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Minutes of Proceedings - 1997-11-25

Eighth Assembly First Session 25/11/1997 Parliamentary Record No. 1
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Date : 25/11/1997
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    The First Session of the Eighth Legislative Assembly of the Northern Territory began in the Legislative Assembly Chamber, Darwin, on Tuesday the twenty-fifth day of November, One thousand nine hundred and ninety-seven.
1. On which day, being the first day of the meeting of the First Session of the Eighth Legislative Assembly of the Northern Territory for the despatch of business pursuant to a Notice published in the Northern Territory Government Gazette S42 of 20 October 1997, Ian Bruce McNeill, Clerk of the Assembly; John Edward Pollock, Deputy Clerk; Graham Phillip Gadd, Clerk-Assistant; and Helen Mary Allmich, Serjeant-at-Arms, attending in the said place according to their duty -
    And Members having taken their seats -
    The Notice calling the Legislative Assembly together was read by the Clerk, as follows:

NORTHERN TERRITORY OF AUSTRALIA

Northern Territory (Self-Government) Act 1978 of the Commonwealth

NOTICE APPOINTING TIME FOR THE HOLDING OF FIRST
SESSION OF EIGHTH LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY


    I, NEIL RAYMOND CONN, the Administrator of the Northern Territory of Australia, in pursuance of section 22(1) of the Northern Territory (Self-Government) Act 1978 of the Commonwealth, appoint 10.00 a.m. on Tuesday 25 November 1997 as the time for the commencement of the first session of the eighth Legislative Assembly of the Northern Territory of Australia to be held in the Legislative Assembly Chamber, Darwin.


    Dated 16th day of October 1997.
(Sgd) N R CONN
(Paper 1) Administrator.

2. APPROACH OF THE DEPUTY OF THE ADMINISTRATOR:
    The approach of the Deputy of His Honour the Administrator was announced by the Serjeant-at-Arms.Mrs M L R Sitzler entered the Chamber and took the Chair.
    The Deputy addressed Members of the Assembly as follows:
        Members of the Legislative Assembly and guests, pray be seated -
        Members of the Legislative Assembly, His Honour the Administrator, not thinking fit to be present in person at this time, has been pleased to command and authorise me as his Deputy to do in his name all that is necessary to be performed in declaring this Assembly open, as will be more fully explained from my Commission which will now be read by the Clerk.
      Mrs M L R Sitzler produced her Commission commanding and authorising her as the Deputy of the Administrator to declare open the Legislative Assembly which was then read by the Clerk as follows:

        The Clerk read the Commission as follows:

    NORTHERN TERRITORY OF AUSTRALIA
        His Honour the Administrator of the Northern Territory of Australia.
        To: Minna Lydia Ruth Sitzler, the Deputy of the Administrator of the Northern Territory of Australia.
        Greeting:
        WHEREAS, by notice dated 16 October 1997 and published in the Northern Territory Government Gazette No S42 on 20 October 1997, I appointed Tuesday 25 November 1997 as the day for the Legislative Assembly of the Northern Territory of Australia to assemble for the despatch of business; and all members of the Legislative Assembly are required to give their attendance accordingly at the Legislative Assembly Chamber, Darwin, at 10.00 a.m. on that day:

        NOW THEREFORE I, NEIL RAYMOND CONN, the Administrator of the Northern Territory of Australia, command and authorise you to declare open the Legislative Assembly at the time and place appointed by that notice.

        Given under my hand and the Public Seal of the Northern Territory of Australia, this 18th day of November, One thousand nine hundred and ninety-seven.
    (Sgd) N R CONN
    Administrator.
    (Paper 2)


    3. COMMISSION TO ADMINISTER OATHS OR AFFIRMATIONS:
      The Deputy further addressed Members of the Assembly as follows:
        Members of the Legislative Assembly:
        His Honour the Administrator desires me to inform you that, after all Members present have been sworn, the causes of His Honour calling this Assembly together will be declared by him in person at this place; and it being necessary that a Speaker of the Legislative Assembly shall be first chosen, you, Members of the Legislative Assembly, will proceed to choose some proper person to be your Speaker; and later this day the person whom you shall so choose will present himself to His Honour at such time and place as His Honour shall appoint.
      The Deputy produced her Commission to administer to Members the Oaths or Affirmations of Allegiance and of Office, and directed the Clerk to read the same - Which was then read as follows:

