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Minutes of Proceedings - 2000-05-16

Eighth Assembly First Session 09/05/2000 Parliamentary Record No. 22
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Date : 16/05/2000
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1. MEETING:
    The Assembly met at 10.00 h. The Speaker, the Honourable T R McCarthy, took the Chair.

2. PRAYERS.

3. BROADCAST OF PROCEEDINGS:
    The Speaker advised honourable Members that he had given permission for the ABC TV, Channel 8 and Imparja to broadcast live or rebroadcast, with sound and vision, the presentation of the Budget and the Treasurer’s Speech; and for 8 TOP FM Radio to broadcast live the presentation of the Budget and the Treasurer’s Speech and for Imparja TV to film file footage without sound during question time.

4. VISITORS:
    The Speaker advised members of the presence in the public galleries of Northern Territory University Faculty of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander studies students accompanied by their lecturers Ms Fiona Hussin and Mr Don Christopherson.
    On behalf of all honourable Members the Speaker extended a warm welcome to the visitors.
5. PETITION:
    The Member for Nightcliff (Mr Hatton), by leave, presented a petition from 45 petitioners requesting the Assembly to support the employment of a caretaker by the Department of Territory Housing at John Stokes Square (Paper 1823).
    Petition read.

6. NOTICES:
    The following notices were given:
    Mr Burke: To present the Sentencing of Juveniles (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2000 (Serial 234).
    Mr Burke: To present the Legal Practitioners Amendment Bill 2000 (Serial 242) on Thursday , 18 May 2000.

7. OPPOSITION PORTFOLIOS RESPONSIBILITIES:
    The Leader of the Opposition (Ms Martin) advised the Assembly of changes in the Opposition portfolio responsibilities, effective 16 March 2000, as follows:
SHADOW MINISTRY AND OPPOSITION OFFICE HOLDERS

      MS C. M. MARTIN
      (Leader of the Opposition)
      Arts and Museums
      Asian Relations and Trade
      Ethnic Affairs
      Industries and Business
      Lands, Planning and Environment
      Statehood
      Treasurer

      MR S. J. STIRLING
      (Deputy Leader of the Opposition)
      Attorney-General
      AustralAsia Railway
      Correctional Services
      Employment
      Essential Services
      Licensing
      Police, Fire and Emergency Services

      MR P H TOYNE
      (Opposition Whip)
      Aboriginal Affairs
      Communications and Advanced Technology
      Corporate and Information Services
      Education and Training
      Primary Industry

      MRS M A HICKEY
      Local Government
      Senior Territorians
      Tourism
      Women’s Policy

      MR M. J. RIOLI
      Commercial and Recreational Fishing
      Community Health
      Parks and Wildlife
      Sport and Recreation
      Young Territorians

      MR J. L. AH KIT
      Regional Development
      Resource Development
      Territory Ports
      Transport and Infrastructure Development

      MR P. R. HENDERSON
      Defence Support
      Health, Family and Children's Services
      Housing
      Work Health
8. QUESTIONS:
    10:02 Mr Stirling to Mr Reed.
    10:04 Ms Carter to Mr Reed.
    10:07 Ms Martin to Mr Burke.
    10:12 Dr Lim to Mrs Braham.
    10:16 Mr Ah Kit to Mr Reed.
    10:25 Ms Carter to Mr Palmer.
    10:30 Mrs Hickey to Mr Palmer.
    10:36 Mr Poole to Mrs Braham.
    10:39 Mr Toyne to Mrs Braham and referred to Mr Reed.
    10:43 Mr Mills to Mr Burke.
    10:47 Ms Martin to Mr Baldwin.
    10:52 Mr Mills to Mr Dunham.

    The Leader of Government Business (Mr Palmer) asked that further questions be placed on the Question Paper.
9. MESSAGE FROM THE ADMINISTRATOR:
    The Speaker advised Honourable Members that he had received the following Message from His Honour the Administrator:

    Message No. 21

    I, NEIL RAYMOND CONN, the Administrator of the Northern Territory of Australia, in pursuance of section 11 of the Northern Territory (Self-Government) Act 1978 of the Commonwealth, recommend to the Legislative Assembly a Bill for an Act to authorise the issuing and expending of the public moneys of the Territory in respect of the year ending 30 June 2001.

