2011-08-10
Fiscal Direction of the Northern Territory
Mr ELFERINK to TREASURER
With ongoing deficits as far as your projections will take us, this government’s nett debt plus employee liabilities projections will reach $6.7bn in the future. If you converted that into $1 coins, laid edge to edge, they would circumnavigate the globe four times. Is it not the case that Territorians should be concerned about the fiscal direction in which you are taking this jurisdiction?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I welcome the question. You fail to understand where we are in the economic cycle. The Territory jurisdiction, along with every other jurisdiction in our nation - those that responded to the global financial crisis in a swift and decisive manner - all took the same action to stimulate their economies through legacy infrastructure spending. The add-on to debt occurred by running deficit budgets post-global financial crisis, after eight surplus budgets in a row. When we inherited debt and deficit from the CLP, we turned that around, we reduced debt. We ran eight surplus budgets in a row and then the global financial crisis hit.
Quite responsibly, we moved swiftly and decisively. We took our infrastructure budget from $870m per annum to a record $1.8bn. We have saved jobs: 12 000 Territorians would not be in a job if we had listened to the opposition - to the clowns over there. We keep pointing out where the Territory’s debt level is. If you want to look at the impacts and flow-on effects of the global financial crisis, if you look at where the PIGS debt levels are, independent experts have looked at our debt levels as a percentage of GDP and pointed out just how manageable our debt is. It is only the CLP members who believe the debt is not manageable. Running at about 2% of GDP, it is very manageable.
We are building infrastructure in roads, houses, clinics, hospitals, education facilities and, importantly, energy. We have embarked on a new generation program with Power and Water Corporation; we are funding the capital requirements of Power and Water to the tune of about $1.5bn - a five-year capital program, so it is a legacy. The deficit we are carrying is infrastructure deficit, not recurrent deficit. It is about building the legacy infrastructure that will provide economic growth into the future. The CLP members are the only ones who refuse to accept this.
All the industry groups, in response to the budget, seeing the debt levels, seeing the deficit projections, said they gave it eight out of 10. Even Daryl Manzie, a former CLP minister, gave it eight out of 10. The Master Builders and Chamber of Commerce all said our government is acting responsibly for where we are in the economic cycle in building the growth opportunities for the Territory. The marine supply base is a key example of that. Managing in a tough environment where private sector investment is absent, we are using public spending in infrastructure to fuel the construction sector of our economy ahead of those exciting major projects such as INPEX.
Live Cattle Export Industry – Resumption of Trade
Ms SCRYMGOUR to CHIEF MINISTER
This morning you attended the loading of the first live cattle at East Arm Wharf since the lifting of the ban on live cattle exports. Can you inform the Assembly what you said at the loading?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Arafura for her question. Everyone at the wharf today was greatly relieved to see the first cattle in some months boarding the ship to Indonesia. As I said very clearly at the media conference at East Arm Wharf today, this is the start of a long road back for our NT live cattle industry. At the media conference, I reiterated my call for the Commonwealth government to step in and step up with a significant industry funding package to restore the industry to where it was prior to the temporary ban.
Since then, the federal minister, Joe Ludwig, has announced further assistance measures for the live export industry. These measures, largely based around interest subsidies, as well as grants for financial advice, are welcome, but they do not go far enough. I spoke to Senator Ludwig prior to Question Time and said these new measures will assist quite a few people and build on the measures that have been put in place, but there are still many family operators who are unable to go into further debt, even with a no-interest or a low-interest loan. There needs to be capital grants and funding from the Commonwealth.
We will continue to fight for more federal assistance for Territorians affected by this live ban. After speaking to minister Ludwig, I wrote to him today saying the Australian and Indonesian governments need, in partnership, to appoint a high-level strategic project management team to oversight the upgrade of facilities in Indonesia, and provide a line of sight back through both governments and industry about the amount of time required for this trade to reach its previous status, which for us was about 300 000 head of cattle a year.
I said very clearly that it is not good enough for the Commonwealth to maintain a hands-off approach to getting this industry up and running. The additional financial assistance is welcomed but does not go far enough. As I said today, a high-level strategic project management plan that can co-opt Meat and Livestock Australia as part of the solution in Indonesia needs to be put in place.
There is still a crisis on the land in the Northern Territory. Many families will likely not receive any financial income this year. It was good to see the first cattle on that ship today. We still have a long way to go …
Madam SPEAKER: Chief Minister, your time has expired.
