Department of the Legislative Assembly, Northern Territory Government

Minutes of Proceedings - 1993-02-23

Sixth Assembly First Session 23/02/1993 Parliamentary Record No. 15
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Date : 23/02/1993
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1. MEETING:
The Assembly met at 10.00 a.m., pursuant to resolution of the Assembly dated 26 November 1992.
The Speaker, the Honourable N.M. Dondas, took the Chair.

2. PRAYERS.

3. CHAIRMAN OF COMMITTEES - APPOINTMENT:
The Speaker advised that he had received a letter from the Member for Araluen (Mr Poole) tendering his resignation as
Chairman of Committees, with effect from 30 November 1992.

The Speaker informed Members that it is now necessary for the Assembly to appoint a Member to be its Chairman of
Committees -

Whereupon the Chief Minister (Mr Perron) proposed to the Assembly for its Chairman of Committees the
Member for Goyder, Mr McCarthy, and moved - That the Member for Goyder be appointed Chairman of Committees.

Which motion was seconded by the Treasurer (Mr Coulter) and Mr McCarthy accepted the nomination.

The time for motions having expired and there being no further nominations, the Speaker declared Mr McCarthy to be
appointed as Chairman of Committees.

Mr McCarthy thanked the Assembly for the high honour it had conferred upon him.

4. CONDOLENCE - SIR PAUL HASLUCK, KG, GCMG, GCVO:
The Speaker informed the Assembly of the death on 9 January 1993, of the Right Honourable Sir Paul Hasluck, KG, GCMG,
GCVO, Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia from 1969 to 1974, Member of the House of Representatives from 1949 to 1969, Minister of the Crown from 1951 to 1969 and Minister for Territories from 1951 to 1963.
The Chief Minister (Mr Perron), by leave, moved - That this Assembly expresses its deep regret at the death of the Right
Honourable Sir Paul Meernaa Caedwalla Hasluck, KG, GCMG, GCVO, and places on record its appreciation of his long and
distinguished service to the people of Australia and, in particular the people of the Northern Territory during his
term as Minister for Territories, and tenders its profound sympathy to his wife, Dame Alexandra, and his family.
Debate ensued.
And Members present having stood in their places in silence -
Question - put and passed.

5. PETITION:
Mr Finch presented a petition from 28 citizens of the Northern Territory requesting that the Assembly amend the
Anti-Discrimination legislation to include the prevention of discrimination on the grounds of sexuality under all the
terms of the proposed legislation.
Petition read.

6. FILMING IN THE CHAMBER:
The Speaker advised Members that he had given permission for Channel 8 to update file footage in the Chamber today and
for still photographs to be taken for the purposes of updating Legislative Assembly publications.

7. NOTICES:
The following notices were given:
Mr Reed: To present the Medical Practitioners Registration Amendment Bill 1993 (Serial 204);
Mr Reed: To present the Stock (Control of Hormonal Growth Promotants) Bill 1993 (Serial 208).

8. MINISTRY AND ADMINISTRATIVE ARRANGEMENTS - MINISTERIAL STATEMENT - PAPER TABLED:
The Chief Minister (Mr Perron), by leave, made a statement informing the Assembly of the appointment of Ministers, the
organisation of the government and the division of administrative responsibilities.
Paper tabled: Mr Perron laid on the Table a copy of His Honour the Administrator's Administrative Arrangements Order
published in the Northern Territory Government Gazette No.S62, dated 30 November 1992.

MINISTERS, MINISTRIES AND MAJOR FUNCTIONS

HON. M.B. PERRON
Chief Minister: Department of the Chief Minister;
Department of the Legislative Assembly; Ombudsman; and Liquor Commission.
Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services: Police Force of the Northern Territory; Fire Services; and
Fisheries Protection and Enforcement.

HON. B.F. COULTER
Treasurer: Northern Territory Treasury; Gaming Control Commission; and Racing Commission.
Minister for Tourism: Northern Territory Tourist Commission; and Museums and Art Galleries Board.

