2009-06-09
Labor Party Majority in Assembly –
Advice from Solicitor-General
Advice from Solicitor-General
Mr MILLS to CHIEF MINISTER
On the day the member for Arafura left the Labor Party in disgust at her treatment, you issued a media release claiming the current makeup of parliament maintains the government’s majority in the House as the Speaker has a casting vote on all occasions. You also claim you had advice from the Solicitor-General concerning …
Dr BURNS: A point of order, Madam Speaker! This question is repetitive and contains a number of …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, order!
Dr BURNS: Madam Speaker, the Leader of the Opposition knows full well what is in the letter from the Solicitor-General, as does everyone in this House. Why is he repeating it when asking a question of the Chief Minister?
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Leader of Government Business, I will allow the question. Please, will you just listen to the question in silence?
Mr MILLS: Chief Minister, the fact is you now lead a minority government. Labor has just 12 of the 25 members in this House. Will you table the advice from the Solicitor-General that you claim turns 12 out of 25 into a majority?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his question. I will continue to lead strong, certain and good government for the people of the Northern Territory. That is my commitment: to lead strong, certain and good government for the people of the Northern Territory ...
Mr Tollner: It is not good. You are weak. You are wishy-washy, and weak.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr HENDERSON: This is about providing certainty of government for the people of the Northern Territory.
Mr MILLS: A point of order, Madam Speaker! This question is about tabling the advice from the Solicitor-General. That is the point; that is what it is about.
Madam SPEAKER: The Chief Minister has just started answering the question. I am sure he will come to the point.
Mr HENDERSON: Absolutely, Madam Speaker. I have no problem tabling the advice. We are going to get the advice. The advice was circulated with the media release at the media conference I held. We have advice from the Solicitor-General, that, as long as this House continues to support supply bills, and does not support a vote of no confidence in the government, then the government continues to govern. That is the advice we have from the Solicitor-General. It is not rocket science.
There have been plenty of examples in recent Australian political history where governments have provided good, stable government with a minority on the floor. It means negotiating legislation with this parliament. It will mean negotiating with the member for Arafura and the member for Nelson in regard to legislation. We are committed to doing that.
I have no problems tabling the advice from the Solicitor-General. It is on its way. In fact, I have it here. It was made public when the media release went out.
I am committed to strong, certain and good government for the people of the Northern Territory.
Election Commitments
Mr GUNNER to CHIEF MINISTER
Since the election in August 2008, the government has made it a priority to deliver real results for Territorians. Can the Chief Minister …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, order!
Mr GUNNER: Can the Chief Minister please advise the House on the implementation of our election commitments for Territorians?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Fannie Bay for his question. As well as delivering our election commitments, we will be transparent and accountable for our election commitments.
Today, I am very pleased to table the second progress report on the implementation of the commitments that we made to the people of the Northern Territory. We have a strong record on delivering for Territorians going back to 2001. We have a strong record of fulfilling our election commitments to the people of the Northern Territory. Our announcements were responsible, they were costed by Treasury, and we will continue to implement those. We also had those independently assessed by Treasury. Treasury gave our election commitments the tick, and put a big cross against the …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr HENDERSON: … very rubbery costings the CLP made against their commitments, a very big cross.
I announced in November and June, unprecedented since self-government, a fully accountable update to the people of the Territory of a record of implementation of our commitments. The first report was tabled in November; today, I am tabling the second. This progress report will show that, of the 93 commitments made during the election, the government has work under way already on 56 of those.
To date, we have already fulfilled 16 of those commitments, up from five in November, including, in no particular order: an additional firefighter at Jabiru, with a new firefighting staff under way; we are the first government in Australia to provide free buses for students, pensioners and carers; a new bus service for Bayview, Cullen Bay and the Waterfront; the back to school payment, which helps so many parents, has been increased to $75; land release has been achieved in Tennant Creek and Katherine, with land release well under way across the Northern Territory; and we have placed an extensive EIS process on further land clearing applications for the Tiwi Islands. There are a number of others detailed in this report.
I am particularly proud of these achievements to date. I undertake that we will deliver on those commitments to Territorians. In particular, that success has come with another commitment which was opposed by the CLP: the opening of police beats across the Northern Territory.
Members interjecting.
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker! I look forward to the Chief Minister talking about fulfilling his promises in relation to Bellamack and the ENI pipeline.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Port Darwin, resume your seat, there is no point of order.
