Department of the Legislative Assembly, Northern Territory Government

Minutes of Proceedings - 2016-05-25

1. MEETING
The Assembly met at 10am. The Speaker, the Honourable Kezia Purick took the Chair.

2. PRAYERS

3. VISITORS
      The Speaker advised Honourable Members of the presence in the gallery of two Year 5/6 classes from Malak Primary School accompanied by their Lorraine Kingham and Zowie Sumendra.

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

4. SPEAKER'S STATEMENT
      The Speaker made a statement regarding filming by the media of the Leader of the Opposition’s Budget reply.

5. APPROPRIATION (2016-2017) BILL 2016 (Serial 170)
      Resumption of debate on the question - That the Bill be now read a second time.
      Debate resumed.

      Debate adjourned.

6. STAMP DUTY AMENDMENT (FIRST HOME OWNER DISCOUNT) BILL 2016 (Serial 174)
      Mr Tollner (Minister for Lands and Planning), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the Stamp Duty Act to provide for a first home owner discount and to consequentially amend the First Home Owner Grant Act.

      Bill read a first time.

      Mr Tollner moved - That the Bill be now read a second time.

      Debate ensued.

      Paper Tabled: Mr Tollner laid upon the Table the Explanatory Statement (Paper 1798).

      On the motion of Ms Fyles (Member for Nightcliff) debate was adjourned.

7. PLANNING AMENDMENT BILL 2016 (Serial 178)
      Mr Tollner (Minister for Lands and Planning), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the Planning Act.

      Bill read a first time.

      Mr Tollner moved - That the Bill be now read a second time.
      Debate ensued.

      Paper Tabled: Mr Tollner laid upon the Table the Explanatory Statement (Paper 1799).

      On the motion of Ms Fyles (Member for Nightcliff) debate was adjourned.

8. POLICE ADMINISTRATION AMENDMENT BILL 2016 (Serial 177)
      Mr Giles (Chief Minister), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the Police Administration Act.

      Bill read a first time.

      Mr Giles moved - That the Bill be now read a second time.
      Debate ensued.

      Paper Tabled: Mr Giles laid upon the Table the Explanatory Statement (Paper 1800).

      On the motion of Ms Fyles (Member for Nightcliff) debate was adjourned.

9. VISITORS
      The Speaker advised Honourable Members of the presence in the gallery of a Year 4/5 class from Malak Primary School accompanied by their teacher Matthew Jones.

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

10. FIREARMS AND WEAPONS CONTROL LEGISLATION AMENDMENT BILL 2016 (Serial 175)
      Mr Giles (Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the Firearms Act, Weapons Control Act, Firearms Regulations and Weapons Control Regulations.

      Bill read a first time.

      Mr Giles moved - That the Bill be now read a second time.
      Debate ensued.

      Paper Tabled: Mr Giles laid upon the Table the Explanatory Statement (Paper 1801).

      On the motion of Ms Fyles (Member for Nightcliff) debate was adjourned.

11. TERRORISM (EMERGENCY POWERS) AMENDMENT BILL 2016 (Serial 175)
      Mr Giles (Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the Terrorism (Emergency Powers) Act.

      Bill read a first time.

      Mr Giles moved - That the Bill be now read a second time.
      Debate ensued.

      Paper Tabled: Mr Giles laid upon the Table the Explanatory Statement (Paper 1802).

      On the motion of Ms Fyles (Member for Nightcliff) debate was adjourned.

12. TRAINING AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT BILL 2016 (Serial 172)
      Mr Styles (Minister for Business), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to provide for vocational education and training, to establish the Northern Territory Training Commission, to repeal the Northern Territory Employment and Training Act, and for related purposes.

      Bill read a first time.

      Mr Styles moved - That the Bill be now read a second time.
      Debate ensued.

      Paper Tabled: Mr Styles laid upon the Table the Explanatory Statement (Paper 1803).

      On the motion of Mr McCarthy (Member for Barkly) debate was adjourned.

13. BAIL AMENDMENT BILL 2016 (Serial 173)
      Mr Elferink (Attorney-General), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the Bail Act.

      Bill read a first time.

      Mr Elferink moved - That the Bill be now read a second time.
      Debate ensued.

      Paper Tabled: Mr Elferink laid upon the Table the Explanatory Statement (Paper 1804).

      On the motion of Ms Walker (Member for Nhulunbuy) debate was adjourned.

14. PAROLE AMENDMENT BILL 2016 (Serial 176)
      Mr Elferink (Attorney-General), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the Parole Act.

      Bill read a first time.

      Mr Elferink moved - That the Bill be now read a second time.
      Debate ensued.

      Paper Tabled: Mr Elferink laid upon the Table the Explanatory Statement (Paper 1805).

