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Minutes of Proceedings - 2009-04-29

1. MEETING:

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

2. PRAYERS.

3. LEAVE OF ABSENCE:

The Leader of Government Business (Dr Burns) moved - That leave of absence be granted to the Chief Minister (Mr Henderson) for this day and Thursday 30 April 2009 to attend COAG.

Question - put and passed.

4. LEAVE OF ABSENCE:

The Member for Port Darwin (Mr Elferink) moved - That leave of absence be granted to the Member for Araluen (Ms Carney) for this day and Thursday 30 April 2009.

Question - put and passed.

5. PAIRS:

The Speaker laid on the Table the Pair arrangements for this sittings period:

The Member for Wanguri (Mr Henderson) and the Member for Araluen (Ms Carney) being paired for the 29 April 2009; and

Member for Wanguri (Mr Henderson) and the Member for Sanderson (Mr Styles) being paired for the 30 April 2009 (Paper 281).

6. DISCHARGE OF GOVERNMENT BUSINESS - ORDERS OF THE DAY:

The Leader of Government Business (Dr Burns) moved - That Orders of the Day, Government Business relating to the following business items be discharged from the Notice Paper -

Domestic and Family Violence Amendment, Draft Bill;
Ministerial Statement entitled Economic Direction of Third Labor Government; and
Ministerial Statement entitled Increasing Police Presence.

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, 9

Mrs Aagaard Mr Bohlin

Ms Anderson Mr Elferink

Dr Burns Mr Giles

Mr Gunner Mr Mills

Mr Hampton Ms Purick

Mr Knight Mr Styles

Ms Lawrie Mr Tollner

Mr McCarthy Mr Westra van Holthe

Ms McCarthy Mr Wood

Mr Vatskalis

Ms Walker

Tellers:

Mr Gunner and Mr Elferink.

Pairs:

For this day 29 April 2009,

Ms Scrymgour and Mr Conlan.
Mr Henderson and Ms Carney.

And so it was resolved in the affirmative.

7. MINISTERIAL REPORTS:

Asian Relations, Engagement:

The Minister for Asian Relations (Dr Burns) reported on the Territory's key trade and investment partners within Asian nations in advancing our collective interests in tourism, business, education and culture.

Mr Mills responded.

Mr Wood responded.

Dr Burns replied.

Essential Services in Remote Communities:

The Minister for Local Government (Mr Knight) reported on the increased investment in essential services in remote indigenous communities.

Mr Elferink responded.

Mr Wood responded.

Mr Knight replied.

Fog Bay, Closure to Commercial Barramundi Fishing:

The Minister for Primary Industry, Fisheries and Resources (Mr Vatskalis) reported on the closure of Fog Bay to commercial Barramundi fishing.

Mr Westra van Holthe responded.

Mr Wood responded.

Mr Vatskalis replied.

Ministerial reports noted, pursuant to Standing Orders.

8. REGULATION RELIEF REVIEW ADVISORY COMMITTEE (ADVISORY COMMITTEE), ESTABLISHMENT - TERMS OF REFERENCE - MOTION:

The Member for Fong Lim (Mr Tollner), pursuant to notice, moved -

That this Assembly:

1. Establishes a Regulation Relief Review Advisory Committee (Advisory Committee) subordinate to the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Standing Committee;

2. Endorses the following terms of reference for the Regulation Relief Review Advisory Committee:

(a) to review all laws and regulations that impact on business in the Territory, including procurement practices and other process requirements of the Northern Territory government, and

(b) recommend removal and reform of these regulations and processes, where appropriate;

3. Agrees to the membership of the committee to be made up of a chairperson nominated by the Leader of Government Business; a deputy chairperson to be nominated by the Manager of Opposition Business; two members nominated by business associations (made up of a representative from the Business Council, REINT, Chamber of Commerce, Cattlemen’s Association, Trucking Association, Construction Association, the MTAA, the HIA and any other organisation agreed to by the chair and deputy chair) of the Northern Territory; a consumer advocate agreed to by the chair and deputy chair of the committee and the Northern Territory Ombudsman;

4. In establishing the Advisory Committee, does so subject to the Speaker tabling in the Assembly for its adoption a determination authorising the operational structure levels and terms and conditions of payment of meeting/sitting fees, travel allowances paid to Regulation Relief Review Advisory Committee members in similar terms to that of the Statehood Steering Committee; and

5. Requires the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee to report to the Assembly, no later than 30 November 2009, including in its report any and all recommendations of the Regulation Relief Review Advisory Committee.

