Department of the Legislative Assembly, Northern Territory Government

Minutes of Proceedings - 2012-05-02

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

    2. PRAYERS.

    3. VISITORS:
        The Speaker advised Members of the presence in the public galleries of Wanguri Primary School students accompanied by Ms Brannelly.

        On behalf of all Members the Speaker extended a warm welcome to the visitors.

    4. ROUTINE OF BUSINESS – CONDOLENCE MOTION FOR MR PETER MURPHY OAM:
        The Leader of Government Business (Dr Burns), by leave, moved - That the Routine of Business of the Assembly, Government Business - Notices and Orders of the Day, be rearranged or suspended, if a question or debate is before the Chair, so as to permit the Chief Minister to move a motion of condolence for Mr Peter Murphy at 4.30pm this day, 2 May 2012.
        Question – put and passed.
    5. REVENUE LEGISLATION AMENDMENT BILL 2012 (Serial 211):
        The Treasurer (Ms Lawrie), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend legislation administered by the Treasurer.
        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, Revenue Legislation Amendment Bill 2012 (Paper 1792).

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

    6. NATIONAL HEALTH FUNDING POOL AND ADMINISTRATION (NATIONAL UNIFORM LEGISLATION) BILL 2012 (Serial 212):
        The Minister for Health (Mr Vatskalis), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act about the National Health Funding Pool and related administration for the purposes of the National Health Reform Agreement between the Commonwealth and the States and Territories, and for related purposes.
        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, National Health Funding Pool and Administration (National Uniform Legislation) Bill 2012 (Paper 1793).

        On the motion of the Member for Greatorex (Mr Conlan) debate was adjourned.

    7. ADULT DECISION MAKING BILL 2012 (Serial 210):
        The Minister for Health (Mr Vatskalis), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to allow for the making of decisions for adults with impaired decision-making capacity, and for related purposes.
        Bill read a first time.
        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, Adult Decision Making Bill 2012 (Paper 1794).

        On the motion of the Member for Greatorex (Mr Conlan) debate was adjourned.

    8. ANIMAL WELFARE AMENDMENT BILL 2012 (Serial 209):
        The Minister for Local Government (Ms McCarthy), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the Animal Welfare Act.
        Bill read a first time.
        Ms McCarthy moved – That the Bill be now read a second time.
        Debate ensued.
        Paper tabled: Ms McCarthy laid on the Table the following Paper –
    Explanatory Statement, Animal Welfare Amendment Bill 2012 (Paper 1795).

        On the motion of the Member for Katherine (Mr Westra van Holthe) debate was adjourned.

    9. ESTIMATES COMMITTEE AND GOVERNMENT OWNED CORPORATIONS SCRUTINY COMMITTEE – TERMS OF REFERENCE 2012/2013 – MOTION AGREED TO:
        The Leader of Government Business (Dr Burns), pursuant to notice, moved – That the Assembly appoint an Estimates Committee 2012/2013 and a Government Owned Corporations Scrutiny Committee 2012/2013, pursuant to the terms circulated to Members below (Paper 1796):

    RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING ESTIMATES AND GOVERNMENT OWNED CORPORATIONS COMMITTEES 2012-13
    ESTIMATES COMMITTEE 2012-13

    TERMS OF REFERENCE

    The Legislative Assembly resolves that:

    A. INTRODUCTION

    1. Notwithstanding anything contained in Standing and Sessional Orders, there be appointed an Estimates Committee of the Legislative Assembly (the Committee) for the purposes of examining and reporting on the estimates of proposed expenditure contained in the Appropriation (2012-2013) Bill 2012 and related budget documents.

    2. The Appropriation (2012-2013) Bill 2012 (the Bill) and related budget documents be referred to the Committee at the conclusion of the Treasurer’s second reading speech.

    3. The Committee may not vote on but may examine and report on the proposed expenditure contained in the Bill by no later than 21 June 2012.

    4. That the Committee examine the proposed expenditure contained in the Bill by portfolio units in accordance with the schedule to be published by the Committee and that the proposed expenditure be considered on an output by output basis for each portfolio unit.

