Minutes of Proceedings - 1998-08-18
Eighth Assembly First Session 18/08/1998 Parliamentary Record No. 9
__________________________________________________________________________________
Date : 18/08/1998__________________________________________________________________________________
1. MEETING:
The Assembly met at 10.00 h. The Speaker, the Honourable L M Braham, took the Chair.
2. PRAYERS.
3. ANNOUNCEMENT:
The Speaker informed Members that permission had been granted for media representatives to photograph and record proceedings of the Assembly today for the purposes of sound and vision broadcast and rebroadcast.
4. DISTINGUISHED VISITOR – SENATOR HON MARGARET REID – INVITED TO SIT ON FLOOR OF ASSEMBLY:
The Speaker drew attention of members to the presence in the Speaker’s Gallery of the President of the Senate, Senator the Honourable Margaret Reid, and Mr Tom Reid. The Speaker welcomed the President and invited her to take a seat on the floor of the Chamber.
5. DISTINGUISHED VISITORS – FORMER MEMBERS MR BERN KILGARIFF, MR JOE FISHER AND MR HARRY GIESE - INVITED TO SIT ON FLOOR OF ASSEMBLY:
The Speaker drew the attention of Honourable Members to the presence in the Gallery of former members and distinguished guests and on behalf of honourable members extended them a warm welcome. In particular, Madam Speaker drew attention to the presence of former members of the 7th Legislative Council for the Northern Territory, which transmitted the 1962 Remonstrance to the Commonwealth Parliament, Mr Bern Kilgariff, Mr Joe Fisher and Mr Harry Giese. With the concurrence of honourable members the Speaker invited the former members to take a seat on the floor of the Chamber.
6. PRESENTATION OF 1962 REMONSTRANCE:
The Speaker advised honourable members that the purpose of Madam President’s visit was to present the original remonstrance by the Legislative Council to the Commonwealth Parliament to the Assembly, to remain on permanent loan for display in Parliament House.
The Speaker invited the President to address the Assembly.
7. ADDRESS BY SENATOR THE HONOURABLE MARGARET REID, PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE:
The President of the Senate, Senator the Honourable Margaret Reid, addressed the Assembly and presented the original Remonstrance presented in 1962 by the Legislative Council to the Commonwealth Parliament to be held on permanent loan by the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly (Paper 555).
The Chief Minister (Mr Stone), by leave, made a statement to the Assembly, thanking the President for her address and the presentation of the Remonstrance.
The Leader of the Opposition (Mrs Hickey), by leave, made a statement to the Assembly, thanking the President for her address and the presentation of the Remonstrance.
8. EXPRESSION OF THANKS BY SPEAKER:
The Speaker thanked the President for her address and the presentation of the 1962 Remonstrance.
9. NOTICES:
Mr Stone: To present the Criminal Code Amendment Bill 1998 (Serial 91).
Mr Stone: To present Public Trustee Amendment Bill 1998 (Serial 94).
Mr Stone: To present the Northern Territory Tourist Commission Amendment Bill 1998 (Serial 97).
Mr Stone: To present the Cullen Bay Marina Amendment Bill 1998 (Serial 98).
Mr Stone: To move a motion pursuant to section 5 of the Referendums Act 1998.
Mr Adamson: To present the Racing and Betting Amendment Bill 1998 (Serial 90).
Mr Bailey to move –
That, this Assembly express its concern at the way the Country Liberal Party administration has created a mess in the taxi, private hire car and mini-bus industry and has mishandled changes to the industry and, in particular,
the Assembly express its concern that:
(1) the Country Liberal Party administration has not appropriately consulted and listened to the three sectors of the industry and the general public;
(2) the Country Liberal Party administration clothed the industry with uncertainty for over 18 months as it considered options for rectifying the mess it had created;
(3) a number of people in the industry and fare paying customers will be worse off because of the changes being introduced by the Country Liberal Party administration; and
(4) it will be difficult for many in the industry to plan for the future as it is unclear what the impact of a number of the changes will be.
