Department of the Legislative Assembly, Northern Territory Government

Minutes of Proceedings - 2015-06-18

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

2. PRAYERS
    3. SPEAKER'S STATEMENT
        The Speaker made a statement regarding Red Nose Day.
    4. RETURN TO WORK LEGISLATION AMENDMENT BILL 2015 (Serial 127)
        Mr Styles (Minister for Business), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the Return to Work Act and Return to Work Regulations.

        Bill read a first time.

        Mr Styles moved - That the Bill be now read a second time.

        Debate ensued.

        Paper Tabled: Mr Styles laid upon the Table the Explanatory Statement (Paper 1388).

        On the motion of Ms Fyles (Member for Nightcliff) debate was adjourned.
    5. STATUTE LAW AMENDMENT (DIRECTORS' LIABILITY) BILL 2015 (Serial 128)
        Mr Elferink (Attorney-General and Minister for Justice), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend provisions relating to directors' liability in legislation of the Territory.

        Bill read a first time.

        Mr Elferink moved - That the Bill be now read a second time.

        Debate ensued.

        Paper Tabled: Mr Elferink laid upon the Table the Explanatory Statement (Paper 1389).

        On the motion of Ms Fyles (Member for Nightcliff) debate was adjourned.
    6. Auditor-General's February 2015 Report to the Legislative Assembly – REPORT NOTED
        Resumption of debate on the motion – That the Assembly take note of the Report.

        Debate resumed.

        Extension of Time: On the motion of Mr Vowles (Member for Johnston), Mr Wood (Member for Nelson) was granted an extension of time.

        Debate continued.

        Extension of Time: On the motion of Mr Barrett (Member for Blain), Mr Styles (Member for Sanderson) was granted an extension of time.

        Debate continued.

        Question - put and passed.
    7. MINISTERIAL STATEMENT – RECREATIONAL FISHING IN THE NT – NOTE STATEMENT
        Resumption of debate on the motion – That the Assembly take note of the Statement.

        Debate resumed.

        Debate suspended.
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        Suspension of sittings: The sitting of the Assembly was suspended between 11.50am and 2.00pm.

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    8. PETITIONS
        Ms Walker (Member for Nhulunbuy), presented Petition No. 48 from 85 petitioners, conforming with Standing Orders praying that the Yirrkala Community Child Safety and Wellbeing Team Practitioner position be retained and funded (Paper 1395).

        Petition read.
    9. QUESTIONS
        2.00 Mr Gunner to Chief Minister
        2.04 Mr Kurrupuwu to Chief Minister
        2.07 Mr Gunner to Chief Minister
        2.11 Mr Barrett to Minister for Business
        2.14 Ms Walker to Chief Minister
        2.18 Mr Conlan to Treasurer
        2.22 Ms Manison to Chief Minister
        2.26 Mr Barrett to Minister for Sport and Recreation
        2.29 Mr Wood to Minister for the Environment
        2.33 Mr Barrett to Minister for Education
        2.37 Ms Fyles to Chief Minister
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        Visitors: The Speaker advised Honourable Members of the presence in the gallery of students from Nungalinya College.

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

        2.41 Mr Conlan to Minister for Sport and Recreation
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        Suspension of Standing Orders

        Mr Gunner (Member for Fannie Bay) moved — That so much of Standing Orders be suspended as would prevent this house from censuring the Chief Minister.

        Mr Elferink (Leader of Government Business) informed the Assembly that the Government would accept the censure motion, pursuant to Standing Order 95.
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    10. CENSURE OF THE CHIEF MINISTER – MOTION NOT AGREED TO
        Mr Gunner (Leader of the Opposition) moved – This house censures the Chief Minister for:
          Destroying the faith and trust that needs to exist between Territorians and their elected representatives for good government to occur;

          For diminishing this Parliament and bringing the government, the Parliament and the Northern Territory into disrepute through arrogant, deceitful and disrespectful behaviour;

          Continuing to lie to Territorians; and

          Always putting his self-interest ahead of the interests of Territorians.
        Debate ensued.

