Department of the Legislative Assembly, Northern Territory Government

Minutes of Proceedings - 2007-10-18

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

2. PRAYERS.

3. PETITION:
      The Member for Arnhem (Ms McCarthy), by leave, presented a petition, not conforming with Standing Orders, from 74 petitioners relating to the employment of the Principal at Milyakburra School, Bickerton Island (Paper 1124).
      Petition read.
4. MINISTERIAL REPORTS:
      Administrator Mr E. J. Egan AO, Service: The Chief Minister (Ms Martin) reported on the meritorious service of the Administrator of the Northern Territory Mr E J Egan AO.
      Ms Carney responded.
      Mr Wood responded.

      China Delegation, November 2007: The Minister for Mines and Energy (Mr Natt) reported on the outcomes from a Territory delegation visit to China to promote the Territory business potential and encourage business partnerships and a proposed new business delegation visit to China in November 2007.
      Mrs Miller responded.
      Mr Wood responded.
      Mr Natt replied.

      History Book Awards: The Minister for Local Government (Mr McAdam) reported on his attendance at the History Book Awards sponsored by the Chief Minister.
      Ms Carney responded.
      Mr McAdam replied.

      Ministerial Reports noted, pursuant to Standing Order.

5. WORKPLACE HEALTH AND SAFETY BILL 2007 (Serial 123) and LAW REFORM (WORK HEALTH) AMENDMENT BILL 2007 (Serial 124):
      Suspension of Standing Orders - Take two Bills together: The Minister for Employment, Education and Training (Mr Henderson), pursuant to notice, moved - That so much of Standing Orders be suspended as would prevent two Bills entitled, Workplace Health and Safety Bill 2007 (Serial 123) and Law Reform (Work Health) Amendment Bill 2007 (Serial 124),
          (a) being presented and read a first time together and one motion being put in regard to, respectively, the second readings; the committee’s report stage; and the third readings of the Bills together; and
            (b) the consideration of the Bills separately in the Committee of the Whole.
        Question - put and passed.
        Mr Henderson presented a Bill for an Act to promote health and safety in the workplace and for other purposes; and a Bill for an Act to amend the Work Health Act, the Petroleum Act, the Dangerous Goods Act and the Mining Management Act, and to make consequential amendments to related subordinate legislation.
        Bills read a first time.
        Mr Henderson moved - That the Bills be now read a second time.
        Debate ensued.
        Paper tabled: Mr Henderson laid on the Table the following Paper -
    Explanatory Statement, Workplace Health and Safety Bill 2007 (Serial 123) (Paper 1126) and Law Reform (Work Health) Amendment Bill 2007 (Serial 124) (Paper 1125).

        On the motion of the Leader of the Opposition (Ms Carney) debate was adjourned.

    6. BONAPARTE GAS PIPELINE (SPECIAL PROVISIONS) BILL 2007 (Serial 119):
        The Chief Minister (Ms Martin), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to make special provision for the Bonaparte Gas Pipeline Project.
        Bill read a first time.
        Ms Martin moved - That the Bill be now read a second time.
        Debate ensued.
        Paper tabled: Ms Martin laid on the Table the following Paper -
    Explanatory Statement, Bonaparte Gas Pipeline (Special Provisions) Bill 2007 (Paper 1127).

        On the motion of the Leader of the Opposition (Ms Carney) debate was adjourned.

    7. JUSTICE LEGISLATION AMENDMENT BILL (No. 2) 2007 (Serial 122):
        The Minister for Justice and Attorney-General (Mr Stirling), 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.
        Mr Stirling moved - That the Bill be now read a second time.
        Debate ensued.
        Paper tabled: Mr Stirling laid on the Table the following Paper -
    Explanatory Statement, Justice Legislation Amendment Bill (No. 2) 2007 (Serial 122) (Paper 1128).

        On the motion of the Leader of the Opposition (Ms Carney) debate was adjourned.
    8. WATER AMENDMENT BILL 2007 (Serial 121):
        The Minister for Natural Resources, Environment and Heritage (Ms Lawrie), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the Water 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, Water Amendment Bill 2007 (Paper 1129).

        On the motion of the Member for Katherine (Mrs Miller) debate was adjourned.

    9. SUBSTANCE ABUSE IN REMOTE COMMUNITIES: CONFRONTING THE CONFUSION AND DISCONNECTION, REPORT OF ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE - REPORT TABLED - MOTION TO NOTE REPORT AND STATEMENT:
        The Chair of the Environment and Sustainable Development Committee (Ms Anderson) presented a report entitled, Substance Abuse in Remote Communities: Confronting the Confusion and Disconnection (Paper 1130), Volume I October 2007 and Transcripts of Hearings and Official Briefings, 29 November 2005 to 26 July 2007, Volume II (Paper 1131).
        Ms Anderson made a statement relating thereto.
        Ms Anderson moved - That the Assembly take note of the Report and Statement.
        Debate ensued.
        Debate suspended.
        ______________

