Department of the Legislative Assembly, Northern Territory Government

Minutes of Proceedings - 2010-10-27

    1. MEETING:
        The Assembly met at 10am. The Speaker, the Honourable J. L. Aagaard, took the Chair.

    2. PRAYERS.

    3. PETITIONS:
        Responses: The Clerk, pursuant to Standing Order 100A, tabled a response to Petition No. 33, Centre for high risk behaviour people in Alice Springs (Paper 1022).

    4. CHILD PROTECTION (OFFENDER REPORTING AND REGISTRATION) LEGISLATION AMENDMENT BILL 2010 (Serial 133):
        The Minister for Justice and Attorney-General (Ms Lawrie), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the Child Protection (Offender Reporting and Registration) Act and Child Protection (Offender Reporting and Registration) Regulations.
        Bill read a first time.
        Ms Lawrie moved – That the Bill be now read a second time.
        Debate ensued.
        Paper tabled: Ms Lawrie laid on the Table the following Paper -
    Explanatory Statement, Child Protection (Offender Reporting and Registration) Legislation Amendment Bill 2010 (Paper 1023).

        On the motion of the Member for Araluen (Mrs Lambley) debate was adjourned.

    5. TELECOMMUNICATIONS (INTERCEPTION) NORTHERN TERRITORY AMENDMENT BILL 2010 (Serial 131):
        The Chief Minister (Mr Henderson), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the Telecommunications (Interception) Northern Territory Act.
        Bill read a first time.
        Mr Henderson moved – That the Bill be now read a second time.
        Debate ensued.
        Paper tabled: Mr Henderson laid on the Table the following Paper -
    Explanatory Statement, Telecommunications (Interception) Northern Territory Amendment Bill 2010 (Paper 1024).

        On the motion of the Member for Braitling (Mr Giles) debate was adjourned.

    6. FIRE AND EMERGENCY AMENDMENT BILL 2010 (Serial 129):
        The Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services (Mr Henderson), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the Fire and Emergency Act.
        Bill read a first time.
        Mr Henderson moved – That the Bill be now read a second time.
        Debate ensued.

        Paper tabled: Mr Henderson laid on the Table the following Paper -
    Explanatory Statement, Fire and Emergency Amendment Bill 2010 (Paper 1025).

        On the motion of the Member for Blain (Mr Mills) debate was adjourned.
    7. MINERAL TITLES (CONSEQUENTIAL AMENDMENTS) BILL 2010 (Serial 121):
        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: Ms Purick, by leave, laid on the Table the following Paper –
    Browns Oxide Project – Media Release, dated 1 October 2010 (Paper 1026).

        Debate continued.
        Question – put and passed.
        Bill read a second time.
        The Assembly resolved itself into Committee of the Whole for consideration of the Bill.
        __________________
        In Committee

        (Deputy Speaker and Chair of Committees – Ms Walker in the Chair)

        Clause 1 to 8, by leave, taken together and agreed to, after debate.
        Clause 9 read.
        On the motion of the Minister for Primary Industry, Fisheries and Resources (Mr Vatskalis) the following amendment was agreed to, after debate -
        Clause 9(2)
            omit, insert
        (2) Section 3, definition owner
              omit

              land, including a mining tenement as defined in the Mining Act;

        insert
              land:

              (a) including a person:

                  (i) who holds a mineral title under the Mineral Titles Act authorising the person to conduct mining for minerals or extractive minerals on the land; or

                  (ii) who may exercise rights on the land under a non-compliant existing interest as defined in section 204(1) of that Act; but

              (b) not including a person who holds a mineral title under that Act authorising the person to conduct only exploration for minerals or extractive minerals on the land.
        Clause 9, as amended, agreed to after debate.
        Remainder of the Bill, by leave, taken as a whole and agreed to.
        Bill to be reported with an amendment.
        ______________________

        The Assembly resumed; the Speaker (Mrs Aagaard) took the Chair; the Chair of Committees and Deputy Speaker (Ms Walker) reported that the Committee had agreed to the Bill, with amendments.
        Report adopted.
        On the motion of the Minister for Primary Industry, Fisheries and Resources (Mr Vatskalis) the Bill was read a third time and passed to be a proposed law.

    8. CHILD PROTECTION INQUIRY – MOTION TO NOTE REPORT AND STATEMENT:
        The Order of the Day having been read for the resumption of debate on the question – That the Assembly take note of the “Growing them strong, together” Report of the Board of Inquiry into the Child Protection System in the Northern Territory and Statement made by the Chief Minister –
        Debate resumed.
        _______________

        Visitors: The Speaker advised Members of the presence in the public galleries of Palmerston High School Year 7 students accompanied by Miss Leisa Beynon, Mr Kai Pedersen and Mrs Lati Alefaio.
        On behalf of all Members the Speaker extended a warm welcome to there visitors.
        _______________

        Debate continued.
        Paper tabled: Mr Bohlin, by leave, laid on the Table the following Paper –
    SEMAC System, achieve –goal-setting-success (Paper 1027).

