2012-02-23
Violent Assaults - Statistics
Mr MILLS to CHIEF MINISTER
As highlighted in today’s Northern Territory News, the number of alcohol-related assaults for the December quarter of last year hit a five year record high. Here is the graph that illustrates that. This is a con job. Despite your Banned Drinker Register being forced on Territorians by your masters in Canberra, the figures show it has been an abject failure because violent assaults are higher now than ever. What is the total number of violent assaults in the Territory for the September and December quarters of last year?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, we all know what the opposition would do if it was to get into government: scrap the Banned Drinker Register and throw 2195 people who are on the Banned Drinker Register for …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr HENDERSON: … domestic violence, for drink-driving, those people would be back on the grog again tomorrow …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Greatorex! Member for Sanderson!
Mr HENDERSON: … under the CLP. They would be back on the grog the very next day.
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The question was not about the Country Liberals’ policy. The question was about the total number of assaults in the Territory for the September and December quarters. Could he answer that question?
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Port Darwin, there was a preamble as well.
Mr HENDERSON: We all know what would happen the day after the CLP, heaven help, come to the government benches: 2195 more drunks back out on the streets and in our community in the Northern Territory.
These reforms are working. Territory-wide, alcohol-related assaults, a 5% drop from July to end of December 2011; in Darwin, a 12% drop; in Palmerston, a 13% drop; in Katherine, an 11% drop; and, in Alice Springs, an 8% drop. The numbers are up in Tennant Creek as a result of very proactive policing around domestic violence. There has been an increase in Nhulunbuy because of the small numbers of people concerned.
I will take the view of serving police officers in the Northern Territory about the effectiveness of the BDR over and above the opposition ...
Mr MILLS: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Relevance. The question was: what is the total number of assaults in the Territory for September and December? Relevance.
Mr HENDERSON: Very simply, Madam Speaker, July to end of December 2010 - 2105; for the same period in 2011 - 1997; a 5.1% drop in numbers of alcohol-related offences. I also take into account …
Mr MILLS: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The question was what is the number of assaults, not alcohol-related assaults?
Madam SPEAKER: Resume your seat, the Chief Minister is answering the question.
Mr HENDERSON: Madam Speaker, the Leader of the Opposition is very confused. I will go to Acting Assistant Commissioner Jamie Chalker who said today that he was a great ‘fan of the reforms’. He said the Banned Drinker Register is saving lives …
Mr MILLS: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Relevance. How many assaults September to December? How many assaults?
Madam SPEAKER: Leader of the Opposition, resume your seat.
Mr HENDERSON: He is like a broken record. Jamie Chalker, Acting Assistant Commissioner, said the register is saving lives ...
Madam SPEAKER: Chief Minister, your time has expired.
Mr HENDERSON: ... the CLP would see more lives …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr HENDERSON: … on the scrapheap across the Northern Territory. They are soft on alcohol, they are soft on crime ...
Madam SPEAKER: Order! That was only the first question, honourable members. A bit overexcited ...
Mr Mills: I like honesty, mate. You go and tell the people that story. They will not believe you.
Madam SPEAKER: Leader of the Opposition!
Mr Mills: What a joke.
Madam SPEAKER: Leader of the Opposition, you do not have the call.
Mr Henderson interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Chief Minister, you do not have the call. Order! Resume your seat, member for Fannie Bay.
It seems only yesterday that I was reminding members of this standing order, but I will remind you again. 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.
Government Investment in Health, Education and Jobs
Mr GUNNER to CHIEF MINISTER
Can you please update the House on how the government’s investment in health, education and jobs is benefitting Territorians across the Territory? Are you aware of any alternative approaches in these policy areas?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, wherever you live in the Territory, I believe, and this government believes, you deserve great health and education services. Wherever you live in the Northern Territory, we believe you deserve a great opportunity for employment. That is why we have made enormous investments across the Territory.
Under our government, students from the bush are able to go through and finish Year 12 in the bush. Unlike the opposition, we believe in kids in the bush, and we believe in giving kids in the bush the best possible education and their getting to Year 12.
In health, we have seven new and four upgraded remote health centres at a cost of over $50m. We have upgraded emergency departments and patient accommodation hostels for Gove, Tennant Creek, Katherine, and Alice Springs hospitals. Almost 2500 families are living in new and upgraded accommodation as a result of the partnership between this government and the Commonwealth government. We are also supporting mining and jobs in the regions.
We support the NBN, which the clowns opposite do not. The only people who do not support the NBN in the Northern Territory is the opposition and its failure in having any policies. They do not support the NBN. I think they support tin cans and a bit of string; that is their policy. We support additional ranger positions, additional remote policing, $50m, an extra 70 police officers in the bush. We support regions and we support the bush. We know the CLP is a policy-free zone in terms of our regions: no policies, no vision for the Northern Territory, and no vision for our regions.
We know the CLP has one policy, and that is to bring the budget back into surplus. And what does that mean? It means slashing expenditure in the regions. That is what they would do. They would take the axe to housing, health, education, and infrastructure in the regions to bring the budget back to surplus ...
Mr TOLLNER: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The Chief Minister is clearly misleading this parliament.
Dr BURNS: A point of order, Madam Speaker! He knows he cannot say that except by way of substantive motion.
Madam SPEAKER: Yes. Member for Fong Lim, I ask you to withdraw that, thank you.
Mr TOLLNER: Madam Speaker, maybe the Chief Minister should get a briefing ...
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Fong Lim, withdraw the comment, thank you.
Mr TOLLNER: Madam Speaker, as I say, maybe the Chief Minister needs a briefing on what CLP policy actually is ...
