2009-08-20
SIHIP - Meeting With Jim Davidson
Mr MILLS to CHIEF MINISTER
Yesterday, I asked you very directly if you had met Jim Davidson on Tuesday of this week. In response you said: ‘I certainly did not meet with him yesterday in my office or anywhere else’. I want to give you the opportunity to clarify the record. What day did you meet with Jim Davidson this week? Did your Chief of Staff meet with Jim Davidson on Tuesday?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his question. His question was very direct. ‘Did I meet Jim Davidson in my office on Tuesday’, I believe it was. The answer was no, I did not meet Jim Davidson in my office on Tuesday.
My Chief of Staff, of course, met with Jim Davidson earlier this week, as you would have expected him to, given the seriousness of the issues that were discussed. He met with him on request from Jim Davidson. I did not personally meet with him.
The last time I actually spoke with Jim Davidson was when I rang him on Monday - I did not meet with him in person - to inquire how he was going because, as I said, I know Jim personally. I have known him for nearly 20 years. I was concerned for how he was travelling and I had a personal conversation with him over the phone that would have lasted for about three or four minutes. I certainly did not meet with him.
My Chief of Staff did meet with Jim, on request from Jim, as is totally appropriate given the issues which are under discussion.
Northern Territory Gas Hub
Ms WALKER to CHIEF MINISTER
Today, the Chief Minister held discussions with Santos and GDF Suez about their proposals for the Petrel, Tern and Frigate gas fields. Can you update the House on action being undertaken by the Territory government to continue to deliver for all Territorians the benefits of a Territory gas hub?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nhulunbuy for her question. Yes, I did meet today with representatives from Santos and a new player in the gas and resources industry in the Northern Territory, a company by the name of GDF Suez, the largest gas importer in Europe. It is a French company with a market capitalisation of some $US90bn. This is their first entry into the Australian energy market, and we had a first meeting today.
We are very proud of being a government which has actually delivered LNG and a gas hub for the Northern Territory. The investments in Darwin LNG really did strike a wave of confidence that is flowing through this economy. As a government, we have worked very hard to progress INPEX for Darwin, and very proud that INPEX have made the decision to base their LNG plant in Darwin.
As well as being an LNG producer of world-class standing, which we will become, it is also very important to look at the broader offshore industry in the Northern Territory and position the Territory - Darwin very specifically - as a leading service and supply base for the offshore industry. We are focused on that now. The offshore service and supply industry already is worth around $150m a year to our economy, and there are significant opportunities to grow that even further. We have plans under way now to deliver a multi-user facility at East Arm through the Land Development Corporation. Consultation with local industry has been extensive, and there is funding in the budget for this proposal.
There will be a serious examination by Darwin Port Corporation personnel, who will be looking at marine supply bases around the world and all the technical issues with them, to look at developing specific infrastructure at the port for a marine supply base to support the offshore oil and gas industry, and really challenge Perth as the place to be for international engineering companies to be based to support the offshore industry.
It is another step forward in the development of the Northern Territory. At the end of the day, this is about jobs for Territorians and business opportunities for Territory business.
Madam Speaker, I welcome GDF Suez into the Northern Territory’s economic advancement.
SIHIP – Resignation of Chief Minister
Mr MILLS to CHIEF MINISTER
You have repeatedly said that SIHIP will deliver 750 houses. If SIHIP’s $672m program does not deliver 750 houses, will you tender your resignation?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his question. This is about delivering houses across the Northern Territory, and an absolute commitment from me and this government, and Jenny Macklin and the Australian government to deliver 750 houses across the Northern Territory - and deliver that we will - an absolute ironclad guarantee to deliver 750 houses under this program. That is the commitment.
Work is already under way on Groote Eylandt, the Tiwi Islands, and Tennant Creek. The opposition wish it was not, to keep their line of questioning going, but it is. We will deliver 750 houses, 230 rebuilds, and 2500 upgrades across the Northern Territory. I am determined to do that - and we will.
Economic Stimulus – Job Creation
Mr GUNNER to TREASURER
The federal government’s Nation Building Economic Stimulus Plan is delivering for the Territory in creating jobs. Can you please outline for the House how many new jobs have been created in the Territory?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Fannie Bay for his important question. The $42bn stimulus package from the federal government, through the Prime Minister and the federal Treasurer, provides the biggest single injection of Commonwealth funds to building national infrastructure and supporting jobs.
The Henderson government is getting on with the job of delivering this record investment in the Territory. Already, 300 contracts have been let to businesses across the Territory under the stimulus package – 300 contracts. That is injecting more than $220m into our economy and it is supporting hundreds of jobs. At the same time, we are also rolling out the Territory’s own infrastructure budget - that record $1.3bn investment across our roads, housing, schools and essential services - creating 2500 jobs.
