2008-10-30
Cost of Living in the Territory
Mr MILLS to CHIEF MINISTER
What does milk, cheese, loaf of bread, self-raising flour, lamb chops, oranges, bananas, potatoes, tomatoes, carrots, onions, canned peaches, frozen peas, instant coffee, tomato sauce, margarine, baked beans, baby food, dishwashing detergent, petrol, full strength beer by the carton or the glass, and soap all have in common?
While you are thinking of the answer to that question, what concrete action has your government taken to reduce the exorbitant cost of living for Territorians who have to pay for the basics of life?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I welcome the question from the Leader of the Opposition. It is good to see, at last, I hope, Question Time will see questions of substance to ministers regarding issues that are important to Territorians. The latest figures that released by the ABS on a basket of goods certainly show that prices have been rising in the Northern Territory.
As members of my electorate and many people in the northern suburbs would know, I am a family man, and I do my share of the weekly shopping for the family, both at Hibiscus and at Casuarina. In taking my role in my family, I am aware that we do have rises and falls in the cost of living for Territorians. The question is, essentially: what is the Territory government doing?
What we do in a number of areas to try to reduce the cost of living for Territorians is to provide community service obligations in a whole range of areas to keep the pressure off family budgets. We also run a very strict fiscal discipline across government that allows government to provide the infrastructure and deliver services to Territorians without having to significantly increase taxes. We ensure that Territory small businesses in the Northern Territory pay less tax than any other business in Australia. As a result of paying less tax, those additional costs are not passed on to Territorians. We provide significant subsidies through CSO payments to Power and Water to do everything we can to achieve prices for Territorians that are affordable.
We provide subsidies for pensioners and carers, and Senior Card holders. We are the only state, I believe, in Australia that provides subsidies to childcare centres and preschool centres across the Northern Territory. We provide grants for every child enrolled at school each year to assist with the costs of education. We provide up to $1000 to apprentices, young 16- and 17-year-old Territorian first-year apprentices not earning a lot of money, struggling to purchase tools, work wear, or work gear. We provide the best tax-free thresholds for first homebuyers in the Northern Territory. There is a range of efforts the government makes across a range of policy areas to try to minimise cost pressures for Territorians.
We live in a market economy of supply and demand. As to the prices of groceries, the best antidote to significantly increasing price rises is competition. How do you get competition into the market place? You have a growing economy. You have a population that is growing, and that creates the potential for the people, like the people who are investing in Harbour Town in the Northern Territory, to provide competition against Casuarina Shopping Square, for example.
A strongly growing economy and a strongly growing population provides more opportunity for business, and more competition in the marketplace to keep the lid on price rises. The government, as I have outlined, provides cost relief to Territorians across a whole range of areas.
Territory 2030 - Fresh Ideas, Real Results
Mr GUNNER to CHIEF MINISTER
Yesterday, you launched Territory 2030 - Fresh Ideas, Real Results. Can you please provide what reaction has been received to this bold, new initiative?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Fannie Bay, an inner city Darwin electorate with many business people resident in it. The reaction received, with the exception of the CLP, which is negative about absolutely everything in the Northern Territory, has been overwhelmingly positive …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, order!
Mr HENDERSON: I know they hate it. I know they hate to admit it. They hate anybody talking positively about the Northern Territory. They just want to wallow in doom and gloom. Wallowing in negativity is the specialty of the opposition.
The reception has been overwhelmingly positive. The distinguished Territorians who have agreed to participate in putting this plan together are overwhelmingly excited about the opportunity to participate in what will be a defining strategic direction for the Northern Territory for the next 20 years. The quality and the calibre of the people who are involved in the steering committee is, I have to say, unsurpassed. Again, I thank each and every one of them, along with Bill Moss, for agreeing to participate.
I asked my department to contact key stakeholder groups ahead of me writing to them over the course of the week, briefing them about Territory 2030, pointing to the materials and the website. Again, to a person, they have been very supportive of this initiative and very keen to participate in the development processes of the plan.
Who have we spoken to who think this is a good initiative and want to participate, as opposed to the doom and gloom merchants opposite who are negative about everything? We have spoken to Chris Young of the Chamber of Commerce Northern Territory; Karen White from the Property Council; Bronwyn Russell from the NT Business Council; Scott Perkins from the Resources Council; Bryan Winslade from the Housing Industry Association; Graham Kemp from the Territory Construction Association; Kevin Williams from Civil Contractors; Ryan O’Hanlon from the Real Estate Institute of the Northern Territory; and Rex Mooney from Alice Springs Town Council. To a person, they have all said: ‘Yes, this is a good initiative, and we are very keen to participate’ - unlike the doom and gloom merchants opposite who wallow in negativity.
They want an opportunity to participate in a dialogue with Territorians, and to shape the future of the Territory over the next two decades. All the people we have spoken to have the foresight to understand and agree that, with the growth rates that we are achieving now and projected to achieve over the next few years, we need the long-term planning, looking towards 2030. However, of course, that does not mean you take your eye off the ball in regard to the issues of day-to-day concerns for Territorians.
I look forward to providing regular updates to this House on the aspirations and goals of Territorians; where they want to see the Territory in 2030 for their children. I look forward to bringing further positive news to the House about the aspirations of every day Territorians.
