2009-04-30
Redirection of Questions
in absence of Chief Minister
in absence of Chief Minister
Dr BURNS (Leader of Government Business): Madam Speaker, I reiterate before Question Time today that, in the absence of the Chief Minister, I will be taking questions related to the Police, Fire and Emergency Services portfolio. My colleague, the Deputy Chief Minister, will be taking questions on all other portfolio areas of the Chief Minister.
STATEMENT BY SPEAKER
Reflections on the Chair and
Behaviour of Members
Reflections on the Chair and
Behaviour of Members
Madam SPEAKER: Honourable members, prior to calling questions today, I wish to make a few comments.
In a parliament such as ours, we follow Westminster tradition and its long history of respect for the parliament and its institutions, including the role of the Speaker. This is integral to the running of the parliament.
I advise that following the appalling behaviour of members yesterday, I will not be tolerating any reflection on the Chair, whether it is reflecting on the call of the Chair, the discretion of the Chair, or any other comment. I advise that this will result in the immediate naming of the member. This is a warning to all members and there will be no further warnings.
In relation to other standing orders, the level of disruption and disorderly behaviour is unacceptable. As a result, members will receive one warning only and be asked to withdraw from the Chamber for an hour if they are disruptive a second time.
Members are also reminded they must stand at their chair and wait to be acknowledged by the Chair prior to speaking, unless it is to draw attention to a point of order.
I remind honourable members that each of us represents an electorate and I can assure members that the general public is appalled by the unruly behaviour of members.
Bellamack – Land Release
Ms PURICK to MINISTER for PLANNING and LANDS
Thanks to years of your government withholding land for residential development, the people of Darwin pay the highest rents in the country and young homebuyers are mortgaged up to their eyeballs. To paraphrase you, the most expensive homes in the country do not …
Dr BURNS: A point of order, Madam Speaker! This question is almost like a speech. Can the member get to the point?
Madam SPEAKER: There is no point of order. Resume your seat.
Ms PURICK: To paraphrase you, the most expensive homes in the country do not happen by accident. On 10 December last year, you finally announced headworks at Bellamack had begun. On that day, you claimed that the first housing lots were expected to be released in the second half of 2009, where we are almost at.
Will you now admit that you have absolutely no chance of meeting your promised timetable for Bellamack? Is this not what we now know as a Delia deception?
Dr BURNS: A point of order, Madam Speaker! I ask you to rule on the use of that last epithet - ‘Delia deception’.
Madam SPEAKER: I will seek some advice. I ask that you withdraw. You may rephrase, as long as it is parliamentary.
Ms PURICK: Yes, Madam Speaker, I withdraw that comment. Minister, isn’t this what we know now, and that Territorians have been deceived?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, the shadow minister simply has it wrong again. I will step through the Bellamack land release, which the government has been working tirelessly on with the successful tenderers. We have …
Ms Purick: It is not fast-tracked, though.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Ms LAWRIE: We have very fine officers, not just in the Department of Planning and Lands involved in this, but also from Treasury, the Department of Justice, and the Department of the Chief Minister. There are very fine officers of the public service working very hard on finalising Bellamack. Currently, it is still on track for lots to be out in the marketplace in the second half of 2009, as I have previously stated.
Stepping through Bellamack, in September 2008, Urban Pacific Limited and Brierty Limited consortium were selected as the preferred proponent to develop Bellamack areas A and B. Negotiations on the details of the Crown lease and the development agreement are continuing with the consortium. Most of the issues have been resolved. The consortium’s design and planning processes have been running in parallel to these negotiations.
In March of this year, the Development Consent Authority approved the subdivision of Stage 1 to create 237 lots; 234 residential and three open space lots. The consortium is in the stages of finalising the civil design plans for Stage 1, and obtaining the remaining permits and clearances. Brierty Limited has commenced setting up its Territory operations by purchasing equipment in Darwin and advertising in the Northern Territory News for subdivisional workers. Forty applications were received. On-site construction is anticipated to start in June of this year. Madam Speaker, as I have said, the first blocks are expected to be available towards the end of 2009.
Swine Influenza - Update
Ms WALKER to MINISTER for HEALTH
As you have mentioned, the situation in relation to the swine influenza outbreak changes on an hourly basis. Are you again able to update the House on the current situation?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for her question. It is very important, as the situation can change rapidly. We found out today that we had the first death in the United States from swine influenza. There were more deaths in Mexico; hundreds of students in America isolated; a number of schools closing in America; and the state of California has been in a state of emergency.
Dr Margaret Chan, Director General of the World Health Organisation, raised the influenza pandemic alert from level 4 to level 5. It is actually very close to the top for a pandemic. That has happened because we now have transmission from human to human in at least two countries.
In Australia, it is inevitable that we will get the virus, but we are very well prepared, which is acknowledged by the Director General of the World Health Organisation. The Australian government has now taken action to monitor all inbound international flights - not only the ones that come from America. All pilots are requested to notify the authorities prior to arrival if there is a sick passenger on the plane. All passengers are required to notify the authorities upon arrival if they feel unwell, if they have flu-like symptoms, or if they have a fever.
