2011-08-18
MedChart Electronic Prescription Management Service - Issues
Mr CONLAN to MINISTER for HEALTH
Your computer generated prescription service is clearly in real trouble and is putting Territorians lives at risk. Last week, you told the House the system works very well and described the problem with the system as a software glitch. You also said that within a few days it was rectified. Do you stand by those statements?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for his question. The system is operating in remote clinics and operates at Katherine Hospital, Tennant Creek Hospital, and Gove Hospital without any problems.
During use of the system at Royal Darwin Hospital, a number of issues, both with hardware and software, were identified. It has been withdrawn from service and the system has gone back to the old paper service at Royal Darwin Hospital. The company that designed the software has now made modifications and a reimplementation plan has been developed to restart the system in September in Royal Darwin Hospital and Alice Springs.
There was only one incident identified at Royal Darwin Hospital where the wrong dose of insulin was prescribed and the pharmacist picked it up before it was administered. The prescribed medication was fixed by default to zero and has been eliminated in a later software upgrade.
The reality is the electronic system may have some problems, but those problems were picked up. It was interesting to hear a doctor saying even the old paper system had problems because of the way doctors scribe, it sometimes makes it difficult for the pharmacist to decipher the doctors’ writing. There is no perfect system. We rely heavily on the systems for the simple reason that having an electronic prescribing system, especially in remote communities - considering most of our population is very mobile - makes it easy when people move from one place to another to have the prescription of the medicine they require transferred electronically from one clinic to another.
Live Cattle Exports – Proposed Ban by Federal Bill
Ms SCRYMGOUR to MINISTER for PRIMARY INDUSTRY, FISHERIES and RESOURCES
Can you please update the House on the progress of the federal bills that propose to ban live cattle exports.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank God that common sense prevailed in Canberra. More welcome news today for Territory cattle industry families is the House of Representatives has seen the sense of our argument and voted down the ban live cattle export bill proposed by Senator Xenophon and The Greens.
We have maintained from day 1 that the decision would hurt Territory cattle industry families and businesses in our region. The federal parliament debating the ban on live exports sent the wrong message to the international marketplace at the very time we are seeking to re-establish the export market. For this reason, the Chief Minister and I gave evidence at the Senate committee hearing in Darwin. The CLP, unfortunately, could not be bothered turning up to give evidence - they were actually in the audience.
This bill sent the wrong message to our region and would have cost more jobs. The Chief Minister and I welcome the fact it has now been defeated. It is very important. Senator Xenophon should recognise that the wider community supports the continuation of our live cattle export industry when animal welfare can be ensured.
I remind you it was the cattle industry that said it was not going to send cattle to the markets where the welfare of the animals is not guaranteed. Even the cattle industry recognises the welfare of animals was paramount.
Madam Speaker, I acknowledge the hard work of the Chief Minister through his leadership in working with the industry on the recommencement of the live cattle export trade, and the recovery package for those affected. Today, we have seen cattle leaving the Port of Darwin - 7000 cattle in the past few weeks - and, hopefully very soon, more will leave Darwin for Indonesia.
MedChart Electronic Prescription Management Service - Issues
Mr CONLAN to MINISTER for HEALTH
Last Thursday, you referred to a serious problem with the department’s new remote prescription management software ‘glitch’ - as the minister called it - and said the problem was fixed straightaway. Why is it a departmental memo dated 20 April identified the problem as a significant issue and did not anticipate implementation of a fix until early May? This is a copy of the memo …
Dr BURNS: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Could I ask the member to table the document, please?
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Greatorex, are you happy to table that?
Mr CONLAN: Madam Speaker, I seek leave to table the memo.
Leave granted.
Mr CONLAN: Again, why is it the departmental memo dated 20 April identified the problem as a significant issue and did not anticipate implementation of a fix until early May? Last week, the Australian Medical Association said there have been some problems for some time. Will you take this opportunity to clarify your previous comments to this parliament?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, the member just proved what I said was right. The memo in his hands dated 24 April 2011 stated the problem would be fixed in early May 2011. That is one or two weeks ...
Mr Conlan: That is not immediately.
Mr VATSKALIS: The problem was identified immediately. The serious incident the member refers to was two people who were considered to be seriously affected. We then found out one was not because they were a prescribed a different medication. Of the other 12 referred to by the member as having been affected by the medication, the only variation was the difference in their cholesterol level and their blood pressure.
This was a serious incident because we have to have faith in our electronic system. There was a serious problem and that was fixed very quickly. It was implemented immediately when it was identified; no life was at risk. The system has been rectified and checked, and is operating properly in remote areas.
Ten Years of Labor Government – Improvements in the Northern Territory
Ms WALKER to DEPUTY CHIEF MINISTER
In the absence of the Chief Minister, can you please update the House on why the Territory is a better place than it was 10 years ago?
Members interjecting.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I welcome the question. As usual, the rabble from the opposition arc up.
In the last 10 years, our population has grown to 229 874 people. We have welcomed 31 527 Territorians. Working alongside business we have helped to create more than 22 000 jobs. In 10 years, we have built a better Territory. Every single Territory town and community is a better place today than it was 10 years ago. Whether it is a new police station, a new school, or a new swimming pool, every town has benefited from 10 years of a Labor government. There are more teachers, doctors, police, and nurses across the Territory. It may be a child graduating from a school in the bush. Where else in Australia can seniors ride the buses for free and receive free interstate flights?
