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Minutes of Proceedings - 2009-02-17

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

2. PRAYERS.

3. DISTINGUISHED VISITOR:
      The Speaker advised Members of the presence in the Speaker's Gallery of Mr Neville Perkins AM, former Member for the Legislative Assembly and Deputy Leader of the Opposition.
      On behalf of all Members the Speaker extended a warm welcome to the distinguished visitor.
4. MINISTERIAL REPORTS:
      Trade and Investment Mission: The Chief Minister (Mr Henderson) reported on his trade and investment mission to meet important trading partners in China, Japan and the United States.
      Mr Mills responded.
      Mr Wood responded.
      Mr Henderson replied.

      Housing Construction in Aboriginal Communities: The Minister for Housing (Mr Knight) reported on the calling of housing forums to roll out a new Regional Housing and Infrastructure Program in remote Aboriginal Communities in conjunction with the Federal Government.
      Ms Purick responded.
      Mr Wood responded.
      Mr Knight replied.

      East Arm Wharf, Expansion: The Minister for Infrastructure (Ms Lawrie) reported on infrastructure developments and improvements in the Port of Darwin and the expansion of facilities at East Arm Wharf.
      Mr Giles responded.
      Mr Wood responded.
      Ms Lawrie replied.

      Ministerial Reports noted, pursuant to Standing Orders.

5. LEAVE OF ABSENCE - MEMBER FOR ARAFURA:
      The Leader of Government Business (Dr Burns) moved - That leave of absence be granted to the Member for Arafura (Ms Scrymgour) for this day.
      Question - put and passed.
6. CRIMINAL CODE AMENDMENT (EXPERT EVIDENCE) BILL 2009 (Serial 32):
      The Minister for Justice and Attorney-General (Ms Lawrie), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the Criminal Code.
      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, Criminal Code Amendment (Expert Evidence) Bill 2009 (Paper 234).

      On the motion of the Member for Araluen (Ms Carney) debate was adjourned.
7. INFORMATION AMENDMENT BILL 2009 (Serial 33):
      The Minister for Arts and Museums (Ms Anderson), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the Information Act.
      Bill read a first time.
      Ms Anderson moved - That the Bill be now read a second time -
      Debate ensued.
      Paper tabled: Ms Anderson laid on the Table the following Paper -
Explanatory Statement, Information Amendment Bill 2009 (Paper 235).

      On the motion of the Member for Drysdale (Mr Bohlin) debate was adjourned.
8. TREASURER'S MID - YEAR REPORT 2008/2009 - 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.
      Paper tabled: Dr Burns laid on the Table the following Paper -
Graph, Total tax savings since 2001 (Paper 236).

      Debate continued.
      Extension of time: On the Motion of the Member for Casuarina (Mr Vatskalis) the Member for Karama (Ms Lawrie) was granted an extension of time, pursuant to Standing Order 77.
      Debate continued.
      Question - put and passed.
      ________________________

      Suspension of sittings: The sittings of the Assembly was suspended between 11.54am and 2pm.
      _______________________

9. NOTICES:
      The following notices were given:
      Ms Lawrie: To present the Justice and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2009 (Serial 34).

10. QUESTIONS:
      2pm Mr Mills to Mr Henderson.
      2.02pm Ms Walker to Mr Henderson.
      2.05pm Mr Chandler to Mr Henderson.
      2.09pm Mr Gunner to Mr Henderson.
      2.16pm Mr Bohlin to Mr Henderson.
      2.20pm Ms Walker to Ms McCarthy.
      2.22pm Mr Mills to Mr Henderson.
      2.25pm Mr Gunner to Mr Hampton.
      2.27pm Mr Mills to Mr Henderson.
      2.30pm Ms Walker to Ms Anderson.
      2.32pm Mr Conlan to Mr Hampton.
      2.34pm Mr Gunner to Mr Vatskalis.
      2.38pm Ms Carney to Ms McCarthy.
      2.41pm Ms Walker to Mr Hampton.
      2.43pm Mr Wood to Ms Lawrie.
      2.45pm Mr Gunner to Mr Vatskalis.
      2.48pm Ms Carney to Ms McCarthy.
      2.51pm Ms Walker to Mr Knight.
      2.54pm Mr Mills to Mr Henderson.
      2.58pm Mr Gunner to Ms Lawrie.