10. ADVICE FROM LEADER OF GOVERNMENT BUSINESS – PAPER DISTRIBUTED:
The Leader of Government Business (Mr Coulter) advised the Assembly that an amended version of the Legislative Assembly Members Superannuation Bill 1998 (Serial 58) had been prepared and would be distributed to members (Paper 556).
11. QUESTIONS:
10:25 Mrs Hickey to Mr Stone.
10:29 Mr Dunham to Mr Stone.
10:33 Mrs Hickey to Mr Stone.
10:38 Mr Lugg to Mr Reed.
10:42 Mrs Hickey to Mr Stone.
10:46 Mr Balch to Mr Stone.
12. PROPOSED CENSURE OF THE CHIEF MINISTER – MOTION NEGATIVED:
The Leader of the Opposition ( Mrs Hickey) moved – That so much of Standing Orders be suspended as would prevent her moving a motion censuring the Chief Minister for giving Territorians untrue information about the GST package.
The Leader of Government Business (Mr Coulter), informed the Assembly that the Government would, pursuant to Standing Order 95, accept the motion as a censure motion and asked that further questions be placed on the Question Paper.
The Leader of the Opposition (Mrs Hickey) thereupon moved - That this Assembly censures the Chief Minister for giving Territorians untrue information about the GST package; namely,
1. three times falsely claiming that the price of unleaded petrol at the bowser will decrease by 7 cents under the GST;
2. either:
(i) lying about what the Prime Minister told him about the impact of the GST on the price of petrol; or
(ii) believing and recklessly publicising false information given to him by the Prime Minister about the impact of the GST on the price of petrol;
3. falsely claiming that Territorians will be able to afford the GST because they have the highest disposable income in Australia;
4. falsely claiming that the GST will not hurt the Territory’s construction and tourism industries; and
5. failing to publicly retract his false statements and provide truthful and accurate information to Territorians about the real impact of the GST on the Territory (Paper 557).
Debate ensued.
The Deputy Chief Minister (Mr Reed) moved – That the question be now put.
Question - That the question be now put - put.
The Assembly divided (the Speaker, Hon. L.M. Braham, in the Chair) -
AYES, 17 NOES, 5
Mr Adamson Mr Ah Kit
Mr Balch Mrs Hickey
Mr Baldwin Ms Martin
Mr Burke Mr Rioli
Mr Coulter Mr Stirling
Mr Dunham
Mr Elferink
Mr Hatton
Dr Lim
Mr Lugg
Mr McCarthy
Mr Manzie
Mr Mitchell
Mr Palmer
Mr Poole
Mr Reed
Mr Stone
And so it was resolved in the affirmative.
Question – That the censure motion be agreed to - put.
The Assembly divided (the Speaker, Hon. L.M. Braham, in the Chair) -
AYES, 6 NOES, 17
Mr Ah Kit Mr Adamson
Mr Bailey Mr Balch
Mrs Hickey Mr Baldwin
Ms Martin Mr Burke
Mr Rioli Mr Coulter
Mr Stirling Mr Dunham
Mr Elferink
Mr Hatton
Dr Lim
Mr Lugg
Mr McCarthy
Mr Manzie
Mr Mitchell
Mr Palmer
Mr Poole
Mr Reed
Mr Stone
And so it was resolved in the negative.
Motion negatived accordingly.
Suspension of sitting: The sitting of the Assembly was suspended between 12:16 h and 14:29 h.
13. FURTHER NOTICE:
The Minister for Transport Works (Mr Coulter), by leave, gave notice of his intention to present the Darwin Port Authority Amendment Bill 1998 (Serial 93).
14. RECLAIMING THE STREETS, ZERO TOLERANCE POLICING AND THE NORTHERN TERRITORY – MINISTERIAL STATEMENT – STATEMENT NOTED:
The Chief Minister (Mr Stone) made a statement on Zero Tolerance Policing (Paper 558).
