2016-02-09
Business Confidence
Mr GUNNER to CHIEF MINISTER
According to the December 2015 Sensis Business Index, business confidence in the Northern Territory has slumped. The Northern Territory has the second-lowest business confidence in Australia. A total of 40% of Territory businesses believe the economy is slowing, and attitudes towards Northern Territory government policies now stand at minus-4%. This slump in Territory confidence is damaging our future and driving more Territorians away to live down south. When will you accept that your policies are damaging our economy and costing Territorians their jobs?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, business confidence is down in the Northern Territory, particularly in the Top End. The one reason business confidence is down in the Top End is because at every chance a Labor spokesman gets on radio, in the media, in a community group or at somebody’s door and talks down the Northern Territory. I have not heard a Labor spokesperson not talk down the Northern Territory economy recently. Whether they talk about a vacant shop or someone who did not win a tender, they are talking down the Northern Territory economy.
The fact is we are the shining light of jurisdictions around the country. We have the lowest unemployment rate, the highest labour force participation rate and the lowest CPI in the country. Our house prices and petrol prices continue to drop; our investment continues to rise ...
Mr GUNNER: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Standing Order 110: relevance. Confidence in the Chief Minister has slumped amongst businesses. Does he refuse to hear what businesses are saying and will he answer the question? Will you accept that your policies are damaging the economy?
Madam SPEAKER: Sit down, member for Fannie Bay. Chief Minister, you have the call.
Mr GILES: Labor’s approach to the economy in the Northern Territory is driving down business confidence. As I said, our economic indicators are up, as is investment, employment, construction and everything. Confidence is coming down because you continue to talk the Territory down. Let me highlight one area where you have eroded confidence. You spoke the other day of your jobs plan, which copied CLP policy, I must add. Creativity is all about hiding plagiarism. Well, in this case, your plagiarism has been found and you were not creative. I thought the jobs plan was about creating jobs in the Northern Territory, but your jobs plan is not; it is about getting rid of jobs in the Northern Territory.
If you want to talk about confidence, let us look at your unguided, ill-informed proposed moratorium on gas. With your local jobs plan you have put a $1bn investment in a gas pipeline, with 900 jobs, 300 of which are in Tennant Creek, at risk.
Right now there are five major companies investing in the Northern Territory: Pangaea; Origin; Santos; INPEX; and Central Petroleum. They are investing about – back of the envelope – $200m each this year, making it $1bn. A gas pipeline of $1bn!
You want to talk about why business confidence is down? It is because businesses have no confidence in the opposition or its economic credentials and job-eroding plans ...
Madam SPEAKER: Chief Minister, your time has expired.
Fracking Moratorium
Mrs FINOCCHIARO to CHIEF MINISTER
Can you please describe what impact a moratorium on fracking would have on the gas pipeline and investment in the Territory?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Drysdale for her question. I know she is concerned as much as I am.
I have just outlined how $2bn worth of investment in the Northern Territory is in jeopardy. The Deloitte’s report into the shale gas industry in the Northern Territory talks about the creation of 6000 jobs in the gas industry alone. They are all gone according to Labor’s proposed moratorium.
I have mentioned the 900 jobs in relation to the construction of the gas pipeline. Let us look at that. That is jobs in the port, the transport industry and developing Tennant Creek. Tennant Creek residents must be very upset at the moment.
How long would this proposed moratorium last, Leader of the Opposition? When Labor does not understand something, it bans it. Look what it did to the live cattle industry. It did not understand it, so banned it and killed an industry, plus the supply chain. You are doing exactly the same thing.
Let us look at what some industry spokespeople said. I talk about private individuals. There is a group called the Stuart Plateau Best Practice Group. Its spokesperson, Mr Keith Holzwart, noted:
- For the Labor Party to entice investors in, provide the licences …
That is when they were in government:
- … and then scare the investors away just when the works were about to begin is horribly disappointing.
How long would your moratorium last, Leader of the Opposition? Is this just to be populous, to get Green preferences or hold the member for Karama at bay in your internal Labor battles? What is it all about, Leader of the Opposition? Why would you, in government, issue gas licences over traditional Aboriginal land and communities such as Maningrida, and tourism places such as Watarrka National Park? Why would you put all of those there and now say you want a moratorium? Is this just populism at the time of an election?