Ms Lawrie: There are crews working on it now.
Mr Elferink: It is too late: past your deadlines, way past your deadlines.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Port Darwin, cease interjecting.
Mr HENDERSON: The Police Beat that has been so successful in Casuarina was opposed by the opposition, and all Police Beats were opposed.
I am very proud to table this progress report for June 2009. The next progress report will be updated in November. This is all about strong, certain, good government for the people of the Northern Territory, and delivering on our election commitments. That is what we are committed to do.
Mr TOLLNER: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The Chief Minister knows that he has not provided strong leadership …
Madam SPEAKER: Resume your seat, member for Fong Lim. There is no point of order.
A Working Future - Outstations Policy
Mr MILLS to CHIEF MINISTER
At a media conference last week, you expressed your confidence in being able to talk the member for Arafura into staying in the Labor Party stating: ‘There is not daylight between us’. The member for Arafura describes your policy on outstations as ‘premature, insulting and uncosted’. Will you confirm to the House that your outstations policy is indeed premature, insulting, and uncosted, and that you broke your promise to consult with Indigenous Territorians?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, A Working Future will mean real towns, real jobs, and real opportunities for Indigenous people. This is the most fundamental reform of Indigenous policy in the Northern Territory going back to self-government and before that.
As I have said, I am sad to see my friend move to the cross benches, but I stick to the facts of what I said: there is not daylight between us and we will continue to work with the member for Arafura on the concerns that she has on behalf of her constituents.
A Working Future is about real towns, real jobs, and real opportunities. It is about providing quality; quality of services and quality of opportunities in terms of jobs that people in these remote communities previously did not have. There has never been a quality agenda in these towns and communities in the bush. As Chief Minister, I am no longer prepared to see people have less of an opportunity in our remote towns than they do in towns elsewhere in the Northern Territory. I am united, not only with my colleagues, but with the Commonwealth government of Australia to make a real, significant and lasting difference.
This is not just about the Territory government with our shoulders to the wheel on policy; it is in partnership with the Australian government. This is about a real, focused effort on righting the wrongs, and on doing the right thing by Aboriginal people who live in these remote communities across the Northern Territory. There is significant funding, Territory and Australian government funding, behind this push.
The Northern Territory’s Closing the Gap, the SIHIP contributions for Indigenous housing, the National Partnership Agreements on the emergency response, Indigenous health, low socioeconomic status schools, Indigenous early childhood development, and the Nation Building and Jobs Plan on remote schools, and the service delivery national partnership. We are talking a focused commitment and financial effort of some $1.5bn over the next three to four years.
This effort by the Territory and Commonwealth governments is unprecedented. It will provide quality opportunities for Indigenous people.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Braitling, cease interjecting.
Mr HENDERSON: Yes, it is a tough call, but it is about strong leadership, it is about having a vision …
Mr TOLLNER: A point of order, Madam Speaker! This spineless man continues to talk about strong leadership.
Dr BURNS: A point of order, Madam Speaker!
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order! There have been far too many interjections. Member for Fong Lim, the kind of language you just used is inappropriate. I ask you to withdraw, please.
Mr TOLLNER: I withdraw, Madam Speaker.
Madam SPEAKER: Thank you very much, member for Fong Lim. Chief Minister, you have the call.
Mr HENDERSON: Madam Speaker, A Working Future is about real towns, real jobs, and real opportunities. It is backed by $1.5bn of Commonwealth and Territory government finance …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, order!
Mr HENDERSON: … with a plan to provide real opportunities for Indigenous people. I am proud of that plan. I will continue to work with all members on this side of the House, and the two Independents, as we progress the implementation of this plan for the benefit of Indigenous Territorians in remote communities.
Members: Hear, hear!
Budget 2009-10 – Community Feedback
Ms WALKER to TREASURER
Can you please inform the House about community feedback you received from across the Territory on the initiatives in Budget 2009-10?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nhulunbuy for her question. I was very pleased to catch up with a wide range of Territorians, including local community members and business people, as I travelled across the Territory to our main regional centres to discuss what Budget 2009-10 means for our important regions.
Budget 2009-10 is focused on protecting Territory jobs and, at the same time, building the Territory, but right across our Territory, right across our regions.
