Department of the Legislative Assembly, Northern Territory Government

Minutes of Proceedings - 2007-08-29

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

2. PRAYERS.

3. Visitors:
      The Speaker advised Members of the presence in the Gallery of Bakewell Primary School, Year 6/7 students accompanied by Ms Tracy Roberts and Taminmin High School, Year 9 students accompanied by Mr Jean-Marc Balette.

4. PETITIONS:
      Response to petitions: The Clerk, pursuant to Standing Order 100A, laid on the Table the following responses to petitions Nos. 55, 61 and 62, relating to a request by Litchfield Shire residents to the NT Government to delay the implementation of its planned amalgamation of the Litchfield Shire Council. (Paper 1078)
      Petition read.
5. MINISTERIAL REPORTS:
      Darwin Festival, August 2007: The Minister for Arts and Museums (Ms Scrymgour) reported on the 2007 Darwin Festival.
      Mrs Miller responded.
      Mrs Braham responded.
      Ms Scrymgour replied.

      New Birth Centre at the Royal Darwin Hospital: The Minister for Health (Dr Burns) reported on the new birthing centre at the Royal Darwin Hospital.
      Mr Conlan responded.
      Dr Burns replied.

      Grapevine Leaf Rust, Eradication: The Minister for Primary Industry and Fisheries (Mr Natt) reported on Grapevine Leaf Rust eradication in Darwin and its rural areas.
      Mr Mills responded.
      Mr Wood responded.
      Mr Natt replied.

      Garma Festival 2007: The Deputy Chief Minister (Mr Stirling) reported on the Garma Festival 2007, celebration of the Yolngu Culture.
      Mr Mills responded.

      Ministerial Reports noted, pursuant to Standing Orders.
6. ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION AUTHORITY BILL 2007 (Serial 114):
      The Minister for Natural Resources, Environment and Heritage (Ms Lawrie), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to establish the Environment Protection Authority, and for related purposes.
      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, Environment Protection Authority 2007 (Paper 1079).
      On the motion of the Member for Katherine (Mrs Miller) debate was adjourned.

7. MINING AND PETROLEUM (ABORIGINAL LAND RIGHTS) AMENDMENT BILL 2007 (Serial 104):
      The Order of the and 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 Mines and Energy (Mr Natt) the Bill was read a third time and passed to be a proposed law.
8. NORTHERN TERRITORY INDIGENOUS PLAN OF ACTION - MOTION TO NOTE STATEMENT:
      The Order of the Day having been read for the resumption of debate on the question - That the Assembly take note of the Statement -
      Debate resumed.
      Extension of Time: On the Motion of the Member for Blain (Mr Mills) the Member for Katherine (Mrs Miller) was granted an extension of time, pursuant to Standing Order 77.
      Debate continued.
      Debate suspended.
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      Suspension of sittings: The sittings of the Assembly was suspended between 12.07pm and 2pm.
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      Distinguished visitors: The Speaker advised Members of the presence in the Speaker's Gallery of Mr John Cason, Qantas Regional General Manager of the Northern Territory. On behalf of all Members the Speaker extended a warm welcome to the distinguished visitor.

9. NOTICES:
      Ms Martin: To present the Disasters Amendment Bill 2007 (Serial 115).
      Mr Stirling: To present the Law Reform (Dust Diseases) Amendment Bill 2007 (Serial 116).
      Mrs Braham: To present the Electoral Amendment Bill (No. 2) 2007 (Serial 117).

10. QUESTIONS:
      2.05pm Mr Conlan to Dr Burns.
      Visitor: The Speaker advised Members of the presence in the public gallery of Dr Bill Wilson, Politics Senior former lecturer in political science at the CDU. On behalf of all Members the Speaker extended a warm welcome to the distinguished visitor.

      2.08pm Mr Bonson to Ms Martin.
      2.13pm Mr Conlan to Dr Burns.
      2.16pm Mr Burke to Ms Lawrie.
      2.19pm Mr Mills to Ms Martin.
      2.23pm Ms Sacilotto to Ms Martin.
      2.25pm Mr Wood to Ms Lawrie.
      2.29pm Mrs Miller to Ms Martin.
      2.30pm Mr Warren to Ms Scrymgour.
      2.34pm Ms Carney to Ms Martin.
      2.36pm Mr Warren to Mr Henderson.
      2.41pm Mrs Braham to Mr Henderson.
      2.43pm Ms Sacilotto to Mr Vatskalis.
      2.46pm Mrs Miller to Ms Martin.
      2.47pm Mr Knight to Ms Lawrie.
      2.49pm Mr Mills to Mr Stirling.
      2.51pm Mr Burke to Mr Stirling.
      2.55pm Mr Wood to Ms Lawrie.
      2.57pm Mr Knight to Mr Natt.
      3.01pm Mr Mills to Mr Stirling.

      The Leader of Government Business (Mr Henderson) asked that further questions be placed on the Written Question Paper.
11. NORTHERN TERRITORY INDIGENOUS PLAN OF ACTION - STATEMENT 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 Statement -
      Debate resumed.
      Question - put and passed.

12. CREATING DARWIN'S FUTURE - MINISTERIAL STATEMENT - STATEMENT NOTED:
      The Chief Minister (Ms Martin) made a statement relating to a proposed suite of initiatives to change the face of Darwin and CBD district.
      Ms Martin moved - That the Assembly take note of the Statement.
      Debate ensued.
      Question - put and passed.
13. GENERAL BUSINESS DAY, NOMINATION:
      The Leader of Government Business (Mr Henderson), on behalf of the Chief Minister, moved - That so much of Standing Orders be suspended as would prevent Wednesday 10 October 2007 as the next day on which precedence would be given to General Business.
      There being an absolute majority of the whole number of Members present and no dissentient voice.
      Debate ensued.
      Question - put and passed.

14. REPORT OF THE INQUIRY INTO THE PROTECTION OF ABORIGINAL CHILDREN FROM SEXUAL ABUSE - BUSINESS DISCHARGED:
      The Leader of Government Business (Mr Henderson) moved - That Government Business, Order of the Day, relating to the Assembly taking note of the Report of the Inquiry into the Protection of Aboriginal Children from Sexual Abuse be discharged from the Notice paper, forthwith.
      Question - put and passed.

15. ADJOURNMENT:
      The Treasurer (Mr Stirling) moved - That the Assembly do now adjourn.
      Debate ensued.
      Paper tabled: The Member for Blain (Mr Mills), by leave, laid on the Table the following Paper -
Australian Secondary Schools Rugby League U18 National Championships Townsville - July 7th to 14th 2007 - Team members and officials (Paper 1080).

      Debate continued.
      Question - put and passed.
      And the Assembly adjourned at 9.16pm until tomorrow at 10am.
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      PAPERS:
      There were no Papers deemed to have been presented on Wednesday 29 August 2007 -
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      ATTENDANCE:
      All Members attended the sitting, except Ms McCarthy on leave.
Last updated: 04 Aug 2016