Department of the Legislative Assembly, Northern Territory Government

Minutes of Proceedings - 2015-12-03

1. MEETING
The Assembly met at 10am. The Speaker, the Honourable Kezia Purick took the Chair.

2. PRAYERS
    3. SPEAKER'S STATEMENT
        The Speaker made a statement regarding:

        1. International Day of People with Disabilities, and

        2. Disorderly words used in the Assembly on 2 December 2015.
    4. SUSPENSION OF STANDING ORDERS TO COGNATE BILLS – MOTION AGREED TO
        Mr Elferink (Leader of Government Business) pursuant to notice, moved – that so much of standing orders be suspended as would prevent the bills titled Justice Legislation Amendment (Small Claims and Other Matters) Bill 2015 (Serial 145) and Small Claims Bill 2015 (Serial 144):

        1. together be introduced, debated, and in one motion be put in regard to the second and the third readings of the bills; and

        Debate ensued.

        Question – put and passed.
    5. SMALL CLAIMS BILL 2015 (Serial 144) AND JUSTICE LEGISLATION AMENDMENT (SMALL CLAIMS AND OTHER MATTERS) BILL 2015 (Serial 145)
        Mr Elferink (Attorney-General and Minister for Justice), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act relating to small claims and a Bill for an Act to amend legislation administered by the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice.

        Bills read a first time.

        Mr Elferink moved - That the Bills be now read a second time.

        Debate ensued.

        Paper Tabled: Mr Elferink laid upon the Table:

        1. The Small Claims Bill 2015 (Serial 144) Explanatory Statement (Paper 1595).

        2. The Justice Legislation Amendment (Small Claims and Other Matters) Bill 2015 (Serial 145) Explanatory Statement (Paper 1596).

        On the motion of Ms Walker (Member for Nhulunbuy) debate was adjourned.
    6. JUSTICE LEGISLATION AMENDMENT (VULNERABLE WITNESSES) BILL 2015 (Serial 146)
        Mr Elferink (Attorney-General and Minister for Justice), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend legislation administered by the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice relating to vulnerable witnesses.

        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 1597).

        On the motion of Ms Walker (Member for Nhulunbuy) debate was adjourned.
    7. PERSONAL VIOLENCE RESTRAINING ORDERS BILL 2015 (Serial 147)
        Mr Elferink (Attorney-General and Minister for Justice), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to provide for the protection of persons from personal violence, and for related purposes.

        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 1598).

        On the motion of Ms Walker (Member for Nhulunbuy) debate was adjourned.
    8. LOCAL COURT (REPEALS AND RELATED AMENDMENTS) BILL 2015 (Serial 148)
        Mr Elferink (Attorney-General and Minister for Justice), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to repeal various laws and amend other laws in consequence of the enactment of the Local Court Act 2015, and for related purposes.

        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 1599).

        On the motion of Ms Fyles (Member for Nightcliff) debate was adjourned.
    9. BAIL AMENDMENT BILL (No.2) 2015 (Serial 135)
        Resumption of debate on the question - That the Bill be now read a second time.

        Debate resumed.

        Paper Tabled: Ms Walker (Member for Nhulunbuy), by leave, laid upon the Table – Making Justice Work in the Northern Territory, Priscilla Collins (Paper 1630).

        Debate suspended.
        _________________

        Suspension of sittings: The sitting of the Assembly was suspended between 12 noon and 2.00pm.
        _________________
    10. QUESTIONS
        14:00 Ms Manison to Minister for Education (supplementary question)

        Paper Tabled: Ms Manison (Member for Wanguri), by leave, laid upon the Table – Letter, to Mr Michael Gunner, Opposition Leader re your application to access information under section 18 of the Information Act (the Act) that was dated 4 June 2015, David Ryan, Decision Maker for the Department of the Chief Minister, 22 October 2015 – Travel Documents Latitude Travel, (Folio’s 1 – 111) (Paper 1631).
        ________________

        Visitors: The Speaker advised Honourable Members of the presence in the gallery of the Member for Nhulunbuy’s family.

