Minutes of Proceedings - 2006-11-29
1. MEETING:
2. PRAYERS.
3. PETITIONS:
4. MINISTERIAL REPORTS:
5. BAIL AMENDMENT (SERIOUS SEXUAL OFFENCES) BILL 2006 (Serial 72):
6. ELECTORAL AMENDMENT BILL 2006 (Serial 76):
on the Government to introduce tougher and specific penalties in relation to drink driving including mandatory breath testing by police when pulling drivers over for any reason;
for the Government to adopt a policy of seizure and disposal of cars from repeat high range drink drivers and for those who drive but refuse to register their cars;
for the Government to adopt a policy implementing a 3 strikes in 12 months and loss of licence for people who fail to wear seatbelts;
for specific education and training measures for younger drivers;
for incentives to younger drivers to purchase lower powered motor vehicles;
for incentives for good drivers to include such things as licence renewal without cost for drivers who have not had a speeding infringement between renewals; and
for an older driver skills update program which would, if completed, provide older drivers with an insurance and / or registration discount; and
Stuart Highway Nil Speed Limit (Paper 735).
21. SENTENCING AMENDMENT (CULTURAL PRACTICE AND CUSTOMARY LAW) BILL 2006 (Serial 62) - NEGATIVED:
- The Assembly met at 10am. The Speaker, the Honourable J. L. Aagaard, took the Chair.
2. PRAYERS.
3. PETITIONS:
- The Member for Wanguri (Mr Henderson) presented petition No. 48 from 858 petitioners relating to Braitling Primary School Air-conditioning upgrade (Paper 725).
Petition read.
Response to petition: Mr Henderson, by leave, provided a response to petition No. 48 relating to the air-conditioning plant at Braitling Primary School.
The Member for Greatorex (Dr Lim) presented petition No. 49 from 543 petitioners relating to the implementation of closed circuit television monitoring in Todd Mall Precinct (Paper 726).
Petition read.
The Member for Greatorex (Dr Lim) presented petition No. 50 from 28 petitioners, not conforming with Standing Orders, relating to power for Launceston Road Dundee Beach residents (Paper 727).
Petition read.
4. MINISTERIAL REPORTS:
- Multicultural Lifestyle: The Minister for Multicultural Affairs (Ms Lawrie) reported on the Federal Government's Multicultural Policy and the Territory experience of having a multicultural lifestyle.
Dr Lim responded.
Mrs Braham responded.
Ms Lawrie responded.
Biodiesel Plant, Opening: The Minister for Business and Economic Development (Mr Vatskalis) reported on the development and construction of a Biodiesel plant in the Darwin Business Park.
Mr Mills responded.
Mr Wood responded.
Mr Vatskalis responded.
Masters Games 2006: The Minister for Sport and Recreation (Mr Vatskalis) reported on the successful outcomes of the 2006 Masters Games of Alice Springs and the future directions for the expansion of the Games.
Ms Carney responded.
Mrs Braham responded.
Mr Vatskalis responded.
Business Breakfast Program: The Treasurer (Mr Stirling) reported on his monthly Business Breakfast Program with Territory business people.
Mr Mills responded.
Ministerial Reports noted, pursuant to Standing Orders.
5. BAIL AMENDMENT (SERIOUS SEXUAL OFFENCES) BILL 2006 (Serial 72):
- The Member for Braitling (Mrs Braham), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the Bail Act.
Bill read a first time.
Mrs Braham moved - That the Bill be now read a second time.
Debate ensued.
Paper tabled: Mrs Braham, by leave, laid on the Table the following Paper -
On the motion of the Minister for Justice and Attorney-General (Mr Stirling) debate was adjourned.
6. ELECTORAL AMENDMENT BILL 2006 (Serial 76):
- The Member for Braitling (Mrs Braham), by leave, moved - That consideration be postponed until a later hour.
Question - put and passed.
- The Member for Nelson (Mr Wood), by leave, moved - That consideration be postponed until a later hour.
Question - put and passed.
- The Leader of the Opposition (Ms Carney), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the Sentencing Act.
Bill read a first time.
Ms Carney moved - That the Bill be now read a second time.
Debate ensued.
On the motion of the Minister for Justice and Attorney-General (Mr Stirling) debate was adjourned.
- The Leader of the Opposition (Ms Carney), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the Traffic Act for the impounding and forfeiture of certain vehicles.
Bill read a first time.
