2013-02-12
Member for Arnhem –
Fraud Allegations
Fraud Allegations
Ms LAWRIE to
You have been accused of fraud. You have been in hiding for three weeks. Why do you refuse …
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The member for Arnhem is neither a head of committee nor minister of the Crown. Question Time is for questioning the executive arm of government through the principles and philosophies of responsible government. I am sure standing orders say questions are to ministers or the heads of committees only.
Mr GUNNER: Madam Speaker, we need the member for Arnhem to say she chooses not to answer this question.
Madam SPEAKER: Honourable members, Opposition Leader, a question has to be directed to a minister, the Chief Minister or a chairman of committee.
Member for Arnhem –
Funding of Election Campaign
Funding of Election Campaign
Ms LAWRIE to CHIEF MINISTER
The member for Arnhem has been accused of fraud and has been in hiding for three weeks. Both of you have refused to answer the fraud allegation that she took money which was meant for people living in poverty to fund her election campaign. Will you stand her down until these serious allegations have been investigated?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the Opposition Leader for her question. She is delighting in what she sees as political opportunity and, in so doing, is trampling on a basic principle: the presumption of innocence. There is an investigation ...
Ms LAWRIE: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The member for Arnhem has admitted to the motor vehicle and to receiving assistance ...
Madam SPEAKER: Please be seated. That is not a point of order.
Mr MILLS: To lower this government and this parliament to entertain the accusations of the Opposition Leader, who delights in nothing more than gutter politics - if you reflect on your first contribution at the start of this new Assembly with your tactics with the member for Daly, you have dreadful form. You enjoy the gutter. Soon those who propose to follow you and give you some kind of support will desert you because the community cannot countenance this kind of approach from a former Treasurer, now Opposition Leader.
There is an investigation; there is the presumption of innocence. The member concerned has indicated full cooperation with that investigation. That is good enough for me and it would be good enough for any fair minded person to allow these matters to be conducted and a determination made. Whilst that is the case, the process and principles will be protected by this government.
I wonder whether the Opposition Leader will turn her attention to things that really need investigation? How is it that under your watch we saw a dreadful increase in the debt levels of the Northern Territory? How is it that in 10 years the amount of Commonwealth money that flowed into the Northern Territory has only seen a lack of productivity and expansion of debt with no real outcomes to benefit Territory families. If you have no skerrick of interest in the real matters that affect Territorians, other than grabbing at straws and running grubby tactics, you will find the people will desert you.
SUPPLEMENTARY QUESTION
Member for Arnhem –
Funding of Election Campaign
Member for Arnhem –
Funding of Election Campaign
Ms LAWRIE to CHIEF MINISTER
In a media statement, the member for Arnhem has admitted to using the Jawoyn motor vehicle, the Jawoyn Association mobile phone and accepting assistance for her election campaign. Given she has admitted this, do you condone the use of Jawoyn resources and funds for an election campaign when those resources are designed to alleviate poverty?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for her question. An investigation is being conducted. Once it has been completed we will have something to talk about. Until then, be quiet!
Gove Alumina Refinery
Ms FINOCCHIARO to CHIEF MINISTER
Can you explain to the House the results of your efforts to save the Gove alumina refinery?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thought, acknowledging the importance of the matter that faced the previous government and now has come to the responsibility of the new government, that this would have been the opposition’s first question. It is of great interest to the member on your side, but of importance to the Northern Territory and the future of the Territory. No, it was not your first question; you do not have that type of register. Your register is more about things that can advance your grubby agenda. The fact is ...
Members interjecting.
Mr MILLS: There you go, you have just confirmed it.
I put on the record what has occurred. This is very important. There have been accusations and the Opposition Leader likes to say, ‘Look, it was just so easy’. If it was so easy, how is it that all the former Chief Minister managed to do was take receipt of a letter from Pacific Aluminium which made specific requests, took seven months to respond to that letter, and a new government which has been in office for five-and-a-half months has managed to finish the deal?
It may be very difficult for you to grasp, Opposition Leader, that this is not about the achievements of the government. It is about laying foundations for the future of the Northern Territory. It was not about caving in and handing something across to Pacific Aluminium. I am desperately concerned for the anxiety levels held by the members of the Nhulunbuy community. They were placed in an awful position by a decision of faceless men a long way from here: Rio Tinto in London. My actions, and the actions of this government, were to ensure we advantaged this situation to provide security for Nhulunbuy and to ensure we set the Territory on a solid footing going forward
We have managed to achieve an assurance that there are quantities of gas to secure our future. However, most importantly, use this as an opportunity to expand our infrastructure with a commitment to have that pipeline built, and not only that, but to start to drive out another pipeline from Tennant Creek to Mt Isa which will plug our grid into the eastern seaboard. The work of this government is to ensure we are in a much stronger position. This is not about the short-term, Opposition Leader, this is not about trying to manage the politics right here and now, it is thinking ahead to 15 years’ time when some of us will not be here. People will look back and admire the decisions and actions of this government.
