2013-02-19
By-Election Result –
Message to Chief Minister
Message to Chief Minister
Ms LAWRIE to CHIEF MINISTER
Current Chief Minister, the people of Wanguri have spoken on behalf of all Territorians. With the greatest swing against the government in a by-election for 20 years, they have sent you a clear message. One of your own, Daryl Manzie, has told you that even your government’s strongest supporters are scathing of you. Will you now listen? Will you end the deceit? Will you admit you broke your promises? Will you admit you got it wrong and resign from parliament?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I can answer the last one straight up: absolutely not. I am serving the best interests, as is my government, of the Northern Territory. I thank you for your question. What you quite conveniently and almost callously overlook is we acknowledge it was a result of a magnitude you describe. What you have not described is the magnitude of the debt that has been left to be dealt with by …
Ms Lawrie: You are going into denial.
Mr MILLS: Denial? You are in denial because we have a situation that is very real. You will try your darndest to conceal a glaring fact; that anybody who has an interest in the long-term secure future of the Northern Territory knows there has to be a plan. There was no plan under the former Treasurer ...
Ms Lawrie: Not true.
Mr MILLS: No, you are on the record because you borrowed over $1bn to help support Power and Water Corporation. You never described a plan on how you would repay that. You are on the record, former Treasurer, with your plan. You were planning there would be more GST, then that would help us solve the problem. You know full well the financial and economic situation of the Northern Territory. Your vain hope that there would be more money was your plan to deal with the underlying debt problem.
This is a real government and I accept it has made real decisions that are difficult. They are difficult, but we have a five-point plan, as you well know. The first point is to cut the waste and, thereby, reduce the debt so we can reduce the cost of living.
At the moment, we have a situation that is so real - anyone who is honest on your side could see it - the proposition of spending $750 000 every day would answer that question. We do not want that to continue because, if we do not put a plan in place - a real plan, unlike your fictitious, fake plan hoping more money would come and you would have enough to pay the growing debt in some other way on some other day, which is not a plan, it is wishful thinking - we would end up with $1m every day.
Believe it or not, it is a fact, and it has to be responded to. It is a difficult situation we have been faced with. It is five-and-a-half months in. We are required to do the best things for the Northern Territory and we are doing that. We have heard what the electorate has said ...
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, your time has expired.
Bombing of Darwin –
Events Marking 71st Anniversary
Events Marking 71st Anniversary
Ms FINOCCHIARO to CHIEF MINISTER
Can you tell the House of the events you have attended that appropriately marked today’s 71st anniversary of the Bombing of Darwin?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Drysdale for her question. I acknowledge her involvement in and support of community events in and around the commemoration of the time when hostilities commenced in the Top End, which occurred across the north of Australia and involved so many.
I also acknowledge there are those who fought a battle, and those who comment on how battles are fought. However, the point here is battles need to be fought. Those veterans who were here fought a mighty battle and have given us what we have today. It is fitting that these veterans be acknowledged.
There has been a series of events that underline the importance of commemorating the anniversary of the Bombing of Darwin, not only to Territorians, but to the many visitors who take the opportunity to be in Darwin on 19 February.
Yesterday I jointly officially opened the World War II Allied Memorial Wall located at the Darwin Military Museum with World War II veteran Brian Winspear. It was important to honour the 1672 names of the fallen and to acknowledge the historians and personnel involved in making this exceptional tribute possible. I am proud of what they have done, and what we have been given today as a result of their sacrifice in the past, particularly those names and what they represent.
This is the first time all the names of all those who died as a result of enemy attacks in Western Australia, Queensland and the Northern Territory have been listed together. There are foreign nationals such as Dutch and Indonesians, whose lives and sacrifices will not be forgotten. They inspire and strengthen us today to face the challenges that lie ahead.
This morning I contributed to the commemorative service and shared stories from the fateful day at the wharf, the RAAF Base and the USS Peary.
One story I should recount is of Peter Bald. Peter approached me and said, ‘My name is Peter Bald. My mum, dad and my sister lost their lives on the first day of the bombings’. He told me he was 16 and was ready to come back to the Northern Territory at that time to be with his family who were at the Post Office. He said, ‘I was meant to get on the plane but I could not’. I could see a man who was then 17 and crying for the loss of his parents. He came here today. I was so proud to see young kids from our local schools spend time with Peter and hear his story and make that magical connection. That is why this needs to be continued and why it is so good to see so many families come here with their loved ones and share this very important story.
Deputy Chief Minister Position
Ms LAWRIE to CHIEF MINISTER
Current Chief Minister, your government is in turmoil. This morning Territorians woke with a cold shudder at the thought of John Elferink becoming Chief Minister. Your leadership hangs by a thread. Your colleagues have made it clear they do not want you but cannot decide who to replace you with. Have you done another deal with Alison Anderson? Have you offered her the deputy leadership? Will you rule out Alison Anderson becoming Deputy Chief Minister of the Northern Territory?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the Opposition Leader, former Deputy Chief Minister, and former Treasurer of the Northern Territory for her deep concern for the Northern Territory and how she manifests that demonstrated grave concern looking at the economy, future plans and visions and things like that - plans for the future of the Northern Territory.
