Department of the Legislative Assembly, Northern Territory Government

Minutes of Proceedings - 2007-05-02

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

2. PRAYERS.
      Visitors: The Speaker advised Members of the presence in the galleries of Anula Primary School students, Year 5, 6 and 7 accompanied by Ms Kim Bond, Mrs Elizabeth Andrade and Mr Matt Bennett.

3. MINISTERIAL REPORTS:
      Urban Planning Forum: The Chief Minister (Ms Martin) reported on the future directions for urban planning and the Darwin CBD developments to be focussed on future priorities at the Urban Planning Forum in Darwin.
      Ms Carney responded.
      Mr Wood responded.
      Ms Martin replied.
      Hospital Funding, Territory Health System: The Minister for Health (Dr Burns) reported on the increase in health funding for doctors and nurses in Territory hospitals and associated increase in hospital beds to address the demand for medical services.
      Dr Lim responded.
      Mr Wood responded.
      Dr Burns replied.

      Disability Services: The Minister for Family and Community Services (Ms Lawrie) reported on reforms in Community Services to improve the quality of life for those with disabilities and their carers.
      Dr Lim responded.
      Ms Lawrie replied.

      National Treasure Exhibition: The Minister for Local Government (Mr McAdam) reported on the number of Territorians visiting the Australian Great Libraries Exhibition, National Treasure, at the Museum and Art Gallery of the Territory at Fannie Bay.

      Ministerial Reports noted, pursuant to Standing Orders.

4. ELECTORAL AMENDMENT BILL 2006 (Serial 76):
      The Member for Braitling (Mrs Braham), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the Electoral Act.
      Bill read a first time.
      Mrs Braham moved - That the Bill be now read a second time.
      Debate ensued.
      Papers Tabled: The Member for Braitling (Mrs Braham), by leave, laid on the Table the following Papers -
Electoral Return - Summary of Candidates' Disclosure Returns re financial contributions by candidates for 2005 Territory election (Paper 874); and
Explanatory Statement, Electoral Amendment Bill 2007 (Serial 76) (Paper 873).

      On the motion of the Chief Minister (Ms Martin) debate was adjourned.

5. RESIDENTIAL PARKS BILL 2006 (Serial 77):
      The Clerk advised, pursuant to Standing Order 107, that he had received advice the Member for Nelson (Mr Wood) would not be proceeding with this notice and postponing this item until the next General Business Day.
6. ALLEGATIONS BY MEMBERS FOR BARKLY AND MACDONNELL RE RADIOACTIVE WASTE FACILITY:
      The Clerk advised, pursuant to Standing Order 107, that he had received advice the Leader of the Opposition (Ms Carney) would not be proceeding with this notice and postponing this item until the next General Business day.
7. UNIT TITLES AMENDMENT BILL 2007 (Serial 96):
      The Member for Greatorex (Dr Lim), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the Unit Titles Act.
      Bill read a first time.
      Dr Lim moved - That the Bill be now read a second time.
      Debate ensued.
      Papers tabled: Dr Lim, by leave, laid on the Table the following Papers -
Photographs, vehicles abandoned on private property, March 2004 and November 2006 at Tiwi Medical and Professional Centre (Paper 875).

      Debate suspended pursuant to resolution of 1 May 2001 requiring the reply to the Budget by the Leader of the Opposition at 11am this day.
8. LEAVE OF ABSENCE - MEMBER FOR WANGURI:
      The Minister for Family and Community Services (Ms Lawrie) moved - That leave of absence be granted to the Member for Wanguri (Mr Henderson) to attend a funeral today.
      Question - put and passed.
9. APPROPRIATION BILL 2007/2008 (Serial 94):
      The Order of the Day, pursuant to resolution of the Assembly of 1 May 2007, having been read for the resumption of debate on the question - That the Bill be now read a second time -
      The Leader of the Opposition (Ms Carney) made her 2007/2008 Budget response.
      On the motion of the Chief Minister (Ms Martin) debate was adjourned.
10. UNIT TITLES AMENDMENT BILL 2007 (Serial 96):
      The Order of the day having been read for the resumption of debate, suspended earlier this day, on the question - That the Bill be now read a second time -
      Debate resumed.
      On the motion of the Minister for Justice and Attorney-General (Mr Stirling) debate was adjourned.
11. FIREARMS (PAINTBALL) AMENDMENT BILL 2007:
      The Clerk advised, pursuant to Standing Order 107, that he had received advice that the Member for Blain (Mr Mills) would not be proceeding with this notice and postponing this item until the next General Business Day.
12. ABORIGINAL LAND AMENDMENT (INTER-TIDAL WATERS) BILL 2007 (Serial 92):
      The Member for Blain (Mr Mills), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the Aboriginal Land Act.
      Bill read a first time.
      Mr Mills moved - That the Bill be now read a second time.
      Debate ensued.
      On the motion of the Minister for Justice and Attorney-General (Mr Stirling) debate was adjourned.
      ________________

      Suspension of sittings: The sittings of the Assembly was suspended between 11.54am and 2pm.
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13. NOTICES:
      The following notices were given -
      Mr Stirling: To present the Revenue (Budget Initiatives) Amendment Bill 2007 (Serial 95).