Papers tabled: The Chief Minister (Mr Stone) laid on the Table the following Papers -
Graph, Crime Statistics 1996/1997 – NT (per 100 000 of Population), Chart 1, ABS Recorded Crime 1997 (Paper 559);
Graph, Crime Statistics 1996/1997 – NT (per 100 000 of Population), Chart 2, ABS Recorded Crime 1997 (Papers 560);
Back to Basics Policing, Brian Bates, Report, NT Commissioner for Police (Paper 561);
Zero Tolerance Policing Assessment, Report, Andrew Bruyn, Chairman of Directors, Crimestoppers NT Ltd (Paper 562);
Zero Tolerance Policing: Preliminary Report, Austin Asche, NT Law Reform Commissioner (Paper 563);
Recorded Crime, Australia, 1997, Australian Bureau of Statistics (Paper 564);
Drunks attack security guard, article Tennant and District Times, 2 February 1996 (Paper 566); and
Fracas outside Hickey home, article, Centralian Advocate, 2 February 1996 (Paper 567).
Mr Stone moved – That the Assembly take note of the Statement.
Debate ensued.
Paper tabled: The Leader of the Opposition (Mrs Hickey), by leave, laid on the Table the following Paper -
Alcohol Abuse and Anti-Social Behaviour Action Plan, Maggie Hickey MLA, Leader of the Opposition, and Syd Stirling MLA (Paper 565).
Debate continued.
Question put and passed.
15. MATTER OF PUBLIC IMPORTANCE – LAND DEVELOPMENT AND PLANNING:
The Speaker advised that the Member for Fannie Bay (Ms Martin) had proposed as a definite matter of public importance this day:
the need to implement reforms to the Land Development and Planning Approval process in the Territory.
The proposed discussion having received the necessary support –
The Speaker called on Ms Martin to address the Assembly.
Discussion ensued.
Discussion concluded.
16. ADJOURNMENT:
The Minister for Aboriginal Development (Mr Baldwin) moved – That the Assembly do now adjourn.
Debate ensued.
Question – put and passed.
The Assembly adjourned at 20:53 h until 10.00h on Wednesday 19 August 1998.
All Members attended the sitting.
__________________________________________________________________________________
Date : 18/08/1998
1. MEETING:
The Assembly met at 10.00 h. The Speaker, the Honourable L M Braham, took the Chair.
2. PRAYERS.
3. ANNOUNCEMENT:
The Speaker informed Members that permission had been granted for media representatives to photograph and record proceedings of the Assembly today for the purposes of sound and vision broadcast and rebroadcast.
4. DISTINGUISHED VISITOR – SENATOR HON MARGARET REID – INVITED TO SIT ON FLOOR OF ASSEMBLY:
The Speaker drew attention of members to the presence in the Speaker’s Gallery of the President of the Senate, Senator the Honourable Margaret Reid, and Mr Tom Reid. The Speaker welcomed the President and invited her to take a seat on the floor of the Chamber.
5. DISTINGUISHED VISITORS – FORMER MEMBERS MR BERN KILGARIFF, MR JOE FISHER AND MR HARRY GIESE - INVITED TO SIT ON FLOOR OF ASSEMBLY:
The Speaker drew the attention of Honourable Members to the presence in the Gallery of former members and distinguished guests and on behalf of honourable members extended them a warm welcome. In particular, Madam Speaker drew attention to the presence of former members of the 7th Legislative Council for the Northern Territory, which transmitted the 1962 Remonstrance to the Commonwealth Parliament, Mr Bern Kilgariff, Mr Joe Fisher and Mr Harry Giese. With the concurrence of honourable members the Speaker invited the former members to take a seat on the floor of the Chamber.
6. PRESENTATION OF 1962 REMONSTRANCE:
The Speaker advised honourable members that the purpose of Madam President’s visit was to present the original remonstrance by the Legislative Council to the Commonwealth Parliament to the Assembly, to remain on permanent loan for display in Parliament House.
The Speaker invited the President to address the Assembly.
7. ADDRESS BY SENATOR THE HONOURABLE MARGARET REID, PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE:
The President of the Senate, Senator the Honourable Margaret Reid, addressed the Assembly and presented the original Remonstrance presented in 1962 by the Legislative Council to the Commonwealth Parliament to be held on permanent loan by the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly (Paper 555).