    Dated 11 May 2000.

    (Sgd) NEIL CONN
    Administrator
    (Paper 1822)

10. APPROPRIATION BILL 2000-2001 (Serial 233):
    The Treasurer (Mr Reed), presented a Bill for an Act to authorise the issuing and expending of the public moneys of the Territory in respect of the year ending 30 June 2001, the subject of His Honour the Administrator’s Message No. 21 notified earlier this day. Bill read a first time.
    Mr Reed moved – That the Bill be now read a second time.
    Papers tabled: The Treasurer (Mr Reed) laid on the Table the following Papers –
Budget Paper No. 1 – Budget Speech 2000-2001 (Paper 1809);
Budget Paper No. 2 – The Budget 2000-2001 (Paper 1810);
Budget Paper No. 3 – Issues in Public Finance 2000-2001 (Paper 1811);
Budget Paper No. 4 – Capital Works Program 2000-2001 (Paper 1812);
Budget Paper No. 5 – Northern Territory Economy 2000-2001 (Paper 1813);
Women in the Budget 2000-2001 (Paper 1814);
Regional Highlights, Darwin 2000-2001 (Paper 1815);
Regional Highlights, Palmerston and Rural 2000-2001 (Paper 1816);
Regional Highlights, Katherine 2000-2001 (Paper 1817);
Regional Highlights, Arnhem and Tiwi Islands 2000-2001 (Paper 1818);
Regional Highlights, Tennant Creek 2000-2001 (Paper 1819);
Regional Highlights, Alice Springs 2000-2001 (Paper 1820); and
Budget Overview 2000-2001 (Paper 1821).

    On the motion of the Member for Stuart (Mr Toyne ) debate was adjourned.

11. NORTHERN TERRITORY HIGHWAY STRATEGY FOR NEXT 20 YEARS – MINISTERIAL STATEMENT – STATEMENT NOTED:
    The Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Development (Mr Palmer) made a statement relating to the Northern Territory’s National Highway Strategy for the next 20 years (Paper 1824).
    Mr Palmer made a statement relating thereto.
    Paper tabled: Mr Palmer laid on the table the following Paper –
National Highway Strategy – the next 20 years, by Northern Territory Government (Paper 1825).
    Mr Palmer moved - That the Assembly take note of the statement.
____________________
    Suspension of sitting: The sitting was suspended between 11:45 h and 14:00 h.
____________________
    Debate ensued.
    Question – put and passed.

12. PROGRESS IN REFORM OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT – MINISTERIAL STATEMENT – STATEMENT NOTED:
    The Minister for Local Government (Mrs Braham) made a statement relating to the reform and development of Local Government and future directions (Paper 1826).
    Mrs Brahman moved – That the Assembly take note of the Statement.
    Debate ensued.
    Question – put and passed.

13. SENTENCING OF JUVENILES (MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS) BILL 2000 (Serial 234):
    The Leader of Government Business (Mr Palmer) on behalf of and at the request of the Chief Minister (Mr Burke), by leave, and pursuant to notice given earlier this day presented a Bill for an Act to ensure that persons who are 17 years of age or over but under 18 years of age are treated as juveniles under the criminal law of the Territory and for related purposes.
    Bill read a first time.
    Mr Burke moved – That the Bill be now read a second time.
    On the motion of the Member for Nhulunbuy (Mr Stirling) debate was adjourned.

14. STATUTE LAW REVISION BILL 2000 (Serial 217):
    The Order of the Day having been read for the resumption of the debate on the question – That the Bill be now read a second time –
    Debate ensued.
    Question – put and passed.
    Bill read a second time.
    The Assembly resolved itself into Committee of the Whole for consideration of the Bill.
In Committee
(Chairman Mr Mitchell)
    Clause 1 agreed to.
    Clause 2 negatived.
    New clause 2 –
    On the motion of the Chief Minister (Mr Burke) the following new clause was inserted in the Bill –
      '2. Commencement

        '(1) Section 5A is to be taken to have come into operation on 4 December 1999.

