Minutes of Proceedings - 1992-05-20
Sixth Assembly First Session 12/05/1992 Parliamentary Record No. 10
__________________________________________________________________________________
Date : 20/05/1992__________________________________________________________________________________
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. NOTICES:
Mr Setter: To move, on 12 August 1992 - That the Registration Regulations, as contained in Regulations 1991 No.63 and made
under the Registration Act, be disallowed.
Mr Setter: To move, on 12 August 1992 - That the Amendment of the Planning Regulations, as contained in
Regulations 1991 No.57 and made under the Planning Act, be disallowed.
Mr Setter, by leave, made a statement relating thereto.
4. QUESTIONS:
Questions were asked of Ministers.
5. PERSONAL EXPLANATION:
The Member for Macdonnell (Mr Bell), pursuant to Standing Order 57, made a personal explanation relating to comments
made by the Minister for Transport and Works (Mr Finch) during Question Time.
6. NEW PARLIAMENT HOUSE COMMITTEE - REPORT ON PARLIAMENTARY PRECINCTS - PAPER TABLED -
PAPER PRINTED - REPORT ADOPTED:
The Speaker tabled the Report of the New Parliament House Committee on Parliamentary Precincts.
The Minister for Transport and Works (Mr Finch) moved -
That the Report be printed.
Question - put and passed.
Mr Finch moved - That the Report be adopted.
Question - put and passed.
7. APPRECIATION OF SERVICE - MR JOHN PERIS:
The Speaker made a statement relating to the retirement on 17 March 1992 of Mr John Peris who had served the
Legislative Assembly for 16 years and 32 years in the Commonwealth and Northern Territory Public Services.
And the Speaker invited Honourable Members to join him in thanking Mr John Peris for his service to the Assembly.
Twelve other Members made statements relating thereto.
8. WORLD HERITAGE LISTING OF KAKADU NATIONAL PARK, STAGE 3 - MINISTERIAL STATEMENT -
MOTION TO NOTE STATEMENT AND PAPERS:
The Minister for Conservation (Mr Reed) made a statement relating to the nomination of Kakadu National Park for
World Heritage Listing by the Commonwealth Government.
Papers tabled: Mr Reed laid on the Table the following Papers -
Page 373
Nomination of Kakadu National Park by the Government of Australia for Inscription in the World Heritage List,
prepared by the Australian National Parks and Wildlife Service, Department of the Arts, Sport, the Environment,
Tourism and Territories, dated 1991; and
A submission concerning a Nomination of Kakadu National Park by the Australian Government for Inscription in the
World Heritage List, prepared by the Conservation Commission of the Northern Territory, dated 1991.
Mr Reed moved - That the Assembly take note of the Statement and Papers.
____________________
Suspension of sitting: The sitting was suspended between 11.51 a.m. and 2.00 p.m.
____________________
Debate ensued.
Paper tabled: The Treasurer (Mr Coulter) laid on the Table the following Paper -
Copy of Telex sent to Senator Richardson, Department of Arts, Sport, the Environment, Tourism and Territories
and Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade from Mr Charles Mott, Australian Ambassador to UNESCO, dated December 1987.
Debate continued.
On the motion of the Member for Nelson (Mrs Padgham-Purich) debate was adjourned.
9. PROPOSED COMMITTEE ON JUVENILE CRIME - MOTION, AS AMENDED, AGREED TO:
The Deputy Leader of the Opposition (Mr Bailey), pursuant to notice, moved - That -
(1) A Committee to be known as the Sessional Committee on Juvenile Crime be appointed and that Members
be appointed to the Committee by subsequent Resolution;
(2) The Committee be empowered, unless otherwise ordered, to inquire into and from time to time
report on:
(a) current trends in juvenile crime in the Northern Territory including, as far as possible,
patterns based on regions, age, sex, other demographic characteristics and
ethnic factors;
(b) the social and economic consequences of current crime patterns with special reference
to the well-being of individuals and communities and to the demands placed upon
Government and non-Government services;
(c) the services currently available within the Northern Territory by both Government and
non-Government agencies to deal with issues directly or indirectly related to juvenile crime;
Page 374
(d) factors which directly affect the level and nature of juvenile crime in the Northern
Territory community or parts of that community; and
(e) appropriate policies and services for the prevention, punishment and rehabilitation of
juvenile crime in the Northern Territory;
(3) The Committee be empowered to send for persons, papers and records; to sit in public or in private
session notwithstanding any adjournment of the Assembly; to adjourn from place to place; and have
leave to report from time to time and to report its proceedings and evidence taken and make such interim
recommendations as it may deem fit; and to publish information pertaining to its activities from time
to time: the Committee shall make an annual report to the Assembly of its activities;
(4) The Committee be empowered to publish from day to day such papers and evidence as may be ordered by it
and, unless otherwise ordered by the Committee, a daily Hansard be published of such proceedings as
take place in public; and
(5) The foregoing provisions of this Resolution, so far as they are inconsistent with the Standing
Orders, have effect notwithstanding anything contained in the Standing Orders.
