2010-06-09
Tiwi Islands - Fishing Permits
Mr MILLS to CHIEF MINISTER
During the 2008 Territory election, you promised Territorians would never need a permit to fish in their waters. Today, Territorians face a $1000 fine for fishing in the intertidal waters of the Tiwi Islands without a permit. Like your election pledges to reduce electricity prices and curb rising violent crime, the need for fishing permits in Territory waters is yet another broken promise by a failed Chief Minister. Where will you find the hundreds of millions of dollars you will need to bribe the land councils to cover your broken promise on fishing permits?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, what an offensive question, filled with rhetoric and bile. I am committed to finding a workable solution, recognising the High Court decision around Blue Mud Bay. There are very good faith negotiations taking place at the moment between government officials, the Northern Land Council and Anindilyakwa Land Council. I say again, the seat at the table is there for the Tiwi Land Council to rejoin those discussions. I have no malice towards the Tiwi Land Council. The only people who will fail to benefit and miss out in a negotiated solution package that recognises the rights of Indigenous people, as found by the Blue Mud Bay High Court case, will be the Tiwi Islands people themselves. I urge the Tiwi Land Council to get back to the table, in good faith, in the same good faith I am offering to continue negotiations with them.
In regard to any potential settlement package and the financial impacts of this, it will be appropriate; in valuing regimes; capturing Indigenous aspirations regarding accessing the commercial fishing industry; and in sustainability and management of the resource.
The opposition can run around like Henny Penny, saying the sky is going to fall in; this is going to cost hundreds of millions of dollars. This will be a negotiated outcome, in good faith, recognising the rights which were won by Indigenous people in the Blue Mud Bay case. I urge the Tiwi Land Council to get back to the table in good faith.
FreightLink - Sale
Mr GUNNER to TREASURER
Please update the House on the sale of NT rail operator, FreightLink?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, the Territory government welcomes the announcement today by KordaMentha that Genesee and Wyoming Incorporated has entered into a sale agreement with FreightLink to purchase the Adelaide to Darwin Railway.
Genesee and Wyoming is very well positioned to provide for a strengthening and growing of the business we are seeing. They already have a pre-existing relationship with FreightLink. They have already been a strong presence in Darwin and the Territory and, indeed, they are a world recognised rail link provider. They have already been providing rolling stock services to FreightLink, for example.
This is an opportunity. We have seen FreightLink has done a good job in tough conditions; always a major piece of infrastructure at start-up. It was very heavily debt-burdened, people recognised that; that is why it went into receivership. However, they did a great job as the rail operator. They took about 500 triple road train movements per week off the Stuart Highway, or 90% of the contestable off-road freight. That haulage included manganese from the OM Manganese Bootu Creek mine; iron ore from Territory Resources Frances Creek mine, and copper gold concentrate from OZ Minerals in South Australia.
The flow-on benefits of the rail have certainly seen less congestion on our roads, reduced fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions and, obviously importantly, it has been a major catalyst for mining development in the Territory and further south in South Australia.
Genesee and Wyoming currently operates over 5000 km of track around Australia, providing intrastate haulage of bulk commodities and, internationally, the company generates around $US600m in revenue ...
Members interjecting.
Ms LAWRIE: They do not seem to be interested in the sale of the railway today. Genesee and Wyoming will assume FreightLink’s current financial obligations under the sale agreement. That includes a $50m corporation loan agreement. The sale does not have any negative consequences for the Territory’s financial position. An economic review of the railway projected benefits to the Territory of some $548m over the next seven years. With this acquisition, Genesee and Wyoming become the third largest rail operator in Australia.
Fishing Permits in Aboriginal Waters
Mr MILLS to CHIEF MINISTER
We all read today you were hoping the Commonwealth government will pay for your latest broken promise. Unfortunately for your credibility, Warren Snowdon has stopped that pitiful hope before you even uttered it. Given the Commonwealth, due to your gross incompetence, is already facing a blowout in SIHIP costs of hundreds of millions of dollars, why would it pick up your tab for your broken promise on fishing permits? Can you identify …
A member: And there is more.
Mr MILLS: There is more. Can you identify where in the Territory budget you have made provision for the hundreds of millions of dollars you will need to bribe the land councils to cover your broken promises?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, the hatred and the bile towards the Territory land councils comes out, once again, from the opposition. A leopard will never change its spots. The Country Liberal Party leopard, no matter what they cloak themselves in - whether they call themselves, the Country Liberals, the environmental warriors, the champions of Indigenous people - will never change its spots. The bile and the hatred …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Araluen!
Mr HENDERSON: … towards the land councils was demonstrated in those last two questions by the Leader of the Opposition.
As I said, we will negotiate in good faith. We have good faith negotiations occurring with the Northern Land Council and Anindilyakwa Land Council. We acknowledge the rights won by Indigenous people in the Blue Mud Bay High Court case, and we will negotiate a good-faith agreement.
In regard to any potential assistance from the Australian government, what I did say yesterday, if you actually look at what was in the paper, is, if and when we need to approach the Australian government, we will. It depends on the nature of the package that is put together.
