2009-06-11
Palmerston – New Hospital
Mr MILLS to CHIEF MINISTER
Today, the NT News carries a report that your government intends to build a hospital in Palmerston. Last year, when the Country Liberals launched their plan for a new hospital in Palmerston and the rural area, you said that it was ludicrous, a mirage, completely unbelievable, and into the never-never. They are your own words, Chief Minister. Is your decision to adopt the Country Liberal’s policy to build a hospital in Palmerston just a sudden dose of minority government? How can the good people of Palmerston and the rural area believe anything you say?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his question. This is a government that is building the Territory. We have economic growth, we have population growth, and we are building services throughout the Northern Territory.
Members Interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr HENDERSON: Thank you, Madam Speaker. This is a Territory that is growing quickly. This is a government that is actually meeting that need with the most significant land release program the Northern Territory has ever seen. This is a government that has announced the new city of Weddell, which will commence construction in five years’ time. We would be the only place in the country planning for a new city, planning for five new suburbs in Palmerston, population growth, driven by economic growth, something the Country Liberal Party could not achieve. When Australia was growing back in 2001, we had zero population growth.
This is about a plan for Palmerston which includes 3000 new homes and a new school. He obviously has not been out and about in Palmerston lately – the new school at Rosebery – thanks to our wonderful Greek community – the new school in Rosebery is appearing out of the ground as we speak, with 850 new students to be accommodated in that school in a couple of years’ time.
We are planning a consultancy which will go out to tender very shortly. There will be extensive public consultation. My colleague, the Health minister, is taking on this challenge of a growing Northern Territory, of improving services across the Territory, especially for the people of Palmerston and the new city of Weddell.
We acknowledge our responsibilities, not only to grow this economy - 1000 new jobs in the Northern Territory in the last month. That is what we are delivering to Territorians, 1000 new jobs. When they were last in office, people were leaving the Territory in droves. So we have new jobs, more housing, better services, and we are planning for a new hospital in Palmerston.
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Visitors
Madam SPEAKER: Honourable members, before I call another question, I draw your attention to the presence in the gallery of the family of the member for Brennan with their new baby. On behalf of honourable members, I extend to you a very warm welcome.
Members: Hear, hear!
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Training Commitment by Territory Government
Ms WALKER to CHIEF MINISTER
Global economic conditions call for a long term plan for training and jobs. Can the Chief Minister inform the House on the government’s commitment to training the Territory?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nhulunbuy for her question. This is a growing Territory. We are growing jobs, we are growing the economy and, to meet those job requirements, we are expanding training across the Northern Territory. This is a government that delivered the Northern Territory’s first ever Jobs Plan, and it has been a great success.
As of today, the number of people undertaking apprenticeships and traineeships across the Territory is 3665. Per capita, we train more people in the Northern Territory than anywhere else in Australia. There are record numbers of people in training at this time.
Mr Mills: How many finish? How many completions?
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr HENDERSON: Come in spinner. Record numbers of people in training. At this time, 24% of those people in training are Indigenous people. We are on track to deliver our target of a further 10 000 new apprentices and trainees over the next four years, with almost 1000 new commencements since January. Everywhere else in Australia, as a result of the recession, employers are laying off trainees and apprentices. Not in the Northern Territory, with 1000 new commencements since January.
Mr Mills: Completions?
Mr HENDERSON: There is a number of examples of collaborations – and we will go to completions. Just some examples, and this is talking about real people - seven men from Canteen Creek recently completed 18 months’ training with six awarded a Certificate III in Civil Construction. These participants have now gone on to pick up local road maintenance and building site contracts, as well as some employed with the Power and Water Corporation - great news for those men in Canteen Creek.
With the introduction of builder registration, we have provided $60 000 to the Housing Industry Association to deliver a Certificate IV in Building and Construction to 20 local builders. This is the third year that this program has been funded, and there have been dozens of people complete their Certificate IV and go into employment.
On the Tiwi Islands - the member for Arafura will be pleased to know this as she is a strong supporter - the Tiwi Islands Training and Employment Board, funded as the registered training organisation by this government, has been responsible for 122 local people completing apprenticeships and traineeships in recent years. Through a partnership with the Northern Land Council, industry services training, the Territory government, DEWR, and the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association, 15 Indigenous students have gained work ready skills. Fourteen of the 15 completed the course, eight are still in full-time employment in the construction industry, and there will be an expanded program this year.
This is a government of action. Not only have we grown the economy …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr HENDERSON: … not only have we grown the economy, unlike those opposite …
Members interjecting.
Mr HENDERSON: … the wrecking ball of the Northern Territory economy - that was the last CLP government; the wrecking ball of the Northern Territory economy. They could not even run surpluses and a growing economy when the rest of Australia was in growth. That is what we inherited when we came to government. When they were in government, there was no such thing as a jobs plan; it was sink or swim - that was what it was; sink or swim under the CLP.
We are getting real outcomes. There are people in traineeships and apprenticeships at twice the rate of the national average. There is a growing economy, with 1000 new jobs last month. This is a government that is delivering for the Territory.
