2015-03-26
TIO – Alleged Job Losses
Ms LAWRIE to CHIEF MINISTER
Against strong public opposition and without a mandate you sold our TIO. You promised it would stay Territorian and it did not. You promised staff would keep their jobs, yet banking workers are already in limbo facing jobs interstate or redundancy. The insurer is restructuring; that is code for layoffs. We hear 40 jobs will be lost and insurance premiums are already rising. Everything we feared has come to pass. You lied to Territorians over TIO and now …
Madam SPEAKER: Please withdraw that, Opposition Leader.
Ms LAWRIE: I withdraw.
You were not honest with Territorians about TIO and now staff are suffering. Why did you promise one of the major conditions would be that staff keep their jobs? You issued it in the media release on the day of the sale. I seek leave to table that press release.
Leave granted.
Ms LAWRIE: Why did you say their jobs were safe when they are not? Why did you break that promise?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, what an opportunity it is for TIO. TIO will go from strength to strength. Not many people know that TIO was limited by its ability to provide insurance solely within the Northern Territory. Since the change at TIO insurers can now take their motor vehicle insurance outside the Northern Territory, interstate, which is a good opportunity for those insurance companies. That is part of the changes which have occurred. It is good to see the TIO brand growing across northern Australia and we expect that to continue. In my conversations with TIO since the change of ownership, I have been informed it is now looking at providing a greater suite of services which are being worked on. That is another exciting development.
We have not seen increases in TIO premiums. Each year every insurance agency’s policies go up through indexation. They went up 30% in the last few years of TIO Northern Territory government ownership. It will continue to have the indexation component, but there has been no increase in TIO premiums.
In regard to jobs, 23 people transitioned from TIO to People’s Choice Credit Union. Of those 23, three have resigned and one person has moved within the organisation. People’s Choice Credit Union is looking at expanding in the Northern Territory, and we knew it wanted to. Many years ago there were fewer staff there; it will continue to grow.
TIO is getting its organisational structure in place and is looking at putting more staff on in some units of the organisation. It is a matter for TIO how many extra staff they put on and in which areas. More importantly, what we want from TIO is an insurance agency which grows and continues to prosper not just by operating in the Northern Territory, but with the opportunity to go outside Territory borders and get bigger and better.
Let us put this into the context of Tropical Cyclone Lam. Our estimate to date is that costs were over $100m. If there was an opportunity for that infrastructure to be insured by an insurance agency we would see a lower level of risk for the Northern Territory government. But if it was owned solely within the Northern Territory and went above certain risk levels we would have to carry that, which is what we are doing now in a range of infrastructure needing to be rebuilt. That includes houses, but the opportunity for it to be a private company presents a lower risk to government.
With TIO we are seeing a lower risk, and job security in a wide range of areas, and we will see growth in TIO, which will be a very good thing.
SUPPLEMENTARY QUESTION
TIO – Alleged Job Losses
TIO – Alleged Job Losses
Ms LAWRIE to CHIEF MINISTER
Are you seriously pretending that jobs are not being lost by former TIO staff? A meeting was held where they were advised there would be jobs interstate or redundancy options for them. Are you seriously pretending jobs are not being lost in the banking arm, nor will any jobs be lost under Allianz in the insurance arm when the evidence is to the contrary?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, government has had a range of conversations with TIO and People’s Choice Credit Union and their model of operation is that they want to grow the business. I recall there was a 29% attrition rate within TIO in the past of staff who left each year. TIO and People's Choice have always said if there is any change it will be through natural attrition, not by people being sacked.
As I said, three people have resigned from People’s Choice and one person has changed employment units. People’s Choice is looking at the structure of the organisation going forward, with a view to growing People’s Choice Credit Union in the Northern Territory to see how it can increase its customer base and level of services offered to Territorians. It is the same with TIO; it is getting bigger and going across borders. This is a good thing because there can be a greater level of economies of scale and policy.
Alice Springs – Youth and Safety Issues
Mrs FINOCCHIARO to CHIEF MINISTER
Can you please update the Assembly on tomorrow’s meeting between government agencies regarding safety and conditions in Alice Springs and Tennant Creek town camps? Can you also update the Assembly on any new models the government is exploring to manage youth issues in Alice Springs?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Drysdale for her question. She is concerned about a range of services provided in Central Australia and the community debate as much as I am. I announced earlier this week that we will have an internal government meeting tomorrow to discuss the level of government and non-government service provision we purchase in regard to the town camps in Central Australia and the Barkly region.
I am deeply disappointed by the approach Tangentyere has taken in regard to its public commentary. Instead of dealing with the real issues at hand, Walter Shaw has again chosen to follow Labor’s lead and indulge in personal attacks on me instead of focusing on the issue at hand. It is easy to see how Tangentyere has ended up going down this path when the person writing and distributing their press releases is a paid Labor staffer in the Opposition Leader’s office: Mandy Taylor. She writes the press releases for Tangentyere and works for Delia Lawrie. That is a very fair question.
