2014-05-07
Foundation 51 – CLP
Mr VOWLES to CHIEF MINISTER
Yesterday you assured this House the political donation process in the Territory was transparent. We now know an e-mail from Foundation 51 director and CLP management committee member, Graeme Lewis, to CLP President, Ross Connolly, shows you had direct knowledge of the relationship between the CLP and Foundation 51.
Will you now disclose the full extent of your involvement in, and knowledge of, Foundation 51, which is clearly a CLP slush fund? What steps will you take to ensure Territorians that any political donations from Foundation 51 are properly disclosed under the provisions of the Electoral Act? What public inquiry will you hold into Foundation 51 to back up your claims that donations in the Territory are transparent?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Johnston for his question.
I welcome our visitors from Indonesia. You are more than welcome here and it is fantastic to see you. The Northern Territory has a long affiliation and connection with Indonesia and, as the nearest neighbour on our doorstep, it is good that we have those partnerships and friendships. We look forward to doing more business with Indonesia. I hope you learn a lot from our local government structures.
In relation to the question …
Ms Lawrie: While they exist.
Mr GILES: Yes. You ruined them; good on you, Delia.
In relation to the question, let us get one thing clear, Foundation 51 is a private company. It has directors on its board as a private company and operates as a private company. Yesterday I gave an answer in relation to the Australian Electoral Commission, the Electoral Act, electoral returns and how returns are supposed to be provided. I said if you want to find out what was on the electoral return for the Country Liberals, look at it. I have not looked at it so I suggest you do.
It is a private company. If you want information about Foundation 51, I suggest you put it to Foundation 51, its directors or otherwise. If you have a question about the electoral return, I suggest you ask the NT Electoral Commission. If you want to start looking at things, I would look at companies like Harold Nelson Holdings and the unions and see some of the donations …
Mr GUNNER: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Standing Order 113: relevance. It is an initiative of the CLP and you are the leader of the CLP. Answer the question about Foundation 51 and the CLP slush fund.
Madam SPEAKER: That is not a point of order.
Mr GILES: Member for Johnston, if you want look at slush funds look at Harold Nelson Holdings; look at the connection to the Labor Party and the unions; look at the deal with Stella Maris and the inquiry happening right now. Look at some of the testimonies given. The testimony from the former member for Johnston, who sat there crying and - I will not repeat his words verbatim - talking about how passionate he is about the unions and how we should give something back to Stella Maris because we love unions so much. Look at some of that. As I said, Foundation 51 is a private company.
Ms LAWRIE: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Standing Order 113: relevance. It has been directly requested; what public inquiry will you hold into Foundation 51 to back up your claims of donations in the Territory being transparent?
Madam SPEAKER: No, it is not a point of order.
Mr GILES: I have finished my answer.
Palmerston Regional Hospital
Ms FINOCCHIARO to TREASURER
Can the Treasurer confirm if his budget will contain investments in our health infrastructure, including the new Palmerston Regional Hospital?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Drysdale for her question. She is interested in the Palmerston Regional Hospital, as are the members for Blain and Brennan; you never seem to hear the end of these guys talking about the Palmerston Regional Hospital.
The member for Drysdale also asked me about next week’s budget, which will deliver increased funds into the health system, and expand and maintain a range of quality, vital services across the Territory. It will also support improvements to our health infrastructure, including a range of upgrades to Royal Darwin Hospital.
There are other initiatives in the budget. There is money for Emergency Department air conditioning at Katherine Hospital, which the member for Katherine will welcome. There is continued money to provide additional elective surgeries and procedures across the Territory. The Opposition Leader will welcome this, as will other members of the party; there is additional funding for mobile breast screening across the Northern Territory.
It is a good budget for the health sector. The Giles government is interested in ensuring we have first-class health services across the Northern Territory. The member for Drysdale is most interested in the Palmerston Regional Hospital. The Country Liberals have a plan …
Mr McCarthy: What about the Elliott Clinic, Dave, and the Canteen Creek clinic?
Madam SPEAKER: Honourable members, I ask that you refrain from interjecting when ministers are trying to give an answer.
Mr TOLLNER: They are not interested in health services across the Territory, let us be honest.
The Country Liberals have a plan to deliver the Palmerston Regional Hospital. We have $150m going towards stage one of the Palmerston Regional Hospital, which is a great difference from the former Labor government which was only ever going to build a tiny thing in a different location. It could not expand, it was landlocked.
It is worth noting that in the recent Blain by-election, the teachers’ union candidate for Blain undertook about as much capital works on that new site as the previous Labor government did on the old site. Mind you, he only dug one hole; Labor dug two to hold up each post for the sign. Good on the teachers’ union candidate for Blain, he was interested in the Palmerston Regional Hospital, but it is only the Giles Country Liberal government delivering on those commitments.
Foundation 51 – CLP
Mr GUNNER to CHIEF MINISTER
Last year it was revealed that in 2012 former lawyer Peter Maley donated $5000 to the now Attorney-General. The Attorney-General subsequently announced Peter Maley as a magistrate. Further, it was shocking to see Magistrate Maley campaign for the CLP during the recent by-election. I seek leave to table the photo of Magistrate Maley campaigning during the by-election in Blain.
