Department of the Legislative Assembly, Northern Territory Government

Minutes of Proceedings - 2007-11-29

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

2. PRAYERS.

3. PETITIONS:
      The Member for Blain (Mr Mills) presented Petition No. 69 from 183 petitioners relating to the increase in the standard taxi licence cost be rejected and the multi-purpose taxi fee be rejected (Paper 1181).
      Petition read.
4. MINISTERIAL REPORTS:
      Sports Policy Development: The Minister for Sport and Recreation (Mr Vatskalis) reported on Sports Policy Development for the Northern Territory being undertaken by the Department of Sport and Recreation using consultative public fora, requesting public submissions and direct consultation with stakeholders.
      Mr Conlan responded.
      Mr Wood responded.

      NT Communication and Technology Awards 2007: The Minister for Corporate and Information Services (Mr McAdam) reported on the conduct of the NT Communications Technology Awards night on 10 November 2007 in Darwin and the various category award winners.
      Ms Carney responded.

      Renewable and Alternate Energy Developments: The Minister for Mines and Energy (Mr Natt) reported on the renewable and alternate energy developments in the Northern Territory.
      Mrs Miller responded.
      Mrs Braham responded.
      Mr Natt replied.

      International Museum Exchange Programs: The Minister for Arts and Museums (Ms Scrymgour) reported on the development of Museums and Art Galleries of the Northern Territory (MAGNT) and attainment of an inaugural Australian Leadership Award.
      Mrs Miller responded.

      Ministerial Reports noted, pursuant to Standing Orders.

5. DARWIN WATERFRONT CORPORATION AMENDMENT BILL 2007 (Serial 128):
      The Leader of Government Business (Ms Lawrie), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the Darwin Waterfront Corporation 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, Darwin Waterfront Corporation Amendment Bill 2007 (Paper 1182).

      On the motion of the Member for Blain (Mr Mills) debate was adjourned.
6. LAND TITLE AND RELATED LEGISLATION AMENDMENT BILL 2007 (Serial 131):
      The Leader of Government Business (Ms Lawrie), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the Land Title Act and related legislation.
      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, Land Title and Related Legislation Amendment Bill 2007 (Paper 1183).

      On the motion of the Member for Blain (Mr Mills) debate was adjourned.
7. PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS AMENDMENT (MUTUAL RECOGNITION) BILL 2007 (Serial 125):
      The Leader of Government Business (Ms Lawrie), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the Professional Standards 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, Professional Standards Amendment (Mutual Recognition) Bill 2007 (Paper 1184).

      On the motion of the Member for Araluen (Ms Carney) debate was adjourned.
8. JUSTICE LEGISLATION AMENDMENT BILL (No. 3) 2007 (Serial 126):
      The Leader of Government Business (Ms Lawrie), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend various Acts administered by the Minister for Justice and Attorney-General.
      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, Justice Legislation Amendment Bill (No. 3) 2007 (Paper 1185).

      On the motion of the Member for Araluen (Ms Carney) debate was adjourned.
9. STATUTE LAW REVISION BILL 2007 (Serial 127):
      The Leader of Government Business (Ms Lawrie), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to revise and correct the law of the Territory in minor respects and to repeal a redundant law.
      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, Statute Law Revision Bill 2007 (Paper 1186).

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

10. BONAPARTE GAS PIPELINE (SPECIAL PROVISIONS) BILL 2007 (Serial 119):
      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 Leader of Government Business (Ms Lawrie) the Bill was read a third time and passed to be a proposed law.

11. JUSTICE LEGISLATION AMENDMENT BILL (No. 2) 2007 (Serial 122):
      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.
      The Assembly resolved itself into Committee of the Whole for consideration of the Bill.
      ______________________

      In Committee

      (Chairman and Deputy Speaker - Mr Warren)

      Clauses 1 to 26, by leave, taken together and agreed to.
      New Clause 26A
      On the motion of the Leader of Government Business (Ms Lawrie) the following new clause 26A was inserted in the Bill, after debate -
          After clause 26, in Part 4

          insert


            26A New section 676A
                  After section 676

                  insert

            676A Rule-making power

            (1) The Disciplinary Tribunal may make rules for its practice and procedure.

            (2) The rules may provide for the giving of a notice to a person to appear at a hearing of the Tribunal to give evidence or produce a document or other thing.

