Department of the Legislative Assembly, Northern Territory Government

Minutes of Proceedings - 2015-12-01

1. MEETING
The Assembly met at 10am. The Speaker, the Honourable Kezia Purick took the Chair.

2. PRAYERS
    3. VISITORS
        The Speaker advised Honourable Members of the presence in the gallery of:

        1. Two year 5 classes from Rosebery Primary School and

        2. Mr Simon Spillett.

        On behalf of all Members the Speaker extended a warm welcome to the visitors.
    4. SPEAKER'S STATEMENT
        The Speaker made a statement regarding:

        1. Members reflecting on the Chair inside and outside of the Chamber, and

        2. New Standing Orders – Adopted as of 1 December 2015.
    5. NO CONFIDENCE IN THE GOVERNMENT
        Mr Gunner (Leader of the Opposition) pursuant to notice and precedence being granted, moved – That this Assembly express ‘that the government no longer possesses the confidence of the Assembly’.

        Debate ensued.

        Debate suspended.
        _________________

        Suspension of sittings: The sitting of the Assembly was suspended between 12 noon and 2.00pm.
        _________________
    6. NOTICES
        The following notices were given:

        1. Ms Purick (Member for Goyder) will present on the next General Business day a bill entitled –Medical Services Amendment Bill 2015 (Serial 150).

        2. Mr Giles (Chief Minister) will present on the next sitting day a bill entitled – Electoral Legislation Amendment Bill 2015 (Serial 149).

        3. Mrs Lambley (Member for Araluen) will move on the next General Business day - That Government considers providing stamp duty relief or a grant to assist First Home Owners to buy existing homes.

    7. PETITION
        Ms Purick (Member for Goyder), by leave, presented Petition No. 58 from 118 petitioners, not conforming with Standing Orders relating to conserving Berry Springs Waterhole (Paper 1584).

        Petition read.
    8. NO CONFIDENCE IN THE GOVERNMENT – MOTION NOT AGREED TO
        Resumption of debate on the question – That this Assembly express ‘that the government no longer possesses the confidence of the Assembly’.

        Debate ensued.

        Mr Giles (Chief Minister) moved – That the question now be put.

        Question – put

        The Assembly divided:
          Ayes - 13 Noes - 9
          Mr Barrett Ms Anderson
          Mr Chandler Ms Fyles
          Mr Conlan Mr Gunner
          Mr Elferink Ms Lawrie
          Mrs Finocchiaro Mr McCarthy
          Mr Giles Ms Manison
          Mr Higgins Ms Moss
          Mr Kurrupuwu Mr Vowles
          Ms Lee Ms Walker
          Mrs Price
          Mr Styles
          Mr Tollner
          Mr Westra van Holthe
        Motion agreed to.

        Question – That the motion be agreed to - put

        The Assembly divided:
          Ayes - 9 Noes -13
          Ms Anderson Mr Barrett
          Ms Fyles Mr Chandler
          Mr Gunner Mr Conlan
          Ms Lawrie Mr Elferink
          Mr McCarthy Mrs Finocchiaro
          Ms Manison Mr Giles
          Ms Moss Mr Higgins
          Mr Vowles Mr Kurrupuwu
          Ms Walker Ms Lee
          Mrs Price
          Mr Styles
          Mr Tollner
          Mr Westra van Holthe
        Motion not agreed to.
    9. QUESTIONS
        5.03 Mr Gunner to Chief Minister
        5.04 Mrs Finocchiaro to Chief Minister
        5.08 Mr Gunner to Chief Minister
        5.12 Mr Barrett to Attorney-General and Minister for Justice
        5.15 Mr Gunner to Chief Minister
        5.16 Mr Wood to Minister for Arts and Museums
        5.19 Mr Conlan to Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services
        5.23 Ms Walker to Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services
        5.27 Mr Kurrupuwu to Minister for Primary Industry and Fisheries
        5.31 Ms Lawrie to Chief Minister
        5.35 Mr Barrett to Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services
        5.39 Mr Vowles to Chief Minister
        5.44 Mr Conlan to Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services
        5.47 Ms Fyles to Treasurer
        5.49 Mrs Lambley to Treasurer
        5.53 Mr Barrett to Attorney-General and Minister for Justice
        5.57 Mr McCarthy to Chief Minister

        Paper Tabled: Mr McCarthy (Member for Barkly), by leave, laid upon the Table – A Safer Territory Keeping Doors Open Towards a Sustainable Future, Help NT – HELP NT Response to INPEX EIS, Carolyn Reynolds BSC(Hons), PGCE, MA(Bus & Ed), MIBiol, CBiol, AIMM, DipOE (Paper 1587).