Leave granted.
Mr GUNNER: Yesterday, it was revealed that Magistrate Maley is a director of the CLP slush fund known as Foundation 51. What message does this send Territorians about the administration of justice in the Northern Territory? Are you comfortable with the actions of your Attorney-General and Magistrate Maley?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, the good thing about this is democracy and freedom of speech. A magistrate in the Northern Territory is allowed to have a political opinion. What sort of a society are we living in? It is a fantastic society where a magistrate can have a political opinion and be a member of a political party.
I do not know the political makeup of all magistrates in the Northern Territory, whether they are members of the Labor Party, the CLP or others, but you are talking about one in particular.
It is fantastic he has rights and freedoms in a democratic society such as the Northern Territory to be a member of a political party. Good on him if he wants to make a donation to the member for Port Darwin, who has declared it in his register of interests. He followed the process, which is what transparency and accountability is all about. That is why we have these rules and why he declared it.
That is what we do as part of the Electoral Act with the process around elections in the Territory and how we provide donations. I congratulate the member for Port Darwin for being open, transparent and accountable, and I thank Peter Maley, the magistrate, who has shown an interest in the Country Liberals.
In relation to Foundation 51 and any directorship Peter Maley may or may not have, I am not aware of how it works nor do I know about Foundation 51. There is no connection between Foundation 51 and the CLP as a legal body. This is the same as the first question and you are leading with your chin once again.
This time it is the member for Fannie Bay; it was the member for Johnston last time. We could look at Labor and Harold Nelson Holdings, the unions, the donations and the giveaway of the Stella Maris. We can see these sorts of things, but Foundation 51 is a private company. There is no legal connection between Foundation 51 and the CLP as far as I know. If you want to ask them questions, ask them independently. It has nothing to do with this government or us as politicians.
Alcohol Mandatory Treatment – Statistics
Mr KURRUPUWU to MINISTER for ALCOHOL REHABILITATION
How many people have been placed in AMT, how many have successfully completed the program and how much has been spent on AMT to date?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Arafura for his question. We have been running the alcohol mandatory treatment program in the Northern Territory for just over nine months; it started on 1 July. As of the end of March, 300 people have been through our treatment program, which is quite a success.
It is no secret that we have had problems, particularly with the medi-hotel in Darwin. It it not an ideal facility, and we are very keen to move to the Berrimah site as soon as it becomes available, hopefully in July or August next year. I do not have the precise amount of money we have spent on this program in front of me, but I can take that on notice for the member for Arafura. We have spent less than was forecast, which is primarily because we have not been able to use all of the beds in the medi-hotel. There are 100 beds in the Darwin alcohol mandatory treatment facility, known as the medi-hotel.
Because of risk points around the facility, the clinicians - managers of the facility - have not been able to use the 100 beds or operate at the capacity we thought we would be able to.
However, the Alice Springs alcohol treatment program has been running extremely well. We have had two extremes in our experiences, which is not a reflection on the people who have been working in the system. We have had some brilliant clinicians and managers working with us, but it is a matter of circumstance that Darwin has had its fair share of problems and Alice Springs has been successful.
We have used CAAAPU, the Central Australian Aboriginal Alcohol Programmes Unit, which is a long-standing Aboriginal non-government organisation operating alcohol residential treatment in Alice Springs. It has run our program in Alice, and I think that has had a lot to do with its success. They know what they are doing; they have treatment programs in place and we were able to come off the back of their wealth of experience and commitment.
Again, I thank the member for his question. I will come back with a figure for him later, perhaps during Question Time, but this is still evolving. In the next 12 months we will have a treatment program in Tennant Creek and Katherine, then we hope to move on to remote areas and provide outreach programs, servicing people who live outside the urban centres.
RDH Paediatric Ward Upgrade
Mr BARRETT to MINISTER for HEALTH
Can you inform the Assembly about the progress to deliver the long awaited multimillion dollar upgrade of Royal Darwin Hospital’s Paediatric Ward, an upgrade which was long promised by Labor, but which will be delivered under a Country Liberals government?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the new member for Blain for his question. He is a family man with three young children, so the paediatric services in the Top End are important to him.
He is right, 11 years of Labor - I was stunned when I went for my first tour of the Royal Darwin Hospital paediatric unit. It is kept impeccably, is immaculately clean and very well presented, but it is old, tired and in desperate need of upgrading. It is staggering that in the 11 years of Labor they did not prioritise paediatric services in the Top End of the Northern Territory. They let it languish to the detriment of the children of the Top End.
We will be spending $11.9m on an upgrade to the Paediatric Ward.
At the moment, the Paediatric Ward is spread across two levels, which means they do not run efficiently. This upgrade will mean the ward is on one level. You will have the general Paediatric Ward across from the infection isolation and burns section. It will mean greater efficiencies and will be better for the paediatric staff to work in.
In the last 12 months the Royal Darwin Hospital treated 2543 children. It is important that we provide first class paediatric facilities in the Top End. We want to expand and upgrade the space so children get the best possible services.
