Minutes of Proceedings - 2007-08-28
1. MEETING:
2. PRAYERS.
3. VISITORS:
7. TERRITORY PARKS AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION AMENDMENT (JOINT MANAGEMENT PARKS) BILL 2007 (Serial 103):
9. QUESTIONS:
10. NUCLEAR WASTE FACILITY - MOTION AGREED TO:
13. SECURING TERRITORY MINERALS GROWTH - STATEMENT NOTED:
- The Assembly met at 10am. The Speaker, the Honourable J. L. Aagaard, took the Chair.
2. PRAYERS.
3. VISITORS:
- The Speaker advised Members of the presence in the public galleries of Sacred Heart Primary School, Year 5 students accompanied by Mr Bill Bemelmans.
On behalf of all Members the Speaker extended a warm welcome to the visitors.
- The Minister for Natural Resources, Environment and Heritage (Ms Lawrie), by leave, gave the following notice -
Ms Lawrie: To move - The Assembly request that:
(a) the Commonwealth Government acknowledges the widespread and bipartisan opposition to its plans to locate a nuclear waste dump in the Northern Territory;
(b) the Commonwealth Government honour its election promise to not locate a nuclear waste dump in the Northern Territory;
(c) the Commonwealth Government allow Territorians to have a say on the nuclear waste dump planned for the Northern Territory. A binding referendum which was promised by the Prime Minister last week should be a mandatory pre-condition for introducing any new nuclear facilities to any region in Australia;
(d) the Commonwealth Government immediately make public the current status of its plans to locate a nuclear waste dump near Tennant Creek at Muckaty Station;
(e) Northern Territory members of the Commonwealth Parliament stand up for the Territory and support a referendum; and
(f) the Speaker forward the terms of this motion and associated debate to the President of the Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth Parliament.
- Equine Flu Outbreak: The Minister for Primary Industry and Fisheries (Mr Natt) reported on the measures in place to combat the national outbreak of Equine influenza.
Mr Mills responded.
Mr Natt replied.
Indigenous Art Buyers Mission: The Chief Minister (Ms Martin) reported on the recent influx of international inbound missions of indigenous arts and crafts buyers.
Mrs Miller responded.
Environment Grants Program: The Minister for Natural Resources, Environment and Heritage (Ms Lawrie) reported on the Environment Grants Program supporting the commitment of the community in managing the environment.
Mrs Miller responded.
Mr Wood responded.
Ms Lawrie replied.
Ministerial Reports noted, pursuant to Standing Orders.
- 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 (Mr Stirling) the Bill was read a third time and passed to be a proposed law.
7. TERRITORY PARKS AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION AMENDMENT (JOINT MANAGEMENT PARKS) BILL 2007 (Serial 103):
- 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.
The Assembly resolved itself into Committee of the Whole for consideration of the Bill.
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In Committee
(Chairman and Deputy Speaker - Mr Knight)
In Committee
(Chairman and Deputy Speaker - Mr Knight)
Clauses 1 to 4, by leave, taken together and agreed to.
Clause 5 read
Debate ensued.
Clause 5, as printed, agreed to.
Clauses 6 and 7, by leave, taken together and agreed to.
Clause 8 read.
Debate ensued.
Clause 8, as printed, agreed to.
Remainder of the Bill, by leave, taken as a whole and agreed to.
Bill to be reported without amendment.
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The Assembly resumed; the Speaker took the Chair; the Chairman and Deputy Speaker (Mr Knight) reported that the Assembly had agreed to the Bill without amendment.
The report was adopted.
On the motion of the Minister for Natural Resources, Environment and Heritage (Ms Lawrie) the Bill was read a third time and passed to be a proposed law.
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Suspension of sittings: The sittings of the Assembly was suspended between 11.55am and 2pm.
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Distinguished Visitor: The Speaker advised Members of the presence in the Speaker's Gallery of Mr George Cox a former Liberal Member for the Victorian Parliament, MLA from 1976 to 1982 and MLC from 1988 to 1996. On behalf of all Members the Speaker extended a warm welcome to the distinguished visitor.
- Ms Lawrie: To present the Environment Protection Authority Bill 2007 (Serial 114).
9. QUESTIONS:
- 2.04pm Mr Conlan to Mr McAdam.
2.08pm Ms Sacilotto to Ms Martin.
2.13pm Mr Conlan to Mr McAdam.
2.20pm Mr Kiely to Ms Martin.
2.23pm Mr Conlan to Mr McAdam.
2.28pm Mr Bonson to Mr Henderson.
2.32pm Mr Wood to Mr McAdam.
2.35pm Mr Bonson to Ms Lawrie.
2.38pm Mr Conlan to Mr McAdam.
2.39pm Ms Sacilotto to Ms Martin.
2.41pm Mr Conlan to Mr McAdam.
2.44pm Mr Hampton to Ms Lawrie.
2.46pm Mrs Braham to Dr Burns.
2.48pm Mr Knight to Mr Natt.
2.52pm Mr Conlan to Mr McAdam.
2.56pm Mr Burke to Mr Stirling.
The Leader of Government Business (Mr Henderson) asked that further questions be placed on the Written Question Paper.
10. NUCLEAR WASTE FACILITY - MOTION AGREED TO:
- The Minister for Natural Resources, Environment and Heritage (Ms Lawrie), pursuant to notice given earlier this day, sought leave to move a motion relating to the conduct of a referendum on a nuclear waste dump facility in the Northern Territory.