Member for Arnhem –
Alleged Use of Jawoyn Funds for Election Campaign
Alleged Use of Jawoyn Funds for Election Campaign
Ms LAWRIE to CHIEF MINISTER
The member for Arnhem has admitted in her statements that she used Jawoyn funds for her campaign. The office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations, and the courts will ultimately determine if the member for Arnhem has broken the law. Regardless of that investigation, do you agree that using money meant to help those living in poverty for an election campaign is morally and ethically corrupt?
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Before we go down the path of answering that question, the use of the word corrupt should be ruled as unparliamentary as no such assertion is supported by any evidence.
Madam SPEAKER: Opposition Leader, could you please reword your question?
Ms LAWRIE: Do you believe the use of funds designed for those who live in poverty for an election campaign by the member for Arnhem to be morally and ethically disgraceful?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for her question. I wonder what is disgraceful here. This is disgraceful.
The question is an empty and nasty allegation that has been made across the Chamber. This great Chamber was meant for debate of things of importance. You are asking me to comment on a nasty little allegation you pass across the Chamber.
The answer will be the same.
Ms LAWRIE: A point of order, Madam Speaker! I am not seeking a comment on the allegation. The member for Arnhem has admitted to using Jawoyn funds and motor vehicle ...
Madam SPEAKER: There is no point of order. Chief Minister, you have the call.
Mr MILLS: Principle - you have to have the investigation before you have …
Ms Lawrie: It is not under investigation, she has admitted to it.
Mr MILLS: It is under investigation.
Gove Gas Deal
Ms FINOCCHIARO to CHIEF MINISTER
During your meetings with Rio Tinto Pacific Aluminium and ENI in a bid to secure a gas supply for the Gove refinery, what did you discover about Rio Tinto’s position in relation to the Gove operation?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for her question. Two weeks after the election in August last year I announced I had set up a working party to work on gas to Gove and, within one month of coming to office, I confirmed the offer of the previous government and that gas was available if the conditions of replacement are met.
Since that time, I have undertaken an intensive journey to help Pacific Aluminium find a solution to their problem with the cost of energy to Gove. I say it is their problem deliberately, because it was not until Rio Tinto’s subsidiary, Pacific Aluminium, came to government that it became our problem too.
The Northern Territory has a good secure gas supply contracted for its own needs well into the future. Rio Tinto, on the other hand, is faced with energy supply - heavy fuel oil that is, by all accounts, too costly to carry on fuelling their refinery and mining operations in Gove.
How did this suddenly come about you may ask, but I can tell members of this House this is not a sudden occurrence and the situation Rio Tinto found itself in has been in the making over a long period of time. It has been happening since Rio Tinto bought into Alcan’s interest in Gove’s operation back in 2007.
According to Rio Tinto’s new chairman, Sam Walsh, the Gove operation has suffered nearly $1bn in after tax losses since the purchase in 2007. The gas to Gove proposition will require an additional $1.2bn spend just to get it running on gas, and thus give it a chance to be profitable. With gas to Gove in place, the Gove refinery will have at least a 10-year guaranteed supply. Rio says it will give full consideration to the gas supply proposal, and we are hopeful of a decision later this week that will see both the mining and the refinery operations in Gove continue.
Member for Arnhem –
Text Message
Ms LAWRIE to CHIEF MINISTER
This is a copy of a text message from Larisa Lee to Emma Clewlow on 29 February last year. Have you asked the member for Arnhem if this is the message she sent to Emma and what was her answer?
I seek leave to table a copy.
Leave granted.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for her question. This line of questioning, which is quite embarrassing, will not be responded to because you do not make judgment or comment until the investigation is complete.
A text, heaven help us. You have a text. Are we going to use this Chamber to debate a text? Forget it!
Wake up to yourself and look around! We have some real issues to deal with in the Northern Territory and this is the best you can do. Heaven help the Labor opposition!
These matters need to be investigated and are being investigated. I am pleased to advise the member concerned is more than happy to cooperate with that investigation. The presumption of innocence is a very important principle and I thought you would understand that. Obviously, you do not and will trample on that to try to advance some grubby political agenda. It is not on!
Wait until this investigation is completed. I am very pleased to report the member concerned is fully cooperating and we will wait to see because my tip is you will find yourself in a very embarrassing position.
Banned Drinker Register –
Federal Call to Reintroduce
Federal Call to Reintroduce
Mr HIGGINS to CHIEF MINISTER
Last week in the federal parliament, Prime Minister Julia Gillard criticised the Country Liberal government and accused it of taking what she described as retrograde steps when we dismantled the Banned Drinker Register. Is it your intention to reinstate the register?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for his question. Yes, we have been really intimidated by the dreadful accusations made by the Prime Minister who, sadly, was misled by the Leader of the Opposition with inaccurate and misleading statistics. Oh dear, that is an unusual occurrence.
The Banned Drinker Register was in operation from July 2011 to August 2012. Across the Territory - I hope the Prime Minister is listening to this - there were 6% more assaults during 2011-12 than the previous year, and 3% more assaults during the September quarter 2012 than the September quarter 2011. There were 2.9% more alcohol-related assault offences during 2011-12 than in 2010-11. It is not very compelling for your case. That is why you hid the statistics; you want to run this notion but do not confuse the people with facts such as the attitude and character of this former government.