In addition to the upgrade there will be a four-bed adolescent area. This is important as I have two adolescents in my family, and they would not want to be placed in a ward with small children. There will be a designated area for adolescents, which is exciting. This upgrade was promised by Labor.
Ms Lawrie: What about the children’s wing? We secured the funding.
Mrs LAMBLEY: I can hear the members harking across the Chamber. Yes it was their idea, but nothing came to fruition. The former Labor government promised a lot, but it did not deliver.
We are delivering an upgraded paediatric unit in the Royal Darwin Hospital within the next 12 months.
TIO – Future Sale
Ms LAWRIE to CHIEF MINISTER
Yesterday in this House you refused to rule out the sale of TIO. In the past the CLP opposition to the sale of TIO was vehement. One of the few things you left in the opposition offices was a laminated copy of the NT News headline hanging on the wall, dated 8 February 2006, ‘Our TIO Won’t be Sold’.
How many Territorians will lose their job when you sell TIO? On behalf of Territorians who rely on TIO for flood coverage in Katherine and for cyclone coverage across the Top End, including Darwin and Palmerston, rule out selling our TIO.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, the Leader of the Opposition would remember that sign, because she was the one who tried to sell TIO. You remember the campaign very well. I have always been impressed by a good salesperson. A good salesperson is quite impressive, but you are not a slick salesperson, Leader of the Opposition. I remember you being the chief orchestrator. We are getting to the …
Ms LAWRIE: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Standing Order 113: misleading.
Madam SPEAKER: It is not a point of order. That is not what Standing Order 113 is.
Mr GILES: Thank you, Madam Speaker …
Ms Lawrie: Stop lying to Territorians.
Madam SPEAKER: Opposition Leader, withdraw that comment.
Ms Lawrie: I withdraw.
Mr GILES: The chief architect, the Leader of the Opposition - a very poor salesperson - talks about TIO and tries to run a populous agenda. We have spoken freely about the need to identify additional resources so we can invest in infrastructure. We have asked for a mature debate in the Northern Territory about potential opportunities for asset value realisation and how we can have more infrastructure built in the Northern Territory. I can look at any electorate and identify areas where infrastructure spend is needed. The Minister for Health has just given a couple of answers and identified that more infrastructure in the health sector would be more than welcome, whether it is a car park at Royal Darwin Hospital, more money for paediatrics or more money towards the Palmerston hospital to support our Palmerston and regional members.
There are many requirements for greater levels of infrastructure spend and we are looking at what we can do to realise some of that capital value to build more infrastructure for Territorians. Let us get to the heart of the question about TIO; it has not been considered for sale. Hypothetically, if you were looking at TIO, one of the most important things we would have to make sure of is that flood and cyclone cover would continue in the Northern Territory. They are a certainty; they are fundamental to Territorians and we will make sure they continue.
There is no doubt we will look at how we can optimise asset valuation so we can reinvest in infrastructure in the Northern Territory. We cannot borrow money from the bank and spend it. That option has been taken and you have run up the Labor credit card debt. We now have to look at what we can do to build the Northern Territory and northern Australia. We need infrastructure and we need resources to do that.
Yesterday I gave and honest answer and said nothing is on or off the table, and we will consider all things. Hypothetically, should TIO ever be considered for sale, we would expect bipartisan support from the chief architect who tried to sell it under Labor, that being you, Leader of the Opposition.
SUPPLEMENTARY QUESTION
TIO – Future Sale
TIO – Future Sale
Ms LAWRIE to CHIEF MINISTER
Given that you are refusing to rule out the sale of TIO – it is on the table and you are looking at the options because you want to fund infrastructure with the cash grab from Canberra - how many jobs will be lost at TIO when you sell? You have no mandate to sell TIO. Territorians went to the 2012 election firmly believing the CLP might stand behind its vehement opposition to the sale. You have backflipped on that. You are selling TIO. How many jobs will be lost when you sell it?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, to the chief architect who tried to sell TIO last time …
Ms Lawrie: Rubbish. Stop lying.
Madam SPEAKER: Opposition Leader, withdraw.
Ms Lawrie: I withdraw. It is not the truth.
Mr GILES: We have a mandate to build infrastructure for the Northern Territory. We have a mandate to build jobs across the Northern Territory, and to do that we need to invest in infrastructure. If we can work out ways to get asset values to go into new infrastructure, we will work on it.
We will have a mature debate with Territorians and we will talk about it. This is part of the debate now. You are talking about TIO. You are trying to run a populist approach and talk about people losing jobs. We do not want anybody to lose jobs. We want people to have flood and cyclone cover, but we will look at all options to identify where we can get a level of resources to build more infrastructure in the Northern Territory.
Education Policy on Sexual Misconduct of Teaching Staff
Mr BARRETT to MINISTER for EDUCATION
Earlier this year it became apparent that the Department of Education did not have a clear policy on the handling of allegations of sexual misconduct against teaching staff. This led to questions being raised about the handling of accusations dating back to 2005. Can the minister update the Assembly on his commitment to implement a new policy to handle these serious allegations?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Blain for his important question. He has an interest in education and the welfare of children in the Northern Territory.