    NORTHERN TERRITORY OF AUSTRALIA
        His Honour the Administrator of the Northern Territory of Australia.
        To: Minna Lydia Ruth Sitzler, the Deputy of the Administrator of the Northern Territory of Australia.
        Greeting:
        WHEREAS by section 13 of the Northern Territory (Self-Government) Act 1978 it is, amongst other things, enacted that every Member of the Legislative Assembly must, before taking his or her seat, make and subscribe before the Administrator, or a person authorized by the Administrator, an oath or affirmation of allegiance in the form in Schedule 2 to the Northern Territory (Self-Government) Act 1978 and an oath or affirmation of office in the form in Schedule 3 to the Act:

        NOW THEREFORE I, NEIL RAYMOND CONN, the Administrator of the Northern Territory of Australia, command and authorize you to attend at the Legislative Assembly Chamber, Darwin, on Tuesday 25 November 1997 on the opening of the Assembly at 10.00 a.m. on that day and there and then to administer those oaths or affirmations to those members of the Legislative Assembly who are present.

        Given under my hand and the Public Seal of the Northern Territory of Australia, this 18th day of November, One thousand nine hundred and ninety-seven.
    (Sgd) NEIL CONN
    Administrator.
        (Paper 3)

    4. RETURNS TO WRITS PAPERS TABLED:
      The Clerk produced and laid on the Table the Returns to Writs for the election of Members of the Legislative Assembly held on 30 August 1997 and the following Members named in the returns made and subscribed the oaths or affirmations required by law:
      Maurice Joseph Rioli - Arafura
      Eric Houguet Poole - Araluen
      John Leonard Ah Kit - Arnhem
      Maggie Anne Hickey - Barkly
      Barry Francis Coulter - Blain
      Loraine Margaret Braham - Braitling
      Denis Gabriel Burke - Brennan
      Peter Francis Adamson - Casuarina
      Stephen Dunham - Drysdale
      Clare Majella Martin - Fannie Bay
      Terence Robert McCarthy - Goyder
      Richard Soon Huat Lim - Greatorex
      Stephen John Balch - Jingili
      Michael James Palmer - Karama
      Michael Anthony Reed - Katherine
      Johan Wessel Elferink - Macdonnell
      Philip Anthony Mitchell - Millner
      Christopher Dennis Lugg - Nelson
      Sydney James Stirling - Nhulunbuy
      Stephen Paul Hatton - Nightcliff
      Shane Leslie Stone - Port Darwin
      Daryl William Manzie - Sanderson
      Peter Howard Toyne - Stuart
      Timothy Denney Baldwin - Victoria River
      John Derek Bailey - Wanguri
        (Paper 4)

      The Honourable M L R Sitzler then withdrew from the Chamber.

    5. ELECTION OF SPEAKER:
      The Chief Minister (Mr Stone) addressing the Clerk reminded the Assembly that the time had come when it was necessary for the Assembly to choose one of its Members to be Speaker and then proposed to the Assembly for its Speaker the Member for Braitling, Mrs Braham, and moved - That the Member for Braitling do take the Chair of this Assembly as Speaker.
      Which motion was seconded by the Treasurer (Mr Reed) and Mrs Braham accepted the nomination.
      The Leader of the Opposition (Mrs Hickey) proposed to the Assembly for its Speaker the Member for Nhulunbuy, Mr Stirling, and moved - That the Member for Nhulunbuy do take the Chair of this Assembly as Speaker.
      Which motion was seconded by the Deputy Leader of the Opposition (Mr Bailey) and Mr Stirling accepted the nomination.

      Debate ensued and concluded.
        The time for proposals having expired the Assembly then proceeded to ballot.
        Ballot conducted - scrutineers Mr Balch and Mr Bailey.
        The Clerk announced the result of the ballot as follows:

    Mrs Braham (Braitling) 17 votes
    Mr Stirling (Nhulunbuy) 7 votes
      and declared the Member for Braitling (Mrs Braham) elected as Speaker in accordance with Standing Orders.
      Madam Speaker thanked the Assembly for the high honour it had conferred upon her and thereupon took the Chair.

