Department of the Legislative Assembly, Northern Territory Government

Minutes of Proceedings - 2002-08-21

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

2. PRAYERS.

3. VISITORS:
      The Speaker advised Members of the presence in the public galleries of students from the Northern Territory University Faculty of Science, Information Technology and Education.
      On behalf of all members the Speaker extended a warm welcome to the visitors.

4. BROADCAST OF OPPOSITION BUDGET RESPONSE:
      The Speaker advised Members that her permission had been given for:
Various media to broadcast live or rebroadcast, with sound and vision, the Opposition’s Budget reply;
8 TOP FM Radio to broadcast live the Opposition’s Budget reply; and
the Northern Territory News to take still photographs.
    5. BROADCASTING OF EXCERPTS OF PARLIAMENTARY PROCEEDINGS, SPEAKER’S DETERMINATIONS NOS. 7 and 8 – PAPERS TABLED:
        The Speaker laid on the Table the following Papers –
    Speaker’s Determination No. 7 of 2002 relating to Broadcasting of parliamentary proceedings at Question Time and Additional Answers given following Question Time (Paper 505); and
    Speaker’s Determination No. 8 of 2002 relating to Broadcasting of parliamentary proceedings through the government Intranet and broadcast network (Paper 506).

    6. BROADCASTING OF EXCERPTS OF PARLIAMENTARY PROCEEDINGS – RECISION OF ASSEMBLY RESOLUTIONS – MOTION AGREED TO:
        The Leader of Government Business (Mr Stirling) moved - That this Assembly rescind the resolutions relating to broadcasting of Assembly proceedings –
      Dated 12 November 1985;
      Dated 26 November 1997; and
      Dated 11 October 1983; and
      The resolution of the Assembly relating to broadcasting to offices in Darwin, dated 26 February 1985.
          Debate ensued.
          Question – put and passed.

      7. ORDER OF BUSINESS, MOTION AGREED TO:
          The Leader of Government Business (Mr Stirling) moved – That the Routine of Business be re-arranged so as to permit –

          1. the consideration of Routine Business – Ministerial Statements, directly following the Routine of Business, Ministerial Reports; and

          2. the Opposition response to the Budget 2002/2003 be taken at 11am.
          Debate ensued.
          Question – put and passed.
      8. MINISTERIAL REPORTS:
          Recreational Fishing Facilities: The Minister for Primary Industry and Fisheries (Mr Henderson) reported on proposed improvements to be made to the infrastructure for recreational fishing, including upgrading of Dinah Beach boat ramp and increased security for parking areas at Buffalo Creek.
          Mr Baldwin responded thereto.
          Mr Henderson responded accordingly.

          Sporting Facilities Upgrading: The Minister for Sport and Recreation (Mr Ah Kit) made a report on the upgrading of various sporting facilities including, resurfacing of Football Park, funding for a new wet surface hockey field in Alice Springs and airconditioning of the basketball stadium at Marrara.
          Mr Mills responded thereto.
          Mr Ah Kit responded accordingly.

          Cultural Linguistic Awards, 2002/2003: The Minister for Ethnic Affairs (Mr Vatskalis) made a report on the conduct of the linguistic awards program and funding for 2001 and 2002/2003.
          Dr Lim responded thereto.
          Mr Vatskalis responded accordingly.

          Reports noted, pursuant to Sessional Order.
      9. CRIME PREVENTION INITIATIVES - MINISTERIAL STATEMENT – MOTION TO NOTE STATEMENT:
          The Minister for Justice and Attorney-General (Dr Toyne) made a statement relating to the crime prevention program initiatives under Labor’s Six Point Plan policy statement, Crime – Protection, Punishment and Prevention (Paper 511).
          Dr Toyne moved – That the Assembly take note of the Statement.
          Debate ensued.
          Debate suspended at 11am pursuant to resolution of the Assembly passed earlier this day.

      10. 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 -
          The Leader of the Opposition (Mr Burke) responded to the Budget 2002/2003.
          Debate ensued.
          On the motion of the Minister for Employment, Education and Training (Mr Stirling) debate was adjourned.

