Department of the Legislative Assembly, Northern Territory Government

Minutes of Proceedings - 2004-06-16

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

2. PRAYERS.

3. PETITIONS:
      The Member for Drysdale (Mr Dunham) presented petition No. 59 from 244 petitioners requesting the Northern Territory Government persuade Great Southern Railway to rename the Steve Irwin locomotive. (Paper 1330)
      Petition read.

4. MINISTERIAL REPORTS:
      Remote Area Workers Scholarships and Conditions: The Minister for Employment, Education and Training (Mr Stirling) reported on the government ‘s Remote Workforce Development Strategy including workers scholarships program 2004 and initiatives to improve living conditions.
      Dr Lim responded thereto.
      Mr Stirling responded accordingly.

      Trade Support Scheme: The Minister for Business and Industry (Mr Henderson) reported on the opportunities being developed to improve trade opportunities for Territory businesses through the conduct of trade expositions and encouragement of visiting trade delegations.
      Mr Mills responded thereto.
      Mr Henderson responded accordingly.

      Greek Glenti 2004 and Multicultural Events: The Minister for Ethnic Affairs (Mr Vatskalis) reported on the conduct of the Glenti festival by Darwin’s Greek community on the Esplanade, 12 to 13 June 2004.
      Dr Lim responded thereto.
      Mr Vatskalis responded accordingly.

      Barunga Festival 2004: The Minister for Family and Community (Ms Scrymgour) reported on the conduct of the 19th Barunga Festival 2004 during the weekend of 12 to 14 June 2004.
      Ms Carter responded thereto.
      Mr Wood responded thereto.
      Ms Scrymgour responded accordingly.

      Ministerial Reports noted, pursuant to Sessional Order.
5. CORONERS AMENDMENT BILL 2004 (Serial 235):
      The Minister for Justice and Attorney-General (Dr Toyne), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the Coroners 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 Araluen (Ms Carney) debate was adjourned.
6. STATUTE LAW REVISION BILL 2004 (Serial 238):
      The Minister for Justice and Attorney-General (Dr Toyne), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to revise and correct the law of the Territory in minor respects.
      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 Araluen (Ms Carney) debate was adjourned.

7. 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.
      Debate suspended.
      ________________
      Suspension of sittings: The sittings of the Assembly was suspended between 12.09 pm and 2.15 pm.
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8. NOTICES:
      The following notices were given -
      Mr Stirling: To move – That so much of Standing Orders be suspended as would prevent the Northern Territory Employment and Training Amendment Bill 2004 (Serial 220), passing through all stages at this sittings.

      Mr Stirling: To move, on Thursday 17 June 2004 - That so much of Standing Orders be suspended as would prevent 3 Bills, namely –
                  Soccer Football Pools Amendment Bill (Serial 223), Gaming Control Amendment Bill 2004 (Serial 224) and Gaming Machine Amendment Bill 2004 (Serial 225), passing through all stages at this sittings.

      Mr Stirling: To present the Teacher Registration (Northern Territory) Bill 2004 (Serial 239).

      Mr Henderson: To move – That the Routine of Business for Friday 25 June 2004 be as follows:
                  Prayers; Petitions; giving of Notices; Government Business, Notices and Orders of the Day; report of the Estimates Committee consideration of the Appropriation Bill 2004/2005 (Serial 234) and Government Owned Corporations Scrutiny Committee, pursuant to resolution of the Assembly, dated 18 May 2004; and Adjournment.

      Mr Henderson: To Move - That the Assembly at its rising adjourn until 1 pm on Friday 25 June 2004, or such other time as notified by the Speaker, with one hour’s notice being given to Government and Opposition Whips, and Members by the Speaker, or such other time and/or date as may be advised by the Speaker pursuant to Sessional Order.

      Mr Henderson: To move – That so much of Standing Orders be suspended as would prevent the Appropriation Bill 2004/2005 (Serial 234), passing through all stages at this sittings.
9. QUESTIONS:
      2.16 pm Mr Mills to Ms Martin.
      2.18 pm Ms Lawrie to Mr Ah Kit.
      2.22 pm Ms Carter to Dr Toyne.
      2.26 pm Ms Lawrie to Mr Stirling.
      2.34 pm Ms Carter to Dr Toyne.
      Paper tabled: The Minister for Health (Dr Toyne) laid on the Table the following Paper –
Planning for the implementation strategy for the Bansemer Review (Paper 1331).

