Minutes of Proceedings - 2001-07-04
Eighth Assembly First Session 26/06/2001 Parliamentary Record No. 29
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Date : 04/07/2001__________________________________________________________________________________
1. MEETING:
The Assembly met at 10.00 h. The Speaker, the Honourable T. R. McCarthy, took the Chair.
2. PRAYERS.
3. PETITIONS:
18. JUSTICES AMENDMENT BILL 2001 (Serial 303):
19. ADJOURNMENT:
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Date : 04/07/2001
1. MEETING:
The Assembly met at 10.00 h. The Speaker, the Honourable T. R. McCarthy, took the Chair.
2. PRAYERS.
3. PETITIONS:
- The Member for Blain (Mr Mills) presented a petition from 40 petitioners relating to the doubling of abortions in Northern Territory Public Hospitals in the last 10 years. (Paper 2581)
Petition read.
The Member for Wanguri (Mr Henderson) presented a petition from 380 petitioners relating to the Commissioner’s attitude to nurses in negotiations for a new Enterprise Bargaining Agreement. (Paper 2582)
Petition read.
- The Leader of the Opposition (Ms Martin) advised Members of changes in opposition portfolio responsibilities as follows:
Member for Wanguri – Shadow Portfolio of Resource Development;
Member for Stuart – Shadow Portfolio of Regional Development; and
Leader of the Opposition – Shadow Portfolio of Transport and Infrastructure Development, and Territory Ports.
Ms Martin made a statement relating to the changes.
- The following notices were given:
Mr Burke: To present the Statute Law Revision Bill 2001 (Serial 337).
Dr Lim: To present the Local Government Amendment Bill (No. 2) 2001 (Serial 339).
Mr Manzie: To present the Mining Management (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2001 (Serial 340).
Ms Martin: To move –
- That, this Assembly –
1. Congratulate the representatives of the Commonwealth of Australia and the East Timorese Interim Cabinet on concluding negotiations on the agreement to develop the oil and gas reserves in the Timor Sea.
2. Acknowledge this agreement as a great achievement for Australia and the Northern Territory.
- 10:07 Ms Martin to Mr Burke.
10:14 Mr Hatton to Mr Burke.
10:19 Ms Martin to Mr Burke.
10:21 Mr Mills to Mr Reed.
10:28 Mr Stirling to Mr Reed.
10:35 Ms Carter to Mr Palmer.
10:39 Dr Toyne to Mr Lugg.
10:41 Mr Balch to Mr Baldwin.
10:45 Mr Stirling to Mr Burke.
10:49 Mr Mitchell to Mr Palmer.
10:54 Ms Martin to Mr Baldwin.
10:56 Mrs Braham to Dr Lim.
10:57 Mr Mills to Mr Adamson.
The Leader of Government Business (Mr Palmer)asked that further questions be placed on the Question Paper.
Answer to Question: The Minister for Health, Family and Children’s Services (Mr Dunham) provided an answer to a question asked of him yesterday by the Leader of the Opposition relating to the tardiness of an ambulance attention to an elderly constituent
- The Minister for Resource Development (Mr Manzie) made a personal explanation, pursuant to Standing Order 56, relating to an assertion made by the Leader of the Opposition of his reasons for not standing at the next General Election for the Legislative Assembly.
- The Leader of the Opposition (Ms Martin), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for and Act to amend the Workmen’s Liens Act.
Bill read a first time.
Ms Martin moved – That the Bill be now read a second time.
Debate ensued.
On the motion of the Member for Katherine (Mr Reed) debate was adjourned.
- The Leader of the Opposition (Ms Martin), pursuant to notice, moved - That, this Assembly call on the Minister for Lands, Planning and Environment to -
- 1. Reverse the decision made by the Chairman of the Development Consent Authority which made major variations to the land use objectives for Rapid Creek.
- 2. Honour the commitment given in the Rapid Creek land use objectives to maintain a 100 metre conservation corridor along Rapid Creek.
- Debate ensued.Distinguished visitors: The Speaker advised Members of the presence in the Speaker’s Gallery of Dr Neil Conn, former Administrator of the Northern Territory and Mrs Lesley Conn.
On behalf of all Members Mr Speaker extended a warm welcome to the distinguished visitors.Debate continued.
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Suspension of sittings: The sittings of the Assembly were suspended between 12:14 h and 14:15 h.––––––––––––––––
Debate resumed.
Question - That the motion be agreed to - put.
