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Department of the Legislative Assembly, Northern Territory Government

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Minutes of Proceedings - 2006-03-30

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

2. PRAYERS.

3. LEAVE OF ABSENCE - TREASURER:
      The Leader of Government Business (Mr Henderson) moved - That leave of absence be granted to the Treasurer (Mr Stirling) for this sitting day due to his attendance interstate on Government Business.
      Question - put and passed.

4. MINISTERIAL REPORTS:
      Grass Roots Development Grant Program - Sport: The Minister for Sport and Recreation (Ms Lawrie) reported on funding for Grass Roots Development Grant Program for smaller sporting organisations.
      Mr Mills responded.
      Ms Lawrie responded.
      ________________

      Visitors: The Speaker advised Members of the presence in the Speaker's Gallery of members of the Indonesian community.
      On behalf of Members the Speaker extended a warm welcome to the visitors.
      ________________

      Vista Gold Australia, Mt Todd Mineral Leases: The Minister for Mines and Energy (Mr Vatskalis) reported on a government agreement with Vista Gold Corporation in regard to Mt Todd mineral leases.
      Paper tabled: Mr Vatskalis laid on the Table the following Paper -
Agreement with Vista Gold Australia Pty Ltd, Vista Gold Corp and the Northern Territory Government,
dated 1 March 2006 (Paper 415).

      Ms Carney responded.
      Mr Wood responded.
      Mr Vatskalis responded.

      Up-skills Workshops: The Minister for Business and Economic Development (Mr Henderson) reported on Up-skills Workshops as part of the Business Coaching Program for small business operators and organisations in the Territory.
      Mr Mills responded.
      Mr Henderson responded.

      Domestic and Family Violence Advisory Council: The Minister for Women's Policy (Ms Scrymgour) reported on the government's Domestic and Family Violence Strategy and the Domestic and Family Violence Advisory Council which implements the coordination and expands program and service delivery to the community.
      Ms Carney responded.
      Mrs Braham responded.

      Ministerial Reports noted.

5. HUMPTY DOO LANDFILL, LITCHFIELD SHIRE - MOTION NEGATIVED:
      The Member for Nelson (Mr Wood), pursuant to notice, moved - That the Northern Territory Government permit the Humpty Doo landfill site operated by the Litchfield Shire Council to continue operating until a suitable alternative site has been established in the Litchfield Shire to the satisfaction of both the government and the Litchfield Shire Council.
      Debate ensued.
      _______________
      Visitors: The Speaker advised Members of the presence in the public galleries of Year 7 and 8 students from the Palmerston Christian School accompanied by Ms Hamilton.
      On behalf of Members the Speaker extended a warm welcome to the students.
      _______________

      Debate continued.
      Question - put and negatived.
      _______________

      Suspension of sittings: The sittings of the Assembly was suspended between 11.57am and 2pm.
      _______________
      Visitors: The Speaker advised Members of the presence in the public galleries of visitors attending the Parliament House Tour Program, and members of the Alzheimer's Association in the Speaker's Gallery.
      The Speaker extended a warm welcome to the visitors.
      _______________

6. QUESTIONS:
      2.02pm Mr Mills to Ms Martin.
      2.05pm Ms Sacilotto to Dr Burns.
      2.09pm Ms Carney to Ms Martin.
      2.13pm Mr Natt to Dr Toyne.
      2.16pm Ms Carney to Ms Martin.
      2.19pm Mr Kiely to Ms Martin.
      2.22pm Mr Wood to Ms Scrymgour.
      2.24pm Ms Carney to Mr Vatskalis.
      2.26pm Ms Anderson to Mr McAdam.
      2.28pm Ms Carney to Ms Martin.
      Paper tabled: The Chief Minister (Ms Martin) laid on the Table the following Paper -
Media release, NT Government takes next step towards Environment Protection Agency,
dated 19 October 2005 (Paper 416).

      2.31pm Mr Burke to Ms Lawrie.
      2.34pm Mrs Braham to Dr Toyne.
      Paper tabled: The Minister for Justice and Attorney-General (Dr Toyne) laid on the Table the following Papers -
Photographic Volume 1, survey of assets Alice Springs and Barkly Areas for the Department of Health
and Community Services circa 1991 (Paper 417).