In the same way, we are working in partnership with the Australian government to improve Indigenous education, health, housing, infrastructure, and job opportunities right across the Northern Territory for Indigenous people - a partnership between the Northern Territory government and the Commonwealth government. If that partnership is to extend into this agreement, then I will go in good faith and talk to the Australian government. However, it is hypothetical at the moment while discussions are taking place. The bile and the hatred towards the land councils by the Country Liberal Party - the leopard does not change its spots.
Parliamentary Committees –
Protocols of Giving Evidence
Protocols of Giving Evidence
Ms WALKER to MINISTER for JUSTICE and ATTORNEY-GENERAL
Can you advise on the protocols around evidence provided to parliamentary committees?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I welcome the question from the member for Nhulunbuy. Parliamentary committees, as we know, are very important, and people who appear before the committees are advised that the evidence they provide should be the truth. Members may recall that the member for Goyder provided evidence to the parliamentary committee into the establishment of an EPA. The argument run then was the Territory did not need an EPA. This was consistent with CLP policy of the time. They were against establishing the EPA ...
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Ms LAWRIE: However, earlier this morning, in a personal explanation, the member for Goyder claimed the evidence she provided to the parliamentary committee were not her views. In the words of Tony Abbott, ‘it was not the gospel truth’. She would have us believe she was willing to give evidence to a parliamentary committee that she did not believe in. I was Chair of that parliamentary committee, and I actually believed, at the time, what she said she believed, because she was very passionate in her views opposing the establishment of the EPA. You only have to look at the transcript. She said:
- I think the word ‘independent’ is grossly misused, it is almost devoid of meaning these days.
That does not sound like someone who does not believe in what they are saying. Now, with a new green cloak wrapped around her, she says the views she expressed were not her own. But, from her own admission, we cannot believe a word she says.
E. coli Outbreak – Mindil and Vesteys Beach
Mr CHANDLER to MINISTER for NATURAL RESOURCES, ENVIRONMENT and HERITAGE referred to MINISTER for HEALTH
Again, it seems likely that every time we are in this House we have another environment issue. Yesterday, you issued a media release about tenpin bowling, but you were totally silent about the fact Mindil and Vesteys Beach were about to be closed to the public because of health concerns related to high E. coli bacteria. What cowardice, what an evasion of responsibility! You were alerted to public health concerns at East Point on Friday. When did you test the waters of Mindil and Vesteys Beach for E. coli pollution? Why did it take five days to discover the threat to public health at Mindil and Vesteys Beach?
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order! Minister, resume your seat. Honourable members, there are far too many interjections. I will 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.
Minister, you have the call.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, what a long-winded question from a member who is full of hot wind ...
Ms Purick interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Goyder!
Mr HAMPTON: In terms of the question, I can say, since I became aware of the issue on Friday, I immediately talked to my CE, who advised me that they were right on to it, and they were working with the Health department, and it is a public health issue. In fact, on Friday, 4 June, my agency was working along with health inspectors to check out the situation. What I can also say is that my department, through the Aquatic Health Unit, checked 51 monitoring sites throughout the harbour.
The Aquatic Health Unit from my agency of NRETAS monitors 51 sites throughout the harbour. This is carried out on a quarterly basis for the estuarine sites; and for the freshwater sites, on an annual basis. All 28 estuarine sites were last sampled on the days of 10, 11, and 12 May. It typically takes about three days to sample sites across the harbour. As we know, this is a lot of work. It is a complex and very serious issue. I can also inform the House officers will be out monitoring again next week, beginning 16 June.
I am also quite happy to table all of the 51 monitoring sites for all members of the Assembly. My department undertakes monitoring relevant to environmental harm. We announced last week there will also be additional monitoring efforts as we develop the integrated monitoring model and plan recommended by the Darwin Harbour Advisory Committee.
In terms of E. coli and the specific indicators of water quality used to protect human health, your particular question, member for Brennan, is on a public health issue, and I will, therefore, hand over to my colleague, the Minister for Health.
Mr VATSKALIS (Health): Madam Speaker, I thank the member for his question. He is absolutely ignorant to think this is a public health issue and this should be addressed by the Health Minister. I know they are jumping up and down about potential pollution. One thing I have to say is the department not only conducted a number of samplings, but also discussed the issue with experts, in particular with Dr Daniel Deere, who is one of the co-authors of guidelines for the sampling and microbiology of recreational waters.
Dr Deere advised that the E. coli levels from our environmental monitoring results are way below levels of concern for recreational water environments. He says that the presence of E. coli in the water only does not indicate any human faecal contamination. The department erred on the side of caution, and I am very pleased about that. They decided to close it, and will monitor the situation and continue to liaise with experts, because the experts say that the E. coli bloom can be attributed to other factors like pollution from seaweeds, algae, or even from …
Members interjecting.
Mr Elferink: So you shut down three beaches.
Mr VATSKALIS: Yes, we did, because we prefer to be safe than sorry. I will tell you what they did when the CLP …
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, your time has expired.