    B. MEMBERSHIP

    5. The membership of the Committee shall consist of the membership of the Public Accounts Committee, subject to paragraph 34.

    6. The Chair of the Public Accounts Committee shall be the Chair of the Estimates Committee.

    7. The Committee, before the commencement of business, shall elect one of its members to be Deputy Chair.

    8. Members of the Assembly who are not Members of the Committee may participate in public hearings of the Committee, provided that at any time participating Members are limited to seven Members comprising the Chair, two Government Members, three Opposition Members and one Independent Member.

    9. Members of the Assembly who are not Members of the Committee may not vote on any matters before the Committee.

    10. The Committee may proceed with business despite a vacancy in its membership.

    11. The Chair of the Committee and the Deputy Chair when acting as Chair shall have a deliberative and a casting vote.

    12. The quorum of the Committee is to be 4 of the members of the Committee.

    13. If at any time a quorum is not present, the Chair will suspend proceedings of the Committee until a quorum is present, or adjourn the Committee until a time and date to be fixed.

    C. SITTING TIMES

    14. Unless otherwise ordered by the Committee, the Committee shall sit on the following days:
            (a) Tuesday, 12 June 2012;
            (b) Wednesday, 13 June 2012;
            (c) Thursday, 14 June 2012;
            (d) Tuesday, 19 June 2012;
            (e) Wednesday, 20 June 2012; and
            (f) Thursday, 21 June 2012.

        15. The Committee shall publish a schedule of the times allotted for hearing from Ministers, the Speaker and the Government Owned Corporation.

        16. The maximum time of the appearance of each of the Chief Minister and the Treasurer shall be 8 hours and for each other Minister, the Speaker and Government Owned Corporation shall be 7 hours; and the maximum total time for hearings of the Estimates and Government Owned Scrutiny Committees hearings shall be 60 hours; and
          17. The Committee may sit only when the Assembly is not sitting.

          D. HEARING PROCEDURE

          18. All hearings of the Committee are open to the public unless the Committee orders otherwise.

          19. The Committee will consider proposed expenditure by outputs, following procedures agreed to by the Committee in accordance with the other provisions of this Order and Standing Orders.

          20. Unless the Committee otherwise determines, the Minister or the Speaker may make an opening statement lasting up to five minutes, which may be extended with the leave of the Committee.

          21. Members of the Committee may ask for explanations from a Minister or the Speaker relating to proposed expenditure and outputs.

          22. An initial question should be directed to the Minister or the Speaker in the first instance and then officers of the relevant departments may provide assistance in providing information. Ministers or the Speaker may defer to the Chief Executive (who may defer to another officer) who may then be directly questioned on subsequent questions on the same subject. If a question is ruled by the Chair as not appropriate for an officer to answer, the Minister or the Speaker may choose to provide information or take such matters on notice.

          23. Officers may answer questions at the request of the Minister or the Speaker, but shall not be required to comment on policy matters, including giving an opinion, and the Minister, the Speaker or Chief Executive may at any time intervene and answer questions that are asked of departmental officers.

          24. All questions should conform to Standing Orders 112, 113 and 114 (general rules for questions).

          E. QUESTIONS TAKEN ON NOTICE AT HEARINGS AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

          25. The Minister or the Speaker may advise the Committee that an answer to a question or part of a question will be provided later to the Committee. At that time the Chair shall note the question or that part of the question taken on notice and any clarification required. The text of questions on notice will be distributed to the Minister or the Speaker by the Committee Secretariat.

          26. A Minister or the Speaker may also give the Committee additional information about an answer given by them or on their behalf.

          27. The additional information or answer is to be written and given by a time decided by the Committee and may be presented to the Assembly in accordance with Standing Order 280 by the Chair of the Committee at the time of its report, or at a later date, which shall be no later than 20 July 2012, and may be authorised for publication by the Committee prior to that material being tabled in the Assembly.