This morning at 2 am, nurses from our Health department were at the airport. They were present to monitor any inbound flight and to find out if any of the people needed any assistance. Thermal imaging scanners are now deployed to all international airports in Australia, including Darwin. My understanding is that later today they will be switched on and utilised. Our officers are in direct contact all the time with the federal officers. We are monitoring the situation.
Yesterday, I told you that we had another suspected case in the Territory. I am very pleased to tell you that the results came back negative in this case. So, the Territory, at the moment, does not have any suspected cases, and there are no confirmed cases yet in Australia.
I expect people who come from overseas will be community-minded and will advise nurses if they feel unwell. However, I advise the House that the Territory is one of the few jurisdictions that has the power to order people to undergo tests, to put people into isolation, and to quarantine people. That power has existed for a long time; I believe it has been used only two or three times in the past 20 years. However, we are well prepared. When other jurisdictions are struggling to legislate and make amendments to their health act, our legislation is in place.
It is still a critical situation around the world. We find more and more cases appearing in Europe, in America and, hopefully, not as yet in Asia or Australia. We are monitoring the situation very closely. We have the Arafura Games commencing in a few days. What is worrying is the significant number of suspected cases now in New Zealand, which have tripled, and also in Britain. We have a significant number of people from New Zealand and Britain coming for the Arafura Games. At this stage all systems are go but we will monitor the situation carefully.
Bellamack Land Release –
Alleged Misleading by Government
Alleged Misleading by Government
Ms PURICK to MINISTER for PLANNING and LANDS
On 10 February this year in this House, you said that you looked forward to driving the Opposition Leader, my colleague on my right, through the streets of Bellamack in 2009. Madam Speaker, I seek leave to table an extract of the Parliamentary Record.
Leave granted.
Ms PURICK: Will you now confirm that Bellamack has not even been lot surveyed? Further, will you confirm that the contract for the development of Bellamack remains unsigned and stands only at preferred developer status? Is it not the case that Territorians and this House have been misled about the Bellamack land release?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, the shadow has it wrong again. Bellamack, as I said, is running parallel processes. The design processes have occurred. The Development Consent Authority has approved Stage 1. Stage 1 will provide and create some 237 lots at Bellamack. As I said, Brierty is establishing its Territory office and has advertised in the Northern Territory News. Some 40 applications for the subdivisional work have been received. As I also said, site construction is anticipated to start in June. The government has a team of senior officers working with Urban Pacific and Brierty to get the final contract signed. We have had exchanges and they are at a very close stage.
Budget 2009-10 - Priorities
Mr GUNNER to TREASURER
The Prime Minister has stated that this year’s federal budget is the hardest to frame in living memory. Is the Northern Territory facing similar issues? What will the Henderson government concentrate on in Budget 2009-10?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Fannie Bay for his question. As members are aware, this is a budget that is being framed in extraordinarily difficult times. The global financial crisis has devastated economies right around the globe. It has had enormous impact on the national economy and, as a result, we are seeing, really, the first global recession in some 70 years. This makes Budget 2009-10 the toughest budget to frame in the history of budgets since self-government.
The Henderson Labor government has a key priority for Budget 2009-10, and that is protecting jobs. We will boost the infrastructure investment to protect jobs for Territorians in the toughest economic times faced by our nation. We need to keep our economy strong, and to also position the Territory to capitalise the moment the world economy starts to turn around. Inevitably, that means going into a temporary deficit. It also means closely scrutinising all aspects of government revenue and expenditure to ensure they are achieving our goals.
In Australia, the crisis has had a massive impact on GST revenues. Retail spending and consumer confidence at the national level has suffered unprecedented falls. Unemployment nationally is forecast to reach 9%, and may even go into double digits. The Northern Territory, so far, has stood firm against the significant economic decline we are seeing in the southern states. Our employment, retail spending, and growth rates are all performing much better than the national average. However, as I have consistently said, we are not immune.
The most immediate impact will be on our share of the GST. Because the total GST pool has severely contracted, our share of revenue will significantly suffer an equally steep decline. While Access Economics states the Territory’s long-term prospects remain magnificent, we cannot afford to be complacent or blindly attempt to achieve a surplus that would cost jobs. We need to act now in Budget 2009-10 to do everything we can to protect the jobs of hard-working Territorians.
Budget 2009-10 - Deficit
Mr ELFERINK to TREASURER
On 25 November last year, you issued a media release finally admitting a $47m deficit for this financial year was headed our way, but also claimed that we would return to surplus in the year 2009-10. Just six weeks later, buried very deep in a media release, you finally acknowledged a whopper of a deficit for the 2009-10 year of $150m. Treasurer, how could you be $150m wrong in the space of six weeks, or is this just a case of another deceit by you and your government?
Dr BURNS: A point of order, Madam Speaker! There seems to be a lot of deception and deceit flowing from members opposite.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, order!
Dr BURNS: I really do ask that you rule on this. It is becoming a bit pervasive.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Port Darwin, I ask you to reword the last part of that question, thank you.