In Alice Springs, I attended a jointly hosted event with the Chamber of Commerce and the Territory Construction Association; in Tennant Creek, Katherine and Nhulunbuy, the attendance was at record levels as Territorians came to hear how Budget 2009-10 would support their local economy and local services.
The reaction from the regions was very positive to the news that the budget would deliver an unprecedented infrastructure spending of $1.3bn to support 2500 jobs in the construction sector across our economy. The first $1bn Health budget was very warmly received across the regions as they understand the importance of good quality health care. $118m to rebuild Territory schools was very warmly received; as was $108m to fast-track land release across the Territory to support that community infrastructure. There is a 92% increase in funding for Housing, for public and social housing,. We had a great deal of discussion on that, and it was very welcomed …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Dr BURNS: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Standing Order 51: the members opposite are designing their interjections so people cannot hear the good news the Treasurer has to deliver. I ask them to desist.
Members interjecting.
Mr TOLLNER: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The good news the Treasurer is delivering is, in fact, a ministerial statement.
Members interjecting.
Mr TOLLNER: Let me finish!
Dr Burns: What standing order number is it?
Madam SPEAKER: Resume your seat, Leader of Government Business.
Mr TOLLNER: Madam Speaker, this is a ministerial statement and its motive here is to eat up as much of Question Time as possible.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Fong Lim, resume your seat. There is no point of order.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Honourable members, there have been far too many interjections. Member for Fong Lim! Member for Greatorex!
Ms LAWRIE: Madam Speaker, I find it extraordinary that members opposite would not want to hear the regional response to Budget 2009-10.
People came in record numbers because they saw the daily news in the national media regarding the global financial crisis. They were genuinely interested to hear the government’s effort and focus in Budget 2009-10. Clearly. they heard this is a budget focused on protecting jobs and providing that all important stimulus through construction to support economic growth. They were vitally interested in the record spending on roads of $322m; roads are critical to growing the regions, the record spending on schools infrastructure, the 92% increase in Housing, and building those core services across Police, Health and Education.
There is heightened interest in the community around the government’s budget. People are aware that there is a global economic downturn and they wanted to hear how the Territory economy was tracking;, how we are in growth, they were very positive about the growth we were in, and what government spending was doing to ensure we were pushing spending into infrastructure, while we knew private sector contraction would occur as a result of the squeeze on the credit markets.
They were pleased to hear we are tracking at 4.1% economic growth this year. They were pleased to hear that not only the Territory government’s own Treasury has growth across the forward years, but also Access Economics, independently, has growth across forward years ...
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker! By the Leader of Government Business’ own yardstick, this is repetitive. This is just the second reading speech for the budget repeated.
Madam SPEAKER: There is no point of order. The minister has been asked a question. If you could come to the point fairly soon, Treasurer.
Ms LAWRIE: Absolutely, Madam Speaker. I recognise the members opposite simply do not want to hear what the people in the regions of the Territory think about the budget; that people in the regions actually care about their needs in infrastructure, education, health, police and housing. It was very warmly received, with record attendances across our regions.
Labor Party – Concessions to
Member for Arafura
Member for Arafura
Mr MILLS to CHIEF MINISTER
What concessions and promises did you make to the member for Arafura to keep her in the Labor Party? What was the cost of these promises? Did you commit to delivering these promises across the Territory, or can we look forward to your government doing special interest deals so that you can cling on to power?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I acknowledge the question from the Leader of the Opposition. The question is highly offensive. Not only highly offensive to me, but highly offensive to the member for Arafura and her integrity and contribution to this parliament and the people of the Northern Territory for many years.
It is a highly offensive question from the Leader of the Opposition. There is no doubt that there is a difference of views on the outstation policy. When we talked about those issues, I made an absolute commitment that, as we implement A Working Future, we will continue to work with the member for Arafura and her constituents in regard to their concerns. That was the commitment I made and the commitment I will keep.
This is about implementing good policy that will see significant improvements in these regional areas. The implementation of any policy will, of course, affect all Territorians that policy touches. To suggest otherwise is offensive to me and to the member for Arafura.
Frances Bay Area Plan
Mr GUNNER to MINISTER for PLANNING and LANDS
Can you please inform the House about government’s plans for the Frances Bay area?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I welcome the question from the member for Fannie Bay. Earlier today, I released the Frances Bay Area Plan, which will set the direction for the future development of this important area shouldering our CBD.