        Paper Tabled: Mr Gunner, by leave, laid upon the Table –

        1. Department of the Chief Minister, Terms of Reference for Northern Territory Government Travel Review, John Coleman Chief Executive Officer, dated 26 May 2015 (Paper 1396).

        2. Media Release, Chief Executive John Coleman Public Sector Travel Review, Department of the Chief Minister, dated 22 May 2015 (Paper 1397).

        Debate continued.

        Question – put

        The Assembly divided:
          Ayes - 11 Noes - 13
          Ms Anderson Mr Barrett
          Ms Fyles Mr Chandler
          Mr Gunner Mr Conlan
          Mrs Lambley Mr Elferink
          Ms Lawrie Mrs Finocchiaro
          Ms Lee Mr Giles
          Mr McCarthy Mr Higgins
          Ms Manison Mr Kurrupuwu
          Ms Moss Mrs Price
          Mr Vowles Ms Purick
          Ms Walker Mr Styles
          Mr Tollner
          Mr Westra van Holthe
        Motion not agreed to.
    11. MINISTERIAL STATEMENT – RECREATIONAL FISHING IN THE NT – STATEMENT NOTED
        Resumption of debate on the motion – That the Assembly take note of the Statement.

        Debate resumed.

        Question - put and passed.
    12. PAPER TABLED - Estimates & Government Owned Corporations Scrutiny Committee, Questions Taken on Notice
        Mrs Finocchiaro (Chair of the Public Accounts Committee) made a statement and laid on the Table – Estimates & Government Owned Corporations Scrutiny Committee, Questions Taken on Notice, 26 - 28 May & 2 – 4 June 2015 (Paper 1398).

        Mrs Finocchiaro moved – That the paper be printed.

        Question – put and passed.
    13. MINISTERIAL STATEMENT – BLUE MUD BAY FISHING AGREEMENTS – STATEMENT NOTED
        Resumption of debate on the motion – That the Assembly take note of the Statement.

        Debate resumed.

        Question - put and passed.
    14. PAPERS
        The Deputy Speaker tabled the following Papers –

        1. Remuneration Tribunal Determination, Travel Report, Member for Arafura, Mr Francis Kurrupuwu travel to Darwin to participate in a visit to the community of Milingimbi between 9th - 13th March 2015, pursuant to clause 4.12, dated 11 June 2015 (Paper 1399).

        2. Remuneration Tribunal Determination, Travel Report, Member for Greatorex, Mr Matt Conlan travel to Darwin for preparation for March sittings between 19th - 20th March 2015, pursuant to clause 4.12, dated 18 June 2015 (Paper 1400).
    15. ADJOURNMENT
        Mr Elferink (Leader of Government Business) moved - That the Assembly do now adjourn.

        The Assembly adjourned at 5.50pm until Tuesday 25 August 2015 at 10.00am.
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        PAPERS
        The following papers were deemed to have been Tabled on 18 June 2015 -

        Annual Report 2013/2014:
        National Trust of Australia (Northern Territory), 2013/2014 (Paper 1390)

        Financial Management Act:
        Authorisation - Issue of Increased Funds available from Commonwealth, pursuant to section 19A(1), dated 19 May 2015 (Paper 1391)
        Direction - Transfer of Excess Appropriations, pursuant to section 20(1), dated 19 May 2015 (Paper 1392)
        Determination - Proportions of Appropriations to be transferred after redistribution of Business, pursuant to section 21(1), dated 19 May 2015 (Paper 1393)

        Regulations 2015:
        No. 45/2015, Health Practitioner Regulation National Law Amendment (Midwife Insurance Exemption) Regulation 2015 (Paper 1394)
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        ATTENDANCE
        All Members attended the sittings.

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