Department of the Legislative Assembly, Northern Territory Government

Minutes of Proceedings - 2011-08-17

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

2. PRAYERS.

3. PETITION:
      Response: The Clerk, pursuant to Standing Order 100A, laid on the Table a response to Petition No. 50 relating to the amalgamation of Dundee and Marrakai into a new Shire (Paper 1460).

4. VISITORS:
      The Speaker advised Members of the presence in the public gallery of Driver Primary School Year 4/5/6 students accompanied by Miss Turner, Miss Tsirbas and Mrs Harmsen.
      On behalf of all Members the Speaker extended a warm welcome to the visitors.
5. CRIMINAL JUSTICE LEGISLATION AMENDMENT BILL 2011 (Serial 173):
      The Minister for Justice and Attorney-General (Ms Lawrie), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the legislation relating to criminal justice.
      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, Criminal Justice Legislation Amendment Bill 2011 (Paper 1461).

      On the motion of the Member for Port Darwin (Mr Elferink) debate was adjourned.

6. COMMERCIAL ARBITRATION (NATIONAL UNIFORM LEGISLATION) BILL 2011 (Serial 165):
      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.

7. PUBLIC INFORMATION ACT – REVIEW OF PUBLIC INFORMATION REFERRED TO AUDITOR-GENERAL MARCH 2011 - 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.

8. EDUCATION - MINISTERIAL STATEMENT – 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.
      Extension of time: On the motion of the Member for Barkly (Mr McCarthy) the Member for Stuart (Mr Hampton) was granted an extension of time, pursuant to Standing Order 77.

      Debate continued.
      Debate suspended.
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      Suspension of sittings: The sittings of the Assembly were suspended between 11.58am and 2pm.
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      Visitors: The Speaker advised Members of the presence in the public gallery of Palmerston Senior College, Japanese Exchange students from Aridagawa accompanied by Ms Carroll, Mrs Davies and Ms Kawai.
      On behalf of all Members the Speaker extended a warm welcome to the visitors.
9. NOTICES:
      The following Notices were given:
      Mr Henderson: To present the Kenbi Land Trust Bill 2011 (Serial 175).
10. QUESTIONS:
      2pm Mr Mills to Mr Henderson.
      2.04pm Ms Scrymgour to Mr Henderson.
      Paper tabled: Mr Henderson laid on the Table the following Paper –
Labor Party 2008 Election Commitments – Progress Report, August 2011 (Paper 1462).

      2.07pm Ms Purick to Mr Henderson.
      2.10pm Ms Walker to Mr Henderson.
      2.13pm Mr Tollner to Mr Henderson.
      2.18pm Ms Anderson to Ms M McCarthy.
      2.19pm Mr Gunner to Mr Knight.
      2.21pm Mr Chandler to Dr Burns.
      2.23pm Ms Scrymgour to Mr Hampton.
      2.26pm Ms Anderson to Ms M McCarthy.
      2.27pm Mr Chandler to Dr Burns.
      2.30pm Ms Walker to Ms Lawrie.
      2.33pm Mr Chandler to Dr Burns.
      2.36pm Mr Wood to Dr Burns.
      2.38pm Mr Gunner to Mr Knight.
      2.41pm Mr Mills to Mr Henderson.
      2.45pm Ms Walker to Mr Hampton.
      2.47pm Mr Mills to Mr Henderson.
      2.50pm Ms Walker to Mr Knight.
      2.52pm Mr Wood to Mr Hampton and referred to Mr Henderson.
      2.56pm Mr Elferink to Mr Henderson.
      2.58pm Mr Gunner to Mr Vatskalis.

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

11. EDUCATION - MINISTERIAL STATEMENT – MOTION TO NOTE STATEMENT:
      The Order of the Day having been read for the resumption of debate, suspended earlier this day, on the question – That the Assembly take note of the Statement –
      Debate resumed.
      Extension of time: On the motion of the Member for Barkly (Mr McCarthy) the Member for Wanguri (Mr Henderson) was granted an extension of time, pursuant to Standing Order 77.

      Debate continued.
      Extension of time: On the motion of the Member for Greatorex (Mr Conlan) the Member for Blain (Mr Mills) was granted an extension of time, pursuant to Standing Order 77.

      Debate continued.
      Extension of time: On the motion of the Member for Barkly (Mr r McCarthy) the Member for Nelson (Mr Wood) was granted an extension of time, pursuant to Standing Order 77.

      Debate continued.
      Extension of time: On the motion of the Member for Brennan (Mr Chandler) the Member for Sanderson (Mr Styles) was granted an extension of time, pursuant to Standing Order 77.

      Debate continued.
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      Distinguished visitors: The Speaker advised Members of the presence in the Speaker’s Gallery of -
His Excellency Mr Chen Yuming, Ambassador to Australia, Peoples Republic of China;
Mr Zhang Wei, Counsellor and Consul General of the Chinese Embassy; and
Mr Chen Jiliang, Second Secretary of the Chinese Embassy.
      On behalf of all Members the Speaker extended a warm welcome to the Distinguished Visitors.
      ______________

      Debate continued.
      Visitors: The Speaker advised Members of the presence in the public gallery of Mr Dion Dodd, Chair of Youth Round Table and Ms Lauren Moss a former Chair of the Youth Round Table.
      On behalf of all Members the Speaker extended a warm welcome to the visitors.

