Minutes of Proceedings - 2012-10-23
- The First Session of the Twelfth Legislative Assembly of the Northern Territory began in the Legislative Assembly Chamber, Darwin, on Tuesday the 23 October, Two thousand and twelve.
- And Members having taken their seats -
- The Notice calling the Legislative Assembly together was read by the Clerk, as follows:
Northern Territory of Australia
Northern Territory (Self-Government) Act 1978 of the Commonwealth
Notice appointing the time for holding first session of the Twelfth Legislative Assembly.
Northern Territory (Self-Government) Act 1978 of the Commonwealth
Notice appointing the time for holding first session of the Twelfth Legislative Assembly.
I, Sally Gordon Thomas, the Administrator of the Northern Territory of Australia, under section 22(1) of the Northern Territory (Self-Government) Act 1978 of the Commonwealth, appoint 10am on Tuesday, 23 October 2012 as the time for holding the first session of the Twelfth Legislative Assembly.
- Dated 17 September 2012.
- Sgd. SALLY THOMAS
Administrator (Paper 2)
- The approach of Her Honour the Administrator was announced by the Serjeant-at-Arms.
Her Honour the Administrator the Honourable Sally Thomas AM entered the Chamber and took the Chair and then addressed Members of the Assembly as follows:
Members of the Legislative Assembly and guests, please be seated -
Members of the Legislative Assembly, pursuant to section 22 of the Northern Territory (Self-Government) Act 1978 of the Commonwealth, I appointed 10am on Tuesday, 23 October 2012, as the day for the Legislative Assembly of the Northern Territory of Australia to assemble for the despatch of business and required all members of the Legislative Assembly to give their attendance in the Legislative Assembly Chamber.
- The Darwin Chorale sang the Australian National Anthem.
- The Administrator further addressed Members of the Assembly as follows:
Members of the Legislative Assembly, pursuant to section 13 of the Northern Territory (Self-Government) Act 1978 of the Commonwealth it is, amongst other things, enacted that every member of the Legislative Assembly shall, before taking his or her seat, make and subscribe before the Administrator or a person authorized by the Administrator, an oath or affirmation of allegiance in the form in Schedule 2 of the Northern Territory (Self-Government) Act 1978 and an oath or affirmation of office in the form in Schedule 3 of that Act.
- The Clerk of the Legislative Assembly laid on the Table the Writ for the election of Members of the Legislative Assembly elected on25 August 2012, dated 6 August 2012 (Paper 3) and returned to he erHonour the Administrator 3 September 2012.
- The Administrator called upon the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly to administer the oaths or affirmations to those Members of the Legislative Assembly who are present. Members named in the return were called and accordingly made and subscribed the oaths or affirmations required by law, as follows:
Francis Xavier Kurrupuwu Arafura - Oath
Robyn Jane Lambley Araluen - Oath
Larisa Antonia Lillian Lee Arnhem - Oath
Gerald Francis McCarthy Barkly - Oath
Terence Kennedy Mills Blain - Oath
Adam Graham Giles Braitling - Oath
Peter Glen Chandler Brennan - Oath
Konstantine Vatskalis Casuarina - Oath
Gary John Higgins Daly - Oath
Lia Emele Finocchiaro Drysdale - Oath
Michael Patrick Francis Gunner Fannie Bay - Oath
David William Tollner Fong Lim - Oath
Kezia Dorcas Tibisay Purick Goyder - Oath
Matthew Escott Conlan Greatorex - Oath
Kenneth Edward Vowles Johnston - Affirmation
Delia Phoebe Lawrie Karama - Affirmation
Willem Rudolf Westra van Holthe Katherine - Oath
Alison Anderson Namatjira - Oath
Gerard Vincent Wood Nelson - Oath
Lynne Michele Walker Nhulunbuy - Oath
Natasha Kate Fyles Nightcliff - Oath
Johan Wessel Elferink Port Darwin - Oath
Peter Donald Styles Sanderson - Oath
Bess Nungarrayi Price Stuart - Oath
Paul Raymond Henderson Wanguri - Oath
- Her Honour the Administrator advised Members as follows:
Members of the Legislative Assembly it is now necessary that a Speaker of the Legislative Assembly be chosen, you, Members of the Legislative Assembly will now proceed to choose some proper person to be your Speaker.