        Debate continued.
        Extension of time: On the motion of the Member for Brennan (Mr Chandler) the Member for Nelson (Mr Wood) was granted an extension of time, pursuant to Standing Order 77.
        Debate continued.
        _______________

        Visitors: The Speaker (Mrs Aagaard) advised members of the presence in the public galleries of Wulagi Primary School Year 5/6 students accompanied by Mr James Reardon.
        On behalf of all Members the Speaker extended a warm welcome to there visitors.
        _______________

        Debate continued.
        Debate suspended.
    _______________

    Suspension of sittings: The sittings of the Assembly was suspended between 12Noon and 2pm.
    _______________

    9. NOTICES:
        The following Notices were given:

        Ms Lawrie: To present the Consumer Affairs and Fair Trading Amendment (National Uniform Legislation) Bill 2010 (Serial 132).

        Mr Giles: To move – That, the Northern Territory Parliament tasks the Environment and Sustainable Development Committee with:

    investigating the state of the current telecommunications services in the Northern Territory in regard to hardware and assesses the intentions of the rollout of the National Broadband Network in the Northern Territory;
    investigating the costs of the roll-out of the National Broadband Network;
    identifying the locations the National Broadband Network will be delivered to with the download capabilities and the type of infrastructure utilised;
    analysing the impacts on the Territory regarding the impending changes to the Universal Service Obligation;
    detailing the anticipated costs of residents in differing locations accessing National Broadband Network services in a residential and business capacity across a range of data downloads;
    investigating competitive and technological alternatives to the NBN in delivering high speed broadband across the Territory; and
    reporting back to Parliament by 31 January 2011.
      10. QUESTIONS:
          2.01pm Mr Mills to Mr Henderson.
          2.05pm Mr Gunner to Mr Vatskalis.
          2.07pm Mrs Lambley to Mr Henderson.
          2.11pm Ms Scrymgour to Mr Henderson.
          2.14pm Mrs Lambley to Mr Henderson referred to Mr Vatskalis.
          2.17pm Mr Wood to Mr Vatskalis.
          2.19pm Ms Walker to Dr Burns.
          2.22pm Mr Chandler to Mr Vatskalis.
          2.25pm Mr Gunner to Dr Burns.
          2.27pm Mr Wood to Mr Vatskalis.
          2.28pm Mr Styles to Ms Lawrie.
          2.31pm Mr Styles supplementary.
          2.33pm Ms Scrymgour to Mr Hampton.
          2.36pm Mr Mills to Mr Henderson.
          2.40pm Mr Wood to Mr Henderson.
          2.43pm Ms Walker to Ms McCarthy.
          2.46pm Mr Chandler to Dr Burns.
          2.50pm Mr Gunner to Mr Vatskalis.
          2.52pm Mr Chandler to Dr Burns.

          Paper tabled: Dr Burns laid on the Table the following Papers –
      Graph, Difference between population and enrolment - NT Indigenous students – ages 5 to 14 year (1993-2009) (Paper 1028);
      Graph, Pre-12 NT Enrolments as proportion of ABS Census (4 - 17 yo) (Paper 1029); and
      Graph, Full-time student enrolments: Northern Territory by age (5 to 15) by Indigenous Status and Years (1993 to 2009) (Paper 1030).

          2.55pm Ms Scrymgour to Mr McCarthy.
          2.59pm Mr Wood to Mr Hampton.
          3.01pm Mr Chandler to Dr Burns.

          The Leader of Government Business (Dr Burns) asked that further questions be placed on the Written Question Paper.

      11. CHILD PROTECTION INQUIRY – REPORT AND STATEMENT NOTED:
          The Order of the Day having been read for the resumption of debate, suspended earlier this day, on the question – That the Assembly take note of the “Growing them strong, together” Report of the Board of Inquiry into the Child Protection System in the Northern Territory and Statement made by the Chief Minister –
          Debate resumed.
          Extension of time: On the motion of the Member for Daly (Mr Knight) the Member for Arnhem (Ms McCarthy) was granted an extension of time, pursuant to Standing Order 77.
          Debate continued.
          Extension of time: On the motion of the Member for Brennan (Mr Chandler) the Member for Greatorex (Mr Conlan) was granted an extension of time, pursuant to Standing Order 77.
          Debate continued.
          Paper tabled: Mr Conlan, by leave, laid on the Table the following Paper –
      Territory Opposition Submission to the Inquiry in to the Northern Territory’s Child Protection System (Paper 1033).

