Department of the Legislative Assembly, Northern Territory Government

Minutes of Proceedings - 2004-05-20

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

2. PRAYERS.

3. MINISTERIAL REPORTS:
Katherine Harmony Projects: The Minister for Community Development (Mr Ah Kit) reported on the projects being implemented by the Katherine Regional Harmony Group.
Mrs Miller responded thereto.
Mr Ah Kit responded accordingly.

Horticulture Industry Development: The Minister for Primary Industry and Fisheries (Mr Vatskalis) reported on the state of the Territory Horticultural Industry and future growth opportunities.
Mr Baldwin responded thereto.
Mr Vatskalis responded accordingly.

Bus Fleet Modernisation: The Minister for Transport and Infrastructure (Dr Burns) reported on the upgrading of the Territory Bus Fleet with airconditioning and security cameras.
Mr Burke responded thereto.
Mr Wood responded thereto.
Dr Burns responded accordingly.

Barra National Classic: The Minister for Primary Industry and Fisheries (Mr Vatskalis) reported on the Barra National Classic fishing competition.
Mr Baldwin responded thereto.

Ministerial Reports noted, pursuant to Sessional Order.

4. DEBITS TAX AMENDMENT BILL 2004 (Serial 226), MINERAL ROYALTY AMENDMENT BILL 2004 (Serial 227), PAY-ROLL TAX AMENDMENT BILL 2004 (Serial 228), STAMP DUTY AMENDMENT BILL (NO. 2) 2004 (Serial 229) and TAXATION (ADMINISTRATION) AMENDMENT BILL 2004 (Serial 230):
Suspension of Standing Orders – Take five Bills together: The Treasurer (Mr Stirling) moved - That so much of the Standing Orders be suspended as would prevent Bills entitled –

Debits Tax Amendment Bill 2004 (Serial 226), Mineral Royalty Amendment Bill 2004 (Serial 227), Pay-roll Tax Amendment Bill 2004 (Serial 228), Stamp Duty Amendment Bill (No. 2) 2004 (Serial 229) and Taxation (Administration) Amendment Bill 2004 (Serial 230) –

(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.
The Treasurer (Mr Stirling), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the Debits Tax Act; a Bill for an Act to amend the Mineral Royalty Act; a Bill for an Act to amend the Pay-roll Tax Act; a Bill for an Act to amend the Stamp Duty Act; and a Bill for an Act to amend the Taxation (Administration) Act.
Bills read a first time.
Mr Stirling moved – That the Bills be now read a second time.
Debate ensued.
On the motion of the Member for Blain (Mr Mills) debate was adjourned.

5. PETROLEUM AMENDMENT BILL 2004 (Serial 233):
The Minister for Mines and Energy (Mr Vatskalis), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the Petroleum Act.
Bill read a first time.
Mr Vatskalis moved – That the Bill be now read a second time.
Debate ensued.
On the motion of the Member for Drysdale (Mr Dunham) debate was adjourned.

6. PARKS AND WILDLIFE COMMISSION AMENDMENT BILL 2004 (Serial 222):
The Minister for Parks and Wildlife (Dr Burns), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the Parks and Wildlife Commission Act.
Bill read a first time.
Dr Burns moved – That the Bill be now read a second time.
Debate ensued.
On the motion of the Member for Daly (Mr Baldwin) debate was adjourned.

7. PUBLICATIONS (LEGAL DEPOSIT) BILL 2004 (Serial 221):
The Minister for Local Government (Mr Ah Kit), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to provide for the deposit with the Territory of a copy of publications published in the Territory.
Bill read a first time.
Mr Ah Kit moved – That the Bill be now read a second time.
Debate ensued.
On the motion of the Member for Greatorex (Dr Lim) debate was adjourned.

8. NORTHERN TERRITORY EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING AMENDMENT BILL 2004 (Serial 220):
The Minister for Employment, Education and Training (Mr Stirling), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the Northern Territory Employment and Training Act.
Bill read a first time.
Mr Stirling moved – That the Bill be now read a second time.
Debate ensued.
On the motion of the Member for Greatorex (Dr Lim) debate was adjourned.

9. SOCCER FOOTBALL POOLS AMENDMENT BILL 2004 (Serial 223), GAMING CONTROL AMENDMENT BILL 2004 (Serial 224) and GAMING MACHINE AMENDMENT BILL 2004 (Serial 225):
Suspension of Standing Orders – Take three Bills together: The Treasurer (Mr Stirling), pursuant to notice, moved - That so much of the Standing Orders be suspended as would prevent Bills entitled –

Soccer Football Pools Amendment Bill 2004 (Serial 223), Gaming Control Amendment Bill 2004 (Serial 224) and Gaming Machine Amendment Bill 2004 (Serial 225)

(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.
The Treasurer (Mr Stirling), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the Soccer Football Pools Act, a Bill for an Act to amend the Gaming Control Act, and a Bill for an Act to amend the Gaming Machine Act.
Bills read a first time.
Mr Stirling moved – That the Bills be now read a second time.
Debate ensued.
On the motion of the Member for Greatorex (Dr Lim) debate was adjourned.

10. ORDER OF BUSINESS:
The Leader of Government Business (Mr Henderson) moved – That Government Business, Orders of the Day No. 2, relating to consideration of Uncollected Goods Bill 2004 (Serial 217) be called on forthwith.
Question – put and passed.

