Department of the Legislative Assembly, Northern Territory Government

Minutes of Proceedings - 2010-10-21

    1. MEETING:
        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 Dripstone Middle School Year 7 students accompanied by Ms Sarah Belham and Ms Salima Spring.
        On behalf of all Members the Speaker extended a warm welcome to the visitors.

    4. STATEMENT BY SPEAKER – DEATH OF MR GUS WILLIAMS OAM:
        The Speaker advised Members of the Death on 13 September 2010 of Mr Gus Williams OAM a respected member for the Hermannsburg Community.

    5. VISITORS
        The Speaker advised Members of the presence in the Gallery of family and friends of Mr Gus Williams OAM and in particular Ms Serena Williams, the daughter representing the children, Ms Heidi Williams, a daughter-in-law, also representing the Hermannsburg Historical Society & Casey Pty Ltd, Janice Williams, granddaughter representing the grandchildren, and Cameron Miller representing the Ngurratjuta Accounting Service.
        On behalf of all Members the Speaker extended a warm welcome to the visitors.
    5. MR GUS WILLIAMS OAM - CONDOLENCE MOTION:
        The Chief Minister (Mr Henderson), by leave, moved – That this Assembly -

        (a) express it’s deep regret at the passing of Mr Kasper Gus Ntjalka Williams, an outstanding Territorian, a wonderfully talented musician, and revered community leader.

        (b) tender its profound sympathy to his family and friends.

        The Chief Minister (Mr Henderson) thereupon addressed the Assembly.
        The Leader of the Opposition (Mr Mills) thereupon addressed the Assembly.
        Debate ensued.
        Question – put and passed.
        Motion agreed to.

        As a mark of respect Members stood in their places for one minute in silence.
    6. LEAVE OF ABSENCE – MEMBER FOR MACDONNELL, MS ANDERSON:
        The Member for Macdonnell (Ms Anderson), pursuant to notice, moved - That, the Member for Macdonnell (Ms Anderson) have leave of absence for 26 to 28 October 2010 due to attendance at the anniversary of the handback of Uluru and associated programs.
        Question – put and passed.

    7. LEAVE OF ABSENCE – MEMBER FOR KARAMA, MS LAWRIE:
        The Leader of Government Business (Dr Burns) moved – That leave of absence be granted to the Member for Karama (Ms Lawrie) for this day, 21 October 2010, to attend Ministerial Council government business interstate.
        Question – put and passed.

    8. PAIRS:
        The Speaker laid on the Table the Pair arrangements for this sitting day:

        The Member for Karama (Ms Lawrie) and the Member for Drysdale (Mr Bohlin) being paired for 21 October 2010 (Paper 1006).

    9. HUMAN TISSUE TRANSPLANT AMENDMENT BILL 2010 (Serial 127):
        The Minister for Health (Mr Vatskalis), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the Human Tissue Transplant Act, and for related purposes.
        Bill read a first time.
        Mr Vatskalis moved – That the Bill be now read a second time.
        Debate ensued.
        Paper tabled: Mr Vatskalis laid on the Table the following Paper –
    Explanatory Statement, Human Tissue Transplant Amendment Bill 2010 (Paper 1007).

        On the motion of the Member for Greatorex (Mr Conlan) debate was adjourned.
    10. VISITORS:
        The Deputy Speaker (Ms Walker) advised members of the presence in the public galleries of Dripstone Middle School Year 7 students accompanied by Mr Phil Liebich.
        On behalf of all Members the Deputy Speaker extended a warm welcome to the visitors.
    11. ENVIRONMENTAL OFFENCES AND PENALTIES AMENDMENT BILL (NO. 2) 2010 (Serial 126):
        The Minister for Natural Resources, Environment and Heritage (Mr Hampton), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the Environmental Offences and Penalties Act.
        Bill read a first time.
        Mr Hampton moved – That the Bill be now read a second time.
        Debate ensued.
        Paper tabled: Mr Hampton laid on the Table the following Paper –
    Explanatory Statement, Environmental Offences and Penalties Amendment Bill (No. 2) 2010 (Paper 1008).

        On the motion of the Member for Brennan (Mr Chandler) debate was adjourned.
    12. TERRITORY PARKS AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION LEGISLATION AMENDMENT BILL 2010 (Serial 117):
        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 Natural Resources, Environment and Heritage (Mr Hampton) the Bill was read a third time and passed to be a proposed law.
        _______________

        Suspension of sittings: The sittings of the Assembly was suspended between 11.57am and 2pm.
        _______________

    13. QUESTIONS:
        2pm Mr Mills to Mr Henderson.
        2.01pm Ms Walker to Mr Henderson.
        _______________

        Visitors: The Speaker advised Members of the presence in the public gallery of the former Deputy Clerk of the Legislative Assembly, Captain David Horton.
        On behalf of all Members the Speaker extended a warm welcome to the visitor.
        _______________

        2.04pm Mr Chandler to Dr Burns.
        2.07pm Mr Chandler supplementary.
        2.08pm Ms Scrymgour to Mr Hampton.
        2.09pm Mr Chandler to Dr Burns.
        2.10pm Mr Wood to Mr Hampton.
        2.13pm Mr Gunner to Mr Knight.

        Pairs: The Speaker laid on the Table replacement Pair arrangement for the remainder of this sitting day:
        The Member for Karama (Ms Lawrie) and the Member for Fong Lim (Mr Tollner) being paired for 21 October 2010 from 2.15pm (Paper 1009).