      2.36pm Ms McCarthy to Mr McAdam.
      2.40pm Ms Carney to Ms Martin.
      2.43pm Mr Wood to Ms Scrymgour.
      2.45pm Ms Sacilotto to Ms Scrymgour.
      2.47pm Ms Carney to Ms Scrymgour.
      2.49pm Mr Knight to Dr Toyne.
      2.53pm Mrs Braham to Ms Martin.
      2.58pm Mr Natt to Mr Henderson.
      3.01pm Ms Carney to Ms Martin.

      The Leader of Government Business (Mr Henderson) asked that further questions be placed on the Written Question Paper.
7. DEVELOPMENT CONSENT AUTHORITIES FOR INDUSTRIAL AND COUNCIL AREAS - MOTION NEGATIVED:
      The Member for Nelson (Mr Wood), pursuant to notice, moved - That the government establish development consent authorities (pursuant to section 87 of the Planning Act) in the following areas:

      (a) East Arm industrial area;
      (b) Coomalie Community Government Council; and
      (c) Cox Peninsula and Belyuen Community Government Councils.

      Debate ensued.
      Question - put and negatived.

8. WHISTLEBLOWERS BILL 2006 (Serial 47):
      The Leader of the Opposition (Ms Carney), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to encourage the disclosure of conduct in the public sector adverse to the public interest, and for related purposes.
      Bill read a first time.
      Ms Carney moved - That the Bill be now read a second time.
      Debate ensued.
      On the motion of the Minister for Justice and Attorney-General (Dr Toyne) debate was adjourned.

9. NO NEW TAXES BILL 2006 (Serial 48):
      The Member for Blain (Mr Mills), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to freeze taxes and charges.
      Bill read a first time.
      _________________

      Suspension of Standing Orders - Pass Bill through all stages at this sittings - Withdrawn: Mr Mills, by leave, moved - That so much of Standing Orders be suspended as would prevent the - No New Taxes Bill 2006 (Serial 48) passing through all stages at this sittings.
      Debate ensued.
      Leave granted to Mr Mills to withdraw the motion.
      __________________

      Mr Mills moved - That the Bill be now read a second time.
      Debate ensued.
      On the motion of the Leader of Government Business (Mr Henderson) debate was adjourned.
10. NO NEW TAXES BILL 2006 (Serial 48) - SUSPENSION OF STANDING ORDERS - PASS BILL THROUGH ALL STAGES AT THIS SITTINGS - MOTION NEGATIVED:
      The Member for Blain (Mr Mills), pursuant to notice, moved - That so much of the Standing Orders be suspended as would prevent a Bill entitled - No New Taxes Bill 2006 (Serial 48) passing through all stages at this sittings.
      Debate ensued.
      Question - put and negatived.
11. NO NEW TAXES BILL 2006 (Serial 48) - DISCHARGED:
      The Member for Blain (Mr Mills), by leave, moved - That the Bill be withdrawn.
      Ordered - That the Bill be discharged from the Notice Paper.
12. MCARTHUR RIVER MINE EXPANSION - MOTION NEGATIVED:
      The Leader of the Opposition (Ms Carney), pursuant to notice, moved - That -
      The Legislative Assembly:

      (a) commend the Mines Minster for rolling the Environment Minister on her decision to prevent the McArthur River Mine expansion;

      (b) condemn the Chief Minister for allowing a department that undertakes assessments of development projects, in a vacuum without regard to other social and economic factors and with a philosophy of selective inclusion of only the environmental information in the task of undertaking environmental assessments;

      (c) condemn the Minister for the Environment for misleading Territorians into believing that the Environmental Protection Authority was a body that was independent from government when in fact it was a section of her own department; and

      (d) call on the government to work with industry to achieve best practice in minimising environmental impacts.

      Debate ensued.
      Paper tabled: The Minister for Natural Resources, Environment and Heritage (Ms Scrymgour) laid on the Table the following Paper -
Environmental Protection Authority, administrative relationship hierarchy chart (Paper 418).