Debate ensued.

Debate suspended.

_________________

Suspension of sittings:

The sittings of the Assembly was suspended between 12.02pm and 2pm.

_________________

9. NOTICES:

The following Notices were given:

Mr Vatskalis: To present the Radiation Protection and Radiographers Amendment Bill 2009 (Serial 36).

Dr Burns: To move - That the Assembly appoint an Estimates Committee 2009/2010 and a Government Owned Corporations Scrutiny Committee 2009/2010, pursuant to the terms circulated to Members.

Ms Lawrie: To present the Financial Management Amendment Bill 2009 (Serial 37).

10. QUESTIONS:

2.02pm Mr Mills to Ms Lawrie.

2.05pm Mr Gunner to Mr Vatskalis.

2.10pm Mr Mills to Ms Lawrie.

2.13pm Mr Walker to Ms Lawrie.

2.15pm Mr Styles to Ms Lawrie and referred to Dr Burns.

2.20pm Ms Walker to Ms Lawrie.

2.25pm Mr Tollner to Ms Lawrie and referred to Dr Burns.

2.27pm Mr Gunner to Mr Vatskalis.

2.32pm Mr Giles to Ms Lawrie.

2.38pm Mr Gunner to Dr Burns.

Paper tabled:

Dr Burns laid on the Table the following Paper -

Darwin Business Park, $200 million private investment (Paper 284).

2.42pm Mr Wood to Ms Lawrie.

2.46pm Ms Walker to Ms McCarthy.

2.52pm Mr Gunner to Mr Hampton.

2.55pm Mrs Purick to Ms McCarthy.

2.57pm Mr Gunner to Mr Hampton.

2.59pm Mr Styles to Ms McCarthy.

3.02pm Ms Walker to Mr Knight.

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

11. REGULATION RELIEF REVIEW ADVISORY COMMITTEE (ADVISORY COMMITTEE), ESTABLISHMENT - TERMS OF REFERENCE - MOTION NEGATIVED:

The Order of the Day having been read for the resumption of debate on the motion moved by Mr Tollner, suspended earlier this day - That the Assembly establish a Regulation Relief Review Advisory Committee -

Debate resumed.

Question - That the motion be agreed to - put.

The Assembly divided (the Speaker, Hon. J. L Aagaard, in the Chair) -

AYES, 10 NOES, 11

Mr Bohlin Mrs Aagaard

Mr Chandler Ms Anderson

Mr Elferink Dr Burns

Mr Giles Mr Gunner

Mr Mills Mr Hampton

Ms Purick Mr Knight

Mr Styles Ms Lawrie

Mr Tollner Ms McCarthy

Mr Westra van Holthe Mr McCarthy

Mr Wood Mr Vatskalis

Ms Walker

Tellers:

Mr Gunner and Mr Elferink.

Pairs:

For 29 April 2009:

Ms Scrymgour and Mr Conlan.

Mr Henderson and Ms Carney.

Motion negatived accordingly.

12. PUBLIC AUTHORITIES ADVERTISING BILL 2008 (Serial 16):

The Leader of the Opposition (Mr Mills), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act for advertising by public authorities.

Bill read a first time.

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

Debate ensued.

On the motion of the Minister for Planning and Lands (Ms Lawrie) debate was adjourned.