Following the selection of the person you choose to be Speaker and their presentation to me later this day I will return to the Chamber and address this Assembly declaring the causes for calling the Assembly together.
- Her Honour the Administrator, the Honourable Sally Thomas AM then withdrew from the Chamber preceded by the Serjeant-at-Arms.
8. ELECTION OF SPEAKER:
- The Chief Minister (Mr Mills) addressing the Clerk thereupon proposed to the Assembly for its Speaker the Member for Goyder, Ms Purick, and moved - That the Member for Goyder do take the Chair of this Assembly as Speaker.
Which motion was seconded by the Leader of the Opposition (Ms Lawrie) and Ms Purick accepted the nomination.
The Clerk asked "is there any further proposal" - There being no further nominations, the time for proposals having expired -
The Clerk accordingly declared the Member for Goyder (Ms Purick) elected as Speaker in accordance with Standing Orders.
The Speaker was conducted to the Chair by her sponsors, Mr Mills and Ms Lawrie.
The Speaker thanked the Assembly for the high honour it had conferred, and thereupon took the Chair.
9. PRESENTATION OF SPEAKER TO ADMINISTRATOR:
- The Speaker informed Members that it was the intention of Her Honour the Administrator to attend at the Office of the Speaker and invited Honourable Members to the Office of the Speaker where she would present herself to Her Honour as the choice of the Assembly as Speaker.
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- Suspension of sitting: The sitting was suspended until the ringing of the Bells.
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- The Bells having been rung and the Assembly having resumed -
The Speaker reported that, accompanied by Honourable Members, she had presented herself to Her Honour the Administrator as the choice of the Assembly as its Speaker and the Administrator was pleased to congratulate her.
10. SPEAKER’S COMMISSION TO ADMINISTER OATHS AND AFFIRMATIONS - PAPER TABLED:
- The Speaker announced the receipt from Her Honour the Administrator the following Commission to administer to Members oaths or affirmations of allegiance and of office, which was laid upon the Table and read by the Clerk:
NORTHERN TERRITORY (SELF-GOVERNMENT) ACT 1978 (Cth)
AUTHORISATION TO ADMINISTER OATHS AND AFFIRMATIONS
AUTHORISATION TO ADMINISTER OATHS AND AFFIRMATIONS
I, Sally Gordon Thomas, Administrator of the Northern Territory of Australia, pursuant to section 13(7) of the Northern Territory (Self-Government) Act 1978 (Cth), authorise Kezia Dorcas Tibisay Purick, to administer oaths or affirmationsunder section 13(6) of the Act.
Dated 23 October 2012.
Sgd. Sally Thomas
Administrator
(Paper 5)
- The approach of Her Honour the Administrator was announced by the Serjeant-at-Arms, Mr Graham Gadd.
- Her Honour the Administrator entered the Chamber. The Speaker left the Chair and Her Honour, having taken the Chair delivered an Address declaring the causes of her calling the Assembly together.
(Text of Speech appears in Hansard)
- Upon completing the Address to the Assembly, Her Honour was pleased to present the Speaker with a copy of the Address and retired from the Chamber, led by the Serjeant-at-Arms, Mr Gadd. (Paper 4)
The Speaker resumed the Chair.