The Chief Minister (Mr Stone), by leave, made a statement to the Assembly, thanking the President for her address and the presentation of the Remonstrance.
The Leader of the Opposition (Mrs Hickey), by leave, made a statement to the Assembly, thanking the President for her address and the presentation of the Remonstrance.
8. EXPRESSION OF THANKS BY SPEAKER:
The Speaker thanked the President for her address and the presentation of the 1962 Remonstrance.
9. NOTICES:
Mr Stone: To present the Criminal Code Amendment Bill 1998 (Serial 91).
Mr Stone: To present Public Trustee Amendment Bill 1998 (Serial 94).
Mr Stone: To present the Northern Territory Tourist Commission Amendment Bill 1998 (Serial 97).
Mr Stone: To present the Cullen Bay Marina Amendment Bill 1998 (Serial 98).
Mr Stone: To move a motion pursuant to section 5 of the Referendums Act 1998.
Mr Adamson: To present the Racing and Betting Amendment Bill 1998 (Serial 90).
Mr Bailey to move –
That, this Assembly express its concern at the way the Country Liberal Party administration has created a mess in the taxi, private hire car and mini-bus industry and has mishandled changes to the industry and, in particular,
the Assembly express its concern that:
(1) the Country Liberal Party administration has not appropriately consulted and listened to the three sectors of the industry and the general public;
(2) the Country Liberal Party administration clothed the industry with uncertainty for over 18 months as it considered options for rectifying the mess it had created;
(3) a number of people in the industry and fare paying customers will be worse off because of the changes being introduced by the Country Liberal Party administration; and
(4) it will be difficult for many in the industry to plan for the future as it is unclear what the impact of a number of the changes will be.
10. ADVICE FROM LEADER OF GOVERNMENT BUSINESS – PAPER DISTRIBUTED:
The Leader of Government Business (Mr Coulter) advised the Assembly that an amended version of the Legislative Assembly Members Superannuation Bill 1998 (Serial 58) had been prepared and would be distributed to members (Paper 556).
11. QUESTIONS:
10:25 Mrs Hickey to Mr Stone.
____________________
Distinguished visitor: The Speaker drew the attention of members to the presence in the Speaker’s Gallery of Senator the Honourable Ian Campbell, Parliamentary Secretary to the Federal Treasurer. On behalf of Honourable Members, the Speaker extended a warm welcome to the distinguished visitor. ____________________
10:29 Mr Dunham to Mr Stone.
10:33 Mrs Hickey to Mr Stone.
10:38 Mr Lugg to Mr Reed.
10:42 Mrs Hickey to Mr Stone.
10:46 Mr Balch to Mr Stone.
12. PROPOSED CENSURE OF THE CHIEF MINISTER – MOTION NEGATIVED:
The Leader of the Opposition ( Mrs Hickey) moved – That so much of Standing Orders be suspended as would prevent her moving a motion censuring the Chief Minister for giving Territorians untrue information about the GST package.
The Leader of Government Business (Mr Coulter), informed the Assembly that the Government would, pursuant to Standing Order 95, accept the motion as a censure motion and asked that further questions be placed on the Question Paper.
The Leader of the Opposition (Mrs Hickey) thereupon moved - That this Assembly censures the Chief Minister for giving Territorians untrue information about the GST package; namely,
1. three times falsely claiming that the price of unleaded petrol at the bowser will decrease by 7 cents under the GST;
2. either:
(i) lying about what the Prime Minister told him about the impact of the GST on the price of petrol; or
(ii) believing and recklessly publicising false information given to him by the Prime Minister about the impact of the GST on the price of petrol;
3. falsely claiming that Territorians will be able to afford the GST because they have the highest disposable income in Australia;
4. falsely claiming that the GST will not hurt the Territory’s construction and tourism industries; and
5. failing to publicly retract his false statements and provide truthful and accurate information to Territorians about the real impact of the GST on the Territory (Paper 557).
Debate ensued.
The Deputy Chief Minister (Mr Reed) moved – That the question be now put.
Question - That the question be now put - put.