Teachers’ Salaries
Mr MILLS to CHIEF MINISTER
In the last 12 months, there has been a crippling 20% rise in the price of rent in Darwin, and a 4.5% inflation rate for what is already the most expensive food, drinks, and petrol in the land. On my calculations, a teacher renting a three-bedroom home and spending $400 a week on groceries, would have had to earn at least $5000 extra just to keep pace with the cost of putting food on the table and a roof over their heads. That is $5000 after tax, whereas the Henderson government is offering a Level 5 teacher an annual increase of just $2138 before tax. Why do you expect teachers to take an effective pay cut of more than $50 a week?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his question. The Leader of the Opposition is being irresponsible in the extreme by seeking to intervene, in a fairly inflammatory and rhetorical way, into the long-running EBA with the teachers.
He talked about inflation. Here is the Leader of the Opposition, who has absolutely no understanding of budget processes and how the economy works. There would be nothing more certain that inflation would have been going through the roof if the Leader of the Opposition was the Chief Minister in the Northern Territory. The policies of the Leader of the Opposition are that, irrespective of the flow-on consequences and the realities of the industrial relations landscape, he would say to teachers, which he did before the election: ‘We will make Territory teachers the highest paid in the country and keep them there’.
I will tell you what that would mean. That would mean that nurses, doctors, police officers, firies and the general public sector would be around the negotiating table wanting the same deal. How do you argue that teachers are worth more than nurses or doctors? Everyone would have to be the highest paid in the country. That would cripple the Northern Territory budget, force the business community to match those wage rises, and drive inflation through the roof. That would be the consequences of the irresponsible interventions that the Leader of the Opposition would make into the economy ...
Mr MILLS: A point of order, Madam Speaker! This is highly speculative nonsense. The questions have been clearly put ...
Mr Henderson: It is your policy.
Mr MILLS: I asked you a question about what the heck you are doing with teachers to give them effective pay cuts. That is the question; come to the question.
Madam SPEAKER: Chief Minister, if you could answer the question as close as possible to the one that has been asked.
Mr HENDERSON: Thank you, Madam Speaker, and I will. I am pleased to advise that our government, through the minister responsible for Public Employment, has been very keen to get teachers back to the negotiating table. The pay increase which we have offered teachers does keep teachers’ salaries ahead of inflation over the term of the agreement. It is wrong to say otherwise, and just goes to show how little the Leader of the Opposition knows and how irresponsible he is with his comments. It also keeps teachers amongst the best paid in the country. We acknowledge that; we have to be competitive. We absolutely value our teachers, and they should be well remunerated and amongst the best paid, and our offer keeps them there.
I advise the House that the government did make an improved offer to teachers yesterday in the very real desire to close this EBA to the benefit of all students and teachers across the Northern Territory. We have made an improved offer.
The policies of the Leader of the Opposition would send the Territory broke and force inflation through the roof, and every Territorian would have to pay for it.
Northern Territory Financial Update
Mr McCARTHY to TREASURER
Can you update the House on the state of the Northern Territory’s finances?
ANSWER
Thank you, Madam Speaker …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! The Treasurer has the call.
Ms LAWRIE: They cannot help but be a rabble, can they, Madam Speaker? I thank the member for Barkly for his question. The members would have seen, coming into the Chamber that, as Treasurer, I have deemed tabled the Treasurer’s Annual Financial Report for the financial year 2007-08. I had indicated that I wanted to table it with a tabling statement but, due to the visit by the President of Timor-Leste today, we will run out of time. It is deemed, so it is on the public record and, of course, debate will ensue in the fullness of time.
The contents of the report detail that the Northern Territory is in the best financial position possible in our history, and ready to face the uncertain future that the global financial crisis puts us in. After inheriting a black hole in 2001, we have now delivered six surpluses in a row. The current surplus for 2007-08 is $211m ...
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Whilst I appreciate the Treasurer’s surplus, as part of her answer, will she also acknowledge that $486m was from higher taxes and charges, and that you are still sitting on SPPs that were given to you by the federal government?
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Port Darwin, there is no point of order.
Mr Henderson: Wrong. It is a growing economy, with more revenues. You would not understand a growing economy because, when you were in power, the economy was falling through the floor.
Mr Elferink: No. Higher taxes, and that has made you spend half your surplus.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, order! Chief Minister!
Ms LAWRIE: Madam Speaker, it was a ridiculous point of order by the shadow Treasurer because, under this government, we have cut taxes. Our revenue is growing because our economy is growing. Our revenue is growing because the economy is strong.
We have cut taxes, not raised taxes. The CLP used to like to dabble in tax raising but, when we came to government, as part of our economic stimulus, we cut taxes. We continue to cut taxes, and we have a commitment to cut taxes further.
Our nett debt plus employee liability to revenue ratio is down to 89%. That is the lowest debt to revenue ratio in the Territory’s history. Not only are we delivering a $211m surplus, but we are driving down the debt that we inherited from the CLP, whilst we are increasing funding across all our core agencies, all our core service delivery, and building the infrastructure the Territory needs ...
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker! In the interests of honesty, surely the Treasurer is going to point out the increased specific purpose payments that she is sitting on, which are improving the position of government?
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Port Darwin, there is no point of order. Resume your seat.
Mr Elferink: This is outrageous, Madam Speaker, that she would try to sell this business this way.
