Minutes of Proceedings - 2014-03-27
1. MEETING
The Assembly met at 10am. The Speaker, the Honourable Kezia Purick took the Chair.
2. PRAYERS
3. VISITORS
8. CENSURE OF CHIEF MINISTER
The Assembly met at 10am. The Speaker, the Honourable Kezia Purick took the Chair.
2. PRAYERS
3. VISITORS
- The Speaker advised Honourable Members of the presence in the gallery of –
1. Two Year 5/6 classes from Larrakeyah Primary School;
2. The former Member for Brennan, Mr James Burke; and
3. The NT Firefighters Association.
On behalf of all Members the Speaker extended a warm welcome to the visitors.
- 10.02 Ms Lawrie to Chief Minister
10.07 Ms Lawrie to Chief Minister (supplementary question)
10.08 Mr Higgins to Chief Minister
10.11 Mr Gunner to Chief Minister (referred to Minister for Business)
10.14 Mr Higgins to Chief Minister
10.17 Ms Manison to Chief Minister
10.19 Mr Higgins to Chief Minister
10.23 Mr Wood to Minister for Primary Industry and Fisheries
10.27 Ms Walker to Chief Minister
10.29 Mr Higgins to Minister for Tourism
10.33 Mr Gunner to Chief Minister (referred to Attorney-General)
10.36 Ms Manison to Chief Minister
10.41 Mr Higgins to Minister for Lands, Planning and the Environment
10.45 Mr Higgins to Minister for Business
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Suspension of Standing Orders
Suspension of Standing Orders
Ms Lawrie (Leader of the Opposition) 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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Mr Elferink (Leader of Government Business) asked that further questions be placed on the Written Question Paper.
- Ms Lawrie (Leader of the Opposition) moved – This House censures the Chief Minister for his dismal attempt at leadership in the Northern Territory and his failure to stand up for Territorians including:
1. Refusing to discipline the Member for Greatorex over his abuse and bullying behaviour towards the Member for Namatjira;
2. Ignoring a letter of complaint about the Member for Port Darwin from the Member from Arnhem;
3. Failing to deliver on any of his bush promises and breaking the trust of indigenous Territorians;
4. Hiking up the cost of living for all Territorians by increasing power prices; and
5. The disgraceful knifing of former Chief Minister Terry Mills and then lying about it.
Debate ensued.
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Visitors: The Speaker advised Honourable Members of the presence in the gallery of a Year 5/6 class from Larrakeyah Primary School.
On behalf of all Members the Speaker extended a warm welcome to the visitors.
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Debate continued.
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Visitors: The Deputy Speaker advised Honourable Members of the presence in the gallery of two Year 3/4 classes from Jingili Primary School.
On behalf of all Members the Deputy Speaker extended a warm welcome to the visitors.
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Debate continued.
Debate suspended.
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Suspension of sittings: The sitting of the Assembly was suspended between 12 noon and 2.00pm.
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- Mr Gunner (Member for Fannie Bay) by leave, presented Petition No. 36 from 26,284 petitioners, not conforming with Standing Orders relating to support for the Workers Rehabilitation and Compensation Amendment (Fire-Fighters) Bill 2013 and Fire-Fighters. (Paper 789).
Petition read.
- The Speaker advised Honourable Members of the presence in the gallery of the former Member for Johnston, Dr Chris Burns.
On behalf of all Members the Speaker extended a warm welcome to the visitor.
8. CENSURE OF CHIEF MINISTER
- Resumption of debate, suspended earlier this day, on the question – This House censures the Chief Minister for his dismal attempt at leadership in the Northern Territory and related matters.
Debate ensued.
Extension of Time: On the motion of Mr Vowles (Member for Johnston), Mr McCarthy (Member for Barkley) was granted an extension of time.
Debate continued.
Question – put
The Assembly divided:
- Ayes - 8 Noes - 11
Ms Fyles Mr Chandler
Mr Gunner Mr Conlan
Ms Lawrie Mr Elferink
Mr McCarthy Ms Finocchiaro
Ms Manison Mr Giles
Mr Vatskalis Mr Higgins
Mr Vowles Mrs Lambley
Ms Walker Mrs Price
Mr Styles
Mr Tollner
Mr Westra van Holthe
- Mrs Lambley (Minister for Health), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to provide a New Service Framework for Health Services in the Northern Territory, and for related purposes.
Bill read a first time.
Mrs Lambley moved - That the Bill be now read a second time.
Debate ensued.
Paper Tabled: Mr Lambley laid upon the Table the Explanatory Statement (Paper 790).
On the motion of Ms Manison (Member for Wanguri) debate was adjourned.
- Mr Chandler (Minister for Lands, Planning and the Environment), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act for an Act to amend the Environment Protection (Beverage Containers and Plastic Bags) Act and the Environment Protection (Beverage Containers and Plastic Bags) Regulations.
Bill read a first time.
Mr Chandler moved - That the Bill be now read a second time.
Debate ensued.
Paper Tabled: Mr Chandler laid upon the Table the Explanatory Statement (Paper 791).
On the motion of Ms Walker (Member for Nhulunbuy) debate was adjourned.
- Mr Elferink (Attorney-General), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the Criminal Code.
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 792).
On the motion of Ms Walker (Member for Nhulunbuy) debate was adjourned.
- Mr Tollner (Treasurer) made a statement advising the House of the work being done by the Department of Business to assist businesses in Nhulunbuy.
Mr Tollner moved – That the Assembly take note of the Statement.
Debate ensued.
Extension of Time: On the motion of Mr McCarthy (Member for Barkly), Ms Walker (Member for Nhulunbuy) was granted an extension of time.
Debate continued.
On the motion of Mr Elferink (Leader of Government Business) debate was adjourned.
- The Speaker laid on the Table – Report to the Legislative Assembly, pursuant to Clause 6.3 and 8.9 of the Remuneration Tribunal Determination No. 1 of 2012, Annual Schedule of Member Travel at Government Expense and Annual Schedule containing Government Payments for each Member for Satellite and Mobile Telephones for year 2013 (Paper 793).
Mr Chandler (Minister for Lands, Planning and the Environment) made a statement and laid on the Table –
1. Northern Territory Environment Protection Authority, Redbank Copper Mine - Environmental Quality Report, March 2014 (Paper 794).
2. Northern Territory Environment Protection Authority, Recommendations on the Environmental Assessment and Regulation of Mine Sites, March 2014 (Paper 795).
- Mr Elferink (Leader of Government Business) moved - That the Assembly do now adjourn.
Debate ensued.
And the Assembly adjourned at 4.53pm until Tuesday 6 May 2014 at 10.00am.
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PAPERS
The following papers were deemed to have been Tabled on 27 March 2014 –
Annual Report 2012/2013:
National Trust of Australia (Northern Territory) (Paper 786)
Northern Territory Environment Protection Authority:
Review of containers regulated under the NT Container Deposit Scheme, February 2014
(Paper 787).
Utilities Commission:
Review of Wholesale Electricity Generation Market Arrangements for the Northern Territory, Final Report, February 2014 (Paper 788).
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- All Members attended the sittings.
Michael Tatham
Clerk of the Legislative Assembly
Last updated: 04 Aug 2016