Department of the Legislative Assembly, Northern Territory Government

Minutes of Proceedings - 2013-05-15

NORTHERN TERRITORY OF AUSTRALIA

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

of the

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY

No. 22

Tuesday 15 May 2013

1. MEETING:

The Assembly met at 10.00am. The Speaker, the Honourable Kezia Purick, took the Chair.

2. PRAYERS.

3. VISITORS:

The Speaker drew Members’ attention to the presence in the Public Gallery of Year 11 Essington International Senior College students accompanied by their teacher, Mali Grossman.
      On behalf of all Honourable Members, the Speaker extended a warm welcome to the visitors.

4. QUESTIONS:
      10.02 Ms Lawrie to Chief Minister
      10.06 Mr Kurrupuwu to Treasurer
      10.09 Ms Lawrie to Chief Minister
      10.12 Ms Finocchiaro to Chief Minister
      10.15 Ms Lawrie to Chief Minister
      10.20 Mrs Price to Minister for Health
      10.23 Ms Lawrie to Chief Minister
      10.29 Mr Wood to Chief Minister
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Visitors: The Speaker drew Members’ attention to the presence in the Public Gallery of Year 11 Kormilda College students accompanied by their teacher Alisa MacFie and Year 11 Palmerston Senior College students accompanied by their teacher Anita Newman. On behalf of all Honourable Members, the Speaker extended a warm welcome to the visitors.
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10.34 Ms Lee to Minister for Infrastructure
10.37 Mr Gunner to Minister for Education
10.41 Ms Finocchiaro to Minister for Housing
10.44 Mr Vatskalis to Minister for Health
10.47 Mr Higgins to Minister for Business
10.51 Mr Wood to Chief Minister
10.53 Ms Lawrie to Treasurer
10.58 Ms Lee to Minister for Correctional Services

Mr Elferink (Leader of Government Business) asked that further questions be placed on the Written Question Paper.

5. FILMING IN THE CHAMBER — STATEMENT BY SPEAKER:

The Speaker advised Members that she had given permission for the Northern Territory News and The Australian to take photographs and Sky News, ABC and Channel 9 approval to film with sound the Budget reply.

6. APPROPRIATION (2013—2014) BILL 2013 (SERIAL 26):
      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.

      Ms Lawrie (Leader of the Opposition) delivered her reply to the Appropriation Bill.

      On the motion of Mr Elferink (Leader of Government Business), debate was adjourned.
7. REVENUE LEGISLATION AMENDMENT BILL 2013 (SERIAL 28):
      Mr Tollner (Treasurer), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend legislation administered by the Treasurer.

      Bill read a first time.

      Mr Tollner moved — That the Bill be now read a second time.

      Debate ensued.

      Paper Tabled: Mr Tollner laid on the Table the Explanatory Statement (Paper 301).

      On the motion of Mr McCarthy debate was adjourned.
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      Suspension of sittings: The sitting of the Assembly was suspended between 11.58am and 2.00pm.
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    8. CONDOLENCE – SCENEY FAMILY – MOTION AGREED TO:
        The Speaker advised Members of the death on 1 April 2013 of Carmelita Sceney and Stuart Sceney and their daughters Kal-Kidan Sayfoo and Mekdes, four special, loving and respected Territorians.

        The Speaker also acknowledged the presence in the Speaker’s gallery of Ms Jamila Sceney, Ms Yvonne Dunn, Mr Dennis Dunn, Mr Cadje Dunn, Mr Dennis Jnr Dunn, Ms Amber Dunn, Mr Anthony Dunn, Mr Henry Dunn, Ms Majorie Liddy, Mr Kim Hill, Mrs Tania Hill, Ms Dinee Mellet, Ms Dianne Berto, Ms Anna Berto, Mr Michael Berto, Mr Tony Berto, Mrs Suzi Berto, Ms Christine FitzGerald, Ms Sharon Greenoff, Mr Shaun Hardy, Mr Adam Kerinaiua, Ms Sharon Morgan, Mr Mark Motlop, Mr Edward Talbot, Mr Lorenzo Kerinauia, Mrs Marilyn Kerinauia, Ms Marion Scrymgour, Mr Ken Davies, Ms Shay Vigona-Goudge and staff of Sceney Electrical.