        Suspension of sittings: The sittings of the Assembly was suspended between 11.50am and 2.30pm.
        ______________
    10. QUESTIONS:
        2.30pm Mr Conlan to Mr McAdam.
        2.32pm Mr Burke to Mr Stirling.
        2.36pm Ms Carney to Mr Natt.
        2.39pm Ms Anderson to Mr Henderson.
        2.43pm Ms Carney to Mr Natt.
        2.44pm Ms Sacilotto to Mr Stirling.
        2.48pm Mr Wood to Ms Lawrie.
        2.51pm Ms Carney to Mr Natt.
        2.53pm Mr Hampton to Ms Martin.
        2.54pm Mrs Miller to Mr Natt and referred to Mr McAdam.
        2.56pm Mr Burke to Mr McAdam.
        2.58pm Mrs Braham to Ms Martin.
        3.02pm Mr Knight to Mr Natt.
        3.06pm Mrs Miller to Mr Natt.
        3.07pm Mr Warren to Mr Henderson.
        3.13pm Ms Carney to Mr Natt.
        3.14pm Mr Bonson to Mr Vatskalis.
        3.16pm Mrs Braham to Dr Burns.
        3.17pm Mr Kiely to Ms Lawrie.
        3.21pm Mrs Miller to Mr Natt.
        3.24pm Mr Warren to Dr Burns.
        3.26pm Mrs Miller to Dr Burns and referred to Ms Lawrie.
        3.27pm Mr Hampton to Mr McAdam.
        3.30pm Mr Wood to Ms Lawrie.
        3.31pm Ms Carney to Mr Natt.

        The Leader of Government Business (Mr Henderson) asked that further questions be placed on the Written Question Paper.
    11. SUBSTANCE ABUSE IN REMOTE COMMUNITIES: CONFRONTING THE CONFUSION AND DISCONNECTION ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE - MOTION TO NOTE REPORT AND STATEMENT:
        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 and Statement.
        Debate ensued.
        On the motion of the Leader of Government Business (Mr Henderson) debate was adjourned.

        Answer to question: The Minister for Local Government (Mr McAdam) provided information to a question asked earlier this day of the Minister for Mines and Energy (Mr Natt) relating to the manner in which mining interests would be dealt with under the new local government arrangements - mining exploration licences will be exempted from rates. Existing mineral leases will be rated under guidelines to be set.
    12. TREASURER'S ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT 2006/2007 - REPORT TABLED - MOTION TO NOTE REPORT:
        The Treasurer (Mr Stirling) laid on the Table the Treasurer's Annual Financial Report 2006/2007 (Paper 1135).
        Mr Stirling made a statement relating thereto.
        Mr Stirling moved - That the Assembly take note of the Report and leave be granted to continue my remarks at a later hour.
        Question - put and passed.
        Debate adjourned.
    13. ALCOHOL REFORMS - MINISTERIAL STATEMENT - MOTION TO NOTE STATEMENT:
        The Minister for Alcohol Policy (Dr Burns) made a statement relating to the focus and progress on the new public policy portfolio of Alcohol Policy.
        Dr Burns moved - That the Assembly take note of the Statement.
        Debate ensued.
        On the motion of the Leader of Government Business (Mr Henderson) debate was adjourned.
    14. NEXT MEETING:
        The Leader of Government Business (Mr Henderson) moved - That the Assembly at its rising adjourn until Tuesday 27 November 2007 at 10am or such other time and/or date as may be set by the Speaker, pursuant to Sessional Order.
        Question - put and passed.

    15. ADJOURNMENT:
        The Leader of Government Business (Mr Henderson) moved - That the Assembly do now adjourn.
        Debate ensued.
        Paper tabled: The Member for Araluen (Ms Carney), by leave, laid on the Table the following Paper -
    Bradley Connor #54 Aussie Race Car (Paper 1148).

        Debate continued.
        Paper tabled: The Member for Katherine (Mrs Miller), by leave, laid on the Table the following Paper -
    Map, Regional Natural Gas Development in the Timor Sea (Paper 1150); and
    Timor Sea Natural Gas Regional Cooperation of Resource Holders, Investment total (Paper 1149).

        Debate continued.
        Question - put and passed.
        And the Assembly adjourned at 8.55pm until Tuesday 27 November 2007 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 18 October 2007 -

        Annual Reports
        Darwin Waterfront Corporation, 2006/2007 (Paper 1136)
        Department of Health and Community Services, 2006/2007 (Paper 1146)
        Department of Justice, 2006/2007 (Paper 1145)
        Department of the Chief Minister - Progress Report, 2006/2007 – Building a Better Future for Young Territorians (Paper 1133)
        Department of the Chief Minister, 2006/2007 (Paper 1147)
        Department of the Legislative Assembly, 2006/2007 (Paper 1151)
        Department of the Legislative Assembly, Financial Statements, 2006/2007 (Paper 1152)
        Director of Public Prosecutions, 2006/2007 (Paper 1142)
        Mental Health Review Tribunal, 2006/2007 (Paper 1141)
        Northern Territory Anti-Discrimination Commission, 2006/2007 (Paper 1144)
        Northern Territory Government and Public Authorities’ Superannuation Scheme, 2006/2007 (Paper 1139)
        Northern Territory Treasury Corporation, 2006/2007 (Paper 1138)
        Northern Territory Treasury, 2006/2007 (Paper 1140)
        Office of the Commissioner for Public Employment, 2006/2007 (Paper 1132)
        Office of the Commissioner for Public Employment, State of the Service Report, 2006/2007 (Paper 1134)
        Office of the Information Commissioner, Freedom of Information, Privacy Protection 2006/2007 (Paper 1143)
        Utilities Commission, 2006/2007 (Paper 1137)
    _________________
        ATTENDANCE:
        All Members attended the sitting except Ms Scrymgour and Mr Mills, on leave.

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