Department of the Legislative Assembly, Northern Territory Government

Minutes of Proceedings - 2005-10-18

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

2. PRAYERS.

3. DEMOCRACY WEEK - PARLIAMENT OF THE WIZARDS:
      The Speaker (Mrs Aagaard) advised Members of the participation of Upper Primary School students in a Parliament of the Wizards being conducted in the Members and Guests Lounge today and associated activities as part of National Democracy Week.
4. MINISTERIAL REPORTS:
      Live Cattle Exports to Indonesia: The Minister for Primary Industry and Fisheries (Mr Vatskalis) reported on the Territory's live cattle export trade to Indonesia and associated animal husbandry standards.
      Mrs Miller responded thereto.
      Mr Vatskalis responded accordingly.

      ADF Families Support: The Minister for Defence Support (Mr Henderson) reported on the extent of support given to ADF families posted to the Territory.
      Ms Carney responded thereto.
      Mr Wood responded thereto.
      Mr Henderson responded accordingly.

      Children's Week: The Minister for Family and Community Services (Ms Lawrie) reported on children's week activities.
      Dr Lim responded thereto.
      Mrs Braham responded thereto.
      Mrs Lawrie responded accordingly.

      Ministerial reports noted, pursuant to Sessional Order.
5. CEMETERIES AMENDMENT BILL 2005 (Serial 28):
      The Minister for Local Government (Mr McAdam), by leave, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the Cemeteries Act.
      Bill read a first time.
      Mr McAdam moved - That the Bill be now read a second time.
      Debate ensued.
      Paper tabled: Mr McAdam laid on the Table the following Paper -
Explanatory Statement, Cemeteries Amendment Bill 2005 (Serial 28) (Paper 235).
      On the motion of the Member for Greatorex (Dr Lim) debate was adjourned.

6. DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AMENDMENT (POLICE ORDERS) BILL 2005 (Serial 17):
      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.
      Committee stage of the Bill to be later taken.
      _____________

      Suspension of sittings: The sittings of the Assembly was suspended between 11.58am and 2pm.
      _____________

      Visitors: The Speaker advised members of the presence in the Public Galleries of visitors as part of the Business Month visitation program and Nakara and Parap Primary School students.
      On behalf of all Members the Speaker extended a warm welcome to the visitors.
7. NOTICES:
      The following notices were given -
      Mr Stirling: To present the Territory Insurance Office Amendment Bill 2005 (Serial 22).

      Dr Toyne: To present the Community Justice Centre Bill 2005 (Serial 20).

      Mr Vatskalis: To present the Veterinarians Amendment (Fees and Penalties) Bill 2005 (Serial 25).

      Dr Burns: To move - That this Assembly:
                  (a) recognises the need for the immediate injection of capital into the telecommunications infrastructure in the Territory;

                  (b) call upon the Prime Minister to ensure that the sale of Telstra results in adequate funding for telecommunications infrastructure for the Territory;

                  (c) more specifically, identifies that $265m is needed to bring the Territory’s telecommunications infrastructure up to an acceptable standard;

                  (d) ask the Prime Minister to consider that the funding sought is essential for the development and economic wellbeing of remote Indigenous communities; and

                  (e) request the Speaker to 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.

      Mr McAdam: To move - That, on Thursday 20 October 2005, so much of Standing Orders be suspended as would prevent the Cemeteries Amendment Bill 2005 (Serial 28), passing through all stages.

      Mr Henderson: To present the Weapons Control Amendment Bill 2005 (Serial 29).
8. QUESTIONS:
      2.04pm Ms Carney Ms Martin.
      Paper tabled: The Leader of the Opposition (Ms Carney), by leave, laid on the Table the following Paper -
Couple's rift exposes years of corruption by Russell Skelton - The Sunday Age, dated 16 October 2005 (Paper 250).

      2.08pm Ms Anderson to Ms Martin.
      2.13pm Ms Carney to Ms Martin.
      2.17pm Mr Knight to Dr Toyne.
      2.21pm Ms Carney to Ms Martin.
      2.25pm Mr Bonson to Mr Stirling.
      2.27pm Mrs Braham to Ms Scrymgour.
      2.29pm Dr Lim to Dr Toyne.
      2.32pm Ms McCarthy to Mr Stirling.
      2.36pm Dr Lim to Dr Toyne.
      2.37pm Ms Sacilotto to Ms Lawrie.
      2.40pm Mr Wood to Ms Martin.
      2.44pm Ms Carney to Ms Martin.
      2.48pm Mr Natt to Dr Toyne.
      2.51pm Ms Carney to Ms Martin.
      2.54pm Mr Knight to Mr Vatskalis.
      2.57pm Mrs Braham to Mr Henderson.
      3pm Mr Burke to Ms Scrymgour.

