Department of the Legislative Assembly, Northern Territory Government
Department of the Legislative Assembly, Northern Territory Government

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Minutes of Proceedings - 2006-02-15

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

2. PRAYERS.

3. VISITORS:
      The Speaker (Mrs Aagaard) advised Members of the presence in the Speaker's Gallery of friends and colleagues of the late Mr Andy McNeill APM to witness the motion of condolence to be made by the Assembly today.
      On behalf of all Members the speaker extended a warm welcome to the visitors.

4. CONDOLENCE - MR ANDY MCNEILL APM - MOTION AGREED TO:
      The Chief Minister (Ms Martin), by leave, moved - That this Assembly,

      (a) express its deep regret at the death of Mr Andy McNeill APM, a long-serving and high-ranking member of the Northern Territory Police Force and the Mayor of Alice Springs from 1992 to 2000; and

      (b) place on record the Assembly’s appreciation of his long record of public service to the people of the Northern Territory and tender its profound sympathy to his family.
      The Chief Minister (Ms Martin) thereupon addressed the Assembly.
      Debate ensued.
      Question - put and passed.

      As a mark of respect Members stood in their places for one minute, in silence.

5. MINISTERIAL REPORTS:
      Sports Galore: The Minister for Sport and Recreation (Ms Lawrie) reported on recent and future sporting events in the Territory including the Perth Wildcats NBL team, Rugby Union's Hottest 7's tournament, North Adelaide and NT Buffaloes AFL match, Newcastle Knights versus the Penrith Panthers NRL match.
      Mr Mills responded.

      Builders Registration Applications: The Minister for Planning and Lands (Dr Burns) reported on the number of registrations and processing of applications for the registration of builders and home warranty insurance.
      Mrs Miller responded.
      Dr Burns responded.

      Training Numbers: The Minister for Employment, Education and Training (Mr Stirling) reported on the Territory training structures and refocussing of government training efforts.
      Mr Mills responded.
      Mr Stirling responded.

      Community Justice, Alice Springs: The Minister for Justice and Attorney-General (Dr Toyne) reported on conciliation meetings with feuding families in Alice Springs.
      Ms Carney responded.
      Mrs Braham responded.
      Dr Toyne responded.

      Ministerial Reports noted.

6. ASSEMBLY MEMBERS AND STATUTORY OFFICERS (REMUNERATION AND OTHER ENTITLEMENTS) BILL 2006 (Serial 35):
      The Leader of Government Business (Mr Henderson), at the request of and on behalf of the Chief Minister (Ms Martin), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to provide for the remuneration and other entitlements of Assembly members and statutory officers, and for related purposes.
      Bill read a first time.
      Ms Martin moved - That the Bill be now read a second time -
      Debate ensued.
      Paper tabled: Mr Henderson laid on the Table the following Paper -
Explanatory Statement, Assembly Members and Statutory Officers (Remuneration and Other Entitlements) Bill 2006 (Serial 35) (Paper 369).
      On the motion of the Member for Araluen (Ms Carney) debate was adjourned.
7. CANE TOADS - MOTION AGREED TO:
      The Minister for Natural Resources, Environment and Heritage (Ms Scrymgour), pursuant to notice, moved -

      That this Assembly,
          1. Agrees that cane toads represent a significant threat to our unique Territory environment and lifestyle;

          2. Congratulates the Territory community and FrogWatch in particular, on their efforts at “on the ground” cane toad control;

          3. Encourages all Top End residents to take up Government’s $30 subsidy and buy a trap to protect their own property;

          4. Encourages all Top End residents to get out into their backyards on 14 March 2006 to collect and dispose of cane toads they find as part of a Territory day of action;

          5. Notes that the Federal, Northern Territory, Queensland and Western Australian governments are co-ordinating efforts aimed at managing cane toads;

          6. Agrees that while research into biological control is necessary, increased on-ground cane toad control is essential to reduce the impacts of cane toads across northern Australia; and

          7. Calls upon the Federal government to significantly increase its funding for on-ground cane toad control, in line with the contribution it makes to eradicating other invasive species of national significance.

      Debate ensued.
      Debate suspended.
      _____________

      Suspension of sittings: The sittings of the Assembly was suspended between 11.56am and 2pm.
      _____________
8. NOTICES:
      Mr Stirling: To present the Work Health Amendment (Advisory Council) Bill 2006 (Serial 36).