Skilled Workers - Decline
Mr ELFERINK to TREASURER
Your own department is predicting a population growth in the Northern Territory of 1%, most of which - in fact, all of which – would be sustained by birth rates. The total population of the Territory has declined in the last reported quarter by 312, after five quarters of nett interstate migration loss. How are you going about stopping the brain drain of skilled workers out of our jurisdiction?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, we had this debate in estimates, and I am happy to return to it. Population nett in state migration figures quoted by the opposition have been clearly explained; they refuse to hear. When 7 RAR relocated from Robertson Barracks to Adelaide, there was a loss of over 500 Territorians. With the moderation in population from the highs of 2% - highs we had not seen since the major Defence buildup in the 1980s, which are anomalous if you look at where your population trends go over the decades - we were running at 20-year highs in population growth just prior to the 7 RAR movement from Robertson Barracks to Adelaide.
We also put on record that we liaise with Defence about their movements, which dramatically affect population figures because they are large movements of Territorians in our population. 7 RAR has relocated from Robertson Barracks to Adelaide. 5 RAR is at Robertson Barracks and will move up in strength and numbers. The Defence White Paper clearly shows a strategic increase in Defence personnel in the Territory.
What is another sign of that? The MOU this government signed off with Defence Housing Australia, which ensures it a purchase into the government’s land release at Palmerston East and provides certainty it will be able to produce the additional housing it needs. Quite aside from the redevelopments it is doing at Larrakeyah and Berrimah Defence establishment, the all-important suburb of Muirhead is coming online. We have an MOU with Defence which tracks through the additional housing requirements for Defence.
There is going to continue to be a buildup. We are returning to a balanced population above that 1% mark at the second-highest rate of population growth in our nation, as projected by the ABS and Treasury. We will be second to Queensland. Only the member for Port Darwin believes in this furphy that there is this dramatic loss of skills.
7 RAR is a highly skilled workforce, we were sorry to see them go. We are pleased there will be a buildup in 5 RAR at Robertson Barracks. Housing construction to accommodate that buildup is occurring at Robertson Barracks, Palmerston East suburbs, and Muirhead.
National Health Reform Agreement
Ms WALKER to CHIEF MINISTER
On 2 August, the Gillard government signed off on the final details of the National Health Reform Agreement with all states and territories to secure the future of health in Australia. This is, no doubt, welcome news when we take into account that our Territory hospitals are the busiest in the country and we have some of the most dedicated doctors, nurses, and health professionals in the world. Will you please outline to the House how the National Health Reform system will benefit our Territory’s health system?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nhulunbuy for her question. It is a significant agreement that has taken many years to conclude. The Australian government has committed $19.8bn for the new National Health Reform Agreement. Unlike the previous Howard government, this puts more money into our hospital system over the term of the agreement rather than proportionally taking money out of our hospital system. This will inject a further $222.5m into the Territory health system over the next nine years. We will establish two local hospital networks by July 2012, with their own governing council and lead clinician group.
I commend clinicians in Alice Springs for fighting their corner and being heard by this government. There will be additional operating theatre capacity at Royal Darwin Hospital; expanded short-stay unit with nine extra beds in RDH for the emergency department, which is significant for our emergency department …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Greatorex!
Mr HENDERSON: … implementation of fast-tracking for paediatric and general patient streaming; additional day surgery capacity at both Royal Darwin Hospital and Alice Springs Hospital.
I would have thought the member for Greatorex would be pleased to know there was going to be additional day surgery capacity at Alice Springs Hospital; 14 new subacute beds for mental health, palliative care, geriatric and …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Greatorex!
Mr HENDERSON: … rehabilitation across Territory hospitals – again, the member for Greatorex should be applauding this initiative - expansion of Hospital in the Home in Alice Springs; I am sure Alice Springs residents will appreciate that. There will be a new 24-hour radiology service in Alice Springs Hospital and $20m is committed to improving aged-care services, health workforce training, mental health, and coordinated care for patients with diabetes. On top of this additional funding, the national partnership agreement provides significant funding of an extra $50m for additional - I think it was six - brand new health clinics in remote communities, as well as funding for a new hospital in Palmerston
I lead a government that works with the Australian government to secure significant additional funding for health in the Territory, with a new hospital in Palmerston, six brand new health clinics in remote communities, and significant additional funding for our hospitals. Health is an area that consumes so much of our budget. These investments will go a long way to supporting improved health outcomes and better facilities for our staff and patients to work in.
I compare this record of investment in funding to the Leader of the Opposition, Tony Abbott. When he was Health minister, he slashed $1bn a year from the national health budget - $1bn per year that Tony Abbott slashed from the national health budget in the last years of the Howard government.