The Frances Bay area has long been used for industrial purposes. It is a prime location for development opportunities. The government believes this area is currently under utilised and we would like to see it improved for the benefit of Territorians and, indeed, our tourists.
The area plan will not limit the existing development rights of the landowners, but will provide the opportunity for the properties in this area to be developed into a mixed use waterfront development. The plan provides for waterfront and maritime activities, integrating residential, maritime, industrial, commercial, and tourism activities, including a fish market.
The land, known as the Gobi Desert, will be released for development, which will include an expansion of the existing mooring basin known as the Duck Pond. Marina development is appropriate in this area, and the plan proposes a 50% expansion of that mooring basin, providing an extra 45 berths to cater for the growth we are seeing in the commercial fisheries industry, but also the growing charter boat and coastal cruising industries.
The plan has been prepared in consultation with the affected landowners and the industries, and will shortly go out on public exhibition, inviting public feedback to the plan prior to it being introduced, ultimately, to the planning scheme. This will provide an opportunity for the public to comment on what we believe to be an exciting vision for the development and future of beautifying the Frances Bay area.
Member for Arafura – Newspaper Report
Mr MILLS to CHIEF MINISTER
The member for Arafura has fingered you as the source of the malicious story published about her in the NT News last week …
Dr BURNS: A point of order, Madam Speaker! This is an inference in a question that should not be allowed. No one has ever said that.
Madam SPEAKER: I will let you continue, Leader of the Opposition, and make a decision if there is a problem later.
Mr MILLS: The member for Arafura has fingered you as the source of the malicious story published about her in the NT News last week. Given your shafting of Clare Martin to take the leadership of the Labor Party, it is clear you are the only person capable of shafting your own former Deputy Chief Minister.
Dr BURNS: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Standing Order 112, all this hypothetical material, and the inferences, which are not backed up by any objective measure, should not be allowed.
Members interjecting.
Mr ELFERINK: Speaking to the point of order, Madam Speaker. The member for Arafura made her opinions quite clear.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Leader of the Opposition, I ask you to reword the question. The general thrust is fine, but please reword without inferences.
Mr MILLS: Chief Minister, what did you hope to gain by leaking such a malicious story about the member for Arafura?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I acknowledge the desperate and inaccurate question from the Leader of the Opposition – a desperate man with no plan to lead the Northern Territory.
The story, as it was reported in the NT News, was absolutely inaccurate. I had my discussions with the member for Arafura. The Leader of the Opposition must have been living in a cave for the last week, because there has been so much media comment on this, there have been so many interviews that I have done on this, where I have stated, time and time again, that I had no conversation with either of the journalists involved in writing that story, none of my staff had any conversations with the journalists who wrote that story, and the piece was absolutely wrong. It was hurtful to the member for Arafura …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Chief Minister, resume your seat. I am finding it increasingly difficult to hear the person who has the call, which in this case is the Chief Minister. I remind you of Standing Order 51:
- No Member may converse aloud or make any noise or disturbance, which in the opinion of the Speaker is designed to interrupt or has the effect of interrupting a Member speaking.
Chief Minister, you have the call.
Mr HENDERSON: Thank you, Madam Speaker. The article was wrong, it was inaccurate, and it was offensive to the member for Arafura. In political life, there is always conjecture and rumour about who said what to whom and when; it ends up in newspapers and is reported in other areas and, more often than not, are inaccurate. That story was absolutely inaccurate.
Alice Springs – Land Handover to
Traditional Owners
Traditional Owners
Ms WALKER to CHIEF MINISTER
On Friday, 12 June, the Chief Minister and the Minister for Indigenous Policy will be in Alice Springs handing back land to traditional owners. They will also meet with the federal Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, Jenny Macklin, on a proposed acquisition of town camp leases in Alice Springs. Can the Chief Minister update the House on the Territory government’s position on compulsory acquisition of the town camp leases in Alice Springs, and what will he be telling minister Macklin?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nhulunbuy for a very important question. It is a question that should have been addressed many, many years ago. My government and the Australian government will not allow Territory families, Territorians living in those town camps …
Mr Tollner interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr HENDERSON: I am absolutely appalled, Madam Speaker, that the member for Fong Lim finds this amusing - absolutely appalled
Mr Tollner interjecting.
