Department of the Legislative Assembly, Northern Territory Government

Minutes of Proceedings - 2002-03-07

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 Year 9 students from Marrara Christian School accompanied by their teacher Petero Vereakula.
On behalf of all Members the Speaker extended a warm welcome.

4. MINISTERIAL REPORTS:
Chief Minister’s Women’s Study Awards: The Chief Minister (Ms Martin) reported on the inaugural Chief Minister’s Women’s Study Award recipients and program.
Ms Carney responded thereto.
Paper tabled: The Member for Araluen (Ms Carney), by leave, laid on the Table the following Paper –
Letter, Ms Trish Collins, WEL Convenor, Women’s Electoral Lobby Australia (Inc) to Chief Minister re NT Business Women’s consultative Council and Gender Mainstreaming (Paper 279).

Ms Martin responded accordingly.

Desert Knowledge Project: The Minister for Communications (Dr Toyne) made a report on the potential to harness telecommunications networks to lead to economic and social development of Territory communities.
Mr Elferink responded thereto.
Dr Toyne responded thereto.

Parliamentary Sitting Dates 2002: The Leader of Government Business (Mr Stirling) reported on revised sitting dates for 2002 and timing of the presentation of the 2002/2003 Budget.

Mr Grant Tambling: The Leader of Government Business (Mr Stirling) reported on his lifetime contribution to public life in the Territory.

Reports noted, pursuant to Sessional Order.

5. RACING AND BETTING AMENDMENT BILL 2002 (Serial 35):
The Minister for Racing, Gaming and Licensing (Mr Stirling), pursuant to notice presented a Bill for an Act to amend the Racing and Betting Act.
Bill read a first time.
Mr Stirling moved – That the Bill be now read a second time.
Debate ensued.
On the motion of the Member for Daly (Mr Baldwin) debate was adjourned.

6. POLICE ADMINISTRATION AMENDMENT BILL (No. 2) 2001 (Serial 32):
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
(Chairman – Mr Wood)

Clauses 1 to 3, by leave, taken together and agreed to.
Clause 4 agreed to.
Clause 5 read.
On the motion of the Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services (Mr Stirling) the following amendment was agreed to -
Insert after proposed section 37 –

37A. Members and deputy members to take oath or affirmation

(1) A member of the Tribunal or a deputy of a member of the Tribunal must, before first exercising his or her powers or performing his or her functions under this Act, make an oath or affirmation set out in Form 3 in the Schedule.

(2) An oath or affirmation under subsection (1) is to be made before a justice of the peace.”.

Clause 5, as amended, agreed to.
Clauses 6, 7 and 8, by leave, taken together and agreed to.
New Clause 9 -
On the motion of Mr Stirling the following new clause was inserted -

9. Schedule
The Schedule is amended by adding at the end the following:


FORM 3

Section 37A

FORM OF OATH TO BE TAKEN BY MEMBER OF, OR DEPUTY OF MEMBER OF, POLICE ARBITRAL TRIBUNAL


I,……………, do swear that I will bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second, Her Heirs and Successors according to law, that I will well and truly serve Her while acting as a member of the Police Arbitral Tribunal and that I will faithfully and impartially perform the duties of a member of the Police Arbitral Tribunal. So help me God!
FORM OF AFFIRMATION TO BE TAKEN BY MEMBER OF, OR DEPUTY OF MEMBER OF, POLICE ARBITRAL TRIBUNAL

I,……………, do solemnly and sincerely promise and declare that I will bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second, Her Heirs and Successors according to law, that I will well and truly serve Her while acting as a member of the Police Arbitral Tribunal and that I will faithfully and impartially perform the duties of a member of the Police Arbitral Tribunal.

Remainder of the Bill, by leave, taken as a whole and agreed to.
Bill to be reported with amendments.
The Assembly resumed; the Speaker resumed the Chair; and the Chairman (Mr Wood ) reported that the Committee had considered the Bill and agreed to the same, with amendments.

On the motion of the Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services (Mr Stirling) the Bill was read a third time and passed to be a proposed law.

7. CLASSIFICATION OF PUBLICATIONS, FILMS AND COMPUTER GAMES AMENDMENT BILL 2002 (Serial 34):
Suspension of Standing Orders: The Minister for Justice and Attorney-General (Dr Toyne), pursuant to notice, moved – That so much of Standing Orders be suspended as would prevent the Classification of Publications, Films and Computer Games Amendment Bill 2002 (Serial 34) passing through all stages at this sittings.
Question put and passed.

The Order of the Day having been read for 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 Justice and Attorney-General (Dr Toyne) the Bill was read a third time and passed to be a proposed law.

8. INDIGENOUS ISSUES – MINISTERIAL STATEMENT – MOTION TO NOTE STATEMENT NOTED:
The Minister Assisting the Chief Minister on Indigenous Affairs (Mr Ah Kit) made a statement on indigenous issues of violence, joblessness, health and education in Aboriginal Communities and the community at large. (Paper 291)
Mr Ah Kit moved – That the Assembly take note of the Statement.
Debate ensued.
Suspension of sittings: The sitting of the Assembly was suspended between 12 Noon and 2pm.
9. QUESTIONS:
2.59pm Mr Reed to Ms Martin.
2.06pm Mr Kiely to Ms Martin.
Paper tabled: The Treasurer (Ms Martin) laid on the Table the following Paper –
Extract, Australian Bureau of Statistics – National Income Expenditure and Product, December Quarter 2001 (Paper 281).

