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Minutes of Proceedings - 1998-11-26

Eighth Assembly First Session 24/11/1998 Parliamentary Record No. 12
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Date : 26/11/1998
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1. MEETING:
      The Assembly met at 10.00 h. The Speaker, the Honourable L M Braham, took the Chair.

2. PRAYERS.

3. VISITORS:
The Speaker (Mrs Braham) drew attention to the presence in the gallery of Years 4 to 7 students from Adelaide River Primary School and their teacher
Mr Mark McLay.
On behalf of Honourable Members, the Speaker extended a warm welcome to the visitors.

4. PETITION:
      The Member for Fannie Bay (Ms Martin) presented a petition from 172 petitioners requesting the Assembly that Lot 4131 Town of Darwin be made into green open space for use by local residents and children attending the Parap Child Care Centre. (Paper 879)
      Petition read.

5. STATEMENT BY SPEAKER – UNPARLIAMENTARY LANGUAGE:
      The Speaker made a statement on the conduct of Members and their use of offensive words in proceedings before the Assembly in the following terms:
        Honourable Members will recall that during Question Time yesterday I ruled that offensive words used against a group, as distinct from an individual Member, were not unparliamentary.

        In doing so I was following the established practice and precedent of this Assembly in such matters. Members will also be aware that all suggestions that Members have lied, or deliberately and knowingly made dishonest statements, are disorderly.

        Whilst the Ruling that I gave yesterday is in line with previous established practice in this Assembly I advise that recent practice in the House of Representatives is to the effect that:
            "if an accusation is made against Members of the House which, if made against any one of them, would be unparliamentary and offensive, it is in the interest of the decorum of the House that it should not be made against all as it could not be made against one.".
        I have been concerned at the incidence of repetitive interjections and references during the last two days which have used terms that would be unparliamentary if these references were made to individuals rather than a group.

        In the interests of maintaining appropriate standards of debate and order in the Chamber I would request all Members refrain from the use of such terms.

        In the event that this request is not complied with it will be necessary for me to reconsider the continuation of that Ruling, in the interests of maintaining order.

6. QUESTIONS:
      10:04 Mrs Hickey to Mr Stone.
      10:07 Dr Lim to Mr Stone.
      10:10 Mrs Hickey to Mr Stone.
      Paper tabled: The Leader of the Opposition (Mrs Hickey), by leave, laid on the Table the following Paper –
Memorandum, Mark Textor, Research Consultant to Chief Minister - The Need to Know Why, dated 2 April 1990 (Paper 767).

      10:11 Mr Mitchell to Mr Baldwin.
      10:15 Mrs Hickey to Mr Stone.
      Paper tabled: The Leader of the Opposition (Mrs Hickey), by leave, laid on the Table the following Paper –
Letter, Mr Ron Klein, Director, Brian Sweeney and Associates to Mr Andrew Coward, dated 14 June 1998 re Northern Territory Research – 1990 Subjects to be covered (Paper 768).

      10:18 Mr Dunham to Mr Poole.
      10:22 Mrs Hickey to Mr Stone.
      Papers tabled: The Leader of the Opposition (Mrs Hickey), by leave, laid on the Table the following Papers –
Research Report, A 1990 Insight Into Northern Territory Politics by Brian Sweeney and Associates, prepared for the Northern Territory Liberal Party, study No. 6697 (Final version for CLP), dated July 1990 (Paper 770); and
Invoice, Brian Sweeney and Associates to Mr Andrew Coward, Job No. 6706, dated 16 July 1990 (Paper 769).
      10:24 Mr Balch to Mr Burke.
      10:28 Mrs Hickey to Mr Stone.
      Paper tabled: The Leader of the Opposition (Mrs Hickey), by leave, laid on the Table the following Paper –
Letter, Mr Ron Klein, Brian Sweeney and Associates to Mr Mark Textor, Research Advisor, dated 22 May 1998 (Paper 771).
      10:31 Mrs Hickey to Mr Stone.
      Paper tabled: The Leader of the Opposition (Mrs Hickey), by leave, laid on the Table the following Paper –
Letter, Mr Mark Textor to Mr Andrew Coward, dated 16 July 1993 (Paper 772).

      10:34 Mr Dunham to Mr Poole.
      10:36 Mrs Hickey to Mr Stone.
      Paper tabled: The Leader of the Opposition (Mrs Hickey), by leave, laid on the Table the following Paper –
Territory of Australia Consultancy Contract for Purposes of section 5 of the Public Service Northern Act with TERRITORY FOCUS CONSULTING, 14 April 1993 (Paper 773).