The Minister for Correctional Services (Mr Reed) moved the following amendment -
Omit all words after "That" and insert in their stead:
"This Assembly notes the establishment and work of the Juvenile Crime Workshop, which has referred
its resolutions to the Co-ordination Committee's Standing Sub-committee on Public Safety and Social
Development which is considering and will provide the Government with advice on:
(a) current trends in juvenile crime in the Northern Territory, including, as far as
possible, patterns based on regions, age, sex, other demographic characteristics
and ethnic factors;
(b) the social and economic consequences of current crime patterns with special reference
to the well-being of individuals and communities and to the demands placed upon
Government and non-Government services;
(c) the services currently available within the Northern Territory by both Government and
non-Government agencies to deal with issues directly or indirectly related to juvenile
crime;
(d) factors which directly affect the level and nature of juvenile crime in the Northern
Territory community or parts of that community; and
Page 375
(e) appropriate policies and services for the prevention, punishment and rehabilitation of
juvenile crime in the Northern Territory.
Paper tabled: Mr Reed laid on the Table the following Paper -
List of Participants, Juvenile Crime Workshop, Friday 28 February 1992.
Debate ensued.
Question - That the amendment be agreed to - put and passed.
Question - That the motion, as amended, be agreed to - put and passed.
10. FISCAL EQUALISATION - MOTION, AS AMENDED, AGREED TO:
The Leader of the Opposition (Mr Ede), pursuant to notice, moved - That -
(1) this Assembly -
(a) gives its unanimous support to the concept of fiscal equalisation as an essential component
of the Federal system; and
(b) calls upon all Australian Governments to give it their total support; and
(2) the terms of this Resolution be conveyed to Heads of all Governments at Federal, State and Territory
levels.
The Deputy Chief Minister (Mr Coulter) moved the following amendment -
Add after paragraph (1)(b) -
"(c) expresses its concern at the Prime Minister's tacit endorsement of a move away from fiscal
equalisation, particularly in light of his expressed commitment to the principle of 'One Nation'".
Debate ensued.
Question - That the amendment be agreed to - put and passed.
Question - That the motion, as amended, be agreed to - put and passed.
11. NORTHERN TERRITORY TOURIST INDUSTRY - MOTION NEGATIVED:
The Member for Millner (Mr Parish), pursuant to notice, moved
- That this Assembly, recognising the crucial importance of tourism to the Northern Territory's economy,
calls on the Chief Minister to direct the Minister for Tourism to take urgent steps to overcome the paralysis
and poor administration which have led to a disastrous slump in the Northern Territory tourist industry.
Debate ensued.
Question - put and negatived.
12. ABORIGINAL ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT - MOTION, AS AMENDED, AGREED TO:
The Member for Nhulunbuy (Mr Stirling), pursuant to notice, moved - That -
(1) this Assembly notes that -
Page 376
(a) the economic and social development of the Northern Territory is the fundamental aim of
Government;
(b) the contribution to, participation in and enjoyment of the benefits of economic
development should be equal amongst all the citizens of the Territory; and
(c) a well educated and skilled population is a key means of achieving economic growth
and expansion; and
(2) accordingly, this Assembly calls on the Territory Government to:
(a) undertake an evaluation in conjunction with Aboriginal communities and representative
organisations, of the effectiveness of current education services to Aboriginal communities
and the standards of outcomes achieved by those services;
(b) set into place a plan aimed at bringing the standards of services and outcomes into parity
with those of urban areas; and
(c) report to the Assembly in the May sittings of 1993 on the results of the evaluation and the
plan to achieve parity.