You are jeopardising $2bn worth of investment with 6000 jobs and the extra benefits downstream, plus $1bn in royalties between 2020 and 2040 which we have committed to further education opportunities for Territorians. Shame on you!
Employment
Mr GUNNER to CHIEF MINISTER
John from Wanguri called into the ABC’s Adam Steer’s program on Wednesday 3 February and said, ‘I had a listen to Mr Giles here this morning and the only thing he got right was that the Territory is a great place to be, a great place to live, but there is no work here, mate. It is dead. It has been dead for a long time. It is going to get deader. Been here 15 years and I have never been out of work for eight weeks before, never been out of work before actually in my life. I have three months to survive and then I am gone.’
John from Wanguri has been in the Territory longer than you have and does not agree with you. When will you start listening to Territorians like John who are doing it tough because of your failed policies?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I do not know who John from Wanguri is, so I will not cast aspersions on him. Clearly he is not a member of a union because he would be a Labor candidate.
Everybody has individual circumstances, and times can be tough for some who are unemployed and looking for a job.
The best place to find a job in Australia is in the Northern Territory, because we have the lowest unemployment rate. We also have the highest labour force participation rate in the Territory of about 75% – I will use round numbers. That is people who are in a job, looking for a job or in training. The rest of the country is at about 62%. There are more people in our workforce yet still we have the lowest unemployment rate, in the low 4%. If John is one of those people in the low 4%, I feel for him.
Our economic investment …
Ms FYLES: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Standing Order 110: relevance. We have never lost more Territorians through moving down south. When will you accept that your policies are not working?
Madam SPEAKER: That is not a point of order. Please be seated. Chief Minister, you have the call.
Mr GILES: Never has there been a better opportunity to get a job in the Northern Territory. As I said, not everybody is working and not everybody’s circumstances are the best.
When we came to government we had a one-shot-in-the-locker economy. There was INPEX and gas – which the Leader of the Opposition wants to ban – in one big project, which was a great investment in the Northern Territory and something I fully support. But there was nothing else.
We had seen 10 years of tourism and mining going backwards. We saw the live cattle trade ban. There was no investment in agriculture. You could not get a water licence in the Northern Territory because, like cattle, they were also banned, as was land clearing.
You need a firm plan for jobs and that is why we have an economic plan which includes energy, resources, mining, education and tourism. We are making sure there are jobs in the Northern Territory. We set up an additional 900 jobs in a gas pipeline and have created the opportunity for 6000 jobs in the gas industry, and you have trashed them.
The real question is when you were talking about your jobs plan, Leader of the Opposition, was it about getting rid of jobs? That is the only thing happening with your erosion of business confidence ...
Madam SPEAKER: Chief Minister, your time has expired.
Economy – State of
Mr BARRETT to TREASURER
It is quite pertinent that my next question to the Treasurer follows on from the fantastic question the Leader of the Opposition just asked.
Given recent comments by the Opposition Leader about his commitment to grow 14 000 jobs a year, could you outline to the House the real facts about jobs growth under a Labor government and the reality of the state of the Northern Territory economy in relation to Australia and the rest of the world? You have three minutes. It is a big ask, so good luck.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Blain for the question and the Opposition Leader for getting to the topic of jobs. There is nothing we on this side of the Chamber like talking about more than jobs.
To put things into context, it is interesting to note that the rest of the world is facing some pretty big economic headwinds. Europe is facing some enormous social and economic challenges, the US is coming out slowly from the bottom and China’s demand growth is dropping. The federal government has a huge debt and deficit problem courtesy of the previous Labor government. Things are looking tough around the world.
We had a plan when we came to government three years ago. We knew tough times would come at some stage, and we took steps to deal with these problems. First we tackled Labor’s projected $5.5bn debt with a plan to diversify and grow the economy. We have a plan to continue that.
The Opposition Leader claimed recently that in government he will create 14 000 jobs per year. That is a great aspiration, Leader of the Opposition. You should wind your clock back to a few years ago when Labor was in government and boasted about the jobs it created. The most it could ever brag about creating in one year was 3000 jobs. To do that, the then Treasurer spent $1.5bn priming the economy.
Effectively, the Opposition Leader is now saying he will create 14 000 jobs. Based on Labor’s calculations, that would equate to them having to spend about $5bn every year for 14 000 jobs. That is almost the entirety of Labor’s projected debt in just one year.
