Department of the Legislative Assembly, Northern Territory Government

Minutes of Proceedings - 2016-04-20

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

2. PRAYERS

3. VISITORS
      The Speaker advised Honourable Members of the presence in the gallery of two Year 5/6 classes from Millner Primary School accompanied by Sheree Arratta.

      On behalf of all Members the Speaker extended a warm welcome to the visitors.
4. cognate bills – MOTION AGREED TO
      Mr Elferink (Attorney-General and Minister for Justice) pursuant to notice, moved – That the Guardianship of Adults Bill 2016 (Serial 160) and the Advance Personal Planning Amendment Bill 2016 (Serial 161) be considered together for the purposes of the second and third reading debates but separately for any required consideration in detail.

      Debate ensued.

      Question – put and passed.

5. Guardianship of adults bill 2016 (Serial 160) And advance personal planning amendment bill 2016 (serial 161)
      Mr Elferink (Attorney-General and Minister for Justice), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to provide for the guardianship of adults, and for related purposes, and a Bill for an Act to amend the Advance Personal Planning Act, to repeal the Aged and Infirm Persons’ Property Act, and for related purposes.

      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. Guardianship of Adults Bill 2016 (Serial 160) Explanatory Statement (Paper 1736).

      2. Advance Personal Planning Amendment Bill 2016 (Serial 161) Explanatory Statement (Paper 1737).

      On the motion of Ms Walker (Member for Nhulunbuy) debate was adjourned.
6. justice and other legislation amendment (records of depositions and other matters) bill 2016 (Serial 159)
      Mr Elferink (Attorney-General and Minister for Justice), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend various Acts and to repeal the Records of Depositions Act.

      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 1738).

      On the motion of Ms Walker (Member for Nhulunbuy) debate was adjourned.
7. menzies school of health research amendment bill 2016 (Serial 163)
      Mr Elferink (Minister for Health), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the Menzies School of Health Research Act.

      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 1739).

      On the motion of Ms Walker (Member for Nhulunbuy) debate was adjourned.
8. Fisheries legislation amendment bill 2016 (Serial 162)
      Mr Higgins (Minister for Primary Industry and Fisheries), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the Fisheries Act and Fisheries Regulations, and for related purposes.

      Bill read a first time.

      Mr Higgins moved - That the Bill be now read a second time.

      Debate ensued.

      Paper Tabled: Mr Higgins laid upon the Table the Explanatory Statement (Paper 1740).

      On the motion of Mr Vowles (Member for Johnston) debate was adjourned.
9. MOTION - Building a First class education system
      Mr Chandler (Minister for Education) pursuant to notice, moved – That through the Government’s reform agenda, we have laid the foundations for a first class education system that meets the Northern Territory’s growing needs.

      Debate ensued.

      Extension of Time: On the motion of Ms Manison (Member for Wanguri), Mr Chandler (Member for Brennan) was granted an extension of time.

      Debate continued.

      Debate suspended.
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      Suspension of sittings: The sitting of the Assembly was suspended between 12.00pm and 2.00pm.
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10. NOTICES
      The following notices were given:
      1. Mr Tollner (Minister for Mines and Energy) will present on the next sitting day a bill entitled – Petroleum Amendment Bill 2016 (Serial 164).
      2. Mr Tollner (Minister for Mines and Energy) will present on the next sitting day a bill entitled – Electricity Legislation Amendment Bill 2016 (Serial 169).

      3. Mr Elferink (Attorney-General and Minister for Justice) will present on the next sitting day a bill entitled – Justice Legislation Amendment (Drug Offences) Bill 2016 (Serial 166).

      4. Mr Elferink (Attorney-General and Minister for Justice) will present on the next sitting day a bill entitled – Youth Justice Amendment Bill 2016 (Serial 165).

      5. Mr Styles (Minister for Racing, Gaming and Licensing) will present on the next sitting day a bill entitled – Racing and Betting Legislation Amendment Bill 2016 (Serial 168).

      6. Mr Higgins (Minister for Land Resource Management) will present on the next sitting day a bill entitled – Bushfires Management Bill 2016 (Serial 167).

      7. Mrs Lambley (Member for Araluen) will move on the next General Business day – That
        a. the NT parliament recognises that the Alice Springs Hospital is an old hospital nearing its ‘use by date’ with little or no capacity for expansion at the current site on Gap Road, Alice Springs.
          b. the NT parliament bilaterally supports the need for Central Australia to have a modern, new, contemporary hospital in the future and that planning for this new hospital needs to commence now.
          c. in consultation with the Alice Springs community, the Government selects a site for a new hospital and commits to completing the construction of a new Alice Springs Hospital on this site by 2030.

    11. RESPONSES TO PETITIONS
        The Clerk, pursuant to Standing Order 123, laid upon the Table Responses to Petition Numbers 56 and 58 (Paper 1741).

    12. QUESTIONS

        2.02 Ms Manison to Minister for Education
        2.06 Mr Conlan to Chief Minister
        2.10 Ms Manison to Minister for Education
        2.13 Mr Westra van Holthe to Chief Minister
        2.17 Ms Lawrie to Minister for Transport
        2.21 Ms Lawrie to Minister for Transportsupplementary
        2.23 Mrs Finocchiaro to Chief Minister
        2.26 Ms Walker to Minister for Health

        Paper Tabled: Ms Walker (Member for Nhulunbuy), by leave, laid upon the Table – Written Question 420, Incentive payments under National Health Partnership Agreements (Paper 1742).