Mr ELFERINK: Treasurer, how can you possibly justify such a monumental and mammoth inconsistency in the space of just six weeks?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, the figures announced in the mid-year report were based on revised Commonwealth figures of GST revenue. Sixty-seven per cent of the Territory revenue comes from GST, so accordingly we revised our figures. They appeared in the mid-year report where, for the first time, we talked about a deficit. I have had this debate with the shadow Treasurer previously. He seems to think that we do not suffer a buffeting effect from the global financial crisis. We will be buffeted and knocked around by the global financial crisis as will every single jurisdiction in Australia.
We are better placed than most. We are still seeing strength in our own source revenue, but we are seeing a steep decline and a plummet in our revenue coming from the GST payments from the Commonwealth. My previous answer went through that. The mid-year report talked about the figures we had as a result of the revised Commonwealth revenues.
The February announcement I made was at COAG, where we were in receipt of further revised figures coming out of the Commonwealth. What you do not do is ignore revisions down made by the Commonwealth. What you should do is, once revisions down are occurring from the Commonwealth, you accordingly revise your own figures. Quite appropriately, contrary to their claims of deception, at every stage as revisions downwards have occurred in GST revenue impacting on our bottom line, I have publicly announced what we estimate those figures to be, because there continue to be further revisions. The decline in revenues, and you will see this in the debate in the financial pages of all newspapers across our nation, continues to be there.
The debate is starting to appear that we are perhaps seeing some bottoming out in the United States from which we would all see a flow-on effect. No one as a Treasurer in this nation has been standing firm on figures they were announcing in November last year. No one has been standing firm on figures they announced in February of this year. I would anticipate budget announcements around the nation in the coming weeks of further revised downward figures.
COAG – Energy Target Scheme
Mr GUNNER to DEPUTY CHIEF MINISTER as Acting CHIEF MINISTER
Today, as part of ongoing efforts to combat climate change and to deliver a new green future for this country, the Council of Australian Governments has agreed to an expandable, renewable energy target scheme. Can the Deputy Chief Minister explain this initiative and the Territory’s role?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Fannie Bay for his question. In the year 2000, the then Australian and state and territory governments agreed to a renewable energy target of 61.5 GWh of power being generated by renewal energy annually.
Today, the Council of Australian Governments has agreed to an expansion of that agreement. The aim is to make 20% of all electricity generated nationwide to be generated by renewable energy sources. The target for the Territory will lift to 300 GWh of renewable energy generation per year by 2020. This is a commitment we will struggle with because we have no sizeable renewable energy system in the Territory. It will mean penalty payments will have to be made. The government is determined to provide a focus on greening the Territory therefore we accept and have signed up to this target.
Importantly, today at COAG in Hobart, the Chief Minister has struck an agreement with the Prime Minister about using whatever penalty payments the Territory will have to make to invest in the development of a renewable energy industry in the Territory over time. This morning, we commenced debate in the Chamber on geothermal energy. This is one which holds some exciting prospects for our future use over time. We know there are other exciting prospects for renewable energy in the Territory.
What ever the ultimate industry may be, it is exciting that this government is signalling a very strong lead in protecting our environment and working against climate change.
Budget 2009-10 - Inconsistencies
Mr ELFERINK to TREASURER
Predictably, you blame the speed of the global financial crisis for your woeful errors, but an analysis of the Commonwealth’s mid-year report - and bearing in mind that you refer to the Commonwealth as your source of information - released on 5 November 2008, exposes that falsity completely.
Ms Lawrie: Not true.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr ELFERINK: Twenty days before you claimed there was going to be a surplus in 2009-10, the federal Treasurer had detailed the complete collapse of federal revenues for the year. That collapse would have inevitably made a huge hole in your budget. You were told before. On 25 November, you knew what you were telling Territorians was untrue. How, again, will you account for such a bald-faced inconsistency?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, the shadow Treasurer simply does not understand the work that occurs within Treasury to make, as accurate as they can, estimate revisions around the information we receive from the Commonwealth. We then work through Treasury officials to make an as accurate as they can estimate revisions downwards, accordingly. As those revised figures come to hand, I publicly articulate those revised figures.
I have consistently chosen to do that, as the Treasurer, because I believe it is important to be forthcoming and absolutely forthright with the Territory community about the impact of the global financial crisis on our revenue, and the impact on GST revenue to the Territory from the Commonwealth. I have said, consistently, that our own source revenue is holding. I had a debate in the Chamber with the shadow Treasurer who simply did not understand or accept that we had revised upwards royalty payments. At the time, he was saying it was a deception, it was wrong. It could be proven through receipts received and royalty payments that the figures I announced were correct.
What occurs is the Commonwealth makes revisions. Those revisions are analysed by Treasury officials. As soon as I have the outcome of that analysis, I go public with it. Bear in mind that these are analyses on latest figures; latest figures keep being revised downwards, as we have seen in the steep decline in GST revenue as a result of the decline in the nation’s economy. Bear in mind that at the time the shadow Treasurer is referring to, ‘deficit’ was still a dirty word amongst some of the Treasurers of our nation, and ‘recession’ was still not being mentioned by leaders of our nation. Both those words are frequently mentioned now.
Mr Tollner: That is right. They would not go anywhere near that word.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Fong Lim, cease interjecting.