It is probably fair to say that his plan is economically unviable and not based on any reality at all. Again, it is another fantasyland idea from the Leader of the Opposition. As the Chief Minister highlighted, at the same time that he is creating 14 000 jobs, he is killing the onshore gas industry.
I was in Sydney late last week talking to some of our onshore producers who are threatening to pull out of the Territory. Clearly there is a threat to whether the pipeline will proceed now. There is a lot of uncertainty. If people are worried about business confidence and why it is slipping, the one place to look would be at all the members on the other side of the Chamber.
Crime and Antisocial Behaviour
in Darwin and Palmerston
in Darwin and Palmerston
Ms LAWRIE to MINISTER for POLICE, FIRE and EMERGENCY SERVICES
Last night about 10 shops in the Star Village had their windows broken. Residents in Karama and Malak are constantly on Facebook talking about break and enters, and theft of motor vehicles and belongings. I hear these stories from Palmerston as well. Across Darwin and Palmerston people are complaining about a dramatic increase in crime. People are also complaining about high numbers of itinerants hanging around shopping centres and parks, and an increase in antisocial behaviour.
Exactly what will you do to tackle this rise in crime? It is very real. You can throw some gammon stats out but it is happening on the ground. You promised to cut crime by 10%. It is increasing, it is real, and people are very upset. What are you doing?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, it is a fantastic question except that it is misguided. The suggestion with that question is that crime only became a problem in the Territory when the Country Liberals came to government. Crime is something that unfortunately has always been a part of not only the Northern Territory but Australia and the world. Police officers do a fantastic job protecting our streets wherever you are across this country.
Since this government was elected in 2012 there has been a dramatic turnaround and focus on improving things across police and law enforcement, not only in strengthening legislation but also providing the right tools for police. There is also a massive increase in the number of police we have on the beat today compared to when we had a Labor government before 2012.
We have invested heavily in CCTV cameras and invigorated strategies for involving the community. I applaud people going on social networks like Facebook because it promotes awareness for people in the community. The Chief Minister answered this question today in a media conference we held. We do not want people to put their safety at risk on our streets. We would much prefer that if they see something happening in our suburbs, they report it and allow police to do their job.
The pseudo-Labor member for Karama has suggested that ...
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, refer to the member for Karama as the member for Karama.
Mr CHANDLER: The member for Karama referred to what this government is doing in regard to dealing with law and order, but she does not want me to refer to statistics. It is like the Opposition Leader said earlier, ‘We will just listen to Joe Bloggs or whoever it is and stats are not important’. Statistics are important because they give a very clear indication of where the police need to focus their resources. The additional police on the beat and the actions police are taking today are remarkable. The statistics will tell you that across the Territory crime is down about 10%. But it will always be a hard argument to sell.
As the Chief Minister said today at a media conference …
Ms LAWRIE: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Standing Order 110: relevance. Crime is increasing across Darwin and Palmerston. What will you do about it?
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, if you could get to the point, please.
Mr CHANDLER: Madam Speaker, I have made the point repeatedly. The fact is our police do an amazing job. We have increased police resources in the Northern Territory and added CCTV cameras and other tools such as strengthened legislation. The police do a fantastic job and should be supported.
I again ask Territorians, if they want to be involved, to report the crimes they see. It helps with the intelligence for police to do their job. They are doing an amazing job. Crime is down across the Territory.
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, your time has expired.
Aboriginal Affairs Strategy
Mr KURRUPUWU to CHIEF MINISTER
Can you outline what the government hopes to achieve with its Aboriginal affairs strategy?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Arafura for his question. It was great to be joined by the member for Arafura and many other members of the Country Liberals last night in the launch of the Aboriginal affairs strategy in the main hall. Thank you very much for allowing us to host it there, Madam Speaker. I also thank the members for Nelson and Nhulunbuy, who were present. It was an opportunity for us to showcase everything we have been doing in Indigenous affairs.
When we started presenting this strategy I knew many detractors would ask why we are doing this three-and-a-half years into government. The answer is simple. It is because we were running with our policies a long time ago and wanted to collate them. A few examples of how successful we have been fall through the employment phase. It also looks at some areas where we need to improve, but particularly how successful we have been.
The key areas of the strategy are focused around the areas of employment, economic development and decentralisation. I will quickly touch on decentralisation. We know when Labor was in it shut all the community councils, centralised everything through the shires and took away the people’s voices. It took housing management from communities and centralised it in Darwin.