We should be asking if it is right that a staffer in the Opposition Leader’s office is now writing press releases under a company name for Tangentyere. This is highly immoral in the operations going on. To accuse me of politicising the issue of the allegations of the rape of a seven-year-old girl is a hype of hypocrisy, when a Labor staffer is stirring things up at Tangentyere Council for her own political gain. They need to get some new advice.
Mr GUNNER: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Standing Order 113: relevance. He was asked about the meeting on Friday and I would like to hear about that.
Madam SPEAKER: The Chief Minister has three minutes to answer the question.
Mr GILES: They also need to look closer to home about what solutions they can drive in this space. They are so busy trying to protect their turf and their funding, they have forgotten about the little girl, which has been the purpose of this whole debate in the Chamber. Too many people keep forgetting that and it has been forgotten again.
I am off topic now, but I have seen this time and time again. When child abuse is raised …
Mr GUNNER: A point of order, Madam Speaker!
Madam SPEAKER: Is it a new point of order, member for Fannie Bay?
Mr Gunner: Relevance again.
Madam SPEAKER: No, it is not a new point of order. The Chief Minister has three minutes to answer the question. Sit down.
Mr GILES: Modus operandi – when serious issues are raised, especially about child abuse, it is about attacking the person delivering the message and the funding going to the organisation, but no one stands up for the kid. We are going down the same path again. Keep attacking me; I can handle it. Put as many knives in me as you like, but I will still stand up for that kid. I have been in contact with the town council and the congress, and we are working together to provide after-hours youth services in a partnership between those two organisations.
Morgue Facilities in the Bush
Mr VOWLES to MINISTER for LOCAL GOVERNMENT and COMMUNITY SERVICES referred to MINISTER for HEALTH
Last year the Chief Minister confirmed your agency has carriage of plans to upgrade morgue facilities in bush communities. Your agency has had more than two years to progress plans developed by our government in response to a 2012 Ombudsman’s report. That report focused on an appalling incident at Kalkarindji, in your electorate. You have had over two years to fix that, but late last year a similar incident occurred again on your watch. What have you done over the past two-and-a-half years, and what commitment can you give that you have a plan to improve morgue facilities in the bush?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Johnston for the question. I am glad he is concerned about the facilities in the remote communities because the government that was in charge for 11 years did nothing for them ...
Ms Fyles: You have had two years to implement something.
Mrs PRICE: You had 11 years to look after the bush and you never did.
Ms Walker: Rubbish!
Mrs PRICE: Member for Nhulunbuy, you did nothing. You keep whingeing and whining every time you come to this Chamber about what is not happening in Nhulunbuy.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Stuart, address your comments through the Chair, please.
Mr VOWLES: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Standing Order 113: relevance. It is a very important question and can we not play politics on this, we simply want a plan …
Madam SPEAKER: No, sit down. It is not a point of order.
Mrs PRICE: I will pass this question to the Minister for Health.
Mr ELFERINK (Health): Madam Speaker, let us wind back the clock and go back to when the members opposite were in government. In their haste to create toxic shires they forgot that it was the local community government councils running these morgues, not the Northern Territory government. They did what they always do and steamrolled their way over Aboriginal people, relying on them with expectations that Aboriginal people would continue to vote for them. Aboriginal people in the bush finally turned on them, partly because of this stupidity. ‘We will change all of this stuff, but we have not remembered the morgues.’
Let us talk about the legacy of that. These morgues were run by community government councils and differed in standard and quality. I have spoken directly to the Coroner of the Northern Territory about this issue and asked what his requirement is. His requirement was not much more than a chest freezer; that is essentially what his assertion was. I thought that would not be too expensive, but then you run into the problem of where you put it and who looks after it.
That throws up all manner of issues. Do you leave this thing at the police station in the lockup where somebody might be in a cell next to it? They did not think about that when they were in government. What is the other option? We could build a morgue in each community …
Ms LEE: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Standing Order 113: relevance. The question was about infrastructure being built in Indigenous communities. You are already behind with building health centres.
Madam SPEAKER: No, it is not a point of order. Sit down.
Mr ELFERINK: We are now stuck with being asked to build a specific building in each community – 78 communities across the Northern Territory at $1m per building equals $78m – because those guys could not get themselves organised.
This is the problem with those guys across the Chamber. They are long on rhetoric but when given the opportunity they are short on delivery. Now they say it is our problem because of their mistake. That is the hallmark of Territory politics: Country Liberals fix what Labor leaves behind.