This infrastructure investment is supporting jobs right across our Territory. It is contributing to very strong employment growth. We have seen 10 800 more jobs in the Territory since July 2007; that is, 10 800 more Territorians in employment in the last two years. That is a great sign of business confidence in the Territory’s economy. We have heard Manpower Inc, the employment agency, say: ‘If you want a job, come to the Territory’.
Infrastructure spending under the stimulus plan is supporting jobs right across our construction sector, but also flowing into our broader economy. It was the Henderson government that signed up to the stimulus package for Territorians, to provide for jobs for Territorians - unlike the CLP which opposed it in the Senate. Their old mate in Canberra, Senator Scullion, opposed the stimulus package. Labor signed up to this $220m investment that we already have rolled out through 300 contracts across the Territory. The CLP opposed the cash payments to Territorians, the upgrades to Territory schools, and more public housing for Territorians.
SIHIP – Delivery of Houses
Mr MILLS to CHIEF MINISTER
Clearly, your response to my previous question indicates that you would not resign if SIHIP’s $672m program fails to deliver 750 new homes. Clearly, you have little faith in your capacity to meet your $672m, 750-house commitment. Tell us, clearly, how many houses will actually be delivered within SIHIP’s $672m program?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his question. He really is starting to get dizzy – he is spinning around and around and around. As I have been saying over the last couple of days, we have two very senior public servants looking at SIHIP and its budget, with an absolute commitment to deliver on the 750 new homes. I have not received the report and the recommendations from it but, very clearly, the federal minister and I have both said that this program will deliver 750 new homes. These two very senior public servants have been put into this project to report back to both governments about ensuring that the project does deliver those 750 homes. That is the absolute commitment - and it will.
Professor Margaret Davy –
Termination of Service
Termination of Service
Ms ANDERSON to MINISTER for HEALTH
Will you explain to the House why Professor Margaret Davy of Adelaide, a highly regarded gynaecologist and researcher who has been serving the women of the Northern Territory for 20 years, was terminated without notice and word of thanks for her service to the Northern Territory? Is it not the case that Professor Davy is being replaced at RDH by two male doctors? We know that Dr Davy has worked with Indigenous women and that Indigenous women will not go to male doctors.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Macdonnell for her question. I am really pleased that she asked this question, because I would like to clarify something. One of the issues we have with Professor Davy is that there was never a written agreement between the department and Professor Davy. Professor Davy, to her credit, travelled the Territory and outside the main urban centres to service many Indigenous women, as the member for Macdonnell mentioned. I really appreciate her efforts.
However, when we did the recent governance review, it was highlighted that this kind of arrangement should not exist any more; there should be a proper arrangement in place. The department has proceeded to organise for a tender to be put in place so we get the services from a suitable provider with a proper arrangement in place. Professor Davy has not been terminated. As a mater of fact, Professor Davy will be here for another six months to provide services to all the people and, in six months’ time, she will have the ability, and the possibility, to provide a tender, like everyone else. If she is the suitable candidate, she will win the tender to continue to provide the services provided in the past 20 years to people of the Territory.
I received a number of letters from people saying they did not clearly understand the situation. I assure all people who have been treated by Professor Davy that they will continue to be treated by Professor Davy. I thank Professor Davy for her efforts. I invite her to put in an application for a tender when the tender comes up.
This is not about politics; it is about provision of services to Territorians, especially to women who do not live in the major urban areas. People like Professor Davy make a hell of a difference to the Territory.
SIHIP – Report into Operations
Mr MILLS to CHIEF MINISTER
You place a great deal of faith in the capacity of your two senior bureaucrats, Amanda Cattermole and Ken Davies, to get to the bottom of why, in two years, SIHIP has not delivered one new house. No doubt, you are keen to get this report. What date must the senior bureaucrats report by, and to whom? Will you give an ironclad guarantee that you will make this report into SIHIP public and immediately available upon its completion?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his question. Not only do we have two very senior public servants looking into this program, we also have our Auditor-General looking into it, who will report to this parliament. Also the new Council of Territory Cooperation can have a look at this program as well. Everything is being laid out in regard to this particular program. My understanding is that the report into SIHIP is imminent. In regard to its full public release, I believe it will be fully publicly released; I have not had a discussion with minister Macklin about that. The report is imminent. I have not seen it yet, but all of the information in regard to this issue will be out in the public domain.
Health Services
Ms SCRYMGOUR to MINISTER for HEALTH
The Henderson government is committed to delivering better health services for Territorians. Can you update the House on how the government, in partnership with the Australian government, is delivering better health services for Territorians?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Arafura for her important question. Our government is committed to improving the health of all Territorians, irrespective of where they live - in Darwin, Katherine, Alice Springs, Yuendumu, or Kalkarindji. We have developed a very strong partnership with the federal government, especially with the federal minister for Health, Nicola Roxon. Nicola and the Rudd government are prepared to support a key priority for better policy and realistic funding agreements to provide these services to all Territorians.