Hospitalisation as Result of Assault
Mr MILLS to CHIEF MINISTER
In the latest Australian Institute of Health and Welfare report, which was released yesterday, the Northern Territory posted the highest rate of assault hospitalisations in the country. According to the report, 18.9% of all Territory hospitalisations were caused by assaults, compared to the national average of 3.9%. How is it that Territorians are almost five times more likely to be hospitalised as a result of an assault? Why has your government so dismally failed to get on top of the issue of violence in the Northern Territory?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his question. One assault is one assault too many. It is a tragedy that so many people are assaulted each year in the Northern Territory. There is a tragedy at the bottom of that: significant alcohol abuse and domestic violence.
We have debated this issue up hill and down dale over many years. These are the current figures. Of the 5284 assault offences recorded in the 2007-08 financial year, 52.3% of those were domestic violence-related - the vast majority of those fuelled by alcohol. Of the 4428 assault offences recorded in the financial year to date, 49.3% were domestic violence-related. What we have here, as we have continued to debate in this House, is far too many assaults, particularly on Indigenous women, caused by a domestic violence relationship fuelled by alcohol. That is the tragedy of what is happening in the Northern Territory.
That is why we are strongly stepping in and starting to clean up those town camps in Alice Springs. That is the driving resolve that we have. The Northern Territory and the Australian governments can no longer turn a blind eye, and have to step into those town camps and vastly improve the lives of people living on those town camps. That is why we have increased policing across the Northern Territory. That is why we have Domestic Violence Units in Alice Springs, Tennant Creek, Katherine, and Darwin - they were never there under the CLP - focused on domestic violence, prosecuting repeat offenders. I take my hat off to the police.
Madam Speaker, what are we doing now? These are domestic violence units that did not exist when the CLP was in government. For the 2007-08 year, 2594 domestic violence orders were initiated by police - police proactively issuing orders to protect women. In 2007-08, 1848 offences were recorded for failing to comply with a domestic violence order. So what we have is women more confident to report today than they were a few years ago. That is, in part, driving up those figures. Women have the confidence to report because they know police will take action.
To take the politics out of the Leader of the Opposition’s question, one assault is one assault too many. We are focused on those repeat offenders, we will clean up those town camps in Alice Springs, and the fight goes on to protect the women of the Northern Territory.
Australian Labour Force Figures
Ms WALKER to TREASURER
Can you please update the House on the release earlier today of Australian Labour Force figures and what the figures mean for the Territory?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nhulunbuy. The release of today’s Labour Force figures show that trend unemployment in the Territory remains steady at 3.9%. We have been steady since February of this year, whilst we are seeing that unemployment rate increasing at the national level up to 5.7%. So it is a very strong result for the Territory in terms of trend unemployment remaining steady at 3.9% and a very good result for the Territory. Our unemployment rate is the second-lowest in the nation. That confirms that our economy continues to lead the nation. Just in the past month, we have seen the total number of jobs increase by about 1000; that is 1000 more Territorians in a job and having the capacity to support themselves and their families.
That increase has tipped the Territory over the 120 000 total jobs mark for the first time in our history. Our trend participation rate has grown for eight consecutive months. We are now at 75.8%; that is the highest on record and the highest in the nation. These figures all go to reinforce the point that, if you want a job, the Territory is the place to be. However, in the face of a global recession, we cannot afford to be complacent. That is why our budget is focused on jobs - 2500 new jobs coming through that $1.3bn infrastructure investment.
Hospital Beds - Availability
Mr CONLAN to MINISTER for HEALTH
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare report shows the number of hospital beds available in the NT stands at 3.3 per 1000 people; that is the lowest in the country. Given the chronic health problems experienced by Territorians, why is it that there are fewer hospital beds per 1000 people than anywhere else in the country?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for his question. He would be the last one to talk about hospital beds in the Territory. It was his CLP government which closed wards in Royal Darwin Hospital …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr VATSKALIS: Since then, the government has worked very hard and put in money for the reopening the wards closed by the CLP; putting in the 24-bed Rapid Admission Unit in Royal Darwin Hospital; organised to open the stage 1 of the after hours urgent care clinic; and we will proceed to build the Palmerston super clinic. We did the same in Alice Springs: we put in 12 extra beds, and we will continue to put beds in year after year.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Minister, resume your seat. Member for Greatorex, cease interjecting.
Mr Conlan interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Greatorex, you are on a warning.
Mr TOLLNER: A point of order, Madam Speaker! We have continual interjections coming from the other side whilst you are speaking, and yet the member for Greatorex gets warned.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Fong Lim, resume your seat. The standing orders refer to all members. While I was speaking, the member for Greatorex continued to speak. Member for Fong Lim, resume your seat.
- 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.
Mr VATSKALIS: Madam Speaker, the reality is that the Territory is …
Mr Conlan: We have the lowest in the country.
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, you have the call.
Mr VATSKALIS: Madam Speaker, the reality is that the Territory has always had fewer beds than the rest of Australia. In fact, in 2001, there were 127 fewer beds than today. That is how many extra beds we have put in since 2001: 127 beds, 427 extra hospital nurses, and 138 extra hospital doctors. This government is the one that put in additional beds; the CLP government used to take beds out of the hospital system.
Darwin Waterfront Precinct – Update
Mr GUNNER to CHIEF MINISTER
We know the Territory has a lifestyle envied by many, especially at this time of year. Can you update the House on the Territory’s newest attraction, the Darwin Waterfront Precinct?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Fannie Bay for his question. There is no doubt, the waterfront precinct is a world-class precinct. It was officially opened to the public for the first time on Saturday, 2 May, and it is going gangbusters; it is a very popular destination for locals and tourists alike. During the first four weeks of operation …
Mr Elferink: Did you talk about the sound shell or the heritage centre that you promised and did not deliver?