The Assembly divided (the Speaker, Hon. T. R. McCarthy, in the Chair) -
AYES, 6 NOES, 16
Mr Henderson Mr Adamson
Mrs Hickey Mr Balch
Ms Martin Mr Baldwin
Mr Rioli Mrs Braham
Mr Stirling Mr Burke
Dr Toyne Ms Carter
- Mr Dunham
Mr Elferink
Dr Lim
Mr Lugg
Mr Manzie
Mr Mills
Mr Mitchell
Mr Palmer
Mr Poole
Mr Reed
Motion negatived accordingly.
- The Member for Nhulunbuy (Mr Stirling), pursuant to notice, moved - That, this Assembly direct the Attorney-General to prepare specific legislation to provide:
- 1. That any complaint of an alleged sexual offence is to be fast tracked.
2. Once a charge of a sexual offence is made it must be listed for committal hearing to commence within three months from the date of the offender being charged.
3. Within three months of the completion of committal a trial in the supreme court is to commence.
4. The legislation should be as strict as possible making it plain that parliament considers it mandatory that both prosecution and defence abide by the rules.
5. All possible assistance should be given to courts to enable them to produce procedures for fast tracking which are simple and practicable .
6. That extensions of time for the above rules may be granted by the court in exceptional cases and subject to such strict conditions as the court may impose. (Paper 2584)
Debate ensued.
Question – put and negatived.
- The Member for Nhulunbuy (Mr Stirling), pursuant to notice, moved - That, this Assembly express its concern at the -
- (a) overuse of temporary contracts in the Northern Territory Public Service;
(b) demoralisation of public servants being caused by ill considered outsourcing and organisational change;
(c) loss of corporate memory and expertise as a result of indiscriminate use of redundancies to reduce staff levels;
And further resolves that our public servants will be better able to perform their duties if -
- (d) separation of powers between politicians and public servants is restored to allow public servants to give frank and fearless advice to government;
Debate ensued.
Question - That the question be now put - put.
The Assembly divided (the Speaker, Hon. T. R. McCarthy, in the Chair) -
AYES, 15 NOES, 6
Mr Adamson Mr Henderson
Mr Balch Mrs Hickey
Mr Baldwin Ms Martin
Mrs Braham Mr Rioli
Mr Dunham Mr Stirling
Mr Elferink Dr Toyne
Mr Hatton
Dr Lim
Mr Lugg
Mr Manzie
Mr Mills
Mr Mitchell
Mr Palmer
Mr Poole
Mr Reed
And so it was resolved in the affirmative.
Question - That the motion be agreed to - put.
The Assembly divided (the Speaker, Hon. T. R. McCarthy, in the Chair) -
AYES, 6 NOES, 15
Mr Henderson Mr Adamson
Mrs Hickey Mr Balch
Ms Martin Mr Baldwin
Mr Rioli Mrs Braham
Mr Stirling Mr Dunham
Dr Toyne Mr Elferink
Mr Hatton
Dr Lim
Mr Lugg
Mr Manzie
Mr Mills
Mr Mitchell
Mr Palmer
Mr Poole
Mr Reed
Motion negatived accordingly.
- 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 resumed.
Question - That the motion be agreed to - put.
The Assembly divided (the Speaker, Hon. T. R. McCarthy, in the Chair) -
AYES, 7 NOES, 15
Mrs Braham Mr Adamson
Mr Henderson Mr Baldwin
Mrs Hickey Mr Burke
Ms Martin Ms Carter
Mr Rioli Mr Dunham
Mr Stirling Mr Elferink
Dr Toyne Mr Hatton
Dr Lim
Mr Lugg
Mr Manzie
Mr Mills
Mr Mitchell
Mr Palmer
Mr Poole
Mr Reed
Motion negatived accordingly.
- Suspension of Standing Orders: The Attorney-General (Mr Burke) moved – That so much of Standing Orders be suspended as would prevent Bills entitled Local Court Amendment Bill 2001 (Serial 329) and Small Claims Amendment Bill 2001 (Serial 330) -
- Question – put and passed –there being an absolute majority of the whole number of Members present and no dissentient voice.
Bill read a first time.
Mr Burke moved – That the Bills be now read a second time.
Debate ensued.
On the motion of the Member for Nhulunbuy (Mr Stirling) debate was adjourned.
- The Attorney-General (Mr Burke), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the Criminal Code.
- Bill read a first time.
Mr Burke moved – That the Bill be now read a second time.
Debate ensued.
On the motion of the Member for Nhulunbuy (Mr Stirling) debate was adjourned.
- The Leader of Government Business (Mr Palmer) moved – That intervening Government Business, Orders of the Day, be postponed until after consideration of the Public Order and Anti-social Conduct Bill 2001 (Serial 335).
