2013-02-20
Government Leadership
Ms LAWRIE to CHIEF MINISTER
Current Chief Minister, your government is in crisis and your broken promises to Territorians mean they no longer trust you. The people of Wanguri have spoken on behalf of all Territorians. Yesterday, in response to attacks on your leadership from your own party, you said, ‘Time for courage under fire’. How can someone who admits he is under fire, who can never turn his back and is constantly doing deals to save his leadership, possibly provide the governance to the Territory we require?
ANSWER
This is dj vu, like the record is stuck, poor thing.
Madam Speaker, I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question and the demonstration, once again, of her lack of real interest in the things that matter to Territory families.
What you, obviously, do not care about is the level of mischief run by the former Labor government, the cavalier lack of respect for proper leadership, and acceptance of responsibility for the mess you have created. You would think this is some kind of political exercise established so you can score cheap political points, provide no leadership, and provide only a position that breaks up cohesion in our community and makes it difficult for our community to deal with challenging issues.
That is not the issue; that is not the case for the Country Liberal government. It is not a situation I will respond to in the same manner as the Labor government would respond to, or any Labor leader. When I speak of courage under fire there are obviously - let us be frank about it – a number who are expressing concern about the difficult nature of the landscape where we have had to respond to some difficult situations.
I am saying to our community: courage under fire. This is a challenging period for all Territorians. I am thinking of young families, and the last thing they need is the misinformation and disquiet that has been promulgated by you, a so-called community leader, and even - and I will call it lies and you call a point of order because that may offend you, but they are lies, they are bare faced shameful lies you are running in the community just to put them offside ...
Ms LAWRIE: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The Chief Minister is the only one who has been lying to Territorians. You broke your promises. You said …
Madam SPEAKER: Sit down. It is not a point of order.
Mr MILLS: You know you have lied and you have no shame whatsoever in standing up …
Ms LAWRIE: A point of order, Madam Speaker!
Madam SPEAKER: Chief Minister, if you could withdraw ‘lie’, please, you directed it to the Opposition Leader. Your comment was, ‘You know you have lied’.
Mr MILLS: Yes, with a smirk. You do not particularly care; you think you have just scored …
Ms LAWRIE: A point of order, Madam Speaker!
Madam SPEAKER: Chief Minister, if you could …
Mr MILLS: I withdraw it.
If it satisfies your peculiar response to important matters - mistruths, misinformation, deliberate and wilful deception ...
Madam SPEAKER: Chief Minister, your time has expired.
Motor Vehicle Registry –
Fees and Charges
Fees and Charges
Mr STYLES to CHIEF MINISTER
Can you inform Territorians on proposed Motor Vehicle Registry fees and charges, and how your government is responding to the actions of Territorians?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Sanderson for his question. There is really no point in making any reference to the opposition because they do not listen, they do not care, they are not in the slightest bit tuned in to what is being said on either side.
Ms Lawrie: Answer your own dorothy dixer.
Mr MILLS: Be quiet!
Madam SPEAKER: Opposition Leader, cease interjecting!
Mr MILLS: I have made it plain, as leader, that this government stands very clear on this position. You have heard it a number of times but it is worth saying again. Difficult situations require a challenging response guided by the concerns, the long-term interests of the Northern Territory. This government has had the courage to make the necessary decisions - a courage they have not seen for a long time in the Northern Territory. The decision is required because we have an eye on the future; we have to secure the future.
The consequences of leaving unchecked debt in the Northern Territory - the cost of living under that level of debt is enormous. The responses required by this government were well-considered and challenging but, nonetheless, the cost on families with the lack of planning, foresight, care, and response has been a challenge we have faced up to. It has also been acknowledged many times …
Ms Lawrie interjecting.
Mr MILLS: … oh deaf one, that we are hearing what the electorate is saying. When it comes down to the time families have to deal with the challenges on a daily basis one thing you …
Ms LAWRIE: A point of order, Madam Speaker! He is rambling. The question was about MVR.
Madam SPEAKER: Sit down. There is no point of order!
Mr MILLS: In the amount of time families have, and which has been a concern of theirs for many years, we wanted to ensure the queues at MVR were reduced. The very first visit I made to the front line was to those hard-working staff members on the front counter. We responded, and I commend them for accommodating our request to increase the servicing at the front desk. We have had other excellent measures put in place to deal with that fundamental problem. We wanted to ensure people were given other opportunities so they did not have to stand in the queue, which you ignored.
Those measures have worked. They have worked well, therefore, there is no need to continue with the $20 fee, which will be scrapped. Bear in mind this was proposed; it was accepted, and it has achieved the desired effect ...
Madam SPEAKER: Chief Minister, your time has expired.
Government Leadership
Mr GUNNER to ATTORNEY-GENERAL and MINISTER for JUSTICE
When Dave Tollner’s previous challenge to the leadership of Terry Mills failed, you sent him an e-mail and copied in all your colleagues, one of whom leaked it. I will modify your language; I will use the word ‘stuff’.