The Assembly divided (the Speaker, Hon. L.M. Braham, in the Chair) -
AYES, 17 NOES, 5
Mr Adamson Mr Ah Kit
Mr Balch Mrs Hickey
Mr Baldwin Ms Martin
Mr Burke Mr Rioli
Mr Coulter Mr Stirling
Mr Dunham
Mr Elferink
Mr Hatton
Dr Lim
Mr Lugg
Mr McCarthy
Mr Manzie
Mr Mitchell
Mr Palmer
Mr Poole
Mr Reed
Mr Stone
And so it was resolved in the affirmative.
Question – That the censure motion be agreed to - put.
The Assembly divided (the Speaker, Hon. L.M. Braham, in the Chair) -
AYES, 6 NOES, 17
Mr Ah Kit Mr Adamson
Mr Bailey Mr Balch
Mrs Hickey Mr Baldwin
Ms Martin Mr Burke
Mr Rioli Mr Coulter
Mr Stirling Mr Dunham
Mr Elferink
Mr Hatton
Dr Lim
Mr Lugg
Mr McCarthy
Mr Manzie
Mr Mitchell
Mr Palmer
Mr Poole
Mr Reed
Mr Stone
And so it was resolved in the negative.
Motion negatived accordingly.
______________________
Suspension of sitting: The sitting of the Assembly was suspended between 12:16 h and 14:29 h.
______________________
13. FURTHER NOTICE:
The Minister for Transport Works (Mr Coulter), by leave, gave notice of his intention to present the Darwin Port Authority Amendment Bill 1998 (Serial 93).
14. RECLAIMING THE STREETS, ZERO TOLERANCE POLICING AND THE NORTHERN TERRITORY – MINISTERIAL STATEMENT – STATEMENT NOTED:
The Chief Minister (Mr Stone) made a statement on Zero Tolerance Policing (Paper 558).
Papers tabled: The Chief Minister (Mr Stone) laid on the Table the following Papers -
Graph, Crime Statistics 1996/1997 – NT (per 100 000 of Population), Chart 1, ABS Recorded Crime 1997 (Paper 559);
Graph, Crime Statistics 1996/1997 – NT (per 100 000 of Population), Chart 2, ABS Recorded Crime 1997 (Papers 560);
Back to Basics Policing, Brian Bates, Report, NT Commissioner for Police (Paper 561);
Zero Tolerance Policing Assessment, Report, Andrew Bruyn, Chairman of Directors, Crimestoppers NT Ltd (Paper 562);
Zero Tolerance Policing: Preliminary Report, Austin Asche, NT Law Reform Commissioner (Paper 563);
Recorded Crime, Australia, 1997, Australian Bureau of Statistics (Paper 564);
Drunks attack security guard, article Tennant and District Times, 2 February 1996 (Paper 566); and
Fracas outside Hickey home, article, Centralian Advocate, 2 February 1996 (Paper 567).
Mr Stone moved – That the Assembly take note of the Statement.
Debate ensued.
Paper tabled: The Leader of the Opposition (Mrs Hickey), by leave, laid on the Table the following Paper -
Alcohol Abuse and Anti-Social Behaviour Action Plan, Maggie Hickey MLA, Leader of the Opposition, and Syd Stirling MLA (Paper 565).
Debate continued.
Question put and passed.
15. MATTER OF PUBLIC IMPORTANCE – LAND DEVELOPMENT AND PLANNING:
The Speaker advised that the Member for Fannie Bay (Ms Martin) had proposed as a definite matter of public importance this day:
the need to implement reforms to the Land Development and Planning Approval process in the Territory.
The proposed discussion having received the necessary support –
The Speaker called on Ms Martin to address the Assembly.
Discussion ensued.
Discussion concluded.
16. ADJOURNMENT:
The Minister for Aboriginal Development (Mr Baldwin) moved – That the Assembly do now adjourn.
Debate ensued.
Question – put and passed.
The Assembly adjourned at 20:53 h until 10.00h on Wednesday 19 August 1998.
_________________
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ATTENDANCE:-----------------
All Members attended the sitting.
Last updated: 04 Aug 2016