          F. HANSARD REPORT AND OTHER TABLED DOCUMENTS

          28. The Clerk of the Legislative Assembly is authorised to publish a transcript of the Committee proceedings, whether or not it has been edited, in a manner similar to that used for the daily Hansard as soon as practicable after the Committee’s proceedings are concluded.

          29. Evidence taken in public by the Committee and documents presented to the Committee are deemed to be authorised for publication by the Committee, unless the Committee otherwise orders.

          G. BROADCASTING AND TELEVISING OF PROCEEDINGS

          30. Sound and vision may be broadcast and re-broadcast of the hearings of the Committee, subject to the same conditions which apply to the sittings of the Assembly and as determined by the Committee.


          H. DISORDER

          31. At a hearing of the Committee, the Chair may, after a warning, order any Member of the Assembly whose conduct, in the opinion of the Chair, continues to be disorderly or disruptive to withdraw from the Committee for a period of 1 hour.

          32. A member ordered to withdraw by the Chair must immediately withdraw for the stated period.

          33. If a Member persistently disrupts the business of the Committee, the Chair may name the Member and:
              (a) If the Member named is a member of the Committee, suspend the sittings until the Chair has reported the offence to the Speaker; or
              (b) If the Member named is not a member of the Committee, order that the Member withdraw from the sittings of the Committee until the Chair has reported the offence to the Speaker.

          34. On the naming of a Member:
              (a) The Chair shall advise the Speaker of the Naming of a Member as soon as practicable.
              (b) If the Member named was a Member of the Committee, the Speaker shall declare that the Member named is no longer a Member of the Committee and give notice to that effect to the Member, the Chief Minister, Leader of the Opposition and Chair of the Committee and:
                (i) if the named Member was a Government Member, ask the Chief Minister to nominate a Government Member to the Committee or,
                (ii) if the Member was an Opposition Member, ask the Leader of the Opposition to nominate an Opposition Member to the Committee.

              (c) Any such change to the Estimates Committee membership also applies to the Government Owned Corporations Committee but does not affect the membership of the Public Accounts Committee.

              (d) If the Member named was not a Member of the Committee, the Speaker shall declare that the Member may no long participate in the proceedings of the Estimates or Government Owned Corporations Committees and give notice to that effect to the Member, the Chief Minister, Leader of the Opposition and Chair of the Committee

          35. If any objection is taken to a ruling or decision of the Chair:
              (a) the objection must be taken at once and stated in writing;

              (b) the Chair, as soon as practicable, shall advise the Speaker who shall make a ruling on the matter; and

              (c) the Committee may continue to meet but not further examine the matter then under consideration and which is the subject of the objection.

          I. REPORT OF ESTIMATES COMMITTEE

          36. A report of the Committee will be presented by the Chair to the Committee-of-the-Whole Assembly and the report should contain any resolution or expression of opinion of the Committee.

          37. When the report of the Committee is presented it shall be considered forthwith, together with the Report of the Government Owned Corporations Scrutiny Committee.

          38. The following time limits shall apply to consideration of the reports of the Committees on the question:
              “that the proposed expenditure be agreed to and that the resolutions or expressions of opinion as agreed to by the Committee in relation to the proposed expenditure or outputs under the Appropriation (2012-2013) Bill, and the transactions of public sector entities included in the Budget Papers and applicable Community Service Obligations paid to and dividends received from the Power and Water Corporation, be noted.”
      Ministers, Leader of the Opposition and Shadow Ministers: 20 minutes;
      Any other Member: 10 minutes,
      The maximum period for consideration shall be 5 hours.

          39. When the consideration of the reports of the Committees has been completed the following question is proposed and put forthwith:
                  “that the remainder of the Bill be agreed to”.

          40. When the Bill has been agreed to by the Committee-of-the-Whole and reported to the Assembly, the third reading may be taken into consideration forthwith.


          GOVERNMENT OWNED CORPORATIONS SCRUTINY COMMITTEE 2012-13

          TERMS OF REFERENCE

          The Legislative Assembly resolves that:

          A. INTRODUCTION

          1. Notwithstanding anything contained in Standing and Sessional Orders, there be appointed a Committee of the Legislative Assembly to be known as the Government Owned Corporations Scrutiny Committee (the Committee) for the purpose of examining and reporting on the activities, performance, practices and financial management of the Power and Water Corporation, a Government Owned Corporation under the Government Owned Corporations Act, with reference to the Power and Water Corporation’s Statement of Corporate Intent for 2012-13.