Part of our philosophical platform is handing back control, through a careful procedure, to give governance and effective administration to communities in a range of areas. One area, for example, is 40% of health centres in communities are community controlled. We want to get that to 100%. We are in negotiations now with one or two specifically but we have a program to get that to 100%.
On the employment front, we simply want to double Indigenous employment in the public service from 8% to 16% by 2020. We are already on target. We have seen that increase to 9.5%, and congratulations.
We wanted to see more Indigenous employment outcomes through government contracting. We started two years ago with about 40 Indigenous Territorians employed through government procurement. We have now built that up to 579 in the last 12 months. Congratulations to the Department of Infrastructure and all client agencies who have worked very hard to make this change. Policy such as the provisional sum arrangement has been orchestrated and implemented by DoI and is causing a fantastic change and outcome.
There are other areas, such as our business engagement. DoB, through minister Styles, is seeing a threefold increase in business engagement, developing new Aboriginal businesses. There is a lot more to be said and done, but three minutes does not allow me to.
Again, thanks for allowing us to host the launch in the Main Hall of Parliament House. There are many people’s lives changing for the better in the Territory.
Economy – State of
Ms MANISON to MINISTER for BUSINESS
According to your own government data, motor vehicle sales are down 4.3%, the second-worst result in the nation. Retail trade growth is the worst in the nation. Building activity is down 22.8%, the worst in Australia. ANZ job advertisements were down 19.5% in December 2015. Yet last week on Mix FM, you said that we are travelling very well in the Territory. When will you start listening to Territorians who are hurting because of your failed policies?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, obviously those opposite do not read many documents or look at the situation. We have listened to the Chief Minister answer some questions on this matter already. There are some people who are doing well, but any economy is dynamic.
In answer to one of your previous questions, the Treasurer spoke about the world situation. The OECD countries are all doing it pretty tough. We are leading the country. When the Leader of the Opposition, who obviously does not read this material, was quoting CommSec, he was looking at a 10-year average. Those figures are taken over 10 years ...
Ms Manison: Look at it now.
Mr STYLES: I pick up on the interjection. Your leader, who does not quite understand what is happening, is trying to say this is a recent figure. The CommSec figure he is quoting is taken on a 10-year average, so you have to read it to understand it. The Leader of the Opposition is not telling you what I will quote from that CommSec report …
Ms FYLES: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Standing Order 110: relevance. It was a very direct question. When will you start listening to Territorians? There is data in front of you showing …
Madam SPEAKER: No, it is not a point of order. There was a preamble to the question and the minister has a bit of latitude to get to the answer.
Mr STYLES: I will have to go back again for those watching and listening. This is what the Opposition Leader is not telling you. I quote from the CommSec report:
- The Territory is still performing strongly in a range of indicators ranking first construction work … and second for economic growth, business investment and unemployment.
I could go on quoting all sorts of things but that is very pertinent. What you do not understand and Labor is not telling people is that the Territory is still performing really well.
Sure, there are concerns. Over the last three years we have had so many issues to fix, some of which were explained by the Treasurer, such as the $5.5bn projected debt and our rating by Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s rating agencies. We were headed for bankruptcy. When we took over government, there was only a certain amount we could do in four years. We have been cleaning up so many problems that Labor left us.
We listened to business. The Leader of the Opposition talked about his jobs plan and business plan, which is an exact lift from us. Copying is one of the greatest forms of flattery, and we are flattered that you have endorsed what we are doing for Territorians. However, you have to look at what you are doing to the business community.
The Chief Minister said earlier that Australia is the best place to be. Treasurers and commentators are saying this is one of the best places to be in Australia. The unemployment figure around Darwin is less than 1% and 4% overall. The Leader of the Opposition could not get that right. He reckons it is 6.2%. You have to read the facts, members of the opposition, before you come here …
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, your time has expired.
Bush Policies – CLP
Mr CONLAN to MINISTER for LOCAL GOVERNMENT and COMMUNITY SERVICES
Along with many other members of this House, I witnessed 11 years of failure, delays and broken promises from the former Labor government. Can you please update the House on how the Country Liberals are delivering for the bush?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Greatorex for his question about delivering for the bush. I am proud to say the Country Liberal Party government is fulfilling its election promise of providing a stronger local voice for the bush communities and a greater say for the people in the bush – for local people.