It is curious that in your time as Opposition Leader you have spent more time in the gutter, with more interest in the small things which do not particularly matter, than anything. You have not really led the charge. You have not joined me in the battle to secure gas for Gove. You sat on the sides and made little snipes at the last moment. This government has been in place for a short time and managed to achieve something of great significance, but that was not of the slightest bit of concern to you. You want to go down low.
I lead a team which is passionate, focused and concerned about the future of the Northern Territory. We recognise there needs to be decisive leadership, a clear plan, and we are moving forward. If you have real concerns about what is going on behind the scenes you ought to become an NT News reporter.
SUPPLEMENTARY QUESTION
Deputy Chief Minister Position
Deputy Chief Minister Position
Ms LAWRIE to CHIEF MINISTER
On behalf of Territorians, will you rule out Alison Anderson becoming the Deputy Chief Minister of the Northern Territory? You did not answer the question. Have you offered it to her?
ANSWER
No.
Container Deposit Legislation –
Court Challenge
Court Challenge
Ms LEE to CHIEF MINISTER
The member for Nelson stated in the media the government needs to act with guts, not with a whimper, in its fight against the legal challenge by Coca-Cola and others to our container deposit legislation. Can you inform the House why he need not worry?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for her question. We appreciate the encouragement from the sidelines in this great battle. It is an important battle, and one that would be of great concern for the member for Nelson. However, it is unfortunate the member for Nelson has never sought a briefing on the details of this legal challenge. I question whether taking this opportunity to make commentary from the sides is a demonstration of real concern about the issue, or if he wanted to say something.
The container deposit scheme ...
Members interjecting.
Mr MILLS: Do not get too upset about this, focus on the issue. You should get a briefing on the legals around this so we can make a contribution and fight together as Territorians.
The container deposit scheme is very important and successful. Territorians have taken ownership of it and want to see it continue as a means of reward-based recycling.
More than 52 million containers have been deposited since 3 January 2012 when the scheme commenced. This shows the support it has gained in the wider community.
Late last year, Coca-Cola informed us they would be challenging our scheme on an argument of constitutional invalidity. The government has instructed our legal team, headed by our outstanding Solicitor-General, to pull no punches in bringing the fight to these multinational corporations. The court case is being heard in Sydney today. There is national media attention because this is yet another example of the Northern Territory having to fight - and fight hard - for the right to govern itself. Like the Leader of the Opposition’s puppet master, the Prime Minister, this is an example of southern powers trying to tell the Northern Territory what we can or cannot do.
For some background, Coca-Cola Amatil is a multinational corporation with revenue of almost $4.5bn every year. It is well worth noting that, in the recent Keep Australia Beautiful branded litter study, Coca-Cola products are the No 2 contributor to all litter in Australia. Lion, who has partnered with Coca-Cola and Schweppes in this challenge, is reportedly the ninth largest contributor to litter in Australia.
However, the real issue today is the capacity for the Northern Territory to make laws for the Northern Territory. I have written to all members of COAG, the Premiers and Chief Ministers of Australia, asking them to support the Northern Territory’s right to have a container deposit scheme. I am pleased to say the Premier of Queensland and the Chief Minister of the ACT have both given their support. Although not necessarily fans of container deposit legislation, they are believers in the rights of the Northern Territory. I call on other Premiers to give their support today.
Chief Minister Position
Ms LAWRIE to CHIEF MINISTER
Current Chief Minister, your government is in turmoil. Your party wants you dumped but they are squabbling over your replacement ...
Madam SPEAKER: Opposition Leader, please put that down.
Ms LAWRIE: They are the current betting odds ...
Ms Anderson: Kick her out.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Namatjira, you are on a warning. Opposition Leader, pause for two minutes. Stop the clock, Mr Clerk.
Honourable members, I have given notice to you in the past that I will not tolerate disrespect of the Chair in this Chamber. Anyone who disrespects the Chair, regardless of who is sitting in it, will be placed on a warning. Please continue, Opposition Leader.
Ms LAWRIE: Thank you, Madam Speaker. Your party wants you dumped but your colleagues are squabbling over your replacement. Territorians currently have no idea who will be Chief Minister by Easter. Will you end the uncertainty? Will you end the speculation? Will you end your denials and cover-ups? Will you resign and provide certainty to the future of the Northern Territory?
ANSWER
Absolutely not! Nonsense.
Debt Reduction -
Necessity for Economic Restraint
Necessity for Economic Restraint
Mr HIGGINS to TREASURER
Can you explain to the House why it was important for the Territory government to roll back spending, reduce debt, and clean up the mess at Power and Water?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Daly for his question. Doing nothing was not an option for our new government. We came in less than six months ago and, lo and behold, found the mess left by Labor - absolutely no money in the coffers and the credit card racked up to the max. The people across the other side of the Chamber wonder why we have had to make these incredibly difficult decisions.
The decisions we have had to make have been around the deficit and the debt left by the former Labor government, which is well documented in this Chamber. We have been on about it for months. I am pleased the member for Daly asked the question because people have to be reminded of the lies and mistruths coming from the other side of the Chamber - I withdraw ...
