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Department of the Legislative Assembly, Northern Territory Government

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Minutes of Proceedings - 2008-10-21

1. MEETING:
      The Assembly met at 10am, pursuant to resolution of the Assembly, dated Thursday 18 September 2008. The Speaker, the Honourable J. L. Aagaard, took the Chair.

2. PRAYERS.

3. STATEMENT BY SPEAKER:
      The Speaker advised the Assembly of the death on 30 September 2008 of Mr Stephen Edward (Sam) Calder AM OBE DFC, Northern Territory Member of the House of Representatives from 1966 until 1980 and a decorated pilot.

      Distinguished visitors: The Speaker extended a warm welcome to family and friends of Sam Calder AM OBE DFC who were in the Speaker's Gallery to witness the condolence motion:
          The Hon Austin Asche AC QC, Mr Ian Watts AM, Mr Rick Setter, former Member for Jingili, Mr Chris Rooney and Mrs Rooney, The Hon Grant Tambling, and Mr Peter Upton.
      On behalf of all Members the Speaker extended a warm welcome to the distinguished visitors.

4. CONDOLENCE - MR STEPHEN EDWARD (SAM) CALDER AM OBE DFC - MOTION AGREED TO:
      The Chief Minister (Mr Henderson), by leave, moved - That this Assembly -

      (a) express its deep regret at the death of Mr Stephen Edward (Sam) Calder AM OBE DFC, an elected Member for the Northern Territory in the House of Representatives, a WWII war hero, a great contributor to the constitutional development of the Territory; and

      (b) tender its profound sympathy to his family and friends.

      The Chief Minister (Mr Henderson) thereupon addressed the Assembly.
      The Leader of the Opposition (Mr Mills) addressed the Assembly.
      Debate ensued.
      Question - put and passed.
      Motion agreed to.

      As a mark of respect Members stood in their places for one minute, in silence.
5. PETITIONS:
      Response to petitions: The Clerk, pursuant to Standing Order 100A, laid on the Table the response to petition No. 1 requesting reinstatement of after hours bulk billing medical services in Palmerston. (Paper 63)

      The Clerk advised the Assembly the text of the response would be incorporated in the Hansard Record and the Assembly website.
6. MINISTERIAL REPORTS:
      Global Financial Crisis: The Treasurer (Ms Lawrie) reported on the issues facing the Territory as a result of the downturn of the global economy.
      Mr Elferink responded.
      Mr Wood responded.
      Ms Lawrie responded.

      Alice Springs Storm, Emergency Services Response: The Chief Minister (Mr Henderson) reported on the storm events in Alice Springs of flooding and wind damage around the town.
      Ms Carney responded.
      Mr Wood responded.

      ARIA Awards 2008: The Minister for the Arts (Ms Scrymgour) reported on the Territory performers Gurrumul Yunupingu and others at the ARIA awards 2008.
      Mr Bohlin responded.
      Ms Scrymgour replied.
      Question - That Ministerial Reports be noted - put.
      The Assembly divided (the Speaker, Hon. J. L Aagaard, in the Chair) -

      AYES, 13 NOES, 11

      Mr Bohlin
      Ms Anderson Ms Carney
      Dr Burns Mr Chandler
      Mr Gunner Mr Conlan
      Mr Hampton Mr Elferink
      Mr Henderson Mr Giles
      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
      Mr Wood

      And so it was resolved in the affirmative.
      Ministerial Reports noted.
7. CASUARINA ZONE SUBSTATION - MINISTERIAL STATEMENT - MOTION TO NOTE STATEMENT:
      The Minister for Essential Services (Mr Knight) made a statement relating to the Casuarina Zone Substation.
      Mr Knight moved - That the Assembly take note of the Statement.
      Debate ensued.
      Papers tabled: Mr Knight laid on the Table the following Paper -
Independent Inquiry into Casuarina Substation Events and Substation Maintenance across Darwin (Paper 64).

