr Wood to Mr Henderson.
          2.25pm Mr Gunner to Ms Lawrie.
          2.29pm Mr Conlan to Mr Vatskalis.
          2.32pm Ms Scrymgour to Ms Lawrie.
          2.36pm Mr Wood to Mr Vatskalis.
          2.38pm Mr Conlan to Mr Vatskalis.
          2.39pm Ms Walker to Mr Hampton.
          2.42pm Mr Mills to Mr Henderson.
          2.44pm Mr Gunner to Mr Vatskalis.
          2.47pm Mr Conlan to Mr Henderson.
          2.53pm Ms Scrymgour to Dr Burns.
          2.56pm Mr Mills to Mr Henderson.
          2.59pm Ms Walker to Mr G McCarthy.

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

      11. GREENEST TERRITORY GOVERNMENT – 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.
          Paper tabled: Ms Walker, by leave, laid on the Table the following Paper -
      Dhimurru Aboriginal Corporation, 2010/2011 (Paper 1515).

          Debate continued.
          Question – put and passed.
      12. REMUNERATION TRIBUNAL REPORT ON THE ENTITLEMENTS OF ASSEMBLY MEMBERS AND DETERMINATION No. 1 of 2011 – PAPER TABLED - MOTION TO NOTE REPORT:
          The Chief Minister (Mr Henderson) laid on the Table the Remuneration Tribunal Report on the Entitlements of Assembly Members and Determination No. 1 of 2011 (Paper 1516).
          Mr Henderson moved – That the report be Printed.
          Question – put and passed.
          Mr Henderson moved – That the Assembly take note of the Report and leave be granted to continue his remarks at a later hour.
          Leave granted.
          Debate adjourned.
      13. TRAVEL REPORTS OF MEMBERS - PAPERS TABLED:
          The Deputy Speaker (Ms Walker) laid on the Table the following Travel Reports -
      Travel Report – Remuneration Tribunal Determination Paragraph 3.15 (Interstate):Travel Report by the Member for Brennan (Mr Chandler) pursuant to the Remuneration Tribunal Determination Paragraph 3.15 – Interstate Travel to Melbourne and Townsville attend the Australian Study of Parliament Group 2011, 5 to 14 October 2011 (Paper 1517).
        14. ALCOHOL REFORMS, PROGRESS – MINISTERIAL STATEMENT – MOTION TO NOTE STATEMENT:
            The Minister for Alcohol Policy (Ms Lawrie) made a statement relating to the effects of recent alcohol reforms and the measures achieved by the use of a Banned Alcohol Register.
            Paper tabled: Ms Lawrie laid on the Table the following Paper –
        Enough is Enough Alcohol Reform, Department of Justice, dated 20 October 2011 (Paper 1518).

            Ms Lawrie moved – That the Assembly take note of the Statement.
            Debate ensued.
            Extension of time: On the motion of the Member for Drysdale (Mr Bohlin) the Member for Nelson (Mr Wood) was granted an extension of time, pursuant to Standing Order 77.

            Debate continued.
            Extension of time: On the motion of the Member for Daly (Mr Knight) the Member for Johnston (Dr Burns) was granted an extension of time, pursuant to Standing Order 77.

            Debate continued.
            Extension of time: On the motion of the Member for Goyder (Ms Purick) 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 Barkly (Mr McCarthy) was granted an extension of time, pursuant to Standing Order 77.

            Debate continued.
            Extension of time: On the motion of the Member for Daly (Mr Knight) the Member for Port Darwin (Mr Elferink) 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.
        15. SHADOW MINISTRY – PAPER TABLED:
            The Member for Port Darwin (Mr Elferink) advised that the Member for Macdonnell (Ms Anderson) had been appointed Parliamentary Secretary to Shadow Cabinet, Assisting on Indigenous Policy; Parks and Wildlife, and Arts and Museums, effective 13 September 2011.
        16. MATTER OF PUBLIC IMPORTANCE – SHIRE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT REFORM:
            The Speaker advised the Assembly the Member for Katherine (Mr Westra van Holthe) had proposed the following definite Matter of Public Importance for discussion this day:

                The failed implementation of the Shires and the poor ongoing management of local government reform by the Northern Territory Government which has led to the disempowerment and disenfranchisement of ordinary Territorians in remote areas of the NT.
            The proposed discussion having received the necessary support –
            Discussion ensued.
            Discussion concluded.

        17. ADJOURNMENT:
            The Leader of Government Business (Dr Burns) moved – That the Assembly do now adjourn.
            Debate ensued.
            And the Assembly adjourned at 9.36pm until 25 October 2011 at 10am.
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            PAPERS:
            The following Papers were deemed to have been presented on 20 October 2011 –
            Annual Reports
            Department of Education and Training, 2010/2011 (Paper 1512)
            Department of Resources, 2010/2011 (Paper 1513)

            Coroners Act
            In the matter of Coroner’s Findings and Recommendations into the death of Mark Francis Hanlon, pursuant to Section 46B of the Coroners Act, dated 17 October 2011 (Paper 1510)
            In the matter of Coroner’s Findings and Recommendations into the death of Kieffen Owen Jayden Raggett, pursuant to Section 46B of the Coroners Act, dated 17 October 2011 (Paper 1511)
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            ATTENDANCE:
            All Members attended the sittings.
      Last updated: 04 Aug 2016