Department of the Legislative Assembly, Northern Territory Government

Minutes of Proceedings - 2004-08-25

1. MEETING:
      The Assembly met at 10am. The Speaker, the Honourable L. M. Braham, took the Chair.

2. PRAYERS.

3. MINISTERIAL REPORTS:
      Remote Health Services: The Minister for Health (Dr Toyne) reported on building healthier communities and developing health clinic services in remote communities.
      Ms Carter responded thereto.
      Dr Toyne responded accordingly.

      Knowledge Centres: The Minister for Community Development (Mr Ah Kit) reported on resources in libraries and knowledge centres in remote communities.
      Mr Elferink responded thereto.
      Mr Ah Kit responded accordingly.

      Alice Springs Land Releases: The Minister for Lands and Planning (Dr Burns) reported on a new subdivision land release at Larrapinta, Alice Springs and the imminent issue of a development lease to a preferred developer.
      Mr Burke responded thereto.
      Dr Burns responded accordingly.

      Tastes Down Under: The Minister for Primary Industry and Fisheries (Mr Vatskalis) reported on the Tastes Down Under promotion to develop the Territory food industry.
      Mr Baldwin responded thereto.
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      Visitors: The Speaker advised Members of the presence in the public galleries of officers from the Jabiru Youth Employment Scheme accompanied by their supervisors, Ms Jade Betts, Mr Matt Fagan, and Mr Samson Henry.
      On behalf of all Members the Speaker extended a warm welcome to the visitors.
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      Ministerial Reports noted, pursuant to Sessional Orders.
4. STATUTE LAW REVISION BILL 2004 (Serial 238):
      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 ensued.
      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 Justice and Attorney-General (Dr Toyne) the Bill was read a third time and passed to be a proposed law.
5. PUBLICATIONS (LEGAL DEPOSIT) BILL 2004 (Serial 221):
      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 ensued.
      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 Community Development (Mr Ah Kit) the Bill was read a third time and passed to be a proposed law.
6. ROADS PROGRAM 2004/2005, EMPLOYMENT CREATION – MINISTERIAL STATEMENT – MOTION TO NOTE STATEMENT:
      The Minister for Transport and Infrastructure (Dr Burns) made a statement relating to the economic and employment benefits arising from the Northern Territory Roads Program 2004-2005.
      Dr Burns moved – That the Assembly take note of the Statement.
      Debate ensued.
      Debate suspended.
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      Suspension of sittings: The sittings of the Assembly was suspended between 11.57am and 2.pm.
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7. MATTHEW FLINDERS CHART 1804 – STATEMENTS BY SPEAKER:
      The Speaker advised Members of The Naming of Australia chart completed by Matthew Flinders in 1804 which had been given to the Assembly to celebrate the 200th year of its existence and made a statement relating thereto (Paper 1440).
      Paper tabled: The Speaker laid on the Table a the following Paper –
The Naming of Australia chart made by Matthew Flinders in 1804, while a prisoner in Mauritius (Paper 1440).
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      Visitor: The Speaker advised Members of the presence in the public gallery of the President of the Association of Justices of Western Australia, Mr Peter Kretschmer, who is here attending the National Conference of Justices of the Peace on the weekend.
      On behalf of all Members the Speaker extended a warm welcome to the visitor.
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8. NOTICES:
      The following notices were given:
      Dr Toyne: To present the Poisons and Dangerous Drugs Amendment Bill 2004 (Serial 247).
      Mr Henderson: To present the Child Protection (Offender Reporting and Registration) Bill 2004 (Serial 246).
      Mr Wood: To move – That,
              1. This Assembly refer to the Public Accounts Committee for and inquiry and report –
                  all matters relating to the expenditure associated with the unsuccessful prosecution of Owston Nominees No. 2, and Warren Anderson re mistreatment of animals on Tipperary Station from October 2003 to this date.

              2. The Public Accounts Committee report to the Assembly by the last sitting day 2004.
    9. QUESTIONS:
        2.05pm Mr Mills to Dr Toyne.
        2.07pm Mrs Aagaard to Mr Stirling.
        2.11pm Mr Mills to Ms Martin.
        2.13pm Mr McAdam to Mr Stirling.
        2.16pm Mr Mills to Ms Martin.
        2.18pm Ms Lawrie to Ms Martin.
        2.20pm Mr Burke to Ms Martin.
        2.21pm Mr Wood to Mr Vatskalis.
        2.22pm Mr McAdam to Dr Toyne.
        2.26pm Mr Burke to Ms Martin.
        2.27pm Mrs Aagaard to Dr Burns.
        2.30pm Mr Burke to Ms Martin.
        2.33pm Mr Kiely to Mr Stirling.
        2.38pm Mr Burke to Dr Burns.
        2.42pm Mr Wood to Ms Scrymgour.
        2.44pm Mr Kiely to Mr Vatskalis.
        2.46pm Mr Burke to Dr Burns.

        Papers tabled: The Minister for Transport and Infrastructure (Dr Burns) laid on the Table the following Papers –
    Letter, Ms Cheryl Kuhn, Consumer Affairs Council to Mr John Pinny, Chair Commercial Passenger Vehicle Board NT, dated 2 July 2004 (Paper 1442); and
    Letter, Mr Tony Fitzgerald, Commissioner, Northern Territory Anti-Discrimination Commission to Mr John Pinney, Chair, Commercial Passenger Vehicle Board re Lift Fee in Lieu of Waiting Time for Wheelchair Accessible Taxis,
    dated 6 July 2004 (Paper 1441).

