Department of the Legislative Assembly, Northern Territory Government

Minutes of Proceedings - 2009-05-05

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

2. PRAYERS.

3. LEAVE OF ABSENCE - MS CARNEY:
      The Leader of the Opposition (Mr Mills) moved - That the Member for Araluen (Ms Carney) have leave of absence for this sittings week due to ill health.
      Question - put and passed.

4. MESSAGE FROM THE ADMINISTRATOR:
      The Speaker advised Members of receipt of the following Message from His Honour the Administrator:
Message No. 8

Recommending Appropriation (2009 -2010) Bill 2009

I, THOMAS IAN PAULING, the Administrator of the Northern Territory of Australia, under section 11 of the Northern Territory (Self-Government Act) 1978 (Cth), recommend to the Legislative Assembly a Bill for an Act to authorise the issuing and expending of public moneys of the Territory for the year ending 30 June 2010.

Dated 27 April 2009

(Sgd) T I PAULING AO QC
Administrator (Paper 298)

5. MESSAGE FROM THE ADMINISTRATOR:
      The Speaker advised Members of receipt of the following Message from His Honour the Administrator:
Message No. 9

Recommending Appropriation (Additional for 2008-2009) Bill 2009

I, THOMAS IAN PAULING, the Administrator of the Northern Territory of Australia, under section 11 of the Northern Territory (Self-Government Act) 1978 (Cth), recommend to the Legislative Assembly a Bill for an Act to authorise the additional issuing and expending of public moneys of the Territory for the year ending 30 June 2009.

Dated 27 April 2009

(Sgd) T I PAULING AO QC
Administrator (Paper 299)

6. ROUTINE OF BUSINESS, ORDER OF BUSINESS - TREASURER'S BUDGET SPEECH 2009-2010:
      The Leader of Government Business (Dr Burns), by leave, moved – That the Routine of Business of the Assembly, Government Business - Notices and Orders of the Day, be rearranged or suspended, if a question or debate is before the Chair, so as to permit the Treasurer to deliver the Budget 2009/2010 at 11am this day.
      Question – put and passed.
7. ROUTINE OF BUSINESS, ORDER OF BUSINESS - LEADER OF OPPOSITION RESPONSE TO BUDGET:
      The Leader of Government Business (Dr Burns), by leave, moved - That the Routine of Business of the Assembly, Government Business - Notices and Orders of the Day, be rearranged or suspended, if a question or debate is before the Chair, so as to permit a response to the Budget 2009/2010 by the Leader of the Opposition at 11am on Wednesday 6 May 2009.
      Question - put and passed.
8. MINISTERIAL REPORTS:
      COAG 2009: The Chief Minister (Mr Henderson) reported on the outcomes and benefits to the Territory arising from his meeting at the Council of Australian Governments 2009.
      Mr Mills responded.
      Mr Wood responded.
      Mr Henderson replied.

      Housing the Territory - Homestart NT: The Minister for Housing (Mr Knight) reported on a new housing start scheme Homestart NT program for 2009.
      Ms Purick responded.
      Mr Wood responded.
      Mr Knight replied.

      National Youth Week 2009: The Minister for Young Territorians (Ms McCarthy) reported on National Youth Week programs in the Territory.
      Mr Styles responded.
      Ms McCarthy replied.

      Ministerial Reports noted, pursuant to Standing Orders.
9. LAKE EYRE BASIN INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT BILL 2009 (Serial 31):
      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.
      Debate suspended.
10. BROADCAST OF BUDGET SPEECH 2009-2010 - STATEMENT BY SPEAKER:
      The Speaker advised Members that permission had been given for -

various media to broadcast live or rebroadcast, with sound and vision, the presentation of the Budget 2009-2010 and the Treasurer’s Budget Speech and the Leader of the Opposition's reply:
    Territory FM radio to broadcast live the presentation of the Budget 2009-2010 and the Treasurer’s Budget Speech and the Leader of the Opposition's reply; and
      the Northern Territory News to take photographs.
        11. DISTINGUISHED VISITORS:
            The Speaker advised Members of the presence in the public gallery of -
                Ms Jennifer Prince and Treasury officers; Ms Dawn Lawrie, former Member for Nightcliff; Wagaman Primary School Year 2/3 students accompanied by Mrs G Chadbourne; General public invitees.
        12. APPROPRIATION (2009-2010) BILL 2009 (Serial 41) APPROPRIATION (ADDITIONAL FOR 2008-2009) BILL 2009 (Serial 40):
            The Treasurer (Ms Lawrie) presented a Bill for an Act to authorise the issuing and expending of public moneys of the Territory for the financial year ending 30 June 2010, the subject of His Honour the Administrator’s Message No. 8 notified earlier this day; and a Bill for an Act to authorise the additional issuing and expending of public moneys of the Territory for the financial year ending 30 June 2009, the subject of His Honour the Administrator’s Message No. 9 notified earlier this day.
            Bills read a first time.
            Ms Lawrie moved – That the Bills be now read a second time.
            Papers Tabled: The Treasurer (Ms Lawrie) laid on the Table the following Papers –
        Budget Paper No. 1 – Budget Speech, 2009/2010 (Paper 300);
        Budget Paper No. 2 – Fiscal and Economic Outlook, 2009/2010 (Paper 301)
        Budget Paper No. 3 – The Budget, 2009/2010 (Paper 302);
        Budget Paper No. 4 –The Infrastructure Program, 2009/2010 (Paper 303);
        Northern Territory Economy, 2009/2010 (Paper 307);
        Northern Territory Economy Overview, 2009/2010 (Paper 304);
        Regional Highlights, 2009/2010 (Paper 306);
        Budget Overview 2009/2010 (Paper 305).