      Debate continued.
      Question - put and negatived.
13. RADIATION ONCOLOGY UNIT - MOTION NEGATIVED:
      The Member for Greatorex (Dr Lim), pursuant to notice, moved -

      That the Legislative Assembly seeks from the Northern Territory Government:
        (a) an explanation to Territorians why, in October 2004, the Chief Minister announced that the radiation oncology unit, which was a pre-election promise made in 2001, was shelved;

        (b) an explanation to Territorians why, in April 2005, the Minister for Health re-announced that the government is committed once again to set up a radiation oncology unit;

        (c) an explanation to Territorians why, in March 2006, the Minister for Health once more signalled that the government is unable to deliver on a radiation oncology unit, and then blamed the Federal Member for Solomon, for what is in fact the failure of the Martin Labor Government to deliver; and

        (d) the provision of a firm time line for the delivery of a radiation oncology unit for Territorians.

        Debate ensued.
        Question - put and negatived.
    14. ILLICIT KAVA TRAFFICKING - MOTION NEGATIVED:
        The Member for Greatorex (Dr Lim), pursuant to notice, moved -

        That, in view of the recent explosion of illicit kava being trafficked in the Northern Territory, the Legislative Assembly, resolves that:
        (a) the Minister for Racing, Gaming and Licensing be asked to produce for the Legislative Assembly, a statement on the use and abuse of Kava in the community;
          (b) the statement by the Minister for Racing, Gaming and Licensing be referred to the Select Committee on Substance Abuse in the Community as a reference point to further investigate the use and abuse of Kava in the Northern Territory; and

          (c) the Select Committee on Substance Abuse in the Community report to the Assembly within 6 months on the following matters:
                (i) the extent of licit and illicit kava in the Northern Territory;
                (ii) the recent social and family impacts of kava on the community;
                (iii) the recent health impacts of kava on the community; and
          (d) the Select Committee on Substance Abuse advise on whether to ban kava entirely or impose other measures to better control the use and abuse of kava and provide recommendations for changes to the Kava Management Act to address aspects identified.

          Debate ensued.
          Question - put and negatived.
      15. LAW OF PROPERTY AMENDMENT (SALES OF RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY) BILL 2005 (Serial 13) - NEGATIVED:
          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: The Minister for Justice and Attorney-General (Dr Toyne) laid on the Table the following Paper -
      Vendor Disclosure Legislation Discussion Paper, March 2006 (Paper 419).

          Debate continued.
          Question - put and negatived.
      16. SENTENCING AMENDMENT (ABORIGINAL CUSTOMARY LAW) BILL 2005 (Serial 19) - NEGATIVED:
          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 negatived.
      17. UNIT TITLES AMENDMENT BILL 2005 (Serial 31) - NEGATIVED:
          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 negatived.
      18. NEXT MEETING:
          The Leader of Government Business (Mr Henderson) moved - That the Assembly at its rising adjourn until Tuesday 2 May 2006 at 10am or such other time and/or date as may be set by Madam Speaker, pursuant to Sessional Order.
          Question - put and passed.
      19. ADJOURNMENT:
          The chief Minister (Ms Martin) moved - That the Assembly do now adjourn.
          Debate ensued.
          Paper Tabled: The Member for Drysdale (Mr Natt), by leave, laid on the Table the following Paper -
      Information Paper on Legislative Assembly Sessional Committee on Sport and Youth (Paper 420).

          Debate continued.
          Question - put and passed.
          And the Assembly adjourned at 10.04pm until Tuesday 2 May 2006 at 10am or such other time and/or date as may be set by the Speaker, pursuant to Sessional Order.
          _________________

          PAPERS:
          There were no Papers deemed to have been presented on Thursday 30 March 2006.
      _________________
          ATTENDANCE:
          All Members attended the sitting, except Mr Bonson, Mrs Miller and Mr Stirling on leave.
          Ian McNeill
          Clerk of the Legislative Assembly
      Last updated: 04 Aug 2016
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