Minutes of Proceedings - 2007-04-17
OPENING OF ALICE SPRINGS REGIONAL SITTINGS 2007
Drum welcome by Drum Atweme.
Members of the Assembly and Clerk, Mr Ian McNeill and Deputy Clerk, Mr David Horton assembled in the Alice Springs Convention Centre, pursuant to resolution of the Assembly dated 22 February 2007.
And Members having taken their seats -
The Speaker Mrs Aagaard after having been announced to Members by the Deputy Serjeant-at-Arms Mr Steven Stokes and taken the Chair, with the concurrence of Members at 9am -
Directed the Deputy Serjeant-at-Arms to escort onto the floor of the Chamber His Honour the Administrator, Mr Ted Egan AO; Traditional Owner, Mr Frank Ansell - member of Lhere Artepe and part of the Antulye Estate Group, and Her Worship the Mayor of Alice Springs, Ms Fran Kilgariff be escorted onto the floor of the Chamber.
Official guests Mr Frank Ansell, His Honour the Administrator, Mr Ted Egan AO thereupon addressed guests and Members.
The Chief Minister, Ms Clare Martin and Leader of the Opposition, Ms Jodeen Carney addressed the Assembly in response to the welcome.
Her Worship the Mayor of Alice Springs, Ms Fran Kilgariff addressed assembled guests and Members.
The Deputy Serjeant-at-Arms escorted the official visitors from the Chamber and the Speaker addressed the Chamber on behalf of all Members and thanked the official visitors for their speeches and words of welcome.
The Speaker invited members of the Salvation Army Indigenous Choir to present their performance.
The Speaker extended her thanks to the Salvation Army Choir and Drum Atweme for their performances.
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1. MEETING:
- The Assembly met at 9.30am, pursuant to resolution of the Assembly, dated Thursday, 22 February 2007. The Speaker, the Honourable J. L. Aagaard, took the Chair.
2. PRAYERS.
3. DISTINGUISHED VISITORS:
- The Speaker advised Members of the presence in the Speaker's Gallery of -
His Honour the Administrator, Mr Ted Egan AO and Ms Nerys Evans;
Mrs Pat Miller, Deputy Administrator of the Northern Territory;
Her Worship the Mayor of Alice Springs, Ms Fran Kilgariff;
Senator Trish Crossin, Senator for the Northern Territory;
The Honourable Warren Snowdon MP, Member for Lingiari of the Northern Territory;
Native Title Holder of Alice Springs, member of Lhere Artepe, Mr Frank Ansell;
Mrs Dianne Guise MLA, Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Western Australia;
Ms Gay Thompson MP, Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly of South Australia;
Mr Bern Kilgariff, AM, former member and Speaker of the Legislative Assembly and former Senator for the Northern Territory;
Dr Peter Toyne, former Member for Stuart of the Legislative Assembly of the Northern Territory;
Mr Nigel Lake, Clerk Assistant, Legislative Assembly of Western Australia; and
Ms Rachel Callinan, Committee Director, New South Wales Legislative Council.
- The Speaker acknowledged the presence of the following visitors in the Gallery -
Members of 2007 Youth Parliament;
Bradshaw Primary School students, Year 5 and 6 accompanied by Rebecca Hopper;
Centralian Senior Secondary students, Year 10, 11, and 12 accompanied by Rhonda Herrick;
Wallace Rockhole students, Year 2, 4, 5, and 6 accompanied by Kate Manley.
- The Leader of Government Business (Mr Henderson) moved - That leave of absence be granted to the Member for Arnhem (Ms McCarthy) due to a bereavement in the family.
Question - put and passed.
- The Speaker advised Honourable Members of receipt of the following Message from His Honour the Administrator:
Message No. 16
Assent to Proposed Laws
- I, EDWARD JOSEPH EGAN, AO the Administrator of the Northern Territory of Australia, advise the Legislative Assembly of, pursuant to section 7 of the Northern Territory (Self-Government Act) 1978 of the Commonwealth, the assent to the following proposed laws:
- 8 March 2007
Business Names Act 2007 (No 1. of 2007)
Professional Standards Amendment Act 2007 (No 2. of 2007)
Statute Law Revision Act 2007 (No 4. of 2007)
Work Health Amendment Act 2007 (No 3. of 2007)
- Dated 13 March 2007.