      10:39 Mr Lugg to Mr Adamson.
      10:42 Mrs Hickey to Mr Stone.
      Paper tabled: The Leader of the Opposition (Mrs Hickey), by leave, laid on the Table the following Paper –
Research Report, A 1990 Insight Into The Northern Territory, Study No. 6706, dated July 1990 by Brian Sweeney and Associates for the Northern Territory Government (Final version for Department of the Chief Minister) (Paper 774).

      10:47 Mr McCarthy to Mr Poole.
      10:50 Mrs Hickey to Mr Stone.
      Papers tabled: The Leader of the Opposition (Mrs Hickey), by leave, laid on the Table the following Papers –
Facsimile, Mr Mark Textor, Territory Focus Consulting to Mr Andrew Coward, dated 1 September 1993 (Paper 778); and
Facsimile, Mr Mark Textor, Territory Focus Consulting to Mr Andrew Coward, dated 7 September 1993 (Paper 775).

      The Leader of Government Business (Mr Burke) asked that further questions be placed on the Question Paper and that the broadcast of proceedings be concluded.
    7. CENSURE OF CHIEF MINISTER RE PUBLICLY FUNDED VOTER OPINION RESEARCH – 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 taxpayer funded voter research.

        The Leader of Government Business (Mr Burke) informed the Assembly that the Government would , pursuant to Standing Order 95, accept the motion as a censure motion.

        The Leader of the Opposition (Mrs Hickey) thereupon moved – That this Assembly censure the Chief Minister for designing and putting into place a corrupt operation which saw:
    taxpayer’s defrauded by $35,540 to obtain voter opinion research for the Country Liberal Party;
    public servants being deceived by a pre-conceived fraudulent paper trail which led them to authorise government expenditure for the Country Liberal Party’s research;
    him being personally delivered a copy of the publicly funded voter opinion research and using it to conduct divisive political campaigns; and
    his corrupt practice being repeated by other Country Liberal Party operatives throughout the 1990’s. (Paper 776)

        Debate ensued.
        Paper tabled: The Leader of the Opposition (Mrs Hickey), by leave, laid on the Table the following Paper –
    Business Names Search, Extract of Territory Focus Consulting, dated 13 November 1998
    (Paper 777).

        Debate continued.
        Paper tabled: The Member for Nhulunbuy (Mr Stirling), by leave, laid on the Table the following Paper -
    Letter, Mr Shane L Stone, President, Northern Territory Country Liberal Party to Mr Andrew Coward, dated 21 August 1989 – Private and Confidential (Paper 779).

        Debate continued.
        The Treasurer (Mr Reed) moved – That the Question be now put – put and passed.
        Question - That the motion be agreed to - put.
        The Assembly divided (the Speaker, Hon. L.M. Braham, in the Chair) –

        AYES, 7 NOES, 18

        Mr Ah Kit Mr Adamson
        Mr Bailey Mr Balch
        Mrs Hickey Mr Baldwin
        Ms Martin Mrs Braham
        Mr Rioli Mr Burke
        Mr Stirling Mr Coulter
        Mr Toyne Mr Dunham
        Mr Elferink
        Mr Hatton
        Dr Lim
        Mr Lugg
        Mr McCarthy
        Mr Manzie
        Mr Mitchell
        Mr Palmer
        Mr Poole
        Mr Reed
        Mr Stone

        Motion negatived accordingly.
        ______________________

        Suspension of sittings: The sittings of the Assembly was suspended between 12:05 h and 14:15h.
        ______________________
    8. URANIUM MINING IN THE NORTHERN TERRITORY AND JABILUKA MINE DEVELOPMENT – MOTION AGREED TO:
        The Chief Minister (Mr Stone), by leave, moved – That this Assembly reaffirm our commitment and support for uranium mining in the Northern Territory and the continuing development of the Jabiluka Mine. (Paper 780)
        Debate ensued.
        Question – put and passed.
    9. OMBUDSMAN OF THE NORTHERN TERRITORY, ANNUAL REPORT 1997/98 – PAPER TABLED – PAPER PRINTED – MOTION TO NOTE PAPER:
        The Chief Minister (Mr Stone) laid on the Table the Annual Report of the Ombudsman for 1997/98 (20th) (Paper 782).
        Mr Stone moved – That the report be printed.
        Question – put and passed.
        Mr Stone moved – That the Assembly take note of the Report.
        Ordered - That Mr Stone have leave to continue his remarks at a later hour.
        Debate adjourned.
    10. ROAD SAFETY IN THE NORTHERN TERRITORY – MINISTERIAL STATEMENT – STATEMENT NOTED:
        The Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services (Mr Reed) made a statement relating to road safety initiatives and strategies (Paper 783).
        Mr Reed moved – That the Assembly take note of the Statement.
        Debate ensued.
        Papers tabled: The Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Development (Mr Coulter) laid on the Table the following Papers -
    Northern Territory Road Crash Statistics 1997 by the Northern Territory Road Safety Council (Paper 784); and
    The 1998 Achievement In Automotive Safety Awards (Paper 785).