Ms Carney moved - That the Bill be now read a second time.
Debate ensued.
On the motion of the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport (Ms Lawrie) debate was adjourned.
- The Leader of the Opposition (Ms Carney), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the Traffic Act for the suspension of a licence in certain circumstances, and for other purposes.
Bill read a first time.
Ms Carney moved - That the Bill be now read a second time.
Debate ensued.
On the motion of the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport (Ms Lawrie) debate was adjourned.
- The Member for Blain (Mr Mills), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the Northern Territory Aboriginal Sacred Sites Act.
Bill read a first time.
Mr Mills moved - That the Bill be now read a second time.
Debate ensued.
On the motion of the Minister for Planning and Lands (Ms Lawrie) debate was adjourned.
- The Leader of the Opposition (Ms Carney), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the Motor Vehicles Act and Traffic Regulations in relation to learners and provisional drivers.
Bill read a first time.
Ms Carney moved - That the Bill be now read a second time.
Debate ensued.
On the motion of the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport (Ms Lawrie) debate was adjourned.
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Suspension of sittings: The sittings of the Assembly was suspended between 11.53am and 2pm.
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Visitors: The Speaker advised Members of the presence in the public galleries of Traditional Owners from Mt Everard, Harts Range, Muckaty, Arrernte Nation and Fisher’s Ridge, as well as people from the Australian Conservation Foundation, Arid Lands Environment Centre, the Darwin No Waste Alliances, and the Central Land Council.
On behalf of all honourable members, I extend to you a very warm welcome.
- The following notices were given -
Mr Stirling: To present the Professional Standards Amendment Bill 2006 (Serial 83).
Mr Stirling: To present the Statute Law Revision Bill 2006 (Serial 86).
Mr Henderson: To present the Work Health Amendment Bill 2006 (Serial 85).
- The Leader of Government Business (Mr Henderson) moved - That leave of absence be granted to the Member for Fannie Bay (Ms Martin) for this day on account of her ill health.
Question - put and passed.
- 2.03pm Ms Carney to Mr Stirling.
2.09pm Ms Anderson to Mr Stirling.
2.16pm Ms Carney to Mr Stirling and referred to Ms Lawrie.
2.20pm Mr Knight to Mr McAdam.
2.25pm Ms Carney to Mr Stirling and referred to Ms Lawrie.
2.30pm Mr Kiely to Mr Vatskalis.
2.34pm Mr Wood to Ms Scrymgour.
2.38pm Mr Bonson to Mr McAdam.
2.40pm Ms Carney to Ms Lawrie.
2.43pm Ms McCarthy to Ms Lawrie.
2.46pm Mrs Miller to Mr Vatskalis.
2.48pm Ms Sacilotto to Mr Stirling.
2.51pm Mrs Braham to Mr Stirling
2.57pm Ms McCarthy to Mr Henderson.
3.01pm Mrs Miller to Ms Lawrie.
The Leader of Government Business (Mr Henderson) asked that further questions be placed on the Written Question Paper.
- The Leader of the Opposition (Ms Carney), pursuant to notice, moved -
That this House,
2. Calls:
on the Government to introduce tougher and specific penalties in relation to drink driving including mandatory breath testing by police when pulling drivers over for any reason;
for the Government to adopt a policy of seizure and disposal of cars from repeat high range drink drivers and for those who drive but refuse to register their cars;
for the Government to adopt a policy implementing a 3 strikes in 12 months and loss of licence for people who fail to wear seatbelts;
for specific education and training measures for younger drivers;
for incentives to younger drivers to purchase lower powered motor vehicles;
for incentives for good drivers to include such things as licence renewal without cost for drivers who have not had a speeding infringement between renewals; and
for an older driver skills update program which would, if completed, provide older drivers with an insurance and / or registration discount; and
3. Condemns this Government for failing to consult with Territorians contrary to their election promise to be an open and consultative government.
Debate ensued.
Extension to time: On the motion of the Leader of Government Business (Mr Henderson), by leave, the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport (Ms Lawrie) was granted such an extension of time as would allow her to conclude her remarks.
Debate continued.
Paper tabled: Ms Lawrie laid on the Table the following Papers -
Stuart Highway Nil Speed Limit (Paper 735).
Debate continued.
Question - put and negatived.
- The Member for Nelson (Mr Wood), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the Law of Property Act.
Bill read a first time.
Mr Wood moved - That the Bill be now read a second time.