Live Cattle Export Ban – Loss of Jobs
Mr MILLS to CHIEF MINISTER
Figures compiled by ABARES and leaked to the media last week show that between the time the live export ban was announced in early June and the end of June, 162 Territory jobs had been lost as a result of the ban. Can you update the House about the extent of job losses in the weeks since the end of June, how much the ban has cost the Territory economy so far, and what will be the likely impact of the ban on the Territory’s economy over the next 12 months?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his question and the ongoing bipartisan support - and not only bipartisan, the support of the Independents - in this House. We are still working with the Northern Territory Cattlemen’s Association taking audits on the ground through Northern Territory pastoral properties to ascertain the job losses. My colleague, the minister for Primary Industry’s department is having several sessions - the first one was in Emerald Springs a couple of weeks ago and I think the next one is due soon - where people are bringing to the department the extent of job losses across the Northern Territory.
The potential extent of the impact on our economy over the next 12 months is, at the worst-case scenario, a nett loss of income into the Northern Territory of around $200m. We export about 300 000 head of cattle a year. To date, we have exported around 100 000 head this year. I am not overly optimistic there will be significant numbers of cattle exported this year. When you extrapolate the sums, the worst-case scenario could be a hit to the bottom line, to Territory families, and a reduction of cash flow across the Territory of about $200m, which will be significant for our regional economies.
That is why I continue to call on the Australian government to put in place an immediate response and recovery fund to the same extent it did to recover from Cyclone Yasi in Queensland. We had a step forward in that regard today with the announcement by Joe Ludwig just prior to Question Time. I spoke to the Senator and told him that will help some families who can accommodate additional debt on their balance sheets. My real concern is the significant number of families whose banks will not allow them to accommodate additional debt. There has to be a significant cash injection from the Australian government to those families.
I am going to COAG next week and, if this issue is still outstanding, I will be raising it at COAG and seeking support from my colleagues, the Western Australian and Queensland Premiers. We are still in crisis and there is still very much a cash-flow crisis throughout our regional economies. Although it was good to see cattle getting on board that ship today, we are a long way off being out of the woods. Today, most pastoralists in the Northern Territory still do not know when they are going to get cattle on a ship or where their next income is going to come from. It was a small step forward from the Australian government today, but it is a step that has not gone far enough.
Homelands Policy
Ms ANDERSON to MINISTER for INDIGENOUS DEVELOPMENT
The recent Amnesty International report on homelands in the Northern Territory demonstrated the lack of clarity surrounding the Northern Territory government’s policy on homelands. Where is your homelands policy? How can you ask the Commonwealth government for more funding for homelands without a policy on how this money will be spent?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Macdonnell for her question and I welcome the report by Amnesty International. There is consistency with our government’s push for further support with homelands and outstations funding beyond June next year when the federal funding runs out. We have been consistent in saying we recognise, as a government, that Aboriginal people need to have a choice, like any other Territorian. That choice is about whether they live on homelands, outstations, communities, or in growth towns, Darwin, or Alice Springs.
We are working with the Commonwealth concerning the Northern Territory Emergency Response and the legislation that ends in August next year. We are making it clear to the Commonwealth that Aboriginal people have a right to live anywhere they wish, like any Territorian, and we expect to see in our negotiations over the coming months continual funding for our outstations and homelands.
Health Workforce in NT
Mr GUNNER to the MINISTER for HEALTH
This government has a strong record on expanding the frontline health workforce to make health services more accessible for Territorians. Can you please update the House on the record number of health workers?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, there is no doubt the Henderson Labor government is delivering the strongest health workforce in the Territory.
Since June 2001, we have employed an additional 720 nurses in our hospitals and health centres, bringing the number of nurses in the Territory to more than 2000 by June 2011.
Our nursing workforce is more stable than ever. Turnover has dropped to 20% per year which means nurses choose to stay in the Territory longer. A small proportion of nurses will come here to acquire the experience, but many choose to stay.
What did the CLP do to nursing staff? I was working for the Health department when the CLP cut 200 nurse positions from the health system - 200 positions. It bragged about it in its annual report. If you look at annual reports from 1996 to 1999, the number of nurses went down by 200.
The number of doctors has increased by a massive 93% since 2001 - an extra 250 doctors. We now have 525 doctors in the Territory and a significant increase in the private GP workforce. We have a plan for a hospital in Palmerston - not in 15 years, but as soon as possible. The hospital will have 60 beds, an emergency department, and there will be specialists operating there. A new emergency department is under construction in Alice Springs and capacity is expanding in the Royal Darwin Hospital emergency department and elective surgery theatres.
