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Minutes of Proceedings - 1999-10-21

Eighth Assembly First Session 12/10/1999 Parliamentary Record No. 19
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Date : 21/10/1999
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1. MEETING:
    The Assembly met at 10.00 h. The Speaker, the Honourable T R McCarthy, took the Chair.

2. PRAYERS.

3. VISITORS:
    The Speaker advised honourable Members of the presence in the Galleries of Year 11 politics students from Casuarina Senior College accompanied by their teacher Mr Graham Parker.
    On behalf of Members the Speaker extended a warm welcome to the visitors.

4. QUESTIONS:
    10:01 Mr Toyne to Mr Adamson.
    Paper tabled: The Member for Stuart (Mr Toyne), by leave, laid on the Table the following Paper –
IESIP Review 1999 Key Findings (Paper 1565).
    10:05 Mr Elferink to Mr Burke.
    Member suspended: The Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 240A, ordered the Member for Nhulunbuy (Mr Stirling), at 10:13 h withdraw from the Chamber for a period of one hour on account of disorderly conduct.

    10:17 Mr Toyne to Mr Adamson.
    Paper tabled: The Minister for Tertiary Education(Mr Adamson) laid on the Table the following Paper –
Extract from Directory Governments of Australia, September 99, re description of Mr Toyne’s educational attainment (Paper 1566).

    10:21 Mr Hatton. To Mr Burke.
    10:26 Mrs Hickey to Mr Adamson.
    10:30 Mr Balch to Mr Reed.
    10:37 Mr Ah Kit to Mr Adamson.
    10:41 Mr Mills to Mr Adamson.
    10:44 Ms Martin to Mr Burke.
    10:48 Mr Poole to Mr Lugg.
    Supplementary Question: Mr Poole asked a supplementary question of Mr Lugg.

    The Leader of Government Business (Mr Palmer) asked that further questions be placed on the Question Paper and the parliamentary broadcast be discontinued.
5. CENSURE - MINISTER FOR EDUCATION RE ABORIGINAL EDUCATION – MOTION, AS AMENDED, AGREED TO:
    The Member for Stuart (Mr Toyne) moved – That so much of Standing Orders be suspended as would prevent him moving a motion censuring the Minister for School Education for breaching contractual arrangements with the Federal Government in managing funds for Aboriginal Education.
    The Leader of Government Business (Mr Palmer) informed the Assembly that the Government would, pursuant to Standing Order 95, accept the motion as a censure motion.

    The Member for Stuart (Mr Toyne) thereupon moved – That the Assembly censure the Minister for Education (Mr Adamson) for:
      (a) his abysmal performance in managing funds for Aboriginal Education as revealed by his own Department;

      (b) breaching a contract between his Department and the Federal Government; and

      (c) failing Territorians by presiding over an inept and inadequate Aboriginal Education Program (Paper 1567).

    Debate ensued.
    Papers tabled: The Minister for School Education (Mr Adamson) laid on the Table the following Papers –
Press release, Member for Stuart (Mr Toyne), What is Peter Adamson going to do with Fred Finch’s Training Timebomb, dated 16 July 99 (Paper 1569);
Press release, Member for Stuart (Mr Toyne), Teenage Taskforce Idea Needs Government Support, dated 19 January 1999 (Paper 1570);
Press release, Member for Stuart (Mr Toyne), Adamson Admits Mess in Aboriginal Education, dated 29 January 1999 (Paper 1571);
Press release, Member for Stuart (Mr Toyne), $20 million cut to Education 166 Jobs to go, dated 1 December 1998 (Paper 1572);
Press release, Member for Stuart (Mr Toyne), Adamson Plays Prank with Parliamentary Petition, dated 9 March 1999 (Paper 1573); and
Press release, Member for Stuart (Mr Toyne), Chaos on eve of school start, dated 29 January 1999
(Paper 1574).
    The Minister for School Education (Mr Adamson) moved – That the motion be amended by omitting all words after “that” and insert in their stead “this Assembly censures the Member for Stuart for his:
      (a) continuing misrepresentation of the true state of education in the Northern Territory;

      (b) repeated contradictions of his own position on education matters; and

      (c) his failure to offer any policies or strategies to address ongoing issues facing education in the Northern Territory (Paper 1568).