You said, ‘Please do not stuff up everyone else’s chances because you are not getting your own way’. You went on to say to ‘Dave, Your self-indulgence is both wearisome and counterproductive’. When you offered to resign yesterday, did you describe your own performance as self-indulgent, wearisome and counterproductive?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, there was, I understand, a homicide last night in Alice Springs. We carry in this jurisdiction billions of dollars worth of the former failed Treasurer’s debt. We carry, in this jurisdiction, a projected debt of $5.5bn. All this dreadful opposition is interested in ...
Ms LAWRIE: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Relevance. The question was: does he stand by his words; was he self-indulgent and wearisome when he had a failed leadership bid on the Chief Minister.
Madam SPEAKER: Thank you, Opposition Leader.
Mr ELFERINK: The dreadful history of the Labor Party in this Northern Territory is scattered with the bullet holes of their spin and irresponsibility!
I can tell you now, without one shadow of a doubt, this question confirms that absolutely nothing has changed with the attitude of this rabble opposite who think their world does not extend beyond the doors of this Chamber. They are deceivers! They are dishonest! They stop at nothing to engage in gutter politics.
This government is about fixing the legacy of this dreadful Labor Party ...
Ms WALKER: A point of order, Madam Speaker! I ask the member for Port Darwin to direct his comments through the Chair and, in directing those comments, I call him to relevance. He is not answering the question about his challenge to the leadership.
Madam SPEAKER: Thank you, member for Nhulunbuy. Attorney-General, you have the call.
Mr ELFERINK: Madam Speaker, I am interested in the future of the Territory for Territorians, governed by a responsible government, and governed by a Mills government.
Motor Vehicle Registry Improvements – Removing $20 Fee
Ms FINOCCHIARO to MINISTER for TRANSPORT
Can the minister update the House on improvements and changes to Motor Vehicle Registry processes that have resulted in the proposed $20 over-the-counter charge being no longer required?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Drysdale for the question. My door has been beaten down by the member for Drysdale complaining about the $20 MVR fee. She had done a fantastic job since entering this parliament representing her constituents of Drysdale, as I know all new members of parliament on this side of the House have done.
As the Chief Minister just announced, the $20 MVR over-the-counter fee will not be introduced. This is a fee that was not going to start for four-and-a-half months, from 1 July. We have people like the member from Nelson, who like to dog whistle in the community.
Besides that, over the last five years, vehicle registration and work that had to be conducted at the MVR had increased by 30% to the point where there were 858 511 transactions in 2012. What did the previous government do about the demands at the MVR? Nothing! The queues just got bigger and bigger so the people who turned up at the MVR had to take War and Peace and sit there for two or three hours. It put pressure on working families, mums and dads, and the MVR staff.
We came in and the Chief Minister immediately announced that the MVR would operate on Saturdays to try to relieve some of that pressure. Since the $20 MVR fee was announced, we have seen an increase in online transactions, registrations and licence renewals. It has had a positive effect in changing behaviour to the point where there has been a 74% increase in motor vehicle registrations online, and a 62% increase in driver licence renewals. By the end of January, 45% of all rego renewals were done online. That is a fantastic outcome. I congratulate everyone at the MVR.
Let me give you this updated statistic because it is very important that people know you do not have to go to the MVR for a vehicle inspection. That is a message Labor did not get out. They wanted people banked up along Goyder Road in front of all the houses. That was Labor’s strategy, ‘That is how we do business’.
In 2012 approximately 19 vehicle inspection reports were faxed and e-mailed to MVR each month. Since I have taken this portfolio and started speaking of the changes and talking about the renewal process for registration, there are now 1129 per month.
I know the member for Karama is not very good at counting; she got us into debt of $5.5bn. She runs the numbers and only gets one vote - herself.
However, that is a 5842% increase in the inspections being faxed and e-mailed. We are changing MVR services. We are improving things for mums and dads, and working families. You guys neglected those people ...
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, your time has expired.
Government Decisions – Cost of Living
Ms LAWRIE to CHIEF MINISTER
Current Chief Minister, you backflipped on the $20 at-the-counter fee for MVR. Will you now admit you have your leadership and the leadership of the Territory wrong? Will you backflip on the power and water price increases that are hurting Territory families? Will you backflip on scrapping the BDR, which has put drunks on our streets across the Territory? Will you backflip on closing the fire station at Humpty Doo? Will you backflip on getting rid of the rescue truck and the all-important Jaws of Life at Palmerston? You have things terribly wrong and it is time to admit that one backflip deserves a raft of others.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the Leader of the Opposition for her question. They are not sure what the question is. We stand resolved to accept the challenges you have presented us with.
We will create a much better future for the Northern Territory because we know the Territory deserves good, strong, clear leadership that has the courage to make decisions and hold the line. It also has the capacity to hear from the community and respond to those concerns as we can. Make no mistake about it, unlike the former Labor government, we have an obligation to deal wisely and carefully with the real problems we are facing as a jurisdiction.