Importantly, with sound financial management, the last 10 years have seen strong and stable economic growth. After eight budget surpluses in a row, we were well placed to go into deficit when required to protect jobs as a result of the global financial crisis. We are the lowest-taxing jurisdiction for small- and medium-sized businesses in the nation, and our record job saving infrastructure spend means the business community has more confidence in our government than any other.
We have not developed our economy at any cost. Our pristine Territory environment is now more protected than ever before. Our government put our unique environment and lifestyle ahead of unsustainable development. We have shown leadership and courage by attacking the causes of crime with the toughest alcohol and domestic violence laws in the nation. We believe that working with Indigenous communities is the best way forward – it is the only way. We are growing our towns to provide for A Working Future with better services and long-term jobs.
The Northern Territory faces challenges, but we face them with confidence. We have a Chief Minister who is in touch with Territory families, their concerns, their priorities, and their aspirations. He is a former Territory tradie, an IT professional, and now as Chief Minister he is someone who gets things done. Through our Territory 2030 agenda, we are heading in the right direction and all Territorians can look forward to a bright future.
MedChart Electronic Prescription Management Service - Issues
Mr CONLAN to MINISTER for HEALTH
Last Thursday, you said: ‘In April we discovered a glitch. We identified all the people affected, and personally and professionally these people were guided and consulted’. Can you describe to the House your open disclosure policy, and exactly how and when patients affected by the system were notified?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, the department implements the open disclosure policy, and when the error was identified, the patients were immediately contacted by the responsible doctors. That is stated very clearly in the memo the member has tabled.
People were contacted because the department considered the issue with the medication was serious. It does not matter if the situation was a life-threatening or chronic condition. All the medication administered under the system was for chronic conditions; it was not for life-threatening conditions. Raising the cholesterol or raising the blood pressure can be important for a person, and a doctor; however, none of them was life-threatening.
Ten Years of Labor Government – Education and Training Initiatives
Mr GUNNER to MINISTER for EDUCATION and TRAINING
Can you please advise the House on education and training initiatives put in place by the Labor government over the last 10 years?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for his question. This government can point to proud achievements in education since we came to government in 2001 - not least being the establishment of secondary education in remote communities, something that was lacking after 27 years of CLP rule. Not one Indigenous child going to school in a bush community to Year 12 graduated, and now there are 150. We have been saying that, the former member for Nhulunbuy said it, others have said it, and it is something which has not been rebutted by the opposition. It is a shameful fact.
We have also established middle schools and centres of excellence within our schools. I mention some of the secondary facilities in 10 communities for Indigenous students to go through to Year 12: Galiwinku, Minyerri, Kalkaringi, Maningrida, Wadeye, Papunya, Utopia, Borroloola, Ramingining, Arlparra. That is a very important step forward. We acknowledge we have ongoing problems with attendance and that is why we have implemented our Every Child, Every Day strategy.
We know the CLP was opposed to middle schools. It even had Halt the Middle Schools across the Territory campaign in 2007, so none of the middle schools of Rosebery and Darwin, and other places such as the centres of excellence at Darwin High, Casuarina Senior College, Centralian College, or Palmerston Senior College, would be in existence if the CLP was still in power. They are vehemently opposed, publicly, to the BER but they slink along to the openings - $270m of important infrastructure in our schools, not to mention the $300 000 per school upgrade.
This is a government with a proud record in education and rising to address the issues and challenges of education in the Territory. The CLP, by contrast, has one little policy about early childhood that does not even mention Indigenous students. Shame on you!
Henbury Cattle Station - Sale
Mr WOOD to MINISTER for NATURAL RESOURCES, ENVIRONMENT, THE ARTS and SPORT
My question is about the recent sale of the Henbury cattle station to RM Williams Agricultural Holdings and the well-advertised change in business to be conducted on the station. Did you seek advice from your Pastoral Land Board before signing the transfer of the pastoral lease? Did you change the purpose of the pastoral lease issued to RM Williams Agricultural Holdings? What approvals were you required to give before, during, and after the sale of Henbury Station?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nelson for his question. I can advise him that no advice was sought from the Pastoral Land Board in the development of this project because there was no requirement to do so. It is the responsibility of the company to seek approval for a non-pastoral purpose from the Pastoral Land Board in accordance with the law. It is understood the company may seek approval from the government to change the tenure from pastoral lease to Crown lease. The property is currently being operated as a pastoral lease.
There is a good story to this, and I congratulate RM Williams Agricultural Holdings which, under the federal funding deed, will help achieve outcomes for Caring for Our Country initiatives. Stock levels at Henbury Station will be rationalised to sustainable levels and the natural regrowth will store carbon, forming a carbon bank with a carbon credit set to be sold under the federal government’s carbon farming initiative. The project is feasible only because the station was managed badly for a long time so vegetation has been removed from large areas. It is a pilot in supporting landholders on marginal land to diversify and supplement their incomes, something my Cabinet and Caucus colleagues very much supported when I brought this to them.
