Department of the Legislative Assembly, Northern Territory Government
Department of the Legislative Assembly, Northern Territory Government

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Minutes of Proceedings - 2008-09-17

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

2. PRAYERS.
      Visitors: The Speaker advised Members of the presence in the public gallery of Kormilda College, Year 7 students accompanied by Miss Michelle Jones.
      On behalf of all Members the Speaker extended a warm welcome to the visitors.

3. MINISTERIAL REPORTS:
      Blue Mud Bay Decision: The Chief Minister (Mr Henderson) made a report relating to the matters of the Blue Mud Bay Federal Court decision.
      Mr Mills responded.
      Mr Wood responded.
      Mr Henderson replied.

      Local Government Shire Councils: The Minister for Local Government (Mr Knight) reported on the establishment of new Shire Councils and their business systems and upcoming inaugural Shire elections.
      Mr Westra van Holthe responded.
      Mr Wood responded.
      Mr Knight replied.

      Renal Services: The Minister for Health (Dr Burns) reported on the expansion of Renal Services programs in the Territory and the facilitate self care training facilities expansion throughout remote Territory communities.
      Mr Conlan responded.
      Dr Burns replied.

      Ministerial Reports noted, pursuant to Standing Orders.

4. GAMING MACHINE AMENDMENT (ANTI-PROLIFERATION) BILL 2008 (Serial 8):
      The Minister for Racing, Gaming and Licensing (Dr Burns), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the Gaming Machine Act and Gaming Machine Regulations.
      Bill read a first time.
      Dr Burns moved - That the Bill be now read a second time.
      Debate ensued.
      Paper tabled: Dr Burns laid on the Table the following Paper -
Explanatory Statement, Gaming Machine Amendment (Anti-Proliferation) Bill 2008 (Paper 47).

      On the motion of the Member for Sanderson (Mr Styles) debate was adjourned.
5. ARAFURA TO ALICE, ECOLINKS PROJECT - MINISTERIAL STATEMENT - MOTION TO NOTE STATEMENT:
      The Minister for Parks and Wildlife (Ms Anderson) made a statement relating to the maintenance of natural corridors and connections between protected areas and landscapes to preserve the habitat.
      Ms Anderson moved - That the Assembly take note of the Statement.
      Debate ensued.
      ______________

      Visitors: The Speaker advised Members of the presence in the public gallery of Kormilda College Year 7 students accompanied by Mr Ryan Wolfe and Ms Debbie Shannon.
      On behalf of all Members the Speaker extended a warm welcome to the visitors.
      _______________

      Debate continued.
      Debate suspended.
      ______________

      Suspension of sittings: The sittings of the Assembly was suspended between 11.54am and 2pm.
      ______________
6. NOTICES:
      The following notices were given -
      Mr Mills: To move -
              That this Assembly –

              1. Establishes a Select Committee to be known as the Acute Care Services NT Review Committee;
                2. The membership of the Committee be made up of three Members nominated by the Government, two members nominated by the Opposition, one independent Member, and assisted by a representative from the Australian Nursing Federation NT, a representative of the AMA NT, and one person with experience in the public health sector. The Chair is to be nominated by the Leader of Government Business and a Deputy Chairperson is to be nominated by the Leader of Opposition;

                3. The Terms of Reference for the Committee are to:
                    (a) investigate Acute Care Services in Northern Territory Hospitals with a particular focus on the required level of nurse staffing levels to deliver patient care;
                      (b) have regard to the observations, evidence and findings that were available to the Coroner Greg Cavanagh in the inquest into the death of Mrs Winter; and
                        (c) provide an analysis of the matters and make recommendations to the Parliament.

                    4. In establishing the Select Committee the Assembly 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 the Committee members in similar terms to that of the Statehood Steering Committee.

                    5. The Committee be empowered to compel evidence in accordance with Chapter XXVIII of the Standing Orders of the Assembly.

                    6. The Assembly requires the Chair of the Select Committee to report to the Assembly, no later than the final sitting day in February 2009, including in its report any and all recommendations.
            Mr Mills: To move - That so much of Standing Orders be suspended as would prevent him moving the motion relating to the establishment of a Select Committee to inquire into Acute Care Services NT.

            Ms Lawrie: To present the Transport Legislation (Alcohol Ignition Locks) Amendment Bill 2008 (Serial 9).

            Mr Knight: To present the Local Government (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2008 (Serial 5).
        7. QUESTIONS:
            2.03pm Mr Mills to Mr Henderson.
            2.06pm Mr Gunner to Mr Henderson.
            2.08pm Mr Mills to Mr Henderson.
            2.12pm Mr McCarthy to Ms Lawrie.
            2.15pm Mr Conlan to Dr Burns.
            2.20pm Ms Walker to Ms Scrymgour.
            2.24pm Mr Conlan to Dr Burns.
            2.25pm Mr Wood to Ms Scrymgour.
            2.29pm Mr Gunner to Mr Vatskalis.
            2.30pm Mr Conlan to Dr Burns.
            2.36pm Ms Walker to Mr Vatskalis.
            2.38pm Mr Chandler to Dr Burns.
            2.41pm Mr Gunner to Ms Anderson.
            2.42pm Mr Conlan to Dr Burns.
            2.46pm Ms Walker to Ms McCarthy
            2.47pm Mr Giles to Dr Burns.
            2.48pm Ms Walker to Mr Knight.
            2.50pm Mr Conlan to Dr Burns.
            2.53pm Mr McCarthy to Ms McCarthy.
            2.54PM Mr Wood to Ms Lawrie.
            2.57pm Mr McCarthy to Mr Hampton.
            2.59pm Mr Mills to Mr Henderson.

            The Leader of Government Business (Ms Lawrie) asked that further questions be placed on the Written Question Paper.
        8. ARAFURA TO ALICE, ECOLINKS PROJECT - STATEMENT NOTED:
            The Order of the Day having been read for the resumption of debate, suspended earlier this day, on the motion - That the Assembly take note of the Statement -
            Debate resumed.
            Question - put and passed.

        9. TERRITORY STATEHOOD, PROGRESS - MINISTERIAL STATEMENT - STATEMENT NOTED:
            The Minister for Statehood (Ms McCarthy) made a statement relating to the progress of the Territory towards Statehood.
            Ms McCarthy moved - That the Assembly take note of the Statement.
            Debate ensued.
            Quorum: The Member for Port Darwin (Mr Elferink) drew the Deputy Speaker's (Ms Walker) attention to the state of the House -
            Bells having been rung and a Quorum being attained - The Assembly resumed.

            Debate continued.
            Question - put and passed.
            ___________________

            Suspension of sittings: The sittings of the Assembly was suspended between 5.50pm and 6.35pm.
            ___________________
        10. MATTER OF PUBLIC IMPORTANCE - CBD MASTER PLAN:
            The Speaker advised the Assembly that the Member for Port Darwin (Mr Elferink) had proposed the following definite Matter of Public Importance for discussion this day:
                "The failure of the Territory Government to develop a master plan for Darwin's CBD and the subsequent ad hoc approach to planning and provision of services.".

            The proposed discussion having received the necessary support -
            Discussion ensued.
            Discussion concluded.
        11. ADJOURNMENT:
            The Leader of Government Business (Ms Lawrie) moved - That the Assembly do now adjourn.
            Debate ensued.
            And the Assembly adjourned at 8.43pm until Thursday 18 September 2008 at 10am.
            ________________

            PAPERS:
            There were no Papers deemed to have been presented on Wednesday 17 September 2008.
        _________________
            ATTENDANCE:
            All Members attended the sittings.
        Last updated: 04 Aug 2016
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