      Remainder of the Bill, by leave, taken as a whole and agreed to.
      Bill to be reported with an amendment.
      _____________________

      The Assembly resumed; the Speaker (Mrs Aagaard) took the Chair; the Chairman and Deputy Speaker (Mr Warren) reported that the Assembly had agreed to the Bill with amendment.
      And the report was adopted.
      On the motion of the Leader of Government Business (Ms Lawrie) the Bill was read a third time and passed to be a proposed law.

12. TREASURER'S ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT 2006/2007 - REPORT NOTED:
      The Order of the Day having been read for the resumption of debate on the question - That the Assembly take note of the Report -
      Debate resumed.
      Visitors: The Speaker advised Members of the presence in the public gallery of Year 7 students from Marrara Christian School.
      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 11.59am and 2pm.
      _________________
13. QUESTIONS:
      2.01pm Mr Mills to Ms Lawrie.
      Visitors: The Speaker advised Members of the presence in the public gallery of Year 9 Dripstone High School students.
      On behalf of all Members the Speaker extended a warm welcome to the visitors.

      2.05pm Mr Knight to Mr Henderson.
      2.09pm Mr Mills to Ms Lawrie.
      Paper tabled: The Member for Blain (Mr Mills), by leave, laid on the Table the following Paper -
Press Release - More Reliable Taxis for Passengers in Wheelchairs, dated 13 September 2007, by Minister for Infrastructure and Transport (Paper 1187).

      2.11pm Mr Bonson to Mr Henderson.
      2.16pm Mr Mills to Ms Lawrie.
      2.18pm Mr Hampton to Dr Burns.
      2.22pm Mr Wood to Ms Lawrie.
      2.24pm Mr Mills to Ms Lawrie.
      2.27pm Mr Knight to Mr Vatskalis.
      2.29pm Ms Carney to Mr Henderson.
      2.37pm Ms Sacilotto to Ms Scrymgour.
      2.42pm Mrs Braham to Ms Scrymgour referred to Dr Burns.
      2.44pm Mr Warren to Mr Vatskalis.
      2.47pm Mr Conlan to Mr McAdam.
      Paper tabled: The Member for Greatorex (Mr Conlan), by leave, laid on the Table the following Paper -
Letter, Mr Elliot McAdam, Minister for Local Government to Mr Hangan, dated 28 November 2007 re Local Government Reform (Paper 1199).

      2.50pm Ms Anderson to Mr Henderson.

      The Leader of Government Business (Ms Lawrie) asked that further questions be placed on the Written Question Paper.
14. TREASURER'S ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT 2006/2007 - REPORT 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 Report -
      Debate resumed.
      Question - put and passed.
15. POLICE ADMINISTRATION AMENDMENT BILL 2007 (Serial 97):
      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 Health (Dr Burns) the Bill was read a third time and passed to be a proposed law.
16. DOMESTIC AND FAMILY VIOLENCE BILL 2007 (Serial 120):
      The Order of the Day having been read for 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 students from Ramingining Community Education College.
      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.
      The Assembly resolved itself into Committee of the Whole for consideration of the Bill.
      ______________________

      In Committee

      (Chairman and Deputy Speaker - Mr Warren)

      Clauses 1 to 6, by leave, taken together and agreed to.
      Clause 7 read.
      On the motion of the Minister for Family and Community Services (Ms Lawrie) the following amendment was agreed to, after debate -
          After "occasions"
                insert

                with the intention of causing harm to the person or causing the person to fear harm to the person

        Clause 7, as amended, agreed to.
        Clause 8 read.
        On the motion of Ms Lawrie the following amendment was agreed to, after debate -
            Paragraph (b), before "disposing"
                  insert

                  unreasonably

        On the motion of Ms Lawrie the following further amendment was agreed to, after debate -
            Paragraph (c), before "preventing"
                  insert

                  unreasonably

        Clause 8, as amended, agreed to.
        Clauses 9 to 28, by leave, taken together and agreed to.
        Clause 29 read.
        On the motion of Ms Lawrie the following amendment was agreed to, after debate -
            After subclause (2)(c)
                  insert

                  (d) a DVO is not necessary for the child's protection because an order is in force for the child's protection under another Act.

