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Minutes of Proceedings - 1999-06-08

Eighth Assembly First Session 08/06/1999 Parliamentary Record No. 17
__________________________________________________________________________________

Date : 08/06/1999
__________________________________________________________________________________

1. MEETING:
    The Assembly met at 10.00 h. The Speaker, the Honourable T R McCarthy, took the Chair.

2. PRAYERS.

3. MESSAGE FROM THE ADMINISTRATOR:
    The Speaker advised Members that he had received the following Message from His Honour the Administrator notifying his assent to the following proposed laws as below:
    Message No. 15
Assent to Proposed Laws

I, NEIL RAYMOND CONN, the Administrator of the Northern Territory of Australia, advise the Legislative Assembly of my assent, pursuant to section 7 of the Northern Territory (Self-Government Act) 1978 of the Commonwealth, to the following proposed laws:

5 May 1999:
        Bail Amendment Act 1999 (No. 19 of 1999)
        Evidence Amendment Act 1999 (No. 20 of 1999)
        Misuse of Drugs Amendment Act 1999 (No. 21 of 1999)
        Museums and Art Galleries Act 1999 (No. 18 of 1999)
        Real Property (Unit Titles) Amendment Act 1999 (No. 16 of1999)
        Real Property Amendment Act 1999 (No. 17 of 1999)
        Unit Titles Amendment Act 1999 (No. 15 of 1999)
    19 May 1999:
        Radiation (Safety Control) Amendment Act 1999 (No. 22 of 1999)
        Local Government (Katherine Rates) Act 1999 (No. 23 of 1999)
        Year 2000 Information Disclosure Act 1999 (No. 24 of 1999)
    21 May 1999:
        AustralAsia Railway (Third Party Access) Act 1999 (No. 25 of 1999)
    Dated 3rd day of June 1999.
(Sgd) N R Conn
Administrator
    (Paper 1304)

4. VISITOR:
    The Speaker (Mr McCarthy) drew attention to the presence in the gallery of Year 6 students from Clyde Fenton School accompanied by their teachers Mr Richard Munt and Ms Julie Schatz and Ms Natalie Sarny.
    On behalf of Honourable Members, the Speaker extended a warm welcome to the visitors.

5. PETITIONS:
    The Member for Braitling (Mrs Braham), by leave, presented a petition, not conforming with Standing Orders, from 121 petitioners requesting the Assembly to support the removal of an effigy of a woman labeled as a witch, burnt annually by the Scandinavian Society of the Northern Territory during a public witch burning celebration, held on Casuarina Beach, Darwin, Northern Territory. (Paper 1305)
    The Member for Brennan (Mr Burke) presented a petition from 13 petitioners praying that support be maintained for bilingual programs in Northern Territory Schools. (Paper 1306)

6. RESPONSES TO PETITIONS:
    The Clerk, pursuant to Standing Order 100A, laid on the Table responses to petitions Nos. 12, 20 and 21, copies circulated to Members accordingly (Papers 1307; 1308 and 1309 respectively).
7. QUESTIONS:
    10:04 Ms Martin to Mr Burke.
    10:08 Mr Lugg to Mr Burke.
    10:20 Ms Martin to Mr Coulter. (referred to Mr Coulter)
    10:26 Mr Balch to Mr Reed.
    10:33 Mr Bailey to Mr Burke.
    10:36 Dr Lim to Mr Reed.
    10:42 Mr Stirling to Mr Burke.
    10:46 Mr Balch to Mr Dunham.
    10:49 Mr Toyne to Mr Adamson.
    10:52 Dr Lim to Mr Baldwin.
    10:56 Mr Bailey to Mr Burke.
    10:57 Mr Lugg to Mr Coulter.

