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Minutes of Proceedings - 1998-04-23

Eighth Assembly First Session 21/04/1998 Parliamentary Record No. 5
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Date : 23/04/1998
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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. QUESTIONS:
    10:02 Mrs Hickey to Mr Coulter.
    10:06 Mr Balch to Mr Stone.
    Paper tabled: The Chief Minister (Mr Stone) laid on the Table the following Paper –
Legal Opinion in the Matter of Casual Vacancy in the Place of a Senator for the Northern Territory by Gavan Griffith QC,
Sellbourne Chambers, Sydney, dated 22 April 1998 (Paper 353).
10:12 Mr Bailey to Mr Reed.
    10:16 Mr Elferink to Mr Reed.
    10:22 Mr Ah Kit to Mr Stone.
    10:23 Dr Lim to Mr Coulter.
    10:27 Mr Rioli to Mr Stone.
    10:28 Mr Dunham to Mr Adamson.
    Papers tabled: The Minister for Education and Training (Mr Adamson) laid on the Table the following Papers –
Media Release:Hickey, Maggie, MLA, Leader of the Opposition, Hickey Launches Alice Springs Candidates, dated 10 February 1998 (Paper 355);
Peter Kavanagh – Brief Biography, Northern Territory Labor Party (Paper 356);
Peter Brooke – Brief Biography, Northern Territory Labor Party (Paper 357);
Peter Toyne – Brief Biography, Northern Territory Labor Party (Paper 358);
Peter Toyne, MLA for Stuart, Biography page from Internet Home Page, dated 23 April 1998 (Paper 359);
Peter Toyne, MLA for Stuart, Biography page from the Internet Home Page, dated 27 August 1997 (Paper 360);
Brochures from the Northern Territory University relating to courses available at the Faculty of Education (Paper 354).
    _______________________

    Member suspended: And the Member for Wanguri (Mr Bailey) continuing to interject in a disorderly manner –
    The Speaker, pursuant to Sessional Order 240A, ordered the Member for Wanguri (Mr Bailey) to withdraw from the Chamber, at 10:34 h, for a period of one hour on account of disorderly conduct and he accordingly withdrew from the Chamber.
    _______________________
10:36 Mr Stirling to Mr Stone.
    10:39 Mr Lugg to Mr Palmer.
    10:43 Ms Martin to Dr Lim.
    Paper tabled: The Member for Fannie Bay (Ms Martin), by leave, laid on the Table the following Paper –
Letter, Dr Richard Lim, MLA, Member for Greatorex to Mrs Maggie Hickey, MLA, Leader of the Opposition, dated 23 February 1998 (Paper 361).
10:46 Mr Mitchell to Mr Burke.
    10:50 Mr Ah Kit to Mr Stone.
    10:52 Mr Elferink to Mr Poole.
    10:55 Ms Martin to Mr Palmer.
    10:58 Mr McCarthy to Mr Manzie.
    Supplementary answer: The Chief Minister (Mr Stone) gave a supplementary answer to a question asked by the Member for Nhulunbuy (Mr Stirling) this day.

    4. PERSONAL EXPLANATION:
The Member for Stuart (Mr Toyne) made a personal explanation in relation to comments made by the Minister for Education and Training (Mr Adamson) during Question Time this day.
      5. SUSPENSION OF STANDING ORDERS – MOVE A MOTION FORTHWITH – MOTION NEGATIVED:
The Leader of the Opposition (Mrs Hickey) moved – That so much of Standing Orders be suspended as would prevent the following motion being moved forthwith –

    That the Assembly refer the following matter to the Public Accounts Committee for inquiry and report to Parliament within three months:

    The pricing of petrol in the Northern Territory with particular reference to:

    (1) why retail outlets in Darwin are charging around 6 cents per litre above the indicative pump price set by the Australian Institute of Petroleum;

      (2) why some remote Territory communities are being charged as high as $1.30 per litre for unleaded petrol;

      (3) why the recent reduction of the wholesale price of petrol has not been passed on to consumers as it has in other parts of Australia;

      (4) whether any measures can be taken to reduce the prices being paid for fuel by Territorians; and

      (5) the impact such measures will have on the availability of fuel and quality of services to Territorians.
    The Leader of Government Business (Mr Coulter) 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, 6

Mr Adamson Mr Ah Kit
Mr Balch Mrs Hickey
Mr Baldwin Ms Martin
Mr Burke Mr Rioli
Mr Coulter Mr Stirling
Mr Dunham Mr Toyne
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 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
Mrs Hickey Mr Balch
Ms Martin Mr Baldwin
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.
6. PROSTITUTION REGULATION ACT – REVIEW OF FIRST FIVE YEARS – PAPER TABLED – MOTION TO NOTE PAPER:
The Chief Minister (Mr Stone) laid on the Table, pursuant to Section 53(2) of the Prostitution Regulation Act, the Report on the First Five Years of the Operation of the Prostitution Regulation Act (Paper 362).
    Mr Stone made a statement relating thereto.
    Mr Stone moved – That the Assembly take note of the Paper.
    On the motion of the Member for Nhulunbuy (Mr Stirling) debate was adjourned.
      7. NORTHERN TERRITORY TOURISM – MINISTERIAL STATEMENT –STATEMENT NOTED:
The Minister for Tourism (Mr Stone) made a statement relating to Northern Territory Tourism (Paper 363).
    Mr Stone moved – That the Assembly take note of the Statement.

