Department of the Legislative Assembly, Northern Territory Government

Minutes of Proceedings - 2006-10-17

The Clerk of the Assembly, Mr Ian McNeill advised the Assembly of the absence of the Speaker (Mrs J L Aagaard) and, pursuant to Standing Order 9, the Acting Speaker would be Mr R Knight for the remainder of the October sittings.

1. MEETING:
      The Assembly met at 10am. The Acting Speaker, the Mr R Knight, took the Chair.

2. PRAYERS.

3. LEAVE OF ABSENCE - MEMBER FOR NIGHTCLIFF:
      The Leader of Government Business (Mr Henderson) moved - That the Member for Nightcliff (Mrs Aagaard) be granted leave of absence for sitting days 17 to19 October 2006 inclusive.
      Question - put and passed.

4. LEAVE OF ABSENCE - MEMBER FOR KATHERINE:
      The Leader of the Opposition (Ms Carney) moved - That the Member for Katherine (Mrs Miller) be granted leave of absence for sitting days 17 to 19 October inclusive.
      Question - put and passed.
5. VISITORS:
      The Acting Speaker (Mr Knight) advised Members of the presence in the public galleries of Irrkerlantye Community Development Centre students.
      On behalf of all Members the Acting Speaker extended a warm welcome to the visitors.
6. PETITIONS:
      The Member for Karama (Ms Lawrie), by leave, presented petition No. 40, not conforming with Standing Orders, from 266 petitioners relating to a police substation and increased police presence in Karama Plaza (Paper 666).
      Petition read.

      Responses to petitions: The Clerk, pursuant to Standing Order 100A, laid on the Table responses to petition No. 21, 22 and 33 relating to the Palmerston Community Care Centre Baby Clinic, Tommy's Creek Upgrade and Radiation Oncology Unit, Darwin (Paper 665).

      The Clerk advised the Assembly the text of the responses would be incorporated in the Hansard record.
7. MINISTERIAL REPORTS:
      Influenza Pandemic exercise: The Minister for Health (Dr Burns) reported on a pandemic planning exercise conducted for influenza H5N1d virus and similar pandemic influenza strains to test national protocols and Territory preparedness.
      Dr Lim responded.
      Leave denied: Ms Carney sought leave to ask a question, a dissentient voice being raised, leave denied.
      Dr Burns responded.

      Undergrounding of Powerlines, Nightcliff: The Minister Essential Services (Mr Vatskalis) reported on the progress of undergrounding powerlines at Nightcliff and Rapid Creek.
      Dr Lim responded.
      Mr Wood responded.
      Mr Vatskalis responded.

      Duke and Burke Streets Intersection: The Minister for Lands and Planning (Ms Lawrie) reported on the road safety aspect of the Duke Street and Burke Streets intersection with Stuart Highway.
      Ms Carney responded.
      Mr Wood responded.

      Ministerial Reports noted, pursuant to Standing Orders.

8. JUSTICE LEGISLATION AMENDMENT (GROUP CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES) BILL 2006 (Serial 65):
      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 Treasurer (Mr Stirling) the Bill was read a third time and passed to be a proposed law.
9. AUDITOR-GENERAL FOR THE NORTHERN TERRITORY, AUGUST 2006 REPORT TO THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY - 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.
      __________________

      Suspension of sittings: The sittings of the Assembly was suspended between 11.56am and 2pm.
      ____________________
      Distinguished visitors: The Acting Speaker (Mr Knight) advised Members of the presence in the Speaker's Gallery of Mr Ian Tuxworth a former Chief Minister of the Northern Territory.
      On behalf of Honourable Members the Acting Speaker extended a warm welcome to him.
10. NOTICES:
      Mr Stirling: To present the Business Names Bill 2006 (Serial 73).
      Dr Burns: To present the Poisons and Dangerous Drugs Amendment Bill 2006 (Serial 74).
      Mrs Braham: To present the Electoral Amendment Bill 2006 (Serial 76).

