Minutes of Proceedings - 2011-11-30
- 1. MEETING:
- The Acting Clerk of the Assembly Mr Michael Tatham advised the Assembly of the absence of the Speaker for the next two sitting days. And pursuant to Standing Order 9 advised Members the Deputy Speaker (Ms Walker) would be the Acting Speaker during this period of absence.
- The Assembly met at 10am. The Acting Speaker, the Member for Nhulunbuy (Ms Walker), took the Chair.
2. PRAYERS.
3. LEAVE OF ABSENCE – MEMBER FOR NIGHTCLIFF:
- The Leader of Government Business (Dr Burns) moved – That leave of absence be granted to the Member for Nightcliff (Mrs Aagaard) for 30 November 2011 and 1 December 2011.
Debate ensued.
Question – put and passed.
4. PAIR:
- The Acting Speaker (Ms Walker) advised Members of the following Pair arrangements for today as follows –
5. VISITORS:
- The Acting Speaker (Ms Walker) advised Members of the presence in the public galleries of Katherine School of the Air students from Werenbun accompanied by Ms Breen and Mr Curtain.
On behalf of all Members the Acting Speaker extended a warm welcome to the visitors.
6. PAIR:
- The Acting Speaker (Ms Walker) advised members of the following further Pair arrangements for today as follows –
7. PETITIONS:
- The Member for Barkly (Mr McCarthy) presented Petition No. 57 from 97 petitioners relating to protection of the lands and seas of the Marra People near Limmen Bight (Paper 1636).
Petition read.
8. JUSTICE AND OTHER LEGISLATION AMENDMENT BILL (No. 2) 2011 (Serial 191):
- The Minister for Justice and Attorney-General (Mr Knight), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend various Acts administered by the minister for Justice and Attorney-General, and to amend the Police Administration Act.
Bill read a first time.
Mr Knight moved – That the Bill be now read a second time.
Debate ensued.
Paper tabled: Mr Knight laid on the Table the following Paper –
On the motion of the Member for Port Darwin (Mr Elferink) debate was adjourned.
- The Member for Greatorex (Mr Conlan) moved – That so much of Standing Orders be suspended as would prevent the Minister for Health (Mr Vatskalis) to make a 15 minute report to the Assembly on the state of the Territory Hospitals arising out of the Australian Hospital Statistics 2011-11 Report.
Debate ensued.
The Leader of Government Business (Dr Burns) moved – That the question be now put.
Question - That the question be now put - put.
The Assembly divided (the Acting Speaker, Ms L. Walker, in the Chair) -
AYES, 10 NOES, 11
Dr Burns Ms Anderson
Mr Gunner Mr Bohlin
Mr Henderson Mr Chandler
Mr Knight Mr Conlan
Ms Lawrie Mr Elferink
Ms McCarthy Mr Giles
Mr McCarthy Ms Purick
Ms Scrymgour Mr Styles
Mr Vatskalis Mr Tollner
Ms Walker Mr Westra van Holthe
Mr Wood
Pairs: Mr Hampton with Mrs Lambley.
- Mrs Aagaard with Mr Mills.
Motion negatived accordingly.
Debate resumed on the motion to suspend Standing Orders to enable this motion to be moved.
Question - put.
The Assembly divided (the Acting Speaker, Ms L. Walker, in the Chair) -
AYES, 10 NOES, 11
Ms Anderson Dr Burns
Mr Bohlin Mr Gunner
Mr Chandler Mr Henderson
Mr Conlan Mr Knight
Mr Elferink Ms Lawrie
Mr Giles Ms McCarthy
Ms Purick Mr McCarthy
Mr Styles Ms Scrymgour
Mr Tollner Mr Vatskalis
Mr Westra van Holthe Ms Walker
Mr Wood
Pairs: Mr Hampton with Mrs Lambley.
- Mrs Aagaard with Mr Mills.
Motion negatived accordingly.
- The Leader of Government Business (Dr Burns) moved – That intervening business be postponed until after consideration of Government Business, Orders of the Day relating to the resumption of debate on the Constitutional Convention (Election) Bill 2011 (Serial 178).
Debate ensued.
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Suspension of sittings: The sittings of the Assembly was suspended between 11.15am and 11.22am.
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Debate resumed.
Question – put and passed.
- The Order of the Day having been read for the resumption of debate on the question – That the Bill be now read a second time –
Debate resumed.
Debate suspended.
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- Suspension of sittings: The sittings of the Assembly were suspended between 12Noon and 2pm.
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12. NOTICES:
- The following Notices were given:
Mr Vatskalis: Mental Health and Related Services Amendment Bill 2011 (Serial 189).