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Fong Lim!
Mr TOLLNER: I withdraw, Madam Speaker, but make him relevant
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Fong Lim! Resume your seat please, member for Fong Lim.
Mr Tollner: He is misleading the parliament.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order!
Mr HENDERSON: Madam Speaker, they are a policy-free zone. They have no policies for the bush. They have one policy, and that policy is to slash expenditure. The axe, under the CLP, would fall in the bush ...
Madam SPEAKER: Chief Minister, your time has expired.
Mr TOLLNER: A point of order, Madam Speaker! He cannot continue to mislead parliament. That is just wrong.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Fong Lim ...
Dr BURNS: A point of order, Madam Speaker! You have just taken him through that. He should withdraw and he is defying you, Madam Speaker.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Fong Lim, if you feel that you need to make a personal explanation, you can approach me after Question Time.
Ms LAWRIE: A point of order, Madam Speaker! He still has not withdrawn the last comment.
Madam SPEAKER: No, I believe he withdrew.
Ms LAWRIE: He said it again.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Fong Lim, I did not hear it but others have. Could you please just withdraw.
Mr TOLLNER: Madam Speaker, it is a statement of fact ...
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Fong Lim, simply withdraw.
Mr TOLLNER: ... but if he wants me to withdraw, I will withdraw.
Madam SPEAKER: Thank you very much, member for Fong Lim.
Travelscene Darwin City – Alleged Misuse of Pensioner Travel Concession Funds
Mr STYLES to MINISTER for SENIOR TERRITORIANS
Last week, I asked whether you had worked out how much taxpayers money had been lost as a result of the Pensioner and Carer Concession Scheme payments made by the government to the rogue travel agent, Travelscene Darwin City. At the time, you said the figure was being analysed. Ten days later, given the seriousness of the alleged fraud, can you please tell the House how much taxpayers money from the Pensioner and Carer Concession Scheme was lost in the Travelscene Darwin City fiasco?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, this is the first sittings of the last year before an election and the last day of these sittings, and the Leader of the Opposition has asked one question. That is abysmal behaviour ...
Mr STYLES: A point of order, Madam Speaker!
Mr KNIGHT: They are directionless and they are divided under a very weak leader. He cannot even take ...
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, please pause.
Mr STYLES: Madam Speaker, I have raised a point of order. I ask to be heard, please. Thank you.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Sanderson, that is definitely not a point of order. If you have a point of order, just say what it is.
Mr STYLES: I am trying, Madam Speaker, but the member for Daly keeps interjecting. The question is: how much money has the government paid out of the Pensioner and Carer Concession Scheme that was lost in the Travelscene Darwin City fiasco?
Madam SPEAKER: Thank you, member for Sanderson. Can you come to the point please, minister.
Mr Styles: If you do not know, just say you do not know now.
Mr KNIGHT: Thank you, Madam Speaker. They are directionless and divided. We are still working with a number of seniors to determine what sort of payment they actually ...
Mr Tollner: You dill!
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Fong Lim!
Mr KNIGHT: Madam Speaker, we are still working with a number of seniors. More people are coming forward and we are working with them to see what they have paid, which we will need to substantiate. We are very willing to assist them and reimburse the credit for their travel with the Pensioner and Carer Concession Scheme, which was established under this government. It is the most generous scheme in Australia, member for Sanderson. I know you are old Sad Sack from Sanderson who thinks the whole world is a gloomy place but I know the seniors out there appreciate the Pensioner and Carer Concession Scheme. It is the most generous scheme for our seniors in the Northern Territory. We are working with those particularly affected seniors in our community.
The opposition is directionless and divided, and the Leader of the Opposition cannot even take it up to the Chief Minister.
Mr MILLS: A point of order, Madam Speaker!
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, have you completed your answer?
Mr KNIGHT: I have.
Mr Mills; Ah, there you go.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
A Working Future – Investment by Government
Ms SCRYMGOUR to TREASURER
Can you please outline for the House some of the Henderson government’s initiatives to invest in A Working Future for all Territorians?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, the Territory is in an exciting phase of dynamic economic boom. This boom is not only in the urban centre of Darwin with that fantastic opportunity being delivered through the INPEX Total investment in the Ichthys project. Whilst that will significantly drive growth, we have other strong regional drivers out there, with the Falcon Oil Beetaloo Basin gas project; Vista Gold’s Mt Todd gold mine, and Xstrata’s McArthur River Mine just to name a few.
The Territory government is working to deliver on all these key resource projects because we know they provide dynamic job opportunities in our regional Northern Territory. The development of our Territory growth towns is very much a key to our investment in driving dynamic economic hubs across the Territory to provide for an environment of growth in both commerce and industry.
Training a local workforce and creating jobs is essential to this growth and to the wellbeing of the people across regional Northern Territory.
In partnership with the Australian government, we have a $30m three-year jobs package supporting 530 jobs in the shires with a Northern Territory-funded program for employment; more teachers in education programs to support education in the bush; new police stations; more police in remote areas; and, of course, that all-important new housing project through SIHIP.
The $30m jobs package, employing 530 Territorians in the shires, is delivering real service delivery at that local government level. Our government will continue to boost our services and our facilities across growth towns and regional hubs. We are allocating more than $1.5bn in infrastructure builds alone across the regions, across our two budget periods, supporting A Working Future. We have been improving roads, health clinics, early childhood, education, police facilities and essential services through this all-important $1.5bn infrastructure investment in the bush.
There have been decades of neglect in the bush under the previous CLP. We have continued to work hard to turn that around and provide real opportunities and dynamic economic growth in the bush.
