Department of the Legislative Assembly, Northern Territory Government

Minutes of Proceedings - 2011-02-22

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

    2. PRAYERS.

    3. PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE – CHANGE OF MEMBERSHIP:
        The Member for Port Darwin (Mr Elferink), pursuant to notice, moved - – That the Member for Fong Lim (Mr Tollner) be discharged from the Public Accounts Committee and that the Member for Katherine (Mr Westra van Holthe) be appointed in his stead.
        Question – put and passed.

    4. STATEMENT BY SPEAKER – CONDOLENCE, MR MAURICE JOSEPH ANDREW RIOLI:
        The Speaker advised Members of the death on 25 December 2010 of Mr Maurice Joseph Andrew Rioli, former Member for Arafura in the Legislative Assembly from November 1992 until August 2001.

        Distinguished Visitors: The Speaker advised Members of the presence in the Speaker’s Gallery of family and friends of the late Mr Rioli –
    Mr Sebastian Rioli and his wife, Cheryl, Manny Rioli, and Cyril Rioli Jnr, brothers of Mr Maurice Rioli;
    Mr Alan Hudson, the CEO of the Tiwi Shire;
    Ms Lynette de Santis, Mayor of the Tiwi Shire;
    Mr Lawrence Costa, Director of Community Services at Milikapiti; and
    Other family and friends, including nieces of Mr Rioli, Gail and Sonia.
          On behalf of all Members the Speaker extended a warm welcome to the distinguished visitors.

      5. CONDOLENCE – MR MAURICE JOSEPH ANDREW RIOLI – MOTION AGREED TO:
          The Chief Minister (Mr Henderson),by leave, moved - That this Assembly:

          (a) express its deep regret at the passing of Mr Maurice Joseph Andrew Rioli, an outstanding Territorian, a wonderfully talented sportsman and a former Member of the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly; and

          (b) tender our profound sympathy to his family and friends.

          The Chief Minister (Mr Henderson) thereupon addressed the motion.
          The Leader of the Opposition (Mr Mills) addressed the motion.
          Debate ensued.
          Question – put and passed.

          As a mark of respect Members stood in their places for one minute, in silence.

      6. EDUCATION AMENDMENT BILL, EXPOSURE DRAFT – PAPER TABLED:
          The Minister for Education (Dr Burns) laid on the Table an Exposure Draft Education Amendment Bill (Paper 1190).
          Dr Burns made a statement relating thereto.

      7. CARE AND PROTECTION OF CHILDREN (CHILDREN’S COMMISSIONER) AMENDMENT BILL 2011 (Serial 147):
          The Minister for Children and Families (Mr Vatskalis), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the Care and Protection of Children Act, and for other purposes.
          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, Care and Protection of Children (Children’s Commissioner) Amendment Bill 2011 (Paper 1191).

          On the motion of the Member for Araluen (Mrs Lambley) debate was adjourned.
      ___________________
          Suspension of sittings: The sittings of the Assembly were suspended between 11.58am and 2pm.
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      8. NOTICES:
          The following Notices were given:
          Ms Lawrie: To present the Bail Amendment Bill 2011 (Serial 150).

          Ms Lawrie: To present the Criminal Law Amendment (Sentencing Appeals) Bill 2011 (Serial 151).

          Ms Lawrie: To present the Darwin Port Corporation Legislation Amendment Bill 2011 (Serial 153).

          Ms Lawrie To present the Justice and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2011 (Serial 148).

          Ms Lawrie: To present the Electronic Transactions (Northern Territory) Amendment Bill 2011 (Serial 154).

      9. QUESTIONS:
          2pm Mr Mills to Mr Henderson.
          2.02pm Mr Mills to Mr Henderson supplementary.
          2.03pm Ms Walker to Mr Henderson.
          2.06pm Mr Mills to Mr Henderson.
          2.09pm Mr Gunner to Mr Henderson.
          2.12pm Mr Mills to Mr Henderson.
          2.15pm Mr Wood to Mr Vatskalis.
          2.17pm Ms Scrymgour to Mr Knight.
          2.20pm Mr Mills to Mr Henderson.
          2.24pm Ms Walker to Mr Hampton.
          2.27pm Ms Anderson to Mr Hampton.
          2.28pm Mr Styles to Mr Henderson.
          2.31pm Mr Gunner to Ms Lawrie.
          2.34pm Ms Purick to Mr Henderson.
          2.37pm Mr Wood to Mr McCarthy.
          2.40pm Ms Scrymgour to Mr Vatskalis.
          2.43pm Mr Conlan to Mr Henderson.
          2.44pm Ms Scrymgour to Dr Burns.
          2.48pm Mr Elferink to Mr Knight.
          2.51pm Ms Walker to Mr Vatskalis.
          2.54pm Ms Anderson to Ms McCarthy.
          2.56pm Mr Styles to Mr McCarthy.
          2.59pm Mr Gunner to Mr Knight.