        2.27 Mr McCarthy to Minister for Health
        2.31 Mr Kurrupuwu to Chief Minister

        Paper Tabled: Mr Giles (Chief Minister) laid upon the Table –Territory Labor 2016 Conference - Development of an onshore gas industry (Paper 1743).

        2.35 Mr Gunner to Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services
        2.39 Mr Conlan to Minister for Asian Engagement and Trade
        2.43 Mr Wood to Minister for Essential Services
        2.45 Mrs Finocchiaro to Minister for the Environment
        2.48 Ms Walker to Minister for Health
        2.51 Mr Conlan to Chief Minister
        2.55 Ms Moss to Minister for Housing

        Mr Elferink (Leader of Government Business) asked that further questions be placed on the Written Question Paper.
    13. MOTION - Building a First class education system
        Resumption of debate on the question – That through the Government’s reform agenda, we have laid the foundations for a first class education system that meets the Northern Territory’s growing needs.

        Debate resumed.

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

        Debate continued.

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

        Debate continued.

        On the motion of Mr Elferink (Member for Port Darwin) debate was adjourned.
    14. Appropriation Acts Repeal Bill 2016 (Serial 158) – 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 Tollner (Treasurer), by leave, the Bill was read a third time and was passed to be a proposed law.
    15. MATTER OF PUBLIC IMPORTANCE – REDEVELOPMENT OF THE CHAN BUILDING
        The Speaker advised the Assembly that Mr Wood (Member for Nelson) had proposed a definite Matter of Public Importance – The Government should not continue with its plans to redevelop the Chan Building but instead develop the State Square Precinct either as shown in the Government’s ‘Planning for Greater Darwin’ document or the ALP’s version ‘Creating Darwin’s Future – A Tropical Harbour City’ document. (Both documents recommend the removal of the Chan Building).

        That the Government invite expressions of interest to develop a museum and Art Gallery precinct incorporating the history of the Kahlin compound and the old Darwin Hospital on the old Darwin Hospital site at the end of Mitchell Street or at least look at alternative sites.




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        General Business: The time being 5.30pm, General Business commenced.
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    16. MOTION – APPLICATION BY INTRAPAC TO THE water controller – MOTION NOT AGREED TO
        Mr Wood (Member for Nelson) pursuant to notice, moved – That the Government immediately put on hold an application by Intrapac to the Water Controller as advertised on Tuesday this week that would allow Intrapac to extract 571ML of water or half of the estimated sustainable yield of 1057ML/YR from the Wildman Siltstone Formation aquifer (Sections 05827, 05758, 05761 and 00507 Hundred of Strangways) known as Noonamah Ridge, until the EPA has completed and released its report on the Noonamah Ridge Development Environmental Impact Statement.

        Debate ensued.

        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.

        Question – put
    The Assembly divided:
          Ayes - 11 Noes - 13

          Ms Anderson Mr Barrett
          Ms Fyles Mr Chandler
          Mr Gunner Mr Conlan
          Ms Lawrie Mr Elferink
          Mr McCarthy Mrs Finocchiaro
          Ms Manison Mr Giles
          Ms Moss Mr Higgins
          Ms Purick Mr Kurrupuwu
          Mr Vowles Ms Lee
          Ms Walker Mrs Price
          Mr Wood Mr Styles
          Mr Tollner
          Mr Westra van Holthe
        Motion not agreed to.
    17. medical services amendment bill 2015 (serial 150)
        Resumption of debate on the question - That the Bill be now read a second time.

        Debate resumed.

        Extension of Time: On the motion of Mrs Finocchiaro (Member for Drysdale), Ms Lee (Member for Arnhem) was granted an extension of time.

        Debate continued.

        Debate suspended.
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        The time being 9.00pm, debate was suspended at the completion of General Business.
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    18. PAPER
        The Deputy Speaker tabled the following Paper –
        1. Remuneration Tribunal Determination, Travel Report, Member for Goyder, Ms Kezia Purick travel to Alice Springs pursuant to clause 6.11, dated 19 April 2016 (Paper 1744).
    19. PAPER TABLED – casuarina coastal reserve management plan april 2016
        Mrs Price (Minister for Parks and Wildlife) made a statement and laid on the Table – Casuarina Coastal Reserve Management Plan April 2016 (Paper 1745).



    20. REPORTS
        1. Public Accounts Committee Report – Public Private Partnership Arrangements for the Darwin Correctional Precinct – Consideration Adjourned

        2. Public Accounts Committee Report – Inquiry into Structural Separation of the Power and Water Corporation – Consideration Adjourned

        3. Committee on the Northern Territory’s Energy Future Report – Key Challenges and Opportunities: Issues Paper – Consideration Adjourned

        4. Auditor-General for the Northern Territory – Report to the Legislative Assembly, August 2015 – Consideration Adjourned

        5. Auditor-General for the Northern Territory – Report to the Legislative Assembly, February 2016 – Consideration Adjourned

        6. Standing Orders Committee Report – Matters of Question Time Reform, Infant Care and Right of Reply, March 2016 – Consideration Adjourned

        7. Members’ Interests Committee Report – Proposal to Table Members’ Interests Returns and Upload the Tabled Documents on the Assembly Website Each Year – Consideration Adjourned

    21. ADJOURNMENT
        Mr Giles (Chief Minister) moved - That the Assembly do now adjourn.

        Paper Tabled: Ms Moss (Member for Casuarina), by leave, laid upon the Table – Written Question 430, Remote Housing (Paper 1746).

        The Assembly adjourned at 9.54pm until Thursday 21 April 2016 at 10.00am.

        ATTENDANCE
        All Members attended the sittings.



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