We are delivering, thanks to the federal government, a Cancer Care Centre, the first time ever in the Territory, which will open in the next year. We have started to reduce the elective surgery waiting list. Together with the Australian government, we will reduce it by 31%. We have evidence that the program is working. In 2008, we had 1903 more elective procedures since 2005; that is an increase of 23%. We are delivering better services in Palmerston. Stage 1 of the clinic has seen 6300 people, and has reduced by 92% the number of people who had to access the emergency department in the past.
Our health system is relying upon skilled people. We know from experience, if we grow our own, they will stay here. Flinders University and Charles Darwin University, thanks to the federal government, will develop the first-ever medical school in the Northern Territory. We want to keep people here. I have presented a number of initiatives to the federal minister on how to ensure people are rewarded, so the federal minister has now increased relocation and incentives for people who want to stay in the Territory. I will put more issues to the September Ministerial Council for Health to ensure that more people can come and stay in the Territory.
We have made major changes in our remote health system through a partnership with AMSANT and the federal government. There is now employment for Aboriginal people in remote communities through the Aboriginal Community Worker role. Health centres have been properly resourced to deliver courses for services in maternal and child health, acute and emergency care, and chronic disease prevention, detection and management.
We deliver better and continual health care and services right across the Territory, and we have plans in place for even better health care into the future.
SIHIP – Delivery of Houses
Mr MILLS to CHIEF MINISTER
HIA Territory manager, Mr Brian Winslade, said in an interview on 24 July that the set-up, design and tendering processes have already significantly eaten into the SIHIP funding. He went on to say:
- Certainly a substantial sum has been soaked up already and a lot more will go on ancillary works.
Do you stick by your claim that SIHIP’s $672m program will deliver 750 new homes on time and on budget, or was Jim Davidson right when he said we will be lucky to see 300 new homes?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the Leader of the Opposition for a very repetitive question. We have been debating this issue up hill and down dale this week and the answer remains the same. We are determined to deliver 750 new homes, 2500 renovated homes, and 230 upgrades. Two very senior public servants have been tasked to report to the two governments involved as to how we are going to achieve that.
We do know we have let one package of works already to the value of $128m for the Tiwi Islands, Groote Eylandt, and Tennant Creek. We also know, as we have articulated here on numerous occasions over the last few days, administration costs are running at 11.4% and we are looking to reduce those to below 10%.
We already know, through a response to a question at Estimates, administration costs as at the end of the financial year had been just over $3m. The two senior public servants are reporting back to the two levels of government about how we are going to achieve the 750 new homes. That report is imminent.
Single User Roads Management
Mr WOOD to MINISTER for INFRASTRUCTURE
Under your department’s budget highlights, you have allocated a $2.5m payment for single user roads management to the lessees or owners of pastoral leases. Can you advise this House which pastoral leases get this allocation and the process your department goes through to select these leases? If these roads are private, what is the rationale behind public funding?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nelson for his question. As identified in the budget, we currently fund maintenance on several single user access roads on pastoral leases. This is based on an historical policy of the Australian government that was, I am advised, pre-1978. Some examples of single user access roads include Mt Riddock, Tarlton Downs and Lucy Creek property access.
While our government has continued to maintain roads developed under that old policy, we do not manage single user roads within the properties. We have also been actively promoting the transfer of single user roads to the lessee or owner of a pastoral lease. Under this strategy, several pastoralists have already taken back control of those single user roads.
To reach agreement for the property owner or lessee to take on full responsibility for ongoing maintenance of the road, a one-off payment by government, based on historic maintenance expenditure, is negotiated. To fast-track this process and, as part of the transitional arrangements with local shires, the Northern Territory government has set aside $2.5m to fund the transition of the remaining single user access roads.
It is estimated that there is 1400 km of road involved that is currently being assessed, as several of the property accesses now also provide access to other living areas and, as such, really could be considered multi-user roads.
The current maintenance expenditure on these roads is in the order of $600 000 per annum. In short, we have a $600 000 per annum maintenance regime for these roads; we are in a transition phase; we are negotiating with single user owners and lessees to take that back with a one-off payment to cover what have been historical maintenance levels. That is why we have set aside $2.5m in this budget to fast-track and facilitate the handing back of those roads.
All of those roads need to be assessed because, as I have said, some of those previously single user roads are now actually multi-user roads because they access community living areas.
SIHIP – Early Release of
Auditor-General’s Report
Auditor-General’s Report
Mr MILLS to CHIEF MINISTER
This week, you have confirmed in this place there are two investigations under way into why SIHIP’s $672m program has failed to deliver one new house in two years. Yesterday, in response to a question from the member for Nelson, you indicated that you had not provided the Auditor-General with any additional funds to complete his review of SIHIP - a review not expected to be completed for another six months.