MedChart Electronic Prescription Management Service - Issues
Mr CONLAN to MINISTER FOR HEALTH
In the tabled memo dated 20 April, it says it is departmental policy that we go through a process of open disclosure in all cases where there may have been an adverse or sentinel event. Underneath that statement, written in bold type, it says: ‘At this time please do not attempt open disclosure but indicate which clients will need this process’. Why were these patients not immediately informed of this potentially serious risk to their health?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, that is a very interesting comment by the member for Greatorex. It says: ‘At this time, please do not attempt open disclosure, but indicate which clients will need the process’. At the time that statement was made, no client had been identified for open disclosure to be put in place. I am not going to identify personal …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order!
Mr VATSKALIS: I will not sit here playing politics like the member for Greatorex, identifying people’s personal situations, conditions, and treatment. It needs a bit of brain to think about the issue. There was not open disclosure at that time for the simple reason that they had not identified the patients.
Improving Services and Opportunities in the Bush – Record of Previous Government
Ms SCRYMGOUR to MINISTER for INDIGENOUS DEVELOPMENT
You have regularly reported to this parliament on the progress of A Working Future and how it is improving services and opportunities for residents of our bush towns and outlying communities. Can you please advise the House of the record of the previous Northern Territory government in working for all Territorians no matter where they live?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I welcome the question from the member for Arafura. In this centenary year of the Northern Territory, it is important that we look at the history of Northern Territory people in order to improve on the vision for the people of the Northern Territory. It is about correcting the decades of neglect across the regions of the Northern Territory. It is about working with all Northern Territory people, not over the top of them.
This government has been unafraid and unashamed of dealing with the core issues - the systemic issues - that have impacted on Northern Territory communities for decades. In this centenary year, in particular, when we look at what the vision can be from decades of neglect to decades of prosperity, our government is about building the social fabric that begins with recognising and respecting the enormous cultural events ...
Mr GILES: A point of order, Madam Speaker! I remind the minister there was a federal intervention into your failures in the Territory.
Members: Hear, hear!
Madam SPEAKER: That is not a point of order.
Ms McCARTHY: Unlike the opposition, our government is looking towards building a future of prosperity for all people of the Northern Territory - not considering them hellholes as the opposition does, not giving them a despairing future …
Mr GILES: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Perhaps the minister could tell us how many other state governments have had interventions put onto them for Indigenous affairs?
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Braitling, resume your seat. Order!
Ms McCARTHY: We know the opposition would consider taking us back to 27 years of neglect across the Northern Territory. It has no vision whatsoever about the growth of these regions. It has no respect whatsoever for Northern Territory cultural events and the people and languages.
That is where our government is. We took the strong approach of wanting to fix the shires with local governance by bringing the shire reform in, as opposed to the previous local government in the Northern Territory.
We have been unafraid and unashamed of tackling some of these most difficult issues such as domestic violence impacting on our Northern Territory families. It is a great pleasure to report to this House on frequent occasions while we are trying to improve the social fabric of all Northern Territory people …
Madam SPEAKER: Your time has expired, minister.
Tiwi Islands – Government Rent Payments
Ms ANDERSON to MINISTER for LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Madam Speaker, I first say happy birthday for the 10th anniversary of nothing really.
Minister, I note your answer yesterday that the Northern Territory government has not paid any rent to the Tiwi. I also have a copy of your letter to the Tiwi chairman dated 10 August 2011 which states the Northern Territory government is now examining the best way to finalise these subleases, including appropriate lease payment arrangements. Why is the Northern Territory government still stalling on paying its lease payments when non-government organisations have all been making lease payments in a timely manner?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I welcome the question because this goes to my previous answer about what we are doing as a government for all people across the Northern Territory with the social fabric of improving the lives of Indigenous people. It is about looking at leasing across the Northern Territory, not just the Tiwi Islands. This is about every Northern Territory Aboriginal community …
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The question was why you are not paying your bills. Could she answer the question?
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, if you could come to the point, please.
Ms McCARTHY: I am more than happy to explain what we are doing to this House. We are doing innovative, creative, visionary things you lot would never consider doing. I welcome this debate. In fact, it was the member for Braitling who supported me on this very issue …
Mr TOLLNER: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The minister is right; we would not consider not paying our bills, but we are curious as to why they do not pay theirs.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Fong Lim, that is not a point of order. Minister, have you nearly finished?
Ms McCARTHY: Thank you, Madam Speaker. This is from the member who considers all our regions ‘hellholes’. It is interesting to hear that interjection.
Where we are at the moment is …
Mr TOLLNER: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Will the minister just answer the question, please?
Ms SCRYMGOUR: A point of order, Madam Speaker! A frivolous point of order has been called. The member for Fong Lim, if he knew the history - the CLP did not have leases ...
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Fong Lim, resume your seat. Minister, can you come to the point very quickly.
Ms McCARTHY: Absolutely, Madam Speaker. Considering the opposition members who fought Northern Territory Aboriginal land rights for decades are now wanting to know about leasing is very interesting indeed ...
Mr GILES: A point of order, Madam Speaker! She continues to refuse to answer the question. Under Standing Order 79, I move that she no longer be heard.