        Clause 29, as amended, agreed to.
        Clauses 30 to 144, by leave, taken together and agreed to.
        Clause 145 read.
        On the motion of Ms Lawrie the following amendment was agreed to, after debate -
            Proposed section 85
                  omit

                  parties to the DVO

                  insert

                  protected person and defendant

        Clause 145, as amended, agreed to.
        Remainder of the Bill, by leave, taken as a whole and agreed to.
        Bill to be reported with amendments.
        _____________________

        The Assembly resumed; the Speaker (Mrs Aagaard) took the Chair; the Chairman and Deputy Speaker (Mr Warren) reported that the Assembly had agreed to the Bill with amendments.
        And the report was adopted.
        On the motion of the Minister for Justice and Attorney-General (Mr Stirling) the Bill was read a third time and passed to be a proposed law.

    17. TREASURER'S MID-YEAR REPORT 2007/2008 - PAPER TABLED - MOTION TO NOTE REPORT:
        The Leader of Government Business (Ms Lawrie) laid on the Table the Treasurer's Mid-Year Report 2007/2008 (Paper 1204).
        Ms Lawrie made a statement relating thereto.
        Ms Lawrie moved - That the Assembly take note of the Report and that leave be granted to continue my remarks at a later hour.
        Question - put and passed - Debate adjourned.

    18. MATTER OF PUBLIC IMPORTANCE - PLANNING FOR RESIDENTIAL AND INDUSTRIAL LAND:
        The Speaker advised the Assembly that the Member for Nelson (Mr Wood) had proposed the following definite Matter of Public Importance for discussion this day:

        The Future Planning for residential and industrial land in the Northern Territory.

        The proposed discussion having received the necessary support -
        Discussion ensued.
        Discussion concluded.
    19. ADMINISTRATIVE ARRANGEMENTS, SCHEDULE - TRAVEL, VEHICLE, COMMUNICATIONS AND OTHER ENTITLEMENTS OF MEMBERS - PAPER TABLED - MOTION TO NOTE PAPER:
        The Chief Minister (Mr Henderson) laid on the Table an Administrative Arrangements Schedule - Travel, Motor Vehicle, Communications, Postage, and Childcare Entitlements for Members of the Legislative Assembly (Paper 1208).
        Ms Lawrie made a statement relating thereto.
        Ms Lawrie moved - That the Assembly take note of the Paper and that leave be granted to continue my remarks at a later hour.
        Question - put and passed - Debate adjourned.

    20. NEXT MEETING:
        The Leader of Government Business (Ms Lawrie) moved - That the Assembly at its rising adjourn until Tuesday 12 February 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.

    21. ADJOURNMENT:
        The Leader of Government Business (Ms Lawrie) moved - That the Assembly do now adjourn.
        Debate ensued.
        And the Assembly adjourned at 8pm until Tuesday 12 February 2008 at 10am or such other time and/or date as may be set by the Speaker, pursuant to Sessional Order.
        ________________

        PAPERS:
        The following Papers were deemed to have been presented on Thursday 29 November 2007 -

        Annual Reports
        Actuarial Review of Northern Territory Government and Public Authorities’ Superannuation Scheme, as at 30 June 2007 (Paper 1205)
        AustralAsia Railway Corporation, 2006/2007 (Paper 1196)
        Commissioner of Consumer Affairs, 2006/2007 (Paper 1194)
        Darwin Port Corporation, 2006/2007 (Paper 1202)
        Department of Business, Economic and Resource Development, 2006/2007 (Paper 1192)
        Department of Natural Resources, Environment and the Arts, 2006/2007 (Paper 1189)
        Desert Knowledge Australia, 2006/2007 (Paper 1193)
        Health and Community Services Complaints Commission, 2006/2007 (Paper 1188)
        Land Development Corporation, 2006/2007 (Paper 1191)
        Northern Territory Police, Fire and Emergency Services, 2006/2007 (Paper 1206)
        NT Build, 2006/2007 (Paper 1201)
        Power and Water Corporation, 2006/2007 (Paper 1200)
        Territory Insurance Office, 2006/2007 (Paper 1190)
        Tourism NT, 2006/2007 (Paper 1195)

        Financial Management Act
        Determination of Investments Trusts provided by MLC, dated 12 November 2007 (Paper 1203)

        Financial Statements 2007
        Auditor-General Office – Audited Financial Statements 30 June 2007 (Paper 1197)

        Regulations 2007
        No.35, Supreme Court Amendment (Leave to Appeal) Rules 2007 (Paper 1198)
    _________________
        ATTENDANCE:
        All Members attended the sittings.


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