Given that serious questions about SIHIP remain unanswered, why do you not facilitate the early release of the Auditor-General’s report? What do you have to hide?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his question. He would well know that the Auditor-General is an independent statutory authority. He is looking at this expenditure of his own volition, as he did with the railway and the waterfront development. As I said to the member for Nelson yesterday, if the Auditor-General was to request additional funding to expedite this, then I would consider it, but I have received no request for that.
In regard to this assertion about two years …
Mr Mills: Are you sure about that?
Mr HENDERSON: Let us get this straight; it was April last year that we signed the agreement on SIHIP. The Leader of the Opposition well knows one of the major differences has been the requirement to get leases in place to provide for 40-year leases to build these new homes. That has been an extensive process that has taken some time to negotiate. We have let the first package for $128m on Groote Eylandt; construction of the first new houses has commenced; 80 new houses will, ultimately, be constructed; work on the next 18 of up to 75 upgrades is under way; and six new houses are currently being built at Umbakumba. So, to imply nothing has happened and we have been sitting on our hands is absolute nonsense.
In Tennant Creek, eight currently unoccupied houses are in the process of being refurbished and will be completed by the end of the month, and 78 houses will be rebuilt or upgraded. On the Tiwi Islands, five refurbishments are under way, two refurbishments have been completed, and construction of new houses will start this month. Work is happening on the ground. Indigenous people, very importantly, are being trained and employed, and will be employed long-term once these houses have been built.
That is the state of play. I have answered these questions in the same way, in every shape, manner and form over the last three days. If I have to continue to do so for the rest of Question Time, I will. We will build the 750 new houses.
Roads Projects Delivered in the Bush
Ms WALKER to MINISTER for INFRASTRUCTURE
Under the Henderson government’s record infrastructure budget, more money is being spent on Territory roads. Can you update the House on key roads projects being delivered in the bush?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nhulunbuy for her question. Budget 2009-10 delivered a record $322m for roads in the Territory. That is up $51m on last year; it is four times what the CLP had for a roads budget. This record investment includes additional funding that the Territory secured from the Commonwealth for Territory roads. In a new era of …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order! Member for Fong Lim!
Ms LAWRIE: In a new era of cooperation with the Rudd government, the Territory will receive double the roads funding than we did under the Howard government. To put that in context, it is $425m over five years under Rudd, compared to $200m under the former Howard AusLink program.
We are seeing the benefit of the record roads funding across our network but, importantly, and particularly …
Mr Giles: You ought to build that bridge in the Daly.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Braitling, cease interjecting!
Ms LAWRIE: … for the bush. We have already rolled out $12m in additional upgrade tenders to the Victoria, Stuart, and Barkly Highways under the stimulus agreement …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Ms LAWRIE: They truly are a rabble.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, honourable members! Minister, please resume your seat.
Honourable members, there are too many interjections. Yesterday, I received a large number of complaints regarding Question Time. I was a bit hopeful to begin with, but we seem to be getting a bit more excited. If we could remember Standing Order 51. I know that there needs to be robust questioning during Question Time and I accept that and allow a level of interjections, as I always have. However, when I am unable to hear a minister, it is unreasonable.
Minister, you have the call but, if we can keep interjections down to a very low level. If you would be so kind as to put your finger on the red button so that everybody listening on the Internet or the radio does not have to hear the level of interjections as we do at the moment.
Ms LAWRIE: Thank you, Madam Speaker. There is a 19 …
Mr Giles: The minister could hit the red button.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, member for Braitling!
Ms LAWRIE: Did you not hear what Madam Speaker said? Unbelievable.
There is a $19m package for community, beef and mining roads in Budget 2009-10 and these are rolling out. Work has started on an $11.8m upgrade of the Tanami and Plenty Highways, a project that will support up to 50 jobs in Central Australia. It will seal a further 14 km of the Tanami. A $4m project to reseal and widen sections of the Buntine Highway to two-lane seal will be advertised for tender next month. A $7m upgrade of the Woollogorang Road bridge over the McArthur River will go to tender in November …
Members interjecting.
Ms LAWRIE: Work is under way …
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order!
Ms Anderson: A 2001 election promise.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Ms LAWRIE: Work is under way …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Resume your seat, minister. Honourable members, given that you do not seem to understand what I have just said, I will read to you 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 the Member speaking.
There has been a large number of interjections which have had that effect. I am calling on the minister, and I would really like interjections to stay to a lower level. I will be putting members on warnings.
Ms LAWRIE: Madam Speaker, thank you. I have three more projects to talk about: work is under way to continue the progressive sealing of the Litchfield Loop Road with a $2.4m contract issued to local company Allan King & Sons; a further $2m is to be spent this year to continue sealing the Fog Bay Road; and $1.6m will be spent on the Arnhem Highway for sealing and widening works. Two tenders are about to be advertised.
