Department of the Legislative Assembly, Northern Territory Government

Minutes of Proceedings - 2008-04-29

1. MEETING:
      The Assembly met at 10am, pursuant to resolution of the Assembly, dated Thursday 21 February 2008. The Speaker, the Honourable J. L. Aagaard, took the Chair.

2. PRAYERS.

3. MESSAGE FROM THE ADMINISTRATOR No. 26:
      The Speaker advised Members of receipt of the following Message from His Honour the Administrator:
      Message No. 26 - Assent to Proposed Laws

      I, Thomas Ian Pauling, QC the Administrator of the Northern Territory of Australia, advise the Legislative Assembly of, pursuant to section 7 of the Northern Territory (Self-Government Act) 1978 of the Commonwealth, the assent to the following proposed laws:

      11 March 2008

      Darwin Waterfront Corporation Amendment Act 2008 (No 1 of 2008)
      Justice Legislation Amendment Act 2008 (No 2 of 2008)
      Land Title and Related Legislation Amendment Act 2008 (No 3 of 2008)
      Planning Amendment (Development Applications) Act 2008 (No 4 of 2008)
      Professional Standards Amendment (Mutual Recognition) Act 2008 (No 5 of 2008)
      Statute Law Revision Act 2008 (No 6 of 2008)
      Transport Legislation (Drug Driving) Amendment Act 2008 (No 7 of 2008)

      Dated 18 March 2008.

      T Pauling QC
      Administrator
      (Paper 1261)
4. COMMONWEALTH DAY MESSAGE, APRIL 2008:
      The Speaker laid on the Table the Commonwealth Day Message 2008, from Her Majesty the Queen, dated 10 March 2008 and advised that the text of the Message would be incorporated in Hansard. (Paper 1263)

5. SPEAKER'S WARRANT:
      The Speaker laid on the Table her Warrant nominating Deputy Chairmen of Committees -
      WARRANT

      Pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 12, I hereby revoke all previous warrants nominating Members to act as Deputy Chairmen of Committees and nominate the following Members to act as Deputy Chairmen of Committees,
Ms Alison Anderson;
Mr James Burke;
Mr Karl Hampton;
Ms Malarndiri McCarthy;
Mr Syd Stirling;
Mr Ted Warren; and
Mr Gerry Wood,

      when requested so to do by the Speaker.

      Given under my hand this 29th day of April, two thousand and eight.


      JANE AAGAARD
      Speaker
      (Paper 1262)
6. PETITIONS:
      The Member for Araluen (Ms Carney) presented Petition No.73 from 64 petitioners requesting the repeal of the 130km/Hour speed limit on Territory roads. (Paper 1264)
      Petition read.

      The Member for Greatorex (Mr Conlan), by leave, presented Petition No. 74, not conforming with Standing Orders, from 400 petitioners relating to the Patient Assistance Travel Scheme (PATS). (Paper 1265)
      Petition read.

      Responses to petitions:
      The Clerk, pursuant to Standing Order 100A, laid on the Table the following response to Petition Number 70 relating to the proposed construction of a regional prison in Tennant Creek and the Barkly Region (Paper 1266).

      The Clerk advised the Assembly the text of the response would be included in the Hansard record.

7. MINISTERIAL REPORTS:
      Museums-10 Year Plan: The Minister for Arts and Museums (Ms Scrymgour) reported on a 10 Year Plan for the development of Museums and Art Galleries for the Territory.
      Mrs Miller responded.
      Mr Wood responded.
      Ms Scrymgour replied.

      China Visit: The Minister for Business and Economic Development (Mr Vatskalis) reported on his visit to China to promote Territory tourism and the appointment of a Territory Tourism Ambassador in China.
      Mr Mills responded.
      Mr Vatskalis replied.

      Australian Snub-Fin Dolphin Research: The Minister for Natural Resources, Environment and Heritage (Mr Kiely) reported on a research project into maintaining Australian Snub-Fin Dolphin habitat areas in the Territory.
      Mrs Miller responded.
      Mr Wood responded.
      Mr Kiely replied.

      Ministerial Reports noted, pursuant to Standing Orders.

8. CRIMINAL CODE AMENDMENT (DRINK OR FOOD SPIKING) BILL 2008 (Serial 137):
      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 - 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 Minister for Justice and Attorney-General (Dr Burns) the Bill was read a third time and passed to be a proposed law.
9. LIQUOR LEGISLATION AMENDMENT BILL 2008 (Serial 134):
      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.
      _________________

      Distinguished Visitors: The Speaker advised Members of the presence in the Speaker's Gallery of the former Member for Macdonnell, Mr Neil Bell and Mrs Bell.
      On behalf of all Members the Speaker extended a warm welcome to the distinguished visitors.
      _________________

      Debate continued.
      Debate suspended.
      __________________

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


      Visitors: The Speaker advised Members of the presence in the Speaker's Gallery of the Hon Eric H Poole, former Member for Araluen; and in the public galleries, Maningrida Womens Night Patrol and Child Safety Officers accompanied by their supervisor Laurie Magaldagi, and members of the National Seniors Group NT.
      On behalf of all Members the Speaker extended a warm welcome to the visitors.
10. NOTICES:
      The following notices were given:
      Dr Burns: To present the Sentencing (Crime of Murder) and Parole Reform Amendment Bill 2008 (Serial 142).