Ms Purick: To move - The NT Government be condemned for its failure to provide planning for the future of the extractive industries in the future development of the Northern Territory.
Mr Knight: To present the Caravan Parks Bill 2011 (Serial 190).
Mr Giles: To move - That this parliament recognises its failures in regards to supporting the Territory’s economy in the regions.
Dr Burns: To present the Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education Amendment Bill 2011 (Serial 192).
Mr Tollner: To move – That this Assembly condemns the Henderson Labor government for its failure to:
- (a) control crime, anti-social behaviour and the consumption of alcohol inside the Bagot community;
(b) deliver on their election commitment to construct and man a police post within Bagot community; and
(c) deliver any meaningful plan to address the atrocious living conditions endured by people living at the Bagot community.
Ms Purick: To move - That the Northern Territory Government be condemned for its lack of resources and priority to mental health care across the Territory with reference to the following:
Lack of research in mental health care
Lack of policies addressing women’s health and mental health
Lack of resources to support women’s health centres including emergency support accommodation
Mr Styles: To move - That the Northern Territory Government be condemned for its failures to address crime and anti-social behaviour at Casuarina Shopping Centre and its failures to provide a safe environment for Territorians who wish to go shopping at Casuarina shopping centre.
Mr Giles: To move - That the Northern Territory Parliament recognises the failures of the past eleven years of the Labor Government in addressing Indigenous affairs.
Mr Tollner: To move – That this Assembly urges the Henderson Labor government to immediately clean stormwater drains in order to mitigate flooding around Darwin.
Mr Styles: To move - That the Northern Territory Government be condemned for its failure to address the concerns of young Territorians and the families of young Territorians.
Ms Purick: To present - That the Northern Territory Government be condemned for its inability to develop world class mining projects.
Mr Giles: To move - That the Northern Territory Government be condemned for failing to address the Territory’s infrastructure requirements.
Mr Tollner: To move - That the Northern Territory Government be condemned for its failures to provide land release and planning strategies to support the sustainable growth of the Territory.
Mr Styles: To move - That the Northern Territory parliament recognise and thank all those people from a multicultural background who have contributed so much to this Territory.
Ms Purick: To move - That the NT Government be condemned for its failures to address concerns relating to recreational and commercial fisheries and for failing to provide a future for Territorians.
Mr Giles: To move - That the Northern Territory Government be condemned for failing to address anti-social behaviour and crime in bad public housing properties.
Mr Elferink: To move - This parliament recognise the NT Government’s failures in terms of the state of the Northern Territory’s fiscal management.
Mr Styles: To move - That the NT Government be condemned for it policies on alcohol reform and its negative impacts on the quality of life and lifestyles of Territorians.
Mr Giles: To move - That the Northern Territory Government be condemned for its failures to address crime and anti-social behaviour in Alice Springs.
- 2.09pm Mr Mills to Mr Henderson.
2.10pm Ms Scrymgour to Mr Henderson.
2.14pm Mr Mills to Mr Henderson.
2.18pm Mr Gunner to Mr Vatskalis.
2.21pm Mr Mills to Mr Henderson.
Paper tabled: Mr Henderson laid on the Table the following Paper –
2.26pm Ms Scrymgour to Mr Henderson.
2.29pm Mr Wood to Dr Burns.
2.32pm Mr Mills to Mr Henderson.
2.35pm Mr Gunner to Ms Lawrie.
2.39pm Mr Wood to Dr Burns.
2.43pm Mr Conlan to Mr Vatskalis.
2.46pm Ms Scrymgour to Dr Burns.
2.49pm Mr Conlan to Mr Vatskalis.
2.51pm Mr Gunner to Mr Vatskalis.
2.55pm Mr Elferink to Ms Lawrie.
2.58pm Ms Scrymgour to Mr Hampton.
3.02pm Mr Westra van Holthe to Ms M McCarthy.
3.05pm Mr Gunner to Mr G McCarthy.
The Leader of Government Business (Dr Burns) asked that further questions be placed on the Written Question Paper.
14. ALTERATION TO ORDER OF BUSINESS – CONDUCT OF GENERAL BUSINESS DAY:
- The Member for Port Darwin (Mr Elferink), by leave, move – That consideration of General Business for this day be conducted in the following Order:
1. Orders of the Day, order as indicated; and
2. Notices, order as indicated.
Question- put and passed.
- The Order of the Day having been read for the resumption of debate, suspended earlier this day, on the question – That the Bill be now read a second time –
Debate resumed.
Question – put and passed.
Bill read a second time.