Given the chance, we know the CLP would ignore the people of the bush again and do nothing to support them. In stark contrast, this government stands proud of our strong record of supporting Territorians regardless of where they live, and understands that we need dynamic growth in the bush as well as our urban centres.
Aboriginal Land – Lease Payments and Rates
Mr WESTRA van HOLTHE to MINISTER for LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Territory taxpayers deserve to know about the $6m cost of government leases on Aboriginal land and also what the rates payable on that land will cost. An article in The Australian on 26 November 2011 regarding the Aboriginals Benefit Account said:
- ... according to sources, Macklin removed $200m for future uses. It is expected that the lion’s share of these funds will be used for two purposes: to meet long-promised payments for the initial five-year NTER leases over prescribed communities and local housing precincts; and to fund outstations and homelands, now the responsibility of the Darwin government.
Can you confirm that the $6m in lease payments to land trusts is simply recycled from the ABA? If that is not the case, can you advise how you will fund lease and rate payments?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I welcome the question from the member for Katherine. Clearly, he does not listen to my responses in this House. In fact, it was at the end of last year when I proudly, on behalf of the Northern Territory government, spoke about the important decision our government has made regarding paying rent on Aboriginal land across the Northern Territory.
I have consistently said in this House that this is about a new way of doing business with Aboriginal people across the Northern Territory, between governments and Aboriginal people, at the federal, Northern Territory, and local government level ...
Mr WESTRA van HOLTHE: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Yesterday, the minister rambled on for minutes about the same type of question. I am asking the question again today and I expect to get an answer from her ...
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Katherine, resume your seat.
Mr WESTRA van HOLTHE: I am raising relevance, and ask you to direct the minister to actually answer the question.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Katherine, you will resume your seat.
Ms McCARTHY: Madam Speaker, they clearly have no positive agenda for the bush other than moving every Aboriginal person to the Stuart Highway, because the policy of the CLP is that they are hellholes ...
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Standing Order 113:
- An answer shall be succinct, concise and directly relevant to the question.
This is not.
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, can you come to the question, please.
Ms McCARTHY: Madam Speaker, there were quite a number of questions within that question, so bear with me.
I refer the member for Katherine to a comment and a response to this very similar question which he likes to keep asking. I advised the House in December 2011 of the expected costs. The rent payments will initially be in the order of $3m per year and could potentially rise to around $5m per year – not the $6m the member for Katherine likes to bring into this parliament. He obviously does not listen to any of the responses I give to this House and wants to divide the people of the Northern Territory ...
Mr WESTRA van HOLTHE: A point of order, Madam Speaker! I will accept the minister’s correction on the amount of money, but I ask again: where is the money coming from? Is it coming from the ABA or elsewhere?
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Katherine, the minister is still answering the question.
Ms McCARTHY: Madam Speaker, our government has proudly injected nearly $1bn into the regions of the Northern Territory, unlike the opposition, which has no policies whatsoever for Indigenous people across the Northern Territory.
Mr WESTRA van HOLTHE: A point of order, Madam Speaker! There are 20 seconds left and the minister still has not answered where the money is coming from.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order! Member for Katherine, you keep interjecting. Minister, come to the point.
Ms McCARTHY: Our government is fully committed to financially supporting the Indigenous people of the Northern Territory, unlike the CLP, whose policy, like all its policies, is written in invisible ink ...
Mr WESTRA van HOLTHE: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Is it the case the minister does not know, or are you hiding something, minister?
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Katherine, resume your seat.
Travelscene Darwin City - Franchise Collapse
Mr WOOD to MINISTER for POLICE, FIRE and EMERGENCY SERVICES
My question follows on from the question from the member for Sanderson. Last night on A Current Affair, there was a report on the plight of a number of Darwin and rural people who had lost money because of the collapse of the Travelscene Darwin City franchise.
The program showed a Channel 9 reporter waiting outside a police station waiting to interview the owner of the franchise. It was then reported that the police had driven Ms Pfitzner away via a rear entrance to avoid the reporter. Could you please say why police took this action? Could you give us an update on whether there have been any charges laid in relation to this matter?
Madam SPEAKER: I remind members that when we use the names of individuals in this House we do so with caution. Chief Minister, I advise you, while you have the freedom of speech and parliamentary privilege, to be cautious in your response of limited reply.
ANSWER
Thank you, Madam Speaker. I thank the member for Nelson for a very important question. This is an ongoing police investigation. The Major Fraud Unit is very active in the investigation of the allegations in this particular incident. I can give you an absolute assurance that the fraud squad is investigating this incident and these allegations and is taking statements from various people.
In regard to the actions of police in this instance, they would have been operational decisions taken by police on the day. That is for them to answer.
We are very concerned for the people who have lost money in this very unfortunate incident. I hope police can be successful in the investigation and that as a result of that investigation there is some way of recovering all or some of the money for the particular people involved.
Member for Nelson, I cannot go any further into it. Police are investigating; the Major Fraud Unit is involved. I hope we can get resolution for the particular consumers affected.
A Working Future – Indigenous Disadvantage
Ms WALKER to MINISTER for INDIGENOUS DEVELOPMENT
In October last year, you presented a comprehensive statement on progress with our headline policy of A Working Future, working to develop our growth towns and address Indigenous disadvantage in the bush. Can you please provide a further update on how this important work continues to develop?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nhulunbuy for her question. As we have heard in the House today and on previous occasions, the Henderson Labor government is firmly committed to every Territorian, particularly in our regions. The 20 growth towns we have focused on in partnership with the Commonwealth government is about ensuring we can address the decades of neglect and underfunding in many of our regions across the Northern Territory. That is precisely what our government is doing. We did that with the historic announcement of almost $1bn of the Northern Territory budget into the regional areas of the Northern Territory.