13. TERRITORY POLICE REVIEW COMMITTEE, ESTABLISHMENT, SELECT COMMITTEE, - TERMS OF REFERENCE - MOTION NEGATIVED:

The Leader of the Opposition (Mr Mills), pursuant to notice, moved - That,

1. The Assembly establish a Select Committee to be known as the Territory Police Review Committee.

2. The Committee is to be comprised of three government members nominated by the Chief Minister and three opposition members nominated by the Leader of the Opposition; with a government member to be elected as the Chair and an opposition member to be elected as the Deputy Chair of the Committee.

3. The Committee inquire into the number and staffing levels of the Northern Territory Police Force with a view to establishing and reporting on -

(a) the current number of police, including numbers in specific units and on general duties (including overtime worked by Territory Police), and the number of police needed to improve law and order in the Territory;

(b) current work practices of Territory police with particular reference to the process of arrest, including average time, and assessed against procedures in other jurisdictions;

(c) the level of resources provided to police and whether it is impacting on the capacity of police to fulfil their duties as required under law;

(d) the numbers, impact and interrelation of Federal Police with the Territory Police in the Northern Territory;

(e) a management plan in respect to all areas of inquiry above, informed by what is occurring in other jurisdictions; and

(f) other matters relevant to the performance of Territory Police force.

4. The inquiry to report to the Assembly by 31 October 2009.

Debate ensued.

Question - That the motion be agreed to - put.

The Assembly divided (the Speaker, Hon. J. L Aagaard, in the Chair) -

AYES, 8 NOES, 11

Mr Bohlin Mrs Aagaard

Mr Chandler Ms Anderson

Mr Elferink Dr Burns

Mr Giles Mr Gunner

Mr Mills Mr Hampton

Mr Styles Mr Knight

Mr Tollner Ms Lawrie

Mr Westra van Holthe Mr McCarthy

Ms McCarthy

Mr Vatskalis

Ms Walker

Tellers:

Mr Gunner and Mr Elferink.

Pairs:

For 29 April 2009

Ms Scrymgour and Mr Conlan.
Mr Henderson and Ms Carney.

Motion negatived accordingly.

14. INFORMATION AMENDMENT BILL 2008 (Serial 20):

The Member for Drysdale (Mr Bohlin), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the

Information Act

Bill read a first time.

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

Debate ensued.

On the motion of the Minister for Justice and Attorney-General (Ms Lawrie) debate was adjourned.

15. ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION AUTHORITY AMENDMENT BILL 2008 (Serial 17):

The Member for Brennan (Mr Chandler), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the

Environment Protection Authority Act

Bill read a first time.

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

Debate ensued.

On the motion of the Minister for Indigenous Policy (Ms Anderson) debate was adjourned.

16. ABORIGINAL LAND AMENDMENT (INTER-TIDAL WATERS) BILL 2008 (Serial 19):

The Member for Katherine (Mr Westra van Holthe), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the

Aboriginal Land Act

Bill read a first time.

Mr Westra van Holthe moved - That the Bill be now read a second time.

Debate ensued.

Paper tabled:

The Member for Katherine (Mr Westra van Holthe), by leave, laid on the Table the following Paper -

Explanatory Statement, Aboriginal Land (Inter-Tidal Waters) Bill 2008 (Paper 331).

On the motion of the Minister for Planning and Lands (Ms Lawrie) debate was adjourned.

17. CENTRAL AUSTRALIAN DEVELOPMENT, SESSIONAL COMMITTEE, ESTABLISHMENT - TERMS OF REFERENCE - MOTION NEGATIVED:

The Member for Braitling (Mr Giles), pursuant to notice, moved -

That:

(a) the Assembly establish a Sessional Committee entitled the Central Australian Development Committee to,

(i) inquire into and report on detailed and specific measures and resource requirements to support the economic development of Central Australia; and

(ii) inquire into and report on detailed and specific measures and resource requirements to support the reduction in anti social behaviour.

(b) the committee comprise of 5 members: Members for Braitling, Araluen, Greatorex, Macdonnell and Stuart.

(d) the committee shall conduct hearings of stakeholders and individuals interested in the future of Central Australia comprising and not limited to, Alice Springs Town Council

Central Desert and Macdonnell Shires CEO’S and their elected officials, pastoral associations, Tangentyere

Council, Central Land Council, Central Australian Tourism, Chamber of Commerce, Alice Springs Hospital, Council of School Principals, Central Australian Aboriginal Congress, youth service providers, teachers and nurses unions, and media representatives.