Madam SPEAKER: Order, order!
Mr Elferink: Or the kids playground?
Mr HENDERSON: During the first four weeks of operation, a total of 11 517 lagoon passes for the wave pool were purchased ...
Members: Hear, hear!
Mr HENDERSON: … 2600 were family tickets, and many would be from the member for Port Darwin’s electorate. It is good to see that he is still opposing it when more than 16 000 people have used the wave lagoon during this period.
The recreation lagoon and the beach are free, and it is very popular. Public feedback has been fantastic. Apart from those opposite, the moaners and groaners and the knockers, public feedback has been fantastic. I have some quotes: ‘this is what Darwin needed’; and another quote: ‘It is a fantastic location for families to come and enjoy each other’s company’.
We have the weekend coming up, get down there and have a look and see for yourselves.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, order!
Mr HENDERSON: Try to be enthusiastic about something. They are just knockers, Madam Speaker. Knock, knock, knock, and that is the way they carry on. Get down there and have a look.
It is safe for families. There are four lifeguards on patrol at any one time, and a CCTV camera system is being installed. School groups from all over the Northern Territory will enjoy that wave lagoon when they take their trip to Darwin. It is a wonderful facility.
Complementing that facility is the convention centre. I will give an update on how that is progressing. It has been a tremendous success since opening in June 2008. Since bookings commenced, 65 conventions have been booked, and 30 875 delegates are expected to attend those conventions. Those are people who would not have come to the Territory without the convention centre. There were 1600 last week from the oil and gas industry.
I remind Territorians of the weak, indecisive and negative leader who sits opposite, who …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, order!
Mr HENDERSON: This is the vision from the Opposition Leader …
Madam SPEAKER: Order, order! Honourable members, I will again read 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.
Honourable members, I have been unable to hear the Chief Minister for most of his answer. Chief Minister, you have the call.
Mr HENDERSON: Thank you, Madam Speaker. Weak, indecisive and negative …
Members interjecting.
Dr BURNS: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The members opposite have completely disregarded and ignored your instruction about Standing Order 51.
Members interjecting.
Mr GILES: A point of order, Madam Speaker! I would be interested to know under what standing order …
Dr BURNS: Standing Order 51, and I mentioned it.
Madam SPEAKER: Honourable members, the standing orders refer to every member in this Chamber and I ask you to follow them. I am merely the custodian of the standing orders. Chief Minister, you have the call.
Mr Conlan: Hold up your headline.
Mr HENDERSON: He really is special, Madam Speaker. He must have been an awful child.
Weak, indecisive, and negative. The Leader of the Opposition said, and I will quote from the indecisive and negative Opposition Leader, Madam Speaker, this is a vision, we have actually achieved the convention centre, wave lagoon …
Members interjecting.
Dr BURNS: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Standing Order 51: the member for Drysdale continues to interject at a very low level so people cannot hear what the Chief Minister has to say and his direct quote of what the Opposition Leader said on the public record.
Mr Bohlin: The public record, is that what you call the NT News?
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: I am unable to hear the member for Drysdale, and I am unable to hear the Chief Minister. What I am aware of is that we have a standing order which relates to interruptions and there are just far too many. I wish to be able to hear the Chief Minister; he has been asked a question. Chief Minister, you have the call.
Mr HENDERSON: Thank you Madam Speaker. I will try again, because it is important for Territorians to understand the lack of vision the Opposition Leader has. He just knocks everything and is negative about everything. He said he did not want to see a project focused on residential and a convention centre. That is what he said. So that magnificent convention centre which is attracting over 30 000 people to the Northern Territory, there was no vision for that from the Leader of the Opposition; it would not be there now. And even more bizarre, an opposition that are supposed to have a conservative, liberal philosophy running through them, unleashing private enterprise …
Mr Bohlin: Dodgy decisive.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, member for Drysdale!
Mr HENDERSON: He said he wanted to see a project that is taxpayer owned and managed rather than developer owned and managed. He wanted to have a taxpayer owned and managed facility. That is not about growing the Northern Territory. That is not about attracting investment to the Territory and letting the private sector develop the Northern Territory …
Members interjecting.
Mr HENDERSON: … this is about a person with a lack of vision for the Territory who is consistently negative about the Northern Territory.
We will continue to drive progress and opportunities in the Territory. One thousand jobs created last month - that is a sign of a government at work, that is a sign of results from good government.
Ministerial Travel Expenses on Public Record
Ms PURICK to CHIEF MINISTER
The Victorian government publishes all ministerial travel expenses on a publicly accessible website. The Premier, John Brumby, implemented that policy in the name of openness and accountability. Will you, in the name of open and accountable government, commit to establishing a similar website on which ministerial travel will be published in a timely fashion?
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, order! The Chief Minister has the call.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the Deputy Leader of the Opposition for her question. All the travel of ministers will be on the public record next week in Estimates.