HON. S.L. STONE
Attorney-General: Department of Law; Director of Public Prosecutions; and Northern Territory Legal Aid
Commission.
Minister for the Arts: The Arts and Cultural Affairs.
Minister for Mines and Energy: Department of Mines and Energy.
Minister for Industries and Development: Department of Industries and Development; and Trade
Development Zone Authority.
Minister for Asian Relations and Trade: Asian Relations and Trade.

HON. S.P. HATTON
Minister for Aboriginal Development: Office of Aboriginal Development.
Minister for Lands, Housing and Local Government: Department of Lands, Housing and
Local Government; Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority; Northern Territory Housing Commission;
and Jabiru Town Development Authority.

HON. F.A. FINCH
Minister for Education and Training: Department of Education;
Northern Territory University; Menzies School of Health Research; Northern Territory Teaching Service; and
Northern Territory Employment and Training Authority.
Minister for Public Employment: Public Service Commissioner.

HON. D.W. MANZIE
Minister for Conservation: Conservation Commission of the Northern Territory; and Territory Parks and
Wildlife.
Minister for Work Health and Territory Insurance: Territory Insurance Office; and Work Health Authority.

HON. M.A. REED
Minister for Health and Community Services: Department of Health and Community Services.
Minister for Primary Industry and Fisheries: Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries; Quarantine and Primary Production.

HON. M.H. ORTMANN
Minister for Transport and Works: Department of Transport and Works; Power and Water Authority; and Darwin Port
Authority.

HON. E.H. POOLE
Minister for Correctional Services: Department of Correctional Services.
Minister for Sport, Recreation and Ethnic Affairs: Office of Sport, Recreation and Ethnic Affairs.
Minister Assisting the Chief Minister on Central Australian Matters.

9. OPPOSITION OFFICE HOLDERS - STATEMENT:
The Leader of the Opposition (Mr Ede), by leave, made a statement relating to the Opposition Office Holders.

SHADOW MINISTRY AND OPPOSITION OFFICE HOLDERS

Mr B.R. EDE - Leader of the Opposition
Treasury; Police, Fire and Emergency Services;
Legislative Assembly; Electoral Office; Ombudsman; and Auditor-General.

Mr J.D. BAILEY - Deputy Leader of the Opposition
Education and Training; Conservation; Lands and Planning; and Ethnic Affairs (includes Northern Territory University).

Mr N.R. BELL - Opposition Whip
Primary Industries and Fisheries; Attorney-General; and Correctional Services.

Mr G.R. CARTWRIGHT
Local Government and Regional Development; and Housing.

Mrs M.A. HICKEY
Health and Community Services; and Status of Women (includes Menzies School of Health Research).

Mr W.W. LANHUPUY
Aboriginal Affairs; Sacred Sites Protection; and Liquor.

Mr K.A. PARISH
Industries and Development; Tourism and the Arts; Territory Insurance Office; and Work Health.

Mr M.J. RIOLI
Mines and Energy; and Youth, Sport and Recreation.

Mr S.J. STIRLING
Transport and Works; Power and Water Authority and Ports;
Public Employment; Racing and the TAB.

10. COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP - ALTERATIONS:
The Leader of Government Business (Mr Setter), by leave, moved - That membership of Assembly Committees be varied as
follows -

(a) Mr Manzie, be discharged from further attendance on the Privileges Committee and Mr Stone, be
appointed as a member of the Committee in his stead;

(b) Mr Poole, be discharged from further attendance on the Publications Committee and Mr Vale, be appointed
as a member of the Committee in his stead; Mr Bailey, also be discharged from further attendance on that
Committee and Mr Stirling, appointed in his stead;

(c) Mr Poole, be discharged from further attendance on the Standing Orders Committee and Mr McCarthy, be
appointed as a member of the Committee in his stead;

(d) Mr Poole, be discharged from further attendance on the Subordinate Legislation and Tabled Papers
Committee and Mr McCarthy, be appointed as a member of the Committee in his stead;

(e) Mr Finch, be discharged from further attendance on the New Parliament House Committee and Mr Ortmann,
be appointed as a member of the Committee in his stead; Mrs Hickey, also be discharged from further
attendance on that Committee and that Mr Cartwright, be appointed in her stead; Mr Stirling, also be
discharged from further attendance on that Committee and that Mr Rioli, be appointed in his stead;

(f) Mr Poole, be discharged from further attendance on the Environment Committee and Mr Vale, be appointed
as a member of the Committee in his stead; Mr Lanhupuy, also be discharged from further
attendance on that Committee and Mr Rioli, be appointed in his stead; and

(g) Mr Lanhupuy, be discharged from further attendance on the House Committee and Mrs Hickey, be appointed
as a member of the Committee in his stead.