          '(2) The remaining provisions of this Act come into operation on the date fixed by the Administrator by notice in the Gazette.'.

    Clauses 3 to 5, by leave, taken together and agreed to.
    New clause 5A –
    On the motion of Mr Burke the following new clause 5A was inserted in the Bill -
        '5A. Amendment of Mining Amendment Act 1999

        'Section 15 of the Mining Amendment Act 1999 is amended –

        (a) by omitting from subsection (1) "the commencement of this section" and substituting "4 December 1999";

        (b) by omitting from subsections (3) and (4) "Principal Act" and substituting "Mining Act"; and

        (c) by omitting subsections (5) to (11) (inclusive) and substituting the following:

            "(5) In this section –

            'earlier transitional provision' means –

                (a) section 23 of the Mining Amendment Act (No. 2) 1998;

                (b) regulation 16 of the Mining Amendment Regulations (Regulations 1999, No. 11); or

                (c) regulation 17 of the Mining Amendment Regulations (Regulations 1999, No. 11),

                and includes an earlier transitional provision as amended and in force from time to time;


              'Mining Act' means the Mining Act as amended and in force from time to time.".'.

      Remainder of the Bill, by leave, taken as a whole and agreed to.
      Bill to be reported with amendments.
      The Assembly resumed.
      The Speaker resumed the Chair, the Chairman (Mr Mitchell) reported that the Committee had considered the Bill and agreed to the same with amendments.
      On the motion of the Chief Minister (Mr Burke) the Bill was read a third time and passed to be a proposed law.
    15. PRISONS (CORRECTIONAL SERVICES) AMENDMENT BILL 2000 (Serial 215):
      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.
      Paper tabled: The Member for Nhulunbuy (Mr Stirling), by leave, laid on the table the following Paper –
    Statement of protest to Parliament by 58 Prison Officers re appointment of non-public sector employees as Prison Officers (Paper 1827).
      Debate continued.
      Question - That the motion be agreed to - put.
      The Assembly divided (the Speaker, Hon. T. R. McCarthy, in the Chair) -

      AYES, 18 NOES, 7

      Mr Adamson Mr Ah Kit
      Mr Balch Mr Henderson
      Mr Baldwin Mrs Hickey
      Mrs Braham Ms Martin
      Mr Burke Mr Rioli
      Mr Carter Mr Stirling
      Mr Dunham Mr Toyne
      Mr Elferink
      Mr Hatton
      Dr Lim
      Mr Lugg
      Mr McCarthy
      Mr Manzie
      Mr Reed
      Mr Mitchell
      Mr Palmer
      Mr Poole
      Mr Mills

      And so it was resolved in the affirmative.
      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 Correctional Services (Mr Manzie) the Bill was read a third time and passed to be a proposed law.

    16. FURTHER NOTICES:
      The following further notices, by leave, were given:
      Mr Reed: To present, on Thursday 18 May 2000, the Financial Relations Agreement (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2000 (Serial 228).
      Mr Reed: To present, on Thursday 18 May 2000, the First Home Owner Grant Bill 2000 (Serial 229).
      Mr Reed: To present, on Thursday 18 May 2000, the Pay-roll Tax Amendment Bill 2000 (Serial 235).
      Mr Reed: To present, on Thursday 18 May 2000, the Stamp Duty Amendment Bill 2000 (Serial 240).
      Mr Reed: To present, on Thursday 18 May 2000, the Taxation (Administration) Amendment Bill 2000 (Serial 241).
      17. ADJOURNMENT:
        The Leader of Government Business (Mr Palmer) moved – That the Assembly do now adjourn.
        Question –put and passed.
        And the Assembly adjourned at 17:39 h until 10:00 h on Wednesday 17 May 2000.
        ATTENDANCE:
        All Members attended the sitting.
      Last updated: 04 Aug 2016
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