Darwin Business Park – Developments
Mr BARRETT to CHIEF MINISTER
Can you please provide an update on the latest developments at the Darwin Business Park at East Arm and the extent of investment these new developments will bring to the Northern Territory?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Blain for his question. He is very interested in East Arm and how it is developing. Like me, he knows East Arm is a critical part of the architecture of the Northern Territory economy. The bigger the port at East Arm is the better we can support jobs and growth in the Territory.
I am pleased to announce that yet another great investment has been secured at the Darwin Business Park with Charter Hall investing $27m in a 4 ha industrial lot that will host Northline’s new transport hub. Charter Hall is a leading Australian property investment group with total managed funds of around $13bn. This investor has indicated it is looking for additional investment opportunities of this type in the Northern Territory, which is great news for our local industries and businesses which are looking to grow and expand.
The new Northline development will be a huge asset, growing business capacity and contributing to the Northern Territory’s economic development, and creating jobs for Territorians. During the construction phase over 300 construction jobs will be involved in this project. Once complete, Northline will employ in excess of 80 staff at the East Arm transportation hub. The 14 795 m2 development marks a significant expansion of Northline’s national transport and logistics capacity, complementing its existing facilities in other major capital and regional cities around the nation.
Northline has been operating in the Territory for over 30 years providing transport and freight logistics services to Darwin, as well as many regional and remote communities. It is encouraging to see it expanding on this scale. The development features an innovative design, enabling Northline to operate in all weather conditions to take advantage of East Arm’s strategic location in close proximity to the port, rail and road infrastructure.
Projects like this demonstrate increasing business confidence in Darwin and the Northern Territory. While I am talking about business confidence, to my parliamentary colleagues and employees of the Northern Territory public service, congratulations. We are now sitting at a business confidence rate of somewhere near 43%, leading the nation not only in the strength of the economy, in the labour force participation rate and the unemployment rate, but also in business confidence, which is a sure sign of how well things are ticking across.
We are ensuring there are jobs for Territorians for the future. This $27m investment for Northline’s new transportation hub is another tick in the box that shows things are getting bigger and better. Member for Blain, I once again thank you for your question. It is about jobs and about saying the port at East Arm is an essential and critical piece of the economic infrastructure of the Territory. We have to grow it and get bigger and better all in the name of jobs.
Power and Water Tariffs
Mr McCARTHY to CHIEF MINISTER
My question is to the Treasurer, but he is not here.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Barkly, withdraw that.
Mr McCARTHY: I withdraw. I will ask the Chief Minister.
The CLP promised at the last election to reduce the cost of living for Territorians. Instead we have seen your government take deliberate decisions that have raised the cost of living: power tariffs by 30%, water by 40% and sewerage by 25%. Territory families and businesses are bearing the brunt of the CLP putting profits before people. For urban small business owners the electricity bill has jumped from $9000 to $15 000 a quarter.
Last week for a small community store in the Barkly, the power bill was $20 000 a quarter. Families are angry and struggling. Stories are coming to the opposition of a normal bill for the Wet Season being $350 and the latest bill being $1000.
When will you listen to Territorians and reduce power, water and sewerage tariffs? You have the opportunity in the budget.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Barkly for his question. I am not sure what he has to say about the price of housing and units coming down across the Territory, which has been quite good. We know you choked land supply, development, housing approvals and unit approvals. We now have the biggest land release strategy in the Territory’s history with 6500 blocks of land and $130m going towards residential and industrial development in the Northern Territory, driving down the price of housing, which is driving down the cost of living.
Do you have anything to say about petrol? You were the people in charge. The Leader of the Opposition was the Treasurer when the price went up to a 30% gap differential margin between the Northern Territory and interstate. What is it now? It is 9c. You were in government for eleven-and-a-half years and all you did was grow the differential. We have been in for two years and have decreased the differential to a 9c margin and we will keep applying pressure to fuel companies, wholesale companies and distribution companies …
Ms Lawrie: You are telling porkies.
Madam SPEAKER: Opposition Leader, withdraw that.
Ms LAWRIE: I withdraw.
Mr GILES: We will continue to do that, but the Leader of the Opposition …
Mr McCARTHY: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Standing Order 113: relevance. My question directly related to utilities. Chief Minister, will you reduce the cost of power, water and sewerage for Territory families and businesses?
Mr ELFERINK: Speaking to the point of order, Madam Speaker. No, it was not. Your question was about the cost of living and he is telling you it is going down in other areas.
Madam SPEAKER: Thank you, member for Port Darwin, sit down.
Mr GILES: I will illustrate that our power and water reforms are very slowly starting to bite. We still provide more than $150m in subsidy to Power and Water, and that is part of the landscape of Power and Water. In the reform process we are continuing to drive competition and reform so we can start to put downward pressure on Power and Water. Some of the bigger customers will start to see more downward pressure applied in the first instance, and as time progresses the downward pressure will come onto the lower tier customers in power and water costs.