The Minister for Education (Mr Stone) moved the following amendment -
Omit paragraph (2) and insert in its stead:
"(2) This Assembly congratulates the Government:
(a) on its comprehensive approach to planning, co-ordination and evaluation within
education to improve the effectiveness of current education services to Aboriginal
communities and the standards of outcomes achieved by those services;
(b) on the initiatives currently being pursued through the Department of Education, NTETA,
the Department of Education, Employment and Training and the Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander Commission to improve educational cooperation and outcomes for
Aboriginal communities; and
(c) on the positive framework, designed to improve outcomes in a material way, which is being
established by the Northern Territory Minister for Education and Training and the positive
response of the Commonwealth Minister for Employment, Education and Training to that
framework.
Papers tabled: Mr Stone laid on the Table the following Papers relating to the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander Education Policy -
Operational Plan 1990 Progress Report;
Operational Plan 1991 Progress Report;
The Northern Territory Operational Plan 1990-1992 Triennium;
Page 377
The Northern Territory Strategic Plan 1990-1992 Triennium; and
The Northern Territory Strategic and Operational Plans, 1990-1992 Triennium, Performance Indicators.
Debate ensued.
Question - That the amendment be agreed to - put and passed.
Question - That the motion, as amended, be agreed to - put and passed.
13. ROAD SAFETY - MOTION NEGATIVED:
The Member for Arnhem (Mr Lanhupuy), pursuant to notice, moved - That given the carnage on Northern Territory roads,
this Assembly urges the Government to take a more active approach on the issue of road safety.
Debate ensued.
Question - put and negatived.
14. ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER COMMISSION - MOTION, AS AMENDED, AGREED TO:
The Leader of the Opposition (Mr Ede), pursuant to notice, moved -
That this Assembly:
(1) resolves to rescind the motion of 3 October 1990 relating to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander Commission;
(2) recognises the role of ATSIC;
(3) notes that its creation has introduced complexities into the relationship between Federal,
State and Territory Governments;
(4) resolves to address these complexities and, in particular, the operation of section 18 of the
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission Act 1989 in relation to grants to States and
Territories;
(5) broadly accepts the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody; and
(6) resolves to continue to address the issues of Aboriginal disadvantage and to give Aboriginal needs
a high priority in the 1992-93 budget.
The Chief Minister (Mr Perron) moved the following amendment -
Omit paragraph (1).
Debate ensued.
Question - That the amendment be agreed to - put and passed.
Question - That the motion, as amended, be agreed to - put and passed.
15. SESSIONAL COMMITTEE ON USE AND ABUSE OF ALCOHOL BY THE COMMUNITY, REFERENCE -
MOTION, AS AMENDED, AGREED TO:
The Member for Macdonnell (Mr Bell), pursuant to notice, moved - That -
(1) the following matters be referred to the Sessional Committee on Use and Abuse of Alcohol by the
Community for consideration and report:
(a) the operation and effect of Part VIII "Restricted Areas" of the Liquor Act;
Page 378
(b) the staffing, operations and legislative basis of the Liquor Commission; and
(2) the Committee report to the Assembly on or before 1 March 1993.
The Chief Minister (Mr Perron) moved the following amendment -
Omit paragraph (1)(b).
Debate continued.
Question - That the amendment be agreed to - put and passed.
Question - That the motion, as amended, be agreed to - put and passed.
16. CENSURE OF MEMBER FOR VICTORIA RIVER:
Suspension of Standing Orders: The Minister for Education and Training (Mr Stone) moved - That so much of Standing
Orders be suspended as would prevent him moving the following motion - That this Assembly censure the Member for
Victoria River (Mr Cartwright) for his misleading and prejudicial statements against the two Police Officers stationed at
Kalkaringi in March 1992 prior to their being afforded an opportunity to defend themselves.