11. UNCOLLECTED GOODS BILL 2004 (Serial 217) and UNCOLLECTED GOODS (CONSEQUENTIAL AMENDMENTS) BILL 2004 (Serial 218):
The Order of the Day having been read for the resumption of debate on the question – That the Bills be now read a second time –
Debate resumed.
Debate suspended.
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Suspension of sittings: The sittings of the Assembly was suspended between 11.59 am and 2 pm.
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12. QUESTIONS:
2.01pm Ms Carter to Dr Toyne.
Paper tabled: The Member for Port Darwin (Ms Carter), by leave, laid on the Table the following Paper -
Message from CEO, Mr Robert Griew, Department of Health and Community Services – BUDGET 2004/2005 to Managers (Paper 1310).

Visitors: The Speaker advised Members of the presence in the public galleries of Adelaide River Primary School students and extended to them a warm welcome to the students.

2.05pm Mr Bonson to Mr Stirling.
2.10pm Dr Lim to Mr Stirling.
2.15pm Ms Lawrie to Mr Vatskalis.
2.20pm Dr Lim to Mr Stirling.
2.26pm Mr Kiely to Mr Henderson.
2.33pm Mr Wood to Dr Toyne.
2.37pm Mr Elferink to Mr Henderson.
2.37pm Mr McAdam to Ms Scrymgour.
2.44pm Mr Elferink to Mr Henderson.
2.49pm Ms Lawrie to Mr Vatskalis.
2.53pm Mr Wood to Mr Stirling.
2.55pm Mr Elferink to Dr Toyne.
2.58pm Mrs Aagaard to Mr Ah Kit.

Answer to questions: Mr Henderson provided further information in regard to a question asked by Mr Elferink earlier this day.
Paper tabled: The Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services (Mr Henderson) laid on the Table the following Paper –
Certificate of Exemption – Assessment of NT Fire and Rescue Services by Commissioner of Police Mr Paul White, dated 5 August 2003 (Paper 1312).

Paper tabled: The Member for Macdonnell (Mr Elferink), by leave, laid on the Table the following Paper –
Northern Territory Government Gazette G 13, page 12, dated 31 March 2004 re Metis Consulting Pty Ltd (Paper 1311).

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

13. UNCOLLECTED GOODS BILL 2004 (Serial 217) and UNCOLLECTED GOODS (CONSEQUENTIAL AMENDMENTS) BILL 2004 (Serial 218):
The Order of the Day having been read for the resumption of debate, suspended earlier this day, on the question – That the Bills be now read a second time –
Debate resumed.
Question – put and passed.
Bills read a second time.
The Assembly resolved itself into Committee of the Whole for consideration of the Bills.
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In Committee
(Chairman Mr Wood)

Uncollected Goods Bill 2004 (Serial 217):

Clauses 1 to 8, by leave, taken together and agreed to.
Clause 9 read.
On the motion of the Minister for Justice and Attorney-General (Dr Toyne) the following amendments were agreed to, after debate -

Omit paragraph (g).
Insert at the end –

“(2) This Act is in addition to and does not limit the disposal of goods that may be disposed of under the Warehousemen’s Liens Act”.

Clause 9, as amended, agreed to.
Remainder of the Bill, by leave, taken as a whole and agreed to.
Bill to be reported with amendments.

Uncollected Goods (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2004 (Serial 218):

Bill, by leave, taken as a whole and agreed to.
Bill to be reported without amendment.
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The Assembly resumed and the Acting Deputy Speaker (Ms Lawrie) took the Chair; the Chairman (Mr Wood) reported that the Committee had considered the Bills and agreed to the –
Uncollected Goods Bill 2004 (Serial 217), with amendments and
Uncollected Goods (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2004 (Serial 218), without amendment.

The Minister for Justice and Attorney-General (Dr Toyne) moved – That the Bills be now read a third time.
Debate ensued.
Question – put and passed.
The Bills were read a third time and passed to be proposed laws.

14. HIGHER EDUCATION BILL 2004 (Serial 215):
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 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 Employment, Education and Training (Mr Stirling) the Bill was read a third time and passed to be a proposed law.

15. STATEMENT OF CORPORATE INTENT 2004/2005 FOR POWERWATER – PAPERS TABLED – MOTION, TO REFER PAPER TO GOVERNMENT OWNED CORPORATIONS SCRUTINY COMMITTEE – MOTION AGREED TO:
The Treasurer (Mr Stirling) laid on the Table a Statement of Corporate Intent 2004/2005 for PowerWater (Paper 1309).
Mr Stirling made a statement relating thereto.
Mr Stirling moved – That pursuant to paragraph 1 of the Order of the Assembly dated 18 May 2004 establishing the Government Owned Corporations Scrutiny Committee that the Statement of Corporate Intent 2004/2005 for PowerWater be referred to that Committee for examination and report.
Question – put and passed.

16. APPROPRIATION BILL 2004/2005 (Serial 234):
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 resumed.
Paper tabled: The Member for Port Darwin (Ms Carter), by leave, laid on the Table the following Paper -
New Initiatives in 2004 (Paper 1313).

Debate continued.
On the motion of the Treasurer (Mr Stirling) debate was adjourned.

17. NEXT MEETING:
The Leader of Government Business (Mr Henderson) moved – That the Assembly at its rising adjourn until Tuesday 15 June 2004 at 10 am or such other time and/or date as may be set by the Speaker, pursuant to Sessional Order.
Question – put and passed.

18. ADJOURNMENT:
The Leader of Government Business (Mr Henderson) moved – That the Assembly do now adjourn.
Debate ensued.
Question – put and passed.
And the Assembly adjourned at 8.58 pm until 10 am on Tuesday 15 June 2004 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 Paper was deemed to have been presented on Thursday 20 May 2004 –

Annual Report:
National Trust of Australia (Northern Territory) 2002/2003 (Paper 1308)
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ATTENDANCE:
All Members attended the sitting.

Ian McNeill
Clerk of the Legislative Assembly, except Ms Martin on leave until Adjournment.
Last updated: 04 Aug 2016