2011-08-09
Police Radar Equipment
Mr MILLS to MINISTER for POLICE, FIRE and EMERGENCY SERVICES
Undoubtedly, you would be aware that police yesterday dropped charges against a Darwin motorcycle owner after he challenged the validity of police speed radar equipment. A report by electronics engineer, Joe Mulligan, stated in relation to the police radars that, clearly, these radars are all faulty to some extent.
How is it that under your government police radars are not properly calibrated? Will you conduct an audit of all speeding fines issued through radar checks over the past eight years? Will you apologise to Territorians who believe they were pinged by police radar but did not challenge the validity of the fine in court?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the Leader of the Opposition for a very current question. The Police Commissioner fully briefed me this morning and informed me that the matter relates to two police in-car radar devices only ...
Mr Elferink: Wrong, three.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order!
Mr HENDERSON: I am advised by the Police Commissioner …
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker!
Mr HENDERSON: … the matter relates to two police in-car radio devices today ...
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Port Darwin, resume your seat, there is no point of order.
Mr Elferink: You are wrong already.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Port Darwin, you do not have the call.
Mr Elferink: He is not telling the truth.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Port Darwin, do you wish to go on a warning this early in Question Time? Chief Minister.
Mr HENDERSON: Thank you, Madam Speaker. Police speed cameras and radar devices are checked and verified regularly. Police have reassessed their monitoring processes to ensure accurate maintenance of radar records. The two radar machines in question have since been assessed by experts from the School of Engineering at the University of Tasmania and were found to be accurate.
The issue relates to erroneous recording of data relating to two in-car radar devices over a limited period of time. That is the advice I received from the Police Commissioner today. I understand this is an important issue, and I offer the Leader of the Opposition an urgent briefing from the Police Commissioner to the same extent I had today so the commissioner can assure the Leader of the Opposition this was a human-related error in transcribing data and has not been repeated. I can assure Territorians, on advice from the Police Commissioner, that this is an isolated incident.
Alcohol Reforms - Progress
Ms SCRYMGOUR to CHIEF MINISTER
Can you please update the House on the progress of the government’s alcohol reforms?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Arafura - who has had a keen interest in this area for many years - for her question. All in this Assembly know that 60% of all crime in the Northern Territory is alcohol-related. If you are not tackling alcohol, you are not tackling crime, and are not serious about tackling crime. That is why my government is showing leadership, taking action, and implementing the toughest alcohol reforms this nation has seen ...
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, order!
Mr HENDERSON: I know the member for Fong Lim finds this funny ...
Mr Tollner: The nanny state!
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Fong Lim! Order!
Mr HENDERSON: I know he finds it funny. I know he finds alcohol-related crime and violence funny, but the government does not.
We introduced the toughest reforms in the country. The Banned Drinker Register came online on 1 July this year. In just over one month of operation, 858 people who have committed alcohol-related crime or antisocial behaviour have been put on the Banned Drinker Register - a significant number of people ...
Members interjecting.
Mr HENDERSON: That is 858 offenders, whether they have been high-level drink-drivers, repeat drink-drivers, people who have committed acts of violence, people taken into protective custody three times in three months - they have all lost their rights to purchase takeaway alcohol ...
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr HENDERSON: The message is clear: people who commit alcohol-related crime in the Northern Territory will end up on the Banned Drinker Register and will be banned from drinking takeaway alcohol ...
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order!
Mr HENDERSON: The message from the CLP is very clear: it has given these 858 people a commitment that if it were to come to government at the next election their rights to drink would be restored – the tap would be turned back on full-time under the CLP policy ...
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Honourable members!
Mr HENDERSON: On this side, we believe the reforms banning people from takeaway alcohol, as a result of the crime and antisocial behaviour and the neglect of their children, make sense.
I congratulate our Territory police today for their diligence in putting so many people on this register in one month.
There are a number of commissioners-in-exile sitting on the opposition benches. Every police officer I have spoken to across the Northern Territory, across the show circuit in Darwin, is supportive of these reforms. They say these are the best reforms any government has introduced in the Northern Territory for many years ...
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr HENDERSON: So, the CLP wants to change direction, and the CLP wants those 858 people to have access to alcohol tomorrow ...
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Chief Minister, your time has expired.
Honourable members, clearly you are having trouble remembering the standing orders, particularly in relation to Question Time:
- 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.
It has certainly had that effect on me, and I would appreciate some decorum.
Speed Camera Accuracy – Audit by Auditor-General
Mr MILLS to MINISTER for POLICE, FIRE and EMERGENCY SERVICES
Last year, police statistics showed that 72% of speeding fines issued by police were to drivers travelling less than 15 km/h over the speed limit. This gave weight to comments made by retired traffic police officer, David Gilmore, that the vast majority of motorists booked for speeding were mum and dad motorists. These same mum and dad motorists booked for speeding have every right to feel cheated now that a dodgy speed camera might have been responsible for them copping a $110 fine.
I accept your offer of a briefing, and will attend that briefing, but need to test. Now your speed camera regime has been discredited, will you instruct the Auditor-General to audit the accuracy of other police equipment such as red light cameras and breathalysers?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I do not know what game the Leader of the Opposition is playing here. We all, I believe, support safe driving on our roads, and support police enforcing the laws of the road in regard to speeding and running red lights.
I commend Channel 9 for the series of images it is going to show over this week which demonstrate just how dangerously ...
Mr Tollner: Answer the question!
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Fong Lim!
Mr HENDERSON: ... some people are driving on our roads. People running red lights and driving at excessive speeds scares all of us.
In a genuine commitment to the Leader of the Opposition, I am offering you a detailed briefing from our Commissioner of Police this afternoon. If you want to pursue this line of questioning tomorrow, after you have had the information that I received from the Commissioner of Police - who I trust to give me an accurate briefing - then run this line of questioning tomorrow.
