Department of the Legislative Assembly, Northern Territory Government

Minutes of Proceedings - 1993-12-02

Sixth Assembly First Session 30/11/1993 Parliamentary Record No. 23
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Date : 02/12/1993
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1. MEETING:
The Assembly met at 10.00 a.m., pursuant to adjournment.
The Speaker, the Honourable N.M. Dondas, took the Chair.

2. PRAYERS.

3. PETITIONS:
Mr Reed presented a petition from 71 citizens of the Northern Territory requesting the Assembly to review the
restrictions of the dispensing of spectacles under the Pensioner Health Scheme in order to allow pensioners to have
complete eye care services with their chosen optometrist.
Petition read.
Mr Bell, by leave, presented a petition, not conforming with Standing Orders, from 296 citizens of the Northern
Territory relating to encouraging the use of alternatives to plastic shopping bags.
Petition read.
Mr Bell presented a petition from 1179 citizens of the Northern Territory requesting the Assembly to conduct a
review of sexual assault cases in order to protect female victims of sexual abuse and to ensure justice.
Petition read.

4. QUESTIONS:
Questions were asked of Ministers.

5. PROPOSED CENSURE OF THE SPEAKER - SOVEREIGN GOLD PTY LTD AND RELATIONSHIP OF SPEAKER TO THAT COMPANY - MOTION NEGATIVED:
Suspension of Standing Orders: The Leader of the Opposition (Mr Ede) moved - That so much of Standing Orders be
suspended as would prevent him moving the following motion -

That this House, having taken into consideration the statements made by the Speaker from the Chair and
answers to questions referring to his relationship with Sovereign Gold Pty Ltd, is of the opinion that the
Speaker merits its censure.

Question - put and passed - there being an absolute majority of the whole number of Members present and no
dissentient voice.
Mr Ede thereupon moved -

That this House, having taken into consideration the statements made by the Speaker from the Chair and
answers to questions referring to his relationship with Sovereign Gold Pty Ltd, is of the opinion that the
Speaker merits its censure.

Debate ensued.
Paper tabled: The Member for Casuarina (Mr Dondas), by leave, laid on the Table the following Paper -

Advertising Rates and Mechanical Data "Profile Australia's Northern Territory".
Debate continued.
The Chief Minister (Mr Perron) moved - That the question be now put.
Question - That the question be now put - put.
The Assembly divided (Deputy Speaker, Mr McCarthy, in the Chair) -

AYES, 14 NOES, 10

Mr Coulter Mr Bailey
Mr Dondas Mr Bell
Mr Finch Mr Cartwright
Mr Hatton Mr Collins
Mr Manzie Mr Ede
Mr McCarthy Mrs Hickey
Mr Ortmann Mr Lanhupuy
Mr Palmer Mr Parish
Mr Perron Mr Rioli
Mr Poole Mr Stirling
Mr Reed
Mr Setter
Mr Stone
Mr Vale

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

AYES, 9 NOES, 15

Mr Bailey Mr Collins
Mr Bell Mr Coulter
Mr Cartwright Mr Dondas
Mr Ede Mr Finch
Mrs Hickey Mr Hatton
Mr Lanhupuy Mr Manzie
Mr Parish Mr McCarthy
Mr Rioli Mr Ortmann
Mr Stirling Mr Palmer
Mr Perron
Mr Poole
Mr Reed
Mr Setter
Mr Stone
Mr Vale

And so it was resolved in the negative.
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Suspension of sitting: The sitting was suspended between 12.38 p.m. and 2.30 p.m.
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6. LIVE CATTLE EXPORTS TO SOUTH-EAST ASIA - MINISTERIAL STATEMENT - STATEMENT NOTED:
The Minister for Primary Industry and Fisheries (Mr Reed) made a statement relating to the development of the live
cattle trade between the Northern Territory and South-East Asian countries.
Paper tabled: Mr Reed laid on the Table the following Paper -

Poster, "Major Northern Territory Cattle and Beef Markets", produced by the Cattle and Beef
Marketing Program, NTDPIF, October 1993.

Mr Reed moved - That the Assembly take note of the Statement.
Debate ensued.
Question - put and passed.

