Department of the Legislative Assembly, Northern Territory Government

Minutes of Proceedings - 2006-02-22

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

2. PRAYERS.

3. MINISTERIAL REPORTS:
      Cruise Ship Visitations: The Minister for Tourism (Ms Martin) reported on the growth of Territory Tourism in Darwin and surrounds associated with increasing cruise ship visitation and construction of the new cruise ship terminal.
      Mrs Mills responded.

      Age of Entry Trials to Secondary Schools: The Minister for Employment, Education and Training (Mr Stirling) reported on the Age of Entry trials to secondary schools for 2004/2005 and 2006.
      Mr Mills responded.
      Mrs Braham responded.
      Mr Stirling responded.

      Crime Prevention Grant Scheme: The Minister for Justice and Attorney-General (Dr Toyne) reported on NT Crime Prevention Grant Scheme funding and partnerships forged with the community.
      Ms Carney responded.
      Mrs Braham responded.
      Dr Toyne responded.

      Ministerial Reports noted.
4. DEFAMATION BILL 2006 (Serial 41):
      The Minister for Justice and Attorney-General (Dr Toyne), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to enact in the Territory provisions to promote uniform laws of defamation in Australia, and for related purposes.
      Bill read a first time.
      Dr Toyne moved - That the Bill be now read a second time -
      Debate ensued.
      Paper tabled: Dr Toyne laid on the Table the following Paper -
Explanatory Statement, Defamation Bill 2006 (Serial 41) (Paper 385).

      On the motion of the Member for Araluen (Ms Carney) debate was adjourned.
5. PARTNERSHIP AMENDMENT (VENTURE CAPITAL FUNDS) BILL 2006 (Serial 42):
      The Minister for Justice and Attorney-General (Dr Toyne), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the Partnership Act.
      Bill read a first time.
      Dr Toyne moved - That the Bill be now read a second time -
      Debate ensued.
      Paper tabled: Dr Toyne laid on the Table the following Paper -
Explanatory Statement, Partnership Amendment (Venture Capital Funds) Bill 2006 (Serial 42) (Paper 386).

      On the motion of the Member for Araluen (Ms Carney) debate was adjourned.
6. ALTERATION TO ORDER OF BUSINESS:
      The Leader of Government Business (Mr Henderson) moved - That Government Business, Orders of the Day No. 1, be postponed until after consideration of business relating to the Treasurer's Mid-Year Report 2005/2006.
      Question - put and passed.
7. TREASURER’S MID-YEAR REPORT 2005/2006 - 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 sitting of the Assembly was suspended between 11.54am and 2pm.
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8. DISTINGUISHED VISITORS:
      The Speaker advised Members of the presence in the Speaker's Gallery of Mr Jim Dowling former Moderator of the Uniting Church.
      On behalf of all Members the Speaker extended a warm welcome to the distinguished visitor.
9. VISITORS:
      The Speaker advised Members of the presence in the public galleries of Paulo de Fatima Martins Timor Leste Police and members of the public.
      On behalf of all Members the Speaker extended a warm welcome to the visitors.
10. NOTICES:
      Ms Martin: To present the Administrators Pensions Amendment Bill 2006 (Serial 37).
      Ms Lawrie: To present the Adoption of Children Amendment Bill 2006 (Serial 38).
11. QUESTIONS:
      2.03pm Dr Lim to Ms Martin.
      Paper tabled: The Member for Greatorex (Dr Lim), by leave, laid on the Table the following Paper -
Letter, gifting of Toyota Landcruiser Rego No 428254, Papunya Community Council Inc., dated 28 June 1994 (Paper 387).

      2.06pm Mr Burke to Mr Stirling.
      2.09pm Dr Lim to Ms Martin.
      2.12pm Mr Knight to Mr Vatskalis.
      2.15pm Ms Carney to Ms Martin.
      2.18pm Mr Kiely to Mr Henderson.
      2.22pm Mrs Braham to Mr Stirling.
      2.24pm Dr Lim to Ms Martin referred to Dr Toyne.
      2.30pm Ms Anderson to Ms Martin.
      2.33pm Ms Carney to Ms Martin.
      2.35pm Mr Natt to Ms Lawrie.
      2.37pm Mr Wood to Mr Henderson.
      2.40pm Ms Sacilotto to Dr Toyne.
      2.43pm Ms Carney to Ms Martin.
      2.45pm Mr Bonson to Mr Stirling.
      2.47pm Ms Carney to Ms Martin.
      2.48pm Ms McCarthy to Mr McAdam.
      2.51pm Mrs Braham to Dr Burns.
      2.52pm Mr Natt to Ms Scrymgour.
      Paper Tabled: The Minister for Arts and Museums (Ms Scrymgour) laid on the Table the following Paper -
Art and Festival Grants to community organisations, Schedule (Paper 388).