We continue to provide more than $150m subsidy to Power and Water every year, subsidising people’s electricity prices, which has continued for a very long time. We need to ensure we get the best efficiencies in place for downward pressure on Power and Water. No one was brave enough to do this in the past. Labor put the private corporatisation model of Power and Water in place when it first outsourced that company. We are ensuring there is a more competitive environment to put downward pressure on power prices in the Northern Territory.
This will bear fruit in time and we are starting to see that now in the higher tiers. As we get further through the progression more reforms will come to the lower-level tiers.
Cucumber Green Mottle Mosaic Virus
Mr KURRUPUWU to MINISTER for PRIMARY INDUSTRY and FISHERIES
Can the minister update the House on the current status of cucumber green mottle mosaic virus in the Northern Territory?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Arafura for his question. I can inform the House of the changes to the way the Territory will tackle cucumber green mottle mosaic virus, or CGMMV. Unfortunately, over the past few weeks we have seen the number of infected properties in the Territory jump from 10 to 21. We have 16 affected properties in Katherine, four in the greater Darwin rural area and another at Anmatjere, which is south of Ti Tree.
At most of these new sites CGMMV has been detected on several species of weeds, including paddy melons and bush tomatoes. With that in mind, the National Management Group has advised that eradication of CGMMV is no longer technically feasible; we will move into a management phase instead. My Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries is working closely with local industry, peak bodies, the Australian government and biosecurity agencies to develop and implement a management plan.
A meeting was held with Katherine growers this morning to nut out a way forward for them. A similar meeting will be held with Darwin growers tomorrow. DPIF will undertake further research to assist our understanding of the virus, ways to control it and methods to prevent the spread of CGMMV. We are also in the process of establishing market protocols which will be vital as growers move forward. It is important to note that there are still growing districts that remain free of CGMMV. Strong farm biosecurity will be critical as we work to contain the virus.
I recently stood in this House to announce an interest rate subsidy scheme for growers doing it tough due to the CGMMV outbreak. Despite the move to management phase, that offer still remains on the table. The Country Liberals government is committed to making the life of growers easier as they deal with this destructive virus. The guidelines around this scheme are currently being finalised and I look forward to making an announcement in the near future.
If members of the opposition – especially the opposition spokesman, the member for Nelson, who has an interest in all things rural – wish to avail themselves of a briefing, we can provide that if they contact my office.
Palmerston Regional Hospital – Costs
Ms WALKER to MINISTER for HEALTH
In August 2013 the Chief Minister said that work would commence on the new Palmerston hospital within a year. He highlighted that the Darwin region would require an additional 114 hospital beds by the imminent 2015-16 financial year. We will not see any additional beds delivered for years, as you have bungled the Palmerston Regional Hospital. What are the latest estimates of the costs blowout for this major project, and how will this be managed? What hospital services are now under review to be dumped or privatised because of the cost blowout?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, it is funny that the member for Nhulunbuy says I have bungled this. I have only been in charge of it for a couple of weeks. The answer to that question is none.
Political Donations Inquiry
Mr WOOD to CHIEF MINISTER
You set up an inquiry into political donations based loosely on my motion for an inquiry, which was passed by this parliament last year. I say ‘loosely’ because you removed the part of the inquiry’s original terms which would have allowed an investigation into the CLP political donation company, Foundation 51. It would have also allowed the public to see whether political donations to the CLP affected government policy. That did not happen so we were left with a lesser part of the inquiry, which was run by our former Auditor-General, Frank McGuiness, who sadly passed away recently. You were to report back to the Assembly in the first quarter of the year. As this is the last day of the sittings in the first quarter, can we expect a report to be tabled today?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, no, you cannot.
Ms Fyles: Another broken promise.
Mr GILES: The reason I will not is due to sensitivities regarding the person who undertook the review passing away. We will report on the first day of parliament in April.
Thanks very much for that interjection, member for Nightcliff.
Workers Rehabilitation and Compensation Scheme Legislation
Mr KURRUPUWU to MINISTER for POLICE, FIRE and EMERGENCY SERVICES
Can you explain to the House how the Country Liberal government’s workers rehabilitation and compensation legislation will compare with the rest of Australia?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, it was a delight to be in the Chamber last night to finally introduce legislation for the Northern Territory that is far superior to any legislation in any other jurisdiction across Australia. It is more generous than any other jurisdiction.
Labor members turned their backs on that legislation. They were all standing in front of Parliament House with their firefighter friends and when it came to the crux they turned their backs on the firefighters.
