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Minutes of Proceedings - 1997-02-26

Seventh Assembly First Session 25/02/1997 Parliamentary Record No. 31
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Date : 26/02/1997
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1. MEETING:
    The Assembly met at 10.00 h, pursuant to adjournment. The Speaker, the Honourable T.R. McCarthy, took the Chair.

2. PRAYERS.

3. STATEMENT BY SPEAKER - COMPUTERS IN THE CHAMBER:
    The Speaker advised Members that there was too much noise from computers in use in the Chamber and requested Members to ensure their devices did not interrupt the workings of the Chamber.
4. VISITORS:
    The Speaker (Mr McCarthy) drew the attention of Honourable Members to the presence in the gallery of Year 7 students from Moulden Park School and their teacher, Ms Heather Black; Legal Studies students from Casuarina Secondary College and their teacher, Ms Margaret De Martin.
    On behalf of Honourable Members, the Speaker extended a warm welcome to the distinguished visitors.

5. NOTICE:
    The following notice was given -
    Mr Finch: To present the Long Service Leave Amendment Bill 1997 (Serial 226).

6. LEAVE OF ABSENCE:
    The Deputy Leader of the Opposition (Mr Bailey), pursuant to Standing Order 25, moved - That leave of absence be granted to the Leader of the Opposition (Mrs Hickey) for this sitting day on account of attending a funeral at Borroloola (Paper 3068).
    Question - put and passed.
7. QUESTIONS:
    10:02 Mr Toyne to Mr Finch.
    10:05 Mr Setter to Mr Reed.
    10:14 Mr Bailey to Mr Finch.
    Papers tabled: The Deputy Leader of the Opposition (Mr Bailey), by leave, laid on the Table the following Papers -
Memorandum to CEO, Training Network NT, Northern Territory Employment and Training Authority, re Administration and Operational Costs, dated 30 October 1996 (Paper 3069);
Memorandum to CEO, Training Network NT, Northern Territory Employment and Training Authority, re TNNT Operational Budget, dated 15 November 1996 (Paper 3070); and
Memorandum from TNNT Staff to CEO, Corporate Services Manager, Training Network NT, Northern Territory Employment and Training Authority, re Proposed Strategies for Managing Training Network’s Operational Budget, dated 25 November 1996 (Paper 3071).
    10:18 Mr Adamson to Mr Stone.
    10:29 Mr Stirling to Mr Finch.
    10:32 Dr Lim to Mr Burke.
    Papers tabled: The Minister for Health Services (Mr Burke) laid on the Table the following Papers -
Brochure, ‘Immunisation Notice to Parents - Triple Antigen’, Territory Health Services (Paper 3072);
      Brochure, ‘Immunisation - Measles - Mumps - Rubella’, Territory Health Services (Paper 3073);
Brochure, ‘Adults are at risk. Make Time Get Immunised’, Territory Health Services (Paper 3074);
    Brochure, ‘Hepatitis B’, NT Department of Health and Community Services (Paper 3075);
Brochure, ‘Immunise Now - Health Protection for all ages’, Territory Health Services (Paper 3076);
Brochure, ‘Rubella - German Measles’, Territory Health Services (Paper 3077);
Brochure, ‘Some common infectious diseases of childhood’, Territory Health Services (Paper 3078);
Brochure, ‘Whooping cough (pertussis)’, Territory Health Services (Paper 3079); and
    Brochure, ‘Immunisations - how our body fights germs’, Territory Health Services (Paper 3080).

    10:38 Ms Martin to Mr Finch.
    Paper tabled: The Member for Fannie Bay (Ms Martin), by leave, laid on the Table the following Paper -
Memorandum from S. Prathapan, Chief Executive Officer, Northern Territory Employment and Training Authority to All Staff, re Budget Constraints, dated 18 November 1996 (Paper 3081).
    10:40 Mrs Braham to Mr Finch.
    10:49 Mrs Padgham-Purich to Mr Hatton.
    10:51 Mr Toyne to Mr Finch.
    10:53 Mr Mitchell to Mr Coulter.
8. PROPOSED CENSURE OF THE MINISTER FOR EDUCATION AND TRAINING - MOTION NEGATIVED:
    At 11:03 the Member for Stuart (Mr Toyne) moved - That so much of Standing Orders be suspended as would prevent him moving a motion censuring the Minister for Education and Training (Mr Finch) for his failure to support the training needs of Territorians (Paper 3082).

