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Department of the Legislative Assembly, Northern Territory Government

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Minutes of Proceedings - 2008-11-26

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

2. PRAYERS.

3. PAIRS ARRANGEMENTS:
      The Speaker (Mrs Aagaard) laid on the Table a document relating to pairs for today which is for the period from 11 pm Wednesday, 26 November and covering all of Thursday, 27 November for the Member for Karama who will be covered by the Member for Port Darwin.

4. MINISTERIAL REPORTS:
      Australia Film: The Chief Minister (Mr Henderson) reported on the screening of the film Australia produced by Baz Luhrman.
      Mr Mills responded.
      Mr Henderson replied.

      Gamba Grass - Declared Weed: The Minister for Natural Resource, Environment and Heritage (Ms Anderson) reported on the declaration of the Gamba Grass as a weed and its new management regime.
      Paper tabled: Ms Anderson laid on the Table the following Paper -
Proposed Gamba Grass Declared Management Zones (Paper 147).

      Mr Chandler responded.
      Mr Wood responded.
      Ms Anderson replied.

      Industry Participation Plan: The Minister for Business and Employment (Mr Vatskalis) reported on plans for local business to participate in government capital works and procurement projects to support Territory businesses.
      Paper tabled: Mr Vatskalis laid on the Table the following Paper -
Industry Participation Plans Being Monitored as at November 2008 (Paper 148).

      Mr Tollner responded.
      Mr Vatskalis replied.

      Ministerial Reports noted, pursuant to Standing Orders.

5. ELECTORAL AMENDMENT BILL 2008 (Serial 21):
      The Chief Minister (Mr Henderson), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the Electoral Act.
      Bill read a first time.
      Mr Henderson moved - That the Bill be now read a second time.
      Debate ensued.
      Paper tabled: Mr Henderson laid on the Table the following Paper -
Explanatory Statement, Electoral Amendment Bill 2008 (Serial 21) (Paper 150).

      On the motion of the Member for Blain (Mr Mills) debate was adjourned.

6. OMBUDSMAN BILL 2008 (Serial 25):
      The Chief Minister (Mr Henderson), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to establish the office of Ombudsman for the Northern Territory for investigating, and dealing with complaints about, particular actions of public authorities and conduct of police officers, and for related purposes.
      Bill read a first time.
      Mr Henderson moved - That the Bill be now read a second time.
      Debate ensued.
      Paper tabled: Mr Henderson laid on the Table the following Paper -
Explanatory Statement, Ombudsman Bill 2008 (Serial 25) (Paper 151).

      On the motion of the Member for Blain (Mr Mills) debate was adjourned.
7. DOMESTIC AND FAMILY VIOLENCE AMENDMENT BILL 2008 (Serial 26):
      The Minister for Justice and Attorney-General (Dr Burns), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the Domestic and Family Violence Act.
      Bill read a first time.
      Dr Burns moved - That the Bill be now read a second time.
      Debate ensued.
      Paper tabled: Dr Burns laid on the Table the following Paper -
Explanatory Statement, Domestic and Family Violence Amendment Bill 2008 (Serial 26) (Paper 152).

      On the motion of the Member for Araluen (Ms Carney) debate was adjourned.
8. ICHTHYS LNG Project Bill 2008 (Serial 10):
      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.
      Paper tabled: The Chief Minister (Mr Henderson) laid on the Table the following Paper -
Project Development Agreement Ichthys LNG Project (INPEX), the Northern Territory of Australia, the Northern Territory Minister for Planning and Lands, INPEX Browse Ltd ABN 75084 450 260, Total E & P Australia ARBN 112 603 880 (incorporated in France) with limited liability of shareholders (Paper 149).

      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.
    ________________

    Suspension of sittings: The sittings of the Assembly was suspended between 12.06pm and 2 pm.
    ________________

9. NOTICES:
      The following notices were given -
      Mr Vatskalis: To present the Geothermal Energy Bill 2008 (Serial 22).
      Mr Giles: To move - That:

              (a) the Assembly establish a Sessional Committee entitled the Central Australian Development Committee to,
                  (i) inquire into and report on detailed and specific measures and resource requirements to support the economic development of Central Australia; and

                  (ii) inquire into and report on detailed and specific measures and resource requirements to support the reduction in anti social behaviour;

              (b) the committee comprise of 5 members: Members for Braitling, Araluen, Greatorex, Macdonnell and Stuart;

              (c) a Chairman be selected by the committee and two staff are provided to work with the committee;
                (d) the committee shall conduct hearings of stakeholders and individuals interested in the future of Central Australia comprising and not limited to, Alice Springs Town Council, Central Desert and Macdonnell Shires CEO’S and their elected officials, pastoral associations, Tangentyere Council, Central Land Council, Central Australian Tourism, Chamber of Commerce, Alice Springs Hospital, Council of School Principals, Central Australian Aboriginal Congress, youth service providers, teachers and nurses unions, and media representatives; and

                (e) the committee report no later than 30 September 2009.
        Ms Anderson: To present the Territory Parks and Wildlife Conservation Amendment Bill 2008 (Serial 24).

