Department of the Legislative Assembly, Northern Territory Government

Minutes of Proceedings - 2009-06-11

1. MEETING:
The Assembly met at 10am. The Speaker, the Honourable J. L. Aagaard, took the Chair.

2. PRAYERS.

3. MESSAGE FROM THE ADMINISTRATOR:
      The Speaker laid on the Table the following Message from the Administrator -
      Message No. 10
      Assent to Proposed Laws

      I, Thomas Ian Pauling, AO QC 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:


      15 May 2009
      Transport Legislation (Hoon Behaviour) Amendment Act 2009 (Act No 7 of 2009)

      26 May 2009
      Criminal Code Amendment (Expert Evidence) Act 2009 (Act No 9 of 2009)
      First Home Owner Grant Amendment Act 2009 (Act No 8 of 2009)
      Geothermal Energy Act 2009 (Act No 10 of 2009)
      Information Amendment Act (Act No 11 of 2009)
      Justice and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2009 (Act No 12 of 2009)
      Lake Eyre Basin Intergovernmental Agreement Act (Act No 13 of 2009)
      Unit Title Schemes Act 2009 (Act No 14 of 2009)

        Dated 9 June 2009.


        Thomas Ian Pauling AO QC
        Administrator (Paper 347)

        Distinguished visitor: The Speaker advised members of the presence in the Speaker's Gallery of Mr Neville Perkins OAM, a former Member for Macdonnell and Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly (1977 - 1981).
    4. MINISTERIAL REPORTS:
        Barunga Festival 2009: The Chief Minister (Mr Henderson) reported on the conduct of the Barunga Festival.
        Mr Westra van Holthe responded.

        Arafura Games 2009: The Minister for Sport and Recreation (Mr Hampton) reported on the conduct and success of the Arafura Games 2009.
        Mr Bohlin responded.
        Mr Wood resounded.
        Mr Hampton replied.

        China Minerals Delegation: The Minister for Primary Industry and Resources (Mr Vatskalis) reported on his visit to China as part of the government strategy to encourage and facilitate minerals investment in the Territory.
        Mr Westra van Holthe responded.
        Mr Vatskalis replied.

        Ministerial Reports noted, pursuant to Standing Orders.

    5. PETITION:
        The Member for Braitling (Mr Giles), by leave, presented Petition No. 19, not conforming with Standing Orders, from 443 petitioners relating to Traditional Owners' control of country without the Central Land Council (Paper 348).
        Petition read.

        Responses to petition: The Clerk, pursuant to Standing Order 100A tabled a response to Petition No.8 and advised Members that the terms of the response would be included in the Hansard record and placed on the Assembly website (Paper 349).
    6. PERSONAL EXPLANATION:
        The Member for Braitling (Mr Giles), by leave of the Speaker, made an explanation regarding comments made by the Member for Macdonnell (Ms Anderson) during her budget debate asserting that he was proposing to remove remote bush students to boarding type schools.
    7. SERIOUS CRIME CONTROL BILL 2009 (Serial 48):
        The Minister for Justice and Attorney-General (Ms Lawrie), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to provide for the making of orders for disrupting and restricting the activities of persons who engage or have engaged in serious criminal activity and members and former members of particular organisations, and for related purposes.
        Bill read a first time.
        Ms Lawrie moved - That the Bill be now read a second time.
        Debate ensued.
        Paper tabled: Ms Lawrie laid on the Table the following Paper -
    Explanatory Statement, Serious Crime Control Bill 2009 (Paper 350).

        On the motion of the Member for Araluen (Ms Carney) debate was adjourned.
    8. CANCER (REGISTRATION) BILL 2009 (Serial 46):
        The Minister for Health (Mr Vatskalis), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to provide for the registration of details about cancer and for related matters.
        Bill read a first time.
        Mr Vatskalis moved - That the Bill be now read a second time.
        Debate ensued.
        Paper tabled: Mr Vatskalis laid on the Table the following Paper -
    Explanatory Statement, Cancer (Registration) Bill 2009 (Paper 351).

        On the motion of the Member for Greatorex (Mr Conlan) debate was adjourned.
    9. APPROPRIATION (2009-2010) BILL 2009 (Serial 41) APPROPRIATION (ADDITIONAL FOR 2008-2009) BILL 2009 (Serial 40):
        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.
        ___________________

        Ordered that the Committee Stage of the Appropriation (2009-2010) Bill 2009 (Serial 41) and Appropriation (Additional for 2008-2009) Bill 2009 (Serial 40) be later taken on 19 June 2009, pursuant to resolution of the Assembly dated 10 June 2009.