National Archives Office in the
Northern Territory - Future
Northern Territory - Future
Mr WOOD to MINISTER for ARTS and MUSEUMS
Earlier this year, I asked about the future of the National Archives office in Millner after the Commonwealth said it would close the office. You said at the time you were working with the Commonwealth to ensure our important records were kept in the Territory. What were the outcomes of those discussions? Were those important records retained in the Territory? Did the Commonwealth transfer any of the employees to the Territory?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nelson for a good question on a really good matter for the Northern Territory. We opposed the closure of the Archives, which holds significance for Territorians. The member for Solomon, the member for Arafura and I lobbied the federal government. The member for Arafura, a hard-working local member, took a difficult issue and provided me with a really positive way forward. That says a great deal about the role of MLAs, which I believe we all can learn from. Talking to federal colleagues, I went forward with a local member such as the member for Arafura.
In February 2010, the National Archives of Australia announced its intention to seek co-location; that was a really good plan forward. That means the Northern Territory Archives and the National Archives at its Milner premises. The records are of core significance to the Northern Territory and, as such, will be retained in Darwin. A memorandum of understanding has been drafted between the Northern Territory Archives and National Archives.
I can assure you no Northern Territory public servant will lose their job. In my discussions with Senator Ludwig, on the same case, he advised no staff will lose their job with the co-location. We are continuing to work with National Archives on a memorandum of understanding for the records to be retained in the Territory. These are good, positive discussions, and it has been a great way forward for the Territory and the National Archives.
Territory Education –
Proposed Funding Cuts
Ms SCRYMGOUR to CHIEF MINISTER
The Liberal opposition and the Country Liberal Party have opposed the funding of upgrades for schools across the Territory and Australia. Can you advise on other cuts to Territory education being advocated by the Liberals and, therefore, the Country Liberal Party?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Arafura for the question. The Liberals in Canberra and the CLP in the Northern Territory parliament oppose the Building the Education Revolution program of the Commonwealth government. The CLP Senator voted against it in Canberra, and it was mocked here in the Territory parliament.
I will give you a quick update: 107 schools have their projects under way, and 25 schools have had their projects completed. Bakewell Primary School has brand new classrooms, member for Brennan. It certainly would not have happened if the CLP had been in power ...
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr HENDERSON: Durack Primary School, member for Drysdale, would not have happened; Bees Creek School, member for Goyder, would not have gone ahead; Woodroffe Primary School, member for Blain, would not have happened under the Country Liberal Party; and Braitling school, member for Braitling, would not have happened with the Country Liberal Party ...
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Sanderson!
Mr HENDERSON: Member for Sanderson, we will not lose you either, great work happening at Anula School would not have happened under the Country Liberal Party.
Not only would we not have seen fantastic new facilities for our children and teachers, we now have Tony Abbott and the Country Liberal Party saying the computers in schools program would be gone as well ...
Members interjecting.
Mr HENDERSON: If they had been in government - all gone.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order!
Mr HENDERSON: We also know the Improve the Teacher Quality Program would be gone as well. Extra teachers? There would be no extra teachers in our schools.
We have also had the Country Liberal Party say they would slash at least 700 jobs in the public service. The member for Port Darwin was on ABC morning radio on 13 May saying:
- Senior public servants are a different kettle of fish and we will deal with them independently as their contracts come up and we will certainly be keeping most of them, but we won’t be keeping all of them.
Mr GILES: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Perhaps the Chief Minister could tell us how well he is doing on the three boarding schools the federal government said they were going to build in the Northern Territory? There is your cuts!
Madam SPEAKER: There is no point of order, resume your seat.
Mr HENDERSON: The Country Liberal Party would cut funding to schools. They would cut funding to teachers: ‘We would reduce teachers’.
Look at the legacy of the last Country Liberal Party member for Solomon. Instead of all those new schools, all those new computers, what did we get? Flag poles! Flag poles – they were provided by the member for Fong Lim …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr TOLLNER: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The Chief Minister is clearly misleading the House.
Madam SPEAKER: Your time has expired, Chief Minister.
Mr HENDERSON: Madam Speaker, I have a signed and autographed copy of the flag poles which I will send to the member …
Madam SPEAKER: Chief Minister, your time has expired!
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Honourable members, there are far too many interjections. There have also been a number of frivolous points of order. I will be putting members on warnings.
E. coli Outbreak – Mindil and Vesteys Beach
Mr CHANDLER to MINISTER for HEALTH
Today, let us see if we can concentrate on public health in 2010 - not ancient history like yesterday and what the Treasurer tried to do today.
In an act of cowardice yesterday, you left it to the Health department to issue a public warning that the waters of Mindil and Vesteys Beach are unsafe for fishing and swimming. You even failed to inform this parliament those beaches were closed due to facial contamination.
A member: What?
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr CHANDLER: The Health department released advice about the closure of Mindil and Vesteys Beach after the Channel 9 news had gone to air. The purpose of a public warning is to alert as many people as possible …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Government members!