    The Leader of Government Business (Mr Coulter), informed the Assembly that the Government, pursuant to Standing Order 95, accepted the notice of motion as a censure motion.

    Question - That the motion to suspend Standing Orders be agreed to - put and passed - there being an absolute majority of the whole number of Members present and no dissentient voice.

    The Member for Stuart (Mr Toyne) thereupon moved - That this Assembly censures the Minister for Education and Training for his abject failure to support the trainingneeds of Territorians by:
1. slashing the funding of the Territory Open Learning Network;
2. allowing the Training Network NT to get into severe budget problems causing it to drastically reduce its operations; and
3. forcing the Northern Territory Employment and Training Authority to remove funding from other important training areas to prop up the Training Network.
    Debate ensued.
    The Minister for Education and Training (Mr Finch) moved - That the question be now put.
Question - That the question be now put - put.
The Assembly divided (the Speaker, Hon. T.R. McCarthy, in the Chair) -

AYES, 13 NOES, 7

Mr Adamson Mr Ah Kit
Mr Baldwin Mr Bailey
Mrs Braham Mr Bell
Mr Burke Ms Martin
Mr Finch Mr Rioli
Mr Hatton Mr Stirling
Dr Lim Mr Toyne
Mr Manzie
Mr Mitchell
Mr Poole
Mr Reed
Mr Setter
Mr Stone

And so it was resolved in the affirmative.
Question - That the motion be agreed to - put.
The Assembly divided (the Speaker, Hon. T.R. McCarthy, in the Chair) -

AYES, 7 NOES, 13

Mr Ah Kit Mr Adamson
Mr Bailey Mr Baldwin
Mr Bell Mrs Braham
Ms Martin Mr Burke
Mr Rioli Mr Finch
Mr Stirling Mr Hatton
Mr Toyne Dr Lim
Mr Manzie
Mr Mitchell
Mr Poole
Mr Reed
Mr Setter
Mr Stone

Motion negatived accordingly.
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    Suspension of sitting: The sitting was suspended between 12:01 h and 14:00 h.
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9. TREASURER’S SPEECH ON THE ECONOMY - MINISTERIAL STATEMENT - STATEMENT NOTED:
    The Treasurer (Mr Reed) made a statement relating to the development and economic growth of the Territory (Paper 3083).
    Papers tabled: The Treasurer (Mr Reed) laid on the Table the following Papers -
Graph, Percentage Change in Final Demand over Previous Year (Paper 3084);
Graph, Percentage Change in GSP/GDP over Previous Year (Paper 3085);
Graph, Unemployment Rates (12 months to January 1996 average) (Paper 3086);
Graph, Participation Rates (12 months to January average) (Paper 3087);
Graph, Consumer Price Inflation (annual change) (Paper 3088);
Graph, Population Growth Rates (at June 1996) (Paper 3089);
Graph, State and Territory Population Growth Rates (Year to June 1996) (Paper 3090);
Graph, Value of Building Work Done 1988/89 - 1995/96 (Paper 3091);
Graph, Home Loan Affordability - June quarter 1996 (Paper 3092); and
Graph, Live Cattle Exports - Darwin Port (includes interstate cattle) (Paper 3093).

    Mr Reed moved - That the Assembly take note of the Statement.
    Debate ensued.
    Paper tabled: The Member for Arnhem (Mr Ah Kit). by leave, laid on the Table the following Papers -
Reconciliation and Multiculturalism, Copy of Motion moved by the Leader of the Opposition (Mrs Hickey), dated 20 November 1996 (Paper 3094);
S.13 of NT Validation of Titles and Actions Act 1994 (Paper 3095); and
Native Title Act 1993 of the Commonwealth, S212(2), extract (Paper 3096).

    Debate continued.
    Question - put and passed.
10. RESPONSE TO PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE REPORT No. 28 ON ABORIGINAL HEALTH - MINISTERIAL STATEMENT - STATEMENT NOTED:
    The Minister for Health Services (Mr Burke) made a statement in response to Report No. 28 of the Public Accounts Committee on Aboriginal Health in the Northern Territory (Paper 3099).
    Mr Bourke moved - That the Assembly take note of the Statement.
    Debate ensued.
    Paper tabled: The Member for Macdonnell (Mr Bell), by leave, laid on the Table the following Paper -
A Confrontation of Values in Aboriginal Education - John Heffernan (Paper 3098).