The other part of A Working Future is about working with Indigenous people. Very much a part of that is the local implementation plans across the Northern Territory. This has seen Aboriginal people, local government, Northern Territory government, and the Commonwealth government working on these LIPs. There are 1200 action plans within these LIPs. I am proud to say that 78% of those 1200 action plans have been completed, which is a terrific outcome. LIPs for five of the six Territory growth towns not covered by the National Partnership Agreement on Remote Service Delivery have been endorsed by local reference groups across the Northern Territory.
It is pleasing to see the achievements through the work we have been doing on infrastructure. In recent months we have seen: a new trade training centre at Galiwinku; upgrade of all internal roads in Milingimbi; renovations to Maningrida School; new government employee housing in Wurrumiyanga; a new health clinic in Wadeye; construction of a new store in Ngukurr; a concrete batching plant in Ngukurr; a women’s safe house and men’s cooling off shelter in Angurugu; new government employee housing in Umbakumba; facilities for renal and visiting specialists in Hermannsburg; and new staff accommodation for the childcare facility in Yuendumu.
Madam Speaker, our government is focused on providing opportunities to every single Territorian wherever they live in the Northern Territory. I am incredibly proud of the work of my department and the Service Delivery Coordination Unit. We have had to begin from scratch in developing the town plans, having actual town plans, and ensuring the infrastructure we need for sewerage, where places are going to be built, and negotiating directly with Indigenous people about how they wish to see and determine the growth of their regions.
Agricultural Show Societies – Government Funding
Ms PURICK to MINISTER for PRIMARY INDUSTRY, FISHERIES and RESOURCES referred to CHIEF MINISTER
Can you outline your government’s plans for the funding arrangements for the Northern Territory’s four major agricultural show societies and the show council? Could you also explain why you are cutting the funding that goes to the show societies and show council by 60% - $200 000 down to $70 000 - for the Territory’s four major shows, which are important community events, and show societies and shows that your government generally uses for political gain?
ANSWER
I would love to, Madam Speaker, if the member had the right minister. Unfortunately, I cannot advise about the funding because it does not come under my portfolio.
Madam SPEAKER: Can we advise whose portfolio that is?
Chief Minister.
Mr HENDERSON (Chief Minister): Madam Speaker, I am happy to answer. We have a proud history of funding our show circuit across the Northern Territory. There has been an independent review into the business plans and infrastructure needs of all our shows across the Northern Territory.
With the show society, the peak body for all of the shows, we committed to a review looking at business plans and infrastructure needs. The results will be finalised next month. Once those results are in, we will be considering funding for the shows this particular year.
We have a proud history ...
Ms PURICK: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The second part of the question was: why they are planning to cut funding by 60% - $200 000 down to $70 000 - for the show council?
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Goyder, the Chief Minister is answering the question.
Mr HENDERSON: Thank you, Madam Speaker. No final decisions have been made outside of this review being conducted and those results coming back to government. We have a proud track record of supporting our shows. They are a great part of the Territory lifestyle and community. We are looking at sustainability and infrastructure issues. Once that review is complete, we will be making decisions.
Member for Braitling – Police Response Times Complaint
Mr GUNNER to MINISTER for POLICE, FIRE and EMERGENCY SERVICES
The member for Braitling has complained that you followed up his complaint about police responses. Can you please advise your position on investigating and responding to serious allegations made in this House?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, the member for Braitling came into this House and made allegations about police, and then complained that his allegations had been looked into. It is quite bizarre. What is the point of coming in here and making allegations about police, their service levels, their response times, if the member for Braitling does not believe those should be looked into. It is quite extraordinary that he is complaining that his complaint is being looked into. It is quite bizarre.
He has had 24 hours to clear the record about what he said ...
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Can the Chief Minister inform the House how many people were arrested at that brawl, how people were taken into custody, and when did the police attend …
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Port Darwin, resume your seat.
Mr HENDERSON: Madam Speaker, he has had 24 hours. He made complaints that undermined police and misled Territorians. I provided the transcripts of those phone calls yesterday. The member for Braitling said police were not going to attend the scene when the transcript said that the police would attend the scene. That is very clear; right from wrong. He has not denied it. All he has done is complain that his complaint was investigated. In 24 hours, the Leader of the Opposition has refused to act.
Member for Braitling, apologise to police. Admit you got it wrong. Be a man, stand up and say: ‘I got it wrong and I apologise to police’. The Leader of the Opposition won’t act ...
Mr GILES: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The only apology should be from your government ...
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Braitling!
Mr GILES: ... for failing to clean up the crime in Alice Springs. That should be the apology ...
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Braitling! You are on a warning!
Mr HENDERSON: Madam Speaker, it is very clear that the Leader of the Opposition is powerless to bring his member into line. We all know why: the member for Braitling is one of the numbers in the member for Fong Lim’s camp.
We also had the member for Port Darwin making an allegation that police used petty cash to purchase phones in Wadeye to hand out to residents - now that is wrong. I have had that looked into and that is completely and utterly false. So get up here and apologise for misleading Territorians ...
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker! I have not misled Territorians. If he wants to stand here and tell lies ...
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Port Darwin!
Mr ELFERINK: ... he can, but I can tell you,
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Port Darwin!
Mr ELFERINK: ... I am prepared to take him on right now with a censure motion …
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Port Darwin, withdraw your comment.
Mr ELFERINK: I withdraw, Madam Speaker. but he is just being ...
Madam SPEAKER: Thank you, and resume your seat. Resume your seat. You are on a warning!