Mr CHANDLER: … not to keep it off the nightly TV news bulletins if you were serious about protecting people’s health. Why did it take five days to discover the threat to public health at Mindil and Vesteys Beaches, and when you were informed of the test results?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I have to say this is the same member who wanted us to prosecute the port authority before the investigation had finished. This is the same member who asks why I closed the beaches. I did not; the department did based on scientific advice and on results. The reason they closed the beaches yesterday was because the results, at the end of the day, came back at what the department considered an alarming level which caused their closure. Regarding the closure, I repeat: I congratulate my department; they have done the right thing as it is better to be safe than sorry.
Further to discussions with the experts, we found out what has happened around the beaches. It is not ‘facial’ contamination, it is faecal contamination. That is because the terminology he used is wrong, and we …
Mr Tollner: You are correcting him on English, are you?
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Fong Lim!
Mr VATSKALIS: I am one of the few fortunate Territorians who come from another country, speak with an accent, but make the Territory home. I have reached a stage where I am in this parliament, where the member opposite, who was Australian born and Australian educated, could not make it three times in the federal parliament. I have done it three times in the Territory parliament. Comments like that are a slap in the face to 40% to 50% of Territorians who speak with an accent.
The leopard does not change its spots. I heard the same comment from a previous Opposition Leader, and I hear it from the member for Fong Lim. It is unfortunate his electorate has the name of a Chinese person who probably spoke with an accent when he was alive. You should be ashamed of yourself! But …
Mr Chandler: Answer the question. Five past six was the warning.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order! Member for Brennan!
Mr VATSKALIS: Madam Speaker, the reality is, from what the experts say, there is no danger with the current situation, for the simple reason there are no microorganisms, indicating …
Madam SPEAKER: I ask the person with the mobile phone up there to please turn it off. Thank you very much.
Mr VATSKALIS: … there is no sewage contamination of the beaches. It is an E. coli bloom can be attributed to other issues such as seaweeds, rotting organic matter that has been washed up on to the coastline. The department continues the investigation in order to ascertain what the source of the contamination by E. coli is ...
Mr Bohlin: We have such great kelp beds, haven’t we?
Mr VATSKALIS: I know the member for Drysdale knows everything; he is a pretend professor. I challenge him to open Microbiology 101 and start reading; he might learn something.
Federal Opposition’s Budget Reply –
Impact on Health of Territorians
Impact on Health of Territorians
Mr GUNNER to MINISTER for HEALTH
Please advise the House on the impact of the federal opposition’s budget reply upon the health of Territorians?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I am really alarmed by Abbott’s performance at the recent budget reply. Of course, I did not expect anything better; this is the person who cut $1bn from the Health budget in the last few years when he was in government. This is the same person who says he is going to slash the Health budget, he is going to close down or not going to continue with the super clinics that have proven they provide adequate and efficient service in the Territory ...
Madam SPEAKER: Excuse me, Minister for Health. Could you please refer to the federal Opposition Leader as such, or Mr Abbott.
Mr VATSKALIS: I will refer to him as such, Madam Speaker.
The federal Leader of the Opposition said publicly he is going to stop funding the new super clinics; he is going to close them, because he does not believe they offer enough service to the community. Well, in the past 17 months, 13 000 people in Palmerston and surrounding suburbs have visited the super clinic - 26 people every night.
The growth rate of the emergency departments around the nation is 10% a year. This year in the Territory it has been marginal. That means the super clinic has an effect. I used to listen to the members of the opposition, especially the member for Greatorex, who said we have the worst health system in Australia. I was very delighted and heartened yesterday to hear the member for Daly talking about his own experience in the emergency department at the Royal Darwin Hospital. I congratulate him. He had the courage to stand up and say that when someone does a good job it should appreciated and recorded ...
Members interjecting.
Mr VATSKALIS: I have a suggestion. You had better talk to the member for Greatorex because he has a totally different idea to you. Our Health department is one of the best, our Health professionals are some of the best, and I am really glad and very proud to be a minister in charge of the Health department.
Leanyer Recreation Park – Hot Dog Vendor
Mr WOOD to MINISTER for PARKS and WILDLIFE
Your department runs the Leanyer recreation lake. The lake has a hot dog vendor ...
Ms Lawrie: It is not a lake.
Mr WOOD: It looks like a lake. Is it true you have been extending the vendor’s permit to operate from the park on a monthly basis only, meaning the vendor has no idea what his long-term future is at the park? Why can you not give certainty to this small businessman by saying whether he can sell hot dogs for an extended period? Is it true that Parks and Wildlife are trying to pull out of running the lake and trying to hand it over to your other department, Sport and Recreation, meaning no one can make a decision and no one cares about the hot dog vendor who is left in limbo?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nelson for his very good question. Access to wonderful places such as the Leanyer Recreation Park will continue to be free for Territorians. It is a wonderful facility; I often go there myself, particularly with my family when I am up here. Leanyer Recreation Park, as I said, is a fantastic facility, a great park for Territory families to go and spend some time together. That is why we are building similar facilities in Palmerston.
Member for Nelson, like any good government, we want to ensure our facilities operate at the best possible price to taxpayers. We have undergone a process of expressions of interest to test the private sector interest in operating this facility. Consideration of the outcomes from that process is almost complete and, in the interim, concessionaires such as the hot dog van can only be issued on a month-to-month basis.