      2.35 pm Mr Kiely to Ms Martin.
      2.41 pm Mr Wood to Mr Stirling.
      2.43 pm Mr Elferink to Mr Stirling.
      2.45 pm Mrs Aagaard to Mr Stirling.
      2.48 pm Mr Mills to Ms Martin.
      2.54 pm Mr Bonson to Mr Stirling.
      2.56 pm Mr Mills to Ms Martin.

      The Leader of the Opposition (Mr Mills) in moving a motion to censure the Chief Minister (Ms Martin) and Minister for Health (Dr Toyne) -
      The Leader of Government Business (Mr Henderson) informed the Assembly that the Government accepted the motion as a censure motion, pursuant to Standing Order 95.

      The Leader of Government Business (Mr Henderson) asked that further questions be placed on the Written Question Paper.
10. CENSURE OF CHIEF MINISTER AND HER GOVERNMENT – RE PROCUREMENT CONTRACTS – MOTION NEGATIVED:
      The Leader of the Opposition (Mr Mills) thereupon moved – That the Assembly censure the Chief Minister and her Government for:

      (a) failing to respond to clear excesses by the CEO of Health who issued contracts, without following normal procurement guidelines, to Metis Consulting which is headed by a personal friend and colleague of the CEO;

      (b) allowing the procurement process to be undermined by that CEO so as to cause a loss of faith by Territorians in the integrity of the procurement process;

      (c) covering for the CEO in a way which is clearly meant to prevent further investigation and scrutiny of the contracts awarded; and

      (d) lying to Territorians about the results of a report investigating the arrangements between the CEO and Metis Consulting. (Paper 1332)

      Debate ensued.
      Paper tabled: The Chief Minister (Ms Martin) laid on the Table the following Paper –
Certificate of Exemption from Public Tenders, requirements $100,000 to $250,00, Metis consulting Pty Ltd, dated 5 August 2003, Page 2 (Paper 1333).

      Debate continued.
      Paper tabled: The Member for Macdonnell (Mr Elferink), by leave, laid on the Table the following Paper -
Article, The Mail Archive, leftlink from Paul Canning, dated 10 November 1998 (Paper 1334).

      Debate continued.
      Question - That the motion be agreed to - put.
      The Assembly divided (the Speaker, Hon. L. M. Braham, in the Chair) -

      AYES, 10 NOES, 13

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

      Motion negatived accordingly.
11. APPROPRIATION BILL 2004/2005 (Serial 234):
      The Order of the Day having been read for the resumption of debate, suspended earlier this day, on the question – That the Bill be now read a second time -
      Debate resumed.
      Extension of time: On the motion of the Member for Daly (Mr Baldwin) the Member for Drysdale (Mr Dunham) was granted an extension of time, pursuant to Standing Order 77.
      Debate continued.
      On the motion of the Minister for Mines and Energy (Mr Vatskalis) debate was adjourned.
12. HOMENORTH HOUSING SCHEME, LOAN ASSISTANCE – MINISTERIAL STATEMENT – STATEMENT NOTED:
      The Minister for Housing (Mr Ah Kit) made a statement relating to changes and increases to the threshold for loans under the HomeNorth Housing Assistance Scheme.
      Mr Ah Kit moved – That the Assembly take note of the Statement.
      Debate ensued.
      ______________
      Visitors: The Speaker acknowledged the presence in the public galleries of students from Warrego School and their teacher Mr Colin Baker.
      ______________
      Debate continued.
      Question – put and passed.
13. ADJOURNMENT:
      The Minister for Mines and Energy (Mr Vatskalis) moved – That the Assembly do now adjourn.
      Debate ensued.
      Question – put and passed.
      And the Assembly adjourned at 10 pm on Wednesday 16 June 2004 until tomorrow at 10 am.
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      PAPERS:
      The following Paper was deemed to have been presented on Wednesday 16 June 2004 –

      Annual Report
      Surveillance Devices Act 2002/2003 (Paper 1335)
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      ATTENDANCE:
      All Members attended the sitting.
Last updated: 04 Aug 2016