Do not try to hide it from view - from your own view – that there is a real problem which needs to be properly addressed; that is, the growing debt. You know it. You also know the debt problem is completely as a result of your lack of courage, your desperate interest in maintaining popularity, and your timidity when it came to making real decisions. You knew …
Ms LAWRIE: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The question was very clear. It listed the backflips you should perform on power and water, the cost of living hikes …
Madam SPEAKER: It is not a point of order. Opposition Leader, sit down!
Mr MILLS: When it comes to your shameful timidity when a community, particularly of young families and young apprentices, wants to know there is a government that is really aware and caring enough to deal with the issues of real concern, that they have the capacity to make the decisions that are necessary and remain courageous ...
Ms LAWRIE: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Nonsense. We created 13 000 jobs in a global financial crisis …
Madam SPEAKER: Sit down. It is not a point of order. Sit down, Opposition Leader!
Mr MILLS: I am not going to continue with this nonsense. This is complete disrespect for the standing orders. We have concerns about the misuse of procedures of the parliament. There is such great misuse of the procedures of parliament with frivolous points of order being used to block and to deflect holding this shameful outfit to account, Madam Speaker.
Balunu Foundation Funding
Mr WOOD to CHIEF MINISTER referred to MINISTER for CORRECTIONAL SERVICES
I thank the minister for doing the backflip on the $20.
Last year, a parliamentary select committee, which included two CLP members, looked at youth suicides in the NT and recommended the promotion of youth friendly and culturally appropriate counselling and mental health services. The Balunu Foundation was one such service, and the young man that broke into your house was sent to Balunu with your support.
The Balunu Foundation has now closed down because your government announced four days before Christmas there would be no funding. Eight people lost their jobs. The Balunu Foundation has dealt with over 550 young people affected by drugs, alcohol, and some at the risk of suicide.
Why did you stop funding Balunu? Why did you not give them gap funding until the tendering process was completed? In the meantime, who will help those young people at risk of suicide now Balunu has closed?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for his question. With respect, in your lead-up to this you mentioned a couple of different ministers. It appeared to me to be a question that was referred to the Attorney-General, but I can at, the outset, give you a response. As you would well know, I am very much aware and very familiar with the work of the Balunu Foundation.
This was an organisation that was supported in the past by corporate money, but in recent times not so. It got into a position where it was solely dependent upon the funding support from the Territory government. I note in my involvement with Balunu Foundation and my support for their work, they were, effectively, in my view, used by the Labor government, if I may say, because there was a need for these types of programs to operate.
When the issue was being run when the Labor government was in power, they were offered some funding. That funding was only in place for the purposes of an election campaign, then it faded away - so much is the real care for kids. What has occurred since that ...
Ms LAWRIE: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Misleading parliament; the funding was in place and Labor had a juvenile justice review …
Madam SPEAKER: Opposition Leader, sit down! It is not a time for speeches. Chief Minister, you have the call.
Mr MILLS: I know about this.
Ms Lawrie: Stop lying.
Madam SPEAKER: Opposition Leader, withdraw that, please.
Ms LAWRIE: I withdraw, but everyone knows you are.
Madam SPEAKER: Opposition Leader, you have to withdraw that comment as well, please.
Ms LAWRIE: I withdraw. Read the editorial.
Mr MILLS: Our response is to create certainty and to establish a proper framework so we can ensure these types of programs can be properly supported. That is why a framework has been established with a community consultation project which the Balunu Foundation supports and will be more than welcome. They said they would be more than happy to apply when that funding framework is in place. Probably a bit late, but anyway.
Mr ELFERINK (Corrections): Madam Speaker, to wrap it up very quickly, we are going through the process of asking various potential tenderers to assist us with putting together a tender for the boot camp models in the Northern Territory. Those tenders have been successful and I am very proud to announce that in the first meeting we had 47 interested parties. There will be another party in the Northern Territory shortly. We are proud of our policies in this area.
Northern Territory as a Global Base for Companies
Mr STYLES to CHIEF MINISTER
Can you tell the House about the growing awareness of the importance the Northern Territory, and its capital city, Darwin, is as a base for global companies?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Sanderson, and I acknowledge his long-standing interest in matters that are big and that concern the future of the Northern Territory. Unlike the opposition, whose focus seems to be more exclusively on leaked e-mails and using Question Time for the running of rumours for some strange purpose, we are more interested in the future of the Northern Territory.
You see ...
Ms Walker: Labor set up the fastest growing economy in Australia.
Mr MILLS: And other such works of fiction.
It was my great pleasure recently to welcome Mr Kenichi Miki and Mr Shishido to Darwin. I met them last night. Both are members of senior management with the global transport company NYK Line. The corporate officer flew in from Tokyo and Mr Shishido, Managing Director of NYK Line Australia, arrived from Sydney together with Dr Kohara, Consul-General of Japan. NYK Line is known in Darwin due to regular LNG vessel traffic ...
Members interjecting.
Mr MILLS: In March 2012, NYK - they are servicing ConocoPhillips so do not get too excited. That occurred before your watch.
It will be allocating two of its module carriers to transport various main units for Ichthys ...
