Department of the Legislative Assembly, Northern Territory Government

Minutes of Proceedings - 2006-06-13

ABSENCE OF SPEAKER - NOTIFICATION BY CLERK:
      The Clerk advised Members of the absence of the Speaker, Mrs Aagaard, for this sittings, due to ill health.

      In accordance with the provisions of section 25 of the Northern Territory (Self-Government) Act 1978 of the Commonwealth and Standing Order 9, the Deputy Speaker, Mr Len Kiely, MLA will perform the duties of the Speaker during that absence.

1. MEETING:
      The Assembly met at 10am, pursuant to resolution of the Assembly, dated Thursday 4 May 2006. The Acting Speaker, Mr Len Kiely, took the Chair.

2. PRAYERS.

3. LEAVE OF ABSENCE FOR SPEAKER - MOTION AGREED TO:
      The Leader of Government Business (Mr Henderson) moved - That leave of absence be granted to the Speaker, Mrs Aagaard, for the June sittings of the Assembly, due to ill health.
      Mr Kiely responded.
      Question - put and passed.
4. MESSAGES FROM ADMINISTRATOR:
      The Acting Speaker advised Honourable Members the following two Messages had been received from His Honour the Administrator:
      Message No. 10

      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:
        26 April 2006
            Administrators Pensions Amendment Act 2006 (No. 5 of 2006)
            Adoption of Children Amendment Act 2006 (No. 6 of 2006)
            Assembly Members and Statutory Officers (Remuneration and Other Entitlements Act) 2006 (No. 7 of 2006)
            Defamation Act 2006 (No. 8 of 2006)
            Partnership Amendment (Venture Capital Funds) Act 2006 (No. 9 of 2006)
            Racing and Betting Amendment Act 2006 (No. 10 of 2006)
            Territory Parks and Wildlife Conservation Amendment Act 2006 (No. 11 of 2006)
            Work Health Amendment (Advisory Council) Act 2006 (No. 12 of 2006)

        Dated 5 May 2006.
        E J Egan AO
        Administrator
        (Paper 461)
        Message No. 11

        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:

          18 May 2006
              Justice Legislation Amendment Act 2006 (No 13 of 2006)
              Motor Vehicles Amendment Act 2006 (No 14 of 2006)
              Terrorism (Emergency Powers) Amendment Act 2006 (No 17 of 2006)
              Victims of Crime Assistance Act 2006 (No 15 of 2006)
              Victims of Crime Rights and Services Act 2006 (No 16 of 2006)


          Dated 20 May 2006.

          E J Egan AO
          Administrator
          (Paper 462)

      5. ADMINISTRATIVE ARRANGEMENTS - OPPOSITION SHADOW MINISTRY PORTFOLIO RESPONSIBILITIES:
          The Leader of the Opposition (Ms Carney), by leave, advised Members of the changes in shadow ministerial portfolio responsibility of opposition members.

          The new arrangements, which were put into effect on 2 June 2006, are as follows:

          MEMBER FOR ARALUEN, JODEEN CARNEY
          Leader of the Opposition
            Justice & Attorney-General
            Police, Fire & Emergency Services
            Business & Economic Development
            Mines & Energy
            Women’s Policy
            Planning and Lands
            Defence Support
            AustralAsia Railway
            MEMBER FOR BLAIN, TERRY MILLS
            Deputy Leader of the Opposition
              Treasury
              Employment, Education & Training
              Racing, Gaming and Licensing
              Asian Relations & Trade
              Public Employment
              Sport and Recreation
              Arts & Museums
              Young Territorians
              Primary Industry & Fisheries
              Indigenous Affairs
              MEMBER FOR GREATOREX, RICHARD LIM
                Opposition Whip
                Health
                Family & Community Services
                Essential Services
                Corporate & Information Services
                Multicultural Affairs
                Communications
                Central Australia
                Local Government
                Housing
                Parks and Wildlife
                MEMBER FOR KATHERINE, FAY MILLER
                  Tourism
                  Natural Resources, Environment & Heritage
                  Regional Development
                  Transport & Infrastructure
                  Senior Territorians (Paper 464)
                _______________
            6. PETITIONS:
                The Chief Minister (Ms Martin) presented petition No. 23 from 171 petitioners requesting the establishment of a retirement village for self-funded retirees in the inner Darwin area. (Paper 465)
                Petition read.