Ms LAWRIE: Deficits are frequently mentioned. I believe there is only one jurisdiction holding out hoping to come in with a surplus, in Victoria, and we are all watching that jurisdiction closely because they have negative growth predicted. All other jurisdictions, both at the federal government level and at the state level, have all said that they will face going into deficit. Why, Madam Speaker? Because we all know the importance of spending on critical infrastructure to protect the jobs of workers because, in global economic downturns, jobs are lost.
The experience of depression is something that our economic analysts have pored over in terms of appropriate responses to the current global financial crisis. The strong message coming from the International Monetary Fund, and others, is that governments must spend where private sector contraction is occurring. This government will spend on infrastructure to protect the jobs of Territorians.
Fog Bay Closure - Reaction
Mr GUNNER to MINISTER for PRIMARY INDUSTRY, FISHERIES and RESOURCES
Can you advise the House on the reaction to your decision to close Fog Bay to commercial fishing?
Members interjecting
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Fannie Bay for his question. It is interesting to listen to the response by the members of the opposition. They say: ‘Knee-jerk reaction, re-open it’. However, I have received numerous e-mails, not only from members of AFANT, but individuals, who actually support me in my action to close Fog Bay to barramundi fishing for 90 days, using my emergency powers. It is also very interesting to find out that, today, the Amateur Fishermen’s Association NT issued a media release. The title of the media release is ‘All Fogged Up’. The president said that he was really surprised by the opposition Fisheries spokesman, Willem Westra Van Holthe’s opposition to the NT government’s closure of Fog Bay. Warren de With said:
- Instead of supporting the decision of Fisheries minister, Kon Vatskalis, to close Fog Bay in response to the indiscriminate gill netting and death of large numbers of sawfish, Mr Westra van Holthe has accused him of a ‘knee-jerk reaction’ and a ‘misplaced’ use of his emergency powers.
Warren de With continued:
- We’re confused as to just where the Country Liberals stand on this as, at the time the minister made his decision, Opposition Leader Terry Mills supported his action saying on ABC radio news on 9 April:
Kon Vatskalis must do what he says he’ll do. In response to a breach of the law you need quick and decisive action. That’s the obligation of government. You set the standard then.
I thank him very much for those comments, and I am very happy for his support. Obviously, members on the other side do not talk to each other. They do not even take any notice of what the Leader of the Opposition has to say.
The reality is that I acted in accordance with the act. I have seen the photographs and a video that shows hundreds of sawfish being killed, fishermen having fish in their hands, not in the net, and breaking its back. The reason l cannot prosecute is because it is only a code of conduct. I have now asked the department to incorporate the code of conduct in legislation; and not only that but to consider punishing the lessee of the licence and also the licence holder - taking tough action. All around the world, people are alarmed by the death of shark species. Let me put it bluntly: shark is the new dolphin. Everywhere in the world, everyone is alarmed by the significant death of shark species. That is what is happening. I had to react quickly. I used my emergency powers.
I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his support. He seems to be the only one on the other side who is concerned, and looks at it logically and rationally. I make a suggestion. I think you should get together in Caucus and talk to each other.
Minister for Planning and Lands –
Alleged Interference in Planning Issues
in Tennant Creek
Alleged Interference in Planning Issues
in Tennant Creek
Ms PURICK to MINISTER for PLANNING and LANDS
I refer to your comments in this place on 19 February this year concerning ‘the planning scandal’. When asked whether you had interfered in the prosecution of a business, you said: ‘Following my legal advice, I decided to make no direction to my department regarding this case’. Madam Speaker, I seek leave to table a copy of the extract from the Parliamentary Record.
Leave granted.
Ms PURICK: The truth is you ordered your CEO, Richard Hancock, to drop the case. An e-mail from Richard Hancock reads: ‘The minister has verbally instructed me to cease the prosecution action’. Madam Speaker, I seek leave to table a copy of that e-mail.
Leave granted.
Ms PURICK: Why are you denying that you instructed your department to drop this case? Is this not just another development deception by your government?
Dr BURNS: A point of order, Madam Speaker! You have already ruled on this. If the member for Goyder is not flexible enough to understand that, maybe she should be reminded.
Ms PURICK: I withdraw, Madam Speaker.
Madam SPEAKER: Thank you.
Ms PURICK: Minister, is this not, yet again, another bald-faced, blatant case of Territorians being deceived?
Dr BURNS: A point of order, Madam Speaker! That does not show too much flexibility at all. It is like someone going into a shut door all the time. Reword it to be acceptable, and we can get on with the business of Question Time.
Madam SPEAKER: Can you just reword the last part, please?
Mr TOLLNER: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Can I speak on the point of order?
Madam SPEAKER: No, you cannot. Resume your seat! Member for Goyder, reword those comments, please.
Ms PURICK: Madam Speaker, I withdraw that comment.
Minister, have not Territorians been deceived in this matter?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I am happy to take the member’s question …
Mr TOLLNER: A point of order, Madam Speaker!
Ms LAWRIE: … seriously …
Madam SPEAKER: I am allowing the question.