Madam SPEAKER: The question is that the minister no longer be heard.
Motion negatived.
Ms McCARTHY: Madam Speaker, we are most definitely about paying rent to Northern Territory Aboriginal people. We will do it in a fair, transparent, and equitable way which is consistent with the beliefs of the Labor Party in wanting to see the improvement of the lives of the most disadvantaged people in this country …
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The question was why have you not paid the rent.
Madam SPEAKER: I believe the minister has finished her answer.
MedChart Electronic Prescription Management Service - Issues
Mr CONLAN to MINISTER for HEALTH
The departmental memo tabled in the parliament states the MedChart problem is a significant issue and identifies five different risk categories. At the top of the list, Category 1 is referred to as risk of irreversible adverse event; that is, a stroke or death. Can you reassure Territorians that no one has died as a result of the failures of this system?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I have spoken many times and explained there were 14 people affected; two who were considered serious by the doctors. Further research showed one of them had a change of medication, so was not affected at all. The other had minor impact because of discontinuation of the medication.
No person died because this medication was for a chronic condition, not for life-threatening condition, or supporting a situation where the person’s life would be in danger. No person died. The member comes here with a memo, which he chose to read selectively. If you read the memo clearly - and I hope the members opposite and the members here read it – you will find out that not only was the incident identified, but it was acted upon very quickly.
The people were notified, the doctor was notified, and senior doctors were notified in order to rectify the problem which, incidentally, was a combination of a software error and a human error because of some information about medication put in by the doctors. They prescribed a time the medication should be applied and, after that time, the software did not renew it.
Madam Speaker, the issue has been identified and rectified, and no person was put in danger.
Darwin’s Waterfront Precinct - Update
Ms WALKER to DEPUTY CHIEF MINISTER
Can you update the House on Darwin’s Waterfront Precinct?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for her question because this really is a wonderful new addition to the landscape of Darwin. It is loved by locals and tourists alike. Pretty much anyone who visits Darwin these days visits the Waterfront Precinct, be they a sunbaking backpacker from Germany, a conference attendee at the convention centre, or a family enjoying the wave pool.
Who could possibly complain about this fantastic new precinct? Well, we have the negative opposition. The Leader of the Opposition wanted the project scrapped, and here is the NT News to show their position, which said:
- The CLP yesterday called for the scrapping of Darwin’s $1bn waterfront development.
He said the wave pool was a novelty that would fade. How wrong you were! That was the alternative position from the CLP. It is not just the waterfront the CLP seem to have a great aversion to; they seem to have a great aversion to anything to do with water. The Leanyer Water Park, as we know, has become one of Darwin’s most popular family recreational venues. People from interstate cannot believe how good it is and that it is free for families, and neither can the CLP. I will quote the CLP position at the time this government announced we were proceeding with the water park development:
- You don’t spend $2m on that Leanyer park which in anyone’s estimation is a waste of money.
That was the Opposition Leader in 2002, one Denis Burke. I wonder where he is these days. That was their alternative. If we had listened, there would be no water park at Leanyer. Thank God we are ignoring them and have gone on to develop a water park at Palmerston. We are building a fantastic facility there.
The CLP simply does not get it; that community facilities become great in the tourism lexicon. Facilities like the wave pool and the water park are providing recreational opportunities for our young people, providing a great place, embracing our great Top End Territory lifestyle which tourists and the locals enjoy. If you had listened to the CLP, they would not have happened. We are ensuring that we are keeping the vibrant and dynamic lifestyle of the Territory there, capturing the all-important tourism trade, the convention centre trade, while the locals are benefitting as well. If you had listened to the CLP, those critical projects would have been scrapped; they would not be there.
MedChart Electronic Prescription Management Service - Issues
Mr CONLAN to MINISTER for HEALTH
It is important to clarify this. You said there had been no deaths linked to the e-Health system failure. How do you know there have been no deaths linked to the e-Health system failure?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I received advice from the doctors.
Government Architect
Mr WOOD to TREASURER
When Labor came into power, the then Chief Minister appointed a government architect. The first, from 2004 to 2008, was Robert Nation. Given the point that we are at designing Weddell and releasing plans for Darwin and the greater region, a government architect placed in the Chief Minister’s office would provide design leadership across government, provide strategic advice to government about architecture and urban design, while promoting best environmentally sustainable practice in the built environment, and be encouraging innovative design and procurement of public buildings and spaces.
Will government recreate the position of government architect to provide a whole-of-government approach and advice to Cabinet?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, the member for Nelson is right. In 2004, we first appointed the position of government architect to oversee the major project of the Darwin waterfront development and the Desert Knowledge Precinct in Alice Springs. The position became vacant at about the same time the government was establishing the new Urban Design Advisory Panel, commonly known as UDAP. That panel is to provide expert advice to the government on a range of urban planning issues. Government moved then to incorporate the duties of the former government architect into the position of the chairman of the Urban Design Advisory Panel. The current chair of UDAP is Steve Thorne, a world-renowned urban designer and experienced architect.
The scope of the Urban Design Advisory Panel has been expanded to the whole of the Territory, and specifically Territory 2030 targets relating to good urban design outcomes, including planning for the all-important city of Weddell. Other members of UDAP include the co-chair of the Territory 2030 committee, Ms Vicki O’Halloran, a representative from Darwin City Council, representatives from across industry, and key experts in both architecture and planning.