I need to point out some of the inaccuracies the member for Barkly put in a media release yesterday. Last night the Chief Minister went over some of the points that were wrong and misleading. One of them is that we do not allow for claims for firefighters after they have left the fire service. I will compare a couple of states; in Western Australia you must be an active firefighter to make a claim. Once you leave the service you cannot make a claim. In South Australia, which has Labor policy, there is a threshold of 30%. In New South Wales it is 20%. In the Northern Territory the bar is as low as 15%, which covers most injuries. It is the best coverage.
We took our time in developing this legislation because we needed to listen and understand further ...
Members interjecting.
Mr CHANDLER: Listen to all the rhetoric. You had 11 years in government and did nothing. You were in government for over 12 months when the federal Labor government introduced its legislation. You failed firefighters back then, and you failed them last night when you turned your backs and did not support this legislation.
Go outside, stand with firefighters and tell them that you did not have the guts to back them in here. At a time of pressure you turned your backs on them.
This is the most genuine and generous …
Ms Lawrie: It is disingenuous.
Ms Walker: You are the most disingenuous of them all.
Mr CHANDLER: The only people being disingenuous are sitting opposite. For years they have used firefighters as their pawns in the political game. When it came to backing them, they failed them miserably. You should be ashamed of yourselves.
Indigenous Education Review – Remote Boarding Schools
Ms MANISON to MINISTER for EDUCATION
The CLP has slashed the education budget and we have lost teachers, support staff and programs. Schools have lost more under global school budget cuts by stealth. My question is about the Bruce Wilson report on the Review of Indigenous Education in the Northern Territory which was released in May last year. Where are we with the implementation plan and what is happening with the establishment of remote boarding schools?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, at lunchtime today I was at an event at Robertson Barracks with the Chief Minister and had a couple of minutes with a number of principals, as well as the Education Chief Executive, Ken Davies. I told them a quick story about how I did not hold the portfolio over the Christmas period, and took some time to reflect on some of the things introduced into education in the last 18 months of this government. The previous Labor government, which did not do a lot other than spend money for eleven-and-a-half years, would focus on money and not outcomes. It would not be about looking after children in classrooms; it would not be about improving education results. That time of reflection for me indicated that this is a government of reform which will set up a second-to-none education system in the Northern Territory.
In the work we have done on the reviews undertaken to set up a new act in the Northern Territory – the first in approximately 30 years – part of that strategy includes boarding schools. The first boarding school will be built in Nhulunbuy. A number of other boarding schools will be built, because it is important to note that the failed Labor model of trying to deliver high school education in very remote locations is extremely difficult, not only for the hard-working teachers …
Members interjecting.
Mr CHANDLER: They are getting a bit riled up over there.
Ms Walker: That is because we are passionate about education and you are not.
Mr CHANDLER: Do you want to talk about passion in education, member for Nhulunbuy?
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, please direct your comments through the Chair.
Mr CHANDLER: This focus on education and the reforms we have made in education in the last 18 months are absolutely …
Ms LAWRIE: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Standing Order 113: relevance. With less than a minute left, will you answer the question? Where is the implementation plan and what is happening with boarding schools?
Madam SPEAKER: Sit down. Opposition Leader, it is not a point of order. The minister has three minutes to answer the question.
Mr CHANDLER: The Bruce Wilson report is a 10-year strategy. The first three years was funded by this government last year to ensure that for the first three years we get it right, bed it down and construct a solid foundation for the remaining seven years of the plan. It is a 10-year plan and the funding has been secured for the next three years. My job as Education minister will be to ensure the funding continues. The plan is robust, solid and will make a huge difference to the outcomes of Indigenous children in remote locations in the Northern Territory.
Rugby League Representative Squad Selection
Mr BARRETT to MINISTER for SPORT and RECREATION
I understand the Under 15 rugby league NT rep squad selection will be held in Darwin tomorrow. Will the minister please tell us how the tournament is shaping up?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Blain for his question; he has a great interest in sport. Fifteen primary and middle schools have nominated to send teams to squad selection at Warren Park tomorrow. This is a record number of schools opting to be involved in the day-long event. The schools come from all over Darwin, Palmerston and the rural area, as well as from Batchelor in my electorate and as far south as Katherine.
The increased interest in being part of the selection process is due to the hard work of NRLNT development officers and staff at the NT Institute of Sport to promote rugby league at the grassroots level. The NT government’s partnership with the NRL’s Parramatta Eels has also proven to be effective in raising interest in the game.
Each team will play three games with a for-and-against points system determining the winning team at the end of the day, and the best player of the tournament will be named. The best and most promising 30 players will be chosen before being cut down to a final 20 over the coming weeks, who will then form the Under 15 NT representative team to compete in Sydney from 21 to 26 June.
I am sure all honourable members will join me in wishing all the young players good luck for tomorrow.