I can say categorically that the Commissioner of Police has advised me today that we are talking about two police in-car radar devices only. We are not talking about speed cameras. The machines in question have since been assessed by accredited experts from the School of Engineering at the University of Tasmania and were found to be accurate. These are accredited experts.
I take my advice from the Commissioner of Police. He advised me the issue that was withdrawn relates to erroneous recording of data relating to two in-car radar devices over a limited period of time. That is the advice I am giving to Territorians. That is the advice the Police Commissioner will give to Territorians.
That is the advice I am genuinely offering the Leader of the Opposition. After the Police Commissioner has briefed him, if he still does not believe the Police Commissioner and the advice he is giving him and me then, of course, he is free to run this line of questioning in the House tomorrow. Act on informed advice, not on media comments, with all due respect to the media, Madam Speaker, I am more than happy to stand and answer the questions. That is the advice I have from the Police Commissioner.
Alcohol Reforms – Update on Banned Drinker Register
Ms WALKER to MINISTER for ALCOHOL POLICY
Key to the alcohol reforms is the Banned Drinker Register to turn problem drinkers off tap. Can you please update the House on the roll-out of the Banned Drinker Register and the problem drinker bans?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, we have embarked on the most comprehensive alcohol reforms in the nation that include banning problem drinkers to stop the violence, and enforcing those bans through this all-important tool, the Banned Drinker Register. The roll-out of the BDR is ahead of schedule. We are live in Darwin, Palmerston, Tennant Creek, Katherine, Alice Springs, Elliott - in fact, all licensees up and down the Stuart Highway. Our other regional and remote areas are rolling out through East Arnhem and will be implemented as soon as possible, bearing in mind we have robust permit systems in place; for example, in Nhulunbuy and Groote Eylandt. However, I emphasise the roll-out has occurred ahead of schedule. We are live in all those regional centres of the Territory with the exception of Nhulunbuy, which has a permit system in place.
We have seen results since 1 July when the system went live. More than 469 000 scans have occurred …
Mr Tollner: Shameful. Penalise the …
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Fong Lim, you do not have the call.
Ms LAWRIE: You will be hanging your head in shame as the data continues to roll out, member for Fong Lim. You will be the one covered in shame …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Fong Lim!
Ms LAWRIE: What does this mean, Madam Speaker? As the Chief Minister said, 858 people are on the Banned Drinker Register as of midnight last night. The Banned Drinker Register has detected 182 attempts by a banned drinker to purchase alcohol. That is 182 refusals in just over a month. That is 182 times the CLP would have made that sale. The system has also seen 800 people refused sale for attempting to buy alcohol in contravention of product restrictions that are in place through alcohol management plans across the Territory. In total, one month into the alcohol reforms, we have seen approximately 1000 refusals of sale to problem drinkers. During July, the police applied bans …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Ms LAWRIE: They really do not want to hear it, do they? However, the public is interested. During July, the police applied bans to 334 people apprehended for committing offences. This includes 149 for driving offences, 67 for assault, 40 for breaching a domestic violence order, and 20 for unlawful entry with intent to burgle, break and enter, and property damage. In addition, 107 bans were applied to people taken into protective custody, and five bans applied for secondary supply. It is early days. These figures show we are targeting the problem drinkers and turning them off tap. Terry Mills wants to change these laws and put those problem drinkers back on grog.
Child Protection – Ombudsman’s Report
Mr MILLS to CHIEF MINISTER
Given yesterday’s release of the Ombudsman’s damning report into child protection, will you admit the system is as bad as ever, and Territory children are still being unnecessarily placed in harm’s way?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I acknowledge the report of our Ombudsman that was tabled in this parliament yesterday. The report reinforces why we called the expert inquiry and why we are implementing all 147 reforms in the Growing them strong, together report of October 2010. The report provides a review of historical workplace practices, workforce, and workloads at the Central Intake Unit, which is the first line of contact for members of the public and professional notifiers to report cases of children at risk of harm or neglect.
The Ombudsman’s report is historic in context and primarily focuses on the period from mid-2008 to early 2010. Since that period, we formed the expert review, headed by Howard Bath, and adopted all the recommendations in that report. We implemented those recommendations, we fund them to the tune of an additional $130m, and yesterday the independent, nationally respected, child protection expert, Professor Graham Vimpani and his team reported to this parliament that though there was much more to do, the reforms are on track. To the Ombudsman, I thank you for your report. The recommendations will be incorporated into the recommendations that are already in place.
The report is historical in context, and actually predates the thorough and independent expert review conducted by Howard Bath and his team. Now, the oversight of those recommendations is being done in an independent, transparent way by nationally respected child protection experts. We have much more to do. The Ombudsman’s report details horrific case studies about children in the NT to whom your heart goes out. Tragically, around the world, child protection workers deal with those types of issues. I believe our reforms are on track, are being implemented, funded, and oversighted by independent, nationally respected experts who reported to this House yesterday that those reforms are on track.
Herbert Subdivision - Flooding and Draining of Lagoon
Mr WOOD to MINISTER for NATURAL RESOURCES, ENVIRONMENT AND HERITAGE
My question relates to the flooding of land in Herbert. The department of Lands and Housing, in what appears to be a partnership with the developer, is indicating that the solution to flooding is to drain the lagoon. Do you support the draining of the lagoon? If so, what studies have you or your department done to show what effects the draining of this lagoon will have on the flora, fauna, and aquifer supported by this lagoon? Will you release those studies?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nelson for his question. It is an issue he has been fully on top of since about March, and one about which we have had a few conversations and e-mails. I have had my department working with my colleague, the Minister for Lands and Planning, on the issue. It goes back to an issue we cannot control; that is, rainfall. We had extremely high rainfall this year. That is not the only cause; there are a number of causes. However, I have had my department working closely with Lands and Planning, you, and the residents.