Madam Speaker, we are getting on with the job of delivering a better roads network for Territorians.
Local Government – Termination of CEOs
Mr WOOD to MINISTER for LOCAL GOVERNMENT
I believe the CEO of the Tiwi Islands Shire Council was sacked this week. Could you give any details of why he was sacked? Could you say how many CEOs have either resigned or been sacked since the establishment of the new super shires?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nelson for his question. He has an interest in both local government and the Tiwi Islands.
Obviously, the employment arrangements between a shire council and their staff is a matter for them. I can advise that the CEO of the Tiwi Islands Shire Council actually resigned and has moved off the island.
In answer to the second part of your question, there has been only one other CEO who has left his position. That was the MacDonnell Shire Council, and he resigned as well.
Tourism Industry – Update
Mr GUNNER to MINISTER for TOURISM
Our vibrant tourism industry is doing well in difficult circumstances. Can you please update the House on how the Territory’s tourism industry is faring?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Fannie Bay for his question. Tourism is a very important industry for the Northern Territory. It employs over 17 000 people; it contributes 6.4% to our GSP compared to 3.7% nationally; and injects approximately $1.6bn in expenditure yearly into the Northern Territory economy. I compliment our tourism industry. It is a very resilient and resourceful industry, and there are many resilient and resourceful people in it.
As government, we are supporting that industry. A critical and crucial part of that support is the Advisory Board of Tourism NT. That is headed up by Grant Hunt, who is well known to Territorians and to those in the industry. He has headed up Voyages and I believe he was also a major shareholder in Voyages for many years.
There is another change I would like to announce today regarding the Board of Tourism NT. Maureen Wheeler has been on the board for a number of years. People may be aware that she was a co-founder of the Lonely Planet Guide, which is a fantastic publication. I have a few sitting on my bookshelf; it is a very popular publication. Her presence, advice, and input into the Advisory Board of Tourism NT was invaluable. It was a pity when Maureen and her husband moved back to the UK. She has resigned, regretfully, from the Advisory Board of Tourism NT.
I have appointed Robyn Holt to replace Maureen Wheeler. Her CV is very impressive. Robyn has been in the publishing business, particularly around style and experience and that type of publication. She will add to the Board of Tourism NT There is quite a lot of local knowledge on that board regarding aviation, marketing, and cultural tourism, and a lot of experience dealing with the national and international markets. That is a skill Robyn Holt will bring to the Board of Tourism NT.
In this time of global financial crisis, we have also established an industry panel to monitor impacts of the global economic crisis and feedback into government through that group. It is pleasing to say that some sections of the tourism industry are doing better than others. We recognise it is a difficult time. Our backpacker sector actually increased by 6.4% in the year ended March 2009, compared to no change at the national level. Caravan park demand increased by 20% in Darwin and 12% in Alice Springs, compared to a decline of 1.2% nationally. By all reports, the drive industry is doing very well. I am hearing very positive reports up and down the track.
The business tourism sector is worth some $350m to the NT per year, and that is holding well. I understand that the Darwin Convention Centre has been attracting quite a lot of conventions and, of course, the Alice Springs Convention Centre - the Wiggles have hit the news recently. I was very proud to be named the Blue Wiggle, by the way, Madam Speaker. There are pictures on my office door of the Blue Wiggle and the whole Wiggle group. Maybe we need to get together as a Wiggle group. The Chief Minister and the Yellow Wiggle were talking before that, possibly, we could have a show for charity. I am not sure what I can do, but I know the member for Port Darwin has a fine singing voice, so we would be taking his lead there. I finish on a light note.
Tourism is a serious business for the Northern Territory, for all the reasons I have outlined. As a government, we have put out a tourism stimulus package. I met with some of our overseas operators from markets all over the world for breakfast yesterday. I exhorted them to work even harder in the interests of tourism in the Northern Territory. They are a great group of very experienced people. Whilst we focus on our national domestic market in this time of challenge, we have kept our eye on the international market.
Madam Speaker, I commend our tourism industry. They are resourceful and resilient, and have a government which is supporting them.
COAG – Building Houses
Mr MILLS to CHIEF MINISTER referred to MINISTER for HOUSING
Yesterday in Question Time, your Housing Minister, the member for Daly, tried to shift blame for the high cost of houses built at Port Keats as part of a former COAG trial. Will you concede that both the COAG trial and SIHIP have been administered by the Northern Territory government, and the only difference between the two programs is that the COAG trial actually built houses?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his come in spinner question. For the answer, I will defer to the Minister for Housing.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr KNIGHT (Housing): Madam Speaker, I guess the opposition is alluding to my involvement in a COAG trial at Wadeye. I was involved with the Commonwealth government there ...
Mr Mills: In what role?
