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Minutes of Proceedings - 1997-02-19

Seventh Assembly First Session 18/02/1997 Parliamentary Record No. 30
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Date : 19/02/1997
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1. MEETING:
    The Assembly met at 11:00, pursuant to adjournment. The Speaker, the Honourable T.R. McCarthy, took the Chair.

2. PRAYERS.

3. FILMING IN THE CHAMBER:
    The Speaker advised Honourable Members that he had given permission for ABC Television to film in the Chamber for the purposes of updating file footage.

4. VISITORS:
    The Speaker (Mr McCarthy) drew the attention of Honourable Members to the presence in the gallery of Year 7 students from Gray Primary School and their teachers, Mrs Margaret Couper and Ms Sue Trimble.
    On behalf of Honourable Members, the Speaker extended a warm welcome to the visitors.

5. PETITION:
    The Member for Palmerston (Mr Coulter), by leave, presented a petition, not conforming with Standing Orders, from 554 petitioners relating to a Shuker bus service contract (Paper 3044).
    Petition read.
    6. NOTICES:
      The following notices were given:
      Mr Burke: To present the Financial Institutions (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill 1997 (Serial 211).
      Mr Burke: To present the Companies (Trustees and Personal Representatives) Amendment Bill 1997 (Serial 213).
      Mr Burke: To present the Friendly Societies (NT) Bill 1997 (Serial 214).
      Mr Burke: To present the Financial Institutions (Territory Supervisory Authority) Amendment Bill 1997 (Serial 215).
      Mr Manzie: To present the Petroleum Amendment Bill 1997 (Serial 216).
      Mr Manzie: To present the Mining Amendment Bill 1997 (Serial 217).
      Mr Coulter: To present the Aerodromes Amendment Bill 1997 (Serial 212).
      7. QUESTIONS:
        11:04 Mrs Hickey to Mr Reed.
        Papers tabled: The Treasurer (Mr Reed) laid on the Table the following Papers -
      Graph, Comparison of Bus Fares 25 km (Paper 3028);
      Graph, Comparison of Water Charges for Average Home as at Jan ’97 (Paper 3029);
      Graph, Comparison of Sewerage Charges (Paper 3030);
      Graph, Comparison of Stamp Duty - Vehicle Registration Duty on a new $25,000 Car (Paper 3031);
      Graph, Comparison of 1995-96 Taxes and Fees per capita (Paper 3032);
      Graph, Comparison of Electricity Charges Domestic Tariff as at Jan ’97 (Paper 3033); and
      Graph, Comparison of Unemployment Rates (12 months to January 1996 average) (Paper 3034).
        11:15 Mr Mitchell to Mr Manzie.
        Paper tabled: The Minister for Mines and Energy (Mr Manzie) laid on the Table the following papers -
      Press Announcement, 1997 First Half Result, Henry Walker Group Limited, dated 11 February 1997 (Paper 3035);
      Article, “NT’s Henry Walker in record profit” by Ross Irby, Northern Territory News, dated 14 February 1997 (Paper 3036); and
      Extract from Parliamentary Record, pages 4904 and 4905, dated 24 August 1995 (Paper 3037).
        11:23 Mrs Hickey to Mr Reed.
        Paper tabled: The Treasurer (Mr Reed) laid on the Table the following paper -
      Graph, Comparison of Business Franchise Licence Fees - Petrol - Unleaded as at Jan 97 (Paper 3038).
        11:30 Mrs Braham to Mr Burke.
        Paper tabled: The Attorney-General (Mr Burke) laid on the Table the following paper -
      National Native Title Tribunal, Inquiry into a Future Act Determination Application in the Matter of the Native Title Act1993 (Cth) and in the Matter of an Application for the Granting of a Mining Lease by the State of Western Australia, Application: WF96/4, State of Western Australia and Johnson Taylor on behalf of the Njamal people and Garry Ernest Mullan, dated 7 August 1996 (Paper 3039).
          11:38 Mr Bell to Mr Burke.
          11:41 Dr Lim to Mr Reed.
          11:44 Mrs Padgham-Purich to Mr Burke.
          11:45 Mr Stirling to Mr Manzie.
          11:47 Mr Setter to Mr Stone.
          8. CENSURE OF THE LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION - NATIVE TITLE CLAIMS - MOTION AGREED TO:
            Suspension of Standing Orders - move censure motion: At 11:55 the Chief Minister (Mr Stone) moved - That so much of Standing Orders be suspended as would prevent him moving a motion of censure against the Leader of the Opposition (Mrs Hickey).
            Question - put and passed - there being an absolute majority of the whole number of Members present and no dissentient voice.
            The Chief Minister (Mr Stone) thereupon moved - That this Assembly censure the Leader of the Opposition for:

              (a) abandoning commitments provided by the Labor Party that native title was extinguished by pastoral lease; and
              (b) her failure to explain to the people of the Northern Territory the real position of the ALP in the Northern Territory in relation to native title claims over pastoral leases, the towns of Alice Springs and Darwin, and claims over water (Paper 3040).
          ____________________
            Suspension of sitting: The sitting was suspended between 12:15 and 14:15.
          ____________________