McMinn Street - Upgrade and Beautification
Ms WALKER to MINISTER for INFRASTRUCTURE
The waterfront development that has transformed the wharf area also includes projects to improve linkages to Darwin CBD. Can you update the House on one of these projects - the McMinn Street upgrade and beautification?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nhulunbuy for her question. McMinn Street is not only a major entry route into Darwin city, but also our beautiful new waterfront precinct. New roadworks and green streetscaping worth more than $4m will soon commence to duplicate McMinn Street between Frances Bay Drive and Foelsche Street, and will include green street landscaping that combines tiered and vibrant coloured planting and native trees; new street lighting; and a disability standard pedestrian and cycle path set along an elevated platform. It will integrate with a future proposed entry statement at Tiger Brennan Drive intersection.
Darwin’s dragonfly motif will be a feature along the pedestrian and cycle paths. A feature retaining wall will incorporate landscaping and will be constructed along the rock cutting. Design for this major project was released for public comment in mid-April. Tendering will take place this month, and the works will proceed over this Dry Season. This is an exciting beautification and traffic improvement plan for our city.
Chief Minister - Taxpayer-funded Travel
Ms PURICK to CHIEF MINISTER
The last answer to my last question was obviously a ‘no’. Does your refusal to establish a website on which ministerial travel is published have anything to do with the fact that, in 2008, you spent a grand total of $230 000 on travel, including $16 000 on taxpayer-funded travel for family members. Is it not the height of arrogance to deny public scrutiny of your taxpayer-funded travel?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, all the details of ministerial travel will be open for public scrutiny as a result of the Estimates Committee process next week.
The Deputy Leader of the Opposition has made a comment regarding family travel. I do not know if she is relating that specifically to my family or other’s family members. We will have a look at that.
This is an open, transparent and accountable government. All of those details will be revealed, as they are every year, in estimates next week.
Coroner’s Findings – Adolescent Health Units
Mr WOOD to MINISTER for HEALTH
Earlier this month, the Coroner, Greg Cavanagh, handed down his findings in relation to the suicide of a 15-year-old at Mutitjulu in 2006. The Coroner said there was much improvement in the way police deal with such cases, especially as this case took more than two years to investigate. He also said there was need for a new adolescent health unit for the large number of children at risk in Central Australia. What is your government’s response to the findings? If you establish an adolescent health unit, should not such health units be developed across the Territory, not just Central Australia?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for his very important question. It was a tragic story of a girl to die so young under such tragic circumstances. My sympathy goes to her family and the community.
The Coroner has made recommendations. One of those was to establish an adolescent health service. I said publicly that we will be accepting the Coroner’s recommendation.
Mr Conlan: Oh, another backflip.
Mr VATSKALIS: Let me tell you something. Yesterday, the member for Greatorex said:
- … we have a 15 year-old girl who has taken her own life. The Coroner has said an adolescent health service would be the way to go, and the department has now said, no, this is not feasible.
I have been on the public record saying we will accept the Coroner’s recommendation.
That is not the only time the member for Greatorex has made up stories. Just five minutes ago, he said – and it is on Hansard - that the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare hospital statistics report shows that the Territory has the lowest number of beds in Australia. That is untrue ...
Mr Conlan: Beds per 1000.
Mr VATSKALIS: The Territory - and this is from the table that comes with the report - has the second highest number of public hospital beds in Australia. We have 2.8 public hospital beds per 1000 population - ahead of ACT, Tasmania, Western Australia, Queensland, Victoria, and New South Wales. The only state that has more than us is South Australia ...
Mr Conlan: Per 1000 population.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr VATSKALIS: … three beds per 1000 population. What he failed to say is that the Territory has the lowest number …
Mr Conlan: Represent it properly; you are misleading and spinning it any way you want.
Dr BURNS: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The member for Greatorex is accusing my colleague of misleading the parliament. He knows he can only do that by way of substantive motion.
Madam SPEAKER: There were so many interjections …
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker!
Madam SPEAKER: Resume your seat, member for Port Darwin.
Mr Elferink: Sorry, Madam Speaker.
Madam SPEAKER: There are so many interjections it is incredibly hard to hear individual interjections. Member for Greatorex, you are on a warning. You might want to settle down a bit over there.
Mr Conlan: Madam Speaker …
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Greatorex!
Mr Conlan: Please, can I seek some clarification. It is very difficult when, clearly, what the minister is saying is verballing me and putting words in my mouth.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Greatorex, if you feel you have been misrepresented, you may approach me to make a personal explanation later on.
Mr VATSKALIS: The Territory has the second highest number of public beds per 1000 population in Australia. Where the Territory lacks is in private hospital beds. Private hospital beds are not under the jurisdiction of the Department of Health and Families. I rest my case. I am not going to say anything about the member for Greatorex.
Coming back to this tragic story, the department has a range of services targeting adolescent health. We have agreed that all the services can be centrally coordinated, not only for our region, but throughout the Territory, and we are going to do it. The good news is that we have now put in place policies and practices, for example, the petrol sniffing practices, where we have brought in Opal fuel. I sincerely hope this tragic story will never be repeated in the Territory.
We are not going to be complacent. We are going to be there, watching very carefully, myself and my colleague, the Minister for Children and Families, because these stories are tragic. It does not just happen in Central Australia, it happens up here in the north. They are kids, they have their whole life ahead of them, and to die so early and under such tragic circumstances should be an embarrassment for all of us.
