Department of the Legislative Assembly, Northern Territory Government

Minutes of Proceedings - 2010-11-23

    1. MEETING:
    The Assembly met at 10am, pursuant to resolution of the Assembly, dated Thursday 28 October 2010. The Speaker, the Honourable J. L. Aagaard, took the Chair.

    2. PRAYERS.

    3. COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP – COUNCIL OF TERRITORY CO-OPERATION – DISCHARGE OF MEMBERS:
        The Speaker (Mrs Aagaard) tabled a letter from the Opposition Whip advising of the discharge of the Member for Port Darwin, Mr John Elferink; and the Member for Katherine, Mr Willem Westra van Holthe from membership of the Council of Territory Co-operation, with effect from 2 November 2010 (Paper 1075).
    4. PETITIONS:
        The Member for Daly (Mr Knight) presented Petition No. 44 from 122 Petitioners requesting that the Nganmarriyanga/Palumpa Store be returned to the Community from the Victoria Daly Shire immediately (Paper 1077).
        Petition read.

        The Member for Drysdale (Mr Bohlin) presented Petition No. 45 from 167petitioners requesting cyclists be permitted to ride on the Tiger Brennan Drive Extension (Paper 1078).
        Petition read.

        The Member for Drysdale (Mr Bohlin) presented Petition No. 46 from 514 petitioners requesting the Legislative Assembly stop the intended left turn road closure into Marjorie Street, Pinelands and to erect multiple additional street signage directing traffic into the business precinct of Pinelands (Paper 1079).
        Petition read.

        Responses to Petitions: The Clerk, pursuant to Standing Order 100A tabled a response to Petition No 42 relating to a Telstra Telecommunications Facility – Lot 8090 Larapinta Drive, Alice Springs (Paper 1076).
    5. VISITORS:
        The Speaker advised Members of the presence in the public gallery of Dripstone Middle School students accompanied by Ms Liz Easton.
        On behalf of all Members the Speaker extended a warm welcome to the visitors.
    6. WATER AMENDMENT BILL 2010 (Serial 137):
        The Minister for Natural Resources, Environment and Heritage (Mr Hampton), by leave, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the Water 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, Water Amendment Bill 2010 (Paper 1080).

        On the motion of the Member for Port Darwin (Mr Elferink) debate was adjourned.
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        Distinguished visitors: The Speaker advised Members of the presence in the Speaker’s Gallery of presence in the Speaker’s Gallery of Jawoyn Board members and Nitmiluk Park Board members in Darwin for the renaming of the Nitmiluk Lounge. In particular, I acknowledge Mr Long John Dewar, the artist who has donated a very beautiful painting for the now newly-named Nitmiluk Lounge which I must say is now a particularly beautiful room.
        On behalf of all Members the speaker extended a warm welcome to the distinguished visitors.

    7. CHILD PROTECTION (OFFENDER REPORTING AND REGISTRATION) LEGISLATION AMENDMENT BILL 2010 (Serial 133):
        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 Chief Minister (Mr Henderson) the Bill was read a third time and passed to be a proposed law.
    8. TELECOMMUNICATIONS (INTERCEPTION) NORTHERN TERRITORY AMENDMENT BILL 2010 (Serial 131):
        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 Chief Minister (Mr Henderson) the Bill was read a third time and passed to be a proposed law.
    9. MATTER OF PUBLIC IMPORTANCE – CHILD PROTECTION - WITHDRAWN:
        The Member for Member for Araluen (Mrs Lambley) withdrew her proposed Definite Matter of Public Importance delivered to the Speaker earlier this day relating to Child Protection.

    10. TREASURER'S ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT 2009/2010 – REPORT NOTED:
        The Order of the Day having been read for the resumption of debate on the question – That the Assembly take note of the Report –
        Debate resumed.
        Extension of time: On the motion of Leader of Government Business (Dr Burns) the Treasurer (Ms Lawrie) was granted an extension of time, pursuant to Standing Order 77.
        Debate continued.
        Question – put and passed.
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        Suspension of sittings: The sittings of the Assembly was suspended between 12.05pm and 2.00pm.
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    11. NOTICES:
        The following Notices were given:

        Ms Lawrie: To present the Penalties Amendment (Chief Minister’s and Other Portfolios) Bill 2010 (Serial 138).

