Minutes of Proceedings - 2009-08-10
1. MEETING:
2. PRAYERS.
3. STATEMENT BY SPEAKER – REASONS FOR CALLING THE ASSEMBLY TO MEET THIS DAY - NOTICE OF MOTION OF NO CONFIDENCE IN THE GOVERNMENT:
Letter, Mrs Jane Aagaard, Speaker to Mr Terry Mills, Leader of the Opposition, dated 7 August 2009 re response for additional sitting days (Paper 431).
4. STATEMENT BY SPEAKER – MEDIA ARRANGEMENTS:
- The Assembly met at 4pm; the Speaker, in pursuance of her powers provided by Sessional Order of the Assembly, dated 9 September 2008, agreed to a special sitting of the Assembly today at 4pm in accordance with a letter requesting said meeting, dated 6 August 2009 signed by an absolute majority of the whole number of Members of the Assembly.
- The Speaker, the Honourable J. L. Aagaard, took the Chair.
2. PRAYERS.
3. STATEMENT BY SPEAKER – REASONS FOR CALLING THE ASSEMBLY TO MEET THIS DAY - NOTICE OF MOTION OF NO CONFIDENCE IN THE GOVERNMENT:
- The Speaker advised Members of a letter from the Leader of the Opposition (Mr Mills), dated 6 August 2009 which was received in her Office on Friday, 7 August 2009 and reads as follows:
- Dear Madam Speaker
The following signatories, representing the majority of MLA’s, call on you to recall Parliament for two additional sitting days for the purpose of dealing with the business of a “want for confidence” motion in the Chief Minister and his government.
The signatories request an additional sitting day on Monday 10 August at 4pm for the specific purpose of giving the Assembly notice of a motion expressing that the government no longer possesses the confidence of the Assembly.
Further, in accordance with the requirements of at least 3 clear days notice, the below signatories seek that the second additional sitting day be 10am Friday 14 August to specifically move, debate and finalise that motion referred to above and any other associated matters.
Yours sincerely
Signatories: Terry Mills, MLA; Kezia Purick, MLA; Jodeen Carney, MLA; Alison Anderson, MLA; Ross Bohlin, MLA; Peter Chandler, MLA; Matt Conlan, MLA; John Elferink, MLA; Adam Giles, MLA; Peter Styles, MLA; Dave Tollner, MLA; Willem Westra van Holthe, MLA; Gerry Wood, MLA.
Dated 6 August 2009
- Dear Mr Mills,
I refer to your letter dated 6 August 2009 in which you request that I exercise my powers pursuant to Sessional Order of the Assembly dated 9 September 2008 to appoint 4pm on Monday 10 August 2009 as the time and day for the holding of the next sitting of the Assembly for the specific purpose of giving notice of a “want of confidence” motion in the Chief Minister and his government and then to adjourn the parliament following the giving of the notice. This is approved.
You also request that Friday 14 August 2009 be a sitting day to specifically move the want of confidence motion until it is resolved. This is approved and the Assembly will sit at 10am on Friday 14 August 2009.
I will now advise all Members of my decision.
Yours sincerely
Jane Aagaard
Dated 7 August 2009
- Papers tabled: The Speaker of the Assembly thereupon laid on the Table the following Papers –
Letter, Mrs Jane Aagaard, Speaker to Mr Terry Mills, Leader of the Opposition, dated 7 August 2009 re response for additional sitting days (Paper 431).
4. STATEMENT BY SPEAKER – MEDIA ARRANGEMENTS:
- The Speaker advised that her permission had been given for ABC TV and Channel 9 and the NT News to film and photograph the proceedings of the Assembly relating to the giving of the notice of motion expressing no confidence in the government.
- The following notice was given:
Mr Mills To move on Friday 14 August 2009 - That, the Assembly, pursuant to section 24(1)(a) of the Electoral Act, express "that the government no longer possesses the confidence of the Assembly".
- The Leader of Government Business (Dr Burns) acknowledged the notice given by the Leader of the Opposition (Mr Mills) as a want of confidence motion in accordance with Standing Order 95 and thus would have precedence of all other business on that day nominated for the moving of the notice of motion given by Mr Mills expressing “that the government no longer possesses the confidence of the Assembly”.
Dr Burns, by leave, made a statement relating thereto.
- The Leader of Government Business (Dr Burns), pursuant to Standing Order 43, (which provides that a motion for the purpose of fixing the next sitting of the Assembly may be moved by a Minister at any time) thereupon moved –
That the Assembly at its rising adjourn until Friday 14 August 2009 at 10am.
Debate ensued.
Question - That the motion be agreed to - put.
The Assembly divided (the Speaker, Hon. J. L Aagaard, in the Chair) -
AYES, 13 NOES, 12
Mrs Aagaard Ms Anderson
Dr Burns Mr Bohlin
Mr Gunner Ms Carney
Mr Hampton Mr Chandler
Mr Henderson Mr Conlan
Mr Knight Mr Elferink
Ms Lawrie Mr Giles
Ms McCarthy Mr Mills
Mr McCarthy Ms Purick
Ms Scrymgour Mr Styles
Mr Vatskalis Mr Tollner
Ms Walker Mr Westra van Holthe
Mr Wood
Tellers: Mr Gunner, Government Whip
- Ms Carney Opposition Whip
And so it was resolved in the affirmative.
- The Leader of Government Business (Dr Burns) moved – That the Assembly do now adjourn.
Question – put and passed.
And the Assembly adjourned at 4.55pm until Friday 14 August 2009.
PAPERS:
There were no Papers deemed to have been tabled on Monday 10 August 2009.
_________________
- ATTENDANCE:
All Members attended the sitting.
Last updated: 04 Aug 2016