I was very concerned, not only as the Minister for Education, but as a father, to discover there was no clear and concise policy to handle allegations of sexual misconduct in our schools. For this reason, I ordered my department to immediately begin work on developing a new policy which will ensure all allegations are handled correctly and will make our schools safer. The new student wellbeing allegations or sexual misconduct against children and young people policy was developed and approved in March. The new policy addresses gaps in the formal recording and reporting of all incidents and ensures involvement of all stakeholders, including Northern Territory Police, the Department of Children and Families, the Teacher Registration Board and all relevant areas within the Education department.
What is more important is how this policy is carried out and practiced through staff in our schools. It does not matter what you write as a policy; unless there are decent and robust processes, it means naught. Through mandatory reporting training, which takes place in schools each semester, all school staff will be made aware of the new policy and trained in their obligations and responsibilities for children’s safety.
Training material, checklists and flowcharts will be provided through this training so all staff are equipped to respond correctly if an allegation is put to them. The message needs to be put that behaviour of this sort will not be tolerated. I do not want to marginalise education staff, quite the opposite. I am asking for their help. I need administration staff, teachers and principals to be diligent and on the lookout. People who do not have the safety of our children as their highest priority are not welcome in our schools.
Foundation 51 – Transparency in Donations
Mr WOOD to CHIEF MINISTER
Yesterday you spoke about transparency in election donations. To back up what you said, could you please tell parliament whether Foundation 51, whether it is a private company or not, contributed to the Blain by-election - either to the candidate or the party - and what was the amount contributed? Is it not possible that businesses or individuals who want to contribute to the CLP and remain anonymous can use Foundation 51 as a front to achieve it, meaning the party can sidestep election donation disclosure rules?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I am not sure if the member for Nelson heard a couple of my first answers. There is no direct connection or legal link between Foundation 51 and the party. How the Blain by-election was funded is a matter for the party. The party ran the election, not anyone on this side of the Chamber, so I suggest you put your question to the party or Foundation 51.
Public Sector – Numbers
Mr VATSKALIS to CHIEF MINISTER
Before the last election the CLP promised public servants their jobs were safe. You then slashed hundreds of jobs across the public service and you have asked department CEOs to slash 10% from their budget, which would result in more job losses. We have now heard that you plan to reduce the number of government departments from 24 to 16 and to slash public service numbers by 20%.
What do you have to say to thousands of Territorians and their families who will no longer have a job because of your failure to honour your election promise?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, this question is misleading and a lie. There is …
Madam SPEAKER: Chief Minister, withdraw that comment.
Mr GILES: I withdraw.
Let us get some facts straight. There are 34 departments; there are not 20, or whatever you said. There are no plans to amalgamate departments; there is no cutting of departments or reducing the number of public servants. I have just spoken to the Minister for Public Employment …
Members interjecting.
Mr GILES: Do you want an answer? This shows how bad your question is. I will get some advice from the Minister for Public Employment. When we first came to government compared to right now, there are around 200 fewer public servants.
I think I heard the Leader of the Opposition interjecting and saying we have sacked 11 000 public servants. That is ludicrous. There are no changes coming to any departments, no mergers. The whole question is completely out of line in its context and it is wrong.
Parks and Wildlife – Recognition of Rangers
Mr HIGGINS to MINISTER for PARKS and WILDLIFE
Can you please update the House on how you are recognising the wonderful efforts of our park rangers who are public servants?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for his question, because I know how hard the rangers in his electorate work to keep our parks looking spectacular.
Our rangers work in tough, challenging environments to make our parks safe and to look after the environment for future Territorians. It is no secret how proud I am to be the Minister for Parks and Wildlife, with the wonderful staff and the beautiful parks. This is why I am excited to announce that Territory rangers will be celebrated through the NT Ranger Awards, with nominations now open. The public has the chance to nominate a ranger to say thank you for the exceptional work they do so everyone can enjoy our beautiful parks.
These awards celebrate all rangers working in the Northern Territory, including trainees and non-government rangers. The tasks rangers do on a daily basis are often dirty and dangerous. We want to thank them for their hard work, which makes our parks look so wonderful.
Being a ranger can be a thankless job. They do everything from picking up glass and catching crocodiles – which I was happy to do this morning with our rangers – to providing first aid to tourists and feral animal management.
Nominees will have demonstrated outstanding qualities in their chosen area of work and a commitment to the management of natural and cultural resources. The selection panel will look for examples of leadership, achieving outcomes and commitment to Northern Territory parks.
Nominations are open in the following categories:
Minister’s Award for Outstanding Personal Achievement
Ministers Award for Outstanding Team Achievement
Development and Training Award
Ranger of the Year, for each region
People’s Choice Award
Tour Operators Choice Award.
Nominations close Monday 30 June, and I urge everyone to take this opportunity to say thank you and nominate a ranger who they think deserves an award.
Department of Local Government and Regions Job Losses
Ms WALKER to MINISTER for LOCAL GOVERNMENT and REGIONS
In April this year you told a LGANT local government conference in Katherine you were offering LGANT the opportunity to take on greater responsibilities. You said you were keen to:
- … enable local government to essentially manage itself.