          B. MEMBERSHIP

          2. The membership of the Government Owned Corporations Scrutiny Committee shall consist of the membership of the Public Accounts Committee, subject to paragraph 29.

          3. The Chair of the Public Accounts Committee shall be the Chair of the Government Owned Corporations Scrutiny Committee.

          4. The Committee, before the commencement of business, shall elect one of its members to be Deputy Chair.

          5. Members of the Assembly who are not Members of the Committee may participate in public hearings of the Committee, provided that at any time participating Members are limited to seven Members comprising the Chair, two Government Members, three Opposition Members and one Independent Member.

          6. Members of the Assembly who are not Members of the Committee may not vote on any matters before the Committee.

          7. The Committee may proceed with business despite a vacancy in its membership.

          8. The Chair of the Committee and the Deputy Chair when acting as Chair shall have a deliberative and a casting vote.

          9. The quorum of the Committee is to be 4 of the members of the Committee.

          10. If at any time a quorum is not present, the Chair will suspend proceedings of the Committee until a quorum is present, or adjourn the Committee until a time and date to be fixed.

          C. SITTING TIMES

          11. The Committee will meet in accordance with the dates and times in the Schedule published by the Committee and advised by the Chair.

          12. The Government Owned Corporations Scrutiny Committee may sit only when the Assembly is not sitting.

          13. Unless otherwise ordered by the Committee, the Committee shall sit on Thursday 21 June 2012.

          D. HEARING PROCEDURE

          14. All hearings of the Committee are open to the public unless the Committee orders otherwise.

          15. The Committee will examine the financial and budgetary activities of the Power and Water Corporation following similar procedures to that of the Estimates Committee and in accordance with the provisions of this Order and Standing Orders.

          16. Unless the Committee otherwise determines, the Ministers and Chairman of the Board of the Power and Water Corporation (Board Chairman) may make an opening statement lasting up to five minutes, which may be extended with the leave of the Committee.

          E. QUESTIONS


          17. Questions shall be put directly to either the Portfolio Minister, the Shareholding Minister or the Board Chairman. The Managing Director and other officers may assist the Board Chairman in the provision of relevant information. Otherwise, questions shall adhere with the general terms and conditions applying to questioning of the Estimates Committee at paragraphs 22, 23 and 24.

          18. The Board Chairman or other witnesses will advise when evidence is of a commercially sensitive or confidential nature and may request that such evidence be heard in camera. The Chair of the Committee will invite the Board Chairman or the witnesses to give the reasons for the request.

          19. Questions and explanations should be brief and avoid irrelevance and tedious repetition.

          F. QUESTIONS TAKEN ON NOTICE AT HEARINGS AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

          20. The Minister or Board Chairman may advise the Committee that an answer to a question or part of a question will be provided later to the Committee. At that time the Chair shall note the question or that part of the question taken on notice and any clarification required. The text of questions on notice will be distributed to the Minister or Board Chairman by the Committee Secretariat.

          21. A Minister or Board Chairman may also give the Committee additional information about an answer given by them or on their behalf.

          22. The additional information or answer is to be written and given by a time decided by the Committee and may be presented to the Assembly in accordance with Standing Order 280 by the Chair at the time of its report, or at a later date, which shall be no later than 20 July 2012, and may be authorised for publication by the Committee prior to that material being tabled in the Assembly.

          G. HANSARD REPORT AND OTHER TABLED DOCUMENTS

          23. The Clerk of the Legislative Assembly is authorised to publish a transcript of the Committee proceedings, whether or not it has been edited, in a manner similar to that used for the daily Hansard as soon as practicable after the Committee’s proceedings are concluded.

          24. Evidence taken in public by the Committee and documents presented to the Committee are deemed to be authorised for publication by the Committee, unless the Committee otherwise orders.