7. EWANINGA ROCK CARVINGS CONSERVATION RESERVE, PLAN OF MANAGEMENT - PAPER TABLED - STATEMENT - PAPER NOTED:
The Minister for Conservation (Mr Coulter) laid on the Table the following Paper -

Ewaninga Rock Carvings Conservation Reserve, Plan of Management, July 1993; and
Ewaninga Rock Carvings Conservation Reserve, Plan of Management, Review of Public Representations, July 1993.

Mr Coulter made a statement relating thereto.
Mr Coulter moved - That the Assembly take note of the Paper.
Debate ensued.
Question - put and passed.

8. INQUIRY INTO THE OPERATION AND EFFECT OF PART VIII "RESTRICTED AREAS" OF THE LIQUOR ACT - PAPER TABLED - PAPER
PRINTED - PAPER NOTED:
The Chairman of the Sessional Committee on Use and Abuse of Alcohol by the Community (Mr Poole) laid on the Table the
following Paper -

Inquiry into the Operation and Effect of Part VIII "Restricted Areas" of the Liquor Act.

Mr Poole made a statement relating thereto.
Mr Poole moved - That the Paper be printed.
Question - put and passed.
Mr Poole moved - That the Assembly take note of the Paper.
Debate ensued.
Question - put and passed.

9. ALTERATION OF ORDER OF BUSINESS:
The Leader of Government Business (Mr Setter) moved - That Government Business, Notice No. 2 relating to the Adoption
of Children Bill 1993 (Serial 289) be called on forthwith.
Question - put and passed.

10. ADOPTION OF CHILDREN BILL 1993 (Serial 289):
The Minister for Health and Community Services (Mr Reed), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to provide
for the adoption of children and for related services.
Bill read a first time.
Mr Reed moved - That the Bill be now read a second time.
On the motion of the Member for Barkly (Mrs Hickey) debate was adjourned.

11. NORTHERN TERRITORY TOURIST COMMISSION AMENDMENT BILL 1993 (Serial 293):
The Minister for Tourism (Mr Coulter), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the Northern Territory
Tourist Commission Act.
Bill read a first time.
Mr Coulter moved - That the Bill be now read a second time.
On the motion of the Member for Barkly (Mrs Hickey) debate was adjourned.

12. MINING AMENDMENT BILL (No. 2) 1993 (Serial 291):
The Minister for Mines and Energy (Mr Stone), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the Mining Act.
Bill read a first time.
Mr Stone moved - That the Bill be now read a second time.
On the motion of the Leader of the Opposition (Mr Ede) debate was adjourned.

13. PRISONS (CORRECTIONAL SERVICES) AMENDMENT BILL (No. 2) 1993 (Serial 296):
The Minister for Correctional Services (Mr Poole), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the Prisons
(Correctional Services) Act.
Bill read a first time.
Mr Poole moved - That the Bill be now read a second time.
On the motion of the Member for Millner (Mr Parish) debate was adjourned.

14. POLICE ADMINISTRATION AMENDMENT BILL (No. 3) 1993 (Serial 303); CRIMINAL CODE AMENDMENT BILL (No. 3) 1993
(Serial 304); and JUSTICES AMENDMENT BILL (No. 2) 1993 (Serial 305); :
Suspension of Standing Orders - Take three Bills together:
The Chief Minister (Mr Perron) moved - That so much of Standing Orders be suspended as would prevent three Bills,
namely the Police Administration Amendment Bill (No. 3) 1993 (Serial 303); the Criminal Code Amendment Bill (No. 3) 1993
(Serial 304); and the Justices Amendment Bill (No. 2) 1993 (Serial 305) -

(a) being presented and read a first time together and one motion being put in regard to,
respectively, the second readings, the Committee's report stage, and the third readings of the Bills
together; and

(b) the consideration of the Bills separately in the Committee of the Whole.

Question - put and passed - there being an absolute
majority of the whole number of Members present and no dissentient voice.
Mr Perron, pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the Police Administration Act; a Bill for an Act to
amend the Criminal Code; and a Bill for an Act to amend the Justices Act.
Bills read a first time.
Mr Perron moved - That the Bills be now read a second time.
On the motion of the Opposition Leader (Mr Ede) debate was adjourned.

