Department of the Legislative Assembly, Northern Territory Government

Minutes of Proceedings - 2008-10-30

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

2. PRAYERS.

3. MINISTERIAL REPORTS:
      Arts and Music festivals, Alice Springs: The Minister for Arts and Museums (Ms Scrymgour) reported on art and music festivals conducted in Alice Springs in 2008.
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      Suspension of Standing Orders - Want of Confidence in Speaker: The Leader of the Opposition (Mr Mills), having attained the call of the Speaker, moved - That so much of Standing Orders be suspended as would prevent me moving a Want of Confidence in the Speaker.

      The Leader of Government Business (Ms Lawrie) accepted the motion as a Want of Confidence motion, pursuant to Standing Order 95.
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4. WANT OF CONFIDENCE IN SPEAKER - MOTION NEGATIVED:
      The Leader of the Opposition (Mr Mills) thereupon moved - That this Assembly express a Want of Confidence in the Speaker for her incapacity to protect the Assembly and its Members from an overbearing and arrogant Government.
      Debate ensued.
      The Leader of Government Business (Ms Lawrie) moved - That the question be now put.
      Question - put.
      The Assembly divided (the Speaker, Hon. J. L Aagaard, in the Chair) -

      AYES, 13 NOES, 11

      Mrs Aagaard Mr Bohlin
      Ms Anderson Ms Carney
      Dr Burns Mr Chandler
      Mr Gunner Mr Conlan
      Mr Hampton Mr Elferink
      Mr Henderson Mr Giles
      Mr Knight Mr Mills
      Ms Lawrie Ms Purick
      Ms McCarthy Mr Styles
      Mr McCarthy Mr Tollner
      Ms Scrymgour Mr Westra van Holthe
      Mr Vatskalis
      Ms Walker

      And so it was resolved in the affirmative.
      Question - That the motion be agreed to - put.
      The Assembly divided (the Speaker, Hon. J. L Aagaard, in the Chair) -

      AYES, 11 NOES, 13

      Mr Bohlin Mrs Aagaard
      Ms Carney Ms Anderson
      Mr Chandler Dr Burns
      Mr Conlan Mr Gunner
      Mr Elferink Mr Hampton
      Mr Giles Mr Henderson
      Mr Mills Mr Knight
      Ms Purick Ms Lawrie
      Mr Styles Ms McCarthy
      Mr Tollner Mr McCarthy
      Mr Westra van Holthe Ms Scrymgour
      Mr Vatskalis
      Ms Walker

      Motion negatived accordingly.
5. SUSPENSION OF STANDING ORDERS, PROPOSED - CENSURE - MOTION NEGATIVED:
      The Member for Port Darwin (Mr Elferink) moved - That so much of Standing Orders be suspended as would prevent him moving a motion to censure the Leader of Government Business and the Government for failing to respect the institutions of this Parliament.
      The Leader of Government Business (Ms Lawrie) moved - That the question be now put.
      Question - put.
      The Assembly divided (the Speaker, Hon. J. L Aagaard, in the Chair) -

      AYES, 13 NOES, 12

      Mrs Aagaard Mr Bohlin
      Ms Anderson Ms Carney
      Dr Burns Mr Chandler
      Mr Gunner Mr Conlan
      Mr Hampton Mr Elferink
      Mr Henderson Mr Giles
      Mr Knight Mr Mills
      Ms Lawrie Ms Purick
      Ms McCarthy Mr Styles
      Mr McCarthy Mr Tollner
      Ms Scrymgour Mr Westra van Holthe
      Mr Vatskalis Mr Wood
      Ms Walker

      And so it was resolved in the affirmative.
      Question - That the motion be agreed to - put.
      The Assembly divided (the Speaker, Hon. J. L Aagaard, in the Chair) -

      AYES, 12 NOES, 13

      Mr Bohlin Mrs Aagaard
      Ms Carney Ms Anderson
      Mr Chandler Dr Burns
      Mr Conlan Mr Gunner
      Mr Elferink Mr Hampton
      Mr Giles Mr Henderson
      Mr Mills Mr Knight
      Ms Purick Ms Lawrie
      Mr Styles Ms McCarthy
      Mr Tollner Mr McCarthy
      Mr Westra van Holthe Ms Scrymgour
      Mr Wood Mr Vatskalis
      Ms Walker

      Motion negatived accordingly, suspension of Standing Orders denied.