            Debate ensued.
            On the motion of the Member for Port Darwin (Mr Elferink) debate was adjourned.
            _________________

            Suspension of sittings: The sittings of the Assembly was suspended between 11.47am and 2.30pm.
            _________________
        13. NOTICES:
            The following Notices were given

            Ms Lawrie: To move - That so much of the Standing Orders be suspended as would prevent Bills entitled - Appropriation (2009-2010) Bill 2009 (Serial 41) and Appropriation (Additional for 2008-2009) Bill 2009 (Serial 40) -
                    (a) having one motion being put in regard to, respectively, the second readings; the committee’s report stage; and the third readings of the Bills together; and
                    (b) the consideration of the Bills separately in the committee of the whole.

            Ms Lawrie: To move - That so much of the Standing Orders be suspended as would prevent Bills entitled Revenue Legislation Amendment Bill 2009 (Serial 43) and Penalty Units Bill 2009 (Serial 44) -
                    (a) being presented and read a first time together and one motion being put in regard to, respectively, the second readings; the committee’s report stage; and the third readings of the Bills together; and
                    (b) the consideration of the Bills separately in the committee of the whole.
            Ms Lawrie: To present the Revenue Legislation Amendment Bill 2009 (Serial 43).

            Ms Lawrie: To present the Penalty Units Bill 2009 (Serial 44).

            Ms Lawrie: To present the Payroll Tax Bill 2009 (Serial 42).

            Dr Burns: To present the Land Development Corporation Amendment Bill 2009 (Serial 29).
        14. QUESTIONS:
            2.32pm Mr Mills to Mr Henderson.
            2.39pm Mr Gunner to Ms Lawrie.
            2.42pm Mr Elferink to Ms Lawrie.
            2.47pm Ms Walker to Mr Henderson.
            2.52pm Mr Elferink to Ms Lawrie.
            2.57pm Mr Gunner to Ms Lawrie.
            3.00pm Mr Elferink to Ms Lawrie
            3.08pm Ms Walker to Mr Knight.
            3.16pm Mr Elferink to Ms Lawrie.
            3.18pm Mr Gunner to Mr Vatskalis.
            3.22pm Mr Elferink to Mr Knight.
            3.25pm Ms Walker to Mr Henderson.
            3.31pm Mr Wood to Ms Lawrie.

            The Leader of Government Business (Dr Burns) asked that further questions be placed on the Written Question Paper.

        15. LAKE EYRE BASIN INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT BILL 2009 (Serial 31):
            The Order of the Day having been read for the resumption of debate on the question, suspended earlier this day - 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.
            _______________________

            In Committee

            (Deputy Speaker and Chair of Committee - Ms Walker)

            Bill, by leave, taken as a whole.
            Debate ensued.
            Bill, as printed, agreed to.
            Bill to be reported without amendment.
            _____________________
            The Assembly resumed; the Speaker took the Chair; the Deputy Speaker and Chairman of Committees (Ms Walker) reported to the Assembly that the Committee had agreed to the Bill without an amendment.

            On the motion of the Minister for Natural Resources, Environment and Heritage (Ms Anderson) the Bill was read a third time and passed to be a proposed law.
        16. INFORMATION AMENDMENT BILL 2009 (Serial 33):
            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.
            Bill read a second time.
            Question - put and passed.
            The Assembly resolved itself into Committee of the Whole for consideration of the Bill.
            _______________________

            In Committee

            (Deputy Speaker and Chair of Committee - Ms Walker)

            Bill, by leave, taken as a whole.
            On the motion of the Minister for Minister for Natural Resources, Environment and Heritage (Ms Anderson) the following amendment was agreed to, after debate -
              CLAUSE 3

              Subclause (1)

              omit
            Debate ensued on Bill as a whole.
            Bill to be reported with an amendment.
            _____________________
            The Assembly resumed; the Speaker took the Chair; the Deputy Speaker and Chairman of Committees (Ms Walker) reported to the Assembly that the Committee had agreed to the Bill with an amendment.

            On the motion of the Minister for Minister for Natural Resources, Environment and Heritage (Ms Anderson) the Bill was read a third time and passed to be a proposed law.

        17. TERRITORY 2030 FRESH IDEAS, REAL RESULTS - MINISTERIAL STATEMENT - STATEMENT NOTED:
            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.
            Extension of time: On the motion of the Leader of Government Business (Dr Burns) the Chief Minister (Mr Henderson) was granted an extension of time, pursuant to Standing Order 77.

            Debate continued.
            Question - put and passed.

        18. ADJOURNMENT:
            The Leader of Government Business (Dr Burns), at 8.29pm, moved - That the Assembly do now adjourn.
            Debate ensued.
            Question - put and passed.
            The Assembly adjourned at 9.09pm until Wednesday 6 May 2009 at 10am.
            _______________

            PAPERS:
            There were no Papers deemed to be presented on Tuesday 5 May 2009.
        ______________________
            ATTENDANCE:
            All Members attended the sittings except -
          Mr Conlan and Ms Scrymgour, on leave for the 28, 29 and 30 April 2009 and 5, 6 and 7 May 2009;
          Ms Carney, on leave for 5, 6 and 7 May 2009.

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