Department of the Legislative Assembly, Northern Territory Government

Minutes of Proceedings - 1994-08-23

Seventh Assembly First Session 23/08/1994 Parliamentary Record No. 2
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Date : 23/08/1994
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1. MEETING:
The Assembly met at 10.00 a.m., pursuant to resolution of the Assembly, dated Thursday 30 June 1994.
The Speaker, the Honourable T.R. McCarthy, took the Chair.

2. PRAYERS.

3. VISITORS:
The Speaker drew the attention of Honourable Members to the presence in the gallery of
Australian Politics students from the Political History Unit of the Centre for Aboriginal and Islander Studies at the Northern Territory University, and their lecturer, Mr Bill Langlands.
On behalf of Honourable Members, the Speaker extended a warm welcome to the visitors.

4. MINISTRY AND ADMINISTRATIVE ARRANGEMENTS ORDER - MINISTERIAL STATEMENT:
The Chief Minister (Mr Perron), by leave, made a statement informing the Assembly of the Ministers and administrative arrangements of the Government as follows:

MINISTER, MINISTRIES AND ADMINISTRATIVE ARRANGEMENTS

HON M. B. PERRON
. Chief Minister.

HON B. F. COULTER
. Treasurer;
. Minister for tourism; and
. Minister for Conservation.

HON S. L. STONE
. Minister for Asian Relations and Trade;
. Minister for Industries and Development;
. Minister for Ethnic Affairs; and
. Minister for the Arts.

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HON S. P. HATTON
. Minister for Aboriginal Development;
. Minister for Lands, Housing and Local Government; and
. Minister Assisting the Chief Minister on Constitutional Development Matters.

HON F. A. FINCH
. Attorney-General; and
. Minister for Education and Training.

HON D. W. MANZIE
. Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services; and
. Minister for Transport and Works.

HON M. A. REED
. Minister for Health and Community Services;
. Minister for Mines and Energy; and
. Minister Assisting the Treasurer.

HON E. H. POOLE
. Minister for Public Employment;
. Minister for Correctional Services;
. Minister for Sport and Recreation;
. Minister for Work Health, Territory Insurance and the Liquor Commission; and
. Minister Assisting the Chief Minister on Central Australian Matters.

HON M. J. PALMER
. Minister for Primary Industry and Fisheries; and
. Minister for Lands, Housing and Local Government on Lands Matters.
OFFICE HOLDERS

HON S. L. STONE; Leader of Government Business.
MR T. D. BALDWIN: Government Whip.

Paper tabled: The Chief Minister (Mr Perron) laid on the Table a copy of the Administrative Arrangements Order, Gazette No. S43, dated 20 July 1994 (Paper 62).

5. CHANGES TO HANSARD REPORTING SYSTEM – STATEMENT BY SPEAKER:
The Speaker advised members that the Hansard reporting system was changing from the IBM AS400 system to a personal computer system using Microsoft Word 6 software program during these sittings.
The purpose of this change was to enable Members to have electronic access to the daily Hansard.

6. QUESTIONS
Question were asked of Ministers.
Paper tabled: The Member for Wanguri (Mr Bailey), by leave, laid on the Table the following Paper –

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. Letter, Mr I. V. Knight, Ombudsman to Mr John Bailey, MLA, Member for Wanguri, dated 30 June 1994 with attached letter from Mr I. V. Knight, Ombudsman to Ms M. Harrison,
Secretary, Department of Law, dated 30 June 1994 (Paper 64).

Further questions were asked of Ministers.
Supplementary answer: The Minister for Education and Training (Mr Finch) gave a supplementary answer to a question asked previously today by the Member for Wanguri (Mr Bailey).
Personal explanation: The Member for Wanguri (Mr Bailey), by leave, made a personal explanation in relation to comments made by the Minister for Education and Training (Mr Finch) during the supplementary answer.

7. ABOLITION OF THE THREE MINE POLICY FOR URANIUM MINING – MOTION AS AMENDED AGREED TO.
The Minister for Mines and Energy (Mr Reed) moved -

That this Legislative Assembly, on behalf of the people of the Northern Territory -

(1) expresses its unanimous support for the abolition of the Australian Labor Party's so-called 3-mine policy which prevents the development of uranium mining at Koongarra and Jabiluka in the Northern Territory;

(2) calls upon the Australian Labor Party, at its national conference on 26 to 30 September 1994, to replace this policy with one which allows sensible and environmentally-responsible development of the Koongarra and Jabiluka sites;

(3) asks the Australian Labor Party to consider the wishes of the Aboriginal traditional owners that uranium mining be allowed to take place in the Northern Territory in line with previous arrangements;

(4) urges the Australian Labor Party to replace its existing policy with one which allows market forces to determine how and when uranium mining projects should proceed;

(5) calls upon the Northern Territory delegates to the national conference to support the principles of this motion and to express the terms of this motion at the national conference; and

(6) conveys the terms of this motion forthwith to the Prime Minister, the President of the Australian Labor Party and the Northern Territory's representatives and delegates to the annual conference.