Madam SPEAKER: Resume your seat. Member for Port Darwin, please resume your seat.
Mr Elferink: You have to spend the money that the Commonwealth gives you.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Port Darwin, cease interjecting.
Ms LAWRIE: Madam Speaker, in this difficult financial climate, the government’s investments have been performing well, and the TAFR will show that - much to the disgust of the member for Port Darwin. Last financial year, the total investment portfolio of this Territory government increased by $165m, or 19%. This is in part due to the surplus our strong financial management has delivered, and it occurred at a time that the value of the Australian stock market had declined by 17%.
Strong financial management gives this government the capacity to instigate initiatives such as our Buildstart program that inject further strength into our economy. Our economy and our finances are at their strongest levels ever. The INPEX project, we know, provides an additional insurance policy against an uncertain future. Whatever future the global economy holds, Territorians can be heartened that we have never in our history been in a better position to face it.
Kakadu National Park - Entrance Fees
Mr TOLLNER to MINISTER for TOURISM
Today, it was revealed that the federal Labor government intends to re-impose entrance fees to Kakadu National Park for tourists. During 2004, I, and many other Territorians, fought and won the battle that saw the removal of entry fees for visiting Kakadu. We did this because fees paid to the federal government reduced the amount of money spent by visitors with Territory businesses inside and outside that park. Will you join with me in condemning this foolish revenue grab by the federal Labor government?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for his question. The federal government today announced a $25 per person entrance fee to Kakadu in about two years time. As the Minister for Tourism, I am not supporting the introduction of these fees - for the reason that our parks have free entry to every Territorian and Australian. It is counterproductive and I will personally write to the federal minister to argue against introduction of fees to our national parks.
Hidden Valley Motor Sports Complex – Government Commitment
Mr GUNNER to MINISTER for SPORT and RECREATION
Can you please inform the House of this government’s commitment to the Hidden Valley speedway?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Fannie Bay for his question. He is correct; this government is making an enormous investment into the Hidden Valley Motor Sports Complex. Since 2001, we have made a significant investment into the complex of around $4m. In 2008, the Henderson government made an election commitment of another $4m to upgrade key infrastructure facilities. On top of this, we have committed another $1.6m for the upgrade of the Northline Speedway VIP lounge and canteen.
I had the pleasure today of being at the speedway to announce the successful tenderer for this upgrade. I am proud to say that a local company, Habitat Nominees, successfully won the tender. The president of the speedway association, Mr Brooke David, was also there and it was fantastic to be there and have a look at what works will be undertaken.
We have also worked with our federal colleagues in Canberra to secure another $3m for the upgrade of the Hidden Valley drag racing strip. We will continue working to develop motor sports infrastructure. Our investment will assist the Hidden Valley Motor Sports Complex to continue to attract top line events such the Sprint Car Championships in 2010. The Henderson government will ensure that Territorians will be able to enjoy and participate in motor sports well into the future.
Alice Springs Businesses – Work for NT Fleet
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for BUSINESS and EMPLOYMENT
Can you confirm that all NT Fleet vehicles, including police vehicles in Alice springs, that require the fitting of bull bars, tow bars, dual battery systems, long range fuel tanks, spare wheels, and so on, have them fitted in Darwin? If this is the case, I am happy to table a letter from a business owner that he sent to you this week saying that it is the case. Can you advise why businesses in Alice Springs are not able to perform this work? Will you show your support for Alice Springs businesses by ensuring that they can do this type of work on NT Fleet vehicles?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for her question. I also received an e-mail from a company in Alice Springs asking exactly the same questions. The vehicles we acquire from NT fleet can actually be fitted with parts in two ways. One is, if it is a genuine part, it has to be fitted by the factory. For example, if we order a Toyota ute, we put the order directly to Toyota, and Toyota authorise their authorised dealers to put a genuine part in the vehicle. However, there are some parts that are not genuine, or there are no genuine parts. Then, NT Fleet utilise an outside supplier for these vehicles. NT Fleet advertises for tenders, and everybody from Alice Springs, Nhulunbuy, Katherine, Jabiru, Tennant Creek, and Darwin is welcome to submit a tender.
As a matter of fact, my office spoke to the company manager yesterday and advised him that we had a Meet the Buyers seminar in Alice Springs recently. Unfortunately, the company was unable to attend. At the same time, we advised them they can always tender for it and we offered our assistance to explain the tender process, which they welcomed. Our tender process is open to everybody. However, we are constrained by certain guidelines and standards of what kind of bull bars or add-ons that we can put …
Mr Giles: The same company operates here in Darwin as it does in Alice Springs.
Mr VATSKALIS: Just wait until I finish before you jump up again, because you are going to put your foot in your mouth like you did before.
As I said, if we buy a vehicle that requires genuine parts, we cannot get out of using the genuine part. We have to provide genuine parts as required by the manufacturer. If we go outside and get a fitting that is not standard, anybody can supply it, depending if they put in the tender and the price is competitive ...
Ms Carney: So, you are going to help him?
Mr VATSKALIS: Absolutely! I will always stand for Territory business to provide us with the equipment, irrespective of whether they are in Alice Springs or in Darwin.