      Ms Lawrie: To present the Transport Legislation (Road Safety) Amendment Bill 2007 (Serial 98).
14. QUESTIONS:
      2.03pm Mrs Miller to Mr Stirling.
      2.10pm Mr Knight to Mr Natt.
      2.12pm Mr Mills to Mr Stirling.
      2.14pm Ms Sacilotto to Mr Stirling.
      2.16pm Mr Mills to Mr Stirling.
      2.22pm Mr Kiely to Mr Stirling.
      2.29pm Mr Wood to Ms Lawrie.
      2.34pm Mr Mills to Mr Stirling.
      2.38pm Ms Anderson to Mr Henderson.
      2.44pm Mr Mills to Mr Stirling and referred to Mr Henderson.
      2.50pm Mr Hampton to Dr Burns.
      2.54pm Mrs Braham to Ms Lawrie.
      2.58pm Ms Anderson to Mr McAdam.

      The Leader of Government Business (Mr Henderson) asked that further questions be placed on the Written Question Paper.
15. LEAVE TO MOVE MOTION RE - MCARTHUR RIVER PROJECT AMENDMENT (RATIFICATION OF MINING AUTHORITIES) BILL 2007 (Serial 99) - PRESENT AND PASS BILL THROUGH ALL STAGES THIS SITTINGS - LEAVE GRANTED:
      The Leader of Government Business (Mr Henderson), by leave, moved - That the Assembly,
          (a) allow the Minister for Mines and Energy to present a Bill, without notice, relating to mining and the McArthur River Project, forthwith; and

          (b) allow the Bill to pass through all stages at these sittings.

      Question - put and passed.
16. MCARTHUR RIVER PROJECT AMENDMENT (RATIFICATION OF MINING AUTHORITIES) BILL 2007 (Serial 99):
      The Minister for Mines and Energy (Mr Natt), pursuant to resolution, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the McArthur River Project Agreement Ratification Act.
      Bill read a first time.
      Mr Natt moved - That the Bill be now read a second time.
      Debate ensued.
      Paper tabled: Mr Natt laid on the Table the following Paper -
Explanatory Statement, McArthur River Project Amendment (Ratification of Mining Authorities) Bill 2007 (Serial 99) (Paper 878).

      On the motion of the Member for Katherine (Mrs Miller) debate was adjourned.
17. HEALTH PRACTITIONERS AMENDMENT (NURSE PRACTITIONERS) BILL 2007 (Serial 93):
      The Member for Greatorex (Dr Lim), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the Health Practitioners Act.
      Bill read a first time.
      Dr Lim moved - That the Bill be now read a second time.
      Debate ensued.
      Paper tabled: Dr Lim, by leave, laid on the Table the following Paper -
Explanatory Statement, Health Practitioners Amendment (Nurse Practitioners) Bill 2007 (Paper 876).
      On the motion of the Minister for Family and Community Services (Ms Lawrie) debate was adjourned.
18. IMPOUNDING OF MOTOR VEHICLES FOR OFFENCES - MOTION NEGATIVED:
      The Member for Nelson (Mr Wood), pursuant to notice, moved - That,
        the NT Government amend part VA of the Traffic Act which deals with the impounding and forfeiture of motor vehicles for certain offences, specifically to allow -
      the confiscation of a vehicle for 48 hours if an offender has been found guilty of a first prescribed driving offence;
        on application to the local court the impoundment of a vehicle for up to 3 months if an offender has been found guilty of a second prescribed driving offence; and
          on application to the local court, the forfeiture of a vehicle if an offender has been guilty of a third prescribed driving offence.

              Debate ensued.
              Question - put and negatived.
          19. BAIL AMENDMENT (SERIOUS SEXUAL OFFENCES) BILL 2006 (Serial 72) - 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.
          20. SENTENCING AMENDMENT BILL 2006 (Serial 82) - 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.
          21. TRAFFIC AMENDMENT (IMPOUNDING AND FORFEITURE OF VEHICLES) BILL 2006 (Serial 81) - 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.

          22. TRAFFIC AMENDMENT (SUSPENSION OF LICENCE) BILL 2006 (Serial 80) - 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.
          23. NORTHERN TERRITORY ABORIGINAL SACRED SITES AMENDMENT BILL 2006 (Serial 84) - 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.
          24. LEARNERS AND PROVISIONAL DRIVERS LEGISLATION AMENDMENT BILL 2006 (Serial 79) - 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.
          25. LAW OF PROPERTY AMENDMENT (SALES OF RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY) BILL 2006 (Serial 78) - 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.
          26. ADJOURNMENT:
              The Minister for Health (Dr Burns) moved - That the Assembly do now adjourn.
              Debate ensued.
              Question - put and passed.
              And the Assembly adjourned at 6.49pm until Thursday 3 May 2007 at 10am.
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              PAPERS:
              The following Papers were deemed to have been presented on Wednesday 2 May 2007 -

              Annual Reports
              Northern Territory Electrical Workers and Contractors Licensing Board, 2005/2006 (Paper 877)
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              ATTENDANCE:
              All Members attended the sitting.
          Last updated: 04 Aug 2016