In June last year, the Department of Local Government and Regions had a modest workforce of 44 full-time employees across the Territory, overseeing annual grant funding of over $74m. We have now heard you plan to outsource many of the functions and jobs within the Department of Local Government and Regions to LGANT and merge the department with the Department of Community Services.
How many Territorians will lose their jobs as a result of your plan to slash the Department of Local Government and Regions? How many Territorians currently working within the Department of Community Services will also lose their jobs?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nhulunbuy for her very important question. The Giles Country Liberals government is very proud of the changes being made to local government. The member for Nhulunbuy would understand the last election was largely fought on local government. Labor had its toxic shires in place. People felt disenfranchised; they had lost their voice and had no say.
In that campaign the Chief Minister said we would restore people’s voices. We would give them a say and let them determine how things are managed in their local areas, rather than the top-down approach the previous Labor government operated on. Devolving responsibility for decisions in local government to LGANT is part of the Country Liberals’ plan to restore the voice of the people, especially those in the bush. It is about giving local government and regional councils the ability to start managing more of their own affairs.
I cannot understand why anyone would be opposed to that, apart from a socialist opposition that believes in the total control of everything around it. On this side of the Chamber we believe in allowing local government to make decisions which affect it. We are not backing away from the decision to hand more responsibility and devolve some authority to the local government association which, oddly enough, member for Nhulunbuy, represents local government in the Northern Territory.
Mr GUNNER: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The question was how many jobs would be lost from the department of Local Government and the Department of Community Services?
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, if you can get to the point.
Mr TOLLNER: Yes, of course, Madam Speaker. I know the point is they are trying to beat up this issue that there are 11 000 public servants who have lost their jobs and there is another 20% to go. There is nothing to see here in that regard.
Whilst Labor tries to put the fear of God into everybody that will all lose their jobs, it is not happening. I would like to see some of our local government employees go to LGANT, if it is an option and if they want to. If they do not, there are jobs for them within the Northern Territory government. No one will lose their jobs.
This is not about whether people lose jobs, this about giving people a voice in the bush, something the previous government was not interested in.
Ms WALKER: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Standing Order 113: relevance. It was a specific question and he has not answered it. He has admitted that jobs will be gone, how many?
Mr TOLLNER: They are clearly not interested in the answer and want to beat up some story that thousands of people are losing their jobs around the Territory, which is not happening. We are supporting local government.
Nursing and Midwifery Excellence Awards
Ms FINOCCHIARO to MINISTER for HEALTH
Can you inform the Assembly about the upcoming NT Nursing and Midwifery Excellence Awards at Parliament House on Friday, which has attracted health workers from across the nursing spectrum as well as a record number of entries?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Drysdale for her question. It is exciting and one of the most delightful things I have been given the honour of being part of since I became the Minister for Health: celebrating our nurses and midwives through the NT Nursing and Midwifery Excellence Awards.
Like the Minister for Parks and Wildlife recognising the rangers, it is important to recognise our nurses and midwives.
In the Northern Territory government we employ around 6000 workers and approximately half of the workforce …
________________________
Distinguished Visitor
Hon Jane Aagaard
Distinguished Visitor
Hon Jane Aagaard
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, please pause. I would like to welcome in the gallery the past Speaker, Hon Jane Aagaard. You might have calmed it down just now.
________________________
Madam SPEAKER: Cease interjecting across the floor, opposition members.
Mrs LAMBLEY: As I was saying, half our workforce in the Department of Health is comprised of nurses and midwives. That is a significant number of people who need to be recognised for the outstanding job they do. Where would we be without our nurses? They are the backbone of our health system.
Last Wednesday night I had the honour of hosting a function in Alice Springs. I invited almost every nurse and midwife employed in Alice Springs. We had a great turnout, and I understand it is the first time any such function has been held in Alice Springs to honour nurses and midwives. It was a lovely evening, and I hope that they all felt highly valued and appreciated.
This Friday night, as the member for Drysdale mentioned, we will be having the NT Nursing and Midwifery Excellence Awards. There will be 34 finalists and 12 award winners announced. They will include new graduates, nurse practitioners and lifetime achievements in nursing and midwifery. It is a gala night for nurses.
I will not be in Darwin as I have to attend a funeral on Friday morning in Alice Springs, but I will be linking up with the event in Darwin, which my colleague, the member for Drysdale, will be attending. I urge you all to join in and celebrate the magnificent contribution nurses and midwives make to our health system across the Northern Territory. They are outstanding human beings and I feel honoured to be a part of it.
Power and Water – Impact of Split on Staff
Ms MANISON to TREASURER referred to MINISTER for PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT
Treasurer, you are on the record describing Power and Water as bloated. Jobs are now under threat following the split of Power and Water. You said there are too many staff members at Power and Water, and you expect to see a reduction in staff numbers after structural separation.
What do you have say to those Territory families who will lose their livelihoods because of your obsession with splitting Power and Water? Would you consider establishing a joint consultative committee with NewCo, staff from GenCorp, RetailCorp and the Power and Water Corporation so staff on the ground have a direct voice and know what is happening with the changes and that management hear them?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for the question. This is the second question in a row; first they were worried about jobs disappearing in local government, now they are worried about jobs at Power and Water. The member for Casuarina talked about 11 000 jobs going.