Alice Springs – Moving Alice Ahead Plan
Mr McCARTHY to CHIEF MINISTER
Last week, you spoke at length about the plan for Palmerston. Do you have a similar plan for Alice Springs?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Barkly for his question because, despite the rhetoric of members opposite, the government is expending significant policy and financial capital and investment in Alice Springs. Alice Springs is an incredibly important part of the Territory - a fantastic community in the heart of our country. I am determined to have the heart of this nation a growing and vibrant town. I believe we all share those same aspirations.
The Alice Springs plan is a comprehensive social and economic strategy to move Alice Springs ahead. Alice Springs is vibrant, multicultural, innovative and, for the size of the town, it is a very artistic and incredibly creative community.
Business confidence in Alice Springs is high. My colleague, the Business minister, had his agency conduct a survey of virtually all businesses - it was about 400 businesses in Alice Springs, was it, Kon?
Mr Vatskalis: Yes.
Mr HENDERSON: Yes, 400-odd businesses in Alice Springs. That survey came back with over 80% of those businesses very confident about their future. You would not know about it, listening to members opposite, but over 80% of those businesses are very high in confidence.
Investment in the town is strong, particularly investment from people already in Alice Springs running a business, reinvesting back in that business. That is set to continue. The resilience of Alice Springs and its people cannot be underestimated.
We absolutely acknowledge – and on this side of the House we have two members from Alice Springs, both ministers in government - that Alice Springs does have its issues and its problems. That requires a steely determination and commitment, from both government and the community, to actually get on top and deal with those issues. It is not just an issue for government; these are issues for the whole community.
That is why the plan for Alice, Moving Alice Ahead, has prioritised the massive consumption of alcohol as being at the heart of all the social issues and problems facing Alice Springs. That is why we have prioritised the responsible Alcohol Management Framework as one of the key strategic priorities of government to try to deal with those issues of excessive alcohol consumption and the associated damage that does to individuals, families, children, the community, and the economy of Alice Springs. We have introduced a range of measures to reduce supply, harm, and demand. The early implications are that the plan is starting to work in that the total amount of pure alcohol consumption is going down. My colleague, the Licensing minister, has been absolutely insistent that we apply some rigour and integrity in regard to the evaluation of those measures. That evaluation is being undertaken as I speak.
At the heart of that dysfunction is a disconnection for the economy and the labour market. The reason for the disconnection for the economy and the labour market is a failure of education for Indigenous people in Central Australia in a significant way. There are some innovations starting to turn things around in Alice Springs in regard to education. I am absolutely passionate about the Clontarf Football Academy. I was the Education minister who saw the initial investment there in Alice Springs. It is starting to make some very significant changes and inroads in the attendance of young Indigenous boys in Alice Springs. Attendance that used to be around the 30% mark is now between 80% and 90% for those kids. It has been a huge turnaround.
The academic results of those kids is starting to improve, and the future is looking bright for over 100 Indigenous students who otherwise would have just fallen away and dropped out of the system - they are engaged, they are at school, they are doing well. It is an initiative that I will continue to support absolutely 100% as Chief Minister for the Northern Territory.
We have primary school education projects running. The Indigenous Education strategy and the Youth Employment strategy are all aimed at improving school attendance, school retention, and employment outcomes for the long term. There is a whole range of other projects that are going ahead in Alice Springs that I do not have the time to mention in a short answer. However, the economy is strong, investor confidence is high, the demand for new housing is strong.
We do have social issues in and around the excessive consumption of alcohol. We are working to address those, and working to improve Indigenous education outcomes in Alice Springs. The early runs are positive and on the board.
School Pedestrian Crossings
Mr ELFERINK to TREASURER
You have just announced that you are drowning in excess GST revenues and increased taxes. As it stands, there are currently no pedestrian crossings outside St Mary’s school in Darwin; nor at the Darwin Middle School inside the school grounds; nor for the Woodroffe Primary School is there a children’s crossing at Chung Wah Avenue; and the Mitchell Street Child Care Centre, of which I am the Vice President, also does not have a pedestrian crossing. Now that you have all of these extra revenues and increased taxes available to you, in the interests of road safety, will you commit some money to getting pedestrian crossings at each of these locations?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I welcome the question from the member for Port Darwin. Some of the roads he named are, obviously, council roads, and the council receives funding separately from the federal government. With any issues in and around the safety of school crossings that are on Northern Territory government roads that come to me, I ensure that our Traffic Branch investigates and remedial work is undertaken because, clearly, an intent of government is to ensure that students can move to and from school safely.
Where it is council responsibility, it is appropriate for the Northern Territory government to work with council on those crossings. We do, from time to time, provide our roads network expertise and they talk to the appropriate technical officers and councillors. I do not know whether the member for Port Darwin, as a local member, has written to council on those issues. I am very happy to take up those issues on his behalf.
Angela and Pamela Deposits - Mining Licence
Mr GUNNER to MINISTER for PRIMARY INDUSTRY, FISHERIES and RESOURCES
An exploration licence has been granted to the Angela and Pamela deposit located south of Alice Springs. What does the exploration process involve, and does it mean that the site will be mined?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for his question. It is a very important question, because the Angela and Pamela deposit was explored for the first time in 1970s and 1980s. At the time, the commodity price for uranium and other minerals was not very high, and that was why Angela and Pamela was placed under reservation from occupation, together with a number of other deposits around the Northern Territory.