- The Chief Minister (Mr Mills), by leave, made a statement informing the Assembly of Ministers and the administrative arrangements of Government as follows and laid on the Table the Northern Territory Government Gazette No. S 61 of 19 October 2012 (Paper 6):
Terence Kennedy Mills MLA
- Chief Minister
Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services
Minister for Public Employment
Minister for Lands, Planning and the Environment
Minister for Land Resource Management
Minster for Asian Engagement
Minister for Defence Liaison
Minister for Statehood
Minister for Multicultural Affairs
Minister for Young Territorians
Minister for Senior Territorians
- Treasurer
Minister for Education
Minister for Children and Families
Minister for Corporate and Information Services
Minister for Central Australia
Minister for Women’s Policy
- Attorney-General and Minister for Justice
Minister for Correctional Services
- Minister for Health
Minister for Alcohol Policy
Minister for Essential Services
- Minister for Transport
Minister for Infrastructure
Minister for Local Government
- Minister for Primary Industry and Fisheries
Minister for Mines and Energy
- Minister for Tourism and Major Events
Minister for Arts and Museums
Minister for Sport and Recreation
Minister for Racing
Minister for Parks and Wildlife
- Minister for Business
Minister for Trade
Minister for Economic Development
Minister for Employment and Training
Minister for Housing
Alison Anderson MLA
- Minister for Regional Development
Minister for Indigenous Advancement
OFFICE HOLDERS
Member for Port Darwin – Honourable John Elferink: Leader of Government Business.
Member for Sanderson – Mr Styles: Government Whip.
- The Leader of the Opposition (Ms Lawrie), by leave, made a statement relating to the Opposition Shadow Ministerial Responsibilities of Spokespersons as follows and laid on the Table a Shadow Ministry document, dated 23 October 2012 (Paper 7):
Leader of the Opposition – 28 August 2012
Treasurer
Major Projects and Economic Development
Mr Gerry McCarthy MLA
Deputy Leader of the Opposition – 28 August 2012
Regional Development
Infrastructure and Construction
Lands and Planning
Transport
Essential Services
Arts and Museums
Mr Kon Vatskalis MLA
Health
Police, Fire and Emergency Services
Primary Industry, Fisheries, Resources
Asian Relations and Trade
Ms Lynne Walker MLA
Attorney General and Justice
Corrections
Indigenous Policy
Public and Affordable Housing
Local Government
Public Employment
Mr Michael Gunner MLA
Government Accountability
Statehood
Education and Training
Business and Employment
Racing, Gaming and Licensing
Alcohol Policy
Defence Support
Information, Communications and Technology
Ms Natasha Fyles MLA
Natural Resources, Environment and Heritage
Climate Change
Parks and Wildlife
Child Protection
Children and Families
Women’s Policy
Ken Vowles
Tourism
Sport and Recreation
Senior Territorians
Multicultural Affairs
Young Territorians
Ms Lawrie - Leader of the Opposition.
Mr McCarthy - Deputy Leader of the Opposition.
Mr Gunner - Opposition Whip.
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- Suspension of sittings: The sittings of the Assembly was suspended between 11.17am and 2.00pm.
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16. DEPUTY SPEAKER AND CHAIR OF COMMITTEES - APPOINTMENT:
- The Speaker reminded Members that it was now necessary for the Assembly to appoint a Member to be its Deputy Speaker and Chair of Committees -
Whereupon the Chief Minister (Mr Mills) proposed to the Assembly for its Deputy Speaker and Chair of Committees the Member for Daly (Mr Higgins) and moved - That the Member for Daly be appointed Deputy Speaker and Chair of Committees.
Which motion was seconded by the Deputy Chief Minister (Mrs Lambley) and Mr Higgins accepted the nomination.
The Speaker asked for any further proposals for Deputy Speaker and Chair of Committees.
The Leader of the Opposition (Ms Lawrie) proposed to the Assembly for its Deputy Speaker and Chair of Committees the Member for Arafura (Mr Kurrupuwu).
The Member for Arafura (Mr Kurrupuwu) declined the nomination.
The Member for Fannie Bay (Mr Gunner) proposed to the Assembly for its Deputy Speaker and Chair of Committees the Member for Drysdale (Ms Finocchiaro).
Which motion was seconded by eh member for Barkly (Mr McCarthy).
The Member for Drysdale (Ms Finocchiaro) declined the nomination.
The Member for Fannie Bay (Mr Gunner) proposed to the Assembly for its Deputy Speaker and Chair of Committees the Member for Casuarina (Mr Vatskalis).
Which motion was seconded by the Member for Barkly (Mr McCarthy) and Mr Vatskalis accepted the nomination.