Goodness me, get real guys! Territorians will welcome the changes we made to the Power and Water Corporation last night. It will lead to a much more efficient and leaner organisation. What gets me is why the Labor Party is not more focused on power bills and is more interested in maintaining a bloated organisation that can only operate through substantial taxpayer contributions. Why is that?
Mr McCarthy: Are bills going up or down?
Mr TOLLNER: We have the member for Barkly banging on about whether bills will go up or down. We are contributing $155m in subsidies to the Power and Water Corporation. Does that not concern you, at all? This is not a sheltered workshop.
Mr VOWLES: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Standing Order 49. Could the minister address the Speaker please, not the member for Barkly.
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, could you address your comments through the Chair please.
Mr TOLLNER: For clarification about employment numbers, I ask the Minister for Public Employment to make a few comments.
Mr ELFERINK (Public Employment): Madam Speaker, this information is publicly available on the OCPE website. In the September quarter 2012, the public service was 20 039 public servants …
Ms MANSION: A point of order, Madam Speaker? Standing Order 113: relevance. I asked a direct question of the shareholding minister, who works with NewCo, about whether they would consider establishing a joint consultative committee so staff members of the three new government owned corporations have a voice on the changes happening around them and that management can hear about those changes. Given the shareholding minister has responsibility for NewCo, he would be best placed to answer the question.
Madam SPEAKER: The minister has partially answered it and has passed it to the Minister for Public Employment. He is answering the question.
Mr ELFERINK: This is a response not only to this question, but a line of questioning being run by the members opposite. They do not want to hear the simple truth about these publicly available figures …
Mr GUNNER: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Standing Order 113: relevance. The minister said he is answering a line of questioning not the actual question. The question should be answered by the shareholding minister.
Madam SPEAKER: It is not a point of order. The Minister for Public Employment is answering the question.
Mr ELFERINK: They do not want to hear this because it puts pay to the lie they are peddling in this House.
Ms LAWRIE: A point of order, Madam Speaker! I ask him to withdraw ‘lie’.
Mr ELFERINK: I withdraw it. The bald-faced untruth they are peddling in this House …
Ms Lawrie: Territorians have been sacked under your watch, hundreds of them.
Mr ELFERINK: The September quarter ...
Madam SPEAKER: Opposition Leader, I have asked you and other members in this House to cease interjecting and yelling across the floor. You are on a warning.
Mr ELFERINK: Let us try for the fifth time to get the truth into the room. In the September quarter 2012, the number of public servants was 20 039 FTEs. The March quarter, which is the most recent quarter in 2014 – you do not have to write it down, it is on the public record – was 19 699. The public service has 440 fewer FTEs than it did a year-and-a-half ago. Not 11 000 and not 20% or 10% cuts, as argued by the members opposite …
Mr GUNNER: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Standing Order 113: relevance. The question was specific to Power and Water and not the general public service. It is a specific question to the shareholding minister.
Mr ELFERINK: I goofed – 340 fewer, yet the untruths perpetrated by those opposite and their union mates to drum up fear in the community is irresponsible, reckless, dangerous, and not a word of it is true.
Ms MANISON: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Standing Order 113: relevance. The question has been referred to the Public Employment minister. Can he answer whether or not NewCo would consider establishing a joint consultative committee with NewCo and GenCorp, RetailCorp and Power and Water Corporation so staff on the ground have a voice in the changes happening post 1 July.
Mr ELFERINK: Before I deal with that component of the question, unfortunately I have to deal with the myriad of deceit perpetrated by the members opposite. They have been deceptive in their conduct from day one on this issue and are ably assisted by their union mates, but when it comes to checking the facts they do not get near them.
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, your time has expired.
Public Sector – Job Security
Mr McCARTHY to MINISTER for TRANSPORT
Before the election in 2012, the CLP promised it would strengthen the NT public sector and that public sector jobs were safe. In 2013 you announced the privatisation of the Darwin bus service and the transfer of the business and its employees to the public sector.
In this search for the truth, could you please advise the House if the Darwin bus service staff should believe their jobs are safe? How many jobs will be lost as a result of your move to outsource Darwin Bus Service and what is the status of the Darwin Bus Service sale to the private sector?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Barkly for his question. The Northern Territory government is building an economy which is open, competitive, innovative and attracts local, national and international investors. It is about being open for business and creating an environment which is competitive and fair on all.
On 6 December 2013 I announced that the Northern Territory government would seek proposals from the private sector via a public tender for the operation of bus services currently delivered by the Darwin Bus Service as a government owned …
Mr VOWLES: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Standing Order 255. I ask the minister to table the document he is reading from.
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, are they your private notes or a public document?
Mr STYLES: These are my private notes.
Mr Vowles: You are reading pretty intently.
Mr STYLES: Madam Speaker, I understand I am allowed to read private notes; is there a law in this House which says I cannot read notes? That is why you make notes, unlike the member for Johnston who probably never makes notes.
Mr McCARTHY: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Standing Order 113: relevance. I asked the minister about the job numbers, job losses and the status of the sale.
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, if you could get to the point please.