Indigenous Community Closures
Ms LEE to CHIEF MINISTER
As you would be aware being Minister for Indigenous Affairs, up to 150 Indigenous communities in Western Australia are to be shut down. This brings fear to those in communities around the Northern Territory that this government will do the same after attempts were made last year at Whitegate. Can you assure the frightened people of the Northern Territory Indigenous communities that they are safe to live on their homelands without fear of losing their homes and connections to land?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Arnhem for her important question. Western Australian government policies are not being reflected in the Northern Territory. While I do not have in-depth knowledge of everything they are doing in regard to the Indigenous communities, in the Northern Territory we support all communities.
We often refer to 73 communities, because that was the number used in the intervention based on size of population. There are hundreds of discrete communities, homelands, outstations or otherwise. They will continue to receive funding and support, like we always provide to schools, health, education and so forth.
When we came into government we made a number of changes. We sought to reverse the shire council reform process and put in place the regional councils. We set up local authorities in 63 locations across the Territory. We funded local authorities to the tune of $50 000 each through the councils so they could have a greater role in decision-making.
Our policy is to decentralise decision-making and support those communities, rather than a centralisation approach, which is what Labor offered. We have heard about it today; when the shires came in and the community councils were shut, the morgues were closed. That is only one thing, aside from losing tractors and jobs.
We started the process of decentralising, setting up the local authorities and providing them with more financial support. We are now looking at decentralising other decisions so communities can have control over a range of areas. The Minister for Education is the best person to talk about education, but we are seeking to provide a greater level of autonomy to schools so parents can have a greater level of control.
You asked if there was anything to fear within communities. That is another very good question and the answer is yes. The big fear is that Labor will get back into government. That is a big fear not just in Aboriginal communities, but right across the Northern Territory. They remember the time when their voice was taken away. They remember losing their councils and morgues. All Territorians remember the high debt levels of government, the high cost of living, housing and fuel which Labor pushed up.
The biggest fear in the Northern Territory is Labor getting back into government.
Ms WALKER: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Standing Order 113: relevance. This question was specifically about supporting homelands. Can the Chief Minister come back to that and say what he is doing to put the Prime Minister back in his box about lifestyle choices, and is he lobbying for ongoing funding?
Madam SPEAKER: No, that is not a point of order and not what the question was about. The Chief Minister is answering the question.
Mr GILES: I think I have answered this question well. The biggest fear Territorians have is Delia Lawrie being back in charge of the Northern Territory.
Ms Lawrie: They cannot wait to get rid of you.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Karama, cease interjecting.
Land Access Agreements
Mr KURRUPUWU to MINISTER for PRIMARY INDUSTRY and FISHERIES
Can you please update the House on progress being made in regard to land access agreements between pastoralists and mining companies?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Arafura for his very important question. It is a great pleasure to update the House on this today because it is an important issue for our pastoralists. I have long advocated for a situation where our pastoralists, as well as mining, oil and gas companies, understand their respective rights and obligations in regard to land access. The Country Liberals government is committed to implementing clear, transparent guidelines that protect mutual interests.
It has been a pleasure to work with the new Minister for Mines and Energy, minister Tollner, on achieving a win-win outcome on this matter. There has been extensive consultation with stakeholders, including the NT Cattlemen’s Association, the Minerals Council of Australia and APPEA.
Mr Vowles: He is not here.
Ms Fyles: He is talking to Tinker Bell on his unicorn phone.
Madam SPEAKER: I heard that, members for Nightcliff and Johnston; withdraw those comments.
Ms FYLES: I withdraw.
Mr VOWLES: Withdraw what?
Madam SPEAKER: Withdraw what you said.
Mr VOWLES: I withdraw.
Mr WESTRA van HOLTHE: This intensive consultation has been happening over the past 12 months or so since this issue was raised with me at last year’s Katherine NTCA branch meeting.
Today I was pleased to announce that the NT government is putting new measures in place which require a memorandum of understanding to be agreed to before a mine management plan is approved. It is vital that lines of communication are open so pastoralists are aware of and comfortable with any exploration or production activity proposed on their land. The resource sector and cattle industry make significant contributions to our economy. Negotiations between the parties are complex and we need to ensure the outcome is practical and workable for all parties.
While we are awaiting the final agreement from the stakeholder boards and committees, the proposal we have which has been well received is that under the Mineral Titles Act, a mining, oil and gas company must show evidence and demonstrate there has been consultation before title or tenure is issued.
When there is proposed to be substantial disturbance to the ground, MMPs under the Mining Management Act will need to contain an MOU before they are approved. There is also a dispute resolution process built into this, which includes mediation and, if necessary, a referral to NTCAT. This means we have a robust set of measures designed to protect the interests of all parties.
We expect the exact details of the agreement will be finalised in the coming weeks following signoff from relevant stakeholders.
There are 500 cattlemen descending on Darwin today and tomorrow for the Northern Territory Cattlemen’s Association AGM and conference. I trust today’s announcement about land access agreements will be well received by many. I look forward to updating the House on this matter in the future.