        Mr Styles: To present the Fire and Emergency Amendment (Smoke Alarms) Bill 2010 (Serial 130).

        Mr Giles: To move - That the Northern Territory Labor government:
                1. presents all expenses and commitments to date for the SIHIP program broken down into head office costs, package costs, site costs, and details whether those costs are incurred by departmental expenses, alliance expenses or outsourcing expenses;
                2. in presenting this information also presents details of every location within a prescribed community on the numbers of houses that will be constructed, rebuilt or refurbished and an explanation of the address of each of these properties and also details the numbers of houses or dwellings or other that are to be decommissioned or knocked down or removed and the changes to the numbers of bedrooms in each community whether an increase or decrease; and
                3. explains how the SIHIP program will actually improve the housing situation in Aboriginal communities particularly given the fact that approximately 300 homelands houses have been given up and no longer managed and that the remaining approximately 2200 homeland houses remain uninsured and without appropriate asset management process.

        Mr Giles: To move - That the Northern Territory government be condemned for its actions in relation to residents at Yuendumu.
        Mr Vatskalis: To present the Public and Environmental Health Bill 2010 (Serial 135).

        Mr Hampton: To move - That so much of the Standing Orders be suspended as would prevent a Bill titled – Water Amendment Bill 2010 (Serial 137), passing through all stages on Thursday 2 December 2010.
    12. ORDER OF BUSINESS – 5 STAR ENERGY MOTION:
        The Member for Nelson (Mr Wood), by leave, moved – That General Business, Notice No. 2 standing in his name be postponed until General Business Day 1 December 2010.
        Question – put and passed.
    13. QUESTIONS:
        2.03pm Mr Giles to Mr Henderson.
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        Visitors: The Speaker advised Members of the presence in the public gallery of Members’ Electorate Officers.
        On behalf of all Members the Speaker extended a warm welcome to the visitors.
        _______________

        2.07pm Ms Scrymgour to Mr Henderson.
        2.10pm Mr Mills to Mr Henderson.
        2.14pm Ms Walker to Mr Henderson.
        2.17pm Mr Mills to Mr Henderson and referred to Mr Vatskalis.
        2.21pm Mr Wood to Mr Knight.
        2.23pm Mr Gunner to Ms Lawrie.
        2.27pm Mr Mills to Mr Henderson.
        2.30pm Ms Scrymgour to Ms McCarthy.
        2.34pm Mr Wood to Mr McCarthy.
        2.37pm Mrs Lambley to Mr Vatskalis.
        2.40pm Ms Walker to Mr Knight.
        2.43pm Mrs Lambley to Mr Vatskalis.
        2.47pm Mr Wood to Mr Henderson.
        2.49pm Mr Gunner to Ms Lawrie.

        Papers tabled: Ms Lawrie laid on the Table the following Papers –
        Commonwealth Electoral Act, extract section 326 – Bribery (Paper 1085); and
        Did Abbott offer a job to Abbott, Alice Springs News, dated 18 November 2010 Media Report (Paper 1086).
          2.52pm Mr Mills to Mr Henderson.
          2.55pm Mr Mills to Mr Henderson.

          Suspension of Standing Orders: And The Leader of the Opposition (Mr Mills) moved – That so much of Standing Orders be suspended as would prevent him censuring this government for their appalling management of Child Protection, forthwith.

          The Leader of Government Business (Dr Burns) informed the Assembly that the government accepted the motion as a censure motion, pursuant to Standing Order 95.

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

      14. CENSURE OF GOVERNMENT – CHILD PROTECTION – MOTION NEGATIVED:
          The Leader of the Opposition (Mr Mills) moved - That the Assembly censure this government for their appalling management of Child Protection.
          Debate ensued.
          The Assembly divided (the Speaker, Hon. J. L Aagaard, in the Chair) -

          AYES, 11 NOES, 12

          Mr Bohlin Mrs Aagaard
          Mrs Lambley Dr Burns
          Mr Chandler Mr Gunner
          Mr Conlan Mr Hampton
          Mr Elferink Mr Henderson
          Mr Giles Mr Knight
          Mr Mills Ms Lawrie
          Ms Purick Ms McCarthy
          Mr Styles Mr McCarthy
          Mr Tollner Ms Scrymgour
          Mr Westra van Holthe Mr Vatskalis
          Ms Walker

          Motion negatived accordingly.
      15. NORTHERN TERRITORY ELECTORAL COMMISSION 2009/2010 – PAPER TABLED:
          The Speaker Tabled the Report of the Northern Territory Electoral Commission 2009/2010 (Paper 1087).