One of the options is the drainage solution. I have not received any formal proposal yet, so I do not have a position on that or advice from my department about whether that solution is to be investigated. I understand you have also gone to the EPA and the Ombudsman, so there are many people looking into this issue, member for Nelson. I do not know what your solutions are, but we will continue to talk, and I will continue to work with my colleague. If a drainage solution is the way to go, I will get the best advice I can and work closely with you on that. Until then, I am not going to be able to give you that answer.
Alcohol Reforms - Liquor Industry Role
Mr GUNNER to MINISTER for ALCOHOL POLICY
The alcohol reforms commenced on 1 July and involved the roll-out of a Banned Drinker Register at all NT takeaway liquor licence outlets. Can you please outline to the House the role of the liquor industry in supporting the alcohol reforms.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, the member for Fong Lim is nervous; he has been DUI so he is a little nervous. Do not worry, if you can control your drinking, member for Fong Lim, you will be okay ...
Members interjecting.
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker! That is unparliamentary.
Madam SPEAKER: Minster, can you withdraw that comment, thank you.
Ms LAWRIE: I withdraw. No inference intended. He just keeps laughing his way through any question to do with alcohol ...
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order!
Ms LAWRIE: An enormous amount of work was undertaken to support the implementation of these significant reforms, including the roll-out of the Banned Drinker Register. I thank the Department of Justice, including Racing, Gaming and Licensing; Police; Health; Treasury, and the non-government sector ...
Mr Tollner: What a joke! Penalise everyone.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Fong Lim!
Ms LAWRIE: These reforms could not have been implemented without the critical role - proactive and constructive - played by the Australian Hotels Association and the Liquor Stores Association. They have helped the implementation every step of the way, and I congratulate them for their efforts as an alcohol industry.
In the lead-up to 1 July, both these industry associations were involved in regular working group meetings, with Racing, Gaming and Licensing providing feedback on practical issues and a conduit of information to their members.
The Department of Justice worked very closely with industry and developed a range of materials to support their members, including training manuals and fact sheets, and established a technical call centre for licensees and a public call centre for members of the public.
I table an information package developed to support the alcohol reform implementation. Licensees have also shown their commitment by ensuring all staff members at point of sale received specialised training sessions to support the reforms.
This partnership approach has meant a smooth implementation of the Banned Drinker Register ahead of schedule across the major centres of the Territory. To date, more than 460 000 transactions have occurred on the system, 1000 refusal of sales to banned drinkers, and 858 people on the Banned Drinker Register ...
Mr Tollner: And 4600 inconveniences.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Fong Lim, cease interjecting!
Ms LAWRIE: I again thank and acknowledge that this has been a partnership across government agencies, primarily the key agencies of Justice, Police, Health, and Treasury - a partnership with the non-government sector, including health treatment providers and with industry to ensure the smooth implementation of these reforms. I thank everyone involved.
Child Protection – Reports
Mrs LAMBLEY to MINISTER for CHILDREN and FAMILIES
The government tabled two reports into child protection yesterday. The first was a damning report by the Ombudsman using her statutory investigative powers which uncovered ongoing systemic failures and a culture of cover-up all the way to the top. The second was a report of the Child Protection External Monitoring and Reporting Committee May meeting, based on heavily censored and sanitised material provided by the government.
Minister, a simple question: who provides the clearest and most accurate picture of the current state of the Territory’s child protection system, the independent Ombudsman or the government appointed and controlled committee? When will the cover-up stop?
Madam SPEAKER: I remind honourable members that you are not allowed to ask a minister for a personal opinion. Minister, if you wish to answer the question, you may do so. You are not allowed to ask for a personal opinion.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I do not have to express a personal opinion. I only have to express what a Northern Territory journalist stated in an article published a few days ago: this government is the only government that has put real money in child protection services; more money than the CLP.
I thought the member for Araluen would be smarter today, keep her head down, and be very quiet after what she did yesterday. Not only yesterday, she had the audacity today to say …
Mrs Lambley: You are lying, minister.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Araluen, I ask to withdraw that, thank you.
Mrs LAMBLEY: I withdraw that, Madam Speaker.
Mr VATSKALIS: She had the audacity to say today she did not defame Dr Vimpani. You are correct. You did not defame Dr Vimpani; you defamed Dr Vimpani; Teresa Niehus, President of Foster Care NT; and Jacqui Reed ...
Members interjecting
Mrs LAMBLEY: A point of order, Madam Speaker! That is not correct. He is deliberately misleading parliament.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! The members for Greatorex, Braitling, and Arafura are all on warnings.
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker!
Madam SPEAKER: I beg your pardon?
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker!
Madam SPEAKER: Excuse me, I am not sitting down at the moment, I am still coming back into my Chair. Resume your seat.
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker!
Madam SPEAKER: Excuse me, member for Port Darwin. I am about to speak to the House:
- 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.
We just had a ridiculous episode! Honourable members, I assure you that when I am at the Nightcliff Markets - which is almost every Sunday - people come to talk about members’ behaviour. It is disturbing that people think this is just a sideshow here. Members, I would like to see some decorum.
We have three members on warnings. I am quite happy to put more members on warnings and ask members to leave the Chamber. This is an important part of the democracy of the Northern Territory where people are trying to get answers and ask questions about things which are important to the people of the Northern Territory. It is not possible when there is mayhem in here.
Honourable members, I ask you to remember that because you will be on warnings if I hear this level of disorder in the next few minutes. Thank you. Member for Port Darwin?
