Department of the Legislative Assembly, Northern Territory Government

Minutes of Proceedings - 2005-02-08

1. MEETING:
      The Assembly met at 10am, pursuant to resolution of the Assembly, dated Thursday 2 December 2004. The Speaker, the Honourable L. M. Braham, took the Chair.

2. PRAYERS.

3. ADMINISTRATIVE ARRANGEMENTS - OPPOSITION PORTFOLIO RESPONSIBILITIES:
      The Leader of the Opposition (Mr Burke) advised Members of the following portfolio responsibilities of opposition members, effective 7 February 2005 -

      Mr D G Burke
      (Leader of the Opposition)
      Treasury
        Racing, Gaming and Licensing
      Territory Development
      Police, Fire and Emergency Services
        Business, Industry and Resource Development
      Defence Support
      AustralAsia Railway
      Dr R S H Lim
      (Deputy Leader of the Opposition)
      Employment, Education and Training
      Corporate & Information Services
      Communications
      Multicultural Affairs
      Central Australia
      Mr J W Elferink
      (Opposition Whip)
      (Leader of Opposition Business)
      Community Development
      Housing
      Local Government
      Sport and Recreation
      Indigenous Affairs
      Regional Development
      Ms J T CarneyAttorney-General and Justice
      Health
      Ms S J CarterFamily and Community Services
      Environment and Heritage
      Senior Territorians
      Arts and Museums
      Women’s Policy
      Mr S DunhamTransport and Infrastructure
      Lands and Planning
      Parks and Wildlife
      Essential Services
      Mrs C F MillerMines and Energy
      Primary Industry and Fisheries
      Mr Terry MillsTourism
      Asian Relations and Trade
      Young Territorians

4. DISTINGUISHED VISITORS:
      The Speaker advised Members of the presence in the Speaker's Gallery of Members of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly - Ms Noreen Hay MP, Ms Marianne Saliba MP, Mr Allan Shearan MP.
      On behalf of all Members the Speaker extended a warm welcome to the distinguished visitors.

5. VISITORS:
      The Speaker advised Members of the presence in the public gallery of Alawa Primary School Year 6/7 students accompanied by Miss Tina Mills.
      On behalf of all Members the Speaker extended a warm welcome to the visitors.

6. CONDOLENCE - TSUNAMI DISASTER - MOTION AGREED TO:
      The Chief Minister (Ms Martin), by leave, moved - That this Assembly express its deep regret at the deaths of nearly 300,000 people in Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Burma, Sri Lanka, India, the Maldive Islands, the Seychelles, Somalia, Tanzania and Kenya. We further express on behalf of all Territorians the deepest sympathy towards those who lost family and friends and who are now struggling to rebuild their lives.
      The Chief Minister (Ms Martin) thereupon addressed the Assembly.
      Debate ensued.
      Distinguished visitor: The Speaker advised Members of the presence in the public gallery of the former Speaker of the Legislative Assembly (Mr Terry McCarthy) and on behalf of all Members extended a warm welcome to the distinguished visitor.

      Debate continued.
      Question - put and passed.
      Motion agreed to.

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

7. PETITIONS:
      Response to petitions: The Clerk, pursuant to Standing Order 100A, presented responses to the following petitions No. 67 (Construction of pedestrian crossing on Larapinta Drive), No. 68 (Rezoning of Myilly Point Headland and Little Mindil), No. 69 (Re-alignment of Girraween Road), and No. 70 (Rieff Building heritage status). The Clerk and advised Members that the responses would be included in the Hansard record. (Paper 1583 to 1586 respectively).

8. MINISTERIAL REPORTS:
      General Cosgrove, retirement: The Chief Minister (Ms Martin) reported on the retirement of General Peter Cosgrove as Chief of the Australian Defence Force.
      Mr Burke responded thereto.

      Hospice and palliative care, construction: The Minister for Heath (Dr Toyne) reported on the construction of a hospice and palliative care unit in the grounds of Royal Darwin Hospital.
      Ms Carney responded thereto.
      Dr Toyne responded accordingly.

      Trade Support Scheme: The Minister for Asian Relations and Trade (Mr Henderson) reported on the outcomes of the government Trade Support Scheme.
      Mr Mills responded thereto.
      Mr Henderson responded accordingly.

      Swimming pools, remote areas: The Minister for Community Development (Mr Ah Kit) reported on swimming pools in remote communities (PIRA) Pools in Remote Areas scheme.
      Mr Elferink responded thereto.
      Mr Wood responded thereto.
      Mr Ah Kit responded accordingly.

      Ministerial Reports noted, pursuant to Sessional Order.
9. LAKE BENNETT (LAND TITLE) BILL 2004 (Serial 267):
      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.
      The Assembly resolved itself into Committee of the Whole for consideration of the Bill.
      _______________
      In Committee
      (Deputy Chairman - Ms Lawrie)

      Clauses 1 to 7, by leave, taken together and agreed to.
      Clause 8 read.
      On the motion to the Minister for Justice and Attorney-General (Dr Toyne) the following amendment was agreed to, after debate.

      Omit "on behalf of any person" and insert in its stead "in the place of a person who would otherwise be required to sign it for registration".

      Clause 8, as amended, agreed to.
      Clauses 9 to 18, by leave, taken together and agreed to.
      Clause 19 read.
      Debate ensued.
      Consideration postponed until a later hour.
      ________________
      Suspension of sittings: The sittings of the Assembly was suspended between 12.10pm and 2pm.
      ________________
10. NOTICES:
      The following notices were given -
      Ms Martin: To present the Parks and Reserves (Framework for the Future) (Revival) Bill 2005 (Serial 278).