Ms Lawrie interjecting.
Mr MILLS: Just calm down, there is more to this story than the opportunity for you to make some silly point.
More than 20 voyages are planned for the first quarter of 2014 to the second quarter of 2015, and will involve transportation of modules from Thailand, China and the Philippines to Darwin. NYK also operates the cruise ships through their subsidiary, Crystal Cruises Incorporated, and it is pleasing to note that the Port of Darwin is included on their itineraries.
The fact NYK, a global logistics business with a shipping fleet numbering more than 800 vessels, is establishing a new branch office in Darwin reflects the position of Darwin as the Territory’s largest export market. It is timely recognition of the vital position we hold on the world map that our business partners from Asia will be key to developing the Northern Territory economy ...
Ms LAWRIE: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Why would you describe the project as a 19th century project?
Madam SPEAKER: Sit down, it is not a point of order.
Mr MILLS: As Dr Kohara noted about Darwin in The Australian newspaper in December last year:
- I think it has huge potential to be a much stronger hub to connect the entire Australian economy with Asia.
This is a major marine logistics operation - massive. The interesting thing I want to report to you is ...
Ms WALKER: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Relevance. The Chief Minister needs to be relevant and, in being relevant, he needs to acknowledge the strong role Labor played in positioning the economy to where it was when they picked up ...
Madam SPEAKER: There is no point of order. Chief Minister, you have the call.
Mr MILLS: What has really attracted their attention is there is a railway connecting the north to the south. That railway gives them the opportunity to connect through Darwin into Asia ...
Madam SPEAKER: Chief Minister, your time has expired.
Disadvantage in the Bush
Ms WALKER to CHIEF MINISTER
Current Chief Minister, your five-point plan for all Territorians included your promise to put more money in Territorian’s pockets. Your power price hikes mean Territorians in the bush now have less money and are struggling to keep the lights on. How will you address disadvantage in the bush while taking money out of people’s pockets and reducing services in the bush?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for her question. I have explained this at every Question Time.
Ms Lawrie: No.
Mr MILLS: Yes, I have. We have a five-point plan. I am glad you have reminded us of that five-point plan. I am sure you take it to bed with you. Think about it, and try to understand how this works, how it is applied and how it is working in the Northern Territory. It sets out a framework of how we will deal with what we have and to create a strong and positive future for the Northern Territory ...
Ms LAWRIE: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Relevance. The question is very direct around the power price hikes in the bush and how it is taking money out of people’s pockets.
Madam SPEAKER: Please be seated.
Mr MILLS: This is getting difficult. There was reference to the five-point plan because the question made use of the five-point plan as a part of its framing. If I am not permitted to make reference to that but am going to be corralled by the misuse of standing orders onto specific points the Opposition Leader would have me respond to, this is poor form and poor use of parliamentary practice.
Madam Speaker and honourable member - I use that word in a professional sense – the first point is you have to cut waste. Think about it in relation to your household budget. If you were in ...
Ms Walker: It is not my household budget. It is the people at Yirrkala.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr MILLS: Bear with me; I thought you were once a teacher. Teachers need to be good students so they can learn, otherwise they cannot teach.
Mr McCarthy: They have to listen, not lecture.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Barkly.
Mr MILLS: What are you doing, smart arse!
Madam SPEAKER: Chief Minister, please withdraw that comment.
Mr MILLS: Yes, I withdraw. The first thing you have to do if you recognise you have a financial problem is cut waste. Once you have cut waste, then you have the capacity to reduce debt.
Once you have reduced the debt, you have more money to be able to use on other things. But, you have to go through that simple process first: cut waste, reduce the debt and, by reducing the debt, you do not pay as much on interest.
You may have missed this, but the situation is where, as a jurisdiction, $750 000 every day being spent on interest repayments without a real response would grow to $1m every day. That is money that could be used for other purposes. What do you think the intention of the Country Liberal Party is? To return that benefit to the Territory families, make sure there is maximum opportunity in the future. That is a simple process ...
Ms LAWRIE: A point of order, Madam Speaker! He did not give any answer to the power price hikes in the bush.
Madam SPEAKER: There is no point of order. Chief Minister, your time has expired.
Moody’s Review –
Northern Territory’s Credit Rating
Northern Territory’s Credit Rating
Ms FINOCCHIARO to TREASURER
Can you please update the House on the Moody’s review of the Northern Territory’s credit rating?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Drysdale for her question - a very important question of this nature which we have not received from the opposition. I inform the parliament that it is imminent we receive a report from Moody’s about our credit rating. It could happen within the next week or so. At this stage, it is not known exactly when it will be, but from the feedback we have been given, it is likely the signs are not positive for a good credit rating.
Last year, Moody’s rated the Territory AA1, but indicated they were concerned at the impact Power and Water had on the budget and the Territory’s debt position. This is a real situation, it is very serious. It is deeply reflective of the mismanagement of the former Labor government. This is what Moody’s had to say last year:
- … a ramp up in capital spending and weakening in the Territory-owned Power and Water company’s operations, in the context of slower revenue growth have led to the emergence of large deficits and an increase in the debt burden.