    The Leader of Government Business (Mr Coulter) asked that further questions be placed on the Question Paper.
8. LANDS AND MINING (MISCELLANEOUS AMENDMENTS) BILL (No. 2) 1999 (Serial 165):
    The Chief Minister (Mr Burke), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend certain Acts consequent upon the enactment of the Native Title Amendment Act 1998 of the Commonwealth.
    Bill read a first time.
    Mr Burke moved – That the Bill be now read a second time.
    On the motion of the Member for Wanguri (Mr Bailey) debate was adjourned.
9. APPROPRIATION BILL 1999-2000 (Serial 154):
    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.
    ____________________

    Suspension of sitting: The sitting was suspended between 12:10h and 14:15h.
    ____________________

    Debate resumed.
    Paper tabled: The Treasurer (Mr Reed) laid on the Table the following Paper –
Graph, Domestic Electricity Price, Standard Domestic Tariff, (with annual consumption of 3,500 kWh) (Paper 1310).
    Debate resumed.
    Question – put and passed.
    Bill read a second time.
    The Assembly resolved itself into Committee of the Whole for consideration of the Bill.

    In the Committee
    (Chairman – Mr Mitchell)
    (14:45h)

    In pursuance of Standing Order 188, the Committee proceeded to consider the Schedule of the Bill, in the order of proposed allocations for expenditure shown therein.

    Proposed allocation specified for expenditure on the Activity within the Auditor- General’s Office -
    Debate ensued.
    Proposed allocation agreed to.

    Proposed allocations specified for expenditure on the Activities within the Ombudsman’s Office –
    Debate ensued.
    Paper tabled: The Chief Minister (Mr Burke) laid on the Table the following Paper –
Ombudsman’s Office, estimated travel expenditure for the period 1 July 1998 to 30 June 1999 (Paper 1312).

    Debate continued.
    Proposed allocations agreed to.

    Ordered - That the proposed allocation specified for expenditure on the Activity relating to Ethnic Affairs under the Department of the Chief Minister be postponed until a later hour.

    Proposed allocations specified for expenditure on the Activities within the Department of the Chief Minister, except proposed allocation of expenditure specified for the Activity relating to Ethnic Affairs -
    Debate ensued.
    Papers tabled: The Chief Minister (Mr Burke) laid on the Table the following Papers –
Sponsoring of Awards by Department of Chief Minister (Paper 1311);
Schedule of travel by type of travel – Intra Territory; Interstate; and Overseas (Paper 1313);
Overseas Travel Summary for Department of the Chief Minister, period July to 21 may 1998/99 (Paper 1314); and
Helicopter Services, Department of the Chief Minister, by Minister; vendor, date, cost and purpose
(Paper 1315).
    Debate continued.
    Proposed allocations agreed to.

    Proposed allocations specified for expenditure on the Activities within the Department of the Legislative Assembly –
    Debate ensued.
    Paper tabled: The Chief Minister (Mr Burke) laid on the Table the following Paper -
Schedule, estimated expenditure on travel and vehicles 1 July 1998 to 30 June 1999 (Paper 1316).
    Debate continued.
    Proposed allocations agreed to.

    Proposed allocation specified for expenditure on the Activity within the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions –
    Debate ensued.
    Proposed allocation agreed to.

    Proposed allocation specified for expenditure on the Activity within the Anti-Discrimination Commission –
    Debate ensued.
    Paper tabled: The Chief Minister (Mr Burke) laid on the Table the following Paper –
Draft, Aboriginal Employment and career Development Strategy – Guidelines (Paper 1317).

    Debate continued.
    Proposed allocation agreed to.

    Proposed allocations specified for expenditure on the Activities within the Office of Courts Administration –
    Debate ensued.
    Proposed allocations agreed to.

    Proposed allocations specified for expenditure on the Activities within the Northern Territory Attorney-General’s Department –
    Debate ensued.
    Proposed allocations agreed to.

    Proposed allocations specified for expenditure on the Activities within the Northern Territory Treasury –
    Debate ensued.
    Paper tabled: The Treasurer (Mr Reed) laid on the Table the following Paper –
Schedules, Functional Transfers to DCIS from Agencies and other Functional Transfers across Government as at 3 June 1999 (Paper 1318).
    Debate continued.
    Papers tabled: The Treasurer (Mr Reed) laid on the Table the following Papers –
Schedule, Capital Works delayed by Agency (Paper 1320);
Northern Territory Budget 1994-95 to 1997-98 inclusive,Surplus/deficiencies (Paper 1319); and
Superannuation liability comparison by State and Territory (as at 30 June 1998) (Paper 1321).