Mr KNIGHT: It is not really relevant, because I was actually …
Mr Mills: It is very relevant.
Mr Tollner: You were involved.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! The minister has the call.
Mr KNIGHT: I was not actually employed at that time when Mal Brough was putting in those four houses at Nangu and Wudapuli. That construction and the management of those houses was handled by Indigenous Business Australia, with Mal Brough driving them from behind. The Wild Geese Building Company was contracted to build those houses. Mal Brough was driving both IBA and the contractors so hard they were flying out the ceiling battens, which are fairly inexpensive, on charter planes – which cost many thousands of dollars for some very inexpensive bits of material during the Wet Season. He was driving them so hard that staff from …
A member: But he built houses.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Honourable members, I will read you Standing Order 69:
- No Member may interrupt another Member speaking unless —
- (a) to call attention to a question of order or privilege suddenly arising;
- (b) to call attention to the want of a quorum;
- (c) to call attention to the presence of strangers;
(d) to move a closure motion; or
- (e) to move ‘that the business of the day be called on’.
High-speed Broadband –
Delivery to Remote Communities
Delivery to Remote Communities
Ms SCRYMGOUR to MINISTER for INFORMATION, COMMUNICATIONS and TECHNOLOGY POLICY
Regional and remote communities’ access to the virtual world is becoming a reality. Can you please outline how the government is delivering improved broadband services for remote Aboriginal Territorians?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for her question. I am very proud to be a member of this government that is delivering improved access to the high-speed broadband. We already have runs on the board with the Arnhem link - our partnership with Telstra, Rio Tinto Alcan and the Northern Land Council -- which has seen 800 km of fibre-optic cable already laid across Arnhem Land.
In the meantime, I have been working constructively with the federal government, especially with my federal counterpart, Senator Stephen Conroy, to ensure the best possible outcomes for Territorians.
All members would be aware of the Prime Minister’s announcement to build a national broadband network, positioning Australia as a global leader in broadband. The first step in this network is a commitment of up to $250m to address communication black spots in regional Australia. It is the position of this government that the Territory needs competitive fibre backhaul to reduce telecommunications costs and to improve service offerings for Territorians. I have raised the Territory’s position on a number of occasions with Senator Conroy, both in writing and in face-to-face meetings, so I was very pleased when the Prime Minister announced in Darwin in June that Darwin would be one of the six priority destinations for a competitive backhaul, backbone fibre link.
Tenders to build this link closed two weeks ago and, should the Territory be included in a successful bid, we can expect tens of millions of dollars to be spent on fibre construction in the Northern Territory over the next 18 months. The Henderson government is a firm believer in the benefits of high-speed broadband, a key enabler for businesses and government to deliver improved services to the public. I will continue to work constructively with all parties to improve access to high-speed broadband throughout the Northern Territory.
SIHIP - Additional Funds
for Auditor-General’s Report
for Auditor-General’s Report
Mr MILLS to CHIEF MINISTER
You clearly see no urgency in the Auditor-General’s investigation into SIHIP, yet your own man, Jim Davidson – your personal friend of over 20 years standing - warned you yesterday that SIHIP’s $672m program will be lucky to deliver 300 houses - far short of your commitment.
I ask you again: why will you not actively engage the Auditor-General and provide extra resources to facilitate the early completion of his investigation into the project?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I will answer this question for the fourth time. They have run out of questions …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Greatorex!
Mr HENDERSON: So bereft is the opposition of questions, they ask the same question over and over again.
If the Auditor-General, as an independent statutory officer who reports to this parliament and to all Territorians, were to request additional funding to expedite his review into this program, then I would certainly consider that. We have two very senior public servants who, at the initiation of me and the federal Indigenous Affairs minister, have been looking at this program over the last few weeks since these concerns were raised. That report is imminent and, after it has been considered by government, it will be made public. The Council of Territory Cooperation will be looking at this as well.
In the meantime, houses are being built and upgraded and people are being employed - and that work continues ...
A member: Where?
Mr HENDERSON: I believe I have probably answered this seven or eight times over the last few days. The members opposite ask: ‘Where?’ I will say again, on Groote and Bickerton Islands construction of the first new houses has commenced. I know my colleague, the member for Arnhem, has been there and seen them under construction; the Housing minister came back from Groote Eylandt a couple of weeks ago and showed me photographs of Indigenous people on Groote Eylandt undertaking training and working on the refurbishments of those houses. Eighty new homes will, ultimately, be constructed. The first of four houses that have been refurbished have been handed back to people. I will get some photographs for the members of people actually working on these projects.
Here we are, the work has started, Indigenous people are employed, being trained, working on these houses. These houses will be built with cupboards in the kitchens, drains in the shower recesses, door handles, and fans in these houses. They will not come in at $980 000 each, which the Mal Brough houses came in at. That work is under way. Work on the next 18 of up to 75 upgrades is currently under way on Groote Eylandt and six new houses are currently under way at Umbakumba.