Mr TOLLNER: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The member never referred to a member opposite specifically. She referred to Territorians in general.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Fong Lim, I have already allowed the question. Resume your seat and do not raise any more trivial interjections such as that.
Ms LAWRIE: Madam Speaker, I thank the member for her question. It has been a few days since they have been saying they will go to this issue, and I have been waiting and waiting. I did table a report in the parliament on the first day of sittings, and I have been waiting for questions. I wholeheartedly finally welcome the question from the shadow minister.
I am glad the shadow minister was allowed to ask the question, because the lead and the running on this issue has been taken by the person who does not have shadow coverage, the member for Port Darwin. So, finally they have let the member for Goyder out on this matter, which is a great thing indeed.
Very clearly, I did not make a direction to my agency to cease the prosecution. Why?
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Ms LAWRIE: Because I did not have to. I made it very clear. When I became aware, on my first week back from leave at the start of this year, that the department was planning to prosecute the owner of Red Rooster in Tennant Creek for non-compliance in terms of a certificate of occupancy, I asked the question: is there anyone else in Tennant Creek who is non-compliant? I was advised that they thought there was, but they did not have enough information at hand to provide that. I then said, ‘Well, get that information and let me know at the CEO meeting’, because I am very interested in understanding whether this is a prosecution of someone who is, if you like, extraordinarily out of the norm, or a prosecution of someone when there are others in the same circumstance.
When we did have the CEO meeting, I asked the question about what information had come to light about Tennant Creek, and buildings and certificates of occupancy. I was advised at that meeting that they were aware that there were other non-compliant building owners in Tennant Creek. I made it very clear at that meeting with my CEO that it was wrong to pursue the prosecution of one when there were others non-compliant, when surely what the department should do is to sort out the issue of compliance of all building owners where compliance is not occurring.
Madam Speaker, the shadow tabled documents. Before I table this - because it is the only copy I have - I will read the Minutes of the Chief Executive meeting with the Honourable Delia Lawrie MLA, 2 February 2009. I have previously provided these to the media, so these are not secret minutes. They do have parts blacked out, which were other items discussed, not the Red Rooster in Tennant Creek item. I quote from the minutes:
- The issue of an occupancy permit for Red Rooster in Tennant Creek was discussed. The minister wanted the action halted now that a certificate of occupancy has been issued and was willing to direct the statutory officer to that effect. Rod Applegate to check the veracity of the claim that there are other businesses in Tennant Creek operating without certificates of occupancy, including those with government leases.
Madam Speaker, yes, I was willing to direct them, and I made that clear, because I thought it was unfair to prosecute one who was now compliant, when there are others in Tennant Creek who are non-complaint. I made it very clear, unambiguously clear, that I was willing to direct them. However, I also said I should not need to: as senior officers of my department go away and look into this matter and form your own views.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Ms LAWRIE: Very clearly, it was in my powers as minister to do this. If I needed to have instructed them, I would have instructed them, but I did not need to instruct them in the end because the department ceased the prosecution.
What happened in this regard? I continued to pursue …
Mr Mills: How can you be trusted? You are telling Richard Hancock he is a liar.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Ms LAWRIE: Madam Speaker, I ask the Leader of the Opposition to withdraw that accusation about a public servant.
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The question that was put by way of interjection by the Leader of the Opposition was to the Treasurer asking whether she was accusing Richard Hancock of being a liar. There was no allegation on the part of the Leader of the Opposition that Mr Hancock was.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Port Darwin, there is no point of order. Resume your seat.
Ms LAWRIE: Scurrilous interjection by the Leader of the Opposition.
Madam SPEAKER: Leader of the Opposition, I ask you to cease interjecting. Minister, you may continue.
Ms LAWRIE: Madam Speaker, very clearly, I was willing to instruct. I was willing to give direction if I had to …
Mr Bohlin: Don’t you feel he felt threatened by your thoughts?
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Ms LAWRIE: Madam Speaker, it does not appear that the opposition listened to your views on interjections at the start of Question Time.
I was very willing to direct. I did not have to. I was very willing to instruct. I did not have to. What I wanted to do was ensure …
Mr Mills: I know how you operate.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Ms LAWRIE: What I wanted to do was ensure that the issue of compliance was the issue that the department turned its attention to. What has occurred?
Mr Mills: You are dodgy. You have form.
Dr BURNS: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The Leader of the Opposition has accused the Treasurer of being dodgy. I ask that he withdraw that.
Madam SPEAKER: Leader of the Opposition, I ask you to withdraw.
Mr MILLS: Madam Speaker, on what grounds?
Dr Burns: If you want to say those things it is by substantive motion.
Ms LAWRIE: A point of order, Madam Speaker! He has just reflected on a direction of the Chair.
Mr MILLS: What ‘dodgy’ on a substantive motion? Madam Speaker, I withdraw the word ‘dodgy’. Good heavens!
Madam SPEAKER: Thank you. Minister, you have the call.