After a review of the reservation from occupation process around the Territory, and decided to open and put them back on the market for exploration - Angela and Pamela being one. The exploration licence was granted to Cameco and Paladin after an exhaustive assessment of the number of applications we had from different Australian and overseas companies.
The exploration licence is for six years, and it can be renewed for two periods of two years. The exploration licence allows only exploration for minerals; it does not allow mining. I repeat: it only allows exploration for minerals, it does not allow mining. The explorers can carry on non-intrusive works such as surveying, geological mapping, and general reconnaissance. A further approval is required to carry out any disturbance including drilling and road building, and they have to put a plan in place to my department for approval before they can proceed with any disturbance, including drilling and road building.
The explorer must also pay an environmental security bond. I know there was some concern in Alice Springs about the Angela and Pamela exploration and the water table, but I would like to tell you that the work underlying the Angela and Pamela deposit in Alice Springs is the same as the that underlying the Alice Springs Brewer Industrial Estate. It is south of Rowe Creek bore field, and the groundwater system associated with Angela and Pamela is completely separate to the groundwater system that supplies Alice Springs with drinking water. There were a number of independent assessments that have confirmed that any incursion activities in Angela and Pamela will not affect the Alice Springs water supply.
We have produced a leaflet to be distributed throughout Alice Springs, explaining what exploration means in Angela and Pamela, what kind of activity will take place, and under what conditions, because there is a lot of misinformation, such as exploration means mining. No, it does not. It is not mining, it is just core drilling to retrieve some samples to be further analysed. There were assurances by hydrologists that this activity will not disturb the water table which supplies Alice Springs.
However, Madam Speaker, if the prospect is found to contain minerals, any application for a mining lease will trigger a full environmental assessment and has to comply with both Northern Territory and Commonwealth legislation.
Alice Springs – Alcoholism Epidemic
Mr GILES to MINISTER for HEALTH
Will the minister agree that there is an alcoholism epidemic affecting a large amount of residents in Alice Springs? Will the minister agree that the current alcohol restrictions are not dealing with the issue of alcoholism for these chronic alcoholics? Will the minister inform the parliament what he is doing in Alice Springs to address alcoholism and reduce alcohol-fuelled violence and antisocial behaviour in Alice Springs of these alcoholics?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Braitling for his question. There is no doubt, as the Chief Minister alluded to, alcohol problems are a major issue for Alice Springs. That is why, some two years ago now in 2006, alcohol restrictions were brought in to Alice Springs, along the lines of reducing harm and supply. They are the main elements of our alcohol reduction strategy.
Regarding the effects of that, I believe they have been quite large in that, basically, there has been a 15% decrease in the consumption of alcohol over the past two years, and a 10% decrease in takeaway sales. The initial data seems to indicate that there has been a 40% decrease in admissions to the sobering-up shelter; 21% fewer admissions to treatment services for alcohol problems; and an overall reduction in the number of admissions to Alice Springs hospital for alcohol-related conditions.
The dry areas was also implemented, which was an initiative of the Alice Springs Town Council. I am aware that these measures have been controversial, and there are a number of Alice Springs residents who do not believe that they have been effective. That is why I commissioned an independent study by the Menzies School of Health Research into these restrictions, and the effects that they have had. I have also given an undertaking that those results will be made public ...
Mr GILES: A point of order, Madam Speaker! My question is not about the supply of alcohol or consumption of alcohol. The intent of the question is about how he is dealing with chronic alcoholics. That is the intent of the question.
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, if you can answer the question as closely as possible to the one asked, bearing in mind it was quite a complex question.
Dr BURNS: Madam Speaker, I thought it would have been self-evident that supply reduction is one facet of dealing with alcohol-related problems. I am coming to the end of that part now, member for Braitling.
I have given an undertaking to the Alice Springs community that the results of this independent evaluation by the Menzies School of Health Research will be made public. I have also given the undertaking that if there are measures found by the Menzies School to be completely ineffective, they will be ditched. Other recommendations might go to adjusting various measures, and I undertake to do that as well.
My advice, in terms of alcohol rehabilitation facilities in Alice Springs, is that there is adequate numbers of places within Alice Springs that cater for people who may be given court orders. It was very interesting to speak with the magistrates last time I was in Alice Springs, and for them to say that they are wholeheartedly embracing the mechanisms that government has put forward in prohibition orders and intervention orders.
The other thing that I, and this government, has given an undertaking about is that we realise we need to take the next steps in relation to what can be done for people who are a danger to themselves and to their community through their abuse of alcohol. These are things that we are further investigating as a government. The previous member for Stuart, Peter Toyne, introduced the alcohol court and the intervention and prohibition orders. He said about 300 in two years. We are on target with those numbers, but we also realise that there is more to be done. We believe the facilities are there, and we will make further investments in facilities and strategies to address this very important issue.
Central Australia – Swimming Pools
Ms WALKER to MINISTER for SPORT and RECREATION
Can you update the House on progress in building swimming pools in the Centre?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nhulunbuy for her question. Yes, if the build-up in the Top End is happening, it means summer is on its way in Central Australia. The Alice Springs swimming pool is open for the season, and the first stage of the Alice Springs Aquatic Centre is very nearly complete. The first stage includes a new toddler pool and a learn-to-swim pool. The Northern Territory government has committed more than $8m to the $16m aquatic centre. I congratulate our Mayor, Damien Ryan, and the town council, and community members of the reference group that are managing this exciting project.
