2010-05-04
STATEMENT BY SPEAKER
Member Behaviour
Member Behaviour
Madam SPEAKER: Honourable members, prior to calling questions today, I wish to make a few comments regarding member behaviour. Last week and, indeed, over the weekend, I received a significant number of complaints regarding member behaviour during Question Time from members of the public, public servants and from Hansard, attempting to hear the broadcast.
Of particular concern is the low-level interjections which have been reported to me and I am unable to hear, and which appear to be of a personal, vulgar and abusive nature towards the member speaking. This is unacceptable and unparliamentary. If this is drawn to my attention during Question Time, these members will be asked to leave the Chamber immediately.
In addition, I am concerned about the number of frivolous points of order that are being called during the answering of questions which appear to be clearly designed to run down the time for the minister to respond.
I also remind all members that a point of order must refer to a standing order. It is not an opportunity to stand and speak on frivolous matters. Members doing so will be placed on a warning, and will then be asked to leave the Chamber if they persist.
I note a level of interjection is to be expected and is also part of a robust democracy. However, continuous loud and rude interjections are always unparliamentary. Members will be warned and then asked to leave the Chamber if the interjections persist.
Budget 2010-11 – Nett Debt
Mr ELFERINK to TREASURER
In the next four years, you are going to nearly double the nett debt of the Northern Territory to $1.7bn, up from $900m. By what date will you repay that debt?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Port Darwin for the question. Importantly, Budget 2010-11 does exactly what the Territory needs now, but it also invests for the future. Budget 2010-11 delivers record funding in health, in education, in housing, that record $1.8bn infrastructure spend. We have taken the deliberate decision, post the global financial crisis, to step into deficit to lift the public spend. If we did not, if we did what the opposition would want us to do and stay in surplus, we have delivered seven surplus budgets in a row in the past, but if we went into surplus rather than deficit in the 2009-10 and 2010-11 budgets, jobs would be lost.
Mr Tollner: Answer the question.
Ms LAWRIE: The business community would be on its knees …
Mr Tollner: Answer the question.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Ms LAWRIE: … instead we are choosing to, yes, go into deficit, which yes, does increase debt, but we will manage that as any government does manage debt. The best indicator, the best measure, of your ability to service debt is the nett debt to revenue ratio. The nett debt to revenue ratio, in terms of 2010-11, is 26%. Compare and contrast to when the CLP was in power and the nett debt to revenue ratio was up at 61%.
Mr Tollner: We are not interested in this history; answer the question.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, member for Fong Lim!
Budget 2010-11- Key Features
Ms WALKER to TREASURER
Can the Treasurer update the House on the key features of Budget 2010-11?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I welcome the question from the member from Nhulunbuy. I believe she understands better than members opposite just how important the government direction of spending is for Territorians across the Territory. Yes, we are focused on delivering now for families; importantly, we are investing in the future of our Territory with better hospitals, better schools, and more housing.
It will drive our economy, in terms of economic growth, with the lowest-taxing regime in Australia for small and medium size enterprises and that record infrastructure spend.
Importantly, it cuts taxes for homebuyers. A first homebuyer will now save up to $26 700. Senior Territorians, veterans, pensioners and carers have an opportunity to save up to $8500 on a new innovation coming through, and Homestart is expanding to help our low-income buyers enter the all-important housing marketplace.
There is a $980m record spend across portfolios in A Working Future across the board; $725m in housing, including fast-track land release, and some 336 new public housing dwellings within the record housing spend. Record health, education and police budgets all deliver now for families. That $1.8bn record infrastructure cash spend will support some 3600 jobs and invest in the future of our Territory.
Budget 2010-11 keeps our Territory the lowest-taxing jurisdiction for small and medium businesses. It forecasts that our economy will rebound strongly from the global financial crisis; it is tight, but it is focused. We have gone into deficit to fund the record infrastructure budget to protect jobs. It is now for families and it invests in our future.
Northern Territory Nett Debt –
Repayment Date
Repayment Date
Mr ELFERINK to TREASURER
Perhaps I did not ask the question clearly enough the last time round. Over the next four years, you are going to nearly double the Northern Territory’s nett debt. By what date will you pay that back? Or is it just the case that you are happy to rack it up on the credit card and let someone else sort out the problem?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, he clearly did not listen to the previous response. I will point out that across all forward years we are in operating surplus. I will point out that our revenue growth is exceeding …
Mr Elferink interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Port Darwin, you have asked a question; allow the Treasurer to answer it.
Ms LAWRIE: We are in operating surplus across all the forward years. Our revenue growth is exceeding our expenditure and, of course, we have a proud, strong track record of surplus budgets. So, as we grow our revenue, as we keep constraint on expenditure, we will be stepping out of debt …
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Standing Order 113, the question is quite specific; I seek a specific answer.
Madam SPEAKER: Treasurer, can you please come to the point?
Ms LAWRIE: Absolutely. As the member well knows, we have a strong and proud track record of surplus budgets here. Now is not the time for that. Now is the time to keep people in jobs, and we will return the budget to surplus. We have explained the step-out strategy; we have indicated we have extended that by about two years - 2015 or 2016 back into surplus. As you go into surplus you are paying off debt.
Budget 2010-11 – Implementation
of Territory 2030
of Territory 2030
Ms SCRYMGOUR to CHIEF MINISTER
Government’s fundamental and underlying strategic plan is Territory 2030. Can you advise the House on how Budget 2010-11 is implementing the priorities of that plan?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Arafura for her question. As she travels around the Northern Territory talking with Territorians about the implementation of the Territory 2030 strategy, this Budget 2010-11 is the first down payment on implementing that plan. All agencies and ministers are working towards those 10 key strategies and targets which have been announced. Some of those strategies include A Working Future, a $980m commitment in this budget to our remote towns; Greening the Territory; A Smart Territory; Housing the Territory; A Safe Territory; and others. These core strategies are well funded in Budget 2010-11.
