Department of the Legislative Assembly, Northern Territory Government

Minutes of Proceedings - 2002-08-22

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

2. PRAYERS.

3. MINISTERIAL REPORTS:
      Seniors Advisory Council: The Chief Minister (Ms Martin) made a report relating to the creation of an advisory group to advise government on matters affecting senior Territorians.
      Mr Dunham responded thereto.
      Ms Martin responded accordingly.

      Northern Territory Expo 2002: The Minister for Business, Industry and Resource Development (Mr Henderson) made a report on the conduct and outcomes of the Northern Territory Expo.
      Mr Maley responded thereto.
      Mr Henderson responded accordingly.

      Sport and Recreation Funding: The Minister for Sport and Recreation (Mr Ah Kit) made a report on there continuing funding arrangements for sport and recreation following the abolition of the lotteries fund which previously funded these programs.
      Mr Mills responded thereto.
      Mr Ah Kit responded accordingly.

      Casuarina Coastal Reserve Management Plan: The Member for Macdonnell (Mr Elferink), by leave, responded to the Ministerial Report given on this matter earlier this week.
      Ministerial Reports noted, pursuant to Sessional Order.

4. VISITORS:
      The Speaker advised members of the presence in the public galleries of the Chief Minister’s mother, Mrs Bernice Martin her brother, Mr Mark Martin.
      On behalf of all Members the Speaker extended a warm welcome.
5. COMMUNITY WELFARE AMENDMENT BILL 2002 (Serial 96):
      The Minister for Health and Community Services (Mrs Aagaard), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the Community Welfare Act.
      Bill read a first time.
      Mrs Aagaard 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. CRIMES (VICTIMS ASSISTANCE) AMENDMENT BILL 2002 (Serial 95):
      The Minister for Justice and Attorney-General (Dr Toyne), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the Crimes (Victims Assistance) Act.
      Bill read a first time.
      Dr Toyne moved – That the Bill be now read a second time.
      Debate ensued.
      On the motion of the Member for Goyder (Mr Maley) debate was adjourned.
7. NEXT MEETING:
      The Leader of Government Business (Mr Stirling) moved - That the Assembly at its rising on Thursday 22 August 2002 adjourn until Tuesday 17th September 2002 at 9am or such other time and/or date as may be set by Madam Speaker, pursuant to Sessional Order.
      Question – put and passed.
8. APPROPRIATION BILL 2002/2003 (Serial 89):
      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.
      Debate suspended.
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      Suspension of sittings: The sittings of the Assembly was suspended between 11.56am and 2pm.
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9. QUESTIONS:
      2pm Mr Burke to Dr Toyne.
      2.06pm Mr Kiely to Ms Martin.
      2.10pm Mr Mills to Ms Martin.
      2.16pm Dr Burns to Ms Martin.
      2.22pm Mr Wood to Mr Vatskalis.
      2.25pm Mr Mills to Ms Martin.
      2.27pm Ms Lawrie to Dr Toyne.
      2.30pm Mr Maley to Mr Henderson.
      2.33pm Ms Scrymgour to Mrs Aagaard.
      2.38pm Mr Wood to Ms Martin.
      2.40pm Mr Reed to Ms Martin.
      Paper tabled: The Member for Katherine (Mr Reed), by leave, laid on the Table the following Paper –
OUTLAYS/Operating Expenses, 2001/2002 (Paper 512).

      2.43pm Mr Bonson to Mr Vatskalis.
      2.44pm Mr Burke to Mr Stirling.
      Paper tabled: The Member for Brennan (Mr Burke), by leave, laid on the Table the following Paper –
Media Release – Northern Territory Fails its Government Schools, dated 22 August 2002 by Minister for Education, Science and Training, Hon Dr Brendan Nelson MP (Paper 512).

      2.49pm Dr Burns to Mr Ah Kit.
      2.53pm Mr Maley to Mr Henderson.
      2.54pm Mr McAdam to Mr Vatskalis.
      2.57pm Mr Burke to Mr Stirling.

      Additional answer: The Minister for Employment, Education and Training (Mr Stirling) provided an answer to a question asked earlier this day relating to teacher numbers in schools.