Earlier this week, I had the pleasure of attending the Yuendumu swimming pool opening in my electorate of Stuart. The Yuendumu community has contributed $800 000 towards the cost of the pool, through donations and royalty contributions. The Northern Territory government matched this contribution with another $800 000, and the Australian government contributed $1m. At the opening was the federal minister for Indigenous Affairs, Jenny Macklin; Warren Snowdon, the member for Lingiari; and Mr Nigel Scullion, Senator for the Northern Territory.
The Yuendumu pool is not only a terrific sporting and recreational facility, it is also providing jobs, with 10 local people trained by the Royal Life Saving Society to work at the pool. The community has signed a shared responsibility agreement with the Australian government for a ‘yes, school/yes, pool’ policy aimed at boosting school attendance rates.
Madam Speaker, pools in remote communities are not just a place to swim; they have a positive impact on health, education, and the local economy and are an investment in the future of our communities.
Drug Rehabilitation Centre – Old ANSTI Site
Mr WOOD to MINISTER for HEALTH
A drug and rehabilitation centre at Bees Creek called ANSTI has been closed for nearly two years. In the budget, you announced a Closing the Gap initiative to construct a residential care facility at Bees Creek. Could you please say if this facility is at the old ANSTI site on Bees Creek Road? Who will live at this residential care facility; who will manage it; and, when will this facility eventually be reopened?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nelson for his question, because it is a good question. I can say at the outset that I believe it has taken too long to get this project running. I will give some background and history to it, member for Nelson, which I am sure you already know, but I will explain to the House. ANSTI was wound up in 2007, and the property, which is about 37 acres, was surrendered back to the Crown. It does offer a unique opportunity. There is a number of self-contained living units, quite a deal of land but, unfortunately, the facilities were not well maintained and some of them were in a severe state of disrepair.
DPI conducted a thorough structural report, which was forwarded late last year. Significant works were flagged in what was required in relation to fixing ANSTI, or that Bees Creek site. The Alcohol and Other Drugs Program negotiated a one-off capital allocation of $300 000 from the federal government. I am advised that this has now been received. The works will be advertised at the end of November, and are expected to be commenced in January 2009, with start-up of services in the first half of 2009.
The Commonwealth one-off capital grant funding is quite welcome, but I place on the record that the Northern Territory government will be investing approximately $420 000 per annum, which will provide a 16-week residential program for men, with a maximum of 10 men at any one time. It has a strong emphasis on sobriety, to assist people with post-drug and post-rehabilitation programs.
I thank the member for Nelson; he has had a very active interest in this for some time. As I acknowledged at the beginning of my answer, it certainly has taken longer than we would want, but there were complications around the state of the buildings and the works that needed to be undertaken to fix the buildings so that the program could start.
Alice Springs Desert Park – Recent Achievements
Ms WALKER to MINISTER for PARKS and WILDLIFE
Can you inform the House of recent achievements at the Alice Springs Desert Park?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nhulunbuy for her question. It is my great pleasure to inform the House that the Alice Springs Desert Park, this year, has received its one millionth visitor. This is an extraordinary achievement for a bio-park in a regional centre. On the other hand, we are used to Alice Springs achieving extraordinary things. It is a unique little town in the Centre of Australia.
I have been a regular visitor to the Desert Park over the years, not just as a private citizen, but also as a local member. Often, I take my grandchildren for a visit and something to eat at the Desert Park and enjoy the environment.
The innovative achievements of the Desert Park are many, and I touch on just one example today. Last summer, the Desert Park erected a fence along the western side of its development area, constructed a simple path and, now, conducts evening tours through some mulga planted a decade or so ago. In this area lives bilby, mala, as the Chief Minister would know, bush-tailed and burrowing bettongs, and it will soon also see the stick-nest rats introduced to the Desert Park. This is a highly compelling visitor experience in Alice Springs. Not only does it allow people to have the great evening experience they were seeking, it also allows them to experience some of the fauna lost to other parts of Central Australia.
Madam Speaker, I take this opportunity to congratulate and thank Gary Fry and his team at the Desert Park, who operate an important community facility - a centre of excellence for environmental education and tourism icon for Central Australia.
Katherine River System – Crocodile Catchers
Mr WESTRA van HOLTHE to MINISTER for PARKS and WILDLIFE
Is it not the case that, over the last 10 years, some 100 saltwater crocodiles have been removed from the Katherine River system? Given this large number, why is it that the government has no properly trained and qualified crocodile catchers in Katherine? Why is it that your government places so little value on the people of Katherine and its visitors by leaving us without this expertise on hand?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Katherine for his question, and ask that I take this question on notice. I reiterate to this House that my department of Parks and Wildlife does a wonderful job in looking after all these animals and the environment. I will ensure that I get back to you at the end of this session, member for Katherine.
Central Australia – Tourism Marketing Initiatives
Mr McCARTHY to MINISTER for TOURISM
Tourism makes an important contribution to the economy of Central Australia. What marketing initiatives are in place to attract more visitors to Central Australia.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Barkly for his question. I have to agree with my colleague, the member for Macdonnell - Alice Springs is a great place. I have been visiting Alice Springs for the past 13 years and, every time I go to the town or the surroundings, I am always impressed by the colours and the look of the place. It is a place that not only Territorians, but Australians and people from overseas, should visit.