Initiatives to Combat Petrol Sniffing
Mr GUNNER to MINISTER for HEALTH
Can you please update the House about the success of our strategies to prevent petrol sniffing across the Northern Territory, and how this is protecting our young people from harm?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for his question. It is an important question because, six years ago, we introduced the Volatile Substance Abuse Prevention Act which is - as CAYLUS, one of our key youth services in Central Australia described it - the best legislation you will ever find to deal with drug addiction. The act’s success is based on the multipronged approach to tackle sniffing in the community: assessment and treatment for people at risk from sniffing; assisting the community to develop local management plans with more youth lifestyle options; controlling the possession and access of volatile substances; and working with the Australian government and retailers with the roll-out of Opal fuel. This initiative has reduced petrol sniffing by 95%, and every day is protecting and saving the lives of our young people.
The CLP opposed this legislation. It did not support the Opal fuel roll-out and funding to prevent petrol sniffing. On 3 May 2005, the opposition spokesman for Health, Steve Dunham, said:
- $20m to address petrol sniffing problems is a dumb way to spend money … if you want to spend $20m, there are a lot better ways of spending it.
The member for Fong Lim was not in this parliament at the time, but Steve Dunham was, and that was his statement. If you look in the Parliamentary Record for 3 May 2005, you will find that statement. It is about time the CLP tells the public whether they care about petrol sniffing in the community. Do they care about our young people? If they do care, do they support the action this government has taken to reduce petrol sniffing?
We have established strong partnerships with youth services such as CAYLUS, and treatment services which support our petrol sniffing measures and respond quickly to any community that has an outbreak of sniffing.
Since the act commenced, there have been around 700 referrals for treatment - 50% of these people voluntarily stop sniffing once they have been engaged with professional staff - and 100 clients have been ordered into treatment through this act or the criminal justice system.
Residential treatment services include Nhulunbuy Special Care Centre, CAAPS in the Top End, BushMob, DASA and Ipolera Aboriginal Corporations in Central Australia. We now have 13 local management plans in operation where communities have taken charge about how volatile substances are used in the community. These are great signs, and eight more communities are in the process of developing their plans.
This is action that had to be taken. I have seen the devastating effects of petrol sniffing. I will never forget the vision I saw in television programs showing young people with a can of fuel in their mouths and young mothers putting petrol in their baby’s mouth. I have also seen people incapacitated and pushed in wheelchairs by mothers and fathers in communities because of petrol sniffing.
MedChart Electronic Prescription Management Service - Issues
Mr CONLAN to MINISTER for HEALTH
We know this system managed patient prescriptions for all kinds of medications, for all kinds of conditions. Given the potential serious risk to patients, have you investigated any deaths which occurred during the time the system failed? It is important. During the time the system failed have you investigated any deaths that occurred when patients were not getting their medication? Have you referred any of those deaths to the Coroner?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I do not know why the member does not understand. The system failed, and when it failed, we identified the areas where it failed. We know which medication was administered and to which people it was not administered. Of the people who were not administered medication, we knew who they were, and none of them died.
The problem affected prescriptions for long-term medication that is used to reduce the risk of chronic disease - they did not prevent critical conditions; they are not considered to be lifesaving medications. The senior doctor advised it was impossible to say if the lack of medication had any direct impact. We know which medications were administered, we know to which people it was not administered, and all these people are still alive.
What kind of death does the member refer to? There were no deaths because this medication was picked up quickly, and it was for chronic conditions, not for lifesaving situations. The people who did not get the medication are still alive; no one died.
Greening the Territory
Ms SCRYMGOUR to MINISTER for NATURAL RESOURCES, ENVIRONMENT and HERITAGE
Can you please update the House on how the Territory government is working hard on greening the Territory?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, if you come to the Territory, you are coming to a place that is cleaner and greener than anywhere else in Australia. There is no better example of this than the independent Environment Protection Authority formed under this government. This government created the Territory’s first EPA and, in doing so, we joined the rest of Australia in having an independent environmental watchdog.
We know the CLP do not believe in an independent EPA; the member for Brennan called them lazy ...
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order!
Mr HAMPTON: The member for Goyder thinks independence is overrated. The CLP resisted - for 26 years they resisted forming an independent EPA. Shame on them! We still have a deputy leader, the member for Goyder, who led public opposition to the introduction of an EPA years ago. This government is committed to the independent EPA, with a $1.5m budget commitment this year.
In contrast, the last environment budget when the CLP was in government was a total of $2.2m - what a shame. I was trying to locate their budget for the EPA. How much money did they spend on an EPA when they were in government? Zero! The EPA is an independent statutory body responsible for giving advice and making recommendations to government, business, and the community about sustainable development.
This government welcomes advice from this independent body, which provides important contributions to ensuring all components of our community operate at the highest environmental standards. If the CLP were to form government, what would we get? Territorians, and those in Alice Springs, would get a uranium mine 20 km from Alice Springs compared to this government, which supports an independent EPA and greening the Territory.