Question - put and passed - there being an absolute majority of the whole number of Members present and no
dissentient voice.
Censure: Mr Stone thereupon moved - That this Assembly censure the Member for Victoria River (Mr Cartwright) for
his misleading and prejudicial statements against the two Police Officers stationed at Kalkaringi in March 1992 prior
to their being afforded an opportunity to defend themselves.
Debate ensued.
And the Assembly having continued to sit until 12 midnight -
THURSDAY 21 MAY 1992, A.M.
Debate continued.
The Leader of the Opposition (Mr Ede) moved the following amendment -
Omit all words after "Assembly" and insert -
"supports the fundamental democratic principle inherent in the right of Members of this Assembly to
publicly express concerns of their constituents about any matter not sub judice".
The Leader of Government Business (Mr Setter) moved - That the question be now put.
Question - That the question be put now put - put.
The Assembly divided (the Speaker, Hon. N.M. Dondas, in the Chair) -
AYES, 15 NOES, 9
Mr Coulter Mr Bailey
Mr Dondas Mr Bell
Mr Finch Mr Cartwright
Mr Hatton Mr Ede
Mr Manzie Mrs Hickey
Mr McCarthy Mr Lanhupuy
Mr Ortmann Mr Parish
Mrs Padgham-Purich Mr Stirling
Mr Palmer Mr Tipiloura
Page 379
Mr Perron
Mr Poole
Mr Reed
Mr Setter
Mr Stone
Mr Vale
And so it was resolved in the affirmative.
Question - That the amendment be agreed to - put.
The Assembly divided (the Speaker, Hon. N.M. Dondas, in the Chair) -
AYES, 9 NOES, 15
Mr Bailey Mr Coulter
Mr Bell Mr Dondas
Mr Cartwright Mr Finch
Mr Ede Mr Hatton
Mrs Hickey Mr Manzie
Mr Lanhupuy Mr McCarthy
Mr Parish Mr Ortmann
Mr Stirling Mrs Padgham-Purich
Mr Tipiloura Mr Palmer
Mr Perron
Mr Poole
Mr Reed
Mr Setter
Mr Stone
Mr Vale
Amendment negatived accordingly.
Debate continued.
Paper tabled: The Member for Macdonnell (Mr Bell), by leave, laid on the Table the following Paper -
Press Release, "Police Must Be Suspended Says Cartwright", by Gary Cartwright, MLA Member for
Victoria River, dated 23 March 1992.
Debate continued.
Question - That the motion be agreed to - put.
The Assembly divided (the Speaker, Hon. N.M. Dondas, in the Chair) -
AYES, 14 NOES, 9
Mr Coulter Mr Bailey
Mr Dondas Mr Bell
Mr Finch Mr Cartwright
Mr Hatton Mr Ede
Mr Manzie Mrs Hickey
Mr McCarthy Mr Lanhupuy
Mr Ortmann Mr Parish
Mr Palmer Mr Stirling
Mr Perron Mr Tipiloura
Mr Poole
Mr Reed
Mr Setter
Mr Stone
Mr Vale
Page 380
And so it was resolved in the affirmative.
17. PERSONAL EXPLANATION:
The Minister for Education (Mr Stone), by leave, made a personal explanation relating to comments made by the Deputy
Leader of the Opposition (Mr Bailey) during the previous debate.
18. MISUSE OF DRUGS AMENDMENT BILL (No.2) 1992 (Serial 146):
The Attorney-General (Mr Manzie), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the Misuse of Drugs Act.
Bill read a first time.
Mr Manzie moved - That the Bill be now read a second time.
On the motion of the Member for Macdonnell (Mr Bell) debate was adjourned.
19. ADJOURNMENT:
The Leader of Government Business (Mr Setter) moved - That the Assembly do now adjourn.
Debate ensued.
Paper tabled: The Member for Macdonnell (Mr Bell), by leave, laid on the Table the following Paper:
Letter, Neil Bell, MLA, Member for Macdonnell to Hon. M.A. Reed, MLA, Minister for Primary Industry and
Fisheries, dated 20 May 1992.
Debate continued.
Question - put and passed.
The Assembly adjourned at 2.42 a.m. until today at 10.00 a.m.