In other words, under Labor we were drowning in debt with no life jacket keeping us afloat. That came directly from Moody’s.
In 2009, after the disastrous Casuarina substation meltdown, the previous government embarked on a long-overdue upgrade of the Territory’s electricity infrastructure. To fund this, the former Labor government embarked on borrowing $1bn, but made absolutely no provision to pay this money back. Labor’s own independent review recommended power increases of 40%, but the former Treasurer - the worst Treasurer in the history of the Northern Territory - ignored that advice from her own report commissioned by the Treasurer ...
Ms LAWRIE: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Completely misleading. Tariffs went up in 2009.
Madam SPEAKER: Sit down! There is no point of order, Opposition Leader.
Mrs LAMBLEY: Unlike the former Labor government, doing nothing was not an option for this Country Liberal government. We believe in good fiscal management and that is what we will do. Because of this, we are staring down the barrel of a possible change in our credit rating through Moody’s.
For political expediency, the former Labor government was unable to increase the revenue in Power and Water, has put us into deep debt - as the Attorney-General stated before - of $5.5bn in the forward estimates. Let us see what Moody’s have to say, Madam Speaker ...
Madam SPEAKER: Your time has expired, minister.
Oil and Gas Industries – Future
Ms LEE to MINISTER for MINES and ENERGY
What do you think is the future for the oil and gas industry in the Territory?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Arnhem for her very important question. I am not surprised she has asked this question because some of the future of oil and gas development across the Territory resides within her electorate. These are wonderful opportunities for economic development for people who live in the electorate of Arnhem.
There is no doubt the resources sector is the cornerstone of our economy and our long-term prosperity. I could go as far as to say, increasingly, it is responsible for our quality of life. This government is committed to growing the resources sector in order to increase the future prosperity and development of the Territory, particularly in our regional areas.
Shale oil and gas is tipped to become the major new source of Australian exports, and it is estimated that the Territory is sitting on over 200 trillion cubic feet of gas. It could be more than that. The demand for energy in the Asian region is increasing rapidly and the NT is perfectly positioned to meet that demand.
The Ichthys LNG project and growing activity in our region has provided a window of opportunity for expansion of existing supply service businesses and the establishment of new businesses. This government is committed to upskilling our local workforce to maximum participation in construction and operations of resource projects specifically directed to the oil and gas industries.
The NT’s oil and gas industry offers outstanding opportunities that are recognised around the world. That is why we, as the new government, have been so determined to explore every opportunity the gas to Gove challenge has presented us.
What has become evident though during our discussions in the supply of gas to Gove …
Mr McCARTHY: A point of order, Madam Speaker! An old CLP chestnut. Could the minister table the document he is reading from because I would like to see those stats.
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, are they private notes or would you like to table the document?
Mr WESTRA van HOLTHE: They are personal notes, Madam Speaker.
Madam SPEAKER: Thank you. Please be seated. Continue, minister.
Mr WESTRA van HOLTHE: What has become evident is the complete lack of overarching energy policy that is clearly another failure of the former Labor government. As a new government, we will form an energy directorate to directly inform the minister on matters around the very important issue of an overarching energy policy for the Northern Territory.
Madam Speaker, this is what a real government does, not a gammon government like the former one which sat on its hands and just let things pop along as they could.
Housing in the Bush
Ms WALKER to CHIEF MINISTER referred to MINISTER for HOUSING
Current Chief Minister, SIHIP delivered the largest injection of proper new housing in the bush we have ever seen. People in the bush have heard you want to go backwards bringing back cheap flat-pack houses. Can you tell the House right now what deals you are cooking up for cheap flat-pack housing in the bush?
ANSWER
Member for Nhulunbuy, you should be well aware that we have a government with portfolios and responsibilities shared by members of my team, so that is a question which should be correctly referred to the Minister for Housing.
Mr TOLLNER (Housing): Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nhulunbuy for a question on housing. I can inform you, member for Nhulunbuy, that work is going on behind the scenes to completely review SIHIP.
There were many millions of dollars invested into that. We, on this side of the House, have concerns that money was not correctly spent and we did not get the best value for our buck. One of the great concerns is, although there has been so much money spent, there has been real little difference made in the area of need and meeting the requirements of the people in the remote areas to live a decent life.
Until that review is complete - and I expect it will be completed in the very near future - I am hesitant to say more. You will be informed, as will everyone in this House, exactly what the situation is with that review when I am ready to announce it.
Asian Investment for Resource and Agricultural Industries
Mr STYLES to MINISTER for MINES and ENERGY
What steps have you taken to attract Asian investment in the Territory for the resource and agricultural industries?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Sanderson for that very important question. Government has decided that a very important platform is to have a three-hub economy. Clearly, the minerals and energy sector and the agricultural sector for food production are two of those very important hubs. Finally, after 11 years, the Northern Territory has a government that is interested in these areas and willing to participate and use these areas to grow our economy.