The 2010-11 figures for alcohol-related assaults were 3.1% higher than 2009-10. This shows a consistent rise in alcohol-related assaults over the past few years with no apparent impact on the statistics during the period of operation of the Banned Drinker Register from July 2011 to August 2012. On a regional basis the statistics are more variable but they do not show evidence of a consistent drop during the operation of the Banned Drinker Register. Specifically, in Alice Springs the number of alcohol-related assault offences remained on par between 2010-11 and 2011-12: a 0.3% increase.
Since the abolition of the Banned Drinker Register in August 2012, the number of alcohol-related assault offences per month has remained on par with the 2011-12 monthly figures and below the 2009-10 levels. The statistics do not support ….
Mr GUNNER: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Relevance. Can the Chief Minister please provide the stats for asking people politely to stop drinking?
Madam SPEAKER: Sit down. There is no point of order. That is a frivolous point of order.
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The continual use of frivolous points of orders is deliberately designed to eat into Question Time.
Madam SPEAKER: Thank you, member for Port Darwin. Chief Minister, you have the call.
Mr MILLS: I do it all the time; I stand up for what is important and encourage any other citizen to do the same. You wimp! Why do you not stand up for what is right and tell people to stop drinking in public places? No, you do not have the guts to do that ...
Mr McCARTHY: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Standing Order 62 - unbecoming words used by the Chief Minister. I ask him to withdraw.
Mr Mills: Which ones?
Mr McCARTHY: When you referred to a member of this parliament as a ‘wimp’. I ask the Chief Minister to withdraw those unbecoming words.
Madam SPEAKER: Chief Minister, withdraw the term ‘wimp’ please.
Mr MILLS: Yes, okay. It reinforces the accusation. I withdraw ‘wimp’ if it hurts you so much.
Humpty Doo Fire Station Statistics
Mr WOOD to MINISTER for POLICE, FIRE and EMERGENCY SERVICES
Your government said the reason for the closure of the Humpty Doo Fire Station is because of the low number of call-outs. Could you please say on a daily basis - Humpty Doo only operates during the week during daylight hours - for the same period how many call-outs other fire stations in the Darwin region attend? Could you then break that down into false alarms, structural fires, grass fires and vehicle accidents? If you do not have those figures available, may I have them by the end of Question Time?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for his question. Yes, I will make that information available to you. I am aware this issue has caused some concern in the rural area. I believe the case which has been put by the government in its decision still stands; nonetheless, I have spoken to the members for Daly and Goyder, and I invite you as well, to a meeting there on Saturday where I can hear the views of those in the rural area. I thank the member for Daly for his initiative. I am more than happy to have that meeting. I will provide you with those figures.
Member for Arnhem –
Use of Jawoyn Funds for Election Campaign
Use of Jawoyn Funds for Election Campaign
Ms LAWRIE to CHIEF MINISTER
The Jawoyn Association rule book states that the principle objective of the corporation is the relief of poverty, suffering, distress or misfortune amongst Jawoyn members. The member for Arnhem admitted she was using funding for her election campaign. Were you aware of this prior to the election? If not, when did you become aware of the member for Arnhem’s admission that she used these resources in the election campaign? Do you agree it is an inappropriate use of Jawoyn funds? Are you aware whether or not the association had approval under section 6.6 of the Corporations Act when making contributions to Larisa Lee’s election campaign? Come out of hiding and answer the questions!
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for her question. The same answer applies. This is clearly an internal matter for the Jawoyn Association. You might direct your questions there. Once this matter has been thoroughly investigated, you will be made all the wiser. Do not be concerned.
Antisocial Behaviour –
Government Strategies
Government Strategies
Mr STYLES to CHIEF MINISTER
With the scrapping of the Banned Drinker Register, can you explain to the House some of the strategies put in place to manage antisocial behaviour in the northern suburbs, including Wanguri?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Sanderson for his question and his excellent work in the community. As with the previous question, no, we have no intention of reinstating the Banned Drinker Register because it did not work. What we put in place is a firm, clear, frontline response to deal with the problem.
I give notice to those who think antisocial behaviour is acceptable. I do not find it acceptable and I urge members of our community to display the same resolve and not make excuses, but to stand up and make it clear there are community standards which need to be upheld. If you see this as a joke, I do not believe there would be many laughing.
Antisocial behaviour, whether it is public drunkenness, property crime or criminal thuggery, will not be tolerated. We do not accept that and will not back away. It will be a challenge to change this but we are resolved and will continue in that direction and put the effort where it is required to bring about behavioural change. We will not allow the community to be intimidated by small groups of hard-core repeat offenders. We are working hand in hand with the Northern Territory Police Force to ensure there is a zero tolerance policy. I do not accept antisocial behaviour.
You seem to accept the drinkers so much that you had a blind spot and did not even see them. They are all there and you can now see them. I see them and speak to them. You did not see them.
The results of these policies are being clearly demonstrated in the northern suburbs of Darwin. The policing initiatives complement the raft of new legislation this government has introduced. Much of the crime committed in the Territory is committed by recidivists, that is, repeat offenders. Unfortunately, in many cases these criminals have been too readily and easily granted bail only to re-offend while on bail. Almost 30% of adult offenders on bail breach it mainly by re-offending. For youths, the number is higher with almost 50% breaching bail.