      The Leader of Government Business (Mr Henderson) asked for further questions to be placed on the Written Question Paper.
9. DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AMENDMENT (POLICE ORDERS) BILL 2005 (Serial 17):
      The Order of the Day having been read for the resumption of debate, suspended earlier this day, on the question - That the Assembly resolve itself into Committee of the Whole for consideration of the Bill -
      The Assembly thereupon resolved itself into Committee of the Whole for consideration of the Bill.
      ________________
      In Committee
      (Chairman - Mr Kiely)

      Clauses 1 and 2, by leave, taken together and agreed to.
      Clause 3 read.
      On the motion of the Minister for Justice and Attorney-General (Dr Toyne) the following amendment was agreed to, after debate -

      Insert after "this Act", (except sections 13A and 14).


      Clause 3, as amended, agreed to.
      Clauses 4 to 13, by leave, taken together and agreed to.
      New Clause 13A read.
      On the motion of Dr Toyne the following new clause 13A was inserted in the Bill, after debate -

      13A. Amendment of Firearms Act

      (1) This section amends the Firearms Act.

      (2) Section 3(1), definitions of "interim restraining order", "interstate restraining order" and "restraining order" –

          Omit
      (3) Section 3(1) –
          insert (in alphabetical order)

          "interim restraining order" means an order –

              (a) that is –
                  (i) made under section 4(1) of the Domestic Violence Act and section 4(5) of that Act applies to it; or

                  (ii) made under section 6(3) or 6A(3) of that Act; or

                  (iii) varied under section 6B(6), 8A(3) or 8B(2) of that Act; and

              (b) that is not confirmed under section 8C of that Act;

          "restraining order" means –

              (a) an order that is –
                  (i) made under section 4(1) of the Domestic Violence Act and section 4(5) of that Act does not apply to it; or

                  (ii) confirmed under section 8C of that Act; or

              (b) an external restraining order within the meaning of that Act;
      Remainder of the Bill, by leave, taken as a whole and agreed to.
      Bill to be reported with amendments.
      _____________
      The Assembly resumed; the Speaker resumed the Chair; and the Chairman (Mr Kiely) reported that the Committee had considered the Bill and agreed to the same, with amendments.
      On the motion of the Minister for Justice and Attorney-General (Dr Toyne) the Bill was read a third time and passed to be a proposed law.

10. DBERD, CENTRAL AGENCY TO DRIVE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT - MINISTERIAL STATEMENT - STATEMENT NOTED:
      The Minister for Business and Economic Development (Mr Henderson) made a statement relating to the central role that DBERD will play in the future economic development of the Northern Territory.
      Mr Henderson moved - That the Assembly take note of the Statement.
      Debate ensued.
      Question - put and passed.
11. NTPS INDIGENOUS EMPLOYMENT AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY - MINISTERIAL STATEMENT - STATEMENT NOTED:
      The Minister for Public Employment (Dr Burns) made a statement relating to the success of Indigenous Employment and Career Development in the Northern Territory Public Service.
      Mr Stirling moved - That the Assembly take note of the Statement.
      Debate ensued.
      Paper tabled: Dr Burns laid on the Table the following Paper -
Indigenous Employment Tool Kit (Paper 239).

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

      Debate continued.
      Question - put and passed.

12. ADJOURNMENT:
      The Minister for Planning and Lands (Dr Burns) moved - That the Assembly do now adjourn.
      Debate ensued.
      Paper tabled: The Member for Greatorex (Dr Lim), by leave, laid on the Table the following Paper -
Letter, Alice D Frost to NT Government - re Work Health, dated 9 September 2005 (Paper 240).

      Debate continued.
      Question - put and passed.
      The Assembly adjourned at 9.39pm until Wednesday 19 October 2005 at 10am.
      _________________

      PAPERS:
      The following Papers were deemed to have been presented on Tuesday 18 October 2005 -

      Annual Reports:
      Lands and Mining Tribunal 2004/2005 (Paper 237)
      Parks and Wildlife Advisory Council 2004/2005 (Paper 236)

      Regulations 2005:
      No. 33, Local Court Amendment (Originating Application) Rules 2005 (Paper 238)
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      ATTENDANCE:
      All Members attended the sitting.
Last updated: 04 Aug 2016