        2.51pm Ms Lawrie to Mr Henderson.
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        Distinguished visitor: The Speaker advised Members of the presence in the public gallery of the federal Member for Solomon, Mr Dave Tollner. On behalf of all Members the Speaker extended a warm welcome to the visitor.
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        2.56pm Mr Burke to Dr Burns.
        Papers tabled: The Member for Brennan (Mr Burke), by leave, laid on the Table the following Paper –
    Larrakia Development Corporation Pty Ltd – Newsletter August 2004/#13 (Paper 1443).

        2.57pm Mr Bonson to Ms Scrymgour.
        2.59pm Mr Burke to Dr Burns.
        3.01pm Mr McAdam to Mr Ah Kit.
        3.03pm Mr Burke to Dr Toyne.

        The Leader of Government Business (Mr Henderson) asked that further questions be placed on the Written Question Paper.

    10. ROADS PROGRAM 2004/2005, EMPLOYMENT CREATION – MINISTERIAL STATEMENT – STATEMENT NOTED:
        The Order of the Day having been read for the resumption of debate, suspended earlier this day, on the question – That the Assembly take note of the Statement –
        Debate resumed.
        Extension of time: On the motion of the Member for Drysdale (Mr Dunham) the Member for Brennan (Mr Burke) was granted an extension of time.
        Debate continued.
        The Minister for Business and Industry (Mr Henderson) moved the following amendment -
        Omit all words after “Assembly” and insert -

        Noting:
            (a) the shortfall of some $20 million in Commonwealth funding for unincorporated Territory roads under the current Roads to Recovery Programme;

            (b) promises made to Territorians by the Prime Minister and other Commonwealth Ministers that the inequity in the Territory’s road funding would be addressed;

            (c) the increase in road funding committed to this year by the Martin Labor Government that seeks to cover part of this gap;

        Calls on the Commonwealth to urgently address this shortfall in unincorporated road funding for the Territory by –

            (i) immediately providing $20 million to cover the existing shortfall; and

            (ii) providing equitable and appropriate ongoing funding that would allow the Northern Territory to properly maintain these roads.

        Debate ensued.
        Papers tabled: The Minister for Transport and Infrastructure (Dr Burns) laid on the Table the following Papers –
    Letter, Ms C Martin (Chief Minister) to Hon John Howard MP, Prime Minister re Roads to Recovery Programme,
    dated 17 March 2004 (Paper 1444);
    Letter, Hon John Howard MP, Prime Minister to Ms C Martin, Chief Minister re Roads to Recovery Programme funding, dated 16 July 2004 (Paper 1445);
    Media Release, Senator the Hon Ian Campbell, Minister for Local Government, Territories and Roads re Roads to Recovery Programme, Federal Government Applauds Northern Territory Road Funding, dated 30 June 2004 (Paper 1446); and
    Letter, Dr C Burns, Minister for Transport and Infrastructure to Senator, the Hon Ian Campbell, Minister for Local Government, Territories and Roads re Territory Roads to Recovery Programme, dated 6 May 2004 (Paper 1447).

        Debate continued.
        The Member for Brennan (Mr Burke) moved the following amendment to the amendment moved by Mr Henderson -

        Insert after paragraph (c) the following -
            (d) the significant effort made by the Commonwealth through GST revenues and the Roads to Recovery Programme to respond to this situation with increased funding; and

            (e) recognizes the achievements of our Northern Territory Federal Representatives, N T Cattlemen’s Association and LGANT to highlight these issues.

        and add at the end -
            Forward this entire debate, with a covering letter co-signed by the Minister and Shadow Minister for Transport and Infrastructure, to the responsible Federal Minister.

        Debate ensued.
        The Leader of Government Business (Mr Henderson) moved the following amendment, to the amendment to the amendment moved by Mr Burke as follows –

        Omit from the amendment to the amendment moved by Mr Burke, at proposed paragraph (d), the words – “significant” and “GST revenues and”.

        Debate ensued.
        Question – That the amendment moved by Mr Henderson to the amendment to the amendment as moved by Mr Burke, be agreed to – put and passed.

        Question – That the amendment to the amendment of Mr Henderson as moved by Mr Burke, as amended, be agreed to – put and passed.

        Question – That the amendment moved by Mr Henderson, as amended, to the question - That the Assembly take note of the Statement, be agreed to – put.
        Debate ensued.
        Question – put and passed.

        Question – That the main motion, as amended, be agreed to – put.
        Debate ensued.
        Question – put and passed.

    11. ADJOURNMENT:
        The Minister for Transport and Infrastructure (Dr Burns) moved – That the Assembly do now adjourn.
        Debate ensued.
        Question – put and passed.
        And the Assembly adjourned at 7.27pm on Wednesday 25 August 2004 until Thursday 26 August 2004 at 10am.
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        PAPERS:
        There were no Papers deemed to have been presented on Wednesday 25 August 2004 –
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        ATTENDANCE:
        All Members attended the sitting.
    Last updated: 04 Aug 2016