11. QUESTIONS:
      2.01pm Ms Carney to Ms Martin.
      2.05pm Mr Bonson to Ms Martin.
      _______________

      Visitors: The Acting Speaker (Mr Knight) advised Members of the presence in the public galleries of Traditional Owners from Borroloola.
      On behalf of Honourable Members the Acting Speaker extended a warm welcome to our visitors.
      _______________
      2.08pm Ms Carney to Ms Martin.
      2.09pm Ms Anderson to Mr Vatskalis.
      2.12pm Dr Lim to Mr McAdam.
      2.15pm Mr Warren to Ms Lawrie.
      2.17pm Mrs Braham to Ms Martin.
      2.21pm Mr Warren to Mr Stirling.
      2.25pm Mr Mills to Mr Stirling.
      2.28pm Mr Burke to Mr Vatskalis.
      2.30pm Mr Mills to Mr Henderson.
      2.33pm Mr Kiely to Mr Henderson.
      2.39pm Mr Wood to Ms Scrymgour.
      2.41pm Ms Sacilotto to Ms Lawrie.
      2.45pm Ms Carney to Ms Martin.
      2.48pm Mr Hampton to Ms Scrymgour.
      2.51pm Mr Mills to Mr Stirling.
      2.57pm Leave denied: Mrs Braham sought and was denied leave to ask a question of the Member for Arnhem.
          Mrs Braham to Ms Martin.

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

12. STATEMENT BY SPEAKER - POLICE TRAINING EXERCISE:
      The Acting Speaker (Mr Knight) advised Members of the conduct of a police training exercise in the parliament house building last evening.
13. AUDITOR-GENERAL FOR THE NORTHERN TERRITORY, AUGUST 2006 REPORT TO THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY - REPORT NOTED:
      The Order of the Day having been read for the resumption of debate on the question, suspended earlier this day - That the Assembly take note of the Report -
      Debate resumed.
      Question - put and passed.

14. MCARTHUR RIVER MINE DECISION - MINISTERIAL STATEMENT - STATEMENT NOTED:
      The Minister for Mines and Energy (Mr Natt) made a statement relating to the decision to change the McArthur River Mine from underground to open cut operations.
      Paper tabled: The Minister for Mines and Energy (Mr Natt) laid on the Table the following Paper -
McArthur River Mine expansion, Statement of Decision, dated 13 October 2006 (Paper 667).

      Mr Natt moved - That the Assembly take note of the Statement.
      Debate ensued.
      ______________

      Visitors: The Acting Speaker (Mr Knight) advised Members of participants in the Department of Education, Employment and Training Chief Executive’s student forum, accompanied by Margaret Banks, DEET Chief Executive and Trent Harvison, project coordinator.
      Participants include:

      Borroloola Community Education Centre - Shayna Anderson
      Centralian Senior Secondary College - Jake Hoey, Anjomay Manansala and Jawoyn Cole-manolis
      Darwin High School - Michael Hofer, Josephine Tchia and Ciella Williams
      Dripstone High School - Ben Anderson
      Nhulunbuy High School - Mitchell Hinchcliffe and Hannah Putland
      Nightcliff High School - Puanna Kapi
      NT Open Education Centre - Kylie Davies
      Sanderson High School - Alecia Slocombe
      Shepherdson College - Jessica Thorne
      Taminmin High School - Stephanie Lutzke
      Tennant Creek High School - Emma McLaren-Alexander

      On behalf of Honourable Members he extend a warm welcome to our visitors.
      ______________

      Debate continued.
      Question - put and passed.
15. MUSEUM AND ART GALLERY OF THE NORTHERN TERRITORY, 25TH ANNIVERSARY - MINISTERIAL STATEMENT - STATEMENT NOTED:
      The Minister for Arts and Museums (Ms Scrymgour) made a statement relating to the legacy provided by the museum and art gallery of the Northern Territory and the Silver Jubilee year, 2006 of the museum building at Bullocky Point.
      Ms Scrymgour moved - That the Assembly take note of the Statement.
      Debate ensued.
      Question - put and passed.

16. ADJOURNMENT:
      The Leader of Government Business (Mr Henderson) moved - That the Assembly do now adjourn.
      Debate ensued.
      Question - put and passed.
      And the Assembly adjourned at 8.46pm until Wednesday 18 October 2006 at 10am.
      ________________

      PAPERS:
      There were no Papers deemed to have been presented on Tuesday 17 October 2006.
      _______________
      ATTENDANCE:
      All Members attended the sitting, except Mrs Miller and Mrs Aagaard on leave.
Last updated: 04 Aug 2016