Minutes of Proceedings - 2005-03-23
1. MEETING:
2. PRAYERS.
3. STATEMENT BY SPEAKER:
4. PAPER TABLED:
7. JUSTICE PORTFOLIO (MISCELLANEOUS AMENDMENTS) BILL 2005 (Serial 283):
8. CLASSIFICATION OF PUBLICATIONS, FILMS AND COMPUTER GAMES AMENDMENT BILL 2005 (Serial 284):
11. PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE ANNUAL REPORT 2003/2004 - PAPER NOTED:
18. CENSURE OF THE MINISTER FOR HEALTH AND GOVERNMENT - RE ALICE SPRINGS HOSPITAL SAFETY DEFECTS - MOTION NEGATIVED:
Letter, Ms Margaret Wait OAM, Chairperson, Alice Springs Hospital Management Board to Hon Minister for Health
(Dr Toyne) re Progress in Alice Springs Hospital, dated 23 March 2005 (Paper 1677).
dated 17 March 2005 (Paper 1678).
- The Assembly met at 9.30am. The Speaker, the Honourable L. M. Braham, took the Chair.
2. PRAYERS.
3. STATEMENT BY SPEAKER:
- The Speaker advised Members of the change made to the speech time clock to a digital format in order that timing indications for Member's speeches are clearly evident. Madam Speaker apologised to Members for the errors which occurred yesterday in which some Members were deprived of their time allotment for their speeches.
4. PAPER TABLED:
- The Member for Macdonnell (Mr Elferink), by leave, laid on the Table a copy of a letter to replace a letter tabled yesterday from Mr Mills (Leader of the Opposition) to the Hon Paul Henderson, dated 16 August 2004 (Paper 1668) .
- Larapinta Trail: The Minister for Tourism (Ms Martin) reported on a new Management Strategy for the Larapinta Trail.
Mr Elferink responded thereto.
Ms Martin responded accordingly.
Crime and Justice Statistics, December 2004 Quarter: The Minister for Justice and Attorney-General (Dr Toyne) reported on the improved outcomes for crime solving and the downward trends to crimes being committed as reported in the Department of Justice crime statistics, December 2004 Quarter.
Ms Carney responded thereto.
Dr Toyne responded accordingly.
Public Housing in Alice Springs: The Minister for Housing (Mr Ah Kit) reported on the provision of public housing for disadvantaged and elderly tenants, Home Territory 2010.
Mr Elferink responded thereto.
Mr Ah Kit responded accordingly.
Road Transport Hall of Fame: The Minister for Transport and Infrastructure (Dr Burns) reported on the grant of a parcel of land and associated government funding assistance to the Road Transport Hall of Fame in Darwin.
Ministerial Reports noted, pursuant to Sessional Order.
- The Chief Minister (Ms Martin), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to make special provisions for the Trans-Territory Pipeline Project and the Blacktip Gas Project, and for related purposes.
Bill read a first time.
Ms Martin moved - That the Bill be now read a second time.
Debate ensued.
Paper tabled: Ms Martin laid on the Table the following Paper -
On the motion of the Leader of the Opposition (Mr Burke) debate was adjourned.
7. JUSTICE PORTFOLIO (MISCELLANEOUS AMENDMENTS) BILL 2005 (Serial 283):
- The Minister for Justice and Attorney-General (Dr Toyne), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend and repeal various Acts administered by the Minister for Justice and Attorney-General.
Bill read a first time.
Dr Toyne moved - That the Bill be now read a second time.
Debate ensued.
Paper tabled: Dr Toyne laid on the Table the following Paper -
On the motion of the Member for Araluen (Ms Carney) debate was adjourned.
8. CLASSIFICATION OF PUBLICATIONS, FILMS AND COMPUTER GAMES AMENDMENT BILL 2005 (Serial 284):
- The Minister for Justice and Attorney-General (Dr Toyne), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the Classification of Publications, Films and Computer Games Act.
Bill read a first time.
Dr Toyne moved - That the Bill be now read a second time.
Debate ensued.
Paper tabled: Dr Toyne laid on the Table the following Paper -
On the motion of the Member for Araluen (Ms Carney) debate was adjourned.
- 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.
On the motion of the Minister for Justice and Attorney-General (Dr Toyne) the Bill was read a third time and passed to be a proposed law.
- The Leader of Government Business (Mr Henderson) moved - That General Business, Order of the Day, No. 1 relating to the Public Accounts Committee Report 2003/2004 be called on forthwith.
Question - put and passed.
11. PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE ANNUAL REPORT 2003/2004 - PAPER NOTED:
- The Order of the Day having been read for the resumption of debate on the question - That the Assembly take note of the Paper -
Debate resumed.
Question - put and passed.
- The Leader of Government Business (Mr Henderson) moved - That Government Business, Order of the Day, relating to consideration of the Ministerial Statement, Initiatives and Achievements in Central Australia be called on forthwith.
Question - put and passed.
- 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.
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Suspension of sittings: The sittings of the Assembly was suspended between 11.51am and 1.30pm.
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Debate continued.
Extension of time: On the motion of the Leader of Government Business (Mr Henderson ) the Minister for Mines and Energy (Mr Vatskalis) was granted an extension of time.
Debate continued.
Extension of time: On the motion of the Member for Macdonnell (Mr Elferink) the Member for Drysdale (Mr Dunham) was granted an extension of time.
Debate continued.
Extension of time: On the motion of the Member for Karama (Ms Lawrie) the Member for Wanguri (Mr Henderson) was granted an extension of time.
Debate continued.
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Member suspended: The Deputy Speaker (Mr Kiely), pursuant to Standing Order 240A, ordered the Member for Drysdale (Mr Dunham) at 3.40pm to withdraw from the Chamber for a period of one hour on account of his refusal to accept the decision of the Chair on a point of order.