There is now greater accountability for service delivery across local projects and regional areas. The Country Liberals’ local authorities model is delivering. Labor’s super shire model failed communities and Indigenous people, and did nothing for the bush.
The Country Liberals government has given a voice back to the bush through a better, more representative local authority model, and it is working. Local authorities are running well in 63 remote communities, with 724 members of the local authorities now having a say in their own communities.
There have been 323 meetings and 697 actions raised by regional councils. The numbers speak for themselves. The Country Liberals government has strengthened the local voice in the bush. The level of participation and investment by the Country Liberals in local priority projects being rolled out across the Territory is outstanding. There has been $5m invested in local authorities. Projects vary from new playgrounds and upgrades to sporting facilities through to cemetery beautification, shade structures, water tanks and street works. These on-the-ground local projects are the results of the Country Liberals’ local authorities, which want to make sure their communities do better. The people out there are determined to make a difference. It is the local people who decide. This has given them the much-needed voice that Labor did not give them. Labor neglected people in the bush.
Local authority priority projects to date have spent $470 00 in the Barkly Regional Council area; almost $0.5m in the Central Desert Regional Council area; over $1m in East Arnhem Land; $580 000 in the MacDonnell Regional Council area; $740 000 by the Roper Gulf Regional Council; $350 000 in the Tiwis; $300 000 in the Vic Daly region; over $600 000 in West Arnhem; and over $400 000 in the West Daly. These projects alone are a clear indication that the local voice in the bush has been strengthened and the councils are now more accountable for service delivery.
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, your time has expired.
Economic Policies of Government
Mr McCARTHY to MINISTER for BUSINESS
You seem like a compassionate man. Your economic policies are hurting real Territorians, who are voicing their concerns. Unfortunately, real Territorians are leaving in their droves from Gove, Darwin and Alice Springs.
Donna from Totally Workwear told ABC yesterday that grown men are crying because they cannot get work, some people are overcommitted and others just want to put food on the table.
Do you still think we are doing so very well? When will you start listening to these Territorians? What will you do about it? When will you readjust your economic policy?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, the first thing I thought the member for Barkly would ask about the 300 jobs in the jobs plan for people in Tennant Creek? What about the people in Tennant Creek who want a job to put food on the table? What are you doing for them?
The first thing you should be doing is talking to the Leader of the Opposition and getting him to reverse the Labor policy on getting rid of gas, because that is where the jobs will start. Then there are the other 6000 jobs. There is also all the transport. What about the transport involved in the gas industry? Well, the stuff that will …
Ms FYLES: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Standing Order 110: relevance. It was a very direct question and we want to hear the answer. When will you start listening to Territorians?
Madam SPEAKER: Thank you, member for Nightcliff.
Mr STYLES: For Territorians this means, when the Leader of the Opposition gets his way and has his gas moratorium, we will be turning the electricity off in Tennant Creek, Alice Springs and Yulara because there will be no gas to power the stations that give them their electricity.
What about businesses in Tennant Creek? We will not be able to manufacture anything, do anything or conduct any business there because there will not be any power. If you go to Tennant Creek in the night time the lights will be off; they will be in the dark. The first thing you should be asking about is your leader’s policy turning the lights off in Tennant Creek. It is a joke!
You talk about listening to people. We have listened. We have changed the procurement processes. Because you were not paying attention to the previous question, I have to remind you of the CommSec report:
- The Territory is still performing strongly in a range of indicators ranking first in construction work … and second for economic growth, business and investment and unemployment.
Does that tell you something? We are at the top in this country. If you think it is bad, it is; we have a problem. I will get to that in a moment.
People are coming from interstate because there is not much happening there. What happens? Because we are running a good economy, more people are coming here.
You talk about people leaving. I have been in the Territory nearly 35 years and I have seen people leave under different governments. However, we are still building houses and people are still moving here. What are we doing with the houses in …
Members interjecting.
Mr STYLES: You want schools in Bellamack. You want infrastructure because people are still coming here because the job opportunities are here.
We are running a good economy, but there are always issues and people who are suffering. In the next few weeks there will be some announcements in relation to some changes.
Let me talk about procurement. We inherited from the Labor government a system that was not working. The Leader of the Opposition said when he gets into government he will have a summit which all business people will attend. What he should be doing is talking to them now, not waiting until he reckons he will get into government. He should be talking to them ...
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, your time has expired.