Question - put and passed.

11. APPOINTMENT OF GOVERNMENT WHIP:
The Leader of Government Business (Mr Setter) advised that the Member for Braitling (Mr Vale) had been appointed
Government Whip.

12. DEATH OF KEITH STACY EDMUNDS, AM:
The Speaker announced the death, on 8 February 1993, of Keith Stacy Edmunds, AM, Member of the Northern Territory
Legislative Council from 1951 to 1954. The Speaker advised Members that condolences had been extended on behalf of
Members and staff of the Legislative Assembly to his wife and family through his office.

13. QUESTIONS:
Questions were asked of Ministers.
Papers tabled: The Minister for Health and Community Services (Mr Reed) laid on the Table the following Papers -

"Public Hospital Beds Would Close", Poles Apart on Health Care; and
Poles Apart on the Northern Territory.

Further questions were asked of Ministers.

14. PERSONAL EXPLANATION:
The Member for Millner (Mr Parish), by leave, made a personal explanation relating to comments made by the Minister for
Tourism (Mr Coulter) during Question Time this day.

15. ANSWER TO QUESTION:
The Minister for Conservation (Mr Manzie) corrected information previously given in answer to a question during
the November 1992 sittings.

16. FIGHTBACK! IN THE NORTHERN TERRITORY - MINISTERIAL STATEMENT - STATEMENT NOTED:
The order of the day having been read for the resumption of the debate on the question - That the Assembly take
note of the Statement -
Debate resumed.
Paper tabled: The Chief Minister (Mr Perron) laid on the Table the following Paper -

"Fightback! Fairness and Jobs".

Mr Perron moved the following amendment -

Add at the end the words -

"and further notes the enhanced provisions for national reform contained in "Fightback Fairness and
Jobs" released by Dr John Hewson, MP, on 18 December 1992.".

Debate ensued.
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Suspension of sitting: The sitting was suspended between 12.04 p.m. and 2.00 p.m.
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Debate resumed.
Paper tabled: The Member for Arafura (Mr Rioli), by leave, laid on the Table the following Paper -

Extract from N.T.G.A. Newsletter, dated June 1992.

Debate continued.
Papers tabled: Mr Rioli, by leave, laid on the Table the following Papers -

"The GST: A National Tax Tragedy", Canadian Federation of Independent Business, Toronto,
dated November 1991;
"The Compliance Costs of Business Taxes in New Zealand" by Cedric Sandford and John Hasseldine,
Institute of Policy Studies; and
Form, "Goods and Services Tax Return", Inland Revenue, New Zealand.

Debate continued.
Paper tabled: The Minister for Conservation (Mr Manzie) laid on the Table the following Paper -

"Ten Years of Hard Labor - The Facts in Black and White", An account - Labor's Economic Mismanagement,
A Publication of the National Party of Australia.

Debate continued.
Amendment agreed to.
Main question, as amended, agreed to after debate.

17. OFFICE OF THE AUDITOR-GENERAL, REPORT UPON PUBLIC SECTOR CORPORATIONS 1991-1992 - PAPER TABLED - PAPER PRINTED:
The Speaker, pursuant to statute, laid on the Table the Office of the Auditor-General's Report upon Public Sector
Corporations for the year ended 30 June 1992.
The Leader of Government Business (Mr Setter) moved - That the Report be printed.
Question - put and passed.

18. WORK HEALTH AMENDMENT BILL (No.2) 1992 (Serial 197):
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 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 Work Health and Territory Insurance (Mr Manzie) the Bill was read a third time and
passed to be a proposed law.