    6. PRESENTATION OF SPEAKER TO ADMINISTRATOR:
      The Speaker invited honourable Members to accompany her to the ceremonial entrance to the Library where she would present herself to His Honour the Administrator as the choice of the Assembly as its Speaker.
    _____________________
        Suspension of sitting: The sitting was suspended between 10:32 h and 10:47 h.
    _____________________
        The Assembly having resumed -
      The Speaker reported that, accompanied by Honourable Members, she had presented herself to His Honour the Administrator as the choice of the Assembly as Speaker and His Honour the Administrator was pleased to congratulate Madam Speaker upon her appointment.

    7. SPEAKER’S COMMISSION TO ADMINISTER OATHS AND AFFIRMATIONS PAPER TABLED:
      The Speaker announced that she had received from His Honour the Administrator the following Commission to administer to Members Oaths or Affirmations of Allegiance and of Office, which was laid upon the Table and read by the Clerk:
        The Commission was read by the Clerk as follows:

    NORTHERN TERRITORY OF AUSTRALIA

        His Honour the Administrator of the Northern Territory of Australia.
        To: The Honourable Loraine Margaret Braham, M. L. A.
        Greeting:

        WHEREAS by section 13 of the Northern Territory (Self-Government) Act 1978 it is amongst other things enacted that every Member of the Legislative Assembly must, before taking his or her seat, make and subscribe before the Administrator, or a person authorized by the Administrator, an oath or affirmation of allegiance in the form in Schedule 2 to the Northern Territory (Self-Government) Act 1978 and an oath or affirmation of office in the form in Schedule 3 to the Act:

        NOW THEREFORE I, NEIL RAYMOND CONN, the Administrator of the Northern Territory of Australia, command and authorize you from time to time, in the Legislative Assembly Chamber, Darwin, to administer those oaths or affirmations to those members of the Legislative Assembly who have not already taken and subscribed them since their election to the Assembly.

        Given under my hand and the Public Seal of the Northern Territory of Australia, this 25th day of November, One thousand nine hundred and ninety-seven.
    (Sgd) NEIL CONN
    Administrator.
        (Paper 5)

    8. APPROACH OF HIS HONOUR THE ADMINISTRATOR:
      The approach of His Honour the Administrator was announced by the Serjeant-at-Arms.

    9. HIS HONOUR’S OPENING ADDRESS:
      His Honour the Administrator entered the Chamber, Madam Speaker left the Chair and His Honour, having taken the Chair delivered his Address declaring the causes of his calling the Assembly together.
    (Text of Speech appears in Hansard)
      Upon completing his Address to the Assembly, His Honour was pleased to present the Speaker with a copy of his Address and retired from the Chamber, led by the Serjeant-at-Arms. (Paper 7)
        The Speaker resumed the Chair.

    10. PRAYERS.

    11. MINISTRY AND ADMINISTRATIVE ARRANGEMENTS MINISTERIAL STATEMENT:
      The Chief Minister (Mr Stone) by leave, made a statement informing the Assembly of Ministers and the administrative arrangements of the Government as follows and laid on the Table the Northern Territory Government Gazette No S36 of 15 September 1997. (Paper 6)
    MINISTERS, MINISTRIES AND ADMINISTRATIVE ARRANGEMENTS
        SHANE LESLIE STONE
    Chief Minister
    Attorney-General
    Minister for Young Territorians
    Minister for Women’s Policy
    Minister for Statehood
    Minister for Defence Support