Mr ELFERINK: Madam Speaker, the minister made reference to conduct; namely, defamation on the part of the member for Araluen. No such conduct has been asserted or proven anywhere and I ask the minister withdraw.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Port Darwin, given the level of mayhem, I was unable to hear any of that, so it is difficult to know whether it actually happened or not.
Minister, the time has expired, although we will allow you to have another minute on this. If you said something along those lines, before I give you the extra minute, I ask you to withdraw those comments and then make your final one minute. Thank you.
Mr VATSKALIS: Madam Speaker, I said the member made a disgraceful slur against the reputation of people on the committee. She asked me to read Hansard and I am prepared to do so. She said in Hansard, and I read from it, Madam Speaker ...
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The minister alleged defamation. There is no proof of that whatsoever. He should follow your instruction and withdraw.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Port Darwin, resume your seat. The minister is simply reading Hansard.
Mr TOLLNER: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Your attention was drawn to the fact that the minister made an offensive comment and he should be asked to withdraw. We do not normally debate these things, Madam Speaker.
Madam SPEAKER: Indeed, member for Fong Lim. And you do not normally argue with the Speaker! You are on a warning! Minister, have you made some kind of claim?
Mr VATSKALIS: Madam Speaker, I said …
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, can you just withdraw whatever the comment was, then read Hansard. Thank you.
Mr VATSKALIS: I withdraw, Madam Speaker. I would like to read from Hansard exactly what the member said, because what she said is very embarrassing for the member:
It is all very positive, sanitised, and it is completely and utterly deceptive. What we have is a committee that is costing the taxpayers of Australia much money, presumably. We have eight people being carted around the country, wined and dined …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: The level of disorder is just ridiculous! I assume, minister, you have finished your answer?
Mr VATSKALIS: Thank you, Madam Speaker.
Madam SPEAKER: Thank goodness, that is good.
Alcohol Reforms – Expansion of Treatment Services
Ms SCRYMGOUR to MINISTER for HEALTH
Can you please update the House on the expansion of treatment services provided as part of this government’s innovative package of alcohol reforms?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for her question. Our government’s Enough is Enough reform package is delivering $34.3m over five years to expand and enhance treatment services across the continuum of care. Whether it is a first intervention or intensive treatment for long-term abusers, problem drinkers will get the services they need and the opportunity to get off the grog and get their life back under their control.
The impact of alcohol abuse can be seen in our hospitals and families across the Northern Territory. That is why we want to turn off the tap for problem drinkers - unlike the CLP members, who want to extend drinking hours.
Already this year, we have invested $5.2m to expand treatment options for problem drinkers, with $3.5m to expand treatment and rehabilitation services with an extra 14 beds in Darwin to open at Salvation Army Sunrise Centre, and 10 new beds in DASA in Alice Springs; $700 000 for community-based outreach services in major centres and growth towns. The department and AMSANT are recruiting Aboriginal Health Workers, counsellors, and medical officers. There is $0.5m for expanded alcohol withdrawal support options, home-based residential low risk, plus high-risk hostel-based withdrawal; and $0.5m for brief interventions by GPs and primary health providers for people who have been referred by the SMART Court or tribunal for treatment orders and people who voluntarily seek assistance.
Within the first month of operation, training in the alcohol misuse interventions and special resources was provided for 50 remote health centres, and over 70 sessions were delivered for urban GPs. SMART Courts commenced and, within the first month of operation, made 18 referrals and 10 treatment orders. The reforms are providing the range of targeted treatments needed to reduce alcohol-fuelled behaviour. They help protect our children from family violence, reduce the demands on our hospitals, and help problem drinkers get back control of their lives.
Herbert Subdivision - Flooding and Septic Tanks
Mr WOOD to MINISTER for HEALTH
My question once again relates to the Pelly Road subdivision flooding in Herbert. Under the requirements of the code of practice for on-site sewerage, which is the responsibility of the Department of Health, section 7.4.1 says it is a requirement for the developer to show the exact position of the Q100 line. The reason for this is that septic tanks are not to be constructed in areas that are subject to flooding and, second, under the NT Planning Scheme, there is the requirement that all septic tanks are to be sited 50 m above the Q100 line and seepage line.
Did your department check the plans for the Pelly Road subdivision at the time the application for approval was submitted by the developer to the Development Consent Authority and request that a Q100 line be identified on the plans?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, the environment health plans make standard recommendations to the DCA that all new rural subdivisions are able to accommodate traditional septic tanks. The DCA is also advised that subdivisions should conform to the department’s guidelines for prevention of biting insect problems for new rural residential developments in the Top End. Septic tank installations are self-certified by plumbers, and notification is provided to the Lands and Planning Division.
For this subdivision, sections 3093 and 3111 Hundred of Strangways, the Development Consent Authority was advised there were concerns about the ability to create lots of sufficient size to provide both water bores and septic tanks within the required 100 m separation distance. The development permit included a condition that the owner was to provide documentary evidence that soils in the subdivisions are capable of accommodating a standard effluent disposal system to the satisfaction of the concerned authority. Documentary evidence was provided by the applicant that septic tanks effluent disposal systems could be provided, and the Department of Health was satisfied with this evidence.
Child Protection External Monitoring and Reporting Committee Report – Violence Against Aboriginal Women
Mr GILES to MINISTER for CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
The second report of the Child Protection External Monitoring and Reporting Committee tabled by you yesterday suggests domestic violence against Aboriginal women is a cultural tradition, backing up the statement by using anthropological evidence of prehistoric man back to Neolithic British and Iron Age Italians.
I find this statement extremely abhorrent and insensitive towards Aboriginal people. Is it appropriate to compare Aboriginal people to cavemen? Given that by tabling the report you have accepted its contents, are you not further demonstrating that your government is content to institutionalise racism, where you accept domestic violence rates to some level because, as you are reporting it, it is historically cultural?
