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Department of the Legislative Assembly, Northern Territory Government

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Minutes of Proceedings - 2014-03-18

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

2. PRAYERS

3. MESSAGE FROM HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN:
      The Speaker advised Members of receipt of a message from Her Majesty The Queen, regarding the celebration of Commonwealth Day 2014, dated 10 March 2014 (Paper 753).
4. RESIGNATION OF FORMER MEMBER OF BLAIN
      The Speaker reported receipt of the letter of resignation of the former Member for Blain dated 21 February 2014 pursuant to section 18 of the Northern Territory (Self Government) Act 1978 (Paper 754).
5. VISITORS
      The Speaker advised Honourable Members of the presence in the gallery of two Year 7 classes from Rosebery Middle School.

      On behalf of all Members the Speaker extended a warm welcome to the visitors.
6. QUESTIONS
      10.03 Mr Vowles to the Speaker (pursuant to Standing Order 120)
      10.05 Ms Lawrie to Chief Minister
      10.08 Ms Lawrie to Chief Minister (Supplementary Question)
      10.10 Ms Anderson to Chief Minister
      10.13 Ms Manison to Chief Minister (referred to Treasurer)
      10.18 Mr Kurrupuwu to Treasurer
      10.22 Ms Walker to Chief Minister
      10.26 Mr Wood to Minister for Infrastructure
      10.30 Mr Higgins to Treasurer

      Papers Tabled: Mr Tollner (Treasurer) laid upon the Table –
        Independent Investigation into the 12 March 2014 Darwin-Katherine System Black Terms of Reference (Paper 755); and
        PowerWater Corporation, Darwin-Katherine Power System, System Black 12 March 2014 (Paper 756).

      10.34 Ms Manison to Chief Minister
      10.39 Mr Kurrupuwu to Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services
      10.43 Mr Vowles to Chief Minister
      10.48 Mr Higgins to Minister for Correctional Services
      10.51 Mr Wood to Minister for Lands, Planning and the Environment
      _________________

      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.
      _________________
7. CENSURE OF CHIEF MINISTER
      Ms Lawrie (Leader of the Opposition) moved — That this House censure the Chief Minister for lying about the pain his dysfunctional administration has inflicted on Territorians in its first year, including:

      Increasing Territorians PowerWater bills by thousands of dollars with more increases to come, while splitting up PowerWater in an effort to fatten it up before sale;
        Ripping $32 million out of the pockets of Territorians with increased PowerWater tariffs;
          Failing to deal with the spiralling cost of living. Under the CLP Darwin's cost of living is now the highest in the country;
            Failing to deal with alcohol-related crime, up by 14.5% across the Territory;
              Increasing almost all Government charges – including slugging Territorians $5.2 million with increased car registration;
                Failing to release new land – the only blocks being developed are those planned and funded under the former Labor Government;
                  Cutting 130 teachers from our schools and then lying about the numbers – pretending only 35 have been sacked;
                    Delaying the Palmerston Hospital by choosing an un-serviced site and pretending it will be open this term;
                      Failing the bush with no increased infrastructure, no new projects (unless agreed between previous Labor Governments) and job cuts;
                        Plans to force children away from their families and communities by scrapping senior education options in the bush;
                          Failing central Australians by refusing to invest in economic stimulation and ignoring businesses that are cutting jobs and closing;
                            Failing to secure the future of Nhulunbuy and presiding over the demise of the Territory's fourth largest town;
                              Giving plum jobs and lucrative water deals to your mates;
                                Lying about the Labor debt – claiming the projected debt under Labor instead of actual debt while you ignore the CLP projected debt of $5.1 billion; and
                                  Cutting budgets over Christmas by 10% and then continuing your spending spree including wasting $100 000 on a private jet so you could attend a photo shoot with Abbott.

                                  Debate ensued.
                                  _________________

                                  Visitors: The Speaker advised Honourable Members of the presence in the gallery of two Year 5/6 classes from Leanyer Primary School.

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

                                  Debate resumed.

                                  Extension of Time: On the motion of Mr Gunner (Member for Fannie Bay), Ms Lawrie was granted an extension of time.

                                  Debate continued.

                                  Mr Tollner (Treasurer) moved – That all words after the word 'censuring' be omitted and the following words inserted 'the Leader of the Opposition and her Shadow Cabinet for consistently lying to Territorians about actions taken by the Government'.

                                  Debate ensued.

                                  Debate suspended.
                                  _________________


                                  Suspension of sittings: The sitting of the Assembly was suspended between 12 noon and 2.00pm.

                                  _________________
                              8. NOTICES
                                  The following notice was given:

                                  1. Mr Vowles (Member for Johnston) to move on the next General Business Day –
                                    That the Legislative Assembly calls on the Chief Minister to discipline the Member for Greatorex for the disrespectful and abusive language he used towards the Member for Namatjira.