Mr HENDERSON: If he has any leadership aspirations at all …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr HENDERSON: You were being absolutely offensive …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr HENDERSON: … absolutely offensive to everyone who lives in Alice Springs. If he does not think this is an important issue, sitting there chortling away on the backbench, it is outrageous. We will not allow Territory families to continue to suffer in poverty, fear, and violence in those town camps.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order!
Mr HENDERSON: Enough is enough. I am determined to take action with the Commonwealth government. Those families should be protected and given a strong future; a strong future for the 2500 people who live in those camps. We support the compulsory acquisition of the town camp land to ensure that …
Mr Tollner: You have had eight years to acquire those camps.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr HENDERSON: Thank you Madam Speaker. … to support the acquisition, to ensure that $125m-worth of funding for housing and alcohol rehabilitation services is freed up for the benefit of those Territorians and the whole community of Alice Springs and Central Australia.
We had strong legal advice - we have been working through this for some time now - that showed the acquisition had to happen through the Commonwealth auspices to enable it to happen quickly. Under Territory legislation, the action would have required 18 months to two years’ notice. My Cabinet colleagues, my parliamentary colleagues and I determined that we were not going to wait 18 months to two years whilst we worked through our processes under our legislation. I have been speaking to Jenny Macklin, the federal minister responsible, for some time now and I am very pleased that the Australian government is taking this particular policy initiative.
On Friday, the Minister for Indigenous Policy and I will be in Alice Springs handing back land to traditional owners under the parks arrangement, another area where we stand totally at opposite ends of the political spectrum to those members who sit opposite. The ownership of the parks by traditional owners has been, and continues to be, vigorously opposed by the CLP. They have opposed that legislation in this parliament. They ran scurrilous, misleading, and offensive petitions around Alice Springs and other parts of the Northern Territory, opposing traditional owners having ownership and management responsibilities in partnership with government for those parks. That is an outrageous position. They were misleading petitions that were circulated and presented to this parliament. We will be handing back those parks to the traditional owners.
In regard to Tangentyere Council, if it wishes to sign an agreement to lease the land back to the Commonwealth and to the Territory, and Territory Housing, and agree to the Territory Housing model, then this can happen without compulsory acquisition, but it is under our terms that that will be negotiated ….
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr HENDERSON: If Tangentyere Council sticks to its current course, then we will proceed, hand-in-hand with the Commonwealth, to acquire that land and to implement the real improvements to the lives of those families who live in those town camps which can no longer be accepted in the Northern Territory.
Deputy Chief Minister – Leadership Challenge
Mr MILLS to DEPUTY CHIEF MINISTER
At the last election, this Chief Minister lost six members in his ill-fated decision to rush to an election 11 months early. Last week, the Chief Minister’s arrogance turned Labor into a minority …
Ms Lawrie: The question is? Do you have anything - apart from your grandstanding?
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr MILLS: I am asking the question.
Dr BURNS: A point of order, Madam Speaker! I would like to ascertain exactly what area …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Resume your seat. Leader of the Opposition, can you read the question and I will make a decision if there is a problem with the question. If we can have some order, and I remind you of Standing Order 51, please.
Mr MILLS: Thank you, Madam Speaker. Deputy Chief Minister, last week, the Chief Minister’s arrogance turned Labor into a minority government when he drove the member for Arafura from the Labor Party. Will you categorically rule out a challenge to the Chief Minister’s leadership at the next election?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I welcome the question and I categorically rule out a challenge. This Chief Minister is the best Chief Minister the Territory has seen. This Chief Minister has taken the Territory places where …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Ms LAWRIE: … under 27 years of rabble and shambles, they ignored Territorians across the Territory. I stand proud to be working with this Chief Minister.
Pensioner and Carer Concessions –
Increase for Council Rates
Increase for Council Rates
Mr WOOD to MINISTER for SENIOR TERRITORIANS
In the Budget speech, the Treasurer announced an extra $3.3m for increases in pensioner and carer concessions for motor vehicle registration, driver licences, and power and water subsidies. Considering the fact that council rates are continuing to rise, what are you doing to increase the maximum rate concession of $200, which has not been increased for many years?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nelson for his question. I also thank the member for Nelson for being so generous with his time when we recently visited his area. We were able to spend some time at the …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order! Member for Nelson, you asked a question; you may want to listen to the answer. Order!
Ms McCARTHY: Madam Speaker, we know members opposite are not too concerned about senior Territorians, but the member for Nelson is. I spent some time with him at the Fibrecraft Guild at Humpty Doo, and at the Rural Old Timers and Friends Association at Bees Creek, where we had a game of bingo and a barbeque with the people there.