I am aware this issue has created some uncertainty, and I will certainly take your question on board. I can say this will not continue for much longer than is absolutely necessary. I hope to be in a position very shortly to provide greater clarity on the situation. However, rest assured, member for Nelson, regardless of the options we choose, Territory families will be able to continue to use this wonderful facility.
SIHIP – GST Input Credits
Mr GILES to MINISTER for PUBLIC and AFFORDABLE HOUSING
The Auditor-General’s SIHIP report says that, since the scheme commenced in 2007-08, government has claimed GST input credits on program spending despite not being eligible to make those claims. In other words, the Territory government is dodging paying tax to the Commonwealth under the scheme. How is it your government avoided paying this tax to the Commonwealth? How much tax has been dodged so far? Who will pay the tax, and how did the Labor Party become the Territory’s biggest tax dodger?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, once again, we have in spades the member for Braitling misrepresenting a report. If I could just read what the Auditor-General has to say on this matter, it will reveal the dishonest way the member for Braitling deals with issues. I will quote:
- Since the commencement of SIHIP in 2007-08, the Department of Local Government and Housing (and its successor, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Regional Services) has claimed GST input credits in respect of expenditure incurred as part of the program. Some uncertainty exists as to whether all amounts claimed are consistent with the provisions of the A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax) Act 1999.
The second paragraph says:
- At the time of the audit the Department was well advanced in the drafting of a request for a private ruling from the Australian Tax Office. The classification and treatment of the costs in relation to GST input tax credits is crucial to the costing of the project and compliance by the Northern Territory Government with its obligations.
Madam Speaker, this is a very complex project - it is $672m and there is a complex flow of goods and services. Simply put, a ruling, advice and clarification has been asked from the Australian Tax Office on this issue, not the hyperbole that the member for Braitling has put forward here. I believe he has been revealed as being dishonest in his dealings with this report. I was glad to be able to read out what it actually contained ...
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The minister has alleged dishonesty, and he knows the rules well enough in terms of substantive motions in relation to that.
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, please withdraw that comment?
Dr BURNS: I withdraw, Madam Speaker, and I use the word slipperiness.
Trainees and Apprentices – CLP Policy
Ms WALKER to MINISTER for EDUCATION and TRAINING
The Liberal opposition and the Country Liberal Party have opposed the funding of Trade Training Centres and the Productivity Places Program. Can you advise the House on how these cuts being championed by the Liberal Party and the CLP would impact on trainees and apprentices in the Territory?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, there is no doubt areas of VET are in the crosshairs of the federal opposition’s sights, none less so than the Productivity Places Program which, over the past two years, over 1000 people have participated in. Last year, 355 training places were allocated for job seekers, and 240 for existing workers. In 2010, 426 training places have been allocated for job seekers, and 681 for existing workers. That is a program that is in his crosshairs, that he will slash and burn.
Trade Training Centres is another one - two rounds of funding to date, one round to come. Round 1: funding to Kormilda College completed and operating; Marrara Christian College, fully completed and operating; Tennant Creek High School, under construction.
Round 2: funds allocated to Borroloola School, Minyerri School, Numbulwar School, Wugularr School, Darwin High School, and Xavier College on the Tiwi Islands.
Round 3: funding proposed for Centralian Senior College, Groote Eylandt School, Jabiru and Gunbalanya, and Ntaria - funding allocated approximately $7.5m.
We believe there will be cuts to traineeships and apprenticeships, to school-based training, to public servants who support these programs, which will leave the Northern Territory with a skills shortage.
We are in a phase of economic development, and there is more development to come. That is why skills training is vitally important to the Northern Territory. I reflect that when the Howard government came to power, they cut a range of training programs out in the bush, and that had a devastating effect, as I remember. People who had jobs were left on the scrapheap, precipitously, without any warning. It left people without training, and I believe, with Tony Abbott, it is back to the future - grabbing the glory, winding the clock back to John Howard’s days of just slash and burn education and training.
Madam SPEAKER: I remind honourable members, when you are referring to a member in this Chamber, or in another Chamber, we refer to those people by title, or Mr or Mrs or Ms. Thank you.
SIHIP – Alleged Improprieties
Mr GILES to MINISTER for PUBLIC AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING
The Auditor-General’s report into the SIHIP project, which was tabled last night, points to a number of serious administrative problems within the scheme, including the incorrect calculation of expenditure, an absence of adequate supporting documents, and differences in invoice claims compared with those held on the alliance partners’ files - read maladministration.
Can you detail to the House exactly how those improprieties were able to take place; the financial cost of these practices; and what measures have we put in place to prevent them from continuing? Also, how less than a year after the first SIHIP review, they were able to occur in the first place?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, much of the Auditor-General’s report is historical, and that has been acknowledged. A number of things the Auditor-General had to say look to the future, and the future challenges of this very important program. It is important to acknowledge those difficulties which occurred early on in the program, and look to the issues identified by the Auditor-General in his report …
Mr Giles: Why did you not do that in the first place?