Mr STYLES: For the information of the member for Barkly, I was answering a question from one of his own members who asked if he could read my notes and wanted me to table them. Do you want me to answer your member’s question or get on with answering your question? If I continue …
Mr McCARTHY: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Standing Order 113: relevance. The minister is now asking me questions.
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Suspension of Member
Member for Barkly
Suspension of Member
Member for Barkly
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Barkly, I have warned members before about frivolous points of order. Leave the Chamber for one hour, pursuant to Standing Order 240A.
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Mr STYLES: On 12 December 2013, public tenders were advertised for the provision of bus services under the transfer of business requirements established under the Fair Work Act and Regulations. The tenders closed on 12 February 2014, and I am pleased to announce that five companies have submitted proposals. There were many more who downloaded the documentation. These were local, national and international companies. There is a great interest in this process.
The assessment process has commenced, and for probity reasons I am unable to comment further, other than to say it is progressing well.
An improved and better value public transport system is a key component of the Northern Territory government’s strategic priorities. This initiative is an enabler of economic and social development. Rather than talking about economic development, this government is enabling it to occur. Outsourcing the provision of bus services has the potential to provide competition into a market and return better value for money to the Northern Territory government and Territorians.
The NT News says:
- NT vacancies outnumber job seekers.
There are more jobs than people looking for them. Anyone saying people will lose their jobs, that the sky is falling in and it is all turning pear shaped needs to look at the paper. These are the facts. This is not us, it is other people. Unemployment is at 4.4%, compared to the national average. This is about growth, a population of just under …
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, your time has expired.
Livingstone Abattoir Power Supply
Mr WOOD to MINISTER for LANDS, PLANNING and the ENVIRONMENT
There is a new abattoir being built at Livingstone, which I am sure the members for Daly and Goyder are very pleased to have, as am I. I am sure this will be a great boon for the pastoral industry and smaller rural farms when it comes online. However, it was reported on the Country Hour that the company running the abattoir would produce its own power, using gas; I presume that is not from the cows.
I could not find a power plant mentioned in the original planning application. Bearing in mind that even though the abattoir is sited in the rural area, there may be issues such as noise associated with a power plant. Should there not be a requirement for the company to submit an amendment to the original planning proposal so local people can see whether they will be affected?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nelson for the question. You are right; the abattoir in the rural area is a remarkable opportunity for jobs in that area. I know the rural area, which we have fond visions of after each time we visit, is dear to your heart and Madam Speaker’s. It is a different place sometimes.
On 27 May 2012, an exceptional development permit was granted, allowing the development of Section 5410, 100 Strangeways Road for the purpose of an abattoir. The development as approved is a gas-powered facility. Any additional power generating facilities would require the planning permit to be varied, you are correct. Whether or not the facilities will require public exhibition will depend on the scale and potential impact of the facilities.
A development assessor will be contacting AACo to ensure it is aware of planning requirements. In regard to the generation, as far as we know there are no plans for renewable energy to be used at the processing plant. AACo indicated it would require 4 MW to 5 MW of electricity on site at the plant. AACo looked at both wind and solar power options, but these were not viable. There is not enough sun or wind for them to generate the power required. Instead it will be generating its own power by using gas. It will not put any drain on the local electricity network, as it will be a standalone power station.
Due to capability restrictions, Power and Water would need to undertake significant capital upgrades to the zone substation and install 1.5 km of electricity network. Those upgrades would require a customer capital contribution from AACo. AACo elected not to make that capital contribution and has opted for self-generation via a gas-fired plant. It will source the gas from Santos rather than the Power and Water Corporation.
Because Power and Water is not supplying electricity to the beef processing plant, there will not be any impact on Power and Water customers, as there will be no interruptions to power supply. AACo has not approached Power and Water about backup electricity options at this stage.
Health Centre Upgrades
Mr HIGGINS to MINISTER for HEALTH
Can you inform the Assembly about the progress of the $50m works to be delivered to new health centres in our remote communities as part of the Country Liberals’ plan to improve the health outcomes of Territorians across the NT?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Daly for his question. He is an advocate for his remote region of the Daly.
Throughout the Northern Territory we have 80 remote health centres, which is staggering. We only have a total population of around 240 000 across the Northern Territory, with only 80 remote health centres. The Northern Territory government manages 54 of those and the remaining 26 are managed by non-government organisations.
It is important we continue to fund the upgrading and replacement of these clinics. Some of them are not in good shape. Over the last 18 months as Health minister, one thing I have enjoyed is getting out to as many remote health centres and communities as possible to decide on requirements.
We have dedicated $50m to upgrade health centres across the Northern Territory to improve healthcare delivery for all Territorians. The former Labor government tried to concentrate just on the urban areas, which did not work for them.
We are trying to give poor people in remote areas decent health services. One of the most impressive builds happening at the moment is the $6m health centre at Hermannsburg. I had the pleasure of travelling there with the member for Namatjira a few months ago. Their existing health centre is old.
As I said earlier, the paediatric unit in the Royal Darwin Hospital is well kept, it looks immaculate, but it is old and in desperate need of replacement. At Hermannsburg, where the build is well under way, they will get a brand new health centre. It will include a dental treatment room, hearing booths, x-ray room and gender-specific treatment spaces with separate entrances and waiting rooms for males and females.
