Minutes of Proceedings - 2007-02-15
- The Assembly met at 10am. The Speaker, the Honourable J. L. Aagaard, took the Chair.
2. PRAYERS.
3. MINISTERIAL REPORTS:
- Workplace Advocate: The Minister for Employment, Education and Training (Mr Henderson) reported on the creation of the Workplace Advocate for Territorians.
Mrs Miller responded.
Mr Henderson replied.
Horticulture Industry Development Central Australia: The Chief Minister (Ms Martin) reported on horticulture industry development and availability of good quality water supplies in Central Australian arid regions.
Mrs Miller responded.
Mrs Braham responded.
Ms Martin replied.
Geothermal Energy: The Minister for Primary Industry and Fisheries (Mr Natt) reported on geothermal renewable energy from hot dry rock sources in the Territory.
Mr Mills responded.
Mr Wood responded.
Mr Natt replied.
Ministerial Reports noted, pursuant to Standing Orders.
4. COMMONWEALTH WORKCHOICES LEGISLATION EFFECT ON TERRITORIANS LONG SERVICE LEAVE PROVISIONS - MOTION:
- The Minister for Employment, Education and Training (Mr Henderson), pursuant to notice, moved - That the Assembly:
(a) note with concern that the Commonwealth WorkChoices legislation has taken away from Territorians a statutory right to long service leave;
(b) call upon the Federal Government to immediately re-instate the right of all Territory workers to Long Service Leave entitlements;
(c) express its ongoing concern at the Howard Government’s Workchoices legislation which is unfair and is particularly detrimental for Territory working families and young workers; and
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.
Debate ensued.
Debate suspended.
Suspension of sittings: The sittings of the Assembly was suspended between 11.59 and 2pm.
- 2.02pm Mr Mills to Mr Henderson.
2.05pm Ms Sacilotto to Mr Stirling.
2.10pm Mr Mills to Mr Henderson.
2.14pm Mr Bonson to Ms Scrymgour.
2.17pm Mr Mills to Mr Henderson.
2.21pm Mr Hampton to Ms Martin.
2.23pm Mr Wood to Ms Scrymgour.
2.26pm Mr Mills to Mr Henderson.
2.28pm Mr Knight to Mr Natt.
2.32pm Mr Mills to Mr Henderson.
2.36pm Ms Anderson to Ms Martin.
2.40pm Mrs Braham to Dr Burns.
2.41pm Mr Warren to Ms Scrymgour.
2.44pm Mr Mills to Mr Henderson.
2.45pm Ms Anderson to Mr Natt.
2.49pm Mr Mills to Mr Henderson.
2.53pm Mr Burke to Dr Burns.
2.57pm Mrs Braham to Ms Lawrie.
3.01pm Mr Warren to Ms Lawrie.
3.03pm Mr Mills to Mr Henderson.
The Leader of Government Business (Mr Henderson) asked that further questions be placed on the Written Question Paper.
6. PERSONAL EXPLANATION:
- The Member for Greatorex (Dr Lim) made a personal explanation in response to an article in the Northern Territory News, dated 15 February 2007, which alluded to an error he had miscalculated in announcing that an increase in expenditure of Department of Health staff salaries over the last 6 years was $200m when it was in effect $20m.
7. COMMONWEALTH WORKCHOICES LEGISLATION EFFECT ON TERRITORIANS LONG SERVICE LEAVE PROVISIONS - MOTION AGREED TO:
- The Order of the Day having been read for the resumption of debate, suspended earlier this day, on the motion -
That the Assembly:
(a) note with concern that the Commonwealth WorkChoices legislation has taken away from Territorians a statutory right to long service leave;
(b) call upon the Federal Government to immediately re-instate the right of all Territory workers to Long Service Leave entitlements;
(c) express its ongoing concern at the Howard Government’s Workchoices legislation which is unfair and is particularly detrimental for Territory working families and young workers; and
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.
Debate resumed.
Extension of time: On the motion of the Member for Millner (Mr Bonson) the Member for Brennan (Mr Burke) was granted an extension of time, pursuant to Standing Order 77.
Debate continued.
Question - put and passed.
- 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.
- The Order of the Day having been read for the resumption of debate on the question - That the Assembly take not of the Statement -
debate resumed.
Quorum, lack of: The Member for Araluen (Ms Carney) directed the Speaker's attention to the lack of a Quorum.
Bells rung.
And a quorum having been obtained the Assembly resumed.
Debate continued.
Paper tabled: The Member for Katherine (Mrs Miller), by leave, laid on the Table the following Paper -
Debate continued.
Paper tabled: The Member for Katherine (Mrs Miller), by leave, laid on the Table the following Paper -
Debate continued.
Question - put and passed.
10. TACKLING THE MISUSE AND ABUSE OF ALCOHOL IN THE NORTHERN TERRITORY - 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, lack of: The Member for Araluen (Ms Carney) directed the Speaker's attention to the lack of a Quorum.
Bells rung.
And a quorum having been obtained the Assembly resumed.
Debate continued.
Question - put and passed.
11. RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT IN THE TERRITORY'S MINING, PRIMARY INDUSTRY AND FISHERIES SECTORS - MINISTERIAL STATEMENT - STATEMENT NOTED:
- The Minister for Primary Industry and Fisheries (Mr Natt) made a statement relating to Research and Development to enhance our Primary Industry, Fisheries and Mining Sectors.
Mr Natt moved - That the Assembly take note of the Statement.
Debate ensued.
Paper tabled: Mr Natt laid on the Table the following Paper -
Debate continued.
Question - put and passed.
- The Minister for Primary Industry and Fisheries (Mr Natt) moved - That the Assembly do now adjourn.
Debate ensued.
Paper Tabled: The Member for Brennan (Mr Burke), by leave, laid on the Table the following -
Debate continued.
Question - put and passed.
And the Assembly adjourned at 10.36pm until Tuesday 20 February 2007 at 10am.
PAPERS:
The following Papers were deemed to have been presented on Thursday 15 February 2007 -
Coroners Act:
In the matter of the Coroner’s Finding and Recommendation into the Death of Ms Wendy Walangitj Garmu, pursuant to section 46(b), dated 7 February 2007 (Paper 794)
- ATTENDANCE:
All Members attended the sitting.