That is the reason why, last month in Alice Springs, I launched the first ever global marketing campaign for the Red Centre - a $2m campaign which will commence in September. The first stage will be finished today, and will continue next year in the UK, Ireland, USA, Germany, New Zealand, Sweden, Japan, and Australia. The message is very simple: ‘Get CeNTred in Australia’s Red Centre’.
It is a new way of presenting the Red Centre. We want to ensure that the Red Centre is included as a must-see destination in any Australian itinerary. After all, it has been the subject of successful publicity in the past few years - publicity that, unfortunately, cost $7m to tourism in Alice Springs, because some people, for their own purposes, put down Alice Springs, quite wrongly. We are now trying to again bring Alice Springs to the world stage because it is a great place.
We will have online advertising on websites such as National Geographic, Lonely Planet, Yahoo, New York Times, Amazon, The Guardian and, of course, we have partnered with Kathmandu. Everyone knows Kathmandu, where they have fantastic footwear and clothes, especially for outdoor living. Their summer catalogue was actually photographed in Alice Springs. We will have displays in Kathmandu shop windows and on billboards about the Red Centre.
We have a pocket guide - I have a copy for each member here, and I would like to table - about the Red Centre; with fantastic photographs and information, which has been and will be distributed to people throughout Australia.
We will also involve Red Centre content in the Aussie Specialist Program, an educational program to help better sell the Red Centre to international tourists. I was very impressed, in the first week when we started the campaign, there were 500 retail travel agents in our key markets who had already completed training and qualified as Red Centre Aussie Specialists. This is great, because these are the people who are going to sell Alice Springs. The campaign will run in Sweden. In the past, within one week, we have received so many inquiries and so many bookings, that the travel agents had to double their staff to take bookings for Alice Springs and the Red Centre.
The second phase will be for February and March next year. What we are telling people now is: ‘Forget the luxury, forget the shopping, come back to the basics, come back and have a look at the Red Centre. Get connected with yourself. This is the only place in the world where you will see colours as vibrant as Alice Springs - a clear sky, and the sky at night full of stars. You have never seen so many stars in your life’. I have to say, we have started to get some good success. We have spent $2m, but it is a very good investment for the Red Centre and Alice Springs.
Hydatids Disease
Mr CHANDLER to MINISTER for PRIMARY INDUSTRY, FISHERIES and RESOURCES, referred to MINISTER for HEALTH
I apologise for the length of this question, but it is important. You would be aware of a potentially deadly disease, hydatids, and concern about faecal transfer of the tapeworm Echinococcus granulosus eggs to animal coats, especially dogs and dingoes. It is well documented within the agricultural, veterinarian and health professions. Relatively recently, there was a paper about hydatids transfer to wallabies and, naturally, this is a concern in the Territory due to their numbers and the distance they travel. The Territory is listed as not having this particular tapeworm, despite the death of a woman at Yuendumu from hydatids disease, which was first diagnosed as cancer, but a later post-mortem confirmed hydatids.
What specific measures are in place to prevent leaching of this disease into the Territory? What monitoring is in place, and, specifically in regard to the woman in Yuendumu, have dogs in the areas been tested for the parasite? What plan of action has been developed to find out more about these parasites?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for his question. It is a nasty disease, because it is transmitted to humans by dogs. Unfortunately, dogs do not come under Primary Industry, and anything to do with human health comes under the Minister for Health. However, one thing I would like to point out, during my training as an Environmental Health Officer, I had to do six months at the abattoirs at Robbs Jetty. This disease particularly affects sheep, it does not affect goats, pigs, or cattle. It is clearly a disease of sheep because of the way it is transmitted, and the way sheep graze and pick up the cysts of the immature worm. Then it goes into the stomach and comes out through the faeces of the sheep and other wild animals can get it. At the moment, it has no importance with regard to cattle; it has to do with human health. Human health is for the Minister for Health, who would be very happy to respond to that.
Mr Chandler: I would be happy if the minister answers the question.
Dr BURNS (Health): Thank you, my colleague, and I thank the member for Brennan for asking this question.
I listened interestedly the other night to your adjournment debate on this issue. I share your concern, member for Brennan. I have asked the department of Health to come back to me with a full briefing around the incident, and the unfortunate death in Yuendumu, and what steps the department is taking regarding this. I am more than happy to respond to you formally when I have that brief, and offer you a briefing on this very important issue that, obviously, you have become aware of. As soon as that comes to hand, my office will be in contact and we will arrange that briefing.
Our disease control area within the Health department is both nationally and internationally renowned under the leadership of Dr Vicki Krause. They are very good. I have every confidence that they will be taking the right measures. It is a very good question that you have asked, and I am more than happy to share that information with you, member for Brennan.
Alice Springs - Racing Industry Nationally Accredited Training
Mr GUNNER to MINISTER for EDUCATION and TRAINING
Today, you congratulated workers in the racing industry for completing nationally accredited training. Can you please tell the House how many of these graduates were from Alice Springs and what training they have completed?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Fannie Bay for his question. It was my privilege to congratulate training graduates from the racing industry today. We all know that racing is a great part of our Territory lifestyle. I follow in the steps of ex-Training minister, Syd Stirling, who was very passionate about the racing industry, in particular getting this training package. It was his push and his vision within the racing industry. Talking to racing industry representatives and the trainees themselves today, shows just how important that training has been.