        Dr Burns: To present the Cross-Border Justice Bill 2008 (Serial 23).

    10. QUESTIONS:
        2.06pm Mr Mills to Mr Henderson.
        2.09pm Ms Walker to Mr Henderson.
        2.12pm Mr Mills to Mr Henderson.
        2.16pm Mr Gunner to Mr Henderson.
        2.19pm Mr Mills to Mr Henderson.
        2.23pm Mr McCarthy to Dr Burns.
        2.30pm Mr Mills to Mr Henderson.
        Paper tabled: The Leader of the Opposition (Mr Mils) laid on the Table the following Paper -
    Police Roster for Palmerston (Paper 153).

        2.35pm Mr Gunner to Ms Lawrie.
        2.39pm Mr Bohlin to Mr Henderson.
        2.42pm Mr McCarthy To Ms Scrymgour.
        Papers tabled: Ms Scrymgour laid on the Table the following Papers -
    Graph Transforming Indigenous Education in the Territory (Paper 154); and
    Bilingual Schools in the Northern Territory, Data for (Paper 155).

        2.52pm Mr Elferink to Mr Henderson.
        2.57pm Ms Walker to Mr Knight.
        3pm Mr Wood to Mr Vatskalis.

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

    11. STANDING ORDERS COMMITTEE, ELEVENTH ASSEMBLY - FIRST REPORT - RECOMMENDATIONS ADOPTED:
        The Chair of the Standing Orders Committee (Ms Lawrie) laid on the Table the First Report of the Standing Orders Committee, Eleventh Assembly dated November 2008 Recommending: Sitting and Adjournment of the Assembly, Speech Time Limits, Sound and Vision System, Consideration of General Business and the Conduct of Question Time (Paper 156).
        Ms Lawrie moved - That the Assembly adopt Recommendations contained in the Report.
        Debate ensued.
        Papers tabled: Ms Lawrie laid on the Table the following Paper -
    Letters, Opposition Members MPI's, Eleventh Assembly to date (Paper 162).

        Debate continued.
        Question - put and passed - Recommendations adopted.
    12. PERSONAL EXPLANATION:
        The Member for Greatorex (Mr Conlan) explained his actions which occurred earlier in debate on the First Report of the Standing Orders Committee, 11th Assembly which were required to be withdrawn on instruction by the Speaker after the insistence of the Member for Jingili (Dr Burns).

    13. TREASURER'S ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT 2007/2008 - REPORT NOTED:
        The Treasurer (Ms Lawrie), pursuant to notice, moved - That the Assembly take note of the Treasurer's Annual Financial Report 2007/2008, tabled on 30 October 2008.
        Debate ensued.
        ________________

        Suspension of sittings: The sittings of the Assembly was suspended between 6.15pm and 7pm.
        ________________

        Debate resumed.
        Question - put and passed.
    14. AUDITOR-GENERAL'S REPORT NOVEMBER 2008 - PAPER TABLED:
        The Speaker (Mrs Aagaard) laid on the Table the Auditor-General's November 2008 Report. (Paper 161)
        The Chief Minister (Mr Henderson) moved - That the Report be printed.
        Question - put and passed.
        Mr Henderson moved - That the Assembly take note of the Report and that he have leave to continue his remarks at a later hour.
        Leave granted - Debate adjourned.
    15. MATTER OF PUBLIC IMPORTANCE - RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN INDIGENOUS AND NON-INDIGENOUS TERRITORIANS:
        The Speaker advised the Assembly that the Member for Braitling (Mr Giles) had proposed the following definite Matter of Public Importance for discussion this day:
            The impact of the degradation of the relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Territorians in regional centres across the Territory.
        The proposed discussion having received the necessary support -
        Discussion ensued.
        Discussion concluded.
      16. ADJOURNMENT:
          The Minister for Business and Employment (Mr Vatskalis) moved - That the Assembly do now adjourn.
          Debate ensued.
          Question - That the motion be agreed to - put.
          The Assembly divided (the Speaker, Hon. J. L Aagaard, in the Chair) -

          AYES, 12 NOES, 10

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

          And so it was resolved in the affirmative.

          Pairs: Mr Elferink and Ms Lawrie from 11pm, 26 November 2008 until close of sittings 27 November 2008.

          And the Assembly adjourned at 11.50pm, until Thursday 27 November 2008 at 10am.
          ________________

          PAPERS:
          The following Papers were deemed to have been presented on Wednesday 26 November 2008 -

          Regulations 2008
          No. 30, Alice Springs (Animal Management) By-Laws (Paper 157)
          No. 31, Water Amendment (Paper 158)
          No. 32, Traffic Amendment (Seat Belt Penalties) (Paper 159)
          No. 33, Supreme Court Amendment (Expert Witnesses) Rules (Paper 160)
      ____________________
          ATTENDANCE:
          All Members attended the sittings.
      Last updated: 04 Aug 2016
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