====================
ATTENDANCE:
All members attended the sitting.
Page 381
__________________________________________________________________________________
Date : 20/05/1992
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. NOTICES:
Mr Setter: To move, on 12 August 1992 - That the Registration Regulations, as contained in Regulations 1991 No.63 and made
under the Registration Act, be disallowed.
Mr Setter: To move, on 12 August 1992 - That the Amendment of the Planning Regulations, as contained in
Regulations 1991 No.57 and made under the Planning Act, be disallowed.
Mr Setter, by leave, made a statement relating thereto.
4. QUESTIONS:
Questions were asked of Ministers.
5. PERSONAL EXPLANATION:
The Member for Macdonnell (Mr Bell), pursuant to Standing Order 57, made a personal explanation relating to comments
made by the Minister for Transport and Works (Mr Finch) during Question Time.
6. NEW PARLIAMENT HOUSE COMMITTEE - REPORT ON PARLIAMENTARY PRECINCTS - PAPER TABLED -
PAPER PRINTED - REPORT ADOPTED:
The Speaker tabled the Report of the New Parliament House Committee on Parliamentary Precincts.
The Minister for Transport and Works (Mr Finch) moved -
That the Report be printed.
Question - put and passed.
Mr Finch moved - That the Report be adopted.
Question - put and passed.
7. APPRECIATION OF SERVICE - MR JOHN PERIS:
The Speaker made a statement relating to the retirement on 17 March 1992 of Mr John Peris who had served the
Legislative Assembly for 16 years and 32 years in the Commonwealth and Northern Territory Public Services.
And the Speaker invited Honourable Members to join him in thanking Mr John Peris for his service to the Assembly.
Twelve other Members made statements relating thereto.
8. WORLD HERITAGE LISTING OF KAKADU NATIONAL PARK, STAGE 3 - MINISTERIAL STATEMENT -
MOTION TO NOTE STATEMENT AND PAPERS:
The Minister for Conservation (Mr Reed) made a statement relating to the nomination of Kakadu National Park for
World Heritage Listing by the Commonwealth Government.
Papers tabled: Mr Reed laid on the Table the following Papers -
Page 373
Nomination of Kakadu National Park by the Government of Australia for Inscription in the World Heritage List,
prepared by the Australian National Parks and Wildlife Service, Department of the Arts, Sport, the Environment,
Tourism and Territories, dated 1991; and
A submission concerning a Nomination of Kakadu National Park by the Australian Government for Inscription in the
World Heritage List, prepared by the Conservation Commission of the Northern Territory, dated 1991.
Mr Reed moved - That the Assembly take note of the Statement and Papers.
____________________
Suspension of sitting: The sitting was suspended between 11.51 a.m. and 2.00 p.m.
____________________
Debate ensued.
Paper tabled: The Treasurer (Mr Coulter) laid on the Table the following Paper -
Copy of Telex sent to Senator Richardson, Department of Arts, Sport, the Environment, Tourism and Territories
and Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade from Mr Charles Mott, Australian Ambassador to UNESCO, dated December 1987.
Debate continued.
On the motion of the Member for Nelson (Mrs Padgham-Purich) debate was adjourned.
9. PROPOSED COMMITTEE ON JUVENILE CRIME - MOTION, AS AMENDED, AGREED TO:
The Deputy Leader of the Opposition (Mr Bailey), pursuant to notice, moved - That -
(1) A Committee to be known as the Sessional Committee on Juvenile Crime be appointed and that Members
be appointed to the Committee by subsequent Resolution;
(2) The Committee be empowered, unless otherwise ordered, to inquire into and from time to time
report on:
(a) current trends in juvenile crime in the Northern Territory including, as far as possible,
patterns based on regions, age, sex, other demographic characteristics and
ethnic factors;
(b) the social and economic consequences of current crime patterns with special reference
to the well-being of individuals and communities and to the demands placed upon
Government and non-Government services;
(c) the services currently available within the Northern Territory by both Government and
non-Government agencies to deal with issues directly or indirectly related to juvenile crime;
Page 374
(d) factors which directly affect the level and nature of juvenile crime in the Northern
Territory community or parts of that community; and
(e) appropriate policies and services for the prevention, punishment and rehabilitation of
juvenile crime in the Northern Territory;
(3) The Committee be empowered to send for persons, papers and records; to sit in public or in private
session notwithstanding any adjournment of the Assembly; to adjourn from place to place; and have
leave to report from time to time and to report its proceedings and evidence taken and make such interim
recommendations as it may deem fit; and to publish information pertaining to its activities from time
to time: the Committee shall make an annual report to the Assembly of its activities;
(4) The Committee be empowered to publish from day to day such papers and evidence as may be ordered by it
and, unless otherwise ordered by the Committee, a daily Hansard be published of such proceedings as
take place in public; and
(5) The foregoing provisions of this Resolution, so far as they are inconsistent with the Standing
Orders, have effect notwithstanding anything contained in the Standing Orders.
