Department of the Legislative Assembly, Northern Territory Government

Minutes of Proceedings - 2014-10-30

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 Day for Daniel Morcombe.
      4. QUESTIONS
          10.01 Ms Lawrie to Chief Minister (referred to Minister for Transport)
          10.05 Ms Lawrie to Chief Minister (supplementary Question) (referred to Minister for Transport)
          10.07 Mrs Finocchiaro to Chief Minister
          10.09 Mr Vowles to Chief Minister
          10.10 Mr Higgins to Chief Minister
          10.14 Mr McCarthy to Chief Minister
          10.18 Mr Barrett to Minister for Sport, Recreation and Racing
          10.21 Mr Wood to Chief Minister
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          Withdrawal from Chamber: The Speaker ordered Ms Lawrie (Member for Karama) to withdraw from the Assembly for one hour pursuant to Standing Order 240A.
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          10.26 Mr Higgins to Minister for Primary Industry and Fisheries
          10.29 Mr Gunner to Chief Minister
          10.33 Mrs Finocchiaro to Minister for Health
          10.36 Mr Vowles to Chief Minister
          10.40 Mr Barrett to Minister for Multicultural Affairs
          10.44 Ms Lee to Minister for Tourism

          Paper Tabled: Ms Lee (Member for Arnhem), by leave, laid upon the Table – Article, NT News, Lifestyle Tourism NT says float in Mardi Gras “not in line with NT brand”, dated 28 October 2014 (Paper 1085).

          10.48 Mrs Finocchiaro to Minister for Arts and Museums
          10.51 Mr Vowles to Chief Minister
          10.52 Mr Higgins to Minister for Community Services
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          Visitors: The Speaker advised Honourable Members of the presence in the gallery of the former Member for Casuarina, Mr Kon Vatskalis.

          On behalf of all Members the Speaker extended a warm welcome to the visitor.
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          10.56 Mr Vowles to Chief Minister

          Mr Elferink (Leader of Government Business) asked that further questions be placed on the Written Question Paper.
      5. Territory Insurance Office Challenges
          Mr Giles (Chief Minister) pursuant to notice, moved – That this House acknowledges:

          1. The Territory Insurance Office (TIO) is facing significant future challenges in the rapidly changing world of insurance.

          2. That if the right criteria are met, now may be the appropriate time to realise our value in the TIO and re-invest in building the Territory for future generations.

          Debate ensued.

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

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      6. CHIEF MINISTER'S STATEMENT
          Mr Giles (Chief Minister), by leave, made a statement regarding the appointment of Mr John Hardy OAM as the new Administrator of the Northern Territory and moved – That the Assembly notes the appointment.

          Debate ensued.

          Question – put and passed.
      7. Territory Insurance Office Challenges – MOTION AGREED TO
          Resumption of debate on the question - That this House acknowledges the Territory Insurance Office is facing challenges and related matters.

          Debate resumed.

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

          Debate continued.

          Mr Wood (Member for Nelson), seconded by Mr McCarthy, moved - That all the words after ‘acknowledges’ be omitted and the following words be inserted:
            That TIO belongs to the people of the Northern Territory and before any decision is made on its future, the Assembly resolves to have all matters relating to a possible future sale of TIO scrutinised by the Public Accounts Committee and reported back to the Parliament no later than June 1st 2015

          Debate continued.

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

          Debate continued.

          Extension of Time: On the motion of Ms Walker (Member for Nhulunbuy), Mr Vowles (Member for Johnston) was granted an extension of time.

          Debate continued.

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

          Debate continued.

          Question that the amendment be agreed to – put

          The Assembly divided:
            Ayes - 8 Noes - 13
            Ms Fyles Mr Barrett
            Mr Gunner Mr Chandler
            Ms Lawrie Mr Conlan
            Mr McCarthy Mr Elferink
            Ms Moss Mrs Finocchiaro
            Mr Vowles Mr Giles
            Ms Walker Mr Higgins
            Mr Wood Mrs Lambley
            Mrs Price
            Ms Purick
            Mr Styles
            Mr Tollner
            Mr Westra van Holthe

          Pair: Mr Kurrupuwu and Ms Manison

          Motion not agreed to.