        Mr Elferink (Leader of Government Business) asked that further questions be placed on the Written Question Paper.
    10. NORTH EAST GAS INTERCONNECTOR PIPELINE (SPECIAL PROVISIONS) BILL 2015 (Serial 143) – BILL AGREED TO
        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.

        On the motion of Mr Giles (Chief Minister), by leave, the Bill was read a third time and was passed to be a proposed law.
    11. EDUCATION BILL 2015 (Serial 142) – BILL AGREED TO
        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.

        The Assembly resolved to consider the Bill in detail.
        _________________

        Consideration in Detail

        The Assembly considered the Education Bill 2015 (Serial 142).

        Clauses 1 to 27 taken together and agreed to.

        Clause 28 read.

        Mr Chandler (Education Minister) moved the following amendment to clause 28
          Clause 28(1)(d) and (e)

          omit, insert

          (d) a person who is a parent of a student enrolled in a school in the Territory who has demonstrated, to the satisfaction of the Administrator, that the person has been nominated or endorsed by a body that represents the interests of such parents;

          (e) a person who is working as a teacher in the Territory who has demonstrated, to the satisfaction of the Administrator, that the person has been nominated or endorsed by a body that represents the interests of such teachers;

        Amendment agreed to.

        Clause 28 as amended agreed to.

        Clauses 29 to 81 taken together and agreed to.

        Clause 82 read.

        Mr Chandler moved the following amendment to clause 82 -
          Clause 82(6)

          omit, insert

          (6) If a student enrolled in a Government school repeats one or more years of schooling:

          (a) the repeated year (or first repeated year) does not count as a part of the student's standard allocation; and

          (b) any other repeated year counts as part of the student's standard allocation.

        Amendment agreed to.

        Clause 82 as amended agreed to.

        Clause 83 read.

        Mr Chandler moved the following amendment to clause 83 -
          Clause 83(2)

          omit

          12 weeks

          insert

          30 days

        Amendment agreed to.

        Clause 83 as amended agreed to.

        Remainder of the Bill taken together and agreed to.

        Bill as amended agreed to.
        _________________
        On the motion of Mr Chandler (Minister for Education), the Bill was read a third time and was passed to be a proposed law.

    12. PAPERS
        The Speaker tabled the following Papers –

        1. Remuneration Tribunal Determination, Travel Report, Member for Johnston, Mr Ken Vowles, travelled to Alice Springs to attend meetings and meet with stakeholders pertaining to my portfolio responsibilities in Melbourne from 19th-20th August 2015, pursuant to clause 4.12, dated 30 November 2015 (Paper 1588).

        2. Remuneration Tribunal Determination, Travel Report, Member for Barkly, Mr Gerry McCarthy to attend the 4th Annual Beat performance on 5th November 2015 at the Araluen Arts Centre, pursuant to clause 4.12, not dated (Paper 1589). ).
    13. SEX OFFENDER AND CHILD HOMICIDE OFFENDER PUBLIC WEBSITE (DANIEL'S LAW) BILL 2015 (Serial 139)
        Mr Elferink (Attorney-General and Minister for Justice), by leave, withdrew the Bill.
    14. ADJOURNMENT
        Mr Elferink (Leader of Government Business) moved - That the Assembly do now adjourn.

        The Assembly adjourned at 10.44pm until Wednesday 2 December 2015 at 10.00am.
    ____________________
        PAPERS
        The following papers were deemed to have been Tabled on 1 December 2015 -

        Subordinate Legislation 2015:
        No. 28 of 2015, Nhulunbuy (Animal Control) Amendment By-laws 2015 (Paper 1585)
        No. 29 of 2015, Co-operatives (National Uniform Legislation) Regulations (Paper 1586)
    ______________________

        ATTENDANCE
        All Members attended the sittings.

        Michael Tatham
        Clerk of the Legislative Assembly
    Last updated: 04 Aug 2016