Minutes of Proceedings - 2007-10-09
1. MEETING:
The Assembly met at 10am. The Speaker, the Honourable J. L. Aagaard, took the Chair.
2. PRAYERS.
3. MESSAGE FROM ADMINISTRATOR - No. 23:
Local Government Amendment Act 2007 (No 15 of 2007)
4. PETITION:
5. MINISTERIAL REPORTS:
6. BAIL AMENDMENT BILL 2007 (Serial 107):
7. TOURISM GROWTH BACKED BY GOVERNMENT INVESTMENT - STATEMENT NOTED:
9. QUESTIONS:
10. TOURISM GROWTH BACKED BY GOVERNMENT INVESTMENT - STATEMENT NOTED:
years 2006 and 2007 (Paper 1101).
11. AUDITOR-GENERAL'S AUGUST 2007 REPORT - REPORT NOTED:
The Assembly met at 10am. The Speaker, the Honourable J. L. Aagaard, took the Chair.
2. PRAYERS.
3. MESSAGE FROM ADMINISTRATOR - No. 23:
- The Speaker advised Honourable Members of receipt of the following Message from His Honour the Administrator:
Message No. 23
Assent to Proposed Laws
I, EDWARD JOSEPH EGAN, AO the Administrator of the Northern Territory of Australia, advise the Legislative Assembly of, pursuant to section 7 of the Northern Territory (Self-Government Act) 1978 of the Commonwealth, the assent to the following proposed laws:
- 28 August 2007
Transport Legislation (Demerit Points) Amendment Act 2007 (No 13 of 2007)
Local Government Amendment Act 2007 (No 15 of 2007)
18 September 2007
Evidence of Children Amendment Act 2007 (No 16 of 2007)
Firearms Amendment (Paintball) Act 2007 (No 17 of 2007)
Mining and Petroleum (Aboriginal Land Rights) Amendment Act 2007 (No 18 of 2007)
Surveillance Devices Act 2007 (No 19 of 2007)
Territory Parks and Wildlife Conservation Amendment (Joint Management Parks) Act 2007 (No 20 of 2007)
Dated 21st day of September 2007.
E J Egan AO
Administrator
(Paper 1090)
4. PETITION:
- Responses to petitions:
The Clerk, pursuant to Standing Order 100A, laid on the Table the following response to petition No. 64 relating to Darwin City Councillors promotion of Darwin City (Paper 1091).
The Clerk advised the Assembly the text of the response would be incorporated in the Hansard record.
5. MINISTERIAL REPORTS:
- Vietnam and Japan Trade Mission, March 2007: The Chief Minister (Ms Martin) reported on her industry and government exploratory trade delegation Mission to Vietnam and Japan, March 2007 to promote the Territory trade capabilities and capacities.
Mr Mills responded.
Asian Green-Mussel Threat: The Minister for Primary Industry and Fisheries (Mr Natt) reported on the threat of the Asian Green-Mussel infestation pest into the Darwin Harbour.
Mr Mills responded.
Mr Wood responded.
Mr Natt replied.
World War II Heritage Lists: The Minister for Planning and Lands (Ms Lawrie) reported on the development of the Territory WW II heritage sites and listings.
Mrs Miller responded.
Mr Wood responded.
Sciences and School Initiatives: The Minister for Business and Economic Development (Mr Vatskalis) reported on encouraging the primary and secondary schools to participate in National Science Week.
Mr Mills responded.
Ministerial Reports noted, pursuant to Standing Orders.
6. BAIL AMENDMENT BILL 2007 (Serial 107):
- 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 Justice and Attorney-General (Mr Stirling) the Bill was read a third time and passed to be a proposed law.
7. TOURISM GROWTH BACKED BY GOVERNMENT INVESTMENT - STATEMENT NOTED:
- The Order of the Day having been read for the resumption of debate on the motion - That the Assembly take note of the Statement -
Debate resumed.
Debate suspended.
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Suspension of sittings: The sittings of the Assembly was suspended between 12 Noon and 2pm.
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- The following notices were given -
Ms Carney: To move - That this parliament end its current restrictions on freedom of the media and open up its processes so as to provide unfettered public scrutiny by amending Standing Orders to allow television, radio and internet providers to record and rebroadcast all public parliamentary proceedings.
- 1. Condemns the Martin Labor Government for its failure to address rising rates of personal crime across the Territory.
2. Calls on the Chief Minister, in her role as Police Minister, without delay, to:
- (a) bring and keep the Northern Territory Police Force at establishment;
(b) outline her plans to reduce the attrition rate in the NT Police force;
(c) increase the number of police vehicles in each sector across Darwin, Palmerston and the major centres by at least one per sector;
(d) provide 20 police to Alice Springs over and above establishment numbers; and
(e) inform Territorians whether 200 extra police have been added ‘to the beat’ and, if not, why not, and detail exactly how many of the promised 200 extra police are actually ‘on the beat’.
Ms Carney: To move - That this Assembly:
- (a) establishes a Regulation Relief Review Advisory Committee (Advisory Committee) subordinate to the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Standing Committee;
- (b) endorses the following terms of reference for the Regulation Relief Review advisory Committee:
- (i) to review all laws and regulations that impact on business in the Territory, including procurement practices and other process requirements of the Northern Territory Government , and
(ii) recommend removal and reform of these regulations and processes;
- (c) agrees to the membership of the committee to be made up of a chair person nominated by the Leader of Government Business, a deputy chair person to be nominated by the Leader of Opposition, 2 members nominated by business associations (made up of a representative from the Business Council, REINT, Chamber of Commerce, Cattlemans’ Association, Trucking Association, Construction Association, The MTAA: the HIA and any other organisation, agreed to by the Chair and Deputy Chair), of the Northern Territory; a consumer advocate agreed to by the Chair and Deputy Chair of the committee and the Northern Territory Ombudsman;
- (d) in establishing the Advisory Committee does so subject to the Speaker tabling in the Assembly for its adoption a determination authorising the operational structure levels and terms and conditions of payment of meeting/sitting fees travel allowances paid to Regulation Relief Review Advisory Committee members in similar terms to that of the Statehood Steering committee; and
- (e) requires the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee to report to the Assembly, no later than 30 June 2008, including in its report any and all recommendations of the Regulation Relief Review Committee.