          H. BROADCASTING AND TELEVISING OF PROCEEDINGS

          25. Sound and vision may be broadcast and re-broadcast of the hearings of the Committee, subject to the same conditions which apply to the sittings of the Assembly and as determined by the Committee.

          I. DISORDER

          26. At a hearing of the Committee, the Chair may, after a warning, order any Member of the Assembly whose conduct, in the opinion of the Chair, continues to be disorderly or disruptive to withdraw from the Committee for a period of 1 hour.

          27. A member ordered to withdraw by the Chair must immediately withdraw for the stated period.

          28. If a Member persistently disrupts the business of the Committee, the Chair may name the Member and:

              (a) If the Member named is a member of the Committee, suspend the sittings until the Chair has reported the offence to the Speaker; or

              (b) If the Member named is not a member of the Committee, order that the Member withdraw from the sittings of the Committee until the Chair has reported the offence to the Speaker.

          29. On the naming of a Member:
              (a) The Chair shall advise the Speaker of the Naming of a Member as soon as practicable.

              (b) If the Member named was a Member of the Committee, the Speaker shall declare that the Member named is no longer a Member of the Committee and give notice to that effect to the Member, the Chief Minister, Leader of the Opposition and Chair of the Committee and:
                  (i) if the named Member was a Government Member, ask the Chief Minister to nominate a Government Member to the Committee or,
                  (ii) if the Member was an Opposition Member, ask the Leader of the Opposition to nominate an Opposition Member to the Committee.

              (c) Any such change to the Government Owned Corporations Committee membership also applies to the Estimates Committee but does not affect the membership of the Public Accounts Committee.

              (d) If the Member named was not a Member of the Committee, the Speaker shall declare that the Member may no longer participate in the proceedings of the Estimates or Government Owned Corporations Committees and give notice to that effect to the Member, the Chief Minister, Leader of the Opposition and Chair of the Committee.

          30. If any objection is taken to a ruling or decision of the Chair:
              (a) the objection must be taken at once and stated in writing;

              (b) the Chair, as soon as practicable, shall advise the Speaker who shall make a ruling on the matter; and

              (c) the Committee may continue to meet but not further examine the matter then under consideration and which is the subject of the objection.

          J. REPORT OF GOVERNMENT OWNED CORPORATIONS SCRUTINY COMMITTEE

          31. A report of the Committee will be presented by the Chair to the Committee-of-the-Whole Assembly and the report should contain any resolution or expression of opinion of the Committee.

          32. When the report of the Committee is presented it shall be considered forthwith, together with the Report of the Estimates Committee.

          33. The following time limits shall apply to consideration of the reports of the Committees on the question:
              “that the proposed expenditure be agreed to and that the resolutions or expressions of opinion as agreed to by the Committee in relation to the proposed expenditure or outputs under the Appropriation (2012-2013) Bill, and the transactions of public sector entities included in the Budget Papers and applicable Community Service Obligations paid to and dividends received from the Power and Water Corporation, be noted.”
      Ministers, Leader of the Opposition and Shadow Ministers: 20 minutes;
      Any other Member: 10 minutes,
      The maximum period for consideration shall be 5 hours.

          Debate ensued.
          Question – put and passed.

      10. AUDITOR-GENERAL’S MARCH 2012 REPORT TO THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY – MOTION TO NOTE:
          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.
          _____________

          Visitors: The Speaker advised Members of the presence in the public galleries of Milkwood Steiner School Year 5/6 students accompanied by Ms Harrington.

          On behalf of all Members the Speaker extended a warm welcome to the visitors.
          _____________

          Debate continued.
          Debate suspended, pursuant to resolution of the Assembly, dated 1 May 2012.
      11. APPROPRIATION (2012/2013) BILL 2012 (Serial 208):
          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.
          Papers tabled: Mr Mills, by leave, laid on the Table the following Paper –
      Questions (27) for Financial Integrity for the Northern Territory government (Paper 1797).