          Question that the motion be agreed to – put

          The Assembly divided:
            Ayes - 13 Noes - 8
            Mr Barrett Ms Fyles
            Mr Chandler Mr Gunner
            Mr Conlan Ms Lawrie
            Mr Elferink Mr McCarthy
            Mrs Finocchiaro Ms Moss
            Mr Giles Mr Vowles
            Mr Higgins Ms Walker
            Mrs Lambley Mr Wood
            Mrs Price
            Ms Purick
            Mr Styles
            Mr Tollner
            Mr Westra van Holthe
          Pair: Mr Kurrupuwu and Ms Manison
          Motion agreed to.
      8. Tobacco Control Legislation Amendment Bill 2014 (Serial 88) – 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 Mrs Lambley (Minister for Health), by leave, the Bill was read a third time and was passed to be a proposed law.
      9. Firearms Amendment Bill 2014 (Serial 94) – 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 Giles (Chief Minister), by leave, the Bill was read a third time and was passed to be a proposed law.
      10. Treasurer's Annual Financial Report
      Resumption of debate on the question - That the Assembly take note of the report.

          Debate ensued.

          On the motion of Mr Elferink (Leader of Government Business) debate was adjourned.
      11. MINISTERIAL STATEMENT – Recreational Fishing in the NT
          Mr Westra van Holthe (Minister for Primary Industry and Fisheries) made a statement regarding the progress in support of growing and enhancing the Territory's recreational fishing opportunities.

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

          Debate ensued.

          On the motion of Mr Elferink (Leader of Government Business) debate was adjourned.
      12. PAPERS
          1. Mr Elferink (Attorney-General) laid upon the Table - Alcohol Mandatory Treatment Tribunal Annual Report 2013-2014 (Paper 1120).
            2. Mrs Price (Minister for Community Services) laid upon the Table - Annual Report 2013/2014, Department of Community Services (Paper 1121).
              3. Mr Chandler (Minister for Lands, Planning and the Environment) laid upon the Table - Environment Protection (Beverage Containers and Plastic Bags) Act Annual Report 2013/2014 (Paper 1122).

                Mr Chandler moved – That the paper be printed.

                Question – put and passed.

                Mr Chandler moved – That the Assembly take note of the report.

                Leave was granted for Mr Chandler to continue his remarks at a later time.
              4. Mr Giles (Chief Minister) laid upon the Table - Northern Territory of Australia, Remuneration Tribunal, Report on the Entitlements of Assembly Members and Determination No. 1 of 2014 (Paper 1123).

                Leave was granted for Mr Giles to continue his remarks at a later time.
              5. Mr Barrett (Chair of the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee) laid upon the Table - Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee performing the functions of the Subordinate Legislation and Publications Committee, Report of Ministerial Correspondence on Subordinate Legislation and Publications, December 2013 – October 2014 (Paper 1124).

                Mr Barrett moved – That the paper be printed.

                Question – put and passed.
              6. Mrs Finocchiaro (Public Accounts Committee) laid upon the Table –

                1. Government Owned Corporations Scrutiny Committee Report, dated Wednesday 15 October 2014 (Paper 1125).

                2. Government Owned Corporations Scrutiny Committee, Wednesday 15 October 2014, Questions Taken on Notice (Paper 1126).

                Mrs Finocchiaro moved – That the papers be printed.

                Question – put and passed.

                Mrs Finocchiaro moved – That the Assembly take note of the reports.

                Leave was granted for Mrs Finocchiaro to continue her remarks at a later time.
              7. The Speaker Tabled the following Papers –

                1. Remuneration Tribunal Report, Travel Report, Member for Nelson, Mr Gerry Wood, to travel to Gove from 31st August to 3rd September 2014, to inspect new housing and solar power/diesel power station at Bulman, and meet with John Tapp, East Arnhem Shire about mine closure, pursuant to clause 4.12, dated 30 October 2014 (Paper 1127).