    Debate continued.
    Proposed allocations agreed to.

    Proposed allocations specified for expenditure on the Activities within the Northern Territory Treasury Corporation –
    Debate ensued.
    Paper tabled: The Treasurer (Mr Reed) laid on the Table the following Paper –
Appendix A, Outstanding Domestic Borrowing’s, Northern Territory Treasury Corporation, Annual Report 1997/98 (Paper 1322).
    Debate continued.
    Proposed allocations agreed to.

    Proposed allocation specified for expenditure to the Treasurer’s Advance –
    Proposed allocation agreed to.

    Proposed allocations specified for expenditure on the Activities within the Northern Territory Tourist Commission –
    Debate ensued.
    Paper tabled: The Treasurer (Mr Reed) laid on the Table the following Paper –
Schedule, Variation between original 1998/99 budget and estimated actual expenditure for 1998/99, Northern Territory Tourist Commission (Paper 1323).
    Debate continued.
    Proposed allocations agreed to.

    Proposed allocation specified for expenditure on the Activity within the Territory Discoveries -
    Debate ensued.
    Proposed allocation agreed to.

    Proposed allocations specified for expenditure on the Activities within the Northern Territory Police , Fire and Emergency Services -
    Debate ensued.
    Papers tabled: The Treasurer (Mr Reed) laid on the Table the following Papers –
Attachment 2 (i), Schedule, Variation between Budget allocation 1998/99 and Estimated Annual Expenditure 1998/99 (Paper 1324);
Attachment 2(ii), Schedule, Variation between Budget allocation 1998/99 and the allocation made for 1999/2000 (Paper 1325);
Attachment 8(a), Estimated travel expenditure for 1998/99, Northern Territory Police, Fire and Emergency Services (Paper 1326);
Attachment 13(a), Northern Territory Police – Salary Rates as at 17 October 1998 (Paper 1327);
Attachment 14 (a), Average cost for civilian support staff (Paper 1328);
Mandatory Sentencing reported crime figures (Paper 1329);
Mandatory Sentencing reported crime figures, Attachment A – Unlawful use of Motor Vehicles, Unlawful Entry with intent - Dwelling Offences, Unlawful Entry with intent – Building Offences, Property Offences, Stealing Offences, Unlawful Entry With Intent Offences, Receiving Stolen Property Offences, Criminal Damage Offences, and reported Offences for the period 01 January 1997 to 30 April 1999 (Paper 1330); and
Mandatory Sentencing reported crime figures, Attachment B – Extract, Report on Government Services 1999 page 397 re Motor Vehicle thefts - outcomes across Australian States (Paper 1331).
    Debate continued.
    Proposed allocations agreed to.

    Proposed allocations specified for expenditure on the Activities within the Parks and Wildlife Commission of the Northern Territory –
    Debate ensued.
    Papers tabled: The Treasurer (Mr Reed) laid on the Table the following Papers –
Parks and Wildlife Commission, Planned Outcomes for 1998-99 Biodiversity Projects by cost (Paper 1333); and
Parks and Wildlife Commission, Comparison of Budgets between 1998-99 and 1999-2000 (Paper 1332).
    Proposed allocations agreed to.

    Proposed allocation specified for expenditure on the Activity within the Territory Wildlife Parks -
    Debate ensued.
    Paper tabled: The Treasurer (Mr Reed) laid on the Table the following Paper –
Cane Toads A Few Facts, brochure (Paper 1334).
    Debate continued.
    Proposed allocation agreed to.