- E J Egan AO
Administrator
(Paper 828)
- The Speaker laid on the Table the Commonwealth Day Message 2007, from Her Majesty the Queen, dated 12 March 2007 and advised that the text of the Message would be incorporated in Hansard. (Paper 832)
- The Member for Araluen (Ms Carney), by leave, presented petition No. 54, not conforming with Standing Orders, from 112 petitioners relating to Open Road Speed Limits. (Paper 829)
Petition read.
- The Member for Nelson (Mr Wood), by leave, presented petition No. 55, not conforming with Standing Orders, from 234 petitioners relating to the amalgamation of the Litchfield Shire Council into a super council. (Paper 830)
Petition read.
- The Member for Nelson (Mr Wood), by leave, presented petition No. 56, not conforming with Standing Orders, from 52 petitioners relating to the closure of the after hours bulk billing service at the Farrar Medical Centre, Palmerston. (Paper 831)
Petition read.
9. MINISTERIAL REPORTS:
- Alice Springs Sittings 2007: The Chief Minister (Ms Martin) reported on upgrading and development of Alice Springs town camps; tackling law and order; enhancing tourism and business in the Alice Springs community.
Ms Carney responded.
Mrs Braham responded.
Ms Martin replied.
Visitors: The Speaker advised Members of the presence in the gallery of Students from Wallace Rockhole, Araluen Christian School and St Phillips Schools.
Distinguished Visitor: The Speaker advised Members of the presence in the gallery of Mr Neville Perkins, former Member for Macdonnell of the Legislative Assembly of the Northern Territory.
Public Sector Activity in Alice Springs: The Minister for Public Employment (Mr Henderson) reported on the Public Sector activity in Central Australia.
Ms Carney responded.
Mrs Braham responded.
Mr Henderson replied.
Local Government Shire Councils Reform: The Minister for Local Government (Mr McAdam) reported on the changes to the form of local government reform in the Territory.
Dr Lim responded.
Mr Wood responded.
Mr McAdam replied.
Youth and Child Violence in Alice Springs: The Minister for Family and Community Services (Ms Lawrie) reported on the child victims of violence in Alice Springs.
Dr Lim responded.
Ministerial Reports noted, pursuant to Standing Orders.
9. MOTOR ACCIDENTS (COMPENSATION) Bill 2007 (Serial 87):
- 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.
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In Committee
(Deputy Speaker and Chairman of Committees - Mr Knight)
In Committee
(Deputy Speaker and Chairman of Committees - Mr Knight)
Clauses 1 to 8, by leave, taken together and agreed to.
Clause 9 read.
On the motion of the Treasurer (Mr Stirling) the following amendment was agreed to, after debate.
Omit proposed section 9(1)(b) and insert in its stead -
"(b) the person was under the influence of alcohol or a drug to such an extent that the person:
- (i) was, by driving a motor vehicle, committing an offence against relevant laws regulating road traffic; or
(ii) would have been committing such an offence if the person had been driving the motor vehicle in a public street or public place; and".
Clause 10 read.
Debate ensued.
Clause 10 as printed, agreed to.
Clause 11 read.
Debate ensued.
Clause 11 as printed, agreed to.
Clause 12 to 14, by leave, taken together and agreed to.
Clause 15 read.
On the motion of Mr Stirling the following amendment was agreed to -
Omit proposed section 20A(1)(b) and insert in its stead -
"(b) the qualifying person was under the influence of alcohol or a drug to such an extent that the person:
- (i) was, by driving a motor vehicle, committing an offence against relevant laws regulating road traffic; or
(ii) would have been committing such an offence if the person had been driving the motor vehicle in a public street or public place; and".
Remainder of the bill, by leave, taken as a whole and agreed to.
Bill to be reported with amendments.
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The Assembly resumed, the Speaker took the Chair; the Deputy Speaker and Chairman of Committees (Mr Knight) reported the Bill with amendments; and the report was adopted.
The Treasurer (Mr Stirling) 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.
- 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.
Debate suspended.
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Suspension of sittings: The sitting of the Assembly was suspended between 11.56am and 1.30pm.
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- The following notices were given:
Mr Mills: To move - That on Thursday 19 April 2007, I will present the Aboriginal Lands Act Amendment Bill 2007.