The Minister for Correctional Services (Mr Reed) moved the following amendment -
Omit all words after "That" and insert in their stead:
"This Assembly notes the establishment and work of the Juvenile Crime Workshop, which has referred
its resolutions to the Co-ordination Committee's Standing Sub-committee on Public Safety and Social
Development which is considering and will provide the Government with advice on:
(a) current trends in juvenile crime in the Northern Territory, including, as far as
possible, patterns based on regions, age, sex, other demographic characteristics
and ethnic factors;
(b) the social and economic consequences of current crime patterns with special reference
to the well-being of individuals and communities and to the demands placed upon
Government and non-Government services;
(c) the services currently available within the Northern Territory by both Government and
non-Government agencies to deal with issues directly or indirectly related to juvenile
crime;
(d) factors which directly affect the level and nature of juvenile crime in the Northern
Territory community or parts of that community; and
Page 375
(e) appropriate policies and services for the prevention, punishment and rehabilitation of
juvenile crime in the Northern Territory.
Paper tabled: Mr Reed laid on the Table the following Paper -
List of Participants, Juvenile Crime Workshop, Friday 28 February 1992.
Debate ensued.
Question - That the amendment be agreed to - put and passed.
Question - That the motion, as amended, be agreed to - put and passed.
10. FISCAL EQUALISATION - MOTION, AS AMENDED, AGREED TO:
The Leader of the Opposition (Mr Ede), pursuant to notice, moved - That -
(1) this Assembly -
(a) gives its unanimous support to the concept of fiscal equalisation as an essential component
of the Federal system; and
(b) calls upon all Australian Governments to give it their total support; and
(2) the terms of this Resolution be conveyed to Heads of all Governments at Federal, State and Territory
levels.
The Deputy Chief Minister (Mr Coulter) moved the following amendment -
Add after paragraph (1)(b) -
"(c) expresses its concern at the Prime Minister's tacit endorsement of a move away from fiscal
equalisation, particularly in light of his expressed commitment to the principle of 'One Nation'".
Debate ensued.
Question - That the amendment be agreed to - put and passed.
Question - That the motion, as amended, be agreed to - put and passed.
11. NORTHERN TERRITORY TOURIST INDUSTRY - MOTION NEGATIVED:
The Member for Millner (Mr Parish), pursuant to notice, moved
- That this Assembly, recognising the crucial importance of tourism to the Northern Territory's economy,
calls on the Chief Minister to direct the Minister for Tourism to take urgent steps to overcome the paralysis
and poor administration which have led to a disastrous slump in the Northern Territory tourist industry.
Debate ensued.
Question - put and negatived.
12. ABORIGINAL ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT - MOTION, AS AMENDED, AGREED TO:
The Member for Nhulunbuy (Mr Stirling), pursuant to notice, moved - That -
(1) this Assembly notes that -
Page 376
(a) the economic and social development of the Northern Territory is the fundamental aim of
Government;
(b) the contribution to, participation in and enjoyment of the benefits of economic
development should be equal amongst all the citizens of the Territory; and
(c) a well educated and skilled population is a key means of achieving economic growth
and expansion; and
(2) accordingly, this Assembly calls on the Territory Government to:
(a) undertake an evaluation in conjunction with Aboriginal communities and representative
organisations, of the effectiveness of current education services to Aboriginal communities
and the standards of outcomes achieved by those services;
(b) set into place a plan aimed at bringing the standards of services and outcomes into parity
with those of urban areas; and
(c) report to the Assembly in the May sittings of 1993 on the results of the evaluation and the
plan to achieve parity.