Ms LAWRIE: A point of order, Madam Speaker! You have advised members not to use that language other than by substantive motion in the Chamber.
Mrs LAMBLEY: I am sorry, Madam Speaker, I withdraw. The misinformation driven from the opposition is confusing the people of the Northern Territory. We came into government six months ago faced with a debt of just less than $3bn, and that will rise to $5.5bn by 2015-16 - going through the roof. The former Treasurer, the worst Treasurer in the history of the Northern Territory, knew that revenue was declining because of declining GST revenue. She did not curtail her spending; she kept spending, spending, spending.
I have to ask the question: why has the member for Casuarina not been given any portfolio responsibilities? Are we looking at another by-election down the track? The only thing they know how to do well is spend, spend, spend, ‘Let us clock up another $100 000 in a by-election’ ...
Ms LAWRIE: A point of order, Madam Speaker! I apologise for the mistake in the list I was given to read out. The member for Casuarina has, of course, many important portfolio responsibilities including shadow Health.
Madam SPEAKER: There is no point of order.
Mrs LAMBLEY: Let us talk about misleading parliament; that is a deliberate attempt to mislead the parliament ...
Ms LAWRIE: A point of order, Madam Speaker! She is accusing me of deliberately misleading parliament. That is unparliamentary.
Madam SPEAKER: Deputy Chief Minister, please withdraw that statement.
Mrs LAMBLEY: I withdraw the statement, but it is curious that she forgot to mention the portfolio responsibilities of one of her most senior colleagues. You can only draw certain conclusions from that.
I remind people that 40% of the deficit can be directly attributed to the Power and Water Corporation. That is why we had to raise the tariffs for electricity, water, and sewerage. The opposition was told that in 2009 in a report commissioned by them: the Reeves’ report. They failed to do so. We were put in a position where we had to make a prudent decision, regretfully and unhappily.
Chief Minister – Confidence in
Mr GUNNER to CHIEF MINISTER
Current Chief Minister, your leadership hangs by a thread, nine votes to seven. Seven of your colleagues have no confidence in you and it only takes one more to agree and you are gone as Chief Minister. How can you provide any proper government when half of your colleagues have no confidence in you?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I wonder what his source of information is. I thank you for the question. I advise you I have been in this Chamber for some time. There are many people who are more concerned about matters of real importance and how they are addressed by a real government.
As a relatively new member of parliament and part of the Labor opposition, you should be more aware of the concerns that need to be addressed in order for the Territory to be in a stronger position in the future.
Be aware that this is a government with the capacity to make these decisions: a government that has the authority of a Cabinet which has made its decisions. For you to spend all your time worried about what is going on, on this side - I would be worried by the brand you represent, mate!
You see what is happening federally. For a proud Labor Party member to see someone stabbed by someone else - what the heck goes on when the interests of the nation are at stake! The appalling leadership that comes from the Labor Party federally is an absolute disgrace. You are contributing to that because you have the same DNA running through your veins that gives guidance to the way you see every issue through a political lens.
There are real issues that need to be attended to. I head a government that is passionate and ambitious and is concerned only with the future of the Northern Territory.
National Tourism Awards –
Northern Territory’s Performance
Northern Territory’s Performance
Mrs PRICE to MINISTER for TOURISM and MAJOR EVENTS
Was the Northern Territory recognised at the National Tourism Awards?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Stuart for the question. Were we ever! I am very pleased to give a three-minute outline of what took place last Friday night in Hobart. I had the pleasure of attending the awards along with 45 other Territorians. We were in very good company.
We cleaned up like never before. It was the third time in the 28 years the Territory has been participating in the awards that we bagged five gold awards. There is one right there, won by the Northern Territory Library for Specialised Tourism Services. Congratulations, to the Northern Territory Library. Coming under a government department, I was able to borrow the award to show to parliament today.
We won five gold, one silver, and three bronze. As I said, it is the third time in 28 years of the history of the awards that the Territory has bagged five gold. The Territory had 19 finalists in the 27 categories. It was a fantastic effort.
The awards were spread across the Northern Territory from Central Australia throughout the Top End. To qualify for these awards is a significant effort. It takes in excess of 100 hours to compile a submission. You need to win a Brolga Award for Tourism Excellence, then you automatically qualify for the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards. I will outline who they were.
Major Tourist Attraction was Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. Venture North Australia took out the Heritage And Culture Tourism category, and they are up from a bronze in 2011. RT Tours from Central Australia picked up the Indigenous Tourism category. The Northern Territory Library, as I said, took out the Specialised Tourism Services, and Yellow Waters Cruises took out the Major Tour and/or Transport Operator category, up from silver in 2011. They are our five gold winners.
It is a bit like a first, second, third; we have gold, silver, bronze. The silver award went to Darwin Convention Centre for Business Tourism. A bronze award went to the Haven Backpacker Resort in Alice Springs, for Backpacker Accommodation. Mantra on the Esplanade picked up the bronze award for Deluxe Accommodation. Fantastic effort from the Royal Flying Doctor Service for their new tourist facility which picked up a bronze for the New Tourism Development category.
Tourism is a hub, one of the three pillars of this government’s economy. We will be doing everything we possibly can to ensure it becomes, once again, the powerhouse industry it once was.