Chief Minister - Taxpayer-funded Travel
Ms PURICK to CHIEF MINISTER
Can you inform Territorians whether it was on your trip to China, Japan, or your trip to Paris, that you were accompanied by a family member? Is it not the height of arrogance to deny the need for public scrutiny of your taxpayer-funded travel expenditure?
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, order!
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, the travel I undertook to Japan and France this year was about securing INPEX for the Northern Territory, and I do not resiIe one inch from that; and driving investment through China. I can absolutely say that no family members accompanied me on any of those trips.
Finke Desert Race
Mr GUNNER to MINISTER for SPORT and RECREATION
Can you update the House about the recent running of the best desert race in the world, the Finke Desert Race?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for his question. The Finke Desert Race is the best desert race in the world. Last weekend marked the 34th anniversary of the iconic Tattersall’s Finke Desert Race, with hundreds of competitors in the bike and car sections, and thousands of spectators making their way to the Red Centre for the race.
What makes this race so special is not just the racing, but how our community embraces the event. With more than 300 volunteers to support a strong local committee, headed by President Antony Yoffa, and Vice President, Alice Springs Mayor, Damien Ryan, it certainly has a fantastic level of support. I understand that the volunteers put in, collectively over the week, 14 000 hours of service. That is just fantastic.
On the Thursday night at the RSL Club in Alice Springs, it was my pleasure to present the Finke Hero Award to Jill Brookes in recognition of her many years of dedicated work to support the local event. Jill has been involved in the race for years. It is a family affair, with her son, Rick Hall, and Ben Brookes and daughter, Patty Weir, competing and becoming Finke legends in their own right. Congratulations go to the Kings of the Desert this year - Ben Grabham on the bikes, who has now nabbed a treble, and back-to-back winners in the car section, Dave Fellows and Andrew Kittle.
I had the opportunity, with the Mayor, of visiting some of the volunteers on the Monday morning. It was a chilly morning. I would like to acknowledge those volunteers I did meet: Chris Davenport, Joel Flemming, Vicki Rice, Claire Ryan, Sue Ellen Schubert, Ingrid Walton, Steve Walton, Jill Brookes, Garry Butterfield, Terry Renzi from St John, and Senior Sergeant Peter Dash. They were some of the fantastic volunteers on board.
The Finke Desert Race provides a huge economic boost for Alice Springs. It is estimated that around $3m is spent locally by Finke visitors each year. The Northern Territory is proud to support the Finke Desert Race, and of course, this government is the government that has invested more than $1m into the facilities at the start/finish line site. We support the growing reputation of this desert race. As the member for Fannie Bay said, it is the best desert race in the world.
Taxpayer-funded Travel Expenses –
Public Scrutiny
Public Scrutiny
Ms PURICK to CHIEF MINISTER
In 2008, your Labor ministry spent $1.3m on travel, without a single travel expense record being made public. Do you think this is reasonable? Is it not the height of arrogance to believe that your ministers should face no public scrutiny regarding their taxpayer-funded travel expenses?
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the Deputy Opposition Leader for her question. I have answered this question; I believe this is the third time now. All of that detail will be outlined, as it is every year in the estimates process.
The Deputy Leader of the Opposition likes to use some rhetoric in her questions. This is the most open, accountable, and transparent government in the Northern Territory since self-government.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr HENDERSON: This government …
Mr Tollner: You are so arrogant.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr HENDERSON: The screeching from the member for Fong Lim, the screeching from him …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr HENDERSON: This is a government that has initiated the estimates process of scrutiny of the budget - something that never happened under the CLP. This is a government that allowed the television cameras into the parliament - it did not happen under the CLP. This is the government that has provided for …
Mr Mills: How come there are no travel records?
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr HENDERSON: … FOI requests, where the Deputy Leader of the Opposition has got this information from that she is trying to make mischief with today. FOI did not occur under the CLP government. The list goes on.
There is nothing to hide. All of these records will be open for public scrutiny in the estimates process next week. Every single dollar of government travel is related to travel within the Territory to deliver for Territorians. All ministers are required to attend national meetings and ministerial councils in regard to the areas that they have portfolio responsibility for …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr HENDERSON: … and ministers travel overseas to drive investment into the Northern Territory. I have travelled overseas to attract INPEX and other investments to the Northern Territory.
They can trawl through the entrails of this next week in estimates - a transparent, accountable process that we put in place as government, an FOI process that has provided this information and we are a transparent, accountable government and all of that money will be accounted for.
Homestart NT - Update
Ms WALKER to MINISTER for HOUSING
Homestart NT opened for business at the beginning of this month. Can you please update the House on how this home ownership initiative is helping Territorians?
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order! Member for Fong Lim!
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nhulunbuy for her question. I am pleased to announce today that the first Territory family is set to benefit from the new Homestart NT program, with the first loan approved. This is a great new initiative from the Henderson Labor government which is delivering results already.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr KNIGHT: Perhaps I should remind the House …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order! Resume your seat, minister.
Honourable members, I remind you of the terms of Standing Order 69, which is Interruption of a Member:
- No member may interrupt another member speaking except –
- (a) to call attention to a question of order or privilege suddenly arising;
(b) to call attention to the want of a quorum;
(c) to call attention to the presence of strangers;
(d) to move a closure motion; or
(e) to move ‘that the business of the day be called on’.