          Debate continued.
          Debate adjourned, pursuant to resolution of the Assembly.
      12. AUDITOR-GENERAL’S MARCH 2012 REPORT TO THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY – MOTION TO NOTE:
          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.
          Debate suspended.
      _____________

          Suspension of sittings: The sittings of the Assembly was suspended between 11.58m and 2pm.
      _____________
          Visitors: The Speaker advised Members of the presence in the public galleries of Essington School Legal Studies Year 11 students accompanied by Miss Grossman.

          On behalf of all Members the Speaker extended a warm welcome to the visitors.

      13. NOTICES:
          The following notices were given:

          Dr Burns: To move - That, pursuant to paragraph 2 of the Order of the Assembly, dated 2 May 2012, the Budget Papers 2012/2013 together with the Appropriation (2012-2013) Bill 2012 (Serial 208) be referred to the Estimates Committee for inquiry and report.

          Dr Burns: To moved - That, the Assembly at its rising on 3 May 2012 adjourn until approximately 1.30 pm on Thursday 21 June 2012, or such other time as notified by the Speaker, with one hour’s notice being given to Government and Opposition Whips and Members by the Speaker, or such other time and/or date as may be advised by the Speaker, pursuant to Sessional Order.

          Dr Burns: To move - The Leader of Government Business (Dr Burns), pursuant to notice, moved - That, the Routine of Business for Thursday 21 June 2012 be as follows:
                  (1) Prayers
                  (2) Petitions
                  (3) Notices
                  (4) Government Business – Notices
                  (5) Government Business - Orders of the Day
                      In Committee: report of the Estimates Committee consideration of the Appropriation (2012-2013) Bill 2012 (Serial 208) and Government Owned Corporations Scrutiny Committee consideration of the financial and management practices of the Power and Water Corporation as referenced in its Statement of Corporate Intent for 2012/2013.
                  (6) Automatic adjournment of the Assembly, pursuant to Standing Order 41A, be put at 6.30pm.
      14. QUESTIONS:
          2.03pm Mr Mills to Mr Henderson.
          2.06pm Ms Walker to Mr Henderson.
          2.09pm Mr Elferink to Ms Lawrie.
          2.13pm Mr Gunner to Ms Lawrie.
          _______________________

          Suspension of Member: The Member for Greatorex (Mr Conlan) having been warned by the Speaker about interjections and then having refused to withdraw offensive words against the Member for Karama -
          The Speaker (Mrs Aagaard) thereupon ordered the Member for Greatorex (Mr Conlan) to withdraw from the Chamber for a period of one hour, pursuant to Standing Order 240A, effective from 2.14pm.
          Accordingly the Member for Greatorex (Mr Conlan) withdrew from the Chamber.
          _______________________

          2.17pm Mr Elferink to Mr Henderson.
          2.21pm Mr Wood to Mr McCarthy.
          2.25pm Ms Scrymgour to Ms Lawrie.
          2.29pm Mr Mills to Mr Henderson.
          2.32pm Ms Walker to Ms Lawrie.
          2.35pm Mr Wood to Dr Burns.
          2.37pm Mr Giles to Mr McCarthy.
          _______________________

          Suspension of Member: The Member for Braitling (Mr Giles) having been warned by the Speaker about making frivolous interjections and interjecting in this manner -
          The Speaker (Mrs Aagaard) thereupon ordered the Member for Braitling (Mr Giles) to withdraw from the Chamber for a period of one hour, pursuant to Standing Order 240A, effective from 2.39pm.
          Accordingly the Member for Braitling (Mr Giles) withdrew from the Chamber.
          _______________________

          2.40pm Mr Gunner to Ms Lawrie.
          2.44pm Mr Tollner to Mr Henderson.
          2.47pm Ms Scrymgour to Mr Vatskalis.
          2.50pm Mr Elferink to Mr McCarthy - supplementary.
          2.55pm Ms Walker to Dr Burns.
          2.58pm Mr Westra van Holthe to Mr McCarthy.
          3.01pm Mr Gunner to Mr Hampton.

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

      15. AUDITOR-GENERAL’S MARCH 2012 REPORT TO THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY – 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.