        On behalf of all Members the Speaker extended a warm welcome to the visitors.
        _________________

        14.06 Mr Barrett to Minister for Business
        14.09 Ms Fyles to Minister for Infrastructure
        14.13 Mrs Finocchiaro to Minister for Women's Policy
        14.17 Ms Moss to Minister for Children and Families
        14.21 Mrs Finocchiaro to Minister for Housing
        14.24 Mrs Lambley to Chief Minister
        14.25 Mr Conlan to Chief Minister
        14.29 Ms Moss to Minister for Children and Families
        ________________

        Visitor: 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.
        _________________

        14.32 Mr Conlan to Minister for Correctional Services
        14.36 Ms Walker to Minister for Correctional Services
        14.39 Mr Barrett to Attorney-General and Minister for Justice
        14.44 Mr Wood to Minister for Indigenous Affairs
        14.47 Mrs Finocchiaro to Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services
        14.50 Ms Lawrie to Minister for Transport
        14.54 Mr Conlan to Chief Minister
        Mr Elferink (Leader of Government Business) asked that further questions be placed on the Written Question Paper.
        _________________

        Withdrawal from Chamber: The Speaker ordered Mr Tollner (Member for Fong Lim) to withdraw from the Assembly for one hour pursuant to Standing Order 49.
        _________________
    11. BAIL AMENDMENT BILL (No.2) 2015 (Serial 135) – BILL AGREED TO
        Resumption of debate on the question - That the Bill be now read a second time.

        Debate resumed.

        Question - put and passed.

        Bill read a second time.

        On the motion of Mr Elferink (Attorney-General and Minister for Justice), by leave, the Bill was read a third time and was passed to be a proposed law.

    12. 'ICE' SELECT COMMITTEE - BREAKING THE ICE, INQUIRY INTO 'ICE' USE IN THE NORTHERN TERRITORY – REPORT NOTED
        Resumption of debate on the question -– That the Assembly take note of the Report.

        Debate resumed.

        Question – put and passed.

    13. MINISTERIAL STATEMENT - POWER WATER OPERATIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS – STATEMENT NOTED
        Mr Westra van Holthe (Minister for Essential Services) made a statement regarding Power and Water Corporation

        Mr Westra van Holthe moved – That the Assembly take note of the Statement.

        Debate ensued.

        Question – put and passed.
    14. PAPER TABLED - ELECTRICITY PRICING OPTIONS
        Mr Higgins (Chair of the Committee on the Northern Territory's Energy Future) made a statement and laid on the Table – Sessional Committee on the Northern Territory’s Energy Future, Electricity Pricing Options, December 2015 (Paper 1632).

        Mr Higgins moved – That the paper be printed.

        Question – put and passed.
    15. PAPER TABLED – TREASURER'S MID-YEAR REPORT 2015/2016
        Mr Tollner (Treasurer) made a statement and laid on the Table –Treasurer’s Mid-Year Report, 2015/2016, Making your Life Simpler Safer and Smarter (Paper 1633).

    16. PERSONAL EXPLANATION - MEMBER FOR STUART
        Pursuant to Standing Order 26, having obtained leave from the Chair, Mrs Price (Member for Stuart) explained matters of a personal nature.

    17. PAPER TABLED - REPORT OF MINISTERIAL CORRESPONDENCE ON SUBORDINATE LEGISLATION AND PUBLICATIONS - NOVEMBER 2014
        Mr Barrett (Chair of the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee) made a statement and laid on the Table – Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee Performing the functions of the Subordinate Legislation & Publications Committee, Report of Ministerial Correspondence on Subordinate Legislation and Publications – November 2014 – November 2015 (Paper 1634).

        Mr Barrett moved – That the paper be printed.

        Question – put and passed.
    18. PAPERS
        The Deputy Speaker tabled the following Papers –

        1. Remuneration Tribunal Determination, Study Trip, Member for Karama, Ms Delia Lawrie to attend the Royal Kathina, at Wat Pa Buddharangsee in Sydney from 29th October – 2nd November 2015, pursuant to clause 4.12, not dated (Paper 1635).