    Debate ensued.
    ____________________
Distinguished visitor: The Speaker (Mrs Braham) drew attention to the presence in the gallery of the Hon Fred Finch, former Member for Leanyer in the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly and former Minister of the Northern Territory Government.
    On behalf of Honourable Members, the Speaker extended a warm welcome to the visitor.
    ____________________
Debate continued.
    ____________________
Suspension of sitting: The sitting was suspended between 12:04 h and 14:00 h.
    ____________________
Debate resumed.
    Question put and passed.
8. FISHCOUNT SURVEY – MINISTERIAL STATEMENT – STATEMENT NOTED:
The Minister for Primary Industry and Fisheries (Mr Palmer) made a Statement on a major survey into the Northern Territory’s recreational fishing industry (Paper 370).
    Mr Palmer moved – That the Assembly take note of the Statement.
    Debate ensued.
    Paper tabled: The Minister for Primary Industry and Fisheries (Mr Palmer) laid on the Table the following Paper –
FISHCOUNT A Survey of Recreational Fishing in the Northern Territory, Summary by Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries/Kewagama Research. (Paper 371)

    Debate continued.
    Question put and passed.

9. WATER AMENDMENT BILL 1998 (Serial 55):
    The Minister for Lands, Planning and Environment (Mr Palmer), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the Water Act.
    Bill read a first time.
    Mr Palmer moved - That the Bill be now read a second time.
    On the motion of the Member for Wanguri (Mr Bailey) debate was adjourned.

10. REAL PROPERTY (UNIT TITLES) AMENDMENT BILL 1998 (Serial 62):
    The Deputy Chief Minister (Mr Reed) for and on behalf of the Attorney-General (Mr Stone), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the Real Property (Unit Titles) Act.
    Bill read a first time.
    Mr Stone moved - That the Bill be now read a second time.
    On the motion of the Member for Wanguri (Mr Bailey) debate was adjourned.

11. ADMINISTRATORS PENSIONS AMENDMENT BILL 1998 (Serial 57); LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY MEMBERS' SUPERANNUATION AMENDMENT BILL 1998 (Serial 58); SUPREME COURT (JUDGES PENSIONS) AMENDMENT BILL 1998 (Serial 59); SUPERANNUATION AMENDMENT BILL 1998 (Serial 60); and SUPERANNUATION GUARANTEE (SAFETY NET) AMENDMENT BILL 1998 (Serial 61):
    Suspension of Standing Orders - Take five Bills together: The Treasurer (Mr Reed) moved - That so much of Standing Orders be suspended as would prevent two Bills, namely the Administrators Pensions Amendment Bill 1998 (Serial 57); the Legislative Assembly Members' Superannuation Amendment Bill 1998 (Serial 58); Supreme Court (Judges Pensions) Amendment Bill 1998 (Serial 59); Superannuation Amendment Bill 1998 (Serial 60); and Superannuation Guarantee (Safety Net) Amendment Bill 1998 (Serial 61):
    (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 Reed, pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the Administrators Pensions Act; a Bill for an Act to amend the Legislative Assembly Members' Superannuation Act; a Bill for an Act to amend the Supreme Court (Judges Pensions) Act; a Bill for an Act to amend the Superannuation Act; and a Bill for an Act to amend the Superannuation Guarantee (Safety Net) Act.
    Bills read a first time.
    Mr Reed moved - That the Bills be now read a second time.
    On the motion of the Member for Wanguri (Mr Bailey) debate was adjourned.

12. GAS PIPELINE ACCESS (NORTHERN TERRITORY) BILL 1998 (Serial 66):
    The Minister for Essential Services (Mr Poole), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to make provision for the regulation of third party access to natural gas pipeline systems and for other purposes.
    Bill read a first time.
    Mr Poole moved - That the Bill be now read a second time.
    On the motion of the Member for Barkly (Mrs Hickey) debate was adjourned.
    13. TERRITORY INSURANCE OFFICE (MISCELLANEOUS AMENDMENTS) BILL 1998 (Serial 52):
    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 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 Deputy Chief Minister (Mr Reed), on behalf of and at the request of the Attorney-General (Mr Stone), the Bill was read a third time and passed to be a proposed law.
14. UNCLAIMED SUPERANNUATION BENEFITS BILL 1998 (Serial 51):
    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 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 Deputy Chief Minister (Mr Reed), on behalf of and at the request of the Attorney-General (Mr Stone), the Bill was read a third time and passed to be a proposed law.
    15. TERRITORY INSURANCE OFFICE AMENDMENT BILL 1998 (Serial 47):
    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 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 Deputy Chief Minister (Mr Reed) the Bill was read a third time and passed to be a proposed law.

16. ADJOURNMENT:
    The Deputy Chief Minister (Mr Reed) moved – That the Assembly do now adjourn.
    Debate ensued.
    Question – put and passed.
    And the Assembly adjourned at 18:30 h until 10:00 h on Tuesday 28 April 1998.
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    PAPERS:
    The following papers were deemed to have been presented on Thursday April 23 1998:

    Financial Management Act
    Administrator’s Direction, Increase of Treasurer’s Advance, dated 27 February 1998 (Paper 365)
    Direction, Transfer of Excess Allocations between Activities, dated 27 February 1998 (Paper 366)
    Treasurer’s Determination, Amounts of Allocation Transferred on Redistribution of Public Business Amongst Agencies, dated 6 March 1998 (Paper 364)

    Inquest into the Death of Springvale Station Worker, Coroner’s Findings and recommendations, Commenced on 26 November 1997 (Paper 367)

    Plans of Management
    Barranyi (North Island) National Park, Summary of Public representations, Parks and Wildlife Commission of the NT (Paper 368)
    Flora River Nature Park, Parks and Wildlife Commission of the NT (Paper 369)
    ====================

    ATTENDANCE:
    All members attended the sitting.

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