    10. LAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION AMENDMENT BILL 2009 (Serial 29):
        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.
        Debate suspended.
        _________________

        Suspension of sittings: The sittings of the Assembly was suspended between 12 Noon and 2pm.
        _________________
    11. QUESTIONS:
        2.01pm Mr Mills to Mr Henderson.
        2.04pm Ms Walker to Mr Henderson.
        2.08pm Mr Mills to Mr Henderson.
        2.12pm Ms Walker to Ms Lawrie.
        2.14pm Mr Conlan to Mr Vatskalis.
        2.17pm Mr Gunner to Mr Henderson.
        2.24pm Ms Purick to Mr Henderson.
        2.25pm Ms Walker to Ms Lawrie.
        2.27pm Ms Purick to Mr Henderson.
        2.28pm Mr Wood to Mr Vatskalis.
        2.32pm Ms Purick to Mr Henderson.
        2.33pm Mr Gunner to Mr Hampton.
        2.36pm Ms Purick to Mr Henderson.
        2.39pm Ms Walker to Mr Knight.
        2.42pm Mr Elferink to Mr Henderson.
        Paper tabled: The Member for Port Darwin (Mr Elferink), by leave, laid on the Table the following Paper -
    Travel costs for Mr Henderson, Chief Minister - 1 January 2008 to 31 December 2008 (Paper 357).

        2.44pm Mr Gunner to Mr Vatskalis.
        2.49pm Ms Scrymgour to Ms Lawrie.
        2.51pm Ms Walker to Mr Vatskalis.
        2.53pm Ms Purick to Mr Henderson.
        2.56pm Mr Gunner to Ms Anderson.
        3.01pm Mr Elferink to Mr Henderson.

        The Leader of Government Business (Dr Burns) asked that further questions be placed on the Written Question Paper.
    12. LAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION AMENDMENT BILL 2009 (Serial 29):
        The Order of the Day having been read for the resumption of debate, suspended earlier this day, on the question - That the Bill be now read a second time -
        Debate resumed.
        _________________

        Quorum: The Member for Fong Lim (Mr Tollner) drew the attention of the Assembly to the state of the House.
        And the Bells having been rung -
        A Quorum having been obtained - The Assembly resumed.
        _________________

        Debate continued.
        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 Speaker and Chair of Committees (Ms Walker)

        Bill, by leave, taken as a whole.
        Debate ensued.
        ___________________

        Distinguished visitor: The Speaker advised Members of the presence in the Speaker's Gallery of Mr Jack Ah Kit the former Member for Arnhem.
        On behalf of all Members the Speaker extended a warm welcome to the distinguished visitor.
        ___________________

        Debate continued.
        Bill, as printed, agreed to.
        Bill to be reported without amendment.
        ___________________

        The Assembly resumed; the Speaker took the Chair; and the Deputy Speaker and Chair of Committees (Ms Walker) reported that the Committee had agreed to the Bill, without amendment.
        And the Report was adopted.
        The Minister for Business (Dr Burns) 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. RADIATION PROTECTION AND RADIOGRAPHERS AMENDMENT BILL 2009 (Serial 36):
        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 Health (Mr Vatskalis) the Bill was read a third time and passed to be a proposed law.
    14. MEMBERS’ INTERESTS COMMITTEE FIRST REPORT OF THE 11th ASSEMBLY - REPORT NOTED AND ADOPTED:
        The Order of the Day having been read for the resumption of debate on the question - That the Report be noted and that the recommendations of the Report be adopted.
        Debate ensued.
        Question - put and passed.
    15. AUDITOR-GENERAL'S FEBRUARY 2009 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. ASIAN RELATIONS STATEMENT - MOTION TO NOTE STATEMENT:
        The Minister for Asian Relations and Minister for Trade (Dr Burns) made a statement relating to continuing initiatives to achieve two-way merchandise trade with the Asian region and build productive relations with our neighbours.
        Dr Burns moved - That the Assembly take note of the Statement.
        Debate ensued.
        Extension of time: On the motion of the Member for Drysdale (Mr Bohlin) the Member for Blain (Mr Mills) was granted an extension of timer, pursuant to standing Order 77.

        Debate continued.
        Extension of time: On the motion of the Member for Port Darwin (Mr Elferink) the Member for Wanguri (Mr Henderson) was granted an extension of timer, pursuant to standing Order 77.

        Debate continued.
        Quorum: The Member for Braitling (Mr Giles) drew the attention of the Assembly to the state of the House.
        Bells having been rung and a quorum having been obtained -

        Debate resumed.
        Debate adjourned pursuant to Standing Order 41A(c)(v).
    17. ADJOURNMENT, Automatic:
        The Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 41A(b), at 9pm proposed the question - That the Assembly do now adjourn.
        Debate ensued.
        Question - put and passed.
        And the Assembly adjourned at 9.40pm until Friday 19 June 2009 at 4.30pm, or such other time as notified by the Speaker, with one hour’s notice being given to Government and Opposition Whips and Members by the Speaker, or such other time and/or date as may be advised by the Speaker pursuant to Sessional Order .
        _________________

        PAPERS:
        The following Papers were deemed to have been presented on Thursday 11 June 2009 -

        Annual Reports
        Department of the Legislative Assembly's Portfolio Budget Statement (PBS) 2009/2010 (Paper 358).
        Heritage Advisory Council (Seventeenth), 2007/2008 (Paper 352)
        Northern Territory Fisheries Joint Authority, 2006/2007 (Paper 353)

        Regulations 2009
        No. 11, Supreme Court Amendment (Subpoenas) Rules (Paper 354)
        No. 12, Care and Protection of Children (Children’s Services) (Paper 355)
        No. 13, Corporations Law Amendment (Cross-Border Insolvency) Rules (Paper 356)
    _________________
        ATTENDANCE:
        All Members attended the sittings.
    Last updated: 04 Aug 2016