Mr HENDERSON: Those members opposite will say and do anything to undermine our police. They cannot be believed in any allegation they make, Madam Speaker ...
Members interjecting.
Mr MILLS: A point of order, Madam Speaker!
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Chief Minister, your time has expired.
Mr MILLS: A point of order, Madam Speaker! While this weak Chief Minister chooses to investigate my members, he turns his attention away from the citizens of the Northern Territory.
Madam SPEAKER: Leader of the Opposition!
Mr MILLS: You are a disgrace.
Madam SPEAKER: You are on a warning, Leader of the Opposition!
Honourable members, there are people who wish to listen to this broadcast. I cannot even begin to imagine what they are thinking other than they have no idea what our elected representatives are thinking about in terms of representing them.
Honourable members, many of you ask questions; ministers are required to answer questions. Can you please have a level of courtesy which adults would expect in this place so that we can hear questions, hear answers, and there is some kind of sensibleness going on? I know this is a big ask, but it would be very good if for the next half hour we had some level of courtesy.
Energy Efficiency Ratings - Review
Mr WOOD to MINISTER for LANDS and PLANNING
In the December 2010 sittings, a motion I put forward in regard to the review of the 5-star energy efficiency rating was agreed to. During debate, you said:
- ... if this motion is supported by parliament we will establish an industry reference group in 2011 to ensure the 6-star tools are suitable for the Territory. At this time, the review committee will be able to consider the performance of the current 5-star efficiency measures.
What are the results of this committee’s review of the performance of the current 5-star efficiency measures, and are the 6-star tools suitable for the Territory?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nelson for his question and his interest in energy efficiency. The committee has not been established yet; however, I remain committed to that committee.
There are good reasons why that committee has not been formed. One is that the Commonwealth Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency is conducting an evaluation of residential building energy efficiency, which is very important data that we require.
The Department of Lands and Planning is also conducting modelling of energy efficiency in Palmerston. That relates to many new homes that have achieved the 6-star rating. The committee needs that data to work on. The work is due for completion mid-year this year at which point it will be appropriate to appoint the local panel.
The Territory has also entered into an agreement. Queensland has done much work in this area. Our agreement with Queensland is to use its peer review process to achieve compliance for architecturally designed free-flowing homes that are not suitable for the application of the computer rating tool. That is a good achievement.
In relation to building codes, Queensland has advised it will accept onto its peer review panel experts nominated by the Northern Territory who satisfy the Queensland criteria. Our government is considering the means for nominating suitable members. This is work in progress.
I thank the member for his question. When we receive that data, which is planned for mid-year, then we will commit to that committee and work through those issues.
Proposed Carbon Tax - Cost
Mr BOHLIN to CHIEF MINISTER
You do not know the impact of carbon tax on the price of milk or a cubic metre of concrete, so to help you I will table this document. I seek leave to table a document.
Madam SPEAKER: Can we see what the document is before – it is a document about …
Mr BOHLIN: It is an information brochure, Madam Speaker.
Leave granted.
Mr BOHLIN: Chief Minister, to help you, I will table an information brochure from a local supply business, detailing how the price of gas used in air-conditioning, chillers and freezers will double, pushing up the price of cool air and foods in homes, businesses and shopping centres. Do you still maintain the federal Labor government’s carbon taxes, levies and plans is good for the Territory, good for Territory families and good for Territory businesses?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for his question. There is a whole set of complex issues here - not only the carbon price, but also the tax cuts that are going to families and small businesses across the Northern Territory, and the opportunities for investing in, for example, a new gas pipeline to Gove.
What I can say of costs: competition will mean different prices on any given day for the same commodity. If you go to one refrigeration company for a quote on air-conditioning, you will get a different quote if you go to another air-conditioning company.
Deloitte, which we commissioned to look at the impact of the carbon price in the Northern Territory, very clearly say that since the Northern Territory relies primarily on gas-based generation, the impact costs arising from carbon cost is likely to be significantly lower than other Australian regions. Given the compensation is the same, and the costs are going to be significantly lower, I believe the impacts will be negative and minimal on the Northern Territory.
I point out that this is a tax being put on by the federal government. We have looked at the impacts here …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order! Member for Drysdale!
Mr HENDERSON: The impacts are going to be less here than the southern states. I point out that in terms of cost of living we have the most generous assistance to families in the nation. Every single household is subsidised to the tune of $880 a year for electricity costs. Given the opposition is hell-bent on bringing the budget back to surplus, maybe the opposition needs to make a commitment as to what would happen to that electricity subsidy under the CLP. If the axe is going to fall on the regions, maybe the axe will fall on the electricity subsidy. The CLP cannot have its cake and eat it too. They are a policy-free zone. They have no policies to reduce the costs of living for Territorians on matters they have direct control over. The only policy they have is to bring the budget back to surplus. That means slashing costs, throwing thousands of people out of work, or slashing subsidies and increasing electricity costs. Maybe they will introduce a land tax in the Northern Territory.
These questions are welcome, but I am very keen to see what the policies of the CLP will be to reduce the costs of living in the Northern Territory …
Members interjecting.
Mr HENDERSON: … because they cannot bring the budget back to surplus and reduce the cost of living at the same time, Madam Speaker.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Katherine, I ask you to withdraw that comment that you made.
Mr WESTRA van HOLTHE: Which comment, Madam Speaker? I made quite a few interjections.
Madam SPEAKER: Indeed you did, member for Katherine. I advise you that, some time ago when Speaker Steele was in the Chair, he threw out an opposition member for one week for using the word ‘goose’. So I ask you to withdraw that, please.
Mr WESTRA van HOLTHE: I withdraw, Madam Speaker.