Congratulations to all those entrants, all those who attended, and everyone who joined together to support the tourism industry in the Northern Territory, particularly all those who picked up awards at the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards this year in Hobart.
Fire Services – Rural Area
Mr WOOD to MINISTER for POLICE, FIRE and EMERGENCY SERVICES
Thank you for attending the meeting at the Humpty Doo Fire Station on the weekend. Could you please say if you have made a decision regarding the future of the Humpty Doo Fire Station, the Berrimah Fire Station and the retention of the Palmerston four-wheel drive emergency tender? If so, what is your decision? Can you say who made the original decision to cut these services?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nelson for his question. I am pleased you were able to attend that important gathering of members of the fire service, volunteers, and community leaders. I acknowledge the member for Daly for working to bring that together. It was good to see the Mayor there as well.
It was a very constructive meeting, as you well know. At that meeting some important aspects of what that decision looks like on the ground and what it means to people in the local area were well presented by those who attended, and I am very grateful for that.
I find it interesting you are asking this question because I said there were a number of steps I would take after that meeting. You have taken the first opportunity to ask a question so I can provide you with an answer to it.
Those steps are already under way. There has been significant consultation and assessment of the information that has been provided. I am in the process of making a decision based on what I heard and what I am assessing as a result of that meeting.
Regarding your interest in where that information came from, I believe you well know the dire state of the Territory’s finances is real; it is not a fiction, it is fact ...
Ms Lawrie: They are your spin.
Mr MILLS: I cannot believe you would say that; that is so irresponsible. It is a fact.
There was a requirement for all agencies to consider ways in which we could respond to this, and agencies were able to identify a range of options. I hope that satisfies. That is what I will provide you at this point. Your great concern is about the response. I will advise you, as I indicated at the meeting.
Leadership Challenge
Mr GUNNER to LEADER of GOVERNMENT BUSINESS
Your leadership challenge failed last night; your colleagues want a new leader, but they will not back you. Will you, for the Parliamentary Record, rule out ever again challenging the current Chief Minister?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the honourable member for Fannie Bay for his question. My answer is, yes, I will rule it out – absolutely. The reason I will rule it out is I have listened to the Chief Minister and we, as a party, make our decisions as a group, as you do in Caucus when you guys are counting numbers on your side.
All of that as an aside, I have listened to the colleagues on my side of the House and we have resolved to keep Terry Mills as the leader of the parliamentary wing of the Country Liberals and the Chief Minister of the Northern Territory. I am proud to stand by him, and I look forward to working with him in the future in any capacity he deems fit.
Drunks Policy - Progress
Mr KURRUPUWU to MINISTER for ALCOHOL REHABILITATION and POLICY
Could you advise the House on the progress of government’s habitual drunk strategy?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Arafura for his question and acknowledge his deep interest in this area. It might come as somewhat of a surprise - certainly not to us on this side – that the member for Arafura is working very diligently on putting together a proposal to send to government about restarting alcohol rehabilitation on the Tiwi Islands. Good on you, member for Arafura. That is exactly the way we want members in this House to operate.
It is odd now, six months into the job as Alcohol Policy minister, I have not received one question from members on the other side. All their bluff and bluster …
Mr GUNNER: A point of order, Madam Speaker! I have asked for a ministerial briefing from the office. I am still waiting for the minister to provide me a briefing. It is several months now, Dave, I asked last year …
Madam SPEAKER: Please be seated, member for Fannie Bay, it is not a point of order.
Mr TOLLNER: There has not been one question in Question Time from any member on the other side. They are out there with bluff and bluster, full of hot air and wind with their concern about drunks on the street. When those guys were in government, aside from the fact they wasted some $20m on alcohol programs, not one drunk was taken off the streets. Aside from all the other nonsense they have come up with, not one drunk was taken off the street and put into rehabilitation. What a failure they were.
Upon coming to government, this government honoured its election commitment. We did away with the useless, failed Banned Drinker Register as we said we would. We committed to that and on Day 1 of coming to government we removed that incredible waste of money known as the Banned Drinker Register.
Furthermore, we are honouring our election commitments, something I will speak about later on this afternoon in a statement to the House in relation to mandatory treatment of alcoholics. This is an area we, as a government, are very keen to get involved in because, until you deal with the people on the streets and take them off the streets, nothing will change. This is not the panacea to all ills, but drying someone out for three months cannot be bad. With any luck, we can rehabilitate some people and get them into meaningful jobs and make a real impact on the number of drunks on our streets ...
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, your time has expired.
Wanguri By-Election Backlash
Ms LAWRIE to CHIEF MINISTER
Current Chief Minister, on 23 January you stated you did not expect a voter backlash in Wanguri over what you claimed were superficial concerns Territorians had over price hikes. Yesterday, you said you were not surprised at the voter backlash, the biggest swing against any government in Australia in the last two decades. Are you simply making this up as you go along? Why should Territorians believe anything you say when you do not even have the confidence of half your own team, which was clearly evident in the leadership spill?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the Opposition Leader for her question and concern about the Northern Territory and its future. What happened between those two points was a failure by a community leader and the organisation represented by that community leader, called the Leader of the Opposition and the Labor Party.