      16. APPROPRIATION (2012-2013) BILL 2012 (Serial 208):
          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.
          Quorum: The Member for Greatorex (Mr Conlan) drew the attention of the Chair to the state of the Assembly, pursuant to Standing Order 36.
          The Bells having been rung and a Quorum having been obtained –

          Debate continued.
          Quorum: The Member for Braitling (Mr Giles) drew the attention of the Chair to the state of the Assembly, pursuant to Standing Order 36.
          The Bells having been rung and a Quorum having been obtained –

          Debate continued.
          Debate suspended, pursuant to resolution 2 May 2012, Ms Walker 7 minutes remaining.

      17. STATEMENT BY SPEAKER – CONDOLENCE FOR MR PETER MURPHY OAM: The Speaker welcomed the following guests to witness the motion of condolence for Mr Peter Murphy OAM:
        the widow of the late Mr Peter Murphy, Mrs Lani Murphy
        his daughters, Ms Kelly Murphy;
        – Ms Siobhain Murphy
        – Ms Donna Murphy and Mr Ian Brewster
        the Murphy grandchildren – Master Leo Murphy Loftus, Master Matthew Brewster and Miss Emily Brewster
        the sister of Mrs Murphy – Mrs Carmen Couche

            Apologies from Family -
        Mr Sean Murphy and Mrs Helen Murphy (son and daughter in law of the late Peter Murphy)
        Mrs Eileen Kassulke and Mr Lyal Kassulke (sister and brother in law of the late Peter Murphy)
        Mr Chris Loftus (son in law of the late Peter Murphy)

            VIPS -
              Former Speakers:
        Hon Nick Dondas
        Hon Roger Steele and Mrs Janette Steele
              Former Ministers/Members of the Legislative Assembly:
        Hon Daryl Manzie and Mrs Maureen Manzie
        Hon Grant Tambling and Mrs Sandy Tambling
              Federal Member:
        Member for Solomon Mrs Natasha Griggs MP and Mr Paul Griggs

            Extended family and friends -
        Mr Alan Morris
        Ms Jan Stafford and Ms Meredith Baily
        Mr Col and Mrs Pam Fuller
        Mr John and Mrs Carla Hicks
        Mr Neil and Mrs Sue Dibbs
        Mr George and Mrs Penny La Sette

            Apologies received from -
              Former Chief Ministers and Members of the Assembly:
        Hon Paul Everingham AO and Mrs Marilyn Everingham
        Hon Steve Hatton and Mrs Cathy Hatton
        Mr Marshall Perron and Mrs Cherry Perron
        Hon Shane Stone AC PGDK QC and Mrs Josephine Stone
        Hon Fred Finch and Mrs Lyn Finch

            Senator Nigel Scullion

        18. CONDOLENCE MOTION – MR PETER MURPHY OAM – MOTION AGREED TO:
            The Chief Minister (Mr Henderson) moved - That,
            (a) this Assembly express its regret at the passing of Mr Peter Murphy OAM, a long-time Territorian and recognised and respected journalist and political adviser; and
              (b) offer 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.
              Paper tabled: Mr Mills, by leave, laid on the Table the following Paper -
          200 Walk off at Wave Hill, Northern Territory News, Friday 26 August 1966 (Paper 1802).

              Debate ensued.
              Question – put and passed.

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

              Suspension of sittings: The sittings of the Assembly was suspended between 5.33pm and 5.45pm.
          ______________

          19. ONE MILE DAM, KNUCKEY LAGOON AND 15 MILE COMMUNITIES, LEASES – MOTION, AS AMENDED, AGREED TO:
              The Member for Nelson (Mr Wood), pursuant to notice, moved - That, the government review the future development of the One Mile Dam, Knuckey Lagoon and 15 Mile Communities, and

              That the review include –

              (a) future expansion plans;
              (b) existing and future land leasing arrangements;
              (c) home ownership; and
              (d) local government.

              The review should include views of residents, Aboriginal Development Foundation, relevant housing bodies and all other relevant government agencies and non-government organisations.

              Debate ensued.