Back to the good job our police are doing, including the following initiatives. Public order units have been established at the Casuarina and Darwin police stations, each unit with a staff of seven and a dedicated sergeant in charge. Problem areas are identified by assessing information from complaints from the public and from police intelligence. When a specific problem location is identified, it is listed as a hot spot through the tasking coordination group process. This action ensures these areas receive a targeted response by police. Short operations targeting specific areas are conducted utilising dedicated personnel on a regular basis. Effective use of the available legislation, including the Summary Offences Act and the Liquor Act assist police in their duties. A number of strong measures have been put in place and are backed up by strengthened frontline policing.
Gas to Gove –
Length of Time to Negotiate Outcome
Length of Time to Negotiate Outcome
Ms WALKER to CHIEF MINISTER
The deal you announced yesterday to provide gas to Gove was exactly the same as requested by Pacific Aluminium four months ago. Your dithering has caused four months of unnecessary pain and uncertainty in Gove. Facing such uncertainty, many people have already left and the economic impact on the town is considerable. Why did you cause such unnecessary pain? Will you apologise to the residents of Gove for taking four months to come to the conclusion that everyone else came to on Day 1.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for her question. That is quite a disappointing contribution from the member for Nhulunbuy. You obviously did not have a sufficient grasp of the complexity of this issue to think it would be as simple as doing what the former Chief Minister did and say, ‘Here you go, have four years’ worth of gas, that should be enough’. Then they say that is not enough after taking seven months to respond to that letter.
Ms LAWRIE: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The Chief Minister is misleading the House. Page 2 of the letter clearly spelt out the condition on which 10 years would be provided.
Madam SPEAKER: Opposition Leader, please be seated. There is no point of order.
Mr MILLS: The point is that letter took seven months to produce from the action-packed team on the other side. In the first instance, that same offer was made and subsequently rejected by Pacific Aluminium.
Ms Lawrie: What?
Mr MILLS: Yes, what? You need a briefing. You really need to get your head around this. It is easy to run cheap shots and slogans and everyone gives you a round of applause but you have no idea what is going on here.
It is a simple matter, member for Nhulunbuy. You said everyone was in agreement. They were not.
What was at stake was exposing the Territory to extraordinary and unacceptable risk. What was required of a responsible government was to leave no stone unturned, to get a clear assessment of the capacity for the Territory to provide those resources in the future not just throw a dice and hope it might turn out okay. I needed to be, this Cabinet, this government needed to be absolutely certain we had the capacity to cover that risk in the future, and a number of things needed to be learnt during this exercise, a number of assurances that were provided. The most important one is to provide a strengthened position for the Northern Territory, and I believe the new agenda item …
Ms WALKER: A point of order, Madam Speaker! I asked the Chief Minister if he will apologise to the residents of Gove for the pain caused by his dithering.
Madam SPEAKER: There is no point of order.
Mr MILLS: The best apology is having offered gas to keep the refinery going.
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker! During that answer one of the points of order made by the Leader of the Opposition accused the Chief Minister of misleading this House. That has to be done by way of substantive motion otherwise that person should withdraw. I raise the point of order now because these are deliberate tactics used by the members opposite to eat into the time available for ministers to answer questions. I reiterate my warning to the members opposite that if they continue to do so we will amend standing orders to accommodate that tactic.
Madam SPEAKER: Opposition Leader, could you please withdraw that.
Ms LAWRIE: Misleading has been used before, Madam Speaker, so is that now out of order completely?
Madam SPEAKER: Withdraw the statement.
Ms LAWRIE: I withdraw. He is making it up as he is goes along.
Crime and Alcohol Statistics –
Inconsistency
Inconsistency
Ms LEE to LEADER of GOVERNMENT BUSINESS
Can you outline, for the benefit of members of this House, the inconsistency in the Northern Territory crime and alcohol-related statistics stated by the Prime Minister in the federal parliament last week?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for her question because it goes to show how difficult and sometimes nasty Labor politics gets in the Labor Party. Because of the captain’s pick, we now find the Leader of the Opposition is quite happy to verbal …
Mr McCARTHY: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The member loves statistics. He has been asked to talk about statistics. Let us hear about statistics.
Madam SPEAKER: Sit down. There is no point of order.
Mr ELFERINK: … to verbal the Prime Minister so the Prime Minister stands in front of this nation and says things about the BDR which are blatantly, utterly and completely wrong. I do not believe the Prime Minister …
Ms LAWRIE: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The Prime Minister indicated statistics were down in Darwin, Palmerston and Alice Springs. She indicated they had increased in Tennant Creek. You are wrong.
Madam SPEAKER: Opposition Leader, there is no point of order.
Mr ELFERINK: Madam Speaker, the Prime Minister was verballed by the Leader of the Opposition to support a policy that did not work. That has been statistically demonstrated in this House on a number of occasions.
There were 2.9% more alcohol-related offences during 2011-12, which was the period of operation of the Banned Drinker Registration, than in the year 2010-11. Alcohol-related crime went up, albeit marginally - we are talking 2.9%, but up - under the operation of a system which the previous government said would make those numbers come down substantially. They poured millions of dollars into a system - I cannot remember the exact figure, but it was about $4m or $5m ...