Debate ensued.
The Assembly proceeded to Ballot with two nominations being Mr Higgins and Mr Vatskalis.
Ballot taken.
The Speaker announced the result of the Ballot -
Mr Higgins 17 votes
Mr Vatskalis 8 votes.
The Speaker thereupon declared the Member for Daly (Mr Higgins) to be appointed Deputy Speaker and Chair of Committees and of this Assembly.
The Member for Daly (Mr Higgins) thanked Members for the trust and honour they had expressed by appointing him to this position.
- The Speaker advised Members of receipt of the following Message from Her Honour the Administrator (Paper 8):
Message No. 1 - Assent to Proposed Laws
I, SALLY THOMAS AM, the Administrator of the Northern Territory of Australia, advise the Legislative Assembly of, pursuant to section 7 of the Northern Territory (Self-Government Act) 1978 of the Commonwealth, the assent to the following proposed laws:
- 29 June 2012
Appropriation (2012-2013) Act 2012 (Act No 19 of 2012)
- 30 June 2012
National Health Funding Pool and Administration (National Uniform Legislation) Act 2012 (Act No 21 of 2012)
Revenue Legislation Amendment Act 2012 (Act No 20 of 2012)
Dated 20 July 2012.
SALLY THOMAS
Administrator
18. NOTICES:
- The following notices were given -
Ms Lawrie: To move - This House condemns the Government for removing the Banned Drinkers Register with no alternative in place and calls for the Government to outline their plans for return of the rivers of grog to our bush communities.
Ms Lawrie: To move - That, this House calls on the government to
- end the confusion of the My New Home scheme being put on hold, and calls on the government to immediately reintroduce the scheme to allow thousands of Territorians to get off the rental roundabout. Any delay to the scheme’s introduction will continue to dampen residential construction which is critical in this economic boom.
Mr Wood: To move - That the Government makes no final decision on the
- closure of Chambers Bay and Finke Bay to commercial barramundi fishers until the Shared Resource Framework has been finalised by Government and used to evaluate in a transparent manner the costs/benefits of such a closure.
Mr Elferink: To present the Evidence (National Uniform Legislation) (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2012 (Serial 1).
Mr Elferink: To move - That so much of the Standing Orders be suspended as would prevent the Evidence (National Uniform Legislation) (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2012 (Serial 1) passing through all stages on Thursday 1 November 2012.
Ms Fyles: To move - That, the House call on the Government to
- commit to the full implementation of the Board of Inquiry recommendations into Child Protection, and furthermore that the Government guarantee that they commit to maintaining to the same level of funding for the Office of Children and Families with the Department of Education and Children Services.
Ms Walker: To move - That the Chief Minister explain to the Northern
- Territory’s Public Servants why he said before the election that:
- There would be “no public service jobs lost under a Country Liberals Government”, and why after the election he said he would “support and strengthen the Northern Territory Public Service”, when he has done just the opposite and sacked valuable and hard-working public servants, made others fearful for their jobs and put services at risk for Territorians; and
- The Chief Minister now tell Territorians exactly how many more NTPS jobs he intends to slash.
Mr Gunner: To move - That Parliament recognize –
- (a) the unique environmental and heritage values of Darwin's harbour;
- (b) the special places like East Point help define Darwin as an extraordinary city to live in and make our place a pleasure for people to visit;
- (c) Parliament must:
preserve the environmental values of Ludmilla Creek
safeguard the ecologically important mangrove areas of Coconut Grove; and
- (d) these special places are at risk under the CLP’s new Planning Commission.
Mr Vowles: To move - That,
(a) the Government stop the planned and forced move of Tourism NT staff to Alice Springs until they have conducted extensive consultation with the tourism industry; and
- (b) before any political decision is made to force Tourism staff to Alice Springs a fully costed relocation report is tabled to this House for consideration.
Mr Vatskalis: To move - That, the House –
- (a) supports the establishment of a new bulk billing superclinic in the northern suburbs at the location already earmarked for the clinic; and
(b) call upon the NT Government to work closely with the Federal Government to ensure the speedy processing of the current proposal by a private provider for the establishment of the super clinic.