      Debate continued.
      Extension of time: On the motion of the Member for Daly (Mr Knight) the Member for Barkly (Mr McCarthy) was granted an extension of time, pursuant to Standing Order 77.

      Debate continued.
      Papers tabled: Mr McCarthy laid on the Table the following papers –
Robinson School Photographs, circa 1985 (Paper 1463).

      Debate continued.
      On the motion of the Leader of Government Business (Dr Burns) debate was adjourned.

12. FURTHER NOTICE:
      The following further notice was given, by leave -
      Mr Vatskalis: To present the Mining Management Amendment Bill 2011 (Serial 162).

13. YOUTH SUICIDE IN THE TERRITORY – MOTION, AS AMENDED, AGREED TO:
      The Member for Nelson (Mr Wood), pursuant to notice, moved – That,
      the Northern Territory Parliament note –

      (a) the alarming number of youth suicides in the Northern Territory; and
        (b) all 25 Members of this Parliament show true leadership in working to consider solutions to achieve a significant reduction in these numbers.

        Debate ensued.
        Pairs: The Speaker advised Members of the following Pair arrangements for today as below –
    Member for Arafura (Ms Scrymgour) and the Member for Drysdale (Mr Bohlin) for the period 5.30pm to 7.30pm, 17 August 2011 (Paper 1464).

        Debate continued.
        The Member for Casuarina (Mr Vatskalis) moved the following amendment –
        Insert paragraph (c) as below:

        (c) this issue be referred to a Select Committee of the Assembly as set out below:-
        1. A Committee to be known as a Select (or Sessional) Committee on Youth Suicides in the NT be appointed comprising, three (3) members nominated by the Chief Minister, two (2) members to be nominated by the Leader of the Opposition and one (1) Independent;

        2. The Committee to be empowered to inquire into and report on the current and emerging issues of Youth Suicide in the Northern Territory.

        3. The Committee to inquire into and report on:
          (a) Proposals to access Commonwealth funding programs including the National Partnership Agreement on Mental Health targeting suicide prevention, intervention and youth mental health, with a particular emphasis on Youth between 17-25 years of age;
            (b) programs and services targeted at Youth aged 17-25 years of age with particular emphasis on Suicide Prevention education and awareness in Schools;

            (c) the role, responsibility, co-operative co-ordination and effectiveness in the response and policies of agencies such as Police, Emergency Departments and general Health Services (Government and non-Government) in assisting/responding to young people at risk of suicide;

            (d) the roles of targeted programs and services that address particular circumstances of high-risk groups, and identification of the strengths and weaknesses of existing suicide prevention responses;

            (e) the adequacy and appropriateness of suicide prevention programs aimed at 17-25 year olds; and

            (f) the accuracy of suicide reporting in the NT, the factors that may impede accurate identification and recording of suicides and attempted suicide rates (and the consequences of any under-reporting on understanding risk factors and provision of services to those at risk).

          Debate ensued.
          Extension of time: On the motion of the Chief Minister (Mr Henderson) the Member for Arafura (Ms Scrymgour) was granted an extension of time, pursuant to Standing Order 77.

          Debate continued.
          Question- That the amendment be agreed to – put and passed.
          Question – That the main motion, as amended, be agreed to – put and passed.
      14. LIVE CATTLE EXPORT BAN, IMPACT ON ECONOMY AND PEOPLE – MOTION:
          The Member for Goyder (Ms Purick), pursuant to notice, moved – That, the Northern Territory Government provide a comprehensive summary of the impact of live export ban of cattle from the Northern Territory on the agricultural and transport industries of the Northern Territory with particular reference to the following areas of business and occupation:

          (a) hay and fodder production;
          (b) road transport;
          (c) helicopter and heli mustering;
          (d) veterinary services;
          (e) management of export yards and holding depots; and
          (f) loss of employment in all areas of the agricultural industries.
          Debate ensued.
          Adjournment postponed: The Minister for Health (Mr Vatskalis), pursuant to Standing Order 41A(iii), asked that debate be extended for 10 minutes.
          Question - put and passed.
          Debate continued.
          Debate adjourned, pursuant to Standing Order 41A.

      15. ADJOURNMENT, Automatic:
          The Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 41A, at 9.05pm proposed the question - That the Assembly do now adjourn -
          Debate ensued.
          Paper tabled: Mr Westra van Holthe, by leave, laid on the Table the following Paper –
      Debutante’s Ball 2011, Katherine Times, 10 August 2011 (Paper 1465).

          Debate continued.
          And the Assembly adjourned at 10.05pm until Thursday, 18 August 2011 at 10am.
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          PAPERS:
          There were no Papers deemed to have been presented on Wednesday, 17 August 2011.
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          ATTENDANCE:
          All Members attended the sittings.



          Ian McNeill
      Clerk of the Legislative Assembly
      Last updated: 04 Aug 2016