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Dr BURNS: You have asked your question. I am reading from the report, and the conclusions put forward by our Auditor-General in his review of this program. He said, first sentence, first paragraph of his conclusions:
- As I have suggested elsewhere in this report, SIHIP is an ambitious program and it should deliver most, if not, all that is expected by its stakeholders.
Furthermore, this is on page 47, if you care to read it:
While management control systems are still incomplete, work is well advanced towards rectifying this matter.
The member for Braitling came in here, confabulating the report. He should read the report, which is actually very positive about the future of this program …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order!
Dr BURNS: It outlines the issues which need to be addressed for it to be successful. I and government are focused on delivering this program, this $672m program for 750 new houses, 230 rebuilds and 2500 refurbishments. It is a hell of a lot more than the CLP did in their last years. $4m was all they could find for Indigenous housing …
Members interjecting.
Mr TOLLNER: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The point of order is on relevance. The minister was asked to outlay exactly how the improprieties occurred and exactly what is being done to fix it, not run off on some rant about how good the program is. He has been asked very specific questions …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Fong Lim, resume your seat.
It was a very long question with a number of imputations in it, and the minister is entitled to respond to those. Minister, if you can answer the question as closely as possible. However, it is reasonable for him to respond to the preamble. Minister, did you want to say anything? You have finished your question.
SIHIP and National Partnership
Agreement Funding
Agreement Funding
Mr GILES to MINISTER for PUBLIC and AFFORDABLE HOUSING
The conclusions contained on page 47 of the SIHIP review says more government money will be needed to finance SIHIP unless funds are diverted from the National Partnership Agreement. During the Council of Territory Cooperation hearings last week, a bureaucrat revealed the government had allocated an additional $140m to fund infrastructure development. This is on top of the $400m from the National Partnership Agreement to the Territory government for the tenancy management services, and the hundreds of millions allocated for land servicing.
Why was this expenditure not announced by a government minister? Why was there so little transparency about the allocation of these funds? And, what is the total allocation so far from the NPA towards housing Indigenous people in the Territory?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I will answer the question; however, if the member cared to look at Budget Paper No 4, he might see those amounts there. He needs to be able to read budget books for a start.
This government has never resiled from the fact that we have a responsibility for essential infrastructure for Indigenous people in remote areas. I have charge of the Indigenous Essential Services infrastructure program. $140m is the correct amount and, from memory, it is spread over three years. This is all about providing the platform, if you like, for expansion, particularly in the growth towns, for further infrastructure and headworks.
This government has a long history of providing Indigenous Essential Services. We have brought some of that expenditure forward so we can work in conjunction with SIHIP to expand the infrastructure so we can have the future development, particularly in the second tranche of the National Partnership Agreement, to develop our growth towns to have more Indigenous housing on our Indigenous communities. I make no apology for it - no apology whatsoever.
Small Business Tax Benefits
Ms SCRYMGOUR to TREASURER
Can you outline how small business in the Territory benefits from our low taxes?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, the Territory, proudly, is the lowest-taxing jurisdiction for small and medium enterprises in the nation. A company in the Territory with 100 employees pays less tax here than a company with 100 employees or less would anywhere else in Australia. Our low taxes have delivered some $291m in savings to those businesses since 2001, when we embarked on a progressive range of tax cuts to support small businesses in the Territory.
Our low taxes have played a large role in the Territory having achieved the lowest unemployment in the country for seven months in a row. We welcome the Rudd government’s plan to cut the company tax rate from 30% to 28% for business, with small businesses to benefit first. The tax cuts will help all incorporated businesses, not just big business. In addition, the Rudd plan is to commit to small business an instant asset write-off for assets under $5000. This is a very good tax initiative in the Rudd plan.
Once implemented, the Rudd proposal would potentially save businesses in the Territory around $47m a year. That is what this means for business in the Territory with the company tax cuts, and the small business tax asset write-offs. Potentially, we are looking at $47m a year in savings for businesses ...
Mr Elferink interjecting.
Ms LAWRIE: This is something the CLP are opposing. They are steadfastly opposed to these company tax cuts. Small business asset write-off opportunities in tax, the CLP is against this, but …
Mr Tollner: Where do you get off saying this nonsense?
Ms LAWRIE: So, you are all in favour of it now, Dopey Dave? You have stepped up to the mark all of a sudden, have you?
Mr Tollner: Do you have any regrets about this at night when you try to sleep?
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Fong Lim, you do not have the call.
Ms LAWRIE: We are not sure what the member for Fong Lim says is the gospel truth or not, because he is only allowed to say it when he is coming in here with his scripted moments, as we saw in the adjournment debate last night where he read from the script. We know members opposite have an issue with the gospel truth because, like their leader in Canberra, we do not know, if their approach is not written, if what they say is the gospel truth.
Energy Efficiency Provisions –
Implementation
Implementation
Mr WOOD to MINISTER for LANDS and PLANNING
Your department recently announced the Building Code of Australia Energy Efficiency Provisions, which came into effect in the Territory in May. How much consultation was there in the wider community regarding the implementation of these energy efficient provisions, especially for the tropics? How much extra will it cost to build a three-bedroom house under these provisions? Why do houses have to comply if they are up to the cyclone code? If the Larrakeyah Barracks houses are moved, will they have to be brought up to a 5-star rating?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nelson for his question, which is a good question about energy efficiency and the way forward in greening the Territory.
