Department of the Legislative Assembly, Northern Territory Government

Minutes of Proceedings - 2009-08-20

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

2. PRAYERS.

3. LEGAL AND CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE – MEMBERSHIP CHANGE:
      The Leader of Government Business (Dr Burns), by leave, moved – That the Member for Arnhem (Ms McCarthy) be discharged from the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee and the Member for Arafura (Ms Scrymgour) be appointed in her stead.
      Question - put and passed.
4. STANDING ORDERS COMMITTEE – MEMBERSHIP CHANGE:
      The Member for Nelson (Mr Wood), by leave, moved – That the Member for Nelson (Mr Wood) be appointed to serve on the Standing Orders Committee as an independent member which is specifically provided for in the Committee’s membership.
      Question – put and passed.

5. PRISONERS (INTERSTATE TRANSFER) AMENDMENT BILL 2009 (Serial 56):
      The Minister for Correctional Services (Mr McCarthy), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the Prisoners (Interstate Transfer) Act.
      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, Prisoners (Interstate Transfer) Amendment Bill 2009 (Paper 480).

      On the motion of the Member for Araluen (Ms Carney) debate was adjourned.

      Visitors: The Speaker advised Members of the presence in the public gallery of Dripstone Middle School Year 9 students accompanied by Ms Leah Bushell and Mrs Chrissie Battalis.
      On behalf of all Members the Speaker extended a warm welcome to the visitors.
6. HOSPITAL BOARDS BILL 2009 (Serial 57):
      The Minister for Health (Mr Vatskalis), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to provide for boards in relation to hospitals, for community engagement in relation to hospitals and for related matters.
      Bill read a first time.
      Mr Vatskalis moved – That the Bill be now read a second time.
      Paper tabled: Mr Vatskalis laid on the Table the following Paper –
Explanatory Statement, Hospital Boards Bill 2009 (Paper 481).

      On the motion of the Member for Greatorex (Mr Conlan) debate was adjourned.
7. CARE AND PROTECTION OF CHILDREN AMENDMENT BILL 2009 (Serial 49):
      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 Alyangula Area School accompanied by Mrs Clarissa Johnson and Mrs Loraine McCarthy.
      On behalf of all Members the Speaker extended a warm welcome to the visitors.
      __________________

      Debate continued.
      Debate suspended.

      Visitors: The Speaker advised Members of the presence in the public gallery of Katherine High School students from the Stronger Smarter Sisters Program accompanied by Mr Stephen Margetts.
      On behalf of all Members the Speaker extended a warm welcome to the visitors.
      ______________________

      Sittings suspended: The sittings of the Assembly was suspended between 11.52am and 2pm.
      ______________________
8. QUESTIONS:
      1.59pm Mr Mills to Mr Henderson.
      2.01pm Ms Walker to Mr Henderson.
      2.03pm Mr Mills to Mr Henderson.
      2.05pm Mr Gunner to Ms Lawrie.
      2.08pm Mr Mills to Mr Henderson.
      2.09pm Ms Anderson to Mr Vatskalis.
      2.12pm Mr Mills to Mr Henderson.
      2.13pm Ms Scrymgour to Mr Vatskalis.
      2.17pm Mr Mills to Mr Henderson.
      2.18pm Mr Wood to Ms Lawrie.
      2.22pm Mr Mills to Mr Henderson.
      2.25pm Ms Walker to Ms Lawrie.
      2.30pm Mr Wood to Mr Knight.
      2.33pm Mr Gunner to Dr Burns.
      2.37pm Mr Mills to Mr Henderson and referred to Mr Knight.
      2.41pm Ms Scrymgour to Mr Hampton.
      2.43pm Mr Mills to Mr Henderson.
      2.47pm Mr Walker to Mr Vatskalis.
      2.50pm Mr Mills to Mr Henderson.
      2.51pm Mr Gunner to Mr McCarthy.
      __________________

      Distinguished visitor: The Speaker advised Members of the presence in the public gallery of Mr Maurice Rioli, former Member for Arafura.
      On behalf of all Members the Speaker extended a warm welcome to the distinguished visitor.
      __________________

      2.55pm Mr Mills to Mr Henderson.
      2.56pm Ms Scrymgour to Mr Hampton.

      The Leader of Government Business (Dr Burns) asked that further questions be placed on the Written Question Paper.
9. CARE AND PROTECTION OF CHILDREN AMENDMENT BILL 2009 (Serial 49):
      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.

      Pairs: The Speaker (Mrs Aagaard) laid on the Table the following document relating to pairs for today as follows:
    Member for Arafura and the Member for Goyder for the period 5.30pm to 6.30pm (Paper 487).