The Minister for Education (Mr Stone) moved the following amendment -
Omit paragraph (2) and insert in its stead:
"(2) This Assembly congratulates the Government:
(a) on its comprehensive approach to planning, co-ordination and evaluation within
education to improve the effectiveness of current education services to Aboriginal
communities and the standards of outcomes achieved by those services;
(b) on the initiatives currently being pursued through the Department of Education, NTETA,
the Department of Education, Employment and Training and the Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander Commission to improve educational cooperation and outcomes for
Aboriginal communities; and
(c) on the positive framework, designed to improve outcomes in a material way, which is being
established by the Northern Territory Minister for Education and Training and the positive
response of the Commonwealth Minister for Employment, Education and Training to that
framework.
Papers tabled: Mr Stone laid on the Table the following Papers relating to the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander Education Policy -
Operational Plan 1990 Progress Report;
Operational Plan 1991 Progress Report;
The Northern Territory Operational Plan 1990-1992 Triennium;
Page 377
The Northern Territory Strategic Plan 1990-1992 Triennium; and
The Northern Territory Strategic and Operational Plans, 1990-1992 Triennium, Performance Indicators.
Debate ensued.
Question - That the amendment be agreed to - put and passed.
Question - That the motion, as amended, be agreed to - put and passed.
13. ROAD SAFETY - MOTION NEGATIVED:
The Member for Arnhem (Mr Lanhupuy), pursuant to notice, moved - That given the carnage on Northern Territory roads,
this Assembly urges the Government to take a more active approach on the issue of road safety.
Debate ensued.
Question - put and negatived.
14. ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER COMMISSION - MOTION, AS AMENDED, AGREED TO:
The Leader of the Opposition (Mr Ede), pursuant to notice, moved -
That this Assembly:
(1) resolves to rescind the motion of 3 October 1990 relating to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander Commission;
(2) recognises the role of ATSIC;
(3) notes that its creation has introduced complexities into the relationship between Federal,
State and Territory Governments;
(4) resolves to address these complexities and, in particular, the operation of section 18 of the
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission Act 1989 in relation to grants to States and
Territories;
(5) broadly accepts the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody; and
(6) resolves to continue to address the issues of Aboriginal disadvantage and to give Aboriginal needs
a high priority in the 1992-93 budget.
The Chief Minister (Mr Perron) moved the following amendment -
Omit paragraph (1).
Debate ensued.
Question - That the amendment be agreed to - put and passed.
Question - That the motion, as amended, be agreed to - put and passed.
15. SESSIONAL COMMITTEE ON USE AND ABUSE OF ALCOHOL BY THE COMMUNITY, REFERENCE -
MOTION, AS AMENDED, AGREED TO:
The Member for Macdonnell (Mr Bell), pursuant to notice, moved - That -
(1) the following matters be referred to the Sessional Committee on Use and Abuse of Alcohol by the
Community for consideration and report:
(a) the operation and effect of Part VIII "Restricted Areas" of the Liquor Act;
Page 378
(b) the staffing, operations and legislative basis of the Liquor Commission; and
(2) the Committee report to the Assembly on or before 1 March 1993.
The Chief Minister (Mr Perron) moved the following amendment -
Omit paragraph (1)(b).
Debate continued.
Question - That the amendment be agreed to - put and passed.
Question - That the motion, as amended, be agreed to - put and passed.
16. CENSURE OF MEMBER FOR VICTORIA RIVER:
Suspension of Standing Orders: The Minister for Education and Training (Mr Stone) moved - That so much of Standing
Orders be suspended as would prevent him moving the following motion - That this Assembly censure the Member for
Victoria River (Mr Cartwright) for his misleading and prejudicial statements against the two Police Officers stationed at
Kalkaringi in March 1992 prior to their being afforded an opportunity to defend themselves.
Question - put and passed - there being an absolute majority of the whole number of Members present and no
dissentient voice.