MedChart Electronic Prescription Management Service - Issues
Mr CONLAN to MINISTER FOR HEALTH
In relation to the system breakdown with e-Health and MedChart, have you received any incident reports on the death of any patient from any medical practitioner?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, let me repeat it to make it clear. I will speak slowly so he can understand it. We knew what medication was administered and we knew which people did not receive their medication. None of these people died. There are many deaths in the Territory, in Australia, every day. It had nothing to do with MedChart. The people affected by MedChart were identified quickly. Doctors spoke to them and doctors told us even then they could not tell if the medication withdrawal had any effect on their health. No person had died; it is as simple as that.
Underground Power Supply to Darwin
Ms WALKER to MINISTER FOR ESSENTIAL SERVICES
Can the minister please update the House on the undergrounding power lines and any alternatives to this project that may affect a safe and more reliable electricity supply for Darwin residents?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, the Labor government has a proud record with Power and Water over the last 10 years. In 1999, the then CLP government …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr KNIGHT: This was policy for the CLP government. There are some new faces and I accept that; however, this approach was policy for the CLP. The approach was the privatisation of the Power and Water Corporation. They commissioned the Merrill Lynch report in 1999, which recommended the sale of Power and Water and, from that point on, scrapped some 100-odd staff - 100 service workers and technicians. They took them out of the system and the system started to fail because of the lack of investment.
The repairs and maintenance expenditure of the CLP was $16m in 2005-06. It has quadrupled in our later years - 400% increase in repairs and maintenance. Guess what happens when you do not fix things? They break, and that is what happened with the CLP.
You also have to replace things. This measly capital expenditure of the CLP is in your DNA, your party position. The liberal conservatives’ philosophy is they do not spend money on public utilities. This is your capital expenditure and this is ours. We are investing $1.6bn in Power and Water. We are rebuilding a Power and Water system which was crippled under the CLP government - under a liberal conservative philosophy of ‘do not spend anything on public utilities’. Guess who suffers? It is the businesses, the homes, the schools and hospitals of the Northern Territory which suffer.
We have a proud achievement. One of our great achievements with Power and Water was the undergrounding of power in the northern suburbs. Madam Speaker, you would know the leafy suburbs of Nightcliff no longer have power poles. Neighbourhoods are looking at growing trees, and it is a wonderful environment and an investment from this government. We have rolled it out through Millner and Rapid Creek, and we are looking at other suburbs to invest in as well. That is our investment in the community because we know if we underground power, it reduces costs, and we are able to restore power much quicker after cyclones and major storms.
The philosophy of the CLP is very scary. It is a philosophy that sits inside every one of these members here. Privatisation means a doubling of power prices, a doubling of water prices. We have the second lowest water and power prices in the country - second lowest in the country. These blokes over here, and this lady over here - or two ladies - will double the power prices. If you elect a CLP government, you get double the power prices and double the water prices ...
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker!
Madam SPEAKER: What is your point of order? The minister has finished his question.
Mr KNIGHT: I have finished, Madam Speaker.
Mr ELFERINK: It is incumbent on the minister to tell the truth, Madam Speaker. At the moment he is not; he is lying.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Port Darwin, that is not a point of order. Member for Port Darwin, I ask you to withdraw that last part, thank you.
Mr ELFERINK: I withdraw ‘lying’.
Madam SPEAKER: Thank you, member for Port Darwin.
Energy House - Upgrading of Offices
Mr WOOD to MINISTER for LANDS and PLANNING
Can you please tell us how much the government has spent on upgrading offices in Energy House? Why has it been upgraded and which agency requested the upgrades?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for his question. The building we are talking about is Energy House in Cavenagh Street - one of the older commercial buildings in the CBD. As the member outlined to House, there is refurbishment work taking place - it is on floor 1 - and it relates to the Transport Division of the Department of Lands and Planning. It is, basically, about providing a more efficient and effective workplace, as well as security upgrades.
The security upgrade took place for the Transport Division’s front counter, and was carried out earlier this year. The Department of Lands and Planning is currently finalising the tender process for detailed design works to bring the workspace on floor 1 into line with government workplace standards and design guidelines. The focus in the department is open, collaborative spaces to address issues and create good outcomes in the working environment.
It is important to note during Cyclone Carlos, there was extensive water damage in that building, and floor 1 suffered the most. Some of the expenditure will be used to address that situation. About $6000 has already been spent this year. However, under Minor New Works budget, there has been a total allocation of $250 000.
MedChart Electronic Prescription Management Service - Issues
Mr CONLAN to MINISTER for HEALTH
A number of patients have been identified as having their conditions deteriorate as a direct result of the system failure with e-Health and MedChart. Can you describe, for the benefit of the House, what is meant by the term ‘serious deterioration’.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I said two people were identified with what doctors call serious deterioration. One actually was not; he was prescribed different medicine. Of the other 12, the doctor described some impact, but the change was only in their cholesterol level and blood pressure.
The doctors have advised me that, even when the medicine was not prescribed, it was very difficult for them to assess if the lack of the medication had any direct impact. In addition, people already had chronic conditions so you cannot tell whether withholding one particular medicine for a chronic condition has an impact or not, or if it was the impact of the serious condition itself.