Mr Vatskalis: To move - That, the House supports the Police Beats currently operating successfully in large shopping centres in the NT and calls upon the Government to continue the funding of existing Police Beats and to expand Police Beats in other shopping centres in Darwin and urban centres throughout the Territory.
Visitors: The Speaker (Ms Purick) advised Members of the presence in the public galleries of -
Pigeon Hole School, Year 1-6 students accompanied by Mr John Kotlash, Ms Vicky Smith, Mr Darren Smith and Ms Fiota Algy.
- On behalf of all Members the Speaker extended a warm welcome to the visitors.
- The Leader of Government Business (Mr Elferink), by leave, moved - That the following standing committees of the Assembly be appointed with the membership and additional conditions below –
- Mr Styles, Ms Lee, Ms Finocchiaro, Mr Gunner, Ms Fyles and Mr Wood; and that the Committee shall elect a Government Member as Chair.
- Ms Purick, Ms Lee, Mr Kurrupuwu, Ms Walker and Ms Fyles.
- Mr Elferink, Mr Styles, Ms Finocchiaro, Ms Lawrie and Mr Vatskalis.
- Mr Elferink, Ms Purick, Mr Higgins, Mr Gunner, Mr Vowles and Mr Wood; and that the Committee shall elect a Government Member as Chair.
Question – put and passed.
- The Leader of Government Business (Mr Elferink), by leave, moved - That, notwithstanding anything contained in Standing Orders and unless otherwise ordered, during the present Session of the Assembly -
- (a) the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee be assigned the powers and functions of the Subordinate Legislation and Publications Committee as laid out in Standing Orders; and
(b) the following Members be appointed to the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee – Ms Finocchiaro, Mrs Price, Ms Purick, Mr Gunner and Mr McCarthy.
Debate ensued.
Question – put and passed.
The Leader of Government Business (Mr Elferink), by leave, moved -
- That, notwithstanding anything contained in Standing Orders and unless otherwise ordered, during the present Session the Assembly shall proceed each day with its ordinary business in the following routine:-
- (a) Tuesday and Thursday:
- 1. Prayers
2. Questions
3. Government Business – Notices and Orders of the Day
4. At 2pm Notices
5. Petitions
6. Government Business – Notices and Orders of the Day
7. Ministerial Statements
8. Papers
9. Consideration of Committee Reports and Government Responses and Auditor-General’s Reports
10. Discussion pursuant to Standing Order 94 (Matter of Public Importance)
(b) Wednesday
1. Prayers
2. Questions
3. Government Business – Notices and Orders of the Day
4. At 2pm Notices
5. Petitions
6. Government Business – Notices and Orders of the Day
7. Ministerial Statements
8. Papers
9. Consideration of Committee Reports and Government Responses and Auditor-General’s Reports
10. Discussion pursuant to Standing Order 94 (Matter of Public Importance)
11. General Business – Notices and Orders of the Day - 5.30pm to 9pm
- for 24 October 2012 General Business be deferred until debate is adjourned on the Address-in-Reply.
Debate ensued.
Question – put and passed.
- The Leader of Government Business (Mr Elferink), by leave, moved - That, notwithstanding anything contained in Standing Orders, during the present Session of the Assembly the automatic adjournment provided by Standing Order 96B, 41A and 41B (no new business after 9pm) for each sitting day be suspended.
Debate ensued.
Question – put and passed.
- The Speaker advised Members that she had received a copy of the speech delivered by Her Honour the Administrator.
- The Chief Minister (Mr Mills) moved - That the following Address-in-Reply be agreed to:
To Her Honour the Administrator of the Northern Territory.
MAY IT PLEASE YOUR HONOUR -
We, the Legislative Assembly of the Northern Territory, in Parliament assembled, express our loyalty to the Sovereign and thank your Honour for the Speech you have been pleased to address to the Assembly.
The Attorney-General and Minister for Justice (Mr Elferink) second the motion.