The tremendous and growing opportunities for Northern Territory agribusiness exports - and I must say these are personal notes, Madam Speaker. I will show them so you do not have to bring on the point of order, member for Barkly.
This government is determined to see a prosperous and healthy primary Industy sector. The recent mini-budget shows that determination.
In December 2012, I announced on overall increase of $1.084m to the Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries as I want my department to be delivering for industry. Appropriate funding is the first step, unlike the former Labor government which allowed those departments to wither away and be completely under-resourced and understaffed
In September 2012, I made my first trip to Indonesia and, in November, I represented this government and the Northern Territory on a visit to China. During these visits I saw first-hand the incredible transformation taking place across Asia. In December 2012, the Chief Minister, the Minister for Business and I made an important visit to Indonesia, as well.
This government is committed to building and strengthening the Northern Territory’s ties with our closest Asian neighbour which are, clearly, of vital importance to the regional economy. The opportunities for increased trade between the Territory and Indonesia are great, particularly when it comes to live cattle.
In November 2012, in Beijing, I met with senior officials from China’s general administration for quality supervision inspection and quarantine. This is the organisation that grants entry for food imports to China.
What we are doing, rather than sit in an office and make phone calls which, according to the Leader of the Opposition, is a perfectly good way to govern and reach important decisions like gas to Gove, this government is prepared to put in the hard yards and really work for Territorians. This is what real governments do; they do not sit in offices they get out on the ground and do some work. They visit those countries and do not rely on sitting in an office trying to negotiate big deals on the telephone.
I still cannot believe the Leader of the Opposition uttered those words.
Port Keats Road - Sealing
Mr McCARTHY to CHIEF MINISTER referred to MINISTER for INFRASTRUCTURE
Current Chief Minister, during the 2012 election campaign the Country Liberal Party promised to seal the Port Keats road as part of its contract with Wadeye. Can you tell us when the project will commence, where the funding will come from, or is it just another empty County Liberal Party promise designed to win votes in the bush?
Madam Speaker, I seek leave to table that contract to remind the Chief Minister of his commitment.
Leave granted.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I have a copy of that in my office which is framed, as I said I would frame it. I have it there as a reminder of the commitment which was made. You foolish folk believe you just say something and it happens. You said many things, and nothing much happened for 10 years under Labor when it was in government. We have been in government for five-and-a-half, nearly six months and have said a number of things and outlined a clear plan of how we are going to deal with the real issues. We have made plain commitments to people and we have not hidden those in little secret compartments or covered them with misinformation. They are there in full view ...
Ms LAWRIE: A point of order, Madam Speaker!
Mr MILLS: Do not worry I am getting to ...
Madam SPEAKER: Opposition Leader, ensure it is a point of order, please.
Ms LAWRIE: We invite you to table every contract you made across the bush communities that you have framed and are not hidden ...
Madam SPEAKER: Please be seated. Opposition Leader, it is not a point of order!
Mr MILLS: That was my response to the issues of those contracts; they are signed. What is the fifth point of the five-point plan? Accountability. We will be accountable. When it comes to the road and how that commitment will be met, I hand over to the minister responsible.
Mr GILES (Infrastructure): Thank you very much, Chief Minister. What a pleasure it is to answer this question. Here we are, five months into a new term, and they are asking why the 200 km of road has not been sealed. I have some asphalt in my pocket; I will race out there now. What sort of question is that?
We came into government with a $5.5bn debt projected and we are supposed to do it straightaway? We are working on the road between Palumpa and Peppimenarti. Watch this space; that is coming very soon ...
Ms Lawrie interjecting.
Mr GILES: Why did you not do it, you were in for 11 years? This is the fourth biggest community in the Northern Territory, and you did not do it. You were the Transport minister, the Infrastructure minister. We are in for five months and you had 11 years. The hide of you, the nerve of you!
Ms LAWRIE: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Relevance. The question was: when are you going to seal the road? We were not irresponsible like you. We did not make a promise we could not keep.
Madam SPEAKER: It is not a point of order. Sit down, Opposition Leader. Member for Nelson.
Mr WOOD: Chief Minister, the government agreed to the Ombudsman’s recommendations in relation to the flooded ...
Mr TOLLNER: A point of order, Madam Speaker, the minister was …
Madam SPEAKER: Please be seated, member for Fong Lim.
Mr TOLLNER: I called a point of order, Madam Speaker.
Madam SPEAKER: Please be seated, member for Nelson. My apologies, minister, please continue with your answer.
Mr GILES: I know it is difficult in this Chamber to hear when you have the mumblings of the Labor opposition over that side.
The member for Nhulunbuy seems to have found her voice in this Chamber, but for the last four years she did not say a word – did not say boo. I did not hear her talk about gas for Gove in four years. Now she asks, ‘What are you doing?’ …
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, your time has expired.