      Debate continued.
      Debate suspended.
      ________________

      Suspension of sittings: The Sittings of the Assembly was suspended between 12.08pm and 2pm.
      ________________

      Distinguished visitor: The Speaker advised Members of the presence in the Speaker's Gallery of Mr Neville Perkins OAM, former Member of the Legislative Assembly for the Electorate of Macdonnell.
      On behalf of all Members the Speaker extended a warm welcome to the distinguished visitor.
8. NOTICES:
      The following Notices were given:
      Mr Henderson: To present the Legislative Assembly (Disclosure of Interests) Bill 2008 (Serial 11).
      Mr Henderson: To present the Legislative Assembly (Members' Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards) Bill 2008 (Serial 12).
      Dr Burns: To present the Public Interest Disclosure Bill 2008 (Serial 14).
9. QUESTIONS:
      2.12pm Mr Mills to Mr Henderson.
      2.23pm Mr Gunner to Mr Henderson.
      2.27pm Mr Mills to Mr Henderson.
      2.28pm Mr McCarthy to Mr Henderson.
      2.31pm Mr Mills to Ms Lawrie.
      2.32pm Ms Walker to Ms Lawrie.
      2.36pm Mr Elferink to Mr Knight.
      2.42pm Mr McCarthy to Ms Scrymgour.
      2.45pm Mr Elferink to Mr Knight.
      2.47pm Mr Gunner to Mr Vatskalis.
      2.49pm Mr Elferink to Mr knight.
      Paper tabled: The Minister for Essential Services (Mr Knight) laid on the Table the following Paper -
Graph, Expenditure on Power Water Capital Works and infrastructure, 1995/1996 to 2007/08 (Paper 65).

      2.54pm Ms Walker to Ms Anderson.
      2.56pm Mr Wood to Ms Lawrie.
      3.01pm Mr McCarthy to Mr Knight.
      3.04pm Mr Elferink to Mr Knight.
      ________________

      Suspension of Standing Orders: The Member for Port Darwin (Mr Elferink) then moved a motion to suspend so much of Standing Orders as would prevent him moving a motion to censure the Government and Minister for Essential Services (Mr Knight).

      The Leader of Government Business (Ms Lawrie) informed the Assembly that the government accepted the motion as a censure motion, pursuant to Standing Order 95.
      _________________

      The Leader of Government Business (Ms Lawrie) asked that further questions be placed on the Written Question Paper.
10. CENSURE OF GOVERNMENT - MOTION NEGATIVED:
      The Member for Port Darwin (Mr Elferink) thereupon moved - That the Government be censured for its monumental failure to supply the basic services of Power, Water and Sewerage to the people of the Northern Territory and then lying to them about the provision of such services.
      Debate ensued.
      The Chief Minister (Mr Henderson) moved - That the question be now put.
      Question - That the question be now put - put.
      The Assembly divided (the Speaker, Hon. J. L Aagaard, in the Chair) -

      AYES, 12 NOES, 11

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

      And so it was resolved in the affirmative.

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

      AYES, 11 NOES, 12

      Mr Bohlin Ms Anderson
      Ms Carney Dr Burns
      Mr Chandler Mr Gunner
      Mr Conlan Mr Hampton
      Mr Elferink Mr Henderson
      Mr Giles 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.
11. CASUARINA ZONE SUBSTATION - 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 Statement -
      The Leader of Government Business (Ms Lawrie) moved -That the question be now put.
      Question - That the question be now put - put.
      The Assembly divided (the Speaker, Hon. J. L Aagaard, in the Chair) -

      AYES, 13 NOES, 12

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

      And so it was resolved in the affirmative.
      Question - That the Ministerial Statement be noted - put.
      The Assembly divided (the Speaker, Hon. J. L Aagaard, in the Chair) -

      AYES, 13 NOES, 12

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

      And so it was resolved in the affirmative.
12. ICHTHYS LNG PROJECT - MINISTERIAL STATEMENT - MOTION TO NOTE STATEMENT:
      The Chief Minister (Mr Henderson) made a statement relating to the Ichthys LNG project.
      Mr Henderson moved - That the Assembly take note of the Statement.
      Debate ensued.
      _______________

      Visitors: The Speaker acknowledged the presence of Mr Damien Ryan, Mayor of Alice Springs and extended a warm welcome to him on behalf of all Members.
      _______________

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

      Suspension of sittings: The sittings of the Assembly was suspended between 6.02pm until 6.45pm.
      _______________

      Debate resumed.
      The Minister for Health (Dr Burns) moved - That the debate be adjourned.
      Question - put.
      The Assembly divided (the Speaker, Hon. J. L Aagaard, in the Chair) -