Territory 2030 has education as a central theme. A Smart Territory implements those goals and is funded by a budget of $886m in 2010-11. Within this budget, funds are focused on lifting the performance of all students to meet and exceed national benchmarks, promotion of lifelong participation in the education system, and the development of a world-class system. For example, this year alone, $213m will be spent upgrading and maintaining school facilities across the Territory.
As I travel around the Territory, this is a joint investment between the Commonwealth government and the Territory government. Every school in the Northern Territory is receiving significant capital upgrades to the benefit of students in those schools. There is $1.5m in the budget this year to begin the introduction of Schools of Excellence across the Territory. As I have said, A Working Future implements the Territory 2030 goal of bringing all Territorians into the economy, and into the lifestyle of our great Territory. Almost $1bn will be directed to achieving our goals under this key policy area.
Housing is a significant issue and challenge brought about by strong economic growth and strong population growth. We have an additional $30m for land release in Palmerston and Alice Springs; almost $2m to get Weddell under way; and almost $650m, with the Commonwealth, to build more houses across the Territory.
These are some of the very brief examples of the Territory 2030 plan being entrenched across government, and the first significant down payment on implementing that plan to the benefit of all Territorians.
Budget 2010-11 – Borrowings
Mr ELFERINK to TREASURER
I listened very carefully to the Treasurer’s previous answer claiming she is borrowing to support spending to prop up the Northern Territory economy. According to your own budget papers, the Territory economy will grow by 3.6% in 2010-11. Why are you borrowing to prop up an economy which is growing? Will that not have the effect of driving up costs for Territory families even further?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, that is a classic ‘oh, oh’ from the member for Port Darwin. That is about as ‘oh, oh’ as it gets. If you read the economy book, it will tell you that private sector investment has dropped right away. If you look at any indicator, it has dropped right away. In fact, the reason we are predicting a 0.4% economic growth figure for 2009-10 and a strong rebound to 3.6% into 2010-11 is off the back of public spending.
Mr Elferink interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Port Darwin!
Ms LAWRIE: Why would that be occurring? ‘Oh, oh’. Why would that be occurring? Let us think about it. The most significant economic global downturn since World War II occurred – it is called the global financial crisis. It had an impact on the private sector’s ability to (a) get credit, and (b) once the credit market started to ease up – which has started to occur – the price of credit. Every jurisdiction in Australia, Australia as a nation, and in fact, all the developing nations around the world, are increasing their public spend to drive economic growth.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order! Member for Fong Lim! Member for Port Darwin!
Ms LAWRIE: The economy book explains that - the member for Port Darwin just sits in his own weird fantasy land around what is happening out there. I will put it this way, Madam Speaker, I will keep it pretty simple for them: go out and ask business right now how critically important the spend in the infrastructure in 2009-10 and the one announced in 2010-11 has been to the health of their business, how it has kept people in jobs.
I was at the Chamber of Commerce presentation for Budget 2010-11 and I asked Chris Young from the Chamber of Commence - he is a pretty hard taskmaster when it comes to our government - I said: ‘Chris, what are you going to rate the budget this year?’ ‘Eight out of 10’.
Larrakeyah Barracks - Demolition of Houses
Mr WOOD to MINISTER for PUBLIC and AFFORDABLE HOUSING referred to MINISTER for LANDS and PLANNING
On Saturday, in the NT News, there was an advertisement which detailed the demolition of 61 houses on Defence land. What impact did the vacating of 61 habitable houses at Larrakeyah Barracks have on the already stretched housing market? What discussions has your department had with Defence Housing Association for reusing the existing houses elsewhere rather than demolishing them? Do you not think that it would be outrageous if the existing houses, which may not come up to the DHA standard but are okay for other people, are demolished instead of being reused so giving others less well off no chance to buy an affordable house?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for his question. It should be directed to the Minister for Lands and Planning.
Mr McCARTHY (Lands and Planning): Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nelson for his question. Defence is demolishing 61 homes in Darwin. I am advised that it is calling for tenders to do this job and it is at the Larrakeyah Army Base. The existing homes are old and they do not meet the requirements of the Department of Defence any longer. The homes will be replaced by 97 new homes. The new homes will be six star energy efficient rated and tropically designed to suit the Territory. I am advised that the existing tenants have already been relocated to other Defence housing throughout the Darwin area while the rebuilding is undertaken. I am also advised that this will not have an effect on the Territory housing market.
Mr WOOD: A point of order, Madam Speaker! I do not believe the minister answered the question under the standing orders about relevancy: can they be reused?
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Nelson, the minister has completed his answer.
Budget 2010-11 – Growing
the Territory Strategy
the Territory Strategy
Mr GUNNER to TREASURER
Can you please update the House on how Budget 2010-11 delivers on our Growing the Territory strategy and drives the economy forward?
Mr Tollner interjecting.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I am listening to the guffaws of the member for Fong Lim. That is about as good as it gets for him.
Budget 2010-11 delivers now for families. It invests in the future.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Greatorex! Member for Fong Lim!