    The Minister for School Education (Mr Adamson) moved that the question be now put – put and passed.
    Question – That the amendment be agreed to – put.
    The Assembly divided (the Speaker, Hon. T.R. McCarthy, in the Chair) -

    AYES, 15 NOES, 7

    Mr Adamson Mr Ah Kit
    Mr Balch Mr Henderson
    Mr Baldwin Mrs Hickey
    Mrs Braham Ms Martin
    Mr Burke Mr Rioli
    Mr Dunham Mr Stirling
    Mr Elferink Mr Toyne
    Dr Lim
    Mr Lugg
    Mr Manzie
    Mr Mills
    Mr Palmers
    Mr Poole
    Mr Reed
    Mr Stone

    And so it was resolved in the affirmative.
    Question – That the motion, as amended, be agreed to – put.
    The Assembly divided (the Speaker, Hon. T R. McCarthy, in the Chair) -

    AYES, 15 NOES, 7

    Mr Adamson Mr Ah Kit
    Mr Balch Mr Henderson
    Mr Baldwin Mrs Hickey
    Mrs Braham Ms Martin
    Mr Burke Mr Rioli
    Mr Dunham Mr Stirling
    Mr Elferink Mr Toyne
    Dr Lim
    Mr Lugg
    Mr Manzie
    Mr Mills
    Mr Palmers
    Mr Poole
    Mr Reed
    Mr Stone

    And so it was decided in the affirmative.
    Motion, as amended, agreed to.
6. SPECIAL ADJOURNMENT:
    The Leader of Government Business (Mr Palmer) moved – That the Assembly at its rising adjourn until Tuesday 23 November 1999 at 10:00 h or such other time and/ or date as may be set by Mr Speaker, pursuant to Sessional Order.
    Question – put and passed.
    ____________________

    Suspension of sitting: The sitting was suspended between 11:44 h and 14:00 h.
    ____________________
7. TREASURER’S ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT AND STATEMENT, 1998-99 – PAPER TABLED – MOTION TO NOTE PAPER:
    The Treasurer (Mr Reed) laid on the Table the Treasurer’s Annual Financial Report and Statement 1998-99 (Paper 1575).
    Mr Reed made a statement relating thereto.
    Mr Reed moved – That the Assembly take note of the Report and that he have leave to continue his remarks at a later hour.
    Ordered – That the Mr Reed have leave to continue his remarks at a later hour.
    Debate adjourned.
8. ENCOURAGING STRONG NORTHERN TERRITORY REGIONS AND COMMUNITIES – MINISTERIAL STATEMENT – STATEMENT NOTED:
    The Minister for Defence Support and Regional Development (Mr Baldwin) made a statement relating to Government focus and encouragement to build strong Northern Territory Regions and Communities (Paper 1576).
    Paper tabled: Mr Baldwin laid on the Table the following Paper -
Foundations for Our Future, the Northern Territory – Encourages Strong Northern Territory Regions and Communities (Paper 1577).
    Mr Baldwin moved – That the Assembly take note of the Statement.
    Debate ensued.
    Question – put and passed.