The Chief Minister (Mr Mills) thereupon addressed the Assembly.
Debate ensued.
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Visitor: The Speaker advised Members of the presence in the public gallery of Mr Tim Baldwin, former Member for Daly.
On behalf of all Members the Speaker extended a warm welcome to the Member.
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Debate continued.
Extension of time: On the motion of the Member for Sanderson (Mr Styles) the Member for Fong Lim (Mr Tollner) was granted an extensionof time, pursuant to Standing Order 77.
Debate continued.
Extension of time: On the motion of the Member for Sanderson (Mr Styles) the Member for Greatorex (Mr Conlan) was granted an extensionof time, pursuant to Standing Order 77.
Debate continued.
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Visitor: The Speaker advised Members of the presence in the public galleriy of the Mayor of Alice Springs, Mr Damien Ryan.
On behalf of all Members the Speaker extended a warm welcome to the visitor.
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Debate continued.
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 extensionof time, pursuant to Standing Order 77.
Debate continued.
On the motion of the Leader of Government Business (Mr Elferink) debate was adjourned.
- The Leader of Government Business (Mr Elferink) moved - That the Assembly do now adjourn.
Debate ensued.
Question - put and passed.
And the Assembly adjourned at 8pm until Wednesday, 24 October 2012 at 10am.
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- PAPERS:
The following Papers were deemed to have been presented on Tuesday, 23 October 2012.
Annual Reports
Commercial Passenger Vehicle Board, 2011/2012 (Paper 11)
Museums & Art Galleries Board of the Northern Territory, 2011/2012 (Paper 12)
Public Accounts Committee, 2011/2012 (Paper 13)
Estimates Committee
Estimates Committee related Questions and Answers 2012-2013 (Paper 14)
Subordinate Legislation 2012
No. 22, Marine (Pilotage) Amendment Regulations (Paper 15)
No. 23, Fines and Penalties (Recovery) Amendment (Mining and Management) Regulations (Paper 16)
No. 24, Dangerous Goods Amendment (Fireworks) Regulations (Paper 17)
No. 25, Motor Vehicles (Fees and Charges) Amendment Regulations (Paper 18)
No. 26, Procurement Amendment Regulations (Paper 19)
No. 27, Darwin Port (Handling and Transport of Dangerous Cargoes) Amendment By-Laws (Paper 20)
No. 28, Sale of Land (Rights and Duties of Parties) Amendment Regulations (Paper 21)
No. 29, Fines and Penalties (Recovery) Amendment (Caravan Parks) Regulations (Paper 22)
No. 30, Legal Profession Amendment Regulations (Paper 23)
No. 31, Criminal Property Forfeiture Amendment Regulations (Paper 24)
No. 32, Misuse of Drugs Amendment Regulations (Paper 25)
No. 33, Veterinarians Amendment Regulations (Paper 26)
No.34, Fisheries Amendment (Noxious Fish) Regulations (Paper 27)
No. 35, Livestock Amendment Regulations (Paper 28)
No. 36, Building Amendment (National Construction Code Series) Regulations (Paper 29)
No. 37, Motor Vehicles Amendment (Construction or Agricultural Vehicles) Regulations (Paper 30)
No. 38, Construction Industry Long Service Leave and Benefits Amendment Regulations (Paper 31)
Financial Report
Independent Auditor’s Report - Northern Territory Auditor-General’s Office - Financial Statement Overview for the year ended 30 June 2012 (Paper 10)
Joint Management Plans
Mary River National Park, January 2012 (Paper 1774) - was tabled in the Assembly on 29 March 2012 however, as the Assembly was prorogued on 6 August 2012 and the Plan having not sat on the Table for the requisite number of days before the Assembly prorogation it is under the Territory Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act section 19(4) deemed to be tabled on 23 October 2012 and seven sitting days will then commence from 24 October 2012.
Notice - Proroguing the 11th Legislative Assembly, signed by Her Honour the Administrator, dated 6 August 2012 (Paper 1)
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- ATTENDANCE:
All Members attended the sitting.
Last updated: 04 Aug 2016