Ms LAWRIE: It invests in the future of the Northern Territory. We are growing the Territory. Budget 2010-11 forecasts that our economy will rebound strongly from the effects of the global financial crisis. We are not the only ones who forecast that. Access Economics has also forecast it. The Territory has emerged from the global financial crisis better than most economies. However, private sector investment remains below pre-global financial crisis levels. That is why our $1.8 bn record infrastructure spend cash is so important. The Rudd government stimulus and our infrastructure spend has saved jobs. We have had the lowest unemployment rate in the nation for the last six months …
Mr Elferink interjecting.
Ms LAWRIE: Budget 2010-11 – population growth figures; nett interstate migration.
Mr Elferink. interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Port Darwin, cease interjecting!
Ms LAWRIE: Budget 2010-11 forecasts economic growth in 2010-11 at 3.6%. It forecasts jobs growth at 2.5%, and it forecasts inflation at 2.8% in 2009-10 and 3.1% in 2010-11. Our $1.8 bn infrastructure program will support some 3600 jobs. It invests in the Territory’s future with $725m for land release headworks and public housing construction. There is $437m for essential services; and $331m for roads. These infrastructure spends create jobs and they grow our Territory. Budget 2010-11 is financially responsible and it will drive our economy forward.
Budget 2010-11 – CPI Rate Prediction
Mr ELFERINK to TREASURER
The Darwin CPI prediction for the next financial year is 3.1%, which is above the Reserve Bank’s comfort range. Why are you spending in a way that will have the effect of driving the CPI above the Reserve Bank’s comfort range, above what you are prepared to pay your public servants, and above what normal Territory families can tolerate?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, it is not unusual for the Darwin CPI rate to be above other rates around the nation. That is an historic situation, and it is a situation that certainly has not changed in terms of where our forecasts sit, and the member opposite would well know that.
The RBA range is in the 2% to 3%. We have come in at 2.8% for 2009-10, and we are forecasting …
Mr Elferink: Yes, but why are you heating up an economy that is already hot according to you?
Ms LAWRIE: We are forecasting – I guess he does not understand that word too well - 3.1% CPI in 2010-11. We recognised that certainly …
Mr Elferink: Are you saying we should not trust your forecasts?
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Port Darwin!
Ms LAWRIE: … the unions have not exactly embraced the government’s 2.5% wages policy - I think that is putting it mildly. You have seen the collective union out today lambasting it again in their response and reaction to Budget 2010-11, and that gives government a bit of a tip that they are on the right path; they are heading in the right direction when you are being lambasted to that extent.
We are committed to protecting jobs, unlike the CLP, which went to the election promising to slash public servant numbers, and in the Council of Territory Cooperation report wanted to strip away jobs in the Department of Local Government. There is a stark difference between our policies.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Port Darwin! Member for Katherine! Member for Katherine!
Ms LAWRIE: Labor will protect jobs. The CLP will slash them.
Budget 2010-11 – Delivering for Families
Ms WALKER to TREASURER
Can you update the house on how Budget 2010-11 delivers now for families?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nhulunbuy for her question. Budget 2010-11 is providing big wins for families across the Territory. As part of our Housing the Territory strategy, we are cutting taxes for families who are buying homes. First homeowners can save up to $26 000-plus in stamp duty, an increase of $11 000. But we have put an innovative new step into Budget 2010-11 in the stamp duty concession, and it is for our seniors, our veterans, our pensioners and our carers. They can save $8500, which assists them to downsize from the family home, the empty nesters, and get into smaller accommodation, which then frees up existing property for families to buy into.
The principal place of residence rebate scheme has also been increased from $2500 to $3500; that is a 40% increase for principal place of residence. An expanding Homestart will help more low to middle income earning families into purchasing their own home. What families really need and want and look to, apart from that housing picture, of course, are better hospitals, better schools, and having an opportunity for their children going forward - there are opportunities in this budget. Those 336 new public housing dwellings funded for in this budget will make a big difference to the families who are on struggle street, both in the bush and in the urban centres.
Health and education and community safety are important to families, and we are delivering record budgets in these areas. A $1.8bn infrastructure spend, with the lowest taxing regime, protects jobs for families. For the last six months, we have had the lowest unemployment rate in the nation. We have had the highest labour force participation rate in the nation. Families are benefiting from our initiatives right across Budget 2010-11. More funding for our lifestyle, major sporting events, fishing infrastructure, taking care of our parks and our environment, new schools, a new water park in Palmerston, they are all projects that deliver now for Territory families.
Budget 2010-11 - Tiwi Islands Roads
Ms ANDERSON to MINISTER for TRANSPORT
Is Budget 2010-11 looking after the roads on the Tiwi Islands? Where, when and what is the financial commitment to upgrading roads on the Tiwi Islands?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Macdonnell for her question and her interest in the Tiwi Islands. The roads are under the jurisdiction of Local Government. I will endeavour to get that information for the member for Macdonnell from Local Government. and provide her with that information.
GST and Territory Debt Level
Mr ELFERINK to TREASURER
With the exception of one financial year since you came to office, you have received more GST than you predicted in each budgetary cycle. Is it not the case that, if you had saved the extra money instead of spending it, the nett debt of the Northern Territory would currently be at zero, or close to zero?
Madam SPEAKER: Treasurer, bear in mind that this is a hypothetical question.
ANSWER
Yes, Madam Speaker, this is exactly what I mean. I know they would cut jobs. When we came to government in 2001, the public service was struggling. They had concocted a strange budget for 2001-02, and that is the subject of a story for another day, but a few of us here certainly remember that and the Percy Allan report which exposed it.
This government stands proud on spending to deliver improved services, because the GST revenue …
Mr TOLLNER: A point of order, Madam Speaker! It was an extraordinarily simple question that just required a yes or no response.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Fong Lim, is there a standing order you are referring to?