      11. CRIME PREVENTION INITIATIVES - MINISTERIAL STATEMENT – MOTION TO NOTE STATEMENT:
          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 ensued.
          On the motion of the Member for Barkly (Mr McAdam) debate was adjourned.
      ––––––––––––––––
          Suspension of sittings: The sittings of the Assembly was suspended between 11.57am and 2pm.
      ––––––––––––––––

      12. NOTICES:
          Dr Toyne: To present the Crimes (Victims Assistance) Amendment Bill 2002 (Serial 95).
          Mrs Aagaard: To present the Community Welfare Amendment Bill 2002 (Serial 96).
          Mr Elferink: To move - That, on the next General Business Day, I will move - That the Assembly take note of the Casuarina Coastal Reserve Management Plan tabled on 14 August 2002.
          Mr Stirling: To move – 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.

      13. QUESTIONS:
          2pm Mr Burke to Ms Martin.
          2.05pm Ms Lawrie to Ms Martin.
          2.10pm Ms Carney to Mr Henderson.
          2.13pm Mr Kiely to Ms Martin.
          Paper tabled: The Chief Minister (Ms Martin) laid on the Table the following Paper -
      Graph, General Government Comparison of November 2001 and August 2002 Estimates for years 2001/02 to 2005/06 (Paper 508).

          2.19pm Mr Wood to Ms Martin.
          2.23pm Mr Reed to Mr Henderson.
          2.31pm Dr Burns to Mrs Aagaard.
          2.34pm Mr Dunham to Mrs Aagaard.
          2.36pm Ms Scrymgour to Mr Vatskalis.
          2.39pm Mr Reed to Ms Martin.
          Paper tabled: The Member for Katherine (Mr Reed), by leave, laid on the Table the following Paper –
      Advertising rates, The Daily Telegraph, Display advertisement rates 2002 (Paper 509).
          2.44pm Mr Wood to Ms Martin.
          Paper tabled: The Member for Goyder (Mr Wood), by leave, laid on the Table the following Paper –
      Good Government manifesto by Territory Labor (Paper 510).

          2.46pm Mr Bonson to Mr Stirling.
          2.51pm Mr Mills to Mr Stirling.
          2.52pm Mr Kiely to Mr Vatskalis.
          2.53pm Mr Mills to Mr Stirling.
          2.54pm Mr McAdam to Dr Toyne.

          The Leader of Government Business (Mr Stirling) asked that further questions be placed on the Question Paper.
      14. TAXATION (ADMINISTRATION) AMENDMENT BILL 2002 (Serial 90); STAMP DUTY AMENDMENT BILL (No. 2) 2002 (Serial 91); DEBITS TAX AMENDMENT BILL 2002 (Serial 92); MINERAL ROYALTY AMENDMENT BILL 2002 (Serial 93); and PAY-ROLL TAX AMENDMENT BILL (No. 2) 2002 (Serial 94):
          Suspension of Standing Orders: The Chief Minister (Ms Martin) moved – That so much of the Standing Orders be suspended as would prevent 5 Bills entitled, Taxation (Administration) Amendment Bill 2002 (Serial 90); Stamp Duty Amendment Bill (No. 2) 2002 (Serial 91); Debits Tax Amendment Bill 2002 (Serial 92); Mineral Royalty Amendment Bill 2002 (Serial 93); and Pay-roll Tax Amendment Bill (No. 2) 2002 (Serial 94) -
          (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.

          Debate ensued.
          Question – put and passed – there being an absolute majority of the whole number of members present and no dissentient voice.

          The Chief Minister (Ms Martin), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the Taxation (Administration) Act; a Bill for an to amend the Stamp Duty Act; a Bill for an Act to amend the Debits Tax Act; a Bill for an Act to amend the Mineral Royalty Act; and a Bill for an Act to amend the Pay-roll Tax Act.
          Bills read a first time.
          Ms Martin moved – That the Bills be now read a second time.
          Debate ensued.
          On the motion of the Member for Katherine (Mr Reed) debate was adjourned.
      15. 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.
          Quorum: The Member for Greatorex (Dr Lim) drew the Speaker’s attention to the lack of a quorum in the Assembly.
          A quorum having been obtained -
          Debate continued.
          On the motion of the Member for Barkly (Mr McAdam) debate was adjourned.

      16. ADJOURNMENT:
          The Minister for Transport and Infrastructure (Mr Vatskalis) moved – That the Assembly do now adjourn.
          Debate ensued.
          Question – put and passed.
          And the Assembly adjourned at 20.30pm until Thursday 22 August 2002 at 10am.
          -------------
          ATTENDANCE:
          All Members attended the sittings.
      Last updated: 04 Aug 2016