                Responses to petitions:
                The Clerk, pursuant to Standing Order 100A, laid on the Table responses to petitions Numbers 9, 11, 12, 17, and 19 respectively relating to -
            Shade structure for Palmerston Skate Park;
            Late bus at Mindil Markets on Thursday nights;
            Damaged windmill at Dundee Beach;
            Alice Springs preferred Middle School Approach; and
            Public Service DCIS salaries section jobs in Alice Springs. (Paper 463)





                The Clerk advised the Assembly the text of the responses would be incorporated in the Hansard record.

            7. MINISTERIAL REPORTS:
                Distance Learning Service, Reform: The Minister for Employment, Education and Training (Mr Stirling) reported on education reforms of the Distance Learning Service.
                Mr Mills responded.
                Mr Wood responded.

                National Health Care Accreditation: The Minister for Health (Dr Toyne) reported on the accreditation of all five Territory hospitals, attaining for the first time, National Standards under the Australian Council Health Care Standards accreditation system.
                Dr Lim responded.
                Dr Toyne responded.

                Homelands Partnership Strategy, Queensland: The Minister for Local Government (Mr McAdam) reported on his visit to Cairns, Queensland with the Director of Community Harmony to assess the Homelands Partnership Strategy of the Queensland government.
                Dr Lim responded.
                Mrs Braham responded.
                Mr McAdam responded.

                Telecommunications and ICT Services: The Minister for Communications (Dr Burns) reported on the outcomes of a meeting between AIIA and the Northern Territory Government on ways to improve telecommunications in the Territory for urban, rural and remote communities.
                Dr Lim responded.

                Ministerial Reports noted, pursuant to Standing Orders.

            8. POSTPONE CONSIDERATION Of NOTICE - ESTIMATES AND GOVERNMENT OWNED SCRUTINY COMMITTEES:
                The Leader of Government Business (Mr Henderson) moved - That consideration of Government Business, Notice No. 1, relating to the establishment of an Estimates and Government Owned Scrutiny Committee be postponed until after consideration of the Appropriation Bill 2006/2007.
                Question - put and passed.
            9. APPROPRIATION BILL 2006/2007 (Serial 50):
                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.
                Debate suspended.
                _____________

                Suspension of sitting: The sittings of the Assembly was suspended between 11.52am and 2pm.
                _____________
            10. NOTICES:
                The following notices were given:

                Ms Martin: To present the Darwin Waterfront Corporation Bill 2006 (Serial 55).
                Mr Stirling: To present the Territory Insurance Office Amendment Bill 2006 (Serial 56).
                Dr Toyne: To present the Human Tissue Transplant Amendment Bill 2006 (Serial 57).
                Ms Lawrie: To present the Carers Recognition Bill 2006 (Serial 54).

                Mr Henderson: To move on Thursday 15 June 2006 -
                        That, the Assembly at its rising adjourn until 4.00 pm on Friday 23 June 2006, or such other time as notified by the Speaker, with one hour’s notice being given to Government and Opposition Whips and Members by the Speaker, or such other time and/or date as may be advised by the Speaker pursuant to Sessional Order.
              11. ACTING DEPUTY SPEAKER - ESTIMATES AND GOVERNMENT OWNED CORPORATIONS SCRUTINY COMMITTEE HEARINGS - MOTION AGREED TO:
                  The Leader of Government Business (Mr Henderson), by leave, moved - That for the purposes of the operation of paragraphs 35 to 37 of the Terms of Reference of the Estimates Committee 2006/2007, and paragraphs 32 to 34 of the Terms of Reference of the Government Owned Corporations Scrutiny Committee; Mr Matthew Bonson be appointed as Acting Deputy Speaker during the meetings of the Estimates Committee and Government Owned Corporations Scrutiny Committee from 20 to 23 June 2006.
                  Question - put and passed.