      AYES, 13 NOES, 12

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

      And so it was resolved in the affirmative - Debate adjourned.
13. PROPOSED SUSPENSION OF STANDING ORDERS - RE CENSURE OF THE GOVERNMENT - NEGATIVED:
      The Member for Port Darwin (Mr Elferink) moved - That so much of Standing Orders be suspended as would prevent him moving a motion to censure the Government.
      Debate ensued.
      The Leader of Government Business (Ms Lawrie) moved - That the Question be now put.
      Question - That the question be now put - put.
      The Assembly divided (the Speaker, Hon. J. L Aagaard, in the Chair) -

      AYES, 13 NOES, 12

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

      And so it was resolved in the affirmative.
      Question - That the motion be agreed to - put.
      The Assembly divided (the Speaker, Hon. J. L Aagaard, in the Chair) -

      AYES, 12 NOES, 13

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

      Motion to suspend Standing Orders, negatived accordingly.
14. PROPOSED SUSPENSION OF STANDING ORDERS - RE CENSURE OF THE GOVERNMENT - NEGATIVED:
      The Member for Fong Lim (Mr Tollner) moved - That so much of Standing Orders be suspended as would prevent him moving a motion to censure the government.
      Debate ensued.
      _______________

      Member suspended: The Speaker (Mrs Aagaard), pursuant to Standing Order 240A, ordered the Member for Port Darwin (Mr Elferink) at 7.30pm to withdraw from the Chamber for a period of one hour on account of his constant unruly interjection.
      Mr Elferink accordingly withdrew.
      _______________

      Debate continued.
      The Leader of Government Business (Ms Lawrie) moved - That the question be now put.
      The Speaker allowed the Member for Port Darwin to participate in the Divisions.
      Question - That the question be now put - put.
      The Assembly divided (the Speaker, Hon. J. L Aagaard, in the Chair) -

      AYES, 13 NOES, 12

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

      And so it was resolved in the affirmative.
      Question - That the motion be agreed to - put.
      The Assembly divided (the Speaker, Hon. J. L Aagaard, in the Chair) -

      AYES, 12 NOES, 13

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

      Motion to suspend Standing Orders, negatived accordingly.
15. MATTER OF PUBLIC IMPORTANCE - NIGHT AIR MED FLIGHTS, KATHERINE:
      The Speaker advised the Assembly that the Member for Katherine (Mr Westra van Holthe) had proposed the following definite Matter of Public Importance for discussion this day:
          The need to immediately relocate Air Med services back to Katherine and recommence night-time Air Med flights from Katherine and take all steps to provide the safety conditions necessary to allow for these flights.
      The proposed discussion having received the necessary support -
      Discussion ensued.
      _________________

      Member suspended: The Speaker (Mrs Aagaard), pursuant to Standing Order 240A, ordered the Member for Greatorex (Mr Conlan) at 8.29pm to withdraw from the Chamber for a period of one hour on account of his constant unruly interjection.
      Mr Conlan accordingly withdrew.
      _________________

      Discussion continued.
      Discussion concluded.

16. ADJOURNMENT:
      The Chief Minister (Mr Henderson) moved - That the Assembly do now adjourn.
      Debate ensued.
      And the Assembly adjourned at 10.19pm until Wednesday 22 October 2008 at 10am.
      ________________

      PAPERS:
      The following Papers were deemed to have been presented on Tuesday 21October 2008 -

      Annual Reports
      Daly River Management Advisory Committee (DRMAC), 2007/2008 (Paper 69)
      Department of Primary Industry, Fisheries and Mines, 2007/2008 (Paper 68)
      Department of the Chief Minister, 2007/2008 (Paper 66)
      Office of the Commissioner for Public Employment, 2007/2008 (Paper 67)
      Office of the Commissioner for Public Employment, State of the Service Report, 2007/2008 (Paper 70)

      Reports
      Sessional Committee on Sport and Youth (Tenth Assembly), pursuant to resolution of the Assembly, dated 9 September 2008 - Synopses of evidence to the Committee, Volume 1 (Paper 71) and Submissions to the Committee, Volume 2 (Paper 72)
_________________
      ATTENDANCE:
All Members attended the sittings.
Last updated: 04 Aug 2016
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