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

      10. AUDITOR-GENERAL’S FEBRUARY 2011 REPORT TO THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY – PAPER TABLED – MOTION TO NOTE REPORT:
          The Speaker presented the Auditor-General’s February 2011 Report to the Legislative Assembly (Paper 1192).
          The Chief Minister (Mr Henderson) moved – That the Report be printed.
          Question – put and passed.
          The Chief Minister (Mr Henderson) moved – That the Assembly take note of the Report.
          Leave granted to Mr Henderson to continue his remarks at a later hour.
          Debate adjourned.
      11. PENALTIES AMENDMENT (CHILDREN AND FAMILIES, HEALTH AND PRIMARY INDUSTRY, FISHERIES AND RESOURCES) BILL 2011 (Serial 149):
          The Treasurer (Ms Lawrie), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend penalties in various Acts and subordinate legislation administered by the Minister for Children and Families, Minister for Health and Minister for Primary Industry, Fisheries and Resources.
          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, Penalties Amendment (Children and Families, Health and Primary Industry, Fisheries and Resources) Bill 2011 (Paper 1193).

          On the motion of the Member for Port Darwin (Mr Elferink) debate was adjourned.
      12. PUBLIC SECTOR EMPLOYMENT AND MANAGEMENT AMENDMENT BILL 2011 (Serial 146):
          The Minister for Public Employment (Dr Burns), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the Public Sector Employment and Management Act, and for related purposes.
          Dr Burns moved – That the Bill be now read a second time -
          Debate ensued.
          Paper tabled: Dr Burns laid on the Table the following Paper –
      Explanatory Statement, Public Sector Employment and Management Amendment Bill 2011 (Paper 1194).

          On the motion of the Member for Greatorex (Mr Conlan) debate was adjourned.
      13. CRIMINAL CODE AMENDMENT (CRIMINAL DAMAGE) BILL 2010 (Serial 141):
          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 (Ms Lawrie) the Bill was read a third time and passed to be a proposed law.
      14. INFORMATION AMENDMENT BILL 2010 (Serial 143):
          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 (Ms Lawrie) the Bill was read a third time and passed to be a proposed law.

      15. TREASURER'S MID-YEAR REPORT 2010/2011 - REPORT NOTED:
          The order of the Day having been read for the resumption of debate on the motion – that the Assembly take note of the Report –
          Debate resumed.
          Extension of time: On the motion of the Member for Port Darwin (Mr Elferink) the Member for Katherine (Mr Westra van Holthe) was granted an extension of time, pursuant to Standing order 77.

          Debate continued.
          Extension of time: On the motion of the Member for Johnston (Dr Burns) the Member for Karama (Ms Lawrie) was granted an extension of time, pursuant to Standing order 77.

          Debate continued.
          Question – put and passed.

      16. COUNCIL OF TERRITORY CO-OPERATION, THIRD REPORT, NOVEMBER 2010 – 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.
          Extension of time: On the motion of the Member for Wanguri (Mr Henderson) the Member for Nelson (Mr Wood) was granted an extension of time, pursuant to Standing order 77.

          Debate continued.
          Question – put and passed.

      17. NORTHERN TERRITORY GOVERNMENT PRIORITIES FOR 2011 – MINISTERIAL STATEMENT – MOTION TO NOTE STATEMENT:
          The Chief Minister (Mr Henderson) made a statement relating to the Priorities of Government for 2011.
          Mr Henderson moved – That the Assembly take note of the Statement.
          Debate ensued.
          The Member for Port Darwin (Mr Elferink) moved – That debate be adjourned.
          Question – put and passed.

      18. MATTER OF PUBLIC IMPORTANCE – ALICE SPRINGS LAWLESSNESS:
          The Speaker advised the Assembly the Member for Greatorex (Mr Conlan) had proposed the following definite Matter of Public Importance for discussion this day:
              That there is acute lawlessness devastating Alice Springs and that the resources made available by the NT Government are insufficient to deal with the problems.

              An immediate acknowledgement and response is required with the deployment of a police task force and extra police on the beat.
          The proposed discussion having received the necessary support –
          Discussion ensued.
          Discussion concluded.
      19. ADJOURNMENT:
          The Leader of Government Business (Dr Burns) moved - That the Assembly do now adjourn.
          Debate ensued.
          Paper tabled: The Member for Port Darwin (Mr Elferink), by leave, laid on the Table the following Paper –
      Petition re Cavanagh Street Parking Space Removal, signed by 1650 petitioners (Paper 1195).

          Debate continued.
          And the Assembly adjourned at 10.30pm until Wednesday 23 February 2011 at 10am.
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          PAPERS:
          There were no Papers deemed to have been presented on Tuesday 22 February 2011.
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          ATTENDANCE:
          All Members attended the sittings.
    Last updated: 04 Aug 2016