The advice I received from qualified medical practitioners who know what they are talking about is that no person died and no medication was administered …
Mr CONLAN: A point of order, Madam Speaker! There was no lengthy preamble; I simply want an explanation of what the term ‘serious deterioration’ means.
Mr VATSKALIS: Madam Speaker, I would call death serious deterioration. The doctors advised me there was no death and the condition was immediately rectified.
Mr CONLAN: A point of order, Madam Speaker!
Ms Lawrie: There is no point of order.
Mr CONLAN: Well, there is. In the FOI document tabled last week in parliament, it mentioned that two people suffered serious deterioration ...
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Greatorex, that is not a point of order, and the minister has completed his answer.
Territory Rights Bill – Status in Senate
Mr GUNNER to DEPUTY CHIEF MINISTER
Can you please update the House on the status of the Territory rights bill being debated in the Senate?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Fannie Bay. How fitting on this day where we are recognising 10 years of Labor government in the Territory, we are seeing Labor stand up for the Territory in Canberra in supporting the bill on the Australian Capital Territory (Self-Government) Amendment (Disallowance and Amendment Power of the Commonwealth) Bill 2010 introduced into the federal Senate. As we know, The Greens are pursuing that.
Labor is standing up for the Territory right now in Canberra, supporting the legislation. We can advise the bill removes an anachronistic power of the Governor-General to disallow or amend laws agreed by the democratically elected representatives of this parliament. This bill, and Senate support for it, is a significant step forward in the Territory’s constitutional history. It is a significant step forward for our statehood.
The bill passed through the Senate today, with the support of Labor, 35:29. It removes the power of the Commonwealth minister to override Territory legislation with the stroke of a pen. It moves us towards statehood, towards the same rights as other states. The bill will now go to the Lower House of the Commonwealth parliament. I encourage all members of the House of Representatives in Canberra to support the bill that will improve Territory rights.
I am also advised that the CLP Senator, Nigel Scullion, voted against the bill. The CLP is in Canberra today voting against the Territory’s rights. On this day, when we recognise 10 years of Labor government, Labor in Canberra is standing up for Territory rights, while the CLP slip and weasel under with Senator Scullion and vote against Territory rights. When are you going to get some spine, Leader of the Opposition, and get Nigel Scullion to vote for the Territory?
MedChart Electronic Prescription Management Service - Issues
Mr CONLAN to MINISTER for HEALTH
Will you support an independent review of the outcomes of the failures of the e-Health system, and in particular this situation with MedChart, for the sake of public confidence in e-Health across the Northern Territory?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, each system is designed by an independent company. The people in our department identify issues and the independent company are then instructed and tasked to fix the problem. The problem has been fixed. It has and will be trialled, and in early September it will be introduced after trial.
There are many independent people trialling the program there. There are about 2000 nurses and about 500 doctors. They are independent, and if they identify a problem, they are going to speak loudly about the problem. I do not have to commission an independent inquiry. I have absolute confidence in all my nurses and my doctors; that should they find a problem with this issue, they will bring it to my attention. I have absolute confidence in the people in my Health Department, in contrast to the member for Greatorex.
Opposition – Requests of Government
Mr GUNNER to DEPUTY CHIEF MINISTER
Can you please update the House on what the most important request from the opposition in the last 10 years was that the government has ignored?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Fannie Bay. From scrapping wave pools through to sacking public servants - we know they want to sack about 800 public servants - are the many requests from the CLP the Henderson government has ignored. One stands out above them all: the INPEX and Total Ichthys project that will set the Territory’s economy up for decades. It provides jobs now and a very bright future for our children. It places Darwin absolutely as the capital of northern Australia, not just the Territory …
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Greatorex, put that down!
Ms LAWRIE: It places us in the nation’s economic heartland for the 21st century. But INPEX did not come to Darwin, the Labor government …
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Greatorex!
Ms LAWRIE: … went and chased INPEX and brought the project to Darwin. While the Labor government was pursuing INPEX to bring the Ichthys project to Darwin, when we were not even on their radar, when their project was going through its processes in Western Australia, we went there and took this important project off Western Australia and brought it to Darwin.
While we were doing this, as a Labor government consistently through two Chief Ministers, what were the opposition doing? The Opposition Leader was writing to Territorians saying the INPEX project belonged in the 19th century, and I will table that letter. The letter proves beyond all doubt that had we listened to the CLP’s Leader of the Opposition, the member for Blain, the alternative would not only have been that INPEX would never have heard of Darwin, but no one in Darwin would have heard of INPEX.
We are not quite there yet. The gas is all sold and all the required regulatory approvals have been given. This government will continue to give 100% effort to deliver this critically important project to the economic growth of the Territory to Darwin, to ensure we get the all-important construction jobs and the ongoing technical and support jobs of the LNG plant. This project absolutely belongs in the 21st century, not the 19th century, that the Leader of the Opposition, the member for Blain went out and campaigned on - campaigned against the INPEX project, calling it a 19th century project.
Shame on you, Leader of the Opposition! You are an economical vandal, and you continue to be an economic vandal …
Members interjecting.
Ms LAWRIE: You have no idea when it comes to the importance of major projects.
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker!
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, have you completed your question?
