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Minutes of Proceedings - 1998-06-16

Eighth Assembly First Session 16/06/1998 Parliamentary Record No. 7
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Date : 16/06/1998

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1. MEETING:

The Assembly met at 10.00 h, pursuant to resolution of the Assembly, dated Thursday 30 April 1998. The Speaker, the Honourable L M Braham, took the Chair.

2. PRAYERS.

3. FILMING IN THE CHAMBER:

The Speaker advised Honourable Members that permission had been given to ABC Television and Channel 8 to film in the Chamber this day for the purposes of file footage.

4. MESSAGE FROM THE ADMINISTRATOR:

The Speaker advised Honourable Members that she had received the following Message from His Honour the Administrator:

Message No. 7

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:

30 April 1998:

Unclaimed Superannuation Benefits Act 1998 No. 30 of 1998

1 May 1998:

Lands Acquisition Amendment Act 1998, No. 31 of 1998

11 May 1998:

Kava Management Act 1998, No. 33 of 1998

Real Property (Unit Titles) Amendment Act 1998, No. 32 of 1998

20 May 1998:

Police Administration Amendment Act 1998, No. 34 of 1998

27 May 1998:

Building Societies Act Repeal Act 1998, No. 41 of 1998

Court Security Act 1998, No. 42 of 1998

Financial Institutions (NT) Amendment Act 1998, No. 43 of 1998

Gaming Control Amendment Act 1998, No. 38 of 1998

Gas Pipelines Access (Northern Territory) Act 1998, No .35 of 1998

Housing Amendment Act 1998, No. 44 of 1998

Magistrates Amendment Act (No. 2) 1998, No. 45 of 1998

Mine Management Amendment Act 1998, No. 46 of 1998

Motor Accidents (Compensation) Amendment Act 1998, No. 40 of 1998

Northern Territory Treasury Corporation Amendment Act 1998, No. 47 of 1998

Power and Water Authority Amendment Act 1998, No. 39 of 1998

Territory Insurance Office (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act 1998, No. 37 of 1998

Territory Insurance Office Amendment Act 1998, No. 36 of 1998

Dated 1st day of June 1998.

(Sgd) N. R. CONN

Administrator

(Paper 417)

5. SENATE VACANCY - PAPERS TABLED:

The Speaker (Hon. L. M. Braham) laid on the Table the following Papers -

Letter, Senator the Honourable Margaret Reid, President of the Senate, to His Honour the Administrator, Dr Neil Conn AO:
advising of the resignation of Senator the Honourable Robert Lindsay Collins on 30 March 1998 (Paper 418); and

Letter (copy), Mr Mike Smith, Secretary of the Australian Labor Party, Northern Territory Branch to the Honourable Mike Reed, MLA,
Acting Chief Minister, advising of their chosen nominee to hold the vacancy in the Senate, Ms Patricia Margaret Crossin (Paper 419).

6. NORTHERN TERRITORY SENATE VACANCY - RULES OF PROCEDURE - PAPER TABLED - MOTION AGREED TO:

The Leader of Government Business (Mr Coulter) laid on the Table the following Paper:

Rules of Procedure relating to the selection of a person to hold the place in the Senate rendered vacant (Paper 420).

The Leader of Government Business (Mr Coulter), by leave, moved - That the Rules of Procedure, in the terms as circulated to Honourable Members, be adopted.

Question - put and passed.

7. ORDER OF BUSINESS:

The Leader of Government Business (Mr Coulter), by leave, moved - That intervening business be postponed until after the Assembly has proceeded to choose a person to hold the place in the Senate rendered vacant by the resignation of Senator the Honourable Robert Lindsay Collins.

Question - put and passed.

8. SENATE VACANCY - MOTION AGREED TO:

The Speaker, the Honourable L M Braham, addressing herself to Members advised that the Assembly would proceed to choose a person to hold the place in the Senate rendered vacant by the resignation of Senator the Honourable Robert Lindsay Collins and called for proposals to fill the vacancy.

The Leader of the Opposition (Mrs Hickey) proposed to the Assembly that Ms Patricia Margaret Crossin do hold the place in the Senate rendered vacant by the resignation of Senator the Honourable Robert Lindsay Collins and moved - That Ms Crossin be the choice of this Assembly to hold the vacancy in the Senate.

Which motion was seconded by the Deputy Leader of the Opposition (Mr Bailey).

The time for proposals having expired -

Debate ensued.

There being no further proposal Madam Speaker declared that Ms Patricia Margaret Crossin had been chosen to hold the place in the Senate rendered vacant by the resignation of Senator the Honourable Robert Lindsay Collins.

Madam Speaker advised that in the terms of the rules of procedure adopted this day she would inform his Honour the Administrator of the person chosen by the Assembly to hold the place in the Senate.

9. DISTINGUISHED VISITOR:

The Speaker (Mrs Braham) drew attention to the presence in the Speaker’s Gallery of Ms Patricia Crossin, newly chosen to hold the place in the Senate rendered vacant by the resignation of Senator the Hon Robert Lindsay Collins.