Mr Dunham withdrew.
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Debate continued.
Extension of time: On the motion of the Leader of Government Business (Mr Henderson) the Member for Barkly (Mr McAdam) was granted an extension of time.
Debate continued.
Extension of time: On the motion of the Member for Macdonnell (Mr Elferink) the Member for Blain (Mr Mills) was granted an extension of time.
Debate continued.
Question - put and passed.
- 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 Macdonnell (Mr Elferink) was granted an extension of time.
Debate continued.
Question - put and passed.
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Suspension of sittings: The sittings of the Assembly was suspended between 5.57pm and 7.30pm.
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- The Leader of Government Business (Mr Henderson) moved - That leave of absence be granted to the Treasurer (Mr Stirling) due to his attendance interstate on government business.
Question - put and passed.
The Leader of Government Business (Mr Henderson) moved - That leave of absence be granted to the Member for Arafura (Ms Scrymgour) due to her ill health.
Question - put and passed.
- The following notice was given -
Mr McAdam: To move - That the terms of reference of the Northern Territory Statehood Steering Committee adopted on 17 August 2004 be amended by inserting the following new clause after clause 5 -
- 5A. Continuance of Administrative Function
- (1) Despite Clauses 4 and 5, members of the Statehood Steering Committee who are not Members of the Legislative Assembly continue in office until the Assembly first meets following prorogation of the Assembly.
(2) The members who continue in office under subclause (1) may carryout the administrative functions of the Statehood Steering Committee and any other activities of the Statehood Steering Committee previously authorised by the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee, but must not carry out any other functions or activities.
- 7.33pm Mr Burke to Ms Martin.
7.36pm Mr McAdam to Dr Burns.
Paper tabled: The Minister for Lands and Planning (Dr Burns) laid on the Table the following Paper -
7.39pm Dr Lim to Ms Martin.
Paper tabled: The Member for Greatorex (Dr Lim), by leave, laid on the Table the following Paper -
7.45pm Mr Wood to Dr Toyne.
7.49pm Ms Lawrie to Mr Ah Kit.
7.56pm Ms Carney to Dr Toyne.
7.59pm Mr Kiely to Ms Martin.
8.02pm Ms Carney to Dr Toyne.
8.04pm Mr Wood to Dr Burns.
8.08pm Ms Lawrie to Dr Toyne.
8.10pm Ms Carney to Ms Martin and referred to Dr Burns.
8.16pm Mrs Aagaard to Mr Ah Kit.
8.20pm Ms Carney to Ms Martin and referred to Dr Burns.
8.24pm Mr Wood to Dr Burns.
8.28pm Mr McAdam to Dr Toyne.
The Member for Araluen (Ms Carney) moved a motion to censure the Minister for Health (Dr Toyne) and the government -
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.
18. CENSURE OF THE MINISTER FOR HEALTH AND GOVERNMENT - RE ALICE SPRINGS HOSPITAL SAFETY DEFECTS - MOTION NEGATIVED:
- The Member for Araluen (Ms Carney) thereupon moved - That the Assembly censure the Minister for Health (Dr Toyne) and the Martin government for:
(a) failing to act in response to a report of April 2003 detailing fire safety and other defects at the Alice Springs Hospital that potentially compromised the safety of patients, staff and visitors to the Hospital;
(b) refusing to table or make public any or all of the 24 reports and assessments that exits regarding the fire safety and other safety defects at the Hospital;
(c) misleading Territorians by constant reassurances that recruitment of nurses was going well when that was, and is not the case;
(d) mismanagement of the Alice Springs Hospital, and presiding over low staff morale and on-going industrial action brought about by frustrated and exhausted nurses; and
(e) presiding over a waiting list of 1600 people in Alice Springs. (Paper 1675)
Debate ensued.
Papers tabled: The Minister for Health (Dr Toyne) laid on the Table the following Papers -
Letter, Ms Margaret Wait OAM, Chairperson, Alice Springs Hospital Management Board to Hon Minister for Health
(Dr Toyne) re Progress in Alice Springs Hospital, dated 23 March 2005 (Paper 1677).
Debate continued.
Paper tabled: The Minister for Transport and Infrastructure (Dr Burns) laid on the Table the following Paper -
dated 17 March 2005 (Paper 1678).
Debate continued.
Question - That the motion be agreed to - put.
The Assembly divided (the Deputy Speaker, Mr Wood, in the Chair) -
AYES, 10 NOES, 11
Mr Baldwin Mrs Aagaard
Mr Burke Mr Ah Kit
Ms Carney Mr Bonson
Ms Carter Dr Burns
Mr Dunham Mr Henderson
Mr Elferink Mr Kiely
Dr Lim Ms Lawrie
Mr Maley Ms Martin
Mrs Miller Mr McAdam
Mr Mills Dr Toyne
Mr Vatskalis
Motion negatived accordingly.
- The Chief Minister (Ms Martin) moved – That the Assembly do now adjourn.
Debate ensued.
Paper tabled: The Member for Nightcliff (Mrs Aagaard), by leave, laid on the Table the following Paper -
Debate continued.
Question – put and passed.
And the Assembly having sat until 11.57pm, adjourned until 9.30am Thursday 24 March 2005 at the Alice Springs Convention Centre.
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- PAPERS:
The following Papers were deemed to have been presented on Wednesday, 23 March 2005 –
Annual Report:
Pastoral Land Board, 2003/2004 (Paper 1672)
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- ATTENDANCE:
All Members attended the sitting except Ms Scrymgour and Mr Stirling, on leave.
Last updated: 04 Aug 2016