The 5-star energy efficiency provisions for houses, 3.5-star provisions for flats, in the 2009 version of the Building Code of Australia, were applied in the Territory on 1 May 2010. A national study concluded the average cost increase for a house going from 3.5- to 5-star, was about 1.5%. Representative house designs in Darwin and Alice Springs were assessed, and the cost increases ranged from 1% to 5%. The highest increases relate to two-storey houses. In the case of flats, the Territory has adopted the 3.5-star energy rating, and it has been estimated that will add between 2.5% to 4.5% to the cost of building a unit.
Information sessions were conducted throughout the Territory. The focus has been on Darwin, Katherine, Tennant Creek, and Alice Springs. In relation to the new provisions, these were conducted as education and awareness, and question and answer-type sessions. The Department of Lands and Planning also subsidised training sessions in the computer software for industry to assist with the rating priorities.
The Building Code of Australia, as applied in the Northern Territory, sets out a minimum standard. Some builders already are building beyond the code, which is to be applauded. I went out and talked to industry people, and they recommended we go down this road. They recommended, for a greener future, you must go for better energy efficiency. This is a good thing. Where there is an initial cost to build to a higher energy efficiency, then the returns are, over a longer period of time, in reduced energy costs.
This government believes a green future for the Territory is the way to go. We believe it is an appropriate mechanism in delivering better energy efficiency.
Regarding the last part of the question in relation to the houses from Larrakeyah, we are talking about new constructions in the Northern Territory. In the new house sector, people who are building are telling me this is definitely the way to go.
SIHIP – Request to Table Audit
Mr GILES to MINISTER for PUBLIC and AFFORDABLE HOUSING
Your department engaged an independent auditor to review these questionable transactions under SIHIP, and they discovered seven areas of non-compliance - there may be more. In the interest of openness, will you now make available all of the auditor’s paperwork for tabling in this House so all taxpayers can see exactly what has transpired to bring down such a negative audit from an independent source?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, this program is one of the most heavily audited and scrutinised projects and programs that has ever been - $672m, 750 new houses, 230 rebuilds, and 2500 refurbishments ...
Members interjecting.
Dr BURNS: The opposition continually try to allege some maladministration - or worse, corruption - in this project ...
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, order!
Dr BURNS: They continually try to tear it down and, by so doing, Territory Alliance is made up of major Territory companies. Are they alleging Territory Alliance and the partners in Territory Alliance …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, Order!
Dr BURNS: Are they really?
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker. The question was very straightforward. I refer you to Standing Order 113, that he answers the question.
Madam SPEAKER: Thank you very much, member for Port Darwin, resume your seat. The question had a significant preamble with imputations, and the minister is entitled to respond to that.
Dr BURNS: Madam Speaker, as I was saying, this opposition is continually trying to tear down and destroy this project, when they themselves, hypocritically - $4m a year in the last years of their government. They are the last people who should be standing here and criticising.
There has been no corruption, there has been no maladministration. Certainly, there have been problems, and it is outlined in our own Auditor-General’s report in relation to SIHIP …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Dr BURNS: Madam Speaker, I will just close on the conclusion of our own Auditor-General:
As I have suggested elsewhere in this report, SIHIP is an ambitious program and it should deliver most, if not all, that is expected by its stakeholders.
We have held the administration costs to below 8%, as we said. The Auditor-General points to that. He makes open the payments that have been made to the Alliance partners …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr GILES: A point of order, Madam Speaker! On relevance. I asked if he would table the independent audit. That is all I have asked for.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Braitling, there was much more to the question than that. Minister, if you could come to the point.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! There are far too many interjections. The minister has the call.
Dr BURNS: Madam Speaker, as I said, our own Auditor-General has audited this program. He has printed his report ...
Mr Elferink: And found it wanting.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Port Darwin!
Dr BURNS: He has been very forthcoming in the amounts of payments to the alliance partners. He has also said, in terms of the …
Mr GILES: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Relevance. I ask the minister to answer the question. Will he table the independent audit?
Madam SPEAKER: Resume your seat. Minister, you have the call.
Dr BURNS: In short, the Auditor-General has …
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, your time has expired.
National Health Initiatives –
Federal Opposition’s Position
Federal Opposition’s Position
Mr GUNNER to MINISTER for HEALTH
The federal opposition plans to scrap important national health initiatives. Can you please advise the House of the impact of these ill-informed plans on the health of Territorians living in remote areas?
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Ms LAWRIE: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Standing Order 51. The minister has not even risen and they are interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Honourable members, 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.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, the shared electronic health records in the Territory is recognised as leading the nation, and many jurisdictions were about to copy it before the federal government announced they are going to roll it out throughout Australia. The 37 000 Territorians, including people from northern South Australia, from the East Kimberleys and the APY lands, are part of these records. These records not only save time and money, but save lives, because these records contain all the necessary information in an electronic format, and can be provided to the medical profession when they need it, where they need it, and how they need it.