      Leave denied: The Member for Fong Lim (Mr Tollner) sought leave to address the Chair, a dissentient voice being raised - leave denied.
6. LIVESTOCK BILL 2008 (Serial 13):
      The Minister for Primary Industry and Fisheries (Mr Vatskalis), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act relating to livestock and associated matters.
      Bill read a first time.
      Mr Vatskalis moved - That the Bill be now read a second time.
      Debate ensued.
      Paper tabled: Mr Vatskalis laid on the Table the following Paper -
Explanatory Statement, Livestock Bill 2008 (Paper 104).

      On the motion of the Member for Katherine (Mr Westra van Holthe) debate was adjourned.
7. PLANT HEALTH BILL 2008 (Serial 15):
      The Minister for Primary Industry and Fisheries (Mr Vatskalis), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act for the control of pests, certification of plant health and related purposes.
      Bill read a first time.
      Mr Vatskalis moved - That the Bill be now read a second time.
      Debate ensued.
      Paper tabled: Mr Vatskalis laid on the Table the following Paper -
Explanatory Statement, Plant Health Bill 2008 (Paper 105).

      On the motion of the Member for Katherine (Mr Westra van Holthe) debate was adjourned.
8. ASSEMBLY BROADCASTING, SITTING HOURS AND PROCEDURES - REFERENCE TO STANDING ORDERS COMMITTEE - MOTION:
      The Leader of Government Business (Ms Lawrie), pursuant to notice, moved - That, the Assembly refer the following matters to the Standing Orders Committee for inquiry and report to the Assembly during the November sitting of the parliament:

      1. That the Assembly sit three extra days each year;

      2. That the Assembly commence at 9am and adjourns no later than 10pm; and

      3. That video and audio streaming of parliamentary proceedings be allowed for broadcast and rebroadcast.

      Debate ensued.
      Debate suspended.
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      Suspension of sitting: The sittings of the Assembly was suspended between12.06pm and 2pm.
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9. QUESTIONS
      2.01pm Mr Mills to Mr Henderson.
      2.06pm Mr Gunner to Mr Henderson.
      2.10pm Mr Mills to Mr Henderson.
      2.16pm Mr McCarthy to Ms Lawrie.
      2.20pm Mr Tollner to Mr Vatskalis.
      2.22pm Mr Gunner to Mr Hampton.
      2.24pm Ms Carney to Mr Vatskalis.
      2.26pm Mr McCarthy to Mr Henderson.
      2.32pm Mr Elferink to Ms Lawrie.
      2.34pm Mr Gunner to Mr Vatskalis.
      2.37pm Mr Giles to Dr Burns.
      2.42pm Ms Walker to Mr Hampton.
      2.44pm Mr Wood to Dr Burns.
      2.47pm Ms Walker to Ms Anderson.
      2.49pm Mr Westra van Holthe to Ms Anderson.
      2.50pm Mr McCarthy to Mr Vatskalis.
      2.53pm Mr Chandler to Ms Vatskalis.
      2.56pm Mr Gunner to Ms Scrymgour.
      3pm Mr Giles to Mr Knight.

      Additional Answers: The Minister for the Natural Resources, Environment and Heritage (Ms Anderson) gave additional information asked earlier this day relating to crocodile management in Katherine Gorge.

      The Leader of Government Business (Ms Lawrie) asked that further questions be placed on the Written Question Paper.
10. ASSEMBLY BROADCASTING, SITTING HOURS AND PROCEDURES - REFERENCE TO STANDING ORDERS COMMITTEE - MOTION AGREED TO:
      The Order of the Day having been read for the resumption of debate, suspended earlier this day, on the question - That the following motion be agreed to:

      That, the Assembly refer the following matters to the Standing Orders Committee for inquiry and report to the Assembly during the November sitting of the parliament:

      1. That the Assembly sit three extra days each year;

      2. That the Assembly commence at 9am and adjourns no later than 10pm; and

      3. That video and audio streaming of parliamentary proceedings be allowed for broadcast and rebroadcast.

      Debate resumed.
      Question - put and passed.
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      Suspension of sittings: The sittings of the Assembly was suspended at 3.30pm until the ringing of the Bells at approximately 4pm, pursuant to resolution passed on 28 October 2008.
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      Bells rung: The Bells having been rung at 4pm the Assembly resumed for business pursuant to its resolution of 28 October 2008 relating to the visit by the President of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste.
11. ADDRESS TO THE NORTHERN TERRITORY PARLIAMENT - PRESIDENT OF THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF TIMOR-LESTE, HIS EXCELLENCY DR JOSE RAMOS-HORTA:
      The Speaker advised Members and assembled guests of the presence in the Speaker's Gallery of the President of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, His Excellency Dr Jose Ramos-Horta.
      The Speaker with the concurrence of Members invited His Excellency to take a seat on the Chamber floor.