Madam SPEAKER: Thank you very much, member for Katherine.
General Election – Government’s Approach
Mr GUNNER to LEADER of GOVERNMENT BUSINESS
Can you please inform the House on the formal processes in relation to this year’s election, the government’s approach to the election, and are you aware of any alternatives?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for his question. As we are all aware, we have a fixed term - 25 August is the election date - and a 19-day campaign. We will be in caretaker mode at that stage …
Members interjecting.
Dr BURNS: Let me finish. … as I understand it, until the polls are declared and there is a new government. Until then, I assure this House that we will be governing for the Territory. We will be looking to support Territorians and make more opportunities for business.
The opposition really believes in some of the old adages such as ‘the early bird gets the worm’, so they are having a campaign launch on – where is it? - 9 March at the convention centre. I received an invitation to it! The letter from the Leader of the Opposition says: ‘At the launch I will describe my vision for the Northern Territory’. It is $65 a head, so the poor and disadvantaged will certainly be able to get to that particular do at the heartland of the CLP. The Leader of the Opposition will be announcing his vision. However, it will be a bit of an empty vision, because they have no policies. It is significant that the guest of honour is none other than Mr O’Farrell, the Premier of New South Wales, who made an art form of being a small target with no policies. We know what he has done since then. He has axed 5000 public service jobs ...
Mr TOLLNER: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Madam Speaker, the minister is clearly misleading the House.
Dr BURNS: It says here that Mr O’Farrell is the guest of honour. Weren’t you told about this?
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order!
Dr BURNS: That is wonderful, Madam Speaker, I have an invite but Dave has not. You can have mine.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order!
Mr MILLS: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Have you sent an RSVP? Will we see you there?
Dr BURNS: I will see. It could get a bit confused though, because we could have Jo Sangster and Garry Lambert being announced as candidates for two elections - not only Country Liberal Party candidates for this Legislative Assembly, but also the council. It is bizarre. I don’t know if I would really want to go. If Dave invites me, I might go, if he is leader. Part of it is this early bird registration is for the Opposition Leader to cement himself in as Opposition Leader between now and August. Is that right?
Youth Suicide Rates
Mrs LAMBLEY to MINISTER for CHILDREN and FAMILIES
The rate of child and youth suicide in the Northern Territory is 18 times that of New South Wales and six times that of Queensland. The Northern Territory Children’s Commissioner, Howard Bath said the Northern Territory may have the highest youth suicide rate in the developed world. Apart from the bipartisan committee the Northern Territory parliament formed last year to investigate the alarming rates of child and youth suicide, what is your government doing now to address this grave social problem? Or is this another example of how completely useless this government is when it comes to protecting children in the Northern Territory?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for this very important question. I advise the member that our government does more now than her government did in 27 years of power.
Suicide is not something to play political games with. It is a tragic situation affecting whole families and whole communities. The Select Committee on Youth Suicides in the Northern Territory is accepting public submissions and hearings will be held, with findings and recommendations to be released. Our government, now, is committing funds for suicide intervention and training, targeting young people over the age of 15, and this includes additional funding of $2.4m in 2011-12 over the next three years.
Suicide is terrible. I do not wish for anyone to even know someone who has suffered this terrible fate. It affects families, it affects friends, it affects the whole community. We have seen it, and we have seen it close hand, especially in the Tiwi Islands over the past few years. I recall many cases of young people who took their own lives.
The Australian government provides and funds programs in response to young people with over $2m annually. So both the federal government and the Territory government are aware of the problem and we are trying to address the problem with significant intervention. So instead of playing political games with youth suicide, I suggest we work together to do something to make a difference.
Resource Sector - Government Initiatives
Mr GUNNER to MINISTER for PRIMARY INDUSTRY, FISHERIES and RESOURCES
Mining continues to be the largest industry sector in the Territory and makes an important contribution to our regions. Mining contributes around 25% of our economy, almost three times the contribution it makes nationally. Can you please inform the House on how government initiatives that are supporting our resource sector are delivering benefits in our regions?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, mining is a very important industry in the Territory, contributing 25% of our GDP, which is three times the national average.
There is continued growth of our resource sector right throughout the Territory, from the urban centres to the regions. Every mine in the Territory contributes not only to the local area, but also to the urban centres. Mines in the Tanami contribute to the economic development of Alice Springs and Tennant Creek, and further north to Palmerston, Berrimah and Winnellie. Mines contribute to significant jobs in the regions.
The previous question was about youth suicide. People who have a future do not commit suicide. I would love to have more jobs in the regions, and the mining industry provides jobs in the regions. In one of the mines in the Tanami, 14% of overall employment was Indigenous people. In Borroloola, up to 24% of the workforce is Indigenous, and they are trying to expand it.
Mining does not happen by chance. It is not flying a helicopter, finding an ore body and someone will mine it. You have to attract the investors. You have to attract the people to undertake the exploration, and research, and invest in the mining industry. We have done that. Last year, we had nearly $200m expenditure in exploration - the highest ever in the Northern Territory. Most of it was in greenfield sites. Despite what the member opposite was telling us the other day in her motion, 50% of the exploration last year took place in greenfield sites, not in brownfield sites, and that compares with only 35% nationally. Even during the global financial crisis, the Northern Territory was the only jurisdiction in Australia where exploration increased. We were just behind Western Australia. We actually overtook South Australia for the first time ever in the history of mines in the Northern Territory.