Mr TOLLNER: Well, Madam Speaker, I ask her to answer the question.
Madam SPEAKER: Resume your seat! Minister, please continue.
Ms LAWRIE: The GST revenue, which is untied revenue, gives a government an opportunity to spend in key areas of priority, it is untied. So where have we put that? We put that funding into the health system, which is more nurses, more doctors, and more allied health professionals. We have grown the child protection staff as well; we have grown the support staff around them. More into education, more teachers, more support staff, more ISAs in Education; certainly in police, the GST has delivered some 399 additional police, out on the beat, making our community safer …
Mr Tollner: Are you going to answer the question or what? Answer the question! This is ridiculous, Madam Speaker!
Madam SPEAKER: Order, member for Fong Lim!
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Standing Order 113. Once again, the answer is hardly succinct to a question which requires a succinct answer.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Port Darwin, I refer to rules replying to questions, and the question may not be of a hypothetical matter which, in fact, was this question. I will allow the minister to answer if she wishes to, but she may answer it how she wishes.
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The question was not hypothetical, and I would remind you, respectfully, that Standing Order 113 does not allow her to answer the question as she wishes.
Madam SPEAKER: In relation to the question being hypothetical, as according to the standing orders, minister.
Ms LAWRIE: The question went to the GST revenue that this government has received since 2001, and why did we not use it to pay off debts?
Mr Tollner: If you did not spend the windfalls, we would have no debt! It is simple!
Ms LAWRIE: Well, I am answering it …
Mr Elferink: If you did not spend it, we would have no debt!
Ms LAWRIE: Hang on. We did use surpluses to reduce the debt, but we have also significantly increased frontline services across the Territory - teachers, doctors, nurses, police officers, child protection workers.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Ms LAWRIE: The Territory previously had the CLP looking at just the urban centres. This government, quite unashamedly, has taken service from just urban out into the regions, out into the remotes, and we are proud of that track record, and that is what we have been spending the GST on.
Madam SPEAKER: Treasurer, your time has expired.
Budget 2010-11 - A Working Future
Mr GUNNER to MINISTER for INDIGENOUS DEVELOPMENT
Budget 2010-11 includes $980m of investment to make a real change for Indigenous Territorians as part of our plan for A Working Future. Can you please outline how these investments will help deliver real improvements for all Territorians across our regions?
ANSWER
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order!
Ms McCARTHY: You see …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Fong Lim! Order!
Ms McCARTHY: I pick up the joke from the member for Fong Lim …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Port Darwin! Order!
Ms McCARTHY: … the joke that he considers the people of the Northern Territory to be. He had so many years in the federal parliament to do something but he did not lift a finger for the people in the bush …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order!
Ms McCARTHY: He did not lift a finger …
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Braitling! Member for Sanderson!
Ms McCARTHY: … and yet he sits in this parliament and he laughs at the very fact that our government is absolutely committed …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Braitling! Member for Fong Lim!
Ms McCARTHY: … to wanting to improve the lives of all people of the …
Mr Tollner interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, member for Fong Lim!
Ms McCARTHY: … of the Northern Territory. Close to $750m …
Mr Giles interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Braitling!
Ms McCARTHY: … for housing-related infrastructure, land servicing and essential services infrastructure in Territory growth towns. Nearly $50m to upgrade roads across regional areas of the Northern Territory, and over $10m on improving airstrips and barge landings at places like Utopia for airstrips, and Canteen Creek, Gapuwiyak and Ramingining for barge.
Members interjecting.
Ms McCARTHY: You see, Madam Speaker, they are not serious about the people in the regions. They are not serious. They sit there and laugh …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Braitling! Member for Fong Lim!
Ms McCARTHY: … that is how serious they are.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Fong Lim!
Ms McCARTHY: This is how much …
Mr Tollner interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Fong Lim!
Ms McCARTHY: … the CLP trashes the Territory.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Braitling!
Mr Bohlin interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Drysdale!
Ms McCARTHY: $3.1m over the next two years for regional bus transport services in Central Australia and the Top End. Over $130m …
Mr Styles interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Sanderson!
Ms McCARTHY: … for new services improving community safety, health and education in our regional towns; over $7m to boost Indigenous training and employment programs; nearly $12m to improve services like the Aboriginal Interpreter Service.
This is an historic and fantastic day for the people of the Northern Territory because our government is about correcting the neglect of previous decades.
Housing Shortfall
Mr ELFERINK to TREASURER
On 27 April 2007, you told the Stateline program that the requirement for new lots in the Top End was 300. In last year’s budget, the figure was 1700 dwellings. In this year’s budget, the figure is 2232 dwellings. How did you get it so wrong just three years ago? How can Territorians trust your judgment when you get it that wrong?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, well, come in spinner! It is not a question on the budget. It is just trawling around to try to cast aspersions. What we have …
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker! If the Treasurer would like it, I can actually point out where these numbers are in her budget papers.
Madam SPEAKER: There is no point of order. That is a frivolous point of order.
Ms LAWRIE: What the Territory has experienced is very strong population growth. In the last few years alone, we have 26 000 more Territorians …
Mr Bohlin interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Drysdale!
Ms LAWRIE: We have 26 000 more Territorians than either the Treasury’s own population predictions, or even the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ predictions predicted. So we have extremely strong population growth. With such a booming economy putting pressure on housing, of course you require additional dwellings. So the dwellings figure that was historic when I mentioned it, was a backcast figure not a forecast figure. The 1700 dwellings is a forecast figure; what appears in the budget papers is a forecast figure. They are figures based on growth going forward, not the backcast figure …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Ms LAWRIE: … which I have previously used. I can understand that they simply would not understand that.
