Minutes of Proceedings - 2001-10-23
1. MEETING:
The Assembly met at 10am. The Speaker, the Honourable L M Braham, took the Chair.
2. PRAYERS.
3. NOTICES:
The following notices were given:
Ms Martin: To move - That this Assembly:
(a) expresses its heartfelt sympathy, sorrow and condolence to those Territorians who were removed from their families under
the authority of the Commonwealth Aboriginals Ordinance and placed in institutional or foster care;
(b) acknowledges their belief that such removals represented the implementation of a Government assimilation policy without
regard to individual welfare circumstances;
(c) recognizes the profound sense of loss and emotional trauma suffered by both the removed children and the communities
from which they were taken regardless of the existence or non-existence of any valid welfare reason for removal in any
particular case;
(d) recognizes that in the great majority of cases the removed children received inadequate care, guidance, and education,
and that the Commonwealth Government of the day failed in its obligation to facilitate reunions between the removed
children and their Aboriginal communities once any purported welfare objective had been achieved; and
(e) calls upon the Commonwealth Government to make a formal and specific apology to all those persons removed pursuant
to the Aboriginals Ordinance, acknowledging that the Commonwealth failed in discharging its moral obligations towards them.
Ms Martin: To present the Government Owned Corporations Bill 2001 (Serial 21).
Ms Martin: To present the Power and Water Authority Amendment Bill 2001 (Serial 22).
Dr Toyne: To present the Validation (Chief Magistrate) Bill 2001 (Serial 18).
Mr Vatskalis: To present the Local Government Amendment Bill (No. 2) 2001 (Serial 10).
Mr Stirling: To present the Public Sector Employment and Management Amendment Bill 2001 (Serial 14).
4. MINISTERIAL STATEMENT:
Economic Development Summit: The Chief Minister (Ms Martin) made a statement relating to the conduct of an Northern
Territory Economic Development Summit.
Export of mangoes, sea - freight trial: The Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Development (Mr Ah Kit) made a
statement relating to a sea-freight trial for the export of mangoes.
Terrorism threats, microbiological preparedness: The Minister for Health, Family and Children’s Services (Mrs Aagaard) made
a statement relating to the recent acts of bioterrorism in the world and the actions taken to protect Territorians.
Cattle exports to East Sumba: The Minister for Primary Industry and Fisheries (Dr Toyne) made a statement relating to the
recent purchase of breeder cattle by the Regent of East Sumba, Mr Umbu Mehang Kunda.
Reports noted pursuant to Sessional Order.
5. ASSEMBLY STANDING COMMITTEES – AMENDMENT TO TERMS OF REFERENCE – MOTION AGREED TO:
The Leader of Government Business (Mr Stirling), by leave, moved - That the terms of reference of Assembly Standing Committees
be amended by adding at the end the following:
The committee or a subcommittee be empowered to consider the minutes of proceedings, evidence taken and records of similar
committees established in previous Assemblies.
Debate ensued.
Question – put and passed.
6. ALTERATION TO ORDER OF BUSINESS:
The Leader of Government Business (Mr Stirling) moved - That Government Business, Orders of the Day, be postponed until after
consideration of Ordinary Business, Papers.
7. TREASURER’S ANNUAL FINANCIAL STATEMENT 2000/2001 – PAPER TABLED - REPORT NOTED: -
The Chief Minister (Ms Martin) laid on the Table the Treasurer’s Annual Financial Statement 2000-01. (Paper 64)
Ms Martin moved – That the Assembly take note of the Report.
Debate ensued.
Question – put and passed.
8. INFORMATION BILL, DISCUSSION DRAFT – PAPER TABLED – MOTION TO NOTE PAPER:
The Attorney-General (Dr Toyne) laid on the Table a discussion draft of a proposed Information Bill. (Paper 65)
Dr Toyne moved – That the Assembly take note of the Report.
Debate ensued.
Ordered – That Leader of the Opposition (Mr Burke) have leave to continue his remarks at a later hour.
