Minutes of Proceedings - 2003-02-25
- 1. MEETING:
- The Assembly met at 10am The Speaker, the Honourable L. M. Braham, took the Chair.
2. PRAYERS.
3. PETITION:
- The Member for Drysdale (Mr Dunham) presented petition No. 27 from 55 petitioners relating to public transport being continued throughout the school year by the Darwin Bus Service on Route 28. (Paper 811)
Petition read.
4. MINISTERIAL REPORTS:
- Development Projects in Indonesia: The Minister for Business Industry and Resource Development (Mr Henderson) made a report on his recent visit to Indonesia and East Timor to promote opportunities for Territory exporters and business in Indonesian development projects.
Mr Dunham responded thereto.
Mr Henderson responded accordingly.
Alice Springs Regional Crime Prevention Council: The Minister for Justice and Attorney-General (Dr Toyne) reported on his attendance at a public meeting in Alice Springs to create an Alice Springs Crime Prevention Council.
Mr Burke responded thereto.
Dr Toyne responded accordingly.
Employment and Training Board: The Minister for Employment, Education and Training (Mr Stirling) reported on the appointment of a new Ministerial Advisory Board for Employment and Training.
Mr Mills responded thereto.
Mr Stirling responded accordingly.
Hay Growers Group: The Minister for Primary Industry and Fisheries (Dr Burns) reported on the expanding value of hay production and developing markets for the Northern Territory Agriculture Association, Hay Growers Group.
Mr Baldwin responded thereto.
Dr Burns responded accordingly.
Ministerial Reports noted, pursuant to Sessional Order.
5. VISITORS:
- The Speaker advised Members of the presence in the public galleries of Faculty of Northern Territory University, Indigenous Research and Education Certificate 2 General students accompanied by their coordinator, Mr Kluken.
On behalf of all Members the Speaker extended a warm welcome to the visitors.
6. KAVA MANAGEMENT AMENDMENT BILL 2003 (Serial 132):
- The Minister for Racing, Gaming and Licensing (Mr Stirling), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the Kava Management Act.
Bill read a first time.
Mr Stirling moved – That the Bill be now read a second time.
Debate ensued.
On the motion of the Member for Drysdale (Mr Dunham) debate was adjourned.
7. COMMERCIAL PASSENGER (ROAD) TRANSPORT AMENDMENT BILL 2003 (Serial 133) and COMMERCIAL PASSENGER (ROAD) TRANSPORT (CONSEQUENTIAL AMENDMENTS) BILL 2003 (Serial 134):
- Suspension of Standing Orders: The Minister for Transport and Infrastructure (Mr Vatskalis) moved – That so much of Standing Orders be suspended as would prevent Bills entitled, Commercial Passenger (Road)
Transport Amendment Bill 2003 (Serial 133) and Commercial Passenger (Road) Transport (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2003 (Serial 134) –
(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
Question – put and passed.
Mr Vatskalis thereupon, pursuant to notice, respectively, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the Commercial Passenger (Road) Transport Act; and a Bill for an Act to amend various legislation consequential on the
enactment of the Commercial Passenger (Road) Transport Amendment Act 2003.
Bills read a first time.
Mr Vatskalis moved – That the Bills be now read a second time.
Debate ensued.
On the motion of the Member for Drysdale (Mr Dunham) debate was adjourned.
- The Minister for Local Government (Mr Ah Kit), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the Places of Public Entertainment Act.
Bill read a first time.
Mr Ah Kit moved – That the Bill be now read a second time.
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Visitors: The Speaker advised Members of the presence in the public gallery of Katherine South Primary School Year 6/7 students accompanied by their teacher, Mr Shane Pike and Ms Cathy Collins.Debate ensued.
On behalf of all members the Speaker extended a warm welcome.
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Debate continued.On the motion of the Member for Greatorex (Dr Lim) debate was adjourned.
- The Order of the Day having been read for resumption of debate on the question – That the Assembly take note of the Statement –
Debate resumed.
Debate suspended.