- Question – put and passed.
- Suspension of Standing Orders: The Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services (Mr Reed) moved – That so much of Standing Orders be suspended as would prevent Bills entitled Public Order and Anti-social Conduct Bill 2001 (Serial 335) -
- Question – put and passed –there being an absolute majority of the whole number of Members present and no dissentient voice.
- The Order of the Day having been read for resumption of debate on the question – That the Bill be now read a second time –
Debate resumed.
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Suspension of sitting: The sitting of the Assembly was adjourned at 18:23 h until the ringing of the Bells.Bells having been rung the sittings resumed at 18:30 h.
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Debate continued.Question - put and passed.
Bill read a second time.
The Assembly resolved itself into Committee of the Whole for consideration of the Bill.
In Committee
(Chairman – Mr Mitchell)
(Chairman – Mr Mitchell)
Clauses 1 to 4, by leave, taken together and agreed to.
Clause 5 –
Debate ensued.
Question - That the motion be agreed to - put.
The Assembly divided (the Chairman Mr Mitchell, in the Chair) -
AYES, 16 NOES, 6
Mr Adamson Mr Henderson
Mr Balch Mrs Hickey
Mr Baldwin Ms Martin
Mrs Braham Mr Rioli
Mr Burke Mr Stirling
Ms Carter Dr Toyne
Mr Dunham
Mr Elferink
Mr Hatton
Dr Lim
Mr Lugg
Mr Manzie
Mr Mills
Mr Palmer
Mr Poole
Mr Reed
And so it was resolved in the affirmative.
Clause 5, as printed, agreed to.
Clause 6 agreed to.
Clause 7 agreed to.
Proposed New Clause 7A –
Mr Stirling moved the following amendment –
- '7A. Definition
- 'In this Part –
- "anti-social conduct" includes conduct, behaviour or an incident that is, or is likely to be, connected with the supply of a dangerous drug within the meaning of the Misuse of Drugs Act.'.
Debate ensued.
Question - That the amendment be agreed to - put.
The Assembly divided (the Deputy Speaker, Mr P. A. Mitchell, in the Chair) -
AYES, 6 NOES, 16
Mr Henderson Mr Adamson
Mrs Hickey Mr Balch
Ms Martin Mr Baldwin
Mr Rioli Mrs Braham
Mr Stirling Mr Burke
Dr Toyne Ms Carter
Mr Dunham
Mr Elferink
Mr Hatton
Dr Lim
Mr Lugg
Mr McCarthy
Mr Mills
Mr Palmer
Mr Poole
Mr Reed
Amendment negatived accordingly.
New Clause 7A negatived accordingly.
Remainder of the Bill, by leave, taken as a whole and agreed to.
Bill to be reported without amendment.
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- The Assembly resumed; the Speaker resumed the Chair; and the Chairman (Mr Mitchell) reported that the Committee had considered the Bill and agreed to the same without amendment.
Bill reported , report adopted.
- Suspension of Standing Orders The Attorney-General (Mr Burke) moved – That so much of Standing Orders be suspended as would prevent the Domestic Violence Amendment Bill 2001 (Serial 320); and Bail Amendment Bill 2001 (Serial 321), passing through all stages at these sittings.
Question – put and passed – there being an absolute majority of the whole number of Members present and no dissentient voice.
The Order of the Day having been read for resumption of debate on the question – That the Bills be now read a second time –
Debate resumed.
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 Attorney-General (Mr Burke) the Bills were read a third time and passed to be proposed laws.
18. JUSTICES AMENDMENT BILL 2001 (Serial 303):
- Suspension of Standing Orders The Attorney-General (Mr Burke) moved – That so much of Standing Orders be suspended as would prevent the Justices Amendment Bill 2001 (Serial 303), passing through all stages at these sittings.
Question – put and passed – there being an absolute majority of the whole number of Members present and no dissentient voice.
The Order of the Day having been read for resumption of 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 Burke) the Bill was read a third time and passed to be a proposed law.
19. ADJOURNMENT:
- The Chief Minister (Mr Burke) moved – That the Assembly do now adjourn.
Debate ensued.
Question – put and passed.
The Assembly adjourned at 20:36 h until Thursday 5 July 2001 at 10:00 h.PAPERS:
The following Papers were deemed to have been presented on Wednesday 4 July 2001 –
Financial Statement:
Northern Territory University, year ended 31 December 2000 (Paper 2580) ATTENDANCE:
All Members attended the sitting.
Last updated: 04 Aug 2016