Larrakeyah Barracks – Demolition of Houses
Mr WOOD to MINISTER for LANDS and PLANNING
Will you talk to the Defence Housing Association to see if all or some of the houses at Larrakeyah Barracks can be reused instead of being demolished? If you and your government are concerned about the shortage of affordable housing, surely your government will intervene to see if they can save these houses from demolition?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nelson for his question and his interest. It is a good question. I was advised the 61 houses to be demolished are old; they are untenable for the needs of Defence. There are also issues such as asbestos - the big ‘A’ word, I am afraid. When we are talking about the demolition of Defence houses, it is for good reason.
I take the point made by the member for Nelson; it is a Defence Housing Australia issue. We could certainly ask them. However, when we look into this issue, it is an issue of age, of totally outdated stock, and there is talk of asbestos. We will ask that question on behalf of the member for Nelson.
A Safe Territory Strategy
Ms SCRYMGOUR to MINISTER for POLICE, FIRE and EMERGENCY SERVICES
Would you update the Assembly on key initiatives in Budget 2010-11 to further implement the Territory government’s A Safe Territory strategy?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Arafura for her question. Budget 2010-11 delivers a record $310m for Police, Fire and Emergency Services. Our commitment to a safer Territory across the Northern Territory has seen an increase in the Police, Fire and Emergency Services budget by more than 126% from 2001, an extra 399 police officers across the Territory since 2002. That is a significant investment in the safety and security of all Territorians wherever they live.
Budget highlights include $27m for policing in 18 remote communities, a key part of A Working Future. There are ongoing discussions with the Commonwealth government regarding those remote communities. There is now a greater police presence in more remote communities than ever before.
There is an $18.8m capital spend to build police stations and officer accommodation at Alparra and Imanpa, supporting A Working Future. There is $3.7m to upgrade the Tennant Creek Police Station, and those officers will welcome that. There is $6m to complete and maintain Police Beats in Alice Springs, Casuarina, Nightcliff, Palmerston, Parap and Karama. The Leader of the Opposition said he would close these down. They have been a very significant deterrent to crime and antisocial behaviour.
There is $900 000 in the budget for first response patrols, and $1.44m for CCTV monitoring in the greater Darwin area. The application of CCTV, another commitment by this government, and a significant roll-out of CCTV in Darwin, Palmerston and Alice Springs has certainly seen our major public areas safer precincts to be in. All these initiatives deter crime and antisocial behaviour.
This is unlike the CLP, which had a track record of walking away from our police force – a track record of, when police officers retired, they were not replaced. When they left the force, they were not replaced. For four long years under the CLP administration, not one police officer was recruited in the Northern Territory.
In the debate about this budget and the deficit position, I challenge the Leader of the Opposition: how many police officers would he sack to bring the budget back into surplus? They have form; they have absolute form.
Housing Price Increases
Mr ELFERINK to TREASURER
According to your budget papers, in the year 2000, the median dwelling price in Darwin was $179 800. It increased in 2009 to $540 000. Can you tell me how that is good for the working families you claim to champion?
Madam SPEAKER: Treasurer, I remind you, you are being asked for an expression of opinion, so answer it is as you wish.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, it is an odd question; however, I will answer it this way. He may not like it because he does not like any of my answers, but so be it.
If, indeed, the house prices had remained at 2000 levels, what we would have had is an economy in recession, really. Of course, when you have economic growth, part of that is increased value in terms of property prices. What we have had, as a result of the economic boom in the Territory, is strong population growth, and that has put pressure on the housing market. What we recognise, as a government, is there needs to be a government response to this inflationary factor. How have we responded? By record spending in terms of land release and fast-tracking that land release.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, member for Port Darwin!
Ms LAWRIE: This budget alone includes a $20m commitment to bring on Zuccoli, the suburb that follows Johnston, which is under construction as a result of the 2009-10 budget, including, of course, the suburb of Bellamack. Zuccoli will be followed by Mitchell. In this budget, we have the dollars, in excess of $1m, for the planning of the new township of Weddell. In this budget as well we have the $10m for the new suburb of Kilgariff in Alice Springs at AZRI, we have the 56 lots in Tennant Creek, and last year we put out to market, which were sold, the new subdivision in Katherine.
So, if prices had remained static, it would have meant that we would have really been in a recessionary environment in the Territory. Our government is proud of the fact that we have had economic growth, and that we continue to pursue economic growth, because that delivers jobs and opportunities for Territorians.
Has the housing market had pressure on it? Yes, and we recognise that. That is why we have a record investment in infrastructure headworks to provide more land supply, but also, a record investment in the construction of housing as well. It took a Labor government to …
Mr Tollner: You have done nothing, absolutely nothing! There Is not a house at Bellamack yet! You ought to go for a drive.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Fong Lim!
Ms LAWRIE: It took a Labor government to enshrine in policy a 15% portion of any government Crown land released subdivision for affordable and social housing. We did not just rest there. We went to DHA and negotiated for 15% of the Muirhead 1000 lot turn-off be set aside for social and affordable housing. We have changed, legislatively, the capacity of the Land Development Corporation to go out into the residential construction sector, we have Bellamack Gardens under way to prove affordable housing can occur, and we have the fantastic Wirrina development as well.
In a strong economy, housing prices will increase. What we want to do is ensure moderation, which we are starting to see now, continues. We are bringing back the escalation of the market we saw previously.
Henry Tax Review – Government Response
Ms WALKER to TREASURER
Can you update the House on the Commonwealth government’s response to the Henry tax review?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I am surprised I have not received a question from the opposition on the Henry tax review. They are in some sort of delayed reaction mode at the moment. I am not sure what that is about.