This workforce will continue to strengthen which means real gains for Territorians - more elective surgery, more preventative healthcare, more specialist care, and more emergency care when we need it.
In 2010-11, we provided 86% more inpatient admissions than in 2000-01; that means 74 000 more people were treated in our hospitals.
We continue to see more elective surgery performed with fewer patients on the waiting list and a reduced number of patients waiting longer than the recommended time. More elective surgery than usual was completed in 2010-11; nearly 8000 patients compared to 5500 elective surgery admissions in 2001.
Let us talk about dental. When we took over, you had to wait four to five years for non-urgent treatment. Now, you have to wait less than 12 months.
I do not believe the CLP has any health policy. Actually they did; they had a policy about a car park at Royal Darwin Hospital and that was about it. About emergency department waiting times - I did not see anything in their policy in 2008, but we are expanding the one at Royal Darwin Hospital. Elective surgery waiting lists – I am still waiting. Any plan for medical training? There is now a medical school at Charles Darwin University. More doctors and nurses - nothing at all - but we have more nurses and doctors now. We will be delivering the hospital in Palmerston in the next few months, if not a year or two – they will deliver it in the never never.
Live Cattle Export Ban - Freeze on Rent for Pastoral Properties
Ms PURICK to CHIEF MINISTER
On 21 June, I called on your government to freeze pastoral rents on properties affected by the live export ban. I repeated the call on 28 July and 4 August. Nine weeks after the announcement of the live export ban and long after the significant hardships the ban caused was identified, you announced pastoral rents would be frozen on properties with a turnover of less than $10m. How many properties have a turnover of less than $10m? Why did it take so long for your government to act? Will you now encourage the shire councils to freeze rates on freehold land and provide compensation to enable them to do so?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the honourable member for her question. Regarding the timing of the announcement on the freezing of pastoral rents, during the unfolding crisis and working with the Cattlemen’s Association through that time, I was advised their priority in the early stages was not compensation but, rather, directing all effort in getting the trade up and running again. That is still, fundamentally, their position.
I have been informed the rent notices went out on 1 July. No one would have paid those pastoral rents, so no pastoralists are out of pocket. In the scheme of things, we have a cash-flow crisis in the bush and people on many of these properties are not paying any bills. The real impact of this gesture not to collect pastoral rents on those properties is to relieve the pastoralists of one less bill to pay. It certainly does not help with cash flow, which is the very real problem for many of them. Hence, my call to the Australian government to fund a significant cash injection into those properties in the same way a cash injection was provided for farmers in north Queensland after Cyclone Yasi.
Concerning the number of properties, the modelling undertaken by NRETAS, which collects the pastoral rents - the department of Primary Industry - and the Cattlemen’s Association suggests it is around 100 properties that will not be required to pay rent. I have made it clear if there are properties that are just over the $10m mark or export just under 50%, there are provisions to put a hardship case to NRETAS and they will be considered keenly because of the current crisis.
I acknowledge the call was made earlier but it was not a priority for the cattlemen at the time. We have now made that decision.
Shire rates are a decision for the shires. However, the fundamental …
Members interjecting.
Mr HENDERSON: There is bipartisan support for this, and there is genuine …
Members interjecting
Madam SPEAKER: Order, member for Port Darwin!
Mr HENDERSON: There is genuine bipartisan support from people who care not to politicise this. Everyone who knows this industry knows the crisis is a cash crisis. These businesses need cash injected into their businesses. That is the call I will continue to make to the Commonwealth government, and the call I will take to COAG if it is not resolved by next week.
Problem Drinkers – Rehabilitation Initiatives
Ms SCRYMGOUR to MINISTER for ALCOHOL POLICY
The health sector plays an important role in the treatment and rehabilitation of problem drinkers. Under the alcohol reform, additional funding is in place to expand services. Can you please advise the House on initiatives under way to support rehabilitation and to help people stay off the grog?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Arafura for her question. She has worked closely with me in looking at rehab and treatment needs.
We have a strong record of delivering better health services, including boosting treatment and rehabilitation beds. As part of the alcohol reforms, we increased funding by $34.3m to boost alcohol and rehab treatment over five years under the reforms.
Over $5m will be spent this year alone to expand treatment options for our problem drinkers, which includes 29 new beds across Banyan House, the Salvation Army, and DASA in Alice Springs. There are also service boosts for a range of residential treatment services including Nhulunbuy Special Care Centre, Kalano in Katherine, BRADAAG in Tennant Creek, CAAAPU and Holyoake in Alice Springs, and FORWAARD in Darwin.