Honourable members, none of those things have been happening, but there have been significant interruptions. Minister, you have the call.
Mr KNIGHT: Thank you, Madam Speaker. This government is truly committed to helping more Territorians buy their own home through the Homestart scheme and giving Territorians that opportunity. Through the government taking up to a 30% share in the Homestart loans, they have higher income thresholds and higher purchase price thresholds, and Territorians are now able to buy their first home.
Importantly, we are ensuring that first home owners do not get into housing stress by limiting them from repaying more than 30% of actual income. It is exciting to hear that just …
Mr Bohlin: Reduce that housing stress and get some land release happening.
Mr KNIGHT: I thought the member for Drysdale, being in the area of Palmerston where there is a growing population, that first homebuyers would be interested in this. Yesterday, he highlighted the fact that he did not even know about the program. I do not know what cave he is actually living in, but …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order!
Mr KNIGHT: Madam Speaker, it was very exciting that, just 10 days after the launch of this program, we are already helping Territorians. We have had 50 inquiries and nine applications already submitted. This is a clear indication that the Henderson government is meeting the needs of the community. We do acknowledge that some families are finding it hard to get into the property market. Homestart NT does ease that pressure and it really is delivering results for Territorians.
Chief Minister - Taxpayer-funded Travel
Mr ELFERINK to CHIEF MINISTER
I seek your guidance on something. I have in my hand a document obtained through Freedom of Information - I will table that document shortly - which pertains to overseas travel by yourself. It includes trips to Japan, China and France. It also refers to a trip to Beijing and Xian. Attached to this document obtained under Freedom of Information, there is a component of $2204.87 for family travel. I am led to believe that the Beijing/Xian trip was cancelled, I am not sure, I seek your advice on that. Can you advise as to how you can stand up in this place and claim that no family member has travelled with you, when family members had received $2204-worth of travel costs?
I seek leave to table the document, Madam Speaker.
Leave granted.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, we have had documents in this House before.
Mr Elferink: Well, you provide the document.
Mr HENDERSON: You have asked the question, let me answer it.
Madam Speaker, no family member travelled with me on my trip to Japan and France, which was to secure the INPEX project for the Northern Territory. I have never been to Xian. I do not know whether there has been a mistake in that response. I have certainly travelled to China on a number of occasions as a minister, and since becoming Chief Minister, to drive investment in the Northern Territory. I have never taken a family member with me to China either.
I cannot speak for the veracity or otherwise of this document. I can give the House an assurance that no family member has travelled with me to China, or to France, or to Japan.
Alice Springs - Review of Alcohol Restrictions
Mr GUNNER to MINISTER for ALCOHOL POLICY
Can you update the House on the outcome of the Menzies’s review of alcohol restrictions in Alice Springs?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, today I launched the report of the review conducted by the Menzies School of Health Research on the evaluation of the Alice Springs Alcohol Management Plan. In the Territory, we have a serious alcohol problem. We have to recognise that, and something has to be done, not only in Alice Springs, but in other places in the Territory.
I read this report. For me, it was an eye opener, because this report goes back in time. It actually states the number of reviews and initiatives taken through the years in order to curb the problem of drinking in Alice Springs. I was astounded to find that, in 1973, there was a review by the federal government. That review stated that, in 1975, in Alice Springs, 762 000 gallons of beer was sold; 724 000 gallons of wine; and, 16 800 gallons of spirits. That report was followed later by another report which said that, in Alice Springs in 1990, 27.1 litres of pure alcohol per person per year was the average consumption. In another report - the statistics are staggering –$24.3m of alcohol was sold in the year 1998-99.
There is a history in Alice Springs, unfortunately, of high alcohol consumption. That does not reflect on any particular group; it reflects on the whole community. Another later report found that if you factor out the consumption by Indigenous drinkers, the non-Indigenous people in Central Australia still drink 52% more than any average Australian.
Something had to be done; we could not continue like that. The issue of alcohol does not affect a particular person or a particular group, it affects the whole community. Our government is the first one which took some steps.
I have to admit that the CLP tried to do some things. They tried to introduce dry towns. I recall when the member for Greatorex was working at 8HA, on 22 March 2006, he objected to dry towns. He said the dry town idea was locking the door after the horse has bolted. However, then he changed his tune. In July 2007, he said: ‘The CLP has been pushing for dry towns for a while now, so the dry town idea is a positive step forward for Alice Springs’. Any measure to curb the consumption of alcohol and the effect of alcohol on the community is a positive ...
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr VATSKALIS: I thank him for his comment today on the radio about the report. He said the report contains a lot of positive things and we have to look at it. I agree: the whole community in Alice Springs wants something to be done about alcohol. Alcohol is a problem. Alcohol costs the community - emotionally and financially. The good thing about this report is that it identifies that the restrictions we have put in place in Alice Springs are working. There has been an 18% reduction in the consumption of alcohol. That translates to 544 4 litre casks a day less, every day, consumed in Alice Springs - 544 4 litre casks not sold in Alice Springs every day; an 18% reduction.
However, we have to do more, and I know that. Restriction is not the only measure. We have to look at other issues, such as restrict supply; we have put in $9.4m to increase the number of rehabilitation beds in Alice Springs. We have to work as a community. We cannot say it is their fault, it is not our fault. It does not matter whose fault it is, the effects of alcohol affect the whole community of Alice Springs - the whole community of Central Australia. The restrictions are the first step. There is more to be done, and we are committed to do anything it takes to ensure that the community in Alice Springs is not affected by the scourge of alcohol.