              12. FURTHER NOTICES:
                  The following further notices were given, by leave:
                  Mr Wood: To move, on the next General Business Day - That ,
                          (a) the Government accepts that hundreds of Territorians have been discriminated against by recent amendments to the Planning Act which allowed regulations to ban third party appeals by residents living in RL zones in Litchfield Shire area;

                          (b) the Legislative Assembly declare that Territorians living in rural areas have the right, equivalent to people living in urban areas, to appeal against planning applications that may impact upon their lifestyles;

                          (c) the Legislative Assembly call upon the Minister for Planning and Lands to add RL1 and RL2 of the Litchfield Area Plan (2004) to Schedule 2 of the Planning Act Regulations thereby allowing residents living in these areas the right to appeal against planning applications.
                    Mr Henderson: To move - That, the Routine of Business for Friday 23 June 2006 be as follows:
                                Prayers; Petitions; giving of Notices; Government Business, Notices; and Orders of the Day; Report of the Estimates Committee consideration of the Appropriation Bill 2006/2007 (Serial 50) and Government Owned Corporations Scrutiny Committee consideration of the financial and management practices of the Power and Water Corporation as referenced in its Statement of Corporate Intent for 2006/2007.

                13. QUESTIONS:
                    2.04pm Ms Carney to Ms Martin.
                    2.08pm Mr Knight to Ms Martin.
                    2.12pm Ms Carney to Ms Martin.
                    2.16pm Mr Bonson to Mr Stirling.
                    2.19pm Ms Carney to Ms Martin.
                    2.23pm Mr Knight to Mr Henderson.
                    2.28pm Mr Wood to Mr Henderson.
                    2.32pm Mr Burke to Dr Toyne.
                    2.37pm Ms Carney to Ms Martin.
                    2.41pm Ms Sacilotto to Mr Henderson.
                    2.44pm Mrs Braham to Mr Vatskalis.
                    2.48pm Mr Natt to Ms Lawrie.
                    2.51pm Ms Carney to Ms Martin.

                    The Leader of the Opposition (Ms Carney) moved a motion to suspend so much of Standing Orders as would prevent her moving a motion to censure the Chief Minister (Ms Martin) relating to violence against women and children -

                    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.
                14. CENSURE OF CHIEF MINISTER - VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND CHILDREN - MOTION NEGATIVED:
                    The Leader of the Opposition (Ms Carney) thereupon moved - That the Assembly censure the Chief Minister for:

                    1. Her atrocious response to the issues raised by Dr Nanette Rogers in her interview on Lateline in May regarding violence against women and children;
                    2. Her lacklustre response to the issue of violence against women and children since coming to Government;
                    3. Lying to Territorians and Australians about a number of issues relating to violence in indigenous communities;
                    4. Embarrassing herself, her Party and the Northern Territory during the national debate about violence in indigenous communities;
                    5. Failing to provide any solutions to address violence in indigenous communities;
                    6. Refusing to attend the national summit called by the Federal Indigenous Affairs Minister; and
                    7. Failing to remove customary law from the consideration of Courts when sentencing violent Aboriginal men, thereby sanctioning their rights over those of their victims, namely women and children. (Paper 476)

                    Debate ensued.
                    The Leader of Government Business (Mr Henderson) moved - That the question be now put.
                    Question - That the question be now put - put and passed.
                    Question - That the motion be agreed to - put and negatived.
                15. APPROPRIATION BILL 2006/2007 (Serial 50):
                    The Order of the Day having been read for the resumption of debate on the question, suspended earlier this day - That the Bill be now read a second time -
                    Debate resumed.
                    Paper tabled: The Member for Goyder (Mr Warren), by leave, laid on the Table the following Paper -
                Letter, Members of Parliament by Master Hua Cao re Middle Schooling (Paper 477).