The NT Pensioner and Carer Concession Scheme remains the most competitive scheme in Australia when considering the combination of its benefits. It provides assistance to pensioners, carers and certain categories of low income earners. I am pleased to inform you that, under Budget 2009-10, the Henderson government is delivering on an election commitment to boost the Pensioner and Carer Concession Scheme.
As you have identified, member for Nelson, the driver licences will be free, and motor vehicle registration concessions will increase from $104 to $154 per year for eligible members of the scheme.
Other concessions provided under the scheme include subsidies for electricity, water, sewerage, spectacles, council property rates and garbage rates.
In relation to council rates, the NT Pensioner and Carer Concession Scheme provides a 62.5% reduction in council rates up to a maximum of $200 per annum. The scheme also provides a flat annual concession for garbage services. The concession currently provided for council rates under the scheme is competitive when compared with other jurisdictions in Australia.
Darwin City Council recently announced a 7% increase in rates, claiming it was a result of the increase in tariffs by Power and Water. Interestingly, the council said that just 1.25% of the 7% rate rise was due to an increase in power and water charges. Sadly, Darwin City Council has a history of imposing rate rises above the CPI. The recent announcement followed that pattern. For the council to try to blame power and water prices for their annual rate rise was, to say the least, a bit of a stretch.
As Minister for Senior Territorians, I can say this government is insulating holders of Pensioner and Carer Concession cards from the increase in power and water rises by …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Ms McCARTHY: I will repeat it, Madam Speaker: As Minister for Senior Territorians, this government is insulating holders of Pensioner and Carer Concession cards from the increase in power and water rises by freezing tariff rates for holders of pensioner, carer and concession cards. This government is committed to providing assistance to senior Territorians, and I am very proud of our Pensioner and Carer Concession Scheme, which continues to be one of the most generous concession schemes in the country.
Labor Party – Leadership Challenge
Mr MILLS to MINISTER for HOUSING
The Chief Minister loses Labor members of parliament at such a startling rate that no member on his side of the House is safe from his lack of judgment. This must be a cause of considerable concern …
Dr BURNS: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Standing Order 112(3)(a). He is seeking an expression of opinion from the minister which is contrary to standing orders on questions. I ask that you rule it out of order.
Madam SPEAKER: Please, resume your seat. Leader of the Opposition, I have not heard the full question yet, but if you want to start again, I will make a decision about the question …
Mr MILLS: Thank you, Madam Speaker.
Madam SPEAKER: … however, it did sound like it may be out of order, so you might want to consider rewording it as you ask it.
Mr MILLS: Or perhaps the minister would prefer not to answer the question.
The Chief Minister loses Labor members of parliament at such a startling rate that no member on his side of the House is safe from his lack of judgment. That must be a cause of considerable concern ...
Members interjecting.
Dr BURNS: A point of order, Madam Speaker!
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Leader of Government Business, resume your seat. I will just listen to the question and then make a decision about it.
Mr MILLS: I have not finished yet. Thank you, Madam Speaker.
Minister, will you categorically rule out a leadership challenge to the Chief Minister before the next election?
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order!
Ms LAWRIE: A point of order, Madam Speaker! This has nothing to do with portfolio responsibilities. He will trawl around, minister by minister, and get the same response from every minister in this government. They are all absolutely united behind the Chief Minister.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Ms LAWRIE: The question is out of order. It is not to do with portfolios.
Madam SPEAKER: If the minister wishes to answer it …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order! Member for Fong Lim, order!
Minister, you do not have to answer the question, but if you wish to, you may.
ANSWER
I will have a crack, Madam Speaker. You are leading with your chin a bit, Leader of the Opposition.
I will go through the history of Chief Ministers in the CLP government over 26 years. They did not last, on average, any more than about 18 months. They were all given the bullet. Eighteen months was the average ...
Members interjecting.
Ms Carney: He should not have had a crack; he gets himself into trouble.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Araluen!
Mr KNIGHT: The member for Araluen did not last very long, did she, Leader of the Opposition?
Ms Carney: Go through the list of CLP Chief Ministers that did not last 18 months, go on.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, order!
Mr Tollner: Tell us which Chief Minister did not last 18 months?