        2.17pm Mr Chandler to Dr Burns.
        2.18pm Ms Scrymgour to Mr Vatskalis.
        2.20pm Mr Wood to Mr Hampton.
        2.22pm Mr Chandler to Dr Burns.
        2.25pm Ms Walker to Dr Burns.
        2.27pm Mr Chandler to Dr Burns.
        2.30pm Mr Wood to Mr Henderson.
        2.32pm Mr Gunner to Mr Vatskalis.
        2.34pm Mr Chandler to Mr Hampton.
        2.37pm Ms Scrymgour to Ms McCarthy.
        2.40pm Mr Gunner to Mr Knight.
        2.43pm Mr Chandler to Mr Hampton.
        2.45pm Ms Anderson to Mr Vatskalis.
        2.46pm Mr Tollner to Dr Burns.
        2.50pm Ms Walker to Mr McCarthy.
        2.53pm Mr Elferink to Mr Henderson – referred to Mr Vatskalis.
        2.56pm Ms Scrymgour to Ms McCarthy.
        2.59pm Mr Wood to Mr McCarthy.

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

    14. GROWING INTERNATIONAL TRADE, 2009 TO 2013 – 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 Member for Araluen (Mrs Lambley) the Member for Sanderson (Mr Styles) was granted an extension of time, pursuant to Standing Order 77.
        Debate continued.
        Question – put and passed.
    15. TAKING ADVANTAGE OF OUR GAS INDUSTRY – A MARINE SUPPLY BASE – 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.
        _____________

        Quorum: The Member for Braitling (Mr Giles) drew the Deputy Chair’s (Mr Gunner) attention to the state of the House –
        There being no quorum present – the Bells were rung.
        Bells having been rung and a Quorum having been attained –
        The Assembly resumed.
        _____________

        Debate continued.
        _____________

        Quorum: The Member for Braitling (Mr Giles) drew the Deputy Chair’s (Mr Gunner) attention to the state of the House –
        There being no quorum present – the Bells were rung.
        Bells having been rung and a Quorum having been attained –
        The Assembly resumed.
        _____________
        Debate continued.
        _____________

        Quorum: The Member for Braitling (Mr Giles) drew the Deputy Chair’s (Mr Gunner) attention to the state of the House –
        There being no quorum present – the Bells were rung.
        Bells having been rung and a Quorum having been attained –
        The Assembly resumed.
        _____________
        Debate continued.
        _____________

        Quorum: The Member for Braitling (Mr Giles) drew the Deputy Chair’s (Mr Gunner) attention to the state of the House –
        There being no quorum present – the Bells were rung.
        Bells having been rung and a Quorum having been attained –
        The Assembly resumed.
        _____________
        Debate continued.
        Extension of time: On the motion of the Member for Katherine (Mr Westra van Holthe) the Member for Sanderson (Mr Styles) was granted an extension of time, pursuant to Standing Order 77.
        Debate continued.
        Question – put and passed.
    16. STANDING ORDERS COMMITTEE 5TH REPORT – REPORT TABLED - MOTION TO NOTED REPORT AND ADOPT RECOMMENDATIONS:
        The Chair of the Standing Orders Committee (Dr Burns) laid on the Table the Fifth Report of the Standing Orders Committee – Report to the Assembly on the Reference to the Committee dated 18 August 2010 relating to Estimates Committee Process for 2011, Report on Right of Reply, Amendment to Notice Paper and Standing Order 90 – Routine, Amendment to Standing Order 118 – Replies, dated October 2010 (Paper 1014).
        Dr Burns moved – That the Assembly adopt the recommendations – put and passed.
        Dr Burn moved – That the Assembly take note of the Report.
        Leave granted to continue his remarks at a later hour – debate adjourned.
    17. DEFINITE MATTER OF PUBLIC IMPORTANCE – UNLAWFUL DETENTION OF VOLUNTARY INPATIENTS BY HEALTH DEPARTMENT:
        The Speaker advised the Assembly the Member for Port Darwin (Mr Elferink) had proposed the following definite Matter of Public Importance for discussion this day:
            I seek to raise an issue of definite public importance today regarding the continued use of unlawful detention by the Northern Territory Health Department against citizens of the Northern Territory.

        The proposed discussion having been received the necessary support – The Member for Port Darwin (Mr Elferink) thereupon addressed the Assembly.
        Discussion ensued.
        Paper tabled: Mr Vatskalis laid on the Table the following Paper –
    Procedures for Admission and Treatment as a Voluntary Patient (Paper 1015).

        Debate continued.
        Discussion concluded.

    18. ADJOURNMENT:
        The Leader of Government Business (Dr Burns) moved – That the Assembly do now adjourn.
        Debate ensued.
        And the Assembly adjourned at 8.08pm until Tuesday 26 October 2010 at 10am.
        ________________

        PAPERS:
        The following Papers were deemed to have been presented on Thursday 21 October 2010 -
          Annual Reports
          NT Police, Fire and Emergency Services, 2009/2010 (Paper 1010)
          Office of the Commissioner for Public Employment, 2009/2010 (Paper 1012)
          State of the Service, 2009/2010 Office of the Commissioner for Public Employment (Paper 1013)
          Youth Justice Advisory Committee, 2009/2010 (Paper 1011)
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          ATTENDANCE:
      All Members attended the sittings, except Ms Lawrie on leave.
    Last updated: 04 Aug 2016