Mr Tollner: $20m.
Mr ELFERINK: ... $20m into a system which oversaw an increase of alcohol-related assaults in the community of 2.9%. What was the Prime Minister talking about and who provided those numbers? Those are my questions. The Prime Minister was talking about a set of numbers which had domestic violence assault figures removed from them. The Leader of the Opposition, in informing the Prime Minister, has clearly demonstrated she believes there is no link between domestic violence and alcohol-related assaults. That misinformation led to the Prime Minister being embarrassed. This Leader of the Opposition will stop at nothing to get messages out no matter what falsehood she has to perpetrate to achieve it. Leader of the Opposition, was the current candidate for Wanguri working for you in providing those statistics to the Prime Minister at the time?
Ms LAWRIE: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The Leader of Government Business well knows I cannot answer questions in Question Time. I would love to be able to.
Madam SPEAKER: Your time has expired.
State of NT Public Service
Mr HIGGINS to MINISTER for PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT
Can you update the House on the state of the public service in the Northern Territory?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Daly for his question. The opposition must have been bitterly disappointed last week when the Commissioner for Public Employment released the December quarterly figures for the public sector. The spin from the opposition that things are so terrible and 600 public servants have lost their jobs in the Northern Territory is complete and utter nonsense and, supported by these quarterly figures, must have been devastating to the argument of the opposition.
We, as the new government, support the public service; it plays a vital role in delivering frontline services and infrastructure to communities across the Northern Territory.
As government, we could not do our business without a strong, effective and efficient public service.
Ms LAWRIE: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Why are you sacking public servants?
Madam SPEAKER: That is not a point of order, please be seated.
Mrs LAMBLEY: Madam Speaker, the opposition would have you believe we have sacked 600 since coming to government. That is not true. I will explain these figures in the next few minutes if the opposition will allow me.
Mr GUNNER: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The figure of 600 is from her mini-budget.
Madam SPEAKER: It is not a point of order.
Mrs LAMBLEY: The figures the Commissioner gave us were that 19 989 full-time equivalent positions in the Northern Territory public service during the December quarter constituted an increase of 645 positions from the year before. In the five years to December 2012, the Northern Territory public service grew 23.8% thanks to the opposition. In the same period, contract officer positions - the amount of money invested increased by $45m - an increase of 245 executive positions in the last five years of the Labor government.
The amount of waste and expenditure the former government spent in the public service is shameful, bloated up like a ...
Ms LAWRIE: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Why are you paying your men $1m for six months?
Madam SPEAKER: Sit down, Opposition Leader. There is no point of order.
Mrs LAMBLEY: Labor spin doctor and captain’s pick, Nicole Manison, was the author of a release on this issue full of Labor lies and mistruths stating there had already been a reduction of 600 public servants ...
Ms LAWRIE: A point of order, Madam Speaker! She used the word ‘lies’. You have ruled out misleading, what about lies?
Ms LAMBLEY: ‘Mistruths’, I said. Open your ears!
Mr TOLLNER: A point of order, Madam Speaker. The Deputy Chief Minister referred to ‘Labor lies’, talking about a group of people not an individual.
Madam SPEAKER: Thank you, member for Fong Lim, please be seated. Your time has expired.
Motor Vehicle Registry –
Government Policy
Ms LEE to MINISTER for TRANSPORT
Can you update the House on any changes to the number of people attending Motor Vehicle Registry? How many Country Liberal government policies and incentives help make registering the car or renewing licences easier and more convenient?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Arnhem for her important question. People would be aware that since coming into government, and me taking the Transport portfolio, we have undertaken a number of initiatives designed to encourage people not to go to MVR.
Back in the old days under the Labor regime you had to turn up with War and Peace while you waited to be served. Since coming to government, we have put in place Saturday morning trading and a number of initiatives which now means you can walk into MVR with just the NT News and not even get through it before you are served. Congratulations to the MVR staff.
One of the initiatives we are working on is encouraging people to do more online registration and licence renewals. We have seen an increase of 165% online registrations to the point where 45% of all vehicle registrations are done online. Licence renewals have increased substantially - 17%. We expect licence renewals to continue even further.
We are putting these initiatives in place because we know the demands on MVR were significant over the previous 11 years of the Labor government. It is my directive and interest to make it an environment where people do not have to go to MVR if they do not want to.
People talk about the cost of living and the impacts on people’s lives. The cost of living impact on people having to wait at MVR was substantial. We are removing that. We are upgrading the Internet system so people have better opportunities to pay their registration online. We are negotiating with Australia Post so people will be able to go to Australia Post. A range of other things is coming on.
I encourage people to have their vehicles inspected by a licensed inspector and support private motor mechanics rather than go to MVR. There are a range of other options, and I will continue to put in place measures to encourage people to use other time-saving initiatives, including online initiatives. It is a fantastic initiative. I thank the Transport Department for being so efficient driving the reforms at MVR.
It is an exciting time and we will see a range of new opportunities and adventures down this path. Getting people out of MVR is my motivating factor. We do not want to have people lining up all the time. You will see progressive changes in this area over coming months.