        Debate continued.
        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
        (Chair and Deputy Speaker – Ms Walker)

        Clauses 1 and 2, by leave, taken together and agreed to.
        Clause 3 read.
        Debate ensued.
        Question - put.
        The Assembly divided (the Speaker, Hon. J. L Aagaard, in the Chair) -

        AYES, 13 NOES, 10

        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 Mr Styles
        Ms McCarthy Mr Tollner
        Mr McCarthy Mr Westra van Holthe
        Mr Vatskalis
        Ms Walker
        Mr Wood

        Tellers: Mr Gunner (Government Whip)
                Ms Carney (Opposition Whip)

        Pairs: Member for Arafura (Ms Scrymgour) and the Member for Goyder (Ms Purick) for the period 5.30pm to 6.30pm (Paper 487).

        And so it was resolved in the affirmative.
        Clause 3, as printed, agreed to.

        The Member for Araluen (Ms Carney), by leave, withdrew her proposed schedule of amendments circulated to Members.
        Remainder of the Bill, by leave, taken as a whole and agreed to.
        Bill to be reported without amendment.
        ____________________

        The Assembly resumed; the Speaker took the Chair; and the Deputy Speaker and Chair of Committees (Ms Walker) reported that the Committee had agreed to the Bill without amendment.
        And the Report was adopted.
        On the motion of the Minister for Child Protection (Ms McCarthy) the Bill was read a third time and passed to be a proposed law.
    10. SUSPENSION OF STANDING ORDERS – CALL ON AND PASS THE CRIMINAL CODE AMENDMENT (CHILD SEXUAL OFFENCE) BILL 2009 (Serial 50) - NEGATIVED:
        Suspension of Standing Orders: The Member for Araluen (Ms Carney) moved – That, so much of Standing Orders be suspended as would prevent the Criminal Code Amendment (Child Sexual Offence) Bill 2009 (Serial 50) being called on forthwith and passing through all stages.
        Debate ensued.
        Question - That the motion be agreed to - put.
        The Assembly divided (the Speaker, Hon. J. L Aagaard, in the Chair) -

        AYES, 10 NOES, 12

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

        Tellers: Mr Gunner (Government Whip)
                Ms Carney (Opposition Whip)

        Pairs: Member for Arafura and the Member for Goyder for the period 5.30pm to 6.30pm (Paper 487).

        Motion negatived accordingly.
    11. IMPLEMENTATION AND IMPACT OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT STIMULUS PACKAGE – MINISTERIAL STATEMENT – MOTION TO NOTE STATEMENT:
        The Minister for Business (Dr Burns) made a statement relating to the impact and implementation of the Federal Stimulus Package on the Territory economy.
        Mr Henderson moved –That the Assembly take note of the Statement.
        Debate ensued.
        Quorum: The Member for Drysdale (Mr Bohlin) drew the attention of the Speaker to the state of the Assembly.
        And the Bells having been rung and a Quorum obtained –

        Debate continued.
        Quorum: The Member for Drysdale (Mr Bohlin) drew the attention of the Speaker to the state of the Assembly.
        And the Bells having been rung and a Quorum obtained –

        Debate continued.
        On the motion of the Minister for Transport (Mr McCarthy) debate was adjourned.
    12. ADJOURNMENT:
        The Chief Minister (Mr Henderson) moved – That the Assembly do now adjourn.
        Debate ensued.
        And the Assembly adjourned at 7.55pm until Monday, 12 October 2009 at 10am.
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        PAPERS:
        The following Papers were deemed to have been presented on 20 August 2009 -

        Financial Management Act
        Increase of Treasurer’s Advance, by $122.291 million, pursuant to section 19(1) dated 24 June 2009 (Paper 482)
        Direction -Transfer of Excess Allocations, pursuant section 20, dated 25 June 2009 (Paper 483)
        Determination of Proportions of Allocations Transferred, pursuant to section 21(1), dated 25 June 2009 (Paper 484)
        Direction - Transfer of Excess Appropriations, pursuant section 20(1), dated 30 June 2009 (Paper 485)
        Authorisation - Issue of Increased Funds available from Commonwealth, pursuant to section19A (1) & 19(2), dated 30 June 2009 (Paper 486)
        _________________
        Pairs: Member for Stuart and the Member for Katherine for the period 6pm until the rising of the Assembly on Thursday 20 August 2009 (Paper 467) – Advice given on 18 August 2009.
        ATTENDANCE:
        All Members attended the sittings.


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