Debate ensued.
Paper tabled: Mr Wood, by leave, laid on the Table the following Paper -
On the motion of the Minister for Planning and Lands (Ms Lawrie) debate was adjourned.
- The Member for Nelson (Mr Wood), pursuant to notice, moved - That,
(1) The Environmental Assessment Administrative Procedures currently do not require the Minister to seek a proponent's comments on a report, advice or recommendations that were sought elsewhere by the Minister on a proposal which is the subject of an Environmental Impact Statement or a Public Environmental Report.
(2) The Legislative Assembly calls upon the Minister for Natural Resources, Environment and Heritage to amend the Environmental Assessment Administrative Procedures to ensure the relevant Minister has to provide the proponent with the report of a consultant or organisation that was engaged by the Minister to comment on an Environmental Impact Statement or a Public Environmental Report. Further, the proponent will then be required to respond to the Minister on that report.
(3) The amendments are:
- (i) Amendment of clause 11 (Examination of Report)
subclause (2)(b)
after
statement,
add
and
(ii) Amendment of clause 11 (Examination of Report)
after subclause 11(2)(b)
add
- (c) direct the proponent to provide him/her with comment on any information that was provided under clause 11(2)(b).
- (iii) Amendment of clause 14 (Examination of final statement)
subclause (2)(b)
after
statement,
add
and
(iv) Amendment of clause 14 (Examination of final statement)
after subclause 14(2)(b)
add
- (c) direct the proponent to provide him/her with comment on any information that was provided under clause 14(2)(b).
- Debate ensued.
Question - put and negatived.
- The Member for Nelson (Mr Wood), pursuant to notice, moved -
That,
1. The Northern Territory Government leaves the present open speed limit on the Stuart, Victoria, Arnhem and Barkly Highways.
2. The Government be condemned for not allowing the public a say in changes to the speed limits.
3. The Government be condemned for not including the public in the development of the NT Road Safety Taskforce Report.
4. The Government delay the implementation of the report until it establishes a Road Safety Taskforce Committee which travels throughout the Territory facilitating public forums to allow community input.
Debate ensued.
Paper tabled: The Member for Nelson (Mr Wood), by leave, laid on the Table the following Paper -
Debate continued.
Extension of time: On the motion of the Member for Braitling (Mrs Braham) the Member for Nelson (Mr Wood) was granted an extension of time, pursuant to Standing Order 77.
Debate continued.
Question - put and negatived.
- The Member for Blain (Mr Mills), pursuant to notice, moved - That, the Labor Government's decision to close down the after hours bulk-billing service at the Farrar Medical Centre is a cynical cost-cutting exercise that will impact most heavily on young families, the elderly and the chronically ill in Palmerston.
And calls on the Government to immediately re-instate funding to provide after hours bulk-billing at the Farrar Health Centre funding which is understood to cost the Northern Territory Government less than $300,000, last financial year.
Debate ensued.
Extension of Time: On the motion of the Member for Sanderson (Mr Kiely) the member for Brennan (Mr Burke) was granted an extension of time, pursuant to Standing Order 77.
Debate continued.
Paper tabled: The Member for Brennan (Mr Burke), by leave, laid on the Table the following Paper -
Debate continued.
Question - put and negatived.
21. SENTENCING AMENDMENT (CULTURAL PRACTICE AND CUSTOMARY LAW) BILL 2006 (Serial 62) - NEGATIVED:
- 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 negatived.
- 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 negatived.
- 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 negatived.
- The Treasurer (Mr Stirling) moved - That the Assembly do now adjourn.
Debate ensued.
Question - put and passed.
And the Assembly adjourned at 11.57pm until Thursday 30 November 2006 at 10am.
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PAPERS:
The following Papers were deemed to have been presented on Wednesday 29 November 2006 -
Annual Reports:
Department of Corporate and Information Services, 2005/2006 (Paper 731)
Department of Local Government, Housing and Sport, 2005/2006 (Paper 732)
Department of Natural Resources, Environment and the Arts, 2005/2006 (Paper 728)
NT Build, Northern Territory Construction Industry, 2005/2006 (Paper 730)
Office of the Commission for Public Employment, State of the Service Report, 2005/2006 (Paper 733)
Territory Insurance Office, 2005/2006 (Paper 729)
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- ATTENDANCE:
All Members attended the sitting, except Ms Martin, on leave.
Last updated: 04 Aug 2016