Arnhem Land Roads – Responsibility for Maintenance
Ms SCRYMGOUR to MINISTER for TRANSPORT
Prior to the local government reforms, the southern end of the road which went from Cahills Crossing in South Alligator to Maningrida was maintained by Gunbalanya council; the other part by Maningrida council. Confusion reigns in your department and other government agencies as to who is responsible for the maintenance of that road. Will you please provide information in relation to the road contracts, as the West Arnhem Shire certainly is not answering any questions. I was on that road on the weekend and it is in the worst condition I have ever seen. Can you please provide information as to who is responsible for those road contracts?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Arafura for her question. She constantly raises the condition of the Oenpelli road with me, as she does also the condition of the Arnhem Highway. Both are critically important access routes out there.
The Northern Territory government maintains the road from Gunbalanya to Maningrida, including the Oenpelli road. These roads are a combination of sealed, gravel, and formed roads. The very unfortunate vehicle rollover referred to in today’s NT News article occurred on the unsealed section of the Oenpelli road. Since March this year, the Oenpelli road has received three maintenance grades - that is three grades over the past three-and-a-half months. There are graders currently working on the road, I am informed by the Roads department.
Gravel re-sheeting contracts of selected sections of Oenpelli road between the crossing and the end of the road have been issued to the West Arnhem Shire and, I am advised, were commenced this week. In addition, re-gravelling works are happening this Dry Season on the Maningrida access road. This is a $500 000 project and is in addition to the two grades that were carried out on this section of the road since the Wet Season.
We are also undertaking improvement of the Coopers Creek and Goomadeer River crossings on the Maningrida access road by constructing a rocky base to both of those crossings. This is in addition to routine maintenance that will be ongoing.
Member for Arafura, I will ensure my office provides all that detailed information to you in writing.
Royal Darwin Hospital – Birth Numbers
Ms WALKER to MINISTER for HEALTH
Can you update the House on the bumper number of babies born at Royal Darwin Hospital this year?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I was very pleased to visit Royal Darwin Hospital today and visit the place of arrival of 1677 new Territorians born during 2007-08. The good news is that it looks like we are going to have many more because, this year, to date, we have had around 1618 babies born in Royal Darwin Hospital, and with the average of 140 babies a month, I think we are going to break the record. For example, we had a set of triplets last week, so keeping our fingers crossed, we are going to exceed the number of babies born this year compared to the number of babies born in 2007-08.
It is a wonderful team out there, providing fantastic service to women. Six midwives work in the Birth Centre, which is a fantastic environment; it is not a sterile operating theatre, it is really very homely. It gives the opportunity for women to relax and have their babies, especially women that are very low risk. The Birth Centre opened in October 2007. Women can give birth and, if they are well, they can go home four hours after giving birth. Mothers are offered continuous support after that, with daily visits, and 24 hour support through the Domiciliary Midwife Service, which was established in January 2009.
I welcome the 1618 new Territorians who were born in Royal Darwin Hospital this year. After all, being born in the Territory gives you a really good opportunity and the brightest future you can imagine.
Ministerial Travel – Access to Information
Ms PURICK to CHIEF MINISTER
In a media statement you issued on 25 October 2000, you accused the then CLP government of secrecy surrounding ministerial travel. Can you please explain why …
Dr Burns: There was no estimates process.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Dr Burns: They did not have estimates, did not have FOI.
Madam SPEAKER: Leader of Government Business, cease interjecting.
Ms PURICK: … the opposition was forced to lodge a Freedom of Information application before they were able to get details of all ministerial travel conducted by Labor ministers in 2008 - $1.3m?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the Deputy Leader of the Opposition for her question. As I have said, this is a government that is the most open, transparent and accountable government.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr HENDERSON: There is certainly a problem here with this record, and we will get to the bottom of it. Someone has made a mistake. I did not visit Beijing and Xian during those periods, and none of my family travelled with me to Japan, China or France. So there is a mistake here, we will get to the bottom of it.
When I travel overseas as Chief Minister, I am working for the Territory, to drive investment to the Territory, to provide jobs for Territorians. On these visits, I normally take a journalist with me, that is how open, transparent and accountable we are. I actually take journalists with me to report to Territorians, in an open, transparent and accountable way, the details of the trip that I am on, the people I am meeting, and the outcomes we get from those meetings.
I do not think I have taken - and I am saying I do not think - an overseas trip without taking a journalist with me. That is about openness, transparency and accountability, unlike previous CLP governments that used to slink off overseas, for weeks at a time, and not knowing that they had even left the Northern Territory, you did not even know they had gone, let alone knew what had happened until months afterwards to winkle it out of them.
In Question Time today, the member for Port Darwin has had another, ‘oh, oh’ moment …
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr HENDERSON: He is wrong again. Anyone who knows me as Chief Minister, anyone who has ever travelled with me, and many media have over the years, knows that when I am overseas I am working for the Territory, driving investment, driving jobs, getting real outcomes for the Territory.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr HENDERSON: This is inaccurate, and we will get to the bottom of why it is inaccurate. I am as open, transparent and as accountable …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr HENDERSON: … I take the media with me, and that is an enormously more transparent than the CLP ever were when they were in government.