Housing Crisis in Remote Areas
Mr GUNNER to MINISTER for HOUSING
There has been a deafening silence from the CLP about the housing crisis in communities. The CLP is failing in its promise to build new homes and maintain existing homes. We have heard from people in remote communities about sewage flowing into back yards for over two years and water damage from plumbing left unmaintained, making houses uninhabitable.
Your federal colleague, CLP Senator Nigel Scullion, has criticised your failure to deal with chronic overcrowding. You cannot continue to blame your failures on previous governments. We understand all the money from the National Partnership Agreement on Remote Indigenous Housing has been spent. Can you explain why you and your government have failed to deliver on your promises to improve housing in the bush?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Fannie Bay for his question. It is ironic that 11 years of their governance …
Ms Lee: This is in your time.
Mrs PRICE: Member for Arnhem, you remember how disappointed you were during your time on this side of the Chamber; housing should have been built through SIHIP in the communities which were neglected for so many years. It is not long ago that the opposition was in power. I will keep reminding you that for 11 years you neglected the people of the bush.
Once again more lies and mistruths are being spread before any real facts are being given in regard to this claim of sewage …
Ms FYLES: A point of order, Madam Speaker!
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Nightcliff, she did not accuse a person of lying; it was a noun.
Mrs PRICE: As I said, once again more lies and mistruths are being spread before any facts are being given in regard to this claim of sewage flowing into back yards. I am happy for you to contact my office to get a briefing ...
Ms LEE: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Standing Order 113: relevance. There have been problems on Groote Eylandt for a very long time, especially Bickerton Island with flooding sewage …
Madam SPEAKER: That is not a point of order. Sit down.
Mrs PRICE: I would have been happy for them to contact my office to get a briefing on this, especially the member for Arnhem. Time and time again I have made it clear to her that we can brief her on the housing situation in the communities.
The member for Wanguri was the Housing adviser for Chris Burns. What happened in the 11 years you advised Chris Burns?
Ms LAWRIE: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Standing Order 113: relevance. We had 3500 houses built or renovated in two-and-a-half years.
Madam SPEAKER: Opposition Leader, sit down. You are on a warning, you are misusing standing orders.
Mrs PRICE: Yes, she was the leader for 11 years and she talks about no consultation process. They did not do that; they were no good at it.
The SIHIP program ignored Elliott. They did nothing for that community.
Mr GUNNER: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Standing Order 113: relevance. Can you explain why you and your government have failed to deliver on your promise to improve housing in the bush?
Madam SPEAKER: No, that is not a point of order.
Mrs PRICE: Once again more lies and mistruths.
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, please refrain from saying ‘lies’.
Mrs PRICE: I would like to update you on the real facts around these allegations. There is no sewage flowing into back yards as reported in Peppimenarti. All dwellings in Peppimenarti are on a holding tank system. This means the dwellings have two tanks. The first tank receives all waste …
Ms LEE: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Standing Order 113: relevance. The sewage is flowing at Beswick as we speak.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Arnhem, I have given you quite a bit of latitude. That is misuse of standing orders, as you all know. You are on a warning.
Mrs PRICE: All dwellings in Peppimenarti have been seen to. Officers are working there with the community, ensuring this does not happen again.
In October last year the Department of Housing …
Mr McCARTHY: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Standing Order 255, we are out time; will the minister table the notes she is reading from?
Mrs PRICE: They are my notes, thank you.
Madam SPEAKER: No, they are private notes. I am not even going to bother.
Mango Exports to USA
Mrs FINOCCHIARO to MINISTER for PRIMARY INDUSTRY and FISHERIES
Can you please update the House on the progress made in exporting mangoes to the United States of America?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, it is fantastic to deliver good news. I hear the interjections from the other side of the House. A couple of people have been pulled up on it recently because they do not like good news. We are getting used to that.
We have so much to tell, with so many good news stories coming out of this Country Liberals government, but you cannot get a word in edgeways with the opposition because they do not like to hear good news. This is a fantastic news story.
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Distinguished Visitor
Hon Barry Coulter
Distinguished Visitor
Hon Barry Coulter
Madam SPEAKER: I would like to welcome a previous Deputy Chief Minister to the gallery, Barry Coulter. Welcome to Parliament House.
Members: Hear, hear!
Madam SPEAKER: I am sure you are very much entertained.
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Ms Fyles: Where is Dave?
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Nightcliff, you have already reflected on someone who may or may or not be in the Chamber. You are on a warning.
Mr WESTRA van HOLTHE: Australian mangoes have broken into the US market for the first time, with six tonnes of tropical fruit exported to Texas last month. This is a remarkable achievement which follows 15 years of export protocol negotiations. We have been working towards this day for a long time and it has opened the door to a large and exciting new market.