Madam SPEAKER: Please pause. I remind you that you are being asked for an expression of opinion, so it is up to you whether you choose to answer that.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, this is not my opinion. This is scientific evidence written by Peter Sutton, an eminent anthropologist, who wrote in 2011 and compares the …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr VATSKALIS: Madam Speaker, this is a scientific study by an eminent anthropologist who compares pre-colonial interpersonal violence and contemporary violence to other populations. This is not written by the committee. The committee called evidence by an anthropologist. In addition to that, minister Macklin reported on 6 June 2011 that these women and girls are currently 35 times more likely to be hospitalised due to family violence assaults than non-Indigenous women. That is true. That is a fact, Madam Speaker. The report is not sanitised, as the member for Araluen tried to say. This report states the fact. There is a crisis in Indigenous communities. Sadly, they have been identified by my Indigenous colleagues in this party …
Mr GILES: A point of order, Madam Speaker! I have had a hard time understanding, with all due respect to what you said, because of the speed ...
Madam SPEAKER: That is not a point of order.
Mr GILES: I want to make sure the minister agrees that it is okay to compare domestic violence in Aboriginal people with cavemen. You are accepting that is okay ...
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Braitling, resume your seat. It is not a point of order, and I remind you that you are already on a warning.
Mr VATSKALIS: Thank you, Madam Speaker. This is not my personal opinion; this was answered before - a statement by an eminent anthropologist, a scientific word. In addition to that, it is well-known and acknowledged by my Indigenous colleagues that there is a crisis in Indigenous communities. Actually, there is a crisis in our community, to put it bluntly, because it does not matter if you are Indigenous or non-Indigenous, alcohol generates violence, and much alcohol generates much violence. So, it is not ...
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr VATSKALIS: It appears they have no problem understanding because they are trying to interrupt. They do not want anyone else to hear the truth about what is happening in our society.
Alcohol Reforms - Alcohol-Related Crime
Ms WALKER to MINISTER for JUSTICE and ATTORNEY-GENERAL
It is widely considered that alcohol misuse causes crime. We know 60% of all assaults across the Territory are alcohol-related. Can you please outline to the House what the Territory government is doing to tackle alcohol-related crime, and the CLP alternative?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I welcome the question from the member for Nhulunbuy - a fantastic question. As we know, the Territory government has the strongest reforms and is taking the strongest action in the nation to turn the problem drinker off tap through the Banned Drinker Register and a raft of reforms.
We know why, because 60% of all assaults are fuelled by alcohol and, disturbingly, 67% of domestic violence is fuelled by alcohol. People are now on the Banned Drinker Register because of breaches of domestic violence orders, and I congratulate the police for that work.
If you listen to the CLP, their shadow spokesperson for alcohol said there is a negligible link between alcohol and crime. Under our reforms, 858 people are banned from buying takeaway alcohol. Under Terry Mills, they would be able to drink.
The Banned Drinker Register is a tool to enforce the bans Territory-wide, and it is working – 1000 people have already been refused sale. Yet, the CLP claimed people would have to show ID at a barbecue – wrong. The CLP also claimed attendants at bottle shops would stalk young women – wrong. The shadow minister said people buying alcohol online should not have to give their details or address. I am unsure how he thought alcohol would be delivered to the person if they did not provide an address. He went on to say the alcohol reforms would mean lost taxes from alcohol sales going online. The Territory does not get tax - there was a High Court decision in the 1990s that ruled the Territory out of collecting alcohol taxes – the Commonwealth gets alcohol taxes.
Their ideas on alcohol-related crime, which popped up during the Assembly debate on the alcohol reforms - a classic from the member for Drysdale who suggested we copy New Zealand and ban the drive-through at the bottle shop. Another classic was from the member for Braitling who suggested we could open bottle shops earlier in Alice Springs, but close them four hours earlier. Monday to Friday, that would mean closing bottle shops in Alice Springs at 5 pm ...
Mr Bohlin interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Drysdale!
Ms LAWRIE: They have no credibility. Terry Mills has committed to overturning the government’s alcohol reforms and putting 858 people back on tap ...
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The Treasurer well knows the rules of this House and she should refer to members accordingly.
Madam SPEAKER: Resume your seat.
Ms LAWRIE: The member for Blain, AKA the Leader of the Opposition, at the moment, has repeatedly said they will revoke the Banned Drinker Register and put those 858 people who are being refused sale back on tap. He is ignoring the fact that 60% of crime is fuelled by alcohol. Do you want to see those assaults and domestic violence continue? You are ignoring the link between ...
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, your time has expired.
Child Protection Whistleblowers – Ombudsman’s Report
Mrs LAMBLEY to the MINISTER for CHILD PROTECTION
Fear of recrimination, disciplinary action, and losing jobs are concerns shared by child protection workers who wish to speak out against the child protection failings and see the problems fixed. Susan Mansfield is the public face of this witch-hunt, but the Ombudsman’s report identified there are many others.
Why, under your government, did the Ombudsman need to investigate child protection complaints to protect the identity of people who chose to blow the whistle on the system because their internal cries of concern had been ignored?
Is it not clearly evident that your agenda remains one of covering up the ongoing child protection crisis in covertly supporting recrimination against anyone who dares to speak out?
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Minister before you start answering, this question contains several things which are not allowed in questions so I will give you a fair amount of latitude - latitude I have given with the question. Thank you.