Gove Gas Deal with Pacific Aluminium
Ms WALKER to CHIEF MINISTER
The deal you announced yesterday to provide gas to Gove was exactly the same as requested by Pacific Aluminium four months ago. You said you had advice from Power and Water that this would result in power increases of 75%. Will you table that advice? Will you also table advice which shows the deal you have just made exposes the Territory to extraordinary and unacceptable risk as you have claimed on so many occasions?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for her question. For the edification of the member concerned about this matter …
Ms Walker: I speak on behalf of Gove people.
Mr MILLS: I am addressing you in that capacity, honourable member.
Ms Walker: I have not heard a thank you.
Ms Lawrie: Table the advice.
Mr MILLS: Oh, good heavens!
Madam SPEAKER: Order! The Chief Minister has the call.
Mr MILLS: A substantive statement will be presented to this Chamber today on this important matter. What may be difficult for you to grasp, in your eagerness to find some position, is there were very real levels of exposure which needed to be properly understood then reduced. Each of those have been identified and responded to.
Where you may be finding it difficult to get your head around this is, as the Country Liberals, in our DNA we think in the long term. It is not just about a four-year frame: ‘Let us make all the people feel good because we care’. We have acted and identified the risk and been able to take a careful decision which has put in new factors to reduce that level of exposure.
If you want a private briefing, I can organise that if you are so interested. I have complimented you publicly and will do it again. In your own community you played an important and significant role at a very difficult time for the people of Nhulunbuy. If I had more time I would have spent it in Nhulunbuy, but I did not. I only had two weeks coming into government. This was given to me and I have worked tirelessly with the support of my colleagues …
Ms Walker: Four months to get to Gove.
Mr MILLS: Yes. You obviously missed the first part of this. There are complexities to this which will be outlined in more detail in the statement. However, rest assured there was exposure – an element of risk. That risk has been identified, understood and reduced in significant ways.
Ms WALKER: A point of order, Madam Speaker! I have specifically asked for the Chief Minister to table two different pieces of advice.
Mr Elferink: The statement will be tabled in a short time.
Ms WALKER: Yes, I have read the statement and they are not in it. I am asking if he will table that advice.
Mr MILLS: I am more than happy to explain any aspect of this if you are willing to have it understood in a broader context. However, if I find you want to deal with this information just to advance some private agenda that is of no real help to the community, I am not particularly interested. There will be a statement.
Madam SPEAKER: Your time has expired.
Rally outside Parliament House –
Chief Minister’s Attendance
Mr GUNNER to CHIEF MINISTER
At lunchtime, Territorians will be protesting outside Parliament House against your broken promises, price hikes, pork barrelling and spending cuts such as scrapping the Jaws of Life. You described the power and water hikes as a superficial issue. Will you address the rally today and explain why paying $2000 more on a power and water bill is a superficial issue?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for his question. We have a five-point plan and the first part of it is to cut Labor’s waste and reduce the debt. By doing that, you are then able to provide a better standard of living for Territorians. If you foolishly think - and I do not believe you think - you could reduce the cost of living magically, that is not how the real world works.
Mr McCARTHY: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The question was, will the Chief Minister explain this to the rally at lunchtime outside Parliament House today?
Madam SPEAKER: There is no point of order.
Mr MILLS: I was going to the five-point plan. Do not be concerned. Stay on your horse because ...
Ms Lawrie: You could be accountable, but you are not.
Mr MILLS: I am glad you remember the fifth point – accountability, I will get there. The second is to ensure we have a strong law and order position; the third is to ensure we plan properly; the fourth is to expand the Territory economy. Every one of those, and our 100-day plan, we have achieved. The fifth one is accountability. Unlike the former Labor government - you would never see hide nor hair of them when there was an angry crowd outside - I have no problem standing in front of that crowd because I believe in freedom of speech.
I believe people have the opportunity presented in this great society to make their point. I will hear that point and will stand there, no problem, unlike the former Labor government. I never saw you front up to anything. You would pay someone to stand in the front. Henderson did not stand out front in Alice Springs. He stayed in the Chamber. I am not that type of Chief Minister.
Mr McCarthy: See you at 12, Terry.
Mr MILLS: I will be there. Sorry to disappoint you.
Darwin Bus Network
Mr STYLES to MINISTER for TRANSPORT
Can you advise the House on any Country Liberals government initiatives that are improving passenger amenities and services on the Darwin bus network?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Sanderson for a great question. I was excited to be travelling on one of the Darwin buses yesterday. I congratulate three of my departments. It is not very common to talk about three portfolio areas. The Department of Transport, the Department of Infrastructure and the Department of Corporate Information Services have come forward together to put WiFi on Darwin buses ...
Mr McCARTHY: A point of order, Madam Speaker! I am glad to hear the new CLP minister acknowledge a Labor initiative. He can sit down now.
Madam SPEAKER: There is no point of order, member for Barkly. Minister.
Mr GILES: Thank you, Madam Speaker. The transition from opposition into government and government to opposition can be quite difficult. Some people fit into their roles very well, some do not. I imagine going from a minister’s position to an opposition person’s position is very hard, but it is good to see the member for Barkly, the opposition’s spokesperson for Transport, is still keeping the transport initiative alive. He has taken to dressing like Hector the Road Safety Cat. Congratulations, shadow minister, you are doing a great job.