I did not predict the level of information you sent out into the community, the level of hatred, lies and mistruths …
Ms LAWRIE: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The Chief Minister used a word he knows he has to withdraw.
Madam SPEAKER: He corrected himself, Opposition Leader.
Mr MILLS: The capacity to seed mistruths, to fan disquiet and hatred in our community by the support of statements …
Ms LAWRIE: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Offensive. To accuse the opposition of fanning hatred in the community is absolutely offensive and is a breach of standing orders.
Madam SPEAKER: Chief Minister, if you could tone your comments down, please.
Mr MILLS: If you want a clearer point to be made on that front, I was absolutely astonished in this Chamber last Thursday when there was a clear presentation for anyone to see - if they wanted to see - that there was real money set aside for the benefit of grassroots organisations. The point was made that the money which was set aside was used by the former government in the lead-up to - in the six or seven weeks before - the last Territory election. This left that allocation void, which meant we had to then refill it. We said there were money allocations there for events such as the Glenti.
You immediately went outside and did exactly what I said you would, because I know what you are like. You told lies to everybody. You told them, and I had people standing at the booth saying …
Ms LAWRIE: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Withdraw the accusation of lying.
Madam SPEAKER: Chief Minister, if you could please withdraw.
Mr MILLS: But you were lying. You see …
Madam SPEAKER: Chief Minister, if you could please withdraw that comment in regard to lying.
Mr MILLS: I withdraw ‘lying’. You were telling untruths. I was standing at a booth and I heard reports from other booths where you were saying to people, ‘They are going to cancel the Glenti’. You were saying to people plainly that we were going to cancel the Glenti. You will stop at nothing, even if you know it is not true. That is the sort of activity you are responsible for, for driving a wedge into our community ...
Ms LAWRIE: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Labor was not saying that; it was his media release that said ‘Glenti under threat’, that upset everyone.
Madam SPEAKER: Please be seated.
Mr MILLS: I was standing next to someone - you want me to name them. I am not the same sort of politician as you. I could name people who belong to your outfit who were standing right next to me and saying the same thing, time and time again ...
Madam SPEAKER: Chief Minister, your time has expired.
Power and Water - Costs to Families
Ms LAWRIE to CHIEF MINISTER
Current Chief Minister, yesterday you said, ‘I am very sympathetic to families that are having to adjust but we are going somewhere’. Do you agree that telling families they will have to adjust is probably one of the most unsympathetic things you could have said? Do you really expect that families are now happily having to put up another $2000 a year for their power and water based on your vision that you are going somewhere?
ANSWER
Most definitely going somewhere. Madam Speaker, we have managed to provide a pathway that, ultimately, will secure our energy future for the Northern Territory. Our intention is, with a bold and visionary plan, to put us in a much stronger and better position in the future.
In order to secure that we have to deal with the present. That present has been provided, in my view, by the maladministration, the careless use of public resources …
Ms LAWRIE: A point of order, Madam Speaker! He needs to withdraw ‘maladministration’. Absolutely no evidence of that.
Madam SPEAKER: Please be seated, there is no point of order. Chief Minister, continue.
Mr MILLS: On these points of order, Madam Speaker …
Mr GUNNER: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Speaking to the previous point of order, maladministration is normally something that has to be proved by substantive motion.
Madam SPEAKER: Please be seated. Chief Minister, continue.
Mr MILLS: Did you just make that one up? ‘It might be right; I will give it a shot. You never know, this one might work’.
By the way, a point of note for an opposition that is more interested in trying to score some small point for their jollies: in the three days of Question Time last week, and up until now, we have calculated there have been 54 frivolous points of order raised by this opposition which has no real interest in matters of real concern and using the parliament for real purposes, rather for obstruction, denial, scaremongering and the propagating of mistruths and disquiet in the community.
Yes, there are some real issues which have to be attended to. What about the families? Are you, in any way, as a former Lands minister, concerned that families have had a massive increase – of sometimes $50 000 a year - in the cost of mortgages and rent?
Women’s Policy –
Current Status of Office
Current Status of Office
Ms FINOCCHIARO to MINISTER for WOMEN’S POLICY
Could the minister please advise the House of the current status of the Office of Women’s Policy.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Drysdale for her question because this side of the House is interested in Women’s Policy. I allow this House to have the opportunity to know ...
Ms Walker: Why did it go to a male for a start?
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Nhulunbuy!
Ms ANDERSON: You were in control of it for 10 years. You had six staff sitting in there. You did not grow it. You did not care about Women’s Policy. You did nothing ...
Ms Walker: You sat there.
Ms ANDERSON: You watch this space, member for Nhulunbuy, because we are going to grow it into something that will drive Territory women forward: Indigenous and multicultural women, even people like you, member for Nhulunbuy. I hope you come on board to be on this great journey of women in the Northern Territory that will drive us forward because we are focused on Women’s Policy ...
Mr McCARTHY: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The member knows she should direct her comments through the Chair. We are all ears about something and somewhere.
Madam SPEAKER: Thank you, member for Barkly. Minister, if you could direct your comments through the Chair, please.