                    Debate continued.
                    Question - put and passed.
                    Bill read a second time.
                    Committee stage: On the motion of the Treasurer (Mr Stirling) Committee consideration was postponed until Friday 23 June 2006.

                16. MIDDLE YEARS OF SCHOOLING - MINISTERIAL STATEMENT - MOTION TO NOTE STATEMENT:
                    The Minister for Employment, Education and Training (Mr Stirling) made a statement relating to the adoption and implementation of the Middle Years of Schooling in a two stage process over the next three years.
                    Mr Stirling 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.
                17. ORDER OF BUSINESS - CALL ON NOTICE RE ESTIMATES AND GOVERNMENT OWNED CORPORATIONS SCRUTINY COMMITTEE MOTION AGREED TO:
                    The Leader of Government Business (Mr Henderson) moved - That consideration of Government Business, Notice No. 1, relating to the establishment of an Estimates and Government Owned Corporations Scrutiny Committee be called on forthwith.
                    Question - put and passed.

                18. ESTIMATES COMMITTEE 2006/2007 AND GOVERNMENT OWNED CORPORATIONS SCRUTINY COMMITTEE 2006/2007, ESTABLISHMENT - MOTION AGREED TO:
                    The Leader of Government Business (Mr Henderson), pursuant to notice, moved - That the Assembly appoint an Estimates Committee and a Government Owned Corporations Scrutiny Committee set out as follows:
                ESTIMATES COMMITTEE 2006/2007

                TERMS OF REFERENCE


                A. INTRODUCTION

                    1. That, notwithstanding anything contained in Standing Orders and Sessional Orders there be appointed an Estimates Committee of the Legislative Assembly for the purposes of examining and reporting on the estimates of proposed expenditure contained in the Appropriation Bill 2006/07.

                    2. That the Schedule to the Appropriation Bill 2006/07 and related budget documents be referred to the Estimates Committee for examination and report on proposed expenditure when the Bill has been presented.

                    3. That the Committee may not vote on but may examine and report on the proposed expenditure contained in the Bill by no later than 23 June 2006.

                    4. That the Committee examine the proposed expenditure contained in the Bill by portfolio units in accordance with the Schedule and that the proposed expenditure be considered on an output by output basis for each portfolio unit.

                    5. That the Committee consider the Appropriation Bill and related Budget Papers. To the extent that transactions of other public sector entities are included in the Budget Papers, these transactions can be questioned by the Committee. This would apply to Community Service Obligations paid to and dividends received from the Power and Water Corporation, a Government Owned Corporation under the Government Owned Corporations Act. The Statement of Corporate Intent for the Power and Water Corporation for 2006/07 stands referred to the Government Owned Corporations Scrutiny Committee.
                  B. MEMBERSHIP

                      6. The membership of the Estimates Committee shall consist of the membership of the Public Accounts Committee.

                      7. The Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee shall be the Chairman of the Estimates Committee.

                      8. The Committee, before the commencement of business, shall elect one of its members to be Deputy Chairman.

                      9. Other Members of the Assembly may not vote on any matters before the Committee.

                      10. Other Members of the Assembly may participate in public hearings of the Committee, provided that at any time participating Members are limited to seven (7) Members comprising the Chair, two (2) Government Members, three (3) Opposition Members and one (1) Independent Member.

                      11. Members may be substituted from time to time, subject to notification to the Chairman, and in accordance with conditions provided for in paragraph 10 above.

                      12. The Committee may proceed with business despite a vacancy in its membership.

                      13. The Chairman of the Committee and the Deputy Chairman when acting as Chairman shall have a deliberative and a casting vote.