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, please tone down your language in regard to other people’s dress.
Mr GILES: Sorry, Madam Speaker. It was not a negative on his dress; it was reflective when I walked into the Chamber. The WiFi initiative yesterday was really exciting. I note the interjection saying it was a Labor initiative. Did you know for the last two years there have been two buses driving around Darwin with WiFi enabled capacity that was never enabled? I said I wanted WiFi on the buses and at the interchanges. At 10 am yesterday Palmerston, Casuarina and Darwin bus interchanges had free WiFi turned on. There was a testing period and it was turned on yesterday at 10 am.
I jumped on a bus at 2 pm yesterday at Darwin Bus Interchange, got on my phone and checked it out. That bus is now operating. There are two buses driving around Darwin - for anyone who catches routes 9 and 10, they now have free WiFi on them 90 minutes a day with 100 MB. If that model does not work we can increase it, but 90 minutes and 100 MB is what we have started with. Next week three more buses will be turned on. I advise the House and the general public that route 4 will start next week; the other two routes have not been confirmed yet.
From March, there will be two buses in Alice Springs. What an exciting initiative. This is part of the new modern age of how we do things with public transport.
These guys over here did nothing. They are not sure of the Internet and how it works. We are getting a modern public transport fleet which allows people greater connectivity. It mends fences, builds bridges, all these things, and people are able to connect. It will improve productivity for people who want to catch the bus and provide a greater initiative for people to use public transport.
I thank the department and encourage all Territorians to catch the bus and use the free WiFi.
Tracy Village Social and Sports Club
– Government Support
– Government Support
Mr WOOD to CHIEF MINISTER
Tracy Village Social and Sports Club has 45 poker machines. In 2010-11 and 2011-12 it was the fifth most popular pokie venue of all clubs in the NT. According to the annual report of the NT Licensing Commission, from the 45 poker machines the nett loss to players last financial year was $4.3m, up from $3.9m the previous year.
Do you agree with the local independent CLP member, Kezia Purick, that your government’s gift of $100 000 is putting a sporting club which does not really need the money above a rural fire service that does need the money and saves lives and property?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for his question. You run a fairly simple argument when you have a sporting club that, in spite of some commentary around this, expressed its need for greater security going forward. That need has been carried and represented very well by the candidate, Rihanna Harker, and it is on that basis that a sporting club I have been aware of for some time has had some difficult ...
Ms WALKER: A point of order, Madam Speaker! If the Arnhem Club, which is going through difficult times at the moment, asks for $100 000 will it get it?
Madam SPEAKER: Please be seated. It is not a point of order. Chief Minister you have the call.
Mr MILLS: A sporting club compared to the other argument run is a fairly stark contrast. I suppose it makes a start ...
Ms FYLES: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Will Nightcliff Sports Club get the $25 000 …
Madam SPEAKER: Please be seated. It is not a point of order. Chief Minister.
Mr GILES: A point of order, Madam Speaker! It is fantastic we have a candidate who speaks up. It is a pity Labor members do not talk about clubs in their electorates.
Madam SPEAKER: Please be seated. It is not a point of order, member for Braitling. Chief Minister
Mr MILLS: It sounds like some kind of distorted jealousy, but a real need was expressed and has been responded to. The club does a tremendous job servicing a number of ...
Ms LAWRIE: A point of order, Madam Speaker! There was a $25 000 election commitment from the CLP to the Nightcliff Sports Club which has since been reneged on.
Madam SPEAKER: Please be seated, Opposition Leader, it is not a point of order. Chief Minister, you have the call.
Mr MILLS: It has obviously stirred a hornet’s nest of unrequited need which has not been expressed to anyone except across the Chamber.
Do your work as local members. If you have some concerns put your case, as Rhianna Harker has done so well. Thank you.
Mr WOOD: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The question was not answered. It was whether the Chief Minister agreed with your statement, Madam Speaker.
Madam SPEAKER: Your time has expired.
Funds for CLP Election Campaign – Indigenous Organisations
Mr McCARTHY to CHIEF MINISTER
Chief Minister, the member for Arnhem has admitted to using funds from the Jawoyn Association. Will you inform the House if there are any other Indigenous associations or organisations from which the CLP used money for the election campaign in 2012?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for his question. Every process has been followed properly. If you want to check these things, check them. If you need help to find things on the public record, I will give you a hand. What about from the Labor Party? Will you disclose all those matters? They are on the public record, look for yourself and if you need a hand see us and we will help you.
Tracy Village Social and Sports Club - Government Support
Mr KURRUPUWU to MINISTER for SPORT and RECREATION
Minister, can you please inform the House how the government is supporting Tracy Village Social and Sports Club and how that support will help the long-term viability of the club and add to the enjoyment of people who use the facilities?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for his question. I am happy to answer it. I will quote from a statement made by Tracy Village President, Paul Coggin, today. He said:
I would like to clarify comments in today’s media regarding a $100 000 grant from the Northern Territory Government.