Ms ANDERSON: I allow this House to take the opportunity to know that since I have had the Women’s Policy portfolio and my colleague has been the Deputy Chief Minister, there has been no question about Women’s Policy from the opposition - not one. That is a clear indication that they are not interested in Women’s Policy. Shame on you!
At least the member for Drysdale and my colleagues on this side of the House come to my office, along with the Chief Minister and our male colleagues, to ask what we are doing in this area. How are we driving this as a Country Liberal Party? How will we move Women’s Policy forward?
That is important for our women in the Northern Territory because we are mothers, grandmothers, and sisters. This government is dead serious about growing in this area. We will look at the public service to ensure our women have equity in the public service. We will be driving this, unlike you, who have allowed it to just sit there. I encourage you, member for Nhulunbuy, to come on the beautiful journey.
Cost of Living
Ms LAWRIE to CHIEF MINISTER
Current Chief Minister, you broke your promise on the cost of living. You broke your promise to move drunks from the streets. You broke your promise not to sack any public servants. Even former CLP minister, Daryl Manzie, on radio said:
- That is probably the worst CLP result for that seat that has ever happened. Chief Minister Terry Mills has to take full responsibility for the result. I do not know whether Terry Mills still realises the extent of the strong public feeling against the government and against him in particular. It is unbelievable. Around the barbecue, even the strongest supporters of the government are scathing about Terry’s performance.
He went on to say:
- I believe the brand ...
Mr TOLLNER: A point of order, Madam Speaker! I am wondering if there will be a question or if we are just going to listen to a rant.
Madam SPEAKER: Sit down, there is no point of order.
Ms LAWRIE: This is what Daryl Manzie said about Terry Mills:
- Does Terry understand that? I doubt it. Does the parliamentary of the CLP understand that? Some do, I know for a fact ...
Madam SPEAKER: Opposition Leader, your time has expired.
Ms LAWRIE: Why are you not accepting reality? Your time is numbered.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I note it was not a question, nor was it genuine or sincere. I will take the opportunity to respond to it in a similar vein.
First, I welcome the new member for Wanguri. I should have done that earlier. You represent families who are planning for their future. They are struggling to manage their affairs today. Most of these families are having to adjust to the increased cost of living, without a doubt. No one really thinks the cost of living magically appeared the day the Country Liberals came to office.
We have put in place a clear plan to deal with a very real and complex problem. The first is you have to cut waste. That is not easy. These are times that require decisive action. You cannot get to a destination if you just wander around the place, hope things will get better, and the magic GST fairy will come and give you more money, fix your problem, and you will not have to make any hard decisions.
Our real care and concern is for these families because, if we do not deal with this, the reality is we will paint ourselves into a corner. You do not have the capacity to move if you have to pay increasing repayments, which is very real. You should know this. I thought you knew a great deal about Treasury. You gave me that impression when I was in opposition but, clearly, it was all a sham and quite superficial.
The proposition of a family trying to manage a budget when the interest repayments get out of control is a very difficult situation. When a small business’s debt levels get out of control it has a very real problem. Also, the Territory’s debt level is rising to a point where it needs to be brought under control.
These actions were required by this government. We have to do this so we are in a good position to take us to a better place.
After five-and-a-half months, I understand the nature of the problem has required some difficult decisions which are difficult to adjust to and accept. I ask families to understand that this is for a very good reason, hard though it is. I have acknowledged that 100 times over; I know how hard it is.
There is a reason for this. The Territory has a very good future, but we need to have a government that is in a position where it can capitalise on that and create a better future for the Northern Territory.
It is simple, but difficult, for you to comprehend because it is all through a political lens. You are trying to score a political point, to capitalise on the anxiety families have right now in this time of change when, really, we are going somewhere. We know where we are going; we have a real plan. We are going to create a very strong future for these young families ...
Madam SPEAKER: Chief Minister, your time has expired.
Women’s Policy
Ms LEE to MINISTER for WOMEN’S POLICY
While I congratulate the minister for becoming the Minister for Women’s Policy, I would like her to confirm that the government will not return Women’s Policy to political correctness or gender wars.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Arnhem. How fantastic, two questions in Question Time from this side of House, nothing from the other side.
This is about gender equity and respecting our men. Our policy is not about bashing or hating men. We know that men are our fathers and our husbands. This is about having equality, respecting each other, and allowing women to be part of the process. It is about us, as a society, growing women ...
Ms LAWRIE: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Why have you sacked the women CEOs in the public service?
Madam SPEAKER: Opposition Leader, there is no point of order.
Ms ANDERSON: She does not care about women, we know that – Year 10 graduate. This side of the House knows we have to care about our women. It is about growing them, making sure women sit equally in the public service, nurturing them, and looking after them ...
Ms Walker: Is that why you sacked Olga Havnen?
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Ms ANDERSON: Member for Nhulunbuy, you will have your time. We have a policy coming up. I hope you contribute to it.
Ms Walker: I look forward to seeing that, with a bit of action behind it, not just motherhood statements.