      The Leader of Government Business (Mr Stirling) asked that further questions be placed on the Question Paper.
10. REMUNERATION TRIBUNAL REPORT AND DETERMINATION NO. 1 OF 2002 – MINISTERS AND MEMBERS OF THE NORTHERN TERRITORY LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY – PAPER TABLED – PAPER PRINTED - MOTION TO NOTE PAPER:
      The Chief Minister (Ms Martin) laid on the Table the Remuneration Tribunal Report and Determination No. 1 of 2002 – Ministers and Members of the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly. (Paper 514)
      Ms Martin moved – That the Report be printed.
      Question – put and passed.
      Ms Martin moved – That the Assembly take note of the Report.
      Debate ensued.
      Ordered – That the Chief Minister (Ms Martin) have leave to continue her remarks at a later hour.
      Debate adjourned.
11. NITMILUK NATIONAL PARK PLAN OF MANAGEMENT, DATED AUGUST 2002; and NITMILUK NATIONAL PARK SUMMARY OF PUBLIC REPRESENTATIONS 2002 – PAPERS TABLED – MOTION TO NOTE PAPERS:
      The Minister for Parks and Wildlife (Mr Vatskalis) laid on the Table the Nitmiluk National Park Plan of Management, dated August 2002 (Paper 515); and Nitmiluk National Park Summary of Public Representations 2002. (Papers 516).
      Mr Vatskalis moved – That the Assembly take note of the Papers.
      Ordered – That the Minister for Parks and Wildlife (Mr Vatskalis) have leave to continue his remarks at a later hour.
      Debate adjourned.
12. PERSONAL EXPLANATION:
      The Minister for Employment, Education and Training (Mr Stirling) correcting some comments he made during his speech to the Budget 2002/2003 delivered on Wednesday 21 August 2002.
13. APPROPRIATION BILL 2002/2003 (Serial 89):
      The Order of the Day having been read for resumption of debate, suspended earlier this day, on the question - That the Bill be now read a second time -
      Debate ensued.
      Paper tabled: The Member for Katherine (Mr Reed), by leave, laid on the Table the following Papers -
Electricity, Water and Sewerage charges page 110 (2002/2003) and page 152 (1999/00), extracts of Budget Paper No. 6, Issues in Public Finance (Paper 517).

      Debate continued.
      Extension of time: On the motion of the Minister for Health and Community Services (Mrs Aagaard) the Member for Millner (Mr Bonson) was granted and extension of time.
      Debate continued.
      Extension of time: On the motion of the Member for Port Darwin (Ms Carter) the member for Drysdale (Mr Dunham) was granted an extension of time.
      Debate continued.
      Member be no longer heard: The Minister for Business, Industry and Resource Development (Mr Henderson) moved – That the Member for Drysdale (Mr Dunham) be no longer heard, pursuant to Standing Order 70.
      Question - put.
      The Assembly divided (the Deputy Speaker, Mr G. V. Wood, in the Chair) -

      AYES, 13 NOES, 9

      Mrs Aagaard Mr Baldwin
      Mr Ah Kit Mr Burke
      Mr Bonson Ms Carney
      Dr Burns Ms Carter
      Mr Henderson Mr Dunham
      Mr Kiely Mr Elferink
      Ms Lawrie Dr Lim
      Ms Martin Mr Mills
      Mr McAdam Mr Reed
      Ms Scrymgour
      Mr Stirling
      Dr Toyne
      Mr Vatskalis

      And so it was resolved in the affirmative.
      The Member for Drysdale (Mr Dunham) was thereupon denied continuance of his debate.
      Debate continued.
      On the motion of the Member for Barkly (Mr McAdam) debate was adjourned.
14. STANDING COMMITTEE ON LEGAL AND CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS - INFORMATION PAPER NO. 1 – NORTHERN TERRITORY CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND STATEHOOD, A CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS; and DISCUSSION PAPER NO. 1 – NORTHERN TERRITORY INDIGENOUS AFFAIRS, AN EXAMINATION OF STRUCTURAL RELATIONSHIPS IN INDIGENOUS AFFAIRS AND INDIGENOUS GOVERNANCE WITHIN THE NORTHERN TERRITORY; and ANNUAL REPORT 1 JULY 2001 TO 30 JUNE 2002 – PAPERS TABLED – PAPERS PRINTED - MOTION TO NOTE PAPERS:
      The Chairman of the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee (Ms Scrymgour) laid on the Table the following Papers -
Information Paper No. 1 – Northern Territory Constitutional Development and Statehood, A Chronology of Events
(Paper 519);
Discussion Paper No. 1 – Northern Territory Indigenous Affairs, An Examination of Structural Relationships in Indigenous Affairs and Indigenous Governance Within the Northern Territory (Paper 520); and
Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee, Annual Report 1 July 2001 to 30 June 2002 (Paper 518).
      Ms Scrymgour moved – That the Reports be Printed.
      Question – put and passed.
      Mrs Scrymgour moved – That the Assembly take note of the Reports.
      Debate ensued.
      Ordered –That the Member for Arafura (Ms Scrymgour) have leave to continue her remarks at a later hour.
      Debate adjourned.
15. ADJOURNMENT:
      The Chief Minister (Ms Martin) moved – That the Assembly do now adjourn.
      Debate ensued.
      Question – put and passed.
      And the Assembly adjourned at 10pm adjourn until Tuesday 17th September 2002 at 9am or such other time and/or date as may be set by Madam Speaker, pursuant to Sessional Order.
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      ATTENDANCE:
      All Members attended the sittings.
      Ian McNeill
      Clerk of the Legislative Assembly
Last updated: 04 Aug 2016