        Debate continued.
        Question – put and passed.
    11. HOUSING 2003 – MINISTERIAL STATEMENT – STATEMENT NOTED:
        The Minister for Housing (Mr Baldwin) made a statement relating to public housing reform initiatives. (Paper 786)
        Mr Baldwin moved – That the Assembly take note of the Statement.
        Debate ensued.
        Question – put and passed.
    12. NURSING BILL 1998 (Serial 128):
        The Minister for Health, Family and Children’s Services (Mr Burke), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to provide for the registration and enrolment of nurses and the regulation of the practice of nursing and for related purposes.
        Bill read a first time.
        Mr Burke moved – That the Bill be now read a second time.
        On the motion of the Member for Arafura (Mr Rioli) debate was adjourned.
    13. MENTAL HEALTH AND RELATED SERVICES (CONSEQUENTIAL AMENDMENTS) BILL 1998 (Serial 129):
        The Minister for Health, Family and Children’s Services (Mr Burke), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend various Acts consequential on the passing of the Mental Health and Related Services 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 Arafura (Mr Rioli) debate was adjourned.
    14. NORTHERN TERRITORY RAIL SAFETY BILL 1998 (Serial 130):
        Suspension of Standing Orders: The Minister for the AustralAsia Railway (Mr Coulter) moved – That so much of Standing Orders be suspended as would prevent the Bill passing through all stages at these sittings.
        Question – put and passed. .
        Mr Coulter, pursuant to notice, present a Bill for an Act to promote the safe construction, maintenance and operation of railways as part of a national approach to rail safety regulation and for related purposes.
        Bill read a first time.
        Mr Coulter moved – That the Bill be now read a second time.
        On the motion of the Member for Wanguri (Mr Bailey) debate was adjourned.
    15. ORDER OF BUSINESS:
        The Leader of Government Business (Mr Burke) moved – That Government Business, Orders of the Day No. 1 relating to the resumption of second reading debate on the Domestic Violence Amendment Bill 1998(Serial 106) and Sentencing Amendment Bill 1998 (Serial 105), be postponed until a later hour.
        Question – put and passed.
    16. POLICE ADMINISTRATION AMENDMENT BILL (No. 2) 1998 (Serial 117); JUVENILE JUSTICE AMENDMENT BILL (No. 2) 1998 (Serial 118); PRISONS (CORRECTIONAL SERVICES) AMENDMENT BILL 1998 (Serial 119); and CRIMINAL CODE AMENDMENT BILL (No. 2) 1998 (Serial 120):
        The Order of the Day having been read for the resumption of the debate on the question – That the Bills be now read a second time –
        Debate ensued.
        Paper tabled: The Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services (Mr Reed) laid on the Table the following Paper –
    Extract, The Arrest of the Ipswich Railway Rapist by Detective Sergeant Warwick Michael, Sexual Offences Investigation Squad, The Queensland Police Union Journal, October 1998 (Paper 787).

        Debate continued.
        Question – put and passed.
        Bills read a second time.
        Leave granted for a motion for the third readings of the Bills to be moved forthwith.
        On the motion of the Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services (Mr Reed) the Bills were read a third time and passed to be proposed laws.
    17. NOTIFIABLE DISEASES AMENDMENT BILL 1998 (Serial 99):
        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 ensued.
        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 Minister for Health, Family and Children’s Services (Mr Burke) the Bill was read a third time and passed to be a proposed law.
    18. ADJOURNMENT:
        The Leader of Government Business (Mr Burke) moved – That the Assembly do now adjourn.
        Debate ensued.
        Question – put and passed.
        And the Assembly adjourned at 21 49 h until 10:00 h on Tuesday 1 December 1998.
      ---------------

        PAPERS:
        The following Paper was deemed to have been presented on Thursday 26 November 1998 -

        Annual Report:
        Actuarial Review of the Northern Territory Government and Public Authorities Superannuation Scheme as at 30 June 1998 (Paper 781).
        __________________

        ATTENDANCE:
        All Members attended the sittings.

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