        2. Remuneration Tribunal Determination, Travel Report, Member for Wanguri, Ms Nicole Manison to travel to Alice Springs on 22nd - 23rd October 2015, pursuant to clause 4.12, dated 1 December 2015 (Paper 1636).

        3. Remuneration Tribunal Determination, Travel Report, Member for Wanguri, Ms Nicole Manison to travel to Alice Springs on 27th October 2015, pursuant to clause 4.12, dated 1 December 2015 (Paper 1637).
    19. ADJOURNMENT
        Mr Elferink (Leader of Government Business) moved - That the Assembly do now adjourn.

        The Assembly adjourned at 7.05pm until Tuesday 9 February 2016 at 10.00am.
    ____________________
        PAPERS
        The following papers were deemed to have been Tabled on 3 December 2015 -

        Auditor-General Office:
        Independent Auditor’s Report, Northern Territory Auditor-General’s Office, Financial Report year ended 30 June 2015, (Paper 1624)
        Strategic Review of Auditor-General’s Office 2015 (Paper 1626)

        Annual Reports 2014/2015:
        Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority, 2014/2015 (Paper 1600)
        Australasia Railway Corporation, 2014/2015 (Paper 1601)
        Darwin Port Corporation, 2014/2015 (Paper 1602)
        Department of Business, 2014/2015 (Paper 1603)
        Department of the Chief Minister, 2014/2015 (Paper 1604)
        Department of Housing, 2014/2015 (Paper 1605)
        Department of Local Government and Community Services, 2014/2015 (Paper 1606)
        Department of Mines and Energy, 2014/2015 (Paper 1607)
        Department of Land Resource Management, 2014/2015 (Paper 1608)
        Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries, 2014/2015 (Paper 1609)
        Department of Treasury and Finance, 2014/2015 (Paper 1629)
        Director-General of Licensing, 2014/2015 (Paper 1610)
        Education and Care Services Ombudsman, National Education and Care Services FOI and Privacy Commissioners, 2014/2015 (Paper 1611)
        Land Development Corporation, 2014/2015 (Paper 1612)
        Office of the Commissioner for Public Employment, 2014/2015 (Paper 1613)
        Office of the Commissioner for Public Employment, State of the Service Report, 2014/2015 (Paper 1614)
        Ombudsman Thirty Seventh, 2014/2015 (Paper 1617)
        Parks and Wildlife Commission of the Northern Territory, 2014/2015 (Paper 1615)
        Plumbers and Drainers Licensing Board, 2014/2015 for the year ended 30 September 2015 (Paper 1616)
        Territory Generation, 2014/2015 (Paper 1618)
        Territory Generation, 2014/2015 – Statement of Corporate Intent (Paper 1619)
        Tourism NT, 2014/2015 (Paper 1620)

        Corrigendum:
        Work Health Authority, Annual Report, 2014/2015 (Paper 1622)

        Northern Territory Environment Protection Authority:
        Environmental Quality Report, Biodiversity of the Howard Sand Plains Site of Conservation Significance, August 2015 (Paper 1627)
        Recommendations Concerning Preservation of the Threatened Biodiversity of the Howard Sand Plains Site of Conservation Significance, August 2015 (Paper 1628)

        Professional Standards Act:
        Notification, Instrument amending the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia, pursuant to section 13(1), dated 16 November 2015 (Paper 1621)

        Remuneration Tribunal Report:
        Remuneration Tribunal Report on the Entitlements of Magistrates and Determination, No. 2 of 2015 (Paper 1625)

        Report:
        Office of the Commissioner of Public Employment, Northern Territory Public Sector People Matter Survey Report 2014 (Paper 1623)
    ______________________

        ATTENDANCE
        All Members attended the sittings.

        Michael Tatham
        Clerk of the Legislative Assembly
    Last updated: 04 Aug 2016