(e) the committee report no later than 30 September 2009.

Debate ensued.

Extension of time:

On the motion of the Leader of Government Business (Dr Burns) the Minister for Regional Development (Mr Hampton) was granted and extension of time, pursuant to Standing Order 77.

Debate continued.

Question - That the motion be agreed to - put.

The Assembly divided (the Speaker, Hon. J. L Aagaard, in the Chair) -

AYES, 9 NOES, 11

Mr Bohlin Mrs Aagaard

Mr Chandler Ms Anderson

Mr Elferink Dr Burns

Mr Giles Mr Gunner

Mr Mills Mr Hampton

Ms Purick Mr Knight

Mr Styles Ms Lawrie

Mr Tollner Mr McCarthy

Mr Westra van Holthe Ms McCarthy

Mr Vatskalis

Ms Walker

Tellers:

Mr Gunner and Mr Elferink.

Pairs:

For 29 April 2009

Ms Scrymgour and Mr Conlan.
Mr Henderson and Ms Carney.

Motion negatived accordingly.

18. ADJOURNMENT DEBATE TIME ALLOCATION - MOTION:

The Member for Nelson (Mr Wood), pursuant to notice, moved - That, the Assembly reconsider its decision to reduce the time allocated to a member for an adjournment debate in the Assembly from 15 minutes to 5 minutes.

Debate ensued.

Suspension of Standing Orders:

The Member for Port Darwin (Mr Elferink) moved - That so much of Standing Orders be suspended as would prevent debate on the main motion being completed before proceeding to the adjournment of the Assembly.

Debate ensued.

Closure:

The Leader of Government Business (Dr Burns) moved - That the question be now put - put and passed.

Question - That the motion be agreed to - put.

The Assembly divided (the Speaker, Hon. J. L Aagaard, in the Chair) -

AYES, 10 NOES, 11

Mr Bohlin Mrs Aagaard

Mr Chandler Ms Anderson

Mr Elferink Dr Burns

Mr Giles Mr Gunner

Mr Mills Mr Hampton

Ms Purick Mr Knight

Mr Styles Ms Lawrie

Mr Tollner Mr McCarthy

Mr Westra van Holthe Ms McCarthy

Mr Wood Mr Vatskalis

Ms Walker

Tellers:

Mr Gunner and Mr Elferink.

Pairs:

For 29 April 2009

Ms Scrymgour and Mr Conlan.
Mr Henderson and Ms Carney.

Motion moved by the Member for Port Darwin (Mr Elferink) was negatived accordingly.

Debate on the main motion moved by the Member for Nelson (Mr Wood) adjourned, pursuant to Standing Order 41A(c)(v).

19. ADJOURNMENT, Automatic:

The Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 41A(b), at 9.04pm proposed the question - That the Assembly do now adjourn.

Debate ensued.

Question - put and passed.

The Assembly adjourned at 9.47pm until tomorrow at 10am.

_______________

PAPERS:

The following Papers were deemed to have been presented on Wednesday 29 April 2009 -

Annual Reports:

Freedom of Information and Privacy Protection, 2007/2008 - Addendum (Paper 282)

Coroners Act:

In the matter of Coroner’s Findings and Recommendations into the Death of Margaret Sisko Winter, pursuant to Section 46B, dated 20 April 2009 (Paper 283)

______________________

ATTENDANCE:

All Members attended the sittings except -

Mr Conlan and Ms Scrymgour, on leave for 28, 29 and 30 April 2009 and 5, 6 and 7 May 2009;
Ms Carney on leave for 29 and 30 April 2009; and
Mr Henderson on leave for 29 and 30 April 2009.

Mr Ian McNeill

Clerk of the Legislative Assembly

Last updated: 04 Aug 2016

https://parliament.nt.gov.au

Minutes of Proceedings - 2009-04-29