Department of the Legislative Assembly, Northern Territory Government

Minutes of Proceedings - 2004-03-30

1. MEETING:
      The Assembly met at 10 am, pursuant to resolution of the Assembly, dated Thursday 26 February 2004. The Speaker, the Honourable L. M. Braham, took the Chair.

2. PRAYERS.

3. PETITION:
      The Member for Johnston (Dr Burns) presented petition No. 53, not conforming with Standing Orders, from 442 petitioners relating to a development in Ostermann Street, Coconut Grove/Nightcliff district (Paper 1251).
      Petition read.
      Dr Burns, by leave, responded to the above petition No. 53 and presented a written response (Paper 1252).
      Responses to petitions: The Clerk, pursuant to Standing Order 100A, advised members of the receipt of responses to petitions Nos. 45, 46, 47, and 51 and that the terms of the responses would be included in the Hansard record (Paper 1253).

4. MINISTERIAL REPORTS:
      Treasurers Conference, Canberra 2004: The Treasurer (Mr Stirling) reported on his attendance at the Treasurers Conference in Canberra regarding the Commonwealth Grants Commission funding outcomes assessment 2004/2005 and a subsequent meeting with the Federal Treasurer for continued recognition of the special needs of the Territory with the continuance of horizontal fiscal equalisation.
      Mr Mills responded thereto.

      Nurses – Recruitment and Retention: The Minister for Health (Dr Toyne) reported on their progress to increase nursing staff in support of their election promise to increase hospital-based nurses by 75 during the current parliamentary term.
      Ms Carter responded thereto.
      Dr Toyne responded accordingly.

      Mtis Report, outcomes: The Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services (Mr Henderson) reported on the outcomes of the Fire Services Review and the government’s injection of $2.5 million to be spent over the next two years on improving resources and senior management structure.
      Mr Elferink responded thereto.
      Mr Henderson responded accordingly.

      Ranger Mine site, water contamination: The Minister for Mines and Energy (Mr Vatskalis) reported on a water leak which contaminated potable water with mine processing water at Ranger Mine site (ERA).
      Mr Dunham responded thereto.
      Mr Vatskalis responded accordingly.

      Ministerial Reports noted, pursuant to Standing Orders.

5. RACING AND BETTING AMENDMENT BILL 2004 (Serial 207) and UNLAWFUL BETTING AMENDMENT BILL 2004 (Serial 208):
      The Order of the Day having been read for the resumption of debate on the question – That the Bills be now read a second time –
      Debate resumed.
      Question – put and passed.
      Bills read a second time.
      Leave granted for a motion for the third readings of the Bills to be moved forthwith.
      On the motion of the Minister for Racing, Gaming and Licensing (Mr Stirling) the Bills were read a third time and passed to be proposed laws.

6. CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND FAIR TRADING AMENDMENT BILL 2004 (Serial 205):
      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.
      Paper tabled: The Minister for Justice and Attorney-General (Dr Toyne) laid on the Table the following Paper –
Letter, Ms Cheryl Kuhn, Chair, Consumer Affairs Council to Hon Dr Peter Toyne, Minister for Justice and Attorney-General re operation of the Tow Truck Industry Code of Practice, dated 4 November 2003 (Paper 1254).

      Debate continued.
      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.
7. ANIMAL WELFARE AMENDMENT BILL 2004 (Serial 204):
      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 Local Government (Mr Ah Kit) the Bill was read a third time and passed to be a proposed law.
8. AUDITOR-GENERAL’S REPORT TO THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY, ANALYSIS OF THE 2002/2003 TREASURER’S ANNUAL FINANCIAL STATEMENT – MOTION TO NOTE REPORT:
      The Order of the Day having been read for the resumption of debate on the question – That the Assembly take note of the Report –
      Debate resumed.
      Debate suspended.
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      Suspension of sittings: The sittings of the Assembly was suspended between 12.02 pm and 2 pm.
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    9. NOTICES:
        The following notices were given –

        Mr Stirling: To present the Higher Education Bill 2004 (Serial 215).

        Dr Toyne: To move on the next sitting day - That so much of the Standing Orders be suspended as would prevent Bills entitled - Uncollected Goods Bill 2004 (Serial 217) and Uncollected Goods (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2004 (Serial 218) -
                (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.
        Dr Toyne: To present the Uncollected Goods Bill 2004 (Serial 217).

        Dr Toyne: To present the Uncollected Goods (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2004 (Serial 218).