Ms LAWRIE: I am very focused on the issue of compliance. So what has occurred? I asked for an audit of all buildings in Tennant Creek – that has occurred - which showed non-compliance. I then asked for further audits in the regional areas. I announced in the regional areas of the Territory an action plan to address non-compliance. We then continued to audit across non-regional areas. I wanted to see what the picture emerging in the urban areas was as well. I put in place an independent Queensland review team to have a look at building certification in the Territory with a view to provide advice as to how to proceed to achieve compliance.
Mr MILLS: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Straying from the point of the question; we have drifted a long way. The point of this is the inconsistencies and the messages that have been presented to this parliament. There are far too many words endeavouring to cover something that needs an answer.
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, if you keep your comments as close as possible to the question asked. Thank you.
Ms LAWRIE: Yes, if they did not continue to interject, this answer would have been finished by now.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, order!
Ms LAWRIE: Madam Speaker, the issue is to ensure compliance, so I have put an independent Queensland team in to review compliance issues in the Territory. They have made a series of recommendations in the report. I have publicly, in this parliament, tabled the report. It is there on the public record – no inconsistencies about it at all. From day one, I have pursued compliance of non-compliant buildings in the Territory.
Mr MILLS: A point of order, Madam Speaker! This is about the inconsistency of two comments made by this member on the Parliamentary Record. That is the inconsistency that is at question, not some other action that we did not inquire about.
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, if you could come to the point as soon as possible.
Ms LAWRIE: Madam Speaker, there is no inconsistency whatsoever. Very clearly, I stated previously in the Chamber that I issued no direction. I have stated again today that I issued no direction. I have read from the minutes of a meeting that clearly says that I was willing to, absolutely willing to, and I have been on the public record previously saying I was willing to. There is nothing new.
Mr Mills: Who cares about what you say on the public record? It is whether we can trust what you say.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Ms LAWRIE: I know the opposition’s game plan here is to ask me a range of questions across a range of portfolios and to then ultimately censure me because I am handing down the Territory budget next week. I know that is exactly what they are trying to do. They are jumping to prevent Territorians who are listening to this debate from actually hearing what has occurred in the important area of building compliance.
I am trying to wrap it up. I put the Queensland review team in place. I also put a task force across government agencies in place to ensure government compliance. This is an important issue. I will continue to engage with the industry, because building certifiers are working very hard in the Territory. We have been through an economic boom period and they have a lot of work on.
Mr Mills: You are evading the question.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Ms LAWRIE: Reforms can occur, I believe, to legislation …
Mr MILLS: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The member has identified that Territorians are listening to this. It is clear the member is evading the issue; she is drifting from the point.
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, if you could answer the question as closely as possible to the one being asked.
Ms LAWRIE: Absolutely. The question was around did I direct or not direct. I have been very clear on that. I did not direct. I have been very clear on was I willing to direct? Yes, I was willing to direct. I have been very clear on if I was willing to instruct they cease the prosecution. I was willing to. The member for Katherine wrote to the former Attorney-General asking, demanding, that the government stop the prosecution.
Mr Mills: You would not accept this behaviour from your children. This is wrong.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Leader of the Opposition, cease interjecting. Minister, you have the call.
Ms LAWRIE: Madam Speaker, seeing as he happens to bring my children into debate, what I do allow with my children is for them to speak without constant interruption. It is common decency.
Mr Mills: Do you expect the truth from them?
Ms LAWRIE: Yes, I speak truthfully. The issue of compliance is important. That is why we have had the independent review team. This is important to the certifiers. This is important to the people who work in the building industry. This is why I am putting it on the record.
Do I believe there should be legislative reforms as provided in that report?
Mr TOLLNER: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The minister has plenty of opportunity to grandstand to people about what she thinks is relevant to them.
Madam SPEAKER: What is your point of order, member for Fong Lim?
Mr TOLLNER: The point is, Madam Speaker, she was asked a very specific question. She has an obligation to answer that question, not grandstand to other people.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Fong Lim, resume your seat. I might add, it was quite a long question, with many parts. Minister, if you can get to the point fairly quickly.
Ms LAWRIE: I am trying to, Madam Speaker. They keep interjecting. The Queensland report contains proposals for change to legislation, it contains proposals for the way the building advisory service itself actually runs.
Mr MILLS: A point of order, Madam Speaker! This has nothing to do with what you describe as a long question; nothing to do with it.
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, do you have much more to say? Could you just make your comments fairly quickly and resume your seat.
Ms LAWRIE: Absolutely, Madam Speaker. Importantly, I have clearly said all of the recommendations in the Queensland review report tabled to go to industry for consultation. I am looking forward to hearing industry’s response.
Natural Disaster Preparedness
Ms WALKER to Acting MINISTER for POLICE, FIRE and EMERGENCY SERVICES
As Territorians, we are all too familiar with the damage and devastation that natural disasters and extreme weather events can cause. Can you outline steps that are being taken today to enhance the natural disaster preparedness of Australia?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nhulunbuy for her question. Of course, Nhulunbuy is right on the Gulf of Carpentaria and is subject to many cyclone warnings, so I applaud the member’s interest in this particular issue.
Not only do we have cyclones in the Territory on a regular basis, but flooding and fire are also regular occurrences. These issues are very important issues. The whole issue of warning residents of natural disasters has become extremely topical after the Victorian bushfires. Our Chief Minister has been in COAG the last couple of days, in Hobart, discussing a whole range of issues.