              The Minister for Local Government (Ms McCarthy) moved the following amendment to the motion –

              Omit all words after that and insert -
                  the Northern Territory and Commonwealth Governments government’s work together to review the future development of the Aboriginal town camps in the Darwin region”

                  That the review include –

                  (a) future expansion plans;
                  (b) existing and future land leasing arrangements;
                  (c) home ownership; and
                  (d) local government.

                  The review should include the views and clarify roles and responsibilities of residents, land holders, relevant housing bodies and all other relevant government agencies and non-government organisations with a role in providing services to these communities.

              Debate continued.
              Question – That the amendment be agreed to – put and passed.
              Question – That the motion, as amended, be agreed to – put and passed.
          20. CHILDREN’S COMMISSIONER TO MONITOR IMPLEMENTATION OF RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE GROWING THEM STRONG TOGETHER, REPORT – MOTION NEGATIVED:
              The Member for Araluen (Mrs Lambley), pursuant to notice, moved - That, the Minister for Child Protection be called upon to appoint the Children’s Commissioner to monitor the implementation of the semi-urgent and important, but not urgent recommendations of the Growing them Strong Together, Report.
              Debate ensued.
              Question - That the motion be agreed to - put.
              The Assembly divided (the Speaker, Hon. J. L Aagaard, in the Chair) -

              AYES, 11 NOES, 12

              Ms Anderson Mrs Aagaard
              Mrs Lambley Dr Burns
              Mr Chandler Mr Gunner
              Mr Conlan Mr Hampton
              Mr Elferink Mr Henderson
              Mr Giles Mr Knight
              Mr Mills Ms Lawrie
              Ms Purick Ms McCarthy
              Mr Styles Mr McCarthy
              Mr Tollner Ms Scrymgour
              Mr Westra van Holthe Mr Vatskalis
              Ms Walker

              Motion negatived accordingly.
          21. POWERS OF ATTORNEY AMENDMENT BILL 2012 (Serial 206):
              The Member for Port Darwin (Mr Elferink), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the Powers of Attorney Act, and for related purposes.
              Bill read a first time.
              Mr Elferink moved – That the Bill be now read a second time.
              Paper tabled: Mr Elferink laid on the Table the following Paper –
          Explanatory Statement, Powers of Attorney Amendment Bill 2012 (Paper 1804).

              Debate ensued.
              On the motion of the Leader of Government Business (Dr Burns) debate was adjourned.
          22. GREATER DARWIN RURAL AREA, DEVELOPMENT – MOTION:
              The Member for Nelson (Mr Wood), pursuant to notice, moved - The Northern Territory government detail what their plans are and the costings, for the upgrade of roads in the Greater Darwin Rural Area to address the following developments:
          Prison;
          Inpex;
          growth in educational facilities;
          growth at Coolalinga Centre, Girraween sub-division and potential sub-division at Howard Springs pine forest;
          AAco abattoirs;
          increase US troops at Robertson Barracks.
              Debate ensued.
              Debate adjourned, pursuant to Standing Order 41A, Mr Tollner in continuation, 10 minutes remaining.

          23. ADJOURNMENT, Automatic:
              The Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 41A, at 9.10pm proposed the question - That the Assembly do now adjourn.
              Debate ensued.
              Question - put and passed.
              And the Assembly adjourned at 9.42pm, until Thursday 3 May 2012 at 10am.
              ________________

              PAPERS:
              The following Papers were deemed to have been presented on 2 May 2012 –
              Estimates 2011
              Estimates 2011 related Questions and Answers – Written Questions No. 213 to 237 (Paper 1803)

              Regulations 2012
              No. 16, Caravan Parks (Paper 1800)
              No. 17, Associations Amendment (Paper 1801)

              Rules 2012
              No. 14, Supreme Court Amendment (Mediation and Sentencing) Rules (Paper 1798)
              No. 15, Supreme Court Amendment Rules (Notice of Appeal) Rules (Paper 1799)
          _________________
              ATTENDANCE:
              All Members attended the sittings.
        Last updated: 04 Aug 2016