Department of the Legislative Assembly, Northern Territory Government
Department of the Legislative Assembly, Northern Territory Government

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Minutes of Proceedings - 2004-06-15

1. MEETING:
The Assembly met at 10 am, pursuant to resolution of the Assembly, dated Thursday 20 May 2004. The Speaker, the Honourable L. M. Braham, took the Chair.

2. PRAYERS.

3. MESSAGE FROM ADMINISTRATOR:
      The Speaker laid on the Table the following Message from the Administrator -
      MESSAGE No. 22
      Assent to Proposed Laws

      I, EDWARD JOSEPH EGAN, AO the Administrator of the Northern Territory of Australia, advise the Legislative Assembly of, pursuant to section 7 of the Northern Territory (Self-Government Act) 1978 of the Commonwealth, the assent to the following proposed laws:

      4 June 2004
      Traffic Amendment Act 2004 (No. 30 of 2004)
      Higher Education Act 2004 (No. 31 of 2004)
      Fisheries Amendment Act 2004 (No. 32 of 2004)
      Uncollected Goods Act 2004 (No. 33 of 2004)
      Uncollected Goods (Consequential Amendments) Act 2004 (No. 34 of 2004)
      Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals (Control of Use) Act 2004 (No. 35 of 2004)
        Dated 11th June 2004.

        Administrator
        E J Egan
        (Paper 1314)
    4. MINISTERIAL REPORTS:
        AustralAsia Trade Route - Joint Trade Mission to North Asia 2004: The Chief Minister (Ms Martin) reported on a Joint Trade Mission during 10 April to 21 April 2004, to Hong Kong and China to promote and grow trade and tourism with the north Asia region.
        Mr Mills responded thereto.

        Alice Springs Hospital, Intensive Care Unit: The Minister for Health (Dr Toyne) reported on recent administration and health matters arising at the Alice Springs Hospital Intensive Care Unit.
        Ms Carter responded thereto.
        __________________
        Suspension of Standing Orders - Censure re Alice Springs Hospital Health Matters: The Leader of Government Business (Mr Henderson) moved – That so much of Standing Orders be suspended as would prevent the Leader of the Opposition moving a censure motion relating to health administration, in particular the Alice Springs Hospital, forthwith.
        Debate ensued.
        Question - put and passed.
        __________________
    5. CENSURE MINISTER FOR HEALTH - ALICE SPRINGS HOSPITAL, INTENSIVE CARE FACILITY – MOTION NEGATIVED:
        The Member for Port Darwin (Ms Carter) thereupon moved – That the Assembly censure the Minister for Health and Minister for Central Australia for –

        (a) lying to Territorians when claiming the Intensive Care Unit at the Alice Springs Hospital was never closed;

        (b) overseeing the mismanagement of Alice Springs Hospital which has resulted in: low staff morale, staff resignations, closure of the Intensive Care Unit, poor recruitment and retention of staff, budget mismanagement; and

        (c) failure to allay the concerns of Territorians about two deaths at Alice Springs Hospital by promptly referring them to the Coroner until pushed to do so by the AMA NT and the CLP Opposition. (Paper 1315)
        Debate ensued.
        Paper tabled: The Minister for Health (Dr Toyne) laid on the Table the following Paper –
    Letter, Ms Robyn Cahill, Industrial Representative, Australian Salaried Medical Officer’s Federation (NT Division) to
    Dr Toyne (Minister for Health), dated 8 June 2004 re Dr Elizabeth Mowatt (Paper 1316).

        Debate continued.
        _____________
        Member suspended: The Deputy Speaker (Mr Wood), pursuant to Standing Order 240A, ordered the Member for Daly (Mr Baldwin) at 11.30 am to withdraw from the Chamber for a period of one hour on account of his refusal to withdraw words when requested so to do by the Deputy Speaker.
        Mr Baldwin accordingly withdrew.
        _____________

        Debate continued.
        The Minister for Employment, Education and Training (Mr Stirling) moved – That the question be now put – put and passed.
        Question – That the motion of censure be agreed to – put and negatived.
        _____________

        Suspension of sittings: The sittings of the Assembly was suspended between 12.13 pm and 2.15 pm.
        _____________
    6. NOTICES:
        The following notices were given:
        Dr Toyne: To present the Coroners Amendment Bill 2004 (Serial 235).
        Dr Toyne: To present the Statute Law Revision Bill 2004 (Serial 238).
    7. LEAVE OF ABSENCE – MEMBER FOR BRENNAN:
        The Leader of the Opposition (Mr Mills) moved – That leave of absence be granted to the Member for Brennan (Mr Burke) this day on account of illness.
        Question – put and passed.
    8. QUESTIONS:
        2.15 pm Mr Mills to Madam Speaker.
        2.16 pm Mr Bonson to Ms Martin.
        2.23 pm Mr Mills to Mr Stirling.
        2.27 pm Mr Kiely to Mr Vatskalis.

        And the period of suspension for the Member for Daly (Mr Baldwin) having expired – Mr Baldwin attended the sitting.