Ms ANDERSON: It is amazing to see the rubbish that is coming from that side of the House, when they have not asked one question. They do not care about women’s policy. You would not know what to do because you have not cared for them. You have not even looked after the agency. In your 10 years, you did not even open your mouth about it. You did not talk about it in this Chamber, and it is a real shame. I hope, member for Nhulunbuy, you come on this exciting journey with us. We are very happy to have you ride with us on this journey.
This is about respecting each other, men and women, and making sure there is gender equity in the Northern Territory, that we respect our women in the public service, that we get them to take up jobs in middle management and not just sit at the bottom of bureaucracy ...
Ms Walker interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Nhulunbuy!
Ms ANDERSON: It is an absolute shame that you have not asked one question in this House, member for Nhulunbuy ...
Mr TOLLNER: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The member for Nhulunbuy is normally so nice, quiet, mild, and meek-mannered. I had great difficulty hearing the minister over the member for Nhulunbuy in that last question. I hope you could ask some of the motor mouths on the other side to relax.
Madam SPEAKER: There is no point of order, member for Fong Lim.
Mandatory Rehabilitation Centres
Mr WOOD to MINISTER for ALCOHOL REHABILITATION and POLICY
You stated you are planning mandatory rehabilitation centres for people who are seriously affected by the abuse of alcohol. Have you held any discussions with Amity, CAAPS or FORWAARD, the people at the coalface when dealing with substance abuse? Could you also say what they think of mandatory rehabilitation? Have you asked them if they are willing to operate any of these new centres?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, yes and yes.
Member for Arnhem –
Alleged Misuse of Funds
Mr McCARTHY to CHIEF MINISTER
The President of the CLP, Ross Connolly, released a statement saying the scrutiny of the member for Arnhem was based on her being Aboriginal. Do you agree with your president that the questions being asked of her are racially motivated, or do you believe this is a pathetic attempt to distract from one who has been in hiding for over a month over serious allegations of misappropriation?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for his question. I can see the member right there; she is not hiding. There has been an investigation. There is an inquiry and, as I said last week and I will continue to say, the way to manage these matters is to ensure there is a proper inquiry. Once that inquiry has been concluded we will be in a position to make comment ...
Mr McCARTHY: A point of order, Madam Speaker! I asked the Chief Minister a specific question: does he agree with the president of the CLP, who is trying to make allegations of racism?
Madam SPEAKER: Chief Minister, have you finished your answer or do you wish to continue?
Mr MILLS: I am not prepared to respond to that question because I do not trust the context in which a question like that is posed by the honourable member.
Mr McCARTHY: A point of order, Madam Speaker! I succinctly put that question to the Chief Minister: does he agree with the President of the CLP?
Madam SPEAKER: The Chief Minister has answered the question, member for Barkly.
Youth Justice in Darwin –
Overhaul and Refocus
Overhaul and Refocus
Mr HIGGINS to ATTORNEY-GENERAL and MINISTER for JUSTICE
Can you inform the House about an exciting proposal being developed to overhaul and refocus youth justice in Darwin?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Daly for his question. One of the great disappointments of coming to office was finding how much work had been abandoned by the former government in relation to the Office of the Attorney-General.
Judges are retiring with no replacement. Magistrates are resigning with no replacements for them. To my dismay, when I spoke to the Chief Magistrate, there were issues surrounding the cells in the bottom of the courts where juveniles are placed.
That was something the former government promised to fix. I recall Rob Knight, the former Attorney-General, in this House saying, ‘Yes, we have $1m and are going to fix those cells at the bottom of the Court House’. You could well imagine my surprise when, as Attorney-General visiting the Court House, not one lick of paint had been added to those cells. No work had been done whatsoever.
The critical problem the Labor Party described in youth justice issues in Darwin had been utterly unattended to because they were too busy raking through muck and mire trying their hardest to make mud stick on other people. That is something they are very good at.
However, I have spoken to the Chief Magistrate and the Chief Justice with a view to possibly even using the Supreme Court; that is not an appropriate site. I will be happy to announce to this House in the not-so-distant future that we may have found another resolution. Shame on the former government which said it cared about the care of children …
Ms WALKER: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The Attorney-General might fully answer the question and explain why he is ignoring the recommendations of the Youth Justice Review undertaken by Jodeen Carney.
Madam SPEAKER: Please be seated, there is no point of order.
Mr ELFERINK: They made much play on how they wanted to protect children, even those children in custody, and did absolutely nothing ...
Ms Lawrie: Not true.
Mr ELFERINK: It is a disgrace. If you say it is not true, visit the cell block at the bottom where you will find young boys and girls in full view of adult prisoners when they are escorted from the cell blocks. I do not even believe the Leader of the Opposition would ever have taken the time to visit those cell blocks because she clearly does not understand what those cell blocks look like and what needs to be done to fix them. For her to say she has no responsibility, and it is just something they have to make interjections about, behoves her very poorly indeed.
Chief Minister - Resignation
Ms LAWRIE to CHIEF MINISTER
Current Chief Minister, six months ago, Territorians were optimistic. Regardless of politics, they believed the Territory was on the right track; they believed our future was bright. People have now lost their Territory optimism and are leaving. You have single-handedly destroyed that with your broken promises, your deceit, and your cover-ups. The people of the Northern Territory do not trust you. They believe the Territory is on the wrong track and they blame you. Will you resign?