      The Serjeant-at-Arms, Mrs Helen Allmich, escorted His Excellency to a chair on the Speaker's dais.

      Motion of Welcome: The Speaker called upon the Chief Minister (Mr Henderson) to welcome His Excellency.
      The Leader of the Opposition (Mr Mills) responded to the welcome.
      Question - put and passed.

      Address by His Excellency Dr Jose Ramos-Horta:
      The Speaker called upon His Excellency to Address the Assembly.
      His Excellency Dr Jose Ramos-Horta thereupon addressed the Assembly.
      At the request of the Speaker - an expression of thanks was given by the Deputy Chief Minister (Ms Scrymgour) and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition (Ms Purick).

      His Excellency was escorted from the Chamber by the Serjeant-at-Arms, Mrs Helen Allmich.
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      The sittings of the Assembly was adjourned forthwith at 5.03pm until Tuesday 25 November 2008 at 10am, pursuant to resolution of the Assembly of 28 October 2008, and unless otherwise ordered by the Speaker pursuant to Sessional Order.
      PAPERS:
      The following Papers were deemed to have been presented on Thursday 30 October 2008 -

      Annual Reports
      Community Benefit Committee,2006/2007 (Paper 114)
      Community Benefit Fund, 2007/2008 (Paper 115)
      Community Justice Centre, Department of Justice, 2007/2008 (Paper 121)
      Department of Health and Families, 2007/2008 (Paper 113)
      Department of Justice, 2007/2008 (Paper 107)
      Department of Natural Resources, Environment and the Arts, 2007/2008 (Paper 103)
      Director of Public Prosecutions Northern Territory of Australia, 2007/2008 (Paper 128)
      Electrical Safety Regulator, 2007/2008 (Paper 120)
      Freedom of Information and Privacy Protection, 2007/2008 (Paper 117)
      Lands, Planning & Mining Tribunal, Northern Territory, 2007/2008 (Paper 110)
      Legislative Assembly Members’ Superannuation Trust, 2007/2008 (Paper 125)
      Mental Health Review Tribunal, 2007/2008 (Paper 131)
      Northern Territory Anti-Discrimination Commission, 2007/2008 (Paper 126)
      Northern Territory Government and Public Authorities’ Superannuation Scheme, 2007/2008 (Paper 122)
      Northern Territory Licensing Commission, 2007/2008 (Paper 112)
      Northern Territory Police, Fire and Emergency Services, 2007/2008 (Paper 127)
      Northern Territory Treasury Corporation, 2007/2008 (Paper 124)
      Northern Territory Treasury, 2007/2008 (Paper 123)
      NT Community Visitor Program, 2007/2008 (Paper 111)
      Power and Water Corporation, 2007/2008 (Paper 132)
      TIO, The Territory Way, 2007/2008 (Paper 116)
      Treasurer’s Annual Financial Report, 2007/2008 (Paper 106)
      Utilities Commission, 2007/2008 (Paper 118)
      Work Health Advisory Council, 2007/2008 (Paper 119)

      Coroner’s Act
      In the Matter of Coroner’s Findings and Recommendation into the Death of Mr Turkey Malibirr, pursuant to Section 46B, dated 27 October 2008 (Paper 129)
      In the matter of Coroner’s Findings and Recommendation into the Death of Mr Nicholas Konedaris, pursuant to Section 46B, dated 23 October 2008 (Paper 130)

      Statement of Corporate Intent
      MAC Business, Statement of Corporate Intent, 1 July 2007 to 30 June 2010 (Paper 108)
      Report on the Statement of Corporate Intent, MAC Business, 1 July 2007 to 30 June 2010 (Paper 133)
      Report on the Statement of Corporate Intent, TIO Group, 1 July 2007 to 30 June 2010 (Paper 134)
      TIO Group, Statement of Corporate of Intent, July 2007 to 30 June 2010 (Paper 109)
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      ATTENDANCE:
      All Members attended the sittings.



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