      Mr Vatskalis: To move -

              That this Assembly:
                  (a) express its serious concern about increasing illegal foreign fishing incursions in our waters and foreign nationals establishing camps throughout northern Australia;

                  (b) note that these increasing incursions threaten not only the sustainability of our shark and other fisheries, but place our bio-security and national sovereignty at great risk;

                  (c) call upon the Commonwealth government to agree to fund the expansion of the indigenous Marine Ranger program throughout northern Australia as a matter of urgency;

                  (d) call upon the Prime Minister to personally convene an urgent summit of all relevant Ministers and stakeholders to develop a National Strategy to combat foreign fishing vessel incursions throughout northern Australia, noting that actions by a raft of federal agencies have thus far failed to deter illegal incursions; and

                  (e) through the office of the Speaker, forward the terms of this motion and associated debate to the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition in the Commonwealth Parliament.
9. QUESTIONS:
      2.02pm Ms Carney to Ms Martin.
      2.06pm Ms Sacilotto to Ms Martin.
      2.10pm Dr Lim to Ms Martin.
      2.13pm Mr Bonson to Mr Stirling.
      2.16pm Mr Mills to Mr Stirling.
      2.17pm Ms McCarthy to Dr Toyne.
      2.19pm Mr Wood to Dr Toyne.
      2.21pm Mr Warren to Ms Scrymgour.
      2.23pm Ms Carney to Ms Martin.
      2.26pm Mrs Braham to Mr Stirling.
      2.28pm Mr Burke to Dr Burns.
      2.31pm Mr Mills to Mr Stirling.
      2.36pm Ms Anderson to Ms Lawrie.
      2.38pm Mr Wood to Dr Burns.
      2.39pm Mr Knight to Mr Vatskalis.
      2.43pm Mr Mills to Mr Stirling.
      2.48pm Mr Natt to Mr Henderson.
      2.53pm Mrs Braham to Ms Lawrie.
      2.55pm Ms Carney to Ms Martin.
      2.57pm Mr Kiely to Mr McAdam.
      2.59pm Ms Carney to Ms Martin.
      3.01pm Ms Anderson to Dr Toyne.

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

10. CANE TOADS - MOTION AGREED TO:
      The Order of the Day having been read for the resumption of debate on the motion, suspended earlier this day -

      That this Assembly,

      1. Agrees that cane toads represent a significant threat to our unique Territory environment and lifestyle;

      2. Congratulates the Territory community and FrogWatch in particular, on their efforts at “on the ground” cane toad control;

      3. Encourages all Top End residents to take up Government’s $30 subsidy and buy a trap to protect their own property;

      4. Encourages all Top End residents to get out into their backyards on 14 March 2006 to collect and dispose of cane toads they find as part of a Territory day of action;

      5. Notes that the Federal, Northern Territory, Queensland and Western Australian governments are co-ordinating efforts aimed at managing cane toads;

      6. Agrees that while research into biological control is necessary, increased on-ground cane toad control is essential to reduce the impacts of cane toads across northern Australia; and

      7. Calls upon the Federal Government to significantly increase its funding for on-ground cane toad control, in line with the contribution it makes to eradicating other invasive species of national significance.

      Debate resumed.
      Question - put and passed.
11. LEGAL AND CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE - INTERIM REPORT OF NORTHERN TERRITORY STATEHOOD STEERING COMMITTEE REPORT, FEBRUARY 2006 - PAPER TABLED - MOTION TO NOTE REPORT:
      The Chairman of the Legal and Constitutional Development Committee (Mr McAdam) laid on the Table the Northern Territory Statehood Steering Committee Report, February 2006, Tenth Assembly (Paper 371).
      Mr McAdam moved - That the Report be printed.
      Question - put and passed.
      Mr McAdam moved - That the Assembly take note of the Report and tabling statement.
      Debate ensued.
      On the motion of the Member for Blain (Mr Mills) debate was adjourned.
12. BUILDING BETTER SCHOOLS INITIATIVES, PROGRESS REPORT - MINISTERIAL STATEMENT - STATEMENT NOTED:
      The Minister for Employment, Education and Training (Mr Stirling) made a statement relating to education reform for the secondary school system in response to the Ramsey Report.
      Mr Stirling moved - That the Assembly take note of the Statement.
      Debate ensued.
      Extension of time: On the motion of the Chief Minister (Ms Martin) the Minister for Employment, Education and Training (Mr Stirling) was granted an extension of time.

      Debate resumed.
      Question - put and passed.
13. ADJOURNMENT:
      The Chief Minister (Ms Martin) moved - That the Assembly do now adjourn.
      Debate ensued.
      Paper tabled: The Member for Nelson (Mr Wood), by leave, laid on the Table the following Paper -
Cane Toads, government slammed over cane toad inaction, Darwin Sun, dated 15 February 2006 (Paper 372).

      Debate continued.
      Question - put and passed.
      The Assembly adjourned at 9.40pm until tomorrow, Thursday 16 February 2006, at 10am.
      _________________

      PAPERS:
      The following Papers were deemed to have been presented on Wednesday 15 February 2006 -

      Annual Reports:
      Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority 2004/2005 (Paper 370)
_________________
      ATTENDANCE:
      All Members attended the sitting.
Last updated: 04 Aug 2016
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