          Debate continued.
          Extension of time: On the motion of the Member for Wanguri (Mr Henderson) the Member for Arafura (Ms Scrymgour) was granted an extension of time, pursuant to Standing Order 77.
          Debate continued.
          Question – put and passed.
      12. PEPPERCORN RENTAL AGREEMENT FOR NORTHERN TERRITORY GOVERNMENT ON ABORIGINAL LAND – MOTION AGREED TO:
          The Member for Nelson (Mr Wood), pursuant to notice, moved - That, a peppercorn rental agreement be negotiated for Northern Territory government facilities on Aboriginal Land where a lease is required for such facilities.
          Debate ensued.
          Leave granted to Mr Wood to continue his remarks at a later hour.
          Debate adjourned.

      13. CRIMINAL CODE AMENDMENT (PENALTIES FOR CERTAIN ASSAULTS) BILL 2010 (Serial 113) – RESTORATION TO NOTICE PAPER – MOTION AGREED TO:
          The Member for Port Darwin (Mr Elferink), pursuant to notice, moved – That, so much of Standing Orders be suspended as would prevent the Criminal Code Amendment (Penalties for Certain Assaults) Bill 2010 (Serial 113) previously in the name of Ms Carney –
          (a) be restored to the Notice Paper in my name; and

          (b) the Bill be proceeded with at the stage it had previously reached.

          Debate ensued.
          Question – put and passed.

      14. SMALL BUSINESS OMBUDSMAN – MOTION NEGATIVED:
          The Member for Goyder (Ms Purick), pursuant to notice, moved - That, the Northern Territory government establish and independent and adequately resourced Small Business Ombudsman to provide a voice for small business from within Government.
          Debate ensued.
          Question - That the motion be agreed to - put.
          The Assembly divided (the Deputy Speaker, Ms L. Walker, in the Chair) -

          AYES, 11 NOES, 12

          Mr Bohlin Mrs Aagaard
          Mr Chandler Dr Burns
          Mr Conlan Mr Gunner
          Mr Elferink Mr Hampton
          Mr Giles Mr Henderson
          Mrs Lambley Mr Knight
          Mr Mills Ms Lawrie
          Ms Purick Ms McCarthy
          Mr Styles Mr McCarthy
          Mr Tollner Ms Scrymgour
          Mr Westra van Holthe Mr Vatskalis
          Ms Walker

          Motion negatived accordingly.
      15. REHABILITATION AND EDUCATION OF HABITUAL DRINKERS – MOTION NEGATIVED:
          The Member for Sanderson (Mr Styles), pursuant to notice, moved – That, this Assembly call on the Northern Territory Government to address the issue of alcohol demand through rehabilitation and education of habitual drinkers and not through a system that penalises the wider community as a consequence of their policy actions.
          Debate ensued.
          Extension of time: On the motion of the Member for Greatorex (Mr Conlan) the Member for Sanderson (Mr Styles) was granted an extension of time, pursuant to Standing Order 77.
          Debate continued.
          Question – put and negatived.

      16. REGISTRATION OF RECREATIONAL WATER CRAFT – MOTION NEGATIVED:
          The Member for Sanderson (Mr Styles), pursuant to notice, moved – That this Assembly calls on the Northern Territory Government to be honest, accountable and transparent in their plans to introduce a scheme for registration of recreational water craft in all Northern Territory waters.
          Debate ensued.
          Question – put and negatived.
      17. CARE AND PROTECTION OF CHILDREN AMENDMENT (ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS) BILL 2010 (Serial 134):
          The Member for Araluen (Mrs Lambley), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend Care and Protection of Children Act.
          Bill read a first time.
          Mrs Lambley moved – That the Bill be now read a second time.
          Debate ensued.
          On the motion of the Minister for Children and Families (Mr Vatskalis) debate was adjourned.

      18. INFORMATION AMENDMENT (FEES) BILL 2009 (Serial 83):
          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 adjourned, pursuant to Standing Order 41 (c)(v).
      19. ADJOURNMENT, Automatic:
          The Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 41A, at 9pm proposed the question - That the Assembly do now adjourn.
          Debate ensued.
          And the Assembly adjourned at 10.09pm until Thursday 28 October 2010 at 10am.
          ________________

          PAPERS:
          The following Papers were deemed to have been presented on Wednesday 27 October 2010 –

          Annual Reports
          Legislative Assembly Members’ Superannuation Trust, 2009/2010 (Paper 1031)
          Northern Territory Government and Public Authorities’ Superannuation Scheme, 2009/2010 (Paper 1032)
      _________________
          ATTENDANCE:
      All Members attended the sittings except Ms Anderson, on leave.
    Last updated: 04 Aug 2016