                      14. The quorum of the Committee is to be 3 of the members of the Committee.

                      15. If at any time a quorum is not present, the Chairman will suspend proceedings of the Committee until a quorum is present, or adjourn the Committee until a time and/or date to be fixed.

                  C. SITTING TIMES
                      16. The Estimates Committee will meet in accordance with the dates and times in the Schedule adopted by the Assembly or as otherwise ordered by the Committee and advised by the Chairman.


                      17. Unless otherwise ordered by the Committee the Committee shall sit during the following periods:

                          (a) on Tuesday 20 June, 2006 commencing at 8:30am and adjourning at 11.00pm;

                          (b) on Wednesday 21 June, 2006 commencing at 8.30am and adjourning at 11.00pm;

                          (c) on Thursday 22 June, 2006 commencing at 8.30am and adjourning at 11.00pm;

                          (d) on Friday 23 June, 2006 commencing at 8.30am and adjourning at 1pm; and

                          (e) the Committee may suspend the hearings from time to time.

                      18. The Estimates Committee may sit only when the Assembly is not sitting.
                  D. HEARING PROCEDURE

                      19. All hearings of the Estimates Committee are open to the public unless the Committee otherwise orders.

                      20. The Committee will consider proposed expenditure on an output by output basis, following procedures agreed to by the Estimates Committee in accordance with the other provisions of this Order and Standing Orders.

                      21. Unless the Committee otherwise determines, the Minister (or Speaker) may make an opening statement lasting up to five (5) minutes which may be extended with the leave of the Committee.

                      22. Members of the Committee may ask for explanations from a Minister (or Speaker) relating to proposed expenditure and outputs.

                      23. The Minister (or Speaker) who has been asked for explanations may be assisted, where necessary, by officers in the provision of relevant information.

                      24. Officers may answer questions at the request of the Minister, but shall not be required to comment on policy matters.

                      25. Questions and explanations should be brief and avoid irrelevance and tedious repetition.
                  E. QUESTIONS TAKEN ON NOTICE AT HEARINGS AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

                      26. The Minister (or Speaker) may advise the Estimates Committee that an answer to a question or part of a question will be provided later to the Committee.
                          At that time the Chairman shall note the question or that part of the question taken on notice and any clarification required. The text of questions on notice will be distributed to the Minister (or Speaker) by the Committee Secretariat.

                      27. A Minister (or Speaker) may also give the Committee additional information about an answer given by them or on their behalf.

                      28. The additional information or answer, is to be written and given by a time decided by the Committee and may be included in a volume of additional information to be laid on the table of the Assembly by the Chairman of the Committee at the time of its report or at a later date, which shall be no later than the next sittings of the Assembly and may be authorised for publication by the Committee prior to that material being tabled in the Assembly.
                  F. HANSARD REPORT AND OTHER TABLED DOCUMENTS

                      29. The Clerk of the Legislative Assembly is authorised to publish an unedited transcript of the Estimates Committee proceedings in a manner similar to that used for the daily Hansard as soon as practicable after the Committee's proceedings are concluded.

                      30. Evidence taken in public by the Committee and documents presented to the Committee are deemed to be authorised for publication by the Committee, unless the Committee otherwise orders.
                        31. The provisions of Standing Order 274 and section 22 of the Legislative Assembly (Powers and Privileges) Act as applicable to the Committee, are limited to documents prepared for and submitted to the Committee, evidence taken by the Committee or a report of such evidence.
                    G. BROADCASTING AND TELEVISING OF PROCEEDINGS
                        32. Sound and vision broadcast and re-broadcast of the hearings of the Estimates Committee will be allowed, subject to the same conditions which apply to the sittings of the Assembly and as determined by the Committee.

                    H. DISORDER
                        33. At an Estimates Committee hearing the Chairman may, after a warning, order any Member of the Assembly whose conduct, in the opinion of the Chairman, continues to be disorderly or disruptive to withdraw from the Committee for a period of 1 hour.


                        34. A member ordered to withdraw in accordance with the direction of the Chairman must immediately withdraw for the stated period.