Debate adjourned.
9. ADDRESS-IN-REPLY – MOTION:
The Order of the Day having been read for the resumption of debate on the motion –
That the following Address-in-Reply be agreed to:
MAY IT PLEASE YOUR HONOUR – We, the Legislative Assembly of the Northern Territory, in Parliament assembled, desire to
express our loyalty to our Most Gracious Sovereign, and to thank Your Honour for the Speech which you have been pleased to
address to the Assembly.
Debate ensued.
Paper tabled: The Member for Braitling (Mrs Braham), by leave, laid on the Table the following Paper –
E-mail, Dr R Lim to Mrs Braham re requests seeking information on matters concerning Central Australia and Local
Government and Housing. (Paper 66)
On the motion of the Member for Barkly (Mr McAdam) debate was adjourned. Suspension of sittings: The sittings of the Assembly was suspended between 11.58am and 2pm.10. QUESTIONS:
2.01pm Mr Burke to Ms Martin.
2.04pm Dr Burns to Ms Martin.
2.09pm Mr Burke to Ms Martin.
Paper tabled: The Member for Brennan (Mr Burke), by leave, laid on the Table the following Paper –
Kim Beazley’s Plan for Safer Communities, Costings for Strengthening Australia’s National Security (Paper 68).
2.11pm Ms Scrymgour to Ms Martin.
2.15pm Mr Burke to Ms Martin.
2.18pm Mr Bonson to Ms Martin.
2.21pm Mr Wood to Mr Vatskalis.
2.23pm Mr Reed to Ms Martin.
2.24pm Mr Kiely to Dr Toyne.
2.27pm Mr Reed to Ms Martin.
2.30pm Ms Lawrie to Ms Martin.
2.33pm Dr Lim to Mr Vatskalis.
2.35pm Mr Bonson to Ms Martin.
2.40pm Ms Carter to Mr Ah Kit.
2.43pm Ms Lawrie to Mr Henderson.
2.48pm Ms Carney to Mr Stirling.
2.56pm Ms Carney to Mr Stirling.
2.58pm Ms Scrymgour to Mrs Aagaard.
2.59pm Mr Kiely to Mr Vatskalis.
3pm Mr Wood to Mr Henderson.
The Leader of Government Business (Mr Stirling) asked that further questions be placed on the Question Paper.
Explanation of Speech: The Member for Casuarina (Mr Vatskalis), pursuant to Standing Order 54, made a personal explanation
in relation to an incorrect reference he had made during question time to the Auditor-General.
11. HEALTH SERVICES IN THE TERRITORY, RENAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICES – MINISTERIAL SERVICES – STATEMENT NOTED:
The Minister for Health, Family and Children’s Services (Mrs Aagaard) made a statement relating to renal and community health
services in the Territory. (Paper 69)
Mrs Aagaard moved – That the Assembly take note of the Statement.
Debate ensued.
Paper tabled: The Member for Drysdale (Mr Dunham), pursuant to Standing Order 256, asked that the paper the Member for
Johnston (Dr Burns) had quoted from be Tabled.
Ordered that the Paper be Tabled and the Member for Johnston (Dr Burns) thereupon Tabled the following Paper –
Mortality in the Northern Territory 1979 – 1997 by Territory Health Services, Epidemiology Branch, dated
November 1999 (Paper 70).
Debate continued.
Question – put and passed.
12. ADJOURNMENT:
The Minister for Industries and Business (Mr Henderson) moved - That the Assembly do now adjourn.
Debate ensued.
Question - put and passed.
The Assembly adjourned at 6.46pm until Wednesday 24 October 2001 at 10am. PAPERS:
The following Papers were deemed to have been presented on Tuesday 23 October 2001:
Annual Reports:
Northern Territory Architects Board, 2000/2001 (Paper 63)
Trade Development Zone Authority, 2000/2001 (Paper 62)
Community Government Scheme:
Tiwi Islands Local Government Constitution (Paper 61) ATTENDANCE:
All Members attended the sittings
The Assembly met at 10am. The Speaker, the Honourable L M Braham, took the Chair.