There is additional withdrawal management support in the community and hospitals, with funding into Royal Darwin Hospital and Alice Springs Hospital. There are new community outreach alcohol and other drugs services that will be delivered in partnership by the Department of Health and AMSANT - the Aboriginal Medical Services Association of the NT - to support clients and their families in the community. There is $230 000 for brief intervention services across both urban and remote areas to be delivered by GPs and health workers.
We will continue to work with our service providers in this all-important primary health alcohol and other drugs treatment services area to develop both responsive and evidence-based treatment services. We are also working closely with the sector to provide training in the alcohol misuse interventions, with over 70 sessions already delivered for our urban GPs, primary health, and treatment services. This $34m investment will provide for a range of treatment services across urban, regional, and remote areas of the Territory to support all-important treatment and rehabilitation options for our problem drinkers.
Aboriginal Interpreter Service – Relocation of Call Centre
Ms ANDERSON to MINISTER for LOCAL GOVERNMENT
It has come to my attention that the booking call centre for the Aboriginal Interpreter Service in Alice Springs has been centralised to Darwin. Have any other services provided by the Aboriginal Interpreter Service been moved solely to Darwin? How have you made the public, and specifically your Indigenous clients, aware of this change?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Macdonnell for her question. This government is proud of the Aboriginal Interpreter Service, particularly of its large role in employment. I provide more information to you. It has come to my attention there are moves under way. I have put questions to the agency about what is happening. I do not want to see movement of people or decentralising of employees to Darwin. I make it clear to the House that we need staff in all our regions.
Live Cattle Export Industry – National Information Campaign
Mr TOLLNER to CHIEF MINISTER
As you know, the opposition and the cattle industry have called for government to establish and manage a fighting fund for a major national public information campaign to dispel the myths in southern states about the live cattle industry. Australians should be told this good news story, not the biased, unfair portrayal of the industry screened on Four Corners earlier this year. Without such action, the Territory’s live cattle industry remains at the whim of animal rights extremists and mercenaries who own a camcorder. Will your government take a bipartisan approach with the opposition and seed fund and coordinate this vital national public information campaign?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Fong Lim for his question, and say welcome back, Dave. It is good to have him back on the front bench asking questions. I also acknowledge the member for Fong Lim’s genuine commitment to the bipartisan approach on this issue, along with the Leader of the Opposition and the other members of this House.
The member for Fong Lim has floated this issue. I have not had a discussion with the Northern Territory Cattlemen’s Association about a requirement for that and whether industry is keen to fund such an initiative. I point out that 60 Minutes had a positive portrayal of the Northern Territory live cattle industry recently - I believe it was two or three weeks ago. I also point out to the member that I am prepared to consider it, but only with input from Northern Territory cattlemen, so it is not just seen to be a government initiative.
The responsibility for a resolution to this lies with the Australian government and industry, through its agent, Meat and Livestock Australia, in bringing the facilities up to scratch in Indonesia, and the Australian government in ensuring pastoralists do not go to the wall because of a lack of income.
I am concerned about extreme animal rights groups. I heard talk today about new footage of abattoirs in Turkey doing the wrong thing. As I said at the media conference today, our Northern Territory pastoralists cannot be expected to be animal welfare police in every abattoir around the world as that is not their role.
The tide of public opinion around Australia is swinging around to the fact that significant numbers of people in the Northern Territory are in danger of losing their livelihoods. The fix to that is a significant cash injection into their business from the Australian government.
If we had additional money to put into such a campaign, we would look at it. I point out we are foregoing $2m worth of revenue in pastoral rents. I can consider this issue with the member for Fong Lim and industry, but the bottom line is ensuring these businesses stay viable. That is the position I will continue to advocate for.
Palmerston Community Hospital - Update
Ms WALKER to MINISTER for HEALTH
Can you please update the House on the progress of the development of the Palmerston Community Hospital?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for her question, which is an important question for people of the Palmerston and rural areas. Planning is well under way for the Palmerston hospital and is a key priority in our Territory 2030 strategy. Together with the Australia government, $100m has been committed - $70m from the Commonwealth government and $40m from the Northern Territory government from 2012-13.
The hospital will provide emergency care, up to 60 beds, day surgery, and some specialist services. Community engagement in the planning process is a priority. We have meetings with key clinicians and local community leaders to outline the plan for the way forward. The hospital will be based on consultation with clinicians, key stakeholders, population projections, burden of disease information, technology, workforce, infrastructure, and financial analysis …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr VATSKALIS: Obviously, the opposition does not like a hospital in Palmerston. That is why they do not want people to listen to what we are doing.