We have four GPs in Darwin who accept electronic records, and there are 90 altogether - health centres, GP practices, and public hospitals - participating.
The Leader of the Opposition in the federal government came out and said he is going to scrap the roll-out of this system. This will have a devastating effect for the Territory, but also will have devastating effects to all Australians, because this is, and is recognised, in the most important medical schools ...
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr VATSKALIS: Obviously, the member for Drysdale does not care about the health of Territorians, especially Indigenous Territorians, because this has proven to be one of the most significant tools of closing the gap. I understand the CLP was not very interested in Indigenous health or Indigenous education. Also, I doubt very much their record in mainstream health. That was the political party that sacked 200 nurses from 1996 to 1999 – 200 nurses they took out of our system, thanks to Col Fuller and the ERC. They continued massacring the public service following the Planning for Growth, something that I remember …
Mr Conlan: A million people you put out of work in the recession we had to have.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Greatorex!
Mr Conlan: You forget about that.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Greatorex, you are on a warning.
Mr VATSKALIS: Madam Speaker, this is the political party that massacred the public service ...
Mr Conlan: A million jobs.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Greatorex!
Mr VATSKALIS: They said they were going to save money by Planning for Growth; instead, it cost $70m extra and, as a result, they had to cut down the public service. Mark my words: should they come to power in the Territory, they will do exactly the same again.
Termite Control – Registered Installers
Mr WOOD to MINISTER for LANDS and PLANNING
When a house is built, there is an electrical plan approved which any qualified electrician can repair or alter at a later stage. This is also the same with plumbing, where any qualified plumber can access the plumbing plans for a house and alter or repair the plumbing. It does not have to be the original plumber or electrician that does the job. Why is it, when it comes to termite control, there is no registered plan of reticulation under the floor which is used for the delivery of insecticide? Why is a registered installer the only installer who can maintain the system? Is this not a monopoly which can lead to exorbitant charges? Will government change the system to open the house termite control business up for competition by others?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nelson for his question which relates to fair and equitable practices across the Territory. In relation to building certification, I could talk at length; however, in relation to the …
A member interjecting.
Mr McCARTHY: Thank you for the assistance there from members on the other side. In relation to this question, that is a question I am going to take on notice, member for Nelson, and get you an informed response about the way that relates to the certification process. As the House will know, this is a very important issue the Territory government is working on at the moment. Member for Nelson, you have added a very interesting …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr McCARTHY: You have added a very interesting concept in that so, if you will allow me, I will take that on notice and I will get you the answer.
SIHIP - Lack of Guidance Systems
Mr GILES to MINISTER for PUBLIC and AFFORDABLE HOUSING
One of the issues identified by the Auditor-General was there were no systems in place to guide this program; and he went on to note - and I am sure you have read - those systems are still under construction in the middle of 2010. Without these systems, how can you be certain there has been no fraud, no attempted fraud, no malfeasance in SIHIP, no corruption, as you mentioned before …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order!
Mr GILES: I put to you your refusal to refer the independent report to federal police, to send this to federal police to investigate the exact outcomes of what is happening with SIHIP, shows you are a bunch of shonks, a bunch of liars …
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Braitling, you will withdraw those comments.
Mr GILES: Madam Speaker, I will not withdraw those comments.
SUSPENSION OF STANDING ORDERS
Proposed Censure of Ministers Responsible for SIHIP
Proposed Censure of Ministers Responsible for SIHIP
Mr GILES (Braitling): Madam Speaker, I move that so much of standing orders be suspended as would prevent this House from censuring the current and former ministers in charge of SIHIP, for …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr GILES: … lying, and the cover-up and the maladministration of SIHIP.
Dr BURNS (Leader of Government Business): The government gladly accepts the censure motion.
Ms LAWRIE: A point of order, Madam Speaker! I believe, therefore, Question Time has finished.
Madam SPEAKER: Yes, Question Time has finished and we will wait for the cameras to be removed.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! I remind the member for Fong Lim, in particular, that, in fact, everything that happens in this Chamber is broadcast on the Internet. This is an extra item which happens in Question Time, member for Fong Lim, while we are waiting for a system we have internally which allows us not to have cameras in the Chamber. So, I ask you to apologise to me, please.
Mr TOLLNER: Madam Speaker, I am curious as to why you have singled me out.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Fong Lim, you raise this almost every Question Time. I would like you to apologise, very briefly.
Mr TOLLNER: I am sorry, Madam Speaker, I failed to raise anything this time. I heard the Chief Minister loudly interjecting and …
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Fong Lim, are you reflecting on the Speaker?
Mr TOLLNER: No, Madam Speaker. I am querying as to why I have been singled out.
Madam SPEAKER: Can you just withdraw the comments, please?
Mr TOLLNER: I did not make any comments, Madam Speaker.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Fong Lim, I would like you to withdraw the comments.
Mr TOLLNER: Well, I withdraw.
Madam SPEAKER: Thank you very much.
Mr MILLS: I was the one who made the comments, Madam Speaker.
Madam SPEAKER: Would you withdraw, as well, thank you very much.
Mr MILLS: I withdraw those comments, Madam Speaker.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016