One of the major issues that is being discussed is a telephone-based emergency warning system. This is a very important development. There has been agreement by the heads of government about this to enable the delivery of warnings to residents based on the billing address of the subscriber.
Initially, this will be a location-based number store to provide a common interface between the integrated public number database and emergency warning system. Put simply, it is the case-based telephones in people’s houses rather than mobile phones, so the database will be used to give people early warning. It has to be emphasised that this is an enhancement to the current systems in use such as radio warnings, loud speakers, letter drops and, particularly, the electronic media. That is an important issue that needs to be borne in mind. It is an intrusive system in that you could get the warning in the middle of the night, which is quite appropriate when there is a large natural disaster threatening.
Heads of government have also undertaken to support further research to look at the location of mobile phones and their use in that regard. That is little more complex, I am advised, but it is important in the Territory where we get interstate and overseas visitors; and, of course, many people these days do not have a telephone on the wall at home, they just use their mobile.
All in all, this is an important agreement by heads of government in Australia that will be of direct benefit to the Territory, particularly given the natural disasters that we face. I look forward to hearing more from the Chief Minister on this particular issue when he returns from COAG.
Members: Hear, hear!
Minister for Planning and Lands – Alleged Concealment of Correspondence re Planning Issues in Tennant Creek
Ms PURICK to MINISTER for PLANNING and LANDS
I realise this must be very difficult for you. Interfering in a court case is one matter; getting caught red-handed is another thing entirely. Minister, as you …
Dr BURNS: A point of order, Madam Speaker! This is a very serious allegation made by the member for Goyder. I ask you to seek some advice from the Clerk on this question to rule whether it is in order.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Goyder, I ask you to withdraw those comments and reword, bearing in mind that in our Chamber it is necessary to make comments such as those by way of substantive motion.
Ms PURICK: Madam Speaker, I withdraw those comments. I will rephrase it.
When you were going through your paperwork in regard to the planning scandal at Tennant Creek and elsewhere, you said: ‘There is no big paper trail between me and anyone’. I seek leave to table an extract from the Parliamentary Record.
Leave granted.
Ms PURICK: That was not true either was it, minister? In fact, your former colleague, Elliot McAdam, had sent you a lengthy e-mail urging you to drop the case, and to other of your colleagues. Madam Speaker, I seek leave to table the e-mail.
Leave granted.
Ms PURICK: Why did you conceal the e-mail asking you to withdraw the prosecution? Yet again, is this not a case of gross inconsistency in how you are going about your job?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I did not conceal any e-mail, as the media well knows. This is old ground we are hashing over here. I did not even read the e-mail.
Doctors for Remote Areas –
Recruiting Initiative
Recruiting Initiative
Ms WALKER to MINISTER for HEALTH
Can you update the House on initiatives that you believe will lead to more doctors being attracted to remote areas of the Northern Territory?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for her question. You have heard me say many times how difficult it is to attract doctors and other health personnel to remote areas in the Territory. I have received the same complaint from my colleagues around Australia; it is very difficult to attract qualified doctors to remote areas in New South Wales, Queensland and Western Australia.
Today, I announced details of a radical national reform plan that I believe will help attract more doctors to remote areas in Australia and to the Territory. I intend to ask the federal minister for Health to put that plan on the agenda for the next Ministerial Council on Health.
In order to attract people to the Territory, we have to offer some incentives. What I propose is to actually instigate a remote placement incentive points system. People who serve in remote communities can receive incentive points that can be utilised for allowances, extra training, or for priority placement in urban areas. I will also ask for a remote allocation for Medicare and PBS provider numbers. The Territory has a very small number of GPs. In New South Wales, there are 92 general practitioners per 100 000 people; in the Territory we have 52. As a result, every year, we lose about $60m from Medicare and about $50m from PBS. I will also ask to streamline the locum placement systems. As you are aware, we are struggling to find people in the Territory. The member for Nhulunbuy can confirm that, recently, we actually had to make extreme offers to attract an obstetrician to Nhulunbuy.
I am going to ask the Commonwealth government to consider a Territory-based medical school. The Territory is the only place in Australia that does not have a medical school. Flinders University has some classes in the Territory and sends medical students from South Australia, but we should have a medical school. If we train our own, they will stay here. This happened with pharmacists; with Allied Health; and with nurses. We provide the courses at the CDU and most of these people choose to stay in the Territory.
I am going to ask to make remote Territory hospitals training centres. You will see medical conditions in the Territory that you will not see elsewhere in Australia. Let us provide this training in a remote centre. Let us provide this training in Tennant Creek, in Gove, and in Alice Springs. I know it is going to be radical. I know the AMA will probably not like elements of it but the AMA has also said that money is not everything. We will say that it is not paying big salaries; it is providing opportunities to people and rewarding people - not with money, but by other means - when they go to remote communities
We are not going to close the gap; we are not going to meet the challenge in the Territory. We cannot provide medical care to Indigenous people or people who live away from the cities. We have a discrepancy between urban settings and rural settings. Doctors like to go to the city - we know that. Let us make it more attractive for them to come to the Territory. I bet people in Western Australia will support me, and the minister in Queensland will support me.