2.09pm Ms Carney to Mrs Aagaard.
2.10pm Ms Lawrie to Ms Martin.
Paper tabled: The Treasurer (Ms Martin) laid on the Table the following Paper –
Integrated Development of Timor Sea Gas – The National Interest Case, a submission by the Northern Territory Government to the Commonwealth Government, dated February 2002 (Paper 282).

2.15pm Mr Wood to Mr Vatskalis.
2.17pm Ms Scrymgour to Ms Martin.
2.20pm Ms Carter to Mrs Aagaard.
Paper tabled: The Member for Port Darwin (Ms Carter), by leave, laid on the Table the following Paper –
Letter, Lyall Wheaton to Mr Denis Burke, Leader of the Opposition, dated 4 March 2002 re - viability of HPA Incorporated (Paper 283).

2.23pm Mr Bonson to Mr Henderson.
2.28pm Mr Dunham to Mrs Aagaard.
2.30pm Mr Kiely to Mrs Aagaard.
2.31pm Mr Burke to Mr Henderson.
2.32pm Dr Burns to Dr Toyne.
2.36pm Mr Burke to Mr Henderson.
2.37pm Dr Burns to Mr Vatskalis.
2.41pm Mr Elferink to Dr Toyne.
2.44pm Mr Wood to Mr Henderson.
2.45pm Mr Burke to Ms Martin.
Paper tabled: The Chief Minister (Ms Martin) laid on the Table the following Paper -
Northern Territory Government Reform Agenda, Achievements and Significant Dates from 18 April to 18 February 2002 - List of kept promises of the Labor Government since coming to power on 18 August 2001 (Paper 284).

2.50pm Ms Lawrie to Mr Vatskalis.
2.54pm Mr Baldwin to Mr Vatskalis.
2.56pm Mr McAdam to Dr Toyne.

The Leader of Government Business (Mr Stirling) asked that further questions be placed on the Question Paper.

10. ADJOURNMENT OF ASSEMBLY:
The Leader of Government Business (Mr Stirling) moved – That the Assembly at its rising adjourn until Tuesday 14 May 2002 at 10am or such other time and/or date as may be set by Madam Speaker, pursuant to Sessional Order.
Question – put and passed.

11. OMBUDSMAN ANNUAL REPORT, 2000-2001 – REPORT TABLED – MOTION TO NOTE REPORT:
The Chief Minister (Ms Martin) laid on the Table the Twenty Third Annual Report of the Ombudsman for the year ended
30 June 2001. (Paper 290)
Ms Martin moved – That the report be Printed.
Question – put and passed.
Ms Martin moved – That the Assembly take note of the report and that leave be granted to continue her remarks at a later hour.
Question – put and passed.
Debate adjourned.

12. INDIGENOUS ISSUES – MINISTERIAL STATEMENT – STATEMENT NOTED:
Suspended debate on the question – That the Assembly take note of the Statement –
Debate resumed.
Question – put and passed.

13. REMOTE TELECOMMUNICATIONS INFRASTRUCTURE AND SERVICES – MINISTERIAL STATEMENT – STATEMENT NOTED:
The Minister for Communications (Dr Toyne) made a statement relating to the need to harness potential of remote telecommunications and information technologies to foster social and economic development of remote communities (Paper 290).
Dr Toyne moved – That the Assembly take note of the Statement.
Debate ensued.
Question – put and passed.

14. ADJOURNMENT:
The Minister for Business, Industry and Resource Development (Mr Henderson) moved – That the Assembly do now adjourn.
Debate ensued.
Paper tabled: The Member for Braitling (Mrs Braham), by leave, laid on the Table the following Papers –
Extract, from Hansard of 26 and 27 September 2001 – Valedictory, Senator Grant Tambling (Paper 286);
Speaking Notes Darwin Press Club 11 October 2001 for Senator Grant Tambling CLP Senator for the Northern Territory (retiring) (Paper 287);
Short Biography Hon Grant Tambling, 1 December 2001 (Paper 289); and
The Tambling Report, Farewell Edition 2001 (Paper 288).

Debate continued.
Question – put and passed.
And the Assembly adjourned at 6.46pm on Thursday 7 March 2002 until Tuesday 14 May 2002 or such other time and or date as may be set by Madam Speaker, pursuant to Sessional Order tomorrow.
PAPERS:
The following Papers were deemed to have been presented on Thursday 7 March 2002:

Financial Management Act
Determination of Amounts of Allocation Transferred on Redistribution of Public Business Amongst Agencies, pursuant to section 21(1) of the Financial Management Act, signed Treasurer, dated 7 December 2001 (Paper 280)

Financial Statement

Determination of Amounts of Allocation Transferred on Redistribution of Public Business Amongst Agencies, pursuant to section 21(1) of the Financial Management Act, signed Treasurer, dated 7 December 2001 (Paper 280)

ATTENDANCE
All Members attended the sittings.
Ian McNeill
Clerk of the Legislative Assembly
Last updated: 04 Aug 2016