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Suspension of Standing Orders: The sittings of the Assembly was suspended between 12.09pm and 2.15pm.––––––––––––––––
- The following notices were given –
Mrs Braham: To present the Container Deposit (Environmental Protection) Bill 2003 (Serial 131).
Mr Burke: To move - That this Assembly, noting –
(a) the loss of population in the Territory is causing a loss of revenue estimated by the Treasurer to be $20 million to $25 million a year and the halving of the Territory’s
representation in the House of Representatives;
(b) the loss of population has been caused by the first net loss in overseas migration since 1976 and a substantial increase in the net loss in interstate migration in the year to June 2002;
(c) the loss of population has been exacerbated by the Government’s cut in public servant numbers from 14,779 in May 2001 to 14,321 in September last year;
(d) the loss of population has been further exacerbated by the fact many business owners have left as noted by the Government’s Business Round Table; and
(e) the trend unemployment has been increasing in a falling workforce for the past six straight months,
Therefore calls upon the Government to immediately act to –
1. restore business confidence by abolishing the taxes, levies and charges it has imposed such as the HIH levy and the car tax;
2. implement the plans to develop the Darwin Wharf Precinct;
3. establish a Darwin Convention Centre rather than continuing to delay it by so-called fast-tracking;
4. free up land in Alice Springs for residential development;
5. resolve the procrastination delaying improved air services for Alice Springs;
6. implement a plan of action for Owen Springs;
7. embark on a campaign to attract people to the Territory rather than just be a mute witness to their departure;
8. overturn its plans to cut its budget for the development of and assistance to the tourism industry;
9. abandon its plan to further cut the public service by up to 1500 jobs thereby adding to the loss of population when those 1500 and their families go elsewhere for work;
10. help those businesses who are employing Territorians today as well as attract major projects for the future rather than concentrating on one objective to the exclusion of the other; and
11. address the increasing cost of living being forced on Territorians by increased Government taxes, charges and levies.
Ms Carter: To move – That the Public Accounts Committee inquire into and report upon –
1. The allegations contained in the Report of Review of the Northern Territory Department of Health and Community Services with respect to the 2001/02 and 2002/03 departmental budget with particular reference, but not limited, to:
- (a) the lack of control in employing 150 extra staff without ongoing budget provision;
(b) the lack of control in that 46 per cent of the department’s workforce is not nominally attached to a position number;
(c) the lack of control in that 20 per cent of departmental staff are in supernumerary positions;
(d) the lack of control in that part of the actual expenditure of the department incurred in 2001/02 was deferred until 2002/03 and whether this was a breach of either the Financial Management Act
or the Fiscal Integrity and Transparency Act;
(e) the lack of control in that failure to implement strategies to achieve medium to long-term efficiencies resulted in additional recurrent funding not being used for the purpose for which it was appropriated;
(f) the lack of control of expenditure in 2001/02 has resulted in enormous pressures on the 2002/03 budget with the resultant overspend by the department of between $20 million and $30 million on that
allocated for 2002/03;
(g) whether monthly financial reports within the department have been unclear, inaccurate, subject to factual disputes, and have failed to address significant divergence from the budget;
(h) the allegations of inadequate or inappropriate recording, auditing and disposal of departmental assets;
(i) the allegations of inadequately registered, controlled and monitored accountable forms within the department; and,
(j) the allegations of inadequate processes for the purchases of goods for the department.
3. Whether the Report’s recommendation for staff changes will result in any savings by cutting staff numbers or instead be a switching of positions between the department’s areas of responsibility.
5. That the committee report to the Assembly on or before the sittings of the Assembly set down for June 2003.
- (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.
Ms Carney: To present the Bushfires Amendment Bill 2003 (Serial 129).
Ms Carney: To present the Criminal Code Amendment Bill 2003 (Serial 130).
Mr Elferink: To present the Bail Amendment Bill 2003 (Serial 135).
- 2.21pm Mr Burke to Ms Martin.
2.26pm Ms Lawrie to Ms Martin.
2.31pm Mr Dunham to Ms Martin.