    10. QUESTIONS:
        2.01pm Mr Mills to Ms Martin.
        2.05pm Mr Bonson to Mr Stirling.
        2.11pm Mr Mills to Mr Stirling.
        2.14pm Mr Kiely to Ms Martin.
        2.20pm Mr Mills to Ms Martin.
        2.23pm Mr Wood to Mr Vatskalis.
        2.25pm Mr McAdam to Dr Toyne.
        2.31pm Mr Burke to Ms Martin.
        2.34pm Mr s Aagaard to Mr Stirling.
        2.37pm Mr Mills to Ms Martin.
        2.42pm Mr McAdam to Dr Toyne.
        2.45pm Mr Mills to Ms Martin.
        2.47pm Mr Wood to Dr Burns.
        2.48pm Mr Bonson to Dr Burns.
        2.54pm Ms Lawrie to Mr Ah Kit.
        2.57pm Mr Mills to Mr Stirling.

        Papers tabled: The Leader of the Opposition (Mr Mills), by leave, laid on the Table the following Papers -
    Estimates of Budget Balancing Assistance and States‘ gains from tax reform – GST Revenue (Paper 1256).

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

    11. AUDITOR-GENERAL’S REPORT TO THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY, ANALYSIS OF THE 2002/2003 TREASURER’S ANNUAL FINANCIAL STATEMENT – REPORT NOTED:
        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 Report –
        Debate resumed.
        Question – put and passed.

    12. AUDITOR-GENERAL’S MARCH 2004 REPORT TO THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY – PAPER TABLED - PRINT – MOTION TO NOTE:
        The Speaker laid on the Table the Auditor-General’s March 2004 Report to the Legislative Assembly (Paper 1255).
        The Chief Minister (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.

    13. BUILDING HEALTHIER COMMUNITIES – 5 YEAR FRAMEWORK FOR HEALTH AND COMMUNITY SERVICES - STATEMENT NOTED:
        The Order of the Day having been read for the resumption of debate on the question – That the Assembly take note of the Statement –
        Debate resumed.
        Question – put and passed.

    14. INTERIM REPORT OF THE SELECT COMMITTEE ON SUBSTANCE ABUSE IN THE COMMUNITY – REPORT NOTED:
        The Order of the Day having been read for the resumption of debate on the question – That the Assembly take note of the Report -
        Debate resumed.
        _______________

        Visitors: The Deputy Speaker (Mr Wood) advised Members of the presence in the public galleries of students from Katherine South Primary School. On behalf of all Members he extended a warm welcome to the visitors.
        _______________
        Debate continued.
        _______________

        Extension of Time: On the motion of the Minister for Transport and Infrastructure (Dr Burns) the Member for Nightcliff (Mrs Aagaard) was granted an extension of time, pursuant to Standing Order 77.
        _______________
        Debate continued.
        Question – put and passed.
    15. TREASURER’S MID-YEAR REPORT 2003/2004 – REPORT NOTED:
        The Order of the Day having been read for the resumption of debate on the question – That the Assembly take note of the Report –
        Debate resumed.
        Question – put and passed.

    16. ADJOURNMENT:
        The Minister for Business and Industry (Mr Henderson) moved – That the Assembly do now adjourn.
        Debate ensued.
        Paper tabled: The Member for Macdonnell (Mr Elferink), by leave, laid on the Table the following Paper -
    Fire Service Separation Statistics July 2003 to June 2004 (Paper 1257).

        Debate continued.
        Paper tabled: The Member for Port Darwin (Ms Carter), by leave, laid on the Table the following Paper –
    Department of Health Budget Papers 2003/2004 obtained under the Information Act by the Opposition, Aged and Disability Services, Acute Services, index to papers (Paper 1258).

        Debate continued.
        Paper tabled: The Member for Araluen (Ms Carney), by leave, laid on the Table the following Paper -
    Stanley Tawny Port promotional cask (Paper 1259).

        Debate continued.
        Question – put and passed.
        And the Assembly adjourned at 9.50 pm Tuesday 30 March 2004 until tomorrow at 10am.
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        PAPERS:
        The following Papers were deemed to be presented on Tuesday 30 March 2004 –
        Annual Reports:
        Department of Corporate and Information Services 2002/2003 - Corrigendum page 128 to Auditor-General’s Report to the Minister for Corporate and Information Services, Government Printing Office, year ended 30 June 2003 (Paper 1243)
        Jabiru Town Council, 2002/2003 (Paper 1246)
        Jabiru Town Development Authority, 2002/2003 (Paper 1245)
        Pastoral Land Board 2002/2003 (Paper 1276)
        Surveyors Board of the Northern Territory, 2002/2003 (Paper 1247)

        Regulations 2004:
        No. 3, Amendments of Northern Territory Treasury Corporation Inscribed Stock Regulations (Paper 1248)
        No. 4, Amendments of Kava Management Regulations (Paper 1249)
        No. 5, Swimming Pool Safety Regulations (Paper 1250)

        Remuneration Tribunal:
        Remuneration Tribunal Report and Recommendation No. 1 of 2004, Magistrates of the Northern Territory (Paper 1244)
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        ATTENDANCE:
        All Members attended the sitting.
    Last updated: 04 Aug 2016