      Ms Martin: To move - That so much of Standing Orders be suspended as would prevent the Parks and Reserves (Framework for the Future) (Revival) Bill 2005 (Serial 278), passing through all stages at this sittings.

      Mr Burke: To move - That this Assembly call on the government to divulge -
              (a) when financial close for the waterfront development will occur,
              (b) the critical issues to occur prior to this closure, and
              (c) the level of the taxpayer's exposure.

      Mr Burke: To move - That this Assembly call upon the Chief Minister, who has sole carriage of the Territory Parks handover, outline full details of the secret negotiations, the current status thereof to all affected parks. Further that this parliament calls upon the Chief Minister to detail her reasons for persisting with her parks handover offer when she clearly does not have a mandate from Territorians to persist with it.

      Mr Burke: To move - That this Assembly call upon the Chief Minister to explain to parliament why she has failed to live up to her promise to control the itinerant issues that effect Territorians in our urban communities.

      Mr Ah Kit: To present the Housing Amendment Bill 2005 (Serial 277).

      Mr Elferink: To move - That this Parliament call upon the Attorney-General to explain what the legal position is for political candidates accessing potential constituents on Aboriginal Land Trust land.

11. QUESTIONS:
      2.02pm Mr Burke to Ms Martin, referred to Dr Toyne.
      2.04pm Mrs Aagaard to Ms Martin.
      2.09pm Mr Burke to Dr Toyne.
      2.12pm Mr Bonson to Mr Stirling.
      2.21pm Mr Burke to Ms Martin.
      2.22pm Mr Wood to Ms Martin.
      2.26pm Mr Kiely to Mr Stirling.
      2.28pm Mr Burke to Ms Martin.
      2.30pm Ms Lawrie to Mr Stirling.
      2.33pm Mr Burke to Ms Martin.
      2.34pm Mr McAdam to Mr Ah Kit.
      2.39pm Mr Burke to Ms Martin.
      2.41pm Mr Wood to Ms Martin.
      2.43pm Mr Burke to Ms Martin.
      2.44pm Mrs Aagaard to Mr Henderson.
      2.46pm Mr Burke to Ms Martin.
      2.51pm Mrs Lawrie to Mr Vatskalis.
      2.54pm Mr Burke to Ms Martin.
      2.56pm Mr Bonson to Ms Scrymgour.
      2.58pm Mr Burke to Ms Martin.

      The Leader of Government Business (Mr Henderson) asked that further questions be placed on the Written Question Paper.
12. LAKE BENNETT (LAND TITLE) BILL 2004 (Serial 267):
      The Order of the Day having been read for further consideration of the Bill in Committee of the Whole, Clause 19, suspended earlier this day -
      __________________
      In Committee
      (Deputy Chairman - Ms Lawrie)

      Reconsideration of Clause 19 -
      Debate resumed.
      Clause 19, as printed, agreed to.
      Clauses 20 to 30, by leave, taken together and agreed to.
      Schedules 1 to 4, by leave, taken together and agreed to.
      Schedule 5 read.
      On the motion of Dr Toyne the following amendment was agreed to, after debate.
      Omit clause 14(2) and insert -
          "(2) A further development (including using a caravan or camping) is not permitted on section 1254 or 1255 other than a development mentioned in section 23(1) of the Lake Bennett (Land Title) Act.".

      Schedule 5, as amended, agreed to.
      Remainder of the Bill, by leave, taken as a whole and agreed to
      Bill to be reported with amendments.
      _____________

      The Assembly resumed; the Speaker (Mrs Braham) resumed the Chair; the Chairman reported the Bill with amendments.
      And the Report was adopted.
      The Minister for Justice and Attorney-General (Dr Toyne) moved - That the Bill be now read a third time.
      Debate ensued.
      Question - put and passed.
      The Bill was read a third time and passed to be a proposed law.
13. POLICE ADMINISTRATION AMENDMENT (POWERS AND LIABILITY) BILL 2004 (Serial 268):
      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 Police, Fire and Emergency Services (Mr Henderson) the Bill was read a third time and passed to be a proposed law.

14. BUILDING BETTER SCHOOLS - MINISTERIAL STATEMENT - STATEMENT NOTED:
      The Minister for Employment, Education and Training (Mr Stirling) made a statement relating to improvements in education and training for Territorians.
      Mr Stirling moved - That the Assembly take note of the Statement.
      Debate ensued.
      Question - put and passed.

15. 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 7.39pm, until tomorrow at 10 am.
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      PAPERS:
      The following Papers were deemed to have been presented on Tuesday 8 February 2005 –

      Administrative Arrangements, Opposition portfolio responsibilities, effective 7 February 2005 (Paper 1653)

      Annual Reports:
      Australian Crime Commission, 2003/2004 (Paper 1587)
      Land Development Corporation, 2003/2004 (Paper 1588)
      Northern Territory Electrical Workers and Contractors Licensing Board, 2003/2004 (Paper 1590)
      Northern Territory Plumbers and Drainers Licensing Board, for year ended 30 September 2004 (Paper 1589)

      Coroners Act:
      In the matter of Coroner’s Finding and Recommendations into the Death of Mr Alberto Bruno, pursuant to section 46B, dated 25 January 2005 (Paper 1591)
      In the matter of Coroner’s Finding and Recommendations into the Death of Ms Beverly Ginger, pursuant to section 46B, dated 25 January 2005 (Paper 1592)

      Planning Act:
      Summary of Development Application, Reasons for Direction, pursuant to section 85(1)(b), of the Planning Act not to make any determination on subdividing Lot 2291, Town of Darwin, Old Admiralty House (Paper 1593)
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      ATTENDANCE:
      All Members attended the sitting.
Last updated: 04 Aug 2016