                                    That the Legislative Assembly congratulates the Member for Namatjira and the Member for Araluen for their courage in speaking out against workplace bullying.

                                    And that the Legislative Assembly makes a powerful statement to all Territory women that bullying in this workplace or anywhere is not acceptable in 2014.

                                  2. Mr Wood (Member for Nelson) to move on the next General Business Day – That Standing Order 21A relating to the Public Accounts Committee be amended by inserting after paragraph (2)(e):
                                    “(f) to inquire into and report to the Legislative Assembly on any matters within the executive authority of ministers of the Territory to which the committee is of the opinion that the attention of the Assembly should be drawn.”

                                  3. Mr Chandler (Minister for Land, Planning and the Environment) to present a bill entitled – Water Efficiency Labelling Standards (National Uniform Legislation) Bill 2014 (Serial 70).
                              9. CENSURE OF CHIEF MINISTER - AMENDED MOTION AGREED TO
                                  Resumption of debate, suspended earlier this day, on the question - That this House censure the Chief Minister for lying about the pain his dysfunctional administration has inflicted on Territorians in its first year, and the amended question regarding the censure of the Leader of the Opposition.

                                  Debate resumed.

                                  Paper Tabled: Mr Tollner (Treasurer) laid upon the Table - Media Release, Power and Water reviews and adjusts streetlight charge, dated 18 March 2014 (Paper 757).

                                  Debate continued.

                                  Extension of Time: On the motion of Mr Styles (Member for Sanderson), Mr Tollner was granted an extension of time.

                                  Debate continued.

                                  Extension of Time: On the motion of Mr Styles, Mr Giles (Chief Minister) was granted an extension of time.

                                  Debate continued.

                                  Madam Speaker put the question - That all words after the word 'censuring' be omitted and the following words inserted 'the Leader of the Opposition and her Shadow Cabinet for consistently lying to Territorians about actions taken by the Government'.

                                  Question - put and passed.

                                  Madam Speaker put the question - That the motion as amended be agreed to.

                                  Question – put

                                  The Assembly divided:
                                    Ayes - 10 Noes - 8
                                    Mr Chandler Ms Fyles
                                    Mr Conlan Mr Gunner
                                    Mr Elferink Ms Lawrie
                                    Mr Giles Mr McCarthy
                                    Mr Higgins Ms Manison
                                    Mrs Lambley Mr Vatskalis
                                    Mrs Price Mr Vowles
                                    Mr Styles Ms Walker
                                    Mr Tollner
                                    Mr Westra van Holthe

                                  Motion agreed to.
                              10. CRIMINAL CODE AMENDMENT (IDENTITY CRIME) BILL 2014 (SERIAL 68) – 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.
                              11. REORDER OF BUSINESS – MOTION AGREED TO
                                  Mr Elferink (Leader of Government Business) moved – That Ministerial Statements be called on now and Government Business be returned to at completion of the statement.

                                  Question – put and passed.
                              12. MINISTERIAL STATEMENT – CHILD PROTECTION IN THE NORTHERN TERRITORY - MOTION TO NOTE AGREED TO
                                  Mr Elferink (Minister for Children and Families) made a statement regarding Child Protection in the Northern Territory.

                                  Mr Elferink moved – That the Assembly take note of the Statement.

                                  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.

                                  Extension of Time: On the motion of Mr Wood (Member for Nelson), Mrs Lambley (Member for Araluen) was granted an extension of time.

                                  Debate continued.

                                  Extension of Time: On the motion of Mr Giles (Chief Minister), Mr Elferink was granted an extension of time.

                                  Debate continued.

                                  Question - put and passed.
                              13. MINISTERIAL STATEMENT – GAS TO GOVE UPDATE - MOTION TO NOTE AGREED TO
                                  Resumption of debate on the question – That the Assembly take note of the Statement.

                                  Debate resumed.

                                  Question - put and passed.
                              14. ADJOURNMENT
                                  Mr Elferink (Leader of Government Business) moved - That the Assembly do now adjourn.

                                  Debate ensued.

                                  And the Assembly adjourned at 8.11pm until Wednesday 19 March 2014 at 10.00am.
                              ____________________

                                  PAPERS
                                  The following papers were deemed to have been Tabled on 18 March 2014 -

                                  Police Administration Act:
                                  Temporary Service at Remote Locations Incentives Consent Agreement 2013, pursuant to section 51, dated 20 February 2014 (Paper 758).
                              ______________________

                                  ATTENDANCE
                                  All Members attended the sittings, except Ms Finocchiaro on leave.






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