There are significant mines in the Territory. McArthur River went from underground operations to open cut, extending the lifespan of the mine by 15 years. GEMCO just announced a $250m upgrade, with increased production to 4.8 million tonnes per annum. ERA spent a significant amount of money for an exploration incline, and Newmont is spending nearly $500m to expand the mining exploration and production in Tanami. There are a number of other junior explorers and other companies currently operating in the Territory. Territory Iron is one, and Bootu Creek is another. Some of these mines will be here for years to come, especially after they are investing significantly in exploration.
Mining is the most important industry in the Northern Territory, contributing to the GDP, but also, most importantly, to jobs in the regions.
NT WorkSafe – Criminal Prosecution - Fire and Rescue Service
Mr ELFERINK to MINISTER for JUSTICE and ATTORNEY-GENERAL
It has reached my ears that NT WorkSafe is about to launch a criminal prosecution against the Northern Territory Fire and Rescue Service arising out of an injury that was sustained by a woman on a training exercise rendering her a paraplegic. Can you advise the House if this is correct and if a prosecution is recommended? If you can, can you advise of any alternative approaches that might be taken in regard to this matter?
Dr BURNS: A point of order, Madam Speaker! This could represent sub judice. I ask that some advice be taken on it.
Madam SPEAKER: I will seek some advice.
Attorney-General, in responding, I ask you to answer only in very general terms so that it does not possibly affect a legal case.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, as the member has described, this is an ongoing case. I believe it is probably best that I do not comment on that particular case.
Mr Elferink: Will charges be laid or not, yes or no?
Mr KNIGHT: We will leave it up to WorkSafe.
Regional Health Facilities
Ms SCRYMGOUR to MINISTER for HEALTH
Can you please update the House on the delivery of improved regional health facilities that will provide better care and treatment for Territorians closer to where they live?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I advise the House what we have done for the health system in the Northern Territory. Let me start in Alice Springs - I know the member for Greatorex likes to hear about Alice Springs. The Alice Springs Hospital now has a new $24m emergency department coming online. The upgrade is well ahead of its scheduled completion date, which was the end of 2012. That will give us treatment capacity for 44 people at any one time, with 31 treatment spaces, a paediatric room, two secure assessment rooms, and three nurse station areas.
A new 10-bed short-stay unit will be incorporated into the design and its aim is to relieve pressure on acute wards. A new primary care unit with eight treatment places will also allow the fast-tracking of patients and, where necessary, patients will be transferred to the operating theatres or to intensive care via a new elevator linking the new ED with the main ward block.
Gove Hospital will receive a $13m emergency department, and planning is progressing well. The Tennant Creek Hospital emergency department is receiving significant upgrade worth $3.7m. Regional and rural outpatient accommodation facilities are also under way in Gove, Katherine and Darwin. This will mean patients can recuperate with support before returning to their community. In Gove, we are building a $5.8m hostel, and in Katherine a $7.7m hostel. The medi-hotel at RDH is in its final stage of construction and I will be visiting soon to look at the facilities. We have improved primary healthcare in remote communities. We have provided eight new remote health clinics over the past two years, and a further seven are in the preliminary design stage.
We are putting in the money, building the facilities, and improving the health of all Territorians. Since we came to government, there has been a four-and-a-half year improvement in the life expectancy of Aboriginal women, from 65.2 years in 2000 to 69.8 in 2006. The Indigenous infant mortality rate has fallen by 37%. The anaemia rates for Aboriginal children have fallen by 20%. Cervical cancer rates have fallen by 61%, and in Indigenous women by 92%. The survival rate of patients in renal dialysis is equivalent to the rest of Australia. If you live in Sydney or in Alice Springs, you have the same survival rate if you are undergoing renal dialysis. That flies in the face of the CLP government, which refused to put any machines outside Darwin, Katherine and Alice Springs.
Minister for Justice and Attorney-General – Number of Absent Days
Mr ELFERINK to MINISTER for JUSTICE and ATTORNEY-GENERAL
During a report on workplace absenteeism on the Channel 9 News after the Australia Day holiday, you said that you had only ever taken one ‘sickie’ from work, but that was when you were younger. The Country Liberals have a document from one of your previous employers, the Ngaliwurru-Wuli Association, outlining the reasons for your summary dismissal. These include: a lack of ability to set priorities; a lack of ability to encourage teamwork; a lack of ability to motivate others; and here is the ...
Dr BURNS: A point of order, Madam Speaker! What does this have to do with the minister’s portfolios?
Madam SPEAKER: I will hear the rest of the question and then I will seek advice.
Mr ELFERINK: ... the kicker, your failure to present at work during normal office hours. Can you explain how many sickies you took when you worked for this organisation and why you misled Channel 9 News, as well as Territorians, about taking sickies?
Madam SPEAKER: The question is out of order. Member for Port Darwin, if you wish to reword so it relates to his portfolio, you may do so. Otherwise, is there another question?
Mr ELFERINK: Thank you, Madam Speaker. I will ask another question in that case, seeing he refuses to answer that one.
Madam SPEAKER: It would want to be in order, member for Port Darwin.
Darwin Waterfront Precinct – Development
Mr ELFERINK to CHIEF MINISTER
The area of the waterfront that is undeveloped looks like a dump. This matter has now been repeatedly raised in this House and, as a partial investor of the waterfront development and as the head of the local government authority for the area, what are you going to do about it?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, this area of the waterfront the member for Port Darwin just called a dump must be the same dump they are having their campaign launch in.
We are very proud of the waterfront. We know the opposition never had the vision - it never had a vision for anything in the Northern Territory - never had a vision for the waterfront and, in fact, the Leader of the Opposition was going to scrap the waterfront. ‘Scrap waterfront call. CLP leader wants to revert to ...