    Proposed allocations specified for expenditure on the Activities within the Department of Transport and Works and allocation specified for expenditure on the Activity within the N T Fleet, by leave, taken together -
    Debate ensued.
    Papers tabled: The Minister for Transport and Works (Mr Coulter) laid on the Table the following Papers –
Transport and Works Agency 60, Explanation of Budget variations by Activity/Program 1998/99, original to estimated actual 1998/99 to 1999/2000 (Paper 1335);
Transport and Works Online, Corporate Sponsorship Policy (Paper 1336);
Transport and Works, Schedule of expenses for travel allowances, vehicle leasing, aircraft charters and commercial operators (Paper 1337);
Asset Expenditure Report: AIR 405, Chan Building, dated 24 May 1999 (Paper 1338);
New and Revote Capital Works Programs for Electorates of Arafura, Arnhem, Barkly, Fannie Bay, Nhulunbuy, Stuart, Wanguri (Paper 1339);
Certificate of exemptions (schedule) issued by Minister responsible for procurement (over $50,000.00) Period 1 July 1998 to 30 June 1999 for Department of Transport and Works (Paper 1340);
Mereenie Loop Road, Detail of Capital Works Program and Estimated Expenditure 1997/98 through to 2000/01 (Paper 1341);
Mereenie Loop Road, Details of Minor New Works and Repairs and Maintenance Expenditure 1998/99 through to 1999/00 (Paper 1342); and
Table, Detail of allocations and expenditure on strategic roads 1998/99 through to 1999/2000 (Paper 1343).
    Debate continued.
    Proposed allocations agreed to.

    Proposed allocation specified for expenditure on the Activity within the Darwin Bus Service -
    Proposed allocation agreed to.

    Proposed allocation specified for expenditure on the Activity within the Construction Agency -
    Proposed allocation agreed to.

    Proposed allocation specified for expenditure on the Activity within the Darwin Port Authority -
    Debate ensued.
    Papers tabled: The Minister for the AustralAsia Railway (Mr Coulter) laid on the Table the following Papers –
Darwin Port Authority PTE 65, Explanation of Budget by Activity 1998/99, original budget to estimated actual expenditure, through to 1999/2000 (Paper 1344);
Darwin Port Authority, Budget Overview, May 99, Advertising, TV, Radio, Print and other (Paper 1345);
Darwin Port Authority, Overseas Travel by destination, Table (Paper 1346); and
Darwin Port Authority, Interstate Travel by destination, Table (Paper 1347).
    Debate continued.
    Proposed allocation agreed to.

    Proposed allocation specified for expenditure on the Activity within the Northern Territory Railway -
    Debate ensued.
    Proposed allocation agreed to.

    Proposed allocation specified for expenditure on the Activity within the Power and Water Authority -
    Debate ensued.
    Papers tabled: The Minister for Essential Services(Mr Coulter) laid on the Table the following Papers –
Power and Water Authority Travel Expenditures 1998/99, motor vehicle expenses, official duty fares and travelling allowances (Paper 1348);
Graph, Average Real Domestic Electricity Prices 1987/88 through to 2001/02 (Paper 1349);
Graph, Power and Water Authority Research and Development 1996/97 through to 1999/2000 (Paper 1350);
PAWA Northern Networks, Comparison of Significant Breakdown Outages for Financial Year 1997/98 and 1998/99 (Paper 1351);
PAWA Alice Springs Networks, Outages due to Failure of Equipment by Locality for Financial Years 1997/98 and 1998/99 (Paper 1352); and
Voluntary redundancies PAWA, Table (Paper 1353).

    Debate continued.
    Proposed allocation agreed to.

    The Leader of Government Business (Mr Coulter) moved – That the Committee do report progress and seek leave to sit again.
    Question – put and passed.

    (1:28h 9 June 1999)

    The Assembly resumed; the Speaker (Mr McCarthy) resumed the Chair; the Chairman (Mr Mitchell) reported accordingly; and the report was adopted.
10. SUSPENSION OF SITTING – FURTHER CONSIDERATION OF APPROPRIATION BILL 1999–2000 (Serial 154) IN COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE:
    The Leader of Government Business (Mr Coulter) moved – That pursuant to Standing Order 225 –

    (1) That, unless otherwise ordered, at 10:00h on Wednesday 9 June 1999 the Assembly resolve itself again into Committee of the Whole for further consideration of the Appropriation Bill 1999-2000 (Serial 154); and

    (2) That this sitting of the Assembly be suspended until 10:00h on Wednesday 9 June 1999.

    Question – put and passed.
    ____________________

    Suspension of sitting: The sitting was suspended at 1:28h on Wednesday 9 June 1999, until 10:00h Wednesday 9 June 1999.
    ____________________

    ATTENDANCE:
    All Members attended the sitting.
Last updated: 04 Aug 2016
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