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr KNIGHT: She did not last very long …
Ms Carney: Give us your history.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Resume your seat, minister.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Honourable members! Standing Order 51:
- No Member may converse aloud or make any noise or disturbance, which in the opinion of the Speaker is designed to interrupt or has the effect of interrupting a Member speaking.
There have been a number of interruptions which have the effect of interrupting a member speaking, including me. People will be going on to warnings. Minister, you have the call.
Mr KNIGHT: Thank you, Madam Speaker. The member for Araluen, who chimed in before, did not last long. She was given the bullet by the backroom boys - and the backroom boys are at it again ...
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr KNIGHT: The boys are at it again, Madam Speaker. The member for Fong Lim is trawling around for votes over that side of the House, offering jobs to people. It has started already. He has a big mouth, telling people in public about his intentions as well ...
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Resume your seat, minister.
Mr Tollner: You refuse to answer the question.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Fong Lim, you are on a warning.
Minister, have you completed your answer?
Mr KNIGHT: Madam Speaker …
Madam SPEAKER: Can you make it very fast, please.
Mr KNIGHT: They are an absolute rabble on the other side. I have known Paul Henderson now for …
Mr TOLLNER: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The minister was asked to answer the question: will he rule out a leadership challenge …
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Fong Lim, resume your seat. In fact, I have already said that the question was out of order. He has chosen to answer it; he can answer it however he wishes.
Mr KNIGHT: Madam Speaker, I have known the Chief Minister for 10 years now, well before he went into politics. He is passionate about this, from before he got into politics, when he came in as a backbencher in opposition, when he came into government. In this House, of the 25 members here, he is the most trustworthy and capable to run this Territory.
It is in good hands. We have a good government. We have a strong economy because we have a good government. My support is solely behind the Chief Minister.
Old Darwin Hospital Site –
Plan for Redevelopment
Plan for Redevelopment
Mr GUNNER to MINISTER for PLANNING and LANDS
Can you please inform the House about the exciting new park concept plan you recently released for the iconic old Darwin Hospital site?
ANSWER
With pleasure, Madam Speaker. It is a site that is very close to my heart, I was born there. Yesterday, I was delighted to release the exciting plan for a community park; a commemorative space; water feature; children’s play area; caf; and residential components for the old hospital site.
The government understands the deep affection that many Territorians hold for this site. That is why we undertook extensive consultation. I want to thank historian, Dr Mickey Dewar, for undertaking that consultation. She received some 153 submissions, with overwhelming support for the park concept. The site certainly holds a central part in Darwin’s history and, under this concept plan, that history will remain a central meeting place for all Territorians. It will continue to foster many fond memories for the people growing up in Darwin. It will be an iconic park for the people of Darwin and our visitors, and it will be a park that people can call their own. It will be simple, well designed, and fun, and people will enjoy great views of Darwin. It will complete the commitment of the Ribbons of Green in creating a parkland on the old hospital site.
The commemorative space is important. It will reflect the site’s historical connection to the Larrakia people, the historical connection to the Kahlin Compound for the Stolen Generations, and the historical connection of being the site of the old Darwin Hospital. The government will launch a design competition for this component of the commemorative space. It is an exciting opportunity for our architects and designers to see how that could look and how it could be used by the people.
Eighty percent of the old hospital site will be parkland for the enjoyment of our community. The parkland will cost millions of dollars to develop. It will create jobs in the construction sector. It is a critical component of our Ribbons of Green that the residential component pays for the new parklands.
I thank Mickey Dewar for her work. I thank the many people for those 153 submissions to the old hospital site concept plan. I do not think anyone is ever going to fully agree on all of the details of a parkland or, indeed, such an iconic site. I am excited that we will be going forward and constructing, in 2010, beautiful parkland on the old hospital site, recognising its importance to the Larrakia, the people who worked and were born at the old hospital but also, importantly, the Stolen Generations who were put into the Kahlin Compound. That commemorative space is a very exciting part of our parklands.