15. SPECIAL ADJOURNMENT:
The Leader of Government Business (Mr Setter) moved - That the Assembly at its rising adjourn until Tuesday 22 February
1994 at 10.00 a.m. or such other time and/or date as may be set by Mr Speaker, pursuant to Sessional Order.
Question - put and passed.

16. MOTOR VEHICLES AMENDMENT ACT 1992 AMENDMENT BILL 1993 (Serial 297):
Suspension of Standing Orders - Pass all stages: The Minister for Transport and Works (Mr Manzie) moved - That so
much of Standing Orders be suspended as would prevent the Motor Vehicles Amendment Act 1992 Amendment Bill 1993
(Serial 297) passing through all stages at this sitting.
Debate ensued.
Question - put and passed.
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 Transport and Works (Mr Manzie) the Bill was read a third time and passed to be a
proposed law.

17. ELECTORAL ACT - REPORT OF THE DISTRIBUTION COMMITTEE, 1993 - REPORT APPROVED:
The order of the day having been read for the resumption of the debate on the motion - That the Assembly resolve in
terms of section 18(1) of the Electoral Act that the distribution of the Northern Territory into electoral
divisions, as proposed in the 1993 Report of the Distribution Committee, be approved -
Debate resumed.
Question - put and passed.

18. ADJOURNMENT:
The Chief Minister (Mr Perron) moved - That the Assembly do now adjourn.
Debate ensued.
Papers tabled: The Minister for the Arts (Mr Stone) laid on the Table the following Papers -

Programmes (23), Darwin Symphony Orchestra, 1970 to 1993 inclusive.

Debate continued.
Papers tabled: The Member for Greatorex (Mr Collins), by leave, laid on the Table the following Papers -

Letter, David Ross, Director, Central Land Council to Paul Parker, Kintore Store, dated 6 April 1992;
Letter, Neil Bell, MLA, Member for Macdonnell to Jilau and Paul Parker, dated 25 October 1993;
Letter, Neil Bell, MLA, Member for Macdonnell to Jilau Nangala Parker, dated 3 December 1992; and
Letter, Jilau Parker to Daryl Williams, AM, QC, MP, dated dated 12 November 1993.

Debate continued.
Question - put and passed.
The Assembly adjourned at 8.00 p.m. until Tuesday 22 February 1994 at 10.00 a.m. or such other time and/or date
as may be set by the Speaker, pursuant to Sessional Order.

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PAPERS:
The following Papers were deemed to have been presented on Thursday 2 December 1993:

Annual Reports:
Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority, 1992-93
Cobourg Peninsula Sanctuary Board, 1992-93
Department of Health and Community Services, 1992-93
Department of Industries and Development, Ministry of Asian Relations and Trade, 1992-93
Department of Mines and Energy, 1992-93
Gaming Control Commission, 1992-93
Nitmiluk (Katherine Gorge) National Park, 1992-93
Northern Territory Employment and Training Authority, 1992
Northern Territory Government Conditions of Service Trust, 1992-93
Northern Territory Government and Public Authorities Superannuation Scheme, 1992-93
Northern Territory Local Government Grants Commission, 1992-93
Northern Territory Police, Fire and Emergency Services, 1992-93
Northern Territory Racing Commission, 1992-93
Office of Aboriginal Development, 1992-93
Office of Courts Administration, 1992-93
Road Safety Council of the Northern Territory, 1992-93
Territory Loans Management Corporation, 1992-93
Trade Development Zone Authority, 1992-93

Financial Statement:
Ayers Rock Resort Corporation and Controlled Entities, year ended 30 June 1993

Hospital Management Boards:
Alice Springs Hospital Management Board, 1992-93
Royal Darwin Hospital Management Board, 1992-93

Regulations 1993:
No. 44, Amendments of Liquor Regulations
No. 45, Amendments of Traffic Regulations
No. 46, Amendments of Stamp Duty (Exemption) Regulations
No. 47, Amendments of Business Franchise Regulations

Report:
Implementation of Northern Territory Government Responses to the Recommendations of the Royal Commission
into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody, 1992-93 Interim Report, November 1993.

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ATTENDANCE:
All Members attended this sitting.

IAN McNEILL
Clerk of the Legislative Assembly
Last updated: 04 Aug 2016