Yes, we would welcome the Commonwealth making an announcement on Henry, because it gives certainty going forward in what the taxation system is likely to see - major reforms there. We recognise that it is a 10-year reform program that the Henry tax review has put in place. We recognise that, at first cut, the Commonwealth government has accepted some of the recommendations, rejected some, and put aside others for further consideration, because it is a 10-year reform agenda.
However, we sincerely welcome the opportunities in the reforms that the federal Treasurer, Wayne Swan, has announced for small business - small business being the lifeblood of the Territory. We are pleased that we are already the lowest-taxing jurisdiction, but the company tax cut for small business from 2012 when the reforms kick in, from 30% straight to 28% for small business, is very welcome. We welcome the company tax cut broadly, staggering down from 30% to 28%.
We recognise that our royalties regime for mining royalties in the Territory is a profit-based scheme, and if there is going to be a new resource super profits tax that the Commonwealth has announced, then at least we are pleased to see that it is profit based. Mining companies will only pay this tax if they make a profit, and the government will only raise revenue if mining companies are making a profit. Therefore, it is in everyone’s interest to ensure the environment is right, that they are there making a profit.
While I am on the subject of the mining royalty rates, of course, Budget 2010-11 provides an increase in the Territory mining royalty rate, the first time since 1982, from 18% to 20%. This will raise an expected $9.2m in revenue in 2010-11. Importantly, under the Commonwealth scheme the Territory’s royalties will be rebated by the Commonwealth to the mining companies, and the new resources infrastructure fund and the exploration rebate have a great capacity to benefit the Territory.
Increasing the superannuation guarantee will help Territorians to retire comfortably. Importantly for business, this increase from 9% to 12% is phased in gradually over 10 years. The Commonwealth changes come into effect in 2012, and the Commonwealth has indicated this is the start of a reform process. They have put in place a consultative resources council to negotiate with the resources sector.
Budget Figures - Inconsistency in Construction Spend Figures
Mr ELFERINK to TREASURER
Last week you said to this House: ‘As of March, year to date, we have put $913m out the door into construction …’. According to your budget spend for the year it was only $749m. Can you explain how you put out $913m into construction when, according to your own budget papers, you have only spent $749m on the infrastructure budget all year?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, that was because the budget, in terms of the total infrastructure payments, when you are looking at the cash program for 2010-09, was using a different point in time to mine. Mine was as at March.
Mr Elferink: You used March to March? You are such a dishonest person! Small wonder people do not trust you!
Madam SPEAKER: Order, Member for Port Darwin!
Ms LAWRIE: You are a fool.
Mr Elferink: You are a …
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Port Darwin!
Mr Elferink: dishonest person.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Port Darwin, I ask you to withdraw those comments. Treasurer, I ask you to withdraw that comment as well about the member for Port Darwin.
Ms LAWRIE: I withdraw the fact that he is a fool, Madam Speaker.
Mr Elferink: Ditto, Madam Speaker, I withdraw.
Madam SPEAKER: Thank you. Please continue.
Ms LAWRIE: Madam Speaker, the expenditure, the spend of, and I correct it, it is not $913m, it is $919m for the record - $919m - I did say $913m last week, so I will correct that, $919m infrastructure spend, as of March, is a record. The cash figure of $749m which appears in the budget books is from an earlier date, and I will get that date to you. There is no dishonesty in this. What I gave the parliament last week was the latest figure. What is published in the budget books is an earlier figure, because when we set the budget figures, it is an earlier period than March.
Mr Elferink: You are dishonest.
Ms LAWRIE: I really take exception to that ridiculous comment by the member for Port Darwin.
Dr BURNS: A point of order, Madam Speaker! You have already asked him to withdraw once. He can only do that by substantive motion.
Madam SPEAKER: Yes. Member for Port Darwin …
Mr Elferink: I withdraw, Madam Speaker.
Madam SPEAKER: Thank you.
Ms LAWRIE: Madam Speaker, if I had the information of the $919m cash spend March to date that Treasury gave me on me physically, I would table it because I take exception to the slur in terms of my honesty. I absolutely …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Ms LAWRIE: … am providing the accurate spend as of March. In the budget sector capital works programs, the figures in here, of course, include a $991m Power and Water spend as well.
Mr Elferink: Over what period?
Ms LAWRIE: You seem to have missed this as well, member for Port Darwin. We announced, back in 2009-10, a total infrastructure spend of $1.3bn. If you look at the cash payment table for 2009-10, that has risen to $1.5bn. If you have a look at the variations of what has occurred within the budget papers, you will see an additional $514m went into the capital program in the last six months of the Budget 2009-10 year. That was a part of the Commonwealth bringing forward capital stimulus spending and our own decisions. We are proud of our capital spend.
Mr ELFERINK: Supplementary, Madam Speaker?
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Port Darwin, you cannot ask a supplementary question.
Mr ELFERINK: I thought we changed the rules.
Madam SPEAKER: No, it has not been through the …
Mr ELFERINK: Oh, we have not changed the rules yet. What a shame.
Madam SPEAKER: Resume your seat.