Framework for the Future - Update
Mr GUNNER to MINISTER for PARKS and WILDLIFE
Can the minister please update the Assembly on the progress in transferring and leasing back parks and reserves under the Framework for the Future arrangements?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Fannie Bay for his question. I would like the House to listen to the answer very quietly. This is a very important message, and a good news message for Territorians. It means that we can live as non-Indigenous and Indigenous Territorians together by the actions that this government has taken to encourage traditional owners to lease back parks, based on mediation rather than litigation.
In establishing the Parks and Reserves (Framework for the Future) Act, government has embarked on a journey towards recognition of traditional ownership in our parks and reserves, while also ensuring our parks can be freely enjoyed by all Territorians. We are now making some very big steps towards this journey, member for Fong Lim.
Tomorrow I will be joining the Chief Minister, the federal minister, Jenny Macklin, and traditional owners at the Alice Springs Telegraph Station, where we will formally transfer nine reserves to ownership by traditional owners.
Mr Tollner: At least she is alive, I suppose.
Ms SCRYMGOUR: A point of order, Madam Speaker! We know what the CLP’s view has always been in terms of the parks framework. All Territorians would like to listen to the minister’s answer. It is an important answer. Listening to all of the gibes coming from here, the member for Fong Lim should respect the minister’s response.
Members: Hear, hear!
Madam SPEAKER: There is certainly a lot of interjection; Standing Order 51. Minister, you have the call.
Ms ANDERSON: At that ceremony, trustees for the land trust will also be signing leases that will ensure these reserves continue to be enjoyed by all Territorians for generations to come, enriched by joint management arrangements. The reserves to be handed back to traditional owners and then leased to the Territory are: Arltunga Historical Reserve; Corroboree Rock, Conservation Reserve; Chamber’s Pillar Historical Reserve; Ewaninga Rock Carvings Conservation Reserve; N’Dhala Gorge Nature Park; Trephina Gorge Nature Park; Kuyunba Conservation Reserve;, Native Gap Conservation Reserve; and, Dulcie Range National Park.
As Territorians we should be very proud of this. On this side of the House, the Labor government is very proud that we are not taking Indigenous people to the courts.
Mr Tollner: At what cost? How much are we paying?
Ms ANDERSON: It is not about litigation, it is about mediation, and we are proud to have this relationship, member for Fong Lim …
Mr Tollner: How much are we paying?
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Ms ANDERSON: … with traditional owners and also with Territorians, because this is …
Mr Tollner: What is the cost?
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Ms ANDERSON: … about all Territorians enjoying the parks.
Gang Activity – Introduction of Legislation
Mr ELFERINK to CHIEF MINISTER
In 2006, your government said, in relation to gang activity:
- Territory police have been armed with tough new powers to break up gangs.
- … these laws provide police with the tools they need to target gangs.
- ‘These new laws will enable police to crack down on gang activity right across the Territory’ …’
Is not the introduction of your anti-gang bill today an admission of the complete and utter failure on the part of your government to protect Territorians from these thugs and scumbags?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, at last they got to plan B. Plan A sort of blew up in their face, so another, ‘oh oh’ moment …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order!
Mr HENDERSON: We are on to plan B, but at least they have a plan B, and they scrambled it together pretty quickly. The legislation that was introduced in this parliament today is aimed, fair and square, at organised crime in the Northern Territory, and to prevent organised crime from relocating to the Northern Territory.
This is a government that has been serious in providing the legislative tools that the police asked for to tackle organised crime. As a result of …
Mr Tollner: You cannot even keep drunks out of parks.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order!
Mr HENDERSON: That is offensive to the 1100 members of our police force, Madam Speaker.
Members interjecting.
Mr Tollner: You cannot even keep the long grassers at bay.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, member for Fong Lim!
Mr HENDERSON: I will make sure the police get to see the copy of the interjection from the member for Fong Lim. Too smart by half, is the member for Fong Lim, Madam Speaker.
In the advent of the outrageous and vicious assaults, bashings and death at Sydney airport, I immediately went to the Police Commissioner. There had been work progressing in this vein for some months about strengthening the legislation to do everything we can, as a government, to say to organised crime gangs who are looking to relocate to the Northern Territory, or expand their evil business to the Northern Territory, think again, because the police will be on to you like a ton of bricks. It is about disrupting criminal activity, stopping people from mixing and consorting together, …
Mr Tollner: You cannot even clean up the parks in your own electorate. You are a goose.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr HENDERSON: I am glad the member for Fong Lim continues to show his total disregard …
Mr Tollner interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Fong Lim, cease interjecting!
Mr HENDERSON: … for the seriousness of this issue.
In government, you have to do the tough thing; you cannot just do the smart aleck thing which the member for Fong Lim would do. Already, since we introduced the forfeiture legislation, over $11m has been restrained in terms of the proceeds from criminal activity. This legislation is now being picked up and modelled around the rest of Australia.
As Chief Minister and Police minister, I will continue to give the police the legislation they need to do the difficult and dangerous job we ask them to do every day, and to keep these people out of the Northern Territory.
Dr BURNS (Leader of Government Business): Madam Speaker, I ask that further questions be placed on the Written Question Paper.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016