      2.55pm Mr Mills to Ms Martin.
      2.59pm Mr Knight to Mr Vatskalis.

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

12. TREASURER’S MID-YEAR REPORT 2005/2006 - 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.
      Extension of time: On the motion of the Leader of Government Business (Mr Henderson) the Treasurer (Mr Stirling) was granted an extension of time.

      Debate continued.
      Question - put and passed.

13. LEGAL AND CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE, INTERIM REPORT OF NORTHERN TERRITORY STATEHOOD STEERING COMMITTEE, FEBRUARY 2006 - NOTE 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.
      ______________

      Visitor: The Speaker advised Members of the presence in the public galleries of Ms Sue Bradley, Co-Chair of the Northern Territory Statehood Steering Committee.
      On behalf of all Members the Speaker extended a warm welcome to the visitor.
      _______________

      Debate continued.
      Question - put and passed.
14. MEMBERS’ TELEPHONE AND TRAVEL EXPENSES ─ REPORT PURSUANT TO REMUNERATION TRIBUNAL DETERMINATION NO. 1 OF 2005 - REPORT TABLED - REPORT PRINTED:
      The Speaker laid on the Table the Report to the Legislative Assembly by the Department of the Legislative Assembly, pursuant to paragraphs 5.20 and 8.8(c) of the Remuneration Tribunal Determination No. 1 of 2005 (Paper 389), which contains:

An Annual Schedule of Member Travel at government expense; and
An Annual Schedule containing the respective totals of government payments on behalf of each Member for satellite telephones and mobile telephones.
      The Leader of Government Business (Mr Henderson) moved - That the Report be printed.
      Question - put and passed.
15. ANSWER TO QUESTION:
      The Leader of Government Business (Mr Henderson), by leave, provided an answer to a question asked by the Member for Braitling (Mrs Braham) this day relating to the awarding of a contract to Siemens Pty Ltd for work in Alice Springs.
16. BUILDING BETTER SERVICES FOR PEOPLE WITH A DISABILITY - MINISTERIAL STATEMENT - STATEMENT NOTED:
      The Minister for Family and Community Services (Ms Lawrie) made a statement relating to achievements in advancing rights and interests of Territorians with a disability.
      Ms Lawrie moved - That the Assembly take note of the Statement.
      Debate resumed.
      Extension of time - Denied: The Member for Katherine (Mrs Miller) moved - That the Member for Greatorex (Dr Lim) be granted an extension of time, pursuant to Standing Order 77.
      Question - put and negatived.

      Debate continued.
      Extension of time: On the motion of the Member for Karama (Ms Lawrie) the Member for Goyder (Mr Warren) was granted an extension of time.

      Debate continued.
      Question - put and passed.
17. BUILDING THE TERRITORY'S RESOURCE BASE - MINISTERIAL STATEMENT - STATEMENT NOTED:
      The Minister for Mines and Energy (Mr Vatskalis) made a statement relating to the development of the Territory's resource base through an investment attraction program.
      Mr Vatskalis moved - That the Assembly take note of the Statement.
      Debate ensued.
      Question - put and passed.
18. ADJOURNMENT:
      The Treasurer (Mr Stirling) moved - That the Assembly do now adjourn.
      Debate ensued.
      Question - put and passed.
      The Assembly adjourned at 9.53pm until Thursday 23 February 2006 at 10am.
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      PAPERS:
      The following Papers were deemed to have been presented on Wednesday 22 February 2006 -

      Annual Reports:
      Heritage Advisory Council 2004/2005 (Paper 384)
      National Environment Protection Council 2004/2005 (Paper 383)
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      ATTENDANCE:
      All Members attended the sitting.
Last updated: 04 Aug 2016