Department of the Legislative Assembly, Northern Territory Government

Minutes of Proceedings - 2006-10-12

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

2. PRAYERS.

3. PETITIONS:
      The Member for Blain (Mr Mills) presented petition No. 44 from 3798 petitioners requesting Little Mindil be rezoned to 01 Open Space (Paper 655).
      Petition read.

      The Member for Greatorex (Dr Lim) presented petition No. 45 from 442 petitioners requesting the decision to handover 48 Territory owned parks be rescinded (Paper 656).
      Petition read.

4. MINISTERIAL REPORTS:
      Wage Policy, Northern Territory Public Sector: The Minister for Employment, Education and Training (Mr Henderson) reported on the Northern Territory enterprise wages bargaining policy for the Northern Territory Public Sector.
      Paper tabled: Mr Henderson laid on the Table the following Paper -
Northern Territory Public Service Wages Policy, Bulletin (Paper 657).

      Mr Mills responded.
      Mr Wood responded.
      Mr Henderson responded.

      Nurse Recruitment: The Minister for Health (Dr Burns) reported on progress in nurse recruitment to the health system.
      Dr Lim responded.
      Dr Burns responded.

      Community Library Officers: The Minister for Local Government (Mr McAdam) reported on the employment of local Community Library Officers in remote community areas of the Territory together with increased resource development.
      Dr Lim responded.
      Mr McAdam responded.

      Ministerial Reports noted, pursuant to Standing Orders.
5. EVIDENCE AND OTHER LEGISLATION (WITNESS ASSISTANCE) AMENDMENT BILL 2006 (Serial 64):
      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 Justice and Attorney-General (Mr Stirling) the Bill was read a third time and passed to be a proposed law.
6. TERRITORY COMMUNICATIONS NEEDS - MOTION TO NOTE STATEMENT:
      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.
      Paper tabled: The Member for Millner (Mr Bonson) laid on the Table the following paper -
Letters, Mr Bonson, Member for Millner to Telstra re ADSL Broadband Services RAAF Base Darwin (Paper 661).

      Debate continued.
      Debate suspended.
      _______________

      Suspension of sittings: The sittings of the Assembly was suspended between 11.49am and 2pm.
      _______________

7. NOTICES:
      Mrs Braham: To present the Bail Amendment (Serious Sexual Offences) Bill 2006 (Serial 72).

8. QUESTIONS:
      2.03pm Ms Carney to Ms Martin.
      2.06pm Mr Burke to Mr Stirling.
      2.09pm Dr Lim to Dr Burns.
      2.14pm Mr Knight to Ms Scrymgour.
      2.22pm Mr Mills to Dr Burns.
      2.24pm Ms Anderson to Ms Martin.
      2.27pm Mr Wood to Mr McAdam.
      2.34pm Dr Lim to Dr Burns.
      2.36pm Ms McCarthy to Dr Burns.
      2.40pm Dr Lim to Mr McAdam.
      2.43pm Mr Kiely to Mr Natt.
      2.47pm Mrs Braham to Ms Lawrie.
      2.51pm Mr Bonson to Ms Lawrie.
      2.54pm Dr Lim to Dr Burns.
      2.57pm Mr Hampton to Mr Henderson.

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

9. STATEMENT BY SPEAKER - LEAVE OF ABSENCE:
      The Speaker (Mrs Aagaard) advised Members of her leave of absence for sitting days 17 to 19 October 2006 on account of required medical treatment interstate.

10. TERRITORY COMMUNICATIONS NEEDS - 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.

11. BUILDING THE TERRITORY'S FUTURE - AN ECONOMIC PROGRESS REPORT - MINISTERIAL STATEMENT - MOTION TO NOTE STATEMENT:
      The Treasurer (Mr Stirling) made a statement relating to the Territory's growing economy for the benefit of Territorians for now and into the future.
      Mr Stirling moved - That the Assembly take note of the statement.
      Debate ensued.
      Papers tabled: Mr Stirling laid on the Table the following Papers -
Construction Snapshot August 2006 (Paper 664); and
Northern Territory, Special Report, Resources push the economy into overdrive (Paper 663).

      Debate continued.
      ____________

      Quorum: The Member for Braitling (Mrs Braham) drew the Speaker's attention to the lack of a quorum of the Assembly.
      Bells having been rung and a quorum having been obtained -
      The Assembly resumed.
      ____________

      Debate continued.
      On the motion of the Leader of Government Business (Mr Henderson) debate was adjourned.

12. MATTER OF PUBLIC IMPORTANCE - SUNDOWNER CARAVAN PARK:
      The Speaker advised the Assembly that the Member for Nelson (Mr Wood) had proposed the following definite Matter of Public Importance for discussion this day:
          The proposed closure of the Sundowner Caravan Park which will mean that approximately 80 people will lose their homes (caravans) at the park and in which many of them have lived for some years and the requirement to take action which would save the park residents' occupancy. (Paper 662)
      The proposed discussion having received the necessary support -
      The Speaker thereupon called on Mr Wood to address the Assembly.
      Discussion ensued.
      Discussion concluded.
13. 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 7.25pm until Tuesday 17 October 2006 at 10am.
      _________________

      PAPERS:
      The following Papers were deemed to have been presented on Thursday 12 October 2006 -

      Annual Reports:
      Legislative Assembly Members' Superannuation Trust 2005/2006 (Paper 659)
      Racing, Gaming and Licensing 2005/2006 (Paper 658)
      Utilities Commission2005/2006 (Paper 660)
_________________
      ATTENDANCE:
      All Members attended the sitting, except Mrs Miller on leave.
Last updated: 04 Aug 2016