      On the motion of Ms Walker (Member for Nhulunbuy) debate was adjourned.

15. CONSIDERATION OF GOVERNMENT BILLS – MOTION NOT AGREED TO
      Mr Elferink (Leader of Government Business) pursuant to notice, moved – That notwithstanding the requirements of Standing Order 147, all government bills for which notice was given yesterday may progress to the question of second reading on the sitting day scheduled for 23 June 2016.

      Debate ensued.

      Question – put

      The Assembly divided:
        Ayes - 12 Noes - 12

        Mr Barrett Ms Anderson
        Mr Chandler Ms Fyles
        Mr Elferink Mr Gunner
        Mrs Finocchiaro Mrs Lambley
        Mr Giles Ms Lawrie
        Mr Higgins Mr McCarthy
        Mr Kurrupuwu Ms Manison
        Ms Lee Ms Moss
        Mrs Price Ms Purick
        Mr Styles Mr Vowles
        Mr Tollner Ms Walker
        Mr Westra van Holthe Mr Wood
      Motion not agreed to.

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Suspension of sittings: The sitting of the Assembly was suspended between 12pm and 2.00pm.
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16. VISITORS
      The Speaker advised Honourable Members of the presence in the gallery of three classes from Years 7 and 8 from Palmerston Christian School, accompanied by their teachers, Ana Abbot, Jill Carter, Emily Shea and Kathy Guy.

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

17. NOTICES
      The following notices were given:

      1. Mr Elferink (Leader of Government Business) will move on the next sitting day – That an Estimates Committee and Government Owned Corporations Scrutiny Committee be established with the terms of reference set out in the Notice Paper and seek the leave of the Assembly to have those words incorporated into the Minutes of Proceedings.

18. PETITIONS
      Mrs Lambley (Member for Araluen), presented Petition No. 61 from 204 petitioners, conforming with Standing Orders praying that an all-weather bridge be built across the Todd River.
      (Paper 1806).

      Petition read.

      PETITIONS
      Mrs Lambley (Member for Araluen), presented Petition No. 62 from 198 petitioners, conforming with Standing Orders praying that a youth curfew be established in Tennant Creek.
      (Paper 1807).

      Petition read.

19. QUESTIONS

      2.03 Mr Gunner to Treasurer
      2.03 Mrs Finocchiaro to Chief Minister
      2.06 Mr Gunner to Treasurer
      2.07 Ms Lawrie to Minister for Infrastructure
      2.11 Ms Lawrie to Minister for Infrastructure– supplementary
      2.13 Mr Conlan to Treasurer
      2.16 Ms Walker to Minister for Health
      2.19 Mr Westra van Holthe to Minister for Business
      2.23 Ms Manison to Minister for Education
      2.27 Mr Kurrupuwu to Chief Minister
      2.30 Mr Wood to Minister for Sport and Recreation
      2.33 Mr Conlan to Minister for Education
      2.36 Mr McCarthy to Minister for Sport and Recreation
      2.40 Mrs Finocchiaro to Minister for Arts and Museums

      Paper Tabled: Mr Higgins (Minister for Arts and Museums) laid upon the Table – Brochure, Vibrant NT, Arts and Culture in the Northern Territory (Paper 1808).


      2.44 Mrs Lambley to Minister for Housing – referred to Chief Minister
      2.48 Mrs Finocchiaro to Minister for Women's Policy

      Paper Tabled: Mrs Price (Minister for Women's Policy) laid upon the Table – Women’s Consultative Council - Women’s Safety Framework Policy (Paper 1809).


      Paper Tabled: Mrs Price (Minister for Women's Policy) laid upon the Table – Media Release, Mrs Bess Price, Minister for Women’s Policy, Inaugural Women’s Consultative Council appointed (Paper 1810).


      2.51 Mr McCarthy to Minister for Business
      2.55 Mr Kurrupuwu to Minister for Business
      2.59 Ms Manison to Minister for Essential Services – referred to Treasurer
      3.03 Mr Westra van Holthe to Chief Minister

      Mr Elferink (Leader of the Opposition) asked that further questions be placed on the Written Question Paper.

20. APPROPRIATION (2016-2017) BILL 2016 (Serial 170)
      Resumption of debate on the question - That the Bill be now read a second time.

      Debate resumed.

      Extension of Time: On the motion of Ms Manison (Member for Wanguri), Mr McCarthy (Member for Barkly) was granted an extension of time.

      Debate continued.

      Extension of Time: On the motion of Mr Vowles (Member for Johnston), Ms Manison (Member for Wanguri) was granted an extension of time.

      Debate adjourned.