Pelly Road and Lorikeet Court, Herbert – Ombudsman’s Report on Flooding
Mr WOOD to CHIEF MINISTER referred to MINISTER for LANDS, PLANNING and the ENVIRONMENT
The government agreed to the Ombudsman’s recommendations in relation to the flooded blocks on Pelly Road and Lorikeet Court in the Herbert subdivision. Could you say if those recommendations have been completed? If not, could you advise which ones have not been completed and why they have not been signed off? Could you also advise what the government has done in relation to the flooded block on Madsen Road, Howard Springs?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nelson for his question. You asked this question late last year?
Mr Wood: It was part of a motion and you never got to give an answer.
Mr MILLS: Okay. At that point, I had carriage of Lands, Planning and the Environment and provided, I thought, a response to you. I thought we sat down the back and I explained to you where we were at with that issue ...
Mr Wood: This is an update.
Mr MILLS: This is an update? In that case, we have to refer it to the relevant minister.
Mr CHANDLER (Lands, Planning and the Environment): Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nelson for his question. My understanding is there is still much work being done in that area. Some issues needed responding to, particularly with the drainage. There is work with not only the developers, but also the people in the area, as you pointed out.
Some of the people affected want to move out. Other people want to stay, so it is about coming up with a compromise. Some of these people are looking for compensation because of the previous government’s decision to rezone that area. It has opened up a can of worms in relation to the water, as you are aware, and the natural ability of the land to regenerate, including the aquifers.
This is like the old saying, ‘This is another nice problem you have got us into, Olly’. This area, perhaps, should not have been developed in the first place. I know, member for Nelson, you are right on this. We are left in the position of how to clean up the mess created by the previous government. We are working on a number of things at the moment. I would be happy to provide you with an updated briefing at a later stage.
Small Business –
Government Assistance
Government Assistance
Mr KURRUPUWU to MINISTER for BUSINESS
What are you doing to help small businesses?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Arafura for his question. These are my personal notes, to make it clear.
During the last sittings, I advised of the Department of Business restructure and realign to ensure the department is supporting NT business efficiently and effectively. We are well on the way to providing local companies with a leg-up to be more competitive. This will put them in a great position to win contracts on major projects.
The department is working with the Australian government funding and programs to ensure Territory businesses are involved in major projects. This program works with Territory small to medium enterprises to get them contract ready so they can enter the supply chain. Businesses are assessed to identify their place in the resources sector supply chain, and any weaknesses in their capacity which they need to address.
Twenty-four NT-based businesses from a diverse range of industries took part in the first round of the program. These included civil contractors, plumbing, building, transportation, engineering, and mechanical service companies. In the current round, more than 30 businesses will benefit from this program.
You only have to look at the track record of the Mills government since coming in, and look at the latest CommSec figures in regard to how our economy is fielding and what kind of confidence is out there in business. There are - I was going to use the word ‘mistruths’, but I believe ‘mistruths’ is not a real word, and will use ‘untruths’ ...
Mrs Lambley: No, mistruths.
Mr CHANDLER: Right. ... untruths which have been circulated by the Labor government trying to undermine the economy and the confidence in the community. There is a real difference in how the Labor Party worked with business, particularly when they were in government and used to accuse us all the time of trying to undermine and not trying to find solutions.
Of every single business person I have sat down with and explained some of the issues this government has faced coming in, not one of them has walked out of that room or office without a different perspective. They wonder how the information has been spread.
This government has made a number of promises to Territorians. We have come out of the blocks racing, but we are faced with this massive wall. We have a choice; do we try to ignore this wall which is in front of us, or do we try to chip at it until the wall is not there? We have a destination in mind. There is a destination and it means many things like reduced cost of living.
However, when you have had previous ministers sit on their hands and not release land and make land prices go up by over $1000 a week - that is one of the biggest things which has caused the cost of living to rise in the Northern Territory.
We have a plan. There is a destination and we have to knock down the wall you created.
Borroloola Contract for
Government Business Centre
Government Business Centre
Mr McCARTHY to CHIEF MINISTER referred to MINISTER for TRANSPORT
The week before last year’s Northern Territory election you signed a contract to establish a government business centre at Borroloola. I was in Borroloola just over a week ago and they mentioned that neither you, any of your ministers, nor any of your members have been back to Borroloola since signing this contract. There was no funding in your mini-budget which gives us the road map to what you are talking about, not spinning about. Will the work start soon, or when will the work start on the government business centre for Borroloola? I am glad you mentioned you have a framed copy of this contract on your desk, so I do not need to table it. I am very interested in taking back the message to the people of Borroloola. When will you do this, or is it more election spin to the bush?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for his question. No, it is not election spin. The fifth point of the five-point plan is accountability. That was a document we signed in the presence of those community leaders. We meant what we said and we will deliver on exactly what we said we will. We will work with those communities ...
Ms LAWRIE: A point or order, Madam Speaker! Relevance. Why was it not in your funded election commitments that you submitted to Treasury?
Madam SPEAKER: Please be seated.
Mr MILLS: I take that as a bit of a compliment. You were in government for well over a decade and you are now squawking about the high expectations of the Country Liberal government, of all the things we could do in a couple of months. I take that as a compliment.