The Palmerston hospital will be a staged approach; $110m will be allocated for the first stage and the hospital will grow as the regional areas around the Palmerston and rural areas grow. We will consider the investment we have in Royal Darwin Hospital to ensure the required service capacity across the region.
We have a project task force with the Health department, the Department of Construction and Infrastructure, and the Northern Territory Treasury. An independent clinical service planning expert has been engaged and commenced the clinical planning work - Aurora Projects led by Project Director, Jo Thorley. Aurora Projects has led clinical planning for health services across regional areas of Australia.
We deliver a sustainable, quality hospital service for Territorians - unlike the CLP which promised $100m hospital, with no planning, no beds, in 15 years time. Not only do they have a problem with the hospital, they do not like super clinics, they do not want more doctors, they do not like more nurses, and no additional beds until 2023. They certainly did not have anything for Alice Springs - not even an emergency department.
Live Cattle Export Ban – Indonesian Abattoirs
Mr MILLS to MINISTER for PRIMARY INDUSTRY, FISHERIES and RESOURCES
As you know, within days of the announcement of the live export ban to Indonesia I flew to Jakarta and visited an abattoir that employed best practice slaughter techniques.
Madam Speaker, I seek leave to table some of the images I took during that visit.
Leave granted.
Mr MILLS: As a part of that important fact-finding mission, I was able to highlight the importance of immediately resuming the live export trade to abattoirs that used appropriate slaughter techniques.
As a part of your visit to Indonesia, can you outline what abattoirs you toured and how that visit informed you on appropriate abattoir slaughter techniques and, importantly, reinforced just how damaging and foolish the federal Labor blanket ban on live trade to Indonesia was?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, within hours of the announcement I was on the phone to the minister for primary industries in Canberra. Within days, I was meeting with my counterparts from Queensland and Western Australia and we managed to form a committee of experts from all states and territories to fast-track the reopening of the trade. Within days I was in Jakarta where I met with a senior official of the department of Agriculture and the Vice Minister for Trade. When I spoke to the people in Jakarta they told me they were sensitive about anyone from outside Indonesia visiting any abattoirs. I said I would respect their request and I visited some of the feedlots.
At the same time, I received bitter complaints by the authorities in Indonesia and the Vice Minister that politicians from Australia - namely Senator Nigel Scullion - went to Indonesia unannounced on a tourist visa, turned up at the embassy, and asked for assistance to visit abattoirs - something that did not impress the Indonesians ...
Mr Mills: Be careful there, mate.
Mr VATSKALIS: I am careful; that is the message I got from the Indonesian officers of the department of Agriculture. I believe Nigel Scullion was the spokesperson for primary industries from the federal opposition. I conveyed the message I got from Indonesia directly to the minister for Agriculture, Joe Ludwig, in Australia ...
Members interjecting.
Mr MILLS: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The minister has missed the point. What you saw, what you learnt in Indonesia, did it reinforce to you how stupid and how dangerous this knee-jerk reaction of your federal Labor colleagues decision to ban live trade was …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Leader of the Opposition, resume your seat!
Mr VATSKALIS: Madam Speaker, I advised the opposition who I met in Jakarta, what I saw, and what I learnt. I learnt the Indonesians wanted the trade to resume but we had to make the first step. These matters were conveyed to the federal minister for Agriculture who rang me when I was at Jakarta airport to advise me that, based on our information, he would reopen the trade straightaway. Within hours it was reopened. Your visit to Jakarta might have been a really good holiday; my visit to Jakarta helped reopen the trade.
Building Materials Australia – Alleged Breaches of Building Act
Mr WOOD to MINISTER for LANDS and PLANNING
In June last year, a rural couple paid $11 273 to a company called Building Materials Australia and received a receipt for the amount. This represented the first 5% of a down payment on a house. On the same day, they paid $56 360 - which was 25% of the total cost - to Building Materials Australia and again received a signed receipt.
The building contract for the house showed that BMA was in partnership with a company called ACT Builders NT Pty Ltd. The man who signed the receipt claims he no longer works for BMA even though he has used their e-mail address, and the company director is nowhere to be found. In the meantime, the family has no house and no sign of their money.
What is Building Advisory Services doing about the breaches of the Building Act by this company? Have you investigated the complaint to see if the family can get its money back?