Budget 2010-11 - Benefits for
Territory Business
Territory Business
Mr GUNNER to MINISTER for BUSINESS and EMPLOYMENT
Can you please advise the House what Budget 2010-11 means to the government’s Growing the Territory strategy and how this will benefit Territory business?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, Budget 2010-11 certainly does deliver for Territory businesses. Budget 2010-11 is investing in the economic future of the Northern Territory. It is doing that by the $1.8 bn infrastructure component of this budget. That is a $0.5 bn increase on last year. That is an incredible amount of money going into the economy from this government. Why do we have to invest that sort of money? Because this economy is growing; the population is growing. We have to put in new classrooms, we have to improve our hospitals, we have to put in new roads, we have to put in a whole range of other areas of housing, because people are moving to the Northern Territory because we have economic growth here.
We are the lowest-taxing jurisdiction in the country so people are coming here to set up businesses. We have high wages, so people are coming here because the Northern Territory Labor government has put a framework in place where the economy is booming. That infrastructure spend, as the Treasurer has said, equates to 3600 jobs.
With that population increase, with industry coming to the Northern Territory, you need to upgrade your power, water and sewerage supplies. That is why we, as the Northern Territory government, invested $1.7bn over five years into power, water and sewerage improvements. In Budget 2010-11 there is $379m.
Territory businesses are doing well. We are supporting them in a whole range of areas with a whole range of initiatives. We have the Territory Business Centres, and we also have …
Mr Tollner interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Fong Lim!
Mr KNIGHT: We have Territory business growth and upskills programs; that is a total of $4.8m going in to support businesses in the Northern Territory. Businesses need support with jobs. That is why we have introduced Jobs NT 2010-12. This is an $11m initiative, with $5m going into Indigenous employment; $3.6m going into the public sector for apprenticeships and traineeships; and also support for apprenticeships and traineeships and disadvantaged groups in the private sector of $2.3m. The Northern Territory government is supporting businesses in the Northern Territory and Budget 2010-11 will be welcomed by those businesses.
Royal Darwin Hospital – Fines for Smoking
Mr WOOD to MINISTER for HEALTH
I have been reliably informed that last week a patient at Royal Darwin Hospital was handed a fine for smoking at the hospital. The report I received said a security officer entered the ward and handed the infringement notice to the lady in her bed. Whilst not condoning smoking, is it appropriate for a person to enter the privacy of someone’s hospital room to hand over an infringement notice? What has the department done to change this from happening again?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nelson for his question. I believe the incident he refers to occurred on 30 April and was reported to my office as a complaint by a person at RDH. The difference, of course, is that there are two versions of the story – one from the person complaining, and one from the person who allegedly handed the notice to the person.
It is well known that smoking has been banned in front of Royal Darwin Hospital. In the past few months, people have been advised about the non-smoking policy but there were no fines. Recently, it was announced that fining would take place if people smoked, and if they did not comply with the instruction, they would be fined.
I believe that the person who complained was caught smoking. When she was asked by the authorised officer to provide her name, she refused to do so, which is actually an offence under the act. As to the rest of the evidence regarding where and how the notice was handed, as I said, there are two different versions of the story. The hospital has met with the private firm, and the people employed to enforce the smoking ban at the hospital have undertaken additional training in order to provide a better service to the hospital, and to liaise and deal better with people.
The reality is that the hospital has made a decision that smoking is banned in front of the hospital, and I believe people have to comply with that regulation.
Budget Announcements - Revoting Works
Mr ELFERINK to TREASURER
You keep announcing record spends in infrastructure each year, but you do not spend it in the years that you make those record announcements. This graph shows how addicted you have become to revoting works from one year to another. Can you explain to Territory businesses why you keep building expectations that you have no intention of fulfilling?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I really like this graph on page 3 of Budget Overview, which shows the cash - cash not program - cash allocations to infrastructure since 2001. I know it is a little small but, for members opposite, it just goes up into record levels, and we do spend it. We have spent $919m in 2009-10 as at March. We do spend it. Go out ask …
Mr Elferink: You are so deceitful.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Port Darwin!
Ms LAWRIE: They will never listen to what government says. Ask the construction sector if they have been getting paid for those contracts. Ask them if they have capacity - and they have been increasing capacity in their workforce, courtesy of the government’s infrastructure spend, and the answer is yes, okay? They are building and growing their businesses to the point where they are actually building more warehouses in Winnellie and the industrial areas to increase their capacity to respond to government contracts, which is the infrastructure spend. It is not the program, it is the actual spend.
We are proud of our record spend. I will table the 2009-10 infrastructure program, which shows, as at March 2010, total infrastructure payments at $919m. I table that for members opposite, seeing as I have been accused of all manner of things by the member for Port Darwin.
One thing this opposition does not quite understand is the construction cycle in the Territory. I will just spell it out, because it is pretty simple. The bulk of construction occurs in the Dry Season. Why? Because it is not raining. Okay? It is pretty hard to do the bulk of your construction in the Wet Season because you have to down tools because it is raining. Therefore, you do your major spend and major work in the Dry Season.
Keeping it simple for members opposite, what happens in the Dry Season? Oh, my goodness, it straddles financial years. It goes from one financial year to another financial year. Oh my goodness me! Okay! The capital program …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order! Member for Port Darwin!
Ms LAWRIE: I will keep it simple …
Mr Henderson: 101.
Ms LAWRIE: 101. A couple of examples that maybe even they could get.
Here we go: Rosebery, primary and middle schools. That would appear in a capital works program for a financial year, but the reality is - guess what? - it takes you a couple of years to physically build a couple of schools across the Dry Seasons.
Or another simple one for you: Tiger Brennan Drive extension. That is a multi-year project because it is more than $110m worth of road spend. I kept it simple for them.
Madam SPEAKER: Treasurer, your time has expired.