                2. Remuneration Tribunal Report, Travel Report, Member for Nightcliff, Ms Natasha Fyles to travel to Canberra on 1st - 4th September 2014 to attend meetings with key stakeholders relevant to my Shadow Portfolio for Education, Women’s Policies, Arts and Museum, pursuant to clause 4.12, dated 30 October 2014, dated 30 October 2014 (Paper 1128).
          13. ADJOURNMENT
              Mr Elferink (Leader of Government Business) moved - That the Assembly do now adjourn.

              Paper Tabled: Mrs Finocchiaro (Member for Drysdale), by leave, laid upon the Table – Article, Healthy Clubs, Strong Communities, Congratulations to NT Good Sports Club of the Year – Palmerston Rugby Union Club, dated 30 October 2014 (Paper 1129).

              The Assembly adjourned at 10.13pm until Tuesday 25 November 2014 at 10.00am.
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              PAPERS
              The following papers were deemed to have been tabled on 30 October 2014 -

              Annual Reports 2013/2014:
              AustralAsia Railway Corporation, 2013/2014 (Paper 1087)
              Commissioner for Information and Public Disclosures (Paper 1105)
              Community Benefit Fund, 2013/2014 (Paper 1089)
              Community Justice Centre, 2013/2014 (Paper 1092)
              Department of Arts and Museums, 2013/2014 (Paper 1086)
              Department of Business, 2013/2014 (Paper 1088)
              Department of Corporate and Information Services, 2013/2014 (Paper 1090)
              Department of Health, 2013/2014 (Paper 1096)
              Department of Infrastructure, 2013/2014 (Paper 1097)
              Department of Lands, Planning and the Environment, 2013/2014 (Paper 1091)
              Department of Mines and Energy, 2013/2014 (Paper 1100)
              Department of Sport, Recreation and Racing, 2013/2014 (Paper 1111)
              Department of the Chief Minister, 2013/2014 (Paper 1093)
              Department of Transport, 2013/2014 (Paper 1107)
              Department of Treasury and Finance, 2013/2014 (Paper 1108)
              Director of Public Prosecutions Northern Territory of Australia, 2013/2014 (Paper 1094)
              Electricity Safety Regulator, Electricity Reform Act, 2013/2014 (Paper 1095)
              Heritage Council Northern Territory, 2013/2014 (Paper 1098)
              Legislative Assembly Members’ Superannuation Fund, 2013/2014 (Paper 1099)
              Northern Territory Anti-Discrimination Commission, 2013/2014 (Paper 1101)
              Northern Territory Government and Public Authorities’ Superannuation Scheme, 2013/2014 (Paper 1110)
              Northern Territory Treasury Corporation, 2013/2014 (Paper 1109)
              Office of the Commissioner for Public Employment, 2013/2014 - State of the Service Report (Paper 1104)
              Office of the Commissioner for Public Employment, 2013/2014 (Paper 1103)
              Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator, 2013/2014 (Paper 1102)
              Ombudsman NT Thirty Sixth, 2013/2014 (Paper 1114)
              Tarcoola-Darwin Rail Access Regulation, 2013/2014 (Paper 1106)
              TIO Annual Financial Report, 2013/2014 (Paper 1117)
              Utilities Commission, 2013/2014 (Paper 1112)
              Workers’ Rehabilitation and Compensation Advisory Council, 2013/2014, Workers’ Rehabilitation and Compensation Act (Paper 1115)
              Youth Justice Advisory Committee, 2013/2014 (Paper 1113)

              Statement of Corporate Intent:
              TIO Group Statement of Corporate Intent 1 July 2014 to 30 June 2017 (Public) (Paper 1118)
              Motor Accidents Compensation Scheme - Statement of Corporate Intent 1 July 2014 to 30 June 2017 (Public) (Paper 1119)

              Surveillance Devices Act 2007 (NT)
              Annual Reporting Requirements 2013/2014, pursuant to section 59(1) (Paper 1116)
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              ATTENDANCE
              All Members attended the sittings, except Mr Kurrupuwu

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