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The question related to the undeveloped area of the waterfront. I remind the Chief Minister of Standing Order 113 which asks that he answer it in a succinct, concise and directly relevant way.
Madam SPEAKER: And within three minutes. Chief Minister.
Mr HENDERSON: I will be succinct and concise, in that the CLP did not have the vision to build the waterfront. The CLP was going to build a big car park with a flagpole or some sort of spire there, and would have scrapped the very waterfront they are going to have their campaign launch in, the magnificent waterfront and convention centre that it is.
In regard to the other land there, obviously commercial work is still being done to see Stage 2 come to fusion. The great shadow Treasurer over there does not understand that we have had a massive impact in global financial markets as a result of the global financial crisis. The availability of funding for commercial projects has been severely compromised, not only in Darwin, but all the way around the world - and this is a commercial issue.
We are very proud of the waterfront. It has been a wonderful success story - a success story which would not have occurred under the CLP because it has no confidence in Territorians. The CLP believed that the private sector should have had nothing to do with developing the waterfront. They believed in the great Orwellian and socialist belief that they should build the waterfront themselves. What a sad and sorry waterfront it would have been – no wave pool, no lagoon, no open areas, no convention centre, no hotels, no restaurants, and no pubs. We were going to have a car park. That was the extent of the CLP vision: a car park and a spire.
We are proud of our waterfront. The issues in regard to Stage 2 will be resolved commercially.
Education in Regional Areas – Government’s Strategic Investment
Ms WALKER to MINISTER for EDUCATION and TRAINING
Can you please inform the House of the Henderson government’s strategic investment in education in regional areas of the Northern Territory?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nhulunbuy for her question. Obviously, a reasonable member, she has a great interest in this. We have a proud history of supporting our regions and resourcing them. We put in place Directors of School Performance in Katherine, Tennant Creek and Nhulunbuy, which is the devolution of power and authority to those senior people within the Education Department; 31 attendance and truancy officers across the Territory; four trade training centres in regional areas, $19.4m; ESL specialists in the region; mobile preschools; regional learning and distance education; literacy and numeracy coaches; four child and family centres worth $19.4m; regional Indigenous education managers; and ICT, a very important part. Notwithstanding the wonderful investment through the BER: Katherine $10m; Alice Springs $18m; Tennant Creek $2.5m; and Nhulunbuy $2.8m.
By contrast, what did we see under the CLP when it was in power? Well, the CLP closed primary schools in Alice Springs and Tennant Creek for a start. It took away regional superintendents of education from Katherine, Tennant Creek, and Nhulunbuy. Basically, the story the CLP does not want to hear is how they denied Indigenous kids Year 12 senior secondary education over many decades ...
Mr Elferink: That is not true. Not true!
Dr BURNS: Over many decades. However, we know …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Dr BURNS: We know the member for Brennan is working on his policy. I feel it is imminent. Member for Brennan, you have been waving it around in here, and I hope it does mention the regions. I have this feeling that the delay in the announcement and release is that you are trying to come up with a great name for your policy. How about if I give you an example? How about something like ‘Strong Education for a Strong Future’? Do you think that might be all right, or something similar? I look forward to the release of your policy, whatever it might be called, member for Brennan.
Annual Reports – Government Failure to Table
Mr ELFERINK to CHIEF MINISTER
The day before yesterday in this House, the Leader of Government Business was forced to admit that your Waterfront Corporation did not comply with the law in relation to its responsibility to report in accordance with the Darwin Waterfront Corporation Act. Last week, I pointed out that the Public Trustee had not tabled its annual report in accordance with law. These failures have occurred repeatedly in the past couple of years under your Chief Ministership. Why do the laws with regard to public reporting mean so little to your government?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, it is a very strange line of questioning, for a local member to really kick his own constituents. His own constituents live at the waterfront. Regarding the corporation and their responsibilities under the act, the minister gave answers to all of those questions in debate the day before yesterday. If the member is interested in the corporation, how it is operating, some of the issues they are dealing with at the moment regarding reports and rates, and we have legislation before this House to further clarify some of those issues, I suggest he gets a briefing so he is better aware ...
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The Chief Minister must know I have already organised that briefing. It was unavailable until after sittings ...
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Port Darwin, that is not a point of order. Resume your seat!
Mr Elferink: Well, he is telling me to do something I have already done.
Mr HENDERSON: So, he has admitted he has not had the briefing yet. I am sure once he has had the briefing, he will be fully aware of all these issues regarding the magnificent facility we have at the waterfront which has really added to this city, added to this community. A magnificent facility the opposition wants to have its campaign launch at – it might be six months out from the election. I hope they invite the member for Fong Lim, because this is the second time ...
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The question related to the quality of reporting from government, including the Public Trustee, as well as compliance with the Darwin Waterfront Corporation Act. Would he answer the question?
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Port Darwin, resume your seat.
Mr HENDERSON: The issue relates to the waterfront, and the issue I am speaking about relates to the fact that it is a magnificent waterfront where the CLP’s election campaign will be launched, minus any policies ...
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker! What about the Public Trustee? What about their annual report?
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Port Darwin, resume your seat. Could you come to the question, please, Chief Minister.
Mr HENDERSON: This is the second time the member for Fong Lim has not been invited. The famous e-mail that went from the Leader of the Opposition to every single person in the parliamentary wing apart from the member for Fong Lim was the e-mail that sparked the member for Fong Lim firing back that ...
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Standing Order 113: the answer shall be succinct, concise and directly relevant to the question. Could he answer the question?
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order! Chief Minister, your time has expired.
Dr BURNS (Leader of Government Business): Madam Speaker, I ask that further questions be placed on the Written Question Paper.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016