Mr Mills: To move - That this Assembly establish a Board of Inquiry to determine if there are any further victims of sexual crimes allegedly committed by Bob Collins, and that such Board of Inquiry be headed by a former judge of a supreme court or person of a similar repute and stature.
Mr Wood: To move - That this Assembly:
- (a) states that it has no confidence in the NT Government because of the amateurish manner that it has tried to carry out Local Government Reform; and
(b) requests the government stop the Local Government Reform process now, start again, slow down, involve the community from the beginning, have a flexible timetable and get it right.
Mr Wood: That this Assembly:
- (a) recognises that the government has a responsibility to ensure purchasers of land or housing have the right to protection through vendor disclosure; and
(b) calls on the government to introduce legislation before the end of this year, as promised in May 2007, that will establish vendor disclosure for Territory land or housing purchasers.
Mr Wood: To move - That this Assembly:
- (a) rejects the Minister for Planning and Lands' decision to remove Middle Arm Peninsula from the Litchfield Development Consent Authority;
(b) opposes the autocratic system where the minister will be the sole authority for planning decisions for this area;
(c) supports the democratic principle of an independent development consent authority where concerned citizens can be involved through public meetings; and
(d) calls on the minister to reverse the decision and reinstate Middle Arm Peninsula under the Litchfield Development Consent Authority.
9. QUESTIONS:
- 2.08pm Ms Carney to Ms Martin.
2.12pm Mr Burke to Ms Martin.
2.18pm Ms Carney to Ms Martin.
2.20pm Mr Bonson to Ms Lawrie.
2.24pm Ms Carney to Ms Martin.
2.28pm Mr Warren to Mr Natt.
2.32pm Mr Wood to Ms Martin and referred to Mr McAdam.
2.36pm Ms Carney to Ms Martin.
2.40pm Ms Sacilotto to Mr Stirling.
2.45pm Ms Carney to Ms Martin.
2.51pm Mr Burke to Ms Martin.
2.54pm Mrs Braham to Mr Henderson.
2.58pm Ms Anderson to Mr Henderson
Answer to question: The Minister for Local Government (Mr McAdam) provided a response to a question asked earlier this day by the Member for Nelson (Mr Wood) of the Chief Minister (Ms Martin) relating to Colin Anderson and establishment of their local office in Darwin.
The Leader of Government Business (Mr Henderson) asked that further questions be placed on the Written Question Paper.
10. TOURISM GROWTH BACKED BY GOVERNMENT INVESTMENT - STATEMENT NOTED:
- The Order of the Day having been read for the resumption of debate, suspended earlier this day, on the motion - That the Assembly take note of the Statement -
Debate resumed.
Extension of time: On the motion of the Leader of Government Business (Mr Henderson) the Member for Goyder (Mr Warren) was granted an extension of time, pursuant to Standing Order 77.
Debate continued.
Extension of time: On the motion of the Leader of Government Business (Mr Henderson) 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 Drysdale (Mr Natt) the Minister for Tourism (Mr Henderson) was granted an extension of time, pursuant to Standing Order 77.
Debate continued.
Paper tabled: The Minister for Tourism (Mr Henderson) laid on the Table the following Paper -
years 2006 and 2007 (Paper 1101).
Debate continued.
Question - put and passed.
11. AUDITOR-GENERAL'S AUGUST 2007 REPORT - REPORT NOTED:
- The Order of the Day having been read for the resumption of debate on the motion - That the Assembly take note of the Report -
Debate resumed.
Question - put and passed.
- The Minister for Primary Industry and Fisheries (Mr Natt) made a statement relating to the new internet based tool to analyse and identify market opportunities for Territory Primary Industry products both domestically and internationally.
Mr Natt moved - That the Assembly take note of the Statement.
Debate ensued.
On the motion of the Minister for Planning and Lands (Ms Lawrie) debate was adjourned.
- The Minister for Planning and Lands (Ms Lawrie) moved - That the Assembly do now adjourn.
Debate ensued.
Question - put and passed.
And the Assembly adjourned at 8.34pm until tomorrow at 10am.
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PAPERS:
The following Papers were deemed to have been presented on Tuesday 9 October 2007 -
Annual Reports:
Community Visitor Program, 2006/2007 (Paper 1094)
Department of Local Government, Housing and Sport, 2006/2007 (Paper 1096)
Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries and Mines, 2006/2007 (Paper 1093)
Northern Territory Electoral Commission, 2006/2007 (Paper 1100)
Northern Territory Fisheries Joint Authority Report, 2005/2006 (Paper 1092)
Surveillance Devices Act, Report 2006/2007, pursuant to section 49, (Paper 1098)
Work Health Advisory Council, 2006/2007 (Paper 1095)
Gaming Control Act
Variation to Licence Agreement between the Minister for Racing, Gaming and Licensing and Global Players Network PTY LTD (ACN 102 371 335), pursuant to section 46B, dated 2007 (Paper 1099)
Regulations 2007:
- No. 31, Agents Licensing Amendment Regulations (Paper 1097)
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- ATTENDANCE:
All Members attended the sitting.
Last updated: 04 Aug 2016