Debate ensured.
The Leader of the Opposition (Mr Ede) moved the following amendment –

Omit all words after “Policy” first occurring and substitute –

“and its replacement with a policy which by way of legislation, regulation and other means creates parameters which:

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(1) protects the environment at all stages of the nuclear cycle;

(2) safeguards the health of workers and ensures that best industrial relations practices are negotiated between potential miners and the relevant unions;

(3) safeguards the rights of traditional owners; and

(4) supports Australia’s policy of opposing the proliferation of nuclear weapons and atmospheric nuclear testing.”.

Debate ensued.
Ordered – That the Leader of the Opposition (Mr Ede) have leave to continue his remarks at a later hour.
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Suspension of sitting: the sitting was suspended between 11.50 a.m. and 2.00 p.m.
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Debate resumed.
The Leader of the Opposition (Mr Ede), by leave, withdrew the amendment to the motion standing in his name and moved the following amendment –

Omit all words after “Policy” first occurring.

Debate continued.
Papers tabled: The Minister for Conservation (Mr coulter) laid on the Table the following Papers –

. Transcript, Australian Labor Party 35th Biennial National Conference, Canberra, Monday, 5 July 1982 (Paper 84); and
. Report of the Uranium Policy Review Committee of the National Executive of the Australian Labor Party, dated 10 April 1991 (Paper 85).

Debate continued.
Suspension of Standing Orders: The Minister for Primary Industry and Fisheries (Mr Palmer) moved – That so much of Standing Orders be suspended as would prevent the Minister for Conservation (Mr Coulter) from completing his speech.
Question - put and passed – there being an absolute majority of the whole number of Members present and no dissentient voice.
Debate continued.
Question – That the amendment to the motion be agreed to – put and passed.
Question – That the motion as amended be agreed to – put and passed.

8. OFFICE OF THE AUDITOR-GENERAL, ANNUAL REPORT, 1993-94 – PAPER TABLED – PAPER PRINTED – MOTION TO NOTE PAPER:
The Speaker laid on the Table the Annual Report of the Office of the Auditor-General for the year ended 30 June 1993 (Paper 61).
The Leader of Government Business (Mr Stone) moved – That the Paper be printed.
Question – put and passed.
Mr Stone moved – That the Assembly take note of the Paper.

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Ordered – That the debate be adjourned and Mr Stone have leave to continue his remarks at a later hour.

9. PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE, REPORT NO., 21 – REPORT ON THE AUDITOR-GENERAL’S ANNUAL REPORTS 1990-91 AND 1991-92 – PAPER TABLED – MOTION TO NOTE PAPER:
the Speaker laid on the Table the Public Accounts Committee’s Report No. 21 on the Auditor-General’s Annual Reports for the years 1990-91 and 1991-92 (Paper 83).
The Speaker advised that pursuant to section 10(1) of the Legislative Assembly (Powers and Privileges) Act and Standing Order 253, the report was published during the recent parliamentary recess.
The Leader of Government Business (Mr Stone) moved – That the Assembly take note of the report.
Ordered – That debate be adjourned and Mr Stone have leave to continue his remarks at a later hour.

10. PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE – CHANGE OF MEMBERSHIP:
The Leader of Government Business (Mr Stone) moved – That the member for Karama (Mr Palmer) be discharged from further attendance on the Public Accounts committee and that the member for Brennan (Mr Burke) be appointed in his place.
Question – put and passed.

11. ADDRESS-IN-REPLY:
The order of the day having been read for the resumption of the debate on the motion – That the following Address be agreed to:

“To His Honour the Administrator for the Northern Territory of Australia.

“MAY IT PLEASE YOUR HONOUR – We, the Legislative Assembly of the Northern Territory, in Parliament assembled, desire to express our loyalty to our Most Gracious Sovereign,
and to thank Your Honour for the Speech which you have been pleased to address to the Assembly.”.

Debate ensured.
Paper tabled: The Member for Macdonnell (Mr Bell), by leave, laid on the Table the following Paper –

. Table 13 – Household Income, Household Income per head of mean population, and Household Disposable Income: by State and Territory, Australian Bureau of Statistics (Paper 86.)

Debate continued.
On the motion of the Minister for Primary Industry and Fisheries (Mr Palmer) debate was adjourned.

12. FINANCIAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE COMMONWEATH, STATES AND TERRITORIES (APPROVAL) BILL 1994 (Serial 7):
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.

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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 Treasurer (Mr Coulter) the Bill was read a third time and passed to be a proposed law.

13. AGRICULTURAL AND VETERINARY CHEMICALS (NORTHERN TERRITORY) BILL 1994 (Serial 20):
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.
The Assembly, according to Order, resolved itself into Committee of the Whole for the consideration of the Bill.
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In the Committee
(Chairman – Mr Setter)

Clause 1 agreed to.
Clause 2 read.
On the motion of the Minister for Primary Industry and Fisheries (Mr Palmer) the following amendment was agreed to, after debate –

Omit all words after “come into operation” and insert in their stead “on a date to be fixed by the Administrator by notice in the Gazette.”.

Clause 2, as amended, agreed to.
Remainder of the Bill, by leave, taken as a whole and agreed to, after debate.
Bill to be reported with an amendment.
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The Speaker (Hon. T.R. McCarthy) resumed the Chair; the Chairman of Committees (Mr Setter) reported accordingly; and the report was adopted.
On the motion of the Minister for Primary Industry and Fisheries (Mr Palmer) the Bill was read a third time and passed to be a proposed law.

14. TERRITORY INSURANCE OFFICE AMENDMENT BILL 1994 (Serial 11):
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 Work Health and Territory Insurance (Mr Poole) the Bill was read a third time and passed to be a proposed law.

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15. NORTHERN TERRITORY INSURANCE OFFICE AMENDMENT BILL 1994 (Serial 11):
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.
The Assembly, according to Order, resolved itself into Committee of the Whole for the consideration of the Bill.
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In the Committee
(Deputy Chairman – Mr Adamson)

Clauses 1 to 5, by leave, taken together and agreed to.
Clause 6 agreed to, after debate.
Remainder of the Bill, by leave, taken as a whole and agreed to.
Bill to be reported without amendment.
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The Speaker (Hon. T. R. McCarthy) resumed the Chair; the Deputy Chairman (Mr Adamson) reported accordingly; and the report was adopted.
On the motion of the Minister for Public Employment (Mr Finch) the Bill was read a third time and passed to be a proposed law.

16. ADJOURNMENT:
The Minister for Asian Relations and Trade (Mr Stone) moved – That the Assembly do now adjourn.
Debate ensued.
Papers tabled: The member for Wanguri (Mr Bailey), by leave, laid on the Table the following Papers –

. Letter, Mr John Bailey, MLA, Member for Wanguri to Mr I. V. Knight, Ombudsman for the Northern Territory, dated 29 October 1991 (Paper 87); and
. Letter, Mr I. V. Knight, Ombudsman for the Northern Territory, to Mr John Bailey, MLA, dated 8 November 1991 (Paper 88).

Debate continued.
Question - put and passed.
And the Assembly adjourned at 8.56 p.m. until tomorrow at 10.00 a.m.
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PAPERS:
The following Papers were deemed to be presented on 23 August 1994:

Annual Reports:
Northern Territory University, 1993 (Paper 78)
Registrar of Financial Institutions, 1992-93 (Paper 63)

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By-law:
Cullen Bay Marina By-laws (Paper 65)

Community Government Scheme:
Wallace Rockhole, Amendment (Paper 80)

Financial Administration and Audit Act:
Direction by Treasurer, pursuant to s.13(1)(b), Transfer of Funds Saved –
Northern Territory Treasury: Services, dated 30 June 1994 (Paper 79)
Department of Lands, Housing and Local Government, dated 30 June 1994 (Paper 81)
Department of Correctional Services, dated 30 June 1994 (Paper 82)

Regulations, 1994:
No. 24, Darwin City Council By-laws (Paper 66)
No. 15, Veterinarians Regulations (Paper 67)
No. 16, Local Government (Administration) Regulations (Paper 68)
No. 17, Local Government (Road Opening and Closing) Regulations (Paper 69)
No. 18, Amendments of Local Government (Accounting) Regulations (Paper 70)
No. 19, Amendments of Fisheries Regulations (Paper 71)
No. 20, Amendments of Treasury Regulations (Paper 72)
No. 21, Amendments of Supreme Court Rules (Paper 73)
No. 22, Amendments of Commercial Passenger (Miscellaneous) Regulations (Paper 74)
No. 23, Amendments of Water Regulations (Paper 75)
No. 24, Amendments of Crimes (Forfeiture of Proceeds) Regulations (Paper 76)
No. 25, Amendments of Heritage Conservation Regulations (Paper 77)
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ATTENDANCE:
All Members attended the sitting.

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Last updated: 04 Aug 2016