The reason I am saying that is because Gove Hospital is the only small hospital in Australia today that can offer obstetric services. Nowhere else in Australia would a hospital like Gove offer this service. Many hospitals in Queensland do not provide obstetric services. Even in Victoria, where distances are small, people have to travel 400 km or 500 km to the main centres to access some of these services.
It will be controversial. I am prepared to have a blue with the AMA, but let us not forget that the AMA is not the only organisation representing doctors. I call upon the state branch of the AMA to support me in this. After all, it would good for their members, and it would also be good for community members in remote areas.
TIO – Branch Closures
Mr WOOD to TREASURER
Tomorrow, which is May Day, sometimes the day to celebrate workers, is a sad day for workers, and for rural and northern suburbs’ residents with the closing of the TIO Coolalinga branch and TIO Casuarina. Rural residents are so disgusted that, in just a week-and-a-half, over 1200 people have signed a petition to keep TIO Coolalinga open.
Why has your Labor government done nothing to lobby TIO to keep these branches open and to save the jobs of 20 people? If the federal Labor government can get stuck into Pacific Brands for sacking workers and closing factories, why isn’t the NT Labor government getting stuck into the TIO for the same thing, or is it because the government owns the company?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nelson for his question. I also thank the member for Nelson for accepting the offer of a briefing from TIO. I acknowledge that the member for Nelson, quite appropriately, did that. The offer has been consistently extended to CLP opposition members who, to this date, have not accepted that offer of a briefing on TIO. I find that rather extraordinary.
As members would be aware, the TIO board and management are tasked with making the commercial and operational decisions in the best long-term interests of the organisation and its customers. The government does not and cannot dictate how many staff it employs and where it locates them. I have absolute total confidence in the dedication and professionalism of the new CEO, Richard Harding; the board, led by Chairman John Flynn; and their ability to steer TIO through these very difficult economic times. As Mr Harding made clear when announcing the branch closures, these were tough decisions, but made to ensure the long-term commercial sustainability of TIO.
I acknowledge the member for Nelson for sincerely being a strong advocate on behalf of his constituents, and I appreciate that he took up the briefing with Mr Harding and Mr Flynn. While any redundancy is difficult, Mr Harding put in place support programs for those officers affected by it. One aspect of this that slightly buffers it, but still, any redundancy is difficult, is that the Territory’s low unemployment rate means there are still employment opportunities in the financial sector and other fields - a dramatic contrast to what is occurring in New South Wales, particularly, and in Victoria.
I also emphasise that, despite the global impact on financial institutions, it has been dramatic, to say the least – we have seen banks collapse, we have seen major insurance companies collapse - despite all of this, the TIO remains in a strong position. It is financially sound and operates to the APRA standards. I am regularly briefed by both Treasury and TIO management as to its position, and that it is meeting all of its regulatory requirements.
The Territory government continues to guarantee money deposited with TIO. Territorians can rest assured that TIO will continue to meet all claims and customer expectations for Territory residents and businesses.
Jobs for Indigenous Territorians
Mr GUNNER to MINISTER for INDIGENOUS POLICY
Can you please outline the government’s ongoing commitment to jobs for indigenous Territorians?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Fannie Bay for his question. On numerous occasions in this House, in the past and today, we have had debates about Indigenous employment - and this is good news for Indigenous employment.
A bright future for Indigenous Territorians is a working future. Indigenous people come from a working past and things have gone wrong. This government is making this its utmost priority: to get Indigenous people educated and into some form of employment opportunities. The things that we have seen the Northern Territory government do, through the shire process, the fact that we now have the shires, is a clear indication that Indigenous people are being employed. If you look at Indigenous park rangers and sea rangers who are working on their country, in collaboration with the Northern Territory government and with our parks staff, we are getting Indigenous employment outcomes in those areas.
The other area is the Northern Territory public sector. We had 5% Indigenous employment in 2003; we have now reached 8%. Our target is 10% Indigenous employment by 2012. Territorians have to congratulate the Northern Territory Labor government for taking the priorities it has on Indigenous health; Indigenous education; Indigenous housing; Indigenous governance; and Indigenous employment.
Treasurer - Accusation of Lying
Mr ELFERINK to TREASURER
How can Territorians tell when you are lying? Is it the case that your lips are moving at the time?
Dr BURNS: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The member for Port Darwin well knows that he cannot make those allegations except by way of substantive motion.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Port Darwin, that is not a question relating to a portfolio.
SUSPENSION OF STANDING ORDERS
Proposed Censure of Treasurer
Proposed Censure of Treasurer
Mr ELFERINK: Madam Speaker, in that case, I will do what he is about to ask. I move - That so much of standing orders be suspended as would prevent me from moving –
- That this Assembly censure the Acting Chief Minister, the Treasurer, the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure, and the member for Karama for lying to Territorians.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Please pause.
Dr BURNS (Leader of Government Business): The government will accept the censure motion, Madam Speaker.
Madam SPEAKER: We will ask for the cameras to be removed, thank you. That is the end of Question Time.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016