Stuart Highway/Roystonea Avenue Intersection
Mr WOOD to MINISTER for INFRASTRUCTURE
It is good to see work commencing on the overpass to the Stuart Highway to Roystonea Avenue intersection, but having just commented on the draft land clearing guidelines, I ask the following questions: was an environmental impact statement or any environment studies carried out before construction commenced and, if not, why not? Will the important wetland which acts as a natural filter for industrial waste water coming from Yarrawonga, and now being dug up for the overpass, be re-established to its former state in the completion of this project? If there is a requirement for landholders to get permission to clear native vegetation above one hectare, why is your department exempt from these provisions, considering a new 100 metre wide road requires clearing of native and riparian vegetation?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nelson for his question. The Tiger Brennan Drive project is a major project which will transform the transport corridor from the rural area coming in through Palmerston and into Darwin city. The Department of Planning and Infrastructure is leading the project. It has been working on this project for quite a few years now, on the design and planning processes, which included the site clearances that were required for that corridor.
On 10 March 2008, the department of Natural Resources and Environment provided the environmental clearance for 7.5 km of that road extension corridor. In accordance with the request, a Project Environmental Management Plan was developed by the contractors, which incorporated sediment and erosion control, a storm water drainage plan that considers the potential impacts of the road catchments and downstream environment, and recommendations from medical entomology, but also implementing water sensitive urban design principles.
The plan was approved by DPI, in consultation with the department of Natural Resources and Environment, on 20 April of this year, providing approval to commence those early works, which are now under way. DPI and the Environment department have requested additional requirements for the erosion and sediment plans on the future works component to be placed before the Wet Season. This relates to the future site works, and target dates for this planning have been put in place. I am confident that the contractor, McMahon, will continue to work with DPI to ensure that all the environmental management plans are adhered to.
Land Release Strategy
Ms WALKER to MINISTER for PLANNING and LANDS
Can you please update the House on progress regarding the government’s land release strategy?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I am very pleased to announce that work has started on development of the suburb of Bellamack. I was there recently with Brierty, the Urban Pacific Limited and Brierty Limited Consortium.
Mr Tollner: We have gone down this road before. Like Tiger Brennan Drive, it is never finished.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Ms LAWRIE: The development agreement was signed last week and Brierty was on site immediately and commenced the development of the new suburb. In November 2008, we awarded the headworks tender for Bellamack, valued at $5.7m, to local company Wolpers Grahl. Works completed to date include components of the power supply, rising main, sewer, and water main. Subdivision approval has been granted by the Development Consent Authority for that first stage of Bellamack, comprising some 234 residential lots and three areas of parkland. Bellamack will provide 670 blocks, with 15% reserved for affordable and social housing. The first 90 blocks will be available by the end of this year.
A subdivision application for the first 200 blocks in Johnston was lodged with the Development Consent Authority last week. The application is currently on public exhibition. The headworks tender for Johnston, valued at some $10m, was recently awarded to Mark Cundall Earthmoving. The headworks will include new roads to Johnston, and construction of power, water, and sewer mains. Again, 15% of this residential development is earmarked for affordable and social housing.
Budget 2009-10 provides $20m in new funding for headworks for those suburbs in Palmerston East - Johnston, Zuccoli and Mitchell, together with Bellamack, and will provide around 3500 residential lots.
The Territory government is undertaking the most expansive land release program in the country. We will continue to deliver real results for Territorians in Alice Springs, Tennant Creek, Katherine, and in the Top End in Darwin and Palmerston, to deliver residential lots to provide homes for Territory families.
Chief Minister – Alleged Lying to
Aboriginal Territorians
Aboriginal Territorians
Mr MILLS to CHIEF MINISTER
In your first speech as Chief Minister, you laid out your priorities as the economy, education, health, and the environment, and you said you were up to the job. However, private sector investment has collapsed, debt is $6bn, …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr MILLS: … the cost of living is sky rocketing, NAPLAN tests are going backwards, health is in crisis, sewerage is pouring into Darwin Harbour, and the streets are not safe. Now, your former deputy leader, the member for Arafura, has accused you of lying to Aboriginal Territorians about the outstations policy.
Do you agree with the member for Arafura that you have lied and maliciously deceived some of the most vulnerable people in the Northern Territory?
SUSPENSION OF STANDING ORDERS
Proposed Censure of Chief Minister
Mr MILLS (Opposition Leader): Madam Speaker, I move - That so much of standing orders be suspended as would prevent me from censuring the Chief Minister for lying to Aboriginal people and failing to deliver on the promises to consult them.
Dr BURNS (Leader of Government Business): Madam Speaker, the government will accept the censure motion. I have to say that it is one of the weakest …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order!
Dr BURNS: Madam Speaker, I ask that further questions be placed on the Written Question Paper.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016