Mr Mills: To move - That on Thursday 19 April 2007, I will move - That so much of Standing Orders be suspended as would -
(a) allow me to present the Aboriginal Lands Act Amendment Bill 2007; and
(b) permit the Aboriginal Lands Act Amendment Bill 2007 passing through all stages at this sittings.
- 1.34pm Ms Carney to Ms Martin.
1.42pm Mr Hampton to Ms Martin.
1.45pm Ms Carney to Ms Martin.
1.49pm Ms Anderson to Mr Stirling.
1.53pm Ms Carney to Dr Burns.
1.57pm Ms Anderson to Mr McAdam.
2.01pm Mrs Braham to Mr McAdam.
2.06pm Ms Carney to Dr Burns.
2.10pm Mr Hampton to Mr Henderson.
2.16pm Ms Carney to Dr Burns.
2.20pm Ms Anderson to Dr Burns.
2.25pm Mr Wood to Mr McAdam.
2.28pm Mr Hampton to Ms Scrymgour.
2.33pm Ms Carney to Dr Burns.
The Leader of the Opposition (Ms Carney) moved a motion to suspend Standing Orders to censure the Chief Minister (Ms Martin) and the Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services (Dr Burns) relating to the level and incidence of crime in Alice Springs.
The Leader of Government Business (Mr Henderson) informed the Assembly that the government accepted the motion as a censure motion, pursuant to Standing Order 95.
The Leader of Government Business (Mr Henderson) asked that further questions be placed on the Written Question Paper.
Distinguished Visitor: The Speaker advised Members of the presence in the gallery of Dr Peter Toyne, former Member for Stuart of the Legislative Assembly of the Northern Territory.
- The Leader of the Opposition (Ms Carney) thereupon moved - That the Assembly censure the Chief Minister and Minister for Police for:
(a) ignoring the pleas of the people of Alice Springs to make their town safe;
(b) overseeing a deterioration in safety in Alice Springs, a town which the Mayor has described as a "town in crisis";
(c) failing to meet the primary responsibility of government to ensure the safety of its citizens;
(d) failing to have practical plans to make Alice Springs safe for its citizens;
(e) failing to provide support for sensible and much needed initiatives including CCTV cameras in and around the Todd Mall and a youth curfew. (Paper 843)
Debate ensued.
Question – put and negatived.
- The Treasurer (Mr Stirling) made a personal explanation, pursuant to Standing Order 57, relating to comments he made in regard to the effect of the provisions of section 11 and proposed partial exclusion of benefits to be paid under the Motor Accidents (Compensation) Bill 2007 (Serial 87).
- 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.
- The Chief Minister (Ms Martin) made a statement relating to the living and unique lifestyle in Central Australia.
Ms Martin moved - That the Assembly take note of the Statement −
Debate ensued.
Debate suspended.
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Suspension of sittings: The sittings of the Assembly was suspended between 6pm and 7.30pm.
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Debate resumed.
On the motion of the Minister for Health (Dr Burns) debate was adjourned.
- The Chief Minister (Ms Martin) moved - That the Assembly do now adjourn.
Debate ensued.
Question - put and passed.
And the Assembly adjourned at 10.32pm until tomorrow at 9.30am.
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PAPERS:
The following Papers were deemed to be presented on Tuesday 17 April 2007 -
Annual Reports:
Road Safety Council of the Northern Territory, 2005/2006 (Paper 833)
National Environment Protection Council, 2005/2006 (Paper 834)
Parole Board of the Northern Territory, 2005/2006 (Paper 836)
Reports:
Constitution of the Power and Water Corporation, prepared by Clayton Utz (Paper 835)
Report to the Legislative Assembly, pursuant to paragraphs 5.20 and 8.8(c) of the Remuneration Tribunal Report and Determination No. 1 2006, Annual Schedule containing Government payments for each Member for Satellite and Mobile Telephones and Annual schedule of Member Travel at Government expense, for year 2006 – Addendum relating to the Member for Stuart (Paper 842)
Regulations 2007:
No. 4, Electricity Reform (Administration) Amendment (Paper 837)
No. 5, Summary Offences Amendment (Paper 838)
No. 6, Health and Community Services Amendment (Revenue Units) (Paper 839)
No. 7, Fisheries Amendment (Fishing Tour Operator Licence) (Paper 840)
No.8, Traffic Amendment (Paper 841)
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- ATTENDANCE:
All Members attended the sitting, except Ms McCarthy, on leave.
Last updated: 04 Aug 2016