                        35. If a Member persistently disrupts the business of the Committee:

                            (a) The Chair may name the Member;

                            (b) If the Member named is a member of the Estimates Committee, suspend the sittings until the Chair has reported the offence to the Speaker;

                            (c) If the Member named is not a member of the Estimates Committee, orders that the Member withdraw from the sittings of the Committee until the Chair has reported the offence to the Speaker.
                        36. As soon as practicable, the Chair advises the Speaker who then gives notice that the member of the Estimates Committee be replaced.

                        37. If any objection is taken to a ruling or decision of the Chair:
                            (a) The objection must be taken at once and stated in writing;

                            (b) The Chair as soon as practicable advises the Speaker who makes a ruling on the matters; and

                            (c) The Estimates Committee may continue to meet but not further examine the matter then under consideration and which is the subject of the objection.
                    I. REPORT OF ESTIMATES COMMITTEE
                        38. A report of the Estimates Committee will be presented by the Chairman to the Committee-of-the-Whole Assembly and the report should contain any resolution or expression of opinion of the Committee.


                        39. When the Report of the Estimates Committee is presented it shall be taken into consideration forthwith, together with the Report of the Government Owned Corporations Scrutiny Committee.

                        40. The following time limits shall apply to consideration of the reports of the Committees on the question:

                            "that the proposed expenditure be agreed to and that the resolutions or expressions of opinion as agreed to by the committees in relation to the proposed expenditure or outputs with reference to the Appropriation Bill 2006/07; and

                            the transactions of public sector entities included in the Budget Papers and applicable Community Service Obligations paid to and dividends received from the Power and Water Corporation, a Government Owned Corporation under the Government Owned Corporations Act, be noted."
                    Ministers, Leader of the Opposition and Shadow Ministers20 minutes;
                    Any other Member10 minutes,
                    The maximum period for consideration shall be 5 hours.

                        41. When the consideration of the reports of the Committees has been completed the following question is proposed and put forthwith:
                            "that the remainder of the Bill be agreed to".
                        42. When the Bill has been agreed to by the Committee-of-the-Whole and reported to the Assembly, the third reading may be taken into consideration forthwith.
                          __________________
                      GOVERNMENT OWNED CORPORATIONS SCRUTINY COMMITTEE

                      TERMS OF REFERENCE


                      INTRODUCTION

                          1. That, notwithstanding anything contained in Standing Orders and Sessional Orders there be appointed a Committee of the Legislative Assembly to be known as the Government Owned Corporations Scrutiny Committee for the purpose of examining and reporting on the activities, performance, practices and financial management of the Power and Water Corporation, a Government Owned Corporation under the Government Owned Corporations Act, with reference to the Power and Water Corporation’s Statement of Corporate Intent for 2006/07.

                      MEMBERSHIP

                          2. The membership of the Government Owned Corporations Scrutiny Committee shall consist of the membership of the Public Accounts Committee.

                          3. The Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee shall be the Chairman of the Government Owned Corporations Scrutiny Committee.

                          4. The Committee, before the commencement of business, shall elect one of its members to be Deputy Chairman.

                          5. Other Members of the Assembly may not vote on any matters before the Committee.

                          6. Other Members of the Assembly may participate in public hearings of the Committee, provided that at any time participating Members are limited to seven (7) Members comprising the Chair, two (2) Government Members, three (3) Opposition Members and one (1) Independent Member.

                          7. Members may be substituted from time to time, subject to notification to the Chairman, and in accordance with conditions provided in for paragraph 6 above.

                          8. The Committee may proceed with business despite a vacancy in its membership.

                          9. The Chairman of the Committee and the Deputy Chairman when acting as Chairman shall have a deliberative and a casting vote.

                          10. The quorum of the Committee is to be 3 of the members of the Committee.

                          11. If at any time a quorum is not present, the Chairman will suspend proceedings of the Committee until a quorum is present, or adjourn the Committee until a time and/or date to be fixed.

