Department of the Legislative Assembly, Northern Territory Government

Minutes of Proceedings - 2010-04-29

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

    2. PRAYERS.

    3. MESSAGE FROM THE ADMINISTRATOR:
        The Speaker laid on the Table the following Message from the Administrator -
        Message No. 15
        Recommending Minerals Title Bill 2009

        I, Thomas Ian Pauling, AO QC the Administrator of the Northern Territory of Australia, under section 11 of the Northern Territory (Self-Government) Act 1978 (Cth), recommend to the Legislative Assembly a Bill for an Act, one of the purposes of which is to authorise the Territory to pay to the Commonwealth, from public moneys received by the Territory, an amount for particular mineral royalty payments refunded by the Commonwealth.

        Dated 12 February 2010.


        Thomas Ian Pauling, AO QC
        Administrator (Paper 749)

    4. LEAVE OF ABSENCE – MEMBER FOR ARNHEM:
        The Leader of Government Business (Dr Burns) moved – That leave of absence be granted to the Member for Arnhem (Ms McCarthy) for today.
        Question – put and passed.

    5. PAIRS:
        The Speaker laid on the Table the further Pair arrangements for this sittings period:
    The Member for Arnhem (Ms McCarthy) and the Member for Port Darwin (Mr Elferink) being paired for 29 April 2010, the whole sitting day;
    The Member for Barkly (Mr McCarthy) and the Member for Fong Lim (Mr Tollner) being paired for 29 April 2010, 12 Noon to close of business;
    The Member for Daly (Mr Knight) and the Member for Araluen (Ms Carney) being paired for 29 April 2010, 3pm to 4.30pm. (Paper 750).

    6. MINERAL TITLES BILL 2010 (Serial 98):
        The Minister for Primary Industry land Resources (Mr Vatskalis), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act about exploration for, and extraction and processing of, minerals and extractive minerals in the Territory, and for related purposes.
        Bill read a first time.
        Mr Vatskalis moved – That the Bill be now read a second time.
        Debate ensued.
        Paper tabled: Mr Vatskalis laid on the Table the following Paper –
    Explanatory Statement, Mineral Titles Bill 2010 (Paper 751).

        On the motion of the Member for Katherine (Westra van Holthe) debate was adjourned.
    7. PETROLEUM AMENDMENT AND RELATED MATTERS BILL 2010 (Serial 91):
        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.
        _________________

        Visitors: The Speaker advised Members of the presence in the public galleries of Clyde Fenton Primary School, Year 5/6 students accompanied by Miss Sophia Perry, Ms Sandy Cartwright and Mr Glenn Hayles.
        On behalf of all Members the Speaker extended a warm welcome to the visitors.
        _________________

        Debate continued.
        Question – put and passed.
        Bill read a second time.
        ______________________

        Suspension of sittings: The sittings of the Assembly was suspended between 12.02pm and 2pm.
        ______________________

    8. NOTICES:
        The following notices were given:
        Mr Elferink: To move - That:

            The conduct of the Estimates Committee for 2011 be referred to the Standing Orders Committee for specific consideration and report no later than August 2010 on the specific matters of:

            (a) extending the 2011 estimates committee to run over 2 weeks;

            (b) the hours of operation of the Estimates Committee, including Government Owned Corporations Scrutiny Committee be set; and

            (c) the number of sitting days to be reduced to reflect any additional hours provided to the Estimates Committee.
    9. QUESTIONS:
        2.03pm Mr Mills to Mr Henderson.
        2.06pm Ms Walker to Mr Hampton
        _____________________

        Visitors: The Speaker advised Members of the presence in the public galleries of Darwin High School, Year 11, Stage 1 Legal Studies students accompanied by Ms Jane Farr.
        On behalf of all Members the Speaker extended a warm welcome to the visitors.
        _____________________

        2.10pm Ms Purick to Ms Lawrie.
        2.13pm Mr Gunner to Mr Henderson.
        2.15pm Mr Chandler to Mr Hampton.
        2.19pm Mr Wood to Mr Henderson.
        2.22pm Ms Scrymgour to Ms Lawrie.
        2.26pm Mr Chandler to Mr Hampton.
        2.29pm Mr Gunner to Mr Knight.
        2.32pm Mr Wood to Mr Hampton.
        2.35pm Mr Chandler to Mr Hampton.
        2.39pm Mr Gunner to Mr Vatskalis.
        2.43pm Mr Chandler to Mr Hampton.
        2.47pm Mr Wood to Mr Vatskalis.
        2.52pm Mr Gunner to Mr Vatskalis.
        2.54pm Mr chandler to Mr McCarthy.
        2.57pm Mr Wood to Mr Vatskalis and referred to Ms Lawrie.
        3.01pm Ms Scrymgour to Mr Knight.