Discussions with the Country Liberals candidate, Rhianna Harker, had been taking place for a number of months with the club’s previous administration.
I was amazed and delighted when I was informed yesterday that the club had been given this much-needed financial boost.
The club currently has a $5m debt and this commitment by government will assist in easing some of the financial pressures.
Half of the money will be used to finance a business plan to ensure the club’s long-term financial viability and the other half will be used to maintain and enhance the sports facilities that are used by thousands of children in Darwin’s northern suburbs every year.
That says it all.
Member for Arnhem –
Alleged Misuse of Jawoyn Funds
Alleged Misuse of Jawoyn Funds
Mr McCARTHY to CHIEF MINISTER
Chief Minister, the member for Arnhem said she immediately returned the Jawoyn mobile telephone she was using following the election. Was she telling the truth? How do you explain the remarkable coincidence that the bill for that phone shows it was used from locations where the member for Arnhem happened to be for months after the election?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for his question. Well, Sherlock, there is an investigation under way and I am sure all will come to light in due time.
Member for Arnhem - Alleged Misuse
of Jawoyn Funds
of Jawoyn Funds
Ms LAWRIE to CHIEF MINISTER
You have been asked questions about the member for Arnhem who admitted in a statement that she used the Jawoyn Association’s car and phone, and received funds assistance from the Jawoyn Association. These are not matters to hide behind the cloak of ‘they are under investigation’. You have been consistently asked in Question Time today what your views are. Are your views that use of these funds intended to alleviate poverty is ethical and morally acceptable? This is not a matter of investigation; this is your view as Chief Minister as to whether or not the use of funds designed for the alleviation of poverty for an election campaign is moral or ethically acceptable? It has nothing to do with the investigation. Answer the question!
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for her question. The Opposition Leader is asking me for an opinion. My opinion remains founded on a basic and important principle. Though many things are said about many people, I do not form a view until I have had that verified for myself, let alone be subject to this kind of exchange in a parliament where accusations are made - which some have referred to as coward’s castle - in the Chamber and then demanding some kind of response which is, effectively, my opinion.
My opinion rests on a solid objective basis, that is, once a thorough investigation is conducted then I am in a position to make a comment. However, the subjective nature of the material you are releasing across the Chamber, couched in an accusation, is not the arena in which I operate. On that basis, I will continue to maintain my position and the position of this government, which is the presumption of innocence, and not enter into the tawdry arena you want to entice us into. We will not go there because these matters have to be dealt with properly. This is a parliament. We are dealing with serious issues. They need to be attended to with a proper attitude and you do not display that.
School and Public Buses in Muirhead
Ms LEE to MINISTER for TRANSPORT
Can you inform the residents of Muirhead in the electorate of Wanguri what is happening with school and public buses in Muirhead? Can you also inform the House what you are doing to address the situation?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Arnhem for her important question about buses. It is interesting to chat to the Country Liberals’ candidate for Wanguri in this weekend’s by-election about some of the issues she is identifying as she doorknocks. One that comes up is bus access into Muirhead. She has asked if I can look at it, and it is something I have already been looking into. I am happy to update the House on some of the issues around bussing at Muirhead.
As the Minister for Lands, Planning and the Environment will attest to, effective planning identifies and plans the needs for people in liveable and sustainable communities. It takes into account the desirable social, environmental, and economic outcomes and develops strategies to achieve those outcomes.
The important thing about transport planning in regard to buses is it identifies desirable transport outcomes and accessibility needs and the delivery of different transport modes including infrastructure and services; integrates with other community plans, services and initiatives; and accommodates private sector interests.
It is interesting to talk about the issues Rhianna has identified to me and look through Muirhead. Muirhead is a part of the electorate of Wanguri. It is an area of growth. It is a greenfield development site and an area where you would expect public buses to be servicing on a ready basis.
The whole site is not developed at the moment - that is continuing - but there are a number of residents there. It is interesting when you take those planning principles I spoke about in regard to the Lands, Planning and the Environment minister and put them in the context of buses, growth and population. We know WiFi is coming and improving the public transport sector. However, did you know in Muirhead the roads were not designed to fit a bus? You cannot fit buses down the roads in Muirhead. We have the same issue in parts of Bellamack.
In my electorate of Braitling, Teague Crescent at Larapinta near where the seniors village was built by the previous Housing minister, Dr Burns …
Mr GUNNER: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Does the minister share the Chief Minister’s concerns that seniors in Muirhead might use the buses as public transport?
Madam SPEAKER: There is no point of order.
Mr GILES: Madam Speaker, we are trying to find solutions in public transport for the people of Muirhead but it is difficult because we cannot get a bus down the street ...
Mr McCARTHY: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Modern planning principles use a 400 m radius to provide bus services ...
Madam SPEAKER: There is no point of order. Please be seated, member for Barkly.
Mr GILES: Madam Speaker, I can advise the department is installing a temporary bus stop on Lee Point Road - the area where we have fulfilled a $5m electoral commitment to duplicate Lee Point Road - to allow Muirhead residents and students to catch buses until the infrastructure is completed ...
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, your time has expired.
Mr GILES: Madam Speaker, make no mistake, the Country Liberals will always plan better.
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