Ms Walker: What about the $13m for the remote hospital in Gove?
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Nhulunbuy!
Mrs LAMBLEY: It is something the community at Ntaria - Hermannsburg - deserves. It is overdue so it is something to celebrate. Ntaria is the first of a total …
Ms Walker: Overdue for Gove as well, we cannot even get a briefing out of your office.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Nhulunbuy, cease interjecting.
Mrs LAMBLEY: My God - excuse me Madam Speaker - it is like having tinnitus; the member for Nhulunbuy is ringing in my ears.
Ms Walker: Give us a briefing, then I will have the answers.
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Suspension of Member
Member for Nhulunbuy
Suspension of Member
Member for Nhulunbuy
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, please pause. Member for Nhulunbuy, I asked you to cease interjecting. Leave the chamber for one hour, pursuant to Standing Order 240A.
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Mrs LAMBLEY: Ntaria is the first of seven new remote health centres and upgrades of four existing remote health centres across the Northern Territory. Over the next couple of years we will be concentrating on delivering new design works and rebuilds for Maningrida, Papunya, Docker River, Canteen Creek and Elliott, which equates to around $17m investment in the bush.
Anti-Corruption
Mr GUNNER to CHIEF MINISTER
Recent revelations around the country regarding improper dealings between Liberal Party fundraising entities and Liberal politicians have eroded the public’s confidence that our democratic system is open, accountable and transparent. Revelations in the last 24 hours have raised similar concerns about the actions of your government and the transparency of our democracy in the Territory.
Will you ask the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee to investigate these recent revelations in full and report back to this Assembly on how we might establish an anti-corruption body in the Territory and what form it should take?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Fannie Bay for his question.
No.
Alcohol Mandatory Treatment – Katherine
Mr HIGGINS to MINISTER for ALCOHOL REHABILITATION
Can you inform the Assembly about the expansion of alcohol mandatory rehabilitation in Katherine and Tennant Creek and how the program is working to curb alcohol abuse in the Northern Territory?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Daly for his question and interest in this very important program - the roll-out of alcohol mandatory treatment services across the Northern Territory. This year we are concentrating on Tennant Creek and Katherine, as the member for Daly just outlined.
In Tennant Creek there have been no community or mandatory treatment orders because we have not had an available facility, so we are working on setting up a 12-bed unit as we speak. There was some controversy highlighted by the opposition around the fact we will be using the existing sobering up shelter for alcohol mandatory treatment services in Tennant Creek. The sobering up shelter was only being used 50% of the time and was only open a couple of nights per week. We have negotiated for BRADAAG, the local provider of alcohol treatment services, a non-government organisation, to move out of the facility, which will be ideal for alcohol mandatory treatment.
It will be operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with 12 beds. It is ideally located and is a wonderful facility for those who have been there. The sobering up shelter will be relocated to another site and we are very excited about it.
Tennant Creek is a small town, but as we all know it has a significant alcohol problem. We think establishment of those 12 beds will take a lot of pressure off the sobering-up shelter. Tennant Creek has a population of around 3000. It services the Barkly, which has a population of around 10 000 people. We think 12 of the most chronically alcohol-affected people in the Barkly area undergoing alcohol mandatory treatment for 12 weeks will make a huge difference to the alcohol problem in Tennant Creek.
We had some good news from Katherine; we have decided on a site there for a purpose-built facility. We have been using the local knowledge of the member for Katherine to identify the best site available, which is in an industrial area. It is away from the residential area, but centrally located. We have commenced the planning and building of this new facility and we hope to get it up and running by the end of the year. It will be a 20-bed facility with the possibility of extending the service into the coming years. Like Tennant Creek, Katherine also has a significant alcohol problem and this treatment centre will make a huge difference to Katherine.
Members: Hear, hear!
Mr ELFERINK (Leader of Government Business): Madam Speaker, I ask that further questions be placed on the Written Question Paper.
ANSWER TO WRITTEN QUESTION
Mr GUNNER: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Standing Order 118 requires a minister to answer a written question within 30 days of receipt. Written question 106 concerning alcohol rehabilitation was received by the minister on 20 March 2014. Standing order 118 also requires a minister who has not answered a written question within 30 days to provide an explanation. Given more than 30 days has elapsed since the question was received, I ask you to direct the minister to provide an explanation for not answering the question as required by standing orders.
Madam SPEAKER: Which minister?
Mr GUNNER: The Minister for Alcohol Rehabilitation
Madam SPEAKER: Under Standing Order 118(1) and (2), I can write to the minister asking if an answer to the written question can be forwarded, unless the minister wants to provide any comment.
Mrs LAMBLEY (Alcohol Rehabilitation): Madam Speaker, I apologise to the member for Fannie Bay for not meeting that 30-day requirement. It was brought to my attention yesterday. I have signed off on the answers to those questions and they should be on your desk today. There is no excuse for that and I apologise. From my position, the information was not of a highly contentious nature. There is no reason not to have received it in the 30 days.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016