      16. TRAVEL REPORT BY SPEAKER – REMUNERATION TRIBUNAL DETERMINATION PARAGRAPH 3.15 (INTERSTATE) – PAPER TABLED:
          Paper tabled: The Speaker laid on the Table the following –
          Travel Report by the Member for Brennan (Mr Chandler) pursuant to the Remuneration Tribunal Determination Paragraph 3.15 – Interstate Travel to Canberra, ACT Australia to attend the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association 30th Conference Australian and Pacific Regional Conference on 2 to 6 November 2010, letter dated 18 November 2010 (Paper 1089).
      17. COUNCIL OF TERRITORY CO-OPERATION THIRD PROGRESS REPORT, NOVEMBER 2010 – MOTION TO NOTE REPORT:
          The Chair of the Council of Territory Co-operation (Mr Wood), by leave, laid on the Table the Third Report of the Council of Territory Co-operation, dated November 2010 (Paper 1088).
          Mr Wood made a statement relating thereto.
          Mr Wood moved – That the Report be printed.
          Question – put and passed.
          Mr Wood moved – That the Assembly take note of the Report.
          Leave granted to Mr Wood to continue his remarks at a later hour.
          Debate adjourned.

      18. JOBS IN THE TERRITORY – MINISTERIAL STATEMENT - MOTION TO NOTE STATEMENT:
          The Chief Minister (Mr Henderson) made a statement relating to jobs in the Territory.
          _______________

          Visitors: The Speaker advised Members of the presence in the public gallery of Electorate Officers from the Electorates of Blain and Brennan.
          On behalf of all Members the Speaker extended a warm welcome to the visitors.
          _______________

          Mr Henderson moved – That the Assembly take note of the Statement.
          Debate ensued.
          Extension of time: On the motion of the Member for Fannie Bay (Mr Gunner) the Member for Johnston (Dr Burns) was granted an extension of time, pursuant to Standing Order 77.

          Debate continued.
          Extension of time: On the motion of the Member for Barkly (Mr McCarthy) the Member for Arnhem (Ms McCarthy) was granted an extension of time, pursuant to Standing Order 77.

          Debate continued.
          Extension of time: On the motion of the Member for Daly (Mr Knight) the Member for Nelson (Mr Wood) was granted an extension of time, pursuant to Standing Order 77.
          Debate continued.

          Extension of time: On the motion of the Member for Johnston (Dr Burns) the Member for Stuart (Mr Hampton) was granted an extension of time, pursuant to Standing Order 77.
          Debate continued.

          Extension of time: On the motion of the Member for Goyder (Ms Purick) the Member for Fong Lim (Mr Tollner) was granted an extension of time, pursuant to Standing Order 77.
          Debate continued.
          Debate adjourned pursuant to Standing Order 41(c)(v)) and listed on the Notice Paper.
      19. ADJOURNMENT:
          The Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 41A, at 9pm proposed the question - That the Assembly do now adjourn.
          Debate ensued.
          Paper tabled: Mr Elferink, by leave, laid on the Table the following Paper –
          Presentation of Awards Ceremony 2010 St John’s College Darwin (Paper 1090).

          Debate continued.
          And the Assembly adjourned at 9.35pm until Wednesday 24 November 2010 at 10am.
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          PAPERS:
          The following Papers were deemed to have been presented on 23 November 2010 -
            Annual Reports
            Commissioner of Consumer Affairs, 2009/2010 (Paper 1081)
            Tarcoola-Darwin Rail Regulations, 2009/2010 (Paper 1082)

            Coroners Act
            In the matter of Coroner’s Findings and Recommendations into the death of Danmirriwuy (Nicky) Yunupingu, pursuant to section 46B, dated 1 November 2010 (Paper 1083)
            In the matter of Coroner’s Findings and Recommendations into the death of Maureen Sabrina Williams, pursuant to section 46B, dated 27 October 2010 (Paper 1084)
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            ATTENDANCE:
            All Members attended the sittings.
      Last updated: 04 Aug 2016