                      SITTING TIMES

                          12. The Government Owned Corporations Scrutiny Committee will meet in accordance with the dates and times in the Schedule adopted by the Assembly or as otherwise ordered by the Committee and advised by the Chairman.

                          13. The Government Owned Corporations Scrutiny Committee may sit only when the Assembly is not sitting.

                          14. The Committee shall sit on Friday 23 June 2006 for 2 hours from 1.30pm to 3.30pm.
                      HEARING PROCEDURE

                          15. All hearings of the Committee are open to the public unless the Committee otherwise orders.

                          16. The Committee will examine the financial and budgetary activities of the Power and Water Corporation following similar procedures to that of the Estimates Committee and in accordance with the provisions of the this Order and Standing Orders.
                          17. Unless the Committee otherwise determines, the Chairman of the Board of the Power and Water Corporation may make an opening statement lasting up to five (5) minutes which may be extended with the leave of the Committee.

                          18. Members of the Committee may ask questions for the purpose of examining the activities, performance, practices and financial management of the Power and Water Corporation with reference to its Statement of Corporate Intent for 2006/07.

                          19. Questions shall be put directly to the Chairman of the Board of the Power and Water Corporation, the Managing Director and other officers may assist the Chairman in the provision of relevant information.

                          20. The Chairman or other witnesses will advise when evidence is of a commercially sensitive or confidential nature and may request that such evidence be heard 'in camera'. The Chairman of the Committee will invite the Chairman or the witnesses to give the reasons for the request.

                          21. Questions and explanations should be brief and avoid irrelevance and tedious repetition.
                      QUESTIONS TAKEN ON NOTICE AT HEARINGS AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

                          22. The Chairman of the Power and Water Corporation may advise the Committee that an answer to a question or part of a question will be provided later to the Committee.

                          23. At that time the Chairman of the Committee shall note the question or that part of the question taken on notice and any clarification required. The text of questions on notice will be distributed to the Chairman of the Power and Water Corporation by the Committee Secretariat.

                          24. The Chairman of the Power and Water Corporation may also give the Committee additional information about an answer given by the witnesses or on their behalf.

                          25. The additional information or answer, is to be written and given by a time decided by the Committee and may be included in a volume of additional information to be laid on the table of the Assembly by the Chairman of the Committee at the time of its report or at a later date, which shall be no later than the next sittings of the Assembly and may be authorised for publication by the Committee prior to that material being tabled in the Assembly.
                      HANSARD REPORT AND OTHER TABLED DOCUMENTS

                          26. The Clerk of the Legislative Assembly is authorised to publish an unedited transcript of the Government Owned Corporations Scrutiny Committee proceedings in a manner similar to that used for the daily Hansard as soon as practicable after the Committee's proceedings are concluded.

                          27. Evidence taken in public by the Committee and documents presented to the Committee are deemed to be authorised for publication by the Committee, unless the Committee otherwise orders.

                          28. The provisions of Standing Order 274 and section 22 of the Legislative Assembly (Powers and Privileges) Act as applicable to the Committee, are limited to documents prepared for and submitted to the Committee, evidence taken by the Committee or a report of such evidence.
                      BROADCASTING AND TELEVISING OF PROCEEDINGS

                          29. Sound and vision broadcast and re-broadcast of the hearings of the Committee will be allowed, subject to the same conditions which apply to the sittings of the Assembly and as determined by the Committee.
                      DISORDER

                          30. At a Committee hearing the Chairman may, after a warning, order any Member of the Assembly whose conduct, in the opinion of the Chairman, continues to be disorderly or disruptive to withdraw from the Committee for a period of 1 hour.

                          31. A Member ordered to withdraw in accordance with the direction of the Chairman must immediately withdraw for the stated period.