            Debate resumed.
            The Leader of the Opposition (Mrs Hickey) moved - That the question be now put.
            Question - That the question be now put - put.
            The Assembly divided (the Speaker, Hon. T.R. McCarthy, in the Chair) -

          AYES, 8 NOES, 15

          Mr Ah Kit Mr Adamson
          Mr Bailey Mr Baldwin
          Mr Bell Mrs Braham
          Mrs Hickey Mr Burke
          Ms Martin Mr Coulter
          Mr Rioli Mr Finch
          Mr Stirling Mr Hatton
          Mr Toyne Dr Lim
          Mr Manzie
          Mr Mitchell
          Mr Palmer
          Mr Poole
          Mr Reed
          Mr Setter
          Mr Stone
            And so it was resolved in the negative.
            Debate continued.
            Paper tabled: The Treasurer (Mr Reed) laid on the Table the following paper -
          Media Release, Amateur Fishermen’s Association of the Northern Territory Re: Removal of public recreational fishing areas from the Larrakia Native Title Claim, (Paper 3045).
            Debate continued.
            Question put and passed - motion agreed to.
          9. PERSONAL EXPLANATION:
            The Member for Macdonnell (Mr Bell), pursuant to Standing Order 57, made a personal explanation of remarks made by the Minister for (Mr Manzie) during question time relating to his pecuniary interest return in the Register of Members’ Interests.

          10. PERSONAL EXPLANATION:
            The Minister for Mines and Energy (Mr Manzie), pursuant to Standing Order 57, made a personal explanation relating to his remarks during question time about the Member for Macdonnell’s pecuniary interest return.

          11. SPORT AND RECREATION IN THE NORTHERN TERRITORY - MINISTERIAL STATEMENT - STATEMENT NOTED:
            The Minister for Sport and Recreation (Mr Hatton) made a statement related to sport and recreation in the Northern Territory (Paper 3043).
            Papers tabled: Mr Hatton laid on the Table the following paper -
          List of Athletes offered NTIS full scholarships and Sports offered NTIS full scholarships (Paper 3046).
            Mr Hatton moved - That the Assembly take note of the Statement.
            Debate ensued.
            Question put and passed.

          12. STRATEGIC DIRECTIONS FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN THE NORTHERN TERRITORY - MINISTERIAL STATEMENT - STATEMENT NOTED:
            The Minister for Local Government (Mr Palmer) made a statement related to Strategies and Directions for Local Government in the Northern Territory (Paper 3047).
            Paper tabled: Mr Palmer laid on the Table the following paper -
          Focus for Change: Strategic Planning for Local Government in the Northern Territory, Department of Housing and Local Government, January 1997 (Paper 3048).
            Mr Palmer moved - That the Assembly take note of the Statement.
            Debate ensued.
            Question put and passed.
          13. CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND FAIR TRADING BILL 1996 (SERIAL 149) - WITHDRAWAL FROM NOTICE PAPER:
            The Attorney-General (Mr Burke), by leave, moved - That Government Business, Order of the Day No 16, relating to the Consumer Affairs and Fair Trading Amendment Bill 1996 (Serial 149) be discharged from the Notice Paper.
            Question - put and passed.

          14. CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND FAIR TRADING AMENDMENT BILL 1997 (SERIAL 218):
            The Attorney-General (Mr Burke), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the Consumer Affairs and Fair Trading Act.
            Bill read a first time.
            Mr Burke moved - That the Bill be now read a second time.
            On the motion of the Member for Macdonnell (Mr Bell) debate was adjourned.

          15. NATIONAL ROAD SAFETY ACTION PLAN 1996 - PAPER NOTED:
            The order of the day having been read for resumption of debate on the motion that the Assembly take note of the Paper -
            Debate ensued.
            Paper tabled: The Minister for Transport and Works (Mr Coulter) laid on the Table the following paper -
          Australian Transport Council - Communique, dated 14 February 1997 (Paper 3040).
            Question - put and passed.

          16. CRIMINAL CODE AMENDMENT BILL (No. 3) 1996 (Serial 197); and JURIES AMENDMENT BILL (No. 2) 1996 (Serial 198):
            The order of the day having been read for the resumption of debate on the motion that the Bills be now read a second time -
            Debate ensued.
            Bills read a second time.
            Leave granted for a motion for the third reading 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.

          17. BIRTHS, DEATHS AND MARRIAGES REGISTRATION AMENDMENT BILL 1996 (Serial 199):
            The order of the day having been read for the resumption of debate on the motion that the Bill be now read a second time -
            Debate ensued.
            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.

          18. ADJOURNMENT:
            The Chief Minister (Mr Stone) moved - That the Assembly do now adjourn.
            Debate ensued.
            And the Assembly adjourned at 2253 h until 1000 h on Thursday 20 February 1997.
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            PAPERS:
            The following papers were deemed to have been presented on Wednesday 19 February 1997.

            Annual Report:
            Listening Devices Act, 30 June 1996,signed Brian Bates, Commissioner of Police, dated 28 August, 1996 (Paper 3042)

            Report:
            Inquest into the death of Billy Hagar Nabegeyo, signed by Mr John Alan Lowndes, Territory Coroner, dated 15 November, 1996, (Paper 3041)
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            ATTENDANCE
            All members attended the sitting.
          Last updated: 04 Aug 2016
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