19. LEAVE OF ABSENCE:
The Member for Macdonnell (Mr Bell) moved - That leave of absence be granted to the Member for Arnhem (Mr Lanhupuy)
this day on account of ill health.
Question - put and passed.

20. FIREARMS ACT 1992 AMENDMENT BILL 1992 (Serial 192):
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 resumed.
Question - put and passed.
Bill read a second time.
The Assembly, according to Order, resolved itself into Committee of the Whole for the consideration of the Bill.
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In the Committee
(Chairman - Mr McCarthy)

Clauses 1 and 2, by leave, taken together and agreed to.
On the motion of the Chief Minister (Mr Perron) the following new clauses were inserted in the Bill -

"2A. SUSPENSION OF CERTIFICATES OF REGISTRATION, LICENCES, &c.

"Section 37(1)(d) of the Firearms Act 1992 is amended by omitting 'section 80' and substituting
'section 81'.

"2B. DISPOSAL OF FIREARMS

"Section 39(3) of the Firearms Act 1992 is amended by omitting 'section 81(1)' and substituting
'section 82(1)'.".

Remainder of the Bill, by leave, taken as a whole and agreed to.
Bill to be reported with an amendment.
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The Speaker (Mr Dondas) resumed the Chair; the Chairman (Mr McCarthy) reported accordingly; and the report was
adopted.
On the motion of Mr Perron the Bill was read a third time and passed to be a proposed law.

21. ADJOURNMENT:
The Chief Minister (Mr Perron) moved - That the Assembly do now adjourn.
Debate ensued.
Papers tabled: The Deputy Leader of the Opposition (Mr Bailey), by leave, laid on the Table the following Papers -

Letter, Mr John Britton, Chairperson, Henbury Avenue School Council to Mr Harry Krebs, PEO Student
Services, dated 18 September 1991;
Letter, Mr Harry Krebs, PEO Student Services to Mr John Britton, Chairperson, Henbury Avenue School
Council, dated 1 October 1991;
Letter, Mr John Britton, Chairman, Henbury Avenue School Council to Hon. S.L. Stone, MLA,
dated 16 March 1992;
Letter, Mr John Britton, Chairman, Henbury Avenue School Council to Hon. S.L. Stone, MLA,
dated 17 June 1992;
Letter, Hon. S.L. Stone, MLA to Mr John Britton, Chairman, Henbury Avenue School Council,
dated 10 July 1992; and
Memorandum, Mr Harry Krebs, PEO Student Services to Principals, Henbury Avenue and Ludmilla Special,
dated 28 January 1993.

Debate continued.
Question - put and passed.
The Assembly adjourned at 9.44 p.m. until tomorrow at 10.00 a.m.

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PAPERS:
The following Papers were deemed to have been presented on Tuesday 23 February 1993:

Annual Report:
Electrical Workers and Contractors Licensing Board, 1991-92 (Ninth)

By-law:
Borroloola Community Government Council (Litter and Flammable and Noxious Weeds &c.) By-laws

Community Government Scheme:
Borroloola, Amendment

Crown Lands Act:
Revocation of Reserve No.1372, Town of Katherine

Financial Administration and Audit Act:
Direction by the Acting Administrator, pursuant to section 12(2), dated 14 January 1993
Direction by the Treasurer, pursuant to section 13(1)(b), dated 18 December 1992
Notice by the Treasurer, pursuant to section 12(2), dated 14 January 1993

Regulations 1992:
No.68, Motor Vehicle Dealers Regulations
No.69, Amendments of Agents Licensing Regulations
No.70, Amendment of Police Administration (Fees) Regulations
No.71, Work Health (Occupational Health and Safety) Regulations
No.72, Fisheries Regulations
No.73, Mine Management Regulations
No.74, Amendments of the Supreme Court Rules

Regulations 1993:
No. 1, Amendment of Alice Springs (Council Meetings and Procedures) By-laws
No. 2, Firearms Regulations.

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ATTENDANCE:
All Members attended the sitting except Mr Lanhupuy, on leave.
Last updated: 04 Aug 2016