Nevertheless, in the Top End, we have the Darwin Cup Carnival. In Central Australia, which is equally important on the racing calendar, is the Alice Springs Cup Carnival in May. Going to the track in Alice is a truly unique experience, as it is set against the MacDonnell Ranges in the heart of our country. It is not just Territorians who look forward to the Alice Cup Carnival, but each year the carnival brings hundreds of tourists to Alice Springs.
Some of the highlights of the carnival of the Alice Springs Cup include the thousands of people who make the trip for the fantastic day, the fashion, the entertainment, the excitement and racing. I know the member for Araluen loves the races as well, because she likes to get all dolled up and look girlie. I know she enjoys the Alice Springs Cup.
Our government is supportive. We have put substantial funding towards supporting workers, jockeys, trainers, and stable hands by providing accredited training programs. We are the only jurisdiction in Australia that ensures that this is compulsory.
In Alice Springs, I congratulate Megan Bell, Gregory Connor, Tanya Gardner, Caroline Moody, Rebecca North, Wayne Stewart, Rene Taylor, and Cindy-Lou Savage who have all completed their training and are now nationally accredited. I am sure all members on both sides of parliament congratulate them on the hard work they have done over the last three to six months to complete their training. There is also a list of those who completed the Thoroughbred Owner Trainer course. I will table the list of those people. Members from Alice Springs, if you want to have this list, you could write to those people to congratulate them because I believe they do need to be acknowledged. They have all received their Certificate V in Racing.
The training program is part of our initiative to build skills across the Territory, because we recognise the importance of improving those skills within the workforce in Alice Springs across all industries. We are supporting all Territorians who want to improve their skill base.
The hard work of jockeys, trainers, and stable hands produces a great deal of enjoyment for all Territorians, and our government is doing our bit to ensure that we support this very important workforce.
Alice Springs – Antisocial
Behaviour in Public Housing
Behaviour in Public Housing
Mr GILES to MINISTER for HOUSING
Urban drift, overcrowding, antisocial behaviour, alcohol consumption, and violence are significant issues in Alice Springs. Many of these issues revolve around public housing. Last week, the member for Macdonnell and I agreed that several of these issues are at boiling point in Alice Springs.
As the previous Minister for Central Australia, you would be well aware of these issues. Can you advise the parliament how many new public housing properties will be built this financial year to solve some of the chronic housing problems in Alice Springs? When will these properties become available for occupation in Alice Springs to solve some of the biggest antisocial behavioural issues we have in Alice Springs?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Braitling for his question. With respect to public housing in Alice Springs, we obviously have quite a major project with the Commonwealth government, with $50m going into the town camps in Alice Springs, which we are hoping would be resolved very shortly. That is a major input into public housing in Alice Springs.
You alluded to a number of antisocial behaviours around other public housing stock within the town. This government is very committed to resolving that antisocial behaviour, because it is unacceptable and we will not tolerate it. We have taken a number of measures. The acceptable behaviour agreement is one of those areas that we have looked at addressing, and also declaring public areas of complexes to be dry ...
Mr TOLLNER: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The minister should point out that the $50m is actually Commonwealth money, not Northern Territory money.
Madam SPEAKER: There is no point of order. Minister for Housing
Mr KNIGHT: Madam Speaker, I did acknowledge that we were working with the Commonwealth government on that project ...
Members interjecting.
Mr KNIGHT: You need to wake up there.
Mr Tollner interjecting.
Mr KNIGHT: Member for Fong Lim, it may be acceptable to fall asleep for six years in the Commonwealth parliament, but not here.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, order!
Mr KNIGHT: Madam Speaker, we have a major social housing project there. We are also looking at resolving antisocial behaviour issues in and around other public housing stock within the town through a range of initiatives - acceptable behaviour agreements, declaring dry areas - and we will, as a government, be putting together a comprehensive whole-of-government housing strategy for the whole Territory.
Mr GILES: A point of order, Madam Speaker!
Ms LAWRIE (Leader of Government Business): Madam Speaker, I ask that further questions be placed on the Written Question Paper.
Mr GILES: The minister did not actually answer the question. I ask him to answer the question.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: The Leader of Government Business has already …
Ms GILES: Madam Speaker, there are two specific questions that I asked. One is: how many new public housing properties will be built this financial year …
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Braitling, the Leader of Government Business has already moved that further questions be put on the Written Question Paper.
Mr Giles: She gagged us again.
Mr KNIGHT: Madam Speaker, I will obtain that information. It was a very complex question and I will be very up-front and honest with both the member for Braitling and other members of the Alice Springs community about our ongoing project with the Commonwealth government for the town camps once all the other issues are resolved.
ANSWER TO QUESTION
Katherine River System – Crocodile Catchers
Katherine River System – Crocodile Catchers
Ms ANDERSON (Parks and Wildlife): Madam Speaker, I promised to get back to the member for Katherine with an answer for his question by the end of the session.
Member for Katherine, I am advised that there are at least three Katherine regional staff based in NRETAS who can remove crocodiles from the rivers in the Katherine region. They get help from the staff from Darwin, but do not rely upon Darwin-based staff. There are three designated wildlife people based in Katherine who monitor traps in the Katherine River.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016