21. PAPERS
      The Deputy Speaker tabled the following Papers –

      1. Remuneration Tribunal Determination, Travel Report, Member for Arnhem, Ms Larisa Lee, to meet and support constituents from Arnhem who were attending a Darwin football match, between 19 – 20 February 2016, pursuant to clause 6.11, dated 19 May 2016 (Paper 1811).
22. REPORTS

      1. Public Accounts Committee Report – Public Private Partnership Arrangements for the Darwin Correctional Precinct – Consideration Adjourned

      2. Public Accounts Committee Report – Inquiry into Structural Separation of the Power and Water Corporation – Consideration Adjourned

      3. Committee on the Northern Territory’s Energy Future Report – Key Challenges and Opportunities: Issues Paper – Consideration Adjourned

      4. Auditor-General for the Northern Territory – Report to the Legislative Assembly, August 2015 – Consideration Adjourned

      5. Auditor-General for the Northern Territory – Report to the Legislative Assembly, February 2016 – Consideration Adjourned

      6. Standing Orders Committee Report – Matters of Question Time Reform, Infant Care and Right of Reply, March 2016 – Consideration Adjourned

      7. Members’ Interests Committee Report – Proposal to Table Members’ Interests Returns and Upload the Tabled Documents on the Assembly Website Each Year – Consideration Adjourned

      8. Public Accounts Committee, Report on Repairs and Maintenance of Housing on Town Camps, Final Report, May 2016 - Consideration Adjourned
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General Business: The time being 5.30pm, General Business commenced.
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23. ALICE SPRINGS HOSPITAL – MOTION NOT AGREED TO
      Mrs Lambley (Member for Araluen) pursuant to notice, moved – That the NT Parliament recognises that the Alice Springs Hospital is an old hospital nearing its “use by date” with little to no capacity for expansion at the current site on Gap Road Alice Springs. That the NT Parliament bi-laterally supports the need for Central Australia to have a modern new contemporary hospital in the future and that planning for this new hospital needs to commence now. That, in consultation with the Alice Springs community, the government selects a site for a new hospital and commits to completing the construction of a new Alice Springs Hospital on this site by 2030.

      Debate ensued.

      Question – put and not agreed to.

24. PRECEDENCE FOR MEDICAL SERVICES AMENDMENT BILL – MOTION NOT AGREED TO
      Ms Purick (Member for Goyder) pursuant to notice, moved – That, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Standing Orders, consideration of the Medical Services Amendment Bill 2015 (Serial 150) has precedence of all other business.

      Debate ensued.

      Paper Tabled: Ms Purick (Member for Goyder), by leave, laid upon the Table – World Map, Misoprostol Approved – Gynuity Health Projects tracks formal drug registration and government approval of misoprostol throughout the world (Paper 1812).

      Debate continued.

      Paper Tabled: Ms Purick (Member for Goyder), by leave, laid upon the Table – RU 486/ Mifepristone, A factual guide to the issues in the Australian debate (Paper 1813).

      Debate continued.

      Paper Tabled: Ms Purick (Member for Goyder), by leave, laid upon the Table – Medical briefing – Medical Services Act Bill and Amendments – Dr Jacqueline Murdoch, Who can prescribe RU486 in Australia (Paper 1814).

      Debate continued.

      Ms Purick pursuant to Standing Order 44 moved – That the question be put.

      Question – put

      The Assembly divided:
        Ayes - 11 Noes - 13

        Ms Anderson Mr Barrett
        Mrs Finocchiaro Mr Chandler
        Ms Fyles Mr Conlan
        Mr Gunner Mr Elferink
        Mrs Lambley Mr Giles
        Ms Lawrie Mr Kurrupuwu
        Ms Manison Ms Lee
        Ms Moss Mr McCarthy
        Ms Purick Mrs Price
        Mr Vowles Mr Styles
        Ms Walker Mr Tollner
        Mr Westra van Holthe
        Mr Wood

      Motion not agreed to.

      Debate continued.

      Question – put

      The Assembly divided:
        Ayes - 12 Noes - 13

        Ms Anderson Mr Barrett
        Mrs Finocchiaro Mr Chandler
        Ms Fyles Mr Conlan
        Mr Gunner Mr Elferink
        Mr Higgins Mr Giles
        Mrs Lambley Mr Kurrupuwu
        Ms Lawrie Ms Lee
        Ms Manison Mr McCarthy
        Ms Moss Mrs Price
        Ms Purick Mr Styles
        Mr Vowles Mr Tollner
        Ms Walker Mr Westra van Holthe
        Mr Wood
      Motion not agreed to.