Censure: Mr Stone thereupon moved - That this Assembly censure the Member for Victoria River (Mr Cartwright) for
his misleading and prejudicial statements against the two Police Officers stationed at Kalkaringi in March 1992 prior
to their being afforded an opportunity to defend themselves.
Debate ensued.
And the Assembly having continued to sit until 12 midnight -
THURSDAY 21 MAY 1992, A.M.
Debate continued.
The Leader of the Opposition (Mr Ede) moved the following amendment -
Omit all words after "Assembly" and insert -
"supports the fundamental democratic principle inherent in the right of Members of this Assembly to
publicly express concerns of their constituents about any matter not sub judice".
The Leader of Government Business (Mr Setter) moved - That the question be now put.
Question - That the question be put now put - put.
The Assembly divided (the Speaker, Hon. N.M. Dondas, in the Chair) -
AYES, 15 NOES, 9
Mr Coulter Mr Bailey
Mr Dondas Mr Bell
Mr Finch Mr Cartwright
Mr Hatton Mr Ede
Mr Manzie Mrs Hickey
Mr McCarthy Mr Lanhupuy
Mr Ortmann Mr Parish
Mrs Padgham-Purich Mr Stirling
Mr Palmer Mr Tipiloura
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Mr Perron
Mr Poole
Mr Reed
Mr Setter
Mr Stone
Mr Vale
And so it was resolved in the affirmative.
Question - That the amendment be agreed to - put.
The Assembly divided (the Speaker, Hon. N.M. Dondas, in the Chair) -
AYES, 9 NOES, 15
Mr Bailey Mr Coulter
Mr Bell Mr Dondas
Mr Cartwright Mr Finch
Mr Ede Mr Hatton
Mrs Hickey Mr Manzie
Mr Lanhupuy Mr McCarthy
Mr Parish Mr Ortmann
Mr Stirling Mrs Padgham-Purich
Mr Tipiloura Mr Palmer
Mr Perron
Mr Poole
Mr Reed
Mr Setter
Mr Stone
Mr Vale
Amendment negatived accordingly.
Debate continued.
Paper tabled: The Member for Macdonnell (Mr Bell), by leave, laid on the Table the following Paper -
Press Release, "Police Must Be Suspended Says Cartwright", by Gary Cartwright, MLA Member for
Victoria River, dated 23 March 1992.
Debate continued.
Question - That the motion be agreed to - put.
The Assembly divided (the Speaker, Hon. N.M. Dondas, in the Chair) -
AYES, 14 NOES, 9
Mr Coulter Mr Bailey
Mr Dondas Mr Bell
Mr Finch Mr Cartwright
Mr Hatton Mr Ede
Mr Manzie Mrs Hickey
Mr McCarthy Mr Lanhupuy
Mr Ortmann Mr Parish
Mr Palmer Mr Stirling
Mr Perron Mr Tipiloura
Mr Poole
Mr Reed
Mr Setter
Mr Stone
Mr Vale
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And so it was resolved in the affirmative.
17. PERSONAL EXPLANATION:
The Minister for Education (Mr Stone), by leave, made a personal explanation relating to comments made by the Deputy
Leader of the Opposition (Mr Bailey) during the previous debate.
18. MISUSE OF DRUGS AMENDMENT BILL (No.2) 1992 (Serial 146):
The Attorney-General (Mr Manzie), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the Misuse of Drugs Act.
Bill read a first time.
Mr Manzie moved - That the Bill be now read a second time.
On the motion of the Member for Macdonnell (Mr Bell) debate was adjourned.
19. ADJOURNMENT:
The Leader of Government Business (Mr Setter) moved - That the Assembly do now adjourn.
Debate ensued.
Paper tabled: The Member for Macdonnell (Mr Bell), by leave, laid on the Table the following Paper:
Letter, Neil Bell, MLA, Member for Macdonnell to Hon. M.A. Reed, MLA, Minister for Primary Industry and
Fisheries, dated 20 May 1992.
Debate continued.
Question - put and passed.
The Assembly adjourned at 2.42 a.m. until today at 10.00 a.m.
====================
ATTENDANCE:
All members attended the sitting.
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Last updated: 04 Aug 2016