In Tennant Creek, as I said, eight currently unoccupied houses are in the process of being refurbished and will be completed by the end of the month. The member from Tennant Creek has spoken passionately about the trainees and young people being employed …
Mr McCarthy: And visited them.
Mr HENDERSON: And visited them on a number of occasions.
Seventy-eight houses will be rebuilt or upgraded on the Tiwi Islands, which the member for Arafura spoke about. Five refurbishments are under way, two refurbishments have been completed and people have moved back into their refurbished houses. Construction of new houses will start this month. This program will deliver for Territorians in our remote communities.
Live Cattle Trade – New Markets
Ms WALKER to MINISTER for PRIMARY INDUSTRY, FISHERIES and RESOURCES
Can you provide an update on the development of new markets for the Territory’s live cattle export trade?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, $980 000 a house! My house, which was built by Nightcliff Builders, did not cost that much. It has door handles, glass in the windows, and cupboards. However, I will get back to the question from the member for Nhulunbuy.
The pastoral industry remains the largest rural industry in the Territory. In 2007-08, 647 000 head of cattle were turned off at an estimated value of $324m. The live cattle export is one of the most important industries in the Territory - $164m worth of live cattle were exported in 2007-08, a 40% increase since the year before.
Unfortunately, we only have one market; 90% of our live cattle go to Indonesia. I am really concerned, despite indications that, for the next two generations, there will be increased demand for live cattle export to Indonesia. Relying on one market is not a very wise policy. That is why our government is trying to develop new markets and we will open markets in Sabah, Sarawak and Vietnam.
In my recent visit to Vietnam, I brokered an agreement between the Vietnamese and the Australian governments to develop export and quarantine protocols in order for live cattle exports to find their way to Vietnam from the Northern Territory. We signed a memorandum of understanding in order to provide technical advice and assistance for the construction of feedlots and an abattoir, and training in animal nutrition and handling.
Recently, Territory government officials visited Vietnam and had a firsthand look at the new facility, which is nearing completion. I am expecting to have commercial negotiations very soon between suppliers in the Territory for the first-ever export of live cattle to Vietnam. I hope that takes place soon.
We are committed to the industry. We are working very closely with the industry to identify and develop new markets. In my forthcoming trip to China, one of the things I intend to do is explore China as a potential new market for Territory cattle. I know I have the strong support of the industry.
SIHIP – Replacement Homes
Mr MILLS to CHIEF MINISTER
You have indicated 230 houses will be replaced as part of SIHIP’s program. Do you commit to building 230 replacement homes under the program, or is that figure subject to change?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, as we have said, 750 houses will be built, 230 will be upgraded or rebuilt, and 2500 will be refurbished through this program. I have said this over and over again.
Seniors Month
Mr GUNNER to MINISTER for SENIOR TERRITORIANS
The Henderson government has an ongoing commitment to deliver even better services for seniors and assist people to age well through our Active Ageing Framework. Can the minister please update the House on how we have provided for seniors during Seniors Month?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Fannie Bay for the opportunity to speak about senior Territorians. I am very honoured to have been given this portfolio most recently. To my predecessor, the member for Arnhem, I have met with seniors, both informally and at formal functions, and your name is spoken with honour and great esteem. It is a big challenge to take up this portfolio.
I would like to talk about Building the Territory for all Generations - a Framework for Active Ageing in the Northern Territory. As the framework illustrates, the government’s commitment to supporting Territorians as they age will encourage them to take responsibility for their own health and wellbeing. This sort of framework celebrates senior Territorians and is a very visionary process because, as senior Territorians, they represent the custodians of our knowledge, our culture and, for me, I am very interested in the custodians of our oral history. It is a wonderful opportunity, when I meet with senior Territorians, to learn about the Territory; they are very willing to share ...
Members interjecting.
Mr McCARTHY: It is good to see opposition members enjoy sharing in that as well.
One way older people can remain active and connected with the rest of society is to partake in some of the activities supported by this government in Seniors Month. August is Seniors Month in the Territory. There have been lots of activities taking place during Seniors Month. It is a real celebration.
Seniors Month grants of up to $2000 per activity are provided to subsidise organisations to hold such activities. This year, there were 42 successful applications for funding. The activities, which sound wonderful, include harbour cruises, mini golf, archery, clay target shooting, lawn bowls, dinner dances, bush tucker feasts, barbecues, tea and damper, mystery tours, bus excursions and film nights - and the list goes on.