25. TRIAL OF TRANSPORT SERVICE - MOTION
      Mr Wood (Member for Nelson) pursuant to notice, moved – That the government begin a two year trial of a regular weekly public bus service between Palmerston, Inpex Village, The Darwin Correctional Precinct and the Howard Springs Nature Reserve to enable workers, families of prisoners and residents to commute to these destinations.

      Debate ensued.

      Debate suspended.
      _________________

      The time being 9.00pm, debate was suspended at the completion of General Business.
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26. APPROPRIATION (2016-2017) BILL 2016 (Serial 170)
      Resumption of debate on the question- That the Bill be now read a second time.
      Debate resumed.

      Debate adjourned.


27. YOUTH JUSTICE AMENDMENT BILL 2016(Serial 165) - BILL AGREED TO
      Resumption of debate on the question - That the Bill be now read a second time.

      Debate resumed.

      Question – put

      The Assembly divided:
        Ayes - 13 Noes - 9

        Mr Barrett Ms Anderson
        Mr Chandler Ms Fyles
        Mr Elferink Mr Gunner
        Mrs Finocchiaro Ms Lawrie
        Mr Giles Mr McCarthy
        Mr Higgins Ms Manison
        Mr Kurrupuwu Ms Moss
        Ms Lee Mr Vowles
        Mrs Price Ms Walker
        Mr Styles
        Mr Tollner
        Mr Westra van Holthe
        Mr Wood
      Motion agreed to.
      Bill read a second time.

      On the motion of Mr Elferink (Minister for Correctional Services), by leave, the Bill was read a third time and was passed to be a proposed law.


28. JUSTICE LEGISLATION AMENDMENT (DRUG OFFENCES) BILL 2016(SERIaL 166) - BILL AGREED TO
      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.

      On the motion of Mr Elferink (Attorney-General and Minister for Justice), by leave, the Bill was read a third time and was passed to be a proposed law.

29. JUSTICE AND OTHER LEGISLATION AMENDMENT (RECORDS OF DEPOSITIONS AND OTHER MATTERS) BILL 2016(SERIAL 159) - BILL AGREED TO
      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.

      On the motion of Mr Elferink (Attorney-General and Minister for Justice), by leave, the Bill was read a third time and was passed to be a proposed law.

30. PAPER TABLED – OmbudsmanNT, Investigation Report, ‘Bills, Bills, Bills’ - Essential Services Power and Water billing and debt management practices in an urban indigenous community, March 2016
      Mr Giles (Chief Minister) made a statement and laid on the Table – OmbudsmanNT, Investigation Report, ‘Bills, Bills, Bills’ - Essential Services Power and Water billing and debt management practices in an urban indigenous community, March 2016 (Paper 1815).

31. PAPER TABLED – Assembly Members and Statutory Officers (Remuneration and Other Entitlements) Act, Determination of Entitlement, Office of the Deputy Leader of the Opposition, pursuant to section 5(1), and with reference to section 4(1)(c)(iii), dated 23 May 2016
      Mr Giles (Chief Minister) made a statement and laid on the Table – Assembly Members and Statutory Officers (Remuneration and Other Entitlements) Act, Determination of Entitlement, Office of the Deputy Leader of the Opposition, pursuant to section 5(1), and with reference to section 4(1)(c)(iii), dated 23 May 2016 (Paper 1816).

32. PAPER TABLED- Assembly Members and Statutory Officers (Remuneration and Other Entitlements) Act, Determination of Entitlement, Ceasing to be a Member, pursuant to section 5(1), and with reference to section 4(1)(a), dated 23 May 2016
      Mr Giles (Chief Minister) made a statement and laid on the Table – Assembly Members and Statutory Officers (Remuneration and Other Entitlements) Act, Determination of Entitlement, Ceasing to be a Member, pursuant to section 5(1), and with reference to section 4(1)(a), dated 23 May 2016 (Paper 1817).

33. PAPER TABLED - Letter, to Hon. Adam Giles, regarding proposal to make determinations for Assembly Members, from Mr Martin OAM, Northern Territory of Australia Remuneration Tribunal, dated 28 April
      Mr Giles (Chief Minister) made a statement and laid on the Table – Letter, to Hon. Adam Giles, regarding proposal to make determinations for Assembly Members, from Mr Martin OAM, Northern Territory of Australia Remuneration Tribunal, dated 28 April (Paper 1818).

34. ADJOURNMENT
      Mr Giles (Chief Minister) moved - That the Assembly do now adjourn.

      The Assembly adjourned at 11.17pm until Thursday 26 May 2016 at 10.00am.


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      PAPERS
      There we no deemed papers today
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        ATTENDANCE
        All Members attended the sittings.



        Michael Tatham
        Clerk of the Legislative Assembly
    Last updated: 04 Aug 2016