2. PRAYERS.
3. NOTICES:
The following notices were given:
Ms Martin: To move - That this Assembly:
(a) expresses its heartfelt sympathy, sorrow and condolence to those Territorians who were removed from their families under
the authority of the Commonwealth Aboriginals Ordinance and placed in institutional or foster care;
(b) acknowledges their belief that such removals represented the implementation of a Government assimilation policy without
regard to individual welfare circumstances;
(c) recognizes the profound sense of loss and emotional trauma suffered by both the removed children and the communities
from which they were taken regardless of the existence or non-existence of any valid welfare reason for removal in any
particular case;
(d) recognizes that in the great majority of cases the removed children received inadequate care, guidance, and education,
and that the Commonwealth Government of the day failed in its obligation to facilitate reunions between the removed
children and their Aboriginal communities once any purported welfare objective had been achieved; and
(e) calls upon the Commonwealth Government to make a formal and specific apology to all those persons removed pursuant
to the Aboriginals Ordinance, acknowledging that the Commonwealth failed in discharging its moral obligations towards them.
Ms Martin: To present the Government Owned Corporations Bill 2001 (Serial 21).
Ms Martin: To present the Power and Water Authority Amendment Bill 2001 (Serial 22).
Dr Toyne: To present the Validation (Chief Magistrate) Bill 2001 (Serial 18).
Mr Vatskalis: To present the Local Government Amendment Bill (No. 2) 2001 (Serial 10).
Mr Stirling: To present the Public Sector Employment and Management Amendment Bill 2001 (Serial 14).
4. MINISTERIAL STATEMENT:
Economic Development Summit: The Chief Minister (Ms Martin) made a statement relating to the conduct of an Northern
Territory Economic Development Summit.
Export of mangoes, sea - freight trial: The Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Development (Mr Ah Kit) made a
statement relating to a sea-freight trial for the export of mangoes.
Terrorism threats, microbiological preparedness: The Minister for Health, Family and Children’s Services (Mrs Aagaard) made
a statement relating to the recent acts of bioterrorism in the world and the actions taken to protect Territorians.
Cattle exports to East Sumba: The Minister for Primary Industry and Fisheries (Dr Toyne) made a statement relating to the
recent purchase of breeder cattle by the Regent of East Sumba, Mr Umbu Mehang Kunda.
Reports noted pursuant to Sessional Order.
5. ASSEMBLY STANDING COMMITTEES – AMENDMENT TO TERMS OF REFERENCE – MOTION AGREED TO:
The Leader of Government Business (Mr Stirling), by leave, moved - That the terms of reference of Assembly Standing Committees
be amended by adding at the end the following:
The committee or a subcommittee be empowered to consider the minutes of proceedings, evidence taken and records of similar
committees established in previous Assemblies.
Debate ensued.
Question – put and passed.
6. ALTERATION TO ORDER OF BUSINESS:
The Leader of Government Business (Mr Stirling) moved - That Government Business, Orders of the Day, be postponed until after
consideration of Ordinary Business, Papers.
7. TREASURER’S ANNUAL FINANCIAL STATEMENT 2000/2001 – PAPER TABLED - REPORT NOTED: -
The Chief Minister (Ms Martin) laid on the Table the Treasurer’s Annual Financial Statement 2000-01. (Paper 64)
Ms Martin moved – That the Assembly take note of the Report.
Debate ensued.
Question – put and passed.
8. INFORMATION BILL, DISCUSSION DRAFT – PAPER TABLED – MOTION TO NOTE PAPER:
The Attorney-General (Dr Toyne) laid on the Table a discussion draft of a proposed Information Bill. (Paper 65)
Dr Toyne moved – That the Assembly take note of the Report.
Debate ensued.
Ordered – That Leader of the Opposition (Mr Burke) have leave to continue his remarks at a later hour.
Debate adjourned.