These grants are just a small example of how the government is making the Territory a better place for seniors. I will outline a few significant government policies that have been introduced from 1 July 2009. Driver’s licences are free and motor vehicle registration concessions increased from $104 to $154 per year for those members of the Northern Territory Pensioner and Carer Concession Scheme. Free public bus travel for all seniors, pensioners and carers commenced on 1 January. The Northern Territory government will be absorbing extra costs involved with increased power, water and sewerage costs - that came into effect on 7 April 2009. This means that power and water concessions have not been eroded by the increases.
I have already had an opportunity to attend some of the Seniors Month activities and meet our seniors. I look forward to attending more to see firsthand how the Henderson government is delivering for our senior Territorians.
____________________
Visitor
Visitor
Madam SPEAKER: Honourable members, I draw your attention to the presence in the gallery of the former member for Arafura, Mr Maurice Rioli. On behalf of honourable members, I extend to you a very warm welcome.
Members: Hear, hear!
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SIHIP – Bureaucrat Costs
SIHIP – Bureaucrat Costs
Mr MILLS to CHIEF MINISTER
Yesterday in this House, you said: ‘I do not want to see a dollar of this money going on costs that are not absolutely necessary to building houses in remote communities’. The Australian reported yesterday the concerns of two former NT government remote Indigenous housing auditors who were paid wages and provided with vehicles to do nothing for five months. How many bureaucrats are working on SIHIP and are paid out of SIHIP funds?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I absolutely stand by the comments I made yesterday, that we should be, as the government and this parliament, making sure that every single cent of this program contributes in a very real way to building houses in those remote communities. That is the absolute commitment. That is why minister Jenny Macklin and I have put into this program two very experienced and senior public servants to ensure that that does happen.
In regard to the administration component, as few as possible administration people will be working on this program. There has to be a level of administration. It is currently running at 11.4%. We want to get that significantly less than 10%, and that is well within best practice for a program of this particular size. That is the commitment from this government; to drive those costs down to maximise the dollars that are going to building houses on the ground ...
Mr MILLS: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The question was not answered. I asked how many bureaucrats? If he does not know how many are being paid, say so. That question was not answered.
Madam SPEAKER: There is no point of order; the Chief Minister has already resumed his seat.
New Initiatives for Alice Springs
Ms SCRYMGOUR to MINISTER for CENTRAL AUSTRALIA
Yesterday, I said the Henderson government is committed to Territorians who live in Central Australia. Can you inform the House how recently-announced initiatives are delivering for Alice Springs?
Mr Mills: You left the party a few weeks ago, never to return because they are liars!
Madam SPEAKER: Leader of the Opposition, I ask you to withdraw that comment.
Mr Mills: Madam Speaker, I withdraw.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Arafura for her question. We know of her strong connection with the Tiwis, but she has her roots firmly planted in Central Australia as well.
As everyone in this House knows, this is an issue close to my heart as Alice Springs is my home town. I have recently outlined to the House the advances being made under the Alice Springs Youth Action Plan. More than $15.6m is being invested there over the next five years.
In the area of community safety, we have more police on our streets than ever before. There has been a further boost with the opening of the Police Beat in the Todd Mall, which I did with the Chief Minister.
We have promised more than $1.1m to the Alice Springs Town Council to install 16 additional CCTV cameras in the Alice Springs CBD, and a further $200 000 a year in recurrent funding to monitor the network. This takes the total number of CCTV cameras to 30.
I recently had the pleasure of releasing, with my colleague, the Minister for Planning and Lands, proposals for the $5m revitalisation of the Alice Springs CBD. Land release, of course, is a major issue in Alice Springs, after years of deadlock under the CLP government. The Lhere Artepe Aboriginal Corporation is proceeding with development at Mt John Valley …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Drysdale! Member for Braitling!
Mr HAMPTON: Thanks, Madam Speaker.
Land release is a major issue in Alice Springs after years of deadlock under the CLP government …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, member for Araluen! Minister, you have the call.
Mr HAMPTON: Land release is a major issue in Alice Springs after years of deadlock under the CLP government. The Lhere Artepe Aboriginal Corporation is proceeding with their development at Mt John Valley. Considerable work is being done under the planning for the future steering committee, which I am co-chairing with our Mayor, Damien Ryan, in proceeding towards residential land release at the Arid Zone Research Institute site.
Our investment in first-rate sporting facilities such as Traeger Park is attracting first-class events such as the Ford Ranger Cup. I am also proud to be bringing NRL games back to the Centre.
I am looking forward to the November parliamentary sittings in Alice Springs. For the third time, we will have taken parliament to the people of Central Australia. It is something the CLP never did in 27 years of government ...
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order! Minister, you have the call.
Mr HAMPTON: As a strong voice for Central Australia, I am proud to continue getting on with the job. I was heartened by the poll recently on Territory Today by Adrian Renzi which showed that 55% of listeners polled said I am doing a good job and …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order!
Mr GILES: A point of order, Madam Speaker. I wonder if the member for Stuart can advise us how many of his family rang up and …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Braitling, resume your seat.
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