      Dr Burns: To move - That so much of Standing Orders be suspended as would prevent the Sentencing (Crime of Murder) and Parole Reform Amendment Bill 2008 (Serial 142), passing through all stages at these sittings.
11. QUESTIONS:
      2.04pm Mr Conlan to Dr Burns.
      2.06pm Ms Sacilotto to Mr Henderson.
      2.09pm Ms Carney to Mr Henderson.
      2.12pm Mr Warren to Mr Henderson.
      2.15pm Mr Mills to Mr Henderson.
      2.18pm Mr Burke to Ms Lawrie.
      2.23pm Mr Wood to Mr Kiely.
      2.26pm Mr Mills to Mr Henderson.

      Papers tabled: The Leader of the Opposition (Mr Mills), by leave, Tabled the following Paper -
Unreported Offences, Offences Recorded by N T Police - NT Quarterly Crime and Justice Statistics, June 2003 (Paper 1267).

      2.29pm Ms Anderson to Ms Scrymgour.
      2.33pm Mr Mills to Mr Henderson.
      2.41pm Ms Sacilotto to Mr Vatskalis.
      2.43pm Mrs Braham to Mr Natt.
      2.47pm Mr Burke to Mr Henderson.
      _______________

      Suspension of Standing Orders - Wickham Point Development - Negatived: The Member for Nelson (Mr Wood), by leave, moved - That so much of Standing Orders be suspended as would prevent him moving a motion denying the Leader of Government Business's (Ms Lawrie) assertion that he had not supported development at Wickham Point.
      Question - That Standing Orders be suspended - put and negatived.
      ________________

      Response to Question above asked by Mr Burke to Mr Henderson continued.
      2.59pm Mr Hampton to Mr Natt.

      The Leader of Government Business (Ms Lawrie) asked that further questions be placed on the Written Question Paper.
12. LIQUOR LEGISLATION AMENDMENT BILL 2008 (Serial 134):
      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.
      Paper tabled: The Minister for Justice and Attorney-General (Dr Burns) laid on the Table the following Paper -
Media Release - Anti - Social Behaviour Legislation, Dr Peter Toyne, Minster for Justice, dated 1 December 2005 (Paper 1278).

      Debate continued.
      Extension of time: On the motion of the Member for Drysdale (Mr Natt) the Minister for Alcohol Policy (Dr Burns) was granted an extension of time, pursuant to Standing Order 77.

      Debate continued.
      Question - That the motion be agreed to - put.
      The Assembly divided (the Speaker, Hon. J. L Aagaard, in the Chair) -

      AYES, 17 NOES, 5

      Ms Anderson Ms Carney
      Mr Bonson Mr Conlan
      Mr Burke Mrs Miller
      Dr Burns Mr Mills
      Mr Hampton Mr Wood
      Mr Henderson
      Mr Kiely
      Mr Knight
      Ms Lawrie
      Ms Martin
      Mr McAdam
      Ms McCarthy
      Mr Natt
      Ms Sacilotto
      Ms Scrymgour
      Mr Vatskalis
      Mr Warren

      And so it was resolved in the affirmative.
      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 Minister for Justice and Attorney-General (Dr Burns) the Bill was read a third time and passed to be a proposed law.

13. PERSONAL EXPLANATION:
      The Member for Araluen (Ms Carney), pursuant to Standing Order 54, made a personal explanation relating to comments made by the Chief Minister (Mr Henderson) during Question time earlier today in which he asserted that Ms Carney had opposed the Domestic Violence and Police Powers Bill 2005 (Serial 17).

14. OUR ECONOMY, DELIVERING FOR FAMILIES - MINISTERIAL STATEMENT - MOTION TO NOTE STATEMENT:
      The Chief Minister (Mr Henderson) made a statement relating to the Territory economy and the Darwin Waterfront Project.
      Mr Henderson moved - That the Assembly take note of the Statement.
      Debate ensued.
      On the motion of the Minister for Employment, Education and Training (Ms Scrymgour) debate was adjourned.
15. ADJOURNMENT:
      The Chief Minister (Mr Henderson) moved - That the Assembly do now adjourn.
      Debate ensued.
      Question - put and passed.
      And the Assembly adjourned at 7.34pm until tomorrow at 10am.
      _________________

      PAPERS:
      The following Papers were deemed to be presented on Tuesday 29 April 2008 -

      Annual Reports:
      Australian Crime Commission, 2006/2007 (Paper 1268)
      National Environment Protection Council, 2006/2007 (Paper 1269)

      Coroners Act:
      In the matter of Coroner’s Findings and Recommendations into the death of David Young, pursuant to Section 46B, dated 21 February 2008 (Paper 1270)
      In the matter of Coroner’s Findings and Recommendations into the death of Terry Long, pursuant to Section 46B, dated 27 November 2007 (Paper 1271)
      In the matter of Coroner’s Findings and Recommendations into the death of Heidy Wood, pursuant to Section 46B, dated 25 September 2007 (Paper 1272)

      Financial Management Act
      Increase of Treasurer’s Advance, signed Acting Treasurer, Ms Scrymgour, dated 22 February 2008 (Paper 1273)

      Regulations 2008:
      No. 2, Surveillance Devices (Paper 1275)
      No. 3, Fisheries Amendment (Public Aquarium Licence) (Paper 1276)
      No. 4, Taxis Amendment (Wheelchair Passengers and Other Matters) (Paper 1277)

      Reports:
      Territory Motor Sports Board Limited, Minutes of 2006/07 Annual General Meeting, held 27 November 2007 (Paper 1274)
_________________
      ATTENDANCE:
      All Members attended the sitting.
Last updated: 04 Aug 2016