        MICHAEL ANTHONY REED
    Treasurer
    Minister for Tourism
    Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services
    Minister for Public Employment
    Minister for Industrial Relations
      BARRY FRANCIS COULTER
    Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Development
    Minister for Territory Ports
    Minister for the AustralAsia Railway
    DENIS GABRIEL BURKE
    Minister for Health, Family and Children’s Services
    Minister for Senior Territorians
    Minister for Work Health
        ERIC HOUGUET POOLE
    Minister for Resource Development
    Minister for Correctional Services
    Minister for Essential Services
    DARYL WILLIAM MANZIE
    Minister for Asian Relations, Trade and Industry
    Minister for Regional Development
    Minister for Arts and Museums
    MICHAEL JAMES PALMER
    Minister for Lands, Planning and Environment
    Minister for Primary Industry and Fisheries
    Minister for Ethnic Affairs
    PETER FRANCIS ADAMSON
    Minister for Education and Training
    Minister for Communications and Advanced Technology
    Minister for Racing and Gaming
    Minister for Sport and Recreation

        TIMOTHY DENNEY BALDWIN
    Minister for Parks and Wildlife
    Minister for Aboriginal Development
    Minister for Local Government
    Minister for Housing
    OFFICE HOLDERS

        MEMBER FOR BLAIN: Leader of Government Business.
        MEMBER FOR JINGILI: Government Whip.

    12. OPPOSITION OFFICE HOLDERS STATEMENT:
      The Leader of the Opposition (Mrs Hickey), by leave, made a statement relating to the Opposition Office Holders as follows:
        MRS M A HICKEY - Leader of the Opposition
        MR J D BAILEY - Deputy Leader of the Opposition
        MR S J STIRLING - Opposition Whip

        OPPOSITION SPOKESPERSONS


        MAGGIE ANNE HICKEY
    for Women’s Policy
    for Statehood
    for Senior Territorians
    for Regional Development
    for Resource Development
    for Essential Services

          JOHN DEREK BAILEY
    for Treasury
    for Tourism
    for Transport and Infrastructure Development
    for Territory Ports
    for the AustralAsia Railway
    for Ethnic Affairs

          SYDNEY JAMES STIRLING
    for the role of Attorney-General
    for Public Employment and Industrial Relations
    for Work Health
    for TIO
    for Defence Support
    for Correctional Services

          JOHN LEONARD AH KIT
    for Aboriginal Affairs
    for Local Government
    for Housing
    for Parks and Wildlife

          CLARE MAJELLA MARTIN
    for Asian Relations, Trade and Industry
    for Lands, Planning, Environment and Urban Development
    for Arts and Museums
    for Racing and Gaming
    for Young Territorians

          MAURICE JOSEPH RIOLI
    for Health, Family and Children’s Services
    for the Liquor Commission
    for the Menzies School of Health Research
    for Sport and Recreation

          PETER HOWARD TOYNE
    for Education and Training
    for Communications and Advanced Technology
    for Police, Fire and Emergency Services
    for Primary Industry and Fisheries
      13. AYERS ROCK RESORT (SALE) BILL 1997 (Serial 1):
        The Minister for Tourism (Mr Reed), by leave, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the Ayers Rock Resort Corporation Act and to make provision for certain matters to facilitate the sale of the Ayers Rock Resort and for related purposes.
        Bill read a first time.
        On the motion of Mr Reed the second reading of the Bill was made an order of the day for a later hour.

      14. ADMINISTRATOR’S SPEECH:
        Madam Speaker reported to the Assembly that she had received a copy of the Opening Address delivered by His Honour the Administrator to the Assembly this day.

      15. ADDRESS-IN-REPLY:
        The Chief Minister (Mr Stone) moved - That the following Address-in-Reply be agreed to:
          To His Honour the Administrator of the Northern Territory.
          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.
        Ordered - That the debate be adjourned and Mr Stone have leave to continue his remarks on the resumption of the debate.

      16. ADJOURNMENT:
        The Chief Minister (Mr Stone) moved - That the Assembly do now adjourn.
        Question - put and passed.
        The Assembly adjourned at 11:00 h until Wednesday 26 November 1997 at 10:00 h.

      ===================
        PAPERS:
        The following papers were deemed to have been presented on Tuesday 25 November 1997:
        Annual Reports:

        Parks and Wildlife Commission of the Northern Territory, for the year ended 30 June 1997 (Paper 9)
      ====================
        ATTENDANCE:
        All Members attended the sitting.
      Last updated: 04 Aug 2016
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