        Mr Giles (Chief Minister) moved — That this Assembly extends its deepest condolences to the Sceney and Dunn families on the sudden and tragic death of their family members on Easter Monday, 1 April 2013.

        Mr Giles thereupon addressed the Assembly.

        Ms Lawrie (Leader of the Opposition) addressed the Assembly
        Mr Tollner addressed the Assembly
        Mr McCarthy addressed the Assembly
        Mr Chandler addressed the Assembly
        Mr Vowles addressed the Assembly
        Mr Kurrupuwu addressed the Assembly
        Mr Wood addressed the Assembly
        Ms Purick addressed the Assembly

        Motion agreed to.

        As a mark of respect Members stood in their places in silence for one minute.
    9. NOTICES:
        The following notices were given —
        1. Mr Elferink: To move - Resolution of appointment of an Estimates Committee of the Legislative Assembly for the
        purposes of examining and reporting on the estimates of proposed expenditure contained in the
        Appropriation (2013-2014) Bill 2013 and related budget documents.

        2. Mr Elferink: To present Criminal Code Amendment (Cheating at Gambling) Bill 2013 (Serial 29)

        3. Mr Elferink: To present Sentencing Amendment Bill 2013 (Serial 34)
    10. MOTOR VEHICLES AMENDMENT BILL 2013 (SERIAL 27):
        Mr Giles (Minister for Transport), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the Motor Vehicles Act.

        Bill read a first time.

        Mr Giles moved — That the Bill be now read a second time.

        Debate ensued.

        Paper Tabled: Mr Giles laid on the Table the Explanatory Statement (Paper 302).

        On the motion of Mr McCarthy debate was adjourned.
    11. PENALTIES AMENDMENT (MISCELLANEOUS) BILL 2013 (SERIAL 32):
        Mr Elferink (Attorney-General and Minister for Justice), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend penalties in various Acts and subordinate legislation administered by various Ministers.

        Bill read a first time.

        Mr Elferink moved – That the Bill be now read a second time.

        Debate ensued.

        Paper Tabled: Mr Elferink laid on the Table the Explanatory Statement (Paper 303).

        On the motion of Ms Walker debate was adjourned.
    12. PUBLIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AMENDMENT BILL 2013 (SERIAL 31):
        Mrs Lambley (Minister for Health), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the Public and Environmental Health Act.

        Bill read a first time.

        Mrs Lambley moved – That the Bill be now read a second time.

        Debate ensued.

        Paper Tabled: Mrs Lambley laid on the Table the Explanatory Statement (Paper 304).

        On the motion of Mr Vatskalis debate was adjourned.
    13. SUSPENSION OF STANDING ORDERS — PASS BILL THROUGH ALL STAGES. — MOTION AGREED TO:
        Mrs Lambley (Minister for Health) moved – That so much of the Standing Orders be suspended as would prevent the Public and Environmental Health Amendment Bill 2013 (Serial 31) passing through all stages on 16 May 2013.

        Debate ensued.

        Motion agreed to.
    14. ALCOHOL MANDATORY TREATMENT BILL 2013 (SERIAL 33):
        Mrs Lambley (Minister for Alcohol Rehabilitation), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to provide for the mandatory assessment, treatment and management of persons who are misusing alcohol.

        Bill read a first time.

        Mrs Lambley moved – That the Bill be now read a second time.

        Debate ensued.

        Paper Tabled: Mrs Lambley laid on the Table the Explanatory Statement (Paper 305).