On behalf of Honourable Members, the Speaker extended a warm welcome to the distinguished visitor.

10. VISITORS:

The Speaker (Mrs Braham) drew attention to the presence in the gallery of Kormilda College students on work experience in the Legislative Assembly as part of the E-Team.

On behalf of Honourable Members, the Speaker extended a warm welcome to the visitors.

11. PETITIONS:

The Member for Blain (Mr Coulter) presented a petition from 111 petitioners relating to the taxi industry which does not bear the Clerk's certificate as it does not conform with the requirements of Standing Orders (Paper 421).

The Member for Nelson (Mr Lugg) presented a petition from 162 petitioners relating to the rezoning of Lots 3426, 3418 and 4907 at Howard Springs by developer Host Pty Ltd (Paper 422).

Petition read.

The Member for Fannie Bay (Ms Martin) presented a petition from 823 petitioners requesting the Assembly repeal the abortion laws out of the NT Criminal Code (Paper 423).

Petition read.

12. QUESTIONS:

10:18 Mrs Hickey to Mr Stone.

10:21 Mr Lugg to Mr Stone.

10:25 Mrs Hickey to Mr Reed.

Papers tabled:

The Leader of the Opposition (Mrs Hickey), by leave, laid on the Table the following Papers –

Letter, Coulter, Mr Barry, MLA, Leader of Government Business to Mrs Maggie Hickey, MLA, Leader of the Opposition, dated 12 June 1998 (Paper 424);
Letter, Hickey, Mrs Maggie, MLA, Leader of the Opposition to Mr Barry Coulter, MLA, Leader of Government Business, dated 12 June 1998 (Paper 425); and
Letter, Coulter, Mr Barry, MLA, Leader of Government Business to Mrs Maggie Hickey, MLA, Leader of the Opposition, dated 12 June 1998 (Paper 426).

10:31 Dr Lim to Mr Stone.

10:37 Mr Ah Kit to Mr Reed.

10:42 Mr Elferink to Mr Reed.

10:49 Mr Toyne to Mr Adamson.

10:52 Mr Hatton to Mr Poole.

10:56 Ms Martin to Mr Coulter.

11:02 Mr Balch to Mr Adamson.

11:05 Mr Bailey to Mr Stone.

11:07 Mr Mitchell to Mr Burke.

11:11 Mrs Hickey to Mr Stone.

11:15 Mr Dunham to Mr Manzie.

13. PETITION:

The Member for Stuart (Mr Toyne), by leave, presented a petition from 514 petitioners relating to a redevelopment proposed by the Institute for Aboriginal Development (Paper 437.

Petition read.

14. APPROPRIATION BILL 1998-99 (Serial 68):

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.

Paper tabled:

The Treasurer (Mr Reed) laid on the Table the following Paper –

Newsletter, The Opposition Leader, Maggie Hickey, MLA, dated May 1998 (Paper 428).

Debate continued.

Question - put and passed.

Bill read a second time.

____________________

Suspension of sitting:

The sitting was suspended between 12.12 h and 14.00 h.

____________________

The Assembly, according to Order, resolved itself into Committee of the Whole for the consideration of the Bill.

____________________

In the Committee
(Chairman - Mr Mitchell)
(14.10 h)

In pursuance of Standing Order 188, the Committee proceeded to consider the Schedule of the Bill, in the order proposed allocations specified 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.

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.

Proposed allocations agreed to.

Proposed allocations specified for expenditure on the Activities within the

Department of the Legislative Assembly

–

Debate ensued.

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

Northern Territory Legal Aid Commission

–

Debate ensued.

Proposed allocation agreed to.

Proposed allocation specified for expenditure on the Activity within the

Anti–Discrimination Commission

–

Debate ensued.

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 Tourist Commission

–

Debate ensued.

Proposed allocations agreed to.

Proposed allocations specified for expenditure on the Activities within the

Northern Territory Treasury: Services

–

Debate ensued.

Paper tabled:

The Treasurer (Mr Reed) laid on the Table the following Paper –

Table, Katherine Region Floods – 1998 Expenditures to June 12 that were the subject of an Interim Claim for Reimbursement Under the NDRA (Paper 448).

Proposed allocations agreed to.

Proposed allocations specified for expenditure on the Activities within the

Northern Territory Treasury: Superannuation Office

–

Debate ensued.

Proposed allocations agreed to.

Proposed allocations specified for expenditure on the Activities within the

Northern Territory Treasury Corporation

–

Debate ensued.

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 Police, Fire and Emergency Services

–

Debate ensued.

Paper tabled:

The Treasurer (Mr Reed) laid on the Table the following Paper –

Accounting and Property Manual, Northern Territory Police, Fire and Emergency Services (Paper 449).

Debate continued.

Proposed allocations agreed to.

Proposed allocations specified for expenditure on the Activities within the

Office of the Commissioner for Public Employment

–

Debate ensued.