Leave granted for a motion for the third reading of the Bill to be moved forthwith.
On the motion of the Chief Minister (Mr Henderson) the Bill was read a third time and passed to be a proposed law.
- The Order of the Day having been read for the resumption of debate on the question – That the Bill be now read a second time –
Debate resumed.
Paper tabled: Mr Elferink laid on the Table the following Paper –
Debate continued.
Debate adjourned, pursuant to Standing Order 93.
- The Order of the Day having been read for the resumption of debate on the question – That the Bill be now read a second time –
Debate resumed.
Question - That the motion be agreed to - put.
The Assembly divided (the Acting Deputy Speaker, Mr Gunner, in the Chair) -
AYES, 11 NOES, 11
Ms Anderson Dr Burns
Mr Bohlin Mr Gunner
Mr Chandler Mr Hampton
Mr Conlan Mr Henderson
Mr Elferink Mr Knight
Mr Giles Ms Lawrie
Mrs Lambley Ms McCarthy
Ms Purick Mr McCarthy
Mr Styles Ms Scrymgour
Mr Tollner Mr Vatskalis
Mr Westra van Holthe Ms Walker
Pair: Mr Mills and Mrs Aagaard.
There being an equality of votes, pursuant to section 27(1) of the Northern Territory (Self-Government) Act and there being not a majority of votes the question is resolved in the negative.
- The Order of the Day having been read for the resumption of debate on the motion moved by the Member for Nelson (Mr Wood) –
That the Northern Territory Government support the recently released Rural Centre Plans as the most appropriate option for the future development of the Litchfield Council area.
Debate ensued.
Question – put and negatived.
- The Order of the Day having been read for the resumption of debate on the motion moved by the Member for Greatorex (Mr Conlan) -
That, the Northern Territory Government recognise its failures to address Law and Order issues in Alice Springs during the summer of 2010/2011 and therefore –
- (a) treat the summer of 2011/2012 in Alice Springs as a known and emerging crime hotspots; and
(b) put in place a comprehensive law and order strategy to combat such known and emerging crime hotspots.
Debate resumed.
Question put and negatived.
20. AGRICULTURAL AND HORTICULTURAL INDUSTRY – MOTION AGREED TO:
- The Member for Goyder (Ms Purick), pursuant to notice, moved – That, this Assembly call on the Northern Territory Government to:
- 1. provide full and comprehensive details on the future of the agricultural and horticultural industries in the Northern Territory, with consideration for the areas including:
Berry Springs
Acacia Hills
Fox Rd Area
Florina Rd Area
Ti Tree
Ali Curung
Central Australia
- 2. provide detail on work that has been undertaken to develop these industries in collaboration with the Growth Towns policy.
Debate ensued.
Paper tabled: Mr Vatskalis laid on the Table the following Paper -
Debate continued.
Question – put and passed.
- The Member for Braitling (Mr Giles), pursuant to notice, moved – That the Northern Territory government condemn the Gillard government for their second intervention which overturns Territory rights and removes responsibility from the duly elected Northern Territory government and disenfranchises the people of the Northern Territory.
Debate ensued.
Extension of time: On the motion of the Member for Katherine (Mr Westra van Holthe) the Member for Fong Lim (Mr Tollner) was granted an extension of time, pursuant to Standing Order 77.
Debate continued.
Debate adjourned, pursuant to Standing Order 41A.
- The Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 41A, at 9pm proposed the question - That the Assembly do now adjourn.
Debate ensued.
Paper tabled: Dr Burns laid on the Table the following Paper -
Debate continued.
Paper tabled: Mr McCarthy laid on the Table the following Papers -
Debate continued.
Question - put and passed.
And the Assembly adjourned at 10.45pm, until Thursday 1 December 2011 at 10am.
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PAPERS:
The following Papers were deemed to have been presented on Wednesday, 30 November 2011 –
Annual Reports
Children’s Commissioner Northern Territory, 2010/2011 (Paper 1641)
Darwin Waterfront Corporation, 2010/2011 (Paper 1642)
Desert Knowledge Australia, 2010/2011 (Paper 1643)
Desert Knowledge Australia Financial Report for year ended 30 June 2011 (Paper 1644)
NT Child Deaths Review and Prevention Committee, 2010/2011 (Paper 1645)
Tourism NT, 2010/2011 (Paper 1646)
Corrigendum
Power and Water Corporation, 2010/2011 (Paper 1647) (See Paper 1546, tabled 27 October 2011)
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- ATTENDANCE:
All Members attended the sittings except Mrs Aagaard, on leave.
Last updated: 04 Aug 2016