Investment in Territory Hospitals - Update
Ms SCRYMGOUR to MINISTER for HEALTH
As part of this government’s A Healthier Territory strategy, the government has continued to make record investment in Territory hospitals. Can you update the House on this investment and what it means for Territorians?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for her very important question. Our government is very proud of our commitment and our record investment in Health. I know the CLP has been going around saying that we have the worst health system in Australia. I say we have one of the best systems in Australia. I am very proud of our system, and of the people working long hours in some of the busiest hospitals in Australia.
This year’s budget will provide $1.16bn to our health system in the Territory: a 139% increase since we came to power in 2001. This funding will provide for our hospitals all around the Territory: $293m to Royal Darwin Hospital, an increase of 161% since 2001; $129m for Alice Springs Hospital, member for Greatorex, an increase of 140% since 2001; $28.6m for Katherine Hospital; $20.5m for Gove District Hospital; and $12.5m for Tennant Creek Hospital.
This investment pays back, because we have some important outcomes. To give you an example, we have a three-year improvement in life expectancy for Aboriginal women. We have an Indigenous infant mortality rate which has fallen by 35%. We have anaemia rates for Aboriginals which have fallen by 20%, and the cervical cancer rates in the Territory have fallen by 61%, and the highest number is actually in Aboriginal women.
What is also important is that people now on renal dialysis have survival rates equivalent to the rest of Australia; an increase by seven years. These are the people the CLP refused to provide dialysis for if they were living outside the urban centres.
We provided infrastructure planning for our hospitals: $43.5m for the Royal Darwin Hospital power infrastructure upgrade; $3.8m for additional staff accommodation at the Gove District Hospital; $20m for the new emergency department in Alice Springs, member for Greatorex; $2.3m to upgrade the Royal Darwin Hospital emergency department; $18.6m for a 50-bed patient hostel at Royal Darwin Hospital through the National Health and Hospital Infrastructure Fund; and $38m, member for Greatorex, to upgrade the Alice Springs Hospital; more renal dialysis facilities in Katherine and Tennant Creek, and an additional 12 renal dialysis machines provided in Alice Springs, member for Greatorex.
These are serious investments from our government. This is $1.16bn, which is nearly a quarter of the Territory budget, and it goes to one of the best health systems in Australia.
Budget 2010-11 - Power and
Water Corporation
Water Corporation
Mr ELFERINK to TREASURER
In Budget Paper No 2, it says the government has made, ‘… provisions for a series of debt or equity swaps with the Power and Water Corporation (PWC), over the budget and forward estimates period, …’. Is this not a capitulation to the truth that if Power and Water were a private company it would not be able to service its debts?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member opposite for the question. Clearly, they do not understand the importance of the supply and reliability of the power supply and also to meet demand in growth. Power and Water made a new generation investment decision which, as Treasurer, I have supported, because I am the shareholding minister for Power and Water, to get ahead of the game, purchase new generators and put them in at Channel Island, so we not only improve power reliability, but we also get ahead of the growth curve in terms of power supply, particularly in this strong growth market the Top End has. Obviously, we have a significant expenditure in Alice Springs as well with the Owen Springs station.
It is not unusual for governments to do debt to equity swaps. We have done that with the significant generation purchase. Debt to equity swaps were commonplace, I am advised, in the 1990s when the CLP was in government. Anyone who had had ministerial experience on that side – oh, let me check it out – oops, no, no one – would know that, would know the history of debt to equity swaps in terms of the government providing the capacity for the government-owned utility, Power and Water Corporation, to purchase significant capital items to ensure they are meeting the needs of the consumer, the consumer being the mums and dads in the suburbs …
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The question, at its simplest, only required a yes or no answer. I remind you of Standing Order 113.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Port Darwin, you would be aware that no minister may be asked a yes or no question. Minister, you have the call.
Mr ELFERINK: In that case, Madam Speaker, the question should be withdrawn. She can sit down and we can get on with the rest of the day, rather than listening to the stuff she is coming out with, because she is not being close to honest with this House.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Port Darwin, resume your seat. You are on a warning.
Ms LAWRIE: Madam Speaker, indeed, I am being honest in talking about the debt to equity swap the government has undertaken in terms of the Power and Water Corporation to meet their new generation strategy …
Mr TOLLNER: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Could you clarify why we cannot ask a question that requires a yes or no answer?
Madam SPEAKER: Which standing order are you referring to?
Mr TOLLNER: I am curious about relevance to the question, Madam Speaker, and I am also curious about your last ruling as to why we cannot now ask a question which demands a yes or no answer.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Fong Lim, resume your seat. Minister, if you could come to the point fairly quickly.
Ms LAWRIE: Absolutely, Madam Speaker. I have explained the debt to equity swap we have made with Power and Water. I have explained the reason why, which is the new generation strategy. I have also explained that it is commonplace between Territory governments and the government-owned utility of Power and Water Corporation to undertake debt to equity swaps.
Dr BURNS (Leader of Government Business): Madam Speaker, I ask that further questions be placed on the Written Question Paper.
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker! I require guidance from you in relation to your last ruling as to why I cannot ask a question that requires a yes or no answer? I just need some guidance in the standing orders; I am wondering if you can help me?
Madam SPEAKER: I will seek some advice, but this is a long-standing convention, member for Port Darwin.
Mr Elferink: No, it is not, Madam Speaker, it is not a convention at all.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Port Darwin, it is a long-standing convention.
Mr Elferink: There are examples where ministers have chosen to say yes or no.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order! Member for Port Darwin, I will make a considered judgment on this, but it certainly has been a convention ...
Mr Tollner interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Fong Lim, you may find that amusing; however, I am merely responding to the member for Port Darwin. I will make a considered opinion on this, and I will write to members about it.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016