As NT mangoes are currently out of season the fruit was sourced from Queensland. However, in November ripe NT mangoes will be sent to American supermarket shelves. The Northern Territory had some involvement in the initial shipment, with a DPIF marketing officer escorting Australia’s first ever shipment of this tropical fruit to America to assess the distribution pathway and the process of putting them on supermarket shelves. DPIF has been working closely with the Australian Mango Industry Association in developing its mango export strategy, which was launched in Darwin in November 2014 with the federal minister Barnaby Joyce.
With the domestic market somewhat saturated, the Territory had to look beyond its shores to stay viable over the next 10-15 years. Australian growers produced 45 000 tonnes of mangoes in 2012-13, with exports valued at $16m. The federal export plan aims to increase mango exports by 100% during the next three years. The US is the world’s largest mango import market with over 300 000 tonnes per annum, making it the most promising of all markets looked at. It is a very stable market with clear and consistent rules and regulations, and it offers the opportunity to gain access to 318m potential mango lovers.
The feedback I received regarding the mangoes going there was splendid. They hit the shelves, looked fantastic and were whipped up by buyers. We face a bright future for mango exports from the Northern Territory to the United States in the years to come.
Roads Funding
Mr VOWLES to CHIEF MINISTER
Under the previous NT and federal Labor governments, $106m was committed to the Regional Roads Productivity Package. The funding was to upgrade 60 regional roads. You must have liked the idea because in May last year you re-announced $106m to spend on the Roper Highway, Santa Teresa Road, Central Arnhem Road, Buntine Highway, Port Keats Road and the Arnhem Link Road. Why have you failed to deliver on these vital road upgrades, and will we see these projects reappear in the upcoming budget?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, the member for Johnston needs to get out more. The Santa Teresa Road is being worked on right now. You would understand that if you had been out and about. The tractors are digging up the roads and forming them. You have to get out there.
You should also understand that Labor did not give us that money under the productivity package. We had to lobby to get the money and now we are doing the work. If you go to Alice Springs you will see the Santa Teresa Road being built. If you check out the Roper and Wilton Rivers and talk to the community at Ngukurr, they will tell you they are forming partnerships with service providers so they can be part of building the two bridges, as well as working on roads between Ngukurr and Numbulwar to create more jobs for their community.
Your question did not show an understanding of what is happening with the Regional Roads Productivity Package. All of the additional money the Northern Territory government announced through last year’s budget is going into major arterial roads across the Northern Territory. If you want to talk about roads we have delivered, look in the member for Wanguri’s electorate at the most recent duplication there. I was driving along Lee Point Road the other day, inspecting it. There is some fantastic work there.
On behalf of our government, we are supporting people not only in the bush or the regional centres, but in the northern suburbs as well. We are getting as much money as we can into infrastructure, to make sure people’s lives are easier, smarter, better – a range of things. Member for Johnston, I encourage you to get out and about a bit more, and you might see that some of the work we have announced is being delivered in the Northern Territory.
Budget Outcomes – County Liberals Governments
Mr CONLAN to TREASURER
Can you please enlighten the House as to why Country Liberals governments always manage to deliver fairer and better budget outcomes than Labor governments?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I think the member for Greatorex for that excellent question. It is a common theme that Liberal, National and Country Liberal governments will always be economically better than Labor governments. That is a fact and is the common thinking. People who visit Australia ask me what parties we have. I say that we have two fundamental parties; one spends the money and the other saves it. One party is good at spending money and the other is good at being responsible.
It is thrilling to see former Treasurer, Barry Coulter, sitting in the gallery today. There is a man who knew frugal behaviour and how to balance a budget, and he did a fantastic job. Through the history of the Territory we saw Country Liberals governments pass budgets over decades which were responsible and delivered for Territorians.
Contrast that with what happens federally. I was very fortunate to be part of the Howard government. When the Howard government came to power it was staring down the barrel of a $100bn debt legacy left to them by the former Hawke and Keating governments. The Hawke and Keating governments would be a breath of fresh air in comparison to the Rudd/Gillard/Rudd governments. Hawke and Keating were seen as good economic managers for the reforms they drove, but as far as living within their means they were not very good.
Mr Howard and Mr Costello attacked the challenge. When they left government 13 years later Australia was in surplus. We had balanced budgets and surpluses, and Australia was in good shape.
Within six short years we saw the destruction of the Labor government after a mad spending spree put us into intergenerational debt. I was reading a commentary in the paper which said for 40 years we will be looking down the barrel of budget deficits, thanks to the Rudd/Gillard/Rudd years.
The upcoming budget in the Territory will again be a typical Country Liberals budget; it will be responsible. We will manage the finances well. Our last couple of budgets are starting to bear fruit and we are getting over the hurdle and hill left by the former Treasurer.
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