Mr TOLLNER: A point of order, Madam Speaker! For a start, six months ago the people were not satisfied; they got rid of that government at that time. That is the whole point.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Fong Lim, it is not a point of order. Sit down!
ANSWER
Madam Speaker the Opposition Leader can try and try again, but will not succeed. No! I am not interested in answering your silly question.
Boot Camps for Youth – Progress
Mrs PRICE to MINISTER for CORRECTIONAL SERVICES
Can you inform the House about the progress made by the Mills government implementing youth boot camps?
ANSWER
Gladly, Madam Speaker. The Northern Territory County Liberals, under the guidance of Terry Mills as the leader in opposition, made some promises prior to the last election in relation to boot camps. I thank the honourable member for her question because it is a very important question.
We have done something quite novel: something the members opposite are not used to doing. To inform ourselves how we proceed with this we have determined to have meetings with interested stakeholders as to what should be in the tenders. Rather than simply imposing something from the bureaucracy on the people who will be, in every likelihood, tendering for these documents, we are asking those people what should be in the tenders.
I was in a meeting in Alice Spring last month. When we organised a meeting with potential stakeholders, 47 individual groups and organisations were represented. That is something that surprised me and people from the department.
There is real interest in boot camps because there is a real problem with youth offending, both here in Darwin and across the Northern Territory and down to Alice Springs.
The models of boot camps we will be using will be aimed at intervention; that is, for young people who are flirting at the edges of the criminal justice system and who are also under custodial orders. There will be two different types of boot camps, and they will challenge these young people physically and challenge them to become better than they are.
Unlike the American model of boot camps, which simply forced people to go through a series of physical challenges, there will be follow-up after they leave the boot camp environment. The problem with the American model is largely, once they leave the boot camp, there is nobody telling them what to do.
We will ensure in the boot camps in the Northern Territory - both in the intervention and the custodial camps - when they leave those boot camps they are capable of making decisions that are good for themselves and the people around them. We are going to teach responsibility and accountability to those kids.
The former government, of course, hated boot camps; they wanted to whinge about the term. However, we are not afraid of saying to children, ‘We demand something from you’, as we should be ...
Ms Walker: The Youth Justice Review did not recommend them. Best practice does not recommend them ...
Mr ELFERINK: I pick up on that interjection. The Youth Justice Review recommended exactly this sort of camp. If you take the time to read the recommendations of the report, you would know ...
Mr GUNNER: A point of order, Madam Speaker! If the minister is so concerned about youth justice why did he offer to resign as minister this morning?
Madam SPEAKER: There is no point of order. Your time has expired, minister.
Government Leadership
Ms LAWRIE to CHIEF MINISTER
Current Chief Minister, you said you understand and accept the result in Wanguri - the biggest swing against a government in 20 years - yet you remain in denial. You have made it clear that you intend to push on, full steam ahead, with your price hikes and cost of living increases. Former CLP minister, Daryl Manzie, had this to say on radio yesterday:
- I can’t see any more than one term for this government and if changes do not occur …
Mr TOLLNER: A point of order, Madam Speaker! This is the same long-winded, drawn-out question, which is actually not a question, she asked before. I ask you to rule it out of order.
Madam SPEAKER: Sit down, member for Fong Lim. That is not a point of order.
Ms LAWRIE: Thank you:
- I can’t see any more than one term for this government and if changes do not occur soon in the CLP I believe the brand will be ruined ...
Mr TOLLNER: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Standing orders say a question that has already been asked should not be asked a second time.
Madam SPEAKER: I am waiting for the question to be asked, member for Fong Lim. Be seated. It is not a point of order.
Ms LAWRIE: The question is, when Daryl Manzie said:
- … and it will be interesting you know to be a fly on the wall at the Central Council at Tennant Creek next week.
Will it be next week when the member for Braitling or his side kick, Big Dave, do all right in the bidding by Easter?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the Leader of the Opposition for her question. There are some who may be a little pessimistic about what the future holds, but not me nor this government. We have a very clear idea of the great opportunity the Territory has. That is why we have to deal with the fundamental problem we have right in front of us.
As much as you try to ignore it, people may have other views from the outside of how this should be done. We can see clearly what needs to be done, and are doing it for a very good reason.
That is why we put in place a Planning Commission so we can craft a clear, strategic plan forward for the Northern Territory. You know full well that the real problem with the cost of living is not a challenging decision we had to face, which you knew you would have to face if you were the government. We faced it because we had to. We have done the right thing. We know it is difficult in these early stages.
You know full well what the real cost of living is: your failure to release land. How could it be - I never want to see this happen again; it takes a while - that the Northern Territory could have a land shortage? You can only have a land shortage in the Northern Territory under a Labor government because there is land here that can be released so young people can afford to live here.
The main project of this government is to plan strategically, provide real support for young people, not only in education so they can be a part of the future and part of this, but so they do not have that weight of debt crushing them and have the access to a place they can afford where they can raise their families. This is not going to happen overnight, but it will happen.
Mr ELFERINK (Leader of Government Business): Madam Speaker, I ask that further questions be placed on the Written Question Paper.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016