9.YEAR 2000 READINESS – MINISTERIAL STATEMENT – STATEMENT NOTED:
    The Minister for Communications, Science and advanced Technology (Mr Adamson) made a statement relating to processes, preparation, and remediation works carried out by government to manage the Year 2000 project (Paper 1599).
    Mr Adamson moved – That the Assembly take note of the Statement.
    Paper tabled: Mr Adamson laid on the Table the following Paper –
Brochure, Y2K moving into the next millennium (Paper 1600).
    Debate ensued.
    Question – put and passed.
10. LEGAL AID AMENDMENT BILL 1999 (Serial 176):
    The Minister for Primary Industry and Fisheries (Mr Palmer) on behalf of and at the request of the Attorney-General (Mr Burke), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the Legal Aid Act.
    Bill read a first time.
    Mr Burke moved – That the Bill be now read a second time.
    On the motion of the Member for Fannie Bay (Ms Martin) debate was adjourned.
11. LAW OF PROPERTY BILL 1999 (Serial 200); and LAND TITLE BILL 1999 (Serial 201):
    Suspension of Standing Orders: The Minister for Primary Industry and Fisheries (Mr Palmer) moved – That so much of Standing Orders be suspended as would prevent Bills entitled Law of Property Bill 1999 (Serial 200); and Land Title Bill 1999 (Serial 201) –
      (a) being presented and read a first time together and one motion being put in regard to, respectively, the second readings; the committee’s report stage; and the third readings of the Bills together; and
      (b) the consideration of the Bills separately in the Committee of the Whole.

    Question – put and passed - there being an absolute majority of the whole number of Members present and no dissentient voice.

    The Minister for Primary Industry and Fisheries (Mr Palmer) on behalf of and at the request of the Attorney-General (Mr Burke), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to consolidate, amend and reform the law relating to conveyancing, property and contract, and for related purposes; and a Bill for an Act to consolidate and reform the law about the registration of land and interests in land and for related purposes.
    Bills read a first time.
    Mr Burke moved – That the Bill be now read a second time.
    On the motion of the Member for Fannie Bay (Ms Martin) debate was adjourned.
12. PLANNING BILL 1999 (Serial 198); and PLANNING (CONSEQUENTIAL AMENDMENTS) BILL 1999 (Serial 199):
    Suspension of Standing Orders: The Minister for Lands, Planning and Environment (Mr Baldwin) moved – That so much of Standing Orders be suspended as would prevent Bills entitled Planning Bill 1999 (Serial 198); and Planning (Consequential Amendments) Bill 1999 (Serial 199): –
      (a) being presented and read a first time together and one motion being put in regard to, respectively, the second readings; the committee’s report stage; and the third readings of the Bills together; and

      (b) the consideration of the Bills separately in the Committee of the Whole.

    Question – put and passed - there being an absolute majority of the whole number of Members present and no dissentient voice.

    Mr Baldwin, pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to provide for appropriate and orderly planning and control of the use and development of land, and for related purposes; and a Bill for an Act to amend various Acts and Regulations consequential on the enactment of the Planning Act 1999.
    Bills read a first time.
    Mr Baldwin moved – That the Bills be now read a second time.
    On the motion of the Member for Fannie Bay (Ms Martin) debate was adjourned.
13 PARKS AND WILDLIFE COMMISSION AMENDMENT BILL 1999 (Serial 180):
    The Minister for Parks and Wildlife (Mr Reed), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the Parks and Wildlife Commission Act.
    Bill read a first time.
    Mr Reed moved – That the Bill be now read a second time.
    On the motion of the Member for Wanguri (Mr Henderson) debate was adjourned.
14. NITMILUK (KATHERINE GORGE) NATIONAL PARK AMENDMENT BILL 1999 (Serial 181):
    The Minister for Parks and Wildlife (Mr Reed), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the Nitmiluk (Katherine Gorge) National Park Act.
    Bill read a first time.
    Mr Reed moved – That the Bill be now read a second time.
    On the motion of the Member for Wanguri (Mr Henderson) debate was adjourned.
15. FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT AMENDMENT BILL 1999 (Serial 175):
    The Order of the Day having been read for the resumption of the 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 Attorney-General (Mr Reed) the Bill was read a third time and passed to be proposed law.
16. SELECT COMMITTEE ON TERRITORY FOOD PRICES - FOOD PRICES IN THE NORTHERN TERRITORY – PRICE, QUALITY AND CHOICE - STRIKING A FAIR BALANCE REPORT, VOLUMES I, II AND III –– MOTION TO NOTE REPORT:
    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.
    The Leader of the Opposition (Ms Martin) moved – That all words after “That” be omitted and insert in their stead, “the Assembly endorse the terms of the minority report.”.
    The Leader of Government Business (Mr Palmer (Mr Palmer) moved – That the question be now put.
    Question – That the question be now put – put.
    The Assembly divided (the Speaker, Hon. T. R. McCarthy, in the Chair) -