9. ADDRESS-IN-REPLY – MOTION:
The Order of the Day having been read for the resumption of debate on the motion –
That the following Address-in-Reply be agreed to:
MAY IT PLEASE YOUR HONOUR – We, the Legislative Assembly of the Northern Territory, in Parliament assembled, desire to
express our loyalty to our Most Gracious Sovereign, and to thank Your Honour for the Speech which you have been pleased to
address to the Assembly.
Debate ensued.
Paper tabled: The Member for Braitling (Mrs Braham), by leave, laid on the Table the following Paper –
E-mail, Dr R Lim to Mrs Braham re requests seeking information on matters concerning Central Australia and Local
Government and Housing. (Paper 66)
On the motion of the Member for Barkly (Mr McAdam) debate was adjourned. Suspension of sittings: The sittings of the Assembly was suspended between 11.58am and 2pm.10. QUESTIONS:
2.01pm Mr Burke to Ms Martin.
2.04pm Dr Burns to Ms Martin.
2.09pm Mr Burke to Ms Martin.
Paper tabled: The Member for Brennan (Mr Burke), by leave, laid on the Table the following Paper –
Kim Beazley’s Plan for Safer Communities, Costings for Strengthening Australia’s National Security (Paper 68).
2.11pm Ms Scrymgour to Ms Martin.
2.15pm Mr Burke to Ms Martin.
2.18pm Mr Bonson to Ms Martin.
2.21pm Mr Wood to Mr Vatskalis.
2.23pm Mr Reed to Ms Martin.
2.24pm Mr Kiely to Dr Toyne.
2.27pm Mr Reed to Ms Martin.
2.30pm Ms Lawrie to Ms Martin.
2.33pm Dr Lim to Mr Vatskalis.
2.35pm Mr Bonson to Ms Martin.
2.40pm Ms Carter to Mr Ah Kit.
2.43pm Ms Lawrie to Mr Henderson.
2.48pm Ms Carney to Mr Stirling.
2.56pm Ms Carney to Mr Stirling.
2.58pm Ms Scrymgour to Mrs Aagaard.
2.59pm Mr Kiely to Mr Vatskalis.
3pm Mr Wood to Mr Henderson.
The Leader of Government Business (Mr Stirling) asked that further questions be placed on the Question Paper.
Explanation of Speech: The Member for Casuarina (Mr Vatskalis), pursuant to Standing Order 54, made a personal explanation
in relation to an incorrect reference he had made during question time to the Auditor-General.
11. HEALTH SERVICES IN THE TERRITORY, RENAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICES – MINISTERIAL SERVICES – STATEMENT NOTED:
The Minister for Health, Family and Children’s Services (Mrs Aagaard) made a statement relating to renal and community health
services in the Territory. (Paper 69)
Mrs Aagaard moved – That the Assembly take note of the Statement.
Debate ensued.
Paper tabled: The Member for Drysdale (Mr Dunham), pursuant to Standing Order 256, asked that the paper the Member for
Johnston (Dr Burns) had quoted from be Tabled.
Ordered that the Paper be Tabled and the Member for Johnston (Dr Burns) thereupon Tabled the following Paper –
Mortality in the Northern Territory 1979 – 1997 by Territory Health Services, Epidemiology Branch, dated
November 1999 (Paper 70).
Debate continued.
Question – put and passed.
12. ADJOURNMENT:
The Minister for Industries and Business (Mr Henderson) moved - That the Assembly do now adjourn.
Debate ensued.
Question - put and passed.
The Assembly adjourned at 6.46pm until Wednesday 24 October 2001 at 10am. PAPERS:
The following Papers were deemed to have been presented on Tuesday 23 October 2001:
Annual Reports:
Northern Territory Architects Board, 2000/2001 (Paper 63)
Trade Development Zone Authority, 2000/2001 (Paper 62)
Community Government Scheme:
Tiwi Islands Local Government Constitution (Paper 61)
All Members attended the sittings
Last updated: 04 Aug 2016