        2.32 pm Mr Mills to Mr Stirling.
        2.34 pm Ms Lawrie to Dr Burns.
        2.39 pm Mr Wood to Dr Toyne.
        2.42 pm Ms Carter to Dr Toyne.
        2.47 pm Mr Bonson to Mr Henderson.
        2.52 pm Mr Dunham to Dr Toyne.
        2.53 pm Mr Kiely to Mr Stirling.
        2.56 pm Ms Carter to Dr Toyne.
        2.58 pm Mr McAdam to Dr Toyne.
        3.05 pm Mr Wood to Ms Martin.

        The Member for Drysdale (Mr Dunham) in moving a motion to censure the 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.
    9. CENSURE OF MINISTER FOR HEALTH AND MINISTER FOR CENTRAL AUSTRALIA - MOTION NEGATIVED:
        The Member for Drysdale (Mr Dunham) thereupon moved – That this Assembly censure the Minister for Health, and the Minister for Central Australia for his abject failure as a Health Minister, and inability to convince Territorians that Health Services in Alice Springs Hospital are functioning well.
        Debate ensued.
        The Leader of Government Business (Mr Henderson) moved – That the question be now put – put and passed.
        Question – That the motion of censure be agreed to – put and negatived.
    10. ROUTINE OF BUSINESS – NOTING OF MINISTERIAL REPORTS:
        The Leader of Government Business (Mr Henderson) moved – That the,

        (a) Routine of Business, Ministerial Reports suspended earlier this day be noted; and

        (b) Assembly proceed to address a motion of Condolence for Mr Djerrkura, forthwith.
          Question – put and passed.

      11. CONDOLENCE – MR DJERRKURA OAM– MOTION AGREED TO:
          The Speaker, with deep regret, advised of the death on 26 May 2004 of Mr Djerrkura, an elder of the Wanguri Clan in East Arnhem Land.

          The Chief Minister (Ms Martin), by leave, moved – That this Assembly express its deep regret at the death of Mr Djerrkura OAM, an elder of the Wanguri Clan in East Arnhem Land and a former ATSIC leader and place on record its appreciation of his contribution to the advancement of the Aboriginal people and to the Northern Territory and tender its profound sympathy to his family.

          Ms Martin thereupon addressed the Assembly.
          Debate ensued.
          Question – put and passed.
          Motion agreed to.

          As a mark of respect Members remained in their places for one minute, in silence.

      12. 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.
          Quorum: The Member for Drysdale (Mr Dunham) drew the Speaker’s attention to the state of the House.
          Bells having been rung and a quorum obtained –
          Debate continued.
          On the motion of the Minister for Transport and Infrastructure (Dr Burns) debate was adjourned.

      13. FOOD INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT – MINISTERIAL STATEMENT – STATEMENT NOTED:
          The Minister for Primary Industry and Fisheries (Mr Vatskalis) made a statement relating to developments and opportunities in the Northern Territories’ food industry.
          Mr Vatskalis moved – That the Assembly take note of the Statement.
          Debate ensued.
          Question – put and passed.
      14. ADJOURNMENT:
          The Leader of Government Business (Mr Henderson) moved – That the Assembly do now adjourn.
          Debate ensued.
          Paper tabled: The Minister for Mines and Energy (Mr Vatskalis) laid on the Table the following Paper –
      Camel on the Menu, a distinctive native cuisine style is emerging in Alice Springs that could one day rival the scenic delights of Central Australia, by Kevin Boyle (Paper 1328).

          Debate continued.
          Paper tabled: The Member for Macdonnell (Mr Elferink), by leave, laid on the Table the following Paper –
      Finke Desert Race, June 2004, Go Team CLP – Veni Vidi Vici (Paper 1329).

          Debate continued.
          Question – put and passed.
          And the Assembly adjourned at 9.46 pm Tuesday 15 June 2004 until tomorrow at 10 am.
      –––––––––––––––––
          PAPERS:
          The following Papers were deemed to have been presented on Tuesday 15 June 2004 –

          Annual Reports:
          Australian Crime Commission 2002/2003 (Paper 1326)

          Community Government Scheme:
          Amendments to Ltyentye Purte Community Government Scheme (Paper 1320)
          Amendments to Elliott District Community Government Scheme (Paper 1321)
            Coroners Act:
            In the matter of Coronial Findings and Recommendations into the Death of Rita Anderson, pursuant to section 46B, dated 21 January 2004 (Paper 1323)
            In the matter of Coronial Findings and Recommendations into the Death of a 19 year old female on 16 March 2002, pursuant to section 46B, dated 18 December 2004 (Paper 1324)
            In the matter of Coronial Findings and Recommendations into the Death of a 25 year old male on 27 December 2002, pursuant to section 46B, dated 19 December 2003 (Paper 1325)
              Land Development Corporation Act:
              Direction to Land Development Corporation, pursuant to section 8(1) and with reference to 9(2) and (3), Re: Section 5673, Hundred of Bagot, dated 30 March 2004 (Paper 1322)

              Regulations 2004:
              No. 16, Electoral Regulations (Paper 1317)
              No. 17, Amendments of Motor Vehicle Dealers Regulations (Paper 1318)
              No. 18, Business Tenancies (Fair Dealings) Regulations (Paper 1319)
          –––––––––––––––––
              ATTENDANCE:
              All Members attended the sitting, except Mr Burke on leave.
          Last updated: 04 Aug 2016
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