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

    10. PETROLEUM AMENDMENT AND RELATED MATTERS BILL 2010 (Serial 91):
        The Assembly resumed.
        The Assembly resolved itself into committee of the Whole for consideration of the Bill.
        ____________________
        In Committee
        (Deputy Speaker and Chair of Committees Ms Walker in the Chair)

        Bill, be leave, taken as a whole.
        Debate ensued.
        Bill to be reported without amendments.
        ______________________

        The Assembly resumed; the Speaker took the Chair; and the Deputy Speaker and Chair of Committees (Ms Walker) reported that the Committee had agreed to the Bill without amendment.
        And the Report was adopted.
        On the motion of the Minister for Primary Industry, Fisheries and Resources (Mr Vatskalis) the Bill was read a third time and passed to be a proposed law.
    11. PUBLIC INFORMATION BILL 2010 (Serial 77):
        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.
    12. REMUNERATION TRIBUNAL REPORT ON THE ENTITLEMENTS OF ASSEMBLY MEMBERS AND DETERMINATION NO. 1 of 2009 – 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.
        Question – put and passed.

    13. AUDITOR-GENERAL’S FEBRUARY 2010 REPORT TO THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY –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.
        Question – put and passed.

    14. PERSONAL EXPLANATION:
        The Leader of the Opposition (Mr Mills) made a personal explanation relating to comments made by the Chief Minister (Mr Henderson) earlier this day during the debate on the Public Information Bill re permission for opposition to display material on a private block of land.
    15. Northern Territory Government response to 1st report of the council of territory co-operation – REPORT TABLED – MOTION TO NOTE REPORT:
        The Treasurer (Ms Lawrie) laid on the Table the Northern Territory Government Response to the First Report of the Committee of Territory Cooperation, dated April 2010 (Paper 752).
        Ms Lawrie moved – That the Assembly take note of the Report.
        Leave granted to Ms Lawrie to speak at a later hour.
        On the motion of the Leader of Government Business (Dr Burns) debate was adjourned.
    16. DELIVERING WORLD CLASS INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY FOR ALL TERRITORIANS - MINISTERIAL STATEMENT – MOTION TO NOTE STATEMENT:
        The Minister for Information and Communications (Mr Hampton) made a statement relating to the delivery of Information, Communication and Technology Policy to deliver technology for Territorians.
        Mr Hampton moved – That the Assembly take note of the Statement.
        Debate ensued.
        Quorum: The Member for Braitling (Mr Giles) drew the attention of the Assembly to the state of the House.
        And the Bells having been rung -
        A Quorum having been obtained.
        The Assembly resumed.
        Debate continued.

        Quorum: The Member for Braitling (Mr Giles) drew the attention of the Assembly to the state of the House.
        And the Bells having been rung -
        A Quorum having been obtained.
        The Assembly resumed.
        Debate continued.

        Extension of time: On the motion of the Member for Braitling (Mr Giles) the Member for Drysdale (Mr Bohlin) was granted an extension of time, pursuant to Standing Order 77.
        Debate continued.

        Quorum: The Member for Braitling (Mr Giles) drew the attention of the Assembly to the state of the House.
        And the Bells having been rung -
        A Quorum having been obtained.
        The Assembly resumed.
        Debate continued.

        Extension of time: On the motion of the Member for Drysdale (Mr Bohlin) the Member for Fong Lim (Mr Tollner) was granted an extension of time, pursuant to Standing Order 77.
        Debate continued.

        Quorum: The Member for Braitling (Mr Giles) drew the attention of the Assembly to the state of the House.
        And the Bells having been rung -
        A Quorum having been obtained.
        The Assembly resumed.
        Debate continued.

        Quorum: The Member for Braitling (Mr Giles) drew the attention of the Assembly to the state of the House.
        And the Bells having been rung -
        A Quorum having been obtained.
        The Assembly resumed.
        Debate continued.

        Extension of time: On the motion of the Member for Drysdale (Mr Bohlin) the Member for Braitling (Mr Giles) was granted an extension of time, pursuant to Standing Order 77.
        Debate continued.

        On the motion of the Treasurer (Ms Lawrie) debate was adjourned.
        Proposed Matter of Public Importance – Matter Not Proceeded With:
        The Speaker called on the Matter of Public Importance in the name of the Member for Goyder (Ms Purick).
        The Member for Goyder (Ms Purick) not being present – matter not proceeded with.

    17. ADJOURNMENT:
        The Treasurer (Ms Lawrie) moved – That the Assembly do now adjourn.
        Debate ensued.
        Question - put and passed.
        And the Assembly adjourned at 8.08pm, until 4 May 2010 at 10am.
        ________________

        PAPERS:
        There were no Papers deemed to have been presented on Thursday 29 April 2010.
    ____________________
        ATTENDANCE:
        All Members attended the sittings, except Ms Malarndirri McCarthy on leave.
Last updated: 04 Aug 2016