Madam SPEAKER: Minister for Lands and Planning, before I call you I remind honourable members that we do not usually use the names of individual people in this House because they have a limited right of reply. In responding, minister, I would ask you to bear that in mind, thank you.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nelson for his question. I have been advised of this complaint received against the building company. Building Advisory Services, as the member has said, is currently investigating that complaint, as per the process through the Department of Lands and Planning, to determine whether an offence has been committed under the Building Act. If evidence is uncovered that the builder has committed an offence under the act - possibility of guilt by professional misconduct - the matter will be referred to the Building Practitioner’s Board. This is as per process.
When I asked questions about this matter I was advised it is a complicated matter that involves a number of parties. The member for Nelson has outlined that. All I can offer the member today is Building Advisory Services is conducting a thorough investigation and, while that is taking place, I will update you. We look for an outcome in that. I am happy to keep you updated as we go along with this process, member for Nelson.
National Broadband Network – Improving Health Outcomes for Territorians
Mr GUNNER to MINISTER for INFORMATION, COMMUNICATIONS and TECHNOLOGY POLICY
Can you please inform the House of the importance of the National Broadband Network in improving health outcomes for Territorians?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Fannie Bay for his important question. Improved health outcomes are something all Territorians can expect from the roll-out of the National Broadband Network, no matter where they live.
The Northern Territory government wholeheartedly welcomes the National Broadband Network to the Territory because the NBN provides a platform that allows homes, GPs, doctors’ surgeries, pharmacies, clinics, aged-care facilities, and allied health professionals to connect to affordable, reliable, high-speed broadband.
The NBN will enable home telehealth monitoring to monitor patient health and wellbeing indicators such as blood pressure, glucose levels, and lung function, and issue alerts where required to local health professionals. The NBN will also enable home video consultations to allow patients to communicate with relevant health providers through high-quality video. It will also allow healthy living support to provide information, coaching, and relevant social networking opportunities to promote healthier lifestyles - very important.
By delivering healthcare services to the home, older Australians and Territorians with chronic conditions will be better able to manage their health through ongoing monitoring and care in collaboration with their primary healthcare providers. Telehealth has many benefits including fewer visits to GPs and hospitals and emergency departments, improving patients’ health management and, importantly, allowing people to stay in their homes for longer instead of being moved to residential care.
PricewaterhouseCoopers’ research currently estimates that 20% of the population over 75 years old would benefit from in-home assistance supported by broadband. Studies, very importantly for the Northern Territory, also show that remote patient monitoring could reduce emergency room visits by up to 40% and the length of hospital stays by up to 60% …
Mr Bohlin: How does a pensioner afford $3000 a year?
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Drysdale!
Mr HAMPTON: … very important in the Northern Territory
iSOFT, the world’s second biggest health software provider, predicts that the NBN could pay for itself twice over through e-Health benefits alone. Specifically, it suggests that integrated patient records across healthcare could save between $8bn and $10bn a year, equating to a 10% saving in sector spending.
Madam Speaker, what makes it all possible is that everyone gets NBN - everyone except the opposition. NBN is heading in the right direction, whereas the opposition’s alternative is going back to the past and forgetting about the future.
Live Cattle Export Ban – Support by Chief Minister
Mr MILLS to CHIEF MINISTER
It is time to wake up. Notwithstanding there was a bipartisan position taken in this Northern Territory parliament in relation to the impact of the blanket ban on live export to Indonesia, there is still a large elephant in the room. Why did you support a ban on live exports that has punched a hole in a key sector of the Territory economy, crippled businesses, flawed the pastoral sector, and hurt families? You stood there and supported it.
ANSWER
Dear, oh dear! The Leader of the Opposition wants to rewrite history and I question the wisdom of going down this path. Since the ban was put in place I have been working on a daily basis with the NT Cattlemen’s Association, with individual Northern Territory pastoralists, and they have uniformly – 100% of the people I have worked with - have encouraged this issue …
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Under Standing Order 113, he is duty bound to answer the question: why did you back the ban?
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Port Darwin, resume your seat. That is not a point of order.
Mr HENDERSON: Let us go back to the beginning …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Greatorex, you will cease interjecting!
Mr HENDERSON: … of this issue. From day 1, the call from the Northern Territory pastoral sector was not to politicise this issue; it was too important. We had to get the trade up and running again. From day 1, we were talking to …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Katherine!
Mr HENDERSON: … the industry here in the Northern Territory. Even though the partial ban was not supported, at the official levels it was understood there needed to be a circuit breaker, and that needed to occur. That was the official position that everyone went into this issue with, and an absolute focus on getting this trade up and running again as quickly as possible.