                          32. If a Member persistently disrupts the business of the Committee:
                              (a) The Chair may name the Member;

                              (b) If the Member named is a member of the Government Owned Corporations Scrutiny Committee, suspend the sittings until the Chair has reported the offence to the Speaker;

                              (c) If the Member named is not a member of the Government Owned Corporations Scrutiny Committee, orders that the Member withdraw from the sittings of the Committee until the Chair has reported the offence to the Speaker.
                          33. As soon as practicable, the Chair advises the Speaker who then gives notice that the member of the Government Owned Corporations Scrutiny Committee be replaced.

                          34. If any objection is taken to a ruling or decision of the Chair:
                              (a) The objection must be taken at once and stated in writing;

                              (b) The Chair as soon as practicable advises the Speaker who makes a ruling on the matters; and

                              (c) The Government Owned Corporations Scrutiny Committee may continue to meet but not further examine the matter then under consideration and which is the subject of the objection.
                      REPORT OF GOVERNMENT OWNED CORPORATIONS SCRUTINY COMMITTEE

                          35. A report of the Government Owned Corporations Scrutiny Committee will be presented by the Chairman to the Committee-of-the-Whole Assembly and the report should contain any resolution or expression of opinion of the Committee.

                          36. When the Report of the Committee is presented it shall be taken into consideration forthwith, together with the Report of the Estimates Committee.

                          37. The following time limits shall apply to consideration of the reports of the Committees on the question:
                              "that the proposed expenditure be agreed to and that the resolutions or expressions of opinion as agreed to by the committees in relation to the proposed expenditure or outputs with reference to the Appropriation Bill 2006/07, or the activities, performance, practices and financial management of the Power and Water Corporation with reference to its Statements of Corporate Intent for 2006/07, be noted "
                      Ministers, Leader of the Opposition and Shadow Ministers20 minutes;
                                Any other Member10 minutes,
                      The maximum period for consideration shall be 5 hours.
                          Debate ensued.
                          Question - put and passed.

                      19. ADJOURNMENT:
                          The Chief Minister (Ms Martin) 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 -
                      Sitzler Brothers company history, Alice Springs News, 5 and 12 August 1998 and 1 April 1998 (Paper 478).

                          Debate continued.
                          Question - put and passed.
                          And the Assembly adjourned at 9.55pm until Wednesday 14 June 2006 at 10am.
                          _________________

                          PAPERS:
                          The following Papers were deemed to have been presented on Tuesday 13 June 2006 -

                          Annual Reports:
                          Cobourg Peninsula Sanctuary and Marine Park Board 2004/2005 (Paper 466)
                          Menzies School of Health Research - 1 January – 31 December 2005 (Paper 469)
                          Nitmiluk National Park, Year Ended 30 June 2005 (Paper 467)
                          Road Safety Council of the Northern Territory 2004/2005 (Paper 468)

                          Coroners Act:
                          Coronial Findings and Recommendations, pursuant to section 46B, into the deaths of Mr Kumanjay Presley, aged 14 years, died 23 March 2004, Mr Kunmanara Coulthard aged 22 years, died 27 June 2004, and Mr Kunmanara Brumby, aged 38 years, died 8 July 2004 (Paper 471)

                          Financial Management Act:
                          Increase of Treasurer’s Advance, pursuant to Section 19(1), of the Financial Management Act, signed by the Administrator, dated 7 June 2006 (Paper 472)
                          Transfer of Excess Allocations, pursuant to Section 20 of the Financial Management Act, signed by Treasurer, dated 25 May 2006 (Paper 473)

                          Financial Statements:
                          Menzies School of Health Research, Financial Statement -1 January – 31 December 2005 (Paper 470)

                          Regulations 2006:
                          No. 14, Work Health (Occupational Health and Safety) Amendment (Construction Work) (Paper 474)
                          No. 15, Consumer Affairs and Fair Trading Amendment (Paper 475)
                      _________________
                          ATTENDANCE:
                          All Members attended the sitting, except Mrs Aagaard, on leave.
                      Last updated: 04 Aug 2016