Papers tabled:

The Minister for Public Employment (Mr Reed) laid on the Table the following Papers –

Details of premises occupied by various Government Agencies (Paper 438);
Details of relevant leases, rental agreement of premises occupied by various Government Agencies (Paper 439);
Table, Number of days lost in 1997/98 due to employees being absent due to stress leave (Paper 440);
Table, Number of days lost in 1997/98 due to employees being absent due to work place accidents or injuries (Paper 441);
Table, Resignations of Permanent Employees from the NT Public Sector, 1 June 1997 to 31 May 1998 (Paper 442);
NTPS Redundancies and Dismissals, 1 June 1997 to 31 May 1998 (Paper 443);
Planning for Growth, Paper (Paper 444);
Human Resource Development Expenditure, Northern Territory Public Service, 1996/97 (Paper 445);
NTPS data from PIPS Equal Employment Opportunity Report, June 1998 (Paper 446); and
NTPS Classification by Agency, Selected by Nominal Classification (Paper 447).

Proposed allocations agreed to.

Proposed allocations specified for expenditure on the Activities within the

Department of Transport and Works

–

Debate ensued.

Papers tabled:

The Minister for Transport and Works (Mr Coulter) laid on the Table the following Papers –

Department of Transport and Works – Budget variations explained - 97/98 original Vs 97/98 estimated actual (Paper 451);
Department of Transport and Works – Explanation for the variation in allocations between 1997/98 and 1998/99 Budgets (Paper 450); and
Table, Department of Transport and Works – Black Spot Program, Grants and Subsidies, NT Local Roads, NT Rural Arterial, Public Transport, Roads
(Commonwealth Tender), Strategic Roads, Transport (Aviation), Transport (Marine), Transport (T&W), Transport Services (Paper 452).

Debate continued.

Paper tabled:

The Minister for Transport and Works (Mr Coulter) laid on the Table the following Paper –

Table, Certificates of Exemption issued from 1 July 1997 to 5 June 1998 (Paper 453).

Debate continued.

Paper tabled:

The Minister for Transport and Works (Mr Coulter) laid on the Table the following Paper –

Letter, Hon Barry Coulter, MLA, Minister for Transport and Works to Ms Clare Martin, MLA, Member for Fannie Bay, undated (Paper 454).

Debate continued.

Proposed allocations agreed to.

Ordered – That consideration of the allocation of expenditure on the Activity relating to the

Northern Territory Railway

be called on forthwith.

Proposed allocation specified for expenditure on the Activity within the

Northern Territory Railway

–

Debate ensued.

Proposed allocation agreed to.

Ordered – That consideration of the allocations of expenditure for Activities relating to

the Department of Transport and Works - Government Printing Office; Fleet; Darwin Bus Service; Construction Agency

; and

Darwin Port Authority

, be taken together and considered forthwith.

Proposed allocations specified for expenditure on the Activities within the

Department of Transport and Works: Government Printing Office; Fleet; Darwin Bus Service; Construction Agency; and Darwin Port Authority

–

Debate ensued.

Paper tabled:

The Minister for Transport and Works (Mr Coulter) laid on the Table the following Paper –

Darwin Bus Fares – New Fare Structure from 6 July 1998 (Paper 455).

Debate continued.

Proposed allocations 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.

_____________________
(22.34 h)

The Speaker (Mrs Braham) resumed the Chair; the Chairman (Mr Mitchell) reported accordingly; and the report was adopted.

15. SUSPENSION OF SITTING - FURTHER CONSIDERATION OF APPROPRIATION BILL 1998-99 (Serial 68) 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 10.00 h on 17 June 1998 the Assembly resolve itself again into Committee of the Whole for further consideration of the Appropriation Bill 1998-99 (Serial 68); and

(2) That this sitting of the Assembly be suspended until 10.00 h Wednesday 17 June 1998.

Question - put and passed.

_______________________

Suspension of sitting:

The sitting was suspended at 22.35 h on Tuesday 16 June 1998, until 10.00 h Wednesday 17 June 1998.

_______________________

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PAPERS:

The following papers were deemed to have been presented on Tuesday 16 June 1998:

Annual Report:

Parole Board of the Northern Territory, Year ending 31 December 1997 (Paper 429)

Corrigendum, Budget Paper No. 3, Issues in Public Finance 1998-99, Chapter 1, Northern Territory Fiscal Strategy (Paper 428)

Health and Community Services Complaints Act:

Appointment of Commissioner for Health and Community Services Complaints, dated 1 June 1998 (Paper 430)

Conditions of Appointment of Commissioner for Health and Community Services Complaints, dated 1 June 1998 (Paper 431)

Regulations 1998:

No. 05, Local Court Rules (Paper 432)

No. 06, Small Claims Rules (Paper 433)

No. 11, Amendments of Supreme Court Rules of the Northern Territory (Paper 434)

No. 12, Kava Management Regulations (Paper 435)

No. 13, Amendment of Supreme Court Regulations (Paper 436)

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ATTENDANCE:

All Members attended the sitting.

Last updated: 04 Aug 2016

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Minutes of Proceedings - 1998-06-16