        On the motion of Mr Gunner debate was adjourned.
    15. POWER AND WATER CORPORATION STATEMENT OF CORPORATE INTENT 2013—2014 — TABLED PAPER:
        Mr Elferink (Leader of Government Business) laid on the Table the Power and Water Corporation Statement of Corporate Intent 2013-14
        (Paper 306).
    15. TRANSPORT OF DANGEROUS GOODS BY ROAD AND RAIL (NATIONAL UNIFORM LEGISLATION) AMENDMENT BILL 2013 (SERIAL 22):

    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 Mr Tollner (Minister for Business) the Bill was read a third time and passed to be a proposed law.
    16. SALE OF LAND (RIGHTS AND DUTIES OF PARTIES) ACT REPEAL BILL 2013 (SERIAL 25):

    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.

        The time having reached 5.30pm, debate was suspended pursuant to Sessional Order (Mr Elferink with 18 minutes remaining).
    17. CHILD PROTECTION — MOTION NEGATIVED:
        Ms Fyles (Nightcliff), pursuant to Notice, moved - That this Assembly condemns the Government for:

        Slashing Child Protection resources in the Northern Territory Budget by $9 million;
        Child Protection notifications increasing from 8000 to 10,000 next year, but only 4000 will be investigated.
        Stripping resources from non—government organisations providing vital child protection services;
        Putting child protection into Education, changing its name and then taking it out again, and changing letterhead three times;
        Closing down independent scrutiny of Child Protection; and
        Destroying morale in Child Protection and having 44 positions vacant in Alice Springs.
          Debate ensued.

          Extension of Time: On the motion of Ms Anderson, Mrs Lambley was granted an extension of time.

          Debate continued.

          Extension of Time: On the motion of Mrs Lambley, Ms Anderson was granted an extension of time.

          Debate continued.

          Question – that the motion be agreed to – put.

          The Assembly divided (the Speaker, Ms Purick, in Chair):

          AYES 8 NOES 12
          Ms Fyles Ms Anderson
          Mr Gunner Mr Chandler
          Ms Lawrie Mr Conlan
          Ms Manison Mr Elferink
          Mr McCarthy Ms Finocchiaro
          Mr Vatskalis Mr Higgins
          Mr Vowles Mr Kurrupuwu
          Ms Walker Mrs Lambley
          Ms Lee
          Mr Mills
          Mrs Price
          Mr Styles

          And so it was resolved in the negative.
      19. HOMELANDS IN THE NORTHERN TERRITORY — MOTION:
          Ms Walker (Member for Nhulunbuy) pursuant to Notice, moved - That this Assembly condemns the Government for:

          Promising homelands residents they will receive $5200 from the Government while implementing a policy that means most will get nothing; and

          Failure to support access to education and economic development opportunities for Homelands residents.

          Debate ensued.

          Debate suspended pursuant to Sessional Order.
      20. SALE OF LAND (RIGHTS AND DUTIES OF PARTIES) ACT REPEAL BILL 2013 (SERIAL 25):

      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.

          Mr Elferink (Attorney-General and Minister for Justice) moved – That the Bill be now read a third time.

          Debate ensued.

          Question put and passed.

          The Bill was read a third time and passed to be a proposed law.
      21. APPROPRIATION (2013—2014) BILL 2013 (SERIAL 26):
          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.

          Extension of Time: On the motion of Mr Chandler, Mr Wood was granted an extension of time.

          Debate continued.

          On the motion of Mr Chandler debate was adjourned.
      22. ADJOURNMENT:
          Mr Chandler (Minister for Education) moved — That the Assembly do now adjourn.

          Debate ensued.

          Paper Tabled: Ms Finocchiaro laid on the Table the following Paper - Darwin Italian Festival Program (Paper 307)

          Debate continued.

          And the Assembly adjourned at 10.56pm until Thursday 16 May at 10am.
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      23. PAPERS:
          No papers were deemed to have been presented on 15 May 2013.
      ____________________

      ATTENDANCE:

          All Members attended the sittings except Mr Westra van Holthe, on leave.



          Ian McNeill
          Clerk of the Legislative Assembly
      Last updated: 04 Aug 2016