ANSWER
Thank you Madam Speaker. I have personal knowledge of being bullied or harassed. I remember very well when I stood for this seat of Casuarina, the Chief of Staff of the then Chief Minister threatened one of my relatives that if I stood for Casuarina I would never get another job in the Territory. This is true, Madam Speaker …
Mr TOLLNER: A point of order, Madam Speaker! This is completely irrelevant. What has him standing for Casuarina as a member got to do with answering a question like this on child protection? The guy is talking nonsense, he should answer the question.
Madam SPEAKER: I am sorry. I was not able to hear what was said then.
Mr VATSKALIS: If there is someone who has a history of bullying, it is not our government; it was the previous CLP government.
Ms Mansfield made a complaint and an allegation of bullying at the workplace and immediately asked the department to investigate the allegation. Ms Mansfield was not investigated for her conduct, if any. I want to find out what happened to Ms Mansfield. A selection made of her specialist, Mr Gary Rogers, the terms of reference and the name of the expert was provided to Ms Mansfield, and Ms Mansfield agreed to both of them. In addition to that, when the investigator finished the investigation, a copy was provided to Ms Mansfield and we gave her an extra day - actually until 10 August - to have a look at the investigation material and respond appropriately.
We believe in natural justice. We believe any person has the right not to be bullied at work and, if allegations are made, that allegation has to be investigated. I have said publicly, I do not care who is being accused of bullying other people; from the tea lady to the CEO, it is not acceptable. I have not seen the report yet because it has not been finalised. When it is finalised, the department CEO and I will see the report. If there are issues arising from that report, immediate action will be taken.
Central Australia – Bushfire Risks and Deliberately Lit Fires
Ms ANDERSON to MINISTER for POLICE, FIRE and EMERGENCY SERVICES
The front page of last Friday’s Centralian Advocate has a photo of Alice Springs firefighters speaking with a suspected firebug. The fire season is under way in Central Australia and the majority of fires have been lit by people along roadsides. Has anyone been prosecuted this year for illegally starting bushfires? What public education is being done to reduce the occurrence of bushfires caused by humans?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Macdonnell for an important question. The minister for Natural Resources and I met with the Bushfires Council six to eight weeks ago to speak with the fire brigade and Bushfires Council about preparation for the upcoming fire season in Central Australia. I was advised they were doing a great deal of work with pastoralists and other landholders in putting firebreaks in place and preparing for the season.
I am not aware of specific charges laid and I will have to take that on notice and get back to the member for Macdonnell. I point out to honourable members that a couple of years ago, we significantly increased the penalties in this House for people who deliberately start fires - significant penalties both financially and by way of potential prison sentences. We will not and do not tolerate arsonists. I will take the question on notice, take advice, and advise the House and the honourable member.
Alcohol Reforms - Liquor Act Banning Notices
Mr GUNNER to MINISTER for JUSTICE and ATTORNEY-GENERAL
Can you please update the House on the number of banning notices issued in designated areas since the amendments to the Liquor Act last year?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I am pleased this question has been asked because people often confuse the different banning notices that are in place. The first tranche of reforms we undertook in April last year was to do with licensed premises precincts. We call them the precinct bans, which is what this question goes to. We introduced tough new laws to give police greater powers to ban troublemakers from pub precincts for 48 hours, or up to a year if you take the person to the courts.
I am pleased to inform the House that, to date, 290 banning notices have been issued in the Territory: 143 in the Darwin CBD since October last year, 52 in Palmerston, and 95 in Alice Springs since January. These are the 48-hour banning notices from the precincts.
The Katherine and Tennant Creek precinct designated areas process is under way. I am expecting final sign-off shortly. I am just waiting for advice from the respective councils.
Most people are able to responsibly enjoy a drink and a night out on the town, but there are a few troublemakers who want to ruin it for everyone else, and that is who these precinct bans target. It is clear: cause trouble, you will be banned from the precinct for 48 hours. The new laws are a key tool for police to crack down on those troublemakers and prevent crime, while everyone else can get about doing the right thing. In less than 12 months, we have seen 290 people banned from those precincts, making our entertainment areas safer.
The government said enough is enough. We have done the on-premise reforms, the off-premise reforms with the Banned Drinker Register, and the broader reforms. We developed both in consultation with the Australian Hotels Association, Northern Territory Police, and the Liquor Stores Association. It is proving successful. In the last crime statistics, police attributed the last quarter downward trend in assaults to the introduction of the precinct bans. This is early, good, positive signs that if you go after the troublemaker and the problem drinker and ban them, you will see a consequential change in behaviour.
What we were looking for, of course, is fewer assaults, less crime. Early days yet - we will say it is early days - good signs already with 290 people across the Territory banned from these entertainment precincts. I look forward to Katherine and Tennant Creek being up and running. I am pushing that forward as quickly as possible; that is imminent. Darwin, Palmerston and Alice Springs are reaping the benefits of these reforms.
Child Protection External Monitoring and Reporting Committee – Appointment of Ombudsman
Mrs LAMBLEY to MINISTER for CHILD PROTECTION
We know the Ombudsman wrote to you several months ago asking to be appointed to the Child Protection External Monitoring and Reporting Committee. She is, I understand, still waiting to receive a response from you. Given the Ombudsman has again demonstrated an immense capacity in the area of child protection, will you now appoint her to the Child Protection External Monitoring and Reporting Committee to ensure she can actively participate in driving necessary and immediate reforms to the Northern Territory’s child protection system?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for the question. When we select a committee, we want a committee with expertise in child protection, as well as child development. For that reason, we appointed Teresa Neihus, the President of Foster Carers NT; Ms Jacqui Reed, the Executive Officer of Create Foundation; Dr Sven Silburn, Director of Development Health and Education of the Menzies School of Health Research; Mr Terry Murphy who is the Director General of the Department of Child Protection in Western Australia; Mr Frank Hytten, Executive Officer, Secretariat of Nation Aboriginal and Islanders Child Care (SNAICC); Ms Donna Ah Chee; Charlie King; and as chair of the committee, Mr Graham Vimpani AM, who is the head of the Discipline of Paediatrics and Professor of Community Child Care at the John Hunter Children’s Hospital in New South Wales.