    AYES, 13 NOES, 6

    Mr Adamson Mr Ah Kit
    Mr Balch Mr Henderson
    Mr Baldwin Mrs Hickey
    Mrs Braham Ms Martin
    Mr Burke Mr Stirling
    Mr Elferink Mr Toyne
    Mr Hatton
    Dr Lim
    Mr Mills
    Mr Manzie
    Mr Palmer
    Mr Poole
    Mr Reed

    And so it was resolved in the affirmative.
    Question – That the amendment be agreed to – put.
    The Assembly divided (the Speaker, Hon. T. R. McCarthy, in the Chair) -

    AYES, 6 NOES, 13

    Mr Ah Kit Mr Adamson
    Mr Henderson Mr Balch
    Mrs Hickey Mr Baldwin
    Ms Martin Mrs Braham
    Mr Stirling Mr Burke
    Mr Toyne Mr Elferink
    Mr Hatton
    Dr Lim
    Mr Mills
    Mr Manzie
    Mr Palmer
    Mr Poole
    Mr Reed

    Amendment negatived accordingly.
    On the motion of the Leader of Government Business (Mr Palmer) debate was adjourned.
17. AUDITOR-GENERAL’S REPORT, AUGUST 1999 – 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.
18. ADJOURNMENT:
    The Minister for Industries an Business (Mr Baldwin) moved – That the Assembly do now adjourn.
    Debate ensued.
    Question – put and passed.
    And the Assembly adjourned at 23:10 h until 10:00 h on Thursday 21 October 1999.
      PAPERS:
      The following Papers were deemed to be presented on Thursday 21 October 1999 –

      Annual Reports:

      Alice Springs Hospital Management Board, 1998/99 (Paper 1587)
      Department of Arts & Museums, 1998/99 (Paper 1584)
      Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries, 1998/99 (Paper 1579)
      Department of the Chief Minister, 1998/99 (Paper 1596)
      Director of Public Prosecutions, 1998/99 (Paper 1590)
      Gove District Hospital Management Board, 1998/99 (Paper 1592)
      Health and Community Services, Complaints Commission, (First), 1998/99 (Paper 1597)
      Katherine Hospital Management Board, 1998/99 (Paper 1586)
      Listening Devices Act, 1998/99 (Paper 1581)
      Mental Health Act, 1998/99 (Paper 1589)
      National Road Transport Commission, 1998/99 (Paper 1578)
      Northern Territory Attorney-General’s Department, 1998/99 (Paper 1582)
      Northern Territory Government Conditions of Service Trust, 1998/99 (Paper 1580)
      Office of Communications, Science and Advanced Technology, 1998/99 (Paper 1598)
      Office of Courts Administration, 1998/99 (Paper 1588)
      Prostitution Regulation Act, (Sixth), 1997/98 (Paper 1583)
      Prostitution Regulation Act, (Seventh), 1998/99 (Paper 1602)
      Royal Darwin Hospital Management Board, 1998/99 (Paper 1593)
      Tennant Creek Hospital Management Board, 1998/99 (Paper 1591)
      Territory Health Services, 1998/99 (Paper 1585)

      Financial Statements:

      Auditor-General's Report to the Minister for Racing, Gaming and Licensing, TAB for year ended 30 June 1999 (Paper 1594)
      Northern Territory Auditor-General's Office for year ended 30 June 1999, (Paper 1595)
      ATTENDANCE:
      All Members attended the sitting except Mr Mitchell, on leave.

      Ian McNeill
      Clerk of the Legislative Assembly
    Last updated: 04 Aug 2016
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