2.35pm Mr Bonson to Ms Martin.
2.38pm Mr Wood to Mrs Aagaard.
2.39pm Mr Mills to Ms Martin.
2.41pm Ms Lawrie to Mr Henderson.
2.46pm Mr Mills to Ms Martin.
2.47pm Ms Scrymgour to Ms Martin.
2.50pm Mr Wood to Mr Vatskalis.
2.53pm Mr Maley to Ms Martin.
2.54pm Mr McAdam to Mr Stirling.
2.59pm Ms Carney to Dr Burns.
3.02pm Ms Scrymgour to Mr Ah Kit.
3.06pm Ms Carney to Dr Burns.
3.08pm Mr Kiely to Dr Toyne.
3.12pm Mr Elferink to Ms Martin.
3.14pm Ms Lawrie to Mr Vatskalis.
The Leader of Government Business (Mr Henderson) asked that further questions be placed on the Written Question Paper.
- The Member for Daly (Mr Baldwin) moved – That General Business, Notices No. 1 in the name of Mr Reed relating to a motion concerning papers made pursuant to the Financial Management Act varying allocations to the various Agencies (Paper 397) and (Paper 398) and General Business, Orders of the Day, No. 1 relating to a Bill entitled Public Accounts and Estimates Committee Bill 2002 (Serial 45), be discharged from the Notice Paper forthwith.
Question – put and passed.
- The Minister for Resource Development (Mr Henderson), pursuant to Standing Order 57, made a personal explanation of words attributed to him earlier this day by the Leader of the Opposition relating to methadone programs.
- The Order of the Day having been read for resumption of debate on the question, suspended earlier this day – That the Assembly take note of the Statement –
Debate resumed.
Question – put and passed.
- 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.
Leave granted for a motion for the third reading of the Bill to be moved forthwith.
The Minister for Transport and Infrastructure (Mr Vatskalis) 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 Statement –
Debate resumed.
On the motion of the Minister for Business Industry and Resource Development (Mr Henderson) debate was adjourned.
- The Speaker laid on the Table a Report submitted by the Leader of the Opposition (Mr Burke), pursuant to paragraph 9.2 of Remuneration Tribunal Determination No. 2 of 2002, re Overseas Travel to Africa and United States
(Paper 812).
- The Speaker laid on the Table the February 2003 Report of the Auditor-General to the Legislative Assembly (Paper 813).
The Chief Minister (Ms Martin) moved – That the Report be printed.
Question – put and passed.
Ms Martin moved – That the Assembly take note of the Report.
Debate ensued.
Ordered that Ms Matin have leave to continue her remarks at a later hour.
Debate adjourned.
19. DEVELOPMENT OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE TERRITORY – MINISTERIAL STATEMENT – STATEMENT NOTED:
- The Chief Minister (Ms Martin) made a statement relating to the development of opportunities for employment and economic expansion in the Territory.
Ms Martin moved – That the Assembly take note of the Statement.
Debate ensued.
Paper tabled: The Member for Araluen (Ms Carney), by leave, laid on the Table the following Paper -
(Paper 814).
Debate continued.
Question – put and passed.
20. ADJOURNMENT:
- The Minister for Business, Industry and Resource Development (Mr Henderson) moved – That the Assembly do now adjourn.
Debate ensued.
Paper tabled: The Member for Brennan (Mr Burke), by leave, laid on the Table the following Paper –
Mr Robert Teakle, TIO claim ref 60088071 (Paper 815).
Debate continued.
Question – put and passed.
And the Assembly adjourned at 11.43pm on Tuesday 25 February 2003 until Wednesday 26 February 2003 at 10am.
- PAPERS:
The following Papers were deemed to have been Tabled on Tuesday 25 February 2003 –
Annual Reports:
Jabiru Town Development Authority, 2001/2002 (Paper 808)
Mental Health Review Tribunal, 2001/2002 (Paper 810)
Northern Territory Legal Aid Commission, 2001/2002 (Paper 809)
- ATTENDANCE
All Members attended the sittings.
Last updated: 04 Aug 2016