This is a group of professional people. There are hundreds of people who want to be on the committee, but I prefer to have a committee that is focused, small, and flexible to provide independent advice to this government. That is what this committee has done and will continue to do. I understand …
Mrs LAMBLEY: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The question really is asking for a yes or no answer.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Araluen, a minister does not have to respond with yes or no. There is no point of order.
Mr VATSKALIS: Thank you, Madam Speaker. I am not prepared to answer yes or no; I am prepared to give an answer that all Territorians will hear and realise this government is committed to child protection. This government is committed to improving the situation with child protection and making all children in the Territory feel safe.
A Working Future Policy – Ensuring Prosperity for Territorians
Ms SCRYMGOUR to MINISTER for INDIGENOUS DEVELOPMENT
Can you please outline how the government’s policy of A Working Future is creating long-term change ensuring all Territorians, no matter where they live, share in all the opportunities and prosperity of our great Northern Territory of Australia?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Arafura for her question. Our government’s vision for the Northern Territory is working with all people of the Northern Territory. We recognised, with domestic violence legislation brought before the parliament, that to improve the lives for all children in the Northern Territory we must target the issues that are causing the problems. We know, as we have heard from previous members, that alcohol plays a significant and tragic part in the lives of so many Territorians.
Targeting problem drinkers, supporting people affected by problem drinkers, and implementing our five-point plan, remembering that while statistics tell us there is a high proportion of non-drinkers in our remote communities, binge drinking and alcohol-related road deaths wreak terrible havoc with families across our regions.
The Northern Territory government will keep working with local people in all Territory communities and certainly in our growth towns. We are also in talks with the Commonwealth government. The consultation taking place is looking beyond the Northern Territory Emergency Response. Discussion about alcohol and its negative impact on the lives of people in the Northern Territory is fundamental and a priority in our discussions with the Commonwealth.
Domestic Violence Advertisement – Effect on Infant Actor
Mrs LAMBLEY to MINISTER for CHILD PROTECTION
Your government is currently running media advertisements targeting family violence. One of those advertisements, known as The Cooling Off ad, contains images of an infant crying when exposed to the impact of family violence during a domestic dispute. It has been brought to my attention that during production of the advertisement, the child directly witnessed the male actor behaving in a threatening and violent manner, including yelling and throwing a plate, which caused the child to become distressed, the vision of which is seen in the commercial.
Will you order an investigation into the production technique used in these advertisements, and will you remove the advertisement pending the outcome of this investigation?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, in the making of these advertisements, no child was mistreated or exposed to any kind of harm. The parents of all children were present at all times through the shooting of the commercials. Parents were aware of the content and script of the television commercials prior to agreeing to their children participating.
The crying child actor who was used in the advertisement was a voiceover, not the child’s actual crying. The child was removed from the set at times when she did not appear in shots and spent only short periods in front of the camera. Facilities were provided for her to rest and play away from the set when her presence was not required. In between takes, she was outgoing, happy, and relaxed.
The member says it is not true. Let me read the statement by Calida Jenkins who is the mother of the child.
- As the mother of the baby in the ‘Stop the Hurting’ television commercial, I continue to support the important message being conveyed. I was aware of the content of the TV ad before filming and very proud of our family’s contribution added by Scarlet’s inclusion in the commercial.
I was present during the entire TV shoot for the family violence commercial and oversaw all filming and activities, including my daughter. Scarlet was briefly on set with the male talent; however, it was only for a short time. For most of the shoot she was resting or playing with me away from the set. The production crew made sure she didn’t spend any more time than necessary on set. I am comfortable with the approach taken by the crew and the way in which Scarlet was included during filming. I am certain that she suffered no lasting ill effects from the experience and her wellbeing and behaviour has not been affected in any way.
What is true, the mother’s statement or the people who tell you fibs?
Child Protection External Monitoring and Reporting Committee – Composition and Purpose
Mr GUNNER to MINISTER for CHILD PROTECTION
Can you please update the House on the composition and purpose of the NT Child Protection External Monitoring and Reporting Committee in implementing the Board of Inquiry recommendations?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for his important question. Yesterday, I tabled a 30-page report of the Northern Territory Child Protection External Monitoring and Reporting Committee. This first independent report into the progress of the board of inquiry reforms of the Territory’s child protection system found the reforms are on track with significant progress being made. This is an independent report on the progress of the board of inquiry reforms, not a report on the second visit of the committee in Alice Springs, as the member for Araluen said before.
The eminent child protection expert, Professor Graham Vimpani AM, chairs the independent committee. The committee has provided an independent report after spending considerable time evaluating the delivery of the board of inquiry recommendations by the Department of Children and Families. The member for Araluen alleged they only met with government - they did not. They met with the Foster Carers Association and people in Alice Springs - the meeting you failed to attend because you were attending a financial forum planning at the same venue. That shows how interested you are in child protection. They also visited the Youth Hub and they met with people and departmental officials in Alice Springs.
Yesterday, the member for Araluen made outrageous comments. She made outrageous comments which are a slur on the professionalism of this committee …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr VATSKALIS: Madam Speaker, yesterday the member for Araluen accused Professor Vimpani and the committee of engaging …
Mrs LAMBLEY: A point of order, Madam Speaker! I have already stood in parliament and testified that I did not infer or reference Dr Vimpani at all. This is absolute nonsense and misleading.
Madam SPEAKER: The minister is making some general comments as far as I can make out.