We do have a real plan and we are setting about achieving it. I know you are really well intentioned, member for Barkly, and are really keen to deliver the good news to Borroloola. To give you some more information to provide to your constituents - because I know you are out there to promote to the members of that community that there is now a very proactive and engaged government which is very serious about delivering for all the Territory - I will ask the Minister for Transport to give you some more information.
Mr GILES (Transport): Thank you very much, Chief Minister. You turn up in this parliament for Question Time with a whole bunch of briefs. Looking through some of this information on transport, Borroloola comes to mind.
There is some old information about growth towns that was discussed in the last election term under the previous Labor government. One of their policies was to put MVR services in the bush. I have been the length and the breadth of the Territory. I have been to Borroloola, I have been through the seats of Arnhem, Arafura, Stuart, Namatjira, Daly, and I have not seen any MVR services.
In the second week of being the Transport Minister, I said to the department, ‘I want MVR services in the bush, I want to trial them ...
Ms WALKER: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The question is in relation to relevance. The member asked when the government business centre, as promised, would commence.
Mr GILES: Madam Speaker, if ever I have heard about relevance on such an important topic, it is the irrelevance of the member for Nhulunbuy.
Within two weeks of coming in, we already had the department working on getting an MVR and the shopfront at Borroloola and Maningrida. I am sure the member for Arafura would be happy with that. We are looking at Port Keats. We are looking at Yuendumu. We will be looking for five places. That has been a work in progress, you get that happening …
Ms Walker: What about Galiwinku? Not interested in that?
Mr GILES: Do not talk about it. You did not do anything for 11 years. You did not speak for the last four years. You did not fight for gas to Gove. Why do you not get some relevance in here? You were like the member for Johnston is now ...
Ms WALKER: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The minister well knows he must direct his comments through the Chair.
Mr GILES: Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. The conversational aptitude of the member for Johnston reflects the member for Nhulunbuy’s last four years ...
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, you time has expired.
Animal Welfare Laws
Ms LEE to MINISTER for LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Can you inform the House of when the new animal welfare laws take effect as a result of the passage of the Animal Welfare Act? Can you inform the House of the effects of these amendments and what issues they will address?
ANSWER
I thank the member for Nhulunbuy for her question ...
Ms Anderson: Madam Speaker, that question came from the member for Arnhem, not the member for Nhulunbuy.
Mr GILES: Oh ,sorry. Thank you very much, member for Arnhem. I would have thought the member for Nhulunbuy, as the shadow minister, might have asked a question, but it was the member for Arnhem, because we on this side care about animal welfare.
Let us not forget it was these guys over here who saw between 124 and 800 cattle die on the Mataranka Station. What did they do? Did they move to prosecution? ‘No, we do not go down that path’. But we looked after it, we went through the Council of Territory Cooperation …
Ms LAWRIE: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Relevance, he is making his leadership pitch - I get it - but answer your own dorothy dixer.
Madam SPEAKER: There is not point of order, Opposition Leader. Sit down.
Mr GILES: This is coming from the lady who could only count to one when she was in government. In her leadership pitch she got to one. Congratulations, Opposition Leader.
I did say to the new member for Wanguri – and congratulations on your appointment, member for Wanguri – that she would make a really good Opposition Leader. The thing about this Chamber is when you come and take your chair …
Ms LAWRIE: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Relevance, we know he is obsessed about leadership because he has been trying to get it. Answer your own dorothy dixer.
Madam SPEAKER: Sit down. It is not a point of order!
Mr GILES: Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. It is highly relevant.
When you come into this Chamber you get a chair with the name of your electorate on it. I am sure you are sitting, member for Wanguri, on a chair that says ‘Wanguri’, but your place might change. We now have the member for Casuarina in the departure lounge sitting over there, so be ready to move over one more, and one more. You may be the shadow spokesperson for Local Government and Animal Welfare. I would really appreciate a question because your side just does not seem interested.
You did nothing about the Mataranka deaths. As I said, between 124 and 800 cattle died on Mataranka Station and you did nothing. You are the people who were, federally, in bed with the Greens and you are all this soft lefty, you love the animals, but you do nothing when they die. It took us to come forward with the CTC recommendations and put them into practice, Stage 1 is done ...
Ms LAWRIE: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Misleading, the department was restructured, the legislation was changed and …
Madam SPEAKER: Opposition Leader, sit down, it is not a point of order!
Mr GILES: Thank you Madam Speaker. I was under the assumption that the word ‘misleading’ was ruled out in this Chamber, but here we have the Opposition Leader’s lies - fifty shades of Labor lies. That is just another one you have introduced into the Chamber. Come on, bring it on ...
Ms LAWRIE: A point of order, Madam Speaker! I am looking forward to when you are the Chief Minister, because you are putting on your little pantomime now. Bring it on, baby, bring it on!
Madam SPEAKER: Opposition Leader, you are on a warning!
Mr GILES: I can advise this House and the Territory that the changes to the Animal Welfare Act came into effect on the 6 February, with seven important changes. The rest are to come in on 21 ...
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, your time has expired.
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