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

11. AUDITOR-GENERAL'S NOVEMBER 2008 REPORT - 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.
12. OMBUDSMAN REPORT 2007/2008 - 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.
13. MEMBERS’ TELEPHONE AND TRAVEL EXPENSES 2008 - REPORT TO PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPHS 5.3 and 7.9(c) OF ADMINISTRATIVE ARRANGEMENTS NOVEMBER 2007, - REPORT TABLED - REPORT PRINTED:
      The Speaker laid on the Table a -
Report to the Legislative Assembly, pursuant to paragraphs 5.3 and 7.9(c) of the Administrative Arrangements Tabled 29 November 2007 for the provision of travel, motor vehicle, communications, postage and child care entitlements for Members of the Legislative Assembly of the Northern Territory - Annual Schedule containing government payments for each Member for travel at government expense, and for satellite and mobile telephones for 2008 (Paper 238); and
    Letter, dated 20 February 2008, from the Chief Minister containing a Schedule of Ministerial Mobile Phone Expenses for 2007 incurred by the Department of the Chief Minister. (Paper 237).

        The Chief Minister (Mr Henderson) moved - That the Report be printed.
        Question -put and passed.

    14. PRIMARY INDUSTRIES REVIEW - MINISTERIAL STATEMENT - STATEMENT NOTED:
        The Minister for Primary Industry, Fisheries and Resources (Mr Vatskalis) made a statement relating to a review presented by an independent consultant of the Primary Industry sector to the Territory Economy.
        Mr Vatskalis moved - That the Assembly take note of the Statement.
        Debate ensued.
        Extension of time: On the motion of the Member for Stuart (Mr Hampton) the Member for Nelson (Mr Wood) was granted an extension of time, pursuant to Standing Order 77.
        Debate continued.
        Extension of time: On the motion of the Member for Johnston (Dr Burns) the Member for Casuarina (Mr Vatskalis) was granted an extension of time, pursuant to Standing Order 77.
        Debate continued.
        Question - put and passed.
    15. MATTER OF PUBLIC IMPORTANCE - DARWIN PRISON DEMOLITION:
        The Speaker advised the Assembly that the Member for Goyder (Ms Purick) had proposed the following definite Matter of Public Importance for discussion this day:
            The demolition of the current Darwin Prison with the building of a new prison, on a new site, at the cost of over $300 million of taxpayers money when, despite 8 years of being in government, there is no coherent nor comprehensive plan by the Northern Territory Labor Government to address the alarmingly high rates of re-incarceration, and disgraceful rates of illiteracy amongst prisoners in the Territory.
        The proposed discussion having received the necessary support -
        Discussion ensued.
        Discussion concluded.

    16. ADJOURNMENT:
        The Leader of Government Business (Dr Burns) moved - That the Assembly do now adjourn.
        Debate ensued.
        Paper tabled: The Member for Port Darwin (Mr Elferink), by leave, laid on the Table the following Paper -
    Letter, Cherie and Lawrence Cooper, The Importer (Shop) to Department of Planning and Infrastructure re Bus Stop, 39 Stuart Highway, Stuart Park, outside - hygiene of bus stop, dated 16 February 2009 (Paper 239).

        Debate continued.
        And the Assembly sat until 9.04pm and adjourned until tomorrow at 10am.
    ________________

        PAPERS:
        There were no Papers deemed to have been presented on Tuesday 17 February 2009 -
    _________________
        ATTENDANCE:
        All Members attended the sittings except Mr Styles and Ms Scrymgour, on leave.



        Mr Ian McNeill
        Clerk of the Legislative Assembly
    Last updated: 04 Aug 2016
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