Leave denied: There being a dissentient voice, leave denied.
Suspension of Standing Orders: The Minister for Natural Resources, Environment and Heritage (Ms Lawrie) moved - That so much of Standing Orders be suspended as would prevent a motion, notice of which was given earlier this day, being moved relating to the conduct of a referendum on a nuclear waste dump facility in the Northern Territory, forthwith.
Question - put and passed - There being an absolute majority of the whole number of Members being present and no dissentient voice.
The Minister for Natural Resources, Environment and Heritage (Ms Lawrie) thereupon moved, pursuant to notice moved earlier this day -
The Assembly request that:
(a) the Commonwealth Government acknowledges the widespread and bipartisan opposition to its plans to locate a nuclear waste dump in the Northern Territory;
(b) the Commonwealth Government honour its election promise to not locate a nuclear waste dump in the Northern Territory;
(c) the Commonwealth Government allow Territorians to have a say on the nuclear waste dump planned for the Northern Territory. A binding referendum which was promised by the Prime Minister last week should be a mandatory pre-condition for introducing any new nuclear facilities to any region in Australia;
(d) the Commonwealth Government immediately make public the current status of its plans to locate a nuclear waste dump near Tennant Creek at Muckaty Station;
(e) Northern Territory members of the Commonwealth Parliament stand up for the Territory and support a referendum; and
(f) the Speaker forward the terms of this motion and associated debate to the President of the Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth Parliament. (Paper 1070)
Debate ensued.
The Leader of the Opposition (Ms Carney) moved the following amendment to the motion -
Omit all words after ‘that’ and insert in their place the following:
1. Endorses and welcomes the announcement by the Prime Minster for a referendum in respect to building of nuclear power facilities as a pre-condition;
2. Notes the Commonwealth Government has honoured its election promise not to locate a radioactive waste facility in the Northern Territory in the current term of office;
3. Calls on the Northern Territory Government to move to immediately seek permission from the Federal Government to house the Territory’s radioactive waste, currently stored in locations around the Territory including the Royal Darwin Hospital, in the National waste repository, to be constructed after the Federal election due later this year;
4. Requests the Federal Government publish the number and types of treatments that benefit from the isotopes produced in Australia, in particular cancer sufferers and the projected number of cancer sufferers that will benefit from such isotopes when the radiation oncology unit is built in Darwin;
5. Requests the Federal Government to also set out the alternative arrangements necessary so as to continue to be able to provide nuclear medicine should Australia be unable to supply a repository to house the waste associated with the generation and use of such isotopes;
6. Calls on the Commonwealth Government to make public the current status of plans in respect to location of a National Repository, understood to be located near Muckaty Station;
7. Calls on Northern Territory members of the Commonwealth parliament to congratulate the Prime Minister on his announcement of a referendum in respect to nuclear power facilities; and
8. The Speaker forward the terms of the motion and associated debate to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives. (Paper 1071)
Debate continued.
Question - That the amendment moved by Ms Carney be agreed to - put and negatived.
The Minister for Natural Resources, Environment and Heritage (Ms Lawrie) moved the following amendment to the main motion -
Omit from paragraph (a) the words "and bipartisan".
Debate ensued.
Amendment agreed to.
Question - That the main motion, as amended, be agreed to - put and passed.
- The Order of the Day having been read for the resumption of debate on the question - That the Assembly take note of the Statement -
Debate resumed.
Question - put and passed.
- The Deputy Speaker (Mr Knight) laid on the Table the Auditor-General's August 2007 Report. (Paper 1075)
The Deputy Chief Minister (Mr Stirling) moved - That the Report be printed.
Question - put and passed.
The Deputy Chief Minister (Mr Stirling), on behalf of and at the request of the Chief Minister (Ms Martin), moved - That the Assembly take note of the Report.
Mr Stirling moved - That the Chief Minister (Ms Martin) be granted leave to continue her remarks at a later hour.
Question - put and passed - Debate adjourned..
13. SECURING TERRITORY MINERALS GROWTH - STATEMENT NOTED:
- The Minister for Mines and Energy (Mr Natt) made a statement relating to the investment attraction program to ensure a strong and robust mining and exploration sector in the Territory.
Mr Natt moved - That the Assembly take note of the Statement.
Debate ensued.
Paper tabled: The Member for Goyder (Mr Warren), by leave, laid on the Table the following Paper -
Debate continued.
Question - put and passed.
- The Minister for Mines and Energy (Mr Natt) moved - That the Assembly do now adjourn.
Debate ensued.
Paper tabled: The Member for Braitling (Mrs Braham), by leave, laid on the Table the following Paper -
Debate continued.
Question - put and passed.
And the Assembly adjourned at 8.59pm until tomorrow at 10am.
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PAPERS:
The following Papers were deemed to have been presented on Tuesday 28 August 2007 -
Lands, Planning and Mining Tribunal, 2006/2007 (Paper 1074)
Gaming Control Act:
Deed of Variation, Mail Order Lottery, Between Christopher Bruce Burns and The Australian Lottery Company Pty Ltd and Michael John Hannon and Gregory John Bitomsky, dated 6 June 2007 (Paper 1073)
Reports:
Estimates Committee and Government Owned Corporations Scrutiny Committee 2007, Questions on Notice and Answers, dated 28 August 2007 (Paper 1072)
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- ATTENDANCE:
All Members attended the sitting, except Ms McCarthy on leave.
Last updated: 04 Aug 2016