My position has been crystal clear: to get this trade up and running again as soon as possible. That is what I have devoted every single day of my time as Chief Minister since that temporary ban was put in place. I continue to work every single day …
Mr Giles: You have rolled over!
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Braitling!
Mr HENDERSON: … to support the Northern Territory pastoral industry and associated industries, to see significant financial commitment and assistance to those pastoralists. I would be very sad today if the Leader of the Opposition abandons the bipartisan approach because I am absolutely certain ...
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Drysdale!
Mr HENDERSON: … that is not what Northern Territory pastoralists want. That is not what they want; they want us to continue to do everything we can to see this trade recovered as quickly as possible. I will not play politics on this issue. If the Leader of the Opposition wants to play politics on this issue, it will be on his head, Madam Speaker, because I will not!
Madam SPEAKER: Chief Minister, your time has expired.
There are far too many interruptions, honourable members. It went well for about 35 minutes, and then people remembered they were not as well behaved as they have been today. Several members are continually interjecting, and if one of them chooses to interject again - members for Greatorex, Braitling, Drysdale, and Katherine, you will be on a warning.
A Working Future – Health Services in Growth Towns
Ms SCRYMGOUR to MINISTER for INDIGENOUS DEVELOPMENT
Can you please outline how health services are being improved in our growth towns as part of A Working Future?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Arafura for her question. Our government signed up with the Commonwealth to work as diligently as we could to improve the lives of Northern Territory Indigenous people. That is as part of the COAG’s attempt to close the life expectancy gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians by 2031, and to ensure access to early childhood education.
In the Northern Territory, it requires a coordinated and consistent effort between the Northern Territory and federal governments, which is what we are doing with the growth towns and regions with A Working Future. We are doing it through coordination at agency level to ensure, with health, education, and local government there is a much better coordinated effort.
We are aware, as this House is, of advice in various reports about Indigenous affairs that consistency of planning is required, and can only occur successfully over a period of time. One of the things we want to do in closing the gap in Indigenous health, in a bipartisan way in this parliament, is ensuring our A Working Future policy does exactly that. Improving the lives of Indigenous people requires an effort by all members not to play politics with Aboriginal people, to make sure …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Braitling, you are now on a warning! Member for Drysdale, you are on a warning!
Ms McCARTHY: … that there is support for our policies and coordination.
Our government is committed to the policies with A Working Future. We are improving health. We have spent more than $1bn to deliver health services, and 60% of that goes to our regional health areas. I say to the men and women on the front line in our regions working to improve the lives with and for Indigenous people, thank you. These men and women work day in, day out, with some of the most tragic situations, and I say thank you for doing the work you do.
Regarding infrastructure, funding has been approved for new health clinics in Elliott, Umbakumba, Ngukurr, Galiwinku, Ntaria, and Numbulwar. Funding has also been approved for upgrades to existing health clinics in Papunya, Maningrida, and Gunbalanya. In Lajamanu, the local implementation plan has identified a new Category 1 health centre as a key priority, and this has assisted with Australian government commitment and funding for a new facility …
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, your time has expired.
Live Cattle Export Ban – Conduct of Chief Minister
Mr MILLS to CHIEF MINISTER
It is agreed by every single member in this parliament that the blanket ban on live cattle export to Indonesia was an appalling mistake. Since that ban was announced in early June, you have ranted and raved at Independent Senators Xenophon and Wilkie, pointed your finger at MLA, and flayed the Senate committee charged with investigating the live cattle trade. What is galling is you have made no criticism of the Labor government that introduced the ban. In fact, you were pictured nodding like a puppy dog behind the Prime Minister when she addressed the media about the ban. Have you not perpetrated a lie on the people of the Northern Territory by claiming you were opposed …
Dr BURNS: A point of order, Madam Speaker!
SUSPENSION OF STANDING ORDERS
Proposed Motion of Censure
Proposed Motion of Censure
Mr MILLS (Opposition Leader): Madam Speaker, I move that so much of standing orders be suspended as would prevent me from moving that this Assembly censure the Chief Minister and his government for his lame pretence of support for the Territory’s live cattle industry while failing to rebuke the Gillard government for its blanket ban on live cattle exports, and failing to deliver any real and meaningful assistance to thousands of Territorians now suffering under economic hardship as a result of that ban.
Dr BURNS (Leader of Government Business): Madam Speaker, we reluctantly accept this censure motion - reluctantly, because it breaks the spirit of bipartisanship on this issue.
Madam Speaker, I ask that further questions be placed on the Written Question Paper.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016