Mr VATSKALIS: Madam Speaker, I do not make general comments. I am reading from Hansard the exact words the member for Araluen said about the report:
- It is all very positive, sanitised, and it is completely and utterly deceptive. What we have is a committee that is costing the taxpayers of Australia much money, presumably. We have eight people being carted around the country, wined and dined …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr VATSKALIS: She made the assumption, Madam Speaker …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Araluen!
Mr VATSKALIS: She made the assumption that because these people are allegedly being wined and dined, they sanitised the report they presented to parliament yesterday. That is a slur on their professionalism and it is condemning the record of these eminent people. That member …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, your time has expired.
Wharf Fees for Coastguard
Mr WOOD to CHIEF MINISTER
During estimates, I said the volunteer coastguard was called out but it has to moor away from the wharf because it cannot afford wharf fees. I asked the Chief Minister to find out about the possibility of assistance to help those people. You replied, Chief Minister: ‘I absolutely will take that on board’. You further said: ‘I give you a commitment, I will take that on board and we should be able to fix that problem’. The coastguard still has no berth, the crew is still rowing a little boat out to the main boat, and they are now using solar panels to charge the batteries. When will you fix this problem?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thought it was fixed. I followed this up because I agree with the member for Nelson that they should not have been paying for mooring fees, either up against the wharf or on the waters adjacent to the wharf. I was advised that the Darwin volunteer coastguard has now entered into an agreement with the Darwin Port Corporation to provide the mooring. I am advised they are happy with a mooring at Kitchener Bay behind Stokes Hill Wharf.
I am advised it was agreed by both parties that a mooring in Kitchener Bay behind Stokes Hill Wharf would be suitable and the Darwin Port Corporation is now providing that mooring at nil cost. I am advised that solution - because I did say I wanted a solution - that provided access at no cost was agreed to by the volunteer coastguard. I am happy to touch base with you after here, but I have been told they agreed to the solution; that they are not being charged. If they are still not happy, I am happy to hear from them.
Child Protection External Monitoring and Reporting Committee – Ombudsman’s Report and Meeting
Mrs LAMBLEY to MINISTER for CHILD PROTECTION
Have you personally taken action to ensure that members of the Northern Territory Child Protection External Monitoring and Reporting Committee each has a copy of the Ombudsman’s report? Further, will you urgently call a meeting of the committee to enable the Ombudsman to brief the committee on her report in more detail?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, the Ombudsman’s report is now a public document and anyone can access it. However, we will provide all the members of the committee with a copy of the report of the Ombudsman; the same way we provided a copy of the Ombudsman report to the Children’s Commissioner.
Alcohol Reforms – Support of Northern Territory Correctional Services
Ms WALKER to MINISTER for CORRECTIONAL SERVICES
The Henderson government is rolling out tough new measures to turn the tap off to problem drinkers. Can the minister report to the House …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order! Member for Fong Lim!
Ms WALKER: Madam Speaker, they just regard it as one big joke.
Can the minister report to the House how many …
Mr TOLLNER: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The member has cast a slur on members of this House and I find it offensive. Can you ask her to withdraw, please?
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Nhulunbuy, simply withdraw. Member for Fong Lim, remember you are on a warning.
Ms WALKER: Madam Speaker, as I was saying, can the minister report to the House how Northern Territory Correctional Services is supporting this push to tackle alcohol-related crime?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nhulunbuy for her question because the statistics are stark. When we talk about 60% of all assaults and 67% of domestic violence relating to alcohol, this is a serious matter. We are all in this House to make a difference. The behaviour of the opposition needs to be called to question.
It is an important question and Correctional Services is being debated in the House today. It is an important debate. Many members of this House have acknowledged how important it is. It relates to our focus on rehabilitation. We have to target the offending behaviour, and I will speak more about this when the debate resumes. That is what it is about and what the opposition need to take on board. It is about addressing criminogenic behaviour, which is what we are doing with a new era in Corrections. It relates to a range of programs delivered in our prisons targeting offending behaviour and to policy outside the wire with turning off the tap to problem drinkers.
If anyone from the opposition wants to visit Tennant Creek to talk to the community in the Barkly area, you are most welcome because we have welcomed these reforms. We are a community that embrace the reforms. It is a tough call but we are going to get through it because we want to deliver results in the Northern Territory for our community. It is Territory-wide and tough reform because this government is not frightened to bring on tough reform.
We are giving prisoners inside the wire the tools and knowledge to understand alcohol abuse and its effects. We are starting to deconstruct the issues for disadvantaged people who have a low level of education, have English as a second language, have cultural issues that conflict with mainstream Australian culture in some respects, and we are trying to get that balance right and deliver programs.
I am proud to say my colleague, the minister for Health, is also delivering prison in-reach programs, a comprehensive alcohol and other drugs assessment. We are talking about 560 alcohol treatments of prisoners across both Correctional centres in the last financial year. We are starting to make gains and we are serious about these gains. Corrections is delivering services in a difficult environment at Berrimah, and that is why we need a new Correctional facility. That is why this government …
Mr GILES: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Minister, is it not true you are locking up Aboriginal people more than apartheid at its highest rate in South Africa?
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Braitling, resume your seat. That was not a point of order. You knew you were on a warning.
Mr McCARTHY: That is why this government is building a new Correctional facility - innovative, state-of-the-art - to deliver better outcomes.
Mr Giles: Time is up.
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, your time has expired.
Mr McCARTHY: A point of order, Madam Speaker! I ask the member for Braitling to withdraw the words ‘shut up’.
Mr Bohlin: He said: ‘Time is up’.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Yes, member for Braitling. Whoever he was speaking to, it is inappropriate in this Chamber. I ask you to withdraw the comment, thank you.
Mr GILES: I withdraw.
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