Mr ELFERINK: Can you nevertheless remind the minister she has a duty to reference her comments through the Chair?
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Port Darwin, resume your seat.
Indigenous Ranger Employment
Ms ANDERSON to MINISTER for PARKS and WILDLIFE
The numbers you quoted in your response to my query on Indigenous ranger employment last Thursday are highly questionable. Can you specify what you meant when you stated that 80 Indigenous people have gone through the flexible employment program? Does that mean some people work for one hour and then quit, or that all 80 people have gone on to real jobs after leaving the program? Can you clarify if any of the 14 Indigenous people whom you stated moved from flexible employment program into jobs with Northern Territory Parks and Wildlife are employed in Alice Springs or even in Central Australia?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, it was a question asked last week in the House. I will reiterate that this government is absolutely committed to getting Indigenous people into real jobs and I cannot think of a better place than Parks and Wildlife or working on land in their country. Regarding your questions, I am more than happy to get back to you by the end of today because there is quite a bit of detail I need to have a look at.
We are absolutely committed to it. I was more than pleased to launch the Indigenous Employment Strategy in Alice Springs at the Alice Springs Desert Park where we are getting some great results and getting Aboriginal people into real jobs. There has been debate about that today with the public employment service agreement that my colleague, the minister for Employment, talked about. Parks and Wildlife is very much a part of that, so I am more than happy to take that on notice and get back to you with the details.
MedChart Electronic Prescription Management System – Indemnifying Doctors
Mr CONLAN to MINISTER for HEALTH
Will you indemnify any doctor from any action against them if they publicly contradict the answers you have given this House today?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, that is a very interesting question. I expect every doctor who has any problem, any issues, should raise it, and is free to raise it with either the department or me. I am a person who does not sit in my office. I personally know many of the doctors who work in the department. I also …
Mr CONLAN: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Will the minister personally give a guarantee that he will indemnify any doctor who publicly contradicts his claims in this House today?
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Greatorex, it is not a point of order!
Mr VATSKALIS: As usual, the member for Greatorex talks rubbish. I meet with the AMA regularly and let me assure you that Dr Paul Bauert will raise important issues with me every time. If there were an issue about MedChart, Dr Bauert would be chewing my ear from the very first time it happened. It has happened …
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The question seeks an indemnity; will he provide it or not?
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, it is your call.
Mr VATSKALIS: I have more faith in Paul Bauert than the legal opinion of the member for Port Darwin. If Paul Bauert identifies an issue, he will bring it to my attention. If any doctor identifies an issue, he or she will bring it to my attention. If such an issue is brought to my attention, I will thank them rather than punish any doctor, any nurse, any person, in my department.
Renal Service Strategy
Mr GUNNER to MINISTER for HEALTH
This government has made dramatic improvements to the life expectancy of people receiving renal dialysis treatment. Can you please update the House on the strategies this government has introduced to save people’s lives?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, we are very proud of our achievements through our progressive renal services strategy. The survival rate of patients with renal dialysis is now equivalent to the rest of Australia, with an improvement of seven years in their life expectancy.
When we came to office in 2001, we found the CLP had neglected renal patients. Renal dialysis was available only in Darwin and Alice Springs hospitals, and satellite services in Katherine and Tiwi. Less than $10m was available for renal services. Renal dialysis survival rates were the worst in the country and the CLP refused to expand renal services into Tennant Creek despite numerous reports demonstrating the urgent need, with people dying without dialysis.
Member for Fong Lim, you were not in this parliament at the time but in February 2001, the former CLP minister for Health, Steve Dunham, said on Lateline:
People have the opportunity to access this specialised medicine at Alice Springs and I’m not in a position to be able to compel people to access that medicine.
That was the legacy of the CLP - a shameful legacy.
We have put $30m each year into renal dialysis. We have a mobile renal dialysis unit visiting communities. We work collaboratively with the Australian government and Western Desert Aboriginal Corporation. We now have renal dialysis facilities in Nightcliff, Palmerston, Alice Springs Flynn Drive and Gap Road satellite units. We have self-care training units in Alice Springs and Nightcliff. We have 11 remote centres in Wadeye, Tiwi, Barunga, Ramingining, Kalkaringi, Yirrkala, Oenpelli, Santa Teresa, Mt Liebig, and Kintore.
We have relocatable renal units in 12 remote communities: Galiwinku, Maningrida, Milingimbi, Ngukurr, Angurugu, Borroloola, Ti Tree, Amoonguna, Ali Curung, Lake Nash, Hermannsburg, and Yuendumu, and renal dialysis into people’s homes in Milingimbi, Port Keats, Umbakumba, Nguiu, Nakara, Wagaman, Durack, Nightcliff, and Humpty Doo. We have special accommodation to help people who are on renal dialysis.
We support renal dialysis, in contrast to the CLP, which had nothing outside the urban centres of Alice Springs and Royal Darwin Hospital. On top of that, we have members of the CLP actively opposing the establishment of a state-of-the-art renal dialysis unit in Katherine. This is the legacy of the CLP.
Dr BURNS (Leader of Government Business): Madam Speaker, I ask that further questions be placed on the Written Question Paper.
Madam SPEAKER: I note, honourable members, we had a record number of 27 questions today.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016