    Debate continued.
    Paper tabled: The Minister for Health Services (Mr Burke) laid on the Table the following Paper -
Map, Health Service Outlets in the Northern Territory (Paper 3099).

    Debate continued.
    Question - put and passed.
11. PAROLE OF PRISONERS AMENDMENT BILL 1997 (Serial 223):
    The Minister for Correctional Services (Mr Hatton), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the Parole of Prisoners Act.
    Bill read a first time.
    Mr Hatton moved - That the Bill be now read a second time.
    On the motion of the Member for Macdonnell (Mr Bell) debate was adjourned.
12. WORK HEALTH AMENDMENT BILL 1997 (Serial 225):
    The Minister for Work Health (Mr Burke), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the Work Health Act.
    Bill read a first time.
    Mr Burke moved - That the Bill be now read a second time.
    On the motion of the Member for Macdonnell (Mr Bell) debate was adjourned.
    13. FISHERIES AMENDMENT BILL 1997 (Serial 224):
      The Minister for Primary Industry and Fisheries (Mr Palmer), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the Fisheries Act.
      Bill read a first time.
      Mr Palmer moved - That the Bill be now read a second time.
      On the motion of the Member for Arafura (Mr Rioli) debate was adjourned.

    14. NORTHERN TERRITORY PARKS MASTER PLAN - PAPER NOTED:
      The Order of the Day having been read for the resumption of debate on the motion that the Assembly take note of the Paper -
      Debate ensued.
      Question - put and passed.

    15. NEW ROAD SAFETY MEASURES - STATEMENT NOTED:
      The Order of the Day having been read for the resumption of debate on the motion that the Assembly take note of the Statement -
      Debate ensued.
      Question - put and passed.
    16. STRATEGY FOR CONSERVATION OF THREATENED SPECIES AND ECOLOGICAL COMMUNITIES - PAPERS NOTED:
      The order of the day having been read for the resumption of the debate on the motion that the Assembly take note of the Papers -
      Debate ensued.
      Question - put and passed.
    17. INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENT FOR THE GUIDELINES FOR THE CLASSIFICATION OF FILMS AND VIDEOTAPES - PAPER NOTED:
      The Order of the Day having been read for the Resumption of debate on the motion that the Assembly take note of the Paper -
      Debate ensued.
      Question - put and passed.
    18. ORDER OF BUSINESS:
      The Treasurer (Mr Reed) moved - That intervening Government Business be postponed until after consideration of Orders of the Day No. 8. relating to the Remuneration Tribunal Report and Determination No. 1 of 1996.
      Question - put and passed.
    19. REMUNERATION TRIBUNAL REPORT AND DETERMINATION No. 1 OF 1996 - PAPER NOTED:
      The Order of the Day having been read for the resumption of debate on the motion that the Assembly take note of the Paper -
      Question - put and passed.

    20. ADJOURNMENT:
      The Treasurer (Mr Reed) moved - That the Assembly do now adjourn.
      Debate ensued.
      Paper tabled: The Treasurer (Mr Reed) laid on the Table the following Paper -
    Iron Curtain of the Public Service, article, Insight Katherine Times, 19 February 1997 (Paper 3107).
      Debate continued.
      Paper tabled: The Member for Macdonnell (Mr Bell), by leave, laid on the Table the following Papers -
      Watchdog law a waste of money, article, Katherine Times, 26 February 1997 (Paper 3106); and
      Report by Peter Feenstra, 1996 Churchill Fellow, Project: From the users perspective, to study the provision of Artificial Limbs, the operation of Amputee Support Groups, the operation and provision of Return to Work Programs for Amputees in the UK, the Netherlands, Germany and Iceland (Paper 3105).

        Debate ensued.
        And the Assembly adjourned at 23:28 h until 10:00 h Thursday 27 February 1997.
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        PAPERS:
        The following Papers were deemed to have been presented on Wednesday 26 February 1997:

        Annual Reports:
        Northern Territory Gaming Machine Commission (First), 1995-96 (Paper 3100)
        Northern Territory Government Implementation Report on the Recommendations of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths into Custody, 1994-95, Volume 1 (Paper 3103)
        Northern Territory Government Implementation Report on the Recommendations of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths into Custody, 1994-95, Volume 2 (Paper 3104)
        Office of the Arts and Cultural Affairs, 1995-96 (Paper 3102)
        Racing and Gaming Authority (Third) 1995-96 (Paper 3101)
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        ATTENDANCE
        All Members attended the sitting.
      Last updated: 04 Aug 2016
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