Nhulunbuy Student Boarding Facility
Mr BARRETT to MINISTER for EDUCATION
I note that the tender for construction of the Nhulunbuy boarding facility has been awarded. Could the minister please update the House on the benefits of this facility and how that will provide for students in the Nhulunbuy region?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, there is fantastic news today that Norbuilt has been awarded the construction works for a new boarding facility at Nhulunbuy.
These are exciting times, particularly for the students in the East Arnhem area. For the first time they can go to a first-rate facility, which Nhulunbuy High School is. I am sure the member for Nhulunbuy would back me up on those comments. For the first time, these students can go to a first-rate high school without having to leave their region and travel to Darwin or perhaps interstate.
It is all part of the focus this government has on improving education, particularly for students in remote locations. Not only will this provide great infrastructure and an opportunity for students in East Arnhem Land, particularly in the Nhulunbuy region, but having a $20m facility is also a shot in the arm for the local economy.
I thank the federal government because it has stumped up about half the money for this facility. Not only will it create jobs within Nhulunbuy – again I am hoping that the member for Nhulunbuy will be on side with that – the fact is there will be some direct economic benefit to Nhulunbuy.
Ms Walker interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, member for Nhulunbuy!
Mr CHANDLER: All we will hear is carp, carp from the member for Nhulunbuy, who is not even interested in the students’ wellbeing and development or even the economic benefits this will bring to her town of Nhulunbuy. How could she complain about a government that wants to invest in her electorate and not one of ours? This cannot be seen as pork barrelling, only as focusing on improving Indigenous education, particularly in the East Arnhem area.
Look at this government’s achievement in Indigenous educational outcomes. We have a record number of Indigenous students passing their NTCET. We have more students in the Northern Territory who are passing their NTCET, no matter what colour they are or background they come from. These are amazing results on the back of a government that has reset the bar when it comes to education and is focusing on outcomes.
This is a great opportunity for Nhulunbuy. Norbuilt will do a fantastic job. It will stimulate the economy of Nhulunbuy and for the first time provide a great opportunity for students to get a first-rate education and not have to leave the region.
Licensing and Pokies
Mr WOOD to MINISTER for RACING, GAMING and LICENSING
It seems that there will be at least three new licences in Palmerston – the new Woolworths complex in Bakewell, the IGA in Rosebery and the Flynn Tavern – with a rumour that there will be an additional one in a proposed store in Bellamack. This is on top of the already 11 outlets in the Palmerston area. On top of that there are new pokies applications being approved for good measure. Could you say whether the government has a policy on liquor licences and pokies anymore, or is it full steam ahead regardless of the social issues that may arise? With an election coming up will your government accept any election donations from the alcohol industry?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nelson for his question. You have to create a level playing field. If you want businesses to invest – and we are hearing all about business, business confidence and business investment today – you have to look at the situation. The Director-General of Licensing considers every application ...
Mr Wood: Your policy.
Mr STYLES: I am trying to explain what happens, just so you understand. The Director-General of Licensing will look at every application and talk to a range of people. The department can talk to people by having public meetings and taking submissions so people can put their views. That is everyone’s right. Then the Director-General will look at the results.
There is a catchment atlas. I do not know whether you have ever seen it, but if you want a copy I will give you one. It points out what happens.
If someone wants to put another big venue in Mitchell Street it may or may not happen, depending on what is proposed. I recall that the complex in Rosebery is looking for a liquor licence simply because they want to have the same business model as is up the road. We are not talking about one on every corner as in some places. I was in San Francisco a year ago and there is a liquor store on every corner. Mind you, they do not have the same problems we have here. We have a different set of problems, which the Director-General will take into consideration.
People have the right to object to those things. We have to look at the overall picture in each area. If you have a large supermarket that would like to supply the same range of goods as a shop up the road then we have to consider that. That is something the Director-General will do.
If you live at the top of Driver, for instance, and you are close to the central supermarkets and complexes there, that might be fine. You can walk across the road, do your shopping and get liquor ...
Mr WOOD: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Standing Order 110: relevance. The question I asked was whether you could if the government has a policy on liquor licences and pokies.
Mr Tollner: It does.
Mr WOOD: Where is it? Show us a written policy on liquor licences and pokies because that is what we need to know.
Madam SPEAKER: Thank you, member for Nelson.
Mr STYLES: I will go to that part of your question. Yes, we have a policy. All these things are assessed by the Director-General. The Director-General has a set of guidelines to fulfil. There are many things to take into account. I do not make those decisions; the Director-General does. We give the Director-General a set of guidelines and governments say, ‘We do not want open slather on liquor or pokies’. There is a set of guidelines which has been developed to assess these things. There will not be open slather on poker machines or liquor. There will not be open slather on roads because there are rules people have to comply with.
There are guidelines. There is a system in place and the Director-General makes those assessments.
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, your time has expired.
Power Station Opening – Wadeye
Mrs FINOCCHIARO to MINISTER for ESSENTIAL SERVICES
Can the minister please update the House on how the Country Liberals government is developing the Northern Territory? Are there any threats to our future prosperity?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for her question. It gives me a great deal of pleasure to update the House on another infrastructure achievement of this Country Liberals government. The CLP government is building infrastructure for a more prosperous Northern Territory. This is another example of our long-term vision.
In keeping with the Chief Minister’s Aboriginal affairs policy, the Wadeye community will now have access to a more secure and reliable power station with the opening of a new $13.9m gas-fired power station.
This is a major capital works project with the capability over its life to supply power to more than 1600 homes and businesses. It will service the Wadeye community for up to 40 years. That is, of course, unless the Labor Party is returned to government, in which case it will turn off the gas. It will also supply electricity in the future to Palumpa and Peppimenarti through a grid connection, ensuring residents have access to a reliable electricity network which has the capacity to support future economic development.
This new power station gets it gas from a pipeline connected to the main from the Blacktip gas pipeline. This investment in the new power infrastructure at Wadeye is a cause for celebration and is a demonstration of the CLP government building the energy infrastructure of the Territory to deliver a more secure, prosperous future.
The opening of that new power station was welcomed by locals. When I visited a couple of weeks ago with the member for Daly, we had a great celebration opening that new power station and moving the old, noisy, diesel-fired gen set out of the middle of the community to a place where they get cleaner, greener gas and have less noise.
The future of that gas-fired power station depends on a long-term reliable supply of affordable gas. Of course, last week we heard Labor’s energy supply policy. They will place a moratorium on gas, which you might as well call a moratorium on jobs as that is what it is. The Labor Party wants a moratorium on jobs.
The CLP government is building the energy foundations for our future to raise living standards, and all Labor can do is act as the anti-job blockers for our economic prosperity. Make no bones about it, if the Labor Party is returned in August this year that is what will happen.
Mr Tollner: You cannot risk Labor.
Mr WESTRA van HOLTHE: You cannot risk Labor; it is as simple as that. It is threatening the future of the gas industry in the Territory. In fact, you might even see the lights turned out …
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, your time has expired.
Economy – State of
Ms WALKER to TREASURER
Your government has spent $500 000 on the On Track advertising campaign, selling your political message using taxpayers’ dollars in the lead-up to an election. Documents released under freedom of information show you also spent money on focus groups testing your message. These taxpayer-funded groups from the Territory community found that:
- We haven’t got a prosperous economy – everyone is doing it tougher.
And:
- If it is a Government story we won’t believe it, especially about the economy.
And:
- Stories implies lies and that is what we expect from the Government.
I seek leave to table the taxpayer-funded focus group report.
Leave granted.
Ms WALKER: When will you start to tell Territorians the truth about the economy and accept that Territorians are doing it tough?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nhulunbuy for that question. It is simply astounding that Labor Party members constantly talk the Territory down. One of the real issues is that we need to improve our travel arrangements so you guys can get around and look at the rest of the world, because as far as you are concerned this place is a dump and everywhere else is better.
The reality is, the world is going through some big transitions at the moment. Europe is in a mess; China’s economy is …
Ms LAWRIE: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Standing Order 110: relevance. I am glad the Treasurer has discovered the economic headwinds globally. How much did you pay for the focus group where people said they cannot believe anything you say?
Madam SPEAKER: It is not a point of order, member for Karama.
Mr TOLLNER: Sorry, what was that? Some sort of Labor policy the member for Karama was announcing, was it? The shadow leader of the Labor Party.
As I was saying, you get the impression from listening to these people that the Northern Territory is going to hell in a hand basket. We talk about business confidence. Every question we fielded on this side of the Chamber was about how bad the Territory is doing from the Labor opposition’s perspective.
In 2014-15 we were the highest-performing jurisdiction of any developed nation in the world at 10.5%. You would think that would make some people on the other side happy. We have the lowest unemployment in the nation at 4.1%. The next closest jurisdictions, as far as unemployment is concerned, are the ACT and New South Wales, sitting at 5.2%. We are significantly beating the other jurisdictions in this country.
Yes, we know Australia is facing economic headwinds. Yes, we know there is trouble coming down the line, but as far as doing our share of heavy lifting, we are doing it.
Ms FYLES: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Standing Order 110: relevance. Perhaps the Treasurer might like to read the notes the Attorney-General is writing for him.
Madam SPEAKER: That is not a point of order. Attorney-General, is that your document that was tabled?
Mr ELFERINK: Yes, that is the tabled document. That is the one that says people enjoy a relaxed lifestyle, it is close to the ocean and it is easy to get a job here, according to the tabled document.
Madam SPEAKER: Is it a document you have written on?
Mr ELFERINK: Yes, Madam Speaker.
Madam SPEAKER: It is a tabled document. I do not think you should be writing personal notes on it.
Mr ELFERINK: I am happy for the people to see the areas I was highlighting: the happiness people have in the Northern Territory …
Madam SPEAKER: Attorney-General, I suggest next time you do not write on a tabled document until it has been passed around to all members.
Mr GUNNER: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Standing Order 110: relevance. Treasurer, how much did you pay for a focus group to learn that no one trusts what the CLP says?
Mr Giles: Madam Speaker, I am happy to answer that because that was commissioned by me.
Madam SPEAKER: No, you are not answering it, Chief Minister. The Treasurer has the call.
Mr TOLLNER: It is interesting to see the nonsense the member for Nhulunbuy – or however you would like to pronounce and frame it – is capable of arranging. She now has the Independent member for Karama running the show for Labor.
As I was saying, in the Territory we know there are headwinds coming our way. We are doing our bit to balance the books and manage the economy. We see unemployment rates down, growth continuing strongly and the highest employment participation rate in the country. We are doing the business ...
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, your time has expired.
Daly River Flooding
Mr CONLAN to MINISTER for SPORT and RECREATION
As honourable members are aware, in December and January this year Top End flooding caused the evacuation of Daly River communities as well as two tragic events at Peppimenarti and Beswick. The events of emergency service personnel, Red Cross volunteers and local businesses are well documented and worthy of praise. I also understand there was a fair bit of effort pulled together by the Department of Sport and Recreation. Would you please outline those efforts and tell us why they were necessary?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for his question. As everyone would know the Top End flooding over December and January was a terrible time for many. It was tragic to hear of the missing man in Peppimenarti, the sad passing of an elder near Beswick and the destruction and angst caused by the evacuation of the Daly River community.
Honourable members would be well aware of the efforts put in by all agencies, volunteers, local businesses and organisations during the evacuation. As the local member, I put on record my heartfelt thanks for those efforts. You do not know how much the community was physically affected until you see it first-hand. When I visited with the Chief Minister, the damage on the ground was quite evident. It was upsetting for me to see, having been through this previously as well.
What is heartening is the way the community has got on with the job of cleaning up. On my last visit to the Daly River, with the NLC Chairman, Sammy Bush, we caught up with locals, who were upbeat about getting their community back into shape.
As minister, I ask for the indulgence of the House to praise some behind-the-scenes work done in the sport and recreation area for the young of the Daly River community. As well as the uncertainty, sadness and angst experienced by community members, another stress point would have been the boredom of the youngest members.
With this in mind, the Department for Sport and Recreation’s Caleb Johnston, Peter McKay and my own ministerial adviser, Jarred Illet, ditched their leave and pulled together a program of sport and recreation pursuits for the community members. They got in touch with sporting organisations from cricket to touch football, basketball, volleyball and the AFLNT. They pulled together a great program of activities that were enjoyed by many. I thank all the organisations which participated, particularly Territory Thunder players, who were extremely popular.
The activities that were directly funded by the government through the department of Sport were indoor beach volleyball, acrobatic performers and trainers from Corrugated Iron Youth Arts and music workshops with Shelly Morris.
We also bought sport equipment and arts and craft supplies for those at the evacuation centre. It may all seem a bit light in the face of all other efforts